Estes Park News, December 23, 2022

Believe

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Malo) in Allenspark, Colorado

Photo by Paul J. Marcotte www.pauljmarcottephotography.com

My wife and I have bought and sold 11 residences in our married life so have dealt with many different agents. Of those Bret and Melanie Freedman were the best. Our experience has been that most agents are interested in swelling their portfolio and maximizing their turnover. We always got the feeling that our house was just one for buyers to consider. Bret and Melanie are what seems to be a boutique agency, they don't have or want a large portfolio. They focused intently on our house and found a buyer in a matter of days and an excellent deal for both parties was struck. Bret represented both sides of the deal. I liked this arrangement because I felt we had more idea what was going on than we did when multiple agents were involved. From our experience in selling our property in November 2022, we can highly recommend the Estes Park Home Finders if you find it necessary to sell your home in this beautiful valley. ~ Peter

Trailblazer Turns Three

November marked the third anniversary of the launch of Trailblazer Broadband, our community’s municipallyowned fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) high-speed internet service. The last three years have been anything but normal, with our buildout facing challenges including COVID-19, supply chain disruptions and large price increases, and a wildfire evacuation. Despite these challenges, Trailblazer is currently serving over 2,600 customers (including nearly 200 businesses) and is ahead of schedule on construction with completion anticipated in 2024.

It has been no small feat to keep this project on track through the course of buildout. Our Trailblazer team has done an incredible job at learning and adapting to make sure that construction and installations stay on schedule. From scrambling to reassess in-home installs during the height of the pandemic to ensuring protected fiber redundancy in the face of a wildfire threat, the team has gone above and beyond to ensure stable access to high-quality broadband no matter the circumstances. Despite all of these challenges, the team is currently averaging 100 installations of Trailblazer service each month

Of course, service responsibilities do not end with the successful installation of Trailblazer for a customer. High-quality customer service is a point of pride for our local customer service team who operates out of 1180 Woodstock Drive, ensuring that there is a local presence for anyone with questions or a problem. To-date, this team has handled over 21,000 inbound and outbound service, sales, and support calls locally.

In addition to our local customer service team, Trailblazer offer 24 x 7 x 365 technical support by phone through a cooperative agreement with the cities of Loveland and Fort Collins. This technical support team is operated out of Larimer County and has fielded over 1,400 calls from Trailblazer customers since it began operating on August 13, 2020.

Trailblazer’s unparalleled combination of high-quality fiber-to-the-home internet service and dedicated local support is reflected in customer rankings, specifically its Net Promoter Score. The Net Promoter Score is a common way to measure customer experience of a product being offered. While the 2022 average Net Promoter Score for internet service providers was 6 (on a scale from

-100 to +100), Trailblazer’s was 71!

While most people will identify Trailblazer’s fiber network with high-quality, high-speed internet service, it is also critical to the Town’s electric “smart grid” infrastructure. Smart grid infrastructure consists of digital technology that allows for two-way communication between a customer and their electrical service provider. This two-way communication is critical to meeting the renewable energy goals of the Town and our partners at Platte River Power Authority (PRPA).

Three years ago, our community made the decision to create a broadband utility to ensure that every Power and Communications customer had access to fiberto-the-home internet service. The continued successful rollout of this enterprise is a testament to the trust our customers have in the competence of our Trailblazer team. Together, we are making the dream of high-speed, community-owned internet a reality! If you are not a Trailblazer customer and would like to learn more about service, please call our customer service team at (970) 577-3770 or visit trailblazerbroadband.com.

Electric Construction To Begin January 2023

The Town of Estes Park Power and Communications Division will begin work on Phase 2 of the capital improvement project along Marys Lake Road to finish one of two new circuits in the Estes Valley. The new Twin Sisters Circuit is a continuation of Power and Communications’ efforts to meet the future electrical service needs of the population within its service area. This project will consist of replacing existing poles, upgrading transformers, and installing insulated aerial power lines to increase system reliability and power quality, protect wildlife, and reduce wildfire risk from faulting or sparking

lines.

The project area is along Marys Lake Road from Griffith Court to Lower Broadview. Work is anticipated to begin the week of Jan. 9, 2023 and be complete by mid summer 2023.

To facilitate this work, crews must access the utility right-of-way along the power lines. Due to the electric system design along Marys Lake Road, access will occasionally be off-road and through customers' yards. Crews will attempt to notify customers before accessing the right-of-way through their property. Work will take place weekdays between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., weather per-

mitting.

Other customer impacts will be temporary outages (2-4 hours typically) while crews transfer the overhead lines and transformers to the new poles. These outages will only affect properties fed off the transformer being replaced. Crews will attempt to notify affected customers beforehand.

A map of the project area can be found at www.estes.org/electricprojects. Residents of the project area are encouraged to watch this page for project updates. For questions or concerns contact Tyler Boles, Line Crew Supervisor, at 970-5773607 or tboles@estes.org.

“Small Town Christmas” by Paul J Marcotte 2015

Estes Forward Plan Adopted

After an intensive two-year public process, the Estes Park Town Board has adopted the new “Estes Forward Comprehensive Plan.” The new Estes Forward Plan was funded through a generous Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) grant and local dollars. The new plan guides twenty-year goals, policies and actions on land use, community design, growth management, circulation, housing and environmental quality. It reflects six resiliency themes:

• The Natural Environment, including conservation, resource protection, flood and wildfire mitigation, wildlife habitat protection, and ecosystem management to address the impacts of climate change

• The Built Environment, including growth management strategies, infrastructure management and planning, land use, and design and architectural guidelines

• Housing, including types and densities, criteria for development, design considerations, funding sources, and locations

• Economy, including what’s needed to support a year-round workforce, the role the Town plays and how to engage

• Health and Social choices, including Town priorities, inclusiveness, childcare provisions and programs for school-aged youth

• Transportation and Infrastructure, including priorities for active transportation and transit, innovative transporta-

tion strategies, water supplies in the future and energy delivery systems

After several well-attended community engagement events in the past year, staff and the consultants from Logan Simpson prepared the forward-thinking Plan that reflects the hopes, dreams and overall vision of both Estes Park and Valley residents, businesses, stakeholders and visitors. According to Community Development Director, Jessica Garner, “The community has collectively come together to voice a call to action for the future, and understands that Estes Park is evolving to meet the changing needs of the population. It’s now time for the staff at the Town of Estes Park to help implement those changes using the Vision and Guiding Principles in Estes Forward. ”

The Plan seeks to address a path forward for the most pressing issues we face, including housing in all forms, land conservation, connectivity, and increasing hazard mitigation and resilience in the face of climate change.

Policy decisions including updates to the Estes Park Development Code will begin to reflect the choices made by the community and reflected in the new Plan. Watch for more information in 2023, including a revised Development Code and future gateway corridor studies in the coming years. To learn more about the plan, visit Engageestes.org.

Town Of Estes Park Christmas And New Year’s Closures

Town of Estes Park local government facilities will be closed Friday, Dec. 23 and Monday, Dec. 26 for the Christmas holiday. Staff will resume normal operat-

EVFPD firefighters generally respond to medical calls in their personal vehicles, allowing for a faster response. On other incidents, firefighters respond to a fire station to respond in department apparatus

ing hours Tuesday, Dec. 27. Town facilities will also be closed Monday, Jan. 2 for the New Year’s Day holiday, resuming normal operating hours Tuesday, Jan. 3.

with specialized equipment.

During the week of December 11, the Estes Valley Fire Protection District (EVFPD) responded to 9 calls for service. This included:

Catch The Glow, And Don’t Let Go

For Roger and me, generating an optimal glow at Christmas necessitates that we do our special family traditions inperson with our children and grandchil-

dren. Unfortunately, the pandemic and distances between us prevented that from happening the past few years. That’s not the case this Christmas, and I am so excited.

Our Christmas glow began growing earlier this week, when Karin and Tyler arrived here from the Washington D.C. area. It brightened a bunch when Kristin and Chris came up from Lakewood with Colden, Marshall, Tristan and Daxton. And it became down-right radiant when, Jason, Ivana and their three sons—whom Roger and I visited last summer—started zooming with us from Croatia. Oh, what a joyful Christmas this is for us.

It's my very special Christmas wish that the same glow that’s warming the hearts of my family and me is also touching your heart and that we grab hold of the hope and joy that fuels our glow, and not let go, reigniting it this time next year.

Christmas Holiday Closure

Larimer County Administrative Services, and District Attorney are closed on Dec. 26, 2022 in observance of the Christmas Day holiday. The Larimer

County Landfill is open on Dec. 26. Critical services at Larimer County are not disrupted by closures.

Chris, Daxton, Colden, Marshall, Tristan and Kristin pause for a picture during an outing in the mountains near Crested Butte. Photo courtesy of Chris Perkins

Karin and Tyler are ready for a special evening out in Washington D.C. Photo courtesy of Tyler Devilbiss

Karin and partner Tyler take a break from rock climbing in Kentucky. Photo courtesy of Karin Knudson

Go Behind The Scenes With Local Government

Ever wondered what goes on during a typical day at Town Hall? How does our local government operate? What facilities does the Town of Estes Park own? All of these questions and many more will be answered during the 2023 Community Information Academy.

The Town of Estes Park’s recurring Community Information Academy (CIA) – formerly the Citizens Information Academy –is a seven-week series designed to familiarize participants with Estes Park’s town government and encourage active participation from community members. During CIA, participants meet with Town Trustees and staff, expand their knowledge of overall Town operations, and learn about other government taxing districts in the Estes Valley. The course also reviews the responsibilities of Town departments including public works, utilities, community development, finance, administration, administrative services, police, the municipal court, and community services.

CIA consists of six weekly three-hour classroom sessions, as well as a Town facilities tour, and is free of charge. Classes will

take place every Wednesday afternoon from 1-4 p.m. at the Estes Valley Library, beginning February 15 and continuing through March 29. Five sessions will cover the Town departments listed above, and a sixth will focus on the local Special Districts in Estes Park.

Participants apply to attend, and if accepted, commit to attending all sessions. Priority for admission to the program is given to Town residents, but individuals who live outside Town boundaries are welcome to attend if space is available. Minimum class size is 15; the maximum is 25.

Attending CIA is not a prerequisite for election or appointment to a board or commission. However, CIA participants who subsequently served on Town boards and commissions have found it very helpful. Additional details and application information will be available soon. For more information about CIA, visit estes.org/communityinformationacademy or call 970-577-3700. Applications are accepted through January 23, 2023. The Estes Valley Library is proud to partner with the Town of Estes Park on this civic engagement opportunity.

