2015/16 Explore Magazine

Eachyear aphotocontest decidesfortheExplore magazinecover.Runner-up photoscanbefound throughouttheedition,on pages3-6,13,25,28,32-33, 41,46,54and57-58.

OntheCover

WinningEntries

Water-skiingphoto takenatJackson LakebyCindySchneider,FortMorgan

WELCOMETOEXPLORE

Calvesandbee weedphoto by SueHodgson,Brush

Pondphoto by Connie Tomky, Weldona

Sunflowerphoto by GaryGeisick, Weldona Sunsetphoto by PaulThrelkel, Fort Morgan

SterlingfarmbyLindaMeisner,Sterling

LoganCountyRoad30and39 by PeggyBlake,Sterling

NEWSPAPERS

BrushNews-Tribune 109ClaytonSt. Brush,CO80723

970-842-5516

brushnewstribune.com

HolyokeEnterprise

130N.Interocean

Holyoke,CO80734

970-854-2811

holyokeenterprise.com

JulesburgAdvocate

108CedarSt.

Julesburg,CO80737

970-474-3388

julesburgadvocate.com

Journal-Advocate

504N.ThirdSt.

Sterling,CO80751

970-522-1990

journal-advocate.com

TheFortMorgan Times

329MainSt.

Fort Morgan,CO80701

970-867-5651

fortmorgantimes.com

Moonlaunch by GaryGeisick, Weldona

ViewsontheHighPlains

Southof Yuma by KarianneDonnelson,Fleming

Sunrise by Brianna Farnes,Holyoke

Sunset by CindySchneider,FortMorgan

WELCOME toSedgwickCounty

ByKatieCrowder,Julesburg

toJulesburgandSedgwickCounty

Antiquesand collectibles

Threeantiquemallslocatedon Julesburg’smainstreetarejustthe placestolookforinterestingand unusualvintageitems.Eachmallis constantlyevolvingandaddingnew pieces.Spendthedaybrowsing eachandeveryonefortheperfect findforyourhomeoras agiftfor thatspecialsomeonewhoappreciatestheunusual.

7DAY TRIPS 1 2

Summer evening escape

DePoorterLake,ownedandmaintainedbythe TownofJulesburg,is locatedjustsouthoftherailroad overpassleadingintooroutofJulesburg onHighway385.Itis apopular eveningexcursion. Awalkingpath encirclesthelakeandprovidesan opportunityforwalkingandbiking.

DePoorteris agreatplacetoview wildlifeor aspectacularsunrise

3

Family fun

Startthedayatthe WelcomeCenter,justnorthoftheI-76Julesburg Interchange.Thisbeautifulfacilityis staffedby ahighlyqualifieddirector andanenthusiasticgroupofvolunteers.Theywillwelcomeyouwitha cupofgreatcoffeeandanswerany ofyourquestions.Checkouttheartistryoflocalcraftsman, TerryHinde. Atripupthestairstotheviewing

areawillgiveyou abroadvistafrom whichtoviewthesurroundingriver area. Take apicniclunchandeatby ateepeeguardedbypeacefulbisons. Thatafternoonyoucantryyourluck fishingatDePoorter.Ifyouaremore active,hitthegolfcoursefornine spectacularholesofgolf,followed by arefreshingdipatthepool.Ifyou arehereontheweekend,takeina first runmovieinairconditioned comfort. See DAY TRIPS,pg.8

EnjoyabeautifulsunsetattheJumboReservoir. JessicaAmendt /Courtesyphoto

The Pony Expressstatue attheColorado Welcome Centerin Julesburg memorializes theonly Coloradostop ontheshortlivedmail route.

Boatingand Camping

TheJumboReservoirislocatedsixmileseastofthe townofSedgwick.This1700-acrereservoirprovides qualityfishing,campingandboating.Amenitiesinclude picnicareas,boatramps,shelters,and rest rooms.One areaofthe reservoirissetupforswimming.TheColoradoParksand Wildlifetakes responsibilityforoverseeingtheareaanddailyvehiclepermitsareavailable attheentrance.

Changingoftheseasons

ThereisbeautyinthelandscapeofSedgwickCounty eachandeveryseason. Take adriveoffthehighwaysandthe interstatealongdusty,oftenhillycounty roadsandyoucansee firsthandthewhimsofmothernature.Inthespring,lookfor newborns...lambs,calvesandcolts,justtomention afew. Theyexpressthejoythespringcanbringandprovide alesson forusall. Youcanseeourfarmersintheirfields,plantingand tendingwheat,beans,beets,alfalfa.Asthespringprogresses intosummer,marvelattheheightofthecornortheheadson thewheatplants.Thereisnothingquitelikedrivingupona fieldof rowafter rowofsunflowersturningtherebloomstothe sun.Inthefall,harvestisinfullswingandafter,thefarmer readieshisgroundforthenextyear.Inthewinter,thefields andthehillsglistenwithwhite,whitesnowandoftenartistic iceformationsalongtheSouthPlatte.

Gobacktoschool

TheJulesburgandOvidschooldistrictsprovide aplethoraofevents.FromAugustuntilJune,thereisalwayssomethingtoseeordo.Sportingeventsarealwaysfun,fromfootball andvolleyballinthefalltobasketballandwrestinginthewinterandtrackandbaseballinthespring. Takein aplayor aconcertoranart show,allprovidedbytheschools’exceptionally hardworkingandtalentedyoungadults.Thereisnothingquite astouchingasstartingintheChristmasseasonhearingour “littlestangels”performholidayfavorites.

TraveltheSouthPlatteRiver Trail

•Explorethe routeofthe TranscontinentalRailway

•ExploreColorado’sonlyHomeStationofthePony Express.CapturethemagicoftheannualPonyExpressRerideinJune.

•ExplorethesiteofFortSedgwickandits“Dances With Wolves”fame.

•ExplorethegravesiteofThadSowder,anoriginalrider withtheBuffaloBill Wild WestShowandfirstinducteeintothe RodeoHallofFame.Sowder’sgraveislocatednearthetownof OvidonHighway138.

Courtesyphoto /TownofJulesburg

TheJulesburgSwimming Pooloffersacool waytospend ahotsummerday.

3northeastColo.citieshosting fourthannualPedalthePlains

Ridersinthe 2014 Pedalthe Plainspush throughthe finalquartermileoftheir rideonthe seconddayof thethree-day tour,which extendedfrom Fort Morganto Sterling.

Establishedfouryearsago, PedalthePlainsparticipantswillexplore172 milesofColorado’snortheastern plains.The2015tourwillbeheld Sept.18-20.Participantswillcycle throughColorado’ssweeping plainswithstopsinthreehost communities:Julesburg,HolyokeandSterling.Forthefirst timeinitshistory, thetourwill pedalinto aneighboringstatefor aquickvisitto Venango,Neb.

Asinyearspast,participants mayexpect anumberof

“Underthewide-openColoradoskyandalongourroadslesstraveled, wecelebrateourfrontierheritage,exploreourEasternPlains communities,andraisefundstobenefittomorrow’sagriculturalleaders.”

GOVERNORJOHNHICKENLOOPER

See CYCLING,pg. 10

Churches- Non-denominational TheJoyMission Co-PastorsIvyJoy &FrankJohnson 970-474-2622,www.thejoymission.com 401WestThirdSt.,Julesburg,CO SundayWorship10a.m. &6:30p.m. Wednesday Worship 6:30 p.m.

small town with everything to offer. hether you like to golf, play baseball or softball, fish or even just to walk around our lake for exercise or wildlife scenery, Chappell has it all for you!

SponsoredbytheChappellChamberofCommerce andtheFrenchmanValleyCo-op.

educationalstopsalongthe route. Therewillbedailyactivities,entertainmentandlocallysourcedmealsineach town.Saturday’sentertainmentwill onceagainincludeSterling’sSugar BeetDays.

“PedalthePlainsbringstogether Colorado’shistory, presentand future.”saidGov.JohnHickenlooper. “Underthewide-openColoradosky andalongour roadslesstraveled,we celebrateourfrontierheritage,explore ourEasternPlainscommunities,and

raisefundstobenefittomorrow’sagriculturalleaders.Thisrideisallabout bringingpeopletogethertocelebrate thehistory, identityandcommunities thatmakeColoradogreat.”

PedalthePlainsisopentocyclistsof allagesandskilllevels,withthree registrationoptions:thefullthree-day tour;theCenturyTour,a100-mileride thattakesridersfromHolyokeupto NorthSterlingReservoir;andtheFamilyFunRideinSterling.“Pedalthe Plainsnotonlycelebratesourfrontier

heritage,butalsobenefitsourhost communities,localbusinessesandatbasededucationpartners,”said Tour DirectorChandlerSmith.

Proceedsfromtheridewillbenefit theDenverPostCommunityFoundationinsupportoftheColoradofuture FarmersofAmericaFoundationand Colorado4-H.Sponsorsoftherideare ViaeroWireless, WesternDairyAssociation,AnadarkoPetroleum,Noble Energy,DaVitaandSuncorEnergy. Registrationisnowopenatpedalthe plains.com.

TraveltheSouthPlatteRiverTrail

AScenicandHistoricByway

•ExploretherouteoftheTranscontinentalRailroad •Explorethetownthatwouldn'tdie,thefourlocationsofJulesburg.

•ExploreColorado'sonlyhomestationofthePonyExpress CapturethemagicoftheAnnualPonyExpressRerideinJune •ExplorethegravesiteofThadSowderinOvid,originalriderwiththeBuffaloBillWildWestShow andfirstinducteeintotheCowboyHallofFame.•ExploreJulesburgReservoir,knowntolocalsas"Jumbo", justoutsideofthetownofSedgwick,andthebestplacetoboat,waterski,fish,swimandhuntsmallgame •ExplorethehistoricHippodromeTheatre.•Exploreourhistoricdowntownshops.

•JulesburgDragstrip,oldestcontinuousoperationalracetrackinthecountry

Sponsoredby: TheSedgwickCountyCommissioners•SedgwickCountyEconomicDevelopment

JulesburgChamberofCommerce•SedgwickCountyChamberofCommerce

TheTownofJulesburg•TheTownofOvid•TheTownofSedgwick

Formoreinformationcall970-474-3344,970-474-3504orvisit

wwwtownofjulesburgcom• wwwsedgwickcountygovnet•wwwsedgwickcountycoloradocom

2015CALENDAR

June

SidewalkSale —June5. Games,barbecue,streetdance

DowntownThursdayNights

—June11-Aug.21. Foodand fun

Pony ExpressRe-ride/Celebration —Mid-June

July

FireworksDisplay —July4, Julesburg FireDepartment

OvidDays —July11.Street dance,barbecue,carshow,duck races

SedgwickCounty Fair —July 30-Aug.2.Parade,4-Hlivestock shows

August

JulesburgAlumniReunion

Aug.7-9,SedgwickCo. Fairgrounds

SCHC’sLuncheon —Aug.22. Entertainment,auctionsand bridge

September

SedgwickHarvest Festival

Sept.5-6. Parade,rodeo, games,exhibits, Sedgwick’s10thannualCar Show —Sept.19

October

JulesburgPumpkin Fest

Oct.17.Scarecrowcontests, hayrides,haystackhunt,free pumpkin,OctoberSoup Fest. SedgwickCo.HealthCenter’s FallBall —Oct.24, Fairgrounds. Costumes.

November

HolidayOpenHouse —Nov. 15.Prizes,drawings,kids’activities,

December

ParadeofLights —Kid’smatinee,firetruckrideswithSanta, etc.forgreatlocalcauses

BBQ/EntertainmentatJulesburg WelcomeCenter-I-76/Exit 180 Games, Vendors,Exhibits, Danceandmore!

BBQ,StreetDance,DemolitionDerby.

Band/Meal/Auctions/ Games/Bar.

HippodromeArtCentre’sVendor/CraftShow, Turkey Dinner

April

HippodromeArtCentre “Gala”

ApriltoOct.: JulesburgDrag Races,oldest runningdragstrip intheU.S.!

May

LivestockProspectShow SedgwickCo. Fairgrounds

Doyouhave aloveforhistorycombinedwithspeed?

Tryvisitingtheoldestoperating dragstripintheUnitedStates.

TheJulesburgDragStrip,openedin

1953,islocatedthreemileswestofJulesburgandoffersallkindsofexcitement throughoutthesummer.Manymodificationshavebeenmadethisseasontomake thisyear’sactionevenmorehigh-octane.

TheJulesburgDragStripistheoldestoperatingdragstripintheU.S.

JamesSeiler /Courtesyphoto

WELCOME toPhillipsCounty

AMHERST,HAXTUN, HOLYOKE, PAOLI

TheAntique Toy&Classic AuctionjoinsHolyokeevent

Father’sDayweekendwillbe hoppingwithactivityinHolyokewiththe15thannualDandelionDazecarandbikeshow,aswell asMichaelAuction’sAntique Toy& ClassicCarand TractorAuctionSaturday,June20.

AuctioneerLloydMichaelJr.said thatbytheendofApriltheyhadconsigned200vintagesigns,150antique castirontoys,100highendfarmtoys, 15pedaltoysandantiqueengines— andmorewereexpected —forthe showthatwillbeginat10a.m.atthe PhillipsCountyFairgroundsinHolyoke.

