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First and foremost, VOTE! This happens to one of the Very Important Elections, for the USA, for Colorado, for Larimer County, and for Estes. The best advice I can give is to keep your eyes and ears and mind open, stay balanced through all of the dialogue and diatribes, and focus on the long future as you fill out your ballot. Generations from now, what will be the long-term results of the choices we make in the next weeks? This is the USA, and voting is as American a thing as you can do.
Whoever gets elected, we must find ways to work together. That IS possible, despite rumors to the contrary. It takes vision and willingness from everyone involved — and the ability to not let emotions take over the discussions — to bring our diverse viewpoints together. Only then can we work toward common goals and a unity that sometimes seems impossible or at least elusive. We are the United States, let’s unite. I’m here to help do so at the local level.
There are two events upcoming that speak to these challenges. On October 28 at 7 p.m. there’s an Estes Valley Voicesponsored screening at the Historic Park Theatre of a documentary called Trusted Sources. This film considers the challenges of misinformation and the criticality of accuracy and truth in news sources. There’s a panel discussion after the showing in which I’ll participate. Then, there’s a showing of Undivide Us on October 30 at 5:30 p.m. at the Estes Park Museum. This documentary “challenges the idea that citizens who disagree are not capable of civil conversation, and demonstrates the truth that, even in our differences,
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 October 13th, 2024, the Estes Valley Fire Protection District (EVFPD) responded to 10 calls for service. This included:
Alarm Activation: 4
Emergency Medical (assist EPH): 1
Assist: 2
Odor Investigation: 2
Structure Fire: 1
Estes Valley Fire www.estesvalleyfire.org
the American experiment is still alive and well.” Sounds good to me. Let’s do it.
A unified America is America the Beautiful. We need to all pull together despite our big differences of opinion on social agendas. We all want a healthy planet to raise our kids and future generations.
“Environmentalism” is not a political word, it’s a human venture that affects all other goals and projects. If we don’t maintain this Planet Earth, all other considerations fall away. So, how can we educate not only our children but also our guests, on the way in, and the way out, to raise their sense of protecting the beauty of this valley and beyond? Visit Estes Park has embedded goals in their operating plan to help focus on the latter. Good, that’s a step in the right direction.
Despite our good works in this region, an October 16 report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) says that fossil fuels are expected to remain a dominant part of the energy mix through mid-century. While we expect to be at 85% green in Estes by 2030 through PRPA, the IEA report shows that fossil fuels are still projected to make up 58 percent of the energy mix in 2050. This makes it all the more important that those who can convert economically and dependably, should convert.
I network ceaselessly: I was interviewed by three seniors at the high school about immigration; I participated in the interviews for a new fire chief; I met with various citizens and merchants, state & county & federal politicians, peers from different municipalities; and much more.
I’m happy to hear of the Letter of Intent that Estes Park Health has crafted with
The charge(s) are merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
On 10/13/2024 at 10:39 p.m. police contacted a 32 year old male from Estes Park in the 2200 block of Midpoint Drive, Fort Collins who had stolen a motorcycle. The male was charged with first degree aggravated motor vehicle theft and criminal mischief, arrested and transported to the Larimer County Jail.
On 10/15/2024 at 6:18 p.m. police contacted a 32 year old Estes Park female in the 800 block of Fawn Lane for an out-
UCHealth to affiliate with that large healthcare system. 80% of us voted for that acquisition in May 2023. While it will take several months to complete the deal, this is a big step toward financial stability for our local medical center. I’ll support the move however I can.
I want to commend the great operation that Julie Lee and team do at Good Samaritan’s, supported by the regional vice president, Randy Fitzgerald. They are the only game in town for the services they provide, with independent senior living, assisted living, and assisted living respite care (https://www.good-sam.com/locations/estes-park-village). They maintain a beautiful facility and their staff is expert and compassionate.
I’m happy to see that we’ve selected a new fire chief (Paul Capo). I’ll work to support Chief Capo in any fashion that I can.
I’m glad to see the search team begin to mobilize for a new CEO for Visit Estes Park. This is a great opportunity for VEP for new methods and directions. They have a very strong core of very talented folks on-board.
The Loop is looping nicely; many shops have had an upsurge in September and October. CDOT has more asphalt paving for 2024; the Cleave Street project restarts; and West Elkhorn will get a new coat. These projects are still highly impactful. Expect to see me rounding in those areas to hear the challenges and to help bridge communication as needed.
standing warrant for a misdemeanor offense. She was arrested and later released on bond at the scene.
On 10/19/2024 at 5:18 p.m. officers were notified that a motor vehicle drove through a fence, and the driver left the scene in the 1200 block of Acacia Drive. Officers contacted a 53 year old Estes Park female who was determined to be the driver and found her to be DUI. She was arrested and charged with DUI, DUI per se, careless driving and leaving the scene of an accident and then transported to the Larimer County Jail.
POLICE - For non-emergency assistance and assistance after-hours, on weekends and on holidays, contact police dispatch at 970-586-4000
Gary Hall
The Green Grid
By: Mayor Gary Hall
Estes Park is certainly a magical and beautiful place. But our paradise is vulnerable to natural hazards and power outages. Floods (2013, 1982, 1976), fires (2012, 2020, 2021, 2024), wind, winter storms, and other crises can cause widespread damage and interrupt our electrical systems. I was working at the hospital during the 2013 flood. I clearly remember the complete loss of connectivity shortly after noon on September 13 that year. I also recall the evacuation of the whole town in 2020 in response to the East Troublesome and Cameron Peak fires. As operations chief at Estes Park Health at the time, I have many stories I could tell about the ordeal and its aftermath.
So, as we continue to convert to green power (wind and solar primarily, while reducing and eliminating coal and gas sources), we have to ensure stable and dependable access to sufficient and timely electricity. In other words, we need to ensure it’s always there when we need it. Sufficient storage ability and redundancy of service is essential to keep our power ready for use whenever/wherever needed – particularly as we continue to grapple with the impacts of climate change. Our hospital, our other medical care providers, our schools, our town, our businesses, our residents, and our lodging for our guests: all depend on available, plentiful power. And yet, according to our Line Superintendent Joe Lockhart, we’ve had three 100% blackouts in the last two years.
Fortunately, two projects, supported by local, state, and federal funding, will provide increased resiliency to our grid and town, while enabling our move to green power. We very much appreciate the state’s commitment to work with local governments to become more resilient in the face of growing climate-related dangers and other challenges.
The first project is funded by a $350,000 grant from the Microgrids for Community Resilience (MCR) program, through the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), to our wholesale power provider, Platte River Power Authority (PRPA). This
program will provide our first-ever battery for storage of electrical energy. The battery will connect to our electrical grid, providing backup power to the hospital, utility shop, fire protection district, Estes Park Emergency Response Command Center, and 1,300 customers. Once we eliminate coal-generated electricity by 2030, the battery will become especially important. And by then, we’ll be starting to add more batteries to the system so that, ultimately, we’ll have sufficient storage to handle the load for all of Estes during times when the alternative sources of energy are not sufficient to power the whole town.
The first battery is expected to be live by 2027 and will be in a central location, where it will be able to support many different parts of town when needed. Future batteries will be in other locations and will be connected as part of a microgrid for the Town, which is a subset of the grid that can operate independently in the event of a major outage. PRPA plans to install these batteries in all four member communities (Loveland, Fort Collins, Longmont, as well as Estes Park).
The second project is funded by a $661,000 grant from the Colorado Energy Office’s Grid Hardening for Small and Rural Communities Program. With this funding, we will rebuild a main distribution feeder line to the north part of Estes so that the north can receive service from the south feeder when needed. This upgrade will replace 1970s-era conductors with modern components, some underground and some fire-resistant covered cables. This will create the redundancy for north Estes that has been lacking with the current structure and capacity.
I can’t overstate the value of working with the State for these improvements. We want to thank the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Deployment Office, the Colorado Energy Office, DOLA and the MCR program, and others who are helping to make this happen for the Estes Valley. I want the lights to always be on, and I want to continue to help steer our community toward clean and green electricity. With these two projects, we take another big step toward a better future, for which our descendants will thank us down the line. Onward!
It's Never Too Early To Think About Blue Santa!
By: Michelle Fanucchi, Auxiliary Member
Sponsored by the Estes Park Police Department’s Auxiliary Unit, Blue Santa purchases and delivers non-perish able food and hygiene pro ducts to disabled, shut-in, and elderly community members needing holi day cheer in December. Estes Park has about 100 Blue Santa recipients each year. Nominations for commu nity members to receive a de livery should be submitted before Nov. 30, 2024. Email nominations to BlueSanta@estes.org or use the online nomination form at estes.org/bluesanta. Bright Christmas recipients are not eligible for Blue Santa.
HOW
c/o Estes Park Police Auxiliary, P.O. Box 1287, Estes Park, CO 80517. To use your credit or debit card go to estes.org/onlinepayments. Scroll down the page to “Police Department Services Payment.” Select “EP Police Dept Donations” and then type “Blue Santa” in the description and your donation amount in the “Price”. You can then checkout and receive a receipt.
You can help, by sending your monetary donation to the Blue Santa Program,
All donations are used to fund items for Blue Santa recipients, and the Blue Santa program is only possible through your compassion for those in need and your generous donations. Send us your questions at BlueSanta@estes.org
Halloween Closure On Elkhorn Avenue Allows Safe Passage Of Trick-Or-Treaters
Estes Park’s annual community Halloween festivities will take place on Elkhorn Avenue on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. To provide safe passage for trick-or-treaters during these festivities, the Town of Estes Park will close Elkhorn Avenue from Spruce Drive to Riverside Drive from 4:00 p.m. until approximately 8:00 p.m. Side street traffic will be detoured accordingly.
The lane closures are intended to increase safe areas for pedestrians, while at the same time improving the ability of adjacent businesses to participate in the Halloween festivities. The fencing and cones will guide pedestrians to designated crosswalks. Officers from the Estes Park Police Department will be stationed throughout downtown for added safety.
Those planning to attend these popular downtown Halloween festivities are encouraged to park in Town parking lots north of Elkhorn Avenue, including the Town Hall / Library, East Riverside, Brownfield's, Big Horn, Tregent, and Spruce lots. On-street parking will be available on MacGregor Avenue, Big Horn Drive, and on Park Lane around Bond Park. These parking areas can be accessed via US 36, E. Wonderview Avenue, Virginia Drive, Big Horn Drive, or West Elkhorn Avenue. Accessible (ADA) parking will be available in all open Town parking lots. The Visitor Center lot and Parking Structure will be
open for overflow parking.
Please note that all public parking areas south of Elkhorn Avenue will be closed/inaccessible after the road closures begin at 4:30 p.m., including the Wiest, Davis, W. Riverside, Post Office, and Riverside lots. The Virginia lot will also be closed. On-street parking along Moraine Avenue, East and West Riverside will also be unavailable.
The Town of Estes Park encourages residents to bring their children downtown for a safe and fun Halloween celebration provided by the community’s local businesses, organizations, and residents. Trickor-treating families are encouraged to follow these safety tips:
Costumes should be highly visible with reflective materials.
To prevent tripping, costumes should not drag on the ground.
Props should not have sharp edges that could cause injury.
Carry a flashlight after dark.
Walk, don’t run.
Unless there is a designated street closure, walk on sidewalks and use designated crosswalks only.
If a business or entity would like to participate, please contact Carissa Streib with the Estes Chamber of Commerce at simplyxmas07@gmail.com.
Rocky Mountain National Park Announces Plans For Potential Prescribed Burn
Based upon the arrival of cool weather and the amount of precipitation in the extended weather forecast, fire managers at Rocky Mountain National Park are preparing to conduct a prescribed burn if favorable weather and fuel conditions allow. Fire managers may burn up to a 300-acre area. This would take place west of the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and south of U.S. Highway 36. Burning operations would be conducted over several days to limit daily smoke production.
The primary goal of the project is to reduce the threat of wildland fire to adjacent communities and park infrastructure by using prescribed fire to reduce the amount of fuel available in this area. When fighting the East Troublesome Fire in 2020 and the Fern Lake Fire in 2012, firefighters were able to take advantage of previous and existing prescribed fire and hazardous fuels treatment areas that provided a buffer between the fire and the town of Estes Park. Prior hazard fuels projects were instrumental in stopping the fire from jumping Bear Lake Road and Trail Ridge Road.
Depending on when and if weather and fuel conditions are suitable, prescribed burning operations may begin
late October or any time through the winter. Ignitions will likely occur on weekdays with smoldering and smoke emissions lasting for an additional 3-10 days. If burning operations take place, traffic control will be in place on U.S. Highway 36 within the burn area. Smoke may be visible both inside and outside the park. Every effort will be made to minimize smoke impacts on visitors and the adjacent community; however, some smoke is anticipated to disperse east of the park. Smoke may affect your health: For more information see www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/ wood-smoke-and-health. No trail or road closures are anticipated but visitors passing through active burning areas may be escorted by fire personnel to ensure their safety.
For the safety of visitors and firefighters, park visitors will not be allowed to stop along U.S. Highway 36 within the burn area. Visitors will also not be able to walk within the burn area.
Safety factors, weather conditions, air quality, personnel availability and environmental regulations are continually monitored as a part of any fire management operation. For more information please contact the park’s Information Office at (970) 586-1206.
Prescribed Burn Near Beaver Meadows Entrance October 2018. Images courtesy NPS
SEASONED Presents: ‘Poe’
A special Edgar Allan Poe themed dinner experience
October 30, 2024 ‘Boston to Baltimore’ Menu $95/person ~ Wine Pairing $50/person
One Seating at 6pm
The Poe Menu:
‘TELL-TALE HEARTS’
Important Voting Information
When: You should receive you ballot in the mail the week of October 14th. If you don’t get a ballot log onto www.GoVoteColorado and check your registration details.
censing Office, 1601 Brodie Ave.
“I heard a slight groan, and I knew it was the groan of mortal terror. It was not a groan of pain or of grief —oh, no! —it was the low stifled sound that arises from the bottom of the soul when overcharged with awe. I knew the sound well. Many a night, just at midnight, when all the world slept, it has welled up from my own bosom, deepening, with its dreadful echo, the terrors that distracted me. I say I knew it well. I knew what the old man felt, and pitied him, although I chuckled at heart.”
Hearts of Baby Romaine/Artichoke Hearts/Beets/Blood Orange Vinaigrette
‘RAVEN’
“Much I marveled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly, Though its answer little meaning— little relevancy bore; For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being Ever yet was blest with seeing bird above his chamber door — Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door, With such name as ‘Nevermore’.”
“But evil things, in robes of sorrow, Assailed the monarch’s high estate; (Ah, let us mourn, for never morrow Shall dawn upon him, desolate!) And, round about his home, the glory That blushed and bloomed Is but a dim-remembered story Of the old time entombed.?
“THE thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge. You, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not suppose, however, that gave utterance to a threat. At length I would be avenged; this was a point definitely, settled —but the very definitiveness with which it was resolved precluded the idea of risk. I must not only punish but punish with impunity. A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser. It is equally unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong.”
