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More than just another beer league

Elk Mountain Ultimate turns Frisbee into a mindfulness and mentorship practice

ANNALISE GRUETER

Sopris Sun Correspondent

It started out as just a casual thing. Yet Ultimate Frisbee has always had loftier ambitions. Those aspirations are simply different from other sports. In the Roaring Fork Valley, Elk Mountain Ultimate has weaved its own story into the broader thread of the counterculture sport played by millions worldwide.

Ultimate Frisbee evolved in the mid-1960s at Amherst College in Massachusetts, before high school students in New Jersey expanded and documented its rules in 1968. This new sport centered around the 1930s-invented toy disk rapidly expanded through the 1970s among teens and university students. A key part of the appeal was its self-regulation and emphasis on community and joy compared to more established sports. In the philosophy of Ultimate, accountability, honesty and advocating for teammates and everyone on the field is key to maximizing the playing experience. What is now known as the Spirit of the Game is fully embodied in the Elk

Mountain league.

Regular summertime Ultimate has been in the Roaring Fork Valley for nearly two decades. It took a “powerhouse of a woman,” Liz Chapman, and her partner, Michael “Chappy” Chapman, moving to the Valley from Fayetteville, Arkansas, to turn it into something more.

Back in Arkansas, the pair had been a part of the Fayetteville Disk Association, where Liz organized up to 800 people when hosting tournaments. She shared, “I was drawn to the sport not only because it is a physical challenge, but it also challenges your mental discipline to be mindful of your impact and fairly negotiate disputes.”

Chappy and Liz met Jennifer Dolecki-Smith, who was organizing the casual pick-up play in Aspen. When Liz realized how many sporadic participants had played competitive Ultimate in college, she said, “I figured people would be more likely to regularly show up if we had a league,” so she started one in 2009. Shawn Gerum was one of the friends that Liz and Chappy persuaded to join. continued on page 5

Above: Lincoln DiLorenzo, Shawn Gerum, Budger Clark, and Brooks Shaffer play ultimate frisbee as part of the Elk Mountain Ultimate League. Below: Baker Casagrande guards Patrick Fulton. Photos by Will Sardinsky

The arrowhead

With an ancestry of Roaring Fork Valley pioneers, Stephen Bershenyi was born into a ranching family in Glenwood Springs and stewards the family property, the Lazy V Quarter Circle Ranch, a 640-acre high-mountain parcel protected by a conservation easement. An English literature and German language double major, Bershenyi also earned his journeyman card as a control instrument and refrigeration pipefitter. He has worked in facilities management, construction and, since 2005, as an artist blacksmith.

A perfectly formed flint knapped projectile point. There it lay in the road as my best friend from high school, his wife and six-year-old son and I hiked the road out of our camp along Three Mile Creek. It had rained the day before we came to camp and the rivulet of water running down the road had unearthed this beautiful gift from an unknown White River Ute tribal hunter seeking game to feed his people. As I gifted that object to my friend’s son, I felt the presence of that Ute hunter and a feeling of reverence and responsibility to the land.

OPINION

A few years after the discovery of that projectile point, we discovered on our neighbor’s property to the north and along the east side of the meadow that now holds Three Mile Reservoir, the very site where a White River Ute flint knapper had set up his workplace to make projectile points for the hunters in the tribe. The site is large, about 30 feet in diameter showing perhaps a thousand years of activity by generations of tribal armorers.

VOICES

RADIO HOUR

That unknown Ute hunter and I seemed connected by a thread of history, woven of his and my love for this piece of land which my family now owned and which his family used freely without the need of “ownership.” This complex and beautiful 662 acre property has been in my family since 1941.

By Stephen Bershenyi

For over half of my life it was viewed as simply a utilitarian necessity as summer range for our cattle herd. That all changed when, in 1990, our family sold our ranch on Dry Park Road to a family whose vision was for it to grow homes instead of alfalfa. That left us with this parcel along Three Mile Creek, which became a summer and fall camping and hunting destination for the family. My hunting became another thread connecting that Ute hunter and me.

LETTERS

Three-legged stool

Many a time I have listened to people lament, “Where is the ‘none of the above’ on a political ballot?” So many voters are worn out by the two-party non-choice. A choice for this presidential election has emerged and fully experienced with both people, governments and corporations. Forty years ago, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. began the Riverkeepers to defend the Potomac River against General Electric and won a more clear Potomac.

My vote is clearly RFK, Jr. Our opportunity for a third party is now. A three-legged stool makes for a more stable country.

Richard Vottero Carbondale

Support for Samson

I am writing to express my unwavering support for Mike Samson’s reelection as Garfield County Commissioner for District 3.

Mike Samson has deep roots in Garfield County, having been born in Glenwood Springs and raised in Rifle. He holds two degrees and has dedicated 25 years to teaching and coaching in the Garfield RE-2 School District, followed by five years as a district administrator. His lifelong commitment to education and community service, along with his 46-year marriage to his wife, Janet, seven children and many grandchildren, reflect his strong family values and dedication to our community.

Under the leadership of Mike Samson and fellow commissioners Tom Jankovsky and John Martin, Garfield County has become one of the best-run counties in the U.S. Following the 2022 completed audit, the county boasted a

It is easy to sit at that place and envision the hunting party camped in the meadow along the creek, watching as they came and went and the women butchered game and fletched and tanned the hides for clothing.

That singular projectile point became the inspiration for me to begin the family conversation about conserving this special place. It had opened my mind to the awesome responsibility that I felt to preserve this place for all time. A family conversation that spanned 15 years culminated in our entire family committing to the idea of conserving the land.

It is now, and will always be, as it has always been. My gift to that unknown Ute hunter is simply that were he to reappear, he would know this place as he knew it in his lifetime.

“The two most important days of your life are the day you were born, and the day you know why.” - Mark Twain

VOICES Summertime Stories & Music presents “Our Land, Our Voices” in collaboration with Aspen Valley Land Trust (AVLT) on Aug. 10 at Coffman Ranch: 1837 County Road 100, Carbondale. This program amplifies local voices from conservationists, artists, educators, youth, farmers and ranchers. Guided ranch tours are at 6pm, and the performance will follow at 7pm. Please RSVP at voicesrfv.org.

net position of $352 million, including $86 million in liquid funds. This impressive financial stability is a testament to the prudent and forward-thinking fiscal management demonstrated by our commissioners every day.

During his 16 years of service as county commissioner, Mike has been a strong advocate for a balanced energy policy, including both traditional and renewable energy sectors. He has championed local control over water resources, ensuring sustainable use and safeguarding our water for future generations.

Mike’s experience, knowledge and proven track record make him the ideal candidate to continue guiding Garfield County toward a prosperous future. His leadership has been instrumental in ensuring that our county remains a vibrant and affordable place to live, work and raise families.

I urge all residents of District 3 to cast their vote for Mike Samson. Let’s continue to support a leader who has consistently worked in the best interests of our community. Mike Samson’s commitment to Garfield County is unwavering and, once reelected, he will continue to lead us with integrity, prudence and dedication.

Evan Morris Carbondale

CKF gratitude

The Chris Klug Foundation (CKF) is deeply grateful to all those who helped make our 2024 Wine & Dine for Life gala so special. This annual awareness and fundraising event helps us share our lifesaving message for organ, eye and tissue donation, and helps us support

individuals nationwide before, during and after transplant.

CKF would like to recognize our title sponsor and Gold Level supporters, The Hoffberger Family. Thank you Captain Jeff, Russell, Joanie and Helen for your incredible generosity. We would also like to thank our presenting sponsor and Silver Level supporters, The Brodsky Family. Thank you Randy and Julie for your ongoing support. And thank you to the Snowmass Club, Schramsberg Winery, Sashae Floral, the Derek Brown Band and Viceroy Snowmass.

We are thankful for all of our table sponsors and individual ticket purchasers, as well as those who donated to our cause before, during, and after the event. We would also like to thank those who supported our silent auction — both the kind and generous local businesses, and the W&D attendees who bid on the baskets.

Finally, we would like to honor our 2024 CKF Award recipients for their awe-inspiring contributions to the donation and transplantation communities. Thank you for your selfless service, and for your tireless efforts to support and advance organ, eye and tissue donation and transplantation. Congratulations to our Hero Award winners, Mark and Lynn Scotch; our Bounce Back, Give Back Award winner, Denise Redeker; and our Community Champion Award winner, Abby Gray. Thank you to Gus Richardson and The Sopris Sun for helping share their stories.

On behalf of the CKF staff and board, thank you! We hope you can join us next year!

Jessi Rochel Chris Klug Foundation

Editor Raleigh Burleigh 970-510-3003

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Legacy Givers for including us in their final wishes. Mary Lilly

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SCUTTLEBUTT

HWY 133 construction

The Town of Carbondale announced that construction will begin this week on Highway 133 at the crosswalk adjacent to Cowen Drive. The crosswalk project entails installing a raised midway island and two additional flashing signs (currently there are two). Pushbuttons will be located on both sides of the road and on each side of the refuge island. Northbound traffic will be reduced to one lane during construction, which is expected to significantly slow down traffic. Motorists are encouraged to consider alternate routes during construction, which is expected to last three weeks.

Fire restrictions

As of Aug. 2, the Bureau of Land Management’s Colorado River Valley and Grand Junction field offices implemented stage one fire restrictions. Restrictions include: No campfires outside of designated areas with permanent fire grates; no smoking except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or in a barren area free of vegetation; no use of explosive materials, including explosive targets; no welding or operation of an acetylene or other similar torch with open flame except in an area cleared of vegetation; and no operation of any internal combustion engine, such as a chainsaw, without a spark arresting device. All burn permits are postponed or canceled within Garfield County. Remember, if campfire coals are still hot to the touch, it’s not out! For more information regarding restrictions specific to Garfield County, visit www.tinyurl.com/GarCoFireRestrictions

Avalanche foot bridge

Work is underway this month to replace the footbridge on Avalanche Creek Trail leading over Hell Roaring Creek. The bridge was washed out in 2019. The trail will be closed from Hell Roaring Creek onward from Aug. 14 to Aug. 31, but the first 2.6 miles from the trailhead will remain accessible.

Tag Glenwood

The Glenwood Springs Art and Culture Board invites local, regional and Colorado-based artists to submit proposals for its upcoming Community Convergence to bring its “community parks and right-of-ways to life.” Applications along with proposals are due by Aug. 18. Find more information and apply at www.tinyurl.com/CallforEntryGWS

Rabies risk

Rabies is a deadly virus that spreads to people from the saliva of infected animals. It is nearly 100% preventable if medical care is received quickly. Untreated rabies infects the brain and results in death. In Colorado, bats and skunks are the main sources of rabies. If you encounter a bat inside your home, do not handle it with your bare hands. If you have been bitten or scratched, try to capture the bat in a small box to be tested for rabies. Garfield County Public Health can be reached at 970-945-6614.

