Estes Park News, December 10, 2021

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December 10, 2021

They Grow Up So Fast!

These moose twins were born in the spring of 2021 and photographed by Alan Lipkin at Sprague Lake on July 17, 2021 (left) and then again at Lily Lake on December 4, 2021 (above). Alan said, “They are the offspring of mother moose tagged as A7, who was with them on both occasions so I am certain that it is the same pair.”

The growth over five months is astounding and now, they look ready for winter.

Photos by Alan Lipkin

Twinkling beautiful lights adorn the trees in George Hix Riverside Plaza downtown Estes Park. Photo by Kris Hazelton

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Workforce Housing Needs Continue To Grow In The Estes Valley-Fish Hatchery Workforce Housing Project Begins By: Estes Park Housing Authority Director Naomi Hawf, and Assistant Town Administrator Jason Damweber

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Estes Park Area Housing Needs Assessment revealed that the need had doubled to around 1,600 housing units.

The need for housing in the Estes ValIn addition to outlining the need, the ley has been a topic of discussion for 2016 assessment also provided some several decades. A 1968 article in the recommended strategies to address the Trail Gazette stated ‘newcomers are chal- situation. One of the recommendations lenged to find suitable, winterized apart- was to “Utilize Town-Owned Land for ments or homes that could be rented Workforce Housing.” Underscoring this year-round.’ That same article touched were nearly 60 percent of our Commuon the availability of housing in the win- nity Survey respondents who asked the ter and the need to vacate before sumTown to increase its investment in mer when rental prices jumped and/or workforce housing, to include land, owners moved-in for the summer. Today funding and code revisions. the conversation about housing needs Utilizing publicly owned property in with respect to both scarcity and afford- order to meet housing needs is a very ability occurs at many tables across Col- common strategy employed by local orado and nationwide. It is regularly dis- governments. Sometimes, when sufficussed by legislators and decision cient funds are available, a government makers at the federal and state level, and might finance construction of new has made its way into various bills, housing on its own and also manage it grants and agendas. Nevertheless, as the (often referred to as “public housing”).

COVID-19 Pandemic etched its way Sometimes property is sold and the prothrough our communities, issues related ceeds are used to fund construction of to housing have only worsened. ’Crisis’ housing on another site. Another option has become a common phrase used to is for a government to retain ownership describe the housing situation in newsof its property and enter into a publicpapers across the nation. private partnership where a third-party A lack of available housing and afford- developer builds housing on publiclyable options results in a lack of essential owned land. If done properly, this latter workers for communities, and the cascading effects this has on the livability and sustainability of communities. This is a particular problem for the Estes Valley due to our relative isolation from other communities. In the Town’s 2021 Community Survey, 70 percent of respondents rated the availability of affordable housing “Poor” and 60 percent rated the variety of housing options “Poor.” And to think, these respondents only represent people who live here already – not tactic can be a win-win-win for the juthose who couldn’t move here in the first risdiction that is able to leverage its place due to lack of housing. property for a higher and better use, the Here in our valley, housing needs have community members in need of housing, and the third-party entity that been formally assessed four times. The stands to profit from the project. first in 1990, then 1999, 2008, and most recently 2016. The first three assessEnter the Town’s “Fish Hatchery propments identified an average need of 800 erty,” a 68-acre parcel off of Fall River housing units. Between 1990 and 2007, Road in the northwest side of Town of development of housing in the commuwhich 48 total acres are developable. nity kept up and even exceeded the The property is currently home to the stated need. However, since that time, Town’s Historic Fall River Hydroplant development of housing has been stifled, museum, four aging single-family resiin part by the economic recession foldences used as rentals for Town staff, lowing the global financial crisis of and a few storage buildings. The Town 2007-2008 and the 2013 flood. The 2016 has considered building housing on this

property for several years.

Earlier this year, the Town sought and selected a partner to plan for and construct a workforce housing development on the Fish Hatchery site. The selected firm is AmericaWest Housing Solutions, a Colorado non-profit chartered for the specific purpose of developing affordable housing projects. In a previous effort to evaluate this site for housing development, challenges were identified with topography and limitations of the existing utilities. This time, initial plans are to build only on the north side of the Fall River and limit the size of the development to avoid those challenges. Utilizing this portion of the property, we aim to build around 190 apartments (along with other amenities like a space for childcare) that will be used to house the local, year-round workforce. While this does not come close to meeting the identified need, it would represent the largest single effort to help close the gap.

We are still very early in the process but expect that things will be ramping up soon. The Town is currently working with the developer to plan for community engagement and draft a Development Agreement for the Town Board’s consideration. The Development Agreement will outline the obligations and commitments of both the Town and the developer and specify various elements of the development for the term of the agreement. Community engagement will involve educating area residents about the need for workforce housing and preliminary plans for the site, and soliciting feedback used to help plan for what the project will ultimately entail.

As stakeholders and owners in this project, we hope residents will participate in the community engagement process. Please stay tuned for opportunities beginning in mid-January to engage with the project in its first phase. In the meantime, you can access resources about the project as they become available at www.estes.org/fishhatchery.

If you have questions about the Town’s Fish Hatchery Workforce Housing project, please contact Assistant Town Administrator Jason Damweber at jdamweber@estes.org.

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Town To Consider Asking Voters To Solve A Revenue-Retention Problem In January, the Town Board will consider asking the voters to help the Town solve a significant and growing problem with how Town revenues may be spent.

The Colorado Taxpayers Bill of Rights (TABOR) was approved by voters in 1992 as an amendment to the State Constitution. Among other restrictions, TABOR places limitations on revenues that a government in Colorado can generate and retain. An allowable base revenue amount was calculated in 1992 and each year, the Town must roll forward this base and adjust it for two factors: 1) the annual change in the Denver-Boulder Consumer Price Index for all items and all urban consumers, and 2) the percent change in actual value of all real property in the Town.

Historically, this adjustment has resulted in a 3 to 5 percent annual increase to the Town’s allowable base revenue. Any revenues in excess of this base-revenue amount must be refunded to taxpayers.

Local communities may choose to vote to allow their local government to keep and spend revenue received in excess of the TABOR limits established through the adjusted base revenue. This allows local governments to recognize increased revenues from increased economic activity that can be used to fund government operations without having to ask the community to raise the tax rate itself. These voterapproved ballot initiatives are commonly referred to as “de-Brucing” measures and do not exempt the community from TABOR entirely, they merely allow the Town to retain and use these excess funds as specified in the ballot measure itself.

According to the Bell Policy Center, 51 out of the 64 counties, 230 out of the 274 municipalities, and 174 school districts in Colorado have de-Bruced since TABOR’s inception in 1992. De-Brucing measures are especially critical in communities seeing significant growth in local economic activity and corresponding demand for services. This is certainly true for the Town of Estes Park, as we have seen significant growth in our economy and in the demand for services over the past 20 years.

Estes Park voters approved a de-Brucing ballot item at the November 7, 2000 election with 2,036 people voting in favor of the item and 823 voting against. This ballot initiative included restrictions that the retained revenue only be used “for the purpose of the acquisition, maintenance, repair and replacement of capital projects including events/recreation facilities, open space, sidewalks, trails, landscaping, and street and parking lot construction, storm drainage, and municipal buildings and facilities.” This approved measure has served

us well for the past 21 years, but is now becoming too restrictive of the Town’s ability to be responsive to the needs of our community.

The existing restrictions prevent the Town from using retained revenue to fund most aspects of critical ongoing operations and activities like policing, 911 emergency communications, emergency management, communication to residents, transferring funds to the Estes Valley Fire Protection District, transit, non-capital workforce housing and childcare initiatives, as well as the Town’s internal service functions like finance, human resources, and administration. In this year’s community survey, local residents asked us to maintain or increase funding for many of these services. This has not been a problem for the past 21 years because the Town always had sufficient space under the base-revenue cap to fund these activities without having to dig into the retained revenue enabled by the 2000 ballot measure. This is no longer the case. The community’s need for currently ineligible services, and the costs associated with proving those services, have grown and have outpaced the annual increase to base revenues allowed by TABOR. If we do nothing, the result will be millions of dollars in de-Bruced revenues accumulating that can only be used for the purposes approved in the November 2000 measure while operations in other functions listed above will suffer and may see staffing reduced.

The optimal solution to this challenge is to give the Town Board the authority to use all received tax revenues as needed to remain responsive to the needs of our community. Town Board members are elected by the voters for four-year terms and are responsible to their constituents.

Allowing the duly elected Town Board to prioritize how Town tax revenues are spent allows them to carry out the will of the voters who elected them.

The Board will be considering adding a ballot item that, without increasing any tax rate or imposing any new tax, allows for the town to collect, retain and spend or reserve all revenues it receives from all lawful sources to continue to provide services and public facilities and amenities to the community. If the Board approves adding this item to the April 2022 ballot, I would encourage you to consider voting “yes” so that we can continue to provide the exceptional services our town has come to expect. I welcome questions on this complex issue, anytime, by emailing me at tmachalek@estes.org.

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 November 28, the Estes Valley Fire Protection District (EVFPD) responded to 10 calls for serv-

ice. This included: • Emergency medical (assist EPH): 1 • Gas Leak: 1 • Alarm Activation: 4 • Smoke Investigation: 2 • Elevator Rescue: 1 • Odor Investigation: 1

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IT’S LOOKS LIKE CHRISTMAS AT THE MAD MOOSE

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Tis The Season Of Lights And Giving Thanks The past few weeks I’ve been busily fulfilling my duties as your mayor. Many of the duties involved bringing on the season of lights in Estes Park. Here’s a quick rundown of some of what I’ve been doing.

On November 20th, I was part of the annual tree lighting ceremony in the down-

DUNCAN’S SLEIGH IS FULL OF HOLIDAY GOODIES!

DEC 10TH UNTIL DEC 24TH ALL HOLIDAY MERCHANDISE IS 20% OFF 900 Moraine Avenue, Estes Park 970.577.9775 * info@madmoose.com

Mayor Koenig mingles with a few of the hundreds of people who came to downtown Estes Park for the Catch the Glow Parade.

town area of Estes Park. Thanks to local favorite Cowboy Brad Fitch for uplifting the crowd with his songs and graciously helping me with lighting ceremony duties. If you haven’t done so, please take time to drive through downtown to see the lights. You won’t be disappointed.

Then on the mild night of November 26th, I led the Catch the Glow Parade.

Thanks to Ernie Petrocine for chauffeuring me in his Tesla X, and entertaining the crowd along the parade route by opening the gull-winged doors of his snazzy car. The parade was one of the best attended in recent years. Thanks in part to the year- after-year efforts of the Town’s Special Events Director Rob Hinkle, his crew and float designer Michael Young.

A Menorah lighting celebration took place in Bond Park on December 2, the fifth day of Chanukah at Bond Park.

Thanks to Rabbi Gorelik for keeping up the tradition. I was honored, with the help of Trustee Webermeier and Fire Chief David Wolf to light the center Menorah candle.

And a thanks those of you who’re following Larimer County recommendations regarding COVID-19. The pandemic continues filling hospitals with cases, with a majority of the people in intensive care units being unvaccinated. So, thanks for doing your part to curtail the virus by getting vaccinated and wearing a

mask when in stores and at indoor gatherings.

On a personal note, since the appearance of my piece titled October Challenges in the October 8 edition of this paper, I’ve received a steady stream questions from townspeople about the recall petition that began circulating a week earlier. In accordance with section 31-4502 of the Colorado Revised Statue, petitioners had 60 days to obtain 590 signatures to put a question about recalling me as mayor on the April 2022 town election ballot. No petition was submitted to Town Clerk Williamson by the petitioners for signature verifications by close of business on the 60th day. Therefore, at this time, there is no effort to recall me. Thank you people of Estes Park.

Now, in the season of lights, let’s give thanks for Estes Park’s many holiday traditions and the people who make them possible. And join me in keeping the spirit of this time alive in our hearts until the season of lights returns next year.

Mayor Koenig, Brad Fitch and Frosty the snowman prepare to light up downtown Estes Park for the holidays.

Rabbi Gorelik addresses attendees during the Menorah lighting ceremony at Bond Park.

Weigh In On The Future Of Town Facilities Last week the Town held a public meeting to review facility needs for Town operations. Your feedback is needed -please watch the Dec. 2 public presentation and tell us your thoughts by filling out a short questionnaire at www.research.net/r/EstesFacilities by Sunday, Dec. 19.

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Estes Park EDC Investor Spotlight: Stephanie Copeland Stephanie Copeland is the newest Estes in both growth of the state as well as the Park Economic Development Corporaregion. Four Points Funding develoption’s (Estes Park EDC) ment in the region helps adBoard member. She dress some of the essential grew up in Quincy, Illiworkforce housing issues we nois and holds a Bacheface as a community. The new lor of Arts from the workforce housing developUniversity of Illinois in ment fits in their mission to German and Commersupport more supply in the cial Studies. She commarket. In addition to providpleted post graduate ing workforce housing, they courses at the University will also build a childcare cenof Paderborn in Paderter, another important need in born, Germany. In the the Estes Valley.

