Index Index
About Us
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Around Trinidad Energy Membership Organizations Support Community
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Art and Music Corazon Gallery Christmas Critters Art Show
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The Gift of Life
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Community Roundtable Going Strong & Growing
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Hot Tips TSJC Cosmo Gals: Doing Awesome Things and Looking Awesome Doing Them
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The College Spot Helping Local Business Thrive
Pg.7 Sports Making HERstory Pg.9 Horoscopes Pg.11
Hall of Fame Santa’s Sleigh is a Cessna
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Healthy Living Working for God
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Delicious Dishes
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Things to Do
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TCF Announcement
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Business Spotlight Take a Bath on the Wild Side
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Paw News Baby It’s Cold Outside!
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Education The Gift of Literacy
A Word from the Editor… Goodbye 2012 Hello 2013
As we move from the old year and into the new, let us resolve to be better people by applying simple principles in our everyday lives, and by performing random acts of kindness; Smile at a stranger; Hug a loved one. Tell someone you’re thinking of them Learn something new then teach it to someone else Look a child in the eye and tell them how great they are. Don’t hold a grudge. Don’t be afraid to say, “I’m sorry.” Look beyond the face of a person into their heart. Make a promise and keep it Call someone for no other reason than to just say “hello.” Show kindness to an animal. Volunteer for an organization. Support a fundraiser Stand up for what you believe in. Give to someone less fortunate Smell the rain, feel the breeze, listen to the wind. Use all your senses to their fullest. Inspire others to do acts of goodwill! Let someone go in line ahead of you Hold the door open for someone Help someone with yard work Donate books to a library Read to the elderly Return a shopping cart ________________________________________ Write your own personal resolution to be a better person
Pg.18 Government Reflections
Whatever it is you resolve to do to be a better person, remember, it will be yourself who will benefit, you who will feel the gratification.
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E.R.A McCarthey
Trinidad Treasures All I Want for Christmas
On the Cover Joanna Jimenez 2012 Trinidad State Junior College Basketball Tournament Queen representing Holy Trinity Academy
Our Mission… Around Trinidad is focused on bringing the community together and building relationships with the people, the businesses, organizations, government, educational institutions and the community as a whole. Our focus is to provide local information so our residents can rediscover their hometown and visitors can see it SHINE!
About US… Everything AroundUS and Merged Media, the parent companies of Around Trinidad, can help with internet strategies such as customized website design, traffic, search engine optimization, articles, banners, links, and web site validation. We also offer traditional marketing services such as branding, product design, print media, audio and video. Our companies offer more opportunities for local businesses by promoting events and social activities in the community. We take the world around us and bring it to you! Everything AroundUS pushes social networking to the next level by using our platform to promote businesses with giveaways, social activities and exciting events! Our team merges the virtual elements of social networking with traditional promotions to give businesses the ultimate marketing experience. Everything AroundUS brings the community together and builds value for local businesses and services by helping people access everything the area has to offer. We use the power of one communication platform to highlight the fun and excitement around us.
AROUND TRINIDAD CREDITS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/OWNER E.R.A. McCarthey ART & DESIGN DIRECTOR/OWNER Jay Martinez EXECUTIVE MANAGING EDITOR Marty Hackett FEATURES DIRECTOR David J. Santistevan Jr. Around Trinidad has been funded by Merged Media and Everything AroundUS. It was built by Jay Martinez, E.R.A. McCarthey, David J. Santistevan Jr., Marty Hackett and many lovely people in the Trinidad Community.
INDEX
Energy Membership Organizations Support Community For the past several years the Colorado Oil and Gas Association (COGA) and the Raton Basin chapter of the American Petroleum Institute (API) have supported the region with charitable giving. While a lot of that charity went to various organizations throughout the community, the focus was clearly on supporting education. All told, COGA and API donated $18,750 in scholarship funds for a number of deserving students, many of whom are attending Trinidad State Junior College. In addition, scholarships have also included local schools, colleges and universities throughout Colorado and New Mexico, University of Notre Dame, West Texas A&M, and Embry Riddle. Donations to the local communities have included memorial foundations, sports activities, arts and music organizations, medical funds, education, historical organizations, and more. Several
employees of Pioneer Natural Resources serve as officers on the boards of both COGA and API in the Raton Basin chapters, in company with Chris Baca from El Paso Energy, vice president of the COGA chapter.
“I feel a sense of pride and commitment to the Raton Basin area through the charitable giving that both organizations take part in,” said Jim Tate, president of the API chapter. “Since our members work and live in the community, this foundation provides a special insight into the ways in which our organizations can directly help out where help is needed most”, offered Doug Theige, President of the COGA chapter. “It’s not a nameless, faceless transaction but a real hands-on approach to enriching the lives of the people that matter in ways that will last for years.”
Happy Holidays Art and Music Artists and artisans entered the Christmas season Critters Show at the Corazon Gallery and here are many of the talented works they have produced. The show will be up until Dec. 28th. Stop and shop for your last minute gifts and support your community! At 149 E. Main Street
The Gift of Life By David J. Santistevan Jr. Photos courtesy of the Vigil Family On the morning of April 14, 1994, five family’s lives were changed forever. When driving back to Trinidad after making a stop in Aguilar, Clinton “Clint” Andresen Furu, 16, lost his life in a fatal car accident.
mother there was nothing they could do and that she would live for only a few months. At four years of age the family took Teresa back to the doctors and they said she would have a few more years to live. At the age of nine, Teresa was put on a donor list for a heart and double lung transplant, the family waited nearly 11 years. In April, 1994, Teresa’s family got the call they had hoped for. She was a match for Furu’s heart and lungs. This was the very first heart and double lung transplant done in the state of Colorado, at University Hospital. Dr. Fred Grover had performed five of the nine procedures that had been done in the United States at that time. Within 15 days, Teresa was up and walking, eventually gaining enough strength to leave the hospital and return home within three months. Teresa also took up some of Furu’s traits and activities. She started to love to eat T-bone steaks and she went skydiving, jet skiing and loved Lake Powell. “She loved her family and friends and most of all God. She wanted to bring everyone around her to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. She wanted everyone to appreciate the gifts God gave to her and all of us,” her mother said. The Furu family eventually met Teresa, travelling to Las Vegas, NV, Ohio and Utah together, and sharing some of Teresa’s most important times and celebrations of her life.