TRTC accolades

Thunder River Theatre Company (TRTC) was nominated for six Henry Awards through the Colorado Theatre Guild for its production of “Endgame” by Samuel Beckett, and took home two. Brian Landis Folkins who played Clov won the Outstanding Lead Actor award and the performance itself won Outstanding Production.

Colorado Creative Industries

How’s Colorado’s arts and culture sector faring? What are the biggest needs and opportunities? Colorado Creative Industries is

Consider

developing its next strategic plan to support the arts statewide and wants your input! A brief survey is open through Aug. 13 at www.bit.ly/COCreativeSurvey

Trump visit

The Aspen Times reported that Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump will be in Aspen for a private campaign fundraising event on Saturday, Aug. 10 at an “undisclosed location.” The cost for couples to participate ranges from $25,000 to $500,000. To read the Aspen Times story, visit www.tinyurl.com/ AspenTimesTrump

They say it’s your birthday!

Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Amber Sparkles, Chris Peterson and Jasmin Ramirez Ramos (Aug. 8); Dru Handy and Sarah-Jane Johnson (Aug. 9); Jeanne Souldern and Louise Holgate (Aug. 10); Tripp Adams, Morgan Hill, Bill Hofto and Sean Keery (Aug. 11); Sebastian Dunn, Caitlin Evans, Brian Gaddis and Alyson Romanus (Aug. 12); Briana Boland, John Ginn, Larry Gottlieb and Sarah Overbeck (Aug. 13); Alex Fisher, Ariane Montez and Alejandra Rico (Aug. 14). Wish to share a birthday for print? Contact us at news@soprissun.com

This miniature donkey was caught grazing on the side of County Road 103 near Missouri Heights last week. Sopris Sun photographer Jane Bachrach stopped to see if he was with someone or if he escaped. Just then, Eric Baumheier (pictured) pulled over to help, too. “Long story short,” Bachrach wrote, “I went to the nearest ranch and the women knew who the very friendly donkey belonged to and took him home.” Photo by Jane Bachrach

West Elk Challenge fills trail running marathon gap this fall, while supporting outdoor-ed programs

JOHN STROUD Sopris Sun Correspondent

Roaring Fork Valley trail running enthusiasts will have an alternative to the Aspen Backcountry Marathon that was canceled this summer. They’ll just have to wait another two months and trek over to the other side of the Elk Mountains to do it.

Delta County School District’s outdoor education and equity program, The Nature Connection, is hosting the inaugural West Elk Challenge point-to-point trail marathon (26.2 miles), from Crawford Reservoir State Park to Paonia, on Saturday, Oct. 5.

connects students of all ages in the Delta County Schools to the outdoors. Programs include introducing elementary school students to bikes, taking middle schoolers on the river and backpacking, and forming crews of high school students to build and maintain trails, learn outdoor leadership skills and provide job exploration opportunities.

This

opportunity to explore our backyard and the beautiful West Elk mountains, -Jess Finnigan, Nature Connection

“We wanted to create a fundraiser that raises money to support our programs, and that connects to our mission,” said Ben Graves, development director for The Nature Connection and a longtime teacher in the Delta County schools.

Proceeds from the race will go to support The Nature Connection’s Summer Camp Scholarship Fund, Graves said.

All year long, The Nature Connection

“We are intimately connected to the wild lands that the Elk Mountains offer, making them accesible while preserving and protecting the land,” Graves said.

Every student in the Delta County School District participates in outdoor programs and, including family programs, The Nature Connection serves roughly 9,000 individuals every year, he said. Its reach even extends into the Roaring Fork Valley through a partnership with Sopris Elementary School in Glenwood Springs, and as part of the statewide Generation Wild initiative, which is funded by the state lottery’s Great Outdoors Colorado.

Though it will be a couple of months later, the West Elk Challenge fills a gap

in the region’s trail running calendar left when the City of Aspen decided in May to cancel the popular Aspen Backcountry Marathon. That event would have taken place this week.

“This is a great opportunity to explore our backyard and the beautiful West Elk mountains,” Nature Connection Executive Director Jess Finnigan said in a February news release announcing the first-time event.

“These mountains can be intimidating to even experienced hikers, so by providing aid stations, transportation shuttles and support we are removing the barriers for

folks to do this by themselves.”

The race will start at 8:30am on the shores of Crawford Reservoir State Park and proceed on gravel roads through farms and ranches at the base of Needle Rock.

After that, the course enters the Gunnison National Forest and climbs singletrack trails through aspen stands on the slopes of Mount Lamborn.

After about five miles of climbing, runners cross over the 9,762-foot InterOcean Pass and descend through spruce, aspen and oak past Lone Cabin Reservoir to Paonia, finishing at the River Park on the

continued on page 16

CARE. PRIMARY REGION’S LARGEST NETWORK OF

A runner traverses the backcountry in the Elk Mountains near Inter-Ocean Pass between Crawford and Paonia, where the West Elk Challenge trail marathon is set to take place on Oct. 5. Photo courtesy of The Nature Connection

During their first official season, Gerum said, “we had about 30 folks playing with us after work at 6pm.” By August, they had over 40 people on the rosters for the weekly four-team, double game Tuesday nights. They kept that structure for at least five years. Given the avid recreation-oriented community in the Valley, however, Gerum explained they quickly found their “weekly attendance was often in competition with hiking, climbing, river sports, biking, fishing… you name it!”

“It was challenging to run a team versus team format,” Liz explained. “Some weeks

the teams were wildly mismatched — a team of seven versus a team of 14, for example — and that was not fun.” That led them to adjust the structure to accommodate varying schedules and attendance. Games were also moved to Monday nights to eliminate competition with Tuesday Cruise Days. The league mixed teams based on attendees each week for at least one full standard seven-on-seven game. Gerum elaborated, “We created a system to keep track of individual win-loss records, and we started assigning points to individuals for their performance … but also “spirit” points for folks who helped set

up the fields, brought snacks and refreshments for the evening or were particularly funny, excited or positive that night.” While a player can earn a point for each game win, points are also given for attendance, bringing friends, providing refreshments, set up, preparation and more.

The point system maintained competitiveness while providing opportunities for newer Ultimate players to be involved. Being a considerate and inclusive community member is prioritized over winning. A decade into this incentivized pick-up structure, Elk Mountain Ultimate define themselves as a “learner league,” said Gerum. “We provide awards and little prizes at the end of the season … it is in line with our goals of welcoming new players, coaching them how to play, and helping existing players get better too.”

Sopris Sun photographer Will Sardinsky joined the league in 2013. He was 18 at the time. That timing meant he joined during the last few years of set team game structures and witnessed the transition to the randomized team and points structure. “I didn’t have any skills yet. Liz and Chappy took me in and let me run all night,” Sardinsky laughed. He and Gerum now co-lead the league.

“About 20 people show up each Monday,” Gerum said. “The faces change each week, but there are dedicated regulars. Many of the folks who were the core group in the beginning are still in the Valley.” He considers it a testament to the Spirit of the Game and of Elk Mountain Ultimate specifically that those original players and current league members are highly involved in the community — teachers, city employees, nonprofit admins and business owners are alumni or active players.

The league has always been co-ed, both Sardinsky and Gerum highlighted. “We really try to be welcoming and inclusive,” Gerum said. He explained that the rules and non-contact, safety-oriented principles of the sport help make sure folks of all genders and ages feel welcome and safe on the field. “I find it creates an environment of civility within which people can be as athletically amazing as they want to be. It’s so fun, and amazing to see in action.”

Sardinsky added that they carry the practice of community beyond on-paper rules and self-refereeing accountability.

“At the end of our games, we play a spirit game. It’s something fun and silly where people are jumping into each other’s arms

or playing rock paper scissors or crawling around on the ground with eyes closed.”

That conviviality is something Sardinsky is proud that Elk Mountain Ultimate does especially well. “I burnt out playing Ultimate in college; it felt like competing in a varsity sport without the resources. Our league here balances things, and I love that.” The equilibrium between a high level of play and silliness makes the game and the league sustainable. “We play with a structure, but we don’t play with ego,” he said. “It has kept Frisbee a huge part of my life.”

Gerum reckoned “the mission has always been to provide a fun and spirited place to play Ultimate.” The league has hosted players from all over the U.S. and the world. Many league members have traveled to international and regional tournaments. While Gerum and Sardinsky hope to grow the league, it keeps coming back to joy and intention. Both current leaders and the Chapmans cite Ultimate as having introduced them to some of their closest friends.

Elk Mountain Ultimate continues to meet every Monday at 6pm at Crown Mountain Park in El Jebel, from May to September. All are welcome, whether you’ve competed at the pro level or have never touched a Frisbee.

Megan Killer runs to catch a throw. Photo by Will Sardinsky

Baker Casagrande rolls up the boundary to wrap up an evening with Elk Mountain Ultimate. Photo by Will Sardinsky

The forest service’s proposed parking lot would be in front of the old Gold Pan Gallery, about one mile outside of Marble. Currently, there is room for about four vehicles to park on the north side of Daniel’s Hill.

Photo by Lynn “Jake” Burton

$10,000 flagpole, HB24-1413 lawsuit, Sweetwater Lake concerns

AMY HADDEN MARSH

Sopris Sun Correspondent

First on the agenda at Monday’s Garfield County Commissioner (BOCC) meeting was approval of a comment letter on the Sweetwater Lake Recreation and Development Management Project’s Notice of Intent to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS). In it, the BOCC questions, among other things, how the Sweetwater Lake Area was purchased by the White River National Forest (WRNF). “This transaction stinks,” said Commissioner Tom Jankovsky. “It’s not really graft, but it just shows that things weren’t done correctly on this.”

The letter, drafted by the county’s legal team, provides a history of the land and water rights transactions that Jankovsky said were not transparent. According to the letter, the Conservation Fund, a national environmental nonprofit, purchased the Sweetwater Lake area (SLA) and water rights for $7.1 million in 2020 with a $6.25 million loan from Great Outdoors Colorado, $500,000 from Eagle County, and $350,000 from private donors through Eagle Valley Land Trust and the Save the Lake campaign.

On Aug. 27, 2021, the WRNF bought the SLA from the Conservation Fund for $8.5 million. Jankovsky stated that the Conservation Fund profited from the sale. “This nonprofit walked away with $1.3 million and they didn’t put a penny of their own funds into this transaction,” he said.

The letter also states that the outcome of the SLA project was predetermined. In other words, before the WRNF purchased the SLA, the agency knew it was going to turn over management of the land to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and that CPW planned to make it a state park.

