Estes Park News, December 22, 2023

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Estes Park News is printed weekly and is free online daily for the most current updates.

Friday, December 22, 2023

2 » Friday, December 22, 2023

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Blue Santa Says Thank You!

On Dec. 9, 2023, Blue Santa, sponsored by the Town of Estes Park’s Police Department Auxiliary, made 92 deliveries to some of our disabled, shut-in, and elderly community members. In addition to non-perishable food, hygiene products and gift certificates to local businesses, each recipient received handmade items donated by our generous community members. The Blue Santa team enjoyed stopping by and wishing each recipient a happy holiday.

Blue Santa would like to thank the following businesses that allowed us to place donation jars at their locations: Animal Medical Center, Bank of Col-

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

A National Online Audience With Loyal Local Readership Ph: (970) 586-5800 Fax: (970) 692-2611 Opinions of our columnists are not necessarily the opinions of this newspaper.

Owners/Publishers: Gary & Kris Hazelton Editor: Kris Hazelton Operations Specialist: Andrew Donaldson ads@estesparknews.com Office Manager: Tim Buck office@epnews.com Press releases: kris@estesparknews.com All editorial, photo content & graphic design is copyright of Estes Park News, Inc. & can not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of Estes Park News, Inc. ©2023 For subscription information contact us.

DEADLINES Reserve space: Monday by 4:00 pm Final submissions: Tuesday by Noon Classifieds: Deadline Wed. by Noon Estes Park News, Inc. is Independent & locally family owned.

Our Main Headquarters is at 1191 Woodstock Drive Suite #1 Mail: PO Box 508 Estes Park, CO 80517

orado, Bank of Estes Park (Hwy 7), Bart’s Liquors, Cowlick Hair Saloon, Estes Park Mountain Shop, Longhorn Liquors, Mountain Dew Liquors, Premier Members Credit Union, Park Supply, Rocky Mountain Discount Liquors, and Rocky Mountain Pharmacy.

Blue Santa is made possible through generous donations from the Estes Park community. We thank each one of you who donated to the cause.

While the deliveries have been made for this year, if you would like to help with this worthwhile project, you can send your monetary donation to Blue Santa Program, c/o Estes Park Police

Auxiliary, PO Box 1287, Estes Park, CO 80517. We will use donations for next year’s deliveries.

All donations fund items for Blue Santa recipients; and the Blue Santa program is only possible through your generous donations. Questions should be directed to BlueSanta@estes.org

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Friday, December 22, 2023 « 3

Lumpy Ridge After Snow

Photo by Stephanie Abegg

Town Of Estes Park Christmas And New Year’s Closures Town of Estes Park local government facilities will be closed Friday, Dec. 22 and Monday, Dec. 25 for the Christmas holiday. Staff will resume normal operating hours Tuesday, Dec. 26. Town facili-

ties will also be closed Monday, Jan. 1 for the New Year’s Day holiday, resuming normal operating hours Tuesday, Jan. 2.

Christmas Holiday Closure Larimer County Administrative Services, District Attorney, and Landfill are closed on December 25 to celebrate the Christmas Day holiday. The Larimer

County Landfill is open on Dec. 26.

Critical services at Larimer County are not disrupted by closures.

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

On 12/10/2023 at 9:49 p.m.police were called to 1220 Big Thompson Ave. (Blue Door Inn) where they contacted a 28 year old male subject on a report of disorderly behavior. The male was found to be wanted out of California for weapon charges, which is a felony. The male was arrested and taken into custody without incident and transported to Larimer

County Jail On 12/16/2023 at 4:36 p.m. police responded to a motor vehicle accident at 450 Fish Creek. On scene they discovered a 57 year old male driver from Longmont, CO had driven off the roadway and his car was stuck in a ditch. The male was found to be driving under the influence of alcohol. He was charged with DUI, arrested and transported to the Larimer County Jail.

EVFPD firefighters generally respond District (EVFPD) responded to 8 to medical calls in their personal vehi- calls for service. This included: cles, allowing for a faster response. On • Motor Vehicle Crash (MVC): 1 other incidents, firefighters respond to • Emergency Medical (assist EPH): a fire station to respond in depart2 ment apparatus with specialized • Alarm Activation: 2 equipment.

• Odor Investigation: 2 During the week of December 10th, 2023, the Estes Valley Fire Protection • Smoke Investigation: 1

4 » Friday, December 22, 2023

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A Busy Holiday Season Sheriff Holiday Luncheon, the Town’s party for employees, and a holiday celebration hosted by Platte River Power Authority. Of a special note is the five-year celebration of Larimer County Behavioral Health that I attended with Larimer County commissioners and behavior health organization staff. Attending these festivities reminded me of the extended team of professionals that serve the Estes Valley and meet the needs of the people who reside in Estes Valley.

Mayor Pro Tem Marie Cenac and Mayor Wendy And last week I participated in Koenig, atop the Mayor’s float wave to people durthe Menorah lighting ceremony ing the Glow Christmas Parade. held in Town Hall for Hanukah. I Photo courtesy Jamie Palmesano lit the Shamash, the center candle representing the helper candle. As I did Tis the season for holiday ceremonies, festivities and traditions. In this season I’m so, I said a silent prayer of thanks for our trying to use the time I spend at various events, along with a few ho, ho, hos here and lots of good cheer to strengthen the connections between the townspeople of Estes Park, each other and their government.

The season began for me on November 18 with the Town’s annual tree lighting ceremony. The ceremony Santa Claus uses the opportunity of the Catch the Glow Christmas Parade to ask Wendy Koenig about her mayoral was in Bond Park after previously being held by Christmas wish for the townspeople of Estes Park. the River Walk. As I flipped the switch to light the tree, the im- Jewish community, led by Rabbi Yerachport of the moment and the shift in the lo- miel Gorelik and the many friends in attendance. cale sparked a memory within me of Now, as I write this piece, I clearly see Christmases past. Momentarily taking me that the many ceremonies, festivities and back to a time when what’s now the Town traditions are an integral part of life here.

Hall was the elementary-high school The peaceful way in which each play out building for the children of Estes Valley. exemplifies the mutual respect and supAnd every Christmas season had a tree port that binds us together. In total, they lighting ceremony in nearby Bond Park. are a poignant reminder of why I feel so At which the Homecoming King and Queen flipped the switch, the school band very fortunate to live in Estes Park. I hope you feel the same. played Christmas music, and I played a clarinet, while struggling to keep it warm enough to stay in tune.

One week later I was at Estes’ traditional day-after-Thanksgiving Catch the Glow Christmas Parade. On that frosty eve Mayor Pro Tem Marie Cenac joined me atop the float Michael Young designed to lead the parade. As we sat there in the staging area, at the west end of Town and waitEstes Park Mayor Wendy Koenig attends the Larimer ing for the parade to start, much County Sheriff Holiday Luncheon with Sheriff John to my surprise Santa Claus ap- Feyen and Larimer County Commissioner Jody Shadpeared. After looking at me, he dock-McNally. Photo courtesy Jody Shaddock-McNally checked his list. Then checked it again...and yet again. Apparently I passed muster, because he sent forth a hearty ho, ho, ho then asked for my mayoral Christmas wish. To which I said, “Peace, safety, good health and happiness throughout the Estes Valley in 2024.” And, he replied, “Very nice!” And with that, off when Santa, the float started moving and the parade commenced.

In the weeks that followed I represented the Town at several Larimer County Commissioner Jody Shaddock-Mcholiday ceremonies. They inNally welcomes attendees to the five-year celebration cluded the Larimer County of Behavior Health Services in Larimer County.

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Friday, December 22, 2023 « 5

Drop Off Christmas Trees Dec. 26 - Jan. 19 At The Fairgrounds The Town of Estes Park's free Christmas tree drop-off site will be open 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, Dec. 26 through Jan. 19 (except on New Year’s Day). The drop-off will be located at the Community Drive entrance to the Estes Park Events Complex/Fairgrounds; follow the signs to the fenced drop-off location. Trees must be stripped of ornaments, tinsel and other decorations. No wreaths, garland, artificial trees or tree stands will be accepted. Trees must be dropped during the specified hours in the identified area. Dropping trees after hours or in other locations will be con-

sidered illegal dumping and may be subject to a fine.

The Town offers this free service as a convenience and cost-saving measure for residents, with the added benefit of keeping discarded trees/slash out of the landscape. The trees are chipped and discarded in the Larimer County landfill. The high acidity of the chipped product makes it unsuitable for mulch or compost. For more information, please contact the Town of Estes Park Public Works Department at 970-5773587.

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6 » Friday, December 22, 2023

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LWV Zoom Coffee On “Estes Park Education Foundation Today” Join us for our next Zoom Coffee on Saturday, January 13 from 10 - 11 a.m.

We will go "Behind the Scenes" with Peggy Mauerman, President of Estes Park Education Foundation. Begun in 2019 EPEF is the fundraising arm of the Estes Park Schools. Their goals and objectives are clearly outlined on their

website, www.epeducationfoundation.org Zoom registration is available at www.lwv-estespark.org. Ms. Mauerman will detail current programs and future goals of the Estes Park Education Foundation. All are welcome to this free community program.

Friday, December 22, 2023 « 7

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What Native Plants Work Well At Altitude & Tips For Living With Wildlife Estes Park Garden Club Monday, January 8, 2024 10:30 - 11:45 a.m.

Hondius Room of the Estes Valley Library All are welcome.

We are pleased to welcome back to Estes, Mike Kintgen, the Curator of the Alpine collection at Denver Botanic Gardens (DBG). Mike will expand on his talk covering the best natives he presented in 2020 to the EP Garden Club and also touch on aspects of design and cultivation with western natives. He will mention which plants have been most critter-proof for him in his garden north of Steamboat Springs.

Mike Kintgen has worked at DBG for 19 plus years and is currently the Curator of Alpine Collections. He holds a bachelors in science in landscape Horticulture from Colorado State University and a Masters in Environmental Science

(Alpine Ecology) from Regis University.

He has worked with a wide variety of plants in DBG’s various gardens and has traveled to observe the native flora, in Europe, South America, North Africa, and throughout North America. He has helped with numerous DBG’s publications including Steppes and Wildflowers of the Rocky Mountain Region. Mike writes for various journals on alpine and western natives. He is a member of a wide variety of plant societies working with alpine, rock gardens and western native plants. Mike helped with the North American Botanic Strategy for Alpine Plant Conservation with Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and DBG’s Research Department, which was recently published in early 2021. In addition to gardening at DBG he has a garden at his folks place north of Steamboat Springs at 8,000 feet where he's gardened since he was seven.

Evenn Santa nta Needs ds Moree thann Even Santa Needs More than okies!

Milkk andd Cookie Cookies! and Milk Even Santa Needs More than Cookies! andwill Milk our amazing buffet be offered on

our amazingChristmas buffet will Daybe offered on Christmas from 11:00am toDay 4:00pm! from $90 11:00am to 4:00pm! per adult per adult $30$90 children 6 to 12 $30 children 6 toare 12free children 5 and under children 5 and under are free

call 970-586-6409 to make your reservation! call 970-586-6409 to make your reservation! call 970-586-6409 to make your reservation!

8 » Friday, December 22, 2023

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At Death Cafe people, often strangers, gather to eat cake, drink tea and discuss death. Our objective is 'to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives'.

Death Cafe is a group directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes. It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counselling session. It is respectful and confidential with no intention of leading to any conclusion, product or course of action.

Death Café is for adults and will meet on January 21, 2024 from 2:30 to 4:30 in the Hondius Room of the Estes Valley Library in Estes Park. Space is limited to 20 adults. To RSVP, text Deborah at 970452-9191.

Last Chance To Visit With Santa At The Y This Saturday

Free and open to the public, come visit and take your own photos with Santa Claus at YMCA of the Rockies this Saturday, December 23 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. in the Lula Dorsey Museum.

End of year Sales Friday, Dec 15 thru Dec 31

20-50% Women’s Clothing

40% ALL Holiday Decor

30% ALL Homegoods

900 Moraine Avenue, Estes Park 970.577.9775

Friday, December 22, 2023 « 9

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The tree is decorated, the outdoor lights twinkle all merry and bright, and the cookies are baked. (“Who else can we give some cookies to?” we ask each other as we eye the tins full of sweets on our kitchen counter.) Now that the ornaments are made and sent off (was anyone else shocked at the cost of postage these days?), it’s time to convert the dining table into a wrapping workbench.

Gift-wrapping should be a relatively mindless task but there are logistics involved. The ambiance needs to be right with Christmas music playing, the eggnog poured, the tree lights on and a cinnamon-scented candle burning nearby. The time also has to be right. It should be done while no one else is around, which is not easy in most households. Sometimes I find myself alone in the house so I get everything laid out and then I hear the garage door go up. “Don’t come in!” I call when I hear the back door open. “Santa’s at work,” I say, trying to sound jolly while I cover up the secret gifts. Then, “It’s safe to come in now but please go through the kitchen. Grab a cookie while you’re there.”

To wrap, there is prep-work: gathering together the tape, scissors, paper, ribbons, bows, gift tags, and red and green markers. Is anything missing? Why yes, there certainly is.

