19 07 04

Because every town needs a park, a library and a newspaper

Carbondale’s weekly

community connector

Volume 11, Number20 | July 4, 2019

Fighting fire with drones

By Justin Patrick Sopris Sun Correspondent The Carbondale Rural and Fire Protection District has a new team member. It can fly 1,500 feet high up to five miles away, detect heat and relay crystal-clear video, and can communicate with audio.

No, Superman was not looking for a part-time retirement gig after relocating to River Valley Ranch.

For $4,000, the District acquired a fully loaded Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual drone. The device will be used to assist in firefighting and search and rescue operations, offering a unique set of features that make it an impressive asset in protecting lives and property during times of crisis.

Aaron Luttrell, a Paramedic Firefighter for Carbondale, was elected to head up the drone program.

He earned a Part 107 FAA Remote Pilot Certificate to allow him to fly the drone for professional purposes.

After successfully completing a weeklong class and written test, he is versed in FAA lingo so he can communicate with air traffic control, and is apprised of all the safety and

legal requirements that go into drone flying.

“It’s incredibly intuitive,” said Luttrell. “They’ve made it so that it takes most of the struggle out of it.

You’re assisting it to fly itself.” The Mavic 2 has a collision detection feature to prevent it from colliding with objects and can be tracked with GPS. While it can cover a lot of distance, Luttrell says he will always keep the device in visual sight, never more than 400 feet off the ground.

“A big thing we talk about is situational awareness and the idea of knowing what is going on around you. On any incident we would use this on, that’s one of the biggest things it can bring to the table. It can give us an aerial view and an angle on the incident that we wouldn’t have otherwise, in real time. That will help us keep an eye on where everyone is and what all the moving parts are,” he said.

In addition to relaying video to a tablet in real time (regardless of location or cell connectivity), the drone has an imaging sensor that can capture thermal data. The operators can use it to determine which area of Continued on page 8.

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Using selfies to defeat blind patriotism OPINION

Ps & Qs

By Jeannie Perry “A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government.”

-Edward Abbey Aah, the Fourth of July: independence, freedom, hamburgers, hot dogs, flags waving over children separated from their parents and kept in cages.

What is happening right now in this country is hard to believe, and easy to ignore, especially when the major “news” channels don’t cover it. Won’t cover it. Maybe if celebrities on the YouTube and Twitter started taking selfies at the border, it would generate the attention this crisis demands.

Selfies are annoying, yet in less time than it

takes for compassion to die, we have all jumped on the #lookatmybreakfast bandwagon. But maybe, despite its annoying presence, social media will end up saving the essence of journalism.

Wait, hear me out. Just like oil and gas is handing the energy baton to solar and wind, (albeit reluctantly) everyone having the means to share their individual story can shape the collective story to be more inclusive and humane.

In the past, the majority of our news came filtered through white male sexagenarians who worked for more white male sexagenarians who ran major networks. Now, everyone has a recording device in their pocket and we are inundated daily with different perspectives.

This means our news is now delivered from varied vantage points, and if we keep an open mind, we can literally watch ourselves walk in another’s shoes.

While not without narcissistic tendencies, at the core, selfies are born of a desire to share: information, theory, judgement, humor…

Never before have we had such intimate access to people on the other side of the tracks — or the planet. While the growing pains may be awkward and unsightly,

I believe this selfie movement could bring about amazing awareness and acceptance.

Speaking of awkward and unsightly, when I was fifteen, I traveled to Kenya as an exchange student. I was over the top excited to be going so far away from home, and all of my senses were heightened as I waited in the lobby of the Nairobi hotel for my host family to pick me up. At first meeting, I was alarmed because I couldn’t understand a word they were saying, but I quickly deciphered their heavy KenyanBritish accents.

My new family took me to a favorite game park to see the animals, to their tennis club, to a friend’s house for dinner and a movie on a huge projector that took up half the living room. (Star Wars. In hindsight, I should have been more appreciative, as I’m sure it wasn’t all that easy to get their hands on the George Lucas classic.) They made an effort to let me in, to share their foreign world with me, and to make me feel comfortable. By the end of my stay, I felt at home even though I was thousands of miles away from my actual home.

After our individual family stays, all the students ventured out of Nairobi (chaperoned) to

stay in a village where some of the people had not seen white skin before. This was 1985, and I will never forget the look on the villagers faces as they touched my arm, lightly rubbing their fingers over my freckles as though trying to rub dirt off a window. This experience definitely helped shape me into the person I am today, and I always try to put myself in another’s shoes before deciding which way I would walk.

I am constantly amazed at how the world’s contact has changed in the last 35 years, and I can only imagine how it will change in the next 35.

Instead of locking people up at the border, and doing irreparable damage to them emotionally, we would be wise to share our ideals with them, thereby protecting the America Dream for future generations. We certainly have enough of everything to go around: opportunity, liberty, the pursuit of indoor/outdoor holiday decorations…

On this Fourth of July, as I spend the day eating watermelon in the shade with friends and family, I imagine being in a cage in the heat of the desert because I seek the very freedom everyone is celebrating.

Sincerest thanks to our

Honorary Publishers for their annual commitment of $1,000+

Email barbara.dills@gmail.com for more information.