In other news, the BOCC approved a third supplemental budget request, election security improvements

and the consent agenda, and heard discretionary grant requests from the Roaring Fork Conservancy, the Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program, YouthEntity, Garfield County Search and Rescue, the Glenwood Springs Arts Center and Valley Senior Center. They also appointed Lisa Carpenter as a citizen member of the 9th Judicial District Community Corrections Board.

The BOCC approved a request to participate in an 88-unit Habitat for Humanity affordable housing project in Glenwood Springs by purchasing a one-bedroom unit for county employee housing. The $150,000 is an investment in the project, which will convert rental units to condos for purchase. Commissioners also approved $10,000 for a flagpole for the Western Colorado Veterans Coalition in Glenwood Springs. “It costs $10,000?” queried Jankovsky. Bentley Henderson, deputy county manager, said that costs included engineering studies and a licensed contractor.

Upon emerging from an executive session, the BOCC voted unanimously to join a Mesa County lawsuit against the State of Colorado, regarding HB241413 and an increase in severance tax transfers. “This is the state basically trying to take money from local governments, which affects all local governments that receive severance tax,” said Jankovsky. He added that it could cost Garfield County $2 million. “That means, to balance our budget, we have to cut $2 million somewhere else.”

In the afternoon, a request for final plat approval for Oak Meadows Phase 3 Filing 4, an affordable housing plan and subdivision improvement plan was continued. Representatives for the developers stated that Habitat for Humanity, which is involved in the affordable housing plan, is holding up the process.

Oh, and Silt resident John Lepkowski returned for an

“Pssst, for ten thousand you get three wishes to run up the flagpole.” continued on page 16

TUCKER D. FARRIS

Sopris Sun Correspondent

New book highlights Crystal Valley wildflower diversity An impression of the masters in Aspen

RALEIGH BURLEIGH Sopris Sun Editor

The Crystal Valley is unique on Earth. The natural beauty of this drainage spans a variety of habitats — from high-mountain lakes and meadows to shady, cascading creeks. Among iconic peaks exist fleeting bursts of beauty that color the hills each summer season.

Gregory Staple, a former energy lawyer and entrepreneur, trained naturalist and enthusiastic photographer, took it upon himself to document this natural phenomena for years before compiling his research into an educational guide book with hundreds of original photographs. “Get Out There: Crystal River Valley Wildflowers” is a 310-page labor of love first published in June.

“I wrote this guide for the curious,” Staple told The Sopris Sun. Not only does the book serve as an excellent tool for identifying species, the book begins with a detailed primer that delves into topics ranging from the relationship between pollinators and flower evolution to renaming species that carry “noxious” names.

“The question has been raised in the birding community and zoological communities about the carrying forward of 18th and 19th century names that reflect colonial expeditions and in our part of the world, not so long ago … some of the military expeditions, surveying expeditions, had amateur botanists with them and they picked up the gun too and participated in some pretty barbarous raids against native peoples,” Staple described. “Should the flowers they found along the way still bear their names?”

The book exists as a snapshot in time, fully aware of the shifting nature of its delicate subject. Given the seasonal succession of floral generations, wildflowers afford us the opportunity to witness evolution in motion. In light of a changing climate, Staple considers it a “book-length conservation argument for preserving what we have in the Crystal Valley.”

Staple came to live in the Crystal Valley with his wife in 2015. They bought a house outside Marble and he was soon enraptured by the blooms he encountered while hiking. “Does this kind of diversity exist elsewhere? You look around and find out no,” he said. “This part of the Colorado Rockies has a remarkable amount of biodiversity.” In 2019, he identified a white variant of Parry’s harebells, which are typically blue.

Having himself discovered undocumented flower varieties, like a white variant of the typically blue Parry’s harebell, Staple considers wildflower exploration a “floristic frontier” that is still incomplete. “Patterns that don’t match can lead you to wonder and new discoveries,” he noted. “Forms are changing. Varieties within certain species vary from year to year.”

Located inside a historic building at 228 S. Mill Street, Aspen, a new gallery has opened that provides visitors with a oncein-a-lifetime chance to experience an up-close and personal, intimate engagement with stunning masterpieces from the French impressionist movement. Artists such as Picasso, Renoir and Matisse, as well as other contemporary fare by such artists as Andy Warhol, adorn the walls of the carefully-curated space. After attending the grand opening weekend in June, The Sopris Sun returned to interview Andrew Fields, president of M.S. Rau Antiques, who is currently overseeing the seasonal Aspen gallery. M.S. Rau has been rooted in New Orleans, Louisiana since 1912 and has grown into one of the most highly respected fine arts and antique galleries in the country.

A theme of the interview was serendipity. In his journey with M.S. Rau, Fields oversaw a transition of the gallery into what it is today: a unique hybrid fine art gallery dealing in sales of and a free, public opportunity to experience museum-quality treasures by master artists. A common refrain levied on M.S. Rau (first in New Orleans and now much closer to home) is that it’s like a museum, but better, because everything has a price tag.

The feeling of this new gem in the Valley is not one of high-pressure sales situations, or one where someone without the seven-figure pocketbook would feel unwelcome. A cornerstone of this feeling that highlights the divide between storefront for the rich and famous and carefully curated art experience is in the approach to the displays themselves. Contrary to larger museum exhibitions, M.S. Rau has done away with the plexiglass cases and bollards and allows visitors to view the very brushstrokes of these master artists.

There is very little to be written that can convey the feeling of standing toe-to-toe with a Renoir landscape and not only seeing the brush strokes, but being able to feel the enchantment of the light on the blades of grass or the rhythmic movement of the swirling skies. French artist Paul Cézanne

(1839-1906) said of impressionism: “For an impressionist to paint from nature is not to paint the subject, but to realize sensations” and this is encapsulated by the experience of walking through M.S. Rau’s gallery in Aspen. There is a certain unnameable quality of seeing these works with your own eyes, freely and intimately so close to home. It is above a museum experience in that you are there, alone, in the presence of a pure mastering of the arts from over a century in the past. Words cannot describe seeing one of Degas’ paintings of ballerinas live and in-person.

In keeping with the theme of serendipity, Fields spoke of the origins of the gallery’s expansive collection of French impressionist works relaying that it was initially a risk to acquire such a piece — that risk being of the unknown, the impression of the beauty of the work and the idea that it should be shared with others. The decision to dip into impressionism proved to be a successful move for the gallery and they are now known worldwide as an authority on the genre, even producing a thoroughly-researched tome of knowledge on the period titled 19th-Century European Painting written by William Rau, the gallery’s namesake. The book is also available at the gallery and is a stunning love letter to one of the most transformative periods in art history.

Asked about the role he sees the gallery performing, Fields offered that rather than art dealers they are “temporary custodians” of these great works, focusing on preservation, restoration, research and accessibility in addition to art sales. Concerning the historical tension between business and art, from an artist’s position, he shared one of the unique situations dealers in fine arts encounter: a living, breathing engagement with history itself. As part of the gallery experience, each work is paired with a meticulously researched provenance dossier documenting its known history.

In addition to the brushstrokes and artist signatures, the reality of the second world war and the expansive amount of fine art stolen and hoarded by Hitler’s Nazi

M.S. Rau President Andrew Fields poses with an original painting by Pablo Picasso on display at the Aspen gallery. Photo by Tucker Farris

continued on page 9 continued on page 19

A pansy-like columbine variant with no spurs (known as Aquilegia coerulea var. daileyae) is gaining ground because it seems to be less favored by insect herbivores according to an in-depth field study by a UC Santa Barbara research team. Photo by Gregory Staple

The standard form of a columbine, for comparison. The characteristic spurs are filled with sweet nectar. Photo by Gregory Staple

‘It’s like meditation’

RFHS graduates return to play music for hometown audiences

TRINA ORTEGA Sopris Sun Correspondent

Two graduates from Roaring Fork High School (RFHS) who have gone on to study and perform music at a professional level return home in the coming weeks for gigs in the Carbondale area.

Zack Ritchie, who graduated from RFHS in 2014, plays drums with the Denver-based jam band River Spell and has a set Aug. 10 at The Black Nugget in Carbondale. The band heads back up the I-70 corridor on Aug. 23 for an appearance at the Down Valley Vibes Festival in Eagle.

Tyler Treadway donned the RFHS cap and gown in 2019 and returns to play a set with the Denver funk/soul/pop band Hand Turkey on Aug. 18 for the Back to School Bike Bash event at Coal Basin Ranch in Redstone.

A third RFHS graduate, Liam Laird, graced Mountain Fair’s main stage this year with a jazz set with his Way Out West jazz quintet. “I grew up going to the fair every summer and am excited for the opportunity to now be on the stage, adding to the atmosphere,” Laird stated on his Instagram feed prior to the performance. Laird graduated from Berklee College of Music and now lives in New York City.

These musicians say it’s special to play for hometown crowds and state they wouldn’t be the people they are today without their Carbondale music education, mentorship and experiences.

IMPRESSIONISTS

from page 8

Ritchie says music is the means through which he engages with life. “It’s been my vehicle for expression, discovery, healing, connection, travel, joy, sadness, you name it,” he said. “Practicing instruments and performing with other musicians — that’s given me incredible opportunities and experiences that I don’t think I could’ve found any other way.”

Ritchie began playing music in sixth grade band class at Carbondale Middle School (CMS). While studying under CMS band director Mark Gray, whose nickname was Mean Ol’ Mr. Gray or “MOMG,” Ritchie got his first taste of the blues in a band Gray put together for students who wanted to jam after school.

study at the University of Colorado at Boulder, earning a bachelor of music in jazz drum set. Ritchie plays in other Colorado bands, including the new wave rock band VCO; Nostal-jazz, which is a nine-piece jazz ensemble that covers the soundtracks of retro video games, TV theme songs, and blockbuster films; and a jazz quartet doing standards every Wednesday at the Jungle tiki bar in Boulder.

It’s been my vehicle for expression, discovery, healing, connection, travel, joy, sadness, you name it, -Zack Ritchie

“It was my first introduction to blues as a style and formed a lot of the musical vocabulary I have today. That band eventually led me to my first paid gig at Beer Works in 2012 with Mr. Gray’s band, Electric Lemon,” Ritchie said.

He started with trumpet but “gave up” after three months and switched to drums. Private lessons with Carbondale drummer Chris Goplerud followed and the drum set has been Ritchie’s lead instrument since. He went on to

Germany means a cross reference with an international database of known stolen works must be performed. Fields shared an anecdote of a painting they had purchased having been incorrectly listed as not stolen, only to have been reported as stolen later. He relayed that such cases, where history meets reality, is a surreal experience where M.S. Rau endeavors “do the right thing, always.”