Stephanie Copeland In addition to serving on the early 1990s, she moved to St. Petersburg, Russia to take a manEstes Park EDC Board of Directors, agement position with Cable & Wireless. Stephanie also sits on the Workforce After returning to the U.S. in 1994, she Housing Committee. Her passion for joined the team that started MFS Intereconomic vitality of Estes Park stems national (a company that built some of from the gorgeous mountain views and the first competitive fiber networks in outdoor activities to the close knit comEurope). In 1998 she joined the early munity that this town has built. While team at Level 3 Communications and the area’s heavy dependence on tourism spent three years in London building out and visitation provides great economic Level 3’s business in Europe. She moved development and resources, Estes Park to Denver, Colorado in 2001. In 2016, is vulnerable to boom and bust cycles. she was asked to join Governor John Developing a more robust, year-round Hickenlooper’s cabinet as the Executive economy through diversification of the Director for the Colorado Office of Eco- market and more infrastructure will crenomic Development and International ate viability for the town. Stephanie Trade. During her term, she started an wants the community to know that alinvestment fund leveraging tax incenthough Four Points Funding are fortives with a focus on rural areas of the profit investors, the community is a state from Glennwood Springs to Estes benefactor of their investments.

Park.

Through continued development in the In 2019, Stephanie became the Manag- Estes Valley, the community will begin ing Partner of Four Points Funding. to see positive changes in economic Estes Park was recognized as a key area growth and resilience.

Enjoy The 2021 Yuletide Lights Driving Tour In Estes Park This Holiday Season!

Visit festively decorated Estes Park local businesses and residential houses on a self-guided driving tour! Grab some hot chocolate from a local coffee shop and hop in the car to enjoy this tour of

Estes Park community members who want to share their holiday spirit with you!

Check out the tour map at www.visitestespark.com/holiday-lights/

MEDICINE FOR THE SOUL

HOPE WHEN LIFE FEELS HOPELESS nce again, the holidays are upon us, shining with all their brilliance. Look around and you’ll see decorated trees, snowflakes drifting down, and shoppers happily hunting for the perfect gift. Indoors, families are enjoying the aroma of turkeys in the oven and homemade pies on the counter. Soon, Estes Park will begin its long winter’s nap.

O

Yet, in the midst of all the festivities that make this season so wonderful, there are people who aren’t sharing in the joy. They’ve lost a loved one, whether to COVID-19 or some other illness. They’re out of work and worried about how to make ends meet. They’re a single parent trying to raise their family as best they can in a world reeling from a pandemic and so many other troubles.

But, dear reader, I want to give you hope. If fear, loneliness, or despair have been your constant companions of late, I want to acknowledge the challenges you face but also remind you that in God there is hope.

Life on Earth can be difficult, but there is a God in Heaven who loves you. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the Lord; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope...” Maybe your life looks and feels like a disaster right now. But God desires to give you a future filled with hope.

In need of prayer during these trying times?

Call us at (720) 561-9491 In your sadness, you might say, “I don’t see how God can help me.”

Sometimes our concept of God can be misleading. But Jesus said, “I didn’t come to condemn the world, I came to save it!” How do you experience that salvation? You simply need to request God’s help.

It’s tempting when asked how you’re doing to reply, “I’m good,” even though you’re not. But there’s no shame in replying, “I’m hurting.”

Pastors Mark and Alice Wettengel

Sunday Service at 10 am Wednesday Bible Study at 7 pm Streaming @facebook.com/EstesParkInternationalChurch

Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” The ability to overcome the most daunting of obstacles is a gift from the Lord and a sign of the amazing love He has for you! “Well, if He loves me,” you say, “Why hasn’t He helped me yet?” That’s because He will not go against your will.

You have to ask Him to lead you out of your difficulties. That takes humility, but in what may feel like “weakness,” you’re making a strong statement about your intent to keep moving forward.

Hearing that, He stretches out His arms, wraps them around you, and says, “It’s going to be OK. I’ll never leave you, nor forsake you.

I will help you.”

Won’t you ask Jesus to help you today? If you do, I promise that you’ll begin to see His love and guidance make a difference in your life. Love you.

Come visit us. Everyone is welcome.

1820 S. St. Vrain Ave. Estes Park, CO 80517

6 » Friday, December 10, 2021

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Law Enforcement Incident In Rocky Mountain National Park On Wednesday, December 8, 2021, at approximately 10:15 a.m. MT, a National Park Service law enforcement ranger was involved in a shooting with two suspects near the Fall River Entrance within Rocky Mountain National Park. The two suspects were reported to be involved in a vehicular pursuit earlier that morning outside park boundaries. During contact with the suspects, the law enforcement ranger was shot, but was protected by their ballistic vest and did not suffer serious injuries.

The law enforcement ranger discharged

their firearm, and one suspect was injured. Both the law enforcement ranger and injured suspect were transported to a local hospital for medical care. A second uninjured suspect is in custody.

As of Wednesday evening, Rocky Mountain National Park remained closed from outside the Fall River Entrance (US Highway 34) to Deer Ridge Junction for the ongoing investigation. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is assuming the lead role in the investigation.

Meet At The Flagpole To Recite The Pledge Of Allegiance Join together as a community to recite the Pledge Of Allegiance, sing our National Anthem: The Star Spangled Banner and God Bless America at the flagpole at Town Hall, 170 MacGregor Ave. on Monday, December 13th at 12:00 noon.

Let’s stand together as a community to uphold and support our Constitution of the United States in facing today’s and future challenges. The United States of America—one nation under God. See you at the pole!

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

On December 3 at 11:54 p.m. police were called to a disturbance in the 100 block of South St. Vrain Ave. Once on scene, they arrested a 34 year old male from Lakewood, CO and charged him with third degree assault and domestic violence. He was transported to the

Larimer County Jail.

On December 5 at 10:06 p.m. police were called to a disturbance in the 200 block of Stanley Ave. On scene they arrested a 33 year old male from Estes Park on charges of menacing, harassment, violation of a restraining order and domestic violence. The male was transported to the Larimer County Jail.

582 Meadowview Drive

1 Acre/2 Bedroom/2 Bath Beautiful Meadow Views $650,000

Friday, December 10, 2021 « 7

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Stanley Home Museum Yuletide Open House

Join the Stanley Home Museum on December 11th and 12th for the beginning of a new community tradition this holiday season, A Yuletide Open House. This free annual event is our opportunity to give back to the community of Estes Park for your unwavering support and encouragement of our mission to interpret and preserve the legacy of Flora and F.O. Stanley.

Central to their legacy was Flora and F.O.’s enthusiasm for the Colonial Revival movement, a movement inspired by a romantic veneration of the early American past that permeated all aspects of the Stanleys’ material life. Flora undoubtedly decorated a Christmas tree at their winter home in Newton, MA, as it kept with a tradition of indoor Christmas trees that began to appear in the United States during the Stanleys’ favorite time period in early America—the Federal period of the late 1700s and early 1800s. In 1830, the Dorcas Society of York, PA, a women’s benevolent association, advertised that shoppers at their Christmas bazaar could pay a fee of 6 1/4 cents to see a decorated tree, with proceeds going to their charitable interests. Such displays anticipated the many Festivals of Trees sponsored by

various charitable interests around the country today. Also, by the mid-1830s some church leaders, especially in Lutheran and Episcopalian churches, began to erect trees in the Sunday School or sanctuary to delight the children in their congregations.

Quite possibly the most widespread

community holiday tradition is one Americans first encountered in town squares at the dawn of the 20th century: the lighting of a great community Christmas tree. During this time outdoor community trees began to appear

as access to electricity for the newly developed electric tree lights became more widespread. Community Christmas trees, decked out with lights strung along new all-weather wiring, provided an opportunity for folks to see the spectacle of a tree lit with electric lights without having an electrified home. In San Diego a community tree had been lit in 1904, but it was the great 60ft. tree erected in New York City’s Madison Square in 1912—illuminated with 2,300 electric lights donated by the Edison Company—that sparked the tradition in several other cities. 25,000 people gathered for the free lighting of the tree in Madison Square that year. Many communities followed suit, and the following year trees appeared across the county, including in the nation’s capital.

We invite you to begin a new tradition this holiday season by gathering at the Stanley Home Museum to experience the holidays of times long past.

We ask that all visitors please park at the Visitors Center, and we will provide continuous shuttle service to and from the museum. In keeping with the tradition that began in Madison Square in 1912, admission to this community holiday event is free, courtesy of the Peggy Lynch Team at RE/MAX Mountain Brokers.

In the Old Church Shops, Estes Park, CO

Crystals Books Charms Tarot Lotions & Potions

8 » Friday, December 10, 2021

S OLITUDE C ABINS SOLITUDE CABINS ....Not ..Not J u st A N a me , B ut A F eeling!

Just Name, But Feeling!

Gathering Room Extremely welcoming and beautiful decorated for the holidays; includes a warming kitchen for a caterer; 12ft. Buffet serving counter; comfortable seating for 40 people. Banquet tables available; 50’ TV Screen. Easily accessible with handicaps ramp; ample parking.

• Book your private Holiday Gathering Today!

• Hosting your family this year for the holidays?

• It’s Jingle and Mingle time of year!

• Looking for space for your holiday party?

• Decorated for the Holidays.

• Just not quite enough space for all the family to gather?

• Would rather not have the mess in your space?

• Need an extra room? Lodge rooms available to stay right on site.

Call to set up a tour with Kaylyn.

Holiday Special Pricing

The Lodge at Solitude Cabins…970-577-7777.

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Quota Changes The Holiday Home Tour 2021 Usually by now the Estes Park Quota Club will have had the Holiday Home Tour.

With Covid still being in our lives and surging in Colorado at this time and in wanting to help our community to be as healthy as possible, Quota members did not feel it was responsible to hold the 2021 Home Tour. The decision was made due to complications of hosting a safe event for both participants, homeowners and members of our club. So we have a different perspective on this long running annual event. Please join us in our “Stay at Home Tour.” Give yourself the opportunity to put your feet up, sip on your favorite beverage in front of your own fire and cozy home and find some rest at this busy time of year. Find your true holiday spirit knowing that you have supported our wonderful community with a tax deductible contribution to Estes Park Quota.

Estes Park Quota has not been able to host their regular annual fundraisers for over the past year due to the Covid pandemic, yet we are still generously giving back to our community.

Quota is a nonprofit organization, helping hearing and speech impaired individuals and disadvantaged women and children. They also have a medical supply Loan Closet open to all residents of

Estes and visitors for when you experience an illness or injury. Other local efforts include working with our local Estes Park Health to raise funds for ambulances for our community, AEDs that are distributed throughout town and our police department, services to children and seniors, student scholarships, Estes Park Fire District, Glen Haven Volunteer Fire food, health and education support for our kids through school programs, Meals on Wheels, Women’s Monument Project and so much more.

Please consider giving the gift of wellbeing for yourself and your community by contributing to our Stay at Home Fundraiser. Or perhaps make us one of your “End of Year Donation” recipients.

You can go to our website at estesparkquota.com to make your donation or talk with your Quota members friends.

Don’t forget our Festival of Trees, where you can purchase tickets for a chance to win a beautiful decorated tree.

Stop by and see them-it will put you in a creative, holiday spirit. Drawing is at 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 19th. It is all set up and waiting for you at Estes Park Resort located at 1700 Colorado Peaks Dr., Estes Park, where the Dunraven restaurant is located. Happy holidays and thank you!

Heathen Creek Outfitters Jeep Tours and Day Hikes

970-903-9674 heathencreekoutfitters.com

Friday, December 10, 2021 « 9

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Last week Thunker readers got sentimental over their family’s traditional recipes and about mix tapes. Here are a few of the responses I received from that column [my comments are in brackets]: California Carol C. said, “I really wish I had the recipe for my mom’s cranberry orange salad. I do recall grinding cranberries and oranges in a meat grinder.” [Ah yes, the old meat grinder, clamped to the counter and spewing out meat—or cranberries—in the shape of fat spaghetti noodles. Whenever Mom got out the meat grinder, we kids got excited to watch the show.]

[In my search for the cranberry salad Joe loved as a boy, I looked through all 111 recipe cards his mom had filed under “salads” in her recipe box, which is about two feet long and stuffed full of cards. I found eight different recipes he thinks might be the one he fondly recalls. They all call for cranberries or cranberry sauce. In addition, one calls for both cream cheese and yellow cheese, another calls for Tokay grapes. I had to look that up. The Tokay is a Hungarian sweet wine grape. A third includes oranges, pecans, celery, and mayonnaise. Another asks for frozen Indian Trail cranberry-orange sauce. I had to look that up too. The Indian Trail company is defunct so that card went right back into the recipe box. Yet another recipe calls for crushed pineapple and miniature marshmallows. Cottage cheese made its way into one recipe, apple sauce shows up in another, and Grand Marnier enhances the flavor in the last recipe.

I’ll be making them all—not all at once— so Joe can find his one true cranberry love.

By next Thanksgiving we should have it pinned down. (I am going to vote for the one with Grand Marnier in it, no matter what!) Carol, if any one of these cranberry recipes sounds familiar, let me know. I’ll copy it over—by hand—and send it to you.]

Amy W. remembers: “I gave my daughter her great grandmother’s full wooden recipe box for Christmas a few years ago. I loved seeing my grandma’s handwriting on those special cards. Our favorite was a casserole that called for ‘10 cents worth of hamburger.’” [According to the The People History website, a pound of ground beef cost 12 cents in 1930 so we can assume Amy’s grandma’s recipe was calling for one pound of hamburger.]

Baker Mark K. said, “I'm baking an orange cranberry bread for Christmas right now, and I've been seeing the recipe cards in my mom's handwriting (and missing her and

my dad). The orange cranberry bread is always the first thing I make for Christmas 'cause it just gets better as it sits! Lol!” Mark continued, “And the mix tapes!!!! I love it. The last one I made was for Melanie about a year before we were married... so like 27 years ago! It was called ‘Love... or whatever.’ Lol! How romantic, yeah? We still have it though and a few other tapes because [daughter] Sarah inherited our 1998 Outback, and it has a tape deck in it! I love that she was a baby in that car, and then drove it to college, and now still has it after graduating in 2019! Those Subarus go on forever!” [I counted backward and figured Mark gave that last tape to Melanie in 1994.

