Dancing In South Park

It is dawn and I’m listening to the drums that are my morning alarm clock this week. Two drummers walk about the camp beating their handheld drums. I know I need to get up but I don’t want to. It’s cold and I’m snuggling under two heavy quilts in pajamas and socks. The last week in July, in South Park County, where the altitude is just about 10,000 ft. is very cold at night. It will get hot later in the day and I’ll delete layers of clothing as the day wears on. The camp is starting to wake. A few coughs and the slam of a porta-potty door. First day and I know what to expect because I have been here many times before. Thirty years ago give or take, I began this part of my spiritual life and after eight years of vision quests, weekly sweat lodges, and supporting the dancers, I entered the dance no one is supposed to be able to do. I danced for 12 years. But in the last four, I stepped away for a time of reflection and consideration. I came back, not to dance but to support the dancers.

Day One: The birds came to watch. Today is a new day, the first day of a new dance. I can picture the dancers in their teepees waking up, stretching, smiling at each other, groaning at the early hour, excited and nervous. No aches and pain yet. No hunger and thirst yet. These dancers, dressed in every color of the rainbow, know the sun will be up soon and before it crests the hill, they need to be standing in a long line facing the east direction to welcome the sun. Some very small children may even believe it is the dancers that bring up the sun. This is Sundance. A four-day ceremony that will test the strength and stamina of these human beings. The dancers will dance from sunup to sundown with breaks throughout the day for four days without food or water. Forty-one dancers this year will go around a circle, a medicine wheel, gazing up at the Sundance Tree, the low white, puffy clouds, and the birds. There were many birds today: hummingbirds raced through camp searching for their sweet sustenance and lighting on the tree covered with red prayer ties. Hawks hunt together in pairs, catching the wind, they hover and seem stationary, then like a rocket, they dive toward Earth. A magnificent Blue Heron sails across the sky and circles back for another look. Soon it will be time to put the sun to bed. Already it is low in the sky and we all yearn for sleep.

Day two: I find my voice again. Singing is integral to ceremonies like the Sundance. There are opening songs and closing songs, healing songs and gratitude songs. Since I stopped dancing and attending the yearly Sundance in South Park, I have also stopped singing in front of other people besides my husband. He calls me his Meadowlark because I’m al- ways humming, whistling, or singing in the house. However, at this year’s Sundance, I opened my mouth to sing and out came this voice that had been silent for four years. High, vibrato, and strong. I love singing and I especially love singing with other people. Remember those drums? Enormous drums are played by the drummers sitting in circles under their arbor. The drummers choose the songs and start singing when the dancers are ready to come out. As a supporter, you can stand in any place outside of the dance circle under an arbor and dance in place and sing or, you can go and stand behind one of the four large drums and sing. I did both and lost myself in the songs, the drum beats, and the dance over and over again.

Day three: Dancing in the rain. The morning started beautifully. The sun came up surrounded by white, cumulous clouds against a bright blue sky. There was dew on the grass and it was a bit cooler than yesterday. Today is a special day with jesters showing up to tease the dancers with glasses of water that spill out of the bottom. Then, as thunder rumbles in the background and the wind starts gusting, layers of dark clouds pile up and everyone begins watching the sky. The tarp-covered arbor covers the supporters but the dancers stay out in the circle dancing in the rain. And it rains. And rains. And suddenly, a brilliant double rainbow makes an appearance and we can see it end to end. The rain slows, the clouds disperse and the dancers dance on creating a new path around the tree. Soon it will be dusk. The sun will go down. The last ray will go out. It will be time to rest. Tomorrow, the dancers will again dance the dance no one can do.

Day four: All too soon it is over. The exhausted dancers are much thinner and while tired, they are glowing. Gifts are given, food is eaten, and water is poured down dry, parched throats. Tomorrow all of the people who have sung together, prayed together and danced together will take down teepees, the tarps from the arbor, and the Sundance tree. But first, today is a day of feasting and celebration. The Sundance ceremony is over for 2023 in South Park. It’s almost time for me to drive home, to remember and think about all I saw, heard, and felt. The Sundancers danced the dance no one can do for their loved ones, their communities, and yes, Mother Earth who needs all the prayers she can get right now. I am at peace and know I will return.

Mary Mesropian has lived in the Estes Park area since 1994 and is a SoulCollage® Facilitator. She also teaches collage and art journaling. Her email is maryruthdancer@yahoo.

