Estes Park News, February 17, 2023

Watchful Moose

Photo by Alan Lipkin

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Presidents’ Day Closure

It was May of 1992, and I was a couple weeks into my job as a seasonal Ranger at Longs Peak when lightning ignited a small fire on the lower west slope of Twin Sisters. I served as lookout while two other Rangers hiked in to put out the fire. I was new to the area so after the fire was extinguished, I asked the senior Ranger about wildfire activity in the Estes Park area and in RMNP. He told me not to expect much and that many called our area the “asbestos forest”. However, a few miles further south, the Ouzel fire (1978) scar bore silent witness that this was not always the case.

In the 1990’s wildland fire activity in the northern Colorado Front Range could be characterized as quiet. Notable nearby fires included the Black Tiger fire (1989) northwest of Boulder and the Hourglass fire (1994) in the Pingree Park area. Beginning in 2000 wildland fire activity near Estes Park began to increase with the Bobcat fire in 2000, followed by the Big Elk fire in 2002. RMNP saw its first large fire in many years with Cow Creek in 2010. That year also saw the 4Mile Canyon fire outside Boulder. 2012 brought the High Park fire west of Fort Collins, the Woodland Heights fire in the High Drive area of Estes Park and the Fern Lake fire in RMNP. Of course, 2020 saw unprecedented large fire activity in our area with the Cameron Peak and East Troublesome fires. By the end of that year, I doubt anyone still considered the Estes Valley /RMNP/ northern front range to be an “asbestos forest”.

My point with this abbreviated local fire history being that it’s not a question of “if”, but “when” the next drought cycle will bring dry fuel conditions and high fire danger back to the Estes Valley. The Woodland Heights fire that burned 27 homes and the Kruger Rock fire which took the life of pilot Mark Thor Olson show that wildland fires starting within the Estes Valley can have devastating impacts. The question then is what can we do to be more prepared for wildfires inevitable return?

The three sides of the so called “wildland fire triangle” are fuels, weather and topography. Of these, only fuels (i.e., vegetation) are generally available for human modification at landscape scale.

It has followed that fuels reduction comprises the bulk of wildland fire mitigation efforts. Our federal partners who manage adjacent public lands (USDA Forest Service and the National Park

Estes Valley. This mitigation work was described in detail in the recent article from Estes Valley Fire Protection District (EVFPD) Chief David Wolf that appeared in this paper a few weeks ago.

Within the Estes Valley fuels reduction work is largely the responsibility of private property owners but assistance may be available. Our wildfire risk and fuels reduction needs were described extensively in the updated Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) completed last summer. This document, which I encourage every Estes Valley resident to read, can be found at the EVFPD website estesvalleyfire.org/wildfire/living in the WUI. In response to this risk the EVFPD has adopted CWPP recommendations and is seeking to expand its wildland fire prevention and mitigation efforts.

As described in their Annual Report for 2022, available at estesvalleyfire.org/admin/annual reports, the EVFPD is planning to decrease wildfire risk by increasing the District’s outreach efforts to homeowners and HOA’s with education to identify fuels reduction needs. Additional homeowner assistance could include facilitating fuels removal through slash collection and chipping. The EVFPD also plans to increase coordination efforts for district-scale projects addressing wildfire risk creating fuel breaks and opportunities to stop fires within the District.

These wildland fire prevention and mitigation plans are some of the strategic planning priorities the EVFPD has identified during the past few years. Other components of the strategic plan as well as a proposed modest property tax increase to fund them, were explained in the article from EVFPD Board President Jon Hodde that appeared in this paper last week.

During my career as a wildland firefighter I have seen firsthand many individual homes and neighborhoods that have survived wildland fires due to fuels reduction work. I have also seen the amazing efforts of local fire department and District firefighters such as our EVFPD volunteers to protect their communities. Through support for the EVFPD strategic plan and associated property tax increase we can give these dedicated volunteers a greater chance of success when wildfire returns to the Estes Valley.

Larimer County Administrative Services, and District Attorney will be closed on Feb. 20, 2023 in observance of the Presidents’ Day holiday. The Larimer County Landfill will be open. Critical services at Larimer County are not disrupted by closures.

Temporary Closures In Lumpy Ridge And Loch Vale Areas Begin February 15 To Protect Nesting Raptors In Rocky Mountain National Park

Each year, to protect breeding and nesting sites of raptors (also known as birds of prey), Rocky Mountain National Park officials initiate temporary closures in the park. Raptors that are protected include multiple species of hawks, owls, golden eagles, and peregrine falcons. To ensure that these birds can nest undisturbed, specific areas within the park are closed temporarily to public use during their breeding and nesting season. These areas are monitored by park wildlife managers. Raptor closures begin on February 15 and continue through July 31, if appropriate. These closures may be extended longer or rescinded at an earlier date depending on nesting activity.

A closure is in place in the Loch Vale area which includes Cathedral Wall. The areas above the Loch Vale-Sky Pond Trail are closed to off trail travel.

In the Lumpy Ridge area closures include Checkerboard Rock, Lightning Rock, Batman Rock, Batman Pinnacle, Sundance, Thunder Buttress, The Parish, Bookmark Pinnacle, The Left Book, Bookmark, Twin Owls, Rock One and

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 February 5, the Estes Valley Fire Protection District

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

On 02/07/2023 at 8:46 p.m. police were called to the 600 block of Aspen Avenue on a report of a disturbance. On scene,

the Needle. These closures include the named formations. Closures include all climbing routes, outcroppings, cliffs, faces, ascent and descent routes and climber access trails to the named rock formations. Check the park’s website at https://www.nps.gov/romo/raptor-closures. htm for all details on specific raptor closure areas, including maps.

The National Park Service is committed to preserving birds of prey. If nest sites are located or territorial behaviors such as aggressive divebombing/vocalizing or birds fleeing nest sites due to human disturbance are observed, please report the general location to ROMO_Information@nps.gov.

The same cliffs that are critical for raptors also appeal to climbers. The cooperation of climbing organizations and individuals continues to be essential to the successful nesting of raptors in the park.

For further information on Rocky Mountain National Park, please visit www.nps.gov/romo or call the park’s Information Office at (970) 586-1206.

WENDY’S OPTICAL

(EVFPD) responded to seven calls for service. This included:

• Emergency medical (assist EPH): 1

• Alarm Activation: 3

• Smoke Investigation: 2

• Gas Leak: 1

they arrested a 35 year old male from Estes Park and charged him with third degree assault and domestic violence and transported him to the Larimer County Jail.

Photo by NPS Ann Schonlau

Inspired By Entrepreneurship And The Estes Chamber Of Commerce

My schedule as mayor seems to be filling up more quickly these days. Perhaps the sunshine peeking through the gloom of the past several weeks is sparking a flurry of requests for my presence at var-

ious functions. Or maybe the pace of life around town is picking up after a postholiday lull. Whatever, I like it when people ask me to acknowledge the good things happening in Estes Park. This past week, I participated in two ribbon cutting ceremonies that the local Chamber of Commerce organized for new businesses here. One was at Squatchy Donuts on West Elkhorn. Owners Jack and Jill Skinner, hale from Alabama. Kenny Collins who works with them at the counter, helped start the Big Foot Festival here in 2019 with the encouragement of then Mayor Jirsa. Every year during the festival Ken dresses up in a Sasquatch costume and welcomes people to the large event. Good donuts, good people and the mystery of Sasquatch draw a large crowd to Bond Park.

Two days later, I was at Peakto-Peak Stitching, located on the second floor of the Estes Park Bank building, to participate in another ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Chamber. For owner Catherine Cornell, a longtime resident of Estes Park, the store is a dream come true. A life-long lover of making quilts, Catherine is opening the brightly lit store after retiring from a career in medicine. It’s full of quilt-making materials, as well as kits for doing counted crossstich, making Christmas stockings and more. Just as the ribbon cutting was about to happen, there was a brief pause as Catherine wiped away her happy tears.

The ribbon cutting ceremonies are a time-honored tradition of Estes’ Chamber. Thanks to the Chamber’s staff,

the events are well organized and inspiration providing. Colleen Couch, the office administrator, arranges the time and place for the ribbon cutting, brings the ceremonial scissors and ribbon, and musters members to attend and cheer on their new business counterparts. Executive director Colleen De Pasquale welcomes businesses to the Chamber and champions entrepreneurship throughout the Estes Valley. And me, well I represent the Town and enjoy meeting the owners, hearing their motivations for open businesses here and learning their reasons for selecting the type of business they’re running. The cheers that follow the cutting of the ribbon make evident the importance of supporting of local businesses. Many thanks to Trustee Cindy Younglund for participating in both ceremonies. The week ended with me reading an official proclamation at the 65th anniversary of the founding of the Fine Arts Guild of Estes Park. After reading the proclamation before an audience at a celebration held at the high school, I presented it to the Guild’s head, Lars Sage. The ensuing applause from the audience further acknowledged that the founding and current members of the Guild enrich the lives of the people here through the high-quality theater and musical productions the offer.

Looking back at the events of the past week, I’m reminded of my responsibility as your mayor for not only acknowledging people for what they’ve done and are doing, but also what they will do. And that fulfilling my responsibility encourages people to do more and to encourage others to do the same.

Owner Jill Skinner and Associate Kenny Collins welcome Mayor Wendy Koenig to the recently opened Squatchy Donuts shop.

Owner Catherine Cornell and Mayor Wendy Koenig have fun after the ribbon-cutting ceremony at Peak-toPeak Stitching.

Upper Thompson Sanitation District Must Be Built To Last

By:Chris Bieker, District Manager, Upper Thompson Sanitation District

In my household, we have an expectation that our sinks will drain and our toilets will flush.

Like a lot of things, we don’t have to think about what needs to occur to make that happen unless something goes wrong. As a community, we saw what life would be like without this public service during the devastating floods in 2013. After living through no flush zones, I know we will never take our water treatment and reclamation system for granted. Upper Thompson Sanitation District thinks about your toilets and sinks so you don’t have to. We work hard every day to ensure that the Estes Valley is provided with this critical service and that our local environment is protected.

But we are facing an uphill battle in our ability to continue to provide for our community. Our facility has not been significantly updated in over 50 years and it is approaching the end of its useful life. Our work depends on our infrastructure, which is increasingly costly to maintain and is unable to achieve compliance with future state and federal water regulations. The longer we wait to fix the small problems, the bigger and more expensive they become.

We are in the process of designing and building a modern Water Reclamation Facility that will allow us to serve the Estes Valley for generations to come. But as we all know, construction costs have increased significantly. Our project, like

so many others, is being impacted by supply chain and workforce challenges. Because of this, we are exploring all options to cut costs and diversify our revenue streams for long-term sustainability.

We are profoundly grateful to UTSD customers for their understanding of the importance of this new facility and the need to make sure we are prepared for the future. The UTSD Board is considering sending a ballot measure to our customers to ask them to allow us to retain all the revenue we obtain, including grants, loans and donations, so that we can ensure the sustainability of our work.

The District intends to take advantage of federal and state funding so that we are not solely reliant on customer fees. This potential ballot measure would allow us to diversify our funding in a responsible and cost-effective way. Our customers will likely be asked to vote on this potential measure when they vote for our Board of Directors in May.

Upper Thompson Sanitation District is an integral part of the Estes Valley community. District Directors and staff work and live among you all and pay for the same wastewater treatment services that you do. By leveraging future grant and loan funding, we feel confident that UTSD will be built for the future, thereby sustaining our ability to provide clean water for ourselves, our community and our environment.

If the UTSD Board decides to send this ballot question to our customers, we humbly ask for your support. This solution today will prevent more costly problems tomorrow.

Sunday Breakfast Buffet

8-Noon Every Sunday $18 per person, $8 under age 10

Skip the restaurant lines and enjoy great food at a great price! Coffee and juice included, Other drinks, mimosas, and bloody marys available.

At the Legion: 850 N St Vrain, Estes Park

Introducing The New Rooftop Rodeo Coordinator

By: Rob Hinkle, Events and Visitor Services Director

We are pleased to have Cindy Schonholtz joining the Rooftop Rodeo team as the new Rodeo Coordinator. Cindy is a Rodeo Management Consultant offering expertise in management, marketing, media relations, event planning and budgeting to various rodeos. In addition to joining the Team in Estes Park, she serves as the General Manager of the Redding Rodeo in Redding, California. Prior to launching her consulting business, she spent 5 ½ years as General Manager of the St. Paul Rodeo in St. Paul, Oregon and 20 years with Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) in various capacities. She was the Director of Industry Outreach where she networked with other agriculture and animal use groups and managed the PRCA’s government relations and livestock welfare programs. She also served as the President/CEO of the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to providing need-based financial assistance to injured rodeo athletes and their families.

Cindy is a great fit to manage and grow the Rooftop Rodeo. She commented to us, “The Rooftop Rodeo is an iconic event and I look forward to working with the Town of Estes Park and the amazing group of volunteers to continue the traditions that make it so special."

Cindy is the President of the Animal Welfare Council, serves on the board of the National Animal Interest Alliance and is a member of the Public Policy Committee for the American Quarter Horse Association. Through these organizations she is able to continue to promote the continued interaction with animals in industry, recreation, sport and entertainment. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

The Rooftop Rodeo takes place July 510, 2023. Tickets go on sale in April. For more information, please visit www.rooftoprodeo.com or contact the Town of Estes Park Events Office at 970586-6104 or events@estes.org.

