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I was in the Havasupai Canyon during election day, our last backpack of the year. It was peaceful and beautiful, and the ten-mile hike out on a pristine desert day was calming and inspiring. It gave me a chance to reflect on the turbulence in our American political landscape, but to also reaffirm some of my core beliefs about the good ol’ USA and what we each locally can do to overcome division.
First, I believe that the American institutions will overcome the current-day schisms. We’ve been through so much in nearly 250 years of history, and our system has gotten us through. We did it before and we can do it again.
Second, I believe that the majority of American are compassionate, good people. Almost all of your fellow Americans will be kind if you’re kind to them. So now, we should all stay informed and think unity. Be attuned to those who want to divide and resist that. Instead, help bridge those divisions with consciousness and listening.
Third, despite the “hot-button” issues, most of us share certain basic beliefs about our citizenship and what it means. The great majority of us do believe in the rights that have been our bedrock: life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness. We believe in freedom of speech and religion. We’re all individuals, but we’re all Americans. Let’s start our discussions from the common points and work from there.
In one of Judi Smith’s recent local columns, she spoke of maintaining our “village atmosphere.” I agree absolutely. Let’s do it. How? Just do it! Offer basic hu-
manity to each other in every interaction, regardless of differences of opinion and differing social agendas. In my experience, starting a relationship or conversation as human being to human being ensures that the first steps are unifying.
We live in a world now where divisive disinformation spreads like wildfire. We need to develop our skills to sniff out the suspicious and the inaccurate. Be open –but discerning. Your vigilance and consciousness and a touch of intuition are the best keys to protection from that stuff.
I believe that most Americans are fundamentally kind and appreciative of each other. The ability to listen to each other, to be curious about others’ reasons for their views, and to try to understand can lead to remarkable openness and empathy. As a first-time politician in later life, I have to make decisions based on the broadest set of information I can absorb, including various opinions and influences. I need your ideas and opinions, and it does no good to get angry at those with different opinions. Anger dispels focus and divides us. The sun comes up every day (sometimes behind snow clouds). We have much work to do to keep Estes the place of beauty it still is after 150+ years of settled history. Let’s start each day, and each interaction, from a point of humanity, and we can solve most problems together.
The proposed (and still in progress) Planned Unit Development (PUD) ordinance amendment will continue to inspire strong differences of opinion as the board considers the changes. At essence is: How
Learn About New Electric Rates And Power And Communications
The Town of Estes Park invites Power and Communications customers to join its staff to learn about electric rates and the services they support. Joe Lockhart, Power and Communications Line Superintendent, and Sarah Clark, AMI Coordinator, will discuss the new electric rates, effective in October, as well as current and planned electric system projects.
Three meetings will be offered:
Wednesday, Nov. 20, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Glen Haven Town Hall at 7408 CR 43 in Glen Haven
Monday, Nov. 25, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Hondius Room at the Estes Valley Library at 335 E. Elkhorn Ave. in Estes
Projects
Park
Monday, Dec. 2 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Allenspark Fire Protection District Community Room at 14861 CO-7 in Allenspark
These public meetings give the community an opportunity to discuss the need to review electric rates with Costof-service rate studies and to ask questions about projects and operations. For more information about Power and Communications and activities please visit estes.org/powerandcommunications. For more information, please contact AMI Coordinator Sarah Clark at sclark@estes.org or 970- 577-3588.
do we create an ordinance that would allow PUDs in a wider range of zones but still have guardrails that would prevent current and future planners and boards and developers from going off track and overdoing PUDs to the point of changing the character of our town in negative ways? Well, we can never guarantee what future elected boards will choose to do, but I want to see that type of clarity of purpose and benefit, so that future boards will at least consider staying within bounds and maintaining Estes’s character and beauty.
I’ve recently heard the old refrain “You can’t fight City Hall.” If we have a feeling that the walls of city hall are too high and mighty, communication ceases or becomes divisive. I do think that many Estesians know the paths to work with the Town staff. And my methods are patterned around collaboration. Do you still feel that the Town is unassailable? If so, what steps can be taken to lessen that sense of futility?
I’ll be setting up the next Mayor’s Coffee in December. My goal is to hold these approximately three times a year, since I’ll also be participating about three times a year in Trustee Talks. That will give me about six open sessions for public interaction. Plus, I have many meetings oneon-one with citizens. If that’s not enough –let me know!
As always, I appreciate your feedback, questions, debate, and commentary.
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 November 3rd, 2024, the Estes Valley Fire Protection District (EVFPD) responded to 15 calls for service. This included:
Alarm Activation: 4
Emergency Medical (assist EPH): 4
Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA): 3
Assist: 1
Odor Investigation: 1
Chimney Fire: 1
Electrical Fire: 1
www.estesvalleyfire.org
Town Invites Public Input On Multimodal Transportation Plan And Transit
Development Plan
The Town of Estes Park is excited to announce the publication of the draft versions of the comprehensive Multimodal Transportation and Transit Development Plans. These documents have been developed based on the community vision of a “connected community linked locally and regionally by multimodal transportation options,” as defined by the recently adopted Estes Forward Comprehensive Plan.
This planning process has included the identification of projects and strategies for the evolution of the transportation network in Estes Park to integrate all modes of travel in a manner that is safe, equitable and easy to navigate. This includes access considerations for micromobility devices, bicycles, pedestrians, cars, transit, and persons with disabilities, with a special focus on emerging mobility trends, technologies, and innovation in transportation planning. Additionally, a comprehensive evaluation was conducted of the Town’s transit service, The Peak, to develop recommendations for routing, service frequency, and overall system enhancement.
The public is invited to review and comment on the draft documents by visiting www.estestransportationplan.com. Comments will be accepted through Nov. 22, 2024. For more information, please contact Jeff Bailey, Town Engineer at jbailey@estes.org or 970-577-3586.
La ciudad invita a la opinión pública sobre el Plan de Transporte Multimodal y el Plan de Desarrollo del Transporte Público
The charge(s) are merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
On 11/4/2024 at 5:25 a.m. police were called to the 1100 block of Big Thompson Ave. on a report of a verbal disturbance. On scene they contacted a 27 year old male from Estes Park who was found to have a warrant for his arrest. The warrant was for failure to appear on a misdemeanor/traffic offense. The male was arrested and transported to the Larimer County Jail.
On 11/4/2024 at 6:53 a.m. police were called to the 500 block of S. Saint Vrain Ave. on a welfare check and found a 44 year old male from Nebraska to be in violation of a protection order. The male was charged with violation of protection order, arrested and transported to the Larimer County Jail.
On 11/4/2024 at 11:36 a.m. police responded to the 1100 block of S. Saint Vrain
La ciudad de Estes Park se complace en anunciar la publicación de los borradores del Plan integral de transporte multimodal y los Planes de desarrollo del tránsito. Estos documentos se han desarrollado basándose en la visión comunitaria de una “comunidad conectada local y regionalmente mediante opciones de transporte multimodal”, tal como se define en el documento recientemente adoptado Estes Forward Plan Integral.
Este proceso de planificación ha incluido la identificación de proyectos y estrategias para la creación y evolución de una red de transporte en Estes Park que integre todos los modos de viaje de una manera segura, equitativa y fácil de navegar. Esto incluye consideraciones de acceso para dispositivos de micromovilidad, bicicletas, peatones, automóviles, transporte público y personas con discapacidades, con especial atención a las tendencias de movilidad emergentes, las tecnologías y la innovación en la planificación del transporte. Además, se llevó a cabo una evaluación integral del servicio de tránsito de la ciudad, The Peak, para desarrollar recomendaciones para rutas, frecuencia del servicio y mejora general del sistema.
Se invita al público a revisar y comentar sobre los documentos borradores visitando www.estestransportationplan.com. Fomentamos la participación de la comunidad en este proceso. Se aceptarán comentarios desde noviembre hasta el viernes 22 de noviembre de 2024. Para obtener más información, comuníquese con Jeff Bailey, ingeniero municipal al jbailey@estes.org o 970-577-3586.
Ave. where they contacted a 43 year old male from Lama, CO who was wanted on a felony warrant. The male was arrested and transported to the Larimer County Jail.
On 11/5/2024 at 8:51 a.m. a 24 year old male from Estes Park who was wanted on a warrant, turned himself in to the EPPD at 170 MacGregor Ave. The warrant was for criminal mischief and domestic violence and he was arrested and transported to the Larimer County Jail.
On 11/10/2024 at 12:37 a.m. police observed a 24 year old male from Fort Collins,CO in the 1300 block of Manford Ave. driving erratically in a stolen vehicle. The male was blocked in by officers and taken into custody without incident. He was charged with third degree motor vehicle theft, arrested and transported to the Larimer County Jail.
Estes Park School District Seeks Community Members For Long-Range Master Planning Committee
The Estes Park School District (EPSD) is launching a new LongRange Master Planning Committee to help shape the future of district facilities, finances, and operations for the next 20 years. This committee will provide thoughtful advisement on and strategic insights to guide EPSD's development, ensuring sustainability, growth, and excellence in education.
EPSD is calling on community members with relevant expertise and
a passion for education to apply. This is an exciting opportunity for individuals to contribute directly to the future of the district’s schools, facilities, and programs.
"Our goal is to build a vibrant learning environment that serves both current and future generations," said Superintendent Ruby Bode. "We're looking for community members who are committed to supporting our schools and helping us create a roadmap that honors the unique character
of Estes Park while meeting the changing needs of our district."
Areas of Expertise Sought: EPSD is seeking individuals with knowledge or experience in:
Historical context of Estes Park School District
Finance and budgeting
Construction or facilities management
Operations and logistics
Organizational planning processes
Academic/extracurricular program
knowledge (preferred)
Committee Details:
Membership: Approximately 10 community members will be selected.
Timeline: The committee will meet regularly from January through May 2024.
Impact: Members will work closely with Superintendent Ruby Bode and the Board of Education to provide recommendations that shape long-term decisions impacting students, staff, and the broader community. How to Apply
Interested community members are invited to apply online. The application process is now open, and submissions will be accepted through November 22, 2024.
For additional information, please visit our website or contact EPSD's administrative office at 970-586-2361.
Blood Drive At The YMCA Tuesday, December 10
American Red Cross Blood Drive
YMCA of the Rockies—Estes Park Center Wind River Lodge Tuesday, December 10 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sign up here: redcrossblood.org Sponsor code: YMCAoftheRockies
Author Robert N. Ruesch To Speak About Thanksgiving At The YMCA Maude Jellison Library November 29th
The multi published author will talk about Thanksgiving in the 1950s at Estes Park Center, YMCA. What would your life be like if you grew up in Estes Park, and the Rocky Mountain National Park was your backyard playground? Your friends were college students from across the USA and even foreign counties?