WhiletheDandelionDazeshow andnumerousotherboothswillbe setuponthePhillipsCountyCourt-

houselawn,theDandelionDazecelebrationwillbespreadthroughout towntothemuseumandPrairie WindsArtGallery. Citywidegarage sales, a5KFunRun,kids’andfamily games, a“LittleDandelionRoyalty” talentcontest, apresentationbyVFW PostNo.6482andAmericanLegion PostNo.90, a“ThreeMinutesor Less”varietyshow,cruising’down mainstreetand aburnoutexhibition arealsoscheduled.

Carshow registrationandfurther informationcanbeobtainedonthe Chamberwebsiteatwww.holyoke chamber.orgorbycontactingthe Chamberofficeat970-854-3517or

emailingdirector@holyokecham ber.org.

2015CORNFESTIVAL

Haxtunliving andloving “S

mall TownLiving,Hometown Loving”isthethemeforthe 2015CornFestivalinHaxtun, withDickandDianeFryreartoserve asgrandmarshalsoftheparade.Saturday, Sept.26,isthedatesetfortheFestivalthisyear.Amongthepopular eventsistheCornFestivalParade alongmainstreet.

Streetgames,carnivalbooths, ahot dogeatingcontest, abeergardenand more continueonthemainstreet.Otherpopulareventsinclude acommunity breakfastand5K runonSaturdayand agolftournamentandantiquetractor pullonSunday,Sept.27.Saturdayevening,“TheJuddHoos,” abandbased outofSturgis,S.D.,will returnagain thisyeartoprovidelivemusicforthe streetdanceinfrontoftheHaxtun AmericanLegion.

FormoreinformationabouttheHaxtunCornFestival,call970-774-6600.

ByBrianna Farnes,Holyoke

DandelionDazewillbeFather’sDayweekend

7DAY TRIPS

toPhillipsCounty

PeerlessTheatre

Digitalprojection,3-DcapabilitiesandsurroundsoundkeepThe PeerlessTheatreapopularentertainmentdestinationinnortheastColorado.Locatedat212S.Interoceanin Holyoke,thebeautifulbuilding remodeledand reopenedin1998, staystruetoits1919beginning,with agrandbrickfacadeandtheoriginal sodacounter.

Itfeatures a142-seattheater,lobby, concessions,meetingrooms,youth rooms,offices, adancestudioand gymnasium.Privatepartiesandcommunityeventscanutilizethefacilities,aswell.

ThePeerlessTheatreisopenFriday-Tuesday,showing afilminthe theatereachofthoseevenings.OccasionalFathomEventsalsobring uniquecinemaeventstothebig screen. Volunteersareanintegral partofthecenter,keepingconces-

sions runningduringmovieshowings.

HomesteadersPark

Afterhostingitsfirstcountyfair atthePhillipsCountyEventCenterin Holyokein2010,communitymemberspushedforupdatedparkfeaturestoaccompanythenewbuilding locatedatthefairgroundsjustnorth ofHolyoke. Aplaygrounddedication wasconductedJuly15,2012,and HomesteadersParkcontinuestoget betterandbettereachyear.

Auniversallyaccessibleplaygroundprovidesoptionsforallchildren,includingthosewithdisabilities.Itfeaturesrampaccessibility, specialswings,slideslargeenough forparentstoassist achildwhileplayingandmore.

A60-by-120-footturffieldaccommodatessoccerandotheractivities. Frisbeegolfenthusiastscanenjoythe

nine-holediscgolfcourse,and amile longwalking/bikepath runsthrough theparkandloopsaroundthefairgrounds.

Afavoriteinthesummermonthsis awaterfeaturewherechildrencan splashinthewater.Thelandscaping alsomakesit aperfectplaceforspecialoccasionphotos.

Anglingfor abite

Twofully-stockedfishingponds areavailableinPhillipsCounty. Avidanglerscanspendallday,any day,kickingbackattheHolyoke LionsClubFishin’Hole,locateda mileeastand aquarter-milesouthof thestoplightinHolyoke.Thepond featureshandicapaccesstodockfishing, ashelteredpicnicareaand restroomsonsite.

Year-roundfishingisalsoavailable atthe TownofHaxtun’sfishingpond, See DAY TRIPS,pg. 15

Kidsenjoythe waterfeatureatHomesteadersParkatthePhillips County FairgroundslocatedonthenorthedgeofHolyoke.

DAYTRIPS frompage14

opentothepublic.Picnicareas, restroomsanddockfishingareavailable.

Thepondislocatedonemilewest, oneand aquartermilessouthanda quartermileeastofHaxtun,through theHaxtunGunClub,down awinding road.

Goforthegreen

PhillipsCountyishometothree golfcourses.

Describedasfamily-oriented,F&H GolfCourse,locatedbetweenFleming andHaxtun,is averylongcoursethat ischallengingforallskilllevels.Open sevendays aweekfrom 9a.m.-6p.m. fromMaythroughOctober,F&Hcan befoundonemilesouthofHighway6 onCountyRoad87.Formoreinformationonthispubliccourse,visitthe “Fleming-HaxtunGolf-Course”Facebookpage.

Thecity-ownedHolyokeGolfCourse featuresnineholes,grassgreens, grassfairways, aremodeledlounge/ clubhouseand apavilion.Thecourse, whichisopenyear-round,hosts leaguesandtournamentsinthesummer.Calltheofficeat970-854-3200for moreinformation.

Rankedamongthebestgolfcourses intheworld,BallynealGolfClubisa destinationclublocatedbetweenHolyokeand Wray,whichwasbuiltand maintainedfor aspecificidea: aprivate, authenticNorthAmerican,inlandlinks golfexperience.Formoreinfoon membership,lodgingordining,call

RESTAURANTS

Holyoke

ElBuenSazón

116N.Interocean,970-854-7777

11a.m.-1:30p.m.,4:30-8p.m., Mon.-Sat.;ClosedSun.

AuthenticMexicanRestaurant, Take-out,CreditCardsaccepted.

Heidi’sCoffee &BakeShop

215N.Interocean Ave.,970-854-2253 (CAKE)

6:45a.m.-5p.m.Mon-Fri; 8a.m.-1 p.m.,Sat.

BreakfastandLunchservedallday Specialtycakes,coffees,wraps,baked goodsandmore.

KarDale’sRestaurant &Lounge

142N.Interocean Ave.,970-854-3455, 7a.m.-9p.m.Mon-Sat,Lounge

11a.m.-2a.m.Mon-Sat

FamilyStyle, KidsandSeniorMenu, Take-out,Credit Cardsaccepted.

KwikStop

115E.DenverSt.,970-854-2233

970-854-5900orvisitwww.golfbally neal.com.

Swimmingpools offerasplashoffun

Holyoke’sindoorswimmingpool, locatedat248E.KelloggSt.nextto HolyokeCityPark,provides aperfect placeforyear-roundfun.Openswim times,waterexerciseclassesandlap swimslotsareavailablethroughoutthe year,andswimteam,swimminglessonsandanoutdoorwadingpoolare offeredinthesummer.For acurrent schedule,call970-854-2513.

Haxtun’sindoorswimmingpool, locatedat204 WilsonSt.,isopenfrom MemorialDaytomid-August.Swimminglessons,openswim,privatepartiesandwaterexercisearesomeofthe opportunitiesforswimmersofallages. Call970-774-7195formoreinfo.

Theatreandmusic schedulefillcalendar

PhillipsCountyPlayershave afull yearofentertainmentplanned.They startoff with avarietyshowSaturday, June20,atthePhillipsCountyCourthouseduringHolyoke’sDandelion Daze.Childreningrades1-6canparticipatein atheaterworkshopJuly13-17, with aperformancethelastday.

Showsin2015include“MoonOver Buffalo,” adinnertheater,Aug.14-16at PhillipsCountyEventCenterinHolyoke;“Murd-arrr!!!PiratesoftheSalty

Kwik &FreshMexi Open24hours.

CreditCardsaccepted. Pizzap.a.d.

110N.Interocean Ave.,970-854-3042, 7:30a.m.-8p.m., Tues.-Fri.;Sat.,10:30 a.m.-8p.m.

Pizza,subsandicecream

Take-out,Delivery, CreditCardsaccepted

The PPod

115S.Interocean Ave.,970-854-2939 M-F 7a.m.-3:30p.m.;Sat. 8a.m.-2 p.m.

Cookies,muffins,scones,breads Freshbakedfromscratch!

Alsoservinglunch.

Allcreditcardsaccepted.

TheSkilletRestaurant

130 W. DenverSt.,1/2block westof thestoplight.970-854-2150.

FamilyDining.Cocktailsserved.10 a.m.-2p.m.,4:30-9p.m., Tues-Sat;8 a.m.-2p.m.Sun;Closed everyMon.and

Dog,”Nov.8atPeerlessTheatrein Holyoke;“SandersFamilyChristmas,” asequelto“SmokeontheMountain,” Dec.12-13attheHolyokeHighSchool Auditorium.

Formoreinfoortoaudition,email phillipscountyplayers@gmail.com,call 970-520-0566orvisitwww.phillips countyplayers.weebly.com.

PhillipsCountyArtsCouncilhasalso setitsschedulefor2015-16.TheconcertseriesincludesPianoMen,Sept. 29,featuringthemusicofEltonJohn andBillyJoel;InternationalString Trio,March11;andDennyDiamond andtheJewels,May1, atributetoNeil Diamond.

To signupforPhillipsCountyArts Councilmembership,call970-5801939.

Artcenteroffers exhibits,education

SinceopeninginJanuary2014,Prairie WindsArtCenterhasenrichedthe artcultureinnortheastColorado. Locatedat443S.InteroceaninHolyoke,thecenterisopenyear-roundwith monthlyartexhibitsaswellaspaint partiesandartclassesforchildrenand adults. Agiftshopalsooffersartfor sale.

OpenhoursApril-SeptemberareFridaysfrom10a.m.to5:30p.m.orby appointmentbycalling970-580-1939or 970-774-4747. Visitwww.prairiewinds artcenter.orgformoreinformation.

last Tues.ofmonthJan.-Sept.

Fullmenu,Breakfast,Hamburgers, Sandwiches,Chicken,Steaks,Seafood. Take-out,CreditCardsaccepted.

Haxtun

Bar-Lo

Hwy6,970-774-7418, Th, 6a.m.-8p.m.

M, T, W, F, 6a.m.-3p.m. Sat., 6a.m.-1:30p.m.

HometownCafeservinghometown food.Breakfast,lunch &dinner.

Breakfastservedanytime.

Kids/Seniormenu, Take-Out,NoCredit Cards.

TheDailyGrind

106E.StrohmSt.,970-774-JAVA (5282)

6:45a.m.-2p.m.M-F

Coffee,Lattes, Tea,Smoothies, Shakes,SpecialtyDrinks,Sandwiches, Soup,Salads,BakedGoods &Gifts. www.facebook.com/myfavoriteplace

PhillipsCountymuseumgives visitors alookatcountyhistory

Anextensiveandwellorganized collectionofartifactsand antiques,thePhillipsCounty Museum,locatedat109S.Campbell Ave.inHolyoke,hasbeendisplaying thehistoryoftheColoradoplainsfor nearly50years.

Oneofthemostintactexamplesofa 1920s-era“housewithcanopy”gasstation,theReimer-SmithOilStationsits onthemuseum’ssouthgroundsafter beingrescuedbeforedemolitioninthe 1990s.Thestationhousesmanyoriginalproductsandadvertisingfrom whenitwasoperatingneartheCHS Grainlandelevators.

Aone-roomschoolhouse,thePleasantPrairieSchoolsitssouthofthe Reimer-Smithstation.Theschoolhas been refurbishedascloseaspossible tooriginal,andmuseumvolunteers haveheld“schooldays”forchildrenin theschoolhouseduringthesummer.

Insidethemuseum,volunteershave coordinated aPhillipsCountySchool

BurgeHotel

230N.Interocean Ave.,Holyoke,CO 970-854-2261

www.burgehotel.net

CobblestoneInn &Suites 805S.Interocean Ave.,Holyoke,CO

mapthatdisplaysphotosandlocations ofmostofthe36areaschoolhouses thatwereonceinoperationthroughout thecounty.

“Thismapisonething alotofpeople reallyenjoy,”saidPhillipsCountyHistoricalSocietytreasurerHildaHassler. “Itshowsthevarietyofpastschoolhouses.Theymadesuretheybuilt themwithgoodmaterials,andthey lasted.”

Themuseumalsohasanexcellent

collectionofantiquevehiclesand machinery—FordtrucksandModel Ts,tractors,thecounty’soriginalpull fire cart, aWincharger,hupmobileand more.

Paoli’soldpostofficehasbeen reconstructedinsidethemuseum.An oldgeneralstoreandvariousother scenesfromthecommunity’spasthave been recreatedalso.

“Wehaveextensive resourcematerialsonmanyareasofthecounty’shistory foranyonelookingto research somethingdeeper,”Hassleradded. ThePhillipsCountyMuseumisopen year-roundon Wednesdayafternoons.

Duringthesummer,betweenMemorialDayandLaborDay,themuseumis open WednesdayandSundayafternoons.

Foradditionalinformationoutsideof openhours,thePhillipsCountyMuseumandHistoricalSocietycanbecontactedthroughHasslerat970-854-3311 orCarolHaynesat970-854-3494.