NYE Family Dance At YMCA

Get ready to get your glow on at the neon and black light New Year's Eve Family Dance at YMCA of the Rockies!

On December 31st, 2022 from 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. in the Assembly Hall, come decked out in neon and white clothing and accessories. Glow sticks and glow paint will be provided. Dance to family-

friendly music by DJ Alsum while celebrating the entrance of the new year! This event is geared towards families and younger kiddos! Entry is $5 per person (any age) for guests not staying in lodging at YMCA of the Rockies. Questions? Call the YMCA of the Rockies program department at 970-5863341 ext. 1104.

From the Town of Estes Park and the Estes Valley Library

Drop-Off Christmas Trees Dec. 27 - Jan. 20 At The Fairgrounds

The Town of Estes Park's free Christmas tree drop-off site will be open to local residents 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, Dec. 27 through Jan. 20, except Jan. 2 when the Town is

closed for observance of New Year’s Day. The drop-off will be located at the east entrance of the Fairgrounds off Community Drive; 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 at the Fairgrounds will be considered illegal dumping and may be subject to a fine. This service is free of charge to local residents.

For more information, please contact the Town of Estes Park Public Works Department at 970-577-3587.

Rocky Mountain National Park Continues Pilot Timed Entry Permit Reservations

From May 26 Through October 22

Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) will implement another pilot temporary timed entry permit reservation system beginning on May 26, 2023. Previous use of the reservation system has eased congestion impacts and improved the visitor experience in the park.

The reservation permit system is similar to that used in 2022, with two types of reservations available. One permit will be for the Bear Lake Road Corridor, which includes the entire corridor, as well as access to the rest of the park. This reservation period will be from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. The second permit will be for the “rest of the park,” excluding the Bear Lake Road corridor. This “rest of park” reservation period will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Permits issued using the reservation system will allow park visitors to enter the park within two-hour windows of availability, with no set time for departure. The reservation system will apply to all areas of the park. The only cost associated with booking a reservation is a $2 recreation.gov processing fee.

Reservations to enter the park will be available through www.recreation.gov at 8 a.m. MDT on Monday, May 1. This round of reservations will be available to enter the park from May 26 through June 30. The next release will occur on June 1, for the month of July and any remaining days that have not been booked for June. On July 1, reservations will be available for the month of August and any remaining days that have not been booked for July. On August 1, reservations will be available for the month of September and any remaining days in August that have not been booked. On September 1, reservations will be available for October and any remaining days in September that have not been booked.

Modifications from the 2022 pilot system to the 2023 pilot system include making 40 percent of all reservations available the day prior at 5 p.m. through recreation.gov. These are expected to run out quickly and visitors are encouraged to plan ahead when possible. Other modifications will include extending the pilot permit system through October 22 and reducing the time period and number of hours daily that a reservation is required for “rest of park.” This reduced

reservation period will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This system spreads use throughout the park and throughout the day to better use all parking/trailhead areas.

The park is continuing to work on its long-range visitor use management plan including public meetings in December and a public engagement comment period from December 12 through February 1. To learn more go to Day Use Visitor Access Strategy - Rocky Mountain National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

RMNP is one of the busiest national parks with over 4.6 million visitors in 2019, representing a 44 percent increase in visitation in seven years. In 2021, under a pilot timed entry system, RMNP’s visitation was 4.4 million. Visitor crowding and congestion at the park have led to increased negative impacts to visitor and staff safety, resource protection, visitor experience and operational capacity.

The park has experimented and piloted various visitor use management strategies over the last six years, including managing vehicle access to firstcome, first serve (2016-2019) in highly congested areas. These first-come, firstserve restrictions had some limited success initially, but over time began to lose effectiveness; the length of time they were necessary kept expanding and impacts were pushed elsewhere. The park piloted park wide timed entry permit reservation systems (2020-2022) and will be piloting a similar system again in 2023 while the park works to complete its long-range visitor use management plan. During all the pilots the park has collected extensive traffic, trail, and visitor movement data, and collected baseline data on social trails, bare ground areas, and human waste along highly visited trail corridors. Additionally, timed entry pilot related research was conducted on parking lot turnover rates at key trailheads. The park is learning from these various strategies since 2016, to help inform long-range day use visitor access strategies.

For further information about Rocky Mountain National Park please visit www.nps.gov/romo, follow the park on social media @RockyNPS or call the park’s Information Office at (970) 5861206.

Photo by Robert Burns

Seven Directors Join Estes Park Health Foundation Board

Scott Applegate, MBA, Lisa Hohensee, RN, John Knudtson, MD, John Meyer, MD, Andrew Selig, ScD, Russ Schneider, PhD, and Debbi Stalder, BSN, join the Estes Park Health Foundation Board of Directors in 2023. Directors

Carl Robicheaux, JD, Diane Scruton, Rodney Unruh, and Jim Whiteneck, MD, retire at the end of 2022.

“EPH Foundation’s Board Development Committee did a phenomenal job of finding talented, dedicated directors to join us this year, and I look forward to their unique contributions in the years to come,” said Teresa Mueller, Incoming EPH Foundation Board Chair. “I’m also grateful for the impactful work of the retiring directors. Their dedication of time and resources furthered the mission of Estes Park Health Foundation by increasing the endowment fund and bringing new equipment, training, and needed supplies to the medical center.”

The new board members bring expertise in business management, organizational structure, finance, and medicine to their volunteer roles on the Board of EPH Foundation.

Applegate is a Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer at Bank of Estes Park. He serves on several boards and is a past Board President of Crossroads Ministry of Estes Park. Hohensee is a cancer survivor, Registered

Nurse, and Front Line Leader for Humana Government Business.

Knudtson is a radiologist at Estes Park Health and has served on multiple medical boards. Meyer is a physician and Medical Director of Estes Park Emergency Associates. He served as Chief of Staff at Estes Park Health from 2019-2020. Selig owns Selig & Associates Consulting, serving organizations and senior-level executives. He is a past Advisor to the University of Denver PsyD program focusing on cancer.

Schneider served two terms (6 years) on the EPH Foundation Board and is a past EPH Foundation Board Chairman. He retired from Monsanto as Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs and Policy. Stalder is retired from a role with the Weitz Company as Data Analyst/Claims Manager and currently serves as the Past President of the Estes Park Newcomers Club.

“I foresee impressive contributions from these accomplished individuals,” Mueller said. “EPH Foundation hosted a strategic planning retreat in September and many of these new directors participated alongside current EPH Foundation Board Directors & Staff, EPH Board Directors, and EPH’s CEO. They are ready to make a difference in the health care options and outcomes available to the residents and visitors of the Estes Valley.”

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 their initiatives or to volunteer, contact them at GiveToEPH.org or 970-577-4370.

Andrew Selig, ScD

Debbi Stalder, BSN

John Knudtson, MD

John Meyer, MD

Lisa Hohensee, RN

Russ Schneider, PhD Scott Applegate, MBA

Up until this morning I had planned to submit a column about secular Christmas, written by a fellow columnist who lives in British Columbia. But a Christmas gift was presented to me this morning that warmed my heart and I felt it would spread Christmas cheer if I shared it with you.

This poem is written by E. E. Cummings (1894 – 1962). (I never know if I should capitalize his name or not. Cummings himself used both the lowercase and capitalized versions. Because he most often signed his name with capitals, that’s what I am doing today.) I know, Cummings is not always easy to read. He mixes up the common order of words, uses punctuation in odd places, doesn’t capitalize when he “should, ” and adds spaces where we aren’t used to seeing them.

To get past the struggle of reading grammatically unfamiliar poetry like this one, read it slowly, without too much concentration. Then try it a second time, still slowly, with a bit more focus. If you have the time, read it aloud for round three, and if you’re with someone willing to indulge, have the poem read back to you. The more familiar you become with a poem the more friendly it turns out to be. When I first heard Cummings’s i thank You God for most this amazing I wasn’t fond of it. But it has become one of my all-time favorite poems. I’ve heard it delivered often enough now that I can almost recite it by heart.

My affiliate Joe is currently memorizing his 67th poem (Abraham Lincoln Walks at Midnight by Vachel Lindsay). I mention this (again) because I am amazed that someone can memorize more than a handful of poems; sixtyseven is way beyond my comprehension. When we walk the dog or when we hike, or before a long winter’s nap, or before the day begins in earnest, I’ll ask to hear a poem and pick a random number. Joe will immediately begin reciting the poem associated with that number. Not only does he have sixty-seven poems memorized, he has them memorized in order! His shortest memory poem is Emily Dickinson’s If I can stop one Heart from breaking and the longest is The Barefoot Boy by John Greenleaf Whittier. (The guy also has a remarkable vocabulary. Yesterday I had to look up the word pulchritudinous. After learning the definition I tested him. Did he know what it means? Indeed he did, and he could spell it too. * How does he do it? A dictionary is never far from his elbow. He looks up and writes down the meaning of at least one word—and often more—almost daily.)

In the past week I’ve asked to hear

Christmas poems. Joe recited Christmas Bells by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, The Work of Christmas by Howard Thurman and ’Twas the Night Before Christmas by either Clement Clarke Moore or Henry Livingston, Jr. (The poem was first published anonymously in 1823. Later, authorship was claimed by both men.) These particular poems have helped keep our Christmas spirit alive during this holiday season.

So, here is my gift to you. Please enjoy the following by E. E. Cummings—all the way to the end—because the last stanza wraps everything up with a ribbon of dancing and decorates it with a bow of delightful song.

[little tree] little tree little silent Christmas tree you are so little you are more like a flower who found you in the green forest and were you very sorry to come away? see i will comfort you because you smell so sweetly i will kiss your cool bark and hug you safe and tight just as your mother would, only don’t be afraid look the spangles that sleep all the year in a dark box dreaming of being taken out and allowed to shine, the balls the chains red and gold the fluffy threads, put up your little arms and i’ll give them all to you to hold. every finger shall have its ring and there won’t be a single place dark or unhappy then when you’re quite dressed you’ll stand in the window for everyone to see and how they’ll stare!

oh but you’ll be very proud and my little sister and i will take hands and looking up at our beautiful tree we’ll dance and sing “Noel Noel”

May whichever holiday you celebrate bring you joy and peace during these longest, coldest days of the year. (*pulchritudinous means beautiful.)