I asked him about the songs from ’94:] “Oh, the songs were from earlier than 1994! There was ‘You've Got A Friend,’ ‘Let's Give Them Something to Talk About,’ ‘Hold My Hand,’ ‘I'm Gonna Be (500 miles),’ ’99 Miles from L. A.,’ ‘In Your Eyes,’ ‘True Companion,’ and more. ” [Sounds like a great, romantic mix, doesn’t it? What a treasure that tape is to Mel and Mark!]

Former Lincolnite Linda H. also appreciates the tape player in an old family car: “I still have literally hundreds of tapes, and when we inherited Gary’s mom’s car (a 2003 Mercury Sable, how could you get more Nebraska than that?!) I was delighted that it had a cassette player. My ‘best of ’ tapes include ‘Emotional Content’ #s 1, 2, 3 & 4 but there are many more. I have several tapes with songs with Time, Love, or Dream in the title. About 50 of my tapes are Strictly Vinyl. I actually sold dozens of tapes (after I had recorded important ones onto my computer) to a friend who was still using a Walkman back in 2004 or so.

“I won’t give up this car until the cassette player quits working. I’m sure everything else can be fixed.” [I hated to trade in my 17year-old Honda Accord with a tape player, so I understand Linda’s passion. It wasn’t so much the car as it was the tape player—and the stick shift, that I grieved losing.]

Most of today’s cars don’t even have CD players in them. But mine does, and I’m going to hang onto it for as long as I keep my mom’s recipe box. My car, my recipe box and I will become oldies and goodies together.

You may let The Thunker know what you think at her e-mail address, donoholdt@gmail.com. © 2021 Sarah Donohoe

10 » Friday, December 10, 2021

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Estes Valley Community Fund Awards Nearly $95,000 To Local Nonprofits The Estes Valley Community Fund Committee (EVCFC), a grantmaking committee of the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado, awarded $94,330 to 17 nonprofit organizations: • Ballet Renaissance • Crossroads Ministry of Estes Park • Ensight Skill Center • Estes Arts District • Estes Park Health Foundation • Estes Park Nonprofit Resource Center (EPNRC) • Estes Valley Crisis Advocates • Estes Valley Library Friends & Foundation • Give Next Fund • Habitat for Humanity of the St. Vrain Valley • Harmony Foundation, Inc. • Rocky Mountain Conservancy • Rocky Ridge Music Center • The Estes Park Learning Place • United Way of Larimer County • YMCA of the Rockies • Young Artists and Scholars Group The EVCFC focuses grantmaking on projects that serve residents of the Estes Valley, enhance the community, and provide support to the diverse local population. One of this year’s grant beneficiaries,

The Library of Things (Estes Valley Library Friends & Foundation), serves as a positive and impactful example of how these grants encourage innovative, sustainable actions that make a positive difference in the Estes community.

The Library of Things offers community members the opportunity to discover a new hobby cost-free. Items in The Library of Things’ vast collection include telescopes, 3D printers, sewing machines, board games, museum passes, and more, all available for a complimentary 3-week check out. Executive Director Sarah Walsh speaks passionately about the library’s success in meeting “the needs of our community through flood and fire, while continuing to provide a literate, informed, and enriched Estes Valley.”

The grant from the EVCFC will enable the Library to expand programming to better facilitate lifelong learning for Estes residents.

For more information about the Estes Valley Library Friends and Foundations, please contact Sarah Walsh at swalsh@estesvalleylibrary.org.

For more information about the grants and/or the Community Foundation fund committees contact Elizabeth Messerli, philanthropic services officer, at 970-4881986 or elizabeth@nocofoundation.org.

Friday, December 10, 2021 « 11

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Help! Help! Help!

The Salvation Army Is In Need

The local Salvation Army Unit needs your help to ring the bells. Ninety percent of the money that we raise with the red kettles at Safeway and Country Market stays in the Estes Valley. The local Salvation Army unit is all volunteer with no paid staff and no office. Our biggest expense is our P.O. Box rental. The money that we raise helps Crossroads, Crisis Advocates, Community Corner Café, Meals on Wheels, as well as those who need help due to some emergency when Crossroads is closed.

We are going to resume bell ringing on Saturday, December 11th and go until Christmas Eve if we have enough volunteers. To sign up for a two-hour bell ringing shift, go to tinyurl.com/6jz9b4wh. If you aren’t skilled with the internet, please call 970-

577-1789 and someone will help you signup.

If you can’t help by ringing the bells, you can still help by donating. Please drop a check in one of the kettles or mail it to P.O. Box 172 in Estes Park.

We have been made aware of some stories about the Salvation Army and racism on social media. These stories were timed to coincide with the start of the Red Kettle season to damage our fund-raising efforts. We will get an official response from The Salvation Army soon.

Tickets are Santa-approved gifts!

Saturday, February 12, 2022 Noon to 5pm Events Complex Tickets on sale now! www.estesparkeventscomplex.com [Get them before they’re gone!]

12 » Friday, December 10, 2021

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Estes Park Archives Program Saturday, December 11 Amy had already Bloom's been de2018 novel stroyed be"White cause of their Houses" exexplicit naplores the ture). The close relaportions of tionship be"White tween the Houses" reFirst Lady lated to Eleanor "Tini" SchuRoosevelt mann-Heink and the are a bit of a hardscrabpuzzle, espeble, roughcially the edged remyth or legporter end surLorena rounding a Hickok, diamond and who moved sapphire ring into the that SchuWhite mann-Heink House gave to semi-perHickok, manently which during Hickok later The historical novel "White Houses" has some intriguing WWII, and gifted to Mrs. Estes Park connections. Photo courtesy Estes Park Archives was often Roosevelt. referred to This ring, inas the "First Friend." While fictional and cluding its provenance and the signifioccasionally speculative, the public por- cance assigned to it, have somehow tions of the book are very much based suddenly (perhaps because of Bloom's on real-life events and real people. novel) achieved the internet stamp of "truth." Does this history of this ring Two minor characters in the book, actually ring true?

Edna Ferber and Ernestine "Tini" Shumann-Heink, were real people, and both Join the Estes Park Archives this Satare potentially familiar to Estes Park res- urday, December 11, as we explore the idents or students of popular American book "White Houses" and its Estes Park culture or history. Edna Ferber (author connections in a free 45-minute proof Show Boat and Cimarron) spent nugram held in (or just outside of, demerous summers at Longs Peak Inn pending on weather) the meeting room when Enos Mills was alive, and the at 240 Moraine Avenue. As with all world-renowned contralto "Tini" SchuEstes Park Archives' lectures and premann-Heink was a guest of the Stanley sentations, admission is free, the proHotel more than once in the 1920s, and gram kicks off promptly at 1 o'clock, tutored local aspiring opera singer and you don't need to be a member or Georgia Graves Service when she even an Estes Park resident to attend. moved to New York to further her caNow that the omicron strain has reer. reached neighboring communities, Much of personal narrative of the current state and local (Larimer novel "White Houses" is based on a County Health Department) recomcache of letters exchanged between mendations apply. Please call 586-4889 Eleanor Roosevelt and Lorena Hickok if you are unfamiliar with protocol, or over 30 years (supposedly, some letters need directions.

Friday, December 10, 2021 « 13

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14 » Friday, December 10, 2021

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Quota Festival Of Trees Now On Display Quota is hosting their annual Festival of Trees. The event is being held in the lobbies of the Estes Park Resort and The Dunraven Restaurant. Proceeds from these beautiful, one-of-a kind decorated trees support many Quota community projects such as the Loan Closet, ambulances for our community, AEDs, services to children and seniors, student grants and more. Show your support of Estes Park Quota by purchasing your chance to win one of these beautiful holiday trees. Buy tickets at the front desk$1/ticket, $5 for 6 or $10 for 13 tickets, include your name and phone number on your tickets. The trees will be on display from now through December 19 and the drawing to win the trees will be held on Dec. 19 at 3 p.m.

We have some amazing trees this year.

Is there anything cuter

than a holiday gnome? This charming tree created by Coldwell Banker Estes Village Properties will warm your heart.

Adorned with silver glitter accents and cheery gnomes throughout, finished with a ribbon of cute red gnomes.

Quoatarian Grace Stephens created this lovely blue and white Winter Wonderland tree. Mirrored and glitter ornaments, iridescent icicles and flowing ribbons adorn this tree.

This gorgeous Rustic Christmas tree with burlap and twine accents, pine cones and burgundy ribbon wrapped gift ornaments was decorated by the Estes Park Resort. Win a two night stay in Glenwood Springs and two tickets for the Glenwood caverns adventure park with this tree.

Get out and see these 39 wonderful trees, have a great breakfast, lunch or dinner at the Dunraven and purchase tickets to win one for yourself.

Good luck!

Coldwell Banker Estes Village Properties’ Tree

Grace Stephen’s Tree

Estes Park Resort’s Tree

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Friday, December 10, 2021 « 15

Duck Race 2022 Seeks Participating Organizations

Calling all Estes Valley nonprofit charities or organizations that would like to share the proceeds of the 2022 Rotary Duck Race Festival! Now’s the time to step up, ask your members if they will sell Duck Adoption Forms, and submit paperwork for consideration by the Rotary Duck Race Festival organizations committee.

Invitations to participate have been mailed to past and potential participating organizations, according to Beth Weisberg, Big Duck for the 2022 Rotary Duck Race Festival. Groups that have not received letters but would like to participate are encouraged to submit an application for consideration. Friday, Dec. 31, 2021 is the deadline for organizations to apply.

“After two years of virtual Duck Races due to the pandemic, this year we are hoping the Race will be back in the river,” said Weisberg. “And this year we are going back to offering adoptions on paper as well as online. Since the brochures containing the names of all participating organizations will be printed very soon after the December 31 application deadline, nonprofit charities and organizations should submit the application soon, to be sure they will be included.”

Once nonprofit charities and organizations have been notified of their selection as participating organizations, they can launch their Duck Adoption sales campaigns. Sales can be conducted online through the Rotary Duck Race Festival website, Facebook page, and the traditional paper Adoption Form. The Rotary Duck Race Festival committee encourages participating organizations to use their own websites, social media and email to extend their sales reach beyond the local community. In 2021 7,198 ducks swam in the race as a result of duck adoptions sold by participating organizations.

This year’s Duck Race Festival will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2022. Exciting major cash and vacation stay prizes are planned, in addition to hundreds of pop-

ular merchant-donated prizes. The 2021 event returned $118,579 to 65 area organizations and groups. Beneficiary organizations receive $19 from every $20 Duck Adoption sold.

Organizations will be selected for the 2022 Duck Race Festival based on the following criteria: 1. Previous adherence to expectations of being involved in the Duck Race.

2. Must have a local presence and be of benefit to the local community. Organizations and associations may either hold a valid 501(c)3 or 501(c)4 tax status with the US Internal Revenue Service or be deemed to benefit the local community.

3. Must agree to sell a minimum of $400 in Duck Adoptions.

4. Must provide one adult volunteer to help with the race. This person may be asked to work prior to race day or on race day (for example, help to set up before the race or take down after the race, or help keep the rubber ducks moving down the river during the race). The adult volunteer provided by the organization need not be on the organization’s staff.

Organizations are strongly encouraged to participate in race day activities at George Hix Riverside Plaza on May 7, 2022 by staffing a booth to share information about the organization, sell Duck Adoptions, and offer an interactive activity for event attendees.

“We hope to hear from new organizations as well as those that have been helped by the race in the past 33 years,” said Larry Williams, 2022 Rotary Duck Race Festival Organization Chair. “The Duck Race Festival is a great community event, and being part of it can be fun and profitable for our participating organizations. Working together, we can make 2022 a record year for our nonprofit charities and organizations!”

For additional information or to receive an application form, contact Williams by email at lwilli5442@yahoo.com, U.S. Mail at P.O. Box 1226,

‘Who’ is ready for Fall?

16 » Friday, December 10, 2021

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Estes Park Village Band And Jazz Big Band To Present Holiday Concert

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The Estes Park Jazz Big Band and Estes Park Village Band will present a Holiday Concert of traditional Christmas music as well as newer songs for the holidays on Tuesday, December 14. The free concert will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Estes Park High School Theater.

Sharing the conducting duties for Sunday’s program will be Melinda Workman, Jeff Klintberg and Chuck Varilek.

The Jazz Big Band, under the direction of Chuck Varilek, will begin the concert with “It’s The Holiday Season (Happy Holidays)” followed by “Christmas Time Is Here” from “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Jan McCown will then be featured vocal soloist on Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas.” “O Holy Night” and “Comfort And Joy” will round out the Jazz Big Band’s portion of the program.

After a short intermission to reset the stage, Workman will begin the Village Band’s share of the concert with “Eight Nights Of Light (A Chanukah Celebration)” followed by “Silent Night In Gotham.”

Jeff Klintberg will direct the Village Band on two Mannheim Steamroller adaptions of “Faeries (Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairies)” and “Pat-A-Pan.”

Varilek will then direct the band on “Stille, Stille, Stille” and “Christmas Recollections,” a medley of Christmas favorites including “Frosty The Snowman,” “Here Comes Santa Claus” and “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.”

For the band’s traditional end-ofconcert singalong, Scott Anderson will lead the audience in singing Estes Park resident Jerry Brubaker’s arrangement of “The Ultimate Christmas SingAlong,” including wellknown Christmas songs “Jingle Bells,” “Deck The Halls,” “Silent Night” and “We Wish You A Merry Christmas.”