Jim Calaway, Honorary Chair Kay Brunnier Scott Gilbert – Habitat for Humanity RFV Bob Young – Alpine Bank Peter Gilbert Umbrella Roofing, Inc. Bill Spence and Sue Edelstein Greg and Kathy Feinsinger Carolyn Nelson Jim Noyes True Nature Healing Arts Nicolette Toussaint Jill and Gary Knaus

Legacy Givers

for including us in their final wishes.

Mary Lilly

And all our SunScribers and community members for your support.

It truly takes a village to keep The Sun shining.

The views expressed in opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect those of The Sopris Sun. We invite members of the community to submit letters to the editor of up to 250 words by snail mail to P.O. Box 399 or 500 words emailed to news@soprissun.com. Longer columns are considered on a case-by-case basis.

The deadline for submission is noon on Monday.

LETTERS Small and smaller Dear Editor: Carbondalians like to think they live in a small town and they take measures to keep it that way, such as keeping out big box stores and putting a short leash on development.

To be sure, Carbondale is less populous than Glenwood Springs, Denver, or Shanghai.

I’ve just returned from a place where Carbondale would seem like a teeming metropolis, the Camas Prairie at the base of the panhandle in Idaho. It’s where my mother grew up, I have beaucoup relatives, and I lived for four years in the ‘70s. The county seat is 500 people.

There’s a certain security living in a place like this. Five minutes after I came there, everybody knew who I was, where I came from, who I was related to, and which hand I wiped my ass with. When an unfamiliar pickup comes down the road, alarms go off.

At night, it’s pitch-black and stone silent.

I considered it the biggest mistake in my life when I left. Because of all my relatives, I was well accepted and I found the smalltown lifestyle to my liking.

My parents came to visit when I lived there. I was sitting back in a recliner on a relative’s patio talking to my mother.

“I’ve never seen you so relaxed,” she said, “Don’t ever leave here. You belong here.”

Unfortunately, I didn’t always listen to my mother.

Moving back to the armpit of the world where I’d spent most of my life, the Calumet Region in Indiana, was a huge mistake. I did it for the same reason I’ve made all my missteps – money.

I was facing a winter without work

on the Prairie and I was broke. From past experiences, I knew the steel mills in the region paid well. The plan was to work in the steel mill for the winter, make some money, and move back to Idaho. Soon, I was making payments on a house and car and I was stuck there for 17 years. Money is intoxicating.

Then, I retired and left for the Roaring Fork Valley. After moving to Carbondale, it occurred to me if I’d stayed in Idaho, I’d have eventually gone crazy. The nearest movie theater or library is in Lewiston, 40 miles away. Music entertainment is both kinds, country and western, weekly in the local bar.

Restaurant menus are mostly chicken fried steaks and biscuits and gravy.

On my way back from my recent trip, I got to the Valley during the evening rush hour. I was headed up-valley so I wasn’t delayed by the traffic, but observing the mess in the oncoming lanes in Glenwood Springs was depressing. When I got to the intersection of 82 and 133, the traffic was backed up to the Co-op. I asked myself, “Am I living in the right place?” It’s a quandary.

Fred Malo Jr. Carbondale

CAFCI thanks Dear Editor: A big thank you to the Carbondale AgeFriendly Community Initiative (CAFCI) Steering Committee, all the seniors who showed up in support of CAFCI at the June 25 Trustees meeting, Mayor Dan Richardson, the Trustees, and town officials who have helped us in our efforts to join the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities.

2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • JULY 4 - JULY 10, 2019

Being a member of this national network will provide us with ideas, resources, and connections to others, enabling us to be more efficient and effective in working together to make Carbondale a more age-friendly community for citizens of all ages. To find out more about CAFCI, please check out agefriendlycarbondale.org. If you would like to be notified about future CAFCI projects, please send your name and email address to: CAFCI@delko.net. If you don’t have an email address, please call us at 366-6460 and leave your phone number.

Niki Delson and Judie Blanchard Co-Chairs, CAFCI

Slow down and announce yourself Dear Editor: I have been thinking about writing this letter for some time but hesitated as I thought perhaps I had a unique problem of little interest to others.

However, since the success of Thunder River’s “Tribes” and Nicollette Toussaint’s recent opinion piece on her hearing impairment, I decided this may be the right time to discuss sensitivity to hearing impaired pedestrians on the Rio Grande Trail.

I am a senior with some hearing loss.

I wear hearing aids but I have no problem hearing cyclists who slow down and announce themselves in advance of passing me. Unfortunately, many cyclists do not adhere to the “slow down and announce yourself” protocol. In my experience only about half the cyclists announce themselves.

It seems there are also some cyclists who Continued on page 14

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P.O. Box 399 Carbondale, CO 81623 520 S. Third Street #32 970-510-3003 www.soprissun.com Editor Will Grandbois • 970-510-0540 news@soprissun.com Advertising: Carol Fabian • 970-510-0246 adsales@soprissun.com Reporter: Megan Tackett Graphic Designer: Ylice Golden Delivery: Tom Sands Current Board Members board@soprissun.com Marilyn Murphy, President Raleigh Burleigh, Vice President Linda Criswell, Secretary Klaus Kocher, Treasurer John Colson • April Spaulding Kay Clarke • Carol Craven The Sopris Sun Board meets regularly on the second Monday evening of each month at the Third Street Center.