As he was asleep in the passenger side of the vehicle he was riding in, the driver unknowingly took the wrong exit to head south back to Trinidad. The driver somehow got onto the northbound lane while heading south. The driver then saw the oncoming traffic, panicked, hit the gas and hit the guard rail. Furu was ejected from the truck, taken to the local hospital, then flown by Flight for Life. He passed soon after. But this story and Furu’s life truly does not end. In October of 1993, Furu decided when getting his driver’s license to check yes to become an organ donor. Gaylene (Furu) Vigil, Clint’s sister, tells the story of how they both became organ donors. “This was a funny story. Me and Clint were talking one day about how we both thought and felt inside that something bad was going to happen in our family. We decided to discuss what we would want if we got sick or died. That is when he told me he wanted to be an organ donor.” There are two steps to become an organ donor; first you must check yes on your driver’s license paperwork, and second, you must tell your next of kin. It is very important that both steps are completed or your organs can’t be donated. This part of the story is where Furu’s life truly continues. Teresa Lynn Whiteman was a 20-year-old who at one month old was discovered to have an enlarged heart. She was suffering from a congenital malformation of her heart which would slowly damage her lungs, and restrict her physical activities. Doctors at that time told Carol Van Pelt, Teresa’s
“Teresa truly enjoyed life,” her mother had written in a letter. “She was a little go getter who rode bikes, horses, and she had lots of pets. After the gift from Clint, she did speed walking at the Transplant Games in Salt Lake City and won. She competed in the 50-meter breast stroke at the Ohio games and softball throw another year in Florida.” Theresa was able to fulfill her dreams of snowboarding, jet skiing, hiking and even skydiving along with nurturing and caring for dogs which was her passion. After her passing on July 27, 2010, and wanting to do something to preserve his daughter’s memory, Teresa’s father erected a dog drinking fountain in Sherwood Park in her hometown of Grand Junction. “Nothing could be more of a true tribute than something with dogs,” her stepmother Debbie was quoted as saying in an article in the Grand Junction Sentinel. On one side of the fountain is a plaque in memory of Teresa and on the other, a plaque in memory of Clint. Furu also gave Joby Schwindt a second chance at life. On April 15, 1994, Schwindt and her husband Etson went to University Hospital in Denver so she could receive Furu’s liver. Schwindt was 51, had four children and was suffering from an autoimmune disease that destroyed her liver. 45-year old Warren Parker from Kansas received Furu’s left kidney and pancreas. Parker was married with three children and suffered kidney failure, a result of insulin dependent diabetes. Parker is still living and stays in contact with Furu’s family. The fourth recipient was a young boy and the family chose not to give out any information or to contact Furu’s family.
“My brother Clint still lives.” Gaylene added. “He lived for 16 years, Teresa lived 16 years with my brother’s gifts and the others are still living 16 years later. It is very important for everyone to become a donor. My brother saved four lives.” Gaylene and her family were very close to Teresa’s family until the end, and Gaylene helped the family take care of her during the last months of her life. Before Teresa passed away, she wrote a letter to his family. “Thank you Clint Furu for the gift that you have given to me. I did not get to thank Clint personally but from being around his wonderful family, I know he had been a fun loving, caring, and giving person. His gift changed my life forever. I went from being very sick and not being able to enjoy life to getting out and enjoying life to the fullest. I want to thank Clint’s family for loving me. I wish that it had not been at the cost of losing Clint. Thank you Clint! I hope that you are very happy with how I have lived life to the fullest.”
Theresa Whiteman photo Left – Theresa’s mother Carol VanPelt Center – Gayleen Furu Right – Theresa Whiteman
Community Roundtable Going Strong & Growing
There’s never been a shortage of good ideas in Trinidad. What has been missing is a place and a way to transform good ideas into concrete realities. That’s what the Trinidad and Las Animas County Community Roundtable offer. In just five meetings the Roundtable has transformed itself into six or more action teams and taken on 16 projects to improve the quality of life for everyone in our community. Projects range from improving and preserving the facades of our historic buildings, to celebrating the accomplishments of local students, to creating more and better community gardens. All projects come directly from the people attending the meeting. Every voice is heard thanks to a confidential electronic polling system that people in the community use to identify areas of interest, and vote on issues. The 75 to 100 persons that currently attend meetings are now exploring new and different roles and activities for the Roundtable. “We know there are a lot of people in the community who would like to participate,” notes Howard Lackey, TCF President, but not everyone has the time to take on a project. So, members are looking for new ways that the Community Roundtable can serve to improve our
BE HEARD Around Trinidad was created to feature the people, places, and events of Trinidad and the surrounding areas. Be Heard is our section to feature stories and announcements sent to us. In this section you can announce births, engagements, marriages, loss of loved ones, family reunions, anything YOU feel is important. You can email your news to info@ aroundtrinidad.com or mail it to 1513 Arizona Ave, Trinidad CO 81082. Include photos if you like. If you have ideas for our “Hall of Fame,” “Business Spotlight,” or any other section send those to us as well. Please login to our website and use the free platform; we created for you. Thank you for making Around Trinidad a positive and exciting highlight of our community.
home town.” Trinidad’s Community Roundtable is becoming a bright spot on the southern Colorado landscape. The last Roundtable meeting hosted Congressman John Salazar, Keri Linker from the Governors Office of Economic Development, Joe Kost and Lennece Saracino from USDA, and Dwight Gardner from Senator Bennett’s office. While this positive attention may provide more opportunities for Trinidad and Las Animas County down the road, the real power and impact is now coming from citizens willing to join with others to create a brighter future for our community. “There will be many ways for people to join the Community Roundtable,” say Kim Krisco, who facilitates the meetings. “People might participate in a one-time community forum, complete an economic development survey, or engage in a fun river-walk cleanup.” The December 12 meeting primarily focused on identifying new opportunities for people to participate in the Community Roundtable. As always, everyone is invited. If you want to engage in an energetic, positive, future focused conversation with other people who care about our community, please come to the next Community Roundtable meeting on Wednesday, January 23, 6:00 pm –location to be announced.
eauty B d HOT STIPS n a tyle
impact on people, such as a friendly smile or a little casual conversation, or even just a “Happy Holidays!” can mean the world to someone. Don’t expect a miracle this Christmas, be the miracle.
TSJC Cosmo Gals: Doing Awesome Things and Looking Awesome Doing Them!