The Village Band has been performing free concerts in the Estes Park community each year for the past 39 years (except in 2020 due to COVID.) The Jazz Big Band has been performing free concerts in the Estes Park community each year for the past 29 years.

The Estes Park Village Band and Jazz Big Band are community bands made up of adult and school age musicians from the Estes Park area as well as from surrounding communities. New members are always welcome to perform with the bands.

Call Chuck Varilek at 970-227-8704 for more information.

2022 Friendship Card Now On Sale show their card at the business in order to receive the discount. Certain restrictions may apply. Participating merchants will be listed on the Friendship Card’s Facebook page – facebook.com/EP Friendship Card. Printed brochures will be available at locations selling the card, and participating merEstes Park’s 2022 Friendship Card for chants will display the Friendship Card Local Discounts will be available for pur- window decal. The 2022 card will be chase beginning Friday, December 10, valid from January 1 through December 2021. The Friendship Card can be pur31, 2022. chased at these locations: Cabintique, The Friendship Card is brought to you Country Market, Estes Park Visitor Cen- by the Rotary Club of Estes Park. Net ter, MacDonald Book Shop, Mad Moose, proceeds from the sale of the card are Nicky’s Restaurant, Quality Inn, Safeway used for community grants, scholar(Guest Services), Rocky Mountain Gate- ships, and other Rotary projects. way, and Wynbrier Home/Wynbrier Ltd. The Rotary Club of Estes Park would The card costs $10. like to offer gratitude to the many parThe Friendship Card will be valid at ticipating merchants, as this fundraising more than 70 local businesses, who will project would not be possible without offer discounts on food and drink, shop- each one of them. To become a participing, entertainment, and services. pating merchant, contact Karen ThompFriendship Card holders will need to son at epfriendshipcard@gmail.com.

Friday, December 10, 2021 « 17

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18 » Friday, December 10, 2021

Congratulations to Miqmar Dolma, the Estes Park High School Student of the Week for December 10, 2021.

At EPHS, Miqmar likes to play volleyball and her favorite class is Anatomy/Physiology. She said, “I achieved a 4.0 GPA in my freshmen year. I am proud of myself for putting myself out there and going outside of my comfort zone.”

In her free time, she likes to practice volleyball, create pottery and hike. She said, “I like doing art pieces in my free time, and I like to go shopping to treat myself. I have a little brother, and many younger cousins. I have a job at Colorado Tees And Gifts.”

When asked what her favorite place to visit would be she said, “A place I would like to visit is Singapore, Gardens by the Bay.” Her favorite quote is, “Never regret yesterday. Life is in you today and you make your tomorrow.” She said, “This is my favorite quote because often I make mistakes, but I learn to not dwell on the past as it has already gone away. And I should continue looking and working for my future, because I am the only thing keeping me from my goals.”

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EPHS Theater Troupe To Present The Musical, Mamma Mia This Weekend

Miqmar Dolma 10th Grade

The best piece of advice she’s ever received is, patience is key and to measure twice before you cut.

After high school Miqmar said, “I plan on going to college, preferably one near family and I plan on just enjoying life being on my own.”

The Estes Park High School and Thespian Troupe 7284 will present Mamma Mia! at the EPHS Auditorium this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, December 9, 10 and 11 at 7 p.m.

On a small Greek island, Sophie dreams of a perfect wedding — one which includes her father giving her away. The problem? Sophie doesn’t know who he is! Her mother Donna, the former lead singer of the 1970s pop group Donna and the Dynamos, refuses to talk about the past, so Sophie decides to take matters into her own hands. Sneaking a peek in her mother’s old diaries, she discovers three possible fathers: Sam, Bill, and Harry. She secretly invites all three to the wedding, convinced that she’ll know her father when she sees him. But when all three turn up, it may not be as clear as she thought! Mamma Mia! has become a worldwide sensation that has audiences everywhere dancing.

The cast of EPHS’ production of Mamma Mia! Sophie – Ashley Maese Ali – Samantha Workman Lisa - Sydney Lewelling Donna – Rose Burgit

Tonya – Molly Larson Rosie – Ashley Doan Sky – Thomas Dorman Pepper – Isaac Robinson Eddie – Zack Lewis Harry – Alex Wollett Bill – Shawn Mitling Sam – Cullen Fitzgerald Chorus Alanna Finch Amelia Bryant Annie Lewelling Bella Walker Grace Thamert Lexi Richardson Lily-Ann Smith Lucy Leija Lux Van Tatenhove Merin Hamel Odin Rhode Kai Walker Tickets for adults are $15, student/child are $12. Tickets may be purchased online at www.estesschools.org or at the door.

Please note: Masks will be required for audience members.

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Friday, December 10, 2021 « 19

20 » Friday, December 10, 2021

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Five Fun Facts About… House Finches By: Dawn Wilson

This week’s featured animal is the house finch. One of the most common birds to see any time of year in Estes Valley, especially at feeders, is the house finch. Their range extends well beyond our region, reaching just about every corner of the lower 48 states throughout the year and Hawaii. Here are five more facts about this vibrant, ubiquitous bird.

1. In the 1940s, dealers illegally cap-

tured the birds in California and marketed them in the eastern U. S. as “Hollywood Finches”. Historically only a resident of the southwestern U. S. and Mexico, the birds now flourish in much of the United States. In Hawaii, the house finch was introduced in the mid1800s and is called the papaya bird after its favorite island food.

2. The plumage of male house finches ranges from gray to bright crimson, a result of how much carotenoids—the

red, orange and yellow organic pigments found in some wild foods—the birds eat.

3. Female house finches prefer to mate with the reddest males.

4. One of the most vegetarian birds in North America, the majority of the house finch diet is vegetable matter, including seeds, buds, berries and flower parts. They particularly like sunflower seeds at feeders.

5. House finches can drink up to 40

percent of their body weight on a hot summer day.

Dawn Wilson is a professional and award-winning nature photographer who lives in Estes Park year-round. You can see more of her work, join one of her Rocky tours, and purchase prints at DawnWilsonPhotography.com or follow her on Instagram: @dawnwilsonphoto.

The male house finch feathers will reflect the colors of the organic pigments they eat, ranging from gray to crimson.

A male house finch rests on some thorny branches on a snowy winter day.

House finches primarily eat vegetable matter, with estimates reported as high as 97 percent of their total diet.

A female and male house finch rest on a deck railing while feeding on seeds provided by an Estes Park resident.

A pair of house finches feed on sunflower seeds, one of their favorite foods at feeders.

Friday, December 10, 2021 « 21

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The Holiday Shoppe At The Old Gallery In Allenspark Ends Sunday, Dec. 19 Still looking for a few gifts for the special people on your list? Looking for something unique instead of the same old fruitcake, holiday candle or tin-ofpopcorn? Make sure to visit The Holiday Shoppe at The Old Gallery in Allenspark. You’ll find original art, hats, quilts, soaps, ceramics, handmade ornaments and scarves and more, created by 28 featured artists at The Old Gallery, as well as gifts made by members of the The Hilltop Guild in Allenspark.

“The Old Gallery is one of the most unique galleries in all of Colorado, featuring the work of regional artists from Boulder and Larimer counties,” said photographer Kathy Banich. The art ranges from oil paintings, watercolors and drawings to stained glass, jewelry, teas, ceramics and gourds,” she said.

Artists have created cards, calendars, coasters, ornaments and more for The Holiday Shoppe. The Old Gallery is open from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through December 19.

Contributing artists include Kathy Banich, photography; Ann Barnsley, pottery; Kitty Burton, oils/pastels/watercolors; Darlene Bushue, photography; Patty Dwyer, oils/pastels; Vicki Dyas, gourd art and jewelry; Leslie S. Emerson, jewelry/mixed media; George Epp, woodturning; Lyn E. Ferguson, photography; Elizabeth Hake, jewelry; Bonnie Hanna, clay; Patti Harrison, jewelry; Terry Kasprzak; watercolor/drawing/photography; Susan Krauth, acrylics; Elizabeth Lazarus, pottery; Sheila Marie, oils; Judi Mitchell, Raku ceramic pottery; Mary Morse, fiber art; Julie Neri, ceramics; Jennifer Nicholson, pyrography/acrylics/watercolor; Cheryl Pennington, photography/hand tinting; Lydia Pottoff, fine art/pastels/oils; Lois Rentz, fused glass, MaryLynn Schumacher, clay tiles; Linda Toukan, jewelry; Sally Van Der Kamp, stained glass/fused glass/jewelry; Merrie Wicks, watercolor/oils and Dawn Wil-

son, photography.

Located at 14863 Highway 7 at the entrance to Allenspark, The Old Gallery is 20 minutes south of Estes Park and 20 minutes from Lyons. It’s a beautifully renovated 1940s log structure that is a non-profit center for community, art and visitors. It provides art, education, entertainment and social services to area residents and visitors, including the Community Cupboard Food Bank, Community Closet, art and yoga classes, concerts, potlucks and more.

“The Old Gallery is ab-

solutely worth coming to Allenspark,” said Banich. “Our artists have outdone themselves with the gifts they’ve created.

Come see for yourself.”

22 » Friday, December 10, 2021

“ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS …”

If you’ve listened to this season’s songs in the past you probably would silently add, ‘my two front teeth’, and, perhaps, add some of the lyrics: “…if I only had my two front teeth then I could wish you ‘Merry Christmas’. It seems so long since I could say ‘Sister Suzie’s sitting on a thistle!...how happy I would be if only I could whistle’.” The song was written by a New York second grade teacher, Don Gardner. At Christmas time he had asked his second-graders what they wanted for Christmas. As they began to voice their hopes he noticed that, when many of them smiled, about two-thirds of them had lost ‘baby-teeth’ in the front of their mouths. He suggested teeth as a possible gift and they all laughed and the song was born. It was later sung by Elmo (of Sesame Street fame), comedian Spike Jones, Nat King Cole and others, thereby becoming a Christmas classic.

As I thought about this song and the story behind it, I couldn’t help think that it has a message for us at all times. It reminds me that, many times, we rush to give things to loved ones that are not really the things they desire the most. This certainly happens during this season of the year. As I suggested last week, parents often become very ‘generous’ at Christmas time, at times trying to ‘make up’ for things they have failed to give their children during the rest of the year.

Gary Chapman wrote several books highlighting the ‘Languages of Love’, including one about children’s needs and longings. Those ‘love languages’, one or more with which we all identify, are: ‘Time’, ‘Touch’, ‘Talk’, ‘Service’, ‘Gifts’. One of these is the ‘language’ that ‘speaks’ most clearly to each child and person to convey a sense of love and genuine caring. Each of them is costly and, sadly, as a result, many search out the ‘cheapest priced’ commodity to try to convince their loved one that they are cared for.

When was the last time we sat down and deeply asked ourselves what ‘love language’ each of our children longs to hear? Do they long for time spent with just them in some activity of their choice, or special times of sharing with mom or dad and that parent sharing with them instead of always getting a ‘busy signal’ when they try to get an audience with them about something they deem important? Each child’s ‘love language’ will be different, so each will need to be searched out if we want to ‘speak’ most effectively their ‘language’. We can see the challenge in this, resulting quite often in parents’ decision to ‘throw’ presents or money their children’s way to ease parental guilt and try to convey a caring for them. Since we’ve already set the stage for this year, let’s give time to seeking to decipher those ‘love languages’ of each one we know and strive to ‘speak’ those ‘languages’ clearly in coming years. How would your child complete the phrase ‘all I want for Christmas is’?

Of course, as we’ve been reminded most graphically in recent days, we need to be careful about giving them what they do want, determining that such is best for them and for others. While we probably wouldn’t give our son a gun for Christmas, as one illfated couple did recently, there are always those things that are given that are less lethal that are given…often when ‘all I want for Christmas’ is pleaded, only to find that such an item became addictive or contributed to wrong mindsets, attitudes and behavior. How will we know? If we have been spending serious time speaking all ‘love languages’ with our child we can know what is best for them. The Bible says: “Train up a child in the way that he should go and, when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Prov. 22:6) Let’s make this a very merry holiday season striving for joy and peace for all we know. God, our Father, speaks all our ‘love languages’ and gave His very best Gift. May we be of His same mindset and give our children the best ‘gifts’.

God bless. Bob Lewis

Dec 10 – Dec. 16

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Support EVICS Family Resource Center’s Winter Giving Campaign Happy Holidays from EVICS Family Resource Center. The concept and wellknown phrase, “it takes a village,” refers to the idea that parents, grandparents, cousins, and uncles aren’t alone in raising children; every member of a community plays a role in the development of a child. EVCS Family Resource Center is a welcoming home away from home for the families of Estes Park and understands that it means something to be known by name when you walk into the local grocery store. It instills a feeling of security when neighbors look out for one another, like we do in our village.

EVICS has been a vital advocate for families with young children in our village of Estes Park for over a decade and has grown services to support the entire family. We accomplish this by “meeting people where they are,” which is another way to say we build authentic relationships with individuals and families, and join them in the journey to accomplish the goals they set for themselves.

EVICS doesn’t greet families with a clipboard in hand, instead an offer of a comfortable seat, a beverage, and unhurried time in conversation. At EVICS, families are connected to the resources they need to thrive and are empowered to advocate for themselves within the community through our Family Development Program. Our community has

limited resources and it’s not always easy to connect families to what they need; and this is where highly trained Family Advocates act within an empowering, strengths-based organizational culture to creatively problem solve to meet the needs. That “do what needs to be done” attitude leads to systems change as we are able to identify gaps in services and ideas for what can be done to bridge them.