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

© 2022 Sarah Donohoe

2023 Duck Race Seeks Participating Organizations

Calling all Estes Valley nonprofit charities and organizations that would like to share the proceeds of the 2023 Estes Park Rotary Duck Race Festival! Now’s the time to step up, ask your members if they will sell Duck Adoption Forms, and submit paperwork for consideration by the Rotary Duck Race Festival organizations committee.

Invitations to participate have been mailed to past and potential participating organizations, according to Bill Solms, Big Duck for the 2023 Estes Park Rotary Duck Race Festival. Groups that have not received letters but would like to participate are encouraged to submit an application for consideration. The deadline for organizations to apply is Saturday, January 14, 2023.

Importantly, 2023 applications will be filed online at https://www.epduckrace.org/organization- signup.

“Following last year’s successful return to the river, we are looking forward to making the 2023 Duck Race better than ever,” says Big Duck Bill Solms. “As with last year, we will be doing adoptions exclusively online. Since the brochures containing the names of all participating organizations will be printed very soon after the January 14 application deadline, nonprofit charities and organizations should submit the application soon to be sure they will be included.”

Once nonprofit charities and organizations have been notified of their selection as participating organizations, they can launch their Duck Adoption sales campaigns after the official kickoff of the 2023 race in late February 2023. Sales can be conducted online through the duck race website and Facebook. The race committee encourages participating organizations to use their own websites, social media and email to extend their sales reach beyond the local community. In 2022, a record 9,643 ducks swam in the race as a result of duck adoptions sold by participating organizations.

This year’s Duck Race Festival will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2023. Exciting major cash and vacation stay prizes are planned in addition to hundreds of popular merchant-donated prizes. The 2022 event returned $161,804 to 67 area organizations and groups. Beneficiary organizations will receive $22 from every $25 Duck Adoption sold.

Organizations will be selected for the 2023 Duck Race Festival based on the following criteria:

1. Previous adherence to expectations of being involved in the Duck Race.

2. Must have a local presence and be of benefit to the local community. Organi-

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

3. Must agree to sell a minimum of $400 in duck adoptions.

4. Must provide one adult volunteer to help with the race. This person may be asked to

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

Organizations are strongly encouraged to participate in race day activities at George Hix Riverside Plaza on May 6, 2023 by staffing a booth to share information about the organization, sell duck adoptions, and offer an interactive activity for event attendees.

“We hope to hear from new organizations as well as those that have been helped by the race in the past 34 years,” said Larry Williams, 2023 Rotary Duck Race Festival Organization Chair. “The Duck Race Festival is a great community event. Being part of it can be fun and profitable for our participating organizations. Working together, we can make 2023 a record year for our nonprofit charities and organizations!”

For additional information or to receive an application form, contact Williams by email at organizations@epduckrace.org. or by U.S. mail at P.O. Box 1226, Estes Park, CO 80517.

Listening At The Legion Features Brad Fitch & His Original Music

Looking for a last minute stocking stuffer gift? How about tickets for a great concert here in Estes Park? Listening at the Legion and American Legion Post 19 are excited to present Brad Fitch singing his original songs on January 7th at 6:30 p.m. Tickets available at esteslegion.org or by calling (970) 586-6118. All of us in Estes Park are Brad Fitch fans and love his cowboy music featuring the likes of John Denver and Gordon Lightfoot. But did you know Brad is a very accomplished songwriter in his own right, with several of his songs covered by other artists? Join us on the 7th as Brad sings

his own songs and shares with us his stories of entertaining in the Rockies and around the country.

Come early for heavy appetizers and Happy Hour drinks starting at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 for appetizers, $20 for the concert, or $30 for both!

Start the year out right in true Rocky Mountain fashion.

Invite your friends! Invite your family! You can even invite some Texans if you must! See you there! Contest to see who can wear a better cowboy hat than Brad!

The annual RMNP, Estes Park Christmas Bird Count will be held on Monday, January 2nd, 2023. Interesting participants should meet at the Estes Park Visitors Center at 7:30 a.m. Participants will be separated into small groups and move within designated areas inside the count circle and count every bird they see or hear, making sure not to count the same bird twice.

We will be meeting at the Hondius Room at the Estes Valley Library at noon for lunch and a preliminary tally to see what areas of the circle have been counted and which ones will still need to be covered.

Common species expected to be seen during the count include Black-billed Magpies, American Crows, Common Ravens, Cassin’s Finches, House Finches, House Sparrow, Rock Pigeons, Red-shafted Flickers, Hairy Woodpeckers, American Dipper, European Starling, Evening Grosbeak, all three species

of Rosy-finches, Pine Grosbeaks and Gray Jays.

Species that we are hoping to see on the count day include Northern PygmyOwls, Great Horned Owls, Northern Sawwhet Owls, Northern Goshawks, Red Crossbills, Bohemian Waxwings, Common Redpolls and Red Crossbills.

Everyone is welcome, to participate.

If you are new to birding, we can place you with someone who is a bit more knowledgeable. Furthermore, anyone with bird feeders on their property can simply watch the feeders through the day and count the birds seen. After your finished counting you can send your tally to me at pygmyowl15@gmail.com

If you have participated in the count in the past and have an area that you like to count, just contact me at pygmyowl15@gmail.com and let me know the area you’re going tom cover.

Scott Rashid

Director of CARRI

Next Estes Fly Tyer Group Meet Up January 3

The Estes Fly Tying Group is busy once again. A big thank you to Seth Richmond, Rector for allowing us to meet at the Episcopal Church. We are meeting the first Tuesday of each month continuing through May from 6:00-8:30 p.m.

Where: St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 880 MacGregor Ave.

When:

Tuesday, Jan. 3

Tuesday, Feb. 7

Tuesday, Mar. 7 Tuesday, Apr. 4

Tuesday,

May 2

Bring your vise, tools, materials.

The idea of the group is to get together and tie flies, share ideas and techniques. It’s a good time to restock your fly boxes and see what works in Estes Park and other favorite fishing towns.

All skill levels welcome. If you are not a tyer, please come and sit in on the conversation. No fees, it is free.

For questions contact: Frank Drummond at frank@brushcreekcane.com or Susan Underwood at underwoodsusan54@gmail.com.

Black Rosy-finch is one bird expected to see on our Christmas Bird Count.

Photo by Scott Rashid

Robin in the snow.

Archives Program Saturday, December 31

A biography of author and explorer Isabella Bird published shortly after her death in 1903 included a portion of a letter written by Miss Bird from Estes Park on her 1873 travels around Colorado territory.

This letter was unusual in that it was not written to her sister. Isabella Bird's letters from Colorado to younger sister Henrietta are generally advanced as the lone source of material for "A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains."

Instead, it was written to her publisher John Murray in Edinburgh, and dealt with her plans to write up her recent trip to Hawaii in book form.

Nothing about this letter would be particularly noteworthy to anyone besides rabid Isabella Bird fans except for the purported date and location in the header: Black Canon in Estes Park in 1873 was not the place to pen a letter, as no buildings existed there at the time, and the great outdoors in winter was hardly conducive to setting up a desk and ink stand.

More critical, though, was the provided

date of December 13, 1873. If the daily account of travel provided in "A Lady's Life" was to be believed, Isabella Bird had already left Colorado territory by that time, and was on her way east to Chicago and New York.

If you believe the itinerary provided in " A Lady's Life" is accurate, either this letter from Black Canon was misdated, fake, or was being misread.

John Meissner of the Estes Park Archives is just back from Edinburgh, and will set up the Black Canon conundrum in part one of a two-part investigation next Saturday, December 31, at 240 Moraine Avenue, beginning at 1:00 p.m.

We will also discuss the BBC "Trailblazers" documentary/reality show about Isabella Bird filmed in Estes Park in April, currently only available for viewing in the U.K.

Admission is free, gingerbread cookies left over from the Christmas party will be served, and all are welcome to attend. Call 586-4889 for directions or more information.

Estes Valley Community Fund Awards $86,300 To Local Nonprofits

The Estes Valley Community Fund Committee (EVCFC), a grantmaking committtee of the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado, recently awarded $86,300 to 15 nonprofit organizations:

• Ballet Renaissance

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County

• Ensight Skill Center

• Estes Arts District

• Estes Park Education Foundation

• Estes Park Health Foundation

• Estes Park Nonprofit Resource Center (EPNRC)

• Estes Valley Crisis Advocates

• EVICS Family Resource Center

• Give Next Fund

• Rocky Mountain Conservancy

• The Estes Park Learning Place

• The Estes Park Post 119

• United Way of Larimer County

• Young Artists and Scholars Group

The Community Foundation and its community fund committees, including the EVCFC, host a competitive grant cycle twice annually to benefit Northern Colorado communities. The EVCFC selects beneficiaries that directly serve residents, enhance the community, and provide assistance to the diverse local population, as well as encourage innovative actions that will make a positive difference in the future.

For more information about these grants and/or the Community Foundation fund committees contact Claire Bouchard, director of community engagement and communications, at 970488-1976 or claire@NoCoFoundation.org.

Confusing passage from Anna Stoddart's 1908 biography of Isabella Bird.

Photo courtesy Estes Park Archives

Winter Wellness Wednesdays At The Qi Lounge Wellness Spa

nary routine, and give yourself a little bit of spa and a whole lot of pampering!

Available on Wednesdays from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., you will receive 30 minutes in one of our state of the art Zero Gravity Massage Chairs. These innovative chairs can be adjusted to your pressure preference and area of discomfort, they provide a truly relaxing experience! To enhance your experience, we offer several Spa Accents to choose from (you may choose up to three accents per session).

Spa Accents:

The Qi Lounge Wellness Spa is Estes Park’s newest and only full service spa!

Opening in October of this year, owners Brooke Claassen and Melissa Roberts, have both been long time business owners in the wellness industry in Estes Park. Caring for others and curating relaxing wellness services is their specialty!

We believe that wellness is multi-layered - from skin to soul, and that true healthy living addresses each layer of being. We believe that by disrupting the status quo of mundane life with incredible sensory experiences, we can imbibe every cell of the body with a new sense of life and peace - so our guests can achieve their highest potential through balanced, integrated and replenished Qi. (Qi (pronounced "chee") is the vital life force that exists and circulates within each of us). We believe that our guests should leave feeling more fully themselves, more embodied from skin to soul.