The gift bags. Intentionally M.I.A. Sometimes I do resort to delivering a present in a gift bag, but I much prefer using wrapping paper, especially for Christmas. First, gift-wrapping helps make use of the abundance of boxes piling up in the basement all year for just this occasion. Next, it is a treasure hunt to find the right size remnant of used paper, see how many pieces of tape are still stuck to it, and remember who the paper originally came from. (Check out the June 23, 2006 issue of the Estes Park News for a column I wrote about the environmental and emotional benefits of reusing wrapping paper. If you want to read it and can’t find it, contact me and I’ll send it to you.) I even like going through the collection of gift tags to find one already written to the intended recipient—how many years ago? It is especially heartwarming to use one in my mom or dad’s handwriting—proof that they’re still with us in spirit. I save all

Estes Park Museum Christmas Closure In observance of the Christmas holiday, the Estes Park Museum will be closed Friday and Saturday, December 22 & 23.

The Museum will resume normal operating hours, Wednesday, December 27.

Excluding the holidays, the Museum’s gallery hours are Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

the used bows too, despite that I have yet to figure out a way to revive them after they’ve been flattened by years in storage.

The gift bag lacks the sensory effects of encasing a gift in paper. When wrapping, I like the sound of the scissors cutting the paper, the tape dispenser clacking onto the table after I tear off a piece of tape, the crinkle of corners as I fold them, and the best is the sound of the scissors blade glazing against the ribbon to make it curl and swirl on top of the package. Wrapping allows for some creativity as well, such as when a person wraps a pair of socks so it doesn’t look like a pair of socks. (My sister once gave my mom a gift and included a Spanish clue on the tag: Eso si que es. It means, “this is what it is.” But that’s not the clue.

If you can’t figure it out, read it aloud.)

It’s more fun to open a wrapped package, too. There is an element of suspense that starts when we see that gift under the tree. What could be wrapped in that shape? (I especially like a gift that is not in a box, which adds another layer of playfulness to gift-giving, although wrapping boxless is sometimes more teary than merry.)

Yes, gift bags are the better choice for reusability. They last a lot longer than paper. In fact, they actually multiply in the storage bin. When I packed them up after Christmas last year there were 15 bags. Eleven months later when I opened the bin I counted 30. That’s some serious gift-bag hanky panky going on. Not to mention the non-Christmas bags I keep in a separate container in a different room. Plus I have an entire box exploding with the requisite gift bag filler tissue paper.

Even with 30 Christmas gift bags in my red and green storage bin, to this day I have never purchased a gift bag, and I cannot throw one away (normally they are not recyclable, usually because of the plastic coating on the paper). Perhaps what I should do is wrap them up and give them as presents. They’d be the gifts that truly keep on giving.

You may let The Thunker know what you think at her e-mail address, donoholdt@gmail.com. © 2023 Sarah Donohoe

10 » Friday, December 22, 2023

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Take The Estes Valley Childcare Family Survey Today!

Do you live or work in the Estes Valley, and are you a parent or caregiver of a child under 13? The Town of Estes Park wants to hear from you!

The Town and its consultants are conducting a survey to gather information about families’ childcare needs and preferences. The results of this survey will be used to inform strategies for improving access to affordable childcare for families in the community using the 6E lodging tax funds. Your voice matters!

Individual responses will be kept private, and no identifying information will ever be shared. Everyone who completes the survey will have the option to submit an email address to enter a drawing to receive one of 20 $50 Amazon gift cards.

The survey should take about 10 minutes to complete.

If you have questions, please reach out to Carlie Bangs at the Town of Estes Park at cbangs@estes.org or Sarah Hughes at Groundswell for Good, LLC at sarah@groundswellforgood.com.

Haga oír su voz sobre el cuidado infantil en el Valle de Estes ¿Vive o trabaja en el Valle de Estes y es padre, madre o cuidador de un niño menor de 13 años? ¡El ayuntamiento de

Estes Park quiere escuchar su opinión!

El ayuntamiento y sus asesores están llevando a cabo una encuesta para recopilar información sobre las necesidades y preferencias de las familias en relación con el cuidado infantil. Los resultados de esta encuesta serán utilizados para establecer estrategias para ayudar a las familias en la comunidad a tener mejor acceso al cuidado infantil económicamente accesible utilizando los fondos del impuesto de alojamiento 6E. ¡Su voz es importante!

Las respuestas individuales serán confidenciales y no se compartirá ninguna información que pueda identificarle. La encuesta debe ser completada por un padre, una madre o un tutor legal y sólo se debe presentar una encuesta por hogar.

Para darle las gracias por su tiempo, al final de la encuesta tendrá la opción de poner su dirección de correo electrónico para participar en un sorteo de 20 tarjetas de regalo de Amazon de $50.

La encuesta debería tardar unos 10 minutos en completarse.

Si tiene preguntas sobre la encuesta, póngase en contacto con Carlie Bangs del ayuntamiento de Estes Park at cbangs@estes.org o con Sarah Hughes de Groundswell for Good, LLC en sarah@groundswellforgood.com.

Candle Light Christmas Eve Service Dec 24th 5PM Mountain View Bible Fellowship 1575 S Saint Vrain 970-586-3395

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Notice I do not have a date on this article. I am really running extremely late on getting this the editor. I doubt that I will make the deadline. It’s all my fault. I have been soooo busy helping Santa Claus. Every year I decide to only give presents to the family I am with at the time and not send gifts afar. As I said in the last article, I am tired of wasting time, money, and brain power trying to send the perfect gift to my four children, their respective partners, 11 grandchildren and seven greats with another on the way. Well, I weakened again. Oh well, next year I will not do it…well maybe.

The recipe I decided to share with y’all this time will be great for Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day. It is as old as my sweet, departed mother would say: “as the gates of Hell!”

It is not the salad that we southerners would normally serve but it is so bright and festive that I have adopted it for the season. Normally we would make Ambrosia: Mandarin oranges, crushed pineapple, miniature marshmallows, coconut and maraschino cherries tossed in

Friday, December 22, 2023 « 11

sour cream and Cool Whip.

StrawberryPretzel Salad 12 servings Topping 2-4 ounce packages of Jell-O strawberry gelatin 2 cups boiling water 2 boxes frozen strawberries, thawed Crust 2 cups crusher pretzels ¾ cup melted butter 3 Tbs. sugar Filling 1 container (8oz.) Cool Whip, thawed 1-8 ounces cream cheese, softened 1 cup sugar Dissolve gelatin in water, stir in strawberries and refrigerate about 1 ¾ hours.

Heat oven to 350. Mix crust ingredients in a bowl and press into an ungreased 13 x 9 baking pan. Bake for 10 minutes and cool. Beat filling with mixer on medium speed until smooth. Spread over cooled crust. Place in refrigerator, covered, until cool and gelatin topping is partially set. Carefully spoon gelatin over filling, cover and refrigerate 4-6 hours or until firm, Cut into four rows by three rows.

My email is Esther.cenac@gmail.com Merry Christmas and Happy New Year with love, Esther Bon Appétit.

12 » Friday, December 22, 2023

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Start Your Year Off Right Experience true 100% fiber-to-the-home internet from your only community broadband provider!

Register or Call for Service Availability

TrailblazerBroadband.com | 970.577.3770

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Friday, December 22, 2023 « 13

It’s Back!

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14» Friday, December 22, 2023

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A Radical Demonstration

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Marilyn Irwin Member for 4 years Why I love being a member of Quota: This club is a service group that truly works to support the community of Estes Park. The projects we do, allow us to earn money for purchasing ambulances for the hospital, give grants to students working on college degrees, donate to projects in the community like purchasing AEDs for police cars, maintaining needed medical items like wheelchairs to be loaned out and many more.

To me, it is enjoyable to be able to help with these projects.

Favorite or memorable moment: Last spring we sold geraniums. It was

fun to see the smiles on customers’ faces as we placed their plants in their cars. After a long, cold winter, these flowers were symbols of hope and a fresh start.

If you are interested in becoming a member of Estes Park Quota or finding out more about it, please contact President Mary Murphy at 970-214-6350 or Gail Albers at 970-481-2372

By: Larry Strong

What do you get when you combine a Jewish Rabbi, Jewish believers, a Christian Pastor, Christian believers, a Police Chief, Police and Fire Chaplains, and a Mayor? A radical demonstration. A demonstration of unity as it were. And THAT is RADICAL. How odd is it when “radical” becomes people of different faiths, ages, culture, life experiences and belief systems come together in peace, acceptance, love and unity? This is exactly what happened during the Menorah lighting celebration a couple weeks ago in Estes Park. As I was handing out little American and Israeli flags I was struck by how utterly counter cultural this gathering was quickly becoming. The spontaneous eclectic group sang Jewish songs, danced a little, ate finger foods and listened to the Rabbi (from Australia of all things) offer blessings in Hebrew. Tiny little Estes Park hosting a radical demonstration. I love it.

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) has morphed into division, exclusion and idolatry. This illustrates once again that morality, faith, values and genuine care for our fellow human beings does not respond well to being legislated or forced upon us. Rather, conditions of the heart come from a deeper place that resides within each of us.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught the difference between earthly treasures and heavenly treasure. He said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Treasure is the stuff we value above all else. Unfortunately, the “treasure” for too many folks in-

cludes causing pain, suffering and hurt for others. This is where we get the term “hard-hearted” and if there ever was a good time for us to focus on tenderizing our hearts it’s now.

Protecting our hearts is one of the many aspects of Men on Fire. With God’s Word as our foundation we strive to live and practice the truth revealed in His Word. This is not an easy task and we find extraordinary encouragement when very ordinary men gather to suit up and engage the spiritual battle we find ourselves living through.

Demonstrating a life of faith is not supposed to be a solo journey. There is real strength, power, joy and peace to be found in a heart focused on good not evil. This is what was being expressed at the Menorah lighting celebration. And yes, it was radical.

Men on Fire will meet this Saturday, 8:00 a.m. at Park Fellowship Church 340 S. St. Vrain instead of our normal gathering at the American Legion. We will celebrate friendships, old and new, and share our common desire to become the men we are destined to become by God’s grace and a little help from each other. We always celebrate when a new guy shows up so we hope you’ll consider hanging out with us. Regardless of where you’re at in your life or faith journey, you’ll be welcomed, accepted and encouraged. What a radical demonstration!

On behalf of all the guys from the Men on Fire team, we wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah. May each of us strive to live the life the Prince of Peace offers us.

Friday, December 22, 2023 « 15

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Embark On A Health Transformation Journey With The Kickstart Your Health Series Are you ready to revitalize your health and embrace a vibrant lifestyle in 2024?

Join Salud Family Health’s Community Health Educator, Chazz Glaze, for a lifechanging five-week Kickstart Your Health series. The series will take place every Wednesday from January 3rd to January 31st, 2024, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Salud Family Health, located at 1950 Redtail Hawk Drive.

This comprehensive series is designed to empower participants to make informed choices about their nutrition and overall well-being. As a Food for Life instructor, Chazz will guide attendees through an interactive educational journey, providing practical tools and insights to enhance their health and vitality.

Overview of the Kickstart Your Health Series: Week 1: Power of Your Plate ● Understanding the impact of food choices on health ● Exploring the foundation of a plantbased diet for optimal well-being Week 2: Let’s Go! ● Setting achievable health goals ● Incorporating practical steps to transition to a plant-based lifestyle Week 3: Getting in Gear ● Learning effective meal-planning strategies ● Discovering time-saving tips for busy schedules

Week 4: Breaking the Food Seduction ● Understanding the influence of addictive foods ● Developing strategies to overcome cravings for unhealthy choices Week 5: Keys for Natural Appetite Control ● Exploring natural ways to regulate appetite ● Establishing a balanced and sustainable approach to healthy eating Every class will include a nutrition presentation, live cooking demonstration and recipe testing.

Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet: Scientific research consistently shows that adopting a plant-based diet can lead to a myriad of health benefits, including: ● Weight management and improved metabolism ● Lowering the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes ● Boosting energy levels and promoting overall well-being ● Supporting a sustainable and ecofriendly lifestyle Spaces are limited. To reserve your spot in this transformative series, advanced registration is required by December 30, 2023. Email chazz@higherelevationscoaching.com to reserve your spot today. Don't miss this opportunity to invest in your health and make 2024 your healthiest year yet!

Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship 7pm Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church 2000 Ptarmigan Trail (across from Good Samaritan Village)

Come celebrate the Announcement from Heaven that changes everything!

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16» Friday, December 22, 2023

Owls Of The Estes Valley At Next CARRI Program program we will discuss each of the six species in detail.

The largest of these owls is about two feet from head to tail, and frequently feeds upon bird and animals as large as rabbits, hares and birds as large as Canada Geese and Turkeys. The smallest of these owls can comfortably stand on the tip of a number two pencil and feed primarily upon moths and other large insects.

During the program you The Boreal Owl is one of the owls that will will see images and videos of each be discussed during the presentation. species’ courtship activities, vocalizaPhoto by Scott Rashid tions, habitat preferences, feeding, nesting and more. Many of these images were Come join members of CARRI (Colorado Avian Research and Rehabilitation taken in the Estes Valley and the national Institute) for their seventh presentation in park. None of these owls construct their our Winter Speaker Series. On December own nests, but either use the abandoned nests of hawks, crows, ravens, and even 27th members of CARRI will present a program describing the six species of owls eagles, and the smaller of the species nest that can be found in the Estes Valley. This in old woodpecker cavities and nest program is called “Owls of the Estes Val- boxes. ley.” The presentation will be held at the Come join us at the Estes Park ComEstes Park Community Center at 6:30 munity Center Wednesday, December p.m. Tickets are $10.00 at the door.