Founding Board Members Allyn Harvey • Becky Young • Colin Laird Barbara New • Elizabeth Phillips Peggy DeVilbiss • Russ Criswell Send us your comments: feedback@soprissun.com The Sopris Sun, Inc. is a proud member of the Carbondale Creative District The Sopris Sun, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Donations to The Sun are fully tax deductible

An updated historic walking tour of downtown Carbondale The Carbondale Historical Society has long offered a brochure with information on local landmarks, but until recently it mostly only included information you can already get on the plaques around town. Society President recently revamped the tour with the local “Hiking through Colorado’s Past” meetup group as a test effort. A self-guided version is available at carbondalehistory.org and is reproduced here for you edification.

1913 as a potato brokerage. The freight elevator that was used to transport sacks of potatoes to the cellar for storage, still exists. The Crystal Theatre was opened in 1949 and closed around 1962. It was used as a live theatre for awhile then closed again in the early-1980’s. It reopened on July 19, 1985 with “The Breakfast Club.”

The theater was in danger of being closed again in the 2012 when film was being phased out in favor of digital technology.

The owners couldn’t afford to pay for the equipment upgrade, so the community raised the funds to keep the theater in business.

Street-view

Begin at Town Hall, walk east to curve and look at the yellow American Legion building.

1) Train Depot - 97 N. Third Carbondale was once a major junction of the Crystal and Roaring Fork lines, which hauled potatoes and passengers up the Crystal River Valley, and between Aspen and Glenwood Springs. The building was moved about 100 yards from its original spot, which was closer to the tracks. To the west of the depot where Town Hall is now, sat a train yard and feed lots.

Street-view

Cut through the parking lot between True Nature on the right and apartment building to take the Rio Grande Trail east to N. Second Street.

The railroads and telegraph lines that came with them brought more people and commerce to the west. The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad ran from 1887 to 1991, and was converted into a Rails to Trails recreational path between 2001 and 2008. The Rio Grande Trail runs 42 miles from Glenwood Springs to Aspen.

Street-view

Continue to the intersection of N. Second and Main Street and look at the small house on the NE corner.

2) Tanney Ranch Stage Stop - 199 Main This building is one of the earliest surviving residences in Carbondale, occupied since 1888. It sits on the site of the ranch where Mrs. Ottowa Tanney ran the State Station, once the only stage stop along the GlenwoodAspen line that served meals to travelers.

In November 1891, a large fire destroyed the main part of town, which was concentrated on the east end of the current town center.

Ottowa Tanney’s stage stop was one of the few buildings that survived the fire and is still present today.

Street-view

Cross Main Street to the building on the SW corner.

3) The Creamery - 220 Main The two-story structure was the local creamery operated by Mr. and Mrs. Smoke. The creamery was where local dairy farmers could pasteurize and sell their milk. It continued in business until the 1940s, when it became a private residence. Later, it was a tire repair shop.

Street-view Continue west on Main.

4) Blacksmith Shop - 26 S. Third Note the anvil by the main entrance, similar to one used by the first occupants; blacksmithing brothers Roy and Hugh Pattison.

Other businesses in this building included a machine shop, tropical fish store, a nursery school and offices of one of Carbondale’s newspapers, now defunct, The Valley Journal. The building has been occupied by the Village Smithy Restaurant under continuous ownership by one family for more than 44 years.

Street-view

Cross Third Street to the building on the SW corner.

5) Odd Fellows Lodge - 302 Main The Odd Fellows Lodge No. 75, dedicated on July 4, 1888, burned 17 years later to the day, before being rebuilt. The fire be-

Street-view Cross to the SE corner.

gan when someone tried to light a carbide lamp in the basement. The main floor was used for dances, traveling shows, and movies and has since housed a craft store, a church and the high school basketball court.

Seven Stars Rebekah Lodge #91, established in 1903, acquired the building in 1995. The Rebekahs are the female component of the Oddfellows, created in the late 1800s as a service organization for the isolated ranching and farming families.

They helped whenever there was a need in the community and they still donate much of the proceeds of the Near New Thrift Store to non-profits and schools.

Street-view Cross to Third and Main.

6) Dad Long’s Store - 303 Main This 1890’s era building with the recessed entry, large display windows and decorative brick corbels is typical of commercial architecture of the day. The iron rosettes on the outside east wall indicate where steel rods were inserted to hold high walls in place and keep them from buckling.

Dad Long’s Store advertised in a 1911 Potato Day program; “The Best...for the least. Dry goods, clothing, groceries and shoes.” The back room was a social center for farmers and cowboys, who sat around the potbellied stove, bought crackers from the barrel and helped themselves to a slice of cheese. (Now Miser's Mercantile)

Street-view Walk west along the north side of

Main.

7) Sherwood Motion Picture Theater 351 Main This decorative brick building once housed the theater where it cost 10 cents to see a movie. Later, it became Kenney’s Pharmacy. It has been a restaurant since 1985.