Everyone at the Cosmetology Department wishes you a happy and safe holiday season filled with delicious fruitcake, honeyed ham, and all the bourbon balls you can eat! The only thing we ask is that you don’t let your busy holiday schedule distract you from keeping yourself healthy and gorgeous during these cold winter months, and to help do that some of the TSJC Cosmo Girls have a few holiday health/beauty tips…
By Heather Massena
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It sure has been a busy holiday season for the ladies in the cosmetology department at TSJC, looking fabulous while doing fabulous things for the notso-fortunate this Christmas! The Cosmo Girls have been hard at work this past month with their “2012 Holiday Cheer Canned Food Drive.” They started the drive on November 1st, with the last day being Friday, December 7th. For just three cans of food (or other non-perishable items), you could get either a trendy new haircut, a marvelous manicure or a sensational scalp treatment. The canned food drive has been quite a success this year, bringing in around 200 non-perishable items. Alicia Duran, Lindsey Montes, Shelly Randall, Salina Martinez, and Rosie Gardener were in charge of the drive this year.
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The donated goods will be prepared into two huge lovely holiday baskets which will be sent to the Advocates Against Domestic Assault and the Holy Family Soup Kitchen with the hopes of brightening the smiles of some of the less fortunate children and families in Trinidad. Christmas is always a tough time of year for everyone getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays. It’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters; family, friends, but most importantly reaching out to those who might not have the love and support of loved ones this season. A deed so small can have the biggest
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Maxine Michaels: “Eat sensibly but don’t deny yourself those little pleasures.” Alicia Duran: “Darker hair colors look good for the winter months.” Lindsey Montes: “Glitter never fails for the holidays. Also, don’t eat trashy, your skin will show it.” Anonymous: “Be tasteful for the holidays. And please for everyone else’s sake keep your pants pulled up!” Megan Garlutzo: “Wear black after Thanksgiving and Christmas. A faux pas might be adventurous for some, go lighter with your hair and wardrobe instead of dark.” Salina Martinez: “Less isn’t always better…all around…because sometimes people do need to put a little bit of makeup on. Kori Parish: “Wear darker colors of eye makeup and nail polish, and put lowlights in your hair instead of highlights for the winter and fall. Heather Massena: “Try accenting your hairdo with fun bows and fake poinsettias to create a spicy new look, and try dark, smokey eyes to create a little spice at home. Also makeup is not a “one size fits most” case, it’s more of a “glass slipper” kind of thing. If it doesn’t fit, don’t force it…you’ll end up looking like the ugly stepsister.”
Helping Local Business Thrive Trinidad State Junior College Offers Services for Business and Industry By Kathleen Donnelly Community colleges play a vital role in meeting the workforce training and educational needs of Colorado communities and employers, and Trinidad State Junior College is no exception. With its two campuses in Trinidad and Alamosa serving the eight rural southern Colorado counties of Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Huerfano, Las Animas, Mineral, Rio Grande and Saguache, and Colfax County in northern New Mexico, there are hundreds of opportunities to help employers in the region develop and build needed skills in their employees. TSJC has recently announced that Laurie Weber has been named the Director of Community and Workforce Development for the entire Trinidad State service area. “Laurie will be working with economic development, business and industry leaders, Chambers of Commerce and other organizations and boards to develop customized training and community education,” said Dr. Paula Davis, Vice-President of Academic Affairs. Interim President Dr. Charles Bohlen stated, “I am very pleased that Ms. Laurie Weber has accepted the new position of Director of Community and Workforce Development. During my visits with various community employers and leaders I have heard over and over the need for short-term training for employees and potential hires. Ms. Weber
will lead TSJC’s efforts in meeting these training needs for our employers in our full service area. I am pleased that someone with her education and experience will be leading this important TSJC initiative.” Weber, who holds a BA from the University of Alaska in business management, and recently earned an MBA in business administrationleadership from Adams State University, has been employed with TSJC for thirteen years in various positions, including fiscal officer, budget director, director of finance, and director of administration and finance. She said that she will be traveling within the region to meet with administrators and staff in the various workforce training centers, economic development groups, and city and county governments. “My goal is to establish and maintain these community partnerships and to develop programs that meet the economic needs of our communities,” Weber said. “Our mission is to enhance economic viability within our communities through developing quality customized training programs that provide local companies and their employees’ greater workforce efficiency, productivity and skill level.” In her free time, Weber is a nature lover who likes to be outside, hiking and fishing. She also enjoys gold-panning and gem and mineral-hunting. “Anything I can dig out of the dirt,” she said. She is an avid skier and a mountain climber who has climbed eleven “fourteeners” so far.
www.TrinidadState.edu
For more information about TSJC’s community and workforce training opportunities, please contact Laurie Weber at 719-589-7028 or toll free at 800-477-8382. TSJC can help local business thrive with resources such as: • • • • • • •
Business/Industry customized on-site training; Flexible delivery options: on-site, at TSJC, or a hybrid combination thereof; Cost effective training at a fraction of the cost of sending employees to training and workshops out of the area; Customized course curriculum in technical, business and leadership topics; Complete training packages that include curriculum, instruction, materials, and evaluations; Facility use and access to state-of-the-art equipment; Resources and grants
The College SPOT
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Making HERstory By David J. Santistevan Jr.
Girls High School basketball took the stage front and center for the first time in the 77-year history of the oldest high school hoop tourney in the state of Colorado. The Trinidad Lady Miner basketball team, their senior point-guard Chelsea Velasquez, and Coach George Dasko made HERstory by taking all the trophies home in the Trinidad State Jr. College High School tournament in the girls’ division. The Lady Miners beat Rye 57-51 in the first girls’ championship game at TSJC. “It really is an honor, and this was really important to have a girls’ draw and the crowds showed there is interest in having girls play at TSJC,” Dasko said. “It is nice to be the first one to win it, and an honor to receive the coaching award and be mentioned with Coach (Rich) Arguello and to have Chelsea (Velasquez) be named the first girl’s MVP of the TSJC Tourney. Our girls played hard and we learned a lot about our team. This is something that no one can take away from us. It is nice to be a part of history, it really is.” Dasko is the first girl’s coach to bring home the prestigious Rich Arguello Coaching Award, Velasquez was named the first TSJC girls MVP and Devon Sandoval was named to first girls TSJC AllTournament Team. “We were really excited to play in the tournament, and it is an honor to be the first team to make history by winning the girls’ championship,” Velasquez told Around Trinidad. “I am proud to be the first girl to be named MVP, but it was a team effort. The award does mean a lot to me.” The Lady Miners (3-0) are coming off a Colorado Class 3A Girls State Semi-Final appearance last March. Dasko was named Tri-Peaks League Coach of the Year last season as well. “This has been a long time coming,” TSJC Women’s Coach and Athletic Director Rich Holden told Around Trinidad. This was not our original idea, it has been in the works to have girls’ basketball as part of the TSJC tournament for a while now. Especially since we started our woman’s basketball program here at TSJC. We thought it would be a great way to local girl’s talent into the tournament and see what our great campus has to offer. We drew crowds here with the girls in the tournament. I have three daughters and I sit here and really think about all the good hard working girl basketball players who have walked around this tournament but never got to play in it. It is great to be part of having girls’ games here, and we are trying to keep it as local as we can. Simply it was time for us to have girls’ basketball in the oldest tourney in the state.” Dasko added, ‘Having girls in the TSJC tourney
really helped with the draw to bring in fans. It is really important, I believe to have a girls’ tourney. I told our girls to be proud of making history and every positive achievement as they move forward.”