970-854-3222or1-888-693-8262

www.staycobblestone.com

GoldenPlainsMotel

1250SWInteroceanDr.,Holyoke,CO 970-854-3000or1-800-643-0451

www.goldenplainsmotel.com

HaxtunLionsClub

JoeBoerner,president

Meet1stand3rd Tuesdays, 6:30p.m.

HaxtunCommunityCenter,125E. Wilson,Haxtun

TheoriginalReimer-SmithOilStationandPleasantPrairieSchoolsitstaged ondisplaysouthofthePhillipsCountyMuseuminHolyoke.

OneofnumerousdisplaysinthePhillips CountyMuseumisfeaturedas asneak peekofthetreasurestobeseen.

Toutedas acommunitytreasure, theHolyokePublicLibrary, todayknownastheHeginbothamLibrary, isconsideredoneofthe finestandmostuniquepubliclibraries innortheasternColorado.Locatedat 539S.BaxterAve., arichhistorygives thebuilding asenseofaweandwonder —andeven abitofmystery!

Thelibrary’snamehailsfromits benefactor,W.E.Heginbotham,a prominentbankerandphilanthropist wholivedinthemansionthatnow housesthelibrary.

Heginbothamcommissionedan architectfromDenvernamedMichael McEarherntobuildthestatelybungalowin1918.The$75,000homewas completedin1921.Themansionboasted awalledgardenand awatergarden filledwithimportedshrubbery.

Froma mansion to acity staple

AfterHeginbotham’sdeathin1968, theproperty,whichstoodnexttothe oldMelissaMemorialHospitalbuilding,waslefttothehospitalbuilding corporation.The residencewasthen deededtothetownbythehospital.

TheHeginbothamhomehasserved asthelocallibrarysince1969.The AgendaClubspearheaded acommunityprojecttocleanandpaintthebuildingtopreparethehouseforitsnew roleas alibrary. OnOct.5,1969,the librarywasofficiallydedicated.Shortly after,thenamewaschangedfromthe HolyokePublicLibrarytotheHeginbothamLibrary.

Thebuildingwasplacedonthe NationalRegisterofHistoricPlacesin 1988foritssignificantCraftsmanarchitectureandlandscapearchitecture. Guidedtoursofthishandsomestruc-

tureare availableandencouraged. AcivicorganizationcalledFriendsof theLibrarywasformedin1985.The groupisdedicatedtolibraryadvocacy andcontinuingthestrongtraditionof citizeninvolvementinthisunique Holyokeinstitution.

Today,thelibraryservesthecommunitywith awideselectionofmaterial —frombooksandmagazinesto DVDsandaudiobooks. Acollectionof artworkisevenavailableforcheck-out. Eachyear,thelibrarygetsexcited foritssummer readingprogramfor childrenandteens.

Hoursforthelibraryare Monday, WednesdayandFridayfromnoonto5 p.m.; TuesdayandThursdayfrom noonto 6p.m.;andSaturdayfrom9 a.m.to 1p.m.Formoreinformation, call970-854-2597.

1950srevisitedatOldFashionedevent

Ablastfromthepastfeatures’50s-stylefun atHaxtun’sannualOldFashionedSaturdaynight.ScheduledonJuly18thisyear, theeventisjustrightforthosewhostillthinkthe 1950swasthegrandestdecadeinAmericanhistory. HaxtunChamberofCommercepresents OldFashionedSaturdayNightwith adayofcars, musicandcruising.

Numerousactivitiesarescheduled.Itwillstart withcitywideyardsalesinthemorningandwill includeonHaxtun’smainstreetthetraditional carshow,goodmusic,games,poker run,burnoutand adance.

ChairpersonLaurieKoellnersaidinformation abouttheeventcanbefoundatwww.haxtun chamber.orgorwww.Facebook.com/oldfash ionedsaturdaynight.

This1921home,theformermansionofthelate W.E.Heginbotham,now servesas auniquelocationfortheHeginbothamLibraryinHolyoke.

Saturdaynightburnoutactiondraws acrowdatthe2013Old FashionedSaturdayNightinHaxtun.

Latemillionaire’sformer homeservesaslibrary

HistoricRegistrybuildings spreadaroundthecounty

PhillipsCountyhasseveralexcellent buildingsthathavebeenaddedtothe NationalRegisterofHistoricPlaces. Thesesitesmakeforanexcellenthistorictour oftheenduringnortheastColoradoplains.

HeginbothamLibrary

539S.Baxter Ave,Holyoke

Originallythehomeofwealthylocalbanker WilliamHeginbotham,thebuildingwasconstructedfrom1919-1921.Uponhisdeath, HeginbothamlefthisentireestatetoPhillips County,fundingnumerousfacilitiesandprojectsintheareastilltothisday.

Thepropertyhasbeenthepubliclibraryin

Holyokeformorethan45years.Sprawling one-fourthof acityblock,thegroundshave beenthesettingforweddingsandother events.

BurgeHotel

230N.Interocean Ave.,Holyoke

Originallyopenedin1887,Holyoke’sBurge Hotelboasts averyuniquefeature.Former ownersMr.andMrs. P.F. Burgebuilt afireplacewiththehelpoftravelingsalesmenand theirworldlywonders.

Thefireplaceearned aspotin apopularcolumnaroundthecountryentitled“Strangeasit See HISTORY,pg. 21

Haxtun TownHall,locatedat145S.Colorado Ave.inHaxtunfirstservedas abankbeforetheGreatDepression.

HISTORY frompage20

Seems”byJohnHix.TheAugust1931 articlegavethisdescription:“Travelingsalesmenfromallpartsofthecountrycooperatedinsecuring rocksand geologicalodditiesfromalloverthe world,withwhichtobuildtheunique fireplaceintheHotelBurgeinHolyoke.”

PhillipsCountyCourthouse

221S.Interocean Ave.,Holyoke

DesignedbyprominentDenver architectEugeneGroves,thePhillips CountyCourthouse representsthe onlysurvivingPublic WorksAdministrationprojectinPhillipsCounty.PWA projectstypicallyhadmoredecorative elementsthanotherfederally-funded projects,andthisstructureisagood exampleofthisfeature.

ThefacilitywasbuiltaspartofPresidentFranklinD.Roosevelt’sNewDeal legislativeagendatobringAmericaout oftheGreatDepression.Ithasserved asthecountycourthousesince1936 andislargelyinitsoriginalcondition.

Reimer-SmithOilStation

109S.Campbell Ave.,Holyoke

Builtin1927,theReimer-SmithOil Stationis arare,intactexampleofa 1920sera“housewithcanopy”gasstation.

Thestationisnotedasoneofthe bestsurvivingexamplesoftheuseof pressedmetalinearly20thcentury Colorado.Itwas rescuedfromdemolitionandmovedtothelocalmuseum groundsin1998.

Themuseumisopen Wednesdayand Sundayafternoonsinthesummerand just Wednesdayafternoonsthe restof theyear.

St.Paul’sLutheranChurch

300Monmouth Ave.,Amherst

LocatedinthetownofAmherst,10 milesnortheastofHolyoke,St.Paul’s wasbuiltin1930anddesignedby EugeneGroves,thesamearchitectfor thePhillipsCountyCourthouse.Itis theonly religiousbuildinghedesigned

inhis53-yearcareer.

Cast-stonetrimandtripartite, arched,stained-glasswindowsaccent thisbrickchurchthathasservedits congregationfor85years.

Haxtun TownHall

145S.Colorado Ave.,Haxtun

Aneo-classicalstylebuildingbuiltin 1917,theHaxtun TownHallfirst servedas abankbeforetheGreat Depression.

Thetownhall retainsitsoriginalmarblepilasterspedimentsandbaseboards,leadedandetchedglass, beamedceilings,etc.

ShirleyHotel

101S.Colorado Ave.,Haxtun

Thetwo-story, dark redbrickShirley Hotel,constructedin1921,functioned astheHaxtuncommunity’slastand longestoperatinghotel.

Overtheyears,theShirley —more recentlyknownastheHaxtunInn— hashoused arestaurant,barand lounge,butitisnotcurrentlyopen today.

oldest business, islocated at105S. Interocean Ave.,onthe southeast cornerof the intersection ofHighways 6and385.

Scheunemann’sinbusinessfor116years

Scheunemann’sDept.Store,a third-generationfamilystore,has beenservingHolyokefor116 yearsonthesoutheastcornerofthe mainstoplightintersectioninHolyoke. Whilemuchmodernizationhasbeen seeninthebusiness,thereare stillsegmentsofthepastthatprovide ahistoric elementinthestore. Visitorsare encouragedtostopbyandtake alook

at105S.InteroceanAve.andhavea chatwithcurrentowner/manager FreemanII“Chip”Scheunemann.

Chip’sgrandfather, AugustScheunemann,wasoriginallyinpartnershipin LeBlanc &Scheunemann,locatedon thenortheastcornerofHolyoke’smain intersection.Scheunemannboughtout LeBlancin1907andmovedthestoreto

itspresentsite.

Originallyanold-time“general store,”Scheunemann’shandledeverythingimaginable,includinggroceries.

Today,Scheunemann’scontinuesasa full-linedepartmentstorewithgift, domestic,footwearandfamilyclothing departments.Full-linetuxedo/formalwear rentaloptionsareavailable throughthelocalstore,aswell.

OpeningWeekend

Modified,SportMods,StockCars,Hobbies,Compacts ColoradoAllianceSPRINTCARTOUR

Modified,SportMods,StockCars,Hobbies,Compacts ColoradoAllianceSPRINTCARTOUR

Modified,SportMods,StockCars,Hobbies,Compacts FANAPPRECIATIONNIGHT

Modified,SportMods,StockCars,Hobbies,Compacts RockyMountainMidgetRacingAssociation

Modified,SportMods,StockCars,Hobbies,Compacts ColoradoAllianceLATEMODELTOUR

Modified,SportMods,StockCars,Hobbies,Compacts RockyMountainDwarfsvs.ColoradoDwarfs

Modified,SportMods,StockCars,Hobbies,Compacts RockyMountainDwarfsvs.ColoradoDwarfs

BST,PCRChampionshipsforAllDivisions, NASCARNightwithKennySchrader Crash’EmUp,Bang’EmUpDemoDerby PlusFreestyleMotorcycleRiders phillipscountyraceway.com JoeBellm,720-404-0400 joe@bstracing.com

OnPhillipsCountyRaceway’sslate

Once-a-monthracing,NASCARNight,DemoDerbycomingup

FridayandSaturdaynightracing isontapforPhillipsCounty RacewayandBloodSweat& TearsPromotionsforthe2015season inHolyoke.Fridaynightracingwill beginat7:30p.m.,withSaturdayraces startingat 6p.m.Theseasonbegan April11-12andwillcontinueJune1213,Friday,July10(Saturdayracescanceledthatweekend)andAug.7-8.

Sunday,Aug.30,willbeChampionshipNightforBSTandPCRandwill includeNASCARNightwithKenny Schrader.Actionwillbeginat 5p.m. SchraderracedatPCRandmetthe fansatthe2013FourthofJulyraces andkick-startedFairweekinPhillips Countyin2014.

Asanotherattraction, aCrash’em up,Bang’emupDemolitionDerbyis scheduledatPCRFriday,Sept.11.An addedattractionthatnightwillbefreestylemotorcycleriders.

Everyraceofthe2015PCRseason willconsistofallfiveInternational

CHURCHES

HaxtunUnitedMethodist Church

UnitedMethodist

PastorJeriSoens

106S. Washington Ave.,Haxtun,CO

970-774-6418

SundayWorship:9:30a.m.; SundaySchool,9:45a.m.

FirstChristianChurch

ChristianChurches

PastorMerle Powell

MotorContestAssociationdivisions, includingmodifieds,stockcars,sport mods,hobbiesandcompacts.Each nightwillalsohave amainattraction additionconsistingofmotorcycles, sprintcars,latemodels,midgetsor dwarfracing.

RacingorganizerJoeBellmnoted appreciationforthePhillipsCounty commissioners,aswellasthefair

310S.Interocean Ave.,Holyoke,CO

970-854-3438

SundaySchool8:45a.m., Worship10a.m.

Lutheran-MissouriSynod St. Paul’sLutheran

Pastor Kurt Hatteburg

300Monmouth Ave., Amherst,CO 970-854-4310

SundayWorship:8:30a.m.

TuesdayBibleStudy 7p.m.

2015-16CALENDAROFEVENTS

June

PhillipsCo.RelayForLife

June6,Haxtun

DandelionDazeCarShow

June20,Holyoke

Antique Toy&ClassicCar& TractorAuction —June20, Holyoke

July

Old-FashionedSaturday Night —July18,Haxtun

PhillipsCounty Fair —July

21-26,Holyoke

September

HaxtunCornFestival —Sept.

October

HollyDazeCraft Fair —Holyoke

March

HolyokeArt Show

HaxtunLionsChuckwagon Dinner

boardfortheupgradesatthetrack. Theyhaveinstalledanextensivenew P.A.systemforthegrandstands,arena andpits,andportablelightshavealso beenaddedtothetrackforbetterlighting.

Forseasonupdatesincludingrace resultsandschedules,gotowww.phil lipscountyraceway.comorwww.bstrac ing.com.

StoneyLaRueto headlinePCFair

FairtimeinPhillipsCountyisguaranteedtoofferfun forthewholefamily.Highlightingtheentertainment line-upfortheJuly21-26fair is aconcertfeaturinghighenergy,rootsycountrystar StoneyLaRueFriday,July 24.The2014mainperformerJakeGillwill returnasthe openingactforLaRue.

