Estes Park News, March 10, 2023

Sky Dance Over Lake Estes

We might expect hawks to be one of the kings of the air, but other birds (such as this raven), regularly harass them. This behavior is a defensive tactic called mobbing.

Photos by Jim Ward

5,700 copies were printed this week, and distributed FREE to hundreds of Estes Valley locations including Allenspark, Glen Haven & Lyons.

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

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Editor: Kris Hazelton

Operations Manager: Andrew Donaldson ads@estesparknews.com

Office Manager: Tim Buck office@epnews.com

Press releases: kris@estesparknews.com

Estes Park Museum And The Duck Race Team Up

The Duck Race season is now open and the Estes Park Museum Friends & Foundation, Inc. is paddling fast. New Board members Nina McGibney and Christy Crosser are waddling together to make this the best Duck Race fundraising event yet for the Friends & Foundation, supporting the Estes Park Museum through fundraising and advocacy. With hopes that all members will join in for a swimming success, there will be periodic updates meeting the goal of adoption by esteemed and generous Museum members. Goal: adopt 137 Ducks to raise over $3,000 for the museum.

For every $25 duck adopted, $22 will support the museum. Want to purchase more than one duck and better your odds to win a prize? Adopt a Quack Pack: pay for five Ducks and get the sixth duck for free! Grow additional adoptions by sending this link to your flock of friends or family members with encouragement to support the Estes Park Museum Friends & Foundation! For more information or to adopt ducks, please visit the Duck Race website at epduckrace.org.

Reading Into Apologies: A Book Discussion Hosted By Restorative Justice

By: Estes Valley Restorative Justice Partnership

Has an apology ever left you feeling confused, or worse? Conversely, have you noticed feeling a sense of relief and restored relationships after apologizing? Or, are you one who finds it difficult to apolo gize? Would you appreci ate gaining insight into what makes an effective apology and how to deliver one?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, perhaps you would enjoy reading ‘Why Won't You Apologize?’ by Harriet Lerner. It is one of the books in Estes Valley Restorative Justice Partnership’s (EVRJP) Little Lending Library, and it is the first title EVRJP is offering for a community book discussion.

The book is full of insightful information that will help you craft a meaningful apology and decode apologies that are blame-reversing, ambiguous or downright mean. The author shares compelling stories that illustrate how much the simple apology matters and why we so often mess it up. In addition, she takes us through heroic apologies that

can open the door to forgiveness and healing in even the most difficult circumstances.

Interested? If so, EVRJP has a limited number of copies of the book available for loan. Visit our Restorative Justice Little Lending Library — generously grant-funded by The Village Thrift Shop — located in Town Hall, Suite 204, to check out a copy. While not required, it is helpful to arrange a time to stop by. You can reach EVRJP staff by phone or email at 970-577restorativejustice@estes.org to schedule a visit. Then join us for stimulating and informative conversation that could enhance your ability to repair harm and relationships by participating in a facilitated book discussion on April 19, 2023, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the EVRJP office suite, located in Town Hall at 170 MacGregor Ave, Suite 204. Registration is not required. Light refreshments will be provided.

To learn more about Estes Valley Restorative Justice Partnership, visit www.estes.org/restorativejustice.

Thank You For Celebrating Pieter Hondius

The Estes Park Museum wants to thank all the community members who sent birthday cards to the Museum to celebrate Pieter Hondius Jr. as he turned 100 years old on February 10, 2023. The museum received nearly 150 birthday cards that were delivered on his birthday. Additionally, Gary and Lisa McFarlane thank all those who attended Pieter's birthday party. It was a

great way to show him the community’s appreciation for all he has done for Estes Park.

Reserve space: Monday by 4:00 pm

Final submissions: Tuesday by Noon Classifieds: Deadline Wed. by Noon

2023 Parking Permits And Map Now Available

Parking permits for the 2023 summer season are now available for registration and/or purchase. Parking permit options are below, and the complete listing of all 2023 permit offerings and registration information can be found at www.estes.org/parking.

Local 60-Minute: This free permit is available to all locals who reside in the Estes Park School District. Current Local Permit holders (those who registered in 2021 or 2022) have been automatically renewed for the 2023 permit and do not need to take action unless they have changed vehicles, would like to add a new vehicle to their account, or have a different license plate. Permit accounts may be updated accordingly at thecarpark.com or by calling 970-591-2577. Permits continue to be issued based on license plate numbers, so windshield stickers are no longer issued or needed.

Input Requested: To better accommodate local access to downtown during the busy summer months, the Town is considering increasing the amount of free daily parking provided to Local Permit holders from 60 minutes to 2 hours. To comment on this potential change, please email epinfo@thecarpark.com.

Employee Convenience: Anyone who owns a business or property and/or works downtown is eligible to purchase this permit. Annual fee: $40 per permit. Discounts are available for those who purchase five or more permits.

Overnight Downtown Resident: Available to those who live downtown and do not have access to private parking. Annual fee: $35 per permit.

Overnight Downtown Rental/Commer-

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

On 3/01/2023 at 2:39 p.m. police contacted a 43 year old male driver from Estes Park in the 1100 block of Woodstock Drive for a traffic violation after being called in as a potential drunk driver.

On scene, the male was arrested and charged with failure to register as a sex offender, DUI, driving while license under restraint, failure to present evidence of in-

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 26, the Estes Valley Fire Protection District

cial Lodging: Available to those who own, operate or manage a rental unit/hotel room/lodging property downtown and do not have access to private parking for their guests. Annual fee: $40 per permit.

Commercial Loading: Anyone who works or conducts business in the downtown core (as defined by the Town of Estes Park's Commercial Downtown (CD) zoning district). Annual fee: $80 per permit

Volunteer: This free permit is available to any business, organization or governmental entity that offers uncompensated employment or volunteer opportunities in the downtown core.

As a reminder, all Town permits are firstcome, first-served and purchasing or registering for a permit does not guarantee a specific space nor that a space will be available.

The 2023 paid parking season will begin on Friday, May 26, and end on Sunday, Oct. 22. Daily parking rates in eight paid areas will remain at $2.00 per hour between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Free parking will still be available in the Parking Structure located at 691 N. St. Vrain/US 36 and in 11 parking areas located throughout the downtown core. Parking is also free before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m.

Vehicles displaying a valid Americans with Disabilities Act, Purple Heart, or Disabled Veteran placard or license plate always park for free, in any available space.

The Town’s 2023 Parking Map – which includes full details about all public parking options – can be found online at www.estes.org/parking. Questions can be directed to The Car Park by emailing epinfo@thecarpark.com or calling 970591-2577.

surance and a turn signal violation. He was transported to the Larimer County Jail.

On 3/03/2023 at 7:00 a.m. police were called to the 400 block of Wonderview Avenue when a 29 year old female from Greeley, CO refused to exit a vehicle after getting picked up hitchhiking. The female was found to be wanted on a warrant for a misdemeanor traffic offense. She was arrested and transported to the Larimer County Jail.

(EVFPD) responded to 5 calls for service.

This included:

• Alarm Activation: 2

• Search: 1

• MVC: 1

• Fire: 1

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Darla Sidles: A Steadfast Partner

Last week I read in the Trail Gazette about the approaching retirement of Darla Sidles as Superintendent of Rocky Mountain National Park. After finishing the article, as I put the paper down on my lap, thoughts about Darla’s efforts on behalf of the townspeople of Estes Park began engulfing me.

I recalled how as mayor, my first encounter with Darla was via Zoom in May 2020, when she participated in a Town Board meeting. She attended to brief the trustees and me about the new procedures related to COVID-19 at RMNP being put in place. I distinctly remember the concern she conveyed for the safety of the people in the park and the town and the considered way she answered questions from the trustees and me.

Soon after, I was participating with Darla and others in an evaluation of the Emergency Action Plan for the Lily Lake Dam. Through a table top exercise we were taking up the possibility of the dam breeching, with Estes Park being in the direct path of its water. As we considered every conceivable scenario, some more bleak than others, Darla made sure concern for the safety and well-being of Estes’ townspeople was at the forefront of our conversations and resulting plans. Later that summer, as the Cameron Peak and East Troublesome wildfires were expanding, Darla and my paths began crossing again. It was on September 6, during the first of what would be many briefings she and teammates provided for officials of Grand Lake and Estes Park about the threat posed by the East Troublesome Fire. I heard the refrain from Darla that I’d heard earlier that year— safety of the townspeople and visitors is a primary concern. I heard it then, and during every subsequent briefing. Never did Darla waiver, not once. In fact, I saw her concern expand with the expansive nature of the fire. Then, during the night of October 23, 2020, when exploding fireballs, careened over the tundra and set the eastside of RMNP afire, I experienced Darla’s concern expand massively. The

next day, as fires were moving through RMNP and toward Estes Park, I saw Darla help push a plan forward for saving the people of the Estes Valley from likely disaster. With the firefighting and an evacuation underway, I said a prayer of thanks for Darla…her dedication, strength and heartfelt efforts to keep so many safe. I said the prayer again, when, evacuation over, people returned home… with houses still intact.

In the days since the wildfires, Darla and my interactions have thankfully been less stressful. Such is the case at the ribbon cutting ceremony held annually atop Trail Ridge Road in early June, the official opening of the park that re-connects the communities of Grand Lake and Estes Park. And such is the case when I joined Darla for citizenship ceremonies in RMNP. Although I certainly appreciate the significance of the briefing, ribboncutting and citizenship events, on a much deeper and personal level I’ve grown to see and appreciate the way Darla engages with officials, citizens-tobe and others prior to, during and after events. Her genuine smile and kind demeanor puts people at ease and makes them feel comfortable. I know, because she often has had that effect on me in the nerve-wracking moments before I step up to speak. The thoughtful and heartfelt manner in which she speaks, gives extra meaning and import to the words she shares. I know, because I embrace her every word. Darla’s safety-is-a-primaryconcern approach to preventing and managing crises is a lesson and an inspiration for all leaders. I’ve taken her lessons to heart and work to pay forward the inspiration.

Thank you Darla. You’ve been a steadfast partner for Estes Park and me. I will miss, but not forget you. I look forward to when our paths cross next.

At the apex of Trail Ridge Road, Superintendent Darla Sidles joins Estes Park Mayor Wendy Koenig and Grand Lake Mayor Steve Kudron to cut the ribbon and officially open Trail Ridge Road for 2022. Kim Swift RMNP Lead Director, John Crone Grand Lake Town Manager and Jody Shadduck-McNally, Larimer County Commissioner join in.

Darla Sidles, Superintendent of Rocky Mountain National Park, welcomes Ivanka Trump to the park.

Estes Park Celebrates 2023 Women Of Impact

This event was made possible by Bank of Colorado, with support from Colterris Wine, and Tivoli Brewing A special meet, greet, and celebrate the inaugural Women of Impact took place last Wednesday, March 8th at The Barrel.

“Estes Park has a long history of prominent women leaders that continues today. Bank of Colorado is proud to support these local Women of Impact, who make our community a better place. We’re grateful to have the opportunity to recognize them publicly and say “Thank you”, says Ryan Bross, SVP, Bank of Colorado.