27th to watch this great program about The six species of owls that inhabit the the six species of owls that nest in the Estes Valley. You can attend live or watch valley include the Great Horned Owl, the program via Zoom. Tickets are Long-eared Owl, Boreal Owl, Northern $10.00 per person and can be purchased Saw-whet Owl, Northern Pygmy-Owl at the door or on line at www.carriep.org. and the Flammulated Owl. During the

DENVER BRONCOS FOOTBALL SUNDAY Denver Broncos (7-7) vs.

New England Patriots (3-11) December 24th 6:15 PM

Friday, December 22, 2023 « 17

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YMCA Beverly K. Booe Early Childhood Education Program Accepting Applications For Toddlers

Liz Price, Early Childhood Education Program Director.

YMCA of the Rockies’ Beverly K. Booe Early Childhood Education Program at Bennett is now accepting applications for toddlers age 1-3. Toddlers must be able to walk independently. Enrollment is offered Monday-Wednesday, Thursday-Friday, or Monday-Friday, from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuition is $55 per day.

The Beverly K. Booe Early Childhood Education Program uses a child-led, nature-based curriculum and serves Estes Park residents with children ages 1-5 throughout the year, and YMCA guests in the summer months.

“Nature is a critical element for child development, helping develop problemsolving skills, building creativity, and improving cognitive function,” says Susan Taylor, Program Director at YMCA of the Rockies - Estes Park Center. “The large, forested property we have here offers ample opportunity for outdoor play and exploration.”

For more information visit the website at ymcarockies.org or email the Beverly K. Booe Early Childhood Education Program director, Liz Price at EPrice@ymcarockies.org.

Happy 54th Wedding Anniversary Mary Lou and Ken

18 » Friday, December 22, 2023

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Dangerously CuteA Women Only Self Defense Series

Dawn Nguyen 11th Grade Congratulations to Dawn Nguyen, the Estes Park High School Student of the Week for Friday, December 22, 2023.

Dawn is the daughter of John and Annie Nguyen.

At EPHS she is a member of Student Council, Youth in Action, National Honor Society and Key Club.

In her free time, she enjoys playing the guitar, gardening, and volunteering for our community.

This summer, she started hiking in RMNP and she really enjoyed it; she hopes to continue hiking next summer.

When asked a place she would love to visit, Dawn said, “I’d like to travel the whole world one day, no destination in mind. I feel like I will truly be able to appreciate life and its beauty if I see it from different angles.”

Her favorite quote is, “Your perceived failure can become a catalyst for profound re-invention” by Conan O’Brien.

She said, “This quote to me means that failure is only an illusion. If you believe in yourself, nothing is a failure, but rather, a learning moment.”

The best piece of advice she’s ever been given is, “Stop saying ‘sorry’ so much.” Dawn said, “I’m someone who’s always hard on myself, but when I first heard this, it made me realize my selfworth and that I should let myself go more.”

After high school she’s not sure what she wants to do just yet. Dawn said, “I’ll just see where life takes me!”

The Colorado Crime Statistics website (coloradocrimestats.state.co.us/tops/report/violent-crimes/colorado/2023) documents the unfortunate fact of interpersonal violence in Colorado. In 2023 so far, there were over 25,300 victims of violent crimes in the state. 16,901 of those were domestic violence cases, with the overwhelming number (75%) involving female victims. Over the past couple of years, the headlines of our local newspapers have made it clear that even our relatively safe little mountain town is not immune from these incidents.

Dangerously Cute is (5# an organization out of San Antonio, TX, created to train women in the skills they need to better enable them to defend themselves and their loved ones in the event someone intends them harm. Dangerously Cute does this by “teaching women lifesaving self defense skills to protect against sexual assault, kidnapping/human trafficking, home invasion, carjacking, self-defense, while protecting our community, as well as discussing basic situational awareness.”

David LaSalle discovered Krav Maga and Dangerously Cute while stationed in San Antonio with the Air Force. As a husband, father and grandfather of young women, he is adamant about providing options and skills to those most likely to be targeted for violent attacks.

After moving to Estes Park, David began teaching Krav Maga-based heavy bag classes and met Ellen Benes, whose talent and interest resulted in her quickly becoming an instructor. Their passion for sharing the skills they developed led them to pursue certifications as Dangerously Cute instructors and they have now taught dozens of women in Estes Park that they do not need to re-

main defenseless in a violent encounter.

Ellen and David remind everyone they train that there are several elements to becoming SAF-R: Skills – everyone has the ability to protect themselves if they learn - and practice - self defense skills. No one thinks their way out of an attack once it has started – diligent training creates muscle memory and automatic reactions to hostile actions by an assaulter. 75% of all assaults do not involve a weapon. Skills help you level the field.

Awareness – the best way to avoid becoming a victim is to avoid situations where that is more likely.

Be alert, pay attention to your surroundings, trust your instincts when something feels off, and don’t let someone charm or intimidate you into vulnerable positions. Interviews with criminals show that if you behave like meek, unaware prey, predators will target you.

Fit – you can’t fight well if you can’t breathe. A fight for your life will be the most intense physical activity you ever experience and if you choose to be unprepared for it, your ability to fight back will be limited.

Relentless – a mindset of not giving up can be developed through intentionality and practice. Dangerously Cute classes include realistic attack scenario training with the assaulter in a protective suit so students can react with full force until the attack ceases.

Ellen and David invite anyone interested in signing up for the upcoming five-week training series beginning in January 2024 to contact them at info@vertcoworking.com.

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Friday, December 22, 2023 « 19

20 » Friday, December 22, 2023

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What’s Happening At The Estes Valley Library WINTER HOURS Mondays - Thursdays, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

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

Sundays, 1 - 5 p.m.

Special Hours Closed December 24, December 25, & January 1 KEY Ⓡ: Registration required.

Visit estesvalleylibrary.org to sign up.

BOOKS & AUTHORS Embrace Love in the New Year: Author Talk with Rebecca Serle Ⓡ Wednesday, January 10, 6 - 7 p.m., online Kick off the new year with Rebecca Serle, bestselling author of One Italian Summer, In Five Years, The Dinner List, and more, as we discuss her journey to writing epic love stories. Presented with

the Library Speakers Consortium.

ALL AGES Magic of Masks Ⓡ Thursday, January 4, 5:30 - 7 p.m., Makerspace repeated Thursday, January 11, 5:30 - 7 p.m., Makerspace Claim one of twenty entries in this annual community-wide art challenge!

Participants will craft their mask, then enter it in the Art Center of Estes Park with a price tag of their choosing. Recommended for adults and teens.

Dungeons & Dragons Meet & Greet Ⓡ Saturday, January 13, 2 - 3 p.m., Hondius Room Calling all fantasy, gaming, and roleplaying fans! Experience the original Dungeons & Dragons game in this introductory meeting. Recommended for ages 16 and up.

ADULTS Sew Your Own Pajama Pants Ⓡ Saturday, December 23, 12 - 3:30 p.m., Makerspace repeated Thursday, December 28, 12:30 - 3:30 p.m., Makerspace Use tools and equipment in the Makerspace to create a pair of festive pajama pants. All skill levels welcome.

Alone in a Crowd: Rachel Vickers on Experiencing Homelessness Ⓡ

Monday, January 8, 6 - 7:30 p.m., Hondius Room & online Rachel Vickers will share her struggle with addiction and homelessness, how she faced those challenges, and how being or feeling alone was a thread tying her experiences together. A One Book One Valley program.

Seeking Wisdom in Extremes: A Conversation with Bob Kull Ⓡ Thursday, January 11, 6:15 - 7:45 p.m., online Bob Kull will join us to discuss his year spent alone on an island off the Pacific coast of southern Chile where, more than 100 miles from his nearest neighbor, he explored the physical, emotional, and spiritual effects of deep wilderness solitude. A One Book One Valley program.

TEENS & KIDS Book vs. Movie Club: The Grinch Ⓡ Saturday, December 30, 12:30 - 2 p.m., Hondius Room Book or movie—which did you like best? We’ll discuss the book, then watch the movie adaptation. Snacks and drinks provided.

Artwork Wednesday: Gingerbread Campsites Ⓡ Wednesday, January 3, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m., Makerspace Make a campsite out of supplies like graham crackers, frosting, sprinkles, gingerbread people, and more. A One Book One Valley program.

Young Chautauqua Club Ⓡ Thursday, January 4, 4 - 5:30 p.m., Hondius Room Thursday, January 11, 4 5:30 p.m., Hondius Room Teacher and facilitator Katherine Dumont will lead participants through research about the life, words, and mannerisms of a historical character. Young Chautauqua Club culminates in live, costumed performances in late February.

Teen Advisory Council Ⓡ

Thursday, January 4, 6 - 7 p.m., Hondius Room Monthly meeting for tweens and teens (ages 11-18) who would like to recommend ideas for library programming, design for future teen space, and collection purchases for their age group.

DIY Hobbit Holes Ⓡ Saturday, January 6, 2 - 3 p.m., Makerspace repeated Tuesday, January 9, 5 - 6 p.m., Makerspace Use a variety of terrarium supplies, hot glue, and an electric candle to make your own hobbit hole. A One Book One Valley program.

KIDS & FAMILIES Library Storytimes Babies: Thurs., Fri., & Sat. at 10 a.m.

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

Read to Therapy Dog Annie: Wed., January 3 at 4 p.m.

Read to Therapy Dog Bo: Thurs., January 4 at 11 a.m.

Making Music with Nancy Bell: Wed., January 10 at 4:30 p.m.

Storybook Explorers: Sat., January 13 at 11:15 a.m.

Storytime & Block Party Thursday, December 28, 10 - 11 a.m., Hondius Room repeated Friday, December 29, 10 - 11 a.m., Hondius Room repeated Saturday, December 30, 10 11 a.m., Hondius Room Get out of the house and drop in for playtime! Check out our toys, build with blocks, and read a few stories.

Bilingual Storytime Ⓡ Friday, January 5, 4 - 5 p.m., Hondius Room Ven a compartir en nuestra Hora del Cuento Bilingüe, con el tema: ¡Galletas de jengibre! Join our Bilingual Storytime with the theme: Gingerbread cookies!

Musikgarten: Early Childhood Music Ⓡ Saturday, January 6, 11 - 11:30 a.m., Hondius Room Sample a music class series with Annaka Hoglin, musician and music educator, complete with moving, dancing, and playing musical instruments.

MAKERSPACE CLASSES Learn the Laser Cutter Ⓡ Monday, January 8, 5:30 - 7 p.m.

For ages 10 and up (participants under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult).

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY FOUNDATIONCliffhanger Used Books Cliffhanger Used Books, located next to the Post Office, is operated by the Friends of the Library Foundation, offering gently-used books, movies, and music at discount prices. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed on December 25.

KEY Ⓡ: Registration required.

Visit estesvalleylibrary.org to sign up.

Friday, December 22, 2023 « 21

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The Polar Express Visits The Estes Valley Library

Have you heard the faint sounds of train whistles? The conductor calling?

The bells ringing? Earlier this month, the Polar Express made a two-night visit right here in Estes Park.

On December 8 and 9, the Estes Valley Library hosted its annual storytellings of The Polar Express. Excited children and their guardians, many dressed in paja-

Kent Smith announced, “All aboard!”

Tickets were punched and passengers were ushered onto a beautifully decorated trolley, provided and driven by Nick Cassatt with Estes Park Trolleys.

The tour traveled along Elkhorn and riders enjoyed viewing the downtown holiday lights, singing holiday songs (joined by Nancy Bell on Friday), and ringing their jingle bells. The trolley ride culminated with a sighting of Santa and Mrs. Claus at their “We Believe Inn” near Town Hall.

Upon returning to the Library, everyone was invited to enjoy hot chocolate and decorate sugar cookies. Children left with a book of their choice and their very own Polar Express bell to commemorate the mas and other festive outfits, arrived at evening. the Library for a magical evening.

Many thanks go to all who volunteered A cheerful elf from the Estes Park New- their time and festive spirit to this comers Club welcomed folks and helped much-loved annual event. The Polar Exkids write letters to the North Pole. Mas- press celebration and giveaway books ter narrator Kurtis Kelly then officially and bells were made possible by generstarted the event by reading the famous ous donors to the Library Friends and book aloud. Children and their adults Foundation, which supports the Library were captivated by the timeless story of a all year long. boy who finds himself on a magical train Happy holidays from all of us at the on Christmas Eve. Estes Valley Library. “The bell still rings When the story was over, conductor for all who truly believe…”

Travel The World, Help EPNRC By; Estes Park Nonprofit Resource Center (EPNRC)

AmFund is offering three luxury adventures; all trips have a three-year travel window with no blackout dates.

The American Fundraising Foundation (AmFund) is sponsoring once-in-a-lifetime international trips to offer a creative option for end-of-year fundraising. Trips purchased between December 20-25 give donors an opportunity to invest in the mission Spontaneous Adventure for a Great Cause! Trips to Costa of the Estes Park Non- Rica, Greece, and Iceland benefit the Estes Park Nonprofit profit Resource Center. Resource Center. All trips have a 3-year travel window, no blackout dates, support from an Amfund Travel Specialist, The question is not if and tours and excursions are included. Local nonprofit enthuyou will travel, but siasts are thrilled with AmFund’s accommodations, travel where to? guides, and tours. You don’t have to plan, just enjoy.

AmFund makes the reservations and organizes the details for you.

Bam. Done. You basically show up at the airport packed for Costa Rica, Greece, or Iceland.