TheBullsGone Wild showwill returnthisyearon theSaturday,July25,agenda,alongwiththemorning paradefeaturingthe“SummerDaysandCountry Ways”theme.Paradegrand marshalswillbeBoband RondaFetzer.

Livestockshows,contests,gymkhanas,ATV rodeo, acarnival,pedaltrac-

torpull,petshow,bingo, Sundaymorningchurch serviceandmorepromise muchaction.ThePhillips CountyEventCenterprovides agreatsettingfor showcasingcountyprojects andactivities.

Locatedjustnorthof HolyokeonHighway385, thePhillipsCountyFairgroundsisablazewithactivityasarea residentsgather toshowtheircrops,crafts andlivestockwhileenjoying allthefunofthefair.

Formoreinformation aboutthe2015Phillips CountyFair,contactthe PhillipsCountyCooperative Extensionofficeat970-8543616orgotothewebsiteat www.phillipscofair.com.

Action at Phillips County Raceway gets wild atthe July21, 2014, races.

Old-Fashioned Saturday Night July 18, 2015

Dandelion Daze

June 20, 2015

Courthouse–Holyoke Antique Toy & Classic Car & Tractor Auction Phillips County Fairgrounds

Phillips County Fair

July 21-26, 2015

Fairgrounds–Holyoke

Phillips County Relay For Life

June 6, 2015

Haxtun Baseball Field

W. Fletcher—970-774-6123 haxtunhealth.org

HaxtunFamily MedicineCenter 233 W. Strohm—970-774-6187

BrandtChiropracticClinic Dr.JeroldBrandt,D.C.

246S.Interocean Ave.,Holyoke 970-854-3398

PhillipsCounty Commissioners 221S.Interocean,Holyoke 970-854-3778

www.colorado.gov/phillipscounty

HolyokeEnterprise 130N.Interocean Ave.,Holyoke 970-854-2811

www.holyokeenterprise.com

National Registerof HistoricPlaces

BurgeHotel 230N.Interocean—Holyoke

ShirleyHotel(HaxtunInn) 101S.Colorado—Haxtun

Haxtun TownHall 145S.Colorado—Haxtun

HeginbothamLibrary 539S.Baxter—Holyoke

Reimer-SmithGrainStation byPhillipsCountyMuseum 109S.Campbell—Holyoke

St.Paul’sLutheranChurch 300Monmouth—Amherst

PhillipsCounty Courthouse 221S.Interocean—Holyoke

MelissaMemorialHospital 1001E.JohnsonSt.,Holyoke 970-854-2241

www.melissamemorial.org

FamilyPractice ofHolyokeClinic 970-854-2500

HolyokeCommunity FederalCreditUnion 101 W. DenverSt.,Holyoke 970-854-3109 www.hcfcu.org

PhillipsCountyAbstractCo. 202S.Interocean Ave.,Holyoke 970-854-3527

HolyokeMarketplace 112E.Carnahan,Holyoke 970-854-3663

www.holyokemarketplace.com

WELCOME to WashingtonCounty

AKRON,OTIS

4DAY TRIPS

to WashingtonCounty

WashingtonCounty GolfCourse

The WashingtonCountyGolf Coursebecame arealityin1951.A groupofmenweresittingaround anditwassuggestedtheybuilda golfcourse.PeteSeverintookthe bullbythehornsandwasinstrumentalingettingthemeninvolved inlayingoutandbuildingthecourse. Thecourseplaystothenaturalcontourofthelandandwasstartedwith sandgreens.Itwasconvertedto bentgrassinthe1970swhenirrigationwasinstalled.

Thecourseis anine-holecourse with apar36.Thesignatureholeis theNo.6,par 3hole.DickSeverinis theGroundsManagerandhasdone thisjobformanyyears.He really keepsthecourseingreatshapeand evenifyouarenotintogolf,itisa beautifulplacetovisit.Thecourseis locatedaboutonemilesouthof AkrononHighway63andyoucan playallyear round.

1 2 3

Thissummer,clubhousemanagerswillbeGlennaHillandKarla Velder.Duringthesummer,there arebothmen’sandwomen’s leagues.Themen’sleaguewillbegin May 6andthewomen’sleaguewill beginlaterinMay.Amoonlightgolf tournamentisheldannuallyevery summer.Teamscomefromall aroundnortheasternColoradoto enjoy asteaksupperbeforethetournamentandthenthey reallylookforward toplayingwithglowinthedark balls.Moneyraisedisalwaysgiven to aworthyorganization.

Takesometimeandenjoy around ofgolfatthebeautiful Washington CountyGolfCourse.

Akron Pond

TheAkronPond,aboutone milesouthoftown,islocatedonthe samepropertyasthegolfcourse. Youjustfollowthedirtroadpastthe golfcourseandyouwillsoonseethe pond. Youcanenjoyyourtimeatthe pondinfishing,walking,snapping picturesorjust relaxwithfriends.

Thetownalwayssetsfundsaside eachyeartostockthepondwithfish. Thisyear,alocal resident,Melvin Churchill,alsodonated$1,000tobe usedtobuyfishtostockthepond;so evenmore fishwillbeinthepondfor thefishermen.

Thetownisstilltryingtofind afeasiblesolutiontomakethepond alittlebiggerandmoreaccessiblefor everyone.Evenwithoutthose improvementsthisyear,thepondis still agreatplacetogoandenjoy yourself,evenifyoudonothingbut read abook.

Thereare placeswhereyoucan picnicandifthatpicnicinvolves hamburgers,hotdogsorchicken, thereare placestogrillyourfood. Youcantakeyourdogwithyouand enjoywalkingaroundthepond.The townandothershaveworkedhard tomaketheAkronpond ascenicand peacefulplacetospendsometime.

Washington CountyMuseum

The WashingtonCountyMuseum willopenfor2015onSunday,June7.

Anopeningceremonyisheldevery yearat 1p.m.andtheMuseum opensat 2p.m.for regularviewing. TheMuseumhas atotaloffour buildings.

TheRockHouseislocatedon Highway34nexttothe Veteran’s Home.Itusedtobethetownhall andjailforthetown.Itwasalsoa schoolhouse.TheotherthreebuildingsarelocatedonRailroadAvenue onthewestendoftown.These buildingsaretherailroaddepot,the railroaddormandtheold4-Hquonset,whichwasdonatedbythecommissionersafterthe Washington CountyEventCenterwasbuilt.

ThemuseumisopenonSundays from 2to4p.m.Ifyouwouldliketo visitthemuseumonotherdays,call (970)345-6529and atimecanbe arrangedforyoutovisit.

Themuseumhasmanydifferent roomsinthefourbuildings.Thereis ajailcellintheRockHouse,anold countrydoctor’s room, aJustUs Girls(JUG”S) room,weddinggown roomand ahat room.Thereisalso anoldcarriageandthousandsofotheritemsondisplayatthemuseum. Eachyear,thereisalwayssomething newadded,asitemswillbedonated toplaceinthemuseum.

Ifyouareinterestedinfindingan obituary, youcaneithercheckthe obituarybooksatthemuseumorthe library. Thereare oldnewspapers andbooksonthehistoryofWashingtonCounty.Schedule avisitatthe See DAY TRIPS,pg. 26

TakennearPrewittReservoirin Washington County by Krystal WattsJones

Markyourcalendarforthe EasternColoradoRound-Up

TheEasternColoradoRound-Upwill beheldin2015fromJuly28toAug.

2.Theentertainmentforthisyear’s nightshowareChrisCagleandCody CookeandtheBayouOutlaws. Interviewjudgingforallprojectsexcept livestock,FoodsandCakeDecoratingwill beheldonJuly21atthe Washington CountyEventCenter.FashionRevueis alsoheldthatevening.Thedogshowwill beheldonMonday,July27,andinterview judgingforFoodsandCakeDecorating willbeJuly28.AlsoheldonJuly28arethe horseandswinejudging.July28iswhen entriesaretakenfortheHomeEcdepartmentandtheyarejudgedon Wednesday. Also,schoolentrieswillhavebeenjudged andwillbeondisplay.

Wednesday,July29,willbejudgingof rabbits,poultryandgoats.On Wednesday thehomeecdepartmentandgarden entrieswillbejudged,alongwiththeag entries.Thesledpullwasalsoheldon Wednesdayevening,butthishaschanged thisyear.

Thursdaywillholdthejudgingofsheep andbeef.Thecarnivalwillopenthatday andprovideridesandgamesforall. Thursdaynightwillbethepopularsled pull.Fridayis adaytovisitandlookatall thedisplaysandanimals.Theranch rodeo willbeheldFridayafternooninsteadofon Thursdaynight.Thecatchitcontestsare alsoheldonFridayafternoon.Friday nightwillbethebuyer’sbarbecueandthe JuniorLivestockSale.

Lastyear,theFairBoardmovedthe paradetoSaturdayanditseemedtodraw abiggercrowd;sotheFairBoardhas decidedtokeeptheparadeonSaturday morning.Thecarnivalandrideswillbe

goingandtheEventCenterwillbeopen until 2p.m.withallthedisplaysstillupfor everyonetoenjoy.ThepopularmudvolleyballtournamentwillbeheldonSaturdayandthereare always alotofteams signedup,soitlaststhroughtheday.The pedaltractorpullisheldSaturdayafternoon.Saturdayeveningwillbethenight show.

Sundaymorningwillthecommunity prayerserviceheldattheEventCenter. Lastyear,breakfastwasservedandthey aretryingtomakearrangementsforthis yeartodothesame.Thefairnowoffersa PRCA rodeoanditisheldonSundayafternoon,beginningat 1p.m.Afterthe rodeo isover,thefairisofficiallyoverforanother year.Oncethefairisover,thefairboard takes alittletimeto recuperateandthen theybegintomakeplansfornextyear’s fair.

museum,asthereare many interestingitemstolookat andmanyoldbooksand papersto read.

4

AkronSwimming Pool Park

TheAkronSwimmingPool Parkoffers alotofoptionsfor afunand relaxingday.The poolandparkarelocatedat thecorner oFourthStreet andElmandthepoolisopen everydayfrom 1to5p.m. exceptSaturday.Thepoolis openSundayeveningsfor nightswimmingandthereis usuallyanothernightduring theweek,whenthepoolis openfornightswimming. Swimminglessonsareheldin threedifferentsessionsand thelessonsarefortwoweeks.

Theparkbytheswimming poolhas askatepark,sand volleyballcourt,swings, slides,climbingstructures, picnictablesandlotsofgrass wherethekidscan runand play.Intheupperpartofthe park,thereare smallbarbecuessetup,whereyoucan cookyourhamburgersor whateverelseyouwouldlike. Youcanalwaystakethefood downtothelowerpartofthe parktosetatoneofthetables oryoucanalwaysbring apicniclunch.

ThepoolopensonMemorialDayandisopenuntilthe middleofAugust.They alwayscloseduringfairand thenopenupfor aweekafter fair.Besureandvisitthepool andtheSwimmingPoolPark.

Akronalsohas aMain Streetpark,whichisonMain Street,nexttothePresbyterianChurch.Thisparkhas swings,slides, agazebo,barbecuegrills,tablesandalso has asmallbasketballcourt, whereyoucanshoothoops. Theparkalsohaslotsofplay areasandthetowncrewkeep bothparkslookinggood. Visit eitherparkandtakesome timeto relaxandenjoysome timewithfamilyandfriends.

Courtesyphoto

ChrisCaglewillperformattheEastern ColoradoRound-UpNightShow.

WELCOME to YumaCounty

Takensoutheastof Yuma by KarianneDonnelsonofFleming

ECKLEY,WRAY, YUMA

Takensoutheastof Yuma by KarianneDonnelsonofFleming

TakeninYuma by KarianneDonnelsonofFleming

2015CALENDAR

June

AngelonthePlains Walk

June6, Yuma

PioneerDays —June20, Yuma.Swapmeet,tractorshow, fun run,children’sactivities

VFW Post3378 PokerRun

June27

JeffArmstrongMemorial Baseball Tournament —June 27, YumaSportsComplex, 1203E. Fifth Ave.

QuiltsofthePlains —June 27,MainStreet,Wray

July

ThirdofJuly Fireworks —Yuma WrayDaze —July31-Aug.2. Sidewalksales,parade,softball tournament,dance.

August

YumaCounty Fair —Aug.1-5. NightShowtofeatureCraig WayneBoyd

IrrigationsResearch Farm Show —Aug.12-13,40161 Hwy.59, Yuma.

YumaMuseumIceCream Social —Aug.13, YumaCommunityCenter,421E.Second Ave.

RallyonthePlainsMotorcycleRally —Aug.14-16,Old ThreshersGrounds,Haogand Beatty,Yuma.

Olde TymeSaturday —Aug. 14-16, Vernon

September

OldThreshers —Sept.11-13, 418S.MainSt., Yuma.

BeecherIslandReunion

WrayMuseum

WadeHamarMemorialRodeo —Sept.19, YumaCounty Fairgrounds

ArtShow —Sept.26-Oct.2, FirstPresbyterianChurch,110 W. Fourth Ave., Yuma

RideforAutism —Sept.2627, YumaCounty Fairgrounds

October

Trickor TreatStreet —Oct. 30, Yuma

Harvest Festival —Oct.31, ChurchofNazarene,505E. Beatty Ave., Yuma

November

Pheasants Forever —Nov. 14, Yuma

Winter Fest —Nov.21, Yuma

Christmas Festival —Nov. 27-28,Wray.