“We believe Women of Impact connect, encourage, engage, and enable positive change by inspiring actions that move our community forward, not only when they are actively engaged in a project or event, but also through living their lives with passion and purpose and embracing changes that innovate us for the future,” said Colleen DePasquale, Executive Director, Estes Chamber of Commerce. Tune into the Estes Chamber on Instagram to read more about each woman, throughout the month of March.

The 2023 Women Of Impact Are: Amy Hamrick of Kind Coffee, Rut Miller of EVICS, Val Thompson of You

Need Pie!, Cathy Alper of League of Women Voters, Julie Pieper of Mama Rose's/Poppy's, Caitlin Nave of Estes Park School District, Breeyan Edwards of First Colorado Realty, Judi Smith of Signs and Wishes, Helen Hahn of Alpenglow Images & Accents, Mary Banken of American Legion+, Vanessa Solesbee of the Town of Estes Park, Harriette Woodard of Bank of Colorado, JoAnn Batey of Historic Stanley Home & Education Center, Nicole Gassmann of Bank of Estes Park, Teresa Mueller of Mueller of Pye & Associates, Diane Muno of the White Orchid, Barb Marshall (retired organizational entrepreneur), Darla Sidles of Rocky Mountain National Park, Stacy Huyler-Fisher of Estes Valley Board of Realtors, Carissa Streib of Simply Christmas, Christina Kraft of Bank of Colorado, Melissa Westover of Westover Construction, Cato Kraft of Estes Park Nonprofit Resource Center, Julie Abel of Signature Home Team, Laura Shepard of the Estes Park Fire District, Town Trustee Kirby Hazelton, Courtney Hill of YMCA Rockies, Lisa Foster, Claudine Perrault of the Estes Valley Library, and Mayor Wendy Koenig-Schuett. Congratulations and thank you to all of these amazing women who make our community so very special.

Mark Your Calendars: Frozen Dead Guy Days

Icebreaker Kickoff And Ribbon Cutting

Start the festival weekend off right at this free event

Frozen Dead Guy Days is just around the corner, marking the dawn of a new era for festivals and musical events in Estes Park. And on Friday, March 17 at 4 p.m. the community is gathering to celebrate the start of it all.

Mayor Wendy Koenig will kick off the event with a ribbon cutting ceremony, followed by a “cracking of the first can” of the official Frozen Dead Guy Days beer by Nick Smith of Lumpy Ridge Brewing and a toast to Grandpa Bredo by John Cullen of The Stanley Hotel.

The Icebreaker Kickoff will start soon after. You can rock out to a free show by Chain Station and A-Mac & The Height and grab food and drink from the surrounding food trucks. The show lasts until 7 p.m., so plan to make an evening of it!

County Commissioners Jody Shadduck-McNally and Kristin Stephens, Town Trustees, and Visit Estes Park Board of Directors will be in attendance to congratulate the numerous partners who have worked so hard to make this event a success, including: Partners

● The Stanley Hotel

● Lumpy Ridge Brewing

● Estes Park Police Department

● Estes Valley Fire Protection District

● Town of Estes Park

● Bosco Consulting & Production

● Estes Park Nonprofit Resource Center

● Estes Park News

● Estes Park Trail Gazette

● Rocky Mountain Channel

● Rocky Mountain Transit

● Estes Park High School

● Visit Estes Park

Bands & Bloodys Brunch Locations

● The Bull Pin

● The Dunraven

● Latitude 105 Alehouse

● The Post

● Bird & Jim Restauant & Bar

● Brunch & Co

● Cousin Pat’s Pub & Grill

● The Barrel

● Avant Garde Aleworks

● Lumpy Ridge Brewing Events

● Coffee on the Rocks

● Lumpy Ridge Brewing

● Avant Garde Aleworks

● The Barrel

● Historic Park Theatre

● Cousin Pat’s Pub & Grill

● Lonigans

● You Need Pie Diner & Bakery

● Munchin House

● Wear Me Out T’s & Awesome

Shirtworks

● Pirate Face Productions

● The American Legion

Coffin Race and Frostbite Fashion Show Judges

● Mayor Wendy Koenig

● Sean Jurgens

● Nick Mollé

● Patti Brown

● Kris & Gary Hazelton

● Val Thompson

Lodging Packages

● Best Western Plus Silver Saddle Inn

● Blue Door Inn

● Rams Horn VIllage Resort

● Colorado Cottages

● Estes Lake Lodge

● Fall River Village Resort

● Mountain Village at Lake Estes

● YMCA of the Rockies

● Murphy’s Resort

● Murphy’s River Lodge

● Windcliff Luxury Vacation Rental Homes

● Quality Inn

● The Stanley Hotel

● The Rustic Acre

● Rocky Mountain Hotel & Conference Center

● The Ridgeline Hotel

● Solitude Cabins & Lodge

● River Stone Resorts & Bear Paw Suites

● Valhalla Resort

● Taharaa Mountain Lodge

Special Offers

● Kep Expeditions

● Shop & Sell Estes Park

● Mustang Mountain Coaster

● Trendz at the Park

● Kind Coffee

● Antonio’s Real New York Pizza

● The Old Fashioned Candy Store

● Vert CoWorking

● Autumn Savannah Photography

● Elements of Touch Wellness Spa

● You Need Pie Diner & Bakery

● Inspired Artisan Market & Studio

● Good Bull Guided Tours

● The Bull Pin

● The Qi Lounge Wellness Spa

Curious about the rest of the festival? Check out FrozenDeadGuyDays.com for information on events happening on Saturday and Sunday.

Estes Park Health Board Of Directors Approves May 2 Ballot Measure

Ballot measure does not raise taxes

On Thursday, March 2, the Estes Park Health Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve Resolution 23-01 which approves a ballot measure to be voted upon by registered voters in the Park Hospital District May 2. The ballot measure – which would not raise taxes – would authorize the Board to enter into a multiple year financial obligation that would be part of any affiliation agreement.

Estes Park Health is in discussions with other healthcare organizations about enhanced affiliation. Approval of this ballot measure in May would enable these discussions to move forward to agreement.

“We believe increased affiliation with a larger healthcare organization will occur at some point in the future,” said Estes Park Health Board Chairman David Batey. “Estes Park Health leadership is taking an active role in negotiating a future affiliation that accomplishes our goals. We remain committed to providing excellent health care services that will address our community’s health care needs for years into the future.”

Ballot Language

The ballot language is as follows:

“Without imposing any new tax or increasing any tax rate, shall Park Hospital

District, doing business as Estes Park Health, be authorized to enter into one or more agreements, constituting a multiple fiscal year financial obligation within the meaning of Article X, Section 20(4)(b) of the Colorado Constitution, with one or more nonprofit healthcare providers concerning the ownership, operation, and maintenance of all or any portion of the District’s hospital and other healthcare and related facilities and assets, including the lease or other conveyance from the District of real and personal property, and to pledge all or any portion of the District’s revenues pursuant to such agreements?”

EPH Board of Directors election is also May 2

Six people are running for three seats on the Estes Park Health Board of Directors on the May 2 ballot.

Incumbent Board members Steve Alper and Bill Pinkham are running for re-election.

Four other people from the community are also on the ballot to win one of the four-year terms on the board. Those self-nominated candidates include Cory Workman, John Meissner, Todd Nardi and Brigitte Foust.

For more information about the ballot issue, log on to May 2023 Board Election - Estes Park Health (eph.org).

See also page 30 for a Q & A.

An Update On Rocky Mountain National Park

Join the League of Women Voters of Estes Park at their Learn with the League program on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.

The meeting will take place at the American Legion Hall, 850 N. St. Vrain Ave.

Speakers for the meeting will be Darla Sidles, Superintendent for RMNP and Kyle Patterson, Management Specialist/Public Affairs Officer for

They will discuss the timed entry program, construction projects around the Park especially at the Fall River entrance and on the West Side for ranger housing, and other summer plans. The Superintendent will be retiring in June so this is your opportunity to thank her personally for the great job she’s done over the past seven years.

This meeting is free and open to the public. All are welcome. Bring a friend.

Coming to Frozen Dead Guy Days: Newly-Dead® The Game And Film Screenings

Two popular elements of Frozen Dead Guy Days are coming to Estes Park, Colorado for the 2023 festival: Newly-Dead® The Game and the humorous documentary, “Grandpa’s in the Tuff Shed.” Gail Rubin, CT, The Doyenne of Death®, who previously presented these activities in Nederland, is bringing both to the newlyrelocated festival, March 17-19, 2023.

Newly-Dead The Game is like the old TV game show, The Newlywed Game. Couples are quizzed on how well they know their partner’s last wishes. The four questions get progressively more challenging and award more points. The couple that gets the most answers right receive the most points to win the game. Prizes will be awarded to all participants, and couples could be featured on YouTube!

Two sessions of Newly-Dead The Game will be held on Saturday, March 18 at the Estes Park Events Complex, 1125 Rooftop Way, Estes Park, CO. The games will take place in the Pavilion Building at 1:45 to 2:15 p.m. and 3:30 to 4:00 p.m. Couples can sign up in advance to participate at Barn W, where “Grandpa’s in the Tuff Shed” is being shown. This is a free activity as part of ticketed access to the festival.

Gail Rubin, a pioneering death educator who puts the “fun” in funeral planning, created the Newly-Dead game specifically for Frozen Dead Guy Days. She debuted the game in 2011 and has returned almost every year until the pandemic shut down the festival in 2020. Learn more about the game at https://agoodgoodbye.com/to-diefor-shopping/the-newly-dead-game/.

“In 2010, I was transfixed by a national TV news story about Frozen Dead Guy Days – the coffin races, the whole crazy scene. I swore I would be a part of it the next year. Creating Newly-Dead® The

Game was my way to get involved. Showing the documentary about the Frozen Dead Guy came a year or so later,” said Rubin.

Rubin will also show “Grandpa’s in the Tuff Shed,” a 1998 documentary by awardwinning filmmaker Robin Beeck. It tells the strange but true story of how Norwegian Bredo Morstoel became the Frozen Dead Guy and a resident of Nederland. His grandson, Trygve Bauge, a colorful character in Boulder and Nederland in the 1980s and ‘90s, his mother Aud, and local witnesses are the key players in this delightful 26-minute film.

“Grandpa’s in the Tuff Shed” will be shown at the Estes Park Events Center Barn W on Saturday, March 18 from noon to 5:30 p.m. as part of the festival. It can also be seen on Sunday, March 19 from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Lonigans Grill Pub, Saloon & Nightclub, 110 West Elkhorn Avenue. This is a free event. Food and drink are available for purchase at Lonigans.

Festival attendees can register for a prize drawing of fun funeral-related items at event locations on Saturday and Sunday.

Prizes include eco-friendly cremation products from Passages International as well as T-shirts and books from Gail Rubin. The winner’s name will be drawn and notified after Frozen Dead Guy Days. Registrants need not be present to win.

These game and film presentations are sponsored by Steps After Life. Steps After Life helps families with an online concierge who works directly with each family to swiftly resolve matters after a death. Their website is www.StepsAfterLife.com.