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Hilltop Guild Bazaar This Saturday In Allenspark

For more than 70 years, Hilltop Guild supporters have come to the annual Bazaar at the Kelley House for handmade crafts, delicious food and candy, jellies and more. This year, the Bazaar will take place on Saturday (Aug. 5) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Each year a team of hard workers makes the event a success, from the Hilltop Honeys who park cars to the women who bake pies to the community members who donate household items to the White Elephant.

Two ladies from Hair on Wheels will be cutting hair free for a donation, the Railroad Ramblers will be playing, and lots of rhubarb hand pies will be for sale.

The bazaar is free and there is plenty of parking. One or more food trucks will be on-site and gourmet sandwiches will be for sale in the Country Kitchen along with pies, cookies and cakes.

If you've never had dandelion jelly, this is the place to get it! And if you want a unique holiday gift, Hilltop Guild cookbooks are on sale for only $12. Handembroidered cotton tea towels are $15. "The thing to remember about the Bazaar is that a large chunk of money raised goes to support our scholarships," said Jen Bell, outgoing president. "The money you spent at the Bazaar goes right back into the community."

This year, four students from Estes Park High School and three students from Lyons High School received Guild scholarships amounting to $11,500.

"Not bad for peanut brittle and jelly sales," added Bell.

Coming up, the annual meeting and installation of officers will take place on Sept. 6. The new president is Peg Daley and the new vice president is Susan Steele. Other board members include: Elaine Robson as recording secretary, Donna Squyres as treasurer, Judee Snell as corresponding secretary, Deannie Anderson as member-at-large and Jen Bell as past president.

More events are taking place this summer at the Kelley House including a fundraiser for the Allenspark Area Food Bank. This trivia quiz will take place Saturday, Aug. 12 with doors opening at 3:30 p.m. and the first game starting at 4 p.m.

The Hilltop Guild is working with The Old Gallery on Saturday, Aug. 26 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. by hosting the Hogabluesa outside on Kelley House property at 18720 Highway 7.

"Last year we were just about rained out," said Jen Bell. "But the music was indoors, food was served on the covered deck, and the event went off beautifully."

The blues band Mojomama will return this year. Tickets include music and a meal. Cash bar. Previous years were sold out so get your tickets early from The Old Gallery.

It’s Coming August 12th!

A national news network recently reported that Trivia event popularity is skyrocketing. Here’s your chance to experience the fun yourself. Grab five friends to make up a table or join a table and come away with new friends.

The Allenspark Community Cupboard Food Bank is hosting a Trivia event in Allenspark as a benefit. There’s still time to polish up your knowledge of Colorado and U. S. history, entertainment, sports (including Colorado sports), and food and drink so you can shine at the competition. It’s table against table ‘til the bitter end when prizes are awarded to the top three tables.

Doors open at 3:30 at Hilltop Guild’s

Kelly House at 18720 Highway 7, Allenspark, CO. Games start promptly at 4:00 p.m. Twenty-five dollars (cash or card) gets you in the door to play Trivia and includes snacks and soft drinks. (You are welcome to bring your own adult beverage.) You’ll want to play some of the other games at a buck each, so stuff those purses and pockets with ones.

Every cent goes to the Allenspark Food Bank at The Old Gallery for direct purchase of food staples for our neighbors in need. Gifts of non-perishables and cash are also greatly appreciated.

Questions? Call Peggy at 303-747-0317 or e-mail Peggy. mauerman@gmail.com

12th Annual Hogabluesa Blues, Brews & BBQ Delivers World Class Entertainment On Saturday, August 26

Where can you find world class blues and great BBQ near Rocky Mountain National Park? At the 12th Annual Hogabluesa Blues, BBQ & Brews event on Saturday, August 26. It’s presented by The Old Gallery, a non profit center for community and the arts and features Mojomamma, a 2019 semi-finalist in the International Blues Challenge, the largest blues competition in the world.

“Hogabluesa is one of the premier events in this area,” said The Old Gallery Board President Darlene Bushue. “We’re especially excited because it will be an outdoor event at The Kelley House, just a few miles from The Old Gallery.” The Kelly House is located at 18720 CO Highway 7 in Allenspark.

The outdoor event takes place from 510 p.m., with BBQ by A Spice of Life Catering and a cash bar. Tickets are $50 and available online at theoldgallery.org or at The Old Gallery between 9:30 a.m.4:30 p.m. daily. The Old Gallery is located at 14863 CO Hwy 7 in Allenspark.