Robert will also talk about his childhood in Estes Park Center YMCA, from his book, In the Warmth of the Shadow. He will speak at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 29th at The Maude Jellison Library, Estes Park Center. Robert’s recollection of “growing up in paradise” gives the listener an hour of what Estes Park was like in the 1950s to the 1970s.
Robert has written two books about the YMCA of the Rockies, and a book for advent. His book, The Elf NOT on the Shelf, will be available for purchase. This is a perfect gift for grandparents and parents to possess for the advent season. His fourth book, The Long Road Home, will also be available for purchase. This book chronicles the three-decade journey of his daughter’s addiction and current recovery. Told in the first person from the father and daughter’s standpoint, will give you an unfiltered look at the impact of drugs on families.
All books will be available for purchase and signing. Since 1907, the YMCA of the Rockies has been hosting families, conferences, and summer staff experiences. Robert’s exploits and experiences will entertain you and bring into focus the history of the YMCA and Estes Park.
Volunteer With The Estes Park Museum
Volunteering at the Estes Park Museum is a great way to give back and get involved in the community. The Museum has nearly 30 volunteers that support daily operations year-round. It is evident that the Museum could not function without these individuals donating over 1,000 hours towards its mission by serving thousands of guests annually.
Now is a great time to join the Museum team as a gallery host! Hosts welcome and interact with guests from all over the world by serving as the frontline representative for the Museum gallery experience. Hosts greet guests, orient visitors to the gallery, and an-
swer questions. Volunteer shifts are 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 1-4 p.m. There is a particular need for volunteers on Saturdays and the first and third Wednesday morning of the month. There are a variety of opportunities to get involved with a typical three-hour shift once a week, every other week, once a month, or as a substitute.
If you would like to contribute to the success of the Museum, have fun, and share local history, please visit estes.org/volunteering to fill out an easy online form or call 970-577-3766. The Estes Park Museum is open Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
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Museum volunteer Mary Jo Seifert.
Estes Park Museum Temporary Exhibit Tour For Museum Members
On Thursday, November 21 at 3:00 p.m. Estes Park Museum members will have the opportunity for a guided tour of One of a Kind: Art from the Estes Park Museum, the latest temporary exhibition. The show features works from some of the area's most well-known, and prominent artists including Lyman Byxbe, R.H. Tallant, Richardson Rome, Greig Steiner, Dorothy C. Scott, and many others. Museum Director Derek Fortini will discuss artistic styles, mediums, and the history of the Estes Park artistic community. Museum members may bring a plus one to this event, no RSVP necessary. For well over a century, Estes Park has been home to a thriving artistic scene. Since its founding in 1962, the Estes Park Museum has become a public repository for local art. As the artistic community evolves, so too does the art collected. Over time, the pieces gathered tell a story of the insight and
inspiration of those who are drawn to create.
Not a member, but want to attend this and other special events at the Museum throughout the year? It’s easy to join by emailing Jeanna Edwards at jedwards@estes.org or by calling (970) 577-3766, or stop by the Museum Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
My dad never met a piece of toast he didn’t like and butter was his best friend. Put the three of them together at the kitchen table and it was a party! When I was growing up, sometimes the whole family would have toast and hot cocoa for lunch on Saturday, which was festive indeed. Nothing healthy, just cocoa and toast. We’d butter up the toast and dunk it in the cocoa, which Mom made from scratch. (We knew it was from scratch because it developed that thin layer of skin when it sat in the pot over the stove.) When the toast was gone, we could look down into our mugs and see little iridescent puddles of melted butter floating on top of the cocoa. What a treat!
Toast was not just breakfast fare at our house, but to be had any time, day or night. Everybody was invited to join Dad and could stay as long as the bread lasted, but there were rules.
The toast had to be well-browned on both sides. My parents bought toasters about as often as the wind blows in Estes Park because they were trying to find the most capable machine to make evenly toasted bread. They tried twoslot, four-slot and wide-slot appliances; slow toasting, speed toasting, slow rise and pop-ups; name brand, off brand, gourmet and everything in-between. Whichever one was having its turn on the kitchen counter, once the dial was set to provide the most toasty toast, nobody touched that knob!
Almost more important than browned-to-perfection toast was the butter that went on the toast. The rules were that we had to 1) slice the butter flawlessly at an exact right angle to the pale yellow stick and 2) leave no crumbs on the butter. Not one visible toast crumb! Plus, we had to leave plenty of butter for Dad because really, he ate toast with his butter rather than butter on his toast.
The pop-up toaster was invented in 1926. Commercially sliced bread became available on store shelves in 1928. When the two met up there was such excitement, my dad had to enter the world so he could be a part of the fun. He was born in 1929 when sliced bread was the greatest thing. Greatest things have been compared to sliced bread ever since.
For decades, Dad and everybody else thought the ideal bread was pillowy
soft, lighter than air, and whiter than white (think Wonder Bread in its polka-dot plastic bag). Then in 1990 there was a shift, and Dad caught a whiff of bread made at home in a bread machine.
By 1999, one in five American households owned a bread machine. My parents owned two. Dad became the Gluten Godfather, making at least a loaf a week in one or the other of his bread makers. He tried many different recipes, multiple different flours purchased from stores all over town, and he varied the order in which he added the ingredients to the bucket. He located one bread maker in the kitchen and tried baking bread in the other machine in the store room, where the temperature was cooler and more humid. Then he’d swap machines when one disappointed him.
He took pictures of the loaves that flopped and of the loaves that rose to golden perfection. He obtained an electric knife and a bread-slicing guide. When one quit working, he got a new one. He went through several knives, slicing guides and bread machines in his 30 years of baking bread at home. I seem to remember he kept a running total of every loaf he made. That is one of those things I wish somebody in the family hung onto for posterity, yet I understand if it got tossed. Where does one keep such a memento, and why? That’s a topic for a separate column. I bring to you this story of my dad and his obsession with homemade toast with butter because National Homemade Bread Day is coming up. This Sunday, November 17 is the big day. Joe is the bread baker in our household. He learned his technique from my dad, who shared his secrets to making the perfect loaf after years of trial and error. Sunday will find Joe adding to our bread machine the right amounts of the right ingredients in the correct order, according to Dad. When the loaf is done, the bread will fill the air with the unmistakable aroma of warm, yeasty, heavenly homemade bread. We will cut it with our electric knife and bread-slicing guide, slather butter on it, and toast my dad.
You may let The Thunker know what you think at her e-mail address, donoholdt@gmail.com.
The next meeting of the Parkinson’s Disease Support Group will be held Tuesday, November 19 in the Hondius Room at the Estes Valley Library. Monthly meetings are always held on the third Tuesday of the month from 3:30-5:00 p.m. All affected by this progressive neurological disease are welcome to attend to bring their own experiences, strength and hope and come together for the good of the group
The Estes Chamber is inviting the entire community to participate in an evening of celebration and camaraderie on December 12th to mark the Chamber’s 5th Anniversary. There will be Hawaiian dance lessons, a silent auction, delicious dinner, a dessert dash, and much more.
“We want to make this a unique holiday event to honor the hard work of our local businesses this past season and to recognize the Chamber’s anniversary; fiveyears of providing resources, education, and support to grow small business and make Estes a great place to live, work, and play,” said Chamber President Colleen DePasquale.
choice, the second highest amount raised, that table goes next and so on. You’re also on a clock too – with three minutes to bid and strategize and 30 seconds to grab your dessert before the next table gets a chance, so it’s a fast-paced race to claim your sweet treat,” added DePasquale.
The Chamber gala is made possible by title sponsors, Bank of Colorado and Platte River Power Authority, supporting partners Holiday Inn Estes Park, Bank of Estes Park, Visit Estes Park, and Edward Jones - Derek Vinge, and donors Harriette Woodard, Carissa Streib, and Ingrid Bush.
The evening will begin at 5pm at the Holiday Inn Ballroom. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy a networking cocktail hour followed by the installation of the 2025 Estes Chamber Board of Directors at 6 p.m. The silent auction and dinner begin at 6:30 p.m.
“We’ll be bringing back the Dessert Dash, so you’ll want to bring some cash with you! There will be 10 delectable donated desserts on a table – enticing you when you walk into the ballroom. Each table will pool their cash to bid for their favorite dessert. The table that raises the most money will get the first
“This year’s gala will be unlike any other and we’re excited to also be presenting several awards to business and community leaders. If you’d like to nominate for awards, you can submit those on our website as well, just go the "Awards & Grants" page under the events tab,” DePasquale said.
Mark your calendars and dust-off your Hawaiian shirt for the Chamber Gala on December 12th. Tickets are $115 for Members and $135 for non members. Tickets include our Hawaiian menu and one themed drink. Sponsorship packages are also available by contacting the Chamber directly.
Update On The School District At Next Learn With The League
There will be an update on our school district at the next Learn with the League meeting to be held on Wednesday, November 20 at 10:00 a.m. at the American Legion Hall, 850 N. St. Vrain. All are welcome to attend. No registration necessary.
Did you know that the EP Schools have improved test scores and attendance?
At this event, the Estes Park School District Team will share past years’ growth and ongoing work driven by the Strategic Plan.
You’ll learn about, and get to ask questions about these topics from these presenters: Strengths and challenges in the EP schools: Ruby Bode. Ruby joined Estes Park School District in 2005 and is Superintendent of Estes Park Schools.
What are Ruby’s goals for the School System?
The Role of a Board Member: Stacy Ferree. Stacy is the current school board president.
Have you wondered what it’s like to be on the School Board?
Meeting the needs of all students: Sundee Pietsch
Sundee is Director of Student Services, Estes Park School District.
Curriculum: Carmen Williams
Changes and improvements in curriculum, and plans for the future.
Finance: Brian Lund
Brian will speak to the District’s Financial Plan.
Buildings and Operations: Eric Adams What is the School Board’s Building Plan?
If you can’t attend, look for an article by Caltha Crowe in the local papers, after the event.
Ruby Bode
Stacy Ferree
Sundee Pietsch
Carmen Williams
Brian Lund Eric Adams
Free Tax-Aide Service Seeking Volunteers For A Variety Of Roles
Since 2005, the Estes Valley Library has partnered with Tax-Aide to host this valuable service to our community. TaxAide is sponsored by the AARP Foundation. Neither AARP membership nor senior citizen age is required to be a volunteer team member or to receive the tax-preparation service. There are about 20 volunteers which allows for flexible volunteer scheduling. This past tax season over 470 free federal tax returns were filed, most electronically.