The gallery in Aspen exists partially due to Mr. Fields’ love of the community in the Roaring Fork Valley. There is a warmth to visiting where the staff are more than knowledgeable about the art on display and visitors are afforded the unique experience to see masterpieces. The seasonal pop-up gallery will be open through September.

In a world where sense and security and the future seem murkier day by day, the sunlight of an impressionist painting can be a burst of joy and a reminder of the fact that the world still holds wonders to see.

For the Aug. 10 Black Nugget gig, River Spell will perform heartfelt originals with elements of folk, rock, funk, psychedelic and bluegrass music. The set begins at 9pm.

Treadway shares the sentiment that music is a form of expression, commenting that it relieves stress, whether that’s through listening, composing, recording or performing it.

“To be able to perform is a great privilege,” he said. “It’s an escape from stress, an outlet for any excess emotion. Performing offers rare moments when I feel like I can truly focus on one thing. It’s like meditation. It’s been fun and really healthy for me.”

Treadway’s early interest in music led to private piano lessons in first grade with former elementary school teacher Amber Bate and then classical piano studies with Laurel Karlik Sheehan into his early teen years. Like Ritchie, Treadway played trumpet in the jazz band and extracurricular bands at CMS. As he continued into high school, Treadway returned to piano.

He is currently pursuing a degree in jazz and American improvised music with a focus in jazz piano performance at Metropolitan University of Denver. In August 2023, he joined Hand Turkey, a band whose mission is to “bring audiences high-energy, groove-centered tunes to get people movin’!” With backgrounds

ranging from jazz composition to musical theater, the band members create a sound they describe as “a fresh take on classic funk, soul and pop.”

In addition to Hand Turkey, Treadway plays in the Stephen Lear blues rock band; the multi-instrumental jazz fusion duo Fats Blend; La Paloma jazz-adjacent quartet; and has booked solo gigs at venues such as Dazzle Denver.

Treadway’s pursuit of music was solidified through extracurricular jazz band, honors bands and opportunities with Jazz Aspen Snowmass (JAS). A defining moment was when Treadway was a sophomore at RFHS and made the highest band in the JAS District 8 Honor Band. The director was professional drummer Paul Romaine, whose energy, passion and enthusiasm were special, according to Treadway.

“We played the Charles Mingus tune ‘Better Get It In Your Soul,’ and it was a representation of that moment for me,” Treadway said. “That concert was one of those catalyst moments for music and my passion for it. It was that state when you’re performing and you’re in the moment and that’s the only thing that matters. It was the first time I felt something like that.”

JAS continues to support the Valley’s young musicians with school-based music programs, private lessons, instruments and extracurricular programming. Both Treadway and Ritchie acknowledge that JAS provided special experiences they didn’t fully understand the impact of at the time. Treadway recalls sitting in on small-group sessions with Jacob Collier, Jon Batiste and Cory Henry, among other internationally touring artists.

For Ritchie, it was a chance to play jazz and rock with other students and learn what it’d take to gig on a professional level. “Almost every single musical opportunity I’ve had was either directly or indirectly facilitated by the programs and mentorship provided by JAS,” Ritchie said.

Tyler Treadway performs with Hand Turkey at Cervantes in Denver. Courtesy photo Zack Ritchie performs at Cervantes in Denver. Courtesy photo

Community Classes in Carbondale

YOGALATES FOR ADULTS

Mon/Wed, 1-1:50pm, 8/19-10/9

MEMOIR WRITING WORKSHOP

Mondays, 6-8pm, 8/26-10/7

ACRYLIC PAINTING WORKSHOP

Tues, 1:30-4:30pm, 8/20-10/8

SEWING Thurs, 6:30-9:30pm, 8/22-10/10

SWING DANCE Weds, 6:30-8:30pm, 8/28-9/18

ZUMBA Thurs, 6:30-7:30pm, 8/29-11/21

COMMUNITY EDUCATION REGISTRATION . . .

Credit Classes Open to Community

BEG & INTEMEDIATE ESL - CB (English as 2nd Language)

M/W, 5:30-7:50pm, 9/4-11/20

GED PREP

M, 6-8:20pm, 8/26-11/18, CB W, 10am-12:20, 8/28-11/20, Basalt

AHSD (Adult High School Diploma) W, 6-8:20pm 8/28-11/13, CB Th, 10am-12:20pm, 8/29-11/14, AS

GEOLOGY FIELD TRIP TO UTAH CANYONLANDS

9/4, 9/7, 9/10-9/15, 9/19

CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH Levels l, ll, lV starting 8/19, CB

INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS W, 6-8:30pm, 8/26-12/2, CB

BUS COMM & REPORT WRITING T, 6-7:50pm, 8/27-12/3, CB

ACTION SPORTS INDUSTRY - AS GARMET SEWING & DESIGN T, 5:30-8:30pm, 8/20-12/3

UPCYCLING & REPAIR Th, 4-5:15pm, 8/22-12/5

SOFT GOODS DEVELOPMENT Th, 5:30-8:30pm, 8/22-12/5

Senior Grant Tuition Rate: 50% off tuition charge for in-district residents who are 62 years old or older.

For more information on Credit Classes call 970-963-2172

THURSDAY, AUGUST 8

PAWS & CONES

Colorado Animal Rescue brings pups available for adoption and ice cream to Sopris Lodge in Carbondale from 3 to 4pm. For more info, call 970-456-6871.

BANNED BOOK CLUB

The Banned Book Club discusses “Crank” by Ellen Hopkins at 4pm at the Basalt Library. Limited copies are available at the front desk at the library.

THEATRE ASPEN

Theatre Aspen presents “Come From Away” at 4pm and 8pm. Performances continue most days through Aug. 24. For tickets and more info, visit www. theatreaspen.org

CMC X BASALT LIB

Basalt Library hosts open office hours with Colorado Mountain College from 4:30 to 5:30pm. Academic advisors will share GED, ESL and digital literacy resources and more.

RODRIGO ARREGUIN

Rodrigo Arreguin performs at The Handlebar at The Homestead Grill in River Valley Ranch at 5pm.

MUSIC AT THE LIBRARY

Basalt Library presents Aspen Music Festival and School students performing chamber music at 5:30pm.

FILM PREMIERE

TACAW presents the local premiere of “Feel It All,” a Colorado-based documentary relating to mental health in the mountains at 7pm. Drew Petersen, a professional skier and director, will give a talk after the film. Tickets at www.tacaw.org

FRIDAY, AUGUST 9

HUMMINGBIRD STUDY

Learn all about different kinds of hummingbirds from naturalist Rebecca Weiss. The birding group will meet at the base of Buttermilk at 7:30am. Registration and more info at www.aspennature.org

BREAKDANCING IN PARIS

Dance Initiative invites students, parents and all dance lovers to its “Back to School Olympic Breakdance Watch Party” at the Launchpad today and tomorrow. Watch the B-Girls today from noon to 3pm, and/or the B-Boys tomorrow at the same time. For more info, email Joan@DanceInitiative.org

BAT HOUSING

Middle and high schoolers are invited to learn about the importance of bats in the ecosystem while building bat houses with Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers from 1 to 2:30pm at the Basalt Library. More info at www. basaltlibrary.org/events-calendar

SUMMER REFLECTIONS

True Nature presents “Beat the Heat and Lunarize Your Life” with Kaitlyn B. Hilliard from 4 to 6pm. Register at www. truenaturehealingarts.com

MEN’S GATHERING

The Mountain Heart Men’s Ceremony convenes at 13 Moons at 5:30pm and continues through Sunday. Tickets at www.13moonsranch.com

MARBLEFEST

Marblefest kicks off with Aggie Flores and the Drunken Hearts beginning around 5:30pm. The music will continue all weekend.

CRYSTAL THEATRE

The Crystal Theatre shows “Twisters” at 7:30pm tonight, tomorrow, Aug. 14 and 15. Catch a 5pm showing on Sunday, Aug. 11.

GONZALO TEPPA QUARTET

Enjoy the Gonzalo Teppa Quartet, featuring Josephina Mendez, performing at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net

DEAD FLOYD

TACAW presents Dead Floyd at 8pm, celebrating the music of The Grateful Dead and Pink Floyd. Tickets at www.tacaw.org

BONNY LIGHT HORSEMAN

Roaring Fork Sessions presents Bonny Light Horseman with The Faux Paws at the Paepcke Auditorium in Aspen at 8pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10

RFOV

Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers pulls fencing at the Coke Ovens Open Space near Redstone from 8:30am to 3:30pm. Register to help out at www.rfov.org

REDSTONE CONCERT

John Whooley and Helen Hightower perform music at Redstone Park beginning at 6pm.

ART OPENING

Aspen Collective hosts an opening for sculptor Travis Fulton’s exhibit at 6pm.

VOICES X AVLT

VOICES and Aspen Valley Land Trust present “Our Land, Our Voices” at Coffman Ranch at 7pm. The event is by-donation and will include Spanish interpretation. RSVP at www.voicesrfv.org

ROMA RANSOM

Roma Ransom returns to El Dorado for some eclectic bohemian world folk jazz from 7 to 10pm.

CABARET

Thunder River Theatre Company hosts a cabaret, “What was I Made For,” featuring three best friends and college roommates, at 7:30pm.

JEREMY FACKNITZ

Steve’s Guitars presents Jeremy Facknitz performing at 8pm. Tickets at www. stevesguitars.net

LOWDOWN BRASS BAND

The Lowdown Brass Band performs at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org

RIVER SPELL

Catch River Spell playing at The Black Nugget at 9pm.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 11

BROADWAY SHOWDOWN

Theatre Aspen presents “Heroes vs. Villains: A Broadway Showdown” at the Hurst Theatre (470 Rio Grande Place, Aspen). Enjoy the show with brunch at 1pm or dinner at 6pm. Tickets at www.theatreaspen.org

VICTORIA PENNOCK

Local musician Victoria Pennock performs at Tiny Pine Bistro in Carbondale from 6 to 8pm.

MONDAY, AUGUST 12

PAPERMAKING

Basalt Library hosts a papermaking workshop for beginners of all ages at 3:30pm. Turn unwanted scrap paper into a thing of beauty!

EL PLACER DE LEER

Practice Spanish by reading literature with Angelica Breña at the Basalt Library at 5pm. More info at www. basaltlibrary.org/events-calendar

SOURCE DIALOGUES

Lisa McKenzie leads a book group exploring Gary Springfield’s “Source Dialogues” from 6:30 to 8pm at the Third Street Center. More info at www.thecenterforhumanflourishing.org

MAKING MOVIES

The Panamanian band Making Movies performs and shares some musical history as part of the Equity Speaker Series presented by Aspen Public Radio at TACAW at 7pm. This is a free event. Registration and more info at www.tacaw.org

MONDAY MEDITATION

Practice insight meditation and hear teachings of the Buddha at 13 Moons Ranch from 7 to 8:30pm. More info at www.roaringforkinsight.org/events

STEVE’S GUITARS

Steve’s Guitars presents Alicia Stockman at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net

TUESDAY, AUGUST 13

KIDS’ BOOK CLUB

The Carbondale Library hosts a book club for ages 9-12 meeting at noon. This month’s book is “Amulet,” a graphic novel by Kazu Kibuishi.