Chesapeake Blue Crab Cake/Amontillado Sherried Mushroom Cream/Potato Pavé/Roasted Tomato
‘COGNAC & ROSES’
“At the site of Poe’s original grave (which is marked with a commemorative stone) ‘he’ would pour a glass of Martell cognac and raise a toast. He then arranged three red roses on the monument in a distinctive configuration and departed, leaving the unfinished bottle of cognac.”
Rose & Lemon Curd Syllabub/Martell Cognac Cream/Chocolate Truffle
SEASONED
An American Bistro
What is on my ballot? Go to www.vote411.org/colorado for every race covering our area districts in Colorado, State ballot amendments and propositions, and the Presidential race. Scroll down to see “Personalized voting information,” push Get Started button.
Where and when to submit your ballot:
1. USPS with a first-class stamp. Best to mail by October 28th (postmarked) to allow for delivery.
2. Ballot Drop Boxes: at two locations, open 24 hours a day from Oct. 14th-Nov 5th, then they close at 7:00 p.m. on Election Day (Nov. 7th ): Estes Park Municipal Building (across from the Estes Park Town Hall) 170 MacGregor Ave., and outside the Larimer County Vehicle Li-
3. Voter Service and Polling Center: One in Estes Park located at the Estes Valley Community Center (Rec. Center) 660 Community Dr., inside the lowerlevel Monday through Saturday, Oct. 28Nov. 2 (8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.), Monday, November 4 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 5, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Here you can register in person including on Election Day (Nov. 5).
For voting resources from the League of Women Voters, go to www.lwvcolorado.org. Our Ballot Issues pamphlets and Voting Resources cards in English and Spanish can be found at the Estes Valley Library, Salud Health Center, Town Hall foyer, EVICs, American Legion, Mountain Home Café and The Learning Place.
Other Voting Info: www.larimer.gov/clerk/elections www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections www.lwv-estespark.org
¿Soy elegible para votar?
¿Cómo puedo verificar mi registro de votante?
¿Qué hay en mi boleta?
¿Dónde y cuándo puedo votar?
Fechas importantes y dónde y cuándo enviar su papeleta:
28 de octubre Último día para presentar una solicitud de registro de votantes que le envíen una boleta por correo.
Condado de Larimer: abierto las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana hasta las 7:00 p. m. del 5 de noviembre.
3. Servicio al votante y Centro de Votación abierto de 8 a.m a 5 p.m. (excepto los domingos y el 29 de octubre), y el día de las elecciones de 7 a.m. a 7 p.m.
5 de noviembre Elecciones generales. Las urnas abren de 7 am - 7 p.m.
1. USPS con sello de primera clase. Es mejor enviar antes del 28 de octubre para que la entrega sea más lenta.
2. Buzones de votación Frente al Ayuntamiento de Estes Park y afuera de la Oficina de Licencias de Vehículos del
Estos sitios web pueden responder a muchas de tus preguntas y proporcionar información:
• www.govotecolorado.gov inglés y español (te lleva al sitio web de SOS anterior)
•www.vote411.org/es/colorado Para cada carrera que cubre nuestros distritos de área en Colorado, enmiendas y propuestas electorales estatales y la carrera presidencial.
On Saturday, October 26, at 1:00 p.m. learn from the locals at the Estes Park Museum during the fall oral history series, Estes Speaks. For the first in the series of three featured oral histories, staff will be sharing the video interview of Robert “Bob” Dekker (1929 – 2011). In his 2005 interview, Dekker reflects on his time in Estes Park describing his experiences and memories, particularly those pertaining to his time with the Power and Light department, his work as a Town trustee, and eventually mayor.
Beginning in the late 1970s and continuing today, the Estes Park Museum and Library staff began gathering interviews from local individuals. Interviewing has con-
tinued to today through the 2013 flood, a 2014 series with prominent local climbers/mountaineers, and first responders to the 2020 fires. With a variety of topics and eras spanning across more than 300 interviews, the Museum has taken the platform to let those who experienced history tell it themselves. Please join us as we explore the collection.
The mission of the Estes Park Museum is to conduct activities that preserve, share, and respect the unique history of Estes Park. For more information, call the Estes Park Museum at 970-586-6256 or visit the Museum's website. Museum gallery hours: Wednesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
2025 Annual Vacation Home Licensing Fee
2025 Vacation Home Licensing fees have been updated to reflect the annual adjustment for inflation of the Workforce Housing Regulatory Linkage fee. The 2025 annual fee will consist of: $200 base fee, $50 fee/bedroom, and $1460 Workforce Housing Regulatory Linkage Fee.
Beginning in 2023 the Workforce Housing and Regulatory Linkage fee, adopted through Ordinance 02-22, was instituted and collected for all vacation home licenses through the annual license fee. The adjusted amount will be reflected on 2025 vacation home license renewal notices as well as the 2025 vacation home license application. Renewal notices will be generated and sent during the first week of December 2024 with renewal & fees due no later than Friday, January 31, 2025.
For more information on vacation home licenses, visit estes.org/vacationhomelicensing.
Thunker reader James W. contacted me to tell me about a phenomenon he doesn’t understand, which is “lost” water bottles. He said,“When a swimmer at our local pool leaves a water bottle behind, lifeguards put it on top of a wall cabinet. There are now more than a dozen water bottles on the cabinet. I thought nothing of it until yesterday when I was at the grocery and saw these things for sale. They cost between $12 and $40!! So my obvious question is, why don’t the owners come claim their water bottles? What do they do, go buy a new one?”
He continued, “It’s not as if they lost their expensive bottle whilst summiting Leaky Peak or rafting Tom's Son's River. They took it to the pool, used it at the pool, forgot it at the pool.
“Go get it," James said. “Back in the 1990s I knew a young man who left his backpack on top of Longs Peak while he helped with a medical evacuation. After helping to get the victim down to the trailhead, he went back for his pack.”
[Me: Obviously JW hasn’t been to the Lost and Found at the YMCA of the Rockies and every other lodging facility in a tourist destination—plus any school in Your Town, U.S.A. One could outfit and an entire family with the “left behinds” at the Y. There are the everyday hats, gloves and scarves, but also shirts, pants, nice jackets and coats, rain and snow gear, backpacks, sunglasses and yes, water bottles.]
James’s comment reminded me of a column I wrote in April, 2006 about lost shoes: Here is an excerpt: “This particular pondering reminds me of my befuddlement when seeing a lone shoe lying in the middle of the highway, which is a surprisingly frequent observation. How does this phenomenon occur? Certainly people don't intentionally discard a single shoe. But if so, what are the circumstances surrounding the release of shoes, and especially one shoe but not the other, when traveling at high speed in a car? I wonder what eventually happens to these dismissed shoes. Do they end up in the Land of Misfit Shoes and Escaped Plastic Grocery Bags?
“I've never let fly a shoe out a car window, but I am guilty to a small degree of contributing to the debris debacle. One Monday the crows managed to peck holes in the bright aqua Doering Disposal garbage bag to get at highly pungent morsels of refuse, which they find to be delectable. While these monster birds yanked chicken bones out of our garbage, they also pulled out trash that took flight with the first clawing winds that morning. When I discovered we were unintentionally littering, I chased the birds away and took up watch at our picture window in case they came back. I sat there until the garbage truck came.
“Fortunately we don't have the crow problem anymore. Dona C. informed me that if I give my garbage not two, not four, but three sprays of bleach before I set it out, the birds will stay away. And they do.”
I told James about that long-ago column. He replied, “Oh, you reminded me . . . I once set out to write an article about boots on fence posts. Found a half mile of boots on posts, out in Nebraska. Followed the boots down a road and into a ranch, where I found a very pleasant woman who informed me that her husband had placed all those boots on posts.
‘Where did he get them?’
‘Oh, neighbors leave boxes of boots near our mail box, knowing that he likes to put them on fence posts.’
‘How long’s he been doing it?’
‘Ever since we’ve been married. Nine years.’
‘So,’ I said, ‘why does he do it?’ Her answer? ‘I’ve never asked him.’ !!!! [James’s exclamation points, not mine!]
James turns to us and asks,“In nine years?”
He said, “I traveled many roads, talked to many farmers, drank many beers in blue-collar bars trying to find out WHY people put boots and shoes on fenceposts. And I got some very weird answers, but never what you might call a definitive answer. The mystery remains.”
I wanted to help out troubled James so I did a quick google search and came up with several answers:
1) In the days before we communicated via “devices,” boots on a fence meant the workday was over and, if the boots pointed toward the property’s gate, it meant the farmer was at home. If they faced the other way, it meant he wasn’t in. This way, visitors would know if they should stop by or not. [This means if a fella had a row of fenceposts running over hill and dale, he would have to quit work midday just so he’d have time to rotate the boots toward or away from the gate. If he had to make a quick trip to the local diner, first he’d have to rotate all the boots to indicate he was away. Then he’d have to switch them back around when he got home. I don’t buy this explanation.]
2) When a man’s boots eventually wear out he has a hard time parting ways with them so he puts them to good use by turning them upside down on a fence to help protect the posts from the harm of water, fungi and insects. [That’s practical, but not very romantic.]
3) When a comrade passes away, a cowboy may hang a boot on a fencepost as a memorial. Because a man grows attached to his boots and wears them daily, it's a tradition to hang them on a fence whenever the boots have worn out. [I’ll take door number three. It’s sentimental. I like that. I wonder what a cowboy/rancher/farmer would do with a found water bottle.]
You may let The Thunker know what you think at her e-mail address, donoholdt@gmail.com.
Please join us at 450 Valley Road Tuesday evenings from 6:30pm to 7:30 pm Children welcome
Treasure Tables Opens On October 26
More than 500 people are expected to visit the Estes Park Events Center for the annual Treasure Tables shopping extravaganza on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vendors from the Allenspark area, the Front Range and beyond will be showing off their wares in pottery, photography, soap-making and more. Arts and crafters may still find a booth available. Go to peo.treasure.table@gmail.com.
The event is sponsored by local PEO chapter IY and much of the money raised will go to scholarships for women in college and graduate school. Parking is free and there is no admission charge. You will be greeted by a delicious bake sale and a food truck will be on site for lunch. Start and finish all your holiday shopping in one place and support educated women!
Photos of past vendors at Treasure Tables
Safe Pumpkin Decorating: Keeping Wildlife In Mind
As autumn arrives, many people look forward to decorating pumpkins for Halloween and fall festivities. While it’s a fun activity that adds a festive touch to your home, it's essential to consider wildlife when choosing how to decorate and display your pumpkins.
Please remember pumpkins are food, especially to the wildlife! Animals are likely to eat (or at least nibble on) your carved jack-o’-lanterns. Elk, deer, moose, foxes, squirrels, mice might feast on these delicious slimy orange porch snacks. Keep this in mind when placing your pumpkins outside – you'll likely attract wildlife as they view our seasonal gourds as a free meal.
In recent years, many social media posts have been shared giving various “tricks” to keep a carved pumpkin from rotting so quickly.
Bleach seems to be the chemical of choice in these posts but as we all know, bleach is not a safe thing for humans or wildlife to ingest. The best piece of advice we can give is don’t bleach your pumpkins. Help protect our wildlife and if you must try to prevent your pumpkin from getting moldy, use vinegar instead. One part vinegar to ten parts water will work just as well as bleach. While it's very exciting to see your jack-o-lantern masterpiece last forever, wildlife sees pumpkins, carved or not, for what they are... food.
It’s best to just enjoy your carved creations for a few days and then dispose of them properly.
If you decide to forego the carving and opt to decorate instead, here are some tips to ensure your creative endeavors are safe for animals while still being enjoyable for you.
1. Choose Non-Toxic Materials
When decorating pumpkins, opt for non-toxic paints, markers, and embellishments. Many traditional craft supplies can be harmful if ingested by animals. Here are some safe op tions:
Natural paints: Use paints made from nat ural pigments or waterbased, non-toxic formulas.
2. Skip the Candles
Traditional candle-lit pumpkins can be a huge fire hazard and may also attract curious wildlife. Instead, consider these al-
Biodegradable glue: If you’re using glue for decorations, ensure it’s biodegradable and non-toxic.
Organic materials: Consider using organic materials like dried leaves, seeds, or flowers for decoration. These are not only safe for wildlife but also add a beautiful, rustic touch.
Battery-operated LED Lights: These are safe and provide a warm glow without
Glow sticks: For a fun and colorful twist, use glow sticks inside your pumpkin.
Solar lights: Small solar-powered lights can also illuminate your pumpkins while being environmentally friendly.
3. Display with Care
Where and how you display your pumpkins can significantly affect local wildlife. Here are some tips to minimize risks:
Elevate Your Pumpkins: Place them on tables or shelves instead of directly on the ground to deter animals from nibbling. Avoid the Pathways of Wildlife: Be mindful of where you place your pumpkins. Avoid areas frequented by wildlife, such as near gardens or wooded areas.
4. Dispose of Leftover Pumpkins Properly
After Halloween, it's common to have leftover pumpkins. Instead of leaving them outside for wildlife to find, consider these options:
Compost: If your pumpkins are made from non-toxic materials, composting is a great way to recycle them.
Bury Them: If composting isn’t an option, consider burying your pumpkins in your garden. This will help enrich the soil and keep wildlife from accessing them.
Local Farms: Some local farms or wildlife sanctuaries may accept pumpkins for animal feed, but be sure to check their guidelines first.
5. Educate Your Family and Friends
Share the importance of wildlife-safe decorating with your family and friends. Encourage them to use non-toxic materials and responsible disposal methods. Raising awareness will help create a community of mindful decorators who consider wildlife in their fall celebrations.
Decorating pumpkins is a delightful way to embrace the autumn season, but it’s crucial to keep wildlife in mind. By choosing safe materials, using alternative lighting, displaying pumpkins thoughtfully, and disposing of them responsibly, you can enjoy your fall festivities without compromising the health of local animals. Happy decorating!
Estes Park Mountain Shop And First Colorado Realty Present “
The Devil’s Climb”
Don’t miss your opportunity to see Estes Park’s very own Tommy Caldwell along with Alex Honnold in the National Geographic movie, “The Devil’s Climb” at the historic Park Theatre November 1, and 2.
This show is brought to you by the Estes Park Mountain Shop and First Colorado Realty. From National Geographic and Plimsoll Productions comes the thrilling documentary special “The Devil’s Climb.” Follow renowned rock climbers Alex Honnold and Tommy Caldwell on a 2,600-mile expedition to tackle one of the most daunting challenges of their careers: summiting the infamous Devils Thumb. The Devils Thumb is a sinister tower of ice-plastered granite deep in the wilderness of southeast Alaska and is known as one of the most dangerous mountains in North America. For Alex Honnold, this climb is among the greatest adventures of his life, a testa-
ment to his relentless drive to achieve the impossible. For his best friend, Tommy Caldwell, it’s a chance to make a heroic comeback after a careerthreatening Achilles injury. The friends undertake an epic journey to the Devils Thumb, traveling by bicycle, sailboat and on foot through the American West, Canada and Alaska. Witness the extraordinary courage and pulse-pounding climbing as the two attempt to accomplish the first-ever, single-day traverse of all five peaks of the Devils Thumb massif – and push their bodies and bond to the absolute limit.