Not every volunteer has to prepare tax returns, although most do. Other roles needed are:
• Appointment Facilitator – greet clients and review tax documents at beginning of appointment;
• Technology Assistance – ensure computers, printers and Wi-Fi equipment are working properly.
Many new volunteers interested in tax preparation have prepared their own taxes using software such as Turbo Tax®
and feel they have enough knowledge to assist others. The IRS restricts the complexity of returns we are allowed to do and selects our software (which currently is TaxSlayer®). Training will be provided to build competency with the software and familiarity with helpful resources. Experienced mentors are always present to assist in training and actual tax preparation.
New volunteers will be invited to a oneday orientation in early December 2024 at the Library. Training for all new and returning volunteers will take place at the Library over five days between January 13 and January 18, 2025, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day. Additional training will be provided as needed to prepare volunteers to meet IRS and Tax-Aide requirements for completing correct federal and Colorado returns.
For additional information, contact Local Coordinator Lori Hendrickson via email at estesvalleytaxes@gmail.com, or by telephone at (970) 480-7225.
Next EPH Blood Drive Is Dec. 4: Make An Appointment Or Walk-In
One Hour with Jesus
Blood donations help patients from all walks of life: cancer patients, those who have suffered an injury in an accident, people having surgery or organ transplants. There is no substitute for human blood. Once a quarter, Estes Park Health teams up with the UCHealth Garth Englund Blood Center to host an on-site blood drive at our facility. This makes it easier for generous donors in the Estes Valley to give the gift of life.
The next local blood drive is on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Estes Park Health, 555 Prospect Ave. The hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can either sign up ahead of time by calling (970) 495-8965 or by using the QR code in the attached graphic to take you to their site. Remember, walk-ins are always welcome!
The Garth Englund Blood Center is continually impressed with the turnout each time EPH hosts a blood drive at the hospital. We plan these drives once a quarter so that people can donate multiple times a year without having to drive to a location down valley to participate in this important community service.
Your blood supports patients at multiple hospitals in Colorado: Estes Park Health, Poudre Valley Hospital, Medical Center of the Rockies, Greeley Hospital, Longs Peak Hospital, Anschutz Medical Campus, Yampa Valley Medical Center, Pikes Peak Regional Hospital, Grandview Hospital, Broomfield Hospital, and UCHealth Estes Park locations.
A wave of local donors showed up in August 2024 to give blood at Estes Park Health.
Photo by Wendy Rigby/Estes Park Health
What Is The Quota Loan Closet?
Estes Park Quota, as a service to our community, opened the Medical Equipment Loan Closet in 1952 with a walker, a cane and a wheelchair and the volunteers worked out of a member’s home. That first year the Loan Closet served 27 people. The Loan Closet now has over 624 pieces of medical equipment valued at almost $100,000.00, available for loan to all of Estes Valley and our visitors. Since the 1980’s, the Quota Loan Closet has been housed on Estes Park Health property. Staffing for Loan Closet is done totally through the volun-
teer efforts of 14 Quota members who are available to check out or accept returns of equipment seven days a week.
In 2023, 258 individuals checked out 475 pieces of equipment. Quota is a non-profit organization so the service is free with a refundable deposit and/or donation. The funds donated support the repairs and replacement of our equipment. For information on how to secure medical equipment from the Loan Closet, visit estesparkquota.com or call Linda Polland at 719-337-3318.
Javelina Jundred 100k: An introduction to the world of ultra running
By: Kirby Nelson-Hazelton
If you missed Part 1, check out last week’s Estes Park News to get caught up.
Part 2:
I’ve never been someone who’s struggled to sleep. In general, I can doze off quickly and stay asleep through the night.
In the weeks leading up to Javelina Jundred, that was not the case. I was buzzing before bedtime, thinking through race day details and packing lists. I’d be wired at 3 a.m., worrying about how I had spent more time adventuring in the mountains than pounding miles on pavement.
About ten days out, I made a decision that I would no longer allow my brain to hold anything but positive, encouraging thoughts. No more would I consider the possibility that I couldn’t do it, and no more would I indulge in anxious stewing. Why spend my limited energy on worrying? That would only take away from my capacity for completing the race. If I was going to expend energy, I needed to be envisioning myself having fun and crossing the finish line.
tras that I knew would resonate during the hard parts). Those mantras –phrases like “be curious” and “practice gratitude” –reinforced the encouraging mindset to which I had committed. It would be my job, and the job of my crew, to remind me of these mantras when the going got tough.
I was lucky to have an excellent crew, none of whom had ever been to or crewed an ultra, and yet they absolutely knocked it out of the park. Jordan, my parents Pat and Ward, Jordan’s parents Kris and Gary, and five of my dearest friends: Caitlin and Andrew Nave, Laura Shepard, and Caity and Josh Leeds, gave their time, money, and energy to help me realize this goal. I am forever indebted to them.
During my pre-race prep, I made a race day document for my crew. For those unfamiliar with ultras, “crewing” is when your loved ones participate in your race by physically and emotionally supporting you at various points along the course. When the runner arrives, the crew helps with refilling supplies, changing clothes, checking in on physical and mental health, providing encouragement, and whatever else is needed. Javelina is one of
When race day arrived, the nervous energy at Jeadquarters was palpable and the temperature was already rising: it was forecasted to be the hottest race on record, with estimated highs of 98 degrees. As the cowbells clanged and runners surged toward the start line, I wondered again: was I really about to become an ultra runner? Instilled with good wishes and cheers from my crew, I headed out into the desert for my initial lap. The first few miles were a conga line of runners on the single track trail and it wasn’t until the first aid station, Coyote Camp, that we were able to spread
the easiest races to crew: runners complete three loops for the 100k (or five for the 100 mile) and at the end of every loop, return to “Jeadquarters” (pronounced like headquarters) before heading out on the next lap. In other words, the crew can remain in one spot and still see their runner multiple times throughout the race.
downing electrolytes and eating every 30 minutes. Looking back, I am confident this is what saved me from crashing later in the race. I was consistent with taking in fluids and calories, even when I wasn’t hungry, and my body responded well. Staying fueled kept me moving through the hardest parts.
Aid station #2 was Jackass Junction, a literal party in the middle of the desert. Complete with loads of snacks and cold drinks, a kiddie pool stocked with ice water, a DJ blasting tunes, and incredible volunteers and staff, Jackass was the location of my lowest and highest points of the race. While loop one was another quick in-and-out visit, loop two at Jackass featured me sitting in a chair for about fifteen minutes, debating my existence and every choice that had led me to this moment. I was hot, tired, and couldn’t believe that I still had thirty-ish miles to go. Thirty! More than a marathon! At the tent behind me, dozens of runners were being evaluated by medics for heatstroke, dehydration, and other serious diagnoses – the heat was taking its toll. I forced myself to drink, eat, and take a few deep breaths. When I headed back out on the next (net downhill) section toward the third aid station, it took all my determination to keep my thoughts productive. I actively had to shut down, “Do I want to keep going? What if I quit?” and replace it with, “You are moving, you are already doing this.”
The race day document was several tabs long and included race data (like aid station info and my estimated times of arrival), operational details (what needed to happen after each loop, which snacks to restock, what apparel to switch out), and “Hail Mary” suggestions (like a pick-meup playlist if I was in a bad spot, and man-
out. I began my aid station ritual – refill water, grab a slice of watermelon, get drenched in cold water, fill my running vest with ice – and headed back out for what I would learn was the hardest part of the course.
The next six miles were uphill and somehow hotter than any other section (even though the entire loop was without any shade). I knew this would be the toughest portion mentally, especially when the crux of the day’s heat arrived, so I focused on
When I started loop three, my final lap, I headed out into the night with Caitlin. Ultras often allow “pacers” at a certain point in the race, which means the runner gets a companion while out on the course. This is primarily for safety – to ensure you’re not alone in the dark while your body (and/or mind) are shutting down from the extreme exertion. Caitlin and I spent most of miles 42-52 catching up about the day, sharing stories about what we’d seen throughout the race, and before I knew it, we were coming down the hill to Jackass Junction. In direct contrast to my last visit during loop two, I entered the aid station at an all-time high. My energy and spirits had surged, which I attribute this to Caitlin’s company and the fact that I had “only” ten miles left). I was having fun. This was fun! One of my favorite memories from the entire race was this near-midnight moment at Jackass, dancing with Caitlin and the volunteers to “Baby Got Back” while eating a cup of piping hot ramen noodles.
I finished my three loops, 62 miles, 100 kilometers, at about 2:17 a.m., three hours before my ultimate goal of sub-24 hours. Caitlin and I shuffled into Jeadquarters to the sound of raucous cheers from my crew
– and dozens of other sleepy crews, pacers, and runners who were on their own Javelina journey. The camaraderie, the support, the joy of not having to run any farther made me sob. I could not believe that I had become an ultra runner. Since the race, I have spent a lot of time reflecting on my experience (luckily not at 3 a.m.). I’ve had feelings of disbelief that I did it, I’ve felt overwhelmed at the love and support from my community… I’ve had feelings of happiness that I didn’t quit, of melancholy that it’s over… feelings of desire to do another (yes, really), of contentment that I set and achieved a goal. Most of all, I feel changed as a person. I feel different than who I was before. Maybe I am. Maybe ultra running gave me a gift, an unlocking of a new facet to my being. Over those miles and miles, of training and racing, I traveled to a new part of myself.
“There is no way to un-run an ultra marathon. The world is the same but your view of yourself is now fundamentally different.” –Paul Butzi
Jeadquarters race morning.
Mid-day pit stop to refresh, change shoes, ice up and check health status.
100k successfully accomplished!
Kirby’s support crew providing encouragement.
Watch video
the POSSIBILITIES
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Rocky Mountain National Park Announces 2025 Timed Entry Reservation System
Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) will implement its 2025 timed-entry reservation system, beginning May 23, 2025. This reservation system provides day use visitor access in a way that protects resources while creating opportunities for high-quality visitor experiences.
The system, established through the Day Use Visitor Access Plan finalized in May 2024, manages day use visitor access in a way that protects the park's resources, maintains positive visitor experiences, promotes safety, and supports the park’s ability to maintain daily operations. The system will be similar to 2024, with two types of reservations available. One permit will be for the Bear Lake Road Corridor, which includes the entire corridor, as well as access to the rest of the park. This reservation period will be from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. The second permit will be for the “rest of the park,” excluding the Bear Lake Road corridor. This “rest of park” reservation period will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Permits issued using the reservation system will allow park visitors to enter the park within two-hour windows of availability, with no set time for departure. The reservation system will apply to all areas of the park. The only cost associated with booking a reservation is a $2 recreation.gov processing fee. The Bear Lake Road Corridor timed entry reservation system will end on Monday, Oct. 20. However, the rest of the park reservation system will end on Tuesday, Oct. 14.