Boys Championship Saturday Results Consolation Hoehne 46 Des Moines 42
Joanna Jimenez was named the 2012 TSJC Queen, pulling double duty during the TSJC Tourney. She played on the Lady Miner basketball team, then she walked into the dressing room to get ready be part of the Parade of Princesses representing Holy Trinity Academy, “It was challenging and very hard, especially that first night right after the basketball game I had to run and go change! Coach Dasko did not know where I was. I had very little time to get ready and walk with the rest of the contestants,” Jimenez added. “I want to thank everyone for their support and it is an honor to have received this award.”
Third Place Springer 63 La Veta 52
Jimenez wants to travel the world to do civic work to help others after she graduates from HTA and one day she says she will be the President of the United States! The Miner boys are young and only brought back two players with varsity experience, “We were really inexperienced coming into the season,” Miner Head Coach Mike Ridolfi said. “I was so proud of our kids because they played hard and they deserved to win the TSJC championship.” Trinidad (3-0) outlasted Rye (2-1) in a long physical battle in the 77th TSJC boys Championship game. Lane Velarde was named the MVP of the boys division and Chris DeAngelis was named to the TSCJ All-Tournament Team. “Winning this is positive and it will give our young team confidence. This gives us a good start to the season,” Ridolfi added, “We have a lot to work on still, but our kids work hard and are dedicated.”
Championship Trinidad 57 Rye 51 Boys All-Tourney Team Kyon Kreutzer- La Veta, Chris DeAngelis -Trinidad High, Sam Garcia -Springer, Sawyer Schafer -Hoehne, Luis Ortiz- Rye Most Valuable Boys Player Lane Velarde Trinidad High Cheer Award Trinidad High Tournament Queen Joanna Jimenez –Holy Trinity Academy Miss Congeniality Jordyn Bannon- Des Moines Boys Sportsmanship Hoehne Farmers Girls Sportsmanship John Mall Walsenburg Coach Rich Arguello Outstanding Award George Dasko Trinidad High (First Girls Head Coach to win the award)
77th Annual TSJC High School Basketball Tourney Championship Saturday Results First Girls Tourney Consolation Des Moines 48 La Veta 30 Third Place Hoehne 41 Custer County 32 Championship Trinidad 57 Rye 51 First Girls All-Tourney Team Aunna Walker- Des Moines, Cydney KreutzerHoehne, Devon Sandoval- Trinidad High, Rylee Abert- Rye, Kaylee Rahl- Rye Most Valuable Girls Player Trinidad High’s Chelsea Velasquez
Sports
Weekly Horoscopes Aries
It is not clear this week if you are just curious. Whatever it is, you are smothered by a continuous desire to push your nose everywhere and in everything. You want new and exciting experiences. You would be better to organize a trip if you still can avoid most problems. Stay away from foreign quarrels and problems, instead calm the situation and pay attention to the details underlying the disagreement.
Taurus
You manifest excessive extravagance trying to prepare for the upcoming holidays. Nothing will tidy some financial earthquake. You will prevent negative consequences if you determine in advance a limit on the maximum number of gifts and what prices that you can afford. Generally the week will be calm and you will have plenty of time to get the job done and to clarify some complex or controversial issues in personal relationships.
Gemini
This week various events will influence family and non-family members of your sign. One is mandatory for all – take care of your good looks. This will bring some freshness to your relationships. If you are unmarried then you must address the organization of free time. Rather than disperse it in different directions and fly from one attractive idea to another, it would be better to come up with fun that includes all your friends. Thus you will be in the environment that most suits you.
Cancer
There is nothing more annoying than household chores and nothing as inexhaustible as doing them. Try to have a little more fun this week. It is possible to purchase new home appliances that would facilitate your work - after all there is a belief that with the coming of the New Year you should buy something new for the house! You will have enough time for your favorite activities or some impromptu entertainment.
Leo
Even if you’re not in love this week the mood will be upbeat. Almost daily you will get some surprises, small gifts or compliments. You’ll be able to catch all with a smile and enthusiasm. You will be a magnet for attention. Almost imperceptibly you smooth relations with people who are in conflict. You will need to travel for business or leisure and during these trips you will create many interesting contacts. Thanks to your participation and timely intervention you will solve a complex dispute in your family. If you decide to freshen up your home or make some cosmetic repairs before the holidays, right now is the time to start.
Virgo
The question that weighs on your mind this week is related to finances. If you need to make some expensive purchases or long-term investments, then you could get a bank loan with very favorable terms. Use the money as intended - to address welfare issues; improving the home environment or purchasing equipment related to your work. Do not waste money on gifts, entertainment or anything too costly. Your mood will be cheerful because almost every day you participate in fun activities. Some will even take you back to fond memories of childhood.
Libra
When you have more commitments you feel good, right? Well, it means that this week you will feel very good. Besides the tasks that you target almost constantly you will have to do something extra to help others. The work will be appreciated, the recommendations met and the council approved. What better advertising for you? With so much work there is no way not to gain additional revenue.
Scorpio
You will need some time for recreation and meeting friends. The most important and urgent problem you have to solve will deal with material and financial matters. This week you will be able to move mountains, but it is very likely that all the time you’ll feel stress or irritability. It will be much easier if you employ your imagination and sense of humor. Everything that happens will seem like a joke. Do not overlook your appearance. You will need to interact with many people and participate in a series of meetings, so it is a must to look good.
Sagittarius
You have ideas but you lack clear concepts for their implementation. During this week you will have enough time to think about how you could realize at least some of your ideas. At least those related to the upcoming holidays, for example. As you are busy with official engagements every day try to spend a little time for personal interests. This will enable your creative thinking and enhance your innate acumen. You will astound all with your talents and accomplishments. Try to create enough cozy time at home, do it as you see fit to keep emotional balance. Replace noisy companies with your favorite music, book or movie.