For tickets and the latest information about Frozen Dead Guy Day events, visit www.FrozenDeadGuyDays.com.

It doesn’t really matter what we think of Daylight Saving Time. It will continue to come and go each year until the House passes a bill that will have us spring forward in March and then never fall back again. The Sunshine Protection Act, which would have us perpetually exist in DST, was passed by the Senate in 2021 but when the bill got to the House, our representatives were a tad distracted with some little virus that got in the way of everything else going on in the entire world, and there the bill stalled, and now it has expired. If the bill is resurrected and passed, it will still be awhile before it is enacted. One reason is that airlines will need time to adjust their flight schedules to accommodate the change. (Not that that will make a difference in on-time arrivals and departures.)

So for now, relax and enjoy the “clock chaos” of springing and falling twice a year. Since we’re still having to deal with the upset of our circadian rhythms, here is list of clock-setting guidelines to help us through the time-travel trauma:

• Smartphone: Leave it alone to do its magic

• Sundial: Move one house to the right

• Oven: You'll need a Masters in Electronic Engineering, or a hammer

• Car radio: Not worth it, wait six months.

A 2022 poll found 61 percent of Americans would prefer to put a stop to the herky-jerky clock adjustments twice a year. The problem is in deciding whether to keep their hands set at Standard Time or Daylight Saving Time. I can’t tell you which is the more popular choice because all the studies and polls I looked at had vastly different results. I can tell you I prefer Standard Time, for whatever that’s worth. (About what you paid for it.)

Poet Robert Louis Stevenson wasn’t very fond of how the daylight hours taunt us as spring turns into summer and the clock gets confused about when

nighttime arrives. He wrote this clever little poem, “Bed in Summer,” in 1885, before Daylight Saving Time was a thing:

In winter I get up at night And dress by yellow candle-light. In summer, quite the other way, I have to go to bed by day.

I have to go to bed and see The birds still hopping on the tree, Or hear the grown-up people's feet Still going past me in the street.

And does it not seem hard to you, When all the sky is clear and blue, And I should like so much to play, To have to go to bed by day?

I remember the long summer days when our mom would stand on the front porch and holler out her kids’ names, Ne-ed! Pa-at! Sar-ah! beckoning us home before dark. I reluctantly left the game of Ghost in the Graveyard and turned toward home, climbed into bed still itchy and summer sweaty, and listened to the neighbor kids still running around outside, calling “Not It!” and “All ye, all ye, income free!” I wished dark would come so they would all have to go home too!

Reminder: Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday, March 12. Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead. The time change occurs at an obscene middle-ofthe-night hour when you are most likely in bed, fast asleep, or at least wishing you were sleeping. Why can't we move the clocks ahead on Saturday afternoon around 4:00?

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

© 2023 Sarah Donohoe

Museum Program: Sisters Of Courage

Dave Lively is a well-known local historian, Certified Interpretive Guide and Certified Tour Guide with knowledge and passion for the region. He has volunteered at Rocky Mountain National Park for over 12 years conducting Ranger-led history walking tours. For any questions, please contact Curator of Interpretation, Mikaela Fundaun, mfundaun@estes.org.

EVFPD - Minutes Matter

To The Editor:

When I was in middle school, my family had a kitchen fire that nearly destroyed our home. Fortunately, the response time of the local firefighters was expedient, and they were absolutely incredible professionals. Luckily, our home was saved but we had substantial damage to our kitchen and dining area. We had to pack up and move out for nine months while the home repairs were done which was a major upheaval for my family and me.

I remember three things from that family crisis:

1. The brave and dedicated men and women who firefight are superheroes and so many are volunteers!

2. Watching our home burn and smoke was the most emotionally helpless and devastating feeling. May you never encounter such a disaster with your home or business. 3. I distinctly remember hearing the fire captain say, “If we needed two more minutes to get here, this home would have burned to the ground.” Minutes matter!

We never got a bill for their incredible professionalism saving our home and please ponder that for a minute – how fortunate we are that firefighters do not charge for their service calls, unlike

everyone else! In other words, firefighters need robust community support to serve the community!

I proudly serve on the current Estes Valley Fire Protection District (EVFPD) as one of your Board of Directors and write to seek your support for the upcoming ballot question to augment our current extraordinary volunteers, District’s facilities and equipment, and an increased focus on Community Risk Reduction! I am 100% convinced our District leadership and the incredible corps of volunteer firefighters are doing all in their power to make us safer – they know those minutes matter! Let us help them help all of us to be safer – to better protect our lives, homes, visitors and businesses. Please go to this website for more information and learn about “defensible space” around your home and businesses: Prevention - Estes Valley Fire Protection District Please assess and mitigate your home and neighborhood to make sure there is no easy fuel for a spreading fire! Lastly – please join me in thanking all our firefighters for their expertise, volunteerism and dedication!

Sincerely, Brian Tseng

MD/PhD

401(K) Door Opens For Small-Business Owners

Are you a business owner who wants to offer a retirement plan to your employees, but you’re stymied by the costs involved? If so, you may be interested to learn about some interesting new legislation.

Specifically, as part of the SECURE 2.0 Act, if you have 50 or fewer employees, you can now claim a startup credit covering 100% of the costs of opening and administering a 401(k) plan, up to $5,000 for each of the first three years of your plan.

The new SECURE Act may also provide your business with a tax credit based on employee matching or profitsharing contributions. This credit is capped at $1,000 per employee and phases out gradually over five years.

One more provision of the SECURE

Act allows employees to choose Roth contributions for their matching or non-elective 401(k) contributions. This means they can eventually take tax-free withdrawals of the contributions and earnings if they meet certain conditions.

The ability to offer a retirement plan can help business owners who want to attract and keep good employees. And the SECURE 2.0 Act may make it easier for you to achieve this goal.

This content was provided by Edward Jones for use by Derek Vinge, Edward Jones financial advisor at 501 Saint Vrain Lane, Suite 202, Estes Park, CO, (970) 586-9078 and Mark Purdy, Edward Jones Financial Advisor at 1186 Graves Ave. Estes Park, CO, (970) 5869969. Member SIPC

Wildlife Responder Available To Help

Knowledge, experience, skills to assist and educate individuals with and about wildlife encounters/situations. Specialty is elk, deer, bears, mountain lions. Part of Rocky Mtn. Cat Conservancy Research. If you see a kill site, call asap, or if you want more information or help with a wildlife situation, call Jayne the “Bear Lady” at 970-685-8756.

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.

Community Invited To YMCA International Dinner

YMCA of the Rockies will host the popular International Dinner on Monday, March 27 at 5 p.m. in the Assembly Hall. All are welcome to attend the free event and share in the night of international food and fun! The YMCA international exchange staff will present different dishes of the cuisine from their countries and give everyone the chance to travel across the world through delicious meals and cultural sharing. Information will be shared about their flag, traditional customs, culture, language, and so much more. This is a great opportunity to experience the food and cultures of different countries in one evening!

Estes Park Health Marks National Employee Appreciation Day

Like It!

Friday, March 3, is National Employee Appreciation Day. At Estes Park Health, we salute our more than 300 employees who help keep the residents of the Estes Valley and our many visitors healthy!

Kim is in her 14th year working for EPH. She currently works as the Coffee Shop/Gift Shop Operator and is often the first person people encounter when they arrive at EPH.

Before running the coffee shop, Kim also worked as the unit coordinator of the med/surg unit, in the main kitchen

and at the Living Center. Our thanks to Kim for all of the help and support she provides to our patients, guests and the rest of the staff.

Cathy is the Outpatient Care Coordinator. She is in her 12th year as an EPH employee. She works tirelessly to make sure our patients who come for outpatient care are getting the attention and respect they deserve.

National Employee Appreciation Day was launched in 1995. It’s a commemoration that is gaining strength in the U.S. and other countries.

Kim Ramacher and Cathy Martin, MA.

How To Slam A Story: A Workshop By The Fine Arts Guild Of The Rockies

Storytelling is an art, and spinning a good yarn live on stage adds a layer of spontaneous fun to this art form. In a Story Slam, storytellers share a personal narrative about their lives, related to the theme, live on stage. The Fine Arts Guild of the Rockies (FAGR) is hosting its first Story Slam at the Historic Park Theatre on April 1st at 7:00. The night’s theme will be Spring: Lose Those Winter Blues

To help would-be storytellers, we have some guidelines and suggestions to help prepare for this storytelling event.

Know Your Story! Your story must be your story; you are the protagonist and hero describing your own actions. Your story must be true. While you should not aim to memorize your entire story verbatim, you should have the framework down pat so that you can play with it and have fun on stage. Nothing is more painful—for the storyteller or their audience—than watching someone panic when they cannot remember what to say next.

What’s Your Why? All stories require investment by both the storyteller and the audience. If there’s no why to your story, it lacks buy-in. Why does your story matter to you? For that matter, why does it matter to your audience? If your story lacks a strong purpose, a stake in the outcome of your story, then it is hard for your audience to connect and to root for you in that outcome.

Hook Your Audience—and Let Them Go. Develop a strong first line that captures your audience’s attention from the onset. A strong first line sets up the story and suggests something about the storyteller. It could clearly state the predicament, begin in the middle of the action, frame the action, set the tone, or reveal the storyteller’s personality. Similarly, to

end a story successfully, know the ending of the story so the audience leaves with a sense of finality to your story. What conclusion has your story been building to? What is the last line and last thought the audience should come away from your story thinking about?

Wrap up your theme with a thoughtful, funny, or heartwarming conclusion. Follow the Rules. Your story must be on theme. You may not use notes or props. You must tell your story within five minutes. Your story must not include hate speech, racism, homophobia, or misogyny, or political tirades. On the night of the Story Slam, if you are ready, throw your name in the hat for a chance to tell your story live on stage.

Want even more help so you are confident when you slam your story? Come to a storytelling workshop hosted by FAGR at the Estes Valley Library on March 15th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Rachel Beth Cunning, a board member of the FAGR, will conduct this workshop designed to help you understand story slams, brainstorm your story, and leave better prepared to tell your own stories. Cunning has published 14 books in Latin (yes, Latin!), and as a former teacher, she understands the value of spontaneous storytelling to enthrall an audience. She earned her B.A. in Creative Writing and her M.S.Ed. in Second Language Acquisition from the University of Kansas.

This workshop is free and open to the public. If you are interested in attending to improve your storytelling, whether you tell that story live on stage or over a cup of coffee with a friend, please register at the Estes Valley Library. We hope to see you there—and, of course, at the Story Slam itself.

Sweet Dogs And Puppies Looking For Foster And/Or Adoptive Families

Bella is a seven month old, 60 pound puppy that loves everyone and dogs too! She is very playful and also crate trained. Bella is ready for her new home.

Mama Rosie is about four years old. She was found on a highway with her young puppies (shown below). She does well with other dogs and is a sweet girl. She loves to go for walks and is great on a leash.

Mama Rosie’s puppies, Piper, Pepper and Parslee are three adorable black shepherd females. They are almost eight weeks old and are ready to be separated from each other so they can grow and learn. We are looking for

permanent homes or foster homes and they will be ready 3/17 for adoption. We think they will be about 70 lbs. when grown.