Reservations to enter the park will be available through www.recreation.gov following the below schedule.
Beginning at 8 a.m. MT on Thursday, May 1. This round of reservations will be available to enter the park from May 24 through June 30.
The next release will occur on June 1, for the month of July and any remaining days that have not been booked for June.
On July 1, reservations will be available for the month of August and any remaining days that have not been booked for July.
On Aug. 1, reservations will be available for the month of September and any remaining days in August that have not been booked.
On Sept. 1, reservations will be available for October and any remaining days in September that have not been booked. When planning to visit Rocky Mountain National Park, take time to consider your preparedness, skills, fitness and experience. No matter how you choose to recreate, be prepared to turn back when conditions change or if you are being pushed to your limits. Weather and conditions can change quickly in the Rockies. Before starting any trip, take time to explore the park's website and plan ahead for a safer and more enjoyable visit.
RMNP is one of the most visited national parks. The park experienced a 44 percent increase in visitation from 2012 to 2019. In 2022, the park received 4.3 million visits. Even with a pilot vehicle reservation timed entry system in place, the park received some of the highest visitation in its history. Between 2016 and 2023, the park piloted several day-use visitor management strategies to address crowding, congestion, and impacts on park resources. These pilots demonstrated this strategy is effective at easing congestion impacts and improved the visitor experience in the park. The park also asked the public for their participation in envisioning the future of day use visitor access at RMNP during the summer of 2021 and the winter of 2022-2023.
For further information about RMNP please visit www.nps.gov/romo, follow the park on social media @RockyNPS or call the park Information Office at (970) 5861206.
It’s Tablesetting/Scaping Time!
This Saturday, November 16th and Sunday, November 17th, you have a very unique opportunity to see some of the creative tables that our local tablesetters have designed, with the theme Books and Movies, Then and Now, and presented by the Estes Park Museum Friends & Foundation.
The show is happening at Ember in the Estes Park Resort, 1700 Colorado Peaks Drive, on the shores of Lake Estes, near the Marina, with hours 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday. On
Sunday there will be an awards ceremony at 3:30. Admission is $10.00 covering entry for both days. There will be a silent auction of items donated by local shops and local people. Many of the auction items are unusual one-of-a-kind finds, such as Greg Steiner’s Aspens Beside A Brook sketch, (shown at left), Cheryl Pennington’s hand-colored photograph of the Stanley Hotel (when it was painted Georgian yellow) and a large framed print of a lighthouse with table items to match.
We sincerely thank all our generous sponsors who support the Estes Park Museum Friends & Foundation: major sponsors, Susan Fereday State Farm Insurance, Allnutt Funeral Service, Marty and Madison Casey; organization sponsors, The Antiquarians, Colorado Homestead, Elements of Touch, Ember Restaurant at Estes Park Resort, Estes Park News, Kind Coffee, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, SereniTEA Tea House, Smith Sign Shop, Snowy Peaks Winery, The Taffy Shop, Twin Owls Steak House; individual sponsors, Cheryl Pennington, Bobbie Heisterkamp, Marsha Hobert, Phil Moenning, Andy Smith, Greg Steiner and Ann Wise.
Building a noncarbon future for our communities.
For over 50 years, Platte River Power Authority has provided our owner communities of Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland with locally generated, sustainable electricity. We’ve added nearly one million megawatt-hours of renewable energy resources to our portfolio. And we’re working toward our most ambitious goal yet: a 100% noncarbon energy mix.
prpa.org/future
Abby Elkinton 12th Grade
Congratulations to Abby Elkinton, the Estes Park High School Student of the Week for November 15, 2024.
Abby is the daughter of Joseph and Betsy Elkinton.
At EPHS, Abby is in National Honor Society, Key Club and Student Council. Her favorite classes are English and anatomy. She has earned over a 4.0 GPA every year of high school and said that getting into the clubs and a youth orchestra are things that she is proud of. Outside of school, she loves playing her violin and reading. She has four brothers and in her free time she loves to spend time with her friends and family, read and watch Tv. Abby works at the front desk at the rec center.
When asked a place she’d love to visit, Abby said, “I would love to visit Mexico and see the beaches. I would love to get the opportunity to use the Spanish I am learning. And it’s somewhere I have never been before.”
Abby’s favorite positive quote is “You don’t have to become more of who you are. ”
The best piece of advice she’s ever re-
30th Annual Junior Golf Marathon
For 30 years, the junior golf program in Estes Park has not only fostered a love for the game but has also received unwavering support from our community. Golf offers numerous personal skills and benefits, particularly for young people. Our mission is to provide lasting, professional skill development while nurturing essential interpersonal skills such as self-discipline, integrity, honesty, sportsmanship, teamwork, and relationship building.
camp, along with 17 participants in our advanced summer class—the highest enrollment in over a decade. Many students who began the program ten years ago are now in high school and transitioning out, but we are pleased to see positive retention among participants over the years.
ceived is that you should never let anyone or anything change you or affect your decisions. After high school she plans to attend Colorado Christian University and she hopes to go onto medical school after that.
On a beautiful fall day, October 24th, Tim Hull, Rene Archambault, Austin Logan, John Peterson, and Chris Layton played an impressive 80 holes each—totaling 400 holes! Their performance, featuring a mix of pars, birdies, and eagles, directly contributed to the funds raised through pledges. The day was marked by excellent weather, with the players achieving one eagle, 74 birdies, and 257 pars. They started just after 8 a.m. and wrapped up around 4:30 p.m., completing 80 holes faster than any previous marathon players while maximizing their pledges. Our community managed to amass over $3,940 in donations!
We are incredibly proud of our junior program and grateful to be part of a community that passionately supports and encourages our young golfers in Estes Park. Thank you for your generosity and enthusiasm!
What Has Junior Golf Accomplished Lately?
In 2024, our junior golf program achieved remarkable milestones:
• Participation Growth: We welcomed over 60 juniors to our week-long junior
• Inaugural Scholarship: We awarded our first-ever Junior Golf Scholarship of $5,000 to a graduating senior from Estes Park High School. Established in 2023, this scholarship supports students pursuing degrees in Professional Golf Management (PGM), recreation, hospitality, or business. Our goal is to promote the positive influence of golf on individuals and their relationships. We are fortunate to continue offering this scholarship in the future, with the help of our generous community, and we are excited to present it again in 2025!
• Support Initiatives: We sponsored three junior passes and provided six scholarships for our week-long junior classes.
• New Equipment: In 2024, we distributed 14 new Cleveland junior golf sets to students.
• Community Engagement: For the third consecutive year, we provided nearly 200 hats and water bottles to every participant in our junior golf program and John Feeney’s First Green program, which promotes mathematics, sciences, and horticulture in golf to fifth graders nationwide.
Thank you for your continued support as we empower the next generation of golfers!
FALL HOURS
Mondays - Thursdays, 10 a.m. - 8
p.m.
Fridays & Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sundays, 1 - 5 p.m.
Special Hours
Closed Thursday, November 28 & Friday, November 29 in observance of Thanksgiving KEY
®: Registration required. Visit calendar.estesvalleylibrary.org to sign up.
BOOKS & AUTHORS
Native Rights & Culture in Fiction:
Author Talk with Mona Susan Power ®
Wednesday, November 20, 5 - 6 p.m., online
Mona Susan Power will host a conversation about her newest novel, A Council of Dolls, and how her work explores Native Rights and Native American culture. Presented with the Library Speakers Consortium.
ALL AGES
Tech Help with Digital Navigators of Larimer County ®
Build your digital skills, including using your smartphone, accessing websites and accounts online, improving online communications, and more. Ap-
What’s Happening At The Estes Valley Library
pointments required; sign up at calendar.estesvalleylibrary.org. Service offered in English and Spanish. Presented by AmeriCorps service members.
Community Seed Exchange
Friday, November 15, 1 - 2:30 p.m., Hondius Room
Drop in for a community-wide seed exchange: bring the seeds you’ve harvested and select some new ones to take home. Gather with gardeners of all skill levels to connect, share, and grow together.
Hunter Education Course ®
Sunday, November 17, 1 - 4:30 p.m., Hondius Room
Interested in 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.
Game Night! ®
Saturday, November 23, 2 - 4:30 p.m., Hondius Room
Play board games including classics like Clue and Candyland, or new games like Blank Slate and Bologna. All ages welcome – bring your family, friends, and neighbors. Snacks and refreshments provided.
ADULTS®
The Art of Hand Lettering ®
Saturday, November 16, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Makerspace
repeated Friday, November 22, 10:3011:30 a.m., Makerspace
Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, join us for a class about the art of beautiful handwriting. We’ll practice techniques in modern calligraphy and lettering.
are alive, and what being alive means.” Curious about your stories? Join us for a two-session workshop on short-short (sometimes called sudden, flash, or micro) fiction writing, led by retired college writing instructor Pat Nelson.
Publishing Pathways ®
Sunday, November 24, 1:15 - 2:45 p.m., online
This empowering workshop, led by author, editor, teacher, and librarian Gabrielle Esposito, is for aspiring authors seeking insight into the complex world of publishing. Learn how to confidently navigate your publishing journey and achieve your literary goals.
Monthly Writing Group ® Monday, December 2, 5:30 - 7 p.m., Wasson Room
Calling all writers, aspiring writers, and anyone interested in writing! Join us on the first Monday evening of every month to share your writing, enjoy others’ work, and receive and provide feedback. All genres and forms are welcome.
TEENS & KIDS
Dungeons & Dragons ®
Tuesday, November 19, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Makerspace
Tuesday, December 3, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Makerspace
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!
Calligraphy & Wax Seals ®
Wednesday, November 20, 4 - 5 p.m., Makerspace
Explore the history of calligraphy and learn how a glass quill is made. Then, practice your own lettering by penning a note to a friend and enclosing it in a wax-sealed envelope.
Autumn Tealights ®
Wednesday, November 20, 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m., Makerspace
repeated Thursday, November 21, 5:30 - 7 p.m., Makerspace
Use our new Cricut machine to create autumnthemed tealights. Choose a color scheme to match your holiday table or festive décor.