8) Potato Growers Association - 389 Main This bottle-glass storefront was once the headquarters for the Potato Growers Association, formed in 1923. The first carload of potatoes was shipped out of the valley 30 years earlier, and by 1912, the Carbondale area was a leading producer of spuds for the hotel and dining car trade.

PGA member Eugene Grubb, co-owner of Mt. Sopris Farm and developer of the Russet Burbank variety, literally wrote the book on Potatoes. In an excerpt from his 1912 book “The Potato” Grubb wrote,“The Roaring Fork and Crystal River Valley section of Colorado is as nearly perfect in soil conditions as can be

found, and the potatoes grown there are not excelled anywhere in the world.”

Another famous Carbondale potato grower was Thomas McClure, for which McClure Pass is named. In the late 1800s, McClure left Ireland for America, and eventually moved to the current site of Catherine Store and purchased a piece of land where he began cultivating that well-known Irish staple: the potato.

While growing the then popular variety, the “Peachblow,” he noticed a mutation, and developed the oddity into a new variety that became known as the Red McClure.

In their heyday, Carbondale growers shipped a 1,000 train car loads of potatoes every year across the country. The labor shortages of the 1940’s coupled with falling prices and small, rolling fields not suitable to larger, modern mechanized equipment contributed to the potato’s disappearance from commercial cultivation in the valley.

9) Pings Store - 399 Main German immigrant William Pings owned this dry goods store as late as World War II. The building was divided into several commercial spaces, one housing a drug store complete with the classic soda fountain. (Now Main Street Gallery)

Street-view Look west across Fourth street at the

massive brick building.

10) The Dinkel Block - 400 block of Main Carbondale’s most imposing building, built by William Dinkel after his original store was destroyed in the 1891 fire. Dinkel operated the Bank of Carbondale out of his store, and the original bank safe was rescued from the fire and moved to its new location in the northeast corner of the building, where it sits to this day.

The combination to the safe had long been lost, but in 2018 the safe was cracked open by Tri-County Locksmith.

Inside were papers and items belonging to Dorothy Brown, who operated a Laundromat in the space during the 1970s — and the combination to the safe.

The southwest corner housed Dinkel’s Mercantile where “You could buy an automobile, a saddle, a buggy, groceries, shoes, anything that was for sale. If Dinkel didn’t have it, he’d order it for you.”

The Mt. View Hotel operated on the second story.

11) Potato Days - Fourth and Main Potato Days, Carbondale’s longest running annual celebration, were first celebrated here, beginning in the fall of 1909.

Farmers and their families would load up the wagons with their potato harvest and bring them to town for sale to the Potato Brokerage. Then they’d celebrate with a community picnic and contests for the largest beets, potatoes, and babies. The Married Women’s Race featured a pair of silk stockings as first prize. By 1911, there was all-day music, a horse race, and a Grand Ball.

Street-view

Continue south on Fourth St. to the Launchpad.

12) Gordon Cooper Library – 76 S. Fourth St. Named for the Mercury astronaut. His mother Hattie Cooper had family in Carbondale and resided here until her death in 1991. She is buried in Hillcrest cemetery. Gordo spent summers here as a child, and as an adult he was a member of the Freemason Lodge 82 in Carbondale.

Cross to the corner of the Dinkle Block.

Walk to the alley and look at the long brick building across the street.

13) Livery Stable - 36 N. Fourth When trains arrived at the depot, a twoseated buggy would be driven from here to pick up the passengers and carry them the short (often muddy or dusty) distance to Main Street. With the coming of the automotive age, the livery was converted to a mechanic’s shop.

Street-view Walk north across the alley to the fenced yard.

14) Lieberman’s Bakery - vacant lot The crumbling brick oven is all that remains of the Lieberman’s German Bakery. The 1910 census showed that Carbondale had immigrants from Canada, Poland, Switzerland, Germany, Slovenia, Great Britain, Mexico, Sweden, France, Scotland, Italy, Belgium, Ireland, Denmark, Wales, Hungary and Japan.

Street-view Walk north to the next building.

15) Sheridan’s Saloon/Bagett Grocery 55 N. Fourth The downstairs was a bar and upstairs was a brothel. The wood floors still bear scrape marks from the motion of the beds.

When Prohibition closed down the saloon in the early 1920s the building became Bagett’s Grocery. In 1927 at age 15, Guido Bagett (GUY-doe Ba-JETT) delivered groceries for his father’s store.

He married a gal he met at a Potato Days Dinkel built additions to his property in dance when he was 19, and the marriage subsequent years, ending with the one- lasted 77 years. In 2015 Guido died at the story section on the west end, built in age of 102.

THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • JULY 4 - JULY 10, 2019 • 3

SCUTTLEBUTT

Send your scuttlebutt to news@soprissun.com.

Coming of age

Life in the fast lane

Carbondale is shown on the AARP list of age-friendly communities, so it appears we have been officially accepted. Far from resting on their laurels, the Carbondale Age-Friendly Community Initiative folks are teaming up with Senior Matters to give away free bicycle bells — purchased at cost from Aloha — at Fourth and Main this First Friday. The booth will be an opportunity to raise awareness of pedestrian-bike safety. Bike-friendly Carbondale is connected to an outstanding network of more than 50 miles of bike trails, which are also extensively used by strolling seniors, dog walkers, and parents with strollers.