Cinnamon is about five years old. She is friendly, playful and housebroken. She also enjoys being a couch potato. 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.

Author & Illustrator Yuyi Morales Visits Estes Park Elementary School

On Friday, March 3, over 400 school district and homeschool students, teachers, librarians, parents, and other community members were treated to a visit with acclaimed children’s book author and illustrator Yuyi Morales.

Morales gave a warm and vibrant presentation about her book, Bright Star, a mixed-media love song dedicated to the borderlands, and to the people, the plants, and the animals that call it their home.

Melanie Kozlowski, Early Literacy Librarian at the Estes Valley Library, commented, “Yuyi was unique in her presentation style of focusing on one book. A child doesn’t often get the experience of focusing on one story or one art piece for an extended period of time. Yuyi masterfully holds space and engages children to focus on that story and relate their own experiences and ideas into it.”

When Morales shared about her personal experience as an immigrant, children who moved from Nebraska to Colorado sweetly voiced that they fell in the same category. A few others shared, “I’m

from Mexico” and “I was born in Ukraine.”

Dozens of students got Morales’ autograph, many of them carrying two or more of her books, thanks to Macdonald Book Shop. Her works include Dreamers, Niño Wrestles the World, and Viva Frida, which received the 2015 Pura Belpré Medal for illustration as well as a 2015 Caldecott Honor.

“I find children’s authors to be amongst the most kind, thoughtful, and creative people,” added Kozlowski.

This winter, three award-winning authors have visited our community, thanks to the generous support of the Estes Valley Library Friends & Foundation and the Estes Park Woman’s Club. Nearly 1,000 Estes Park residents have enjoyed these adult, teen, and children’s author visits.

Learn more about the Estes Valley Library’s visiting author programs or about how to become a member of the Library Friends & Foundation at estesvalleylibrary.org.

Mama Rosie

Bella

Cinnamon

Puppies as they traveled to EP.

What’s Happening At The Estes Valley Library

WINTER HOURS

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

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

Sundays, 1-5 p.m.

MAKER-MARCH

All programs take place in the Makerspace

Open Crafts: Cricut & Handmade Cards

Friday, March 10, 10 a.m.-4:45 p.m.

Restock your stationery supply: use the Cricut cutter and embosser, paper puncher, edging scissors, and more to make custom cards.

Learn the 3D Printer

Saturday, March 11, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

For ages 15 and up. Sign up at estesvalleylibrary.org.

Open Crafts: Unfinished Objects

Sunday, March 12, 1-4:45 p.m.

Repeated Sunday, March 19, 1-4:45 p.m.

Check an item or two off of your to-do list: use the tools and supplies in the Makerspace to sew a button on a shirt, mend a tear, glue pottery back together, or whatever else you’ve been meaning to wrap up.

Open Crafts: Magnet Making

puter. For adults and teens.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Sign up at estesvalleylibrary.org

Range and The Sports Gene: Author Talk with David Epstein

Monday, March 13, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., online

Learn about the difference between generalists and specialists, and how to cultivate your own efficiency. Presented with the Library Speakers Consortium.

Southern Inspired: Author Talk with Celebrity Chef Jernard A. Wells

Tuesday, March 21, 2-3 p.m., online Hear from Jernard A.

Wells: chef to the stars, cookbook author, and creator of inventive recipes that remix the traditional flavors and classic dishes of Southern food.

Dust Child: Author Talk with Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai

Friday, March 24, 6:30-8 p.m., Hondius Room

Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai, author of 2022’s One Book One Valley, will share about her new book, Dust Child, scheduled for release on March 14. Presented in partnership with Macdonald Book Shop (copies available for preorder).

ALL AGES

Young Chautauqua Performances

Sunday, March 12, 2-5 p.m., Fireside Theater

A Workshop with the Fine Arts Guild of the Rockies

Wednesday, March 15, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Hondius Room

Build your storytelling skills! This workshop, led by Fine Arts Guild board member Rachel Beth Cunning, will cover “story slams, ” or open-mic storytelling competitions.

Creative Business After Hours

Wednesday, March 22, 4-6 p.m., Makerspace

Explore Makerspace tools that can help your business thrive. Bring your logo and make name tags, tote bags, magnets, and more. Presented in partnership with the Larimer Small Business Development Center.

TEENS & KIDS

Sign up at estesvalleylibrary.org

Make a Clay Pie

Tuesday, March 14, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Makerspace

Drop in and celebrate National Pi(e) Day by fashioning mini polymer clay pies into earrings, a necklace, or a keychain!

Makerspace Crafternoon: Crochet a Bee

Wednesday, March 15, 10 a.m.-7:45 p.m.

We’ll bust out the button maker so you can create magnets for your fridge, locker, or car trunk.

Open Crafts: Family Tree

Thursday, March 16, 10 a.m.-7:45 p.m.

Complete your family tree using a genealogical chart and free access to Ancestry.com.

Open Crafts: Cameo Silhouette & Water Bottles

Friday, March 17, 10 a.m.-4:45 p.m.

Use the Cameo Silhouette and adhesive vinyl to make stickers for your water bottle. (Water bottles are limited; bring your own if you’d like!)

Learn the Laser Cutter

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

For ages 15 and up. Sign up at estesvalleylibrary.org.

Open Crafts: Wood Burning

Monday, March 20, 10 a.m.-7:45 p.m.

Use the handheld wood burner on a natural tree slice to create an ornament, coaster, or other decorative piece.

Open Crafts: Jewelry

Tuesday, March 21, 10 a.m.-7:45 p.m.

Add an accessory to your spring outfits and make a unique necklace.

Arduino Basics with Dr. Senser

Thursday, March 23, 4:30-6 p.m.

Learn how to program a simple com-

Watch historical figures come to life! This performance will include depictions of Claude Monet, Jacqueline Kennedy, Alice Austen, Lizzie Magie, Aline Griffith, and Nancy Wake.

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 Library. Schedule your appointment at estesvalleylibrary.org or by calling 970-5868116.

Wildlife Window Nature Series: Why Grasses, Trees, & Shrubs Matter

Tuesday, March 14, 5-7 p.m., Makerspace

Bzz! Get into the spring spirit by crocheting a tiny bee.

Artwork Wednesday: Candle Making Wednesday, March 15, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Makerspace

Experiment with different art mediums and styles as you craft your own candles. Solder a Spinning Top

Tuesday, March 21, 5-6 p.m., Makerspace

Learn how to solder, then take home your own spinning top. For ages 10 & up.

KIDS & FAMILIES

Library Storytimes

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

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

Storybook Explorers: Sat., March 11 at 11:15 a.m.

Pajama Storytime with Nancy Bell: Wed., March 15 at 6 p.m.

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

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY FOUNDATION

Cliffhanger Used Books

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

Estes Valley Library & Estes Park Museum Partner With Dave Lively To Present “Sisters Of Courage”

Imagine living in the late 1800s and starting your life over. You can’t just Google your next home, Zillow a new house, or Zoom an interview for a new job. Instead, you leave the city of Denver on foot, traverse Berthoud Pass, and attempt to create a successful business in a hostile environment in the Rocky Mountains.

This is the story of Kittie and Annie Harbison. Buffered by the Civil War, Westward Expansion, and the Panic of 1893, the Harbison sisters abandoned their family’s cosmopolitan lifestyle and headed west to build a dairy ranch in Grand Lake.

Monday, March 13, 4-5:30 p.m., Hondius Room & online

Learn about connections within local ecosystems by understanding the diversity of grasses, trees, and shrubs that grow in Colorado. Presented by Naturalist Kevin Cook.

How to Slam a Story:

On Saturday, March 18 at 1 p.m., head to the Estes Park Museum Meeting Room for the largely untold story of this ordinary family who led an extraordinary life leading up to (and beyond) the development of Rocky Mountain National Park. “Sisters of Courage: The Harbisons” will be presented by local historian and direct descendant of the Harbisons, Dave Lively.

Dave Lively is a Certified Interpretive Guide and Certified Tour Guide with

unsurpassed knowledge of and passion for the Rocky Mountains. He has volunteered at Rocky Mountain National Park for over 12 years conducting Ranger-led history walking tours.

The presentation is free and open to the public. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided. Registration is requested and can be completed at estesvalleylibrary.org.

This program is made possible thanks to collaboration between the Estes Valley Library and the Estes Park Museum. Learn more by visiting estesvalleylibrary.org and estes.org/museum.

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED?

The upcoming festival, Frozen Dead Guy Days, gives us a chance to think about what will ultimately happen to each of us and how we would like to be remembered. The Bible reminds us that “It is appointed unto man once to die”, so we know that our death is inevitable…unless the Lord comes first. Most of us are blessed with bodies that will last many years. Recently, as I looked at a toddler jumping around, I was reminded that that child will probably live to be ‘threescore and ten years…or even fourscore’, says Psalms 90:10. And many, including me, will live even longer. However, we will die and what then? As a preacher, I have asked people to ponder that question in view of their eternal destiny…because we will have one…heaven or ‘outer darkness’, with all that each portends for us.

However, in view of the local celebration, it causes us to ask ourselves how we want to be remembered. Would Bredo Morstoel have predicted…and chosen…that his death would be remembered by thousands of people, dozens of years later, by coffin races, a ‘Polar Plunge’, ‘Frostbite Fashion Show’, ‘Brain Freeze’ and ‘Frozen t-shirt’ contests, special events at the Mustang Mountain Coaster and Stanley Hotel, and events scattered throughout Estes Park? Who knows? But it does give us a chance to think about how we would like to be remembered once we are gone.

I’m not downplaying the activities of next week, simply reminding us that we each have some part in deciding what goes on after we are gone. As a counselor and minister, I’ve always encouraged people to have a significant say in determining what goes on once they have passed away. Our society wisely urges us to make preparations for our health issues, by appointing a ‘Medical Power of Attorney’ person, and, for our finances, a ‘Financial Power of Attorney’ appointee. However, there is more that we can do. It helps if we, even during days of good health, write our own obituary. Each of us knows more about our life than anyone else, so put together an obituary that others can edit or add to before submitting it to the newspaper. There are so many details that must be faced by mourning loved ones that this will take one important thing ‘off their plate’.

Incidentally, talking about obituaries, what do you know about Bredo Morstoel… except that his body has been ‘preserved’ all these years by dry ice’, at the behest of Trygve Bauge, his grandson, and Trygve’s mother, Aud? Let me give you a few more details. Bredo was born in Norway in 1900 and died about 1989…being brought to the U.S. after he passed. He married a woman named Anna, had two daughters…one of whom was Aud…spending most of his life as head of the Parks and Recreation Department in Norway. He loved fishing, hiking, skiing, and painting. His story…and the resulting celebrations…are listed among the ‘Legends of America’.

As I was thinking about our upcoming festivities, appropriately, perhaps, I came across a special on the Egyptian King Tut (Tutankhamun), the energies that were taken to find and excavate his mummified body and the many things that are done to display and celebrate his life. Again, I wonder if that is what he would have wanted, as we think of all the trouble that was gone to, to thoroughly hide his tomb?