This winter, EVICS invites you to join us in support of families by contributing to our Winter Giving Campaign, kicking off December 7 on Colorado Gives Day, and going through the end of 2021.

Our goal is to offset a year of rent and utilities so all efforts of staff can go to directly support children and families in our community. Your support allows EVICS Family Resource Center to respond to the needs of families, which goes far beyond tuition assistance or access to childcare; families are emerging from a year of insecurity in the form of pandemic and natural disasters. You already have a role in our village; accept your place in the future of the Este Valley with a contribution to families and EVICS Family Resource Center.

Donate online at evics.org and take a tour of our Center and hear a testimony from a member of the Mamas en Conexion.

Estes Park Table Tennis Club Is Back!

Good news for those of us who love ping pong, or if your looking for a new social and competitive activity, the Estes Park Table Tennis Club is back! We will meet on Mondays from 3-5 p.m., at Mountain View Bible Fellowship in the gymnasium, access through the north side door.

All skill levels and ages are welcome. Lessons available, show up or call Joe at 970232-8505.

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Estes Valley Chamber Singers Present “A Choral Christmas”

Estes Park Senior Citizens Center Menu Dec 13 – 17 Monday, Dec 13

Salisbury Steak (topped w/ vegetables) w/ mashed potatoes & gravy

Tuesday, Dec 14

Smothered Chicken (6 oz) (topped w/ mushrooms, green peppers & onions) w/ Rice Pilaf

Wed., Dec 15

Avocado Bacon Cheddar Burger w/ 3-Bean Salad

Thursday, Dec 16 Trout (4 oz) w/ Baked Potato & soup Friday, Dec 17

Mexican Platter (beef taco in corn shell, bean burrito topped w/ pork green chili & cheesy quesadilla) w/ refried beans

Dec 20 – 24

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” so goes the song Andy Williams made famous nearly 60 years ago, and opened his Christmas shows with it each season. If you remember those you have been around a while, and if so, you know the feeling that you got when watching.

Well, over the years that feeling has faded, but it came to a complete halt in 2020.

The Estes Valley Chambers Singers— now in their sixteenth year—have not missed giving a Christmas concert even in 2020, although not in Estes Park. So we are very excited to announce that we will be giving two Christmas Concerts this month; the first one on Saturday, December 18th, at 2:00 p.m. at Rinn United Methodist Church in Frederick, Colorado, and the second performance will be at Estes Park Baptist Church on Mall Road on Sunday, December 19th, also at 2:00 p.m. Both of these concerts are free and our gift to the communities.

There will be a free-will offering to cover the cost of music and a gift to the churches for their support.

Estes Park has not enjoyed any choral music for twenty months, and it is time not only for audiences but the singers themselves to once again experience the joy of Christmas choral music. As is al-

ways the case with the Chamber Singers, this program will have something for everyone, and will include pieces dating back 600 years to modern Christmas choral pieces to some of the most loved seasonal pieces.

Their program opens with the 16th century Dutch Composer Jan Sweelinck’s “Hodie,” and makes a giant leap to the 20th century American composer Randol Bass’s “Gloria.”

These two numbers are followed by several pieces that quietly tell of the birth of Christ. The program ends with some of the most popular seasonal songs that everyone will be familiar with and find themselves wanting to hum along. Joining us at the Rinn program will be the women’s group from that area, Harmonia. Joining us in Estes will be the French horns from the Village Band.

Mark you calendars for one of these two wonderful programs and come join us for our “Choral Christmas.” Again, that’s Saturday, December 18th at 2:00 p.m. in Frederick at the Rinn United Methodist Church, and Sunday, December 19th at 2:00 p.m. at Estes Park Baptist Church on Mall Road. Hope to see you there.

Monday, Dec 20

Vegetarian Lasagna w/ garlic bread & side salad

Tuesday, Dec 21

Hot Turkey Sandwich w/ mashed potatoes, gravy & vegetables

Wed., Dec 22

Beef Pot Roast w/ Rice, gravy & vegetables

Thursday, Dec 23 Grilled Chicken Breast Sandwich (topped w/ avocado, bacon & cheddar cheese) w/ Pasta Salad Friday, Dec 24

Ham Dinner w/ Candied Yams & vegetables

All noon meals are $5 for current EP Senior Citizens Center members and are by reservation only. 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, Dec 13th you need to call before 1:00 PM on Friday, Dec 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 and at estesparkseniors.org

The Center is OPEN (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 10-1; Tuesday 10-2) TriFit (MWF 10:30-11:15); Yoga/Balance (TT 10:15-11:15) Mahjong (Tuesdays 10-2); Crafts (Tuesdays 11:30-1) Two Bridge Groups: 1st, 3rd, & 5th Wednesday of the month & Every Thurs 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

24 » Friday, December 10, 2021

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Charitable Gifts Can Still Provide Tax Benefits It’s the season of giving. Of course, you may be thinking of the gifts you’re planning to give to your loved ones and friends, but you may well want to extend your generosity beyond your immediate circle to support charitable organizations whose work you support. If you can afford to donate to charitable groups, your gifts will be much appreciated in these challenging times. And when you give, you may also receive something in return: tax benefits.

To understand the tax advantages of charitable giving, let’s quickly look at a little recent history. Up until a few years ago, many people itemized deductions on their tax returns, including gifts to qualified charitable organizations. But under changes in tax laws, the standard deduction was almost doubled. (In 2021, it’s $25,100 for married taxpayers filing jointly and $12,550 for single taxpayers.)

As a result of these changes, far fewer people are itemizing their deductions.

But by being strategic with your giving, you can find tax benefits regardless of your filing status, If you itemize, you may be able to donate investments directly to a charity and take a tax deduction for the current value of the investment (with limits based on your adjusted gross income).

Even if you don’t itemize your income taxes, you could still avoid the capital gains taxes you’d have to pay if you sold the investments, provided you’ve held them for at least a year. This avoidance could be significant if your stocks have appreciated greatly over time, and donating investments provides a benefit over giving cash if you take the standard deduction. Of course, before you donate

stocks to a charitable group, you’ll want to review the effect your gift has on your portfolio and your overall financial strategy.

You might also receive one other type of charitable giving tax benefit if you take the standard deduction. Specifically, you can take a $300 deduction (or $600 for married couples filing jointly) for charitable gifts. This COVID-19 relief measure is only available through the 2021 tax year, so you’ll have to make the gift before the end of the year.

And if you’re 70½ or older, you may be able to take advantage of another charitable giving technique, known as a qualified charitable distribution, which allows you to transfer up to $100,000 per year from an IRA to a charitable organization if you don’t need the money to meet your retirement needs. Some, or perhaps all, of this money may come from the taxable withdrawals – known as required minimum distributions, or RMDs – you’re required to take, starting at age 72, from your traditional IRA. (A Roth IRA does not require you to take RMDs.) By making this move, you can exclude the RMD from your taxable income. However, before taking this action, you’ll want to consult with your tax advisor.

Supporting a worthy charity is a good way to help celebrate the holiday season.

And if your generosity earns you some tax benefits, it’s a win for everyone involved.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by our local Edward Jones Financial Advisors. Edward Jones. Member SIPC.

Volunteer With AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Would you like to make a difference in the lives of people right in your own community? As an AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteer, you can help people who can’t afford to pay for professional tax preparation — and often miss out on much-needed tax breaks, deductions, and refunds. You can help put money back in their pockets.

You don’t have to be a tax pro or an AARP member to volunteer with us — there are many ways to get involved and

connect with people in your community. Whatever your skill set, there’s a role for you! Comprehensive training included. Commitment from January - April 2022. Days and times vary. You make your own schedule and can work as many days and weeks as you are available. We are also in need of Spanish speaking volunteers.

Contact Jill Lancaster at jnflancaster@gmail.com if you would like to learn more.

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THE GLOBAL STANDARD IN LUXURY REAL ESTATE WORLD CLASS PROPERTIES WORLD-RENOWNED SERVICE “Where the Estes Valley has been coming for real estate solutions since 1985!”

Rams Horn Timeshares Starting at $3,500

116 E. Elkhorn Ave

$3,000,000

Mike & Marie Edwards Broker Owners

970‐231‐0495

Linda Schneider Broker Associate

970‐227‐0998

Andrew Blaeser Broker Associate

218‐269‐4058

355 Virginia Dr

$659,000

100 Fox Creek Dr

$559,000

2645 Grey Fox Dr

$1,695,000

Mary Murphy Broker Associate

970‐214‐6350

Tyler Ryan Broker Associate

UN DE RC ON TR AC T

303‐219‐0670

EstesParkRealEstate.com 320 E. Elkhorn Avenue | Downtown Estes Park

5532 E US HIGHWAY 36

AbbeyPontius Broker

Judy Anderson GRI, MRE, ABR, Broker Associate

Eric Blackhurst Broker Associate

Since 1930 this 38.9 acre property has provided travelers food, lodging and a place in which to play and relax. The main lodge has 18 rooms with baths, a large foyer for relaxing, and a commercial kitchen with dining/meeting room. Owner reports 4 buildings have 21,988 sqft of finished living spaces, 2 septic systems and 2 wells.

County says the property could be divided into 10-acre parcels. This property must be seen to be appreciated. $3,900,000

970.586.2950

www.KeyToEstesPark.com

170 S. St. Vrain, Estes Park, CO 80517

Vicky Holler Broker Associate

970‐222‐6692 Each Office Independently Owned and Operated

970-586-4425

26 » Friday, December 10, 2021

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Mountain Brokers 1200 Graves Avenue, Estes Park

Office: 970-586-5324

The Mountains Are Calling...

We'll Guide You Home – RE/MAX www.WeSellEstesPark.com

New Price

www.2220Arapaho.com $1,174,000

www.GreyFoxLot.com

www.EstesHomeForSale.com $539,000

$340,000

Call Kirk or Peggy

Call Kirk or Peggy

Call Kirk or Peggy

www.RiverSpruceForSale.com $2,850,000

www.YourEstesHome.com $1,150,000

505 Fall River Lane D $313,000

Call Kirk or Peggy

Call Kirk or Peggy

Call Maria or Javier

1050 S. St Vrain B-1 $380,000

www.GlenHavenLuxuryHome.com $959,000

1802 Wildfire Road $365,900

Call Maria or Javier

Call April

Call Gene

New Price

Under Contract

Kirk Fisher Broker Owner CRS, CMAS, CLHMS

Peggy Lynch

April Allen

Javier Gomez

Maria Gomez

CRS, GRI, CDPE, ABR, SRES, QSC, CLHMS

Broker

Broker, CRS, CMAS

Broker

Broker, SRES, ABR

970-213-8692

970-213-9479

970-232-6231

Carla Spreng Webb Broker 480-695-9293

Gene Whannel

970-586-1000

970-586-1000

970-219-0907

Dave Kiser

Dave Lasota

Kim Lemirande

Cindy Miller

Broker

Broker

Broker, SRS, CMAS, GRI

Broker, ASP, ABR, CDPE

970-231-2989

970-412-7283

970-481-1880

Renee Hodgden

970-888-1654

Broker

970-481-7002

Friday, December 10, 2021 « 27

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Banker Family Partners With Larimer County To Conserve 272-Acre Ranch In Southern Larimer County In partnership with local landowners John and Kim Lankford Banker, Larimer County Natural Resources has conserved the 272acre Rockin’ K Diamond Ranch via conservation easement in southern Larimer County. The conservation easement is located in Larimer County’s Blue Mountain Conservation Priority Area and is made possible due to a full donation from the Banker family.

The property provides a significant buffer to already conserved lands as it is adjacent to both the Blue Mountain Bison Ranch Conservation Easement, held by Larimer County, and United States Forest Service (USFS) lands. The Ranch boasts excellent wildlife habitat and is dominated by healthy ponderosa pine forests, mountain mahogany shrublands, rock outcroppings, and riparian areas along the North Fork of the Little Thompson River.

Over time, the Banker family has purchased numerous parcels that comprise the ranch with the vision to create a larger wildlife habitat complex. “This has

Nonprofit Events - Crisis Advocates Comedy Show Fundraiser. December 10.

- Inaugural Yuletide Open House at the Stanley Home, December 11 +12.

- Tinker Tuesday Robots for kids and teens, Library, December 14.

- Holiday Open House for nonprofits at EPNRC, December 16.

- Mom’s Cafe at EVICS for mothers of children under 2 years, December 20.

High Fives!

- Big thanks to the businesses that hosted CO Gives Day events, encouraged donations, and/or gave a percentage of sales to a local nonprofit.

- The Learning Place will start tutoring kids in the Elementary School via United Way grant. This allows them to assist students in all three schools.

been our dream to return the Ranch back to its historical environment. Following in the legacy of both our families, we are thankful for this opportunity to contribute to the future of Larimer County, Colorado,” said John Banker.

The Bankers have actively managed the property for improved forest health and habitat outcomes following an approved forest stewardship plan in consultation with Colorado State Forest Service.

“The Banker family has had tremendous foresight to conserve this landscape from parceled development,” Meegan Flenniken, Land Conservation, Planning & Resource Division Manager, Larimer County Natural Resources. “It’s been an honor to work with John and Kim to achieve their vision for conservation, and we sincerely thank them for partnering with us.”

Visit online for more information about land conservation in Larimer County.

- The Library has trained volunteers and staff to assist townies with the Maker’s Space: sew, etch, 3-D print and more.

Volunteer Match - One more student at the schools seeks a mentor. One hour a week. Contact Partners.

- Crisis Center seeks on-call weekend assistance. Training provided.

