Longs Peak Reunion Returns

Longs Peak Reunion returns in late August to celebrate historic stories along the Longs Peak trail. Starting off the Longs Peak Reunion 2023 will be a benefit concert featuring Lost Penney and a silent auction featuring many donated items from area merchants.

Lost Penney will perform Friday, May 19, 2023 at the American Legion Hall in Estes at 7:00 p.m. Local mountaineering legend Mike Caldwell will Emcee the evenings’ festivities.

Tickets are $10 and are available through Eventbrite.com or at the door. Food and drink are available for purchase.

For more information, or for silent auction donor information, please call Greg at 303-949-5964.

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta:

Celebrating 20 Years In Estes Park

Olga Ortega de Rojas, from Mountain Home Cafe, shares these reflections on the Cinco de Mayo celebration, which has been going strong in Estes Park for over 20 years:

“We were among only a few Latino families in Estes Park when someone from the Methodist Church asked me if I was interested in helping organize a Mexican celebration at their shared space. My family was on my mind. “I had left home when I was just 15! The first three years in California were the hardest. Then I was 19, with very limited English, when my son was born in Estes Park. I could barely understand, but blessings followed. God sent us a beautiful daughter when my son was in preschool. I was having culture shock. I wondered about how to show and teach my children about our culture. Starting this event changed everything. I was able to share a glimpse of our culture by creating a community event. My children learned more about our background. Most importantly, they learned the lessons about giving back to the community.

“It was not long before we outgrew the Church space. We moved the event to the High School for many years. Then, in recent years, we moved to the Event Center, where there is even more seating. Kurtis Kelly has been by my side through those years with the planning, operational questions, and general assistance.

“Last year, more than 600 people joined the Cinco de Mayo fiesta. Over 20 years, my incentive has paid off. Both of my kids are humble and giving adults, and they are proud citizens with MexicanAmerican parents who taught them about their culture and gave them a solid foundation for sharing space with others in a healthy and welcoming environment. My husband Enrique and I consider that priceless.

“We hope to see many of our friends and neighbors at our celebration on Friday, May 5. Every year, many volunteers and partner organizations work together to make this free event possible. This year’s cash donations will be shared with cancer survivor Luis Varela, in memory of our lovely Sadie, who we miss so much.”

Save the date for the Cinco de Mayo 2023 fiesta in Estes Park on Friday, May 5 from 6 to 10 p.m. This year’s celebration takes place again at the Estes Park Event Center at Stanley Fairgrounds. Enjoy an authentic and complimentary Mexican dinner from 6 to 7:30 p.m, followed by dance performance, live music, kids’ activities, door prizes, and much more.

Fiesta del Cinco de Mayo: Celebrando 20 Años en Estes Park

Olga Ortega de Rojas, de Mountain Home Cafe, comparte estas reflexiones sobre la celebración del Cinco de Mayo, que ha estado presente en Estes Park desde hace más de 20 años:

“Éramos unas pocas familias latinas en Estes Park cuando alguien de la Iglesia Metodista me preguntó si estaba interesada en ayudar a organizar una celebración mexicana en su espacio compartido. Mi familia estaba en mi mente.

“¡Me había ido de casa cuando tenía solo 15 años! Los primeros tres años en California fueron los más difíciles. Entonces yo tenía 19 años, con un inglés muy limitado, cuando nació mi hijo en Estes Park. Apenas podía entender, pero las bendiciones siguieron. Dios nos envió una hermosa hija cuando mi hijo estaba en preescolar. Estaba teniendo un choque cultural. Me preguntaba cómo mostrar y enseñar a mis hijos sobre nuestra cultura. Comenzar este evento cambió todo. Pude compartir un vistazo de nuestra cultura creando un evento comunitario. Mis hijos aprendieron más sobre nuestros antecedentes. Lo más importante, aprendieron las lecciones sobre retribuir a la comunidad.