Capricorn
You need to slow down. And not just having, you did not necessarily. At least at the beginning of the week, try to deflect calls for meetings, gatherings and parties and stay in peaceful surroundings by myself. This will reassure many will organize your thoughts and, of course, in your style, you will immediately start making plans for the future. And let these plans relate to more rest and less stress. Will not suffer from lack of impressions and emotions will not be able to be bored, but should not be too much. Now your energy level is slightly unstable and the immune system - weak. You do not want to get sick right before the holidays? If so save yourself unnecessary stress.
Aquarius
You need to decide which is more important you or your friends. At the same time it may be necessary to overcome your own problems and help a close friend. Do not give up, there is a way. It is embedded in good organization and collective action. At the moment you join in the work of someone who will find you cancel your part of the work. Difficulties usually bring people together and this week you will have the opportunity to personally make sure of it. None of your goals will lag behind because you create new contacts with influential people and they will actively intervene in your favor.
Pisces
People will draw attention to you without even realizing why. The key is your original thinking. Any word you speak will be heard and any offer you make will be accepted with enthusiasm. Do not be surprised if you are invited to participate in a TV show or other public event. Success will boost confidence and stabilize your mood. Your schedule will be filled with meetings but exciting emotions will keep you from feeling any signs of fatigue.
Trinidad Hall of FAME
Santa’s Sleigh is a Cessna By Marty Hackett
Six members of the Metro State Precision Flight team arrived in three Cessna’s Dec. 2 at the Las Animas County Airport to the delight of VFW Commander John Rios. The flight team arrived with 775 lbs. of food and toys donated by the Colorado VFW and the Colorado Aviation Business Association. The donations, were loaded up, then sorted and distributed to veterans of the county and their families for Christmas. Each sporting a red Santa hat, the young pilots
who flew into the airport from their last drop at Centennial airport said, “It was a perfect day to fly.” Two Cessna 172 Skyhawks and a 182 Skylane landed at the airport on a bright and sunny Sunday loaded down with the goodies. “Last year, they had to turn back because the weather was so bad,” explained Rios. The collaboration between CABA and the VFW Annual Charity Drive raised 1500 lbs. of donations in 2011 and doubled that this year with 3000 lbs. Aviation partners around the state, mostly in the Denver area, help give back during the holiday season to help veterans around the state.
The Metropolitan State College of Denver’s Aviation Department participates in precision flight competition sponsored by the National Intercollegiate Flight Association (NIFA). Training, practice, and competition are all accomplished through the school’s Precision Flight Team. The flight team and competition are not aerobatic in nature, but are precision flight events developed to hone basic airmanship to a higher standard required and desired by the aviation industry. The delivery flights are part of the flight team’s annual competition and training. Drops were also made at Burlington and Montrose, Colorado.
Rios contacted area veterans and distributed the Christmas goodies beginning Dec. 12th, to help brighten the holidays of many Las Animas County veterans.
Happy New Year
HEALTHY LIVING Working for God By Mike Garrett New Image Advanced Dental owner-practitioner Dr. Amy Wilson has helped hundreds of thousands of dental and facial enhancement patients feel better about their teeth and cosmetically-enhanced faces since purchasing an existing practice in Trinidad in 1993, operating out of her existing address at 417 S. University since 1996. Her general dental practice offers the full gamut of dental surgery and cosmetic facial enhancement, whether it’s braces, lower jaw dental implants or a total mouth reconstruction, with a complete onsite diagnosis laboratory so that whatever a patient needs can usually be accomplished in one day, says Wilson. She said she couldn’t estimate just how many patients she sees in a year’s time, “but they come from all over the country and I know it’s in the thousands. I see 30 to 40 patients a day.” Women who want to enhance their “image” and remove some of those nagging unwanted aging facial lines also love Dr. Amy’s advanced technical skills using mostly Botox and dermal filler injections to get the job done and make anyone look several years younger. She cautions that the injections and or dermal implants are only temporary and last only around three to six months and possibly longer with some patients before it’s time for another image makeover. As a longtime born-again Christian, Dr. Amy gives all the credit for her practice’s huge success to her staff of six assistants and to God for sending all those patients to her, who she says always gives her positive feedback on the image enhancing results she gets with each dental or facial enhancement or repair. “I always surround myself with good people. I know how important it is to have really good people up front and all over the practice. It’s important that they represent well and they do.” Staff members are Gloria Campbell, Carol Gibson, Rene Ferraro, Alexandra Martinez, Jennifer Walton and Renee Whitaker. “They are all great working with the patients and do everything they can to make our patients feel welcome, special and comfortable and create new smiles for them or make them more beautiful,” said Wilson. “We don’t want anybody to feel like they’ve been rushed. We want them to feel like they’re No. 1.” As talented and gifted as she is in her dental-facial enhancement practice, Dr. Amy is equally if not more talented playing piano most every Sunday as director of the church’s community chorale and choir or for special concerts at her home church, First United Methodist Church at 216 Broom St. She plays piano to accompany Trinidad Community Chorale and was the accompanying soloist for several of former TSJC music department head and multi-talented soprano Alison England’s Trini
dad State Junior College concerts at the Massari Performing Arts Center. Amy’s mother Peggy Wilson loves to talk about her daughter’s life history to anyone who wants to listen at any time, noting Amy was a child prodigy who was an accomplished pianist by age six and began to exhibit multi-talented gifts in many areas of her life at such a young age. Peggy says she couldn’t be more proud of her daughter and all of her accomplishments. Once you get Peggy started talking about Amy, it’s non-stop mother praises and accolades. “Everything I have is a gift from God,” says Dr. Amy matter-of-factly. “There is nothing in my life that is not of God. I do everything to help glorify Him and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It’s all for God’s glory! I love my job and everything I do and my practice is definitely a gift from God and to be a good steward for God. I just need to use those gifts wisely,” noting she gives God all the credit for sending so many patients her way and giving her the job skills to help them. “God wants all of His children to be successful.” Her reliance on God’s blessings also enabled her to transition through one of the most difficult times in her life 2 1/2 years ago when doctors diagnosed her with breast cancer. “At first I didn’t want to believe the diagnosis and I asked God why He would allow me to get this disease,” said Wilson. “But I accepted the fact that God’s will is perfect and this was a test I would have to go through.” She claimed Romans 8-28 for her breast cancer issue and sure enough, Wilson said God helped her find several extraordinary physicians in New Orleans who competently performed her mastectomy and chemo-therapy practically gratis and helped see her through her long recovery process and become cancer free.