Winter Wellness Wednesdays are a great way to take a break from your ordi-

Change into a comfy Spa Robe & enjoy use of our Dry Sauna

Experience a Lemon & Calendula Facial Refresher, a mini facial with Hungarian Facial Massage techniques

Relieve stress with Ear Acupuncture

Boost your immune system and energy with a B12 shot

Relax your feet with a Mini Sweet Feet Treatment (foot soak & foot massage)

Naturally lift and tone the face with collagen boosting Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture

Soothe achy and dry hands with a Paraffin Dip

When: Wednesdays from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. through April, 2023

Where: The Qi Lounge Wellness Spa at The Estes Park Resort (Lake Level)

How: Book by calling us: 970-2350056 | Credit card required to hold appointments & 24-hour cancellation policy applies

Bring a friend & you'll each receive a free spa gift!

“A little bit of spa, and a whole lot of pampering!”

Tick Tock, Donors And Supporters

By: Karen McPherson, Estes Park Nonprofit Resource Center

OK, donors, we are down to the wire. You want to give, you planned to give, and, darn it, you’ve just been so busy drinking hot cocoa and enjoying family. We all have, it’s fine.

If you want your year-end donations to count towards 2022, though, keep some deadlines in mind:

Sending a check: The mail must be postmarked by December 31.

Going to pay online: Cards must be charged by December 31. Check on the homepage of your favorite organization, they likely have a link there to donate. It might be through their site or through a third party like ColoradoGives.org.

Walking it into the office: OK, love the small-town connection, but beware of irregular office hours over the holidays.

You can donate stocks, of course, and this is a great benefit to the donor and the organization! We will talk more about this in January, but just know that your wire transfer has to be received and acknowledged by the organization by December 31. Again, it’s kind of late, but there’s still time! Ask your investment firm if they can get it done and make it count towards 2022.

Some of this might sound like a hassle, but keep in mind why you give. It can be a tax write-off or because it makes you feel good (giving is a serotonin rush). Or, maybe you believe in the mission and want to know the good work is being done but can’t do it yourself. Perhaps it’s just part of the fabric of your family tradition. And really, most of this is easier than figuring out what to get that person that has everything. Actually— make a donation in their name! Done.

The Estes Park Nonprofit Resource Center elevates the impact of local nonprofits. To ask questions about giving options, email info@epnonprofit.org. Together, we do good in the neighborhood.

Estes Park Woman Smashes Several Longs Peak Records

LISA FOSTER

became the first person on record to climb the mountain every month for three consecutive calendar years, setting a new record for the longest stretch of consecutive monthly summits. She also became the first woman to scale the peak by a different route every month within a calendar year, and has established herself as the first woman included in the Top Ten list of climbers who have summited the peak the most.

When Lisa Foster and her climbing partner Micaiah White successfully scaled the North Face/Cables Route on Longs Peak on December 4, 2022, Foster set a new record on the iconic Front Range Mountain: she became the first person in history to scale the 14,259 foot peak for 36 months running. The pair encountered difficult conditions, including low temperatures and subzero wind chill resulting from high winds in excess of 60 mph. Snowfall, decreased visibility and steep snow and ice on the technical sections added to the challenge. This newly established record, completed between January

That same year, Foster did dual duty and climbed Pikes Peak from Manitou Springs every month as well, using the experience as a personal experiment to compare and contrast the two mountains on a monthly basis. She explains, “Longs Peak and Pikes Peak are very different mountains, but they each have their charms and their challenges. I enjoyed seeing the difference in conditions and difficulty on a monthly basis, watching as the storms impacted the mountains, resulting in vastly different experiences in the same month on two 14ers separated by merely 100 miles as the crow flies!”

Top Ten climbers

with the greatest number of ascents, and as the only woman on that list. The next closest woman to hold a record number of ascents is Ruth Ewald Gay, who completed her 72nd and last climb in July 1981. Gay guided for Paul Nesbit and was a hike master at the YMCA of the Rockies, climbing the Keyhole Route or Cables Route weekly during her summers through the end of high school.

Jim Detterline broke the (previously set by himself) lifetime Longs Peak summit record with his 428th summit after an ascent of the North Face/Cables Route with Bobby Swanson and Josh Schimberg in August 2016. Detterline passed away from a climbing fall in the Ironclads that October, thereby marking this as his final ascent of the peak.

credit as the first recorded ascent. In 1881 Addie Alexander became the first woman to summit, and in 1873 Isabella Bird brought fame to the mountain through her description of her climb in the book “A Lady’s Life in the Rocky Mountains,” a historical work of such significance that it’s still in print today. Enos Mills, commonly considered the “father of Rocky Mountain National Park” due to his tireless conservation efforts, first climbed the peak when he was 15 years old. He operated the Longs Peak Inn at the base of the peak and was a prolific writer, a gifted naturalist and a beloved historical figure. He climbed the mountain during the calendar winter of 1903, becoming the first person to stand on the summit during the winter months. Together with is brother, Joe Mills, they were the first people to climb Longs Peak in every month of the year. Fewer than 20 people today hold that honor.

2020 to December 2022, beat the legendary climber Jim Detterline’s record of 30 months, as well as es tablishing the longest stretch of monthly summits spanning ongoing calendar years.

The late Jim Detterline, a nationally renowned climbing ranger who worked in Rocky Mountain National Park from 1987 to 2009 and is commonly referred to as “Mr. Longs Peak,” previously held the record for the longest streak of monthly summits, which included one calendar year, from May 1998 to October 2000.

In 2021, during Foster’s three-year stretch, she also became the first woman to complete the monthly summits by a different route every month.

The challenge of climbing Longs every month by a different route, dubbed “The Longs Peak Project” by Bill Wright when he pioneered the challenge in 2008, has only been completed by three people to date: Bill Wright, Charlie Nuttelman and Lisa Foster. Bill Briggs attempted this goal twice, coming close by climbing Longs every month of a calendar year, but by 11 different routes instead of 12. Of this feat, Foster remarked, “Climbing Longs Peak every month of the year, particularly during a single calendar year, is quite a challenge…but climbing it by a different route every month considerably ups the ante. It’s a much bigger task logistically, mentally and physically. For one thing, once the easiest routes are logged, a climber then needs to tackle much more difficult routes in Winter, Spring and Fall conditions. For another, it takes a lot more planning and usually requires scheduling with a partner due to the technical nature of the remaining routes. It also requires careful evaluation of the weather and snow conditions, as once you’ve used the Keyhole Route and Clarks Arrow Route (Loft Route), any other route chosen is considerably more technical and has more risk of avalanche, rock fall and exposure.

Longs’ consistent high wind forecasts in winter also contribute to the rigorous challenge of climbing on the peak’s exposed faces

Other notable historical climbers who are in the Top Ten are Shep Husted (350), Enos Mills (305), Bob Bradley (300), Otto Van Allman (255), Mike Donahue (250), Eli Helmuth (212), Robert Collier (207), and Jack Moomaw (200). Notably, Foster is the only person on the list who did not guide or work on Longs Peak. All of the other notable climbers with a high number of ascents spent years working and guiding on the peak. All but one of Foster’s 193 ascents were purely recreational.

Longs Peak is a formidable mountain. Early admirers believed it to be impossi-

Foster first climbed Longs Peak in July 1987, with her German friends Bernie and Jutta Hullerum. She fell in love with the majesty of the stately mountain. But it wasn’t until 2007, when she had committed to training for a climb of Denali, that she became inspired to attempt the peak in winter conditions. She started climbing the peak more often, and in varied conditions. She fell deeper in love with the experiences and the changing nature of the mountain. After a couple of successive climbs with Detterline, he convinced her to try to honor Ruth Ewald Gay’s impressive female ascent record by matching it. That fueled her motivation to climb it so often.

Foster explained, “Longs Peak is a very special mountain to me. The first time I

during many months of the year.”

With this December ascent, Foster has now successfully climbed Longs Peak 193 times, placing her on the list of the

ble to climb. In 1859, William Byers, the publisher of the Rocky Mountain News, tried his luck at climbing it, only to write, “We are quite sure that no living creature, unless it had wings to fly, was ever upon its summit, and we believe we run no risk in predicting that no man will ever be, though it is barely possible that the ascent can be made.” Although Native Americans likely scaled Longs Peak long before, the John Wesley Powell expedition of 1868 is most often given

climbed the peak, my whole world changed. I knew that my life from then on would be shaped by mountaineering. I fell in love with nature and the power of the outdoor experience. I love climbing the mountain over and over again because every experience on the peak is different. Longs Peak has many different personalities, shaped by the time of year, the weather, the light, and the company one keeps while climbing. For me, one of the most important learning experiences

Lisa Foster approaches Keplinger's Couloir on the South side of Longs Peak.

Photo by Micaiah White

Foster gearing up to lead the route Ex Ranger's Revenge on the North Face of Longs Peak. Photo by Dan Turk

11 year old Ellie Kostadinov and her Dad, Alex, gear up for a climb of the NW Ridge, a.k.a Keyhole Ridge, Longs Peak.

Photo by Lisa Foster

USGS marker on the summit of Longs Peak. Photo by Lisa Foster

was when I realized that I had the ambition and skill to climb the mountain alone in winter conditions. Winter is an unpredictable and dangerous time to be on the peak, and it was a breakthrough in my confidence to be able to consistently attempt climbs on Longs Peak alone during winter conditions.”

Foster is an accomplished rock climber, ice climber and alpinist. She has climbed to the highest peaks in both North

Mine Road outside of Ouray, Colo. She has established first ascents and loves climbing close to home at Lumpy Ridge and Eldorado Canyon State Park. Her favorite rock climbing experience is her annual climb of the Diamond on Longs Peak, the sheer 1,000 foot wall on the East Face.

Foster is most well-known for being the author of her best-selling book, Rocky

Mountain National Park: The Complete Hiking Guide. The book has been highly acclaimed as the best book on hiking available for the park.

Foster lives in Estes Park with her husband, Alex, and their teenage daughter, Ellie. The family enjoys skiing, biking, hiking, rock and ice climbing, backpacking, traveling, reading and playing games together.

America: Mount McKinley (Denali 20,320 feet), and South America (Aconcagua, 22,841 feet). Some of her favorite experiences include rock climbing the Sun Ribbon Arete and Mount Whitney in the High Sierra, rock climbing on El Capitan in Yosemite, exploring the Bugaboos in Canada, ice climbing Bridal Veil Falls in Telluride, Colo, and climbing the backcountry ice climbs at Camp Bird

Micaiah White and Lisa Foster on the summit of Longs Peak following an ascent of the Cables Route on the North Face of Longs Peak. Photo by Micaiah White

Lisa Foster leads into the Notch Couloir on the East Face of Longs Peak. Photo by Micaiah White

Micaiah White below the Keyhole Formation, Longs Peak. Photo by Lisa Foster Lisa Foster on the south side of Longs Peak. Photo by Micaiah White

Longs Peak from the East in Autumn.