Tickets: At-will donation (suggested donation of $15). Tickets can be picked up at Estes Park Mountain Shop. All funds benefit the Estes Park Education Foundation, supporting local teachers and students.
To view the trailer: tinyurl.com/44k8v3su. HISTORIC
7:30
Getting To Know Salud’s Dentist, Dr. Hong-Part 2
By: Linda Wagner
Editor’s Note: This is part two of an interview with Dr. Hong. Part one ran last week, 10/18/2024, and you can read it in our Virtual newspaper at epnews.com
When did you join Estes Park Salud Clinic?
I joined Estes Park’s clinic in April. Prior to that, I was in Longmont’s Salud for about five years as the Director.
So, how did you end up in Estes Park? I was up in Estes, covering the clinic since there was not a dentist at the time. I came up, was able to see how nice the clinic was, obviously how gorgeous Estes Park is, the wildlife, and it just really got me thinking, “Man, this is really nice.”
How many staff currently work for the Salud Dental Clinic? We currently have five, including myself. We have two back office dental assistants, one front desk assistant, and Susan, who is a dental hygienist. We provide a variety of vital services including fillings, extractions, oral surgery, crowns, bridges, partials, full dentures, root canals (if we can save a tooth,) cavities, etc. We also provide oral pathology to identify if cancer is present; it’s part of the comprehensive screening. Biopsies are done on site.
What do you enjoy the most about working in Estes Park? The outdoors is what drew me to CO in the first place. I love to mountain bike, camp, hike, paddleboard. I would like to find something in Estes Park, a piece of land. I don’t need much by way of a house but would love a plot of land to build on.
What is some of the best advice you would give to parents (and adults) in regards to maintaining a consistent dental routine, including yearly check ups?
I think, you know, a good practice for adults is to come in for an annual checkup. Kids, every six months.
Try to focus on home care—brushing and flossing at home as a part of your
daily routine. Also be aware of what you are putting in your body— it’s not much different than how dietary choices affect your overall health. Highly processed foods, foods high in sugar, those things will lead to more cavities usually. Take a look at some parts of your diets and try to cut back on those things, especially soda. Sweet tea, coffee, things that don’t seem so obvious but we’re adding sugar to, can also be something that adds to your body’s health and what your teeth are exposed to.
What and who do you see the most of in relation to dental issues?
We see everyone. As a community health center and as a safety net to those that are underserved or Medicaid is their provider, we are the only clinic that provides these services.
I read that tooth decay is the most common, unmet health care need in children and untreated, can lead to pain, infection and even result in issues with speaking and learning.
Dental decay is the most prevalent issue impacting children. Tooth pain is going to affect their ability to attend school, leading to absenteeism, selfconfidence issues and their self-esteem (missing teeth or decayed teeth).
I know, as a Board member of Salud Foundation, that we are sponsoring a free dental care program, which includes a variety of services, for ages up to 21. What free services are being offered with the dental care program?
The free services program is specifically for children and young adults, up to age 21. That includes any treatment we offer here including initial exam, cleaning, any preventive needs we identify that they have including sealants (the areas where a tiny little crevice or pit isn’t getting a thorough brushing—a bit of food gets left behind and sits there and creates a cavity. In our younger children, we recommend sealants to cover up these little pits to prevent food from getting trapped in there and then you are less likely to develop a cavity in that area.
Back teeth and molars are where we will always recommend sealants—isolate the area, apply sealant—NO pain involved in procedure), fillings, crowns, root canals, extractions, all of those things we can do on site.
Last question: how do you like working in Estes Park?
I’ve only been here a short time so far but I’ve found that everyone I’ve met in Estes has been really kind and welcoming. I’m excited to work in this community. There is a great need I’m excited to be able to fill the gap.
DID YOU KNOW?
Salud Family Health Estes Park provides free, quality dental care to your children.
Did you know?
Tooth decay is the most common unmet health care need of children.
Children with poor oral health are 3 times more likely to miss school due to dental pain.
Untreated oral health issues can lead to pain and infection, resulting in problems with eating, speaking, and learning.
These services are provided FREE thanks to the Estes Park Salud Foundation. Ask the front desk or call today to learn more!
Salud Dental accepts Colorado State Medicaid, CHP+ and Delta Dental. Salud offers a sliding fee scale based on Family size and income. Enrollment assistance is available.
1950 Redtail Hawk Drive Estes Park, CO 80517
Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
¿SABÍA QUE?
Salud Family Health Estes Park les proporciona a sus hijos atención dental gratuita y de calidad.
¿Sabía que?
La caries dental es la afección sin atender más frecuente entre los niños.
Los niños con mala salud bucal tienen 3 veces más probabilidades de faltar a la escuela debido a dolores dentales.
Los problemas de salud bucal no tratados pueden provocar dolor e infecciones, que resultan en problemas para comer, hablar y aprender.
Estos servicios se proporcionan GRATIS gracias a la Fundación Salud Estes Park. ¡Pregunte en la recepción o llame hoy mismo para obtener más información!
Salud Dental acepta el Medicaid del estado de Colorado, CHP+ y Delta Dental. Salud ofrece tarifas de descuentos con base en el tamaño de la familia e ingresos. Se ofrece asistencia para la inscripción.
1950 Redtail Hawk Drive Estes Park, CO 80517
Lunes – Viernes 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
¡Atención dental para los niños de Estes Park GRATIS!
Snowy Peaks Winery Celebrating Their 20th Harvest Season
Estes Park’s only winery, Snowy Peaks Winery, is celebrating their 20th year of turning Colorado-grown grapes into award winning wines. Their first vintage was in 2005, the year the winery and tasting room opened in downtown Estes Park. Many things have changed since then, but one thing hasn’t, the high quality of the wines produced at this high-altitude winery. While the 2024 vintage wines won’t be ready until next summer or even longer, the current selection at the winery tasting room is making waves in competitions both near and far. Owners, Candice and Erik Mohr, are currently celebrating three Double Gold medals received at the Colorado Governor’s Cup Competition for their 2022 Cabernet Franc, 2023 Albarino and 2023 Eleve Sucre. The Albarino and Cabernet Franc were chosen along with 12 other wines to represent the best of Colorado wine in the Governor’s Cup Collection. The 2024 Collection wines will be featured
at Colorado Uncorked on November 1st at History Colorado in Denver. At this annual event, all 14 wines will be poured alongside delicious small bites from some of Denver’s best chefs. The highlight of the evening will be the awarding of the coveted Governor’s Cup to the wine voted Best in Show by the competition judges. This event is a rare opportunity to meet some of the best winemakers in the state while tasting some of their top wines.
While the Mohrs are very excited about these wines, they are also proud of the nine other wines that won medals in the Governor’s Cup and the six that received medals at the Finger Lakes International Competition, all of which add to the legacy of over 200 medals awarded to Snowy Peaks wines over the last 20 years. They are looking forward to tasting how the 2024 vintage fits into this long lineage of award-winning wines.
Merry Marthas To Meet This Friday, October 25
The next meeting of the Merry Marthas will be held this Friday, October 25 at 9:30 a.m. at the Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies on Brodie Avenue. Merry Marthas is a group of women who sew, knit, cro-
chet, or weave and then donate their finished projects to local charities. New members are always welcome whether experienced or a beginner. For more information, please call the church at 970-586-4404.
Fine Arts Guild Presents Spoon River Anthology
November 8, 9 & 10
The Fine Arts Guild of the Rockies will present Spoon River Anthology as a Readers Theater production, November 8, 9 and 10 at Hempel Auditorium at the YMCA of the Rockies
Do you remember reading Edgar Lee Masters’ Spoon River Anthology in high school English class? Come and revisit some of the free verse poems that tell the stories behind the epitaphs of the residents of Spoon River, a fictional small town named after the spoon River which ran near Masters’s home town of Lewistown,
Illinois. The purpose of the poems was to demystify rural and small town American life and originally included 212 separate characters and 244 accounts or poems of their lives, losses and manners of death.
In 1963, Charles Aidman adapted the work for theater production, reducing the number of characters to 73.
The Guild will use Aidman’s adaptation, presented in Read.
The poems collectively narrate the epitaphs of the residents of Spoon River, a fictional small town named after the Spoon River, which ran near Masters's home town of Lewistown, Illinois. The aim of the poems is to demystify rural and small town American life. The collection includes 212 separate characters, in all providing 244 accounts of their lives, losses, and manners of death. Many of the poems contain cross-references that create a candid tapestry of the community. The poems originally were published in 1914 in the St. Louis, Missouri, literary journal Reedy's Mirror, under the pseudonym Webster Ford.[1]
Halloween Haunted House at Mountainside Lodge
There
from
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Halloween Par ty At The Hilltop Guild
Join mountain folk in Allenspark on Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 5:30 p.m. for a costume party at the Kelley House, home of the Hilltop Guild. Admission is free, and prizes for the best costumes. Appetizers and soft drinks will be served, BYOB.
Located at 18720 Highway 7, there's plenty of parking.
2024 Denver Broncos Schedule
9/8 @ Seattle Seahawks LOST 20-26
9/15 Pittsburgh Steelers LOST 6-13
9/22 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers WON 26-7
9/29 @ New York Jets WON 10-9
10/6 Las Vegas Raiders WON 34-18
10/13 Los Angeles Chargers LOST 16-23
10/17 @ New Orleans Saints WON 33-10
10/27 Carolina Panthers on CBS 2:25
11/3 @ Baltimore Ravens on CBS 11:00
11/10 @ Kansas City Chiefs CBS 11:00
11/17 Atlanta Falcons on FOX 2:05
11/24 @ Las Vegas Raiders on CBS 2:05
12/2 Cleveland Browns on ESPN 6:15
12/8 Bye Week
12/15 Indianapolis Colts on CBS 2:25
12/22 @ Los Angeles Chargers FOX 2:05
12/29 @ Cincinnati Bengals TBD 11:00
1/5 Kansas City Chiefs on TBD 11:00
Geneva Thomas 10th Grade
Congratulations to Geneva Thomas, the Estes Park High School Student of the Week for October 25, 2024.
Geneva is the daughter of Adam Thomas and Cheri Yost.
At EPHS, Geneva is in volleyball, Superintendent’s Council, choir, Major 13, marching band, concert band, Thespian Society and she plays Belle in the Beauty and The Beast stage production this fall. Her favorite class is either English or History. She is proud of having a 4.0 GPA, finishing her manuscript and becoming drum major.
Outside of school she loves to go climbing outdoors. Her favorite type of climbing is multi-pitch trad on Lumpy Ridge or alpine routes. She likes to read books of any sort, study Greek mythology and do crafting projects. Geneva also loves to write. She prefers fiction writing that involves lots of world/character building to develop the story. In addition, she also likes to do her own art for her stories as well (maps, characters, important objects, etc.). She is proud of her musical accomplishments, including singing for events around town and playing for the community. She work at the Animal Hospital of The Rockies and pet sits around town.
A place Geneva really wants to visit is Greece. She loves Greek mythology and thinks it would be really cool to see all the old
Navigating The Science Of Nuclear Waste At Next Astronomical Society Meeting
Nuclear Semiotics: Navigating the Science of Nuclear Waste is the subject of this month’s Estes Valley Astronomical Society (EVAS) meeting. EVAS in conjunction with The Estes Park Memorial Observatory (EPMO) is offering a free public open house/star night this Saturday, October 26th at the observatory. The goal of EVAS is to promote amateur astronomy and education in the Estes valley.
Nuclear waste poses one of the most profound challenges for humanity—not just in terms of safe storage, but in ensuring future generations understand the dangers long after we're gone. How do we communicate the risks of radioactive materials that remain hazardous for tens of thousands of years?
provoking as it is urgent. Be prepared to create your own communication solution!
Whether you're a science enthusiast, a student, or just curious about the future of our planet, this event promises to leave you with new insights into one of the most intriguing challenges of our time.
In this month's talk, we'll dive into the science and history of nuclear waste storage, exploring the innovative and sometimes surreal strategies proposed to warn distant future civilizations about these invisible dangers. From the early days of nuclear energy to modern-day proposals, discover the unique intersection of science, communication, and the distant future in a discussion that is as thought-
temples scattered around the country. Since she loves climbing and Greece is famous for having excellent deep-water soloing, she’d love to try a form of solo climbing where you are above water that you can fall into.
Geneva’s favorite inspirational quote is “You can only come to morning through the shadows.” by J.R.R. Tolkien. She said, “I love this quote because it reminds me that all hardships will pass and that at some point we have to face them. This quote reminds me to push through those hard times to find the true reward.
The best piece of advice she’s ever received is, your talents are a gift, it’s pointless to waste them. She said, “Everyone has something they’re good at, something you love to do. These things are a gift that we should share to the world. My advice would be to turn whatever angers, sadnesses or hardships you’re facing into your passions and talents you love. Let those emotions fuel your love for those things rather than let them consume you. And remember, there is an end to hard times. You just have to push through.”
After high school Geneva plans to attend Colorado State University and pursue becoming a large animal veterinarian.
John Ensworth is currently a middle and high school teacher at his kid’s school, Resurrection Christian School, in Loveland. Previously, he was a Principal Investigator of the NASA Science Mission Directorate Independent Education Product Review for 17 years. His position at the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies had him responsible for conducting reviews and helping with NASA education and outreach efforts with products that are scientifically accurate and appropriate for the educational audience they are intended for. In the 90s Mr. Ensworth was a masters student and a PhD candidate in meteorology at the University of Oklahoma. He teaches physics and mathematics at several online universities. He earned undergraduate degrees in physics and astronomy, and geography and meteorology with an emphasis in math and computer science. He is the owner and operator of the Cherrywood Observatory in Longmont, CO.
The EPMO is just north of the high school at 1600 Manford Ave. Park in the teacher’s parking lot between the high school and the observatory. The doors will open at 7:00 p.m. and the meeting will start at 7:30 pm. The presentation, including a question-and-answer period, lasts about an hour. After the presentation, weather permitting, we will look through our 16-inch dome telescope at various celestial objects.
Information about the meeting can be found on the observatory website at: www.AngelsAbove.Org.
John Ensworth
James Frank photo
430 Books Gifted To Local Elementary School Students
The “Plant a Book, Grow a Child” program came really close to not being able to plant very many books this year! Most of the donors to the program are local businesses, but apologetically simply couldn’t donate this year due to a significant drop in their summer business revenues. With only a few weeks to go before the Scholastic Book Fair, I put out an urgent plea to a close circle of long-term supporters, and they were fortunately able to step up and sufficiently fund the program to carry it through this year. So, if you have the chance to thank Ascent Title, Bright Christmas, Estes Park Education Foundation, Bank of Estes Park, members of the Estes Valley Board
of Realtors, and members of the Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary Club, please do—it is primarily because they came through at the very last minute that we were able to provide books to local students this year!