“When the dust finally settled, I realized that things might not have happened the way that I wanted them to have happen but it was perfect,” she said. “It wasn’t what I wanted but when I look back on it now I can see that I was put in the hands of extremely capable people. In looking back at the way that everything happened was absolutely perfect. I had a deeper understanding and relationship with God than I thought I had to begin with. I realized I didn’t know anything to begin with and it (operation) opened up a whole new understanding for me that His will is perfect even if I didn’t understand it at the time.” In short, Dr. Amy believes that some good will comes out of any bad situation a believer finds themselves in. “We’re all human and subject to human frailties and disease and everything that comes along with being human. What you do with that and how you come out of that and deal with it, that’s your relationship with God. The important part is if you can find love in that.” Dr. Amy says her future dreams and visions are to continue her dental practice with the capacity for expansion. “I can accept more patients,” she says, not wanting to put any limitations on her and her staff ’s workload if God so chooses to send more her way. “We are always seeing new patients and we love that it is always a good experience for us.” She noted that satisfied customers always tell their friends and that builds her practice. “I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing and wherever He leads me, that’s where I will go,” said Wilson. “I’m hoping to build on the music program at the church and obviously building a practice is a daily thing. I don’t ever feel like I have to stay where I am,” adding she can’t ever become complacent while working for God. Patient - Karen Koziol of Bon Carbo Background - Gloria Campbell Dental Assistant
DELICIOUS DISHES There is still time for to whip up some holiday dishes for guests or family to enjoy Christmas Day, so get yourself back to the kitchen and try some of these favorites from the St. Joseph’s Cookbook of days gone by.
Italian Christmas Pudding Mrs. Mike Peretta 1 lb. box vanilla wafers 3 Tbsp. cocoa 1 qt. Carnation milk 6 large apples 2 Tbsp. sugar 1 tsp. vanilla Soak wafers and milk until wafers soften, then add sugar and cocoa. Peel apples and cut in pieces and fry them in Carnation butter 10 mins. Pour them in milk and wafers; add vanilla. Mix well. Pour in deep pan and bake in slow oven 1 hour. ________________________________
Mince Apple Pie Elsie Hamm Double pie crust 1 jar mince meat (28 oz) 2 med. Apples (peeled and sliced) 1 tsp. lemon juice 2 Tbsp. butter Cook at 450 degrees for about 15 minutes. Then down to 350 degrees for about 45 minutes or until crust is cooked.
THINGS to Do… ______________________________ Dec. 21, 2012 – Jan. 7, 2013 Last Minute Christmas shopping? Visit the Christmas Mercado at Gallery Main for some unique gift ideas. Open through Dec. 28th at 130 E. Main St. Call for info 719-846-1441. Celebrate the New Year in style at the Kiwanis Club’s New Year’s Eve Party on Dec. 31 from 7:30-1 a.m. at JuJo’s. Dinner, entertainment, party favors and champagne at midnight! Tickets available at Farmer’s Insurance 251 N. Commercial and 1st National Bank Walmart Branch. (Corporate Tables available-support your local Kiwanis Club! Serving Youth, Community and Nation. Make your reservations now for Gino’s Sports Bar Annual New Year’s Eve Celebration. 991 E. Main St. Call 719-845-0388.
Trinidad Community Foundation 2012 Grant Cycle Coming to a Close The deadline to apply for a Trinidad Community Foundation Grant is quickly approaching the December 31, 2012 deadline. The annual grants available to local non-profit organizations are available upon request at info@trinidadcf.org. The Trinidad Community Foundation (TCF) continually seeks to fund programs and activities that significantly benefit the people and community of Trinidad and Las Animas County. Each year, TCF provides funding to eligible nonprofit organization through its competitive grant program. The grants, awarded in the areas of education; health and wellness; recreation; historic preservation; and communication, are made possible in part through the generous donations of TCF members and from proceeds raised through various TCF fundraising events.
Since its inception in 2006, TCF has awarded over $250,000.00 through its annual grant program to various non-profit organizations within Trinidad and Las Animas County. The 2011 grant recipients include: Branson on-line School Colorado PTAC Harry Sayre Senior Center Hometown Holidays Segundo Senior Center So. Colo. Miners Memorial So. Colo. Developmental Disability So. Colo. Repertory Theatre Special Olympics Colorado Trinidad Area Arts Council Trinidad History Museum For a list of all previous grant recipients and to learn how you might qualify for a TCF grant or to become a TCF support member, visit the TCF website at: www.trinidadcf.org
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT Take a Bath on the Wild Side! By Marty Hackett
For Leann Blackey, soap making is and has been her art and passion for many years. Leann opened Wild Sense Aromatics in November in one of Trinidad’s historic locations in what was once known as the cigar store of the Columbian Hotel. The cubbies that hold her handcrafted soaps, scents, and skincare products are perfect display areas. “Even with the water damage, this building has so much character! I love the architecture here, the geography, the art scene, all of it!” Blackey and her fiancé passed through Trinidad several times over the years but were drawn back to the area to set up shop. “It’s inspiring! If I had been 20 years younger, we might have settled in Montana to do the wood chopping and living with bears thing, but…” she laughed, “we fell in love with this area.” Born in Camillus, NY, Blackey has a history of working with fragrance and beauty products. As an aesthetician working as a counter manager and trainer for companies such as Chanel and Dior, she was always on the look -out for products for her son who is diabetic. “That’s when I decided to develop my own balms and salves.” Every item in her shop is handmade and her lotions are sent to a chemist and tested before they are sold. Products include soaps, lotions, bath gels, perfume oils, body mists, fragrance sprays and more. Soap ingredients include coconut, palm, castor and olive oils and other natural ingredients. “I don’t skimp on the good stuff when it comes to exotic ingredients; sourcing the best additives, extracts, fragrances and essential oils for Wild Sense
products so your skin can reap the most benefits.”
Then the fun begins, as each soap “bar” is crafted to be visually appealing as well. “When I used to buy commercial soaps, I found many of the natural ones lacked any excitement and were visually boring, and yet the fun shaped and colored ones were typically full of undesirable chemical additives.” So she combines her artistic flair with a desire to nurture the skin. “I especially get a kick out of making soaps that combine beauty with beneficial ingredients. Natural goodness should not be equated with plain and boring.” Her sense of whimsy is also apparent in her colorful graphics on labels. Wild Sense is the home of Trinidad Fisher’s Peak Soap and her counters and cubbies are packed with colorful soaps in shapes such as cupcakes and gingerbread houses. She will be featuring soap roses on a stem and chocolate bon bons in candy boxes for Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day, eggs and jelly beans for Easter, and special glycerin soaps for children with embedded toys. Any soap bar with a “paw print” on it that is sold will generate $1 for Noah’s Ark, an obvious sign that she also has a keen sense in “community!” In May she hopes to launch a bigger skin care line where she will feature sugar polish, foot scrubs, clay masks, decleansing oils and a line of mineral make-ups. Trinidad’s new “Soap Artisan” will also accept special orders for products if you just give her a call or email. Visit her shop at 115 N. Commercial St., call her at 217-320-1446 or email her at wildsensearomatics@gmail.com. Give some botanical and fragranced soaps and skincare products to your loved one this holiday season and let them take a bath “on the wild side!”