And, now back to us. What do you want done to your ‘earthly tabernacle’ after you are gone? As I was thinking about the ‘frozen dead guy’, I remembered hearing a poem by Robert Service in my high school days in Canada, entitled ‘The Cremation of Sam McGee’ Sam McGee was a native of Tennessee, freezing to death looking for gold in Alaska and requested that his body be taken back to the south. After he died, his partner discovered a wrecked boat on Lake Labarge, lit it on fire, and…as he described it…“The Northern Lights have seen queer sights, and the queerest they ever did see, was the night on the marge of Lake Labarge I cremated Sam McGee.”

Now, after going many directions in this article, let me close by returning to my original question: ‘How would you like to be remembered?’ And that will be quite evident by the way that you live. I hope that the eulogy, the pictures that are displayed, the words spoken and the music played, and all about your service, will show a life well lived, a life that is a glory to yourself, your family, and your God. And a life that will live on in heaven.

Bob Lewis

When we were in South Dakota, there was not a trace of snow except in the higher elevations. Yes, it was cold but after being home for two weeks I need to re-evaluate my version of cold. We were very fortunate. The day that we left they got hit with the same weather we have been enduring since October. Anyone who has lived in Estes for a length of time as I have, will assure you newcomers that this is not our normal winter. I think this has been the snowiest and coldest of any I have encountered.

I mentioned some of our fun days when in Redding, Mount Rushmore for example. I forgot to tell you that we went pawn hopping. That was really a fun day. Have any of you gone pawn hopping? You see the oddest stuff people pawn and some of the most interesting and beautiful objects. There was one shop in particular where things were not pawned, but rather bought outright and then sold to the general public. I was in heaven seeing all the clocks, jewelry and fine objects for sale.

I was saved from extravagance when I spied a gorgeous diamond bracelet. It was reasonably priced, considering its beauty and diamonds, but still expensive. Oh, how I wanted that bracelet! I do not know who the original owner had been, but she must have been a rather large individual (or a man). When I tried on the lovely thing, it was so large it slipped off my wrist and hand. I am not a petite person. I was saved from my own foolishness!

For awhile, I thought my purchasing an air fryer was a foolish purchase. It just sat on the shelf and stared at me. It dared me to use it. What could it do any better than my other appliances? Reading through one of my many cooking magazines I found an interesting recipe than was for the air fryer. My family loves

pepper poppers and here was a recipe for them using an air fryer. It was calling my name in capital letters. After making and serving them, Marie and I decided to leave out a few ingredients and add some ingredients of our own. Hope y’all like them, and you can always use the oven.

Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers

Pre-heat 400 degrees, bake 10-12 minutes.

6 jalapeno chiles, halved length wise with stems intact and ribs and seeds removed.

¼ tsp. salt

4 oz. grated sharp cheddar cheese or Monterey jack

4 oz. softened cream cheese

1 green onion thinly sliced

¼ tsp. garlic powder

1 Tbs. minced fresh cilantro

2 tsp. cornstarch

6 slices bacon halved crosswise

Place peppers cut side up and sprinkle with salt. Mix the rest of ingredients, except the bacon, until combined. Stuff each half of pepper with about 1 tablespoon of cheese mix. Wrap peppers with bacon making sure the ends overlap on the bottom side of pepper. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. This can be done the day before up to 24 hours ahead. Arrange peppers in single layer in air fryer basket. Depending on size of appliance it made take cooking in batches. Cook until peppers are tender, and bacon is crisp.

My bacon never was crisp, but it was cooked and crisp around the edges. My email: esther.cenac@gmail.com Bon Appétit.

Peak To Peak Concert Series Presents Local Vocals This Saturday

March 10 - March 16

The Peak to Peak Concert Series presents the popular “Local Vocals” concert, featuring performers living in the Estes Valley. The all-star lineup of singers this year includes Scott Anderson, Melissa Westover, Bob Gunn, Denise Stookesberry, Nancy Bell, Steve Tice and Geoff Clark. Michelle Gergen Weiser is providing the piano accompaniment. All performers choose their own music, so it will be an eclectic mix of opera, a little Broadway, and some folk/pop. There is

something for everyone at this concert!

The concert will take place this Saturday, March 11th at 2 p.m. at the Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church, 2000 Ptarmigan Trail Drive. There will be a reception to meet and greet the musicians following the concert. The Local Vocals concert is free, although donations are accepted and benefit the Estes Park Oratorio Society.

For more information, go to www.osep.info/peak-to-peak.

March Student Appreciation Program At EPHS

Jack Stegeman 10th Grade

Congratulations to Jack Stegeman, the Estes Park High School Student of the Week for March 10, 2023.

Jack is the son of Jay Stegeman and Andrea Thomas.

At EPHS, Jack plays football where he has earned his varsity letter. He loves to workout. His favorite class is CAD.

Outside of school, he loves to go fishing and work on building projects.

TDS Telecom has designed a program called “TDS Student Appreciation Program” to reward High School Students who are making efforts to keep their grades up. Any student having a GPA of 2.50 or greater can apply online with the school. The high school then draws 16 lucky winners each drawing (four students from each grade) and these students get a $25 gift card. In Estes Park, TDS gives away a $25 gift card for Inkwell & Brew coffee shop. Also, students get a $10 gift card for Macdonald Book Shop.

The total giveaways are worth $2,000 in a school year. TDS fulfills its social responsibility by giving back to the community that we serve and encourages students to keep their grades up and get rewarded for it.

TDS Student Appreciation Program (TSAP) had its award ceremony on March

7, 2023.

List of winners:

Name Grade

Bella Capo 10th grade

Courtney Barron 10th grade

Mackenzie Ciccone 10th grade

Madison Fraley 10th grade

Alejandro Regalado Flores 11th grade

Brayden Betts 11th grade

Kyan Jellesma 11th grade

Isabella Putman 12th grade

Olivia Shirk 12th grade

Reese Thompson 12th grade

Rienne Steckline 12th grade

Isaac Hill 9th grade

James Hocker 9th grade

Matthew Harding 9th grade

Michael putman 9th grade

Willow Manning 9th grade

Have You Seen This Guy?? ...Of Course You Have!

You probably recognize Johnny D. (John DeForest), one of our local UPS delivery drivers. John is soon to retire from UPS after nearly 32 years of service to the Estes Valley.

In the last three decades, John has forged friendships with so many Estes citizens. He has picked up and delivered your packages with a hello and a smile. And Estes folks have reciprocated his friendly service with wonderful Christmas and birthday gifts throughout the years. He is an unforgettable presence in this community, and Estes will miss him very much.

John's last day with UPS is March 17th. Please share your well wishes for John by signing this on-line card, and by saying ' thank you and farewell' the next time you see him.

See the web address below to sign his card.

You can sign his retirement card here: us.grouptogether.com/FarewellJohn

A place where Jack loves to travel is to his yearly camping spot at Lake Minatare in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.

His favorite quote is “Shake and Bake” by Ricky Bobby because he says, he likes to go fast.

The best piece of advice he’s ever received is, “Sometimes it’s better to do what you wanted to do in life and fail, then to regret it later.”

When asked what he plans to do after high school, Jack said, “I don’t have a set plan yet, but I have a couple of things I would like to do. One

being I plan on going to a trade school or starting my own company, specifically in the construction business. The number one thing I plan on doing when I’m done with high school is to live a happy and fun life.”

Estes Park Senior Citizens Center Menu

March 13—17

Monday, Mar 13 Chicken Alfredo w/ Pasta, garlic bread & side salad

Tuesday, Mar 14 Beef Pot Roast w/ Rice, gravy & vegetables

Wed., Mar 15 Smothered Chicken (6 oz) (topped w/ mushrooms, green peppers & onions) w/ Roasted Potatoes

Thursday, Mar 16 Bleu Cheese Bacon Burger w/ 3-Bean Salad

Friday, Mar 17 Corned Beef & Cabbage

March 20 – 24

Monday, Mar 20 Stuffed Meatloaf (w/ broccoli, bacon & cheese) w/ Mashed Potatoes, gravy & vegetables

Tuesday, Mar 21 Roasted Herb Chicken w/ Roasted Potatoes & cottage cheese

Wed., Mar 22 Pizza Burger (topped w/ pepperoni, mozzarella cheese & marinara sauce) w/ Pasta Salad

Thursday, Mar 23 BBQ Pork Ribs (4) w/ Baked Beans & coleslaw

Friday, Mar 24 Shrimp Basket (8 fried) w/ Homemade Chips & 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, Mar 13th, you need to call before 1:00 PM on Friday, Mar 10th. 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

The Elizabeth Guild Thrift Shop Is Ready For Spring!

The Elizabeth Guild doors are open again and lookin’ great!

After a brief closing to do some maintenance work, the Guild is open for business. Customers will enjoy the newly arranged floor plan, beautiful displays throughout the store and the colorful rugs on the freshly painted floor. Come

see for yourself.

If you get inspired to refresh your closet, redecorate your home or prepare yourself for outdoor activities this Spring, visit the Elizabeth Guild! The Guild is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00-3:00, located at 427 W. Elkhorn.

Don’t forget the Elizabeth Guild is always looking for new items for the store. Drive your donations to the back of our building during store hours and ring the bell at the bottom of the stairs for assistance. Please be sure that your items are clean and in good condition. If you have any questions, please contact The Elizabeth Guild at 970-586-7205.

Estes Park Health Donates To Project C.U.R.E.

Equipment will help patients and doctors in other countries

On Friday, March 3, volunteers from Project C.U.R.E. (Commission on Urgent Relief and Equipment) based in Denver traveled to Estes Park to pick up donations from Estes Park Health. EPH donated birthing beds, infant cribs, phototherapy lights, bedside cabinets and many disposable supplies from the former Birth Center and other departments.

Project C.U.R.E. is a nonprofit humanitarian organization that distributes donated medical equipment and supplies to resource-limited communities across the globe. Project C.U.R.E. is proud to say it, “touches the lives of patients, families, and children in more than 135 countries.”

Passing on what can be re-used fits in well one of Estes Park Health’s core values: stewardship.

“Many healthcare facilities use Project C.U.R.E. to donate equipment and supplies,” explained Alena Lunkwitz, Director of Materials Management at Estes Park Health. “They have absolutely amazing volunteers. They do wonderful work every day. It is great that we are able to donate supplies and equipment to a good cause instead of just sending it all for recycling.”

About Project C.U.R.E.

Project C.U.R.E. was founded in 1987 to address the staggering shortage of medical

resources around the world. Since our humble beginnings in a garage in Colorado, Project C.U.R.E. has become the world’s largest distributor of donated medical supplies, equipment and services to doctors and nurses serving the sick and dying in more than 135 countries.

Sunrise Rotary Invites Charitable Organizations To Apply For Funding

The Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary (EVSR) invites proposals from charitable organizations in the Estes Valley for grants to support programs and projects (programs) to benefit the Estes Valley community.

To apply for funding, complete and submit the grant application at bit.ly/3xLATHI no later than March 31, 2023.

For more information please email estessunriserotary@gmail.com.