- Help coat check at the Chocolate and Wine fest for the Town of Estes Park. @Estes Volunteers

Find More on Facebook

FALL RIVER ESTATES Avoid the crowds and hike right into Rocky Mountain National Park from this beautiful piece of property located at the Top of the Rockies in the Fall River Estates West Subdivision. Fabulous rock outcroppings and two potential building sites, with views of Twin Sisters and beautiful Fall River from above. Sewer tap is paid and is at property. Custom building plans available. Take a walk for yourself and get a feel of the privacy and views from this property. Call Trisha with any questions. Offered for $289,900

THE GOMEZ TEAM

Javier Gomez Broker 970 213-8692

estesparkproperties@gmail.com

Maria Gomez Broker

970 213-9479

maria@estesparkproperties.realestate

505 Fall River Ln D Perfect full time residence or vacation condo. 2 bedroom 1 bath upstairs unit. Sit on your deck overlooking the private meadow & listen to the river a block away & watch the abundant wildlife parade by as the world slowly passes by. Within walking distance to town and 5 minute drive to RMNP. Updated bathroom and recently painted. Gas log fireplace. Outside maint. managed by the HOA. Quiet neighborhood of permanent residents. No short term rentals./limited long term rentals. Listed at $313,000

Mountain Brokers 1200 Graves Avenue, Estes Park PRICE REDUCED

28 » Friday, December 10, 2021

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Shop Small-Shop Local Scavenger Hunt Continues New Clues for Week 3: Win $50 Eddie the Elk is hiding in five different stores in Estes Park. If you find Eddie, you can win a $50 gift card to that store. Look for clues below and on the Shop Estes page.

Thanks to Visit Estes Park for your partnership.

3145 Fish Creek Road

$650,000

Under Contract in 4 Days!

Beautiful home located at the south end of Carriage Hills, where wildlife is abundant and night skies are dark.

Near new condition with energy efficient in-floor heating and southern exposure.

Large deck overlooks Longs Peak and The Crags. Two-car garage with concrete driveway.

Scott Thompson 970-590-9941

Scott@EstesParkHome.com 1692 Big Thompson Avenue, Ste 201 Estes Park, CO 80517

www.EstesParkHome.com

Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated

1015 Lexington Lane • 4 bedroom/3 bath plus office • Beautifully cared for ranch style offers main level living • 1/2 acre with mature pines • Ideal location to schools, downtown Estes Park & golf course

ing New List

$649,000 Call Mike today for your private tour!

Mike Richardson

Mindy Stone

Aaron Busche

Broker/Owner

Broker Associate CMAS

Broker Associate CNE

Mike@EstesPK.com

Mindy@EstesPK.com

Aaron@EstesPK.com

GRI, CNE, ABR, NAR Green Designation

(970) 215-2722

(970) 449-2645

(970) 470-9962

Last Week To Order Student-Created Christmas Cards The deadline for ordering our student-created Christmas cards is December 15!

Cards can be viewed by going to our class website estesparksteam.com and clicking on the “Christmas Card Store” link.

Estes Park Middle School's STEAM 2 class (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) has once again teamed up with Nicole Rische's Art classes to bring these professional looking Christmas cards to the public.

Cards can be purchased in package deals of 20 cards for $14, or 10 for $8, and you can select how many cards of whichever designs you want. The cards are 5 1/2" x 8". They are printed on 80 lb. card stock and come with an envelope. To order your Christmas cards, please use the email address on the website, and your cards will be ready to pick up the next day at the middle school office. All profits made go back into the Science supplies budget to be spent directly on supplies for our students.

Please visit estesparksteam.com to take a look. The deadline for ordering is December 15th.

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Bright Christmas Celebrates 37th Year Giving Families Holiday Cheer

Bright Christmas founder Jean Austin (right) and Nancy Gregg handing over a check to Tom Carasello for the Estse Park Community Center passes. Courtesy photos

The annual distribution to Bright Christmas families took place this week.

A huge thank you goes out to the many donors who include families, individuals, service clubs, businesses, churches and others who sponsored families for gift giving. Thank you for your heartwarming generosity!

This year, there was an unknown donor who made beautiful children’s quilts that Bright Christmas volunteers were able to pass along to little ones, giving them warm holiday comfort and joy.

Something else special for the families this year was purchasing discounted punch passes to the Estes Park Comu-

nity Center, “The Rec,” so families may enjoy time working out, sports activities and some much needed “down time.”

Countless hours were given by an army of Bright Christmas volunteers, shopping, wrapping, sorting, boxing food, organizing quality used linens and bedding, Christmas decorations and gently used household goods and clothing.

Their hard work and dedication does not go unnoticed.

Thank you to all for giving to our neighbors in need in such a special way.

It does take a “village to make Christmas brighter” for so many!

Merry Christmas! %URGLH $YHQXH pccrusa.org

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Bright Christmas founder Jean Austin with some of the beautiful children’s quilts given away this year.

30 » Friday, December 10, 2021

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What’s Happening at the Estes Valley Library HOURS & SERVICES Open Hours: Mondays - Thursday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

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

Sundays, 1-5 p.m.

The library is open with full access to collections, study rooms, meeting spaces, and the Makerspace. The second floor offers computer access, with printing available. Free Wi-Fi is available both inside and outside the library. Face masks are required inside, per the current Larimer County health mandate.

Holidays: The library will be closed on December 24 and 25, and on January 1. The library will close at 3 p.m. on Friday, December 31.

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS Featuring crafts and take-home kits, and holiday books and movies, the library’s website has a link to this season’s special activities. Families can enjoy a local reading of “The Polar Express” in

English or Spanish on the library’s YouTube channel. Collections offer thousands of holiday-themed books, novels, cookbooks, music, and movies, in both physical and digital formats.

KIDS & TEENS Game Day Free Play Saturday, Dec. 11, 3-4 p.m., Hondius Room Participants can take part in board games and Wii video games, including the library’s new Oculus 2 for Virtual Reality. Especially for ages 6 to 17, but all ages welcome. Sign up at estesvalleylibrary.org.

Tinker Tuesday: Robots Tuesday, Dec. 14, 11 a.m. to noon and from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

See what the robots Ollie and Sphero are up to for the holidays. Sign-up at estesvalleylibrary.org.

Book vs. Movie: “The Polar Express” Saturday, Dec. 18, 2:30 - 5 p.m., Library Fireside

Book or movie—which do you like best? Watch “The Polar Express” on the big screen, then join others to share and hear impressions. Sign up at estesvalleylibrary.org Snowflake Decorating Wednesday, Dec. 22, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., Hondius Room Make paper snowflakes and decorate wood snowflakes at this Artwork Wednesday program. Sign-up at estesvalleylibrary.org.

EARLY READERS Pajama Storytime and Stuffed Animal Sleepover Thursday, Dec. 16, 6 to 6:30 p.m., Children’s Room Especially for ages 0 to 6 and their families. Enjoy stories, songs, rhymes and movement to learn and wind down the day. Leave a favorite stuffed animal to be picked up the next day, along with a keepsake photo of the animal sleepover.

No sign-up required.

WORKSHOPS Classical Composer Classes: Prokofiev Begins Wednesday, Jan. 19 (choose morning or afternoon track) This six-week series explores the life and works of Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953), one of 20th century music’s most prolific and interesting figures. Led by instructor Dr. Derald DeYoung. No previous music experience necessary. Register at

estesvalleylibrary.org.

COLLEGE READINESS College Planning One-on-One Appointments available From choosing a school to financial aid and FAFSA, college planning is made easier by a one-on-one virtual visit with Kaye Orten, retired Chancellor for Student Financial Services at CU-Boulder.

Look for appointment times at the library’s Events Calendar at estesvalleylibrary.org.

ONE BOOK ONE VALLEY “The Mountains Sing:” books available The 2022 title is “The Mountains Sing”

by Dr. Nguyen Phan Que Mai, as chosen

by Estes Valley readers. Copies are available for check-out. Other formats include digital eBook and eAudiobook.

Programs and discussions will take place in January, including a virtual presentation by the author on Saturday, January 29 at 6 p.m.

FRIENDS & FOUNDATION Cliffhanger Used Books Cliffhanger Used Books, located next to the Post Office, is operated by the library Friends & Foundation, offering gently-used books, movies, and music at discount prices. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. During December, Coloradothemed books are on sale for $2 hardcover and $1 paperback, plus tax.

Pajama Storytime and Stuffed Animal Sleepover Thursday, Dec. 16, 6 to 6:30 p.m., Children’s Room

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Classical Music Of Sergei Prokofiev: Six-Week Course Begins In January Over the past 15 years, music professor Dr. Derald DeYoung has been leading a popular music study course in Estes Park. Beginning this January, Dr. DeYoung will be teaching a six-week course focused on Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953), one of the most important and prolific composers of the 20th century.

This series is sponsored by the Estes Valley Library and will be offered on Wednesdays, January 19 through February 23, 2022. Participants may choose to register for a morning or afternoon session. The morning session runs from 10 am to 12 noon, and the identical afternoon session runs from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Since space is limited, students must register in advance and choose either the morning or afternoon sessions and may not alternate between sessions. All classes will take place at the Estes Valley Library, and there is no cost to participate. No previous musical experience is required to enjoy the content.

Classes will focus on Sergei Prokofiev’s life as a Soviet artist and introduce his music through video recordings of his orchestral, ballet, and piano music. His music is always tuneful, yet also flavored with interesting and unexpected harmonies.

“I abhor imitation,” Prokofiev once wrote, “and I abhor the familiar.” “The New

Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians” writes: “At all periods [Prokofiev] concerned himself with music for the stage, having a sharp sense of drama and character; but he was also one of the most notable 20th-century contributors to the genres of symphony, concerto and piano sonata.”

Instructor Derald DeYoung has taught previous courses on the music of Haydn, Mozart, Debussy, Ravel, Beethoven, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, Schubert, Bach, and Schumann. Dr. DeYoung is Professor of Music Emeritus from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan where he taught for 27 years before moving to Estes Park full time in 2005.

Registration for the workshops is now open and may be made by visiting the Event Calendar at estesvalleylibrary.org.

Conversational Spanish Classes

There’s Still Time To Spark Joy, Hope, Confidence And Generosity!

You can make a difference in the lives of local youth this holiday season.

Right now our youth are struggling with their mental health more than ever, experts have declared a mental health emergency for adolescents across the country. Local youth are searching for meaningful connections, positive adult role models, useful coping tools, and

1) Go to: poweredbypartners.org/spark/ 2) If you want to support a Spark Champion’s campaign or become a Spark Champion go to: poweredbypartners.org/events/spark-campaign/ 3) Send a check payable to Partners to: Partners, 530 S. College Ave. Unit 1,

empowering skills to help support them through these challenging times.

That’s where Partners comes in. We have never stopped working to provide an ever-growing number of northern Colorado (including the Estes Valley) youth with the support they deserve.

Participants in our high-quality mentoring and prevention education programs experience a significant improvement in their mental health, gaining confidence, trust, and hope.

And now you can help by supporting our 2021 Spark Campaign. We need to raise $150,000 by Dec. 31st to continue our important programs for the youth of Northern Colorado. That amount of money allows us to match and support 100 local youth with a mentor. A mentor they deserve and a mentor you can help them get!

Ways to make a tax deductible donation:

Fort Collins, CO 80524. (They process all donations for our Estes Park, Greeley, and Fort Collins Offices.) Be sure to write “The Spark Campaign” in the Memo line on your check. If you are donating to a specific champion’s page be sure to put their name in the memo line also.

4) Does your workplace match your charitable gifts? Please check with your employer for a matching gifts form.

Another way to support Partners is to give the gift of mentoring! Adult volunteers over 21 years of age who are very active and interested in working with youth.

Contact kwhitacre@poweredbypartners.org or go to our website www.poweredbypartners.org for more information on how to be a mentor or be an activity volunteer!

Thank you for your support!

Open Mic At Ed’s Cantina Join the Ed’s Cantina crew and host Jon Pickett for the warmest and most welcoming open mic in Colorado. Musicians, it’s your time to shine. Music lovers, come on down to meet friends and hear a wide variety of music all in one evening.

390 E. Elkhorn Ave. Estes Park Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Musicians and fans welcome.

Contact: Jon Pickett, (970) 214-2953 Info@edscantina.com

Con onvers versatio ational nal s span panish ish Classes Classes held by a na琀ve Spanish speaker, re琀red cer琀昀ed teacher, and college adjunct faculty member.

Fees: On a dona琀on basis (1-5 students) Contact: José A. Gómez Domenech (719-593-0465) M.A. in Intercultural Studies by Wheaton College (Illinois)

32 » Friday, December 10, 2021

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Rebel Pop! Art Extravaganza Show This Saturday Night At The Wheel Bar Two years ago, Jenn Bass of Pirate Face Productions and Jason Van Tatenhove put their creative minds together and produced Rebel Pop! -- a one-nightonly pop-up art extravaganza featuring local artists and musicians. It was an unforgettable evening with many accolades so this year, Pirate Face Productions and Torae’ Today have collaborated to create another Rebel Pop! to be held this Saturday, December 11 from 6 p.m. to midnight at The Wheel Bar. This year Rebel Pop! is presented to our community with a bit of an adult themed twist, giving everyone a chance to shop for those on your “naughty” list. Our vendors are chomping at the bit to bring you their hand-crafted talents and items for all your holiday needs and desires.

Torae’ Today will be offering whimsical, one-of-a-kind, multimedia artwork that will definitely bring a smile to your face. Jason Van Tatenhove will be there with his fine art painting and debuting his latest exciting novellas: The Red Witch & The Black Cat. Our town’s visual artist superstar, Wade Johnston, will also have his inspiring work on display.