Baby, It’s Cold Outside! When the mercury dips, use the following tips! 1.
2.
Keep your cat inside. Outdoors, felines can freeze, become lost or stolen. Outdoor cats sometimes seek shelter under the hoods of cars to stay warm. When you start your engine, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan. If there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape. Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm. Dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure yours always wear ID tags.
3.
Thoroughly wipe off your dog’s legs, paws and stomach when he comes in from exposure to snow, sleet or ice. He can ingest salt, antifreeze or other chemicals when he licks himself off and his paw pads may also become damaged from the snow or ice.
4.
Allow your pet to keep his fur in the winter. The longer coat will keep him warmer.
5.
Make sure your pet is completely dry before taking him out of doors for walks. For shorthaired breeds, consider getting him a coat or sweater with a warm collar and one that covers him from the base of his tail and under his belly.
6.
Never leave your pet outside alone in a car during cold weather. The inside of the vehicle
acts as a refrigerator in the winter, holding the cold in. 7.
Increase your dog’s supply of food, especially protein, in the winter to keep his fur in top shape.
8.
Keep your eyes open for spills of antifreeze. It is a lethal poison for dogs and cats.
9.
Make sure your best friend or furry feline has a warm place to sleep, off the floor, and away from drafts. A pet bed, blanket or pillow is really necessary in the colder winter months.
Noah’s Ark Animal Welfare Association 224 North Chestnut Street Trinidad, CO 81082 719-680-2385 Fax 719-680-2386 www.noahsarktrinidad.com noahsarktrinidad@gmail.com Kim Riddle, Noah’s Ark Executive Director Jenna Waldschmidt, Marketing Committee
Paw News
EDUCATION The Gift of Literacy By Marty Hackett Several Trinidad Rotary Club Members visited 3rd Grade students in Las Animas County recently to deliver a very special Christmas gift. Students at Holy Trinity Academy, Primero, Aguilar, Hoehne, Branson/Kim, and Fisher’s Peak schools were given the gift of learning by means of a colorful Webster’s Children’s Dictionary. The Rotary Club members each patiently explained to the youngsters what Rotary Clubs do and why they were giving the students the dictionaries for Christmas. Asking if there were any questions, Dr. George Hagan and Fisher’s Peak Elementary teacher Ms. Webber were treated to a chuckle when one youngster raised his hand and asked, “Why aren’t they wrapped?” “It is amazing the interest the children show in their new book,” said Rotary Club member and Retired District Judge Jesse Manzanares. “This dictionary is so much more than just words. The pleasure we see on the faces of the children as they receive their new dictionary is priceless.” The Trinidad Rotary Club Dictionary Project was started in 2003 as a service project for children. Then Rotary President Manzanares learned that a member of a Colorado Springs Rotary Club, Allen Scott was serving as National Project Chairman of a nationwide Rotary Dictionary Project. Manzanares contacted Allen and arranged for the Trinidad Rotary Club to participate in the statewide project which involved 49 other Rotary Clubs in Colorado. By the time Trinidad Rotary Club
adopted the project, 4 years after the statewide project was initiated, 4000 dictionaries already had been distributed by 55 Rotary Clubs in the state. The first year of the project, Trinidad Rotary Club distributed 183 dictionaries to 3rd Grade students in Las Animas County. Last year there were 174 distributed and this year 150 students received the colorful Webster’s Dictionaries. Third graders were specifically selected for the project because it is an age group that begins to take a special interest in ownership of personal possessions and it is a time in their school life when reading and writing skills are being developed. During the past 10 years, The Trinidad Rotary Club has distributed over 1,800 dictionaries to 3rd graders in Las Animas County. Principals and teachers in all the area schools have been enthusiastic participants in the give-away.
Holy Trinity Academy News 1st Quarter Honor Roll Holy Trinity Academy presents its First Quarter Honor Roll JUNIOR HIGH Second Honors (3.2-3.5) Brian Lee Richard Maes Julianne Worley HIGH SCHOOL First Honors (3.6-4.0) John Garcia – 4.0 Brett Gonzales Second Honors (3.2-3.5) Trey Gagliardi Joanna Jimenez Niccole Cordova
HTA Students Make Advent Wreaths The Advent season started on Sunday, December 2nd. Dr. Andrea Doeden, Pastor in Training for Zions Lutheran Church made Advent wreaths with the students last week. Advent is a time to prepare our hearts and souls for the celebration of Christmas. It is a time of personal reflection on whether our actions bring Jesus to those we meet in life. The wreaths were brought home by each child along with a booklet of prayers to say with the family each day of the Advent season. Advent is the four weeks before Christmas. Each week is represented by a candle. Dairy Queen Night at HTA Wednesday, December 19 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM is HTA night at Dairy Queen. HTA receives a portion of the sales for the event. Students and parents help by cleaning tables and greeting guests. Please join us for Hot Eats and Cool Treats and help HTA at the same time!
Government________ Reflections Abeyta Prepared to Serve County Again By David J. Santistevan Jr. Commissioner elect Anthony Joseph Abeyta says he is as healthy as he has been in years, and that he is 100 percent committed to serve out all four years as the next Las Animas County Commissioner in District-1. “I retired from the Las Animas County Treasures Office because I wanted to spend as much time as possible with my wife Elaine who was very ill. She passed two years after my retirement,” Abeyta added. “I feel good, I’m healthy and ready to once again serve Las Animas County.” Abeyta retired on Oct. 24, 2008 after five terms and 22-years as the Las Animas County Treasurer, in an article about his retirement written by friend Robert Leonetti. Abeyta wasn’t sure if he was ready to ride off into the sunset, saying, “I’m retiring with some reservations. I love my job and I could be Treasurer forever, but when you look at life, my wife is very important to me, and my retiring will allow us to spend more time together, with our kids and grandkids.” Abeyta is the youngest of seven children - four brothers, two sisters, and two step-brothers. He was born on June 29, 1939 in San Juan Plaza in the Sarcillo Canyon area west of Trinidad on Highway 12 to J.D. Abeyta and Leornada (Vallejos). He attended Media Elementary School (Grades 1-3), which sits on top of the hill across Highway 12 from the Primero School buildings. He then attended Sarcillo School (Grades 4-8) before attending and graduating from Primero High School in 1957. Abeyta remembered, “We used to help with the firewood at the old school to put into the furnace to keep the schools heated in the winter. We also brought our lunches to school in Delicious Brand jelly buckets, so our closet at the school always smelled good with our lunches in there. We only had softball and basketball in school, and I learned to play basketball outside.” “I learned to dribble avoiding all the rocks!” As an athlete at Primero, Abeyta averaged 30 points per game without a three-point line back in those days, “Man, I could shoot the ball into the hoop. I would have scored more if we would have had that threepoint line back then, and we were the only team to beat the state basketball champs of Leadville.” Abeyta worked with his father on props for the coal mine, cutting timber, then taking them to the mines in the area.” I was too young to swing an axe
at that time so they called me the oil guy.” On a basketball scholarship, he attended Trinidad State Jr. College for two-years studying education, then changing to Liberal Arts when he earned a degree in 1967. He then transferred and earned a B.A. degree from Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado in 1970. Abeyta earned a double major in Sociology and Psychology, minoring in Spanish and Business Law. Abeyta was then hired by the City of Trinidad as the Director of Community Development from 1970 until 1974, where he started and completed the Model Cities Program and the Trinidad Community Center Project.