Cindy Schonholtz

Who’s Playing Dead? Live Music Lineup Revealed For Inaugural Frozen Dead Guy Days Festival In Estes Park

With the inaugural Frozen Dead Guy Days (FDGD) in Estes Park rapidly approaching, the live entertainment lineup for the festival has been announced, featuring a stellar selection of both national and local acts, ranging from electronic dance music to bluegrass (and yes, there will be a Grateful Dead tribute band!).

Taking place over St. Patrick’s Day weekend on March 17-19, 2023, the reborn Frozen Dead Guy Days will feature live music and entertainment at the Estes Park Events Complex and The Stanley Hotel, with satellite events occurring around town. Favorites like the iconic Blue Ball and competitive Coffin Races will return alongside new additions like the Deadman Fashion Show and the Bands & Bloodys Sunday Brunch.

The frigid FDGD fun kicks off on Friday, March 17 with an Irish Wake at Cousin Pat’s Pub & Grill and an Icebreaker event at Bond Park featuring music from Chain Station and A-Mac & The Height. These events are followed by the iconic Royal Blue Ball at The Stanley Hotel, featuring Grandpa Bredo and Ice Queen costume contest. The live entertainment lineup for the Royal Blue Ball includes:

● The Polish Ambassador: This San Francisco-based EDM artist rocks more than just a trademark jumpsuit, bringing technicolor vibes to his thrilling performances.

● Eddie Roberts & Friends: A funk & soul supergroup led by the front man of The New Mastersounds, Eddie Roberts.

● Evanoff: A staple in the Colorado music scene, this guitar driven live-electronic trio is defined by a bold live show full of sonic exploration.

On Saturday, the party continues with a FDGD bash at the Estes Park Events Complex, including the Coffin Races, Brain Freeze Contest and the new Deadman Fashion Show. Live entertainment throughout the festival includes:

● Break Science: Pioneers of Colorado’s electronic music explosion, the Denverbased Break Science brings together East

Coast hip hop and futuristic sounds.

● Magic Beans: Funk, soul, live electronica, and even bluegrass music all find their way into this Colorado band’s eclectic live experience.

● Bill & Jillian Nershi featuring Jason Hann: Founding member of jamgrass faves The String Cheese In cident, Bill Ner shi teams up with Jillian Nershi and Jason Hann for adventurous Amer icana.

● A-Mac & The Height: Colorado’s premiere Reggae Rock band, known for fusing their adventurous jam band spirit with an empowering and positive message.

● Toubab Krewe: This Asheville, NCbased instrumental powerhouse fearlessly fuses the music of Mali with classic southern rock.

● Cycles: A Denverbased power trio, Cycles masterfully fuses an eclectic blend of genres (everything from hip hop to funk to rock) to produce a truly original sound.

● Tenth Mountain Division: This Colorado group revives the soul, spirit and eclectic intersection of influences that birthed rock’n’roll, afresh for the modern ear.

● Drunken Hearts: Evolv ing out of an acoustic trio, Drunken Hearts have evolved into an electric fivepiece that captivates audi ences across the country

● Shakedown Street: One of the greatest Grateful Dead tribute acts in the world, Shakedown Street is a perfect fit for Frozen Dead Guy Days.

Tejon Street Corner Thieves: Hailing from the Colorado Rockies, this band plays an exciting mix of outlaw blues and “trashgrass.”

● Banshee Tree: Combining the sounds of electric & acoustic instruments with a diverse blend of dance, jam and jazz, Banshee Tree creates a frenzied, earthy music.

● Brothers of Brass: The only New Orleans brass band in Colorado, Brothers of Brass bring a Big Easy party with them wherever they go.

● Flash Mountain Flood: A five-piece Boulder-based psychedelic rock n' roll jam band Flash Mountain Flood is committed to preserving American roots music.

● The Pamlico Sound: Bringing the funk wherever they perform, The Pamlico Sound have been electrifying Colorado’s Front Range for more than a decade now.

Living Room Band: A lively, Colorado-based band that covers everything from classic rock to reggae to funk. Local band lovers can catch live music all over town throughout the weekend and at the Bands & Bloodys Brunch on Sunday.

FDGD tickets can be purchased NOW at FrozenDeadGuyDays.com for just $39. Tickets give access to all music, events and activities of the weekend except for the Royal Blue Ball, tickets for which are sold separately. Visit Estes Park and The Stanley Hotel have committed to donating all proceeds from ticket sales that surpass operational costs to the area’s recently established workforce housing and childcare funding mechanism.

Attendees can warm their weekend up with great Frozen Dead Guy Days hotel packages and offers:

● The Stanley Hotel, FDGD’s official hotel, is featuring a package with accommodations, a buy-one-get-one-free offer for the VIP Royal Blue Ball and an invitation to a hotel guests only afterparty on March 17.

● YMCA of the Rockies is celebrating the arrival of the Frozen Dead Guy Days Festival with a special lodging rate of $89/night in honor of the event’s founding in 1989.

● Take advantage of the Don’t Wake The Dead special at the Cabins at Rams Horn Village Resort — book two nights and get 13% off regular rates.

Not familiar with the Frozen Dead Guy Days saga? To make a long story short, the event celebrates an unusual turn of events that brought the frozen body of a deceased Norwegian man to a Tuff Shed in Nederland, Colorado. Bredo Morstøl, or Grandpa Bredo, as Frozen Dead Guy Days devotees fondly refer to him, passed away in 1989, but his family cryogenically froze his body and shipped it to the U.S. Over the next decade, his legend grew amongst Nederland residents, and a winter festival was born to pay tribute to Grandpa Bredo with quirky events and activities. It caught on in a big way; and by 2022, Frozen Dead Guy Days attracted approximately 20,000 attendees. See the full schedule of events and stay up-to-date on the latest news related to the festival by visiting frozendeadguydays.com.

February 17 is National Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) Day. We were reminded of this in last week’s column so we could plan for it and be ready to act on it when the day arrived this week. I guess that makes our acts of kindness not quite so random, but does it matter? It’s the kindness in Random Acts of Kindness Day that counts, not the randomness

I moved my personal RAK Day up a couple of days so I could randomly act kind in time to write about it and still meet my deadline. I wish I didn’t have to admit it but in the spirit of complete transparency, I’ll share that I did up my output level of RAKness, knowing I would be reporting in this column about what I did and how it went. Again, I don’t see anything wrong with that, except it magnifies the fact that I don’t do as many spur-of-the-moment gestures of goodwill on a regular basis. Nonetheless, each effort to be helpful and considerate on this appointed day was sincere. Here are the well-intentioned deeds I accomplished on my designated be-niceto-others day:

• First, I joined a Buy Nothing Facebook page. (Thank you Audrey S. in North Carolina for alerting me to the Buy Nothing concept.) In this group there is no buying, selling, trading or bartering. It is strictly a “gift economy. ” Nobody’s trying to make a buck or rip anybody off. The purpose of Buy Nothing is to give freely, which fits into the Act of Kindness category. People join the group that is based close to their home (there are Buy Nothing groups all over the country) and once they’ve agreed to the ground rules, they start giving and getting—for free! The day I joined I perused the offerings. I saw punk belts and bracelets among the other accessories on the page, a high chair and lots of other baby items, dishes and cookware, a set of wood end tables along with all sorts of other furniture, sports gear, even hard-to-get restaurant reservations. And it’s all free.

The same concept is carried out with an app called OLIO. Millions of people all over the world use OLIO to not only give and get, but to borrow and lend. (Along the lines of the cast-iron skillet that makes the rounds in our neighborhood.) If you’re looking for a random act of kindness that suits you—and helps

others, consider joining a local Buy Nothing group or downloading OLIO.

• I called a long-distance friend I haven’t spoken to in almost two years. We talked as if we’d just taken a walk together and gotten all caught up yesterday. The gratification for both Diane and me ran deep. Why did it take a designated “be nice” day to do this?

• Another friend just lost her sweet dog Cooper. His companionship meant so much to Louise. I have never before sent a sympathy card for the loss of a pet. But now that I have our own dog Chance, I have grown to appreciate the importance of pets and in this case dogs, their antics, their excited leaps and wags and barks in our lives, their love of a warm lap to curl up on (no matter how big the dog is). I sent a card to Louise. It’s a little thing, but little things can make a big difference.

• Because my heart was aching over Louise’s loss, I was feeling a tug to give Chance a little extra kindness so I took him to a nearby park to walk. I didn’t get as many steps as I do when we walk around the neighborhood, but he loved the “wanna go for a ride? ” ride and all the unfamiliar smells.

• I baked and frosted heart-shaped sugar cookies for the women in a grief group I co-facilitate. We normally don’t bring food to our sessions, but it was close to Valentine’s Day and I thought a touch of sweet for those who have lost their spouses would be welcome.

• Although I got my hair cut today and not on the exact Kindness Day, I tipped my hair dresser 50 percent in honor of RAK Day. She protested but I insisted. It was fun!

I suppose for this project to be successful in the way it is intended, I should not be broadcasting the things I did to observe the day. It’s not about me, it’s about helping others. But the added bonus is that I benefitted too. It was a win/win. And if I can inspire even one Thunker reader to get out there and do a random act of kindness today, my mission will be accomplished.

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

© 2023 Sarah Donohoe

Estes Park Health Hosts 9th High School Sports Medicine Academy

EPH inspires the next generation of healthcare professionals

The scenario at Estes Park High School on February 9 was something that could easily happen in real life. Two students collide in the gym and sustain injuries that require a trip to Estes Park Health.

A select group of Sport Medicine students from the school posed as patients and rode in ambulances to the hospital where they and their teammates were able to experience first-hand what happens when an injured person is brought to the emergency department.

“I always had a really big interest in being in the medical field ever since I was really, really little,” said junior Sophie Kamprath. “My mom and I were looking back on it and I found out that when I

was in fifth grade I said that when I grew up I wanted to be an anesthesiologist. And I still want to be an anesthesiologist. This day is cool because it gives me a good perspective about what my day-to-day life would be if I decided to go into this field, whether it be an EMT or an orthopedic surgeon or an anesthesiologist.”

Estes Park Health orthopedic surgeon Dr. Aaron Florence heads up the Sport Medicine Academy which he modeled after a program he witnessed while completing a sports medicine fellowship in Lake Tahoe.

“I wanted to emulate the program when I moved here to Estes Park,” Dr. Florence said. “A lot of people got together to make it happen. This is the in-

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jury simulation day. They get to go through every department in the hospital involved in an injury and they get to see all these different professionals working in their environments. The kids get to see what it would be like to be a physical therapist, what it would be like to be a nurse or an emergency room doctor. It gives the kids a great first-hand look at these different professions.”

While showing the students an MRI in a trauma room in the emergency department, Dr. Florence conducted an interactive lesson that captured the kids’ attention.

“What do you think this thing is up by the knee,” he asked. “That’s the patella, yeah. The ACL is right here in the front and guess what? This patient has a torn ACL.”

Estes Park High School teacher Pam Frey said her students have either taken Anatomy & Physiology or they are taking the class now to quality for this special course.

“Within the last month I have heard back from two kids who were in this program,” Frey noted. “One just got accepted to medical school and the other one is going to Purdue for athletic training. That student wrote an email saying this class is part of what inspired her to pursue her career path. I think it’s a great perspective for kids to see so many opportunities are out there. You only know what you see. This gives them an opportunity to see how wide their opportunities in the medical profession are if they choose to do that.”

Dr. Florence said some of the students

involved in the Sport Medicine Academy over the last nine sessions have gone on to various medical professions.

“We have students who have graduated from Estes Park High School who have taken this class who are orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, physical therapists, nurses, paramedics, radiology technicians,” Dr. Florence pointed out. “They really are ripe at this age and their brains are just bursting for more information.”

Junior Austin Tice’s father is a nurse who has shared stories about his field that intrigue Austin. He was one of the students posing with an injury.

“My ankle was supposed to be broken and I had a torn ACL,” Austin explained. “It was cool to see how I would be treated as a patient and what paramedics would be doing to help me get to the hospital. It’s great that the school offers this because out of school I would never be able to go in an ambulance and learn about that side of health care.”

Besides the emergency department, students also visit areas including diagnostic imaging, the operating room, the medical/surgical unit and physical therapy.

Over the years, demand for the sports medicine class and this on-site experience has grown.

“This is a luxury we have in a small town where we can do something like this,” Dr. Florence pointed out. “We have people who are willing and able to pass the torch to the next generation of healthcare providers.”

Dr. Aaron Florence shows Estes Park High School students images from an MRI. Junior Austin Tice poses as a patient in a bay in Estes Park Health’s emergency department.

Caption for Photo Three: Students got a first-hand look at the value of diagnostic imaging in treating injuries from Dr. Christopher Daley, head of the ED physicians group and nurse Summer Twombly.