This year, Plant a Book (a program of the Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary Club) gifted 430 books to 194 local elementary school students who needed them most, and who might not otherwise have received them. Scott and Brandi Applegate started this program in 2016, and since then it has given out an unbelievable 4,875 books to 2,052 local children, at a total cost of $34,000. Jen Maley, the elementary school librarian, coordinates and runs the program at the school, ensuring that every-
thing goes as it should every year. Any expenses from the program from day one until now have been paid by the Applegate’s, so donors can rest assured that every penny of every dollar donated goes toward books for kids!
Personally, though our family always had enough growing up, I don’t “come from money”—a fact that I have always been grateful for, since I learned at a very early age how to work hard and make my own way; so in elementary school I was in fact the beneficiary of the occasional Scholastic book (that my parents couldn’t afford) from a teacher or two who noticed that I never ordered them, who gifted them to me. So, in my adulthood, I understand the look in the eyes of the students who receive a book that in some cases might be the first book that they take home for their very own. And in a world of short-clip media, iphones, and short attention spans, books can make an even bigger impact than ever in our history on the minds of our young readers.
Reading at a young age has been proven over and over again to be one of the most important activities a young mind can engage in.
With funding very literally coming down to the last minute this year, the future of this program is in question—it only requires approximately $5,200 per year to operate, but without those funds the program wouldn’t (won’t?) exist. So, and this is the only time the program makes this plea—if you would like to help us put books into the hands of local elementary school students who might not otherwise receive them, please consider a donation to help this local program continue to exist!
If you would like to donate, please send your donation to:
EVSR Foundation—Plant a Book P.O. Box 376 Estes Park, CO 80517.
Kids at the Scholastic Book Fair in Estes Park.
Photos courtesy Scott Applegate
Register Now For YMCA Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot
Join us for our annual Turkey Trot at YMCA of the Rockies—Estes Park Center, a fun-filled 5K run/walk through our stunning mountain landscape. November 28, Thanksgiving Day 9 a.m. start
World Polio Day is a time for Rotary members, public health advocates, and all who want a world free from polio to come together, recognize our progress in the fight to end polio, and talk about the actions we need to take to end polio for good.
Help us end polio forever Rotary has been working to eradicate
polio for over 30 years, and our goal of ridding the earth of this disease is in sight. We started in 1979 with vaccinations for six million children in the Philippines. Today, Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only countries where polio remains endemic. More information and chance to donate at endpolio.org
Quota Festival Of Trees On Display Starting November 13
Mark your calendars for Estes Park Quota’s Festival of Trees kick-off event on Wednesday, November 13 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. This highly anticipated holiday fundraiser supports Estes Park Quota, a local non-profit organization, who gives back to the Estes Park community through philanthropic gifts and service.
Quota Club provides scholarships primarily to women for career development or a return to school later in life. If you are a local resident interested in receiving scholarship monies email: akasper45@yahoo.com with questions or for an application.
We hope you will join us and view our spectacular display of holiday trees adorning the lobby of the Estes Park Resort. We expect to have close to 50 trees this year all decorated in various themes by individuals and businesses in the Estes Valley. You can purchase tree chances for $1 per ticket, 6 for $5, 13 for $10. Six special trees will be given away on the night of the kick-off. This special evening you can enjoy complimentary homemade holiday cookies and hot cocoa. We may even have a special visitor from the North Pole that all the children young and young at heart will be excited to see. The holiday trees will continue to be displayed until December 15th when we will have our drawing at 3 p.m. Thank you to
our amazing in-kind sponsors, Ember Restaurant & Bar, Estes Park Resort and The Estes Park News. This event is free and open to the public!
The holiday trees are ready to be distributed to individuals and businesses ready to decorate them in whatever theme they choose. Guidelines are available on our website. The trees are due on Monday, November 11th, 2024. Please feel free to call Lori at 970-232-5511 or Gail at 970-4812372 with any questions.
Business sponsorships are being sought for this year’s fundraiser. Our sponsors are integral to making this event a success. For more information and to learn more about sponsorships please contact EstesParkQuota@gmail.com or visit our website www.estesparkquota.com.
Estes Park Quota is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the local community with philanthropic gifts and service. Their emphasis is assisting hearing and speech impaired individuals, disadvantaged women and children, providing education scholarships and service to seniors.
By: Brad Manard
Our first year living in Estes Park, we made an October mistake. Coming from suburban Iowa, it was expected that we would have a fall, Halloween pumpkin on our front porch. Everybody, I mean everybody in Iowa has an orange fruit on their front porch in October. Something to celebrate the season like a carved up face of fright, a colorful, jovial statement of a pagan religious celebration turned sugar energizing kid fest. Why would Estes Park be any different? Remember as a kid, the excitement of carving a pumpkin? Your mom would cut around the stem to create a hole in the top. Then you would reach in and pull out the slimy clob of stringy pumpkin filling intertwining the seeds. Scraping it clean, you couldn’t wait to begin to carve the pumpkin.
Would it be a happy Halloween pumpkin like the kids running from front door to front door in anticipation of sugar or would it be a scary pumpkin honoring its pagan history. A jack-o-lantern with one tooth or two?
That was the expectation of a suburban Iowa Halloween. So during our first October living in Estes Park, we had a pumpkin on our front step. It was picked for its perfect roundness, smooth orange color, and healthy stem to carry it. With
Trick Or Treat Elk
On a late October evening, we sat in our living room watching a new episode of Law and Order: SVU. Olivia was intently determined to right the wrong as she pursued the quilty. Our dogs were sleeping comfortably on the couch, and
Then we heard a thump. The dog’s heads shot up, and my wife, Carolyn, looked at me. My brow frowned. Thump. I frowned again and paused the sound coming from the TV. Thump. Someone was on our front porch.
Cautiously, I moved from the couch and grabbed the handle of the front door. Slowly, I turned it, pulling the door open. It was late with the sun fading in the season of pagans. Would there be a tiny super hero at my door? Spiderman or Wonder Woman? Maybe a wicked witch with a pointy hat, the white sheet of a spooky ghost, or a beautiful princess in glass slippers?
The door opened. He was massive, his chest bold, eyes intent, and antlers threatening. The incredible bull elk stood a few feet from me looking up from the bottom step. Shocked, I jumped back, closing the door.
“Who is it?” Carolyn asked. My eyes were wide as I answered, “There’s a Kahuna sized bull elk on our front step.”
We live near the Big Thompson River, a river the elk follow from Moraine Park into Estes Park at the end of the rut. It’s not unusual for us to see elk, but this guy looked
like he was ready to climb the steps to join us for a legal rerun.
“He’s right there,” I told her. “Right outside our front door.”
I went and grabbed my cell phone, and both dogs jumped to the back of the couch looking out the window. Back at the front door, I reached my phone outside and peeked through the opening.
There he was, the impressive bull elk with his antlers held high as he watched me capture his picture. Then I saw it. By his leg laid the remains of a half eaten bright orange pumpkin. A sweet, fruity treat for this oversized trick-or-treater. He dropped his head, took a big bite from the luscious treat and chewed happily.
The next day, as I told the story to neighbors, friends, and people about town, they all looked at me like I was crazy. Then one finally said, “With all of the wildlife in town, you don’t put pumpkins out.” Adding, “Pumpkins for elk are like honey to bears.”
While we didn’t have elk in suburban Iowa, we certainly do in Estes Park. The message was clear. My mistake was evident. In Estes Park, you don’t decorate your front porch with brightly colored edibles unless you are expecting massive, wild, six tine trick or treaters. If you are, and you leave a pumpkin on the front step, the trickster might not be a treat.
by Brad Manard
Photos
Chamber Music Matinee This Sunday At YMCA Jellison Library
Spend a lovely afternoon listening to beautiful chamber music this Sunday, October 27 at 3 p.m. at the Maude Jellison Library on the campus of the YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park Center. Emerald Lake Quartet will be playing works by Haydn, Myroslav Skoryk, Jeremiah Clarke, and Ferdinand Ries.
Emerald Lake Quartet consists of Ann Mills, violin; Robert Howard, flute; Chase Jordan, viola; and Rich Woessner, cello. This per-
formance is free and open to the public. Seating is limited so please arrive early.
Directions to the YMCA library: Upon entering the YMCA off of Spur Highway 66, take the second left and then the first right into the parking lot of Hyde Memorial Chapel where you may park and easily access the Maude Jellison Library which is directly behind the chapel. Call Robert at the library at 970-586-3341 extension 1133 with any questions.
Next Knitting & Crocheting
November 12
Everyone is welcome to our free knitting and crocheting get-togethers!
We meet in the Hondius Community Room at the Estes Park Library. Our next 2024 meeting dates are: Tuesday, November 12, 2024, 5:007:30 p.m.
Tuesday, December 10, 2024, 5:007:30 p.m.
Bring your woolly project, and let’s craft together.
If you’d like to learn to knit or crochet, we can teach you! It’s free.
Just show up! We’ll provide yarn and knitting needles or crochet hooks for you to use during the meeting.
If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Daley at email jenny@knittingjenny.com.
What’s Happening At The Estes Valley Library
FALL 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
Beginner’s Mind: From a Prison Choir to Her Mother’s Bedside with Amy Kolen Ⓡ
Join local author Amy Kolen as she discusses her new book, Inside Voices: A Prison Choir, My Mother, and Me, the story of how a prison choir gave her the tools she needed to care and advocate for her mother during end-of-life care. Then, enjoy a film screening of The Inside Singers, an award-winning documentary about the transformational choir.
A Navajo Investigator’s Search for the Unexplained: Author Talk with Stanley Milford, Jr. Ⓡ
Thursday, November 7, 5 - 6 p.m., online
Investigate bizarre cases of the paranormal and unexplained in Navajoland with Navajo Ranger Stanley Milford, Jr. as he discusses his memoir, The Paranormal Ranger. Presented with the Library Speakers Consortium.
Sobre la migración infantil desde Centroamérica: En conversación con Javier Zamora Ⓡ
Sábado, 9 de noviembre, 12 - 1 p.m, en línea
Solamente en Español (only in Spanish): Sintoniza una conversación especial con el autor más vendido del New York Times Javier Zamora mientras conversa con nosotros sobre su fascinante historia de supervivencia y perseverancia, tal como se cuenta en sus memorias premiadas Solito.
ALL
AGES
Día de Muertos Open Crafting
Tuesday, October 29, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Makerspace
Create ofrendas, or altars, during this open crafting event to honor and remember those who have passed. All supplies provided and all ages welcome. Presented in partnership with the Estes Park School District.
Tech Help with Digital Navigators of Larimer County Ⓡ
Thursday, October 31, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Dream Study Room
Wednesday, November 6, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Dream Study Room
Build your digital skills, including using your smartphone, accessing websites and accounts online, improving online communications, and more. Appointments required; sign up at calendar.estesvalleylibrary.org. Service offered in English and Spanish. Presented by AmeriCorps service members. Trick or Treat!
Thursday, October 31, 5 - 8 p.m., Library Atrium
Don your Halloween costume and swing by the Library during downtown trick-or-treating! We’ll be handing out candy, toys, and other goodies while supplies last.
Paint Alebrijes Ⓡ
Saturday, November 2, 12:30 - 2 p.m., Creativity Cabin
Originally from Mexico, alebrijes are beautifully painted patterned animals. As part of our Día de Muertos community celebration, craft your own colorful, whimsical creature while learning about Mexican culture. Recommended for ages 10 and up.
hunting in Colorado? Join Colorado Parks & Wildlife certified hunter education instructor Eris Audette for the Conclusion Class (the online course must be completed first). All information provided at calendar.estesvalleylibrary.org.
Community Puzzle Exchange
Saturday, November 9, 1 - 4:30 p.m., Hondius Room
Exchange your “old” puzzles (ones that you’ve assembled before) for new-to-you puzzles at this open-house-style event. Puzzles of all ages and sizes are welcome as long as they are complete (all pieces, please) and in good condition.
ADULTS
Access Granted Ⓡ
Monday, October 28, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m., Wasson Room
Are you accessible in an emergency? Join Megan Hodde from the Town of Estes Park’s Emergency Communications Center to learn about Access Granted, a program designed to better connect residents with first responders during emergency situations.
Undivide Us: Film Screening & Discussion Ⓡ
Wednesday, October 30, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m., Fireside Theater
Are people who disagree capable of civil conversation? Watch a screening of the film Undivide Us, enjoy dinner, and engage in a discussion led by Dr. Martín Carcasson, Director of the Colorado State University’s Center for Public Deliberation. Presented in partnership with Estes Valley Restorative Justice Partnership, KUNC Radio, Rocky Mountain PBS, and Above the Noise.
TEENS & KIDS
Hocus Pocus: Movie & Spell Book Craft Ⓡ
Saturday, October 26, 12 - 2 p.m., Hondius Room
Get in the spooky spirit! Use recycled books to make your own spell book while watching the Disney classic film, Hocus Pocus. Refreshments provided.
Card Making Ⓡ
Saturday, November 2, 2 - 3 p.m., Makerspace
Practice using papercraft tools like stamps, the embosser, and the Cricut Maker to create specialty cards for your loved ones.
Dungeons & Dragons Ⓡ
Tuesday, November 5, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Makerspace
Calling fantasy, gaming, and role-playing fans: join us for the original Dungeons and Dragons. No experience, purchase, or previous knowledge required. Just bring your imagination!
dius Room
Join our first ever Winter Reading Program! Log reading minutes during the cozy months of November, December, and early January, and win prizes for your time. Kick off the challenge with games, free books, and snacks (then stick around for Teen Advisory Council!).
Teen Advisory Council Ⓡ
Thursday, November 7, 6 - 7 p.m., Hondius Room
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.
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., November 2 at 11 a.m.
Storybook Explorers: Sat., November 9 at 11:15 a.m.
Early Childhood Music with Annaka Hogelin Ⓡ
Saturday, October 26, 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.
Young Chautauqua Club: Kickoff Party! Ⓡ
Wednesday, November 6, 4 - 5:15 p.m., Hondius Room
Learn about what Young Chautauqua entails and how you can be part of this beloved community tradition! Interested performers of all ages welcome; bring your questions and ideas.
MAKERSPACE TRAINING CLASSES
Learn the 3D Printer Ⓡ Monday, November 11, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
repeated Monday, November 11, 5:30 - 7 p.m.
For ages 10 and up (participants under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult).
LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES Regular Meeting & Executive Session
Thursday, November 7, 6:30 - 8 p.m., Wasson Room
View agenda and packet materials at estesvalleylibrary.org/board.
Hunter Education Course Ⓡ
Sunday, November 3, 1 - 4:30 p.m., Hondius Room
repeated Sunday, November 10, 14:30 p.m., Hondius Room
Interested in
Calligraphy & Wax Seals Ⓡ
Wednesday, November 6, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Makerspace
Explore the history of calligraphy and learn how a glass quill is made. Then, practice your own lettering by penning a letter to a friend and enclosing it in a wax-sealed envelope.
Winter Reading Kickoff Party Ⓡ
Thursday, November 7, 5 - 6 p.m., Hon-
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 6 p.m.