AmFund recognizes that our community relies on the services of nonprofits that are, more often than not, provided by government agencies in larger communities. They understand that EPNRC functions like a Chamber of Commerce for nonprofits: its mission is to support all nonprofits in the Estes Valley. The fact that EPNRC has been around for twenty years is evidence of the fact that the education, programming, and networking they do is needed.

If you are curious about EPNRC’s experience working with this company, the tax benefits for your donation, or just need to be convinced this is a great idea, email us at cato@epnonprofit.org or call (970) 480-7805.

We’re here for ya!

Trips can be purchased online at tinyurl.com/54kpysyk.

If you appreciate all that EPNRC does for the nonprofit industry and want to keep your boots on the ground, please consider sending an end-of-year donation in the mail. It must be postmarked by December 31. Make checks payable to EPNRC, PO Box 4221, Estes Park, CO 80517.

22 » Friday, December 22, 2023

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Fire Prevention

GOD’S GREATEST GIFT AT CHRISTMAS – PEACE What peace? This was the great lament of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in 1863. He wrote: “I heard the bells on Christmas Day. Their old, familiar, carols play. And wild and sweet their words repeat, of peace on earth, good-will to men. And I thought how, as the day had come, the belfries of all Christendom had called along the unbroken song of ‘peace on earth, good-will to men.’”…But, then as he heard the cannons thundering in the distance, penned: “In despair I bowed my head. ‘There is no peace on earth I said, for hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good-will to men’.”

We need to understand the context in which he penned these words. It was during the Civil War…someone called it, ‘America’s war against itself’. Wadsworth had recently lost his wife, Fannie, whose dress caught fire and, despite his efforts to put it out, including throwing his body on hers to smother the flames, she died, he was disfigured, and their six children left motherless. His oldest son had just enlisted in Lincoln’s Union army, but, before Christmas, was badly injured by enemy fire and nearly paralyzed. No wonder the ‘despair’, because he saw little ‘peace on earth’ or in his heart. But then. “Pealed the bells more loud and deep, God is not dead, nor doth He sleep. The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, good-will to men.”

We can identify, can’t we? We ‘hear’ the ‘cannons thundering’, as it were, in the Ukraine / Russia and Israel / Palestinian wars. We read of the hundreds of casualties there, and note the inhumanity of man to man within our own borders, with violence escalating and lives destroyed. Add to that the awareness of the lack of peace in so many hearts and lives. Drug and alcohol abuse are at all-time highs, suicides set a new record each year. Oh, the despair! The only solution is found in Wadsworth’s discovery: “God is not dead, nor doth he sleep…the wrong shall fail, the right prevail…bringing peace on earth, good-will to men.” That ‘peace’ is God ‘s greatest ‘gift’ at Christmas, if we are tuned in to the Prince of Peace, who’s birth and life we think about more this time of year. I do not agree with everything that happens at this season of the year…the frenzy, the seeming greediness of some, thefts that escalate, etc. but, like Paul in the Bible, “I rejoice that Christ is preached” and honored by people all over the world. And, if He is honored, throughout the year, in one’s heart ‘the peace, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Him’.

Let’s consider this more closely. There are several kinds of peace that we need. We need ‘Spiritual peace’; ‘Emotional peace’; and ‘Relational peace’. If we lack any of these we will probably tend to ‘despair’, at times in our lives. ‘Spiritual peace’ is peace with God’. That’s what the events in Bethlehem, were all about. Some people have been known to make ‘peace offerings’ to the God / gods they serve. But our ‘peace offering’, God made for us in the birth of the ‘Baby’ born to Mary. “He is our peace” the Bible says. We also long for ‘Emotional peace’ the ‘peace of God’. The Word says: “The peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard you hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” This the peace ‘within me’. The word in the Bible is ‘Shalom’ which means” ‘Harmony’, ‘Well-being’, ‘Serenity’. God’s peace will help with every problem. If you have: a ‘broken heart’, He gives comforting peace; an ‘ashamed heart’, He gives forgiving peace; a ‘worried heart’, He gives a confidence peace. He has a peace for every concern: financial, health, family. The third kind of peace is ‘Relational peace’. If I am at peace with Him, and at peace with myself, then I will find my peace with you. ‘Blessed peacemakers’ are called ‘sons of God’.

‘May your days be merry and bright’, because of Him, and resulting in peace with Him, within you, and with others, is my prayer for you this Christmas season.

Bob Lewis .

December 22 - December 28

By: Rene Moquin

As I was thinking….As a resident of Estes Park for nearly 30 years, for me and Joanne, nothing scared us most than the fires which began on the west side of RMNP and ultimately required evacuation of the entire population of Estes Valley. None of us knew whether we would be coming back home to burned out devastation to both our community and to our private property. Barbara Buck describes that terrible day in her interview with Bill Gabbert, of Wildfire Today and Fire Aviation. As my friend, Brian, stated, “This may be the most important hire for the fire safety of our beautiful Estes Valley.”

On January 16 a public meeting will be held at the Dannels Fire Station from 56:30 p.m. so the public can hear the views of the three finalists for our new fire chief: Brady Austin, Richard Lasky and Michael Vogel. All come with extensive experiences but one will be chosen to lead fire prevention efforts in our community. Hopefully all readers will make a point to attend that public session.

As reported by Barb Buck, mass evacuations related to the East Troublesome Fire and the Cameron Peak Fire for the Town of Estes Park began on October 22, 2020. The entire Estes Valley was on mandatory evacuation by the morning of Saturday, October 24. These fires have consumed more land in RMNP than in any other incident or combination of incidents since its establishment in 1915.

Several causes have been contributed to these fires: • Exceptional drought that summer • Numerous dead and down beetlekilled trees (More than 95 percent of the state’s established lodge pole forests were killed in the most recent infestation) • Red Flag weather conditions created by high winds and dry conditions • Poor humidity • Land-use changes More than 300 homes were lost during the East Troublesome Fire and 469 structures were damaged or lost in the Cameron Peak Fire. As Buck reports, 193,812 acres were burned in the East Troublesome Fire and 208,913 acres burned in the Cameron Fire.

Colorado’s governor, Jared Polis, said the increase wildfires are a combination of climate change and increased population and utilization of public lands. Human-caused are the basic causes of these fires. I do mean to imply arson driven.

As Buck states, “ causes can mean loose chains, parking a car in high grass, automobile crashes, throwing cigarette butts out the window, disposing of ash from a fireplace to name a few”. While these causes exist, funding has been reduced over the past 10 years for preventive projects.

Dr. Steelman, Stanbeck Dean of the College of the Environment at Duke University and President of the International Association of Wildland fire offers these observations and recommendation for greater wildfire prevention: Facts: • The earth is becoming warmer putting vegetation and trees under more stress • Fire is not going to go away so we need to learn how to live with fire • We need to get smarter-about where we’re building, how we are building and how we manage these risks Recommendations: • We need to take personal responsibility for acreage around our property • We need to create more resilient landscapes that are resistant to fire, insects, disease and disturbance • We need to create fire-adapted communities • We need to establish defensible space around structures • We need to limit development in high-risk area • We need to regulate building materials to make building safe—non-combustible building materials be used • We need to establish an evacuation plan that everyone understands • We need to post fire information in hotels and vacation rentals Again each of us affected by these previous fires need to attend the January 16 public hearing in order to assure that we select the most viable candidate as fire chief in addressing these concerns.

Rene Moquin 970-980-7722

Estes Park Special Olympics Tuesday Bowling Fun Estes Park Special Olympics organizers are hosting bowling fun at the Bull Pin, 555 S. St. Vrain Ave. on Tuesdays from 3:30-5 p.m. All ages are welcome to participate.

For more information, contact Audri Smith at 970-451-3762 or email epspecialolympics@yahoo.com.

Coming Soon

Sat Jan 6: 10:55a

Season 4: Feb/Mar

Friday, December 22, 2023 « 23

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Estes Park Senior Citizens Center Menu

A Traditional And Ecological Christmas By: Judi Smith

There are many aspects of the winter holiday season: events, including, but not limited to the traditional holiday dinners; decorating stem to stern, from tree to villages, lights to inflatables, peak of the roof, the train under the Christmas tree; shopping, wrapping, and opening gifts; singing carols; and reading well-loved holiday stories. However, whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Bodhi Day, Eid al Fitr or Yule, what ties the holiday together is the family and friends who celebrate with us.

Christmas season, at our house, begins with Thanksgiving dinner, The Catch the Glow parade, and then decorating inside and out – all in one weekend.

Once up, the decorations must stay until after National Western Stock Show, about January 20. We have at last converted all lights to LED, at considerable annual savings – and overwhelmingly better for the Earth, especially since our electricity is still generated from coal and natural gas. We inherited decorations and traditions from prior generations. My father's traditional village and Disney characters our grandchildren chose, along with the angelic emissaries from Santa who have reminded four generations of children to be on best behavior – result in the multigenerational eclectic mixture that graces our halls.

Memories abound and nothing is ever bought for temporary use.

The current ecological crisis has resulted in quite a controversy (ecologically) over which is better, a living tree or a plastic tree. As a child, of course, we had a live tree and burned the Yule log.

My own family opted, years ago, for a synthetic tree due to a family allergy to pine. Today there are many options. Two of the best: 1) a live tree, grown from seed in a pot, and brought inside each year for the holiday. 2) The new trend to create a “tree" from repurposed pallet wood. Both these concepts are fully ecological.

Our family always tours the displays of lights, driving house to house to “ooh" and “ahh," one more reason that we need an electric car. We turn out in force for the Quota Club “Festival of Trees,” drop in at seasonal open houses, and check out local Estes shops to see the changes in their merchandise. This year I found sewing supplies and copy paper here-tofore undiscovered, a nice bonus to the gift shopping. Shopping in Estes keeps the money circulating in the local econ-

omy, a decided advantage, and also saves both economically and ecologically over driving down-mountain. (The IRS business allowance is now 65.5 cents a mile.)

I set out this year to avoid purchasing plastic gifts. With two preschoolers, I did not quite accomplish that, but did ensure that no purchases were intended for short term use. We have a closet full of recovered wrapping paper, bags, boxes, ribbon and bows; a drawer full of wrapping cloths (more reusable than paper). We no longer buy single-use wrapping supplies (except for tape). We have seen some creative solutions. Sometimes, we have “wrapped” in plastic tubs. Last year we wrapped small gifts in bar towels, as extra gifts, to replace the use of paper towels. (Our own use of paper towels dropped to one roll a year.)

Most wrapping supplies are not single stream recyclable, due the common clay coating. Some MRFs, but not all, recycle the clay coated paper for a limited time after Christmas each year. The best solution: when unwrapping, be gentle to allow reuse. Simply Christmas will accept wrapping and shipping supplies, in good condition, that your household does not want. Call them for detail.

Our winter holiday, which runs from Thanksgiving to Stock Show, encompasses two major holiday dinners, Christmas and New Years. Meat does have a higher CO2 count, as opposed to plant based food, but a ranching family, even no longer ranching, cannot give that up. Still, we shop as locally as possible, aiming for fruits and vegetables grown here as opposed to foreign countries. Home cooked food is generally healthier than pre-prepared. Beyond that, paper containers have limited recyclability when they have been exposed to food. Freezer boxes, often coated with plastic, are uniformly not recycled in Estes Park. The list of recyclable plastics is inconsistent at best, subject to market fluctuations. Some Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) accept more than they recycle. #1 and #2 are profitable; #4 and #5 less so. The cost of recycling #3 and #6 often exceeds marketability. #7 is a class of non-recyclables. Metal and glass containers are a better bet, ecologically.

The true purpose of the holidays is connection with family and friends, both near and far away.

Happy holidays!

Agree? Disagree? Comments?

RRRcyc@signsandwishes.com

Dec 25 – 29 Monday, Dec 25

CLOSED

Tuesday, Dec 26

CLOSED

Wednesday, Dec 27 Roasted Chicken (1/2) w/ Roasted Sweet Potato & vegetables Thursday, Dec 28 Creamy Tuscan Shrimp (w/ sun dried tomatoes & spinach) w/ Pasta, garlic bread & side salad Friday, Dec 29

London Broil Steak (6 oz) w/ Mashed Potatoes, gravy & vegetables

Jan 1 – 5 Monday, Jan 1

CLOSED

Tuesday, Jan 2

Fried Chicken (3 pc) w/ Mashed Potatoes, gravy & vegetables

Wednesday, Jan 3 French Dip Sandwich (topped w/ Swiss cheese) & Potato Salad Thursday, Jan 4

Salisbury Steak (topped w/ vegetables) w/ Mac ‘n Cheese

Friday, Jan 5

Fish & Homemade Chips w/ soup of the day

Meals are $7 for current 2024 EP Senior Citizens Center members and are by reservation only. (Or 3 meals for $20; use pre-paid meal tickets.) Exact cash or check payment required. Reservations must be made by 1:00 PM at least one business day in advance. Note, if you want to reserve a meal for Wednesday, Dec 27th, you need to call before 1:00 PM on Friday, Dec 22nd. For reservations call 970-581-2195 and leave a detailed message. Pre-paid meal tickets and membership forms are available at the Estes Park Senior Citizens Center located at 1760 Olympian Lane.