Estes Park Health donated birthing beds, infant cribs, phototherapy lights, bedside cabinets and many disposable supplies to Project C.U.R.E.

Photo courtesy: Estes Park Health

Many parts of the world, like this clinic in the city of Adaba in the Oromia region of Ethiopia, cannot afford the medical equipment they need.

Photo courtesy: Project C.U.R.E.

1433 Vista View Lane $1,295,000

• 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!

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY!

iii has been “inhancing” the image of Estes Park businesses and organizations for over 26 years. It can be buttons or badges, patches or pens, blankets or bottles, clothing of color, logos and labels. You need it customized then iii is the place to go. Need a special hat – see iii. Engraved glassware – see iii. Need a heat transfer – see iii. Need embroidery – see iii. $142,500

Free Community Folk And Gospel Concert And Singalong, March 14

Join

Mountain Music

concert. You and your loved ones are all invited to participate in the singalongs and enjoy the musical event. This concert is open to people of all ages and will take place on Tuesday, March 14th from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. at the Estes Park Senior Citizens Center (EPSCC) located at 1760 Olympian Ln. Don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity to experience great music in the company of friends and family.

The Mountain Music Makers are a local instrumental and vocal ensemble, specializing in original song arrangements and original local songs. The eight members of the ensemble are Song Director Cleone Beall on keyboard and vocals, Mary Powers on accordion, banjo and vocals, Dana Burke on violin and vocals, Ed Ellingson on harmonica, Diane Weyl on guitar and vocals, Millie Miller on guitar and vocals, Sonja McTeague on percussion and vocals, and John Wray on vocals.

The Mountain Music Makers perform a variety of music at local venues through-

out the year. If you are interested in having them perform at your upcoming event, private or public, contact Sonja McTeague at sonjamcteague@gmail.com.

Attendees are welcome to eat lunch while attending the presentation. Bring your own lunch or pre-purchase a hot lunch by ordering the day before. The meal on Tuesday will be beef pot roast with rice, gravy, and vegetables. The cost of a meal is $7 for EPSCC members and $10 for non-members. You must order your meal before 1:00 p.m. on Monday, March 13. Become a member of the EPSCC for just $30 per year and take advantage of lunch discounts and all of our great programs. For more information about the EPSCC or to order a meal for the concert, 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.

Abbey Pontius Broker

Eric Blackhurst Broker Associate

Pianist John Wolf To Perform At March 18 Peak To Peak Concert

The Peak to Peak Concert Series presents John Wolf, classical pianist, on Saturday, March 18th, 2:00 p.m. at Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church, 2000 Ptarmigan Trail, Estes Park. The Peak to Peak Concert Series is sponsored by the Oratorio Society of Estes Park and highlights local musicians. Concerts are free and open to the public, but donations are appreciated. The concert will be followed by a reception to meet and greet the musicians.

John’s performance will begin with Bach’s keyboard masterpiece, the Italian Concerto. In this well-known piece, the exuberant outer movements frame a plaintive lyrical second movement. The next work is the first complete public performance of the Sonata for Flute and Piano by Robert Charles Howard. Writ-

ten in 2018, this piece is composed in a neo-classical style, based on traditional forms and harmonies, but with clever structural changes and colorful harmonies. The energetic first movement is both playful and lyrical. The second movement has bursts of emotion erupting from a calm background, and the third movement rondo is like a folk-dance, but in an irregular meter. The composer will be performing the flute part.

After intermission, Mr. Wolf will play Mozart’s Sonata in Bb Major, K. 333. A three-movement work, this sonata is concerto-like in conception and is heavily influenced by Mozart’s love of Italian opera. The final two pieces are from Iberia, a suite of 12 pieces by the Spanish composer, Isaac Albeniz. This important work was written from 1905 to

Bianca Bismark Joins Re/MAX Mountain Brokers

RE/MAX Mountain Brokers

is thrilled to announce that Bianca Bismark has joined their growing real estate franchise. Bianca began her career in real estate in 2022 as an assistant to the Broker Owner, Kirk Fisher. She recently obtained her real estate license in 2023 and has now joined the renowned Peggy Lynch Team, where she will work alongside Kirk.

Bianca has been an integral part of the Estes Park community since she moved to town with her parents over 40 years ago. She graduated from Estes Park High School (Go Bobcats!) and is proud to be a Colorado Native. Bianca's unique perspective on the history, culture, and natural beauty of the area has given her a deep appreciation for what Estes Park has to offer.

Bianca is passionate about providing exceptional service to her clients, and she is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest trends, regulations, and technologies in the real estate industry. Her attention to detail ensures that work is done accurately and efficiently, and looking out for the client's best interest is

her top priority. Bianca has always been above the crowd with her work ethic so RE/MAX Mountain Brokers was the perfect fit!

You will recognize Bianca from somewhere in Estes Park over the years, be sure to say hello!

Reach out to Bianca at (970) 646-3742 or via email at biancabismark21@gmail.com

1909 and is highly impressionistic in sound. The individual pieces evoke the landscape, culture, dance, and vocal style of various regions of Spain.

John Wolf developed a love for the piano and classical music at an early age, after receiving piano lessons for his eighth birthday. He continued pursuing his musical studies in college, earning a Bachelors of Music in piano performance and music literature at Southwestern University, studying under Artist-in-Residence, Drusilla Huffmaster; and a Masters of Music in piano performance and pedagogy at SMU, studying under Al Mouledous. He has performed in solo recitals, as an accompanist, and as a soloist with the Southwestern Sinfonietta and Dallas Civic Orchestra. After graduation, Wolf pursued a career in public education and continued to teach piano privately. He was a sought-after accompanist for talented high school band, string, and choral students in San Antonio and Dallas for many years.

Wolf retired to Estes Park, Colorado in 2020 to immerse himself in mountains and music. He attends the Rocky Ridge Adult Piano Seminar on Longs Peak Road annually and is currently studying piano under the guidance of Hsing-ay Hsu, a concert pianist in New York City. He also plays regularly in masterclasses given by David Korevaar, Larry Graham,

and Sergio Gallo. Wolf is active with the Boulder Amateur Piano Society and Rocky Ridge Music, and is giving a joint recital on March 16th with tenor, Andre Garcia-Nuthmann, in Broomfield, Colorado. This is his first recital in Estes Park.

Robert Howard is well-known in Estes Park as the director of the Oratorio Society of Estes Park, a member of the Emerald Lake Quartet, and a private teacher. Prior to coming to Estes Park, Robert was a Faculty member at Merimec Community College for 31 years, where he conducted orchestra and chorus and a conductor for the Belleville Philharmonic orchestra. Robert has his B. A. from Eastern Michigan University and a M. M. in Composition from Michigan State University, having studied composition with H. Owen Reed. Robert began composing in high school. Robert’s compositions include: Gateway Orchestra (performed by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra), Horizons (commissioned for the Missouri All-State Orchestra), Journey of Discovery, a cantata written for the centennial of Lewis and Clark’s expedition, and Wilderness Reflections, composed for the centennial of Rocky Mountain National Park.

240 South Court

$595,000 | Totally updated cottage

Welcome to 240 South Court, a classic cottage in a highly desirable neighborhood close Lake Estes and endless recreation! This home has been completely updated with all new roof, siding, windows, electrical, heating & interior finishes, offering the best of both worlds ‐ a piece of history with modern amenities. Two bedrooms and a spa‐like bath, lots of storage in the kitchen and the living room opens to the huge back patio... Outside, you'll find a peaceful and inviting atmosphere with fully fenced back yard. 1‐car garage, storage shed and bonus art studio/office space completes the package. Conveniently located near trails, Lake Estes for fishing & kayaking, schools, shopping & dining. With its classic character and modern updates, this picture‐perfect Estes Park cottage is move‐in ready at $595,000!

CHRISTIAN COLLINET

970-231-8570

Estes Park Rotary Supports Local Boys And Girls Club

The Rotary Club of Estes Park (“Noon Rotary”) presented a check to Todd Myren of the Estes Park Boys and Girls Club (BGC) to cover the cost of new iPad headphone adapters, headphones and headphone splitters. With the new equipment, BGC Director Todd Myren says, “The headphones and audio equipment will be promptly put to use in implementing fun and engaging activities that teach kids the basics of technology in our ever-advancing world. We would like to thank Rotary Club for their generous donation to our kids in the program.”

Boys & Girls Clubs in Estes Park provides a safe, fun, and affordable place for elementary school-aged kids to go during out-of-school hours. Their programs include opportunities for academic enrichment, art & music education, social-emotional learning, fitness & athletics, social recreation, and more.

The Boys and Girls Club meets at Estes Park Elementary School from 3:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and is open to students ages 6-18. Currently 45 students are enrolled, and there is a waiting list for the popular program.

Last week there was some extra excitement at the club, when 6th grader Samantha Monga was named Junior Youth of the Year for all of Larimer County. She was honored for her speech at the Youth of the Year Competition in Fort Collins where she spoke about the impact the club has had on her, as well as for the positive influence she’s had on her friends in the club.

The funds provided by the Rotary Club

of Estes Park came primarily from sales of the Friendship Card, a local discount card with over 70 participating Estes Park merchants offering discounts on food, merchandise, and services. Cards are available to the general public for $10 and are sold throughout Estes Park. Proceeds from sale of Friendship Cards are used by the Rotary Club of Estes Park for community grants and other worthwhile Rotary projects in the Estes Valley. Proceeds are not used for club expenses. For more information, please contact epfriendshipcard@gmail.com. Learn more at: www.clubrunner.ca/estespark.

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May 2, 2023 Ballot Measure 8A Questions & Answers

Q: If I vote for this ballot measure, will I pay more in taxes to the Park Hospital District?

A: No. Neither the tax rate nor the amount of taxes you pay will go up.

Q: Why is the ballot up for a vote on May 2?

A: This election can only be held on certain dates. If this ballot were not up for a vote in May 2023, the next election dates would not be until November 2023 or November 2024. The timing of this vote is important.

Q: Why is the timing of this vote important to the future of Estes Park Health?

A: The timing of this vote is important to the future of Estes Park Health because it would authorize the Estes Park Health Board to enter into a multiple year financial obligation that would be part of any affiliation agreement. The Board is currently in discussions with major health care organizations to decide if enhanced affiliated with one of these systems would secure excellent medical care close to home for people who live in the Estes Valley. Such a deal could infuse much-needed support for EPH to serve the community for decades to come.

Q: Who can vote on this ballot measure?

A: Registered voters who live in the Park Hospital District can vote on this ballot measure.

Q: Will I be receiving a ballot by mail?

A: Yes. The ballot will be sent out in the mail. The packets will be mailed Monday, April 10, 2023 through Monday, April 17, 2023.

Q: Can I vote in person on election day?

A: Yes. On election day, May 2, 2023 the polls will be open continuously from 7 a. m. to 7 p. m.

Q: Will the board member election be on the same ballot?

A: Yes. There are six people running for three open slots on the five-person Park Hospital District Board. Steve Alper and Bill Pinkham are running for re-election. The four self-nominated candidates from the community are Cory Workman, John Meissner, Todd Nardi and Brigitte Foust.