This juxtaposition of young and old, wheeled and unwheeled, and abled and disabled trail users has led to several accidents and too many close calls.

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the High Performance Transportation Enterprise (HPTE) will host a series of telephone town halls Tuesday, July 9, and Wednesday, July 10, to share information about the Express Lanes Master Plan. As Colorado continues to grow and develop, the proven success of Express Lanes and the use of toll revenue-backed project financing, which supports accelerated transportation infrastructure development, has created a need to develop a statewide strategic Express Lanes Master Plan (ELMP) to proactively prepare for Colorado’s future needs. CDOT will call residents in mountain communities along the I-70 corridor at 7 p.m. each night. If you do not receive a call or would like to participate, dial 855-710-623.

For granted Applications will be available at www. colorado.gov/gcfmld for the Joint Grant Program, which encourages eligible entities to work together on major capital projects. To be eligible for funding through the FML District, applicants must be political subdivisions of the state and, for this program, applications will only be accepted for the construction and maintenance of public facilities.

Bridge over troubled water White River National Forest reports that the Avalanche Creek bridge at mile marker 2.5 (Trail #1959) has washed away. With flood warnings on both the Crystal and Roaring Fork Rivers, it’s worth reminding everyone to choose your hike knowing conditions may change and stay out of the water if at all possible.

Remember the rescued parakeets we profiled a few months back? Lisa Johnson at Skyline recently sent us this photo of them with their brand new babies!

The heat is on While Coloradans watch fireworks this Fourth of July, statewide law enforcement officers will keep their eyes out for impaired

Mother deer often stash their youngsters while they’re off feeding; but they do not abandon fawns. In fact, they are very protective when their fawns are vulnerable to predators or other perceived threats. Photo by Will Grandbois drivers. From July 3 through 8, the Colorado Department of Transportation, Colorado State Patrol and local law agencies will implement the Fourth of July DUI enforcement period, which focuses on preventing impaired drivers from endangering themselves and others on the road. During last year’s Fourth of July enforcement period, there were a total of 304 DUI arrests from 103 agencies across the state.

This year, 97 law enforcement agencies will increase patrols during the six-day enforcement period.

Leave the light on The local event for the national Lights for Liberty Candlelight Vigil for the immigrants in the detention centers is scheduled for 8 p.m.

July 12 at Sayre Park in Glenwood Springs.

More information at lightsforliberty.org.

In loving memory Joe Goodman’s “Celebration of Life” memorial service will take place on at 10 a.m. Sunday, July 7 in Room #31 at the Third Street Center. There will be music, a DVD, and opportunity to share your memories. Breakfast / brunch food and drink will be provided.

They say it’s your birthday Folks celebrating another year of life this week include: Rachel Cooper and Brad Geddes (July 4); Chris Wurtsmith, H Mavis Fitzgerald, Herb Feinzig and Adele Moss (July 5); Teri Bruna and David Clark (July 6); Melanie Finàn (July 8); Will Grandbois, Judith Ristchard and Kristin Garwood (July 9) Peter Gilbert and Rita Marsh (July 10). Friends of Gerry Pace can celebrate his birthday at 3:30 p.m. July 10 at The Homestead.

The paper you are holding costs us

God Bless America

Land that I love.

Stand beside her, and guide her Thru the night with a light from above.

From the mountains, to the prairies, To the oceans, white with foam God bless America, My home sweet home.

JOHN FROST MERRIOTT

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Office: 970-704-1101 • Fax: 970-704-9101 Email: frosty@frostycpa.com • Web: frostycpa.com 1101 Village road LLA2 • Carbondale, Colorado 81623

Somethings Somethings Have Have Always Always Been Been Worth Worth The The Drive!

Drive!

Drawdown: A Lecture with Paul Hawken

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Local remote worker reflects on global service

By Megan Tackett Sopris Sun Staff It was March 8, and all outgoing flights from Aspen/ Pitkin County Airport had been grounded due to inclement weather. That didn’t stop Cathy Massey from convincing her husband to drive her to Denver International Airport so she could catch her flight to Quito, Ecuador.

“I called United I don’t know how many times, and then my husband agreed to take me to Denver because I’m like, ‘Hell or high water, I am doing this trip,’” she laughed.

Massey doesn’t speak Spanish, and she’d never been to South America. An account manager for Medtronic selling service agreements to hospitals, she doesn’t exactly have a background in construction, either. But that, too, didn’t stop her from traveling with 16 of her colleagues to help tile and paint a preschool.

“When we got there, they didn’t think we could achieve what we set out to do, which was to paint the entire outside of the school [and] tile the entire first level,” she said. “The walls, we had to grout it and tile it — and we also helped with the kids. A lot of these kids, they don’t know if they get a second meal of the day, so we were just shoving food down their throats

all the time.”

To facilitate the trip, Medtronic partners with Global Volunteers, a Minnesotabased nonprofit granted Special Consultative Status with the United Nations that organizes short-term volunteer opportunities.