The Center is OPEN Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 10-1; Tuesday 10-2 TriFit M-W-F 10:30-11:15 AM; Circuit Balance Class Mondays 1-1:45 PM Yoga T-T 10:15-11:15 AM; Fluid Movement & Balance Class Tuesdays 2-2:45 PM Mahjong Tuesdays 10 – 2; Board Games 2nd & 4th Wednesdays 11:30-1:30 Live Music & Presentations Tuesday @ 12:00 – 1:30 (TBA) Two Bridge Groups: 1st, 3rd, & 5th Wednesday of the month & Every Thursday 12:30 - 4 PM

Reserved Meals-to-Go delivered to your vehicle or EAT at the Senior Citizens Center Check out our website: estesparkseniors.org or call for the latest information

24 » Friday, December 22, 2023

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Colorado Parks And Wildlife Successfully Releases Gray Wolves On Colorado’s Western Slope fulfills the will of We’ll continue releasing animals based voters who, in on our plan to have wolves not just sur2020, passed an vive but thrive in Colorado as they did a initiative requiring century ago.” the reintroduction “Pulling off a successful first wolf reof wolves starting lease in Colorado touched all corners of

by Dec. 31, 2023. our agency,” said CPW Assistant Director What followed Aquatic, Terrestrial, and Natural Rewere three years of sources Reid DeWalt. “This has been two comprehensive lis- years of work to approve the plan plus tening and work another year of work to secure our first

by Colorado Parks source population and get us to this reand Wildlife to lease day. We are grateful to the Oregon draft a plan to re- Department of Fish and Wildlife for store and manage working with our agency on an agreewolves that inment for up to 10 wolves and for all the cluded public CPW staff who contributed to this hismeetings in every toric day.” corner of the state “It was an honor to participate in this and was inclusive historic effort,” said CPW Wolf Conserof all points of vation Program Manager Eric Odell. “We view and weighed were thrilled to have great conditions for capture and early success in Oregon.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife released five gray wolves onto public land in Grand County, Colorado on Monday, the needs of a wide range of Weather conditions and information on December 18, 2023. Pictured is wolf 2302-O. communities with pack locations provided by Oregon DeOn Monday, Colorado Parks and captured from nearby northern Rockies a deep interest in the thoughtful outcome partment of Fish and Wildlife staff comWildlife (CPW) experts released five states from several different packs by of this effort,” said Colorado Govgray wolves onto public land in Grand trapping and darting them in the winter. ernor Jared Polis. “I am proud of County in a historic effort to create a Gray wolves are listed both state and the Colorado Parks and Wildlife permanent, self-sustaining wolf popula- federally as an endangered species in staff for their hard work to make tion and fulfill voter approval to re-esColorado by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife this happen. The shared efforts to tablish gray wolves in Colorado.

Service (USFWS). The U.S. Fish and reintroduce wolves are just getting The gray wolves were captured in Ore- Wildlife Service has designated the Col- started and wolves will rejoin a digon where CPW veterinarians and biol- orado wolf population as Experimental verse ecosystem of Colorado ogists evaluated them to determine if under Section 10(j) of the Endangered wildlife.” they were fit for relocation to Colorado.

Species Act. This provides management “Today’s reintroduction of the Criteria for release included the age, sex, flexibility that would otherwise be progray wolf is a tremendous accomhealth and body condition of each anihibited. plishment for Colorado Parks and mal.

CPW’s reintroduction program builds Wildlife and the citizens of ColEach gray wolf was weighed and meas- on work started by the USFWS in 1995 orado,” said Dan Gibbs, Executive ured. Staff collected genetic material – when that federal agency began restorDirector, Department of Natural tissue and blood samples – before fitting ing gray wolves in the Western U.S., Resources. “This would not have each with a GPS satellite collar for track- starting with an experimental populabeen possible without the tireless ing upon release by CPW staff. Then, the tion released in Yellowstone National work of CPW staff and the Parks wolves were given vaccines and were Park in Montana. Wolf reintroduction and Wildlife Commission, the placed in crates and flown to Colorado efforts eventually spread to Wyoming, members of both our advisory for release back into the wild.

Idaho, New Mexico and Arizona. boards and the citizens and stakeholders who engaged and weighed Meet Colorado’s new wolves: The Oregon wolves released represent in to make our wolf management CPW’s determination to fulfill the 2302-OR: Juvenile female, black color, wishes of Colorado voters who, in 2020, plan the best for all Coloradans 68 lbs., Five Points Pack Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff weighs wolf directed the agency to begin reintroduc- and for wolves that once again 2303-OR: Juvenile male, gray color, 76 2304-OR on December 17, 2023. grace our Colorado landscapes.” ing wolves by Dec. 31, 2023. The new lbs. Five Points Pack wolves will be managed by CPW using “This is a historic 2304-OR: Juvenile female, gray color, the Colorado Wolf Restoration and day for Colorado,” 76 lbs., Noregaard Pack Management Plan, approved by the said CPW Director 2305-OR: Juvenile male, black color, 93 CPW Commission in May 2023, after Jeff Davis. “We want lbs., Noregaard Pack more than two years of extensive to thank the U.S. 2307-OR: Adult male, gray color, 108 statewide stakeholder meetings and out- Fish and Wildlife lbs., Wenaha Pack reach via a series of public hearings.

Service for their Note: All wolves captured, collared and work to complete Ultimately, CPW plans to recover and released in Colorado will use the same and approve the maintain a viable, self-sustaining wolf naming convention: The first two numpopulation in Colorado while balancing 10(j) designation bers (23) will indicate the year the anithat lists wolves in the need to manage interactions bemal was captured. The second set of Colorado as a tween wolves, people and livestock. numbers informs biologists of the wolf ’s nonessential, experiThis project marks another milestone gender (males will have odd numbers, in the long CPW tradition of species re- mental population. females will have even) and the order in covery in Colorado. These include the This helps us to folColorado Parks and Wildlife veterinarian Pauline Nol and biolowhich it was collared. *The “OR” suffix black-footed ferret, one of North Amer- low all of the conflict gist Ellen Brandell examine 2307-OR on December 17, 2023. indicates the wolves came from Oregon. ica's rarest mammals, the 1999 effort to mitigation plans we CPW will repeat the process until at accounted for in the reintroduce the lynx, the Rocky Mounleast 10 - 15 wolves have been reintrofinal Colorado Wolf tain bighorn sheep, the greenback cutduced in Colorado by mid-March 2024. throat trout, and many more.

Restoration and Management Plan. Hav- bined to help us capture five gray wolves As outlined in the Colorado Wolf on day one of capture operations in “Today, history was made in Colorado. ing the rule in place in early December Restoration and Management Plan, helped CPW to stay on track to reintronortheast Oregon and release them earFor the first time since the 1940s, the CPW hopes to release 30 to 50 wolves duce wolves in 2023 with the ability to lier today on Colorado’s Western Slope.” howl of wolves will officially return to over the next 3 - 5 years using wolves use the appropriate management tools. western Colorado. The return of wolves

Friday, December 22, 2023 « 25

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26 » Friday, December 22, 2023

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1917 Book Club Returns In 2024 On Wednesday, January 17, 2024 the 1917 Book Club returns to the Estes Park Museum to explore local titles and authors.

Discussions will take place every third Wednesday of the month from January through March, 2024.

The program runs from 10 – 11:30 a.m. and is held in the Museum Meeting Room. Light snacks will be provided. This program is free and open to the public. It is strongly encouraged that participants read each selection prior to the program to take part in the discussion.

The January pick is Homesteading Big

Owls by Katherine G. Garetson. “Step into 1914 and a life Katherine Garetson never imagined for herself.

With little more than a friend and a dog and the kindness of some unusual mountain neighbors, she stakes her claim to 160 acres of rocks and pines and sets about “proving-up” her homestead.

She finds a secret romance, snow-bound hardships, independence, and glorious days in the wilds of Colorado.” Museum staff will facilitate a lively discussion.

For any questions, please contact Curator of Interpretation, Mikaela Fundaun, mfundaun@estes.org.

A Lasting Gift While Helping The Estes Park Museum

Looking for a unique gift for that someone who “doesn’t want anything?”

Want to memorialize a family member, moto, or special home in Estes Park? For a $1,000 donation, an 8” x 8” paver stone can be ordered at the Estes Park Museum. The custom engraved paver stone (with an optional custom image) will line the sidewalk between the Museum and Museum Annex buildings. The sidewalk connects the Annex, which houses artifacts, to the Museum, where artifacts are interpreted to the public through exhibits and programs, creating a perfect analogy of the past meeting the present.

This fundraiser supports the Estes Park Museum Friends & Foundation, Inc. in their continued efforts towards Museum Annex upgrades and collections care with the goal of professionalizing the Museum’s collection and research facil-

ity. The building upgrades will lead to an ideal, secure environment for the preservation of more than 30,000 locally significant historic artifacts with room for the general public and staff to research the collection.

With over 80 pavers ordered, there are just over 100 left! The fundraising opportunity will end in May 2024 for the installation. Order now for a personal inclusion in this community effort!

Thank you to all individuals, families, businesses, service clubs, and non-profit organizations who have already purchased their etched paver stone supporting the Museum!

If you are interested in supporting this special project or have any questions, please call or email Museum Director Derek Fortini for more information at 970-577-3761 or dfortini@estes.org.

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Friday, December 22, 2023 « 27

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All We Want For Christmas LISTED BY TOM THOMAS Is A New, Loving Family & Home!

Ellie, Eddie, Patrick, Mirabel And Molly In Need Of New Loving, Forever Homes Ellie, 25 pounds and Eddie, 35 pounds, are seven months old. Ellie is tan. Eddie black and white. They are both adorable shepherd mixes. They are good with other dogs, a little shy and first but very friendly.

Sweet Mirabel is seven months old, she is very happy and loving and weighs about 35 pounds. She is great with other dogs.

Molly is a beautiful Siamese cat who is about a year and a half old. She just raised her little family and is now ready for a home of her own. She is good with dogs, but not sure about living with other cats.

Patrick is about a year old. He is a happy dog that loves people. He is

pretty good on a leash but needs to be encouraged a little. He has lived with cats but needs continued work with his kitty manners. He weighs about 50 pounds.

Please call (970) 286-1652 if you’d like to meet or foster any of these special pets. Don’t shop, please adopt!

All pets are offered through the Pet Association of Estes Park, a non-profit organization that is your local humane society. You can make a tax-deductible donation to the Pet Association by sending your check to P.O. Box 4342, Estes Park, CO 80517.

For more information about the Pet Association, please visit petassociationestespark.com.

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28 » Friday, December 22, 2023

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Estes Valley Residents Step Up To Donate Blood

Photo by Wendy Rigby/Estes Park Health

Estes Park Health teamed up with the UCHealth Garth Englund Blood Center on Thursday, December 14, to host an on-site blood drive at the hospital. By day’s end, the Blood Center had gathered 43 units! Thanks to everyone who showed up to help. The next on-site EPH

blood drive will be in three months on Thursday, March 14th. Plan on joining us to help. The UCHealth Garth Englund Blood Center serves Estes Park Health and other hospitals in the Northern Colorado area.

December Woman's Club Wrap Up The December Meeting of the EPWC at the Estes Valley Community Center was a wonderful holiday event.

The air was festive and the decorations outstanding. Our lively bunch feasted on the tasty meal catered by the Big Horn Restaurant. The turkey and dressing, salads and quiche were delicious.

The chocolate cake was truly decadent.

Thank you to everyone for your generous cereal donations for Crossroads Ministry. It should provide quite a few breakfasts for those in need.

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We were delighted to induct our new member Heather Chmura.

Welcome Heather, we look forward to getting to know you!

The wonderful musical strains of Simpatica truly put us in the holiday mood. Denise Stookesberry, Steve Tice, Miranda Dillard and Nelson Burkes sang some classics as well as a very entertaining 12 Days after Christmas.

in a healthy direction. Remember advance reservations are needed to attend the program and luncheon. Reservations can be made at epwcreservations@gmail.com.

Our next meeting will be January 10, 2024 at the American Legion. Our program will be about “Hospital Health and Enjoy the holidays, and all the best for Wellness. It's a New Year, It's a New You.” the new year.

We hope you can join us to start 2024 off

Friday, December 22, 2023 « 29

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Estes Park Health Foundation Welcomes New Board Directors For 2024 The Estes Park Health Foundation (EPHF) is proud to welcome four distinguished individuals to its esteemed Board of Directors for the year 2024: Ingrid Drouin, Andrea Escorcia Rodriguez, Max Salfinger, and Scott Dickinson.

Max Salfinger is an internationally recognized health care professional specializing in Public Health; Ingrid Drouin, brings a history of philanthropic endeav-

ors and dedication to helping others, and adds a compassionate and community-focused perspective to the board; Andrea Escorcia Rodriguez, the manager of Saddle and Surry in Estes Park, brings a wealth of non-profit experience; and Scott Dickinson brings a history of award-winning leadership and extensive non-profit experience.

Kevin Mullin, President of the Estes Park Health Foundation, expressed his

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enthusiasm about the new Directors.

"We are thrilled to welcome Ingrid Drouin, Andrea Escorcia Rodriguez, Max Salfinger, and Scott Dickinson to the Estes Park Health Foundation Board.

Their diverse backgrounds and shared dedication to community well-being will strengthen our ability to support and enhance healthcare services in Estes Park.

We look forward to the valuable contributions each member will make in advancing our mission."