MICROSOFT WORD

Learn the basics of Microsoft Word at the Basalt Library at 2:30pm.

TEA PARTY

The Aspen Chapel hosts its annual English Garden Tea Party fundraiser, complete with music, English teas, royal adult beverages and British cakes and sandwiches, from 3 to 6pm.

RFOV

Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers invites folks to take part in a revegetation project from 4 to 8pm on the Nature Trail in Snowmass. Registration and more info at www.rfov.org

YOUTH ARTS FAIR

In partnership with Aspen Public Radio, TACAW hosts the Youth Arts Engagement Fair, where local performing arts organizations and educators share info about youth programming in the Valley, at 4pm. Panamanian band Making Movies will perform a family-friendly concert after the fair. Register at www.tacaw.org

JANEWAY TOUR

Join the Carbondale Historical Society for a hike around the Janeway area near Avalanche Creek to learn what once occupied this space and where the name originated. There will be a carpool from the Log Cabin Museum in Carbondale at 5:30pm. Space is limited, so registration is required at www.tinyurl.com/hhjaneway

DRAWING CLUB

The Roaring Fork Drawing Club gathers at The Launchpad for a casual hang-out beginning at 6:30pm. BYO-drawing stuff!

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14

VVH TOWN HALL

Valley View hosts a virtual Community Town Hall over Zoom at 1pm to share its recent work, Community Health Needs Assessment and discuss its ongoing strategy for the upcoming year. Spanish interpretation is available. Register at www.VVH.org/TownHall

DEMENTIA EDUCATION

Amelia Schafer, Ascent Living Communities area director of memory care, teaches about reducing anxiety and agitation in people with dementia at 4pm at the Basalt Library.

BASALT MUSIC

Karina Rykman opens for Aggie Flores at the Basalt River Park free concert at 5:30pm.

FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE

Are you on track to retire? Carbondale Library offers “Simple Steps to Financial Independence” at 6pm.

GLENWOOD MUSIC

Jazzmaunats and Float Like a Buffalo perform at Two Rivers Park at 6:30pm

ECO DIET

Greg Feinsinger, M.D. offers a free power point presentation, “The Best Diet for Your Health and the Planet’s,” at 7pm at the Third Street Center.

Mosey on down and enjoy dining, live music, shopping & more on Rodeo Thursdays in Carbondale.

Drink Specials Food Promos Entertainment

Park in town and ride the free shuttle to and from the rodeo:

#1. The Orchard #2. Fourth and Colorado

SUMMERTIME

See what‘s goin’ on

VOICES & Aspen Valley Land Trust present VOICES Summertime Stories & Music: Our Land, Our Voices

Saturday, August 10th, 2024

6pm Guided Ranch Tour | 7pm Show

Coffman Ranch 1837 CO Rd. 100, Carbondale, CO

STORYTELLERS

Stephen Bershenyi

Francisco “Paco” Nevarez-Burgueño

Autumn Rivera

Jason Sewell

Highwater Farm Youth

MUSICIANS

Harris Jackson

Delaney Meyers

Ashton Taufer

The Dirty Turkeys will perform at Steve’s Guitars on Aug. 17. This four-piece band from Boulder recently released two singles, “Benny” and “Undercover Billionaire.” Courtesy photo

New law mandates free menstrual products in Colorado public schools

JEANNE SOULDERN Sopris Sun Correspondent

In a significant move toward ensuring menstrual equity, Colorado has enacted a new law that requires public schools to provide free menstrual products to students. Signed into law by Governor Jared Polis in June, House Bill 24-1164 marks a pivotal step in addressing period poverty and breaking down the stigma surrounding menstruation.

Senator Janet Buckner, D-Aurora and bill co-sponsor, emphasized the importance of the legislation, stating, “Tying your sweatshirt around your waist [to cover up stained pants] should be a fashion statement, not a way to get through the day.” The new law aims to provide students with essential menstrual products, thereby reducing absenteeism and supporting students’ ability to manage their menstrual health with dignity.

The law, which took effect on Aug. 7, mandates that Colorado public schools supply menstrual products in a percentage of restrooms. By June 30, 2025, at least 25% of restrooms must be stocked with period products, increasing annually until all restrooms are compliant by June 30, 2028. Restrooms not equipped with menstrual products will display

signs directing students to the nearest stocked facilities. This phased approach allows schools to gradually adapt to the new requirements while ensuring students have reliable access to menstrual products.

Diane Cushman Neal, founder and president of Justice Necessary, spoke with The Sopris Sun about the significance of the new legislation.

“Representative Brianna Titone and I talked back and forth for a few years, and we decided to connect. In one of our meetings, we discussed what needs were out there. We knew this was a need, so we talked about bringing this [legislation] forward,” Neal said.

Titone, D-Arvada, was instrumental in bringing on bill co-sponsors, including Buckner, Representative Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn, and Senator Faith Winter, D-Westminster, while Justice Necessary played a crucial role behind the scenes in rallying support for the bill.

Justice Necessary, founded in 2020 by Neal as Donations for Dignity, addresses the gap left by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) benefits, which exclude hygiene products. The Denver-based

This image from a Justice Necessary social media campaign asks you to imagine starting your period at school without products while toilet paper is available in every stall. It argues that period products should be free and accessible. Image courtesy of Justice Necessary

organization has been pivotal in combating period poverty through community partnerships, legislative advocacy and educational programs.

Since its inception, Justice Necessary has donated over 4.5 million organic period products, 246,000 diaper wipes and more than 244,000 hygiene items.

According to a February 2022 article in the Journal of Public Health Reports,

11.3 million people in the U.S. couldn’t afford menstrual products in the previous year, with half having to choose between these products and food. Among menstruating college students, 14.2% faced period poverty, with 10% experiencing it monthly.

“We ran a study in Colorado and found that 90% of female teens have continued on page 16

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Colorado regulates sodium nitrite sales

JEANNE SOULDERN

Sopris Sun Correspondent

In efforts to combat the rising trend of sodium nitrite used in suicides, particularly among young people, Colorado House Bill 24-1081 (HB241081), signed into law by Governor Jared Polis in April, regulates the sale of sodium nitrite in Colorado. The legislation, driven by personal stories of loss and community advocacy efforts, aims to prevent chemical misuse.

State Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Eagle, who represents District 8, a key proponent of the bill, explained the impetus behind the legislation. “This was a bill born out of several tragedies in my district,” he shared.

The catalyst for the bill was the death of a 17-yearold boy in Clear Creek County who ingested sodium nitrite in November 2022. The boy’s father approached Roberts and Representative Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, urging them to take action after discovering that his son had been influenced by online communities, particularly chat rooms, where methods of self-harm are discussed.

Roberts and Amabile joined

Pelton, R-Sterling, to co-sponsor the bill, which became state law and went into effect on July 1.

Roberts had not been aware of sodium nitrite’s potential for harm before this and noted, “It’s shocking to me that it is available so easily. You can order it on Amazon or go to a store and pick it up for less than $10.” As they researched further, the legislators found that the problem was not isolated.

Another family in Steamboat Springs lost their 28-yearold daughter to sodium nitrite, underscoring the urgent need for regulation.

Sodium nitrite is a fine white or yellowish crystalline powder used in meat curing by food producers and game hunters to enhance flavor and prevent bacteria. The substance is regulated for safety and often mixed with salt and other agents in pre-measured packets to ensure a correct dosage. However, its ease of availability and lethal potency have made it a tool for those seeking to harm themselves.

- Colorado Senator Dylan Roberts

While there is currently no federal legislation explicitly regulating the sale of sodium nitrite, legal actions and advocacy efforts are aiming to address its misuse in suicides. Lawsuits have been filed against online retailers like Amazon for selling sodium nitrite without proper product warnings, not enforcing age verifications and restricting the sale of high-con-

Roberts emphasized the role of the internet and social media in spreading information about its misuse.

The new legislation prohibits selling or transferring products containing 10% or greater sodium nitrite to individuals. This means that while stores can still sell sodium nitrite, it must be at a significantly lower concentration, or sales are restricted to licensed users, such as food production companies and butcher supply shops. The aim is to prevent individuals from -

without legitimate need.

The bill also imposes stringent penalties for violations. A first offense can incur a $10,000 fine, escalating to $1 million for second and subsequent violations. Roberts clarified, “We don’t want to punish businesses acting honestly, but once they get that first warning, they need to ensure they’re protecting their products better.”

The bill received broad bipartisan support from Colorado legislators, passing 60-4 in the House and 34-1 in the Senate. Mental health organizations have praised the legislation, recognizing it as a crucial step in reducing access to a means of self-harm. Roberts acknowledged that while sodium nitrite is not the only substance that can be misused, restricting its availability can save lives.

Reflecting on the emotional testimonies heard during the bill’s committee hearings, Roberts expressed his gratitude for the families who turned their tragedies into advocacy.

For those struggling with mental health issues, help is available. The 988 line is a free, confidential service for anyone in Colorado facing a mental health, substance use or emotional crisis. Other support resources include: Aspen Hope Center

• Website: www.aspenhopecenter.org

• 24/7 Crisis Line: Aspen to Glenwood Springs

• 970-925-5858

• 24/7 Crisis Line: New Castle to Parachute

• 970-945-3728

• Services include crisis intervention, mental health assessments and referrals to local mental health professionals

Colorado Crisis Services

• 24/7 Crisis Line: 1-844-493-TALK (8255)

• Text Line: Text “TALK” to 38255

• Website: www.coloradocrisisservices.org/home

• Offers crisis support and connection to local resources

“This bill is a common-sense measure that’s going to save lives,” he said. “It’s difficult that it came out of such tragedy for these families, but I appreciate their willingness to turn it into something positive for the state.”

Community Partner Programs Coordinator

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Homework, then soccer with Coach Forbes

VICTORIA GAUTIER Youth Correspondent

Seeing as though school starts next week, Sopris Sun youth reporter Victoria Gautier tells readers about one of her favorite teachers at Carbondale Middle School ahead of entering the ninth grade.

Nick Forbes is an eighth grade social studies teacher at Carbondale Middle School (CMS). He is also a soccer coach for the high school. Take it from one of his former students, he can be serious and funny.