Q: What happens if the ballot measure fails to pass?

A: Failure to pass the ballot measure will not change Estes Park Health’s commitment to providing excellent medical care to the community. However, if the measure fails, the EPH Board will not be able to negotiate a deal with a larger health system for enhanced affiliation. The next time this measure could be voted on again – if the EPH Board decided to put it up for a vote again –would be November 2023 or November 2024. That lag in time could be detrimental to the closure of an affiliation deal.

For more information about the ballot issue, log on to May 2023 Board Election - Estes Park Health (eph.org).

Jim Whiteneck delivering the check for Boys and Girls Club. Courtesy photo

Help The EPH Foundation And EPH Hospice By Buying Ducks

You can support a healthy Estes Park by participating in the 2023 Estes Park Rotary Festival Duck Race. This fun community event will take place on May 6.

By adopting ducks, your money will go to support an organization of your choice. We hope you will consider sponsoring ducks for Estes Park Health Hospice and the Estes Park Health Foundation.

Ducks are $25 each with $22 going to the organization of your choice. If you buy five ducks, you will get one free (6 ducks = $125).

To buy ducks to support Estes Park Health Hospice, go to EP Health Hospice – Estes Park Rotary Duck Race Festival (epduckrace.org).

To buy ducks to support the Estes Park Health Foundation, go to EP Health Foundation – Estes Park Rotary Duck Race Festival (epduckrace.org).

The money raised through these efforts will help fund important health care initiatives right here in our community!

About Estes Park Health Hospice

Estes Park Health Hospice Care offers a

multidisciplinary team approach to working with individuals and families to care for anyone with a life-limiting illness. The hospice team includes the patient, family, medical director, nurses, social worker, aides, volunteers and chaplain. We hold contracts with pharmacies and medical equipment suppliers to adequately meet patient needs. Additionally, bereavement counseling is available for up to 13 months after family members have lost a loved one. For more information about our services, please call 970-586-2273.

We believe in supporting our patients and their families by providing physical, emotional, social and spiritual care before, during and after death.

Hospice Care enables our patients to have control over how they can live their days in comfort and dignity, surrounded by those they love. With effective symptom management and palliative care, patients and their families are able to focus on their quality of life.

About the Estes Park Health Foundation

Since 1986, the Estes Park Health Foundation has been partnering with Estes Park Health to engage the community and obtain philanthropic support. The Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and led by staff who are committed to ensuring the health of residents of the Estes Valley.

About Estes Park Health

Estes Park Health is comprised of skilled, compassionate caregivers. We are a critical resource in our mountain community, providing the full spectrum of care for our friends, neighbors and visitors, from pediatrics to geriatrics. With a persistent dedication to patientfocused care, we continue to score high on key measures in patient satisfaction surveys. Estes Park Health was founded in 1975 as the Elizabeth Knutsson Memorial Hospital per a tax subsidy voted on by the citizens of Estes Park. Today, more 18,000 patients—residents and visitors alike—see our healthcare teams for both outpatient and inpatient services.

Help Support Partners With Duck Race Tickets

Partners is participating in the Estes Park 2023 Duck Race Festival. Please consider adopting a duck or ducks. For each duck purchased at $25, $22 will go to Partners. Another option is to adopt a quack pack for $125 (five ducks with the sixth duck free).

You do not need to be present at the Duck Race to win. 2023 prizes coming

soon at www.epduckrace.org/prizes/

To purchase a duck to support Partners mission and the youth, families and volunteers we serve, visit: adopt.epduckrace.org/products/partners.

To learn more about Partners please visit https://poweredbypartners.org

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

Photo by Jim Ward

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.

Give The Gift Of Yourself!

Do you enjoy spending time with youth? Do they keep you laughing? Do you like engaging in fun activities? Partners needs adult volunteers as mentors and activity volunteers. Several youth in Estes Park and the surrounding communities are patiently waiting for a positive adult to spend time with and have fun with. Give the gift of yourself!

Youth Mentoring:

What: Matched with one youth, build a trusting relationship

How: Spend time weekly, do activities you both like, set and pursue goals

Where: Out in the community, at your homes, and/or in schools

Activity Volunteers: Help transport and engage Nexus Youth in our monthly activities to give them new opportunities

For more information about Partners go to our website: www.poweredbypartners.org, call 970577-9348, or email kwhitacre@poweredbypartners.org

¿Usted disfruta de pasar el tiempo con niños, niñas y adolescentes? ¿Se divierte con ellos? ¿Usted disfruta de involucrarse en actividades divertidas? Partners está en constante búsqueda de Mentores y Voluntarios de Actividades. Una gran cantidad de niños, niñas y adolescentes en Estes Park y sus alrededores están pacientemente es-

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.

perando por Mentores para compartir y divertirse. ¡Sea usted el regalo!

Ser un Mentor/a

¿Qué es?: Se le involucra con un niño, niña o adolescente para forjar una relación de confianza

¿Cómo?: A través de pasar tiempo juntos semanalmente en actividades que ambos disfruten

¿Dónde?: En la comunidad, en tu casa y/o en las escuelas.

Ser un Voluntario de Actividades: ofrece tu tiempo para transportar y participar de las actividades mensuales que ofrecemos para los niños, niñas y adolescentes que están esperando por un mentor/a.

Para más información, visita nuestro sitio web: www.poweredbypartners.org o llama al 970 577 9348, o escribe a kwhitacre@poweredbypartners.org

¡Sea usted el regalo!

Thoughts Regarding May 2 EP Health Election

To The Editor:

Small rural hospitals across our nation face multiple difficult challenges. Our Estes Park Health (EPH) hospital is no exception.

There are many reasons. These include how health insurance companies reimburse hospitals, the rapidly rising costs of medical equipment, pharmaceuticals and medical supplies needed for high quality care, difficulty finding well trained and experienced hospital staff resulting in rapidly rising labor costs, and the expense of electronic medical records. In addition, rural service areas have access to a smaller pool of potential patients. Furthermore, the additional federal financial support during the COVID pandemic will soon expire.

The EPH board of directors and the hospital administration have been struggling for some time with how to balance high quality health care while maintaining the fiduciary viability of our hospital. They have come to believe that an affiliation, alliance, or merger with a larger hospital system would assure that our hospital remains viable for the foreseeable future.

The Colorado state constitution requires that any taxing body, such as the Park Hospital District, receive approval from the electorate to negotiate a multiyear financial obligation. Thus, it cannot negotiate any form of affiliation with a

larger hospital system, unless it receives the voters approval.

The May 2 ballot will consist of two parts: election of members for the hospital board, and a ballot initiative by the hospital board of directors that would allow them to enter into negotiations for a long-term affiliation between a larger hospital system and our hospital. Approval of the initiative would not result in any changes in taxes.

The undersigned are a group of concerned local doctors, mostly retired or semi-retired, that have closely followed and educated ourselves on the challenges facing the hospital board and administration. We strongly support the EPH board’s initiative. While the exact nature of an affiliation remains to be negotiated and determined, we believe that our hospital needs the flexibility to make such an arrangement if that is in the interest of our hospital and our community.

We encourage you to vote yes for this EPH initiative.

John Cooper, MD

Darel Hulsing, MD

Jim Jonell, PhD

Mark Richards, MD

Brian Tseng, MD

Guy Van der Werf, MD

Jim Whiteneck, MD

Heartfelt Thanks From LLEV

Dear Editor, Lifelong Learning of Estes Valley (LLEV) Preschool has just celebrated the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln and President George Washington in the month of February. President Lincoln visited our preschool and told stories of his childhood! Thanks to Kurtis Kelly who wore his stovepipe hat, black coat and beard to make Lincoln come alive for our preschoolers!

We also celebrated Dr. Seuss’s birthday with a breakfast of “green eggs and ham” cooked by The Egg of Estes restaurant in Estes Park! Thanks to them for the wonderful hospitality shown to our 14

Memory Cafe In Estes Park

Memory Café is a free, relaxed, social gathering for Estes Valley community members experiencing memory loss due to any form of dementia with a caregiver, spouse, or friend. This supports caregivers as well as those experiencing dementia.

The Memory Cafe includes coffee/snacks, conversation, singing, and sharing remembrances through activities. Guests and volunteers enjoy each other's company and have fun together. We meet at St. Bartholomew’s church (880 MacGregor Ave.) from 10:00 –11:30 the second Thursday of each month.

Thursday, March 9th our theme will be

fun and games. We will explore different activities that your loved one might enjoy doing at home as well as a some group activities to stimulate our memories of the past. Call 970-430-8105 for more info.

We would love for you to join us!

Thank You For Attending The Elevate Partners Fundraising Dinner!

preschoolers!

We also want to thank the Dairy Queen in Estes Park for their hospitality shown to our preschoolers who recently reached their goal of writing their numbers to 500. The ice cream treats provided were a big hit with the children!

As usual, the Estes Park community is a wonderful, supportive place for the education of our preschoolers! Thank you!

Nancy K. Johnson, Director Lifelong Learning of Estes Valley Preschool. The school is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization

Partners would like to thank all those who attended the Elevate Partners Fundraising Dinner on March, 2, 2023 at Mama Rose's Restaurant. It was wonderful to see all of your smiling faces again in person. Your support of Partners youth mentoring programs is priceless to the youth, families and volunteers we serve.

Special thanks to:

Rob and Julie Pieper and their staff for hosting/supporting this event for 20 years. They donated the food and nonalcoholic beverages for this event. The food was amazing and the staff were awesome.

Kind Coffee for donating fifty three ounce packets of Kind Coffee for table favors.

The Taffy Shop for donating sixty individual packets of taffy for table favors, The Estes Park Rental All for donating

the sounds system equipment for the evening.

Heather Vesgaard, Sally Park, and Laura Trump for being our speakers for the evening. They shared such wonderful stories and commitment to Partners. Matt Vesgaard for videotaping.

Tana Myers and David Trump for helping set up and clean up after the event. Vanessa Lewis for your help in promoting the event.

If you weren't able to attend Elevate Partners Dinner this year, please consider supporting Partners by becoming a mentor or giving a financial gift at:

Poweredbypartners.org/getinvolved/#donate (Make note that it's for Elevate Partners)

Poweredbypartners.org/getinvolved/#volunteer (Make note that it's for Estes Park).

Kurtis Kelly as Abe Lincoln

Water Is Life

By: Judi Smith Water is the life-blood of any community.

The headwaters of the Colorado River originate in Rocky Mountain National Park, right in our back yard, but that does not mean we own all the water.

Half of the water generated at the source of the River is diverted to communities and farms in Eastern Colorado. Smaller tributaries feed the River’s western 1450-mile progress through Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and California. It supports 11 national parks and the cities of Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix, and Tucson. The Colorado River Compact, ratified in 1922, encompasses these 5 states plus Wyoming and New Mexico as well as Sonora and Baja (Mexico), falling short of the Sea of Cortez as it disappears into the desert soil.