December

ParadeofLights —Dec.4, Wray.

March2016

GreaterPrairieChicken Tours

—lateMarchthroughApril

May2016

Wray ArtShow —WrayCity Hall/CityHall Park

Turkey VultureRun —Yuma DistrictHospital

Afeatheredattraction

DuringthelatterpartofMarchand themonthofApril,thesmalltown of WrayinnortheastColorado becomes abusyplaceontheweekends. BirdloversthroughouttheUnitedStates andfromallovertheworldarrivetoview thegreaterprairiechickensintheirnatural habitat.

Thegreaterprairiechickensbegintheir courtshipdisplayinearlyspring.Themales “struttheirstuff”onthelek(booming grounds)andstakeouttheirterritory. Each maleclaimsanareaandprotectsitfrom invasionbyothermales.Themalesputon aninterestingshow.Theystrut,stomp, boom,crackle,jumpandbowtryingto attract afemale.Fightsoccurfrequently betweenthemalesaseachtriestooutdo theother.

Atonetime,thegreaterprairiechickens inColoradoweredesignatedasanendangeredspecies.ThroughtheeffortsofColo-

radoParksand Wildlifeandlocallandowners,thepopulationhasincreasedandisno longerthreatened.The rollingsandhills northof Wrayprovideanexcellentterritory forthebirds.

The WrayChamberofCommerce,the East YumaCountyHistoricalSociety,and ColoradoParksand Wildlife,incooperation withlandowners,sponsorgreaterprairie chickentourseveryspringtohelpeducate thepublicandensurethebirdpopulation remainsstable.Bothguidedtourswitha ColoradoParksand Wildlifeofficerand self-guidedexcursionsareavailable.For moreinformation,gotowww.wraychamber.net.Additionalinformationmaybe obtainedbycontactingthe WrayChamber ofCommerceat970-332-3484orthe Wray Museumat970-332-5063.

Thetownof WrayislocatedonU.S.Highway34,aboutthreehoursdrivingtime fromDenverorFortCollins.

BirdwatchersflocktoWraytowatchtheannual courtshipdanceofthegreaterprairiechicken.

ONTHEHIGHPLAINS

I-76SERVICESBYEXIT

Exit66aCO39,CO52, to Goodrich [Gas(3), Food(9),Lodging (0)within 5miles]

Exit66bUS34 W, toGreeleyNoServices [Gas(0), Food(5),Lodging (1)within 5miles]

Exit73LongBridgeRd No Services [Gas(5), Food(29),Lodging(3)within 5miles]

Exit75US34E, toFtMorgan [Gas(5) ,Food(29),Lodging(3)within 5miles]

Exit79CO144,to Weldona noWBreturn [Gas(9), Food(35),Lodging(5)within 5miles]

Exit80CO52, FtMorgan [Gas(9), Food(36),Lodging(5)within 5miles]

Exit82BarlowRd [Gas(9), Food(34),Lodging(4)within 5miles]

Exit86DoddBridgeRd No Services [Gas(8), Food(29),Lodging(4)within 5miles]

Exit89HospitalRd [Gas(4), Food(23),Lodging(2)within 5miles]

Exit90b(north)/a(south) CO71,toUS34,Brush [Gas(4), Food(24),Lodging(2)within 5miles]

Exit92toUS 6E,toUS34, CO71 SNoServices [Gas(4), Food(24),Lodg-

ing(2)within 5miles]

Exit95HillroseNoServices [Gas(0), Food(4),Lodging (0)within 5miles]

Exit102MerinoNoServices [Gas(0), Food(0),Lodging (0)within 5miles]

Exit115CO63,Atwood [Gas(2), Food(4),Lodging (0)within 5miles]

Exit125US6,Sterling [Gas(8), Food(28),Lodging(5)within 5miles]

Exit134IliffNoServices [Gas(0), Food(1),Lodging (0)within 5miles]

Exit141Proctor NoServices [Gas(0), Food(1),Lodging (0)within 5miles]

Exit149CO55,toFleming, Crook [Gas(1), Food(2),Lodging (0)within 5miles]

Exit155RedLionRdNo Services [Gas(0), Food(0),Lodging (0)within 5miles]

Exit165CO59,toHaxtun, Sedgwick [Gas(1), Food(1),Lodging (0)within 5miles]

Exit172Ovid [Gas(0), Food(2),Lodging (0)within 5miles]

Exit180US385, Julesburg WelcomeCenter/RestArea bothlanes,fullhandicapfacilities,info, RV dump, [Gas(5), Food(3),Lodging (1)within 5miles]

Balesatsunset, by GaryGeisick, Weldona

TakenbyBrianna FarnesofHolyoke

Backyardsaloon by LindaMeisner,Sterling

SouthwestofFleming by KarianneDonnelson,Fleming

NorthwestLoganCounty by MJMyrom,Sterling

NorthSterlingState Park boatramp by LindaCabrera,Fleming

toLoganCounty

Splashandsweat

Theoutdoorswimmingpoolat theSterlingRecreationCenteronElm Street,whichopenedin2006,features fourwaterslidesandseveralwater attractionsinthelargerofthetwo pools.Thereisalso asmallerwading poolforthesmallestsplashers.The outdoorpoolisopendailythroughthe summer,weatherpermitting.

TheRecCenteralsoboastsan indoorpool,fitness roomandbasketball,wallyballandraquetballcourts —adaypassprovidesaccesstoall amenities.Thecenteralsooffersa multi-purposeroomthatcanbe rentedforspecialevents.Forinformation,call970-522-7882.

Treesinabundance

InApril2015,Sterlingcelebratedits27thconsecutiveyearasa TreeCityUSA,anhonordesignated bytheArborDayFoundation.

Treesplayanimportant roleinthe landscapeofSterlingevenbeyond theirlifecycle.MerinoartistBrad Rheacreated aseriesoftreesculptures,Sterling’s“Living Trees,”to

gracepublicparksandlocalbusinesses.Someoftheoriginalwooden sculpturescanbefoundatpublic institutionslikeSterlingPublic LibraryandNortheasternJunior College;manyoftheoutdoorsculptureshavebeenupdatedtobronze casts.

Enjoy aself-guidedtouroftheLiving Treesculptures;pickup abrochureandmapofthepublicsculpturesatthe TouristInformation Centerorvariousotherlocations aroundSterling.

Historicarchitecture

LoganCountyishometoa numberofbuildings,bothpublicand private,listedonthestateandnationalhistoric registers.Amongthose opentovisitorsaretheLoganCountyCourthouseandtheSterlingPost Office,bothindowntownSterling. SeveralSterlingchurchesarealso listed.

In2013,downtownSterlingwas grantedanhistoricdistrictdesignationbytheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlaces.

4

Publicart

Effortsbyseveralorganizations haveledtoseveralpublicart piecesspringinguparoundSterling. The2014PedalthePlainsyielded threeprojectsthatcanbefoundin variouspartsofthecity:the“Riders ofthePlains”muralbySteveParrish ontheRe/Maxbuildingdowntown; apennyfarthingbicyclesculpture donatedbyAndyAndersonand placedatColumbinePark;andthree farm animal-themed,sculpturalbike rackscreatedbyKarenFoote,which havebeeninstalledattheSterling PublicLibrary, PrairieParkandColumbinePark.

Thecityalsoishometotwo bronzesculpturesontheLogan CountyCourthousesquare:“PopcornMan,”inmemoryofClarence Mentgen,andthe“RainonthePrairie”sculpture.Sterlingislookingforwardtotheadditionofanother bronzetobeplacedonFrontStreet attheendofMainStreet,anda seriesof Western-themedsculptures tobeplacedon WestMainStreetin comingmonths.

TheoutdoorswimmingpoolatSterlingRecreationCenteris asplashwithpeopleofallagesthroughoutthesummer.

Heritageofnatives,settlersliveson

Whatbeganin1936as aproject ofthe WorksProgress Administration(WPA)has grownsignificantlyinthepasteight decades,butthemissionoftheOverland TrailMuseum remainsthesame: topreserveandsharethehistoryof theOverland Trailandtheheritageof theearlysettlerswhotraveledit.

“Itemswehaveherewereitemsthe firstsettlersbroughtwiththemand itemsdonatedbytheirfamilies,”said museumcuratorKayRich.

Additionstothatoriginalstonebuildinghavetransformedthemuseuminto ashowcaseofnaturalhistory, natives andsettlers.Themuseumishometoa one-of-a-kindRuralElectrificationof AmericaexhibitintheDaveHamil building,whichalsohousesspecial temporaryexhibitshighlightingartifactsfromthemuseum’scollection. Themuseumhasalsoacquiredover

See HERITAGE,pg. 36

Heritage Festivalvisitorstry outthegold-panningcreek attheOverland TrailMuseum.

TheBrickelBros. Farm MuralbringsartdepictinganhistoricCrook-areafarmwithpieces ofantiquefarmequipmentfromtheOverland TrailMuseum’scollection.

Historyleavesmarksacrosscounty

Historicalmarkers,erectedtocommemoratea significantevent,placeor personfromthepast,dotthe landscapeofLoganCounty.

TheColoradoHistoricalSocietylistssixmarkersinits records:

•OldFortWicked:Installedin 1929,thisbronzemarkerislocatedsouthofMerinoonthewest sideofU.S.6.

•ValleyStation:Thisbronze markerlocatedattheentranceto Overland TrailMuseuminSterlingwasinstalledin1933.

•BattleofSummitSprings: Thisbronzemarker,installedin 1934,islocatedonColo.63,.75 milessouthofU.S. 6near Atwood.

•OldSterling:Installedin 1934,thisbronzemarkeralong U.S.138marksthetown’soriginallocationnorthofpresent-day Sterling.

•SummitSprings:Thisbronze markerwasinstalledin1966on CountyRoad60,eastofColo.63.

•RegionalHistory:Installedin 1998,thisfour-panelmarkerat theLoganCounty VisitorsCentertellsthehistoryofSterling, theS.Platte(Overland) Trail, BattleofSummitSpringsandthe 1864-69Indian Wars.

Otherorganizationshavealso erectedmarkersinthecounty.

AmonumentonU.S.138on thewestsideofIliffbearsa markermemorializingrancher John WesleyIliff,thankstothe effortsoflocalchaptersofthe ColoradoSocietyDaughtersof theAmericanRevolution.

The TriLCclubhasplaced markerscommemoratingformer schoolsinthecountyforHarding,LeRoy,NewHaven,Kelly, HighwaySchoolDistrict18, FyffeSchool,andtheSt.Peters, DaileyandFairfieldcommunities.

ThehistoricalmarkerforSterling’sfirstpublic

HERITAGE frompage35

We are acomprehensive 2yearliberalartsschool, butoursignatureprogramsinclude:

theyears acollectionofarea historicbuildings —someof themoriginals,some reproductions —thatforma“village”inthemuseumcourtyard,including achurch,oneroomschoolandcountry store.Thearea’sagricultural heritageis reflectedinthe KargBarnanddisplaysof antiquefarmequipment,and thecommunity’sconnection totherailroadisevidentwith the restoredATSFcaboose andboxcardepot.

TheHighPlainsEducation Center,dedicatedinthefallof 2011,featuresinteractive exhibitsonthepeople,geographyandindustriesfoundin thearea.Thebuildingalso includes alargemeeting room thatcanbe rentedforprivate functionsandclassroom spaceforchildren’sprograms.

Themuseumhostsprogramsforallagesthroughout theyear.Itspremiereventis theHeritageFestivalonJuly4 eachyear,withhoursofactivi-

tiesandentertainmentonthe museumgroundsandthe neighboringHeidiPark. Themuseumisopenfrom9 a.m.to 5p.m. Tuesday throughSaturdayduringits summerseason,April 1to Oct.31,andfrom10a.m.to4 p.m. TuesdaythroughSaturdayfromNov.1toMarch31. Itisalsoclosedonholidays.

Formoreinformation,call 970-522-3895,orvisitthe

Overland TrailMuseumFacebookpage.

schoolislocatedonU.S.138.

TheOverland TrailMuseum boasts arestored ATSF cabooseamongits collectionofbuildingsand structures.

Bygoneeracapturedinprivatecollection

SterlingnativeMark Walters remembers hischildhoodinthe 1950sand’60sfondly.But insteadofsimply reminiscingaboutthosedaysgone by,Waltershasdonesomethingtocapturetheessence ofthateraandkeephis memoriesalive,byopening aprivatemuseumfilledwith original,localmemorabilia fromthosedecades.

ManyoftheitemsinMemoryLanecamefromlocal businessesthathaveclosed. Themuseumcollectionalso reflects Walters’passionfor allthingstransportation, includingthefirstcarhe everowned,some1,400Hot Wheelsandcountlessmodel carshebuilt,aswellasdie castcars.Thereare also motorcycles,bikes,model planesandtrains,andsome uniquevehicles,likethe motorizedbathtubon wheelsthathecreatedfrom adreamhehadonenight.

It’s apassionthatwasalso reflectedinhis30-plusyears ofworkwiththeColorado Departmentof Transportation —thesourceofthe road signsondisplayaroundthe building.

Waltersstartedcollecting inthe‘60s,andhadtheidea forsomedaycreatinga museum.Bythetimehepur-

chasedhisbuilding,hehad filledfourstoragesheds— plusthefarm—filledwith boxesanditemsunderdust cloths.