He was born at Valley View in Glenwood Springs, but he grew up in Carbondale. His parents lived on campus at Colorado Rocky Mountain School, and so did Forbes during his early years. In his free time he likes to go rafting with his friends or sometimes by himself. He also plays a lot of soccer, and has played in a local league. He likes to play the guitar, also solo or by a campfire with friends. And, to no surprise, he likes to read and learn a lot about history. During the summers, Forbes works as a rafting guide.

When Forbes was a little kid he wanted to be a receiver for the Denver Broncos. In high school, he decided he’d be a soccer player for Brazil.

But he was fated to become a teacher. His mom was a kindergarten teacher for about 40 years and his dad worked at CRMS. Having grown up around teachers, he liked the idea of lifelong learning.

After Forbes graduated from college, he put his dream to become a professional soccer player aside and focused on becoming a social studies teacher. He loves to see students learning, and that he gets to continue learning history.

He has worked at CMS for two years, going on three. After he graduated from college, he worked every day as a substitute teacher in different schools in the area. From there, he taught at the Riverview School before transitioning to CMS.

So he tried it and he liked it. Because he enjoys teaching so much, he sees himself being an educator for a long time. But, he added, it can be difficult. Planning a good lesson takes time. Plus students can talk a lot, even off subject at times, so the class may not get

as far as it’s supposed to and get behind sometimes. He has to balance students’ different progress, making sure some kids get extra support when necessary. In the fall, between coaching a state-champion soccer team and teaching, he may struggle to find time for himself, but at least he is doing what he loves. Forbes said what he also likes about

his job is getting feedback from the students and connecting with them regarding social studies or about how to be a better version of themselves. Basically, his favorite thing about being a teacher is being able to do his part for the community.

Have a great year, Mr. Forbes, and go Rams!

Donors, recipients and caregivers recognized at CKF Awards

GUS RICHARDSON

Youth Correspondent

According to www.organdonor.gov, “17 people die each day waiting for an organ transplant.”

The Chris Klug Foundation (CKF) gives three awards each year to people within the donor community. The foundation invited this year’s winners to a gala at Snowmass Village. The Sopris Sun was given the opportunity to interview each award recipient.

Mark and Lynn Scotch, 68 and 66, respectively, are married and both organ donors. They were both the recipients of the 2024 CKF Hero Award. The CKF website details that the Hero Award is meant for someone who “has helped change or save someone’s life.”

Mark donated one of his kidneys and part of his liver, and Lynn donated one of her kidneys.

“Physically, it doesn’t change a donor’s life going forward,” said Lynn. “I think the other aspect of knowing that you did something that saved another person’s life, that changes you,”

These days, the duo keeps busy riding their bikes around the U.S. with their organization: The Organ Trail. Along the way, they talk to people and demonstrate, themselves being living proof, that donors can live a life just as fulfilling and active as anyone else.

“The most important thing is to get evaluated. Some people agonize over, ‘Oh jeez, I think I want to do this,’ but that’s not the question to ask right away. Until you’re evaluated you don’t know if you can be a donor,” explained Mark.

The next award winner was Denise Redeker, 60, a recipient of a heart transplant. She won the Bounce Back, Give

Back award. This award is given to someone who “will not only have bounced back from their transplant, but … someone who works to give back to the community.”

As the CKF website details, Redeker was diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy after the birth of her first child in 1992. After 10 years, she had a pacemaker operation.

“When you have a pacemaker defibrillator in your heart, you always feel it. At least that’s how it was for me,” said Redeker. “When it would go off, it would feel like someone was swinging a baseball bat into your chest full force.” Eventually, she was faced with the news that she only had a year left. Her fate could only be avoided with a heart transplant.

“Even though they had told me that a heart transplant was in my future, I always thought something would come

along, some miracle drug, and I would never need a transplant,” she explained. “It was an absolute shock to me to know that I had a year left to live and transplant was literally my only option.”

Thankfully, she did find a donor. And today, she runs the Heartfelt Help Foundation, which helps families from across the country obtain temporary recovery housing post surgery.

“Patients are required to relocate to within a few minutes from their transplant hospital when initially discharged and they have to stay there for at least a month, sometimes three,” said Redeker. “That isn’t covered by insurance, and that can cost between five and seven-thousand dollars a month.”

The Heartfelt Help Foundation is currently helping their fiftieth patient. “We step in and find housing that is close to

their hospital, clean, safe and private. And we pay for it,” she concluded.

Abby Gray, 38, received the Community Champion Award. This award is given to a non-donor and non-recipient who is involved in the transplant community.

Gray is a caregiver. Soon after Cook and her husband, Reid, got married he was diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis. It soon developed to the point that he needed a liver transplant, or would otherwise face cancer.

“I don’t think there’s anything that can prepare you for your spouse being in a major surgery like that,” said Cook. After Reid’s successful transplant, Cook assumed the responsibility as her husband’s caregiver.

“It meant getting all of his medication and having that prepared for him. For a couple of weeks after his transplant, I had to check his blood pressure, blood sugar and temperature three times a day,” Cook described. “I had to go through an education class to learn about all of the medications he was taking, what their side effects were, what side effects were normal, what additional medications he could take if he needed. It was a lot of education.”

Cook was also 21 weeks pregnant with twins at the time. She credited her structure of support, including her and her husband’s parents. Later, Cook wrote a children’s book based on Reid’s donor in an effort to raise awareness of organ donation. She is also the vice chairman on the board of the Children’s Transplant Initiative.

For more information on the awards and their recipients, visit www.chrisklugfoundation.org

Nick Forbes, photo by Victoria Gautier

CKF Awards recipients, along with their significant others, (left to right) Jim and Denise Redeker, Abby and Reid Gray and Lynn and Mark Scotch. Photo by Gus Richardson

The 53rd Carbondale Mountain Fair was a joyous experience of love and community. Thank you to all who made it happen.