“It’s not a difficult matter to put something like this together,” said Michelle Gran, Global Volunteers co-founder and senior vice president.

“In some cases, we can offer opportunities for people to use their professional skills — whether they’re in the medical field or teachers — and in other cases, if they’re more interested in focusing on the capacity building in the community.”

Gran co-founded Global Volunteers with her husband in 1984 after honeymooning in Guatemala on what she described as a “human economic development project.” The trip landed them on the front page of the B section in a Minneapolis newspaper.

“The resulting interest that friends and colleagues and social associates had given us led my husband, who’s really the visionary in the family, to believe that there was a true interest in doing something like this: using your vacation to really make a difference,” she said.

Since then, their vision has permeated mainstream and

corporate cultures. Medtronic, for example, boasts “global corporate citizenship” in the middle of its website homepage.

Massey, who herself boasts a 14year tenure with the company, can attest to those convictions.

“One of the things Medtronic is known for is their philanthropy,” she said.

“And every dollar I donate, Medtronic matches it dollar for dollar because that’s our way of giving back. That’s one of my favorite things about working for Medtronic.”

In addition to the hands-on work at the school, Massey and her colleagues dedicated every morning to some emotional heavy lifting, as well.

“Every day, we did a journal and a quote for the day,” she said. “So we woke up listening to somebody’s journal and quote for the day, and then we reflected at the end of the day.

Our goals are really just to give instead of receive. By the end of the last day, we were just all in tears.”

Massey’s experience was a corporate-sponsored one, but Gran emphasized that anyone can participate in a project through Global Volunteers.

“The bulk of our volunteer service is just individuals: families, couples,” she said. “We assemble teams of volunteers.

You don’t even have to have a traveling companion. No barrier

Cathey Massey spent most of her time in Ecuador painting and tiling a preschool. Courtesy photo of entry here!”

And it’s an incredibly rewarding way to travel, Massey noted. Months after her Ecuador trip, she is already looking forward to her next one.

“We’re talking about going to Poland, outside of Krakow,” she said. “That’s been on my list because my heritage is Jewish.

I’d like to go back and pay homage to those that were lost.”

If you’re a business leader or just someone who wants to add a service layer to your personal travels, check out globalvolunteers.org

Come write for us! The Sopris Sun is seeking a part-time staff reporter.

Get to know your community, follow important issues and investigate what interests you!

An ideal candidate would have solid writing skills, basic photography skills and be comfortable interviewing and covering meetings.

Budgeted at $18 an hour for 20 hours a week with some flexibility.

Send resumé and writing samples to will@soprissun.com.

THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • JULY 4 - JULY 10, 2019 • 5

I’m glad I knew you when I was young

By Will Grandbois Sopris Sun Staff If you aren’t surrounded by people who knew you as a child, I’m not sure I can quite explain why it’s a big deal that Jerry Pluger is moving away. Of course, I’m going to try anyway.

I missed the opportunity to write the story on his retirement from teaching — though of course John Stroud did a beautiful job (tinyurl.com/ plugerretirement). And even in 2011 he had defected to Glenwood, giving him a slim chance of occasional anonymity as he circumambulated town with his dog in recent years.

But when the Third Street Center was christened, he stood in the room where he’d taught third and fourth grade for years — now SoL Theatre — and told the story of that time I kicked off my boot and broke a window in class.

That sounds embarrassing, and at the time of the incident I was mortified.

But when I’d worked off the damage helping Cathleen McCourt clean the art room (hardly a rough punishment), it became a piece of lore, complete with a Shakespearian punchline. I’ll save it for him to tell, if he’s so inclined and anyone wants to hear it, during his going away party from 4 to 7 p.m. July 5 in the Round Room. I’m sure he has similar stories about hundreds of other kids who are now adults — and therein lies the point.

For those of us who are still around, Mr. Pluger is a reminder that we were once children who did silly things.

It keeps us humble, and forces us to confront our childhood selves and consider whether they’d be happy with the choices we’re making now.

Luckily, I’ll still have Judy Milne telling folks about how I wrote without vowels in preschool, Chip Wells reminding everyone how serious I was and Marilyn Murphy trying not to call me Willy at the board meetings.

This is my last chance, however, to turn the tables on Pluger before he moves off to the Pacific Northwest where no one but his children know him.

Mr. Pluger’s classroom was a place of goofy wonder. The most obvious feature was an old clawfoot bathtub filled with pillows and tucked in one corner. It was always a privilege to occupy the tub during reading time or breaks for DTS — drinkies, twinkies and stinkies.

Bringing together an otherwise eclectic decor was Disney in general and Mickey Mouse in particular, with the memorabilia of countless trips to Disneyland mixing with gifts on the same theme. Still, he was willing to give in to the times when Harry Potter fever hit. He read us the first book — the U.K. version, in fact — and arranged a house tournament competition within the class. And when a screening of “Star Wars” inspired me to write a play called “Cat Wars,” he made time for us to perform it.

He also had traditions for all occasions, from Groundhog Day races to birthday donut fishing. And when I happened to get sick on a personal holiday of my own, I got a card from him wishing me a happy one.