Young Chautauqua Club ® Thursday, November 21, 4 - 5:15 p.m., Hondius Room Thursday, December 5, 4 - 5:15 p.m., Hondius Room
Teacher and facilitator Katherine Dumont will lead participants through research about the life, words, and mannerisms of a historical character.
Young Chautauqua Club culminates in live, costumed performances in February and March 2025.
Wednesday, November 27, 11 a.m.12 p.m., Makerspace
repeated Wednesday, November 27, 4 - 5 p.m., Makerspace
Time to decorate the Thanksgiving table! Upcycle old, damaged books and add fall-themed accessories (like decorative leaves) to make a turkey book table topper.
Lego Club: Make a Lego Sign ® Saturday, November 30, 1 - 2 p.m., Hondius Room
Explore different building and engineering challenges with Legos. This month, create a sign with your name, a greeting, a statement, or any other design.
Hot Chocolate Art & Tasting ®
Wednesday, December 4, 4 - 5 p.m., Hondius Room
Make a tasty creation with hot chocolate! We’ll be crafting and snacking during this festive program. All ages welcome.
Teen Advisory Council ® Thursday, December 5, 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 Bo: Thurs., November 21 & Thurs., December 5 at 11 a.m.
Music & Movement ® Saturday, November 16, 11 - 11:30 a.m., Hondius Room
Develop listening and motor skills in this lively, interactive program with music in English and Spanish. Únete a nosotros en este programa interactivo en el que incluiremos bailes, canciones y crearemos ritmo. Incluiremos música tanto en Inglés como en Español, a medida de que desarrollemos nuestras habilidades auditivas y motoras.
Join us for a reading of the classic children’s book The Polar Express, then enjoy a trolley ride to view the lights, wave to Santa, ring jingle bells, and sing holiday songs. Refreshments provided.
MAKERSPACE TRAINING CLASSES
Learn the Laser Cutter ® Monday, November 18, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
repeated Monday, November 18, 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
Monday, November 18, 6:30 - 8 p.m., Wasson Room
View agenda and packet materials at estesvalleylibrary.org/board.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY FOUNDATION
Cliffhanger Used Books
Cliffhanger Used Books, located next to the Post Office, is operated by the Friends of the Library Foundation, offering gently-used books, movies, and music at discount prices. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
KEY
®: Registration required. Visit calendar.estesvalleylibrary.org to sign up.
Estes Valley Residents Attest, We Prefer To Be “Undivided”
On a chilly October night, 100 community members braved the elements and trekked to the Estes Valley Library for a special Conflict Resolution Month event.
The Library and Estes Valley Restorative Justice Partnership (EVRJP) joined with Rocky Mountain Media, KUNC Radio, Above the Noise, and CSU’s Center for Public Deliberation to present a film screening of Undivide Us, a film that challenges the idea that citizens who disagree are not capable of civil conversation.
“Collaboration among local and regional partners is what creates these kinds of opportunities for community conversation,” said Eric White, Adult Services Librarian. “This event was a great example of how organizations work together to serve residents.”
After enjoying a delicious meal provided by Poppy’s Pizza & Grill, attendees watched the film and engaged in small-group discussions led by trained facilitators. Together, participants
learned how division and polarization can manifest in our lives, and how we can change the ways in which we relate to one another.
“I came to this feeling nervous like my belief would be challenged,” commented one attendee,” and though there were challenging conversations, I feel like I can talk about these tough issues more easily.”
"We were thrilled to see so many residents show up for this important conversation,” added Melissa Westover, Interim Director of Estes Valley Restorative Justice Partnership. “RJ and the Library hope the community will continue to join us for future valuable programs, like our deliberative engagement seminar in February.”
Many thanks to all who participated in this important event. Stay tuned for future programs by bookmarking calendar.estesvalleylibrary.org and following @estesvalleylibrary on Facebook and Instagram.
Tweens & Teens Can Earn Prizes For Reading This Winter
The dark days of winter can make it easier to be hooked on the blue light of our device screens. Instead of scroll, scroll, scroll, why not encourage the tween or teen in your life to read, read, read?
This year, based on advice from the Library’s Teen Advisory Council, tweens and teens ages 1018 are invited to participate in the first ever Winter Reading Program, taking place from November 7 through Januarya 2.
deliver!”
Similar to Summer Reading Program, readers can log minutes online, via the Beanstack website and/or app, and earn tickets to enter to win prizes. All reading counts, including listening to audiobooks. Have you been reading since the start of the program but haven’t yet signed up? Those minutes can still count toward earning tickets.
“Winter Reading Program is a great incentive for our community’s youth to read over holiday breaks,” commented Bre Vegas, Youth Librarian. “Our Advisory Council expressed that they wanted a challenge, and we are here to
Reading provides many benefits, including reducing stress and keeping our creativity and memory skills sharp. Reading also improves focus and concentration, and develops new neural pathways, regardless of age. At the end of the program, tweens and teens are invited to celebrate their winter reading on January 2 at 5 p.m. in the Library’s Hondius Community Room. Share your favorite reads from the past weeks, play games, enjoy snacks, and stick around for the prize drawing.
If you’re outside tween/teen ages but interested in participating in a future Winter Reading Program, let us know by emailing answers@estesvalleylibrary.org.
Ready to sign up? Visit estesvalleylibrary.org/WRP for the link to Beanstack and additional program details.
In 1988 the Los Angeles Dodgers were playing game one of the World Series against the Oakland A’s. One of their best players was Kirk Gibson. Sadly, in helping win the National League pennant, Gibson played so intensely that he injured both legs. As the Dodgers walked out onto the field for the opening game of the World Series, Gibson was sidelined, out of uniform. He sat in the clubhouse listening to Dodger announcer Vin Scully repeat, “Gibson will not be playing tonight. He’s not even in the dugout.”
In the ninth inning it was announced that the pitcher would be hitting. When Gibson heard this he called manager Tommy Lasorda and asked to bat for the pitcher. Kirk remembers thinking, ‘even though I’m injured, when I walk out onto the field at Dodger Stadium and hear that crowd, the hurting will stop. I’m gonna go up and do my job. And sure enough, when I went out there the crowd went nuts; and I didn’t hurt any more. I looked at the pitcher and said under my breath, ‘you don’t know what you’ve got coming. We’re going to win this game and I’m going to win it for us.’
The scene was played out in front of millions of television fans. Commentators still recall today, with awed fascination, how, out of the dugout came a severely limping Kirk Gibson. He winced with each step he took toward home plate. Despite his obvious physical pain, his eyes were on fire. He bravely took the first pitch from relief pitcher Dennis Eckersly. Strike one! The second pitch came past. Strike two! The pitcher had struck out two of the previous batters and walked only one. The tying run was at first base. Gibson represented the winning run.
Kirk was in emergency mode. He fought and fought until he got the count up to three balls and two strikes. One more strike and he was out. The scouts had told Gibson ‘if Dennis Eckersly gets you to three balls and two strikes, he will throw a slider.’ So Kirk stepped out of the batter’s box and said to himself, ‘as sure as I’m standing here I’m going to see that slider.’ Kirk stepped back into the batter’s box and connected with that pitch for the game-winning home run. The stadium erupted. The off-balance gait of Gibson as he hobbled around the bases with his arms and hands in the air, has been replayed in sports highlights over and over. He made the most triumphant lap of his life in the most important game of his life when he hurt the most. The Oakland A’s never recovered, and the Dodgers went on to win the World Series.
Kirk Gibson could have opted not to try. But in his adversity the world saw the resoluteness he had. He became a hero to millions of sport fans around the world.
Today we have millions of even greater ‘heroes’. They are called ‘Veterans’. These were men and women who volunteered or were drafted to step into the ‘line of fire’ for all of us in the dugout. Many of them came back from the wars ‘hurting’ with physical, mental, and psychological injuries that have had to be dealt with for months or years. Many of them faced PTSD…Post Traumatic Stress Disorder…which has challenged many after their service to their country…us. Others dealt with homelessness, rejection, unemployment, etc. causing many to contemplate suicide. Sadly, an average of 20 veterans …‘heroes’…per day commit suicide some years. What can we do? Thankfully, we have times like this week when we can tell those millions of heroes, “We haven’t forgotten you!” There are many ways that we can show it. Besides ‘Memorial Day’ and ‘Veterans Day’ remembrances, there are organizations we can support to help veterans: Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Wounded Warriors, VFW. But most certainly, we will remember to say to every veteran we meet “Thank you for your service!” Bob Lewis
Growth Spurt In The Fall?
Those gardeners are at it again! They are growing the garden! In a last creative growth spurt before winter starts in earnest, they are replacing and upgrading 16 garden plots with grant money from the Village Thrift Shop.
The lower garden beds whose wooden sides have decayed are being replaced with new siding of concrete blocks with a wooden frame on top. The first thing to go into the new bed is a layer of sharp, large gravel to discourage burrowing critters, followed by a new topsoil and mulch mix. The plots start at the height of three boards. They can be transformed in the future into high beds at waist high by adding more wooden frames on top of the first ones. Pretty ingenious.
A special volunteer, Rod Stadler from the Newcomers Club donated his time and the use of his tractor to move the old dirt and clear the way for a flat surface where the new beds can be created.
This saved many, many man hours of removing soil with a shovel and wheelbarrow. Special thanks to this special volunteer!
All the work is done by volunteers led by our own indefatigable Ren Gobris. He is joined by the group of YMCA volunteers from the Elevate Gap program plus the volunteers from the EVCG gardeners.
Now there are beautiful new beds for gardening that will be finished with topsoil in the spring. We are accepting applications on our website, www.evcg.org for next year’s crop of gardeners.
Discover Elder Angels And Savor A Honey-Tasting Experience
On Tuesday, November 19, from noon to 1:00 p.m., the Estes Park Senior Citizens Center will host an enlightening and flavorful gathering, open to everyone. Community members are invited to join Spencer Hupp, Senior Advisor and Moving Director of Elder Angels, for a presentation on the unique support Elder Angels Senior Advisors and Elder Angels Moves Seniors offer to seniors and their families. The event promises a fun and enriching experience, inviting attendees to learn about the community work of Elder Angels while enjoy-
lected, Elder Angels Moves Seniors takes over, managing the entire moving process. From packing and unpacking cherished belongings to setting up the new space with care, our team makes the transition smooth, respectful, and stress-free.
Much like a hive, Elder Angel staff bring compassion and unity to their work, helping seniors and their families navigate the first steps into a new community with ease. See you soon, and don’t forget about the honey tasting! If you cannot attend this presentation but need information, please reach
ing a taste of floral-sourced honeys and gaining valuable insights into the essential role bees play in our environment.