“No pasó mucho tiempo antes de que superáramos el espacio de la Iglesia. Trasladamos el evento a la Escuela Secundaria durante muchos años. Luego, en los últimos años, nos mudamos al Event Center, donde hay aún más espacio. Kurtis Kelly ha estado a mi lado durante esos años con la planificación, las preguntas operativas y la asistencia general.

“El año pasado, más de 600 personas se unieron a la fiesta del Cinco de Mayo. Durante 20 años, mi incentivo ha valido la pena. Mis dos hijos son adultos humildes y generosos, y son ciudadanos orgullosos con padres mexicano-estadounidenses que les enseñaron sobre su cultura y les dieron una base sólida para compartir el espacio con los demás en un ambiente saludable y acogedor. Mi esposo Enrique y yo consideramos que eso no tiene precio.

“Esperamos ver a muchos de nuestros amigos y vecinos en nuestra celebración el viernes 5 de mayo. Cada año, muchos voluntarios y organizaciones asociadas trabajan juntos para hacer posible este evento gratuito. Las donaciones en efectivo de este año se compartirán con el sobreviviente de cáncer Luis Varela, en memoria de nuestra querida Sadie, a quien extrañamos mucho.”

Reserve la fecha para la fiesta del Cinco de Mayo 2023 en Estes Park el viernes 5 de mayo de 6 a 10 p.m. La celebración de este año se lleva a cabo nuevamente en el Estes Park Event Center en Stanley Fairgrounds. Disfrute de una cena mexicana auténtica y gratuita de 6 a 7:30 p.m., seguida de un espectáculo de danza, música en vivo, actividades para niños, premios y mucho más.

Estes Park Senior Citizens Center Menu

April 17 – 21

Monday, April 17 Salisbury Steak (topped w/ vegetables) w/ Mashed Potatoes & gravy

Tuesday, April 18 Smothered Chicken (6 oz) (topped w/ mushrooms, green peppers & onions) w/ Pasta Salad

Wed., April 19 Breakfast Burrito (eggs, cheese, refried beans & potatoes in floured tortilla) w/ green chili on the side

Thursday, April 20 Baked Mac ‘n Cheese w/ Chicken & Mixed Vegetables, garlic bread & side salad

Friday, April 21 Shrimp Basket (8 fried) w/ Homemade Chips & soup of the day

April 24 – 28

Monday, April 24 Patty Melt Sandwich w/ Tomato Salad

Tuesday, April 25 Roasted Herb (1/2) Chicken w/ Roasted Potatoes & cottage cheese

Wed. , April 26 Taco Salad w/ Chicken

Thursday, April 27 Meatball Stroganoff over Egg Noodles w/ side salad

Friday, April 28 Salmon (4 oz grilled) w/ Rice Pilaf & 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, Apr 17th, you need to call before 1:00 PM on Friday, Apr 14th. 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

Elias Kemp 12th Grade

Congratulations to Elias Kemp, the Estes Park High School Student of the Week for April 14, 2023.

Elias is the son of Randy and Karis Kemp.

At EPHS, Elias participates in Knowledge Bowl, TALK Club, Key Club, and is a member of the National Honor Society. His favorite class is World Literature Studies with Mr. Copeland. He earned a 34 ACT score and a 1490 SAT score, both of which he is proud of. He has also maintained a high GPA (currently a 4.48), and lettered in Knowledge Bowl.

Outside of school, he likes to hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, read books and write. He has a fourteenyear-old sister named Bennett, who is currently in 9th grade at EPHS. Elias likes to bake and says he focuses in particular on perfecting his chocolate chip cookie recipe.

When asked his favorite place to visit, Elias said, “My favorite place to visit is McCall, Idaho. Someday, I would really like to travel to Madrid, Spain, both to visit a place I have never been before and to improve my Spanishspeaking skills.”

His favorite uplifting quote is, “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us” by Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. He likes that this quote because it encourages us to take initiative in our lives and pursue our goals.

The best piece of advice he’s been given was in 11th grade, when his math teacher (Leslie Belcher, at a former school) would repeat the phrase, “Embrace the struggle.” After high school, Elias plans to attend college, however, he has yet to decide where he will enroll.