Photo by Lisa Foster Lisa Foster and her daughter, Ellie Kostadinov at Chasm View, below the North Face of Longs Peak. Photo by Alex Kostadinov

I’ll let Steven James finish the story he began with this comment. Please ponder. “…Not in a palace, ballroom, auditorium, stadium or at a political rally. I met him on a blazing summer day in inner-city Boulder, Colorado. He was standing near a Subway restaurant. I’d just ordered two 12-inch subs when he walked past the window. At first I didn’t recognize him. I just happened to glance out the window as he walked by. ‘Huh, what a weird-looking dude,’ I thought. I ate six inches. Twelve inches. Eighteen delicious inches of submarine sandwich. Then wiped my chin and smiled. Only six inches left, but I was pretty full. For a moment, I thought of throwing it away. ‘Naw, I’ll just eat it on the ride home.’ As I turned to go, I saw him again. This time, leaning over a garbage can. He moved slowly and deliberately, searching and scouring for something. Anything. Still, I did not recognize this man, his clothes in shreds, his face blackened with grime. Slowly he moved from one can to another, one dumpster to the next. He slid his hand into the stench and pulled out a moldy, dripping bun. Without a second thought he slid it into his pocket and continued his search…for food. I looked at the sandwich in my hand. ‘I can do a good deed and help this poor man,’ I thought. ‘Here’, I heard myself say, ‘Take this’. I held it out to him. He didn’t look up, he just thrust out a claw-like hand and clutched the gift. He said nothing as he shuffled away. Still, I didn’t recognize him. I strolled to the bus stop, impressed by my personal sacrifice. ‘Chalk up one for me in the good ol’ deeds department’. I might forget him, but I would not forget the ‘great kindness’ I’d shown.

However, I saw him again. Once in Cincinnati sitting by a heating vent. Once on a Wisconsin highway. Once in Tennessee, his head hung low, holding a sign, ‘Will work for food!’ I’ve seen his face on street corners, in alleys, near high-rise apartments, on park benches. He lives in Haiti…New York…far away…next door…down the street. He seems to pop up everywhere I look these days. Who is he? His name is Jesus. Yes, THE Jesus. In one of His last stories, He explained He would someday return to reward those who had reached out to the imprisoned and the poor. The King of the universe will recognize deeds of compassion so easily overlooked on this earth. “I assure you, when you did it unto the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me.” (Matthew 25:40) In God’s eyes, showing compassion and meeting physical needs of those less fortunate is a practical way of expressing your love to Jesus. You serve Him by serving them.

And so He appears. Each time wearing a different face, having a different need. Sometimes He’s a starving child in an obscure country. Sometimes a ‘Bag’ lady dragging a paper bag of her belongings down the street. Sometimes a grandmother sitting alone and forgotten in a nursing home. Sometimes a prisoner who receives no mail. Or a kid other kids make fun of, sitting up in the bleachers all alone. Sometimes He needs food, sometimes shelter, sometimes family. Always it’s compassion. Perhaps you’ve seen Him. Perhaps you’ve handed Him a soggy sandwich as He stood in front of the café where you had a sumptuous meal. Or ignored him because of the way He looked. Or walked past Him, making one of the many excuses people use…’too busy’, ‘not my problem’.

He’s showing up again…and a lot, right now, isn’t He? The letters arrive almost every day: the children at St. Jude’s Hospital, or the Shriners Hospital, or the Salvation Army, or Mountain States Children’s Home, or the Food Bank, or Wounded Warriors or???…the list goes on. So, will you see ‘him’? Will you do more than hand Him your leftover ‘sandwich’. ‘Tis the season to be…giving. And, one day, the King Himself will show up to thank you for your kindness. Bob Lewis

Sandy Claws, Boo And Siya Need New, Wonderful Homes For The Holidays

Sandy Claws is eight years old. She is such a lover. She is a beautiful long haired kitty that sports a lion cut for the holidays. She loves to engage with people and seems to be okay with other kitties.

Boo is about 14 years old. He is a very sweet boy who loves to just hang out and chill. He does not like dogs.

Siya is a pretty, long black haired kitty. She is about four years old. She is good with other cats and kids. All of these sweet pets would love a

great home so they don’t have to spend Christmas alone.

Please call (970) 286-1652 if you’d like to meet any of these wonderful cats.

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.

Siya

Sandy Claws

Boo

Climate Devastation Equality

By: Judi Smith

As a result of the warming global temperatures, much of the world is suffering from drought. Recreation suffers from low water levels in rivers and lakes. Drought decreases the availability of water and food. It increases disease. The higher temperatures cause moisture evaporation, effect the quality of the air and water, and complicate sanitation processing. The resulting hot, dry winds make everything worse, resulting in dehydration and heat stroke. In a long, drawn-out drought, crops fail, resulting in hunger. The local economy disintegrates.

The worst effects, naturally, are in the agrarian countries, not in the industrialized communities which contribute much more heavily to the causes of the temperature rise. In Africa, it is affecting the wildlife to the point of species extinction. In South and Central America, the drought, combined with intermittent flooding over hard, cracked ground, is eliminating farms. It is no wonder that people are escaping northward. However, 22% of the European Union has been affected, some to the point of losing vegetation. The Nordic countries and the British Isles are barely touched, but from Spain to Italy there is creeping dehydration. Even in the United States, the temperatures have steadily increased since sometime in 2020. The western half of the USA is fighting ever more numerous and ever more violent wildfires, which in recent years, have been affecting not just the urban interface, but the densely populated cities.

Thirty years ago, the United Nations began discussing the threat of rising temperatures and what that could do to the world-wide economy. With failing agriculture comes rising prices for food. We have all seen this happening recently. Then certain foods become difficult to obtain as availability suffers (and price increases faster). Prices for not just gasoline, but for all forms of energy rise.

Everyone needs to eat, stay warm and healthy, and access sufficient communication and transportation. As these costs rise, we see universal inflation. For the people of the world living “on the edge” without sufficient funds to increase budgets as prices soar, this is a threat to sustenance. We are now facing this –world wide.

The industrialized countries with sustainability programs for those who need help, will survive best. The marginalized

countries will be those that cannot or do not provide for their citizens who require assistance to survive. Here in our own country, more and more assistance will be needed, not only for those refugees arriving at our borders every day, but for local US citizens who lose their housing, their jobs, their way of life.

The UN has prepared a list of 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs), starting with the eradication of poverty and hunger, achieving good health and well being for everyone, along with clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, plus decent and productive work. A quality education plus industry innovation and infrastructure must be universally attained to ensure economic growth, because we as a whole are unsustainable without it. We must recognize the equality of all people, (regardless of race, age, gender, sexual preference, or choice of religion). We must learn to value all life on Earth: life below the water, and life on land. We must reinstate peace and justice … learning to practice responsible consumption and production to create the sustainable communities we need to survive. We must work collaboratively to achieve these goals.

At the most recent Conference of the Partners (COP27), in Egypt, a PACT was formed whereby the industrial countries, who contribute most heavily to the greenhouse gases (ghg) will monetarily assist the underdeveloped (agrarian) countries, who suffer the most from the results. At this same event, the University of Colorado (CU) announced a new partnership with the UN Office of Human Rights to co-host the “Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit,” a global conference (which took place early this month), to discuss the interconnectivity of energy, climate, and humans, stressing the impacts of climate warming and the responsibility of every citizen to contribute to solving the problem. At “Right Here Right Now,” the 4300 individuals from 99 countries (Some attended in person and some virtually.) prepared a draft of Human Rights Climate Commitments (HRCC) with the intent to present the finished copy at COP28 next April.

Resiliency will demand countries helping countries, people helping people, to achieve sustainability.

Agree? Disagree? Comments. RRRcyc@signsandwishes.com.

Estes Park Senior Citizens Center Menu

Dec 26 – 30

Monday, Dec 26 BBQ Pork Ribs (4) w/ Mac ‘n Cheese & coleslaw

Tuesday, Dec 27 Quiche (w/ spinach, bacon & onions) w/ hashbrowns & fruit Wed., Dec 28 Chicken Alfredo w/ Spaghetti, garlic bread & side salad Thursday, Dec 29 London Broil (6 oz) w/ Mashed Potatoes, gravy & vegetables

Friday, Dec 30 Baked Salmon w/ Rice Pilaf & vegetables

Jan 2 – 6

Monday, Jan 2 Signature Salad w/ (grilled) Chicken (greens topped w/ tomatoes, corn, cheese, craisins, pecans & croutons) w/ ranch dressing

Tuesday, Jan 3 Salisbury Steak (topped w/ vegetables) & Mac ‘n Cheese

Wed., Jan 4 Country Fried Chicken w/ Mashed Potatoes, gravy & vegetables

Thursday, Jan 5 Carne Asada (skirt steak marinated & grilled) w/ refried beans, rice, guacamole & corn tortilla

Friday, Jan 6 Fish & Homemade Chips w/ soup of the day

Meals are $7 for current 2022 EP Senior Citizens Center members and are by reservation only. (Or 3 meals for $20; use pre-paid meal tickets.) Exact cash or check payment required. Reservations must be made by 1:00 PM at least one business day in advance. Note, if you want to reserve a meal for Monday, Dec 26th, you need to call before 1:00 PM on Friday, Dec 23rd. For reservations call 970-581-2195 and leave a detailed message. Pre-paid meal tickets and membership forms are available at the Estes Park Senior Citizens Center located at 1760 Olympian Lane and at estesparkseniors.org

The Center is OPEN (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 10-1; Tuesday 10-2) TriFit (MWF 10:30-11:15); Yoga/Balance (TT 10:15-11:15)

Mahjong (Tuesdays 10-2); Movie (1st, 2nd & 4th Tuesday @ noon)

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

Upstream Concerts presents the Upstream Songwriting Retreat hosted by Clay Rose (Gasoline Lollipops), Phoebe Hunt, and Daniel Rodriguez (founding member of Elephant Revival) on January 26-29, 2023 in Estes Park, Colorado at Murphy’s Resort. Songwriters with varying experience will participate in two full days of workshops, song circles, and performances by their coaches, as well as by each other. Sunday will be spent in Lyons, Colorado recording at Animal Lane Studio with hands-on production coaching by Charlie Rose (Elephant Revival) and engineering by Dave O’Dell. Participating songwriters will perform at Moxie Mercantile throughout the day. These events are sponsored by Estes Arts District, Chase the Music, Colorado Bluegrass Music Society, Fine Arts Guild of the Rockies, The Moores, Magic Fairy Candles, Stone Canyon Kennels, and other good people of Lyons, Colorado.