What’s their connection to bees and honey?!? Elder Angels draws inspiration from the teamwork of bees—a community built on collaboration and care. Just as bees work together for the good of the hive, staff work to ensure seamless support for seniors transitioning to new communities with independent living, assisted living, or memory care. Elder Angels Senior Advisors help families find the right fit, considering location, care, and financial needs, and accompany families on community tours for added peace of mind. Once the right community is se-
out to Spencer at shupp@elderangelsco.com.
Attendees are welcome to bring their lunch or pre-purchase a hot meal by placing an order before 1:00 p.m. on Monday, November 18. For this event, the Senior Center will be serving chicken breast stuffed with artichokes and spinach (topped with roasted red pepper sauce) and au gratin potatoes. 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 or stop by 1760 Olympian Lane.
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.
Estes Park Senior Citizens Center Menu
Nov 18 – 22
Monday, Nov 18 Fried Chicken Tenders & Waffle, Hashbrowns & fruit
Tuesday, Nov 19 Chicken Breast stuffed w/ artichokes & spinach (topped w/ roasted red pepper sauce) & Au Gratin Potatoes
Wednesday, Nov 20 Bleu Cheese Bacon Burger w/ Tomato Salad
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, Nov 18th, you need to call before 1:00 PM on Friday, Nov 15th. 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
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 (713299-2584 or joannbatey@gmail.com
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.
trot-at-estes-park-center.
John Wolf And Friends: Piano Classics And Chamber Music At Peak To Peak Concert This Saturday
Pianist John Wolf and three members of the Emerald Lake Chamber Players will present a Peak to Peak concert of piano classics and chamber music this
Saturday, November 16th, at 2:00 p.m. The performance will be held at Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church, 2000 Ptarmigan Trail, off Dry Gulch Road. The Peak to Peak concert series is sponsored by the Estes Park Oratorio Society to showcase the talents of local classical musicians. The concert is free, though donations are appreciated.
Mr. Wolf will open the program with Bach’s light and playful Partita No. 1 in Bb Major, a suite of short stylized
dances in contrasting tempos, meters, and moods. He will then follow with the 26th of Beethoven’s 32 piano sonatas, the “Les Adieux” Sonata, Op. 81a. It is dedicated to Beethoven’s student, patron, and friend, the Archduke Rudolph of Austria. In 1809 Napoleon’s army was marching on Vienna, and the nobility had to flee to safety. Beethoven paints a musical picture of his farewell with Rudolph in the first movement. The second movement is an expression of Beethoven’s anguish over the Archduke’s absence, and the third movement is an explosion of joy on their reunion.
The second half of the program is devoted to chamber music and begins with Robert Howard joining Mr. Wolf for two twentieth century pieces for flute and piano. Samuel Barber’s Canzone is the composer’s arrangement of the lyrical second movement of his Piano Concerto. Suite Modale, by Ernest Bloch, was composed in 1956. Written shortly before his death, the composition has a feeling of reflection on life, with the flute as “the voice of the soul.” It is a four-movement work that incorporates the use of modal scales and harmonies that were commonly used in Medieval and Renaissance music. As the piece progresses, Bloch intersperses melodies from the previous movements with new melodies, reflecting back on what has come before. Ann Mills, violin, and Rich Woessner, cello, join with the piano for the final piece, Mozart’s Piano Trio in Bb Major, K. 502. Written in 1786, this trio is a lively and exquisite expression of Mozart’s style. John Wolf earned degrees in music from Southwestern University and SMU. After graduation, he pursued a career in public education and taught piano privately. He is currently a substitute teacher in the Estes Park schools and serves on the board of the Friends of the Library and Foundation. Through Rocky Ridge Music he met his current teacher, Hsing-ay Hsu, and takes masterclasses with David Korevaar, Sergio Gallo, and Larry Graham. Robert Charles Howard is an active conductor, composer, flutist, and poet. He earned degrees in music from Eastern Michigan University and Michigan State University and was on the faculty of Merimec Community College for 31 years. He was the conductor of the orchestra and choir for the Belleville Philharmonic Orchestra and is currently the conductor of the Estes Park Oratorio Society. His compositions have been regularly premiered here in Estes Park and include the cantata, Wilderness Reflections, written for the centennial of Rocky Mountain National Park.
Ann Mills, a Rocky Mountain National Park ranger, is a talented violinist. She studied both music and biology at Vanderbilt University and has played with a number of orchestras and chamber music groups. She performs regularly on the Peak to Peak series and in venues around Estes Park as a member of the duo, Snowbelt, playing bluegrass, old-time, and folk music with her husband.
Rich Woessner studied cello with members of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and has played with a number of orchestras, including the Longmont Symphony. He earned degrees in BioChemistry from Rice University and the University of Illinois. He plays in the Estes Park Oratorio Society orchestra and is enjoying the beautiful rich sound of his new cello. Woessner and Wolf premiered Robert Howard’s Sonata for Cello and Piano on a Peak to Peak concert last year.
Estes Park Holiday Lights Recycle Project
The Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary is partnering with the Youth at the Estes Park High School to host the first annual old/bad holiday light string recycling project starting No vember 1, 2024 through January 15, 2025.
This project lets you drop off old/bad holiday light strings for recycling, such as rope lights, mini’s, and the older lights that we all grew up with, rather than have them end up in the landfill.
Residents in and around Estes Park are invited to dispose of old/bad holiday strings of lights during this free recycling project November 1, 2024-January 15, 2025.
tary Club who will regularly empty the collection boxes between November 1, 2024-January 15, 2025.
Collection locations:
• Estes Park High School Lobby
• Estes Park Middle School Lobby
• Estes Valley Recreation Center
• The Estes Valley Library
• National Park Village (lobby between Country Market and Mad Moose)
Only holiday light strings will be collected. Items NOT included are artificial trees, garland, wrapping paper or ornaments.
This project is an educational and service project for Estes Park High School and Middle School students, the Estes Park Middle School (Rotary) Interact Club, the Estes Park Art Students and the Estes Valley Sunrise Ro-
For more information about this recycle program, contact Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary Club at evsr@evsr.org or call or text Dean Belka at 402-4995664.
Still Seeking Family Sponsors
Alison Gilbert, REALTOR - 2022 Realtor of the Year Alison@TheInspiredLivingGroup.com - 970-227-0561 Inspiring Others to Live Their Dream in Estes Park FindEstesParkHomes.com
- 970-567-9971
LISTED BY TOM THOMAS
Girl Scout Cookies, Troops, Recruitment
The recent snow and cold weather brought out inquiries about Girl Scout cookies. Are there any new flavors this year? When can we get them? But, no, not quite yet.There aren’t any new flavors this year. Pre-sale starts on January 9th with February 1st being the inhand delivery date. You will see Girl Scouts active all over the Estes Park area, selling cookies in person, on line, at community events and at booth sales. Amanda Hoskins is Estes Park’s service unit cookie manager, and we have appreciated her expertise over the past several years, making the process much easier for everyone.
There are five Girl Scout troops in Estes Park, and all are very actively recruiting new girl and adult members. Troops exist in grades 1 - 11 this year. Volunteer Support Specialist with Girl Scouts of Colorado (GSCO), Lisa Finley, reports that anyone wishing to register can contact her directly. Her email is lisa.finley@gsolorado.org.
At a recent service unit meeting, troops reported that this past summer was very busy and full of exciting adventures, including a day at Dinosaur
Ridge, a trip to Glenwood Springs, building fairy houses in the Community Garden and badge work including special Journey collections. Plans going forward this fall for the older girls include work on badges involving animals, car care and completion of another Journey.
The Senior/Ambassador troop has also taken on a new exploration into the requirements of the Girl Scout Way badge. They are creating a multilingual recruitment poster to be put up in all the schools, with information about Girl Scouting and how to join.
GSCO also has a new Membership Recruitment Specialist. Brier Gunderson is also available to take new registrations. Her email is brier.gunderson@gscolorado.org. In addition, any local inquiries about Girl Scouting can be directed to the Estes Park Service Unit Manager, Penny Roberts, at 970 586 1775 or probertscolo@gmail.com.
Ms. Roberts’ ambitious goal is to have 10 troops and at least 100 girls registered in the Estes Park area. Help her achieve her life-time goal.
Shop And Ride The Trolley Night
Last Thursday night was one of our favorite nights of the year- Shop and Ride the Trolley Night! This annual event proves to be a community favorite- a night full of laughter, trolley rides, pizza and a private shopping experience at beloved local bookstore Macdonald Book Shop. Starting back in April, which is Month of the Young Child, bookshop owner Anastasia Reed collected donations from tourists and locals alike, all in an effort to supply the youth of our community with a shopping experience unlike any other. This year, we had 131 participants!
Participants started at the EVICS office, where the excitement of the night began with a pizza dinner served by EVICS staff. Due to the high demand of participation this year (90 kids!), families were given a time slot to de-
part from the office aboard our very own town’s trolleys. Once participants arrived at the book shop, they were able to use their official “Macdonald Book Shop Book Bucks” as currency to pick out what is sure to be their new favorite book. Whether it was picture books, fantasy, chapter books or board books, thanks to the generous donations of others, they were able to bring home several new books to add to their libraries.
Again, this successful event could not be made possible without generous donations from our sponsors and people like you who stopped by the book shop to donate. Big thank you to Staci and Kevin Reed and the staff at Macdonald Book Shop, The Town of Estes Park, and RATPDev. These smiles could not have happened without your support!
EVICS: It Takes a Village!
Seven Adorable Abandoned Puppies Need New, Loving Homes
Look at these puppies! This week the Pet Association has seven abandoned Akbash puppies in need of new, loving, forever homes. The Akbash is a special breed. They are large, white-coated dogs that originated in Turkey as a livestock guardian. There are five females and two males. They are 15 weeks old (born August 2nd) and will be available for adoption very soon.
Please call (970) 286-1652 if you’d like to meet any of these special
pups, they are being fostered at Buddy's House (see below).
All pets are offered through the Pet Association of Estes Park, a non-profit organization that is the Estes Valley’s only humane society.
You can make a tax-deductible donation to the Pet Association by sending your check to P.O. Box 4342, Estes Park, CO 80517.
For more information about the Pet Association, please visit petassociationestespark.com..
Shanna In A Dress To Perform In Estes Park
Listening at the Legion is excited to present Shanna in a Dress this Sunday, November 17 as an afternoon, matinee beginning at 2 p.m. This Listening Room venue is located at the American Legion, 850 North Saint Vrain Avenue. Doors will open at 1 p.m.