The unity that all this — plus two consecutive years in the same classroom — brought us made us dominant on the kickball field and created resentments from other classes that still simmer to this day. It probably doesn’t help that I pointed out that our senior Head Boy and Girl were both former Plugerites.

Amid all this fun, we also learned something. Math class included very basic calculus, and when we consistently forgot what 9 x 6 was, it became “famous 52.” History, spelling — the host of subjects a single elementary school teacher is expected to teach became fun instead of daunting. Far from causing us not to take things seriously, I truly believe he set us up for success.

My experience in Mr. Pluger’s class was just one of many before, during and after me. And I’m sure his role as a teacher was just one of many facets and layers I’m not privy to. But even on it’s own, it’s a whole heck of a lot.

Jerry Pluger in his classroom in the '80s (Valley Journal file photo) and still puttering around the Third Street Center today (Photo by Will Grandbois).

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Debi Boyle steps back from LIFT-UP

By Ken Pletcher Sopris Sun Correspondent The Sopris Sun is conducting a series of interviews with folks you may not have seen in the paper before – a sort of introduction to your neighbors. This week we caught up with Debi Boyle, the outgoing pantry manager at the Carbondale LIFT-UP food distribution center.

Q: Where did you come from and how did you get here?

A: We came to the valley in 1987. We’d lived in Boulder for five years, and my husband had started a business in Denver. We loved Boulder, but my husband traveled all over the state and found this tiny town of Carbondale. He said the western side of the Rockies was incredible, and we moved here.

Q: What did you do before you became involved with LIFT-UP? A: I was a property manager, cleaned homes, took care of people’s second homes, that kind of thing. I started volunteering with LIFT-UP in 2005, but within a couple of years was doing so much there that I had to let go of all that other stuff.

LIFT-UP became all-consuming.

Q: Why was that?

A: By that time – ’08 and ’09 – was when the recession hit, and all of a sudden, we went from doing five families a week to 20 to 40 families a day. We had a volunteer standing at the door taking numbers, like it was Baskin Robbins.

Q: How did you become the pantry manager?

A: After becoming a volunteer I kind of took over duties that weren’t being done. Finally, I was doing so much that I was called the lead volunteer and then called the pantry manager, and then by about ’08 or ’09 it worked into a little of a paid position.

Q: How have things changed with the operation of the pantry since you have been here?

A: When I started, we were handing out a box or two to a family, and it was all nonperishable food. We had one tiny freezer, so they got a little bit of meat. Now we have a giant freezer and two refrigerators, and we have dairy products and fresh fruit and vegetables.

Q: So, this all changed?

A: Yes, in ’08 we started getting donations of frozen meat first

from Carbondale City Market, and then we would pick up from Aspen and El Jebel City Market. In 2011, when Whole Foods came on board, that was the giant boost that we needed, because they wanted us to pick up every day.

Q: And that allowed operations to expand?

A: Yes, we got so many donations that we started calling it our food rescue program. We pick up five days a week from multiple markets, so not only do we have volunteers giving out food but many others getting food that would otherwise be thrown away.

Now, in addition to clients walking in, we take food to senior housing, Stepping Stones, local schools where the kids maybe didn’t get breakfast or lunch. I hate to think what would happen if LIFT-UP didn’t exist here.

Q: Has the demographic changed?

A: There used to be more Latinos and fewer Caucasians, but it’s shifted to maybe an even split. And young, old the age variance is incredible.

Q: Do you still have as many clients as you did before?

A: It’s varied up and down since ’08-’09. We’re open three mornings a week and now average anywhere from five to twenty families a day. If it’s a slower day, we can get more food to seniors or other places.

Q: And now you're stepping back?

A: My parents both had health issues – my dad passed away last year, and my mom’s are ongoing – and I’ve spent a lot of time in back Virginia. So, I just couldn’t keep running the office. The volunteers all covered for me, but by March I said, I just can’t do this the way I al-

Throughout her tenure, Debbie Boyle oversaw a continuing expansion of LIFT-UP. It's now one of the biggest pantries on the Western Slope. Photo by Megan Tackett ways had. Taking care of my mom was full-time.

Q: But you are going to continue to be involved with LIFT-UP? A: Yeah, as long as I live here, I can’t imagine not.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to mention?

A: Well, we get 90 percent of our donations in November and December. We need people to be thinking about us more during the year – clean out your pantry, pick up extra stuff!

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THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • JULY 4 - JULY 10, 2019 • 7

DRONES continued from cover

a structure might be on fire, and how hot it is burning or how fast it is spreading.

The thermal imaging feature could also be used to detect body heat for swiftwater or general search and rescue operations.

Finally, a speaker allows communication from the device to people on the ground.

A lost hiker could be told to follow the drone, or trapped individuals could be given instructions to seek safety.

While the drone has many potential applications to assist in the operations of the District, Chief Rob Goodwin emphasized that it will always be viewed as one tool of many, and that the discretion to use it will reside with the incident commander on a case-bycase basis. “We’ll never have a pilot just decide to show up and start flying.”

And expectations will be limited, especially during the rollout this summer. gh water levels are creating potentially dangerous river conditions.

“It can’t do everything,” said Goodwin.