Chief of Operations Deborah Colley Entertainment Conductor Aly Sanguily Production Lead James Gorman Vendor Coordination Staci Dickerson Carbondale Arts Executive Director Jamie Abbott Carbondale Arts Staff Brian Colley, Staci Dickerson, Berry Hurst, Sarah Overbeck, Emily Reilly, Michael Stout Wise Elders Amy Kimberly, Laurie Loeb, Mark Taylor Production Team Mark Taylor, Kevin Lundy, Jeff Britt, Emmett Hood, Dean McMichael, August Strelau, Marcus Thackston, Jason Albert, Jason Segal, Matthew Rader, Allen Porter, Garret del Castillo, Tee Conrad, Darren Troy, Pete Rich, Forest Fulker, Darin Binion, Ryan Jervis, Mark Wisroth, Mike Monahan, Lucien Pevec, Ryan Young, Patrick Wilson Vendor Support Marianne Ackerman, Teri Bruna, Alta Otto, Phyllis Smilack, Penny McDill Electricians Bill Laemmel, Carbondale Light & Power, Lance Dement, Rob Janssen, Joey Staron, Sean Hartman, Fynn Monahan Stage Management Jeff Britt, Charlie Noone, Darin Binion, Matt Hoogenboom Audio Visual SNOB Productions Band Liaison Leslie Johnson Drum Circle Laurie Loeb, Neil McIntyre Opening Blessing Gabriela Mejia, Shayla Paradeis Park Perimeter Kelly Phillips, James Nims, Jonathan Snodgrass, Zane Kessler, Kat Hardy, Ed Piccolo, Rodrigo Salcido, Hillary Stumpus, Cynda Larson Green Team EverGreen ZeroWaste, Alyssa & Dave Reindel, Malcolm McMichael, Jason White, Sarah Johnson, Jay Engstrom, Steve Sundermann, Adam Carballeira, Theodore Martin, Kristin Mattera, Mark Weinhold, Brad Snyder, Erica Borum, Cora Carballeira, Jared Barnes, Betsy McMichael, Kelly Cave, Oliver Reindel, Dave Reed, Elisabeth Richardsen, Nick Lado, Megan Perkins, Soozie Lindbloom, Debbie Bruel, Lucas Weir Water Coordination Richard Vottero, Scott Levine Poster Design Kirsten Hix Gazebo Stage Loren Wilder, Wilder Design, Corey Summers, Pika Furniture Studio, Matt Roeser, Paul McQueeny, Chris Hassig, Austin Engbrock, Corey Stasinos, Cody Kosinski, Rachael Pudlow, Lily Guns, Candice Hart, Maya Hull Floral Design Eagle Crest Nursery, Eric Baumheier Program Sopris Sun, Lee Beck Translation Support Claudia Pawl, Dolores Duarte, Isabel Johnson Photographers Sarah Overbeck, Jane Bachrach, Mark Burrows, Brent Moss, Renee Ramge, Ravyn Dominguez, Jim Ryan, Will Sardinsky, Sydney Yllanes Oasis Michael Stout, Emily Reilly, Jennifer Hughes, SoL Theatre, Simon Cox, Coxtopus Productions, Morgan Williams, Talya Dornbush, KDNK, The Passmore Family Live Broadcast KDNK Community Radio Carbondale Arts Valley Artists Booth Brian Colley, Laura Wagner, Gib Johnson, Rita Overbeck T-Shirt Coordination Laura Stover, Lucy Kessler, Pam Williams, Leah Swan, Christine Helling, Shawn Tonozzi, Melissa Rivera Volunteer Coordinators Kellyn Wardell, Sarah Kuhn, Brooke Bockelman, Brian Golden, Isa Johnson, Helene Gude Raffle Coordinators Rebecca Binion, Cortney McDougall, Jill Napiwocki, Aimee Yllanes, Jonathan Stokely, Sara Porter, Kerry Vandervoort, Annie Gonzales, Sue Drinker Raffle Grand Prize Sponsors Aspen Skiing Company, Revel Bikes Silent Auction Guinevere Jones, Katy Parr, Kathleen Sgambati Band Merchandise Veronica Lamaak, Melissa Rivera, Luke Harris Backstage Hospitality Rachael Gillespie and Family, Megan VanZandt, Dan Shnider, Jessica Hood, Evan Zislis, Delia Bolster, Hattie Johnson, Evan Schulte, Julia Morton, Lee Kirsch, El Dorado Spirits & Legends, Mountain Heart Brewing Company, Cocoa Club, Pollinator Chocolate, Dos Gringos, Phat Thai, Peppino’s Pizza, Bonfire Coffee, Domingo Sausage Co., Plosky’s Deli, White House Pizza, Village Smithy, New York Pizza, Jalisco Grill, Honey Butter, Ming’s Cafe, 3 B’s Bakery, Tuesday Foods, Carbondale Beerworks, Sweet Coloradough, Sustainable Settings, Seed Peace, MountainFLOW, Westbound and Down Backstage Security Mugsy Fay, Lora Criswell, Christian Stack Backstage Design Aly Sanguily, Matt Soltesz, Sheer Bliss Aspen, Cosecha Textiles, Claire Wright, Nico Heins, Prismatica, Mercedes Brown, Kirsten Hix, Matte Curry, Mike Horvath, Scott Prins, Caroline Iles, Katie Dyal, Kumi Baumheier, Gina & Elise Miles, Michelle Brandon, Claire de Le’Abre, Anders Carlson, Ed Holub, Habitat for Humanity, Chris Erickson Backline Manager Charlie Noone Backline Support SNOB Productions, Harley Ellis, Josh Behrman, Ashton Taufer, High Country Backline, Shanti Gruber, Marc McMillan Trailer Support Dan Giese & Cortney Mcdougall, Chase Engel & Aly Sanguily, Staci Dickerson Info Booth Bob Shultz, Amy Kimberly, Jean Marie Hegarty, Kat Rich, Luis Yllanes, Mustang Molly Emcees Jamie Abbott, Amy Kimberly, Aly Sanguily, Rebecca Binion, Pedro Rivera, Claudia & Brian Pawl, Luis Yllanes Cantina Evan Cree, Jeff Lauckhart, Jeff Dickinson, Jim Neu, Kyle Wagner, Nick Tones, Ryan Beigl, Mike Mines, Chris Whaling, Andy Zack, Kyle Pieti, Shawn Gerum, Bretty Nelson, Eric Mitchell, Cal Viall, Brett Meredith, Vanessa Gilbert, Big B’s Delicious Orchard, Marble Distilling, Montanya Distillers, Odell Brewing Company, Suerte Tequila, Stripped Mixers Money Honeys Amber Van Berlo, Amy Kimberly, Ben Bohmfalk, Berry Hurst, Dan Giese, George Wear, Raychl Keeling, Seth Goddard Peace Patrol Michael Gorman, Dave Kanzer, Elissa Rodman, George Wear, Carl Ellerbrook, Dallas Erwin, Allie Cryns, Marcus Thackston, Katie Alderson, Ally Hafer, José Roman, Katrina Byars Rainbow Lounge Janet Gordon, Steve Mills, Jessi Rochel, Rocio De La Cruz, Gay4Good Rocky Mountains Pie Contest Carly DeBeque, Alta & Savannah Otto, Amber Van Berlo, David Lubrant, Heidi Hendricks, Hilary Hendricks Preston, Shaggy Fink, Keegan & Delaney Jaeger, Penelope Mathis Cake Contest April Crow Spaulding, Bryce Pizano, Sara Cohen, Grace Flash Gallo, Phi Filerman, Hunter Popkin, Rebekah Fulker, Britni Johnson, Katherine Rushton Potter’s Throwdown Carbondale Clay Center, KL&A Engineers & Builders Limbo Dr. Limbo, John Foulkrod, Ken Lubrant, Billy Hammond, Eric Baumheier, Dave Kanzer, Dave White Wood Splitting Dan Giese, Kat Rich, Blake McDonald, Darin Binion, Matt Hoogenboom, Nic DeGross, ACE Hardware, SavATree, Kenichi Woodworking, Sopris Liquor & Wine Tug o’ Love Luis Yllanes, Kat Rich, Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District, Carbondale Police Department Four-Mile Fair Run Brion After, Independence Run and Hike Porcupine Loop & Bike Parking Nic DeGross, Darin Binion, Matt Hoogenboom, Stomparillaz, Aloha Mountain Cyclery Horseshoes McCarra Baker Fly-Casting Gill Finn, Alpine Angling Singer Songwriter Competition Shanti Gruber, Morgan Williams, Craig & Sheena Patterson, Meagan Goodwin, Katie Houchin, Jennetta Howell, Rob Leisure, Glenwood Music, Cool Brick Studios, KDNK Community Radio Above & Beyond Business Support Bethel Party Rentals, Bonfire Coffee, Blue Heron Forge, Builders FirstSource, Cocoa Club, Comfort Inn, Dos Gringos, El Dorado Spirits & Legends, FirstBank, Haul It All, Hotel Colorado, Habitat for Humanity, La Raza, Louie the Computer Guy, Mountain Heart Brewing, Peppino‘s Pizza, Quality Brands, SNOB Productions, Sopris Liquor & Wine, Z Group Architecture & Interior Design Business Volunteer Sponsors Colorado Rocky Mountain School, Flowers on Main Street, SoL Theatre, Thunder River Theatre Co., RA Nelson, The Orchard Couldn’t do this without 5Point Film, Bonedale Flashmob, Sopris Soarers, Ashley Buss, Aspen Out, Town of Carbondale, Carbondale Police, Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District, Carbondale Trustees, Dru Handy, Garrett Kennedy, Gay4Good, Jerry Gillespie, Josh Lange, KDNK Community Radio, Leah Swan & Patrick King, Marla Barnett, Marty Calkins, Michael Arnold, Michael Scher, Mike Wagner, RE-1 School District, Russel Sissom, Rock Leonard, Thunder River Theatre Co. Carbondale Arts Board of Directors Marina Skiles, Rebecca Binion, Brooke Bockelman, Dan Giese, Brian Golden, Lety Gomez, Andrea Harris, Isa Johnson, Raychl Keeling, Claudia Pawl, George Wear

Think of your expenses as additive

Follow the Yellow Brick Road

We are taught to view our expenses as subtractive, as life obstacles to be negotiated. In terms of budgeting, we are told to trim, sacrifice and find ways to reduce our spending. Of course living within one’s means is the baseline goal, but I believe we need to think about the tension of income versus expenses differently.

Try thinking of your expenses as additive rather than subtractive. Woof, my medication is so expensive! Yes, and it helps me stay alive and healthy. My car just broke down again! Yes, and how do I want my response to look? Do I love my car? Do I need a car right now? Can I get creative? Am I not making enough money to fix it?

OPINION

Expenses make up the content of your life: the joys, the nutrition, the education, the travel, the home, the information you receive. Imagine you are in charge of creating your own path in life (because… you are) and it is made of yellow bricks; you are designing your personal yellow brick road. Your income is the dirt, your expenses are water, and together they make a beautiful pathway for you. Certainly, the ratio needs to be balanced so your road will be stable and long lasting as well as smooth for your journey.

It puts the agency back in their hands. Instead of blaming their bummers on circumstance, they can start to finally see that they are in control of all of it. What do you want your income to be? What do you want your expenses to be? Are you paying an excruciating amount of money for an apartment you don’t even like? Does it make you sick every time you have to skip dinner with friends due to finances because that’s what actually fills your cup? Do you need help understanding and negotiating major healthcare bills or disability accommodations?

MONEY JUICE

By Megan Janssen

I recognize that the oppressive systems in our country make it so that many folks have a harder time taking back their agency. If you’re getting paid 50 cents less per hour than your white male counterpart, you aren’t getting a head start. I argue that the best way to get where you want is to understand the rules of engagement and take matters into your own hands. If you stay in a victim mindset, you’ll stay in the victim role. If your expenses truly are more than you can afford, what needs to change? You’re in charge. Change it. And if you don’t know how, find the right help so that you can learn the correct questions to ask.

WEST ELK CHALLENGE

North Fork of the Gunnison River.

This yellow brick road represents the basic things you need to subsist: food, shelter, transportation, medicine, etc. You need to have enough bricks for your next step and you also need enough for further down the line when you no longer want to work but you’re not done with your journey. And of course, you need a stash on hand in case a flood comes through and wipes you out.

Once you get beyond the basic necessities, you get to decorate, create community and add flair. Consider these the result of excess income. Your particular road might have a band, a park, a donut shop or an airstrip. These are the elements that make your path distinct from everyone else’s. These are the goodies that help you wake up in the morning and find meaning in your life.

But you can’t have the accessories if the main path is damaged or out of material. In life, there are things we can control and things we can’t control. Financial freedom is being prepared for both — now and in the future.

I urge people I work with to think of their income and expenses as working together to create their magnificent life.

When we view our financial situation as ours to manipulate, we can start to make better decisions that are aligned with our truest values and desires. I also find that when people let go of the idea that “expenses = life-sucking things” their behavior changes. The desires to impulse buy or avoid your accounts transform because you’re not rebelling against something you can’t control. Does this sound familiar? Well, I’m already broke anyhow, so I’m just going to buy this cute tank top from Instagram, because, screw it. When you start to see all your actions as part of your bigger picture, you tend to become a better steward.

I’m not saying any of this is easy. At all. But I do think it’s simple. What are your obstacles? What are your desires? What questions do you need to be asking? Who do you need to enlist for help?

My hope is that all of us will shift our perspectives and take the wheels of our lives. My hope is that each expense we see on our bank statement can represent a life well-designed. My hope is that each of us finds our perfect ratio and follows a glorious yellow brick road.

Megan Janssen is a financial educator and founder of Money Juice. Learn more at www.money-juice.com

from page 4

The course will open at 7am for any hikers or “ruckers” (combination of hiking and running) who want to get an earlier start, and in an effort to make the event more accessible and to maximize the fundraising potential. The goal is to raise $20,000.

There will be shuttles between the start and finish, plus five staffed aid stations supplying participants with water, trail snacks and first aid if needed.

There will also be a pre-race dinner for participants hosted by the Learning Council in Paonia, and a celebratory party at the finish line hosted by West Elk Mountain Rescue, Paonia PUB craft beer and Big B’s Cider.

As of last week, the event had registered around 100 participants, Graves said. The event is capped at 200 participants, per its agreement with the Forest Service.

Advance online registration is $100 through the end of August, at www. thenatureconnection.net After that, the fee will increase to $125 until race day, or until the cap is reached. More information can be found on The Nature Connection’s website.

GARCO REPORT from page 7

encore performance, complaining about “despicable, obscene, pornographic books” at the county libraries. He brought a satchel full of them to Monday’s meeting. He said “two young men, 11 and 12 years old” whom he spoke with at the Rifle Rendezvous, “knew all about the books.” It is unknown if Lepkowski had his book bag with him at the event. He accused the libraries of “following the Marxist Communist program, sexualizing the children and grooming the children” based on the direction, he said, of library district head Jamie LaRue. Lepkowski asked the BOCC to do something about how the books are accessible to children, stating “We don’t want to burn the library down because there’s a couple of rats in it.”

MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS

from page 12

started their periods unexpectedly in public without period products,” Neal noted. “One of the things that we knew and were able to review hard data facts was that 80% of our students missed class due to not having period products.”

The stigma associated with menstruation can further exacerbate the problem. “Students may be mortified or embarrassed because they know they’ve stained their clothing and worried others can see it,” Neal said. “They’re just going to leave school for the day and forgo after-school activities, sports or studying with their peers. It is truly a piece that, educationally, is hurting our students.”