“I wrote many grants and finished several that needed to be completed,” Abeyta added. “Once I worked on a grant for 30 straight hours, then drove to Denver, delivered it and we got the grant.” In 1974, Abeyta left the city for a job at TSJC. Many of the programs currently being offered at the college were procured by him while he wrote grants and worked as a specialist in curriculum and program development. He also traveled to Washington, D.C. for meetings with elected officials to lobby for miners, especially Hispanic miners from Las Animas County for Black Lung benefits. While working at TSJC, he also resumed his education, earning his Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. In 1986, he ran for the public office of Las Animas County Treasurer. “I loved to help residents of the county. The toughest part of the job was being appointed as the Public Trustee for the county, but it was also the most rewarding and a lot of extra work,” Abeyta said. “Every resident is important, and I loved it in the Treasurer’s Office. It was a great experience.” “I ran for that office because I love to help and be involved. I also believe that being a commissioner will help me while I am grieving my wife’s passing and I know I can help the county to bring in and keep jobs. I have experience and I still have a lot to offer. I am in the best health I’ve been in years and I will serve out all four-years of my first term as commissioner.” Abeyta will have to deal with major budget issues and he says we need to bring in a number of small industries instead of putting all of our marbles in one basket with one big industry. He wants to keep county jobs and start to work as a team with the city to bring in grant monies. He also wants to focus and retaining the Amtrak services coming through the area. Abeyta will be seated as the District 1 Commissioner on Jan. 1, 2013 and he is looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead.
Anthony Joseph Abeyta Las Animas County Commissioner District-1
TRINIDAD TREASURES All I Want for Christmas By Marty Hackett Nothing warms the heart more than sharing and giving at Christmas, not just with family and friends but with others who are less fortunate. Many seniors have no family, some have very limited incomes and their families live too far away to visit, and still others have, sadly, been abandoned. It is hard enough to be alone at any time, but Christmas is the worst. For the fourth year, it has been the goal of the First National Bank in Trinidad to bring a smile to our local seniors by remembering them at this most festive time of year. By the time you’re finished reading this article, approximately 260 area senior citizens will have received a little gift from a ‘Secret Santa” who has agreed to participate in the Gift Tree Program at First National Bank. In some cases it is the only Christmas gift they receive. “Christmastime is a special time of year,” explained FNB Vice President Chris Huffman, “and we just want to make their Christmas a little brighter! FNB employees, area businesses and organizations, government employees and individuals within the community are invited to choose letters from the “Gift Tree” in the bank lobby and fulfill the wish of a senior. The bank employees then sort out the gifts, and distribute them to the seniors. “It is so cute to watch them receive and open their gifts,” said Huffman with a tear in her eye. “They really think they’re from Santa!”
It is an emotional time for Huffman as she reads the letters to Santa. “They ask for such simple things, things they really need, and sometimes they don’t even ask for themselves, but to be able to give to others.” Requests have included such items as: “a gift certificate to get my hair done”; warm clothing; “a bus ticket to go see my daughter”; money for medication; a warm blanket, because “I have fibromyalgia and it’s hard to stay warm”; high top shoes “because I have a bad ankle”; coloring books and crayons, crossword puzzles, candy, dolls, stuffed animals, “a teddy bear”; “a picture to hang in my room.” “Sometimes they ask for nothing and want to donate it to someone else,” Huffman said. “One senior wanted a food basket donated to a needy family.” Although all the letters touched her heart, she commented as she handed me one of the Letters to Santa. “I hope someone finds her pillow.” “My special pillow has disappeared! It is filled with foam and has a perforation in the middle.” In the center of the letter was a little sketch. “This pillow is all I want!” “We are pleased with the success of the program,” said Huffman. “Both the giver and the receiver experience the gift of giving. And with so many requests, we are appreciative of the public’s help. With everyone’s help, we can give our seniors the assistance they need and a special holiday memory to treasure!”
Believe... Bible Baptist Church 1102 Stonewall Ave Trinidad, Colo. 845-0827
Fisher’s Peak Community Church 10377 Santa Fe Trail Trinidad, Colo. 846-6018 Holy Trinity Catholic Church 719-846-3369 First Christian Church 200 S. Walnut Street Trinidad, Colo. 846-3843 Church of Christ 1000 Nevada Ave. Trinidad, Colo. 846-2919 All Nation’s Fellowship 131 W. Main St. Trinidad, Colo. 846-9100 Jehovah’s Wintnesses Trinidad Congregation 1713 Goodale Ave. Trinidad, Colo. 846-3119 Zion’s Lutheran Church 613 Prosect Trinidad, Colo. 846-7785 First United Methodist Church 216 Broom St. Trinidad, Colo. 846-6824 Church of the Nazarene 733 Stonewall Ave. Trinidad, Colo. 845-0383 Faith Christian Fellowship 2608 Santa Fe. Trail Trinidad, Colo. 846-9673 The Lord’s Chapel Hwy 12 ¼ mile west of Segundo 846-8506 First Pentecostal Church 10375 Santa Fe. Trail Trinidad, Colo. 846-846-2987 United Presbyterian Church 801 San Pedro Trinidad, Colo. 846-6513 Seventh Day Adventist Church 1605 Aiello St. Trinidad, Colo. 846-0244
FAITH
“Bless us Lord, this Christmas, with quietness of mind; Teach us to be patient and always to be kind.” [Helen Steiner Rice]
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