Ⓡ: Registration required. Visit calendar.estesvalleylibrary.org to sign up.
Seamsters, Assemble! Little Readers Need Your Help
Do you enjoy sewing? Are you looking for a volunteer project that can be done at home? The Estes Valley Library is seeking seamsters to take on the ultimate feel-good project: baby book bags!
One of the many early literacy resources provided by the Library are homemade book bags for our community’s newest readers. They are offered in both English and Spanish, and are stocked with board books, a lullaby CD, baby games, and information about library services.
As our supply runs low, we reach out to local sewers to assist with creating more. We’ll provide the easy pattern, fabric material, and an example bag. Volunteers can pick up the kit to take home, or use a sewing machine in the Makerspace to sew during regular library hours.
“I’ve made a few of these myself so I know they are easy!” joked Melanie Kozlowski, Children’s Librarian. “We are so appreciative of those who help deliver this important literacy resource to our community’s young families.”
Please note that this time, the Library
does not require unused baby fabric –we are stocked well on supplies and just need some sewing power! Any interested volunteers are invited to email Melanie at mkozlowski@estesvalleylibrary.org.
Undivide Us Screening Moves To Library's Fireside Theater
The Estes Valley Library, Estes Valley Restorative Justice Partnership, KUNC Radio, Rocky Mountain PBS, and Above the Network are excited to present a screening and discussion of the documentary Undivide Us on Wednesday, October 30. Due to increased interest in this event (a wonderful thing!), the program's location has
moved from the Estes Park Museum to the Library. We’ll be holding the screening in the Library’s first floor Fireside Theater with subsequent small group discussions throughout the Library.
To learn more about this event, visit bit.ly/ep-undivide-us.
Get Artsy, Musical, Culinary, Or Techy: Seven New Items Added To The Library Of Things
As the days get shorter and the windy season returns, the time is ripe for checking out a new hobby or activity from the Estes Valley Library’s Library of Things. This fall, we’re excited to introduce seven new items to this special collection!
Artists, both established and aspiring, can try out a state-of-the-art drawing tablet. This tool marries oldschool hand drawing with the new technologies of today. Etch or paint a design using the digital pen on the Intuos Pro tablet, and connect with any computer or art software to bring your design to virtual life. Photographers can use the tablet, too, to edit images.
Get the band back together! Musicians will love our two newest instruments. The Cajón Box Drum is a portable wooden drum with three tones and a snare effect, made popular by Latin and South Ameri can music. The hand percussion kit includes a tambourine, egg shakers, cowbell, frog guiro, and afuche-cabasa.
These will join the acoustic guitar, banjo-lele, ukulele, Kalimba thumb piano, and steel tongue drum – all of which have been popular items for our musically-inclined community.
Fall is an excellent time to practice cooking skills. Try the pasta machine, which even comes with ravioli molds and stamps, or use the tortilla press for
your next taco night. Technology fiends will enjoy taking advantage of the ring light webcam (perfect for anyone looking to brighten up their Zooms), or checking out our Nintendo NES classic. The latter will bring you back to the days of throwback video games – the system comes with Mario Bros and Castlevania, among others, for a truly
Next time you visit the public library, browse the dozens of helpful and justplain-fun items in the Library of Things. You can also view the full collection (and place items on hold) at estesvalleylibrary.org/LOT.
Author Event At The Estes Valley Library, Sunday, November 3
Please join local author Amy Kolen as she discusses her new memoir, Inside Voices: A Prison Choir, My Mother, and Me, with local author Jack Vernon. Her book chronicles how singing with a choir in a men’s medium-security prison provided her with the tools she needed to care for her mother after her mother’s massive stroke. After their
conversation, the Library will show Daniel Kolen’s award-winning documentary, The Inside Singers, about the prison choir the author discusses in her book and sang with for four years. The event, part of the Library’s PEN-demonium series on writing, will be in the Hondius Room, from 2-3:30 p.m., on Sunday, November 3. After the program, attendees will be able to purchase the book through Macdonald Book Shop, and the author will be on hand to greet attendees and sign copies.
The event is free, and registration is strongly encouraged to ensure adequate seating. Learn more and register here: bit.ly/4dNTCF6.
It seems a little ironic...hypocritical?...to me that during this time when we hear all the banter about ‘gathering up’ all the migrants and ‘shipping them back’ to where they came from, we celebrate a national holiday known as Columbus Day, a celebration heralding the first ‘migrants’ to the United States…migrants from which most of us...including presidential candidates, came. It’s been refreshing to hear residents of areas like Springfield, Ohio, where many migrants have ended up, reporting about how much those newcomers have aided their community, their economy, and people are happy that they came their way. Without those migrants their area was suffering.
Some years ago our family visited the Flathead Lake area of Montana where wonderfully huge Bing Cherries are grown. The owner of the orchard told us the price of cherries we picked to take with us was 10 cents per pound, but, he said, “Please eat all you want while you’re picking...and stay as long as you like. We didn’t get the ‘pickers’ from Mexico we usually get and most of the cherries will be left to rot on the trees.” Migrants are needed.
Some years later, while doing mission work on the Island of Maui in Hawaii, we couldn’t help noticing the number of large signs placed on fences and scattered around the island that said: “Hawaii is for the Hawaiians!” The implication was that ‘visitors’ (including ‘migrants’, I assume) were not welcome. But a sensible thinker would realize that if all the tourists took that to heart and stayed home, vacating the Islands, where would that leave a people so dependent on tourism for their survival? (Imagine signs being put up in Estes Park… “Estes Park is for Estes Park residents!!”) Visitors are needed, including the millions who ‘migrate here’ to visit, to live and work. At our services we are always thrilled when someone visiting from a distant state shows an interest in moving to our area, and we are so ready to assist them in their search and to encourage their arrival. Fortunately we migrants are needed and wanted.
This is especially true when we recognize that all of us are ‘migrants’ in an even greater sense. In the Bible the Hebrew writer talks of our ‘migrant’ status: “They admitted that they were pilgrims (aliens) and strangers on the earth...looking for a country of their own… longing for a better one, a heavenly one.” (Heb. 11:13-15) Peter also spoke of our ‘migrant’ status when he wrote: “I urge you, as pilgrims (migrants) and strangers in this world...to live such good lives among non-believers that they may see your good deeds and glorify God when He visits us.” (I Pet. 2:11,12) Paul shares with us even greater news’: “You are no longer foreigners (‘migrants’), but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household.” (Eph. 2:15) Migrants to our country long to feel that acceptance and belonging, reluctantly given by some.
Obviously, we migrants have our own responsibility, whether to our national needs or in the spiritual realm, to act in ways that contribute to the common good. Although we’ve heard of some newcomers who have acted in destructive ways, most of those headed our way are hoping for a better life...much like the early pioneers, our ancestors, did long ago when they departed for American soil...despite the contention of some that incoming migrants are mostly murderers, thieves, terrorists, etc.
Just like people wondered about the wisdom, yes, even sanity, of Columbus and his brave cohorts as they headed for American shores, so we might wonder at the wisdom of those, young and old, who join the lines crossing Mexico to gain access to our border. Perhaps it’s hard for us who already enjoy ‘the good life’ to understand why families would endure such rigors in order to, they hope, have an opportunity to enjoy that ‘good life’ with us, most willing to ‘pay the price’ of the difficult journey and that of finding work in this ‘new land’, enjoying the freedoms and blessings we experience on every hand, freedoms and blessings all too often taken for granted. (ie. Please vote!)
Please join me in welcoming fellow migrants we meet from time-to-time and, while we’re at it, show them the greater benefits of heavenly citizenship as well. Bob Lewis
Estes Valley Foreign Policy Program On Pandemic Preparedness Nov. 6
Pandemic Preparedness: Averting End of Days
Staying well informed and up-to-date on the prevailing American issues of our time has never been more difficult or complicated than it is right now. Understanding facts and unbiased information that directly affect you, your children, and your grandchildren has never been more impor tant. Where else can you find that kind of criti cal knowledge in Estes Park? The New York Times? The BBC? CNN or Fox?
The Answer: The Estes Valley Foreign Policy Association hosted in the friendly confines of the Estes Valley Library.
Each month a group of local citizens meet to discuss a key social, economic, and security issue to gain a better understanding of how government policies and events affect us and shape our immediate future. Forum moderators are always local Estes Park neighbors of yours who have some background and interest in the topic being discussed. Attendees view a short video and then freely and respectfully discuss the topic exchanging ideas and personal experiences. The group is apolitical and focuses on building understanding that we need to be educated voters and wise taxpayers. Diversity of ideas is heartily
welcomed and embraced by all during our discussion.
This November’s final discussion topic is important to all of us - Pandemic Preparedness. The chapter for this discussion is written by Carolyn Reynolds the co-founder of Pandemic Action Network whose mission is to create global action to prevent the next pandemic. She is a non-resident fellow of the of Center for Strategic and International Studies and advisor to the Alliance for Global Health Security. This chapter can be found in the “Great Decisions” booklet in our Estes Valley Library. The video portion of our program is presented by Dr. Jeffrey Morton, the Pierrepont Comfort Chair in Political Science at Florida Atlantic University, a Fellow at the Foreign Policy Association with a PhD in international Relations from the University of South Carolina.
Looking back at the COVID-19 pandemic, there are many lessons to take away in terms of domestic and international policies. Recent bird influenza is causing worry among public health experts considering the historical death toll of the 1918 epidemic. How can we apply past pandemic lessons to the prevention and control of future pandemics? Will countries cooperate during future pandemics? Will a consensus emerge on how to manage such global health challenges?
Please join us for our next lively session on Wednesday, Nov. 6th from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Wasson Room at the renowned Estes Valley Library. Attendance is free and open to the public. This is a highly relevant topic for family and friends. Have an unforgettable experience for all the right reasons.
Note: A special thanks and appreciation to the EP News for their continuing support and assistance. Thank you x 1,000.
Experience Mindfulness: A Path To Stress Relief And Clarity Workshop
Join us for a free one-hour Mindfulness Workshop, open to all! Mindfulness is a powerful practice that can help reduce stress, anxiety, and other challenges that cause suffering in daily life. By calming your mind and opening your heart, mindfulness can bring peace and clarity. In addition, a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that mindfulness practices can improve attention, memory, and decision making, suggesting its potential role in supporting cognitive health and mitigating the effects of dementia. Come discover how it might benefit you!
Local practitioner Greg Lanning will guide this gentle, seated session, welcoming participants of all experience levels. Simply wear comfortable clothes and bring an open mind. The workshop will take place at the Estes Park Senior Citizens Center (EPSCC), 1760 Olympian Ln., on Tuesday, October 29, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Greg Lanning brings over 50 years of mindfulness practice to Estes Park,
blending his expertise as a licensed psychotherapist with a passion for holistic wellness. His diverse background offers a unique perspective, making his approach to mindfulness both engaging and enriching. He recently settled into Estes Park with his wife, a cat, and two pups. His wife, Elizabeth, is now teaching yoga at the EPSCC.
This workshop will be after lunchtime, and attendees are still welcome to eat at the center beforehand. If you would like to order a meal, place an order before 1:00 p.m. on Monday, October 28. The Senior Center will be serving chicken fajitas with rice, beans, guacamole, sour cream and tortillas.
The cost is $7 for EPSCC members and $11 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 program, please call the Senior Center at (970) 581-2195.
Spirits & ‘Grass Festival November 2
Estes Park Senior Citizens Center Menu
Oct 28 – Nov 1
Monday, Oct 28 Country Fried Steak w/ Scrambled Eggs, gravy, Hashbrowns & fruit
Wednesday, Nov 6 Avocado Bacon Cheddar Burger w/ Pasta Salad
Thursday, Nov 7 Chicken Alfredo w/ Pasta, garlic bread & side salad
Friday, Nov 8 Fish & Homemade Chips w/ soup of the day
Meals are $7 for current 2024 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, Oct 28th, you need to call before 1:00 PM on Friday, Oct 25th. 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 Fluid Movement Tuesday 10:30–11:15 AM
Two Bridge Groups: 1st, 3rd, & 5th Wednesday of the month & Every Thursday 12:30 – 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
A Celebration of Colorado’s Craft Distilleries and Mountain Bluegrass Music
The Town of Estes Park, the Rocky Mountain Craft Spirits Festival, and Elkins Whisky present Spirits & ‘Grass at the Estes Park Events Complex Saturday, Nov. 2 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. This spiritsipping, foot-stomping event will feature sampling from 30 distilleries, five bluegrass bands on two indoor stages, bar games, vendors, food trucks, and more. Bottles from your favorite distilleries
may even be purchased to be enjoyed later.
Spirit sampling tickets cost $45 per person and include a souvenir tasting glass.Music festival only tickets cost $25 and do not include a glass or sampling. You must be 21+ to attend.
For more information and to purchase tickets please visit www.EPSpirits.com.
Lodging specials for attendees can be found through event sponsor, Quality Inn of Estes Park.
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Estes Park Health And Estes Park Featured In New United By Fire Podcast
Ten-part series addresses living with wildfire in a warming world The Institute for Science & Policy at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science is addressing an important issue for all Coloradans: living with wildfire in a warming world. Season 4 of the award-winning podcast Laws of Notion launched this month.
United by Fire is a ten-part series using in-depth interviews and storytelling to explore the catastrophic 2020 wildfire season.
Estes Valley residents know all too well how the East Troublesome and Cameron Peak Fires tore through Colorado and, as the producer of the podcast put it, “challenged what we thought we knew about wildfire behavior.
Along with residents, firefighters, ecologist, land managers, community planners and entrepreneurs, the podcast producers also interview Estes Park Health CEO Vern Carda about his experience evacuating the hospital on the fateful day all the Estes Valley had to leave, not knowing what their homes would look like when they returned.
"Including Estes Park Health helps highlight the intersection of multiple crises - catastrophic wildfires amidst the
for Science & Policy and host of the podcast. “Their story captures the resilience of a community to take care of one another during extreme circumstances."
EPH and local Estes Park residents are featured in episode three of United by Fire which goes live on Oct. 23rd You can listen to the podcast on these platforms: Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/bddbrkvu Spotify: tinyurl.com/4hktyhb5 Amazon Music: tinyurl.com/ya8vd4yz
Learn more about this season’s podcast at: Institute.dmns.org/united-byfire.
Estes Park Health’s story provided a small window providing a view into the larger issues sparked by the extraordinary 2020 Colorado wildfire season.
Estes Chamber Of Commerce Economic Development and Workforce Council Chair Delivers Progress Update
By: Estes Chamber of Commerce
The Economic Development and Workforce Council has been hard at work, and Chair Christina Kraft is sharing their recent activities with the community at large.
“Since our spring investor meeting, we’ve made great strides,” Kraft began. “We’ve conducted several one-on-one visits with local businesses, provided educational programming on topics such as value creation, cash flow management, and basic marketing strategies and hosted a site-selection visit. Most excitingly, we are relaunching the BASE program this week,” she continued.