Tickets are $20 per person available at the door or at https://legionlisten.org/shanna-in-a-dress
Shanna In A Dress is your quirky best friend who refuses to wear pants. She says what everyone has felt but no one else will say and you'll get an uncensored journey of clever humor and
heartbreak, extreme candor, and a hefty side of entertainment at her shows. This witty wordsmith is known for taking you on an emotional roller coaster, sometimes within the same song. Think John Prine mixed with Ingrid Michaelson with a twist of Phoebe Buffay from Friends all wrapped up in a sweet voice accented by guitar, piano, and ukulele. She's as real as it gets, as anyone who follows her on FB or Instagram knows.
It’s going to be a fun, possibly a little irreverent show. Hope to see you there!
Middle School Students Get On The Air
By: Bob Leavitt (KE0SDV)
EVARC President
Sixty-two middle school students participated in the national School Club Roundup during the week of October 21-25 and got a chance to talk on an amateur “ham” radio. They made contacts across the country and around the world! The Estes Valley Amateur Radio Club (EVARC) worked with individual groups of 2-3 students to teach them how to use the radio and make contacts. This took place at the Estes Park Memorial Observatory where a radio room has been set up for student use.
In total, the students contacted 17 states, two Canadian Provinces and 20 countries. The countries included 14 in Europe, two in Central America, and one each in Russia, Uzbekistan, Japan, and Australia. EVARC has a big world map to help students locate these farflung countries. Where is Uzbekistan
anyway? They found it. Thus, geography was part of the student’s learning experience.
EVARC has started weekly afterschool sessions for interested students to learn more about ham radio and practice getting on the air. Some have expressed interest in getting their ham radio license. EVARC will look into offering a class next year. Through past classes and mentoring there are now 10 middle school students with ham radio licenses.
Many thanks to Middle School / High School Registrar Tania Dennis for scheduling the students and to EVARC members Bob Ernst (W0RMP) Mike Guerney (KDØOEP) and Chris Kochenour (WR0TE) for conducting the School Club Roundup. We also want to thank the Village Thrift Shop and Sunrise Rotary for providing funds for these student activities. Their support is greatly appreciated!
Beauty And The Beast Broadway Musical On The EPHS Stage This Weekend
Estes Park High School and Thespian Troupe 7284 are excited to present to you, Disney Beauty and the Beast, The Broadway Musical. The shows will be performed this weekend, Friday, November 15 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, November 16 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Estes Park High School Auditorium.
Just look at these amazing costumes! Don’t miss all your favorite songs “Be Our Guest,” “Gaston,” and of course “Tale as Old as Time.” This is a perfect show for all ages!
Tickets are now available online at tinyurl.com/38n2jvpx or at the door and are just $15 for adults for the evening performances, $12 for students and children and all seats will be $10 for the Saturday matinee.
Cast
Belle- Geneva Thomas
Beast- Colby O’Brien
Gaston- Logan Smith
Maurice- Jacob Palacios
Lefou- Neva Case
Les Filles De La Ville- Piper Karl, Sarah Hoskins, Jade Ertl
Lumiere- Rylan Godby
Cogsworth- Mackenzie Curran
Mrs. Potts- Lily Shields
Chip- Joshua Blevins
Madam De La Grande Bouche- Paige Adams
Babette- Emma Rountree
Monsieur D’Arque- Autumn Siefford
Ensemble- Amelia Watry, Natalie Workman, Carsyn Zehr, Mya Brese, Hannah Mae Hatfield, Tori McGillicuddy, Quinn Battin, Lily Beers, Maya Brandewie, Lela Fortini, Evelyn McGillicuddy, Casey Mieszala and Ollie Riffle.
Don’t miss this Disney classic!
Rotary District Governor Elect Karen Morgan Visits The Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary Club
Karen Morgan, District Governor Elect of Rotary District 5440, will speak at the regular meeting of the Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary Club at 7:00 a.m. on November 19th at the American Legion. Her district 5440 includes 52 Rotary Clubs in Wyoming, Northern Colorado, Eastern Idaho, and Western Nebraska.
The International Rotary theme for the year is The Magic of Rotary!
The District Governor Elect is expected to focus on Rotary International's new initiatives, membership, and the good work that is being done by Rotarians around the world. The theme is meant to place focus on all the projects and activities that the Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary Club accomplishes, both locally and internationally. Opportunities are plentiful for potential members, young and old, to help Rotary achieve its mission of “peace and understanding throughout the world,” and by bringing their passion for service to their communities.
“We’re anxious to share some of our projects with the
District Governor Karen Morgan” said local club president Bill Howell. Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary has helped with the Veterans Community Project in Longmont and is currently working on an International Clean Water project in the Ecuadorian Rainforest as well as locally working with Crossroads Ministry and with the students at our Estes Park schools on a holiday lights recycling project.
Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders who provide humanitarian service and help to build goodwill and peace in the world. There are 1.2 million Rotary members in 34,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Rotary Clubs have been serving communities worldwide for more than a century. Rotary Clubs around the world initiate projects that address critical issues such as conflict resolution, hunger, poverty, disease, and illiteracy.
Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary Club meets the first four Tuesdays of every month at 6:30 a.m. at the American Legion. New members are always welcome.
Remember When? Send Cards To Jack!
It's time to send memory thoughts, whether sad or hilarious, to remind Jack Gartner of the good old days working here in the Estes Valley. The days of working at Brodie's, Rocky Mountain National Park, Park R-3 School district, Rooftop Rodeo, Larimer County Posse, EP Gun & Archery Club, SASS, truck driving and hunting. Can you think of other venues where you have met Jack? Working at Rocky Mountain National Park for 35 plus years and his trail crew, comes to mind first.
Jack will be turning 88 this December, so send him a card saying you are thinking of him now. We need to share our memories while we can enjoy them.
Please send your card to: Jack Gartner, 2185 Ridge Rd., Estes Park, CO, 80517.
Thank you, Sharyn Gartner
Rotary Club Of Estes Park (Noon Rotary) Supports ShelterBox For Disaster Assistance
The Rotary Club of Estes Park is proud to continue its support for ShelterBox with our latest donation.
ShelterBox USA recently announced a matching grant to the Rotary Zones 33 and 34 Disaster Recovery Fund for victims of hurricanes Helene and Milton. The hurricanes devastated communities, displacing countless families and destroying thousands of homes from the Carolinas to Florida.
Rotarian Jim Austin has been collecting donations for ShelterBox at Rotary meetings each month, so he already knew how important their work is. When he presented the current need for help to the Board of Directors of the Rotary Club of Estes Park, they unanimously voted to donate $3,100 to this fund. With the matching grant, the donation comes to $6,200 that will be used for survival and recovery supplies in hard-hit areas.
ShelterBox is an international non-
profit established by Rotarians in Great Britain. It provides shelter, survival supplies and tools to victims of natural disasters and political strife around the world. ShelterBox USA is one of several organizations around the world which raise funds for ShelterBox.
The Rotary Club Of Estes Park Presents Sue Yowell From EPLP
Thursday, November 21
Sue will be speaking about “Creating a Welcoming Library,” a project that our Rotary supported, as well as other programs the Learning Place has. We meet at the American Legion. The public is invited to attend. The Noon Rotary starts at 12 p.m. If you would like to join us for lunch it starts at 11:30 a.m. and cost $20. Please RSVP to noonrotary@aol.com by 12 noon on Tuesday, November 5th if joining us for lunch.
Sue Yowell, Executive Director of the Learning Place
Jim Austin, Rotary ShelterBox Advocate.
Sunny Skies, Wet Boots
By: Larry Strong
There’s an old saying that goes something like, “Please stop peeing on my boots and trying to convince me it’s raining outside.” Seems to me folks have finally gotten tired of gettin’ wet boots when there’s not a cloud in the sky. Maybe another way to say it is, “Am I really that gullible or are you just trying to insult my intelligence?” It may have been harder for me to get out of college than it was to get in, but give me a break!
I’ve never seen a four legged turkey, an elephant who could play the trombone or a chimpanzee making a living on the world poker tour. But we’ve been told to our faces that our border is tight as a drum, our cities are safe as a bug in a rug and fifty bucks for a ribeye is not that bad. Are your boots gettin’ soggy?
This truly isn’t a commentary on politics. If anything, it’s about the concept of being willing to look into someone’s eyes and just be honest. I’m reminded of the old “Eagles” song, “Lyin’ Eyes” and the chorus, “You can’t hide your lyin’ eyes, and your smile is a thin disguise. I thought by now you’d realize, there ain’t no way to hide your lyin’ eyes. If you wanna actually pee on my boots just have the decency to look me in the eye and ask permission. A hundred years ago, if a man peed on your boots it was cause for a sore jaw. Life on the trail for cowboys wasn’t
for the faint-hearted. Cowboys had to survive tough, unforgiving conditions. They could ill afford to make promises they couldn’t keep and when they gave their word it was their bond. Trust could be a matter of life and death. Integrity and honesty weren’t optional— they were downright necessities. The only time a cowboy’s boots got wet was in a storm or when he fell off his horse crossing a river. Today, when someone pees on our boots we’re expected to
At Men on Fire, we’re workin’ hard to keep our boots dry. We’re not confused about the conflict we’re livin’ in and the necessity of our word being true, honest and reliable. We’re also not confused about folks wanting to convince us that there are actually four legged turkeys. While that might be a novel marketing ploy on the cusp of Thanksgiving, we ain’t buying it. MOF is simply a bunch of uncomplicated guys hangin’ on for dear life to the truth. Do we have all the answers? Nope. But it’s a hoot getting together to ask some honest questions about life, faith and what brotherhood means. That’s what we do every Saturday, 8:00 a.m. at the American Legion, 850 N. St. Vrain. Come hang out with us. We’ll help you keep your boots AND your powder dry. At MOF some things aren’t for sale and that includes our integrity. We aren’t perfect but we know where to draw the line. No matter where you’re at on your life and faith journey, you’ll settle right in. See ‘ya Saturday. From out of town? Join us!
Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church Advent Tea, Bazaar And Lunch Dec. 6
Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church will hold their annual Advent Tea, Bazaar and Lunch on Saturday, December 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Christian Family Center on Highway 36 and 2nd Street. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and includes a choice of a barbecue chicken sandwich or a kraut burger along with a salad, relishes, a dessert and a beverage. Cost is $10.
There will be a tea table with Christmas cookies, coffee and tea available to enjoy while shopping for baked goods, holiday decorations and the famous kraut burgers. The Community Prayer Quilters of Estes Park will be selling hand crafted cloth bowls to hold hot microwave bowls.