Teresa Mueller, EPHF Board President adds, "We are truly honored to welcome Ingrid Drouin, Andrea Escorcia Rodriguez, Max Salfinger, and Scott Dickinson to the Estes Park Health Founda-

Scott Dickinson

tion Board for 2024. Each of them brings a unique set of skills, experiences, and passion for community well-being. As the Board President, I am confident that their contributions will play a pivotal role in advancing the Foundation's mission and enhancing healthcare services in Estes Park. Together, we look forward to continuing our commitment to the health and wellness of our community."

The Estes Park Health Foundation increases community awareness of Estes Park Health, and develops, manages, and distributes funds to assist EPH in fulfilling its mission. To learn more about the Estes Park Health Foundation or to volunteer, visit GiveToEPH.org or call 970577-4370.

Ingrid Drouin

30 » Friday, December 22, 2023

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Trailblazer’s 12 Days Of Fiber Christmas For your celebration this year, you may have strung lights on your house, and your trees, and lit candles in celebration.

But have you thought about the light that fiber brings to your home?

Here are some innovative uses of your fiber internet that can make the 12 Days of Christmas – and all the days after – even brighter and easier.

12. Light the Smart Lights. Smart device outlets allow you to control the timing of your holiday decorations, so you don’t have to think about unplugging the tree or turning off the light decor outside before going to bed.

11. Don’t let the Grinch steal your holiday cheer! Smart Home security and camera systems depend on reliable internet to function properly and alert you when something is amiss. Don’t forget the battery backup (check out the article below!).

10. Watch TV Together – or separately.

Togetherness is fun, but what if you can’t watch another Hallmark Christmas Movie? Time for Die Hard? Everyone can watch what they want when they want – at the same time in the same

room or different ones without fear of buffering. Get started with all the Holiday Streaming Deals from our partner, MyBundle.

9. Design Holiday Greetings. Using mobile apps such as Canva and Shutterfly, upload family photos and capture

and family recipes.

7. Share Photos and Videos with loved ones without posting them for the entire world to see. Use an app like Cluster, which provides an Instagram-like feed but only for the people you invite into the group.

6. Share photos with “unplugged” family members. A Wi-Fi cloud frame from

moments such as the first snow or a burst of candid laughter to make an exciting canvas for your family greeting card.

8. Create Gifts Online. Use favorite photos to create banners, blankets, mugs, and memory books for your loved ones. You can even fill a Create My Cookbook with treasured photos

Nixplay provides a digital experience for the less tech-savvy folks in your life.

This digital photo frame creates a slideshow of the photos you add, and you can easily use your phone to add more at any time — even if the photo frame is on the other side of the world.

All the user has to do is turn on the digital frame and watch.

5. Plan Your Next Vacation. While the family is all together, it’s the perfect time to plan next year’s vacation. Experts like Jay Jaishankar, CEO of Visitor Insurance Services, a travel insurance company say plan early! “Ideally, plan six months to a year in advance to get the best deals,” he says. And according to a Statista survey, in 2023, 72 percent of travelers plan trips online.

4. Reindeer and other games are among the family’s favorite ways to engage with each other. Find multi-player games (such as Mario Kart or Overcooked) on Wii or PlayStation gaming consoles for the whole family to participate in.

3. Telecommute. It sounds better than playing hooky, right? The holidays are a great time to work from home if you can, particularly during the snowiest days.

2. Connect with Friends and Family.

With Trailblazer Broadband’s unmatched upload speeds, you can virtually share holiday feasts and open presents “together,” keeping the holiday spirit alive, no matter the distance.

1. Disconnect! Get it all done and shut it down. Fast reliable internet keeps you from having to wait for the “wheel of doom,” that little spinning circle that appears on the screen whenever your connection is too slow for whatever it is you’re doing, giving you more time for fun and family holiday pursuits.

‘Tis the season for joy, and Trailblazer Broadband is here to make it even brighter. Happy Holidays from the Trailblazer Broadband Team!

New Year, New Volunteer

CASA of Larimer County needs our community to make 2024 a year of impact! In the past year, we saw an increase in dependency and neglect cases and had an average of 40 children that experienced abuse and neglect on our waitlist. 40 children waiting for a Court Appointed Special Advocate Volunteer to be their mentor and support their best interests in court. Make volunteering your new year resolution and take the first step to becoming a CASA today.

Training starts on January 18th!

Friday, December 22, 2023 « 31

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Wishing You A Very Merry Christmas By: Brian Schaffer

I love Mexican restaurants where you get to make your own tacos and burritos. I remember very well a moment in time when I eagerly piled on the meat, beans, cheese, guacamole, sour cream, lettuce and lots of salsa, and then quickly began rolling up the tortilla.

But wait, as you can probably guess by now, I couldn’t wrap it up all the way due to the amount of stuff in the middle. It was still delicious, and I found a way to eat every bite! At Crossroads, as we wrap up 2023 our numbers are showing us that we’ve piled on more services to meet the needs of our neighbors than we ever have before. And the great thing about this is that even though our budget was stretched, we always had enough to take care of every neighbor who came in for help. We believe strongly that there are sufficient resources in our community to meet the needs of our neighbors. We are extremely grateful to serve as a strategic connector to maximize resources to

you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I love Mexican restaurants where you get to make your own tacos and burritos. I remember very well a moment in time when I eagerly piled on the meat, beans, cheese, guacamole, sour cream, lettuce and lots of salsa, and then quickly began rolling up the tortilla.

But wait, as you can probably guess by now, I couldn’t wrap it up all the way due to the amount of stuff in the middle. It was still delicious, and I found a way to eat every bite! At Crossroads, as we wrap up 2023 our numbers are showing us that we’ve piled on more services to meet the needs of our neighbors than we ever have before. And the great thing about this is that even though our budget was stretched, we always had enough to take care of every neighbor who came in for help. We believe strongly that there are sufficient resources in our community to meet the needs of our neighbors. We are extremely grateful to serve as a strategic connector to maximize resources to meet the greatest needs in the Estes meet the greatest needs in the Estes Val- Valley. We’re committed to our mission ley. We’re committed to our mission and and we want to grow as the needs in our community grow. It’s the only way to we want to grow as the needs in our community grow. It’s the only way to en- ensure we’re ready to take good care of sure we’re ready to take good care of the the most important needs of our neighmost important needs of our neighbors. bors. I’m mindful today of what President John F. Kennedy had to say as he I’m mindful today of what President contemplated decisions for the betterJohn F. Kennedy had to say as he conment of our nation: “There are risks and templated decisions for the betterment of our nation: “There are risks and costs costs to a program of action. But they are far less than the long-range risks and to a program of action. But they are far costs of comfortable inaction.” Let’s plan less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction.” Let’s plan to do to do more in 2024!

As we approach Christmas Day, I trust more in 2024! you will be reminded of how special and As we approach Christmas Day, I trust significant this day is to all of us. It’s a you will be reminded of how special and time to reflect upon the birth of Christ significant this day is to all of us. It’s a and how his coming changed the eternal time to reflect upon the birth of Christ destiny of every human being. I am and how his coming changed the eternal hopeful each one of you will set aside destiny of every human being. I am time for quiet reflection, Bible reading, hopeful each one of you will set aside singing songs of Christmas, prayer, feltime for quiet reflection, Bible reading, lowship, and gathering with family and singing songs of Christmas, prayer, felfriends.

From my home to yours, I wish lowship, and gathering with family and you a very Merry Christmas and a friends. From my home to yours, I wish Happy New Year!

Flatirons Church Helping Fight Against Child Trafficking By: Larry Yarrington

Jim Bergen gave the sermon this morning and no surprise, it had to do with a story of Christmas, concerning the shepherds. But though the story was familiar, it was presented with a theme that was extraordinary. The reason was that he painted a picture of what shepherds were in those days and why they were the perfect choice for all of heaven to announce the arrival of a Savior for all humankind

Physics, it must be stated in such a way that if this new data were not available in that which we are observing, it must collapse back into the original laws. The commands of God are similar in that they lead us into new learning all the time, but the new must be in harmony with what we knew before this new information was observed because we are guided, as believers, in all our thoughts.

So, we see harmony in the laws prac-

The profession, if you could call it that, of shepherding sheep, was mostly done by boys who had been sold into slavery.

Theirs were lives without much hope of a future. Yet they would be familiar with how the lambs were chosen that were to be sacrificed that day at 9 am and 3 pm.

These sheep were examined at birth and chosen if they had no defect. Those chosen were wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. I never knew that.

But it was the way our Savior entered the world. And guess what? They wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger.

I have grown to love the Bible and trust it because it all relates to nature in some way. Romans 1:20. In theological terms, nature is a form of “general revelation”.

That is to say, nature reveals truths to us about God because He created it; his fingerprints are on it and his character influenced what He made. Nature is not as specific as the revelation God has given us through the Scriptures and Jesus. But it is so related that much of what Jesus taught was illustrated by everyday events in the culture of that day. Probably no one would recognize more clearly the significance of the events surrounding Jesus’ birth than shepherds would have.

If we jump ahead in the story 33 years, we will see the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, being put on the cross at 9 am and dying at 3 pm. My interest in the Bible is, in part, because I love to see harmony. It is what I enjoyed studying Physics. When a new thing was learned that basically modified the laws of

ticed for sin removal before Christ in a temporary way, to the details of Jesus slaughtered as the Lamb of God. The timing of the hours of events harmonized. The way the Savior entered the world, harmonized. It is a reason to believe in a God that can control events in nature and history so that His word prophecies many events, and their details, often thousands of years in advance. That gives hope. And a God who gives hope in spiritual things is a God that can give hope, through the church, to many who need hope. Our focus in the December giving at Flatirons Community Church this year is on the many children sold into slavery, mostly into sexual trafficking. The average age would be much like the shepherd boys, about 14 years old. Many of course are much younger. Children lost to sex trafficking each year in the United States is about 100,000. Most are abducted out of orphanages or kids who are running away from home because of abuse.

Our Pastor challenged each of us who attend or listen online to look at everything we spent on ourselves this past year and give 10% of that to the December giving. None of this money stays at the church but will be used to do what we can to help organizations fighting child trafficking.

If you are interested in challenging your faith to a new level and are not a part of another church, we would welcome you to come and fellowship with us at the Reel Mountain Theater each Sunday at 11 a.m.

Photo by Robert Burns

32 » Friday, December 22, 2023

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Join EPUMC For Christmas Eve Service The decorations are up, the lights are on, and there is a seat waiting for you at Estes Park United Methodist Church on Christmas Eve. Join us this Sunday, Dec. 24, at 6 p.m. in the sanctuary for a night of worship and singing and prayer.

We are located at 1509 Fish Hatchery Road. All are welcome.

Give A Holiday Gift To Help AIDS Orphans Estes Park United Methodist Church is teaming up with church members and the Estes Valley community to raise money this holiday season to help AIDS orphans in Africa.

The project helps build homes for relatives raising children whose parents have died of AIDS. Each house costs only $3,000. Last year, EPUMC raised enough money to build five houses! This year, the church felt called to embrace the project again.

These “Grandma Houses” as they are called provide stability for impoverished, marginalized, and stigmatized needy, desperate, and deserving families in Kenya.

EPUMC is also raising money for scholarships for the young orphans so they can receive the education need to

help them get out of poverty.

For more information about how you can get involved in this life-changing project, email Pastor Ann Lantz at pastor@epumc.org or call EPUMC at (970) 586-4153.

Christmas Services At St. Francis Of Assisi Church By: Bishop Owen R. Williams

Photo by Jan Rigby/EPUMC

AA & Al-Anon Meetings AA of Glen Haven Every Monday night at the Town Hall at 6:30 p.m.

Early Worms Monday thru Saturday at 7:00 a.m.

(Tues., Thurs. & Saturday hybrid meetings with Zoom #796 839 839 PW:Worms20) at St. Bartholomew Church, 880 MacGregor Ave. Early Worms Women's Meeting 12 p.m. Mondays St. Bartholomew, 880 MacGregor Ave. Mixed Nuts Al-Anon Group We meet Friday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at St. Bartholomew Church. The meeting is hybrid with Zoom #285 426 3644 PW: serenity.

One Day at a Time Location: Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies 1700 Brodie Ave, Estes Park When: Tues and Thursday @ noon.

Please park in back, Meetings are held downstairs in Room 6.

Alcoholics Anonymous Fall River Group, 453 West Elkhorn, Estes Park.

Current Schedule as of 8/13/2023 Monday 12 p.m. In Person at 453 West Elkhorn O, D Monday 7 p.m. Hybrid (In Person and Online) Zoom 654 598 884 O, BB Tuesday 12 p.m. Online Zoom 999 829 166 O, D Wednesday 12 p.m. Hybrid (In Person

and Online) Zoom 999 829 166 O, D Wednesday 7 p.m. Hybrid (In Person and Online) Zoom 999 829 166 O, D Thursday 12 p.m. Online Zoom 999 829 166 O, D Friday 12 p.m. Online Zoom 999 829 166 O, D Saturday 12 p.m. Hybrid (In Person and Online) Zoom 999 829 166 O, D Sunday 12 p.m. Online Zoom 999 829 166 O, D *Contribute via VENMO @SamuelCherman Other 12 Step Meetings Held at Fall River Group Thursday 7 p.m. Narcotics Anonymous “New Horizons” Group O, D Hybrid (In Person and Online) Zoom 705 555 830 **O=open to all D=discussion BB=Big Book Zoom Meetings-Everyday at noon Zoom #999 829 166 (no password needed).

Monday Zoom Big Book study at 7 p.m. #654 598 884 (no password needed).

Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Zoom #999 829 166 Online AA and NA Meetings at www.intherooms.com There are 70 AA Meetings and 30 NA Meetings a week.