“In collaboration with our regional and statewide partners, we are working to ensure that economic development resources continue to flow into Estes Park. Additionally, the Council is developing content and resources aimed at elevating our workforce, with a particular focus on hospitality training and development. We deeply appreciate your continued support of economic development activities in the
Estes Valley. We’re looking forward to a content-rich and productive 2025, and we couldn’t do it without you,” she added.
In addition to the local updates, the EDWC shared county and state updates, including surveys that every business owner is encourages to take to make their voice heard:
2. Employer Survey on Colorado Business Services: tinyurl.com/36muaxw6
“The input of community members and business leaders matters to us at the EDWC and we share that information with our area economic development partners to do everything we can to make Estes Park a great place to live, work, and play,” said Colleen DePasquale, Estes Chamber President. “Your input matters to us! We want to understand your needs so that we can ensure our resources and efforts reflect and deliver on those needs to make our community stronger.”
COVID-19 pandemic - and how that stretches healthcare resources to the limit, especially in a small mountain community,” explained Kristan Uhlenbrock, Executive Director, The Institute
"Our approach to the podcast centers on including community voices and experiences, while weaving together the science, policy, and elements of our human nature to examine critical issues facing our state,” Uhlenbrock said. “The challenges faced by Estes Park Health during the East Troublesome Fire illustrate the difficulty of making decisions once a fire is knocking on your front door."
New episodes of United by Fire are released weekly.
Jän and Wendy Rigby are two of the local residents interviewed for the podcast.
The launch party for the podcast held at the Denver Museum of Science & Nature included striking photographs from the East Troublesome Fire. Photos by EPH
Jim & Annie Boyd of Glen Haven are two of the local residents interviewed for the podcast.
Photo by Stephanie Abegg
GOMEZ TEAM
Storm Mountain Holiday Bazaar
Our Annual Storm Mountain Holiday Bazaar is rapidly approaching! We have a number of local artisans displaying beautiful handmade items that would make wonderful holiday gifts. We started the Storm Mountain Bazaar in 2008; a group of local crafters looking for an outlet for their products. Faces have changed over the years, but the quality and variety of crafts remains. Most of our items are locally hand crafted and you have the fun of talking to the crafters and learning about the process of creating the items. The wide variety of products will include quilted, knit & crocheted items, jewelry, soaps, lotions, honey and honey products, decorations, baskets, gourds, wood carvings, cards, cutting boards, signs, steampunk lamps, wood spoon sets and more treasures!
Dates this year are Saturday, Nov. 2 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 3 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. We are located in the Big Thompson Canyon Association Building, a fun historic log structure, at 1479 US Hwy. 34, 1 mile east of Drake. We hope to see lots of familiar faces stopping in; some people make this an annual event. Look for many fall and winter items as well as holiday items for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
free hot cider and cookies, crafts people happy to share information, fun historic log building – and hopefully good weather!
If you have any questions, please contact Deb Green at http://www.facebook.com/peacefulridge or deb@peacefulridge.com.
Artisans
Deb Green: Variety of small quilted items featuring wildlife, lodge and seasonal themes.
https://www.facebook.com/peacefulridge
Dawna White: Suncatchers and small stained glass hanging items. https://www.inspiredartexperiences.com /artists/dancing-wisteria
Bob and Susie Clark: cards, steampunk lamps, cards, ornaments, custom mili-
Fund-raising efforts this year will support the Big Thompson Canyon Association (BTCA) whose building has been our home for many years. The building has been in use since 1948 and is showing its age! Funds will go to help replace storm windows. The original windows were just over $5 (we have a receipt); replacements will be around $800! We’re try something new this year as a fund raiser: Soup Sunday! We will be selling soup by the pint to take home, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Sunday (or until it is gone!) We also plan to sell clay Christmas ornaments donated by Amanda Finch.
We try to make sure this is a fun community event, not just a shopping event:
Bridgette Figgins (1): cards, ornaments, and crocheted items
Stephen DiFrancesco (2): signs, ornaments
Bill Harvey (1): carving boards, wood tables (limited supply, get them early! Bill’s workshop was destroyed by the Alexander Mtn Fire. If you want to help him rebuild you can visit a fundraising page his daughter established at https://www.gofundme.com/f/fire-relieffor-bill-harvey )
Andrea Vitullo (1): wood and epoxy items
The Estes Valley Investment in Childhood Success (EVICS) has long been a cornerstone of support for families and child care providers in our community. One of EVICS' main services we provide is our Tuition Assistance Program, which ensures that child care is not a barrier for families in need. This financial support helps families access child care without the burden of high costs. By easing the financial strain on families, our tuition assistance program allows parents to stay in the workforce, knowing their children are in safe, nurturing environments.
Who Qualifies for Tuition Assistance?
The EVICS Tuition Assistance Program is designed to help families who are struggling with the cost of child care. To qualify, families must meet the following criteria:
Income Requirements: Families must have a household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). This ensures that our support reaches those who need it most.
Employment Requirement: At least one member of the household must work a minimum of 30 hours per week within the boundaries of the Estes Park R-3 school district. This helps ensure that parents and guardians can maintain steady employment while knowing their children are receiving quality care.
Tuition Assistance is intended to ensure that no household pays more than 15% of their income on childcare.
Additional Support: Hardship and Emergency Assistance
Life can be unpredictable, and sometimes families face unexpected chal-
lenges. To support those going through particularly tough times, EVICS also offers Hardship and Emergency Assistance. Families who fall into this category can receive assistance even if their income is up to 80%–115% of the AMI. Help can be provided for up to nine months, with verification every three months. We recognize that during times of hardship, the need for child care doesn’t go away—and neither does the need for support.
Emergency or Hardship is generally defined as:
Recent change in employment
Recent move
Crisis such as homelessness, incarceration, illness, domestic violence or mental
Health issues
Change in financial stability
Change in custody, divorce or separation
How to Apply
If you think your family may qualify for the EVICS Tuition Assistance Program, the application process is simple. You can find more information on eligibility and the application on our website at www.evics.org or by contacting our office at (970) 586-3055. We are here to answer any questions and guide you through the process. Whether you're looking for regular assistance or facing a short-term emergency, we are committed to helping you find the support you need. We are so grateful we can continue to providing this vital service to our community, made possible with 6E tax funding.
EVICS: It takes a village.
" I Want That Recipe," an Estes Park Community Cookbook is now available. The cookbook is a collection of recipes from the hearts of individuals who chose to share their recipes. Some are generational, some are family favorites, and some are international. If you wish to purchase one or more cookbooks please contact Pete McKellar at (970) 214-2807 or email pmckel10@hotmail.com or Linda Brown at 1-512-797-3321 or email
LLGBrown @gmail.com
Mountain Berry Bakery And The Kissing Moose Café Expand Into New Location
Chef Vicki Haan, owner/operator of the Mountain Berry Bakery, opened The Kissing Moose Café earlier this summer and is now planning to expand her businesses into a new location.
The Mountain Berry Event Center at the Trout Haven Resorts will open its doors on the weekends starting Friday,
November 1, 2024. Located at 800 Moraine Ave. in Estes Park, hours will be 6:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The center will offer a “weekend edition” of The Kissing Moose Café menu along with a few new menu items as well. Additionally, this location will be the pickup spot for her Mountain Berry Bakery pastries.
Chef Vicki continues to schedule and take orders for catering and inhome private chef events, as well as take orders for her specialty baked goods for the holidays or other events. A new website for online ordering is in the works, but in the meantime, you can place your orders and schedule your events by calling 563-581-2303.
During these winter months, The Kissing Moose Café will close up the food truck on October 31st but will reopen in the Spring/Summer of 2025. Follow her on Facebook and/or Next Door for up-to-date information.
Collecting For Crutches4Africa
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.
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 or ganization 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.
“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.”
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 a.m. I will collect them and deliver them to
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
$749,000
Boy Scout Poinsettia & Wreath Fundraiser
Many locals will remember when the local Boy Scout Troop used to sell Christmas trees to fundraise as the holidays approached. In the last several years, this has sadly not been an option for the scouts or our community for multiple reasons. What has not changed, however, is our troop’s need for fundraising. In 2023, Estes Park Troop 8 launched several inaugural fundraisers with the goal of establishing not only steady fundraising sources, but also new annual traditions for the troop and community alike. For Christmas 2023, the troop sold holiday poinsettias and decorated wreaths with great success. The poin-
settias were larger and more colorful than even we anticipated, and the wreaths proved to be not only beautiful but also durable (many of us still have them hanging on our doors).
For Christmas 2024, Troop 8 is excited to announce that we will again be fundraising by selling holiday poinsettias and decorated wreaths! We will be accepting pre-orders for both poinsettias and wreaths until November 8th, 2024. Orders will be available for pickup on December 7th and 8th, behind the American Legion on 1st Street, between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Orders of five items or more will be eligible for delivery. Pre-orders can be made online at estesparktroop8.square.site or by asking to place an order with any local boy scout. If you are unable to place an order before the deadline, don’t worry! We plan to have wreaths and poinsettias available for on-site purchase.
Your purchase will be a much appreciated donation that will help our local scouts pay for equipment, scout registration fees, and many other costs associated with volunteer-run programs. Your donations will not only help Estes Park’s future leaders, but also support a nearby small business as our wreaths and poinsettias will be locally grown and decorated by Plantorium in Laporte, Colorado! We hope to continue to establish this as an annual fundraiser and tradition, for future generations to remember much like the Christmas tree sales. We hope to see you in December!
BRIGHT BRIGHT
Christmas Christmas
Christmas Christmas BRIGHT BRIGHT
SÉ PARTE DE UNA SÉ PARTE DE UNA
BRIGHT BRIGHT Christmas Christmas
ÚNETE A NOSOTROS PARA AYUDAR A BRINDAR UNA NAVIDAD MÁS BRILLANTE A LAS FAMILIAS NECESITADAS, HACIENDO UNA DONACIÓN O PATROCINANDO UNA FAMILIA.
DOES YOUR FAMILY NEED A LITTLE EXTRA SUPPORT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON?
FRIDAYS: NOVEMBER 1ST AND 8TH | 1PM-4PM SATURDAYS: NOVEMBER 2ND AND 9TH | 10AM-1PM TUESDAY: NOVEMBER 12TH | 4PM-7PM
BRIGHT BRIGHT
Christmas Christmas
¿TU FAMILIA NECESITA UN POCO DE APOYO EXTRA PARA NAVIDAD ESTE AÑO?
¡Bright Christmas está aquí para ayudarte! ¡Bright Christmas está aquí para ayudarte!
REGISTRO EN CROSSROADS A: VIERNES: NOVIEMBRE 1ST AND 8TH | 1PM-4PM SABADO: NOVIEMBRE 2ND AND 9TH | 10AM-1PM MARTES: NOVIEMBRE 12TH | 4PM-7PM
You're Invited To The 2024 Día de los Muertos Celebration
Dear Town of Estes Park friends: We are excited to announce our 2024 Día de los Muertos celebration and would love for you to join us in making this year’s event truly unforgettable. Your past participation has been invaluable, and we’re eager to collaborate with you once again.
This year’s event will be held at the Estes Park Event Center on Wednesday, November 6th, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Our theme, "Nuestros amados que se fueron" (Our Departed Loved Ones), will focus on celebrating the lives of our loved ones who have passed away. This year, we’re introducing exciting new features like a pet altar to honor our cherished animals and an awe-inspiring display of alebrijes, the colorful and whimsical creatures from Mexican folk traditions. Please bring a framed photo of your beloved departed friends, relatives, or pets to add to our community altar this year...You will be able to take it home with you after the event. Whether through food donations, financial contributions, or simply joining us to engage with the community, your involvement would mean the world to us. If you’re interested in participating or contributing in any way, please feel free to reach out to Patricia Rountree at Patricia_Rountree@psdr3.k12.co.us
Thank you for being part of our community and helping us honor this meaningful tradition. Your continued support is what makes this event a success, year after year.
Están invitados a la celebración del Día de los Muertos 2024:
Nuestros amados que se fueron / Our Departed Loved Ones
Queridos amigos de el Pueblo de Estes Park,
Nos complace anunciar nuestra celebración del Día de los Muertos 2024 y nos encantaría contar con su participación para hacer que este evento sea inolvidable. Su participación en el pasado ha sido invaluable, y estamos entusiasmados de colaborar con ustedes nuevamente este año.
El evento se llevará a cabo en el Centro de Eventos de Estes Park el miércoles, 6 de noviembre de 2024, de 5:30 p.m. a 7:30 p.m. El tema de este año, "Nuestros amados que se fueron", está dedicado a celebrar las vidas de nuestros seres queridos que han partido. Este año, estamos emocionados por incorporar un altar para mascotas en honor a nuestros animales queridos, y una linda exhibición de alebrijes, las criaturas coloridas y fantásticas de las tradiciones populares mexicanas. Traiga una foto enmarcada de sus queridos amigos, parientes o mascotas fallecidos para agregarla a nuestro altar comunitario este año... Podrá llevársela a casa después del evento.
Ya sea a través de donaciones de alimentos, contribuciones económicas, o simplemente uniéndose a nosotros para interactuar con la comunidad, su participación sería de gran valor.
Si está interesado en participar o contribuir de alguna manera, no dude en comunicarse con Patricia Rountree a Patricia_Rountree@psdr3.k12.co.us
Gracias por ser parte de nuestra comunidad y ayudarnos a honrar esta tradición tan significativa. Su apoyo continuo es lo que hace que este evento sea un éxito, año tras año.
Speck, Brandy, Willie, Rocco And Goose Need New, Loving Forever Families
Speck is about nine months old. He is a husky mix so he has the husky energy but he also likes to cuddle. He loves playing with other dogs.
Brandy is a very outgoing heeler mix about 1-2 years old and she’s ready to go hiking and playing. She loves being active. She is about 42 pounds and loves other dogs. Brandy is crate trained and loves food!
Willie is a very sweet and handsome boy. He is pretty good on a leash, although excited and jumpy at first. He does well with other dogs and initial testing seems like he might do okay with kitties. He is a big dog at approximately 75 lbs. Such a sweetie!
Rocco is a funny, happy dog! He is about three years old, weighs 53 pounds and is housetrained. He’s a lover of people and dogs, both big and small. Goose is a short haired border collie mix who weighs about 55 pounds. He was raised with kids and is good with dogs and cats as well. He is 2 1/2 years old.
Please call (970) 2861652 if you’d like to meet or foster any of these 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 taxdeductible donation to the Pet Association by sending your check to P.O. Box 4342, Estes Park, CO 80517.
For more information about the Pet Association, please visit petassociationestespark.com.
In my lifetime the norms of our American society have changed. We are more self-indulgent, display fewer manners, accept lower standards of behavior and education, use more profane language (I’m guilty) and seem to have less concern about others’ wellbeing. I guess if I could combine all our social ills into one word, it would be RESPECT, or rather, the lack thereof. We, the smartest animals on the planet, with reasoning abilities and interpretive feelings, seem to screw up everything. Today, more than ever, we do not seem to respect our environment, authority (police or parental), how we present ourselves to others and their rights or beliefs.