Walterssaidhecreated themuseumbecausehe lovestheerathathegrewup in.He recallsitas asimpler time,whenneighbors helpedeachotherwithout

expecting reimbursement; students respectedtheir teachers;andpeopleweren’t so“suehappy.”Hesaidthat he’dbehappytogobackand livethoseyearsagain,and whenhewalksintothe museum,it reflects“theway itwas.”

Heenjoyssharingthe museumwiththepublic,and especiallyhearingvisitors reminisceabouttheirown livesinthatbygoneera.In twoyears,he’shadover400 visitors,someofthem repeats.Thevisitorshave rangedfromalloverthe U.S.,Canada,andeven ArgentinaandAustralia. Themuseumcanbe touredsevendays aweek, byappointment.Admission is aminimum$3donation perperson,tohelpkeepthe lightsonandpayforthetaxes, Walterssaid. To schedule avisit,call Waltersat970522-5478.

TheexhibitinsideMemoryLanemuseumincludestwoofowner MarkWalters’firstcarsandlocalmemorabiliafromthe1950sand’60s.

MemoryLaneislocatedontheeastsideofSterling, andisopen by appointmentsevendays aweek. Call970-522-5478toarrange atour.

Parkprovidesampleoutdoorfun

NorthSterlingStatePark(http:// bit.ly/JwGtQ0)is agatewayto funand relaxation,locatedjusta shortdrivefromSterlinginLoganCounty.

The3,000-acreirrigation reservoir boaststwoboatrampsforthosewanting toenjoyadayonthewater.Explorethe greatcovesandfingersofthelake,take inthewildlifeandgeographicalformations,find ashadyspotfor apicnicor cast alineintothewarm-waterfishery.

NorthSterlingisopentofishingyearround,featuringwalleye,crappie,perch, bass,bluegill,trout,catfish,tigermuskie,wiperandnorthernpike.Please refer totheColoradoFishingRegulations publishedannuallybyColoradoParks andWildlifefor acompletelistingofsize

restrictionsandpossessionlimits.

The VisitorCenterhas asmall retail storeofferingice,firewood,sodasand waterduringthespring,summerand fall.Besuretobringyourfishinglicense andboatfuel.

Forthosewhoprefertostayonland, naturalsurfacetrailsoffermilesof optionsforthoseonfoot,bikeorhorseback.

Prairiewildlifeisabundantinthepark, onthegroundandintheair.Land-based animalsofallsizesandspeciescallthe parkhome,fromprairiedogstocoyotes, badgers,deerandantelope.Bird-watcherswillenjoysighting awidevarietyof raptors,includinggoldeneagles, redtailedhawksandAmericankestrels, amongothertypesofbirds. Acomplete

BirdSpeciesListcanbefoundonthe parkwebsiteoratthe VisitorCenter,and guidedbirdwalkscanbearrangedby calling970-522-3657.

Huntingiscarefullymanagedandpermittedduringestablishedseasonsfrom thefirst TuesdayafterLaborDay throughtheFridaybeforeMemorial Day.Huntingareamapsareavailableat theSterling VisitorCenterandsouth entrancebrochurekiosk.

Theparkboaststhreecampgrounds with atotalof141campsites.Itcan accommodatethelargestmotorhomes aswellasthesmallestpuptents,with50 developedsitesavailableyear-round. Viewfeesandmake reservationsforany ofthecampgroundsonlineathttp:// bit.ly/ICIZDI.

Countyprimespotforsportsmen

LoganCountyistrulya paradisefortheavid sportsman,touting worldclassfishingandalso providingbothsmalland biggamehunting.Dove, quail,ring-neckedpheasant, rabbit,raccoon,bobcat,coyote,deerandpronghornare thearea’smostpopular game.

Thereare severalstatemanagedpublichunting groundstochoosefromin

LoganCounty,aswellasa numberof Walk-inAccess propertieswhereowners haveenrolledtoallowhuntingontheirland.Hunters shouldcheckouttheColoradoParksand Wildlife website, http:// cpw.state.co.us/,forgeneral licensing requirementsas wellas restrictionsforthe areatheyplantohunt.

AtNorthSterlingState Park,hometosomeofthe

bestgoosehunting,hunting ispermittedSeptember throughMay.Proctor,on Colo.138,is apopularsite forquail,pheasantand waterfowlhunting.Some otherareashuntersmay wishtocheckoutareDuck CreekandRedLionRanch, bothlocatedintheCrook area,andBravoState WildlifeAreaontheSouthPlatte River.

LoganCountyhasseveral primelocationsforfishing.

Watercraftofallkindsare welcomeon the wateratNorthSterlingState Park.

2015-16CALENDAR

May

NorthSterlingState Park summeractivitiesbegin MemorialDayweekend

June

RelayForLife —Noonto midnight,June13,Logan CountyCourthouse

HighPlainsExpo,Draft HorseShowand TractorPull —June13,LoganCounty Fairgrounds

TrionthePlains —June 28,NorthSterlingState Park

July

Heritage Festival —July4, Overland TrailMuseum

JulyJamz —Fridays,Logan CountyCourthouseGazebo. Freeconcerts.

ColoradoFlatlandersRod Run —Pioneer Park.www.coloradoflatlanders.org

Crook Fair

August

LoganCounty Fair —July 30-Aug.9

WalktoEndAlzheimer’s Aug.29,Columbine Park, Sterling.

September

SugarBeetDays —Sept. 19-20,LoganCountyCourthouseSquare

PedalthePlains —Sept. 18-20,pedaltheplains.com.

Fleming Fall Festival

ForPeetzSakeDays

October

Merino Fall Festival —Oct. 3

SweetAdelinesWindsong ChorusConcert

Chamberof Terror

November

Turkey Trot —Nov.26, Sterling

LighttheNight —Nov.27, LoganCountyCourthouse Square

HometownHolidays throughDecember,Sterling

CommunityCaringHands TriviaContest

December

ParadeofLights —Dec.3, Sterling

MasterChoraleConcert

SweetAdelinesWindsong ChorusChristmasConcert

February

NJCHoopsHomecoming HospiceofthePlainsBenefitHogRoast &Auction

March

NJCAutoShow &Toy Show

SterlingPublicLibrary QuiltShow —allmonthlong

April

ArtWalk —Sterling

FISHING frompage39

Whilewatermaynotbe thefirstthingthatcomesto mindwhenlookingacross themilesoffarmlandand openprairieinLoganCounty,thefactisthereare plentyofgreatfishingholes stockedwithwalleye,channelcatfish,blackcrappie andotherspecies. Youjust havetoknowwheretolook:

•TheJumboReservoir, ontheborderofLoganand Sedgwickcountiesinthe JumboState WildlifeArea, CountyRoad95,twomiles northofColo.138.

•ThePrewittReservoir, ontheborderofLoganand Washingtoncountiesinthe PrewittSWAonU.S.6.

•TheNorthSterlingReservoir,locatedonCounty

Road46inNorthSterling StatePark.

•TheOverland Trail RecreationAreafishing pondonRiverviewDrive, acrossfromthe Visitor InformationCenter.The pondwasdamagedbythe SouthPlatteRiverfloodin 2013,butisexpectedto reopentofishingthissummerafter repairsarecomplete.

Fishinglicensesareavailableonlineathttp:// cpw.state.co.us/.Allboatersareremindedthatthere aremandatoryinspection requirementstohelppreventthespreadofzebra andquaggamusselsand otheraquaticinvasivespecies.

WELCOME toMorganCounty

Pricklypearcactus by ColletteBrost,Brush

BRUSH,HILLROSE

Atthe FourthofJulyparadeinBrush by Cindy Schneider,FortMorgan

Tractoratsunset by CarliNichols,Brush

toBrush andMorgan County

Stepintolocalhistory

TheBrushMuseumandCulturalCenterisopeneach Friday,SaturdayandSundayfrom11a.m.to 4p.m.through theendofSeptember.Youcantake astepbackintoBrush historywithseveralnewexhibits.Housedintheformer KnearlSchoolbuiltin1912,citizensformed aboardinthe 1990stolocate amuseum. Agiftof$100,000fromtheestate ofAdaCooperallowedtheboardtorestoretheschooland achievethedesignationof ahistoricallandmark.Formore information,callthecityofBrush,842-5001.

Nine-holecourseabovepar

Thisnine-hole“sporty”golfcourseopenedin1961. DesignedbyFrankHummel,thecoursemeasures3,161 yardsfromthelongestteesandhas asloperatingof111and a34.4USGArating.Thecourse,operatedbythecityof Brush,featurestwosetsofteesfordifferentskilllevelsand isopentothepublic,sevendays aweek,weatherpermitting.Formoreinformation,callthecityofBrush,842-5001.

Amenities availableatcityparks

ThecityofBrushishometofiveparkswithactivitiesat all.VFWMemorialPark,onthecornerofSouthClayton andEllsworth,includesfivesheltersandoffersswimming, basketballcourts,theJoslin-NeedhamSoftballComplex andareasof aplayground,horseshoesandvolleyball. PetteysParkislocatedonMillStreetwestofthenine-hole BunkerHillCountryClubandhasthreeshelters,avolleyballarea,playground,tenniscourtsandhorseshoepits. AmenitiesatPioneerPark,onthecornerofMillStreetand HospitalRoad,include aPar-Qfitnesscourseand ashelter whileSunsetPark,westofHospitalRoadonEmerson Street,offers abaseballfield,basketballcourtsandshelters. Ifyouenjoy awalkingtrailwiththeviewof apond,Prairie TrailsParkcanbefoundonthecornerofSouthClaytonand Ellsworth,adjacenttoVFWMemorialPark.CampingfacilitiesarelocatedsouthofMemorialParkandfeatures60sites with12offeringhook-ups.Additionalfeaturesareaheated restroom,showerfacilityand asanitarydumpstation.Rollerskatingandbowlingarealsoavailableforentertainment. Website:www.brushcolo.com.

1 2 3 4

Treasuredpastlives oninhistoricbuildings

Brushishometomanybuildingsthatare50yearsorolder,andwiththatlonghistorycomesthedesignationofseveral registeredlandmarks,includingAllSaintsLutheran ChurchatEbenEzerLutheranCareCenter,122Hospital Road.Sundayservicesareheldat9:30a.m.eachSunday. Forinformation,contact842-2861.Holdingpertinentinformation regardingthehistoryofBrushistheBrushMuseumandCulturalCenter,whichcanbe reachedat842-0382. TheImmanuelCongregationalChurch,listedonboththe stateandnationallistofhistoricplaces,islocatedat209 EverettStreetandholdsservicesat 9a.m.eachSunday. Contacttheparsonageandofficeat842-5904forinformation.Ifyouarelookingforentertainmentduringtheeveninghours,visitthehistoricSandsTheatre,211Clayton Street.Call842-2466toseewhatmovieisshowingand times.AlsojoiningthelistofhistorictreasuresisRankin PresbyterianChurch,420ClaytonStreet.Forinformation onservices,call842-2349.

BunkerHillCountryClubislocatedonMillStreet and, weatherpermitting,offersgolfersthe opportunitytoplaythesportycourseallyearlong.

BrushRodeonears61stannualevent

Celebratingits61stannual rodeo, theBrushRodeoAssociation hasplannedforyetanothercelebrationin2015.

Asithasforthepastnumberof years,the2015BrushRodeowill includethreenightsofevents,July2-4, with afulldayofslackeventsscheduledforFriday,July3.

Alsoontheagendaareanart show setupintheMarkArndtEventCenter, muttonbustin’andPrincessRidesfor theyoungergeneration, aRodeoRoyaltycompetition, afreeWesternArt show,afreebarbecueonThursday, July2,alongwiththeannualBrush

LionsClubpancakebreakfastfrom 6to 10a.m.,the27thannualEastMorgan CountyLibraryQuiltShowand FriendsoftheLibraryBookSalefrom 7a.m.to 1p.m.andIndependence Paradeat10a.m.onSaturday,July4. Bringingthethreedaysofeventsto anexplosiveclosewillbe a“Fantastic Fireworks”display,coordinatedbythe Brush VolunteerFireDepartmenton July4.Thedisplaywillbeginshortly afterthelast rodeoevent.

ThehistoryofBrush’sannual FourthofJulyRodeois,inessence,the historyofBrush.

Whileitwasofficiallyorganizedin

1954,the rootsofthecelebrationgo backtotheturnofthecentury—the lastcentury.

Historystatesthatitwasaround 1900whenlocalcowboys,farmers, theirwivesandgirlfriendswouldmeet fortheholidayin apasturejustwestof thepresentMemorialParkfor adayof picnickingandhorseracing.

In1924, agroupofbusinessmenled byJ.R. RylandandAlonzoPetteyspurchasedlandnearthatpasturefora park.Theygavethelandtothetown, and residentsbuilt agrandstandand laidout anewtrack.In1925,theAmeriSee RODEO,pg. 44

Theskies overthe cityofBrushwilllight upJuly 4whenthe Brush Volunteer Fire Departmentends threedaysofthe BrushRodeowithits "Fantastic Fireworks"exhibit. Thedisplaywillbegin immediately followingthelast eventthatnight.

Barrelracingisjustoneofseveral eventshighlightingthe61stannual BrushRodeo,setforJuly2-4attheMorganCounty Fairgrounds.