Returning artists includes Bekah Black-

burn of Raven’s Dark Dolls and Chris and Camille Theunissen, who will be selling some of the quirkiest tie-dyed art your eyes have ever laid upon.

Buffy Ayers will have readymade seductive corsets and will be taking custom orders, too!

Debuting this year is Ronda Suarez who will be selling beautifully crafted and affordable jewelry along with the introduction of Traci Jo Anderson and her phenomenally distinctive stained-glass artwork.

Lastly, Lithium will have a table of fun and unique items perfect for under the tree or your stocking stuffers.

The evening’s musical headliner is Caitlyn Ryan, brining neo-soul and hiphop, guaranteed to bring the house down; local favorite Nick Wagner of Blues & Corduroys will open the musical performances with his funky blues.

Marcus James will strut his talent with his powerhouse vocals and pop alternative tunes.

Rebel Pop! would like to thank the incredible staff of The Wheel for supporting the arts and giving these incredible creators a place to shine. We look forward to seeing our beloved community come together and bring the holiday cheer this Saturday!

Visit Estes Park The Destination Marketing Organization VisitEstesPark.com

Fill Her life with Experiences not things!

Her stories will last forever!

Online

www.eftours.com/2451660HB th

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By Phone

800-665-5364

Tour Dates July 20 – July 31 , 2023

Discount deadline December 31st, 2021

Tour Number

Group Leader

2451660HB

Phone Number

(303) 638-7180

Email

Christine Guy

shutterbug1970@hotmail.com

Follow Us! @efgirltrips

Give Her the Gift of Travel this year!

ESTES PARK HAPPENINGS For additional information call 800-443-7837 • 970-577-9900

Dec 10-Dec 16, 2021

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Dec 12: Bingo Night at Rock Cut Brewing Company. Rock Cut Brewing Company. From: 06:00 PM to 07:30 PM

KIDS & FAMILY Dec 10: Tie-Dye Friday: Make Your Own Tie-Dye T-shirt. Inspired Artisan Market & Studio. From: 10:00 AM to 07:00 PM

Dec 16: Open Mic Night w/ Nadine. American Legion. From: 06:00 PM to 08:00 PM

SEMINARS & CLASSES

Dec 14: Tuesday Trivia Night. American Legion. From: 07:00 PM to 09:00 PM

Dec 11: Hydro Dipped Tumblers. Inspired Artisan Market & Studio.

Dec 10: Tie-Dye Friday: Make Your Own Tie-Dye T-shirt. Inspired Artisan Market & Studio. From: 10:00 AM to 07:00 PM

Dec 14: Trivia Night at Rock Cut Brewing Company. Rock Cut Brewing Company. From: 07:00 PM to 08:30 PM

Dec 12: Hydro Dipped Tumblers. Inspired Artisan Market & Studio.

Dec 11: Hydro Dipped Tumblers. Inspired Artisan Market & Studio.

Dec 12: Bingo Night at Rock Cut Brewing Company. Rock Cut Brewing Company. From: 06:00 PM to 07:30 PM

Dec 12: Hydro Dipped Tumblers. Inspired Artisan Market & Studio.

LIVE MUSIC & CONCERTS

Dec 11: Football Watching. Cousin Pat's Pub and Grill.

EXHIBITS Dec 10: Art Exhibit: "A Few of My Favorite Things". Art Center of Estes Park.

Dec 11: Art Exhibit: "A Few of My Favorite Things". Art Center of Estes Park.

Dec 12: Art Exhibit: "A Few of My Favorite Things". Art Center of Estes Park.

Dec 13: Art Exhibit: "A Few of My Favorite Things". Art Center of Estes Park.

Dec 11: ReinTarnation & Friends Bluegrass-arama. American Legion. From: 06:00 PM to 08:00 PM Dec 14: Jon Pickett solo acoustic. The Rock Inn Mountain Tavern.

Dec 14: Live Music at Twin Owls Steakhouse. Twin Owls Steakhouse. From: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM Dec 15: Live Music at Twin Owls Steakhouse. Twin Owls Steakhouse. From: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM Dec 16: Live Music at Twin Owls Steakhouse. Twin Owls Steakhouse. From: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

Dec 12: Football Watching. Cousin Pat's Pub and Grill.

Friday, December 10, 2021 « 33

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Ecological Gifting By: Judi Smith When we were young adults our wish list was full of things to acquire.

Whether it was a house, a car or a new set of towels, we saved and we bought for permanence. (We still have “things” in use that are over 50 years old.) Today, no one seems to buy to last a lifetime. People do not expect to live in the same house for 40 years, or continue to drive a 20 year old car. A computer older than five years seems to be a rarity. However, there is a higher value placed on intangibles.

Our generation chose a career before we were thirty, settled in and stayed.

Today’s young are more open to opportunity. Their wish lists are full of experiences: vacations, movies, career choices, video games, and many more options. This opens a wide range of Christmas gifts that require little or no wrapping.

Subscriptions, delivered in electronic form, can be magazines, newspapers, apps, or a form of television entertainment. Likewise, how about a gift card for a single pay-per-view or two, or an evening’s entertainment at Reel Mountain or Park Theatre? (If your grandchildren are not local, translate that to their favorite movie house at home).

Then again, for local children or adults, consider the Mountain Coaster for your holiday list. As a gift for young parents – take their children for the day, to local festivals and events – the gift of time alone. Or take the entire family to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science or some other activity.

There is no room to list every possibility here.

Each year, we ask each family member what they want to learn. Then we find a book, a documentary film, a class or an outing to expand their knowledge in that subject area.

Children can give parents and grandparents the gift of time, offering a booklet of redeemable coupons for breakfast in bed, setting the table, doing the dishes or maybe computer as-

sistance and similar help around the house. And, speaking of experience, there is something to be said for a gift card, designated for a specific item but let them choose the model they like best. Or, better yet, spend the day with them and get them a “shopping spree.”

For something truly ecological, if your loved ones live where winter is warm, buy them a tree. Insulated reusable cups will keep their drink hot (or cold) far longer than paper or plastic. Last year, for each family household (grown grandchildren), we assembled an “ecology kit” containing cloth handkerchiefs, terrycloth bar towels, dishwasher proof silicone bags, some #5 (recyclable) plastic tubs (for refrigerator storage), and a reusable shopping bag.

Maybe a composter is a possibility. At our house, we have a Vitamix Foodcycler (on a counter in our laundry room) that handles food waste, including eggshells, coffee grounds, meat scraps and peelings in hours, not days, and turns it into a soil additive. Larger, more inclusive composters will also accommodate yard waste, tissues, and paper towels – but pine needles do not compost well, and compostable plastics require industrial temperatures.

Whether the presents are ecological or not, consider the wrapping. Sometimes all that is needed is a bit of ribbon and some pinecones from the back yard, especially if you have a leftover box from something received. Coffee cans can make good present containers and are both reusable and recyclable.

One year we packaged in plastic tubs that consequently assisted with storage needs. Reusable bags make great gift bags.

Wrapping paper is often not recyclable but, here in Estes, Simply Christmas will accept it (in good condition) for reuse. They also take ribbon and other wrapping supplies, plus packing and shipping supplies – and they share with other merchants.

Agree? Disagree? Comments?

RRRcyc@signsandwisheso.com

Erle Ross Erle Ross, born in July of 1959 in Indianapolis, has passed away due to complications from Covid-19 in December of 2021 in Indianapolis.

The short distance between these two dates and the location belies several lifetimes worth of joy, and sorrow. Let me take this time to reflect publicly about the good.

Born with a wanderer's soul, Erle left the home of his youth; a quaint farmhouse and dairy farm in a rural and beautiful area of Indiana, to enlist in the U.S. Navy. His mother and father had both served in the Navy and this middle child, always seeking approval, followed suit. He would sometimes share with fondness his memories of serving in Japan, Guam and Maine when asked of his military life.

After his service time was up Erle, with a deep and genuine interest in aviation, again followed in his father's footsteps and worked for the Federal Aviation Administration until a serious car crash in 2005 left him unable to do the work he so loved. Never the one to admit defeat or give up without a fight, he continued to work both in various aviation related fields and with his American Legion Post up to his passing.

Although he lived the longest in Colorado, Erle made it a point to travel our beautiful world. He made it to 49 of 50 states and several foreign countries by sailing, flying, driving and by train. A self proclaimed "Man of the World" he had addresses across the

country, and I'm sure made an impact at each one.

He was a super fan of science fiction movies and television, but had more well rounded interests in music and literature. He had a quirky sense of humor that included witty wordplay, and of course the ever classic dad joke.

He never could quite grasp the delicate nature of sarcasm, much to the delight of various teenagers in the family through the years.

It has been difficult to summarize the complex life he led into a space and content appropriate for this publication. In sorting through the things he left behind, I have seen the anticipation, generosity and care he took in trying to provide for the needs of those around him.

Sometimes his efforts fell short of their intended mark, but his dedication in trying to become a better human being is admirable and an inspiration I will look back on with love for the rest of my own life.

He was welcomed into the afterlife by his mother, and a younger brother, who proceeded him in death. He will be missed by those he left behind: his father (V.A Ross of Spencer, IN), two brothers (E. Ross of Goodland, KS, E. Ross of Indianapolis, IN), a sister (V. Harrell of Spencer, IN), six children (K. Scott, B. Villanueva, H. Ross, CC. Ross, S. Ross, and CP. Ross, all of Estes Park, CO), and dozens of nieces, nephews, grandchildren, extended family, and friends across the country.

Community Church Christmas Services Allenspark Community Church is located at 16 Washington Street in Allenspark (across from the post office).

Remaining Advent services will continue on December 12th, 19th at 10:00 a.m. The Christmas Eve service on the 24th will include the lighting of the fifth Advent candle, signifying the birth of Christ.

Face masks are mandatory at all services.

At 4:30 on Christmas Eve, Pastor Ralph Patrick will lead us in “Lessons and Carols of the Season” which will include singing favorite hymns, telling the story of Christ’s birth through scriptures, and special music by the church choir and organist, Don Shelley.

Mountain View Bible Fellowship, 1575 South St Vrain Avenue, 970-5863395.

Christmas Eve Service is at 5 p.m.

Editors note: If you wish to send your church Christmas services, please email them to us at kris@epnews.com by Monday at noon. Thank you.

34 » Friday, December 10, 2021

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EMPLOYMENT » Place and View Ads at EPNews.com « Great living opportunity for an at-home worker or creative individual needing flexibility and steady income.

Week 12 Results Linda’s Boys MOB

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2021 Fall Session Standings Linda’s Boys 111 Stray Cats 108 MOB* 101 Right on Cue* 86 * week 11 postponed If interested in playing or starting a team contact Joyce Hughes at (970) 290-3516

Completely refurbished, spacious 3-bedroom condo in Estes Park available to a woman or couple for under-market rent in exchange for providing help with meal preparation and some activities of daily living for high-functioning, sociable, disabled adult woman. State provides additional significant tax-free income to qualified person. Separate living area, bed/bath suite, office, and entrance. Respite available and family lives nearby. No cats, but friendly dog is fine. Covid vaccination required. Please contact Judy Tomcak at Foothills Gateway, (970) 691-0153 or judyt@foothillsgateway.org if interested.

Foothills will provide necessary training.

ESTES PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT R-3 WORK WHILE YOUR CHILD IS IN SCHOOL VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT FULL-TIME & PART-TIME NUTRITION SERVICE POSITIONS QUALIFICATIONS: •High school diploma or GED •At least 18 years old and eligible to work in the U.S. •Able to pass post-offer/pre-work physical demands and lift test •Able to lift 50 pounds routinely •Willing to work hard and multi-task •Team work and reliability a must •Confidential and trustworthy SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: Apply online at www.applitrack.com/ estesschools/onlineapp. Only online applications accepted. Salary range is $13.63 to $15.43 with single benefits. Up to five years of similar work experience may be granted.

Positions open until filled.

Estes Park School District R-3 Is An Equal Opportunity Employer

Join Our Team!

TELLER Full Time

Ideal candidates will have prior cash handling and customer service experience.

Additional requirements include attention to detail, strong computer and problem solving skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced, team oriented environment. $15-$17/Hour.

Excellent benefits including medical, dental, 401(K) and paid time off.

Please apply at : www.bankofcolorado.com

BioLynceus, a life sciences company located in Estes Park CO is looking for a full-time

Operations/Marketing Coordinator $21/hour, 100% employee paid medical/dental, 401k, PTO. Learn more and learn how to apply at: https://biolynceus.net/ operations-and-marketingcoordinator-full-time/

Member FDIC

NOW HIRING Medical Technologist

Full Time PRN (as needed) $4,000 bonus for full time!

Receive $2,000 on first check and $2,000 after 1 year!

Apply online at https://eph.org/jobopportunities/

A bunny came up on their patio and sat next to the wooden soldier that Ellingson’s had made two years ago.

Photo by Ed & Colleen Ellingson.

epnews.com

EMPLOYMENT » Place and View Ads at EPNews.com « EMPLOYMENT

Friday, December 10, 2021 « 35

yMca oF tHe rocKieS

Pharmacy Clerk and Cashier Technician $15 per hour $17 to $21 per hour

Join the Rocky Mountain Pharmacy Team!

Full Time/Part Time Positions available.

SIGN ON BONUS! EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS! Stop in for an application or call us a 970-586-5577 ext. 3

2515 tunnel road estes Park, colorado, 80511

veHicle Maintenance tecHnician Responsible for assisting in the repair, maintenance and safety of the Estes Park Center vehicle fleet, including but not limited to all cars, vans, trucks and equipment. $18.75-$20.83/hour with full benefits, discounted childcare, and employee perks.