When I was a kid and I misbehaved in school, I was punished by my teacher and then my parents. Today in our sue society, the disciplined youth (if they are disciplined) plead their case to their parents, who point accusing fingers at the teacher authority and threaten the school administration with a lawsuit. Respect for authority and personal accountability go out the window.
When I finished school and started working, I put my best foot forward and tried to show my potential employer how I would benefit his operation. Today, the applicant’s approach is “where is my private office, what is my vacation schedule, and here are my salary demands.”
Since living here, I, like most of this paper’s readership, go hiking in our marvelous mountains. What happened to packing out what you packed in? How many times have I picked up cans and trash on trails at makeshift campsites? Maybe it is the fact that the wife and I find less used trails. What happened to caring for our environment? It is loaned to us to enjoy while we inhabit this life.
We as a nation have implemented rules and regulations to protect our one and only planet. Other developed countries throughout the world have done so too.
Our present administration has allowed commerce and profit to supercede the delicate balance of nature. The disheartening part of this scenario is that it just might be too late to save Mother Earth. I for one, think our Native Americans, knew that the very existence of earth depended on the proper stewardship of its resources. They respected nature and its abundance. Modern society has disregarded the needs of nature for our own overpopulated needs. I am guilty, I did my share with fathering three offspring, owning six vehicles, traveling extensively while burning up fossil fuels. As a former Florida resident, I needed my home and auto to be air conditioned. When I was in school, there was a dress code for students and teachers. We all had to present ourselves with
decent attire: no shorts, low-cut tops, baggy pants, no exposed underwear. In brief, we had to have a presentable appearance. When we looked good, we felt good and behaved well. We respected ourselves, which made it easier to respect others.
As a kid, I had the privilege of being raised on an integrated back street. People with pride and respect for one another lived on that street. They were African American, Polish, German, Irish, Italian, Hungarian and a couple “Heinz 57s’ like me. Certainly, the economics were different on our street, but the respect for each other was always there. It did not make any difference as to color, nationality or religion, each resident was respectful of their neighbor. It was a united neighborhood.
Today, it seems we have more division in our society. We have mass media, owned by biased factions who promote specific doctrines. We have megachurches that have developed their own agenda even in the political arena, which our forefathers tried to guard against. Our values have changed so political campaigns can be won on emotion instead of issues. Respect for the opponent has gone by the boards. Now let’s talk maturity. For my money, maturity is not biological but intellectual. It is not how or what you think, but how you express yourself to others and how responsible you are for your own actions. Just because you have passed many decade anniversaries does not mean you are mature. When, at any age, you can look in the mirror and honestly critique yourself and admit your shortcomings as well as your strengths, then you are on you way to maturity. When you can convey your feelings to others without emotional bias and take responsibility for your mistakes, then you demonstrate maturity. We all are in charge of our own destiny. We make ourselves happy; we control our fears and actions, not others.’ Mature people understand that it is not someone else’s’ fault when they themselves fail. Mature people take responsibility for their actions and do not blame the teacher, the police or their parents for their actions.
Mature people understand that for every action you take, there is a consequence, be it good or bad. Mature people know that you reap what you sow. Positive begets positive, negative begets negative.
Mature people are respectful of others’ thoughts and actions. Would it not be great if we were all mature individuals dealing with each other respectfully?
But then again, it might be a very boring world if we did not have any conflict. Gee, if there were not conflict, I would not have had to pay those enormous legal fees for my divorces!
Remembering To Pay It Forward
By: Brian Schaffer
A BIG thank you to Joy Basia and Linda Perschbacher for their leadership in marketing our Changing Lives jars that are spread throughout town collecting money to support our programs. They are on track to break a record this year in total amount collected for 2024. It might be $20,000 or more, so help us out whenever you see our jars. It’s amazing how generous people are who live in our community as well as tourists who are visiting. Every month, Joy and Linda empty the jars of dollars and coins to be deposited in our bank account. This wouldn’t be happening without their faithful support of Crossroads. These ladies are just two of the many volunteers we have on staff who are helping us accomplish our mission of taking good care of our neighbors. If you’ve ever thought of volunteering with Crossroads, I would encourage you to check out our website at www.CrossroadsEP.org and get in touch with Aaron Bojan.
What goes around, comes around. From time to time, we will receive letters of gratitude for the assistance we were able to provide neighbors in their
time of need. A few weeks ago we received a note along with a generous donation from a lady we have helped over the years. We don’t give with any expectation of repayment, but at times people feel compelled to donate as a way of paying forward to help another neighbor who finds themselves in a season of great need. Here’s what her note had to say: “I’m so glad to be able to share a bit of unexpected income with you, remembering the years when you helped me through my set of disasters, leading to my move to this heavenly apartment at Falcon Ridge, and you supplying the security deposit for me to get in. Thank you, and Thank you again!”
Maybe this week there will be opportunities for you to pay forward a gift to be an encouragement to someone. It has happened to me more than once this year while I was in line at Starbuck’s and McDonalds. I placed my order and was fully prepared to pay, but when I reached the drive-thru window, the attendant said, “The person in front of you paid for it!” Wow! I didn’t order a Happy Meal, but I left happy. Enjoy the week, and bless others as you have opportunity.
Election: Understand-Study-Vote
Voters, please:
Understand the “Big Idea:” The interrelationships involved and the effects if implemented – short-term, long-term, and possible unintended consequences.
Study the Choices: How well each would move us closer to achieving the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution – the mission of our country. Be mindful that the “blessings of liberty” are dependent upon “justice”(including fairness), “domestic tranquility” (including safety), “common defense” (foreign and domestic), and “general welfare” (housing, food, education, health, jobs, transportation, infrastructure, environment, etc.) being in place.
*With laws, be aware that some are appropriate in the state constitution
(which provides the foundation for other laws and any adjustments must be approved by the voters), some are better as statutes (which can be adjusted by the legislature), and others are best left to agencies of experts (e.g. CDW, CDOT, etc.) for adjustments.
* With candidates, voters are hiring them to do a job, so considering each person’s guiding principles, knowledge, experience, integrity, leadership qualities, and people skills is important to determine which is the best match for the requirements of the job.
Vote!!
What, in the future when you look back on this, would you regret doing or regret not doing, and why?
Bev Bachman
Crossroads Vintage Fundraiser
This Sunday, October 27
Our Vintage fundraiser is a time we set aside to celebrate all the good work that’s being done through Crossroads. We have typically had around 160 people at this event. The excitement in the restaurant and ballroom is incredible, and we would love to have you join us. Your ticket to the event is just one way you can invest in the work we’re doing in the community. We will have two individuals from the Estes Valley share their personal testimonies
of how Crossroads has impacted their lives in a positive way and how this inspires them to give back. In addition this, you will have the opportunity to meet staff members, board of directors, volunteers, business owners, and tons of other supporters who make it possible for Crossroads to meet the basic needs of neighbors who live in the Estes Valley. I hope you join us. Please consider buying a ticket today.
Help Decorate Stanley Home Museum With Toys From The Past
Help us decorate the Stanley Home Museum for its annual Yuletide Holiday Open House December 14 and 15. Our theme this year is “Toys from the Past.” Do you have an Erector Set, Lincoln Logs, Slinky, Shirley Temple or
Raggedy Ann doll, a vintage Teddy Bear, Monopoly game or a jack in the box?
What toys might you still have in the back of a closet or in the attic?
You can be part of this celebration by allowing us to borrow your favorite toys from the early to mid-1900s
The toys will be on display in each room for viewing only, no touching. Our museum staff will watch over and handle these borrowed toys carefully, understanding that they are precious items.
Think of how much fun it will be to take those toys out of storage, rekindle happy memories of playtime, and share that joy with visitors at this Yuletide event.
If you or anyone you know has toys that we may borrow for our two-day Yuletide Holiday Open House, please contact JoAnn Batey (713)299-2584 or joannbatey@gmail.com
The Longs Peak Chapter DAR Announces Student Contests
For Grades 5-12
As the new school year kicks off, Longs Peak Chapter DAR is excited to announce the launch of its annual student contests for students in grades 512 in public, private, or parochial schools or home-schooled. The contests aim to provide a platform for young scholars to showcase their knowledge of American history and win recognition along with cash prizes. The contests, which have seen several state winners in recent years, offer students a unique opportunity to delve into the origins of the American Revolution. For students in grades 5 through 8, the written essay contest, titled "Enjoying a New Kind of Tea Party!” encourages participants to explore the events surrounding the American Revolution 250 years ago.
High school students, in grades 9-12, will have the chance to participate in the Patriots of the American Revolution essay contest. This contest prompts students to study a figure from the Revolutionary era who played a significant role in shaping the course
of the revolution.
In addition to the written essay contests, Longs Peak Chapter DAR is also sponsoring an American History Video contest. Participants are asked to create a video describing either the Edenton Tea Party or Wilmington Tea Party, providing insights into the tea party and reflecting on the decision to join them.
Entries for all contests must be submitted electronically and received no later than midnight on December 20. For further information, contact Nancy Sanger, nanasanger65@gmail.com
Longs Peak Chapter DAR looks forward to the participation of students in this year's contests and eagerly anticipates the inspiring submissions that will surely follow.
Contact: Nancy Sanger
Longs Peak Chapter NSDAR
Email: nanasanger65@gmail.com
Phone: 719-221-1149
AA & Al-Anon Meetings
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 2024
Zoom ID 999 829166 for AA Meetings
Monday-12 p.m.-In Person-O, D
Monday-7 p.m.-In Person and ZoomO, BB
Jim Michael Callowich
for the church for 20 years. He took on many other duties when asked. He enjoyed writing and creating art along with photography. Jim was a member of Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.
Tuesday-12 p.m.-Zoom-O, D
Wednesday-12 p.m.-In Person and Zoom-O, D
Wednesday-7 p.m.-In Person and Zoom- O, D
Thursday -12 p.m. Zoom-O, D
Friday-12 p.m.-In Person and ZoomO, D
Saturday-12 p.m.-In Person and Zoom-O, D
Sunday -12 p.m.-In Person and ZoomO, D
Last Friday of each month is birthday night; 6 p.m. Potluck, 7 p.m. Speaker.
*** 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.
Jim Michael Callowich, 80, of Estes Park, CO passed away on Sunday, October 6, 2024 at his home. He was born on March 16th, 1944 in Kansas City, KS to John and Mary Callowich. Jim had one sister, Johanna (JoLee) Hedlund.
Jim attended St. John the Baptist Catholic School in Kansas City, KS, Ward High School and Donelly College both in Kansas City, KS as well. His profession was in IT at Hallmark Cards for 32 years. Jim married Jennifer Bell in 1974 in Kansas City, MO and later divorced. Jim moved to Estes Park in 2000 upon retirement.
Jim volunteered his time at the Catholic Church and as a sacristan
Jim is preceded in death by his parents John and Mary Callowich, and a brother Bobby Callowich. He is survived by his daughter Brooke E. Brooks (Eddie) of Denver, CO and two granddaughters Morgan Brooks and Avery Brooks. He will be missed by nieces and nephews and many friends in his community.
Donations to Our Lady of the Mountain Church are suggested by the family. Go to tinyurl.com/yrxwjdvv
Donations may also be mailed in care of Allnutt Funeral Service 1302 Graves Ave Estes Park, CO 80517 for the church.
Please visit Allnuttestespark.com to leave messages to the family.
Jim’s service was on Tuesday, October 22nd, 2024 at Our Lady of the Mountain Catholic Church in Estes Park.
Be The Difference, Become A Volunteer Mentor!
Looking for a way to make a major impact on our community? Partners needs volunteers! Our mission is to empower youth to achieve their full potential, and we are seeking more positive adult role models to help us! If you would like to be the difference in the life of a local youth and you have time to give, please consider becoming a mentor. Mentors help youth gain confidence, social skills, and hope, all while becoming part of our sup-
portive and inspiring community. Visit www.poweredbypartners.org to learn more and sign up! Or call 970-5779348 or email kwhitacre@poweredbypartners.org to reach the Estes Park office directly.
Walter Frederick (Fred) Nemacheck
Walter Frederick (Fred) Nemacheck passed away peacefully on September 8, 2024, at his home in Estes Park, CO, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born to Elizabeth Ethel (Rosemurgy) & Walter Frederick Nemacheck on October 26, 1939, in Bessemer, MI, an iron mining town along Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He was the oldest of three boys and loved to send letters to various states’ tourism bureaus to collect maps to study. His family spent summers putting those maps to good use by taking trips, one of which brought them to Estes Park in the mid-1950s.
He was a 1957 graduate of Bessemer High School, where he played in the band and participated in ROTC. He attended school “downstate” at the University of Michigan. The trip to Ann Arbor required numerous trains through Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana – and lots of map reading! He began school as an Engineering major and transferred to the education school, graduating with a Bachelor’s in Education in 1962. He was a rabid Michigan football fan and was the student manager of the Michigan football team during his university tenure. He met his wife, Nancy, in Great Books, where they both were sitting with Michigan football players.
After graduation from Michigan, he attended Louisiana State University on a National Science Foundation scholarship for math. He graduated LSU in 1963 with his Master’s in Mathematics, and served as a Captain in the U.S. Army. He married Nancy in November 1963. Honorably discharged from the Army, he and Nancy moved to Waukegan, IL, where he taught high school math and science. There, he volunteered as a Junior Achievement mentor, choir member, church Treasurer, and ruling elder of the First Presbyterian Church.
He left teaching to work as an In-
dustrial Engineer for U.S. Steel. In 1977, the family moved to Naperville, IL. He was Santa in the neighborhood Christmas parade, treasurer of the neighborhood association, a soccer referee, and treasurer of the Naperville Congregational Church for many years. Once the Joliet U.S. Steel plant closed, he worked as a controller for a small manufacturing company until his retirement.
Beginning in 1978, he and his family travelled annually to the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park. Each summer he could be found on any number of hiking trails (his favorite destination was a particular rock at Mills Lake), but don’t look for him on a horse! In 2000, he and Nancy purchased a house in Estes Park and commuted seasonally between Naperville and Estes Park until they moved full time to Estes Park in 2020.
In retirement, he continued hiking with a local hiking group. He volunteered for decades with college students at A Christian Ministry in the National Park (ACMNP), and for 14 years as a volunteer ranger at Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). After years of visiting YMCA of the Rockies and hiking through RMNP, volunteering as a ranger was the perfect opportunity to share his knowledge & passion!
He will be remembered by his sense of humor, huge smile, proclivity to assign a nickname to everything, delight in wearing his volunteer ranger uniform, vast collection of maps from his travels – and, most of all, pride in his family. He loved nothing more than to sit in his chair and talk to family about any subject.
In death, he leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Nancy (Smith) Nemacheck, brother Bill (Patti) Nemacheck of Marquette, MI, two children, Elizabeth Nemacheck of Richmond, VA, and Bill Nemacheck of Iowa City, IA, two grandchildren, Ben Nemacheck of Iowa City, IA, and Drew Nemacheck of Eureka, MO, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Dave Nemacheck, and Dave’s wife Barb (Smith) Nemacheck of Gladstone, MI.