Performances open to the public: Thursday, January 26th: Eben Grace and Billy Shaddox will welcome attending songwriters with a performance at Lonigan’s Grill, 110 West Elkhorn Avenue, Estes Park, Colorado. All are welcome and there is no cover charge. Music begins at 6 p.m., starting with a short presentation by Clark Hodge of Chase the Music.

Saturday, January 27th: Clay Rose, Phoebe Hunt, and Daniel Rodriguez will be performing three solo sets in a listening show setting at Lonigan’s Grill. This is a ticketed event. Visit

Ian Conley

12th Grade

Congratulations to Ian Conley, the Estes Park High School Student of the Week for December 23, 2022.

Ian is the son of Craig and Leslie Conley.

School activities he enjoys are being a member of the football team and in FFA. He has earned his varsity letter for football.

Outside of school he likes to work and hangout with friends. Ian is an Eagle Scout. He has an older sister named Renee and a wonderful girlfriend named Makana.

A place Ian would like to visit would be Germany to visit the WWII sites. He’d also love to go to Montana to see the beautiful views.

His favorite quote is "If you’ve got a dream, chase it, because a dream won't chase you back." Ian said, “I like this quote because it's really inspirational.”

The best piece of advice he’s been

Upstream Songwriting Retreat

www.snowygrass.com/retreat for tickets. Show begins at 7 p.m. Doors open at p.m.

Sunday, January 29th: Student songwriters will showcase at Moxie Mercantile (355 Main St., Lyons, Colorado) throughout the day, starting around 10:30 a.m. This event is sponsored by Magic Fairy Candles, Stone Canyon Kennels and by three other local business owners and individuals in Lyons in honor and remembrance of Andy Clark, who was a supporter and friend of many songwriters, and a songwriter himself.

Phoebe Hunt

Phoebe and her sister, Stephanie Hunt have created and nurtured Fuel Our Fire, their 501c3 Not For Profit organization

programs, each unique in it’s service to “fuel the internal flame of inspiration” by utilizing music as a tool for transformation. These programs include The One Village Music Project, The Reveille Songwriting Retreat and Songs For Standing Rock. Phoebe has also developed an online music school, Seeds Of Music to encourage continual music education both within adults and children.

Daniel Rodriguez

Colorado singer-songwriter, Daniel

leased six albums and performed countless shows and festivals across the nation as well as overseas.

Clay Rose

Clay Rose was raised between an outlaw, truck-driving father in the mountains of Colorado and a country songwriting mama in the sticks outside of Nashville, Tennessee. Clay’s penchant for open roads and trouble making are the backbone of the Gas Pops’ sound. Clay will be coaching at the Upstream Songwriting Retreat for the third time.

Charlie Rose

the past 15 years. Through Fuel Our Fire, they have developed many

given is from Brandon Kossuth telling him “It’s just money, I can make more of it.”

After high school Ian plans to go into wildland firefighting and run heavy equipment.

Rodriguez, turns to his acoustic guitar for memorable, melodic hooks to accompany his poetic and contemplative folk songs. Boulder Weekly refers to Rodriguez’s voice as “a timeless voice, deep and hearty, weathered but comforting.”

With over a decade un der his belt as one of the founding members and lead songwriters of the transcendental folk band, Elephant Revival, Rodriguez is well-versed in the Americana tour circuit. Before going on hiatus, after their third headlining Red Rocks show in May 2018, Elephant Revival had re-

Starting as a student of the voice, piano, trombone, and guitar, he quickly picked up the bass, mandolin, and banjo during college playing music with friends while a student of geology in Lawrence, KS. Upon completing a science degree he set out to have a career in music, citing inspiration from a conversation with jazz guitarist John Scofield in which he relished his lack of a day job since the 70s.

Over the years, Rose has played a lot of things with a lot of people. Frequently called upon to fill the sonic spot no one else seems to be able to fill, Charlie has found a musical thread and woven it into the americana, bluegrass, folk, and rock and roll scenes.

Charlie is as active as ever recording, producing, writing, and performing with various bands across the country (and world).

over

Phoebe Hunt

Daniel Rodriguez

Clay Rose

Charlie Rose

Eric Blackhurst Broker Associate

Abbey Pontius

groups

student across the country. Giving back to the communities served is one of the core values of TDS, and EPH EMS enjoyed the lunch Bhatti provided. Thank you to Tariq, TDS, and EPH EMS for all you do in this community.

Disappointed That The Lions Club No Longer Exists In Estes Park

It's my understanding that the Estes Park Lions Club is no more. Estes Park has lost a premier service organization and has left a void that will be very difficult, if not impossible, to fill.

In 1917 a young man by the name of Melvin Jones who at the age of 33 owned his own insurance agency in Chicago started what was to become Lions Club International which now has 48,000 clubs in over 200 countries around the world and is the largest service organization in the world with 1.4 million members. Mr. Jones' personal code was; "You can't get very far until you start doing something for somebody else."

Estes Park's first Lion's Club president was Dr. Jacob Mall, the first doctor to live and serve in Estes Park, Mall Road was named for him. The first charter night was held in 1940 at the Chez Jay restaurant, which was in the building where Indian Village store used to be. It was a grand affair with everyone in attendance, dressed in their best three piece suits and ties. It was the start of something very special for as time went on the Estes Park Lions Club would be at the forefront of most everything that occurred that was for the betterment of the community.

During the war years the Lions along with Boy Scout Troop 8 worked shoulder to shoulder to collect newspaper and scrap steel to be recycled for the war effort. The Lions also put together "care packages" for the troops abroad which included food items, clothing items, toilet paper, chocolate, cigarettes etc.

Estes Park was a small place back in those early years and it wasn't until the Bureau started the Big Thompson project that more people moved to the valley. Many of these men became Lions members and were still members 40 years later. During the winter months the Lions raised funds by pancake, spaghetti and chili suppers and also put on plays and various productions involving the whole community for the fun of it, again to raise funds for their various projects.

In later years light bulb and broom sales, fruit cakes at Christmas time and vari-

ous raffles helped to raise funds for the treasury.

Along the way the Lions main objective was to help the sight and hearing impaired which is still the main focus.

Helen Keller once addressed a Lions convention and charged the Lions to be "Knights of the Blind." There is an award that exists today awarded to outstanding Lions called the Ann Sullivan award which was Hellen Keller's mentor who taught her how to speak.

Many years later, women were asked to join Lions Clubs and it was a great thing to have so many women come aboard and get involved in our activities.

In 1956 the Lions in Estes Park received permission to build a small concession stand on the back of the Granny Mae grandstands at the rodeo grounds. This project became the main fund raiser for the club which was manned and run by Lions for over 40 years. It became the glue that held the club together. Proceeds from the concession stand were used to provide scholarships for graduating high school seniors, buy eyeglasses and hearing aids for those in need, buy equipment to test the hearing and vision of students at school and even help Mayor Wendy Koenig to go compete in the Olympics. Lion Wendy later became a president of our club.

At one time, a group of us also signed up for a call list to harvest road kill elk and deer which we processed and gave away the meat to those in need in the community or with low cholesterol diets. We also transported eyeballs from the local funeral home to Denver to the Lions Eye Bank there. The list goes on and on, when a worthy project came along, like the John Denver tribute concerts, the Lions got on board and did a great job.

It is a sad thing for me knowing the history of our club in Estes Park that it will no longer exist to help those in need in our community and the world any longer.

Gary Shanafelt, 35 year E.P. Lions Club member, Bozeman, Montana

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.

Judy Anderson Real Estate

Give The Gift Of Yourself!

Do you enjoy spending time with youth? Do they keep you laughing? Do you like engaging in fun activities?

Partners needs adult volunteers as mentors and activity volunteers. Several youth in Estes Park and the surrounding communities are patiently waiting for a positive adult to spend time with and have fun with. Give the gift of yourself!

Youth Mentoring: What: Matched with one youth, build a trusting relationship

How: Spend time weekly, do activities you both like, set and pursue goals Where: Out in the community, at your homes, and/or in schools

Activity Volunteers: Help transport and engage Nexus Youth in our monthly activities to give them new opportunities

For more information about Partners go to our website: www.poweredbypartners.org, call 970-577-9348, or email kwhitacre@poweredbypartners.org.

¡Sea usted el regalo!

¿Usted disfruta de pasar el tiempo con niños, niñas y adolescentes? ¿Se divierte con ellos? ¿Usted disfruta de involucrarse en actividades divertidas? Partners está en constante búsqueda de Mentores y Voluntarios de Actividades. Una gran cantidad de niños, niñas y adolescentes en Estes Parks y sus alrededores están pacientemente esperando por Mentores para compartir y divertirse. ¡Sea usted el regalo!

Ser un Mentor/a

¿Qué es?: Se le involucra con un niño, niña o adolescente para forjar una

relación de confianza

¿Cómo?: A través de pasar tiempo juntos semanalmente en actividades que ambos disfruten

¿Dónde?: En la comunidad, en tu casa y/o en las escuelas.

Ser un Voluntario de Actividades: ofrece tu tiempo para transportar y participar de las actividades mensuales que ofrecemos para los niños, niñas y adolescentes que están esperando por un mentor/a.

Para más información, visita nuestro sitio web: www.poweredbypartners.org, o llama al 970-577-9348, o escribe akwhitacre@poweredbypartners.org.

Visit Narnia With “Book vs. Movie Club” At The Estes Valley Library

After being evacuated from London during WWII, and sent to live with a professor in the English countryside, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy embark on a magical adventure through the portal of a wardrobe.

The story follows the three siblings

screen. Attendees will find similarities and differences between the two, and are encouraged to share insights with each other.

The program takes place in the Hondius Room at the library on Saturday, December 31 starting at 12:30 p.m.

Alcoholics Anonymous & Other Recovery Meetings

AA of Glen Haven- Every Monday night at the Town Hall at 6:30 p.m. Also Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Glen Haven Town Hall. Book study meeting.

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.

Fall River Group

Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are held at 453 West Elkhorn: Mon., Weds., at Noon Fri. at 7:00 p.m.

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

West Side Estes Park AA, meets at 2515 Tunnel Road, Estes Park and it takes place Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. in the Dannen Library - located on the lower level of the Legett Christian Center.