The Joy-filled Feast of the Nativity of Jesus Christ will soon be upon us.

At St. Francis of Assisi Anglican Church, we invite you to Come and Join Us as we Celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Sunday Evening, December 24th at 5:30 p.m.

The Candlelight Sung Service of Holy Communion will include Beautiful Music from our Choir and Singing of Traditional Christmas Hymns.

We will also offer a 9:30 a.m. Service of Holy Communion on Christmas Day, the 25th. This is a shorter service without music. We welcome you to either or both services, as our church will be wonderfully decorated with Christmas Greenery and lovely Poinsettias. These beautifully shaped flowers exemplify the Star of Bethlehem, with the red leaves representing the Blood of Christ.

As you can see from the picture, St. Francis Church is a Spiritual Haven, built among the rocks and nestled in the

hills of Little Valley. It’s easy to find and, once you’ve been here, you’ll want to come back again and again to our little “Church in the Woods.”

We encourage you to continue the Christmastide celebration by attending a 9:30 a.m. service of Holy Communion, Tuesday through Friday, December 26th through 29th. Tuesday, we remember Saint Stephen, the first Christian Martyr; Wednesday, we honor Saint John, Apostle & Evangelist; Thursday, we recall the tragedy of The Holy Innocents, the babies put to death by King Herod; and Friday, we remember a great Anglican martyr, Saint Thomas Becket of Canterbury.

St. Francis Anglican Church is located at 3480 St. Francis Way, Estes Park, CO. Turn off Fish Creek Road, onto Little Valley Road, and follow the small signs to St. Francis Church.

Please call Bishop Williams at (970) 577-0601 with any questions, or if you wish to schedule a private Confession.

“Totally Lit” Scavenger Hunt At Castle Mountain Lodge This holiday season how about a beautiful and fun lighted Scavenger Hunt to pass the time away? Stop in the office at Castle Mountain Lodge and pick up a Holiday Light/Figurine Scavenger Hunt form and let the fun begin!

Aterwards join us for hot cocoa, spiced cider, or a cookie while warming up by the fire!

Castle Mountain Lodge is located at 1520 Fall River Road. Call 970-5863664 for more information.

Friday, December 22, 2023 « 33

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Community Christmas Church Services St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church extends a warm invitation to all to come and join us in Lessons and Carols and Christmas worship and celebration!

Dec. 24th Lessons and Carols 9:00 a.m.

Followed by Tea and Scones 24th Christmas Eve 5:30 p.m. (Music Prelude) 6:00 p.m. Service Begins (light refreshments after church service in the Parish Hall) No service on Christmas Day Dec. 31st First Sunday after Christmas 9:00 a.m.

St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church is located at 880 MacGregor Ave. Phone: (970) 586-4504. www.stbartsepiscopalchurch.org Worship in Hyde Chapel at the YMCA Of The Rockies Join us each Sunday through January 7 in Hyde Chapel at 10:00 a.m. for an uplifting hour of worship. No morning worship on December 24th. Please attend our evening services.

Christmas Eve Services Sunday, December 24 5:00 p.m.

Family Christmas Eve Service! Come celebrate the birth of Christ in this fun, uplifting and informal service!

11:00 p.m.

Traditional Candlelight Communion Service Rev. Greg Bunton Chaplain, YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park Center 970-586-3341 ext. 1012 www.ymcarockies.org Allenspark Community Church Christmas Services The Christmas season is here and the Allenspark Community Church invites you to join us for the celebration of the birth of the Christ child on Sunday, December 24th at 4:00 p.m.

The log church, located at 16 Washington Street in Allenspark, will be decorated with garlands (the love and peace of Christ), sparkling lights (symbolizing Christ being the light of the world), and red poinsettias (the leaves are thought to be a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem).

The remaining Advent services will continue on December 24th 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.

At 4:00 on Christmas Eve, Reverend Debbie Unruh will lead this service which will include singing favorite hymns, telling the story of Christ’s birth through scriptures, and special music by the church choir and guests.

The Allenspark Community Church wishes all of you a very Blessed Christmas and looks forward to seeing you at any or all of the services of the Christmas season.

Mountain View Bible Fellowship Church, 1575 S. S. Vrain Ave., Estes Park.

Candlelight Christmas Eve Service, Decemeber 24, 5:00 p.m.

Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church You are welcome to join us for Christmas worship services at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 950 North St. Vrain.

Sunday, December 24 - Christmas Eve Candlelight service at 6 p.m.

Christmas Day, Monday, December 25 at 10 a.m.

Spanish speaking Christmas Eve service in Estes Park!

Casa de Oracion is pleased to be offering a Spanish speaking Christmas Eve service in Estes Park this Sunday at 2:00pm. It will be held at Cornerstone Church of Estes Valley located at 2200 Mall Road.

A Spanish pastoral team from Fort Collins will lead this special service celebrating the birth of our Messiah! Expect traditional Christmas songs, scripture readings, and a special Christmas message from Pastor Carlos Mateos–all in Spanish!

We look forward to celebrating the birth of Jesus with you! Merry Christmas! ¡Casa De Oracion, una iglesia hispana de Fort Collins, está teniendo su primer servicio de Nochebuena en Estes Park! Por favor, únase a nosotros mientras celebramos el nacimiento de nuestro Señor y Salvador este domingo a las 2:00 p.m. El servicio se llevará a cabo en la Iglesia Cornerstone de Estes Valley, ubicada en 2200 Mall Road en Estes.

El pastor Carlos Mateos ha estado predicando la Palabra de nuestro señor Jesucristo para arrepentimiento, perdón de pecados y salvación eterna.

Haz planes para asistir y trae a un amigo para celebrar esta época especial del año.

Todo el servicio estará en español! Te esperamos!

Join EPUMC for Christmas Eve Service The decorations are up, the lights are on, and there is a seat waiting for you at Estes Park United Methodist Church on Christmas Eve. Join us this Sunday, Dec. 24, at 6 p.m. in the sanctuary for a night of worship and singing and prayer.

We are located at 1509 Fish Hatchery Road. All are welcome.

Christmastide Services At St. Francis Of Assisi Church The Joy-filled Feast of the Nativity of Jesus Christ is upon us.

At St. Francis of Assisi Anglican Church, we invite you to Come and Join us as we Celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The Candlelight Sung Service of Holy Communion will include Beautiful Music from our Choir and Singing of Traditional Christmas Hymns.

Christmas Morning, December 25th – 9:30 a.m. Service of Holy Communion.

This is a shorter service without music.

We then encourage you to continue the Christmastide celebration by attending a

9:30 a.m. service of Holy Communion, Tuesday through Friday, December 26th through 29th.

Tuesday, we remember Saint Stephen, the first Christian Martyr; Wednesday, we honor Saint John, Apostle & Evangelist; Thursday, we recall the tragedy of The Holy Innocents, the Slaughter of Infants put to death by King Herod in Bethlehem; and Friday, we remember a great Anglican martyr, Saint Thomas Becket of Canterbury, who put Church before State.

St. Francis Anglican Church is located at 3480 St. Francis Way, Estes Park, CO. Turn from Fish Creek Road, onto Little Valley Road, and follow the small signs to St. Francis Church.

Please call Bishop Williams at (970) 577-0601 with any questions, or if you wish to schedule a private Confession.

Advent Services at the Community Church The Presbyterian Community Church presents a welcoming and festive offering for the Christmas season and invites all in the community to join in. Whether you are a visitor, new to town, or a longterm resident, you are always invited to drop in; we would love to have you.

Ursula Waddell Our beautiful mother passed on Monday, December 18th. She was with three generations, daughter, granddaughter, grandson and great granddaughter.

She loved hiking in the National Park took many beautiful pictures.

Her kind caring giving heart touched many people. Our mom with her beautiful blue eyes will be truly truly missed and never forgotten.

Ursula will live forever in us, her children: Rikki Scott, Babi Felden, Nikolai Bloyd, her grandchildren: Jonathan Scott, Isabelle Scott, Mikayla Felden, Sebastian Felden, Micah Felden, Zayden Scott, and her great granddaughter Amilia Felden.

Feel free to send condolences to Rikki Scott, 1715 Wilson Ave., #311 Loveland CO 80538.

Come meet Christine Dempsey, recently installed as the church’s new pastor, and experience music from the church’s renowned organ and voice and bell choirs. Enjoy fellowship time after the service and connect with your neighbors and friends over coffee and refreshments.

Regular 10 a.m. Sunday worship services during Advent will be focusing on the human stories, the biographies of the people who surround the birth of Jesus, including John the Baptist and Mary.

On December 24th the church will hold its regular Sunday morning worship service, plus at 5:00 p.m., will offer a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. The evening service will explore the role of Joseph at the birth of Christ and will celebrate with candlelight, choir, bells, organ and a new arrangement of Joseph Lieber, Joseph Mein. We will sing our favorite carols and meditate on our homily “Love in Daddy’s Hands.” Hot chocolate and dessert will be served after the service.

So reach out this season and stop on by the Community Church at 1700 Brodie Avenue in Estes Park. Feel free to contact the office with any questions at 970-5864404 and to visit the church online at www.pccrusa.org.

34 » Friday, December 22, 2023

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Alexander Daniel Lofgren

January 8, 1972 – December 7, 2023 Alexander Daniel Lofgren, age 51, of Brockton, Massachusetts and Estes Park, Colorado passed away on Thursday, December 7, 2023.

He is preceded in passing by his brothers, David Lofgren, Chuck Lofgren, Jon Lofgren, and his parents C. Ronald Lofgren and Gloria Lofgren.

He is survived by his brother Andy Lofgren, sister Wendy Lofgren, his former wife Tanja Boss, his Uncle Bob and Aunt Linda, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Alex proudly served in the United

States Marine Corp. He was a talented and all around great guy who loved the outdoors, and will be sorely missed.

A military funeral will be held in Massachusetts, just as he would have liked it.

Also on behalf of his family and all his friends in Estes Park & around the globe, there will be a celebration of life for Alex here in Estes. Date and location still to be confirmed, it will be posted on his FB page.

Go walk with the angels my friend.

May love & light, grace you always.

Carol Jackson

Carol Pauline Jackson was born on April 13, 1943, in McPherson, KS to James B. and Ailene M. Robertson.

She passed away on Saturday December 9, 2023, at the age of 80.

Carol grew up working on her family’s poultry farm in Galva, KS. She

would always say her family was the largest poultry producer in the state of Kansas, but she hated chickens more than anything. When electricity was finally being run out to the farm, her dad ran it past the house straight to the chicken barn, which irritated Carol her entire life.

Carol attended McPherson High School and is a graduate of the class of 1961. Shortly after High School, she met the love of her life and married Jerry A. Jackson on August 17, 1962. Carol was a very devoted and loving housewife and mother. She most notably worked as the church secretary at the First Baptist Church of McPherson, and then was manager of the General Store at the YMCA of the Rockies.

Carol was an upbeat person who always had a listening ear and offered a word of wisdom, without judgement, when anyone needed it. She was ornery, sassy, and not afraid to speak her mind. She was very passionate about her church and faith in God. She loved to sing with the church choir,

Paul Newendorp

1936 – 2023 Paul Newendorp died peacefully December 10, 2023 after a long struggle with dementia and cancer. He was born August 5, 1936 in Orange City, Iowa. Paul grew up in LeMars, Iowa where he became an Eagle Scout and met the love of his life, Donna, whom he married in August 1958. After high school, Paul spent two years at the Coast Guard Academy before enrolling at the University of Oklahoma where he was awarded a Bachelor of Science, Masters and Doctorate in Petroleum Engineering. After nine years working for Pan American Petroleum Company, Paul became a consultant and was one of the preeminent authorities on risk analysis for petroleum exploration. He published a

book on the subject and taught more than seventy-five short courses in over thirty countries. In 1982 Paul and Donna moved to Colorado and Paul retired from the Petroleum Industry in 1986 shortly thereafter.

In addition to his many professional accomplishments, Paul was a friend of nature and was a trusted volunteer for the Forest Service and Rocky Mountain National Park. He spent many summers on a trail crew building the Colorado Trail. Paul was fond of adventures. He ran the Denver Marathon, took white water river rafting trips around the world and sailing lessons in the Caribbean.

Paul was a champion of philanthropy. He was instrumental in growing the Estes Valley Community Fund.

Paul helped start the Community Garden and faithfully supported many local charities.

Paul was preceded in death by his father Nelson, mother Myrtle and sister Ruth. He is survived by wife Donna, son Mark (Susan) Newendorp, daughter Lori (Jeff) Wagner, grandchildren Christian and Chelsea Newendorp as well as many nieces and nephews. A service celebrating Paul’s life will be held Saturday, January 6 at 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church of Estes Park. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the United Methodist Church of Estes Park or Crossroads Ministry of Estes Park.

play Yahtzee and Scrabble with family, hike in the Colorado Aspens, and talk about her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She collected owl figurines from all over the world, and especially loved sitting next to a fire while reading a book when it snowed.

She instilled a love of others onto her children and provided a wonderful loving environment for them to grow. She would get together with her daughters to shop, drink coffee, and just enjoy each other’s company whenever and wherever they could meet.

Carol was exceptionally supportive of her children and their families. She would often assist her son, Allen, with his business, and her daughters Annette and Amy, who both married into the Air Force family. Carol would drop anything to be there for her children when needed or asked.