High water levels are creating potentially dangerous river conditions.

“It’s great and I love it, but it’s good to Hazards will change day by day.

Always check conditions. h water levels are creating potentially dangerous river conditions. understand what it is and what it isn’t.”

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A close up of Carbondale Fire's new drone. Cover: Aaron Luttrell tests out the device. Photos by Justin Patrick our capability to help save someone’s life or property. Why wouldn’t we take that step into that technology?”

So far, only Luttrell and a handful of others on staff are certified to use the drone, though there are plans to add more pilots to the roster. Ideally, one person will fly it while another carefully but quickly analyzes the data and relays that to the incident commander.

Doing that smoothly and successfully will likely take field experience and will evolve by trial and error as the program develops.

“With imagination and training there’s a lot you can do with it,” said Luttrell.

A year or 25

ffi

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Ground can erode underneath, and breakaway without warning. If you're standing on it, you can get swept away.

Unstable Riverbanks Always Wear a Life Jacket while boating Ground can erode underneath, and breakaway without This is NOT the year to skipon wearing lifeget swept away. warning.

If you're standing it, you a can jacket! Life jackets really do save lives!!!

Last year's Independence Day was lit by flames; this year high water may be the issue.

Photo by Will Grandbois

Always Wear a Life Jacket while boating Always Wear atheLife Jacket while boating Always a year Lifeto Jacket while boating This isWear NOT skip wearing a life Use Proper Equipment This is NOT the year skip wearing a life Always Wear aontoreally Life Jacket while boating jacket!

Life jackets do savealives!!!

This NOT year to skip wearing life Poolistoys andthe inner tubes the river can kill you.

Staff Report

This week marks the one year anniversary of the Lake Christine Fire. jacket!

Life jackets really do save lives!!! jacket!

Life jackets really lives!!!

This is NOT the year tosave skip wearing a life The scars still blacken the side of Basalt Use equipment designed fordo the river, sub-standard Mountain — although the drama is jacket!

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A preferred minimum is three boats. Let someone alone. know where you are going and when you expect to return. well as help property owners safeguard their homes and create fire-adapted communities. To learn more about eligibility for the Roaring Fork Wildfire Assistance Program, contact Eric Lovgren with Eagle County to schedule a free wildfire hazard assessment of a home or property at eric.lovgren@ eaglecounty.us.

Always Wear a LifeEquipment Jacket while boating Use Proper

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Boat Sober and with Friends Soberand and with Friends BoatBoat Sober with Friends Boat Sober and with Friends Boat Sober and with Friends

8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • JULY 4 - JULY 10, 2019

The Town of Carbondale allows personal use of sparklers, toy smoke devices, trick matches, cigarette loads and trick noisemakers.

Meanwhile, Basalt is reminding residents that it amended the Town’s fireworks ordinance to make it illegal to sell, possess or use any firework within the Town of Basalt from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Most other area municipalities are avoiding actual incendiary displays despite the wet year, suggesting that times may in fact be changing.

On the other side of Carbondale, Glenwood Springs is preparing to honor the 25th anniversary of the South Canyon Fire — better known as Storm King — which claimed the lives of 14 firefighters on July 6, 1994. The story seems to resonate, as a music tribute for the 20th anniversary (youtube.com/watch?v=wf_73RKAu7c) has since been watched more than 50,000 times.

The bottom line — even as we complain about rain and worry about floods, let’s not forget the risk of fire. Have a safe and happy Independence Day.

Property valuations are in — and taxes are up

By Megan Tackett Sopris Sun Staff Garfield County Assessor Jim Yellico has been busy compiling a report for a July 15 presentation to the county commissioners. Now that his office has met the end-of-June deadline to respond to property valuation appeals, it’s time to share the data with his fellow elected officials.

To be fair, there weren’t that many appeals.

“Of the 28,000 properties, we had 774 appeals,” Yellico clarified. “The way I view my election is to represent property owners and also governments, so it’s the nexus between the two. Every appeal period is my opportunity to see where we are: Did we get it right? Did our appraisal team do a good job with their values?”

With a less-than 3-percent appeal rate, the answer is pretty clear.

“They really did a great job,” he said.

New property value notices went out May 1, and property owners had the month of May to appeal any decision. The new values will inform property taxes for the next two years. While

those values are higher than in previous years, they shouldn’t surprise many people.

“When you look at what our values have done this year, from Parachute to Carbondale … [there’s] nothing really spurof-the-moment. It’s been pretty consistent and gradual to get to where they are, so I think the market’s really solid,” he said.

A former real estate agent, Yellico added that while there may be a correction, he personally doesn’t foresee anything as dramatic as the Great Recession in 2008, though he certainly remembers well those impacts.

“When I was running for election … the recession had hit, and people’s values had tanked.

But they were getting their notice of valuation or looking at their tax bill, and it was a year or two behind.”

By “a year or two behind,” Yellico’s referring to the valuation cycle.

“My office is always looking backward,” he said. “The 2019 reevaluation that we just did is actually the value of your property on June 30 of 2018, so we’re already a year behind as of right now.”

To determine a new value, the assessor looks at sales of similar

properties in similar counties.

That does not necessarily mean immediately neighboring