Friendlycompetitionforall agesatMorganCountyFair

TheMorganCountyFair,Aug.3-7, featuresexhibitorsshowing avarietyoflivestockattheMorgan CountyFairgrounds,600Ellsworth, Brush.

Thefair’sotherhighlightsinclude4-H competitionsrangingfromcakedecorat-

ingtosharpshooting.Adultsalsogetinto theactionbycompetingforribbonsin fineartsandcookingcategories.Events runfrom8a.m.to 8p.m.onmostdays. Formoreinformation,contacttheMorganCountyExtensionServiceat5423540.

canLegionstagedthefirst rodeo andracemeet.Later,theshow became acommunityproject withvolunteerworkersandprofessional rodeoperformers.

Brushheldthestate’sfirstparimutuelbettingonhorseswhen Coloradolegalizedtheactionin 1949.However,thenewhorse raceswerenotheldstrictlyin conjunctionwiththetown’sannualIndependenceDayfestivities. Itwasn’tuntil1954thatthe BrushJuniorChamberofCommercebegansponsoringthe event,andtoday’scelebrationformatwasborn.

Sincethattime,specialevents havecomeandgone —including pie-eatingcontests,softball “grudge”matches,beardgrowingcontests,greasedpigchases andcow-chiphurlingcompetitions —buttheessencestaysthe same.

Featuredeventsthisyearwill include ropingandfull rodeo competitionsbeginningat7p.m., July2-3-4.OnJuly3,slackevents willbeginat 9a.m.andwill includebarrelracing,calf roping, team ropingandbulldoggingor steerwrestling.

Concludingtheholidayand rodeofestivitieswillbethefireworkssponsoredbytheBrush RodeoAssociation,withthecooperationandassistanceofthe Brush VolunteerFireDepartment.

TheMorganCounty Antique TractorandPower ShowwillbeheldattheAMA ComplexonSaturday,June 13.Freetothepublic,the eventwillincludefoodvendors,crafters,gamesfortractorexhibitorsandspectators, aswellasliveentertainment.

Formoreinformation,contactRogerorBarbHolter,970842-5975or TomorDonna Goeken,970-842-4143.More informationand atentative schedulecanbefoundonthe show’sFacebookpageat www.facebook.com/morgancountytractorshow.

Alineofrestored,refurbished, rusty,antiqueand evennewmodeltractors lineupatthe2014MorganCountyAntique Tractor &PowerShowparade.

TheMorganCounty Fair’sCatch-Itcontestsprovideparticipantswith apotential projectfornextyear’sfair,andentertainmentforthespectators.

June

MorganCountyAntiqueTractor &PowerShow —6a.m.to5 p.m.,June13,AMAComplex

SummerSizzlerBaseball

June19-21

Brush!Rush! —June27. Visit www.brushcolo.comforinformationandregistration.

BradAmackSoftball Tournament —June27-28

July

61stAnnualBrushRodeo

July2-4

July4thCelebration —East MorganLibraryQuiltShow,Lions ClubBreakfast, Paradeat10 a.m. Fireworksatdusk.

StateCalRipken 9andUnder Tournament —July9-11,Brush.

Brush Parks&Recreation Week —July13-18.Wiffleball tournament,swimming,concert inthepark,freecommunity breakfast,horseshoetournament,mudvolleyballtournament,freeBBQ,discgolftournament.

AdultSoftball Tournament

July19

CustomerAppreciation Free Barbecue —July21,EastMor-

ganCountyLibraryPark,5:30to 7p.m.

August

MorganCounty Fair —Aug. 3-7,MorganCounty Fairgrounds, Brush.

Steak Fry —Aug.5,Morgan County Fairgrounds.

DemolitionDerby —Aug.21, MorganCounty Fairgrounds.

September

HotAirBalloon Festival

Sept.12-13

CarShow-CruiseIn —6p.m.,

Sept.26

Oktoberfest —10a.m.to5 p.m.,Sept.27,downtownBrush

EbenEzerLutheranCareCenter’sFall Festival —Sept.27, CarrollBuilding

November

ShopBrush First campaign begins.

December

BrushHighSchoolFBLACraft Show —Dec.5

Freekidsmovie —1p.m., Dec.12,SandsTheatre

Freekidsmovie —1p.m., Dec.19,SandsTheatre,followed by Santa PartyattheCarrollBuilding,2:30p.m.

WELCOME toMorganCounty

FORTMORGAN, LOGLANEVILLAGE, ORCHARD, WELDONA,WIGGINS

OldschoolhouseonRdEE by PaulThrelkel, Fort Morgan Gelding by Tracy Tate,Wiggins

Lightning by GaryGeisick, Weldona

5DAY TRIPS

inFortMorganandMorganCounty

Newexhibits tellstoriesofpast

Relivethehistoryandheritageof thePlainsinMorganCountyand northeastColoradowith avisitto Fort MorganMuseum,414MainSt., indowntownFort Morgan’sCity Park.

Themuseum’smain-floorEastand Westgalleriesoffernewlyupdated exhibitsandplentyofchancestoget lostinlearningaboutthepeopleand placesthatcamelongbeforethecity, aswellashowandwhenthecity cametobeandwhomadethathappen.

Thereisalife-sizetipiintheEast Gallery, amodeloftheOldFortthat gavethecityitsname,analmostlifesizedmodelofRainbowBridge,a toweringwindmill, areal-lifesoda fountainand arealairplanehanging overheadinthe WestGallery. Exploretheexhibitsandseewhat youcandiscoverandlearn.

Historiccrossing has weathereditall

FortMorgan’shistoricRainbow Bridgeisanoriginalarchbridgethat nowservesas abicycleandpedestrianpathway,aswellas agreatplaceto viewortakepicturesofthebeautiful SouthPlatteRiverandRiverside Park.

Theoriginaltimberbridgewas builtin1890,buttheColoradoState HighwayDepartmentandMorgan Countydecidedto replacethestructurewith aconcretebridgein1922.

Thecurrentbridge,locatedon U.S.Highway52onthenorthsideof FortMorgan,wasusedtocarry trafficacrosstheriverandinandoutof thecityofFortMorgan.TheColoradoDepartmentof Transportation closedthebridgetovehiculartraffic in1987becauseofdeterioration,but itwas rehabilitatedbylocalworkers in1992.

Thebridgewaslistedonthe NationalRegisterofHistoricPlaces, andtheAmericanSocietyofCivil

Engineershasdesignateditas aColoradoCivilEngineeringLandmark. RainbowBridgestandswith11 archspansand24antique replica lamppoststoprovidevisitorswitha viewofthehistoricstructureandthe SouthPlatteRiveranytimeofdayor night.

Thebridgealsosurvived abig floodinSeptember2013.Despitethe watersoftheSouthPlatteflowingon topofit,thebridgewasdeclared structurallysoundlaterthatyear.It nowservesas asymbolofFortMorgan.

Recoveredpark offersattractions

IfRainbowBridgewashitbythe floodofSeptember2013,Riverside Parktook amuchbiggerhit.The SouthPlatteRiverliningthenorth sideoftheparkhaditsleveesbreak, andfloodwaters rushedthroughthe park,causingmuchdamageand destruction.

ThehistoricRainbowBridgeis apopularpedestrian wayalongsideHighway 52northof Fort Morgan.

DAYTRIP frompage47

Butthecity receivedfederaland stategrantsand restoredthemassive, 300-acrepark,whichincludesatleast 5.2milesofmaintainednaturetrails, grassyareasforpicnicking,pavilions, ballfields,sandvolleyballpits,basketballcourts, aworld-class21-holedisc golfcourse,fishingponds,12 RV parkingareasforfreeovernightcamping, playgrounds,threeswimmingpools with awaterslideopeninthesummer, season restrooms, aduckpond,horseshoepitsandstillmore.

Ittook alotofwork,butallofthisis backtonormaland readyforpeopleto come,explore, relaxandenjoy.

Ayear-roundescape

Locatedjust afewmilesnorthof Wiggins,JacksonLakeisanescape fromthesummerheatand afunplace forthosewholovetowalkalongthe beach,swim,fish,boatorevenwaterski.

Eveninthewinter,camping,icefishingandiceskatingareavailable.

Theparklogsabout300,000visits eachyear.

Amarinawith recreationalsupplies, foodandbeveragesislocatedonthe shorelineand alargerampnearbyoffers aconvenientspottolaunch aboat.

Theparkoffers260campsites,many withelectricalhookups,aswellaspicnicareas.Showers,flushtoilets,laundryfacilitiesanddrinkingwaterare available.

Trout,walleye,bass,catfish,perch, crappieandwipersarethereforthe anglertotrytocatch.

Campsitescanbe reservedbycalling 1-800-678-2267oronlineatcoloradostateparks.reserveamerica.com.

JacksonLakecanbe reachedfrom Interstate76bytakingtheHighway39 exitnear Wiggins,takingHighway39

northtoHighway144atGoodrichand followingthesignswestfromHighway 144.

Afullcourseexperience

Renamedin2011,QuailDunesat FortMorganGolfCourseprovidesthe luxuriesof abig-citycoursewiththe benefitsof asmalltown.

Thetwonineshavedistinctpersonalitiesandchallenges,butbothwillbenefit fromnewirrigationsystemsthatwere upgradedin recentyears.

Thefrontnine,designedbyHenry Hughsinthe1920s,hastree-linedfairways,smallergreensandwaterhazards,whilethebacknine,designedby FrankHummelinthe1960s,features morenativevegetationandelevation changes.

The165-acre,par-72coursehasfour setsofteeswithyardagerangingfrom 5,391to6,600,aswellas aputting green,drivingrangeandsandbunker. Agolfshopandsnackbar roundout thelinksexperience.

To schedule ateetime,calltheQuail DunesProShopat970-867-5990orvisit theGolfCoursedepartmentpageon cityoffortmorgan.com.

TheRiverside Park Nature Trails offerseveralmilesofimproved trailsfor walkersandjoggers toenjoyinatleastthree seasonsoftheyear.

OptimistDiscGolfcourseready forbeginners,advancedplayers

Oneofthegrowingactivitiesto getoutdoorsandplayduring thesummerisdiscgolf,a combinationofFrisbeeandgolf. Manyenthusiastsenjoythesport,and FortMorganoffers achancetoenjoy abeautifulcoursethathasfeatured sometopcompetitioninthesportas well.

In2002,theOptimistDiscGolf coursewascreatedoveratRiverside Park.Thecoursefeatures27holesto play,withconcretepadsanddiscatcherbaskets.Asforthecourse,itislaid outin alightlywoodedarea,andfeaturesplentyofelevationchangesand waterhazardstogiveplayerssome toughobstaclestoovercomewith theirgame.

Manywhohaveplayedthecourse havegivenitpositive reviewsonline, makingthecourseoneofthefavorite spotsfordiscgolfplayerstoparticipateineasternColorado.

“Thecourseisveryforgivingandis apopularcourseforallskilllevelsto play,”oneofthe reviewsondgcoursereview.comsaid.

“FortMorganisluckytohavea coursethisgoodintheirbackyard,” another review read.“Thewholepark settingisphenomenalforfamilies. Non-playerscanfindotheractivities todointheparkaswell. Takethe wholefamilyandmake adayoutofit.”

Thecoursehashostedsomenationalplayers,andwilldosoagainduring the2015HighPlainsChallengeon

June5-7.Thecoursehashostedsinglesanddoublestournamentsforthe lastfouryears.

Forthosewhoarenotexperts,the discgolfcoursewilloffersometrainingclassesfornewcomerstolearn aboutthesportandthefundamental skills requiredtobesuccessful. CoursesarebeingtaughtintheeveningaboutthesportbyWayneCarlson,whois aresidentofBrushandan aviddiscgolfer.

To seeforyourself,comeoverto RiversideParkat1600MainSt. Beforethesummerseasongetsbusy, findsometimetoplaythecourse yourself,andget readyforsomebig namesinthesporttoplaythecourse intheirtournamentsthissummer.

Filephoto

AcoupleoftheholesatOptimistDiscGolfcourseatRiverside Park in Fort Morgan.

Annualfestivalcelebratesits hometownheroGlennMiller

GlennMillerhaslefthismarkon hischildhoodhometownofFort Morgan —bothliterallyandfiguratively.

TheauditoriumatFortMorganHigh Schooland asmallparknexttothe town’shistoricCityHallbothbearthe nameofthefamedbigbandmusician.

Andsodoes afestivalheldeveryJune.

Returningtoheadlinethisyear’sGlenn MillerSwingFest,June18-20,isthe WorldFamousGlennMillerOrchestra,a descendentofthebandMillerheadedup backinthe1940s.

Thegroupwillappearat adancethe eveningofSaturday,June20,atKeith BathFarms,22424MorganCountyRoad Q,justeastofFortMorgan. Ticketscost $45perperson.

Severalothermusicaleventsare planned,including aclinicforhigh schoolstudentsonJune19.