Mojomama combines Old School Rhythm and Blues and Funk, a splash of Jazz, a spoonful of Rock ‘n Roll—all topped off with a zest of female lead vo- cals. The band was a Semi-Finalist in the International Blues Competition in Memphis is 2018, won Best Band from the Colorado Blues Society Members Choice Awards in 2019 and lead Singer Jessica Rogalski was namedFemale Vocalist of the Year in 2018. The band hails from Longmont.

Bushue said, “This band has a loyal following and we know many of their fans will come to Allenspark for Hogabluesa. We encourage everyone to purchase tickets early as we expect a sell-out crowd. It’s going to be an evening filled with great music, dancing and BBQ.” Attendees must be 16 and older only, please.

The Old Gallery is a center for community and the arts located at 14863 Colorado Highway 7 in Allenspark, 20 minutes south of Estes Park. The not for profit provides a twice-monthly food bank distribution, health and wellness classes, entertainment and more. To view a complete list of all events, visit www.theoldgallery.org.

For more information contact info@theoldgallery.org 303-747-2906.

August EVQG Meeting Announcement

The Estes Valley Quilt Guild will meet on August 9, at 6:45 p.m. Our program will be a trunk show by Suzanne Wheatley, a local member who has been quilting for over 40 years. Suzanne belonged to two different quilt groups when she lived in Maryland. From her quilting friends she learned paper piecing, applique and many other techniques. Her trunk show will include wall hangings, table runners, and some larger quilts, including a hand pieced and hand quilted wedding ring bed quilt. She will feature her fall and Christmas themed projects.

Guests are welcome for a $10 fee. All levels of quilters are welcome; we learn from each other. Come early to visit with your quilting friends. Bring your show and tell.

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The Old Gallery In Allenspark Announces Dan Crane Community Excellence Award Winners

Every year there are people who go above and beyond in serving the communities of the Peak to Peak area. To honor them, The Old Gallery in Allenspark presents the Dan Crane Com- uals within our community,” added Bushue. “While we mourn the loss of Barb, her memory will forever live on as a shining example of kindness and generosity.” munity Excellence Award at their annual Gala in July. This year’s recipients are Barbara (Barb) and Steve Coles.

The Coles were honored for donating their time and energy to a wide variety of organizations in Allenspark. Steve served on the Allenspark Fire Protection Board for many years. He and Barb were instrumental in the establishment of the Allenspark Neighbors Emergency Network (ANEN) in Allenspark. Steve also was instrumental in the establishment of the Allenspark Amateur Radio Network, providing important communication during emergency situations. Both he and Barb volunteered at the Allenspark Area Club’s annual pancake breakfast and other fundraising efforts. They were also honored by the Allenspark Area Club, receiving the Founders Award in 2017.

Barb passed after a short illness on March 12. She served as treasurer of the Allenspark Area Club for many years. She also served as treasurer of the Hilltop Guild in Allenspark, on the annual scholarship committee, budget committee, philanthropic committee and investment committee. She was an avid supporter of The Old Gallery and was a treasured member of the Women’s Literary Book Club. In June, members of the book club presented The Old Gallery with a commemorative chair for its front porch, honoring Barb Coles.

“Steve and Barb Coles, without a doubt, embody the qualities that the Dan Crane Community Excellence Award seeks to honor. Their dedication, tireless efforts and selfless giving has had a profound impact on the lives of countless individ-

The Dan Crane Award was created in 2014 to recognize individuals who have made exceptional contributions to our community. Dan Crane was the first recipient for his incredible and unfailing service to the Allenspark area during the Flood of 2013. “When roads were washed out and area residents were stranded, Dan went to work clearing roads and driveways and rerouting water flow. He prevented Highway 7 from washing out near St. Malo Retreat, and rescued nine people who were stranded on Coyote Ridge," said The Old Gallery Board Chair Darlene Bushue.

Sadly, Dan died too young in a motorcycle accident, devastating our small community. The Award was then renamed in his honor and is traditionally presented at the annual Gala.

Other recipients of the Dan Crane Community Excellence Award include Don Shalibo, Cathy Benjamin, David and Louise Pinkow, Vicki and Bill Dyas, Janet and David Robertson, Edie DeWeese, Linda and Trigg White and Mark and Yvonne Jacobs.

The Old Gallery is located at 14863 Hwy. 7 in Allenspark, just 20 minutes from Estes Park and Lyons. The nonprofit provides a variety of services to the community, as well as entertainment, educational presentations and classes. Twenty-eight artists display their creations at The Old Gallery and a Rocky Mountain Nature Conservancy Store is there as well. The beautifully renovated 1940s log structure is also available for private events, weddings, rehearsal dinners and celebrations.

Daily hours of operation are 9:30 a.m.4:30 p.m.