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NOW HIRING! Full‐Time Positions Available for

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Experience in Basic Plumbing, Grounds Upkeep and Hot Tubs Preferred But Not Required.

Apply in person at Fawn Valley Inn 2760 Fall River Road, Estes Park, CO or email resume to: Jamie@RockyMtnResorts.com

estes Park, colorado, 80511

Food Service inventory Manager Responsible for ordering the food and supplies for the Food Service Dept. This includes receiving & stocking the dry storage, produce coolers, dairy coolers, and freezers. $16.62 - $18.40/hour with full benefits, childcare assistance, and great employee perks.

www.workintherockies.org

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Full‐Time and Part‐Time Positions Available for

Estes Park School District R-3 is accepting applications for a full-time registrar/secretary at the middle school.

Also needed is a highly qualified and ambitious individual to serve the school district transportation and operations department.

internal coMMunicationS Manager

Front Desk

Some Evenings and Weekends

Apply in person at Fawn Valley Inn 2760 Fall River Road, Estes Park, CO or email resume to: Jamie@RockyMtnResorts.com

ESTES PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT R-3 Middle School Secretary/Registrar Transportation/Operations Assistant

estes Park, colorado, 80511

NOW HIRING!

NOW HIRING Patient Access Representative

Full Time Facilities Maintenance Technician NEEDED. Salary Range: $45k-$55k per year Based on education and experience.

Comprehensive benefits package that includes: Medical, Dental and Vision, 401(k), Annual Bonuses, Life Insurances and more!

To apply please send 3 professional references and your resume to: srivera@eaglerockschool.org

See full job descriptions at: https://www.applitrack.com/estesschools/on lineapp/admin/admin.aspx#Report

www.workintherockies.org

Adult Services Librarian

Apply online at www.applitrack.com/ estesschools/onlineapp. Only online applications accepted. Salary range is $15.32 to $17.32/hr. with single benefits. Up to five years previous experience may be granted.

Positions are open until filled.

Estes Park School District R-3 Is An Equal Opportunity Employer

Works with Marketing & Communications and Human Resources leadership to develop an effective strategy for communications with employees across the Association. Also responsible for helping to formulate the organizations internal response to crisis situations. $47K-$53K/year with full benefits, discounted childcare, and employee perks.

Now Hiring!

Looking for experienced Servers Please apply at eph.org/jobopportunities/

Full/Part time available Apply online at: mountainhomecafe.com

NOW HIRING Environmental Services Technician

Our Environmental Services Technician's ensure that all patients feel safe during a time where they are most vulnerable Full Time - Days Full Time - Nights (with shift differential) PRN (as needed)

$250 sign on bonus!

Apply online at https://eph.org/job-opportunities/

We’re hiring for the following positions starting at $13.80/hr.: • Drive-up & Go Service Helpers • Checker • Courtesy Clerk • Day-Stocker • Overnight Stocker • Bakery Clerk • Deli Clerk • Produce Clerk • Seafood Clerk • Cake Decorator • Meat Cutter Get your application at: www.albertsoncompanies.com/careers After your application has been completed, please call our hiring manager Ann at 970.586.4447.

Salary Range: $19.84 - $27.78 / hr Full Time: 40 hours/week Benefits: Single/Family Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance. Includes vacation/sick time accrual.

Closing Date: 8 pm, Monday, December 13, 2021, or until filled.

Technology Arts Librarian Salary Range: $18.04 - $25.25 / hr Full Time: 32 hours/week Benefits: Single/Family Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance. Includes vacation/sick time accrual.

Closing Date: 8 pm, Monday, December 13, 2021, or until filled.

PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATION: Review full job description and apply at www.estesvalleylibrary.org.

Only online applications with cover letter and resume will be accepted.

EEO.

yMca oF tHe rocKieS 2515 tunnel road estes Park, colorado, 80511

networK inFraStructure engineer Responsible for designing, deploying, and securing the network of YMCA of the Rockies.

Focuses on managing and enhancing the Association’s network, security landscape, Wi-Fi infrastructure, and business continuity. $62K-$71K/year with full benefits, discounted childcare, and employee perks.

www.workintherockies.org

36 » Friday, December 10, 2021

EMPLOYMENT » Place and View Ads at EPNews.com « EMPLOYMENT

epnews.com

JOIN OUR TEAM! Job openings can be found at estes.org/jobs.

Volunteer options can be found at estes.org/volunteering.

NOW HIRING!

Hotel Operations Manager

We Manage Multiple Properties in Beautiful Estes Park. Come Join Our Team!

Help us help others.

Become a CAREGiverSM • Starting at $17

Apply in person at Fawn Valley Inn 2760 Fall River Road, Estes Park, CO or email resume to: Jamie@RockyMtnResorts.com

• NO Medical Background Required • Flexible Schedule • Training & Local Support Provided • Rewarding & Meaningful Job!

Apply online at HomeInstead.com/NorthernColorado or call for more information

970.494.0289

Each Home Instead® franchise is independently owned and operated. © 2021 Home Instead, Inc.

Murphy’s Resort is looking for Full Time Housekeeping, Front Desk and Maintenance Pay will be very competitive and based on experience!

Apply at Murphy’s Resort 1650 Big Thompson Av or call Stephanie at 1-970-480-5081 for interview.

Patron Services Assistant Salary Range: $14.91 - $20.87 / hr 24 - 32 hours/week Includes vacation/sick time accrual.

Closing Date: 5 pm, Thursday, December 23, 2021, or until filled.

Patron Services Substitute Salary Range: $14.91 - $20.87 / hr Hours vary, as-needed Closing Date: 5 pm, Thursday, December 23, 2021, or until filled.

PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATION: Review full job description and apply at www.estesvalleylibrary.org.

Only online applications with cover letter and resume will be accepted.

EEO.

CONSTRUCTION POSITIONS Join our fast-paced, growing team!

ASSISTANT FRAMER Gain experience in the construction industry as you work under one of our talented framers.

REQUIREMENTS: must show up, willing to work outside, reliable transportation, ability to learn, own tools is a plus.

Work year-round and full-time.

Wages DOE. Call John 970-586-5796 or email jbostron@aldrichbuilders.com

RENTALS

RENTALS

SERVICES

SERVICES

HOUSEHOLD

BUSINESS

Homes

Short Term

Cleaning

Pet Care

Furniture

Business For Sale

Vintage HOUSE, 2nd St, EstesP. SEEKING GOOD NEIGHBORS NEAR CHURCH. Appx 2300 sqft, fenced yard. 3BR,1.5BA, big basement. Sngl garage, pet OK w/dmg dep.

New furnace.

Storage!$1800/mo.

Call Susan 9-9 to apply, 970-699-8729.

Deer Crest Resort Rooms & Suites with kitchenettes.

Available for extended stays and monthly rental.

November 1, 2021 thru April 30, 2022.

Adults only, non-smoking, no pets. Call Cherokee @ 970-586-2324 or 816-888-9320

Dog walking and pet sitting services provided by a veterinary nurse of 13+ years. Now booking for the holidays. Please call/text Lauren at 719-963-1593 to set up a free meet and greet.

Free bed, Full size, Ikeastill partially assembled, all connectors present, free mattress and bulky board if wanted. Only used as guest bed, good condition. call text Jim at 970-541-8116

$40,000 Hair-Nail Salon 30-years in Business 3 Stations-1 Nail Table Call Bret Freedman Estes Park Home Finders 970-215-2494

Music Instruction

MISCELLANEOUS

Commercial Rentals Office Spaces for Rent 1191 Woodstock Dr. 1200 Sq. ft w/ great parking. Near Hwy 7 & Fairgrounds. Call 970-420-4388

TRANSPORTATION SUVs/CUVs

Mountain Limpio LLC Experienced Cleaning Services for Vacation Rentals, Homes, Hotels and Facilities! mountainlimpio.com Email: mountainlimpio@gmail.com

Call: 970-825-2158 Text: 970-412-3095

Sewing/Alterations

GUITAR & BASS LESSONS. Now accepting students for limited available slots. In-studio or online. Contact Dylan at (316)-680-7869 or dfaflick36@gmail.com

Remixed Custom Sewing Snow Removal Services and Industrial Repair Cushions, benches, OFFICE SPACE For Rent leather, campers and 700 s.f., 3 rooms plus outdoor furniture. bathroom. Good location/ Local - call Beth good parking. $1250/mo. + 2002 Blue Jeep Wrangler 970-492-5446 util. Year lease min.

Sport. Automatic, 970-290-4488 Good/Clean condition, Piano Tuning 4WD, $7,000. Contact Nathanael at OFFICE SPACE For Rent Susan Novy, local piano 970-692-4237.

250 s.f., One large room SNOW REMOVAL tuner. Call for appt. plus shared bathroom w/ Gravel/gravel delivery, ice 577-1755 one other office. Good 2001 Jeep Cherokee melt/prevention, shoveling, www.estesparkpiano location. $450/mo. + util. Sport, clean, lifted, new snowblowing and plowing tuner.com Year lease min. engine $8,999 call to reserve a slot or 970-290-4488 Business Related anytime!

2002 Chevy Tahoe LS, 970-939-4717 clean, lifted, V-8 $6,999 COMMERCIAL call for a quote!

QUICKBOOKS OFFICE SPACE solsticeenterprises Bookkeeper 970-389-7349 High Quality Finishes. for Retail, Construction, @icloud.com Private Setting Located On Property Management., River. Reasonable Rates.

Payroll, Sales Tax, 6 Offices Available. Call and Year End. Bret Freedman 20+ yrs. exp.

970-215-2494 Gini Sell 970-290-0386.

RECREATION Winter Sports

Household Upright practice piano free to a good home.

Will help deliver.

303-551-3039

AT skis, boots (size 10.5/11), bindings, skins in good condition.

970-389-7349

SALES

REAL ESTATE Estate Sales Commercial Commercial Spaces for sale and lease.

Call Eric.

Anderson Realty.

586-2950

ESTATE/MOVING SALE Need to have one, but seems overwhelming.

We do the work, you make the $. Local, Affordable, References. CALL JUDI 970-215-5548

Friday, December 10, 2021 « 37

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PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS BUILDER CHIMNEY SWEEP

ACCOUNTING

COMPUTER SERVICES

QuickBooks Support

Tax Minimization

CLOUD@CCOUNTING

CLEANING SERVICES MuellerPyeCPA.com

970.667.1070

ARCHITECTURE

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CARPET CLEANING

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EYECARE/GLASSES

YOUR FIRST CLEAN

Dr. Amber Busche Providing Personalized Eyecare and Tailored Eyewear to the Estes Valley

970-586-4418 www.aspen-eyecare.com 600 S Saint Vrain Ave - Suite 5

38 » Friday, December 10, 2021

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PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS BUILDER EXCAVATION

GENERAL CONTRACTOR cont.

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MAINTENANCE/REPAIR SERVICES

D Licensed & Insured

DIAMOND D HANDYMAN SERVICE Home Maintenance & Repairs

“Consider It Done!”

Dave 303-877-2007

7DKRVD UDQFK#JPDLO FRP /,&(16(' ,1685('

FLOORING

HEARING & TINNITUS CARE

SERVING ESTES PARK FOR 20 YEARS (970)-577-9855 parkflooring.com

Cory D. Workman, Au.D. Phone: 970-586-5255

GENERAL CONTRACTOR Now Offering

Electrical Services!

Call to Schedule Today (970) 586-1047

• Hearing Aids / New & Repair • Hearing Evaluations • Hearing Protection • Ear Care / Wax Removal • Dizziness / Balance

1186 Graves Ave., Ste. B Estes Park, CO 80517 Fax: 970-577-7260 drcory@estesparkaudiology.com www.estesparkaudiology.com

Cajun Handyman Services No Job Too Small!

HOT TUBS & POOL SERVICES

Office: 970-586-2109 Cell: 970-443-5613 Calls Returned Same Day!

970-586-1685 Custom Homes, Additions, Kitchens, Baths, Historic Renovations, Remodels and Design Work

Charles Santagati 1191 Graves Ave glaciercreekinc.com Full service general contracting since 1998

LINEN SUPPLY -LAUNDRY SERVICE

cajunhandymanservices21@gmail.com Brian Thibodeaux - owner

Friday, December 10, 2021 « 39

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PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS BUILDER MAINTENANCE/REPAIR SERVICES

PAINTING CONT.

REAL ESTATE Simply. Elevated. Real Estate.

Aaron L. Busche, CNE Broker Associate Aaron@EstesPK.com Cell: (970) 470-9962

PEST CONTROL

RichardsonTeamRealty.com 255 Park Lane, Ste 203 Estes Park, CO 80517

SECURITY HOME WATCH

TREE SERVICE POWER GENERATION

PAINTING

HAWKEYE PAINTING

• Free Estimates / 24 Hour Emergency • Tree Trimming & Removal • Fire Mitigation / Year Round Service

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en

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ure

Business 303-747-2778 Cell 970-449-3513 email: polyhawkzen@gmail.com

• Pine Beetle / Mistletoe Management • Scenic View Enhancement • Fully Insured • 30 Years Experience

d

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WINDOW CLEANING

40 » Friday, December 10, 2021

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567 Little Beaver Drive

4A CR ES

$2,500,000

640 Freeland Court

UN DE RC ON TR AC T

1059 Fox Creek

NE W

Misty Mountain Lodge

Axell Lane

$649,900

NE W

BU ILD

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$2,500,000

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