She loved to be part of the Jackson Stables family, and often cooked all day to make the beans for dinner hayrides in the summer. She loved the time she spent with the young wrangler staff.

Carol always supported the wranglers and did whatever she could to make being away from home a little easier. She helped to make their summer more memorable and is loved by them all. To all the wranglers she was known as “Miss Carol.”

Carol was an amazing woman loved by so many and will be missed by everyone that knew her.

Carol is survived by Jerry Jackson, her

husband of 61 years, children Allen (Julie) Jackson, Annette (Joe) Hart, Amy (Chad) Pfortmiller, grandchildren Misti (Isaac) Marcantonio, Trent (Morgan) Jackson, Kylie Jackson, Samantha (Tyler) Weisz, Brenton (Allyson) Pfortmiller, Aaron Pfortmiller, Benjamin Pfortmiller, and great grandchildren Blake Marcantonio, Evan Marcantonio, Ryder Weisz, Lorelai Weisz, Varlo Pfortmiller, and Surai Pfortmiller.

She is preceded in death by her parents James B. and Ailene M. Robertson, her brother Jay Robertson, and her great grandson Cameron Marcantonio.

In honor of Carol Jackson, a memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on December 29th, 2023, at Mountain View Bible Fellowship Church in Estes Park, located at 1575 South Saint Vrain Avenue, Estes Park, CO. Visitation will be held at 11:45 a.m.

Carol will be laid to rest in the Estes Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery during a private graveside service. In lieu of flowers please donate to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, in care of Allnutt Funeral Service at 1302 Graves Avenue, Estes Park, CO 80517 or directly to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation at 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, New York 10306, t2t.org/donate/; and Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516, support.woundedwarriorproject.org

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

Friday, December 22, 2023 « 35

Upper Thompson is Hiring a Cook Wanted $20/hr, 30+ hours a week.

Inquires can be sent to epal@esteslegion.org

Collection System Operator & Treatment Plant Operator

YmCa oF THe RoCKieS 2515 Tunnel Road estes Park, Colorado, 80511

HouSeKeePing DiReCToR Primarily responsible for the cleanliness of cabins, lodges, public areas as well as oversight of the industrial laundry at YMCA of the Rockies – Estes Park Center. The Housekeeping Director will work closely with related departments to ensure maximum guest satisfaction as well as operational efficiencies. $64,000 - $76,000/year with full benefits, discounted childcare, employee perks, and more!

www.workintherockies.org

Requirements Be a good person! We are a close-knit group and are looking for someone who will fit in with our team Must be 18 years or older with a high school diploma or GED Willing to live in/near Estes Park and assume rotational on-call work No industry experience required - we will pay for your education and certifications

Collection System Operator Perform operations of the wastewater collection system, conduct inspections, GIS, utility locates, installations, etc.

Salary range: $48,339 - $72,663/annually

Treatment Plant Operator Perform treatment facility operations, inspection of equipment, mechanical work, use of SCADA, assist in laboratory, etc.

Salary range: $48,339 - $82,000/annually Both positions are eligible for health, vision and dental insurance, and other benefits

Submit Your Application Materials to

YmCa oF THe RoCKieS

Matt@UTSD.org

2515 Tunnel Road estes Park, Colorado, 80511

Dining Room manageR This position is responsible for managing the on-site restaurant at YMCA of the Rockies, the Pine Room. Responsibilities include overall day to day operations in the front and back of house, supervising staff, updating the daily menu board and ensuring all food and drink line equipment is clean and functioning properly. $18 - $21.30/hour with full benefits, generous PTO/vacation, discounted childcare, and so much more.

www.workintherockies.org

Find out more at: https://utsd.colorado.gov/employment or scan the QR code

NOW HIRING! Experienced Maintenance

Full Time/Part Time $18.00 to $25.00 per hour DOE plus bonus* • General Maintenance and/or • Hot Tub Service • Landscaping/Snow Removal • Painting *Bonus is $1.00 per hour May through October Apply at, mail or email resume to: Fawn Valley Inn, 2760 Fall River Road, Estes Park, CO 80517 Email: Jamie@RockyMtnResorts.com

Marina Assistant Manager - Full-time Benefited (8-month Season). $20.00 - $25.00 per hour Work seasonally from March through the end of October with pay earned during the season divided over 12 months. This position is responsible assisting the manager with day-to-day operations including supervision of staff, ensuring customer safety, collection of day use fees, Marina store operations and maintenance of equipment and grounds. We are looking for experience in retail sales, renting equipment or general maintenance and supervisor of staff.

Head Lifeguard - Full-time, year-round, benefited position. $18.00 -$22.00 per hour Support pool safety at the Recreation Center. Duties include lifeguarding, monitoring pool chemicals, teaching swim lessons, and supervision of lifeguards. The schedule will vary depending on business needs.

To learn more about our open positions and apply online go to evrpd.com.

Estes Valley Recreation and Park District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

YmCa oF THe RoCKieS 2515 Tunnel Road estes Park, Colorado, 80511

aSSoCiaTion muSeumS DiReCToR anD HiSToRian Responsible for the collection, preservation, interpretation and education of YMCA of the Rockies’ history. Provides oversight for all aspects of historical research, documentation, communication, direction, and leadership for the museums and historical sites at Estes Park Center, Snow Mountain Ranch and Camp Chief Ouray. $45,000 - $56,500/year with full benefits, discounted childcare, medical benefits, and more perks.

www.workintherockies.org

We’re hiring for the following positions starting at $21.01/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 After your application has been completed, please call our hiring manager Ann at 970.586.4447.

36 » Friday, December 22, 2023

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

YmcA oF tHE rocKiEs 2515 tunnel road Estes park, colorado, 80511

AssociAtion GAp proGrAm coordinAtor This position provides leadership, develops curriculum, manages projects, functions as a liaison, provides mentorship, fosters interpersonal relationships, and evaluates program performance all while building an intentional community among the Gap Program participants at YMCA of the Rockies. $50,000 $58,000/year with full benefits, generous PTO/vacation, YMCA membership, and many more employee perks.

www.workintherockies.org

JOIN OUR TEAM!

Full details on employment opportunities and the application can be found at estes.org/jobs.

Full-time Emergency Services Dispatcher I/II/III Events Maintenance Worker I Project Manager The status of applications will be communicated via e-mail. By choice, the Town of Estes Park is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Elizabeth Guild Thrift Shop Hiring Part-Time Cashier Apply at 427 W. Elkhorn Ave. Store hours: Tues.- Sat., 10 to 3:00 (970) 586-7205

NOW HIRING! Hot Tub Service Tech

Full Time / Part Time $18.00 to $20.00 per hour DOE plus $1.00 per hour bonus May through October Apply at, mail or email resume to: Fawn Valley Inn, 2760 Fall River Road, Estes Park, CO 80517 Email: Jamie@RockyMtnResorts.com

Now Hiring • Refrigeration Technician (Licensed) • Service Technician • Plumber Immediate full-time positions open for experienced knowledgeable technicians.

• Offering competitive wages • Benefits • Structured work environment Certifications and licensing not required, but preferred. If interested or for more information contact:

NOW HIRING! Winter Work

Everest Mechanical 1201 Graves Avenue, Unit C Estes Park, CO 80517 Attn: Jim Bird: 720-938-8643 jimbird@everestmechanical.com

• Light Maintenance • Snow Shoveling • Housekeeping • Hot Tub Service $18.00 to $20.00 per hour DOE Apply at, mail or email resume to: Fawn Valley Inn, 2760 Fall River Road, Estes Park, CO 80517 Email: Jamie@RockyMtnResorts.com

www.estesparknews.com RENTALS

RENTALS

RENTALS

SERVICES

SERVICES

REAL ESTATE

Homes

Apartments

Commercial Rentals

Cleaning

Piano Tuning

Commercial

Susan Novy, local piano tuner.

Call for appt.

577-1755 www.estesparkpiano tuner.com

Commercial Spaces for sale and lease.

Call Eric.

Anderson Realty.

586-2950

House for Rent 1895 Fall River Rd. 3,089 sq. ft., 5 bedrooms, 1 full bath, 3 half baths, sun room, full kitchen, fireplace.

970-308-4457 ndkpropertiesep@ gmail.com

Condos Newly remodeled 2 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom condo, long term rental. $2,200 per month includes water, sewage, trash and snow removal. You pay electric and internet/cable.

Contact Emily at 720-839-5843

Apartments Perfect Winter Rental!

Furnished 1-bedroom apartment on Lake Estes. $1,300 monthly with all utilities included !

Long term rental available now until Memorial Day. Contact us at 1-970-779-7455

FOR RENT - FURNISHED 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath, walkout. ALL utilities paid, including internet TV. Private laundry. Close to hosp. & schools. $1,600mo. + Dep. & 1 yr. lease. Credit check & ref.

NP/NS. Avail. soon. TEXT 970-214-5640

Commercial Rentals Start the New Year right with a new single office space! Easy parking, access to handicapped bathrooms, kitchen and conference room. All utilities and internet are included. $385.00 a month. Call Peggy Lynch 970-232-5588.

Office Space for Rent 1377 Sq. Ft., Conference Room, 3 Private Offices, High Traffic Area with Great Exposure, Open Lobby Area, Printer Room.

351 Moraine Ave. Suite B 970-227-4865 nathan@kinleybuilt.com Office Space available Dec 1st. Located at 1140 Manford Ave. For more info call 970-586-3828.

Commercial Space for Rent 433 S St. Vrain Ave. 970-308-4457 ndkpropertiesep@ gmail.com

TRANSPORTATION

Other-Misc Residential & commercial cleaning, window cleaning, snow removal contact us at aceprocleaningllc@ gmail.com

Misc.

TOO MANY CARS…TWO MUST GO. 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK AWD. High miles, but runs well, $500.00 obo, As is.

2001 DODGE RAM 1500 V8 PICKUP. 160K miles – runs strong, Body needs some work, $600.00 obo, As is.

See at 2151 Larkspur Avenue - EP or call (720530-6446) (Buyer must have own insurance)

20%OFF First Cleaning!

Quality Professional Cleaning Services.

Licensed, Bonded & Insured. Voted #1 Estes Park Favorite Cleaning Company.

970-585-8587

Sewing/Alterations Remixed Custom Sewing Services.

NEW LOCATION! Small Furniture, Restoration, Cushions and Industrial Repair.

Call for appointment 970-492-5446

SALES Estate Sales

Medicare Mornings at the Estes Valley Rec Center every Thursday 9:00 to 11:00 now through March.

Need help with Medicare?

Drop by and visit with Chris Grubb & Heidi Delaney, or call us anytime!

970-672-1092 Estes Valley Rec Center 660 Community Drive, Estes Park

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 22, 2023 « 37

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PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS BUILDER APPLIANCES

970-586-4315

CHIMNEY SWEEP

EYECARE/GLASSES

rglibby@msn.com Estes Park, CO

ATTORNEYS

CLEANING SERVICES

Winter Hours

FINANCIAL SERVICES

BEAUTY SALON SERVICES

FLOORING

CAMERAS

COMPUTER SERVICES

Dan Wiedow dan@estesparkcomputers.com

CARPET CLEANING

(970) 586-5404

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38 » Friday, December 22, 2023

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PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS BUILDER GENERAL CONTRACTOR

HEARING & TINNITUS CARE

MOUNTAIN PHOTOGRAPHY

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

HOME HEALTH CARE

PAINTING

New Construction & Remodeling Specializing in Decks, Windows, Siding, Kitchen/Bath Remodels, and Exterior Painting Long time local serving the Estes area.

970-581-2670 • cornellhico@gmail.com cornellhomeimprovement.com

Elkins Construction

HOT TUBS & POOL SERVICES

Licensed and Insured

Custom Homes • Remodels Decks • Drawings 40+ Years Experience Tim Elkins Estes Park, Colorado 970.310.1683 elkskins22@gmail.com

LOG RAILINGS & ACCENTS

970-586-1685

PEST CONTROL

Custom Homes, Additions, Kitchens, Baths, Historic Renovations, Remodels and Design Work

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

MAINTENANCE/REPAIR SERVICES

DH D

IAMOND D ANDYMAN SERVICE

Home Maintenance & Repairs Snow Removal & Hauling • Painting

Licensed & Insured

“Consider It Done!”

Dave 303-877-2007

Friday, December 22, 2023 « 39

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PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS BUILDER PLUMBING

REAL ESTATE

TREE SERVICE

Call, Text or E-mail Today!

Aaron L. Busche CMAS, SRS, ABR, CNE

Realtor®

Aaron@EstesPK.com Cell: (970) 470-9962 facebook.com/estesvalleymountainbroker

Certified Mountain Area Specialist Seller Representative Specialist Accredited Buyer's Representative Certified Negotiation Expert

Simply. Elevated. Real Estate.

PRE-PLANNING ADVISOR Dawn Shields 970-909-4789 DAWN.SHIELDS@DIGNITYMEMORIAL.COM

We at Allnutt-Estes Park Chapel have been serving families for over 35 years. As part of Dignity Memorial, we are committed to the highest standards at your time of need.

We can also put a plan in place to emotionally and financially relieve your loved ones of burden. This can be the greatest gift that you can offer them. Show them how much you care by protecting them now!

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40 » Friday, December 22, 2023

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151 Curry Drive

.9 6/ AC RE

2809 Fish Creek Road

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321 Overlook Lane

497 Pine River Lane

ST RP ER MI T

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Call us to use our FREE Moving Truck.

$2,114,375