Celebrate Recovery -If you are one of these people who struggle with addiction, compulsions, and destructive behaviors as well as the lies which drive them, please consider coming to Celebrate Recovery and discover the joy of being set free. We meet on Thursday evenings from 5:30-7:30 p.m. for snacks and fellowship, being honest with ourselves and others, at the Christian Church of Estes Park, 4655 US Hwy. 36, Estes Park, CO. There is a seat for you.

Note: The AA Meeting website has over 6,000 members and there are 69 AA Meetings a week plus NA has 30 meetings a week.

Go to www.intherooms.com

through Narnia, befriending all sorts of magical creatures and banding together to defeat the White Witch’s evil plans. Published in 1950, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was the first of the seven Chronicles of Narnia to be published. The book has been a classic for over 70 years.

The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis is the feature of this month’s “Book vs. Movie Club” at the Estes Valley Library. Kids and teens are invited to discuss the book, then watch the 2005 film version on the big

All are welcome to attend, including library cardholders and guests visiting Estes Park. Complimentary pizza and hot chocolate will be provided. The movie Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe is rated PG.

“Book vs. Movie Club” is a monthly young adult program exploring popular books and movies of the same name, and is hosted on the last Saturday of each month. Sign up and learn more about Library programs online at estesvalleylibrary.org.

Photo by Michael Barringer

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.

Holiday Closed December 24, December 25, & January 1

KIDS & FAMILIES

Library Storytimes

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

Read to Therapy Dog “Bo”: Wed., December 28 at 6 p.m.

Pajama Storytime: Wed., January 4 at 6 p.m.

Pajama Storytime with Nancy Bell: Wed., January 11 at 6 p.m.

TEENS & KIDS

Sign up at estesvalleylibrary.org

Robots & Tech: Solder a Light-up Tree Tuesday, December 27, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Makerspace

Explore different robots and tech, and solder your own light-up holiday tree. For ages 10 & up, please.

Book vs. Movie Club: The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe Saturday, December 31, 12:30-3 p.m., Hondius Room

Book or movie—which did you like best? We’ll discuss the book, then watch the movie adaptation. Pizza and hot chocolate provided!

Artwork Wednesday: Handprint Mural Petroglyphs Wednesday, January 4, 3-4 p.m., Hondius Room

Warning: attendees may get messy! Use paint and butcher paper to make petroglyphs that will be displayed in the Children’s Room.

Teen Advisory Council Thursday, January 5, 6-7 p.m., Hondius Room

Monthly meeting for tweens and teens

who would like to recommend library programming and collection purchases for their age group.

Digging for Fossils

Saturday, January 7, 2-3 p.m., Makerspace

Repeated Tuesday, January 10, 5-6 p.m., Makerspace

Use a kit to excavate fossils. Take home what you uncover!

ADULTS

Sign up at estesvalleylibrary.org

Beginner’s Bridge Friday, January 6, 1-3 p.m., Hondius Room

Learn the basics of modern bridge, including bidding, declarer play, and defensive signals. At the end of class, bid and play additional pre-dealt hands for practice.

How Artifact Collectors Shaped Archaeology During the 20th Century Friday, January 6, 6-7:30 p.m., Hondius Room & online

CSU Professor Jason LaBelle presents how archaeologists have painstakingly reconstructed the ancient Native American history of northern Colorado over the past 100 years.

Artifacts, Repatriation, & Cultural Protection with Fred Mosqueda

Tuesday, January 10, 6-7:30 p.m., online

Southern Arapaho tribal historian and elder Fred Mosqueda how archaeologists, museums, and other organizations can work productively with Indegenous communities.

Archaeology & Artifacts: Perspective of a Federal Archaeologist Thursday, January 12, 6-7:30 p.m., Hondius Room

Kelly Dick, Cultural Resources Program Manager at Rocky Mountain National Park, will discuss the challenges and opportunities that federal archaeologists encounter in the stewardship of artifacts.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Sign up at libraryc.org/estesvalleylibrary

The Gilded Ones Series: Author Talk with Namina Forna Saturday, January 7, 12-1 p.m., online Join a virtual conversation with the

New York Times bestselling author of The Gilded Ones series. Presented with the Library Speakers Consortium.

ALL AGES

Sign up at estesvalleylibrary.org Heritage Scrapbooking Tuesday, January 3, 1-2:30 p.m., Maker-

space

Repeated Wednesday, January 4, 5:30-7 p.m., Makerspace

Repeated Wednesday, January 11, 5:307 p.m., Makerspace

Bring family photos and memorabilia to create your own heritage scrapbook. Paper, scrapbook, and other supplies provided.

MAKERSPACE

Sign up at estesvalleylibrary.org

Learn the 3D Printer

Saturday, January 7, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. For ages 15 and up.

Learn the Laser Cutter Saturday, January 14, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

For ages 15 and up.

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY FOUNDATION

Cliffhanger 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.

Coyote in the snow by Jim Ward.

The Polar Express Rides Through Estes Park

Earlier this month, the Polar Express made a two-night visit to our little mountain village. On December 2 and December 3, the Estes Valley Library hosted its annual storytellings of The Polar Express. Dozens of excited children and their guardians, many dressed in pajamas and other festive outfits, arrived at the Library for a magical, after-hours evening. Cheerful elves from the Estes Park Newcomers Club welcomed all and helped kids write letters to the North Pole.

Master narrators Kurtis Kelly and Andrés Baron Lopez started the event by reading the book aloud in English and in Spanish. Children and adults alike were captivated by the famous story of a boy

who hops on a special train on Christmas Eve.

After the story was over, conductor Kent Smith announced, “All aboard!” Tickets were punched and folks 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 and singing holiday carols. (Special thanks to Nancy Bell for leading Friday’s sing-a-long!) The trolley ride culminated with a sighting of Santa and Mrs. Claus at their “We Believe Inn” near Town Hall.

Upon arriving back at the library, everyone was invited to enjoy hot

chocolate and decorate their own sugar cookies. Santa and Mrs. Claus even welcomed folks to the Inn for photos and holiday wishes. Children left with a book of their choice and their very own Polar Express bell to commemorate the evening.

Many thanks go to all who volunteered their time and festive spirit to this much-

loved annual event. The Polar Express celebration and giveaway books and bells were made possible by generous donors to the Estes Park Library Friends and Foundation, which supports the library all year long.

Happy holidays from all of us at the Estes Valley Library. “The bell still rings for all who truly believe…”

Christmas Church Services

St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church 880 MacGregor Avenue / 970-586-4504 www.stbartsepiscopalchurch.org

Christmas Eve (Saturday, December 24th) - Begins at 7:30 p.m. with special music followed by Candlelight Holy Eucharist service with carols at 8:00 p.m. This service will also be broadcast on YouTube at www.youtube.com/channel/UCVyf8fRcca1FbaKN66xTd-w or you can go to our website to access the link.

Christmas Day (Sunday, December 25th) at 9:00 a.m.

Holy Eucharist service with carols. This service will not be broadcast on YouTube.

Christmas Eve ServiceAllenspark Community Church

Christmas is fast approaching and the church will be celebrating the birth of the Christ Child on Christmas Eve, December 24th, at 3:30 p.m. in the church at 16 Washington Street (across from the post office).

The sanctuary will be filled with music - Don Shelley, church organist, will open the service with a solo; anthems will be sung by the choir under the direction of Leigh Bogardus; Kayleen Patrick, Colette McDonald, Cindy Rockett, and Julie, Jerilyn and Jamisyn Fischer will use their respective talents to help tell the story of this night; and familiar hymns will be sung by the congregation. The account of the birth of Jesus as told in the book of Luke will be shared by Pastor Ralph Patrick. And, as is our tradition, everyone will be given a candle to turn on for the singing of “Silent Night” to close the service.

As Jesus was God’s gift to mankind on that special night, the church will have a gift bag for all those in attendance.

Everyone - area residents, families, friends - is invited to join us. If you have questions, call the church at 303-7472821. There will not be a service on Christmas Day, December 25th Mountain View Bible Fellowship 1575 South St. Vrain Avenue 970-586-3395

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 5:00 p.m.

Christmas Day Worship Service at 10:15 a.m.

Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church Celebrates Christmas

We joyfully welcome all for Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, at 6:30 December 24. Sunday, Christmas Day worship service is at 9 a.m., our regular Sunday Worship time.

Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church is located at 900 North St. Vrain - Estes Park, CO. (970) 586-4646

St. Francis of Assisi Anglican Church 3480 St. Francis Way (in Little Valley) Estes Park, CO. 970-577-0601

Christmas Eve Worship Service

Saturday, Dec. 24th – 5:30 p.m.

Christmas services at Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran.

A Christmas Eve, Candlelight Worship, will be held at 7 p.m.

A Christmas Day, Carols and Lessons Worship, will be held at 9 a.m.

Shepherd of the Mountains is located just off Dry Gulch Rd. one mile north of the junction with Hwy. 34. The address is 2000 Ptarmigan Trail.

Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies, 1700 Brodie Ave., Estes Park. 970586-4044:

Saturday, December 24 at 5:00 p.m.

Lessons and Carols: Join with us on this holy night to celebrate the miracle of Christ's birth through scripture and song.

Sunday, December 25 at 10:00 a.m. Sunday Worship: Open a few gifts, then join us for our weekly service. The Reverend Chris Davis will deliver the sermon.

Mountain View Bible Fellowship warmly invites you to our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, December 24th at 5:00 p.m. The dazzling angel told the shocked shepherds, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). It was good news then, and it remains good news today! Join us as we rejoice in this good news with Christmas carols, candle lighting, and, most importantly, the Christmas story. From the Mountain View family to your family - Merry Christmas!

Christmas Concert At Cornerstone

Are you looking for a family-friendly traditional Christmas Eve service? One that is filled with all the old familiar Christmas hymns that we know by heart and love to sing? Hymns that fill us with joy as we celebrate Jesus’ birth? A service and church that offers you a sense of belonging and unity as we praise God together for the gift of His precious son, Jesus, and read the Scriptures of the most-loved story in the Bible—the birth of Jesus in a manger. Both children and adults alike will thoroughly enjoy this reverent, fun, joy-filled service!

We will wrap up the evening with the traditional lighting and passing of candles that signify the coming Light of the World as we sing Silent Night. Join us for warm cookies and hot cider following the service. Cornerstone Church Of Estes Valley, 2200 Mall Road, Saturday Evening, December 24thfrom 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Ed. note: These churches emailed us their Christmas service schedules for publication.

Allenspark Community Church Welcomes Pastor Ralph Patrick

The Allenspark Community Church has been blessed that Ralph Patrick has accepted the position of pastor. After serving as interim pastor for almost a year, the Lord led the Board of Elders to offer this position to Pastor Ralph and he gratefully accepted.