Justice Necessary’s work extends beyond individual donations. The organization collaborates with community colleges, food pantries and nonprofits to distribute personal hygiene products. They also support businesses and community groups that want to help.

“We have spoken before to businesses about ways to support their employees, as well as ways for which we always have opportunities for businesses to either host a hygiene drive or a packing party,” Neal explained.

Tying

your sweatshirt around your waist should be a fashion statement, not a

way to get through the day.

- Colorado Senator Janet Buckner

Locally, organizations like LIFT-UP in the Roaring Fork Valley have also recognized the need for menstrual products. Samantha Heald, LIFT-UP’s logistics and warehouse manager, noted that while the nonprofit does not currently stock menstrual products, they have received significant support from WeeCycle, an Aurora-based nonprofit that provides essential baby gear and supplies to families in need.

“They sent us 11 pallets of diapers — in every size — and baby wipes. We allocate diapers and wipes monthly to each distribution location,” Heald said.

Heald noted that local hotels donate toiletries to LIFT-UP, which she packs into Ziploc bags with food for 72-hour emergency kits.

“I was making little bags, which is so nice for me to do because I’ve been homeless before, so it’s my passion project. We started with 10 bags a month, and now we’re up to over 400,” she said.

Justice Necessary’s efforts reflect a broader commitment to addressing period poverty and supporting all Coloradans with essential hygiene products.

“Access to personal hygiene ‘just is necessary,’ hence our name,” Neal concluded.

For more information about Justice Necessary, go to www.justicenecessary.org

Share your works in progress with readers by emailing illustrations, creative writings and poetry to fiction@soprissun.com

BY BRYAN WHITING Glenwood Springs

Baby-boomers have a lot going for them.

A few decades ago, I remember determining I would be 52 when the year 2000 arrived. My internal response: “Wow, that’s old. I wonder what it’s like? Too far in the future to matter.”

Today, we hear the world belongs to millennials. “Seasoned” citizens should get out of the road, sometimes literally. Others remark age must be difficult. It’s not so bad. We’ve learned a lot and are tougher than you think.

We know why they’re called millennials. It can take a thousand years to get them out of the house. We were not only tougher, but more loyal. We didn’t have seat belts. Car seats didn’t exist. We stood up in the front passenger seat. We were going to go through the windshield with the rest of the family. We had extreme sports: seeing how many we could pack in the back of a pickup or in a VW beetle, for instance. We had streaking. Not an extreme sport? I went to the University of Wyoming. Think about streaking there in January when the average low temperature is single figures and the wind is blowing sideways.

Physical danger? Ever had a cramp in a Chevy’s back seat or gear shift knob in a tender location? Most of today’s youth have never heard of mumble-peg let alone participated. Ask your grandfather if you don’t know what was involved. We didn’t go out to eat during school; we ate school lunch.

We were skillful. We drove and parked big cars with a stick shift. We could get eight in the car and at least two more in the trunk going to the

drive-in movie. We didn’t need cyber dating, we had coed streaking and toga parties.

Our years provided experience. We’ve had short hair, long hair and no hair. We saw the first Rolling Stones tour and the original Star Wars. We not only knew Elvis when he was alive, but when he was skinny.

We ate apples. They weren’t something in our back pocket. If someone needed a needle it was for a record player. If we hooked up, we were fishing. We had birth control. It was called acne and it was 100%.

We had designated drivers. Someone had to drive the car while the other three were mooning out the back window. We didn’t need to be continually entertained, even at bedtime. The best bedtime story when I was a kid? Darkness. We didn’t need a psychologist for explanations. I once asked my Dad what my dreams meant. His response? “It means you’re sleeping.”

When we said “no” to crack, it was a reminder to pull up our jeans. Things were straightforward with our parents. My curfew was being on time for chores the next morning. My responsibilities were whatever needed to be done, not just what I was told to do.

As a result, we learned how to deal with our children. When our daughter got to high school, boys started getting interested. One called at 2am.

“Is Amanda there?”

“If you’re smart, you’re going to hang up right now,” I responded. My wife, being the sweet person she is, said, “Bryan, you need to be nice.”

“Nice ends at midnight,” was my reply. A week later, he came by to pick up Amanda for a date. I met him at the

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door. “Do you like my daughter?”

“Yes,” he said.

“Just remember, this is my daughter, my baby girl, the light of my life. If you’re thinking about kissing her, hugging her, getting too ambitious in your car, just remember, I don’t have any problem going back to prison.”

From our experience, we have learned to plan. We go to 7-11 to get coffee before we stand in line at Starbucks. My wife, Kathy, was wearing a new locket when her friend Janice asked if there was a memento inside. “Yes,” said my wife, “A lock of my husband’s hair.”

“But Bryan’s still alive,”said Janice. “I know, but his hair is gone.”

We have learned to use our available resources. An elderly rancher, Hugh, bought a bull and complained. “All that bull does is eat grass. Won’t even look at a cow.” I suggested he take him to the vet. The next week, Hugh was much happier. He said, “The vet gave me some pills and the

bull serviced all my cows. Then he broke through the fence and bred my neighbor’s cows. He’s like a machine.”

“What kind of pills were they?” I asked.

“I don’t know, but they taste like peppermint.”

Our retired neighbor, Doug, visited the doctor for a checkup. “Doug, you’re in great shape,” said the doctor. “How do you do it?”

“Well,” said Doug, “I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, and the good Lord looks out for me. For weeks now, every time I go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, he turns on the light for me.”

Concerned, the doctor found Doug’s wife in the waiting room and told her what Doug said. “I don’t think there’s anything to worry about,” she responded. “And on the brightside, it does explain who’s been peeing in the fridge.”

We can’t stop getting older, but as Will Rogers said, “We could certainly slow the aging process down if it had to work its way through Congress.”

Donald Milam Andrews

December 27, 1928 - July 15, 2024

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Donald Milam Andrews passed away peacefully on July 15, 2024, in Orange

Donald proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1950 to 1952 during the Korean War, stationed in Germany. His service was a testament to his dedication

In October 1953, in Rockford, Illinois, Donald married the love of his life, Carol Ruth Tanner. Their union was blessed with two sons, Bruce Milam Andrews and Douglas Fredric Andrews. Donald was a devoted husband, father and grandfather whose family meant

In 1956, Donald bought and successfully operated the RuppertDreher Typesetting Company, located at 327 W. Jefferson in Rockford, Illinois for the next 20 years. After the sale of RuppertDreher in 1976, Don served as typesetter for Carbondale’s weekly Valley Journal newspaper. Don and Carol subsequently had residences in Madison, Wisconsin and Barnes, Wisconsin before moving to Orange

Donald was an avid swimmer, runner, hiker and golfer. He spent countless hours hiking the trails and off-roading the backroads around Glenwood Springs and Aspen. These activities brought him great joy and allowed him to connect with nature and his adventurous spirit. He loved to entertain the family with jokes, wit and occasional spontaneous dance.

Donald is survived by his beloved

and Douglas Fredric

and his cherished grandchildren, Ashley Andrews and Connor Andrews of Mission Viejo, California. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin Milam and Margera Aulabaugh Andrews; his brother, Edwin Hugh Andrews; and his sister, Miriam Andrews Paraschou (Father Parry Paraschou).

Donald Milam Andrews will be remembered for his hard work, love for his family, his witty sense of humor and the legacy he leaves behind in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. He will be deeply missed.

He was laid to rest at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego on July 31, 2024.

Memorials may be directed to: Mount of Olives Adult Day Program, 24772 Chrisanta Drive, Mission Viejo, CA 92691

Tom Korologos

April 6, 1933 – July 26, 2024

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Tom Korologos, a photographer and dear friend of the Ann Korologos Gallery. We are deeply honored by the passion and support from the Korologoses — to Ann as our visionary and leader and to Tom as a respected photographer and friend.

Before becoming a professional photographer, Ambassador Korologos had a long career in the federal government, serving as a U.S. Senate staffer, as a White House staff member and serving a tour as U.S. Ambassador to Belgium from 2004 to 2007. Tom Korologos’ photographs, captured with both a poetic and journalistic eye of his beloved Roaring Fork Valley and beyond, and

his frequent presence at the gallery receptions, will be kindly remembered and dearly missed.

A funeral for Tom C. Korologos was held Monday, August 5 in Washington, D.C.

wife, Carol Tanner Andrews; his sons, Bruce Milam Andrews of Laguna Woods, California

Andrews (Debbie);

Tom Karrel hosted his final “The Lost Art of Random Conversations” session on Sunday, Aug. 4. Twenty-four people turned out at the Carbondale Library to have deep conversations with strangers, acquaintances and friends. “It felt so appropriate to have the largest turnout ever on my final one,” Karrel stated. “I so appreciate all of you who have shown up to these events and brought them to life with me.”

Karrel will soon move to California and intends to take what he learned with him to spark up a new group. The Carbondale Library, meanwhile, will continue to host sessions now facilitated by Kyle Leitzke. The next one is scheduled for Sept. 1 from 6 to 7:30pm.

“I invite all of you to be that courageous person this week,” Karrel wrote. “Take a deep breath, ask someone a thoughtful question and show them that you are genuinely curious about what they have to say.”

Courtesy image

WILDFLOWERS

from page 8

For example, a number of spurless columbines have been spotted in other parts of the state. Although it has not been documented in the Crystal Valley, this mutant is showing success, despite its lack of nectar. “Could Colorado’s iconic state flower lose its spurs?” Staple mused. “Stay tuned.”

The book boasts a modern design with pictograms to make identifying species easier. Descriptions of the 260-plus flowers provide context including etymologies — the meanings behind the names. The book concludes by highlighting conservation organizations including the Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association. “It’s terribly important now,” Staple said. “In our lifetime, the climate is changing more rapidly than we expected.” He considers flowers “the canary in the coalmine,” telling about temperature, rainfall, health of the soil “and their numbers and diversity can provide a marker on seasonal and climate changes.”

Staple hopes that people will support local businesses by purchasing his self-financed, self-published book either at The Marble Hub, Raspberry Ridge Cafe, Redstone General Store, White River Books, Flowers on Main Street, Bristlecone Mountain Sports, Bookbinders Basalt, Explore Booksellers or Carl’s Pharmacy.

“We live in just a remarkable place,” he affirmed. “I have been moved by my time hiking in the Crystal River watershed and I wanted to share that and give people a sense of how important it is to do what they can to conserve what we have.”

It’s not too late to put the book to use. Staple rated the 2024 season as “remarkable” and stated that flowers above 9,500 feet “are still in great shape.”

For more about “Get Out There: Crystal River Valley Wildflowers” and updates highlighting additional species spotted since its publication, check out www.gotwildflowers.com

Rare white (and common blue) form of Parry’s harebell (Campanula parryi). Photo by Gregory Staple