The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) extends an invitation to the community to join in the day’s activities. All proceeds benefit local, regional, and world wide mission projects.
Call Cheryl Schutz @ 970-586-4714 to place an advanced order for kraut burgers or for more information.
St. Francis Of Assisi Anglican Church Studying St. Paul’s Letter To The Romans
By: Bishop Owen Williams
A few weeks ago, our Saint Francis scripture and study group, “Tuesdays At Two,” finished Saint Luke’s treatise on the birth of the Christian Church. The Acts of the Apostles was quite entertaining, but we reached the end of that book. After some discussion, it was decided, let us continue. We had left off with Paul in Rome, so let’s move on to the next book, St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. It is, chronologically, out of order. But that will be part of the discussion.
Studying the life of Saint Paul, and his Epistles is intriguing from both the religious and historical points of view. And there are different perspectives, depending on which commentaries are being utilized. For example, J.W.C. Wand, wrote a book in 1952, “What St. Paul Said.” In 1968, he published another book, “What St. Paul Really Said.” In 1997, N.T. Wright penned, “What Saint Paul Really Said.” It is clearly demonstrated that in the translation is the Translator.
the midst of a pagan and mythic world, he is working toward the conversion of sinners into Saints… The faith of the revelation of Jesus Christ, awakening the world to the reality of God.
We have reserved the Wasson Board Room at the Estes Valley Library every Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. throughout November and December (with the exception of Tuesday, December 3rd, as it will be held in the Hondius Room downstairs.)
Known as “The Little Church in the Woods,” St. Francis Church is a Traditional, Apostolic and Evangelistic Christian church nestled in the midst of the pines and aspens in Little Valley. The church is located at 3480 St. Francis Way, Estes Park, CO 80517. Turn from Fish Creek Rd. onto Little Valley Rd. and follow the signs to St. Francis. If you have any questions, please call Bishop Williams at (970) 577-0601.
In the Epistle to the Romans, St. Paul is doing something truly incredible. In
Please join us every Sunday for the Service of Holy Communion at 9:30 a.m. (Morning Prayer is offered at 9 a.m.). And see our Website at stfrancisestespark.com.
Ray Merry
Ray was born in Ware, Iowa. His parents were Donald L. and (Marian) Joyce Merry. Ray spent his growing up years in Storm Lake, Iowa, with his older brother Don L. Merry, younger sister, Susan Vinicor and youngest sibling, Tom Merry. He had many stories of Storm Lake, at the lake with his family and two closest friends, in which their friendships continued throughout their lives: Darryl Halling (deceased), and Ned Nettleton.
Ray graduated from Storm Lake High School in 1955. From there he earned a B.S. in Geology in 1960, and an M.S. in Geology, 1963; both degrees obtained from Wyoming University. He received the Charles Hill Scholarship, The Department of Geology Scholarship, and made The Dean of Men Honor Roll, in 1960. His thesis was conducted in Hog Park, where he spent many adventurous years camping with his family and friends, for the remainder of his life. After college he worked for Mobil Oil in Denver, and then in 1975 worked as the head of the Uranium Department, for the Colorado School of Mines Exploration Division. He retired in his mid-fifties. Ray had many talents. He acquired the skills and desires to engineer, create blueprints and build, after working with his father who was a builder; “an excellent builder and carpenter”, per Ray. He and his father built Ray and Helen’s home in Blue Mountain Estates where they raised their two children: Karen Elizabeth Merry Stuart (married to Cody W. Stuart), and Mark Ray Merry (married to Tonya Merry). Later, Ray designed and built a Victorian home at 2809 Fish Creek Rd. Estes Park, in 1994, which was a marvel and one of his greatest accomplishments in his later years. He also designed and built another home in Lyons, Col-
Helping Maintain Quality Workers
By: Brian Schaffer
orado, where he spent the remainder of his last 20 years of his life. Ray was a person who gave back to his community in a quiet manner. He helped his neighbors in many ways some of which was collecting and cutting firewood, and the other was manipulating the stream in the open area, to provide good access and memories for the community. He built bridges and hidden seating benches with flowers and even stocked fish food to feed the fish in the streams. He was able to make areas like these magical. Ray enjoyed everything outdoors including fishing, hunting, and feeding the local turkeys rabbits and birds outside of his home.
It is also worth mentioning that he belonged to The Belt Buckle Club in Estes Park, where he found many good friends that he enjoyed fishing with and good fellowship. He loved all sports and especially a fan of all Colorado’s major sports. Ray’s most valued gifts were his children and grandchildren: Madelon E. Brown, Abigail M. Brown and step grandson, Hayden B. Stuart Chapa. He spent many hours advising, teaching , reminiscing and planning futures with all of them regularly, and was always interested and included their significant others. Ray’s Vigil will be held on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 18:30 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church 3791 Pike Rd. Longmont, Colorado.
The Mass will be livestream and in person on Friday, November 15, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., also at St. Francis of Assisi with a reception following, at the church. You may send flowers to the church or make donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, as Ray also would donate to this organization. You can call 1-800-805-5856 to donate to St. Jude’s.
See Ray’s online service information and RSVP at tinyurl.com/26pramn4
Crossroads Ministry has grown in many ways over the past 42 years to meet the needs of neighbors who live in our community. Neighbor helping neighbor is how it happens. The Estes Valley is blessed with an abundance of people from all walks of life who call this beautiful place their home. I feel Crossroads is a connector of resources to meet the needs of neighbors, and this is a very enriching experience for us to be a part of. During my tenure at Crossroads, I have met some incredibly generous people who want to do whatever they can, whenever they can, to make a difference wherever they can. With this spirit of giving, we can do a lot of good in the Estes Valley. Recently I had the privilege of sitting down with Rajiv Poudel. Several years ago, he came from Nepal as an International Student and moved to Estes Park shortly after graduating from West Virginia University. His wife, Vita, came to the USA from Ukraine as a Work and Travel Student. Together along with other business partners they own and operate Estes Village, Lonigans Irish Pub, and Himalayan Curry and Kebob restaurant.
They stay very busy with their businesses while raising their family. Being involved in the community is super important to them, and this is why they partner with Crossroads to help
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.
us take good care of our neighbors. Rajiv shared something with me that has stuck in my mind. He said, “We give back when we can.” What if every business owner thought like this? Giving back when you can is possible for everyone. Maybe not at the same giving level, but it all starts with the willingness to begin where you can, and see what impact it can make.
We have businesses that give financially while others give of their goods and services to support the work we’re doing through Crossroads. It’s a team effort and we’re so grateful to be in relationship with so many kindhearted business owners. I have been in conversations with many of our business owners, so I know some of the stress associated with trying to do all they can to take care of their workers. The shoulder season makes it difficult when the need for workers is less and they have to reduce their hours. As often as I can, I extend the invitation for businesses to send their workers our way so that we can help them navigate the leaner months. This gives us an opportunity to work together to keep workers in the Estes Valley yearround. I sense the appreciation we have established among local businesses. It’s just one of many ways that we can help maintain quality workers in town. This is part of why we exist, so please send people our way.
www.CrossroadsEP.org
$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
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
Events Maintenance Worker I
Fiber Technician
Finance Director/Treasurer
Police Officer I - III
Restorative Justice Program Coordinator
Utility Billing Representative
The status of applications will be communicated via e-mail. By choice, the Town of Estes Park is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
Homes
1 bdrm very nice house. 5 min from downtown, washer hookups, all utilities incl. $1000/mo. or $1200/mo. furnished. 970-227-6092 or 602-821-1655
Condos
One bedroom loft condo, 1.5 baths, washer/dryer $1,700/month
Two bedroom condo, 1 bath, $2,000/month
Two bedroom condo, 1 bath, large kitchen & living room, $2,150/month Call 970-699-6727
Commercial Rentals
Prime exposure location, highway 7 across from Holiday Inn.
1100 Sq. ft. Available Jan. 1. Currently used by “Center Stage Dance Studio”. Call Mark at 214-616-9430 for more details.
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.
Excellent benefits package; includes medical, dental, vision, retirement (PERA), 401(k) options, generous Paid Time Off (PTO), & more
Summary: The Public Library Accountant ensures accurate and ethical government accounting operations, administers payroll and benefits, and performs other priority administrative functions. The Accountant demonstrates the Library values of Intellectual Freedom, Hospitality & Service Excellence, Community, Teamwork, and Professionalism.
Closing Date: 5 PM, Monday, December 2, 2024, or until filled.
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
Coming available in December: Two Suites: First Suite has 992 sq.ft. Includes lobby with fireplace, 4 offices and handicapped bathroom. Rent is $992.00 a month plus NNN and utilities. The Second Suite has a lobby, 2 offices and handicapped bathroom. Rent is $888.00 a month plus NNN and utilities. Front door parking with both suites. Call Peggy Lynch 970-232-5588.
Sewing/Alterations
Remixed Custom Sewing Services. Small Furniture, Restoration, Cushions and Industrial Repair. Call for appointment 970-492-5446
Piano Tuning
Susan Novy, local piano tuner. Call for appt. 577-1755 www.estesparkpiano tuner.com
Other-Misc
Free Consultation and Review of your health plan for those with Medicare and those under 65! Call Us First 970-672-1092. ncipsenioradvantage.com
position available in busy accounting firm. FT; bookkeeping and computer skills preferred; starting wage based on experience and qualifications. Call 970-586-9999 or send resumes to faith@shottsmerrymancpas.com
A d ve n t u re Activities d irector
The Adventure Activities Director is responsible for the Aerial Challenge Course, Climbing Wall Facilitation, the Gear Shop, and the Mountain Center Desk at the YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park Center. This position hires, trains, and supervises staff in all aspects of Adventure Activities, while also facilitating and developing programs to benefit guests.
$20.36/h - $24.17/h with full benefits, generous PTO/vacation, YMCA membership, and many more employee perks.
To learn more and apply, please visit
Beautiful, leather-like 3-seater Couch with two electric loungers AND 2 lounge chairs. All three matching. No tears and no stains. Ready for your living room. $300 per chair and $500 for the couch...OR $700 for all three. 970-218-9601 or 970-586-6586
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
PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS BUILDER
970-586-4315
rglibby@msn.com Estes Park, CO APPLIANCES
CLEANING SERVICES
ATTORNEYS
BARBER SHOP
FLOORING
Gale Baniak - Owner/Barber
Racheal Giroux - Barber
970-586-2000 • 415 W. Elkhorn Ave.
100 feet North of the Bighorn Restaurant
No Appointment Necessary (for straight razor shaves only)