A celebration of life is planned on what would have been his 85th birthday, October 26, at 2 p.m. at the Ponder Chapel at YMCA of the Rockies. In lieu of sending flowers, donations in his name may be made to the YMCA of the Rockies, Summit Church of Estes Park, or Rocky Mountain Conservancy.
Gordon MacAlpine
The voice of one of our community’s most ardent and articulate environmentalists has been silenced. Gordon MacAlpine, a tenyear resident of Estes Park, died October 13th after a five-month battle with brain cancer.
Gordon was proud to say that he was born in Montana, though he spent most of his childhood in Stillwater, Oklahoma. He attended Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana where he majored in physics and excelled as a cross country and track runner. He went on to earn a PhD in astronomy from the University of Wisconsin.
Following a year at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, NJ, Gordon taught astronomy at the University of Michigan for 28 years. His popular class for undergraduate non-science majors enrolled thousands of students during his career, while his research on quasars was recognized at an international level. After retiring from the U of M he spent another 13 years in a distinguished professor position at Trinity University in San Antonio, where he taught astronomy and physics and developed a class on environmental physics for students whose major was outside the sciences. Perhaps his proudest teaching moment came at the end of his last class, when he apologized to the students for not being able to give them hope for the future because of the ongoing destruction of our environment. The class as a whole responded by chanting “We are the hope”—a declaration that he fervently hoped would eventually come to pass.
During his time in Estes Park Gordon served on the Community Garden Board of Directors through its formative years, co-founded the local branch of the Sierra Club, formed the Estes Valley Clean Energy Coalition, provided astronomical and en-
vironmental lectures at the Estes Park Memorial Observatory, and served on the Board of the Estes Valley Watershed Coalition. He chaired the Town of Estes Park’s 2021 Environmental Sustainability Task Force as it researched and provided extensive recommendations to move the town forward environmentally. Gordon was known as a rabble rouser by some and a hero by others for being able to articulate the problems and research their potential solutions. He spoke and wrote about his fight for the environment, not for himself but for his grandchildren, and for yours. Gordon’s family is grateful for the support of the hospice community that allowed him to be home during his final days. He will be remembered with smiles and a lifetime of wild stories by his wife Barbara, daughter Sara, and son Patrick. He treasured his two granddaughters, his son-in-law Lee, brother Ian, and sister Mary, and appreciated a large extended family of his relatives and Barbara’s. He was preceded in death by his brother David and sister Heather. He is especially missed by Bowie, his best canine hiking buddy. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Friends Service Committee or an environmental organization of your choice. An outdoor memorial service is planned for early next summer in Estes Park.
Elizabeth “Libby” Stewart Hatch Ellis
May 5, 1931 - September 21, 2024
Elizabeth “Libby” Stewart Hatch Ellis was born on May 5, 1931, in New Rochelle, New York, and passed away on September 21, 2024, in Estes Park, Colorado, surrounded by her loving family. She was 93. Libby was a resident of Nederland, Colorado, from 1997-2015.
Libby is survived by her husband of 55 years, Robert “Bob” Ellis, and her three children: Laura MacAlister Brown (Rob Ramey), John Summerhayes Brown (Gervaise) and Tobi Ellis Summerhayes (Kyle Young). She is also survived by four adoring granddaughters: Sarah Brown, Eva Ramey, Anika Ramey, and Elissa Brown. Her close-knit family of nieces, nephews, cousins, grandnieces and grandnephews survive her as well. She was predeceased by her two sisters, Rosamond Hatch Butler and Nancy Hatch Beekman. Libby was previously married (19541966) to MacAlister Brown, who died in 2016.
Libby was one of triplets and she and her sisters grew up in Schenectady, New York. The triplets’ father, T. Alden Hatch, died in 1945 when the girls were 14. They were subsequently raised by their mother, Ro-
samond S. Hatch, and their maternal grandparents Marion and Harry Summerhayes Sr. In the 1930s the triplets’ grandparents and relatives had the good fortune to acquire a private island on Lake George, New York. Here they built a rustic summer camp and introduced the girls to the outdoor activities they grew to love. The island was a fundamental part of the triplets’ upbringing and remains a touchstone and a haven for successive generations of family that have the privilege to call it home.
Libby attended Radcliffe College (now part of Harvard University) in Cambridge Massachusetts, graduating in 1952 with a BA degree in Art History. She was an active member of the Harvard Mountaineering Club and enjoyed many outings to rock climb, hike and ski, especially Tuckerman’s Ravine on Mount Washington. Coming from a family of avid outdoor enthusiasts, Libby was eager to spend a good portion of her free time first in the White Mountains and Adirondacks, and later in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and Wyoming. Cross-country and telemark skiing were her favorite winter pastimes and she continued to trace the mountainsides with her graceful turns until the age of 87. Every winter for 15 years, she and Bob would ski to one of the 10th Mountain Division huts in Colorado’s back-country, making her last hut trip at age 82.
Libby’s passion for mountains fed a lifelong devotion to sketching, drawing and painting scenes in nature that inspired her. She was an avid birdwatcher, knew the wildflowers, read natural history books, kept up on environmental issues, and donated to conservation organizations. She enjoyed nothing more than a day outside with her sketchbook and colored pencils, most often on a hike. She took art classes over the years and became quite accomplished, displaying her works in
local shows and in her home. She filled numerous sketchbooks over 45 years, and collaborated with Bob in producing a printed version of her best Colorado work in 2022. For many years she designed the annual Rocky Mountain Orienteering Club t-shirts, as well as greeting cards of mountain scenes. Libby’s art was never for sale, it was always very personal, an expression of her skills at observation and her deep love of nature.
In all the places she lived – Hanover, New Hampshire, Washington DC, Williamstown, Massachusetts, Schenectady, New York, Sudbury, Massachusetts, Woodland Park, Nederland, and Estes Park, Colorado - Libby devoted herself not only to her family and her art, but also to her dogs, of which she had many (10 over 60 years.) She worked for a time at the Woodland Park Veterinary Clinic, and adopted several rescue dogs. She is survived by Niko, her devoted samoyed/husky mix. Along with visits to national parks in the lower 48, Libby’s travels also included the Galapagos, Svalbard, Costa Rica, Alaska, Baja, and Arizona. The Arizona trip, with her sisters and a cousin, traced the legacy of their greatgrandmother, Martha Summerhayes, whose memoir Vanished Arizona describes Army life in the Arizona Territory in the late 1800s.
Music, books, gardening, crossword puzzles and games were some of Libby’s other joys. She took up the mandolin at age 75, learning to play and sing alongside her husband Bob at their annual music camps. While living in Nederland, Colorado, she volunteered at the local library and joined a book club. She was also
a member of a couple of creative writing groups in Nederland and Boulder. Board games like Scrabble and Azul were a given at any social gathering in the Ellis house, with Libby often winning, even in her very senior years.
Libby was a private person, quiet and thoughtful. Although her first marriage to Mac Brown didn’t last, Libby later found Bob, the mate she was meant for. When they met, Libby was a 38-year-old divorcee with two children, and Bob was a 23year-old math and engineering geek and Conscientious Objector (during the Vietnam War.) They were a very unlikely couple, but they hit it off, and the 15 year age difference didn’t stop them from marrying in 1969 in a Quaker ceremony. Their daughter Tobi (born Mary Elizabeth Ellis) arrived three years later. None of Libby’s family or friends thought such a marriage would last, but they proved everyone wrong. Libby taught Bob how to ski and backpack, they ventured up mountain trails together as often as they could, and their loving and devoted marriage lasted 55 years, until death did them part.
Libby was a much beloved matriarch of her large family, and will be dearly missed.
Obituary Writing Workshop At Death Cafe Meetings
By: Deborah Schaffer
At Death Cafe people, often strangers, gather to eat cake, drink tea and discuss death. The objective is 'to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives'.
Death Cafe is a group directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes. It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counselling session. It is respectful and confidential with no intention of leading to any conclusion, product or course of action.
Death Café is for adults and will meet:
October 31 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. in the Hondius Room at the Estes Valley Library.
Why burden your family and friends to write your obituary after you’re gone? Write your own!
Death Café is offering an Obituary
Writing Workshop
Thursday, October 24 from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Monday, November 25 from 6:30 p.m. -7:30 p.m. in the Wasson Board Room at the Estes Valley Library
Please RSVP, text Deborah at 970452-9191.
80511
ho u SeKeepi ng – Staff
This position is responsible for having assigned cabins & lodge rooms cleaned by check-in time at YMCA of the Rockies, a camp, conference & family retreat center located outside Rocky Mountain National Park. Flexible work agreements and shifts available ASAP through November 1st. This position pays $14.42/hour with great employee perks like YMCA membership, shift meal, and the opportunity to work with people from all around the world!
Training provided –no experience necessary.
j o bs.ym ca r oc k ie s. o rg
MAIL / PACKAGE DELIVERY
Perform a variety of functions to accomplish the distribution of mail and packages. Vehicle and gas supplied. Must be able to lift up to 70lbs.
Competitive pay.
Full or Part Time
Call Robin at 970-232-5514
YMca of the RocKieS
Staff ho u Si ng Specia l iSt
This position supports the work of the YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park Center, which operates a mission-based family and group conference and retreat center, serving more than 150,000 guests annually. The Building Maintenance Tech – Staff Housing Specialist is primarily responsible for the maintenance and repair of all aspects of Estes Park Center’s staff housing, with a special emphasis on Glacier Lodge, the year-round staff housing neighborhood. The majority of the work will be ongoing building and grounds maintenance and repair as requested by the Buildings Maintenance Supervisor.
Additional maintenance and repair work will also occur in all buildings at the EPC campus. This position pays $21 - $23/hour with great employee perks and benefits including 60 day temporary housing, health, dental, and life insurance, discounted childcare, generous PTO/vacation, ski passes, and participation in the YMCA Retirement Fund.
Join Our Growing Team! Full Time, Year Round Career
Opportunities with Excellent Benefits
• Teller $19-21/hour
• Teller / New Accounts Rep
$20-24/hour
• Asst Branch Manager
$55,000-$60,000/year
All positions require strong communication skills and a desire to thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment. Prior cash handling experience preferred and commitment to excellent customer service is a must.
To apply, visit: www.bankofcolorado.com/careers
LOOKING FOR ART LOVERS!
Join one of the top 10 Galleries in the USA featuring all American Art with 2 locations in Estes Park. Part Time
Sales Positions Available.
Retail sales experience required. Must be friendly and outgoing and willing to go the extra mile for our customers.
We offer:
• Very competitive wages
• Attractive employee discounts
• Profit Sharing
• A great work environment surrounded by beautiful American art!
Please drop off resume in person at: 360 E. Elkhorn Ave. or, Email to info@earthwoodartisans.com YMca of
for ISO Shift Brewer part time/full time Pay commensurate with experience/aptitude txt 812.201.3836 or email:
lumpyridgebrewing@gmail.com
We’re hiring for the following positions starting at $22.61/hr.:
• Drive-up & Go Service Helpers
• Checker
• Courtesy Clerk
• Day-Stocker
• Overnight Stocker
• Bakery Clerk
• Deli Clerk
• Produce Clerk
• Seafood Clerk
• Cake Decorator
• Meat Cutter
To apply visit www.albertsonscompanies.com select Careers then search for Estes Park, CO to locate jobs After your application has been completed, please call our hiring manager Ann at 970.586.4447.
Photo by Michael Barringer
You've just found it! Fun family business
Outdoor World and Rocky Mountain Connection retail clothing and equipment year round stores needs you. Starting at $17.00-22.00 per hour. Retail selling, merchandising. Quickbooks expert. Store floor manager. You must be cheerful and like people. Choose your hours. Ages 15 to 80. Call Ernie 24 hours a day Mon - Sun. 970 232 8290.
JOIN OUR TEAM!
Full details on employment opportunities and the application can be found at estes.org/jobs.
Regular Full-time
Civil Engineer I-II (Stormwater)
Emergency Services Dispatcher I-III
Finance Director/Treasurer
Police Officer I - III
Restorative Justice Program Coordinator
Winter/Seasonal
Visitor Information Assistant
The status of applications will be communicated via e-mail. By choice, the Town of Estes Park is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
Homes
Quite mountain retreat beckons you to the good life. This beautiful 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom home sites on 5 acres and borders the Little Thompson River. Abundant wildlife is often seen on the property. The primary bedroom, the large kitchen and living area are on the upper level with a large deck off of the kitchen that offers open views. The other 2 bedrooms, along with the second living area on the lower level which opens up to the large yard. The property is 10 minutes outside of Estes. The location also provides easy access to Lyons and Boulder, incase you need to reach the “real world”. $2995/m plus utilities $2995/deposit background & credit check required.
1 dog neg. Ponderosa Realty & Management 970-586-6500
OPEN HOUSE 9-6
651 Chickadee Lane 3 br, 2 ba, gar, views, acre, hot tub, unfurnished $2750. 956-460-7478
Homes
1033 Tranquil Lane
3Br, 1.75Ba, garage, EV and hot tub hook up. Short distance from downtown . $2,800/mo. (970) 586-1685 glaciercreekinc@ gmail.com
Condos
FURNISHED WINTER RENTAL
2bed 2bath Mary’s lake condo. Perfect for 2. NO Pets. $2000 includes all utilities, cable and internet. 970-624-7191
Apartments
Beautiful fully-furnished efficiency apartment with gorgeous views of Lake Estes. One bed, full kitchen, full bathroom and fireplace. All utilities included. $1200 per month. Available now through May. 970-779-7455.
Commercial Rentals
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 Room/Roommate Month to month plus utilities -elect/water/heat/wifi— split with one other in home, avail thru May-6 mos., easy walk to town. Furnished w king bed, tv. Employment, ref, sec dep, one small pet considered. 970 389 7656 call or text
Other-Misc
Commercial SALES
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
HOUSEHOLD
Brute Force
4 Wheeler w/plow. Like New. $4900. Call 970-586-5646
Sales Storm Mtn Holiday Bazaar: 11/2 10-4 & 11/3 11-3. Big Thompson Canyon Assoc (BTCA) Bldg, 1479 US Hwy 34 E of Drake. Locally handcrafted items. Soup Sunday BTCA fundraiser (11-2); pints of homemade soups to take home. Historic log bldg, free cider, great shopping. More info at www.facebook.com/ peacefulridge.
Notice is hereby given that a proposed budget has been submitted to the Estes Valley Public Library District Board for the ensuing year 2025. That a copy of the proposed budget has been filed on the Library’s website under “About > Budget, Finance, & Annual Audit Reports” where the same is open for public inspection. A public budget hearing will be held on Monday, November 18, 2024 in the Library Wasson Room at 6:30 p.m. Any interested elector within the Estes Valley Public Library District may inspect the proposed budget and file or register any objection thereto at any time prior to the final adoption of the budget. That the proposed budget will be considered for final adoption at the meeting of the Library Board to be held in the Wasson Room at the Library on Monday, December 9, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. Estes Valley Public Library District