Originally Ralph grew up on a small farm in Northern Wisconsin. His parents, Ralph and Jean, taught him to love God, nature, and family. He continues to have the passion for those three to this day, along with the Green Bay Packers. But since living in Colorado he also cheers for the Broncos.

In 2001 Ralph’s mom, Jean, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s which ultimately claimed her life in 2012. This experience caused Ralph to get involved first as a volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association, and then as full-time staff member in 2015. As a result of his personal and professional experience he has a great deal of empathy for both those living with dementia as well as their caregivers. Ralph has done two educational presentations in the Allenspark Community on this disease.

For the past seven years Ralph has served as the Regional Director for the Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado, a position he will continue to hold. Prior

to this Ralph was a pastor for twenty seven years in the Lutheran ChurchMissouri Synod, serving in Chicago, Papua New Guinea, New Mexico and Fort Collins.

Ralph is the father of four grown daughters, all of whom live on the Front Range of Colorado. They have on occasion come to Allenspark to visit and worship at the church.

In regards to APCC Ralph has been very appreciative of the love and warmth found in this congregation. The people have a genuine concern for one another, for those in this community, and especially those who are struggling with matters of life and faith. The congregation is very supportive of mission work being done in numerous locations throughout the world. Ralph’s goal as pastor is to continue to help foster this gracious Spirit of God in Christ that so pervades the wonderful people of the church.

Both Pastor Ralph and the members of the church are very happy to be able to offer a sacred space in Allenspark where everyone is welcomed and received in the Spirit of grace and love. We invite you to come and join us any Sunday at 10:00 a.m.

Come And Sing Along With Us On Christmas Eve!

Are you looking for a family-friendly traditional Christmas Eve service? One that is filled with all the old familiar Christmas hymns that we know by heart and love to sing? Hymns that fill us with joy as we celebrate Jesus’ birth? A service and church that offers you a sense of belonging and unity as we praise God together for the gift of His precious son, Jesus, and read the Scriptures of the mostloved story in the Bible—the birth of Jesus in a manger. Both children and adults alike will thoroughly enjoy this reverent, fun, joy-filled service!

We will wrap up the evening with the traditional lighting and passing of candles that signify the coming Light of the World as we sing Silent Night. Join us for warm cookies and hot cider following

the service. Cornerstone Church Of Estes Valley, 2200 Mall Road, Saturday evening, December 24th from 6:00-7:00 p.m.

For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 NIV

Jan Springer, lead singer & guitarist of Orchard Creek Bluegrass Band will be leading the music at Cornerstone Church of Estes Valley for their Christmas Eve Service.

John Vergoth

John Robert Vergoth, 84, of Estes Park, died at home on December 2 after a long illness.

John was born on June 10, 1938 in Eveleth, Minnesota to Joseph and Mary (Miroslavich) Vergoth. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Patricia Ross. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marilyn (Johnson) Vergoth, his children, Karin, Carol (Jay) Jasunas, and Michael, and his grandchildren, Dinah and Henry Bowman, and Ashley and Kiara Jasunas. Extended family members include nephew Chris Ross, Carol and Jay Kent, nephews Kevin (Susan Cline) and Brad (Melissa) Kent and families, and Beth Zabel.

John grew up in Eveleth and enrolled at the University of Minnesota after attending community college. He graduated in 1961 with a B.S. in Math and moved to the Chicago area. John began his teaching career at Jonas Salk School in Rolling Meadows, where he met fellow teacher Marilyn. They married in 1964 and raised their children in Palatine, Illinois.

John pursued graduate work at the Illinois Institute of Technology and DePaul University, earning his Master

of Science degree from IIT. He spent most of his teaching career at Maine South High School in Park Ridge, Illinois, where he taught a variety of classes, from remedial math to advanced calculus.

In his free time, John performed in local community theater productions and became a dedicated runner in midlife. The family took month-long camping trips to destinations across the U.S. and trips to visit family in Oregon and Minnesota.

John retired in 1998 after 37 years of teaching (33 of those at Maine South). In 2000, John and Marilyn moved to Estes Park to enjoy the place that was a favorite family vacation destination. In Estes Park, John joined a local hiking group and formed close friendships with his fellow hikers.

John was also a devoted grandfather, often driving down to Highlands Ranch and Lafayette to attend his grandchildren’s sporting events and musical performances. He loved family gatherings and hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park with his children, grandchildren, the hiking group, and his extended family.

John’s family will miss his kindness, sense of humor, unwavering support, and love. They feel fortunate to have all been in Colorado together for the last several years, enjoying the mountains that he loved so dearly.

In lieu of flowers, his family suggests a donation in John’s name to Estes Park Health or the Rocky Mountain Conservancy.

Bobbette Saemisch

Bobbette Beulah Saemisch passed away peacefully due to complications of her age, on November 23, 2022. Born Bobbette Beulah Bronson on June 19, 1927, in Council Bluff, Iowa, Bobbette attended Colorado Women’s College where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1949, and was an active member of the Phi Theta Kappa sorority.

Bobbette married Frederick Saemisch in 1952 and they lived in nearby Atlantic, Iowa, where they raised their three boys. The family moved to Colorado in 1963, where they enjoyed skiing and spending free time at their cabin in Estes Park. In 1981, Bobbette and Fred moved to St. Louis for several years before returning to Estes Park full time after Fred’s retirement. Besides being a homemaker Bobbette spent time working in the antiques business, and volunteered at the Elizabeth Guild af-

ter they moved to Estes Park. Bobbette is survived by her husband Fred and sons Michael, Todd and Christopher.

Join

Teller/New Accounts

Representative

Ideal candidates will have prior banking experience.

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

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

Teller/New Accounts Representative $20-23/hour.

Please apply at : www.bankofcolorado.com

Now hiring

Shuttle Drivers

Part-time/Full-time year round employment. Clean Valid Colorado Driver license (no special license needed). $17-20 an hour

Apply within at: Estes Park Shuttle 551 South Saint Vrain Ave

Tire Technician

Perform tire related and light automotive services. $15 - $20/hr depending on experience. Flexible time off options, at cost vehicle repairs. Valid drivers license required. Apply in person at 1633 Raven Ave or call (970) 586-8085 or email office@estestireandauto.com.

Maintenance/Facilities Tech 1

Full Time Year Round

Mon- Fri 7am – 3:30pm Hiring Bonus/Benefits day 1 $18.00 per/hour

Maintenance background preferred.

Laundry

Part Time, $16/hr

Stop by and see us or call us at 970-586-6066 300 Riverside Drive Estes Park, CO 80517

Equal Opportunity Employer

UCHealth is hiring for

Full-Time Benefited Guest Services Supervisor/Coordinator

This position will manage the front desk operations at the Recreation Center. For more details about the job and to apply on-line go to evrpd.com. Estes Valley Recreation and Park District is an equal

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 IT Systems Administrator I Town Engineer Water Superintendent

The status of applications will be communicated via e-mail. By choice, the Town of Estes Park is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

BEAUTICIAN /BARBER

The Good Samaritan Estes Park Village has an opening for a beautician / barber. A hair salon on-site with 2 styling chairs, hairdryers and sinks. $200 month space rent, and you can bring in outside clients. Preferably 2-3 days a week, flexible as you set your own schedule and your own rates.

VOLUNTEERS

More than 40 percent of seniors report regularly experiencing loneliness. Good Samaritan Estes Park Village senior living community offer socialization, meal programs and wellness/activity programs to combat loneliness, gently supporting our residents that nurture their body, mind and soul. One of the ways we want to enhance this is through our volunteer program. We will pair seniors with friends in the community who can share their interests and offer companionship.

If you are looking to make a different in the lives of others, contact the Good Samaritan Estes Park Village. (970)577-7700 ext 200 and ask for Irene.

Homes

Long Term Rental - 1100 Sq. Ft. A-Frame home in Carriage Hills. 1 Bedroom; 1Bath with loft suitable for second bedroom. Newly renovated with large deck on front and small deck off loft to enjoy the beautiful views on this 1.1 acre lot. Detached garage. No Pets. $2,000/mo. Contact: twylamor@gmail.com

A-frame home for rent

Available February 1, 2023.. possibly sooner. 1 year lease required. Will require a background and credit check or local references. Security deposit required. 2450 sqft - 2 bedrooms and loft, 1 1/2 bath, washer & dryer hook-ups. $1950/moth includes: electric, gas, water, trash, and snow removal. Property has a deck with amazing views, private parking and great location close to the Country Supermarket Sorry NO pets and NO smoking.

ScotsSportingGoods @gmail.com

Apartments

2 bdr / 1 bath, lower level flat available for rent. 1100 SF with private entrance, driveway & laundry. $1,600.00 per month. 1 year lease. Available : 01/01/2023 970-308-4225 email: michael.evvr@gmail.com

RENTALS

Cabins

RENTALS

RENTALS BUSINESS SERVICES RENTALS

Commercial Rentals

Classic Colorado CABIN is a beautiful fully restored 2 bedroom.

It is now available to rent on a monthly or longer basis but you can stay for a shorter period of time.

Easy access and just 5 minutes from Estes. Fully furnished with all linens, and everything you need to just move in. Minimum monthly or longer rental.

$2,400 per month plus utilities for the Winter months Call 720-352-1445 for more info.

Commercial Rentals

One person professional office located downtown on north side of Bond Park. Completely remodeled recently. Conference room, coffee bar, copy machine are available.

$600.00 per month, all utilities included. Contact Thom at Verus Commercial, Inc. 303-589-1543

OFFICE SPACE For Rent 970-290-4488

Executive office for rent. $350.00 a month includes all utilities, high speed internet, handicapped bathrooms, kitchenette, conference room and easy parking. Call Peggy at 970-232-5588.

415 West Elkhorn Avenue by Performance Park. 800 Square feet-large open space with separate bathroom and storage area. New Flooring, paint and windows. Sid/ 970-227-6307.

NOTICES Public Notices

NOTICE OF INTENT TO FILE APPLICATION

Meadow Mountain Water Supply Company, Allenspark, CO, intends to file an application for federal financial assistance with the U. S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Rural Utilities Service. The project includes improvements to the water distribution system. Any comments regarding this application should be submitted to Meadow Mountain Water Supply Company, PO Box 162, Allenspark, CO 80510

November 1, 2022 through April 30, 2023. Adults only, non-smoking, no pets. Call Cherokee @ 970-586-2324