Water law in the United States is extremely complex. However, to simplify in the extreme: Individual users (agricultural, municipal, industrial) own shares of the River, measured in acrefeet of water. However, by setting the use in acre-feet of water, the River is oversubscribed. When the river is full there is more than enough water to suffice. However, in case of drought, everyone in the river basin must reduce their consumption to compensate for the lack of water. This reduced list means less produce and livestock from farms and ranches. It means industrial plants must also settle for less production. It means closure of recreational uses. It can mean changes to electrical power in some cases. And it can mean household changes to conserve water use, encouraged by higher prices and even restrictive regulation.

The crisis has reached a precipice. Current members of the Colorado River Compact must reduce their water use by 2-4 million acre-feet. The membership voted, but some members object to the decision. Farmers of the Im-

Things My Horse Tells Me

By: Larry Strong

perial Irrigation District (CA), required to reduce by 400,000 acre-feet, sued to retain water rights.

Lake Powell is a well-known recreation site, famous for its variety of houseboats, Today, at 3,525 feet (elevation level), it is 179.27 feet below Full Pool, causing closure of many recreational facilities. The real purpose of the Glen Canyon Dam is water allocation and electricity generation. Dead Pool, when no water is released, is set at 3490 feet. Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam could reach Dead Pool in 2025, meaning water would no longer be released into the lower basin (California, Arizona, and Mexico).

We must reconsider beneficial water uses. Obviously, drinking water and domestic agriculture are tantamount. Medical uses need to be considered. What about car washes, golf courses, front (and back) lawns, flower gardens, decorative fountains, water features, swimming pools, boating, water skiing, fishing, and other uses? Some have suggested curtailing water for agricultural export. For household use, California has passed a standard of 55 gallons per person per day until 2025. There has been a suggestion to replace water meters with ones that shut off the water when daily allocation is met. Must we go to these extremes?

Throwing organics into the landfill or burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases (ghg). Greenhouse gases increase temperature of earth, of water, and of air. Increasing temperatures increases evaporation. Evaporation causes drier soils which in turn reduces tree growth and increases wildfire risk. Rivers are the only real source of water in the US Southwest. Evaporation lessens water entering the rivers and increases aridification.

What are WE going to do about this? Agree? Disagree? Comments. RRRcyc@signsandwishes.com

Perhaps it’s my stage of life (code for getting older). Just maybe there is an outside chance of being a skosh bit wiser, even though on any given day I can erase that possibility. Whatever the cause, I seem to be growing more grateful for many things in my life. One of those things is my horse, Champ. To be clear, Champ is down the gratitude list a ways from my relationship with the Lord and being married to the most unbelievable woman for 44 years. But he is on the list and one of the reasons I’m grate ful for him is that he talks to me. Yep. No misprint. While Champ has told me enough things to fill a book— maybe on my bucket list—one of the most com mon conversa tions we have has to do with not get ting “stuck. ” Champ and I agree that we can be a lot of things but “stuck” shouldn’t be one of ‘em. At least not for too long.

I’m no expert on horses and most of the horse folks I hang around have forgotten more about horses than I’ll ever know. But I’ve learned enough, mostly from listening to Champ, that a horse’s feet have to move in the right direction for the right reason. If Champ’s feet don’t move when I need him to move ‘em we’re “stuck. ” Besides a pail of grain, Champ has told me the two things that can get him to move his feet are his willingness to move and yielding (surrender) to the one leading him. Willingness and surrender…hmmm.

I’ve realized lately that the not-so-unin-

tentional non-spoken message of encouragement every Saturday at Men on Fire is, “don’t get stuck, do everything you can to not get stuck and if you get stuck, don’t stay stuck for too long. ” Stuck on what?

Stuck not taking care of yourself the way you want? Get un-stuck. Maybe not treating your wife or kids the way a man should? Get un-stuck. Feeling like you’re of no value to pretty much everybody? Stuck in a lie? Get your feet moving. Stuck hanging out at places or with people that don’t make you better? Move. Trying to fill that hole on the inside with pretty much everything this world has to offer and still feel empty? Keep your feet moving. Finding yourself circling back and stuck to certain websites? Struggling with pretty much “every man’s battle? You have other options than staying stuck--starting with willingness and surrender.

If you don’t mind hanging out with guys who understand too well what it means to be “stuck” there are worse places to be on Saturday morning than Men on Fire. We meet at the American Legion, 850 N. St. Vrain for “Breakfast with a Purpose” at 8:00 am. We’re a bunch of guys connected with many different churches (including none) who kind of walk in every Saturday lookin’ for some encouragement, acceptance with no condemnation or shame throwing and a burning desire to do whatever we can with God’s grace and help from other men to get “unstuck’ from anything and everything that would want to suck the life out of us. Trust me you’ll be in good company no matter how free or stuck you may find yourself. See ya’ Saturday.

A Welcome Invitation

What are you afraid of? Joshua was getting ready to cross the Jordan River into the “Promised Land” and he knew some of the Israelites were fearful of what was on the other side. Fear was running rampant throughout the community. As the chosen leader of almost two million people, Joshua told them to “Be Strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” The next day every person entered into the promised land flowing with milk and honey. It was the best life ever and God took good care of them. I can attest to you today that fear is a real thing and can keep us from pursuing the best life ever. My challenge for you in this season of life is: Don’t allow fear to inter-fear with the plans God has for you. I don’t know who needs to hear this message, but I felt it was something worth sharing today. Here is my “go-to” verse when I’m feeling the weight of fear in

my life. “Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 If you’re not connected to a church community, then we would love to have you join us every Sunday at 11 a.m. in the Reel Mountain Theater.

For more information go to FlatironsChurchEP@gmail.com

You've just found it! Fun family business

Outdoor World retail clothing and equipment year round stores needs you. Starting at $17.0030.00 per hour. Retail, managing, selling, merchandising and cleaning. You must be cheerful and like people. Choose your hours. Ages 15 to 80. Call Ernie 24 hours a day any day.

CLEANING!

Good Pay/flexible hrs. vaca rental home w 3 suites on W. Elkhorn.

Call Dana; 970-646-5760

Full-time Seasonal Supervisor position for Lake Estes Marina

Positions start mid-April to mid-May and go through mid-August to mid-September. If you are organized, have retail experience, leadership qualities and want to work by Lake Estes, this position will be a great opportunity to contribute to the Marina team and grow your leadership skills!

Full-time year-round benefited

Head Lifeguard

Looking for a collaborative team environment? Our Aquatics team is looking for a Head Lifeguard to join the leadership team. We are accepting application for certified Lifeguards and swimmers who want to be come certified. The position will support pool safety at the Recreation Center’s indoor pools. There will be opportunities to become a Certified Pool Operator and/or teach swim lessons.

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.

Part-time Front Desk Attendant

Do you enjoy interacting with community members and visitors? We are hiring Front Desk staff for the Recreation Center to work mid-day and evening shfits.

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.

Responsible for the overall dayto-day operations of the Pine Room, the restaurant on-property at YMCA of the Rockies. $17.17$20.39/hour with full benefits, discounted childcare, membership, and more! www.w o r k inther o c k ies. o r g

RESTAURANT MANAGER, Line Cook and other positions

*apply within*

We are looking for YOU! Come be part of a fast-paced and FUN full-service restaurant team. We are looking to hire hard-working, self-motivated and high energy individuals to join our staff.

The Restaurant Manager position demands daily creativity, excellent communication skills, and the ability to maintain the highest level of professional standards. The Restaurant Manager must work well under pressure, be organized, flexible, self-motivated, reliable, and willing to work early hours. I am considering all experienced Restaurant Managers for this position. Requirements for this position are; inventory control, budgeting and maintaining cost, controlling labor, scheduling, safety and sanitation. Ensuring great service and culinary experience for our guests. Experience in proper food handling techniques and administrative skills. Salary 55,000-65,000 per year, plus some benefits.

NOW HIRING

Apply at 854 Dunraven Street, Estes Park CO 970/586-1085 mtnvalleyestes@gmail.com

Responsible for all catering and refreshment deliveries out of the Estes Park Center Food Service Department. $15.84$18.81/hour with full benefits, discounted childcare, membership, and more!

www.w o r k inther o c k ies. o r g

Dad’s Launday is now hiring great people!

Please call Ed @ 970-888-1221

Other

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.

Silver Saddle Inn

Thompson Ave. or email resume: info@estesresort.com

YMCA oF THE RoCkIES

2515 Tunnel R o ad

Estes Par k , C o l o rad o , 80511 Cook

Responsible for shift management of all kitchen & back of the house food service operations at the Estes Park Center Pine Room Restaurant; including menu planning, food preparation, ordering, and kitchen cleanliness. $15.84 - $18.81/hour with full benefits, discounted childcare, membership, and more! www.w o r k inther o c k ies. o r g

DiESEl MEchAnicS AnD cDl DRivERS Pay Starting at $26/hr

or send your resume to bkenned5@wm.com

Equal Opportunity Employer: Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran

Full-time Civil Engineer I - II (term limited) Emergency Services Dispatcher I – III Grant Writer IT Support Specialist I Mechanic I – III Police Officer I – III

Seasonal Community Service Officer Museum Assistant

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

RENTALS RENTALS

Apartments

Apartment for Rent. One bedroom, one bath, close to town. NS, NP. $1200/mo. plus deposit. Utilities included. Call (970) 586-4175. Please leave callback number.

Commercial Rentals

OFFICE SPACE For Rent

970-290-4488

237 W. Elkhorn

$3,000 per month. 12’ x 24’ with loft. Waterwheel Shops. Good location for artist, sculptor, tailor, yarn shop or craftsperson. 970-586-6308

yMCa

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

 Part me; year round; $19 – $19.50/hr  Assists with warehouse opera ons, pricing and product delivery

LOOKING FOR ART LOVERS!

Join

Love talking to people? Flexible hour. Part-time. Call 970-308-8248 or apply in store.

TRANSPORTATION

Retail sales experience required. Must be friendly and outgoing and willing to go the extra mile for our customers.

We offer:

• Very competitive wages

• Attractive employee discounts

• Profit Sharing

• A great work environment surrounded by beautiful American art!

Please drop off resume in person at: 360 E. Elkhorn Ave. or, Email to info@earthwoodartisans.com

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

Short Term

bdr 2.5 bath monthly vacation rental. Amazing mtn. views, sunny open floor plan, spacious deck. Close to Estes Park town & RMNP. VRBO #3271657.

Trailers/Campers

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

Piano Tuning

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

Other-Misc

Sound Bros LLC Wedding DJing, Live Sound, Karaoke Contact at info@sound-bros.com sound-bros.com

WorldMark Estes Park Resort is hiring!

Evening shift Maintenance Techs $18.61/hr 2:30pm to 11pm and Housekeepers $18/hr. We offer a diverse reange of comprehensive health and welfare benefits to meet your needs and support you throughout your career with us. Benefits include: Medical, Dental, Vision and Resort Discounts!

Other-Misc

Chainsaw Tree Removal And Trimming. It Is Best To Prune Your Trees While It’s Still Cold. Nathanael 970-692-4237 or nkromig@gmail.com

REAL

Eric. Anderson Realty. 586-2950

PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS BUILDER

WENDYS

Wendy, Amy, Markus

Dr.

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

rglibby@msn.com Estes Park, CO APPLIANCES