Take One
Looking Back Wednesday, August 31, 2016
T
he Looking Back special edition takes a look at local history with some wellknown names and faces that have graced the pages of the Valley’s six weekly newspapers. Many of the people featured in the following pages have continued their work, volunteering and activities and remain valuable members of the community today. Others have since passed away, but their legacy lives large in the Valley. The San Luis Valley has a long and interesting history, and this edition tries to shine a light on the 70s, 80s and 90s. Many things happened during that time and the photographs contained in these pages cannot cover everything, but hopefully they will bring a few smiles. Hairstyles and clothing trends may have changed, but the community involvement that is so clear in these photographs remains strong in the San Luis Valley.
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1970s
Page 2 — Looking Back — Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Billie Ward of Saguache became the new clerk of the combine courts of Saguache County Feb. 1, 1972. She had served as clerk of the Saguache Selective Service Board for eight preceding years. She is a native of Saguache County, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Alexander. Mr. Ward is a technician of the U.S. Forest Service.
Connie Holland, a senior at Sargent High School, won three gold medals in a district Future Business Leaders of America competi- Jerry Wright ran for reelection of Rio Grande County Sheriff in 1978. “He’s the man that gets tion in March, 1978. the job done Wright!”
Is it really Santa? Jay Widger, 18 months, looks as if he can hardly believe his eyes as he meets Santa Claus face to face. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Widger of Monte Vista.
Wade Wood, mayor of Monte Vista, signs a proclamation at Thursday’s city council meeting, which proclaims April 16-23 as Discipline and pride… He is a teacher, principal, coach, student, carpenter, community leader and Private Property Week. This special event was sponsored by the golfer. Lonnie Rogers was named superintendent of Creede Schools prior to the 1976-77 school year. San Luis Valley Board of Realtors.
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1970s Les Williamson, Capataz, Monte Villa Inn; Bill Pearcy new patron, Rio Grande Savings & Loan, Ken Hurst, Capataz, Montgomery Wards and Craig Trautwin, Capataz, SLV Federal Savings were chosen as new officers of the Monte Vista Conquistadores and were installed at a Friday night banquet.
Rita Curtis was Miss Stampede 1972; her royal court reigned over all the activities of the 1972 Ski Hi Stampede.
Center town trustee candidates in March 1972 included W. “Bill” McClure and Joe Skeff. McClure, a 24-year-old Adams State senior, is probably one of the more outspoken candidates for the board this election. Skeff is a member of the cast of the oft-replayed typical American story, one generation removed from the ambitious immigrant boy who came to America from Lebanon in quest of his fortune.
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1980s
Creede Repertory Theatre Director Debbie Whitmore and Administrative Director Kay Wyley are happy about the theatre’s success during the past five years.
Local artist Steve Quiller looks over some drawings in his study in Del Norte. His first book, “Water Media Techniques,” was recently published in German.
Manassa Mormon Pioneer Days 1998 Queen Delane Brady sits surrounded by her attendants from left Natalie Jarvies, Callie Jarvies and Jessica Sutherland.
Jeff Hinger and Rio Grande County Sheriff Desi Medina show off some of the toys the Mountain Magic Motorcycle Club helped gather for children at Christmastime 1987. Right: Past Pirates, along with some parents and teachers, played in a benefit basketball game in 1988 to help out the Monte Vista High School library. “Shoutin’” Cheryl Santi coached the green team.
Past Del Norte Fire Chief Lee Jackson (left) stands Del Norte School Board Chairwith recently elected Fire Chief Dale Breese. Mr. man Allen Davey was re-elected Jackson was named captain and has served as to his seat during the Tuesday, a firefighter since 1975. May 2, 1989 election.
Jeff Kehr of Creede received two points from referee Dave Donaldson for a takedown in a match in January 1981 against Del Norte High School.
The tall and short of the South Fork Volunteer Fire Department in 1981 were husband and wife team members Ron Anderson, who checks in at 6 feet 10 inches, and Cyd Anderson, 4 feet, 11 inches.
1980s
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Monte Vista High School seniors Heather Ogburn (right), Ron Three of Creede’s emergency medical technicians (from left) Phil Legitt, Harry Larson (and one of Madril (center) and Shawn Barnett celebrate their 1988 class Creede’s first EMTs) and Carl Savely, discuss the ambulance service from the rear step of a highly motto, “The dreams of today, the hopes of today, become the equipped van in the early 80s. realities of tomorrow.”
Center Mayor Bill McClure, left, accepted a check for $1,500 from Ki- New Center Mayor Adeline Sanchez Elks Hoop Shoot District champions wanis Club President Tom Myers to was set to take the oath of office on in 1987, Eric Archuleta, left and Lloyd help pay for new Christmas lights for April 7, 1987. John Garcia, right, pose with their the town. district trophies. Eric and John will compete in the Elks State competition at Englewood March 7.
Jack Elam rests between scenes during the shooting of “Where the Hell’s the Gold?” in Antonito in the summer of 1988.
Lynna Jackson, the Creede Repertory Theatre’s new development coordinator, has the primary job of procuring the money needed for the theatre’s Betty Claunch, a past Miss Stampede, presented the renovation. Jackson is shown here with the the- colors during the opening ceremony of the 67th annual Diners lined up to fix up their hamburgers at lunchtime on atre’s Apple Lisa computer. Friday during Manassa Mormon Pioneer Days festivities. Ski Hi Stampede Rodeo.
1990s
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Volunteer Eloise Hooper stands on a chair to measure Alton Robertson of Creede during the 9Health Fair April 13, 1996 at the Newton Memorial Gym.
Tyrell Moore, 7, left, plays small-scale construction with his cousin, Brian Valentin 9, during a 1996 springtime afternoon in Creede.
Mallerie and Michelle Sanchez of Del Norte made Halloween rounds Sunday with other Valley kids of all ages, including a few disguised cleverly.
Trooper Garth Crowther of the Colorado State Patrol enjoys his Brooke Claunch, 5, of Monte Vistime off with his 10-month old daughter, Kaylee, as she claps dur- ta, and trusty steed, Buck were among the young competitors in ing the Centauri-Basalt basketball game in March, 1995. the 1997 Little Britches Rodeo.
Lucy Cordova became the first woman to serve on the Conejos County Board of Commissioners Kyle Dabney, 10, of South Fork, plays a cop hauling in 1995. the “bum,” played by Jessey Stroh, 10, out of the train station in 1994. The pair were part of a Christmas celebration production.
1990s
Creede High School class of 1996 Right: Clint Off, of the winning team, stuffed one over the net at his competition during the 1993 Del Norte Covered Wagon Days volleyball competition.
Sarah Kulp finds a puzzle in her classroom during the first day of school in 1993. Although this is her first year in school, she was not afraid of her teacher— her mother, Kathy Kulp.
A 33-year-old man, Ramon Cordero, was killed when his van went off the highway near South Fork and plunged into the Rio Grande in August 1996.
1990s
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Vali owner George Kelloff (standing) and Ed Bohn, manager, (center) learn about the new stereo system at the Monte Vista theater Zach Manzanares and Timmie Dean from Ultra-Stereo sound engineer Greg Nuismer from Salt Lake enjoyed recess at Bill Metz Elementary City in September of 1993. in April 1997.
Center quarterback Jeremy DeHerrera attempts a pass during a 1993 game against Sanford. The Vikings lost the first conference game, 29-0. They The action gets going back and forth quickly in the have this week off and hope to get a game plan two-man cross-cutting event at the first South Fork Logger Days in August 1992. together for the next game.
Brenda Richardson, left, the Del Norte 1993 Homecoming queen, cruised around the football field in a convertible at halftime. Richardson was crowned at the Friday evening Tiger Rag performance by last year’s queen Tracy Martz.
Eloisa Manzanares, director of Northerner Senior Center of La Jara, entertained the Conejos County Hospital Long Term Care Unit on Jan. 27, 1995. Manzanares played a nice selection of country and Spanish song for the seniors.
The Rio Grande Hospital Board in 1996 included, pictured left to right, back row: Michael Wisdom, vice-chairman; Frank Gallegos, board member and legal liaison and Jay Schrader, board member; front row: Sarah Scott, board member; Cheryl Santi, board secretary; Larry Martz, board chairman and Dr. Norman Haug, medical advisor. Not pictured: Allen Davie, board treasurer and board members Wayne Odem, Amie Casados, Elizabeth Ross and Gwen Minks
Left: Monte Vista High School pitcher Kris Gonzales throws the ball during a game in the 1990s. Right: Melissa Morrison of Centauri High School cuts down a piece of the net after the Lady Falcons clinched the regional championship in 1995. The Lady Falcons were cut down in their quest to win the state championship.
1980s
1970s
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The first South Fork baby born at St. Joseph Hospital in Del Norte was Corey James Cousins, who weighed in at 6 pounds, 10 ¾ ounces at 11:44 a.m., Jan. 4, 1981. Corey and his mother, Janis Covered Wagon Days…Well over 50 entrants participated in the annual Cov- Cousins, are pictured. ered Wagon Days parade at Del Norte Saturday, Aug. 10, 1977. Other events of the big weekend included a barbecue, an art show, a flower show, a children’s theatre, a musical show and logging contests.
1990s
J.D. Grondin, 11, of Creede enjoyed the summer recreation at Ski Hi Pool in Monte Vista.
Volunteer Ken Frye hold’s a surveyor’s compass, circa 1830, he found in a camp in the late 1980s that could have been Fremont’s.
Karla VanTreese, Coors’ area manager, presents one of the “Grower of the Year” award to A&E Farms, owned and operated by Jose Artaechevarria (middle) and Roy Echeverria (right). The A&E Coach Larry Joe Hunt consulted with his quarterback during a Farms partnership is northwest of Hooper. Its owners started to grow barley three years ago. They 1980s Centauri-Sanford game Friday. The Falcons won the conraise 105 bushels on their half quarter of land. test 28-26.