ButtheMCCPlatte ValleyBand,which isanensembleofareamusicianssponsoredbythelocalcommunitycollege, willkickthingsoffwith aliveoutdoor showtheeveningofJune18intheyearold,community-fundedDahms-Talton

GlennMiller SwingFest Schedule

ofEvents

Thursday, June18

Musicinthe Park —MCC Platte ValleyBandliveat

Dahms-TaltonBandShellin Fort MorganCity Park downtown;6:30p.m.NoCharge

Friday, June19

BandClinicforHighSchool Students

VocalClinicforHighSchool Students

Saturday, June20 FlyInat Fort MorganMunicipalAirport.NoCharge

Lunch &Music

AtGlennMillerAuditorium, Fort MorganHighSchool, 719E.RiverviewAve.Noon to 4p.m.UpscaleBoxLunch cost$20perperson. Entertainmentin auditorium —NoCharge. AlanCass —GlennMiller Historian

BandClinicGroup

MusicClinicGroup

JuliaRich —LeadSinger withTheGlennMillerOrchestraformanyyears

AmandaStevensNoble— DaughterofGarry Stevens who wasintheArmy Air ForceBandwithGlennMiller Liveband

DinnerontheBridge

5to7p.m.,withCocktail PartyatoneofourHistoric Homes,followed by amulticoursedinnerontheHistoric RainbowBridgeandchauffeurservices.Also,Carriage RidesaroundRiverside Park andDancingtotheGlenn MillerOrchestra

Hosted by TheRootsGroup. $100perperson,Tickets Required

DancetoThe WorldFamous GlennMillerOrchestra 8to11p.m.at KeithBath Farms,22424MorganCountyRoadQ,eastof Fort Morgan.

$45perperson,Tickets Required

The WorldFamousGlennMillerOrchestraperformsat Keith Bath'sbarnsoutheastof Fort Morganaspartofthe2014Glenn MillerSwingFest.Thebandisreturningforthe2015festival.

GlennMiller wasamusician,arranger, composer,andband-leaderintheswing era.He wasoneofthebest-selling recordingartistsfrom1939to1943, leadingoneofthebestknownbig bands,theGlennMillerOrchestra. CourtesyPhoto /FortMorganMuseum

GLENNMILLER frompage50

BandShellinFortMorganCityPark.

OnSaturdaymorningtherewillbe afly-inatFortMorganMunicipalAirport,just northofthecityonState Highway52.Itwillfeaturenumerous aircraft,someofthemof World WarII orolderventure.

NextonSaturdaywillbeLunch& MusicatGlennMillerAuditoriumat FortMorganHighSchool,719E.RiverviewAve.,inFortMorgan.

Ticketstothemealare$20;the entertainmentintheauditoriumisfree andwillfeatureGlennMillerhistorian AlanCass,thebandandmusicclinic groupsperforming, aperformanceby JuliaRich,whowastheleadsinger withtheGlennMillerOrchestrafor manyyearsand aperformanceby AmandaStevensNoble,thedaughter ofGarry StevenswhowasintheArmy AirForceBandwithGlennMiller.

ThateveningwillofferDinneronthe Bridge,with acocktailpartyat aHistoricHomeinFortMorgan,followed by amulti-coursedinnerontheHistoricRainbowBridgeandchauffeurservices.

Therealsowillbecarriagerides aroundRiversideParkanddancingto TheGlennMillerOrchestra.

Thisnot-to-be-missedeveningexperienceisavailableat apriceof$100per

person.

Formoreinformationaboutthe GlennMillerSwingFest,including optionsforpurchasingtickets,visit glennmillerswingfest.com.

JackCroninofDenver,left,flewhisU.S.NavySNJ-7Binto Fort MorganAirportfor the2014fly-in,whichispartoftheannualGlennMillerSwingFest.Thisisa chancetoseevintageandcontemporaryaircraft.

FortMorganMuseum: Bright,shinyandnew

FortMorganMuseum has awholenewlook, anditsomethingthat anyvisitortothecityshould checkout.

Admissionisfree,andit’sa placewhereaperson —ora wholefamily —couldeasily spend afewhours —ora wholeday —exploringthe exhibits.

Forthosewhovisitedthis museumbeforesummer 2014,itisworthanotherlook.

Themuseum’supperEast and Westgalleriesexhibits, whichwereunder renovation forthebetterpartofthree years,werecompletedin June2014,andthe resultisa fantasticjourneythroughthe area’spast,fromfossils throughtoday.

Thereare artifacts,murals, informationalpostersandflip-

If yougo

What: Fort MorganMuseum& Library

Where: Locatedindowntown Fort Morganat414MainSt., aboutonehournortheastof DenveronInterstate76,get offatexit80andheadsouth. When: Forhours,visitwww.cityoffortmorgan.com

Cost: Free.

Moreinfo: Call970-542-4010.

booksandlotsmoreforviewing, readingandlearning. There’seven aminiaturized versionoftheoldfortthat gavethecityitsname,anda chancetolookforthingslike tinyskunksandvariousother animalsamongthelittle buildingsandpeopleinthe model.

See MUSEUM,pg. 53

Something forEveryone Something forEveryone

Allen Petersonlooks overthenewNativeAmericans displayatFortMorganMuseum. Peterson waspassing throughthecitywhiletravellingfromStromsburg,Neb., andhappenedtostopatthemuseum.

PaxtonDavid,4,peersdownatthenewOld Fort displayatFort MorganMuseumwhilehisparents,ShaneandAmandaDavid, peerthroughthespyglasses availableforclose-uplooksatthe miniaturepartsoftheexhibit.

2015CALENDAR

June

Golftournaments allsummer.Goto www.quaildunes.com.

Live @the Park SummerConcert Series —Thursdaysat6:30p.m., Fort MorganCity Park

MorganCountyAntique Tractorand PowerShow —June13,Brush

MorganCountyRelayForLife —June 13.All-nightcancerbenefit eventat Legion Fieldin Fort Morgan

GlennMillerSwingFest —June18-20, Fort Morgan

BrushRush5K run, walk,rollerblade race —June27,EastMorganCounty LibraryPark,Brush

July

BrushRodeo —July2-4,MorganCoun-

MUSEUM frompage52

ThenewEducation exhibitintheEast GalleryatFortMorgan Museumnowfeatures displayandartifact labels, aflipbookfilled withextrainformation, drawers withitemsof interestandlit-upcases.

ty FairgroundsinBrush

BrushIndependenceDayparade

July4,downtownBrush

Brushfireworksdisplay —July4,MorganCounty FairgroundsinBrushatdusk. Wiggins FourthofJulyBlowout —July4, Wiggins Town Park BobStockmusicfest —July10-11, Fort MorganCity Park

August

MorganCounty Fair —July31-Aug.6, MorganCounty FairgroundsinBrush

September

BrushBalloon Festival inBrush Alzheimer’sMemoryWalk —Sept.12, startsat Fort MorganCity Park FallHarvestCarShow —downtown

Fort Morgan,typicallyheldthethird weekendinSeptember

OktoberfestandCarShow —downtownBrush,typicallyheldthelast weekendofSeptember

October

Pope FarmsCornMaze —Justsouthof Interstate76 by Wiggins Trickor Treat Trail events —Oct.31, downtown Fort Morgan

December

Fort Morgan ParadeofLights —First week,downtown Fort Morgan ChristmasCapitolofthePlains events —ThursdaynightsandSaturdays.Check www.cityoffortmorgan.comforschedule anddetails.

Thenewexhibitsupstairs atthemuseumwerefunded bycommunitydonationsand grants.

FortMorganMuseumalso hastheLowerLevelGallery, whichnowthattheworkon theexhibitsisfinished,is beingusedagaintohosttrav-

ellingandspecialexhibits thatlast afewweeksto afew months.

Inthesamecomplexis FortMorganPublicLibrary, whichoffersfreeopen Wi-Fi andcomputeraccess,aswell as avarietyofotherservices andprograms.

AroundtheHighPlains

Road by Brianna Farnes,Holyoke

The YellowHousein Keota by S.Hutchison,Merino

TakeninStoneham by CathyShull, Fort Morgan

KeithandDeuelCounties,Nebraska

‘BigMac’earns itsnickname

NearlyeverythingaboutLake McConaughyisbig!Its30,500surface acresmakeitNebraska’slargest reservoirwithover100milesofshoreline. McConaughyisknownas aplacefor outdoorgoodtimes.Itswatersand whitesandbeachesprovidethesetting formanydifferentkindsofoutdoor recreation.Inadditiontoexcellentfishingandboating,BigMacis afavorite withcampers,sailboaters,windsurfers,swimmers,waterskiers,picnickers,scubadivers,hunters,iceboaters, andmanyoutdoorfunseekers.

The$2.5millionLakeMcConaughy WaterInterpretiveand VisitorsCenter isperchedon abluffone-quartermile southofKingsleyDamoverlooking LakeMcConaughy.The8,700square foot VisitorsCenterfeaturesNebraska’sfirstwaterinterpretivecenter.An exhibitinthecentershowsthebalancedneedsof recreation,fishand

wildlife,irrigationandhydropower. Alsowithinthe Visitors’Centeris adivingbellusedin1976toinspecttheoutletstructuresofthedam.

Inadditiontowildlifeandnaturalhistoryrelatedfilmsandvideoproductions,thefacilityalsoincludes acommunity roomavailableforpublic meetingsand receptions, afreshwater aquarium, a50-seatstate-of-thearttheater,aninformationdeskandgift shops.

Stepbackintime on FrontStreet

Notsolongago,FrontStreetwas theheadquartersfor Texasdrovers, tin-horngamblers,prettydancehall galsandsomeofthefastestgunsin the West.Nowyoucan relivethisriproaringeraalongthefamedstreetof old.Pushasidethoseswingingdoors oftheCrystalPalaceandsuddenly,it is1875again. Walkrightuptothe bar,put afootonthebrassrail,cock anelbowanddown acoldmugofsarsaparilla.Thetraildustwashesdown andyou relax...thehouselightsdim andthestagefillswiththeprettiest galswestoftheMissouriRiver...the FrontStreetshowisunderway! FrontStreetisopenyear round.The CrystalPalaceRevenueisfeaturedin thesummermonths.

See DAY TRIPS,pg. 56

Enjoyacampfire by theshoreofLake McConaughy.

Courtesyphoto /Ogallala/KeithCounty ChamberofCommerce

DAYTRIPS frompage55

Mansionmemorializes cautionarylovestory

Anauthentic Victorianstylehome,the MansionontheHillwasOgallala’sfinest residencewhenitwascompletedin 1887.L.A.Brandhoefer,awealthybankerfromChicago,becameintriguedwith theopenprairies,thePlatteRivervalley, cowboys,NativeAmericans,andearly pioneerswhosefortitudeanddeterminationtowinthe Westinspiredhim.Brandhoeferwasengagedto agirlinChicago andas aweddinggift,hebuiltthelarge three-storyredbrickmansion.Uponits completionhe returnedtoChicagofor hissweetheartonlytofindthatshehad marriedanother.Themansionisopen fromMemorialDaythroughmid-September.

Buriedwiththeirbootson

Inthestirringdaysofthe1800s, whenthepresentcityofOgallalawas aninfanttownontheUnionPacific Railroad,BootHillCemeterywasthe finalrestingplaceforcowboys,drifters andsettlerswhohelpedmakeOgallala aboomingcowtown.Manyburiedat BootHillranafoulofthelawandthe

streetsofOgallalaechoedwithgunfire assomeslickgamblerorhorsethief methiswaterloo.Oneburialwasthat of“RattlesnakeEd,”whowasshot downover a$9betintheMontegame inthe“Cowboy’sRestSaloon.”Most wereburiedwiththeirbootson,thus thenameBootHill.

locatedat289BabcockinChappellis hometooneofthemostrareandvaluablecollectionsofartinwestern

Nebraska.TheChappellGallerycollectionfeatures reproductionsofRembrandt,worksofAaronPyleandunusualorientalart.

Pioneers lefttheir markatAshHollow

ApicturesquewoodedcanyonislocatedthreemilessoutheastofLewellen. Earlypioneersfollowed abranchofthe Overland Trailthatrannorthwestfrom theLowerCaliforniaCrossingofthe SouthPlatteRiver afewmileswestof Brule,anddescendedatAshHollowinto theNorthPlatte Valley.

Thehollow,namedfor agrowthofash trees,wascenteredby WindlassHillto thesouth.Thepioneers’wagonshadto beeaseddownthesteepslopeby ropes. Today,deeptrough-like remainsofthe trailcanstillbeseenapproachingthe crestof WindlassHillandonitsface.

5 6

Uniqueartcollection asighttobehold

TheChappellMemorialArtGallery

7

BigSpringsareamarks atrailbackintime

VisitBigSpringsandseethe restored PhelpsHotelBedandBreakfastand

BuffaloJoe’sfivebuffalo,madeentirely ofbarbedwirelocatednexttothehotel. NinemilesnorthofBigSpringsisthe WatermanSodHouse.Thiswell-preservedsodhomewaslivedinbythe Watermanfamilyuntilthelate1980s.A fewmileseastonHighway30,youwill seethemarkeroftheCaliforniaHill.PioneersontheOregon Trailcrossedthe SouthPlatteriver ashortdistancetothe southbeforeclimbingthissteephilland startingthetrektoAshHollow.Thetrail windsitswayacrossthetabletoward

FLORA OFTHE HIGHPLAINS

CottonwoodtreeattheJeanK. ToolStateWildlifeArea by PaulThrelkel, Fort Morgan

BackyardflowersbyCindySchneider,FortMorgan

Field by BriannaMarie Farnes,Holyoke

Flower by KarianneDonnelson,Fleming

Faunaofthe HIGHPLAINS

Cattledrive by SueHodgson,Brush

Rabbit by ChelbiContreraz, Fort Morgan

Pheasants by DeniseSmith,Holyoke

Geese by CindySchneider,FortMorgan