First Monitored Weed Drop-Off

June 17

will be accepted at this event. Paper yard bags are available for purchase at local hardware stores.

If you want ELSA to continue to sponsor these events, please adhere to the guidelines. Owning property in the Estes Valley can be challenging and different! Bagging mature weeds this time of year is not ideal weed management and not how you want to spend your time. Be proactive – learn your native plants and manage the invasive plants in a timely manner with a weed management specialist if you don’t have the time, energy or expertise to manage your property. A list of weed management specialists who can help is available at larimer.org/naturalresources/weeds/applicators Also refer to the information and Helpful Documents at estes.org/weeds

These events are being made possible with the support from Estes Land Stewardship Association, Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, and donations. Depending on participant adherence to regulations and funding sources, another Monitor Weed Drop-off/ Weed Roundup will be held July 15. Free Twenty Ob-Noxious Weeds in the Estes Valley Identification and Management Guide weed booklets are available yearround at the Estes Valley Library, Ace Hardware, True Value, and Town Hall Public Works and Police offices. Electronic versions are posted on the Town of Estes Park website: www.estes.org/weeds ELSA meets the first Thursday of the month (February, March, April & November) at 9:30 a.m. in the George Hix Room at US Bank. For more information about ELSA contact: elsa.weeds@gmail.com Thanks for being good stewards of your property and surrounding areas!

Good day gentlemen of Estes Park.

On June 4th the Knights of Columbus will be conducting a membership drive and we would like to invite you to enjoy breakfast with us and allow us to introduce The Knights of Columbus to you. There are only a few qualifications for membership. A Knight is a practical Catholic in union with the Holy See. He accepts the teaching authority of the Catholic Church on matters of Faith and morals and aspires to live in accordance with the precepts of the Church. Secondly a Knight shall be 18 years or older.

Sir, are you a man who turns away from a situation in which you can offer help or one who, when called upon, goes out of your way to assist those in need. After you have helped, do you feel the joy and satisfaction knowing you did what a Catholic man should do? As a Knight, those feelings can be felt throughout the year.

Please join us on June 4th to explore our group to see if you would enjoy the camaraderie of men like yourself.

Elk Calves Appearing In The Estes Valley: Caution Urged Around Protective Moms

By: Kris Hazelton

With the new baby elk calves and the proximity of the elk population to the Estes Park residents and visitors, everyone is urged to be on alert and know that the mothers are not being aggressive when defending their young, just protective. It’s our responsibility to not get too close to the baby or the mother during calving season.

In the event that you encounter a protective mother elk anywhere in the Estes Valley, here are some helpful tips.

Be aware. The best thing to do at this time of year is to be very aware of your surroundings. The cows have calves all over town and you just never know when you’re going to happen to walk by a mother and calf.

Back away. If you encounter a protective mother, the best thing to do is to back away quickly. Don’t turn your back on her, as you won’t know if she is charging you. Make yourself look large. If you have a jacket, raise it above your head, and swing it around, make yourself look formidable. Chances are the mother will be glad you’re leaving their space. However, if she continues to pursue you, check around for a stick and if one is available, pick it up and throw the stick at her or if she approaches, give her a whack on her nose to drive her away.

Protect your head. If she is an especially protective mother and charges you to the point of knocking you down, curl up in the fetal position and protect your head and neck with your arms and hands. She’ll most likely give you a couple of thumps with her legs and then leave you alone, not seeing you as a potential threat anymore.

Advice for dog owners. If you happen to be walking or jogging with a dog, the elk will be even more on alert and aggressive towards your dog. She will see your pet as a real threat, a predator, to her baby. The best thing to do in this case is turn around and go the other way. If you can’t do that, let your dog go for the time, and save yourself. The elk will most likely chase off your dog and you can retrieve the dog a bit further down the trail.

Change your route. If the elk are on the trail you frequent, there are miles of other trails, less used by the elk and it is suggested you alter your route for a few weeks to avoid potential problems.

Although the elk are used to seeing people, the elk are very much still wild animals. Adult elk, both male and female, are very large and can be dangerous, particularly if they think a person is threatening their territory or offspring.

Another important note, if you find a baby elk or mule deer, please never go near or touch it. Even though it could appear that its mother is absent, elk calves are seldom orphaned, and its mother is probably feeding only a short distance away. She’ll make herself known very quickly when you get too close!

If you come across a protective female elk, and she is endangering people in a public area, the best thing to do is move away and call the Estes Park Police Department Dispatch Center at 586-4000. They will notify the proper authorities and the volunteers who will temporarily close off the area until the mother moves on with her calf.

Educating ourselves and our visitors about wildlife issues is the right thing to do, especially around calving time and during the fall rut.

Remember, there’s a reason it’s called wildlife. Photos by EP NEWS

Memory Cafe In Estes Park

Memory Café is a relaxed, social gathering for Estes Valley community members experiencing memory loss due to any form of dementia, together with a spouse, family member, or friend. We stimulate engagement, attention and memory by enjoying coffee/snacks, conversation, singing, and sharing remembrances through games and activities. Research and the medical community encourage fun, social activity for all of us as we age but especially for those with memory loss.

This month on Thursday, June 8th our theme will be Fun and Games. We will have a variety of games and activities but feel free to bring a favorite game of yours if you wish. We meet at St. Bartholomew’s church (880 MacGregor Ave.) from 10:00-11:30 (second Thursday of every month).

We hope you will join us! Call Jane at 970-430-8105 for more info or to let us know you are coming.