Estes Park Health Celebrates Phlebotomists Recognition Week

February 13-17, 2023 is a week set aside to call attention to the vital contributions phlebotomists make to healthcare. Established by the American Medical Technologists (AMT), Phlebotomists Recognition week recognizes and celebrates phlebotomists’ role in maintaining patient health and promoting lab efficiency and effectiveness. Pictured are two of Estes Park Health’s

certified phlebotomists. Amanda Donaldson and Autumn Bottke enjoy helping both outpatients and inpatients get the results they need in a safe and efficient manner. Not pictured is EPH’s third certified phlebotomist Candy Wall, RN who performs therapeutic phlebotomies and works with PICC lines and in the infusion center.

Estes Park Health Celebrates Pride In Foodservice Week

This is not your mama's hospital food!

The Dietary Department at Estes Park Health provides room service and daily specials for inpatients and their visitors. Beyond that, the hard-working folks in our kitchen also serve staff and visitors via the cafe for breakfast and lunch. In addition, these workers provide internal catering services for meetings, events and recruitment efforts.

The department also provides meals to the infusion center, emergency department and other areas in the hospital for patients upon request.

In 2022, our dedicated Dietary Department served a total of 37,153 meals. Our

patients often comment on how great the food tastes!

In our most recent Larimer County Food Safety Inspection in December, the department earned a perfect score with no deficiencies.

This year, Pride in Foodservice Week is Feb. 6 - 10. According to nationalday.com, the tradition was initiated by "the Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals to honor and recognize food and nutrition professionals and other members of nutrition services teams for their hard work and dedication to their job."

Live Music Tribute To Peter, Paul And Mary Coming To American Legion

American Legion Post 119 presents Magic Dragon, a live music tribute to the hit recordings of Peter, Paul and Mary on Saturday, April 1, 7 p.m.

For many, the songs recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary evoke memories of youth and feelings of nostalgia. Estes Park now has a tribute band which encourages that nostalgic experience. Magic Dragon is a live music group designed to temporarily transport the listener back to those simpler (yet tumultuous) times. Care is taken to accurately reproduce the overall feeling and sound of the hit recordings we remember hearing on the radio.

Magic Dragon is composed of Steve Tice on upright bass and vocals, Brad Fitch (aka Cowboy Brad) on acoustic guitar and vocals, Melinda Morris on vocals and Mark Rashid on acoustic guitar.

The concert will be hosted by Estes Park’s American Legion Post 119 - open to the public and a welcoming place to spend a Saturday evening. In addition to community and family activities, Post 119 is committed to providing a support

network for veterans and their families.

Come early for heavy appetizers and Happy Hour drinks starting at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 for appetizers only, $20 for the concert only, or $35 for both. Available at esteslegion.org or by calling (970) 586-6118.

Some Peter, Paul and Mary Trivia

In 1961, Albert Grossman developed a plan to commercialize (and capitalize on) the politically charged folk music of the era. He scouted coffee shops and folk venues of New York City to find singers with “youthful good looks and a non-threatening demeanor.” Mr. Grossman eventually selected Noel Paul Stookey, Mary Travers and Peter Yarrow as much for their appearance as for their musicianship. The icing on the cake was the addition of music director and arranger Milt Okun, a classically trained, versatile musician who was pivotal in developing the trio’s signature three-part harmonies and overall sound.

More Peter, Paul and Mary trivia will be shared at Magic Dragon shows. esteslegion.org or (970) 586-6118

Bright Christmas Keeps On Giving

Stephanie Hearty, Mary Murphy and Nancy Gregg, representing the Bright Christmas organization, give mid-year school supplies to Courtney Carroll, School District Social Worker.

Each year Bright Christmas purchases enough supplies to send at least 100 kids to school with new backpacks and supplies, and can respond to mid-year needs as well.

EV Watershed Coalition Presents: Moose: Rocky’s Newest Stars!

Grant Applications Available From The Village Thrift Shop

Grant applications for 2023 from the Village Thrift Shop (VTS) are available beginning February 15th for charitable organizations providing services to the Estes Valley community. Nonprofits determined by the Internal Revenue Service to operate as a 501(c) (3) and registered in good standing with the Colorado Secretary of State are encouraged to complete and submit a request for funding. VTS will start accepting applications beginning February 15th and stop taking them at 3:00 p.m. on March 31st. After review by the VTS Board of Directors, funding will be distributed in early May.

Village Thrift Shop located at 1138 Manford Avenue in Estes Park. The completed application package should be returned via mail, e-mail, or hand delivered by 3 p.m. on Friday, March 31, 2023.

The Village Thrift Shop is a non-profit corporation that generates revenue through the resale of donated goods. Generous donors, considerate business partners, a dedicated all-volunteer staff, and loyal patrons support VTS profit sharing. Over the past four years, $850,000 has been distributed to nonprofits providing critical services in the Estes Valley.

www.pauljmarcottephotography.com

Our speaker, Jared Gricoskie, refers to moose as the smallest subspecies of the world’s largest deer! Makes you want to learn more, doesn’t it?

Jared Gricoskie owns and operates Yellow Wood Guiding in Estes Park, specializing in nature tours and photo safaris in Rocky Mountain National Park. With a degree in environmental interpretation, he has worked as a professional naturalist exploring and researching the flora and fauna of the Rocky Mountains, always looking for more

wonders in the natural world to share with others. He will explain the biology and behavior of this impressive mammal in our own habitat.

Join us in person at the Estes Valley Community Center or via ZOOM.

Thursday, February 23, at the Estes Valley Community Center, Lower Level 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Please email: RSVP@evwatershed.org

EVWC Members: Free Non-Members: $5 suggested donation.

Grant applications and guidelines are available for download at the VTS website, www.epvillagethrift.org/grant-application. Alternatively, copies will be available for pickup Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the

In 2022, staff freely gave over 5,500 hours of their time in order to process a bounty of donated, sellable goods subsequently purchased by customers from near and far. It is now time for another round of payoff and payout to the Estes community.

Moose seen this week meandering through the snow at the YMCA of the Rockies.

Photo by Paul J. Marcotte

Reusable Shopping Bags: Making The Transition

Upgrades (And New Name) Coming To The Ranch

A much-needed update to the Budweiser Event Center at The Ranch Events Complex will enhance the experience for customers who attend events at the multi-purpose facility.

The updates will replace and upgrade components inside the Budweiser Events Center that have outlived their useful life, many of which are original to when the event center was first constructed 20 years ago.

The improvements are part of the community-driven Phase Two Ranch Master Plan, created in 2017 for the expansion and renovation of the Ranch Events Complex. To create the plan, Larimer County gathered, and continues to gather, extensive public input on how The Ranch needs to evolve to continue to meet the needs of the region and remain competitive in the market.

You remembered your reusable bags when you left home for the store, but now you’re in the checkout lane – and they’re still on the back seat. Sound familiar?

Plus, it’s cold and you’re in a hurry and you really don’t want to hold up the line while you run back to the car to get them. So, what do you do?

You can pay the required bag fee of 10 cents per bag this time, but you’d rather not. The per bag fee for paper or plastic was signed into law in Colorado in 2021

and came into effect on January 1, 2023 under House Bill HB21-1162, the Management of Plastic Products: leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb21-1162

Or this time you could just load the groceries into the cart – without any bags – and put the items into your reusable bags when you get to your vehicle.

Old habits die hard but you can make the transition to reusable bags without too much effort and you can have fun doing it.

The same year, voters approved an extension of the 0.15% sales and use tax to expand and enhance The Ranch facilities based on the Ranch Master Plan.

Some of those developments are currently underway and include campuswide road improvements for improved traffic flow and safety, a new 4-H Youth & Community Livestock Arena, the addition of a new outdoor arena, expansion of the MAC Equipment, Inc. Indoor Arena & Pavilions, increased vehicle and trailer parking, improvements to maintenance facilities, and development of a new RV campground featuring full-service hookups.

All permanent and retractable seating

in the Budweiser Event Center will be replaced as a safety measure since the seats are in disrepair and not functioning properly. This seating area now requires excessive maintenance and expense and doesn’t offer the highest level of safety The Ranch regularly provides its guests. “Based on guest feedback, we need to invest in this area of the Event Center to continue the level of safety and customer service we strive for at The Ranch,” said Conor McGrath, The Ranch Director.

Paint inside the event center bowl, the suites, and the fixtures inside the suites are also original to when the building was first built and need upgrading to keep these areas competitive with other regional venues and customer expectations. The improvements will begin in June and run through the fourth quarter of 2023 without disrupting scheduled events.

The total planned cost for the inside renovations – paint, seating, suites, and fixtures is about $4.8 million – of that amount, $1 million is slated for suite renovations, with private partners contributing $250,000 toward those renovations.

With a new look comes a new name for the facility, too. Starting on October 1, 2023, the events center will change its name From the Budweiser Events Center to the Blue Arena, since the naming rights agreement with Anheuser-Bush ends on September 30, 2023, and chose not to renew their agreement.

For updates on The Ranch Master Plan: www.treventscomplex.com/ master-plan.

Have some fun and showcase your style. Show off your travel souvenirs or even your crafting creativity. (There are countless easy patterns for reusable bags on the internet; some are “no sew”.)

February 24 at 7 p.m.

February 25 at 1 and 7 p.m.

Estes Park High School & Thespian Troupe #7284 To Present Puffs

Students at EPHS are busy rehearsing their upcoming production of Puffs or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic. Tickets are now available!

For seven years a certain boy wizard went to a certain school and conquered evil. This, however, is not his story. This is the story of the Puffs...who just happened to be there too. A tale for anyone who has never been destined to save the world.

Cast:

Henry Thomas-Wayne

Zach Lewis- Oliver

Lily Shields-Megan

Sam Workman-Narrator

Estes Park High School Auditorium

Amelia Bryant-Ernie Mac and Very Tall Man/ Seamus/A certain Potions teacher/Professor Turban/Ghost History

Teach/Professor Locky/Mr. Nick/Sal/Second Headmaster/Real Mr. Moody/Zach Smith

Farrah Collins-Hannah and First Headmaster/Professor McG/Professor

Sproutty/Xavier Jones/Professor

Lanny/Runes Teach/Ms. Babble

May Brink-J. Finch Fletchley and Uncle Dave/Goyle/A Fat Friar/ Clumsy Longbottom/ Hermoone #3/ Viktor/ Mr. Bagman

Ethan Brown-Leanne and Ginny/Helga/FrenchyNeva Case- Sally Perks and Her-

moone/ Blondo Malloy/ Rowena/ Rita Scooter/ Bippy

Merin Hamel-Susie Bones and Harry/ Colin/ Hermoone #2/ Ric Gryff/ Myrtle

Andie Lewelling-Cedric/Voldy

Death Buddies- Played by all

Tech crew: John Ferree, Ryan Schwartz, Isabella Putman, Alexis Reeves, Zal Sugar

Stage Crew-Grace Thamert, Callum

Hoskins, Lux VanTatenhove

This production is directed by Jordanne Bradley and Jordan Hazelton. Performances will be held at the EPHS auditorium next weekend, February 24 at 7 p.m. and February 25 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Get your tickets today at estesschools.org or at the door before showtime.

Photos by Jordanne Bradley and Jordan Hazelton

Robert BurkhardtShakespeare’s The Tempest Instructor At The Community Center

education administration as an intern with the U.S. Office of Education in Washington, D.C. His next position was Director of the Sambas Experimental School in San Francisco, CA. That job prepared Burkhardt for his time as the head of Eagle Rock School here in Estes Park.

There are some fun entries in Burkhardt’s resume as well! They include stints as a juggler, barker and roustabout in a San Francisco circus, as well as a tenor horn player with the Estes Park Village Band and the Riverside Ramblers.

Herbal Wellness With Dragon Roots Herbal Apothecary

aparine), and threw it onto the back of a girl and she didn’t notice, then she had a sweetheart. If she noticed, took it off, and dropped it, the dropped wad would create the initials of who her sweetheart may be (maybe you?).

Although we do carry Cleavers in our store, we prefer that you use it for its wellness properties, which include getting the lymphatic system moving, or topically to help with irritated spots where splinters may be present (if you must wad it up, make it into a poultice –ask us how!).

Following a B.A.degree in English from Princeton, Burkhardt started his working career in the early 60s as an English teacher with the Peace Corp in Iran, then continued teaching English at Woodbury High School in New York. He achieved a Teacher’s College M.A. from Columbia in 1969, then a Ph.D in Education from Union Graduate School in Ohio. Burkhardt began the path toward

Burkhardt is teaching a class on Shakespeare’s The Tempest, set on a remote (possibly enchanted) island on Thursdays from March 2–30 from 9:30–11 a.m. in the EVCC Classroom. You will explore themes of magic, betrayal, revenge and more! The class is open to ages 16+; fee is $56/pp. Please provide your own book; Robert recommends the Folger paperback version, but any good text will do! There are still a few spots opensign up here: https://tinyurl.com/ECLifelongLearning.

Tickets Now On Sale For Frozen Dead Guy Days Festival — Reborn

In Estes Park For 2023!

Quirky Mountain Festival Given New Life In Estes Park, March 17-19, 2023

Just as Colorado reaches the dead of winter, tickets for Frozen Dead Guy Days (FDGD), one of the state’s most beloved annual events for more than 20 years, are on sale now. FDGD has traditionally been held in nearby Nederland, but for 2023 and beyond, this quirky mountain celebration will be given new life here in Estes Park.

Taking place over St. Patrick’s Day weekend on March 17-19, 2023, the reborn Frozen Dead Guy Days will feature live music and entertainment at the Estes Park Events Complex and The Stanley Hotel, with satellite events occurring around town. Favorites like the iconic Blue Ball and competitive Coffin Races will return alongside new additions like the Deadman Fashion Show and the Bands & Bloodys Sunday Brunch.

Tickets that are inclusive of all music performances, activities and events (except the Blue Ball and Coffin Races team registration) are just $39. Registration for the Coffin Races has recently closed. We have reached our maximum of 32 teams racing through the course. Please

come out to cheer on the teams and learn some tips for next year. May your coffin stay underground until then.Visit Estes Park and The Stanley Hotel have committed to donating all proceeds from ticket sales that surpass operational costs to the area’s recently established workforce housing and childcare funding mechanism.

Not familiar with the Frozen Dead Guy Days saga? To make a long story short, the event celebrates an unusual turn of events that brought the frozen body of a deceased Norwegian man to a Tuff Shed in Nederland, Colorado. Bredo Morstøl, or Grandpa Bredo, as Frozen Dead Guy Days devotees fondly refer to him, passed away in 1989, but his family cryogenically froze his body and shipped it to the U.S. Over the next decade, his legend grew amongst Nederland residents, and a winter festival was born to pay tribute to Grandpa Bredo with quirky events and activities. It caught on in a big way; and by 2022, Frozen Dead Guy Days attracted approximately 20,000 attendees. Stay up-to-date on the latest news related to the festival by visiting frozendeadguydays.com and sign up for the enewsletter.

Lindsey Sutherland here, co-owner and certified herbalist from the new, Dragon Roots Herbal Apothecary and Supply! I, along with partner, Stacey Sutherland, opened Dragon Roots to offer herbal and natural wellness products, services, and supplies to the Estes Valley. We recognize that there is a growing intrigue into the world of herbal based wellness practices and are very excited to be able to offer products and educational services on the subject to our vibrant community.

Did You Know?

Long ago, it was thought that, in England, if you wad up a bit of the herb named Cleavers, or Catchweed (Galium

For more herbal tips and tricks, head over to our website! Plus, check out what sort of gifts we are offering this month for our February theme, Love + Abundance. We offer a wide variety of herbal based products, services, and supplies. There is a little bit of something for everyone and we are adding new products all the time!

Sign up for our online newsletter through our website and get a 10% off coupon for your next order. We hope to see you around.

Dragon Roots Herbal Apothecary and Supply, email: dragonrootsherbal@gmail.com, phone 970-578-HERB, or go to our website at www.dragonrootsherbal.com

Bohemian Waxwings Arriving In Colorado

Photos and commentary by Scott Rashid, Director of CARRI, Colorado Avian Research and Rehabilitation Institute

Bohemian Waxwings have recently been arriving in Colorado in large numbers. They are considered irruptive, based upon food availability. What that means is that when the food on their nesting grounds is plentiful, the adults have large clutch sizes.

In the fall and winter, they move to areas where berries are plentiful.

This is why they are in Colorado this winter. They move from area to area to feed on berries including crabapples, juniper cones, cherries and any other fruit they can find. After they have eaten all of the fruit in an area, they move on.

They are in Colorado in large numbers this year and I also found several of them in RMNP.

Upcoming Presentation On The Services Provided By Home Instead

Do you or someone you know need assistance at home? Home Instead services can help aging adults stay engaged in everyday life with tailor-made support by professional caregivers to stay safe and well at home. It’s their mission to provide a care plan personalized to your family’s needs to bring comfort, connection, and quality of life in the place that they love the most, their home.

We invite you to attend a free presentation from 12:00-1:00 on Tuesday, February 21 at the Estes Park Senior Citizens Center (EPSCC), 1760 Olympian Ln. Home Care Liaison

Sarah Harlow and Care Manager

Becky Boynton of Home Instead -Serving Larimer and Weld Counties will be our guest speakers. Becky is the territory manager for Estes Park clients.

This presentation will cover what Home Instead can provide to individuals who wish to continue living at home safely and comfortably. Home Instead offers services in personal care, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, hospice support, light housekeeping, and more. Sarah and Becky will discuss eligibility for their services, details of what each

program provides, how often they provide home visits, and the costs and coverages of the various care programs.

To learn more about the services provided through Home Instead, including employment opportunities, please attend this informative presentation. If you cannot attend this program but are interested in learning more, please contact Sarah Harlow at (970) 494-0289 or sarah.harlow@homeinstead.com.

If you would like to order lunch for the presentation, you must call the Senior Center before 1:00 p.m. on Monday, February 20. The meal on Tuesday is BBQ Pork Ribs, with baked beans and coleslaw. The cost of a meal is $7 for EPSCC members and $10 for nonmembers. To order a meal, or for more information about the EPSCC, please call the Coordinator, Tonya Martin, at (970) 581-2195.

This community presentation is organized and sponsored by Renee Hodgden of RE/MAX Mountain Brokers. Renee is certified as a Seniors Real Estate Specialist by the National Association of Realtors and can be reached at rhodgden@remax.net.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Linked To Deaths Of Black Bear And Mountain Lion In Colorado, Adding To A Growing List Of Species Susceptible To HPAI In The U.S.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has identified several cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in free-ranging wildlife. A black bear from Huerfano County was affected by the disease in October, a skunk from Weld County was found to be positive for the disease in November, and a mountain lion that died in Gunnison County was recently confirmed to have the disease. Testing was conducted by Colorado State University in Fort Collins and the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa.

HPAI has already killed thousands of wild birds in the U.S., including in Colorado. This strain of HPAI was first confirmed in wild geese in Northeast Colorado in March of 2022.

All three of the confirmed cases showed signs of HPAI before or after death including neurologic symptoms such as seizures or circling, general signs of illness such as weakness or lack of responsiveness to human presence, and organ damage including encephalitis, hepatitis, and pneumonia. Other similar suspected

“The decision to humanely euthanize the animal by our wildlife officer was made following the abnormal behavior and knowledge that numerous infectious diseases cause neurological symptoms,” said CPW Area Wildlife Manager Mike Brown. “Extremely ill animals have difficulty moving and often act abnormally. While clinical signs of numer-

stitial pneumonia, which have been seen in domestic cats with HPAI, so this also warranted HPAI testing.

“Similar to many local species, mountain lions move through our communities on a regular basis as they travel between seasonal ranges throughout the year,” said CPW Area Wildlife Manager Brandon Diamond. “It was only a matter

in hearing from the public if they encounter something that doesn’t look quite right.”

A number of mammalian wildlife species have been affected with the current strain of HPAI in the U.S. including skunks, foxes, black bears, bobcats, coyotes and raccoons among several others. It has even been detected in marine mammals. These mammals likely become infected by feeding on wild birds that are sick or have died of HPAI; however, not every mammal that consumes a sick bird will develop HPAI. These recent Colorado cases add to a growing list of affected wildlife species.

Despite the variety of mammalian species susceptible to HPAI, the numbers of mammal cases are currently low. The majority of cases confirmed during this HPAI outbreak are in wild and domestic birds. The most commonly affected wild birds in Colorado have been geese, as well as the raptors and other scavenging birds that eat goose carcasses.

mammalian cases have been detected in the state, with confirmatory testing pending.

The Huerfano County black bear was euthanized Oct. 8, 2022, by a CPW wildlife officer after he saw it having seizures. Its remains were frozen until it could be transported to the health lab for testing. A necropsy revealed the bear had signs of HPAI, prompting CPW to test for HPAI. Later in October, a black bear in Alaska tested positive for HPAI.

ous diseases may be observed, diagnostic laboratory testing and necropsy services help determine the actual cause of death.”

The Gunnison County mountain lion was found dead just outside of Gunnison city limits on Jan. 15, 2023, in an area where mountain lion activity is commonplace. The mountain lion had necrosis in the liver and bronchointer-

of time before the first HPAI case was confirmed in Gunnison County based on known cases in adjacent counties. While this is an interesting case study with the lion, it’s important to point out that HPAI has been documented previously in a variety of mammals from across the country. In Gunnison County, CPW routinely investigates reports of sick and injured wildlife and is always interested

CPW continues to stress the importance of keeping your distance from wildlife, and specifically not handling sick or dead birds. Although rare, some HPAI strains can infect people. Links to recommendations for hunters and risks to pets are included below. The main protection for the general public is to avoid handling sick or dead birds and keep your distance from wildlife. See the CDC website for more information on protective actions for people.

WINTER HOURS

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

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

Sundays, 1-5 p.m.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Sign up at estesvalleylibrary.org

What’s Happening At The Estes Valley Library

Library. Schedule your appointment at estesvalleylibrary.org or by calling 970586-8116.

Aging & Ageism: A Living Room Conversation

Rogers.

Love Your Local Authors Festival

Saturday, February 25, 1-3 p.m., Fireside Theater

The Love Your Local Authors Festival

The House of Eve: Author Talk with Sadeqa Johnson

Tuesday, February 28, 2-3 p.m., online

Hear from the highly acclaimed author of Yellow Wife, Sadeqa Johnson, about her new novel, The House of Eve. Presented with the Library Speakers Consortium.

MAKERSPACE

Sign up at estesvalleylibrary.org

Learn the Laser Cutter

Saturday, February 18, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

For ages 15 and up.

Learn the 3D Printer

Saturday, February 25, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

For ages 15 and up.

ALL AGES

Sign up at estesvalleylibrary.org

Young Chautauqua Club

Tuesdays through April 4, 3:45-5:30 p.m., Hondius Room

Research the life, words, and mannerisms of a historical character, culminating in a live, costumed performance. All ages welcome.

Build a Birdhouse

Saturday, February 18, 2:30-4 p.m., Makerspace

Repeated Wednesday, February 22, 4:30-6 p.m., Makerspace

Repeated Saturday, February 25, 2:30-4 p.m., Makerspace

Welcome a new neighbor this spring!

Craft and paint a birdhouse from an easy-to-assemble wooden kit.

Meet a Neighbor with Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood

Wednesday, February 22, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Hondius Room

Watch a few episodes of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, socialize with your neighbors, and enjoy popcorn. Kids, teens, adults are all welcome!

ADULTS

Sign up at estesvalleylibrary.org

AARP Tax-Aide

Appointments available through April 14, Wasson Room

Volunteers will provide free tax return services at the Estes Valley

Wednesday, February 22, 6-7:30 p.m., Hondius Room

Explore our relationship to the aging process, and the relationship of our

is back for its sixth year! Interact with local authors as they showcase their work.

TEENS & KIDS

Sign up at estesvalleylibrary.org

Robotics & Tech: Build a Lego Neighborhood

Saturday, February 18, 3-4 p.m., Wasson Room

Get creative and test your architecture skills: use Legos to create an entire neighborhood.

Book vs. Movie Club: A Dog’s Purpose

Saturday, February 25, 12:30-2:45 p.m., Hondius Room

Book or movie—which did you like best? We’ll discuss the book, then watch the movie adaptation. Pizza and drinks provided.

Artwork Wednesday: Candle Making

Wednesday, March 1, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Makerspace

Experiment with different art mediums and styles as you craft your own candles.

Teen Advisory Council

Thursday, March 2, 6-7 p.m., Hondius Room

Monthly meeting for tweens and teens who would like to recommend ideas for library programming, future teen space design, and collection purchases for their age group.

Makerspace Crafternoon: Crochet a Bee

Saturday, March 4, 2-3:30 p.m., Makerspace

Learn how to use tools and equipment in the Makerspace. Bzz! Get into the spring spirit by crocheting a tiny bee.

KIDS & FAMILIES

Library Storytimes

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

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

Read to Therapy Dog “Bo”: Tues., February 21 at 10 a.m. & Wed., February 22 at 6 p.m.

Read to Therapy Dog “Annie”: Wed., March 1 at 6 p.m.

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY FOUNDATION

Cliffhanger Used Books

communities to our growing aging population. Presented in collaboration with the Estes Valley Restorative Justice Partnership.

Safe & Efficient Use of Your Wood Burning Appliance

Friday, February 24, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Hondius Room

Learn about best practices for safe and efficient indoor wood burning in this seminar about the EPA Burn Wise Program. Presented in collabo ration with the Estes Valley Fire Protection District and the Town of Estes Park.

Film Screening: Won’t You Be My Neighbor

Friday, February 24, 23:30 p.m., Hondius Room

Enjoy a free showing of Won’t You Be My Neighbor, a documen tary examining the life and legacy of Fred

Repeated Tuesday, February 28, 5-6 p.m., Wasson Room

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.

Photo by Jim Ward

We’ve all seen it happen to someone we know or love. It’s called ‘Alzheimer’s Disease’ and the effects are tragic to watch…even worse to experience. There are many possible causes advanced as to why a person begins to show symptoms of it, symptoms that tend to intensify over time. It’s been called ‘Old-timers Disease’, suggesting that the cause is due to increasing age. And, yet, people of very advanced ages are seen on every hand, who show very good thinking characteristics…good memory, keen wit, ability to read and reason capably. Other possibilities are heredity, poor health in other areas, etc.

Another very great possibility is that a mind that has been continually ‘unused’ in areas of thinking creatively, continually being undisciplined and unchallenged, will often tend to lose its ability to function properly. "Use it or lose it!” applies to many aspects of our lives… bodily strength, sports abilities…and mental acuity. Our society has been so exposed to television and other ‘social media’ that we are discouraged from reading books or exercising our mental faculties in ways that truly challenge and strengthen our minds. One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received in my life came in the form of a mild rebuke from my mentor half a century ago. When I was a young preacher, Roy said: “Bob, your problem is lean reading!”…when I asked him how he could think of so many good things to teach and preach about. It totally changed my life. (I now have several thousand books to get rid of, before I ‘move’ to my eternal home. Need some books?)

With the above in mind I opened the Denver Post last week and read an article about a group of young people that have determined to quit allowing ‘social media’ to dictate or control their thinking, as so many in our society do and have. In the article, entitled: “Started using my brain”, I read about the ‘Luddite Club’, made up of teens who determined to ‘self-liberate’ themselves from social media and technology. They began by refusing to be glued to their I-Phones, choosing to use only flip phones in order to break their ‘addiction’ to ‘being glued’ to their devices. Instead, they’ve chosen to challenge their minds by reading ‘classics’ and other books and materials that challenge their minds and keep them growing. Are you a ‘Luddite?’

The Bible has a lot to say about the proper use and development of the mind. Wise Solomon wrote: “Keep your heart (mind) with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.” He later wrote: “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he!” Jesus pointed out how crucial ‘keeping the heart’ is when He talked about the things that ‘happen’, first in the heart (mind): murders, thefts, hatred, immoral sexual activity. What’s the problem with America? Hearts that are outof-control! And, activity committed by such hearts!

What are the main culprits when it comes to dictating those thoughts? One is, of course, the hours of TV that many of us watch. Kent Hughes, minister and author, writes in his book: ‘Disciplines of the Godly Man’: “It is impossible for any Christian who spends the bulk of his evenings, month after month, week after week, day in and day out, watching the major TV networks or contemporary videos, to have a Christian mind!” Add to that the number of hours we may ‘stare at’ our I-Phone, or video games, or computers, etc. and we see that our minds tend to need ‘self-liberating’ from those thoughts that are cultivated by those actions and attitudes generated by what we see.

In the New Testament Paul reminds us that we need to ‘bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ!’ How can we best do this seemingly impossible feat? Paul gives us some guidelines in his letter to Christians in Philippi: “Whatsoever things are: true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, praiseworthy, think on these things…and the God of peace will be with you!” (Phil. 4:8, 9) Contrast those types of thoughts with those often presented, especially in the social media: ‘false…fictional, dishonest, unjust, impure, unlovely, and of ‘bad report’, lacking virtue, non-praiseworthy, by even good men, let alone, God’. This is a good checklist if we are concerned about how much of our thinking is ‘stinkin’ thinkin’ and tending to drag us down.

Let’s consider ‘joinin’ the club’ and regain control of our thoughts! Bob Lewis

Show Some Love To Our Local Authors On February 25

Estes Park is home to talented folks of all kinds. Astronauts and rock climbers, corporate executives and artists: our community includes fabulous neighbors, several of whom have written and published their stories. This February, we’ll be showing love to many of these Estes Park authors during our annual “Love Your Local Author” Festival.

On Saturday, February 25 from 1 - 3 p.m. in the Fireside Theater at the Estes Valley Library, interact with a variety of local authors as they showcase their work. Ask questions about their writing journey and process, learn about their publications, and maybe even find your next read!

Get excited: here are just a few of our neighborhood authors who will be joining the festival…

Erik Stensland decided to make a career of hiking by becoming a professional nature photographer. As he trekked the many trails of Rocky Mountain National Park, he found himself overflowing with writing material. Consequently, he became an author and publisher. Now the author of Hiking RMNP: The Essential Guide, Whispers in the Wilderness, Wild Light, and several other publications, Erik’s works celebrate the natural world and the beautiful backyard we call home.

Bring the kids along to meet Michelle Hurni, author of The Berners Go Bouncing, a fun romp with Bernese Mountain Dogs where early

readers can practice counting and rhyming. Michelle is also the author of Coaching Climbing, a technique book that includes insights from her decade of competitive climbing.

A few years ago, Carriage Hills resident Bob Leavitt gazed across the Southern Estes Valley from the top of Lily Mountain and wondered how the sprawling neighborhood development got started. Intrigued, Bob began researching, then learning and writing about rancher James McLaughlin and early settlement in the area. The result: A History of the Southern Estes Valley: With Special Emphasis on Carriage Hills. Connect with Bob and hear even more details about his discoveries.

Jason Van Tatenhove’s literary hero was Hunter S. Thompson, and when he had a chance to embed with the most infamous militia of our day, gaining intel to write his own Hell’s Angels, he jumped at the chance. Now authoring The Perils of Extremism, Jason shares his firsthand account of his time with the Oathkeepers and his experience testifying to the United States House Select Committee in 2022. He is also the author of the Colorado’s Chance series, a set of supernatural horror mystery novels, and operates The Colorado Switchblade, his own regional news outlet.

Authors are being added to the festival slate every day! Check out their publications in the library catalog and learn more about the event at estesvalleylibrary.org.

February 17 - February 23

Estes Park Special Olympics Tuesday Bowling Fun

Estes Park Special Olympics organizers are hosting bowling fun at the Bull Pin, 555 S. St. Vrain Ave. on Tuesdays from 3:30-5 p.m. All ages are welcome to participate. For more information, contact Audri Smith at 970-451-3762 or email epspecialolympics@yahoo.com.

Nationally Award-Winning Authors Visit Estes Park

Thanks to the generous support of the Estes Valley Library Friends & Foundation and the Estes Park Woman’s Club, two award-winning authors visited Estes Park during the first week of February.

On Monday, February 6, in the culminating event of One Book One Valley, Finders Keepers author Craig Childs presented to an audience of 250 (130 inperson at the Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies, and another 120 who were viewing on Zoom). He shared lively stories of his adventures around the world and posted questions like, “Are artifacts meant to be collected, or should they be left behind?” Audience members

enjoyed Q&A throughout and a booksigning with Craig after.

On Tuesday, February 7, students gathered at Estes Park Middle School to hear from Christina Soontornvat, Newbery

Honor winning author of All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team and A Wish in the Dark. She entertained attendees by sharing details about her writing-inspired travels and her journey to becoming a children’s book author.

Learn more about author visits and how to participate by visiting our website at estesvalleylibrary.org.

Estes Park Senior Citizens Center Menu

Feb 20 – 24

Monday, Feb 20 Chicken Cordon Bleu w/ Roasted Potatoes & vegetables

Tuesday, Feb 21 BBQ Pork Ribs (4) w/ Baked Beans & coleslaw

Wed., Feb 22 Fried Chicken (3 pc) w/ Mashed Potatoes, gravy & vegetables

Thursday, Feb 23 Meatball Sub Sandwich (topped w/ mozzarella cheese & marinara sauce) w/ Pasta Salad

Friday, Feb 24 Fish & Homemade Chips w/ soup of the day

Feb 27 – Mar 3

Monday, Feb 27 Hot Turkey Sandwich w/ Mashed Potatoes, gravy & vegetable

Tuesday, Feb 28 BBQ Platter – Pulled Pork & Beef Brisket w/ corn bread & coleslaw

Wed., Mar 1 Bacon, Egg (1 over-medium) Cheddar Burger w/ 3-Bean Salad

Thursday, Mar 2 Baked Mac ‘n Cheese w/ Chicken & Mixed Vegetables, garlic bread & side salad

Friday, Mar 3 Trout (4 oz) w/ Baked Potato & soup of the day

Meals are $7 for current 2023 EP Senior Citizens Center members and are by reservation only. (Or 3 meals for $20; use pre-paid meal tickets.) Exact cash or check payment required. Reservations must be made by 1:00 PM at least one business day in advance. Note, if you want to reserve a meal for Monday, Feb 20th, you need to call before 1:00 PM on Friday, Feb 17th. 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, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 10-1; Tuesday 10-2) TriFit (MWF 10:30-11:15); Yoga (TT 10:15-11:15); Mahjong (Tuesdays 10 – 2)

Live Music TBA (1st, 2nd & 4th Tuesdays @ noon); Presentation (3rd Tuesday @ noon)

Two Bridge Groups: 1st, 3rd, & 5th Wed. of the month & Every Thursday 12:30 - 4 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

Christina Soontornvat’s visit.

Craig Childs’ visit.

You Are Invited To Elevate Partners Fundraising Dinner On March 2, 2023!

Partners invites you to our Elevate Partners Fundraising Dinner on March 2, 2023 from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m. at Mama Rose's Restaurant.

Join us for our 2023 Elevate Partners Fundraising Dinner (formerly Red Envelope Dinner) to support our mentoring programs in Estes Park. Enjoy an evening with great community, inspiring speakers, and a complimentary dinner, generously provided by Mama Rose's. All donations help us continue making an impact on youth in our community! We suggest a minimum $30 donation per guest. Because of the incredible support of Rob and Julie Pieper, guests' en-

tire donation is used to provide our mentoring programming to local youth. As always, our top priority is to offer high-quality services and support to the youth, families, and volunteers in our program.

Learn more and register here: poweredbypartners.org/elevate by February 28, 2023. If you are not able to register online, please email: kwhitacre@poweredbypartners.org or call 970-577-9348. We will need your first and last name, email address, mailing address, phone number, and guest's first and last names.

Visit Our Storytimes: Engage In Early Literacy With The Estes Valley Library

Madison Foster 10th Grade

Congratulations to Madison Foster, the Estes Park High School Student of the Week for February 17, 2023.

Madison is the daughter of Brittany Wisehart.

At EPHS, Madison is a cheerleader and her favorite class is AP Human Geography. She’s received multiple offers to college programs from Harvard Law, Tampa Bay University and University of Arizona.

Outside of school she enjoys fishing, spending time with her boyfriend, hanging out with friends and baking and cooking. She will begin working at Inkwell and Brew in March.

When asked a place she’d love to visit she said, “I’d enjoy the chance to visit Kentucky to visit all of my family and spend time with them. I’d also love to travel to France and the Bahamas.

Madison’s favorite positive quote is “May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you” Jude 1:2.

The best piece of advice she’s ever received is, do unto others as you’d want done unto you.

After high school she says, “My plans after high school are to go into the veterinary field, and if that doesnt work out I’ll be happy to be a housewife.”

Where the Wild Things Are. The Giving Tree. The Snowy Day. Goodnight Moon. These titles often evoke fond memories of hearing someone read aloud, looking at beautiful illustrations, and letting imagination run wild. Storytime develops an enjoyment of books and reading, and as research confirms again and again, also lays the groundwork for language development in a young child’s rapidly growing brain. Engaging in storytime sparks curiosity and a love for learning.

At the Estes Valley Library, children and their caregivers are invited to a variety of storytimes, offered several times and days throughout the month. Our weekly sessions currently take place on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday mornings. Librarians Melanie Kozlowski and Bre Vegas lead two versions each day, one for babies ages 0-18 months and another for preschoolers. Children and their caretakers enjoy songs, puppets, movement activities, rhymes, and of course, beautiful stories.

If the kids prefer a story before bed, try Pajama Storytime. From stuffed animal sleepovers to Making Music with Nancy Bell, evening storytime is a cozy way to get out the wiggles and wind down.

For both morning and evening storytimes, learning readers can practice their letter recognition and pronuncia-

tion with a local therapy dog: Bo and Annie visit the Children’s Room throughout the month. Kids can pick a book and read aloud to these “pawfect” listeners.

Interactive readers: assemble! Typically the second Saturday of the month, Storybook Explorers focuses on a different book and associated activity or craft. During warmer weather, these storytimes can shift outside. Last summer we gathered at the Community Garden, Mrs. Walsh’s Garden, and Performance Park.

The Storybook Trail at Stanley Park is open 24/7 and features an illustrated children's book, taken apart and displayed page by page along the walking route by the playground. This outdoor story trail is made possible through a partnership between the Library and Estes Valley Recreation & Park District.

Looking for a storytime on your own time? Grab & Go kits are always available. The kits are often bilingual and include a copy of the book and fun activities for children to conduct at home. Reserving yours is as easy as visiting the Grab & Go page on our website. We’ll contact you when it’s ready to be picked up, generally within a day or two.

We’d love to see you at Storytime soon! Learn more at estesvalleylibrary.org.

Sage, Chocolate, Maverick, Cinnamon And Triste Are All Looking For Loving New Homes

Adorable Sage is about two years old. She does well with cats, but she doesn't like dogs. She is talkative, cuddly and playful. She just finished raising her baby and would love a family of her own.

Sweet Chocolate is about seven years old. He would really love a lap to sit on. He enjoys belly rubs and going for walks. He is good with other dogs and has a good energy level for his age.

Handsome Maverick is a neutered shepherd mix who is one year old and weighs 50 pounds. Maverick’s foster family says he loves other dogs and is the best boy.

Little Cinnamon is three years old. She is just settling in and is a healthy fun dog. She weighs about 13 pounds and enjoys going for walks and some dog friends. She has met cats and kids and seems to do okay with them.

Beautiful Triste is about nine months old and is a friendly, playful, outgoing girl. She seems to do okay with dogs but will likely need a slower introduction with kitty friends.

Please call (970) 286-1652 if you’d like to meet any of these special pets. All pets are offered through the Pet Association of Estes Park, a non-profit organization that is your local 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.

Sage

Cinnamon

Triste

Maverick

Chocolate

Contemporary Works For Voice And Piano

contemporary American composers Lee Hoiby, William Bolcom, Gwyneth Walker, and Ricky Ian Gordon. Cynthia will perform solo works for piano by Gwyneth Walker and Astor Piazzola. The Peak to Peak Concert Series highlights musicians in the Estes Valley.

The Peak to Peak Concert series will present its third concert of the season, a vocal and piano concert featuring Denise Stookesberry, mezzo-soprano and Cynthia Hunt, piano. The concert will be held this Saturday, February 18th at 2 p.m. at the Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church.

This program will feature a performance by Denise of vocal selections by

Denise has an extensive career in opera and musical theater throughout the country. Cynthia is a sought after collaborative pianist in Colorado and previously in North Carolina, where she also directed a large piano studio.

As always, the concert is free of any admission charge, but donations will be deeply appreciated. The concert will be followed by a reception so that everyone can meet the musicians.

Oratorio Society Chamber Orchestra In Concert

ished Symphony contains only two completed movements and was sequestered in the home of Anselm Hüttenbrenner from 1823 to 1865. No one knows why the composer did not compose a third and fourth movement. The music he left us is prophetic of the spirit of romanticism and has been a concert favorite since it came to life

We are thrilled that Colorado pianist, Margaret Patterson is joining us to play Mozart exuberant 21st Piano Concerto. It was composed in Vienna in 1785 during one of the most productive and successful times of Mozart’s career. This brilliant work shines brightly as one of Mozart’s most popular and most performed masterpieces

The Estes Valley Chamber Orchestra, an Oratorio Society of Estes Park ensemble, will present two concerts of revered masterpieces on Friday, February 24th at 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday, February 25th at 2:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary of Presbyterian Church of the Rockies.

The programs will consist of Schubert’s Symphony No. 8 (Unfinished), Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21 with Dr. Margie Patterson, soloist and a set of delightful Scottish Folk Dances, arranged by William Allwyn.

Admission to the concerts is free but donations are welcome.

Schubert’s serene and mystical Unfin-

Known for her sensitive and moving performances, Margaret King Patterson is an award-winning pianist who has performed widely on the east coast as well as locally. She was a favorite of Estes Park audiences of the Estes Park Music Festival Concert Series as well as the Peak to Peak Concert Series where she performed as soloist and collaborator. Dr. Patterson was the soloist with the OSEP orchestra and chorus in a performance of Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy under the direction of the late Dr. Kathryn Bowers. She has also performed as duo-pianist with Dr. David Korevaar.

2645 Grey Fox Drive

Denise Stookesberry

Margaret Patterson

Cynthia Hunt

Workforce

at Wildfire Homes

“Win One For The Gipper!” (The Locker Room)

By: Larry Strong

“Sometime, when the team is up against it—and the breaks are beating the boys—tell them to go out there with all they’ve got and win just one for the Gipper!” These words became solidified into popular culture after the re-creation in the 1940 movie Knute Rockne—All American. “Win one for the Gipper. ”

Anyone who has spent time in an ath letic locker room will most likely have memories deeply embedded into their psyche. I have very distinct memories— sights, sounds, emotions and even the “aroma” of the locker room during my athletic days in middle school and high school. So what does happen in the Locker Room? And what does it have to do with Men on Fire?

Preparation. The last few moments before one takes the field or court are critical. These moments are all about mental preparation and focus. When the guys of Men on Fire enter the “locker room” on Saturday morning we bring into focus our personal relationship with the Lord. While we benefit greatly from the fellowship and comradery of other men “on the team” our focus and attention is squarely on the Lord. For what He has done and what He continues to do in us and through us, He is worthy of our attention.

Encouragement. I never heard a locker room pep talk that went, “You guys are a bunch of lazy, no-talent, good-for-nothing bums.” Regardless of how badly we

were playing the coach always had a way of making us believe we were better together, that we were capable of greatness. The guys at Men on Fire are better together. We’re beneficiaries of receiving encouragement and conduits for giving it too. It’s pretty awesome to hang out with guys who are fighting the good fight of faith and willing to come alongside another brother. We need more support and encouragement in the locker room of life. Men on Fire is committed to helping men feel part of something greater. Adjustments. Half time in the locker room is also about making necessary adjustments. Every “game plan” can stand some tweaks and so it goes with our faith journey. Whether it’s the stuff of life pressing in, our health, finances, family challenges or some other crisis there’s ample opportunity to take stock of where we’re at and what adjustments might be warranted. Making personal adjustments starts with keeping our pride in check and that’s part of the culture of the Men on Fire team.

Men on Fire is a diverse group of men from a wide range of life and faith experiences. We meet Saturday’s at the American Legion and “Breakfast with a Purpose’ starts at 8:00 a.m. Come join us in the “Locker Room” for good food, faith and fellowship. There’s room on the roster for ya’ so come make us a better team! Visiting from out of town? Join us!

Lenten Book Study At St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church

Ladder to the Light by The Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston begins on February 26th at 10:30 a.m.

Please join The Rev. Peter Munson at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church (880 MacGregor Avenue) for a discussion of the book Ladder to the Light, by The Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston. The class will meet in-person from 10:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m. on the following Sundays: February 26th, March 12th, March 19th, March 26th, and April 2nd (no class on March 5th). It is also possible to join the class via Zoom, but you will need to join the meeting live. The church office will send out a recurring Zoom invitation to participants the week of February 20th

Steven Charleston is the former Episcopal Bishop of Alaska, served as President and Dean of the Episcopal Divinity School, and is a member of the Choctaw Nation. “My purpose here is to lift up the kiva as a metaphor for our contem-

porary spiritual situation… It is a symbol of our shared future. It tells us that if we are in a time of darkness, we need not be afraid of it, because it is only the beginning for us… The kiva tells us that we have been through this process of birth and rebirth more than once.” (From the Introduction, p. 3)

If you would like to register for the class, please contact the church office at 970-586-4504 or office@stbartsepiscopalchurch.org (email is the best way to contact the church office).

You will also need to purchase your own copy of the book, which is available on Amazon for $12.99. Rev. Munson plans on discussing the Introduction and Chapter 1 on February 26th. Please let the church office know if you need assistance with purchasing the book or if you have any questions. We hope you will be able to join us!

Remaining Fly-Tyers Meetings Canceled

Estes Fly Tyers is canceling the last three meetings of the year. Our access to the church in the evenings is uncertain with Father Seth on sabbatical. We hope we will resume next year and will keep you updated. We apologize to

those who showed up at the last meeting and could not get in the church.

See you on the river.

Susan Underwood and Frank Drummond

YMCA To Host Mountaineering Weekend

YMCA of the Rockies will host its annual Mountaineering Weekend during the weekend of February 18-19, 2023. This signature event highlights programming that makes the outdoors more accessible for all through educational sessions, skills development, guided explorations, demonstrations and more. Parker McMullen Bushman will serve as this year's Keynote Speaker for the weekend.

According to the National Environmental Education Foundation, "America's public lands are for everyone, regardless of ability." YMCA of the Rockies wholeheartedly supports this sentiment and has worked diligently over the past seven years to welcome all people to experience. During Mountaineering Weekend, the YMCA will offer special activities to guests that include- survival

classes, knot tying, winter survival skills, junior survival, snow caves, winter ecology hikes, introduction to snowshoeing, and a winter mountaineering scavenger hunt.

The weekend's Keynote Speaker, Parker McMullen Bushman, is the Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of Inclusive Journeys and Founder of Ecoinclusive Strategies. Her expertise is in engaging organizations to develop new thinking around what it means to be a diversity change-agent as well as spur dynamic organizational change. In 2022, Parker was named one of Outside Magazine's "20 Most Influential People in the Outdoor industry." The community is welcome to attend Parker’s keynote for free on Saturday, February 18th at 4 p.m. at Hempel Auditorium. For more information, visit ymcarockies.org.

1433 Vista View Lane $1,295,000

New Listing

• Spacious Mountain Retreat

3,055 sq. ft., 1.03 acres

• Hike out your back door up Prospect Mountain to the ‘Thumb’

• 4 separate entertainment areas, plus a hot tub room, 4 beds/3 baths

• Turn-key, just bring your clothes

Dream Team

Making dreams come true for over 20 years!

Free Tax Preparation Assistance

Now through April 14, volunteers from the AARP Tax Aide program are once again offering free local assistance with income tax preparation plus electronic filing federal and Colorado returns.

Appointments are held at the library. To find out more or to schedule an appointment, call the library at 970-5868116 or visit estesvalleylibrary.org.

Photo by Sarah Banks

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

The Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies will host a Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on Tuesday, February 21 at the church located at 1700 Brodie Ave. Pancakes, ham, blueberries, and traditional King Cakes will be served from 4:30 until 6:00. There will

be festive piano music to accompany the supper. This event is free, but it is a fundraiser for Crossroads Ministry, so your contributions are welcomed. Community members are welcome to join in the fun and fellowship as we anticipate the arrival of Lent.

Crossroads Always Sharing The Love

By: Brian Schaffer

Drive-Through Ashes

For Ash Wednesday

The Estes Park United Methodist Church will observe Ash Wednesday on February 22 by hosting Drive-Through Ashes from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the church, 1509 Fish Hatchery Road. The church will also have a Zoom Ash Wednesday service at 6 p.m. For the Zoom link, please contact Pastor Ann Lantz at pastor@epumc.org.

Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent, a time when many Christians pre-

pare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation, and spiritual discipline.

Estes Park UMC is an open and affirming congregation where we welcome and affirm all persons regardless of faith, age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical limitations, or economic status—a place where all means all. For more information, please call 970-586-4153.

I’ve heard it said that “Life’s like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.” At times you bite into a piece of life and are pleasantly surprised, but other times what you think will be savory sweet ends up leaving a bad taste in your mouth. Not all chocolates come with the pictorial map inside giving you direction on how to choose. It’s the same in life, we can do our best to choose wisely, but there are seasons when it seems we just don’t get it right. Even though we might have to take a hard swallow to get it down, the story doesn’t have to end with a bad decision. The great news is that we don’t have to let the past mistakes determine our future direction. At times the lessons we learn in life become the inspiration to begin something new. At Crossroads we find ourselves helping neighbors navigate the rough waters that have left them wondering what went wrong. There’s not always an easy solution to be found, but if we spend enough time together expressing our love and concern for them the path forward becomes more clear. Over the past couple months our staff members have been working closely with a young mother and her wonderful children. In spite of countless counseling sessions she is facing a tough decision to permanently separate from her husband. This means she is moving into new housing and taking on more of the financial load. Because we love people, we are stepping in to help. Would you consider helping us take good care of this family?! She currently has very little furniture and could use beds, couch, dining room table/chairs, and other furnishings. In addition to this, we would like to

bless her with a love offering to give her a boost through this transition. If you choose to invest in this mother and her children, then make a note in the memo of your check or in your online donation. On another front, there is single lady that we’ve helped with minor repairs on her vehicle that now has over 300k miles. Even though she loves the car, she has come to the realization that it’s time to find a new one, but this is not possible on her fixed income. Therefore, this week of Valentine’s Day we would love to see if someone would like to bless this lady with a newer vehicle. She still works part-time to make ends meet, so she desperately need stable transportation. These are just a couple opportunities to share some love with two mothers who are spending the week of Valentine’s Day in a not-so lovely place in life. Let me know if you’d like to join us in expressing Love for Neighbor!

www.CrossroadsEP.org

This Thursday is a great day to eat at Ed’s Cantina! Crossroads is the nonprofit they have selected to receive 7% of all proceeds from the day. That means the more you eat and drink, the more people we can help through our services. Our staff is participating from 4 -5 p.m., so stop on by and enjoy some of the specials that are going on during this hour. A lunch date or dinner date would be extra special to get on your calendar, so we hope to see you there! What’s so incredible about Ed’s is that they’re raising money for a total of five nonprofits every Thursday from now until March 9th. A different group every week. It’s a win-win for the community! Thank you Ed’s Cantina & Grill! We sure do appreciate you!

Individualized Education

By: Judi Smith

Today, information availability is constantly at our fingertips. Most colleges do not require SAT tests because memorization of abstract facts is no longer considered an essential skill. However, with so much data available, each individual must know where to locate it and how to evaluate which data is fact, how to analyze that data, and how to determine what he or she believes. Basic mathematical skills are necessary and our students must develop the communication skills required to read, write, and persuade.

Still, with a career in mind, there are certain things worth learning in depth. This memorization is resident in the skills developed. Today, farming requires a broad knowledge of ecology to contend with drought and flood; even simple retail jobs require some consistent knowledge of computers; and most leadership positions are dependent upon the ability to traverse the Internet with skill. Construction requires geometry. Performers need the ability to emote. Visual artists require a sense of balance as well as specific skill in their medium. Everyone needs a plan. The most important thing we can do for our students is to help them determine a path for their future. This requires the ability and the encouragement to experiment with a variety of fields. A well-founded education in language, mathematics, social studies, and science, with the addition of some computer and financial literacy, experience at public speaking, and a dabbling in the arts is only the beginning of discovering what interests each individual. Today, a major component of education is to “ignite the unique potential of every student.”

There was a time when a student could wait and discover a career during the 4year college time, set aside for “finding yourself.” I, myself, started college as a Theatre major with a Math minor, graduated certified to teach Elementary Education, and then became an entrepreneurial business owner. Today, it is best to have some idea of intended direction before investing $100,000 (conservative estimate) discovering that wasn’t what was wanted after all. Once a student has chosen a path, we must offer the opportunity to experiment, and be accepting of changes to that direction. That is the only way to tell if it was a direction well chosen. Experiential education in career direction becomes a critical avenue to this experimentation. However, in talking to students, I discovered another asset to Project Based Learning, beyond simple career training. With the traditional lecture format, lessons evaporate over the summer. However, with an experiential project, students tend to remember, often all the way to adulthood. Although it has recently become popularized, experiential learning is not a new endeavor. Innovative teachers have been designing creative ways to interest students for years. I asked Sonja Green-

way for a short description of her “Civil War Letters” assignment, taught long before the Neighborhood Learning Conversations. She said, “During 4th quarter while they were learning about the Civil War in their US History class, I assigned each student a character from the Civil War as well as a correspondent/partner from another class. No one knew who their partner was. They researched their characters (all of whom really existed) and began a letter-writing project in character. They used the language of the era and the details they learned about these people to make their letters authentic. At the end of the project, we had a "reveal" day where they learned who their partner was.” This lesson left the students with an unforgettable sense of the past: a sense of the differences in language, clothing, civilization, cultural roles, and expectations. My grandson, Blake, who took that class in 2013, said of the project, “My experience with the Civil War letters project was unforgettable. The ability to transform into another caricature, researching, and coming up with ways to explain your experiences that you are going through at that time in the language of the time was the fun part. That goes along with creating the letters and being able to age the paper and creating the wax stamp. But overall, the thing I liked the most was being able to be someone special from that time in history and not having to be myself and that will stick with me forever.”

Jeff Arnold’s “Family Tree” assignment was another experiential lesson from the same time period. During the NLCs there were parents who remembered this lesson. Here is Jeff’s description of the project: “The 8th grade Family Tree project has three goals. First, to get students to contact members of their families to find the information about the family. Too many students do not have much contact with their families outside of those who are close by. Students may have to contact relatives that they do not even know to get the information. The second goal is to get students to realize where from where in the world their ancestors came to America. Most students have basic ideas of their ethnic heritage, but it is common for students to find out heritage of which they were not aware. Finally, students are encouraged to tie their family history to American history. Perhaps their ancestors came to the colonies in the 18th century, or came west in 19th century, or even came to America in the 20th or 21st centuries. Regardless of when their ancestors came to America, they lived through the history that we study. That makes the history a bit more personal for students when they find out that someone in their family fought in the Civil War, or knew famous people, or were eyewitnesses to important events. All of this connects the students to history.”

Agree? Disagree? Comments?

RRRcyc@signsandwishes.com

EVICS Youth Advisory Group

Grupo Asesor de Jóvenes

La primera reunión es el 22 de febrero @EVICS - 4pm (Pizza y bocadillos proporcionados)

Ayuda a EVICS a decidir y dar forma a la programación específicamente para mayores de 12 años. Trae todas tus ideas para la discusión. Queremos saber qué tipos de programas te gustaría que ofreciera EVICS

¡Llamando

todos los estudiantes de secundaria y preparatoria de Estes! ¡EVICS

Photo by Michael Barringer

Estes Park Woman's Club February Meeting Wrap Up

Our February EPWC meeting had a festive Mardi Gras theme with a menu to match at the American Legion.

Our speakers from the Estes Valley Crisis Advocates explained their mission to provide advocacy services to survivors of crime and trauma including safe housing for domestic violence survivors, counseling, referrals and community education.

Diana David Brown (Executive Director) and Michelle Fanucchi (LE Liaison and Volunteer Lead) gave us a very comprehensive picture of the vast array of services for which they are highly trained. All their services are free of charge and they pride themselves on being a diverse, inclusive, accepting, welcoming and safe space. Services are provided regardless of residence, religion, or gender identity. They provide a 24/7 Crisis Line as well as help to navigate moving forward. Thank you to our members who were able to help by donating some much needed toiletry items!

We were so pleased to have five new members inducted into the EPWC. Welcome ladies! We are excited to get to know you and have you join an interesting and talented group of women dedicated to service of the Estes Valley community.

The Estes Park Woman's Club has long supported a music group known as the

Mountain Aires. It was one of the longest continuously performing music groups in Estes, for 42 years. Many of the members were also members of the EPWC. Concerts were presented to the public, service clubs, Prospect Park, Good Sam's, annual holiday and spring programs as well. Sadly due to COVID, the death of their director and loss of members, the group has been unable to resume. Shirley Neely-Turpin was the EPWC liaison, one of both groups most faithful members. At her passing, the Mountain Aires decided to honor Shirley by donating the balance of their funds to the club to be used for education.

The next Estes Park Woman's Club meeting will be on March 8 at the American Legion. Our speaker will be Linda Neuman, the first woman Supreme Court Justice in Iowa. We hope that you will join us!

Don’t Hesitate To Call Someone For Help

To The Editor: I was depressed for two weeks with car trouble again and it was difficult to get out of that dark hole. I want to thank Sue, Daryl, Kathy Addison and my life coach, Deb Mahon for cheering me up. Thanks to Gary Reeves for helping with rides. Don’t give up when things get hard - call someone for help.

Maria Medina

Alcoholics Anonymous & Other Recovery Meetings

AA of Glen Haven- Every Monday night at the Town Hall at 6:30 p.m. Also Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Glen Haven Town Hall. Book study meeting.

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

Fall River Group

Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are held at 453 West Elkhorn: Mon., Weds., at Noon Fri. at 7:00 p.m.

Zoom Meetings-Everyday at noon

Zoom #999 829 166 (no password needed).

Monday Zoom Big Book study at 7 p.m. #654 598 884 (no password

needed).

Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Zoom #999 829 166

Celebrate Recovery -If you are one of these people who struggle with addiction, compulsions, and destructive behaviors as well as the lies which drive them, please consider coming to Celebrate Recovery and discover the joy of being set free. We meet on Thursday evenings from 5:30-7:30 p.m. for snacks and fellowship, being honest with ourselves and others, at the Christian Church of Estes Park, 4655 US Hwy. 36, Estes Park, CO. There is a seat for you.

Note: The AA Meeting website has over 6,000 members and there are 69 AA Meetings a week plus NA has 30 meetings a week. Go to www.intherooms.com

Regarding “Burn Wise”

To The Editor, The op ed written by Mayor Wendy a few weeks back about the town adopted educational tool "Burn Wise EPA" missed one vital aspect of the "clean wood burning" issue.

ing an old unit.

High opacity smoke indicates a danger of possible chimney fire, is a source of unwarranted harmful pollution to those around it, and is more than likely backdrafting toxins into the house.

That is "high opacity smoke" put forth from an ill-maintained or outdated solid fuel device. This is the thick smoke to be seen occasionally from certain chimneys and has a heavy odor.

Please take a moment to google search "High Opacity Smoke" and you'll see what it presents. And if you live by a source of copious woodsmoke, you will already know what a nuisance it is.

"Burn Wise" is an EPA website that instructs you how to correct heavy woodsmoke. Whether it's cleaning the chimney (more frequent with our local high sap content wood), burning fire correctly, or in the rare instance; replac-

A reasonable standard after fire startup is "no visible smoke" and only a slight aroma outside. Most burners achieve this thru applying their craft properly and judiciously.

A smoking chimney demonstrates a lack of knowledge or skill. And is correctable with information drawn upon from EPA's "Burn Wise" program.

At this time, the Town of Estes has no code in place to help mediate a high opacity discharge. For those thus affected, let's hope the current board considers an update.

Tom Hannah

Shirley Neely-Turpin

Richard Ellsworth "Dick" Aldrich

Richard Ellsworth "Dick" Aldrich, beloved father, grandfather and uncle, passed away on December 10, 2021 at his family's home in Estes Park, CO at age eighty-one. His broad shoulders no longer carry any burdens. Despite suffering a spinal injury during his naval service in the Vietnam War, a stroke in 2017 and dementia, he fought hard to maintain the physical strength and independence for which he was known, living in and renovating a homestead in a remote area of eastern Wyoming until January 2021 when he moved to Estes Park to be closer to lifelong friends and services.

Shirley Neely-Turpin passed away peacefully on January 29, age 87, surrounded by her family at Estes Park Health. Shirley was born on November 15, 1935, in Linden, Virginia, daughter of a coal miner and part time farmer and his wife. She was the last child in a family of eight, born seven years after number seven. She grew up in the rural area near the town of Appalachia and graduated from Appalachia High School. Four years later she graduated from Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky where she met and married G.Warren Darling. During her college summers she performed in the theatrical production Wilderness Road at Berea College.

Shirley then began using her degree in Speech, Drama and English as a secondary teacher, first in Malden, Massachusetts, and then for 25 years in East Islip on Long Island. She and Warren had a daughter, Elizabeth, and a son, James. At East Islip she helped produce a variety of dramas.

In 1976 she married longtime colleague and friend Arthur Turpin. Among other things, they enjoyed 11 years of sailing in the waters between Long Island and Massachusetts. After

Shirley's retirement in 1990 they moved to Colorado, and in 1993 to Estes Park. She worked as a volunteer at the Estes Park Medical Center, became and remained an active member of the Estes Park Woman's Club, serving as President in 2010-2011. She also began a musical adventure, taking piano lessons and becoming quite proficient on the mountain dulcimer, playing with the High Country Strings and the Mountain Music Makers. Shirley enjoyed shopping, especially for stylish clothes, and also lunching with her many pals, but most of all she enjoyed her family. She had a very special way of bringing out joy and love in people.

She is survived by her ex-husband Warren of Boulder, and her husband Arthur of Estes Park; daughter Elizabeth Wager of Lafayette and her husband Jerry, and Jim Darling of Broomfield and his wife, Amy; also stepson Mark Turpin of Simsbury, Connecticut and his partner, Marie Lorenzo; and lastly six grandchildren who she much loved as they loved her.

Contributions made be made in her honor to the Elizabeth Guild of Estes Park.

Updated Church Schedules

St. Francis Ash Wednesday schedule

St. Francis of Assisi Anglican Church

Ash Wednesday worship services

Wed., Feb. 22nd 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

The Right Reverend Owen R. Williams presiding. All are welcome.

Drive-Through Ashes for Ash

Wednesday

The Estes Park United Methodist Church will observe Ash Wednesday on February 22 by hosting Drive-Through Ashes from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the church, 1509 Fish Hatchery Road. The church will also have a Zoom Ash

Wednesday service at 6 p.m. For the Zoom link, please contact Pastor Ann Lantz at pastor@epumc.org.

Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent, a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation, and spiritual discipline.

Estes Park UMC is an open and affirming congregation where we welcome and affirm all persons regardless of faith, age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical limitations, or economic status—a place where all means all. For more information, please call 970-586-4153.

Though the stroke robbed him of most of his speech, Dick maintained the kindness, helpfulness, and sense of humor that were hallmarks of his personality. His goldgreen eyes often smiled at his loved ones and caregivers, especially Chris Diede, who gave him the utmost care that a person could ever give or receive. Those who knew him will miss his wonderful laugh, beautiful baritone voice, tendency to sing and whistle tunes, curious mind, optimism, generosity, sense of fun and adventure, and sheer delight in animals, children, and the outdoors.

Born in Huntington Beach, California in October of 1940 to parents William Hamilton and Ina Lee Aldrich (nee Jackson), Dick, the youngest of three children, spent his earliest years in Missouri. His father managed plants for Ford Motor Company, so Dick attended 20+ grade and middle schools across the country, including Detroit where he raised an orphaned possum named Ollie, gifting it to the Detroit Zoo. At age 16, Dick soloed his first airplane and enjoyed flying recreationally, offering to fly others when they needed help. Dick enlisted in the U.S. Navy, receiving the highest honor awarded in basic training. During the Vietnam War, he served on the USS Carronade, earning the Vietnam Service and the National Defense Medals. In 1966, he graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder and began work with IBM, transferring to Casper, Wyoming in 1973.

Hard working and earnest, Dick started and ran several companies and prided himself on being a salesman who cared about his customers. He combined this entrepreneurial spirit with his love of the outdoors, becoming a professional hunting outfitter in Wyoming for over 20 years. An accomplished shotgunner, he loved sport shooting, winning multiple tournaments, including Wyoming State Championships. Always helping others, he donated several hunts to disabled and underprivileged youth and took great satisfaction in sharing his experience and love for the out-

doors with young hunters and shooters.

Inspired by his favorite book, Sand County Almanac, Dick endeavored to restore the ecosystem of the 700-acre ranch and homestead in Wyoming. He revered the land and animals and cherished life on the plains in Wyoming where he had longed to return after leaving Casper in 1986. He loved the friendliness, unpretentiousness and helpful spirit of Western people and the "360 days a year of sunshine." He could often be found basking in that sunshine, watching the mule deer and wild turkeys.

Dick is survived by his three children: Alison K. Aldrich (John Varones), William D. Aldrich and Douglas J. Hormann (Susan); seven grandchildren, Alex Aldrich, Will Aldrich, Olivia Varones, Sophia Varones, Evan Varones, Ethan Hormann, and Elena Hormann; three great-granddaughters, Adeline Jo Hormann, Evelyn Hormann and Lakyn Hormann and his sister, Michele Kersgard.

He was preceded in death by his father, William Hamilton Aldrich, his mother, Ina Lee Jackson Long and his brother, William Hamilton Jr. Services will be held on Monday, February 20th at 11 a.m. at Ponder Chapel, YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park, Colorado. For a video link, please email longshotRA@gmail.com.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to smiletrain.org.

The family wishes to thank all who helped to care for Dick, especially Tisha and Lockett Wood, Celeste and David Jackson, Gordon and Fay Beckstead, Jennifer Hussey and many kind caregivers and medical personnel from Estes Park Hospital, Hospice, Home Health and Home Instead. Please spread the word about the importance of closing patent foramen ovales which can contribute to a stroke later in life.

Condolences for the family can be left at Allnutt Funeral Services in Estes Park (970-586-3101).

Joyce Tremble 1928 – 2023

Joyce Tremble, a longtime resident of Estes Park, Colorado, passed away at home at the age of 95, with her two daughters by her side.

She was born Joyce Adams in North Platte, Nebraska to Alfred Claire Adams (known as Claire) and Alice Selma Lund. Growing up as an only child on a farm near Lodge Pole in western Nebraska, Joyce developed a strong spirit of independence and lifelong love of music and learning. As a young child in a one room schoolhouse, she played the class-

room piano for the school from the age of eight. Some of Joyce's fondest childhood memories were of riding her secondhand bike down the gravel country roads, collecting scrap metal for the war cause with her father, and of ignoring his admonitions not to climb the windmill.

While at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, she met Neal Tremble who had returned from service in the Air Force. They married in 1947. After they completed their bachelor degrees in 1949, Joyce immediately began her first teaching job and Neal his graduate studies. With their five children in tow, they moved across the country many times as Neal's career progressed and Joyce raised

their family, played organ at numerous churches, earned a master's degree, and taught full-time once their youngest child reached kindergarten. Their five children have great memories of all the places they lived and the summer road trips they took. Most of her career was spent as an English teacher and head of the department at Southeast Polk High School in Iowa, where she was a beloved teacher, mentor, and mother figure to her many students and younger teachers.

Joyce treasured the concerts at the Stanley Hotel, Central City Opera, Santa Fe Opera, and Europe. She loved sharing her observations of the bears, elk, deer, marmots, and bobcats on her mountain property. Until her mid 80s, she hiked in the Rockies with hiking groups and friends and family, and hiked as well in Arizona, Alaska, and Ireland. A lifelong learner, Joyce attended thought provoking classes at the Senior Center. She volunteered at the Estes Valley Library for 18 years and was always surrounded by books, newspapers, and magazines at home. These endeavors brought her many great friends whom she treasured.

Joyce was predeceased in 1997 by her husband of 50 years, Dr. Neal Tremble. She is survived by her five children, their spouses, and her six grandchildren. Her family wishes to thank their mother's dear friend and aide Kathy for her wonderful help and friendship.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Donations in her honor may be made to the K.I.N.D. Fund (Kids In Need Of Desks), the Scholarships for Girls program at unicefusa.org. Fond memories are welcome at www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com.

Labor Day Arts & Crafts Show Opens Jury Call

Etsy isn’t the only place where visual artists’ is noticed and purchased. The Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary Club’s annual Labor Day Arts & Crafts Show is a perfect example.

That’s why original artisan works currently are being considered for inclusion in the show scheduled for Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary Club’s annual Labor Day Arts & Crafts Festival, Sept. 2, 3, and 4.

The Estes Park event is the anchor for final summer events in the community that features a full range of activities and features nearly 100 artisans who display sculpture, paintings, jewelry, wood, photography and fiber art and more created in their own studios. One of the premier arts and crafts festivals in the state, the Estes Park event typically receives more than 150 applications.

A description and photos of the work proposed for exhibit will be juried by a committee. Artists who submit their application prior to Feb. 28, 2022 will be considered first as the first jury round is scheduled for March 2nd Submissions after February 28 will be judged at later dates based on availability of art mediums. Final application deadline is June 16.

For more information about the show, see https://estesartscrafts.com/. Applications and artisan details are available at https://www.zapplication.org/event-info. php? ID=10854

Solitude Cabins and Lodge is now hiring for: Full time Property Caretakers

Position Requirements:

• Experience in Hospitality 2 years preferred

• Supervise Daily Operations of property

• Background in Light Maintenance

• Computer Skills required

• Excellent phone skills

• Background in Rezstream Software or similar PMS

• Must have good written and verbal skills

• Knowledge of surrounding area helpful

• Will require some on-call time during off hours

Please send Resumes to: Solitude Cabins and Lodge, 1885 Sketch Box Ln #7, Estes Park, CO 80517 or send resumes to steve@solitudecabins.com

Position may include housing. Housing can be discussed during the interview process.

Please submit a current resume with complete work history. Solitude Cabins and Lodge will contact applicants via phone or email to schedule interview.

JOIN OUR TEAM!

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

Full-time

Civil Engineer I - II (term limited)

Code Enforcement Officer

Emergency Services Dispatcher I - III

Events Maintenance Worker I

Mechanic I – III

Police Captain Police Officer I – III

Utility Field Specialist

Visitor Information Assistant I (part-time) Water Superintendent

Seasonal

Community Service Officer

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

yMCa OF THe rOCKieS

2515 Tunn e l ro a d est e s P ar k, Colo ra do, 80511

De l ivery Ma n ager

Responsible for all catering and refreshment deliveries at YMCA of the Rockies – Estes Park Center. This includes customer service, training, and supervising relevant staff. $15.84 - $18.81/hour with full benefits, childcare assistance, and employee perks. www.wo r k i nth er ock ie s.o rg

We are looking for

Line cooks, servers, dishwasher. Weekends and Holidays availability. Flexible hours. Call 970-502-8761

Other Employment Opportunities

Are you looking for something that is a calling rather than a job? Good Samaritan offers many opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others. If you want more out of your work than just a paycheck…check out our employment opportunities at www.good-sam.com. All training provided, QMAP qualification paid for, great benefits!

VOLUNTEERS

More than 40 percent of seniors report regularly experiencing loneliness. Good Samaritan Estes Park Village senior living community offer socialization, meal programs and wellness/activity programs to combat loneliness, gently supporting our residents that nurture their body, mind and soul. One of the ways we want to enhance this is through our volunteer program. We will pair seniors with friends in the community who can share their interests and offer companionship.

If you are looking to make a different in the lives of others, contact the Good Samaritan Estes Park Village. (970) 577-7700 ext 200 and ask for Irene.

Now hiring

Tire Technician Perform tire related and light automotive services. $15 - $20/hr depending on experience. Flexible time off options, at cost vehicle repairs. Valid drivers license required. Apply in person at 1633 Raven Ave or call (970) 586-8085 or email office@estestireandauto.com.

Attention Musicians

Shepherd of the Mountains

Lutheran Church is looking for a musician (organ and/or piano) to provide musical leadership to the congregation during Sunday morning worship. For more information, email us at ron.bockhaus@smlcestes.org.

Silver Saddle Inn

Now hiring:

Front Desk Clerk

Evenings required, Full time $17/hr - $20/hr DOE, Benefits Must be non-smoker.

Maintenance

Full time

Apply in person: 1260 Big Thompson Ave. or email resume: info@estesresort.com

Full-time year-round benefited Head Lifeguard

Want to work in a team environment and have an opportunity to develop new skills? We are looking to add to our Aquatics team. In addition to lifeguarding at the indoor Recreation Center pool, there will be opportunities to teach swimming lessons or learn about the technical aspects of keeping the pool in good working order. Accepting applications for those already lifeguard certified or we will provide training and certification to someone who enjoys the water and wants to become certified.

Full-time year-round benefited

Custodian/Maintenance Apprentice

Interested in learning about building maintenance at a state-of-the-art facility? We are looking for someone that will help us keep the Recreation Center clean and maintained while having the opportunity to learn about building maintenance.

To learn more about these positions and apply on-line go to evrpd.com. Estes Valley Recreation and Park District is an equal opportunity employer.

NOW HIRING

Apply at 854 Dunraven Street, Estes Park CO 970/586-1085

mtnvalleyestes@gmail.com

Rocky Mountain Conservancy Finance/Accounting Associate

Seeking a responsible person with accoun ng and finance experience to assist with bookkeeping, cost accoun ng, accounts receivable/payable, audi ng and budge ng, taxes, credit card machines, financial reports and financially-related errands.

 Full- me with benefits (32 - 40 hours)

 $23 – $26/hour plus benefits

 Requires broad knowledge of general accoun ng, cost accoun ng, bookkeeping, general ledger, journal entry, finance, payroll, audi ng, and budge ng

Requires competency with accoun ng so ware; Financial Edge knowledge preferred

 Supremely detail-oriented, professional, with excellent wri en and oral skills required

 Independent, mo vated, a problem-solver and adaptable are a plus

See full posi on descrip on on our website before applying Email cover le er and resumé, and any ques ons to:

Opportunity@RMConservancy.org

RMConservancy.org

NOW HIRING

Kingswood Home Services provides Home Improvement services, including remodeling, repairs and maintenance. We are currently looking for a Home Improvement Project Manager to join our team.

HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECT MANAGER

• Meet with potential clients and prepare a project estimate.

• Organized and be detail oriented.

• Must have strong working knowl edge in residential remodeling.

• Coordinate all activities related to the project.

• Schedule and maintain clear communication with the client, crews, suppliers and subcontractors.

Send your resume to info@kingswoodhomeservices.com

I

Responsible for providing care from children 6 weeks to 1.5 years old. Must meet State of Colorado qualifications for a group leader of a child care center. $21$23/hour with full benefits and employee perks.

www.w or kin t h ero cki es . or g

Stop by and see us or call us at 970-586-6066

Rocky Mountain Conservancy Retail Warehouse Worker

Seeking a team player to work with the Conservancy’s retail team in warehouse opera ons in RMNP.

 Part me; year round; $19 – $19.50/hr

 Assists with warehouse opera ons, pricing and product delivery

 Receives and stocks merchandise, large boxes and pallets, displays at 12,000 elev.

 Opera on of vehicles - clean MVR required

 Knowledge of inventory quality control a plus

See full posi on descrip on on our website before applying Call 970-586-0121 for applica on informa on & ques ons; to apply, e-mail: Opportunity@RMConservancy.org

RMConservancy.org

TRANSPORTATION RENTALS RENTALS SALES SALES SERVICES

Duplexes

Duplex Apartment for Rent. One bedroom, one bath, close to town. Utilities included. NS, NP. $1200/mo. with lease and deposit. Available 3/1/2023. (970) 586-4175.

Commercial Rentals

OFFICE SPACE For Rent 970-290-4488

Room/Roommate

Room for Rent. Call Maria 970-342-4076

Room/Roommate

$1,500 month, Mountain Home in Estes Park. Must be a dog lover and we will pay for dog sitting when needed. Lower floor with windows, private entry, private bathroom, refrigerator, microwave, television, living room, closets and bedroom with California King, fully furnished. Seeking a NonSmoker, drug free tenant with good references. We have three dogs. ericjlund@outlook.com

Trailers/Campers

Piano Tuning

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

www.estesparkpiano tuner.com

Estate Sales

Estate Sale!

Glen Haven, Feb. 18, Saturday, 9:00 am until all is sold.

Location: 39 Memory Lane (off of Hummingbird Hill Road)

Estate Sales

Estate Sale

Feb. 11-1:00-5:00PM, Feb. 18- 8:00AM12:00PM 2310 Spruce Ave Estes Park

27’ Interstate Trailer.

$6,900.00 OBO

Randy 970-215-7198

SERVICES

Sewing/Alterations

Remixed Custom Sewing Services. NEW LOCATION!

RV Cushions, outdoor furniture, benches, leather and Industrial Repair.

Call for appointment

970-492-5446

REAL ESTATE

Commercial Commercial Spaces for sale and lease. Call Eric. Anderson Realty. 586-2950

Items include: Various antiques, tools, furniture, misc. garage items, books, misc. art supplies, purses, toys, children’s chairs & chalkboard desk, teddy bears, huge variety of baskets. Vintage women’s clothes, most never worn, & hats (lots of hats!).

Items from Red Hats

Antique furniture, collectibles, books, kitchenware, garage cabinets, tools and much more.

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

rglibby@msn.com Estes Park, CO APPLIANCES

WENDYS

970-586-4418

www.aspen-eyecare.com

600 S Saint Vrain Ave - Suite 5

•equipped to evaluate macular degeneration, glaucoma and cataracts

•same day appointments for eye pain and emergencies

•referral access to specialized surgeons & advocacy for the best care

•full service optical for specialized eyewear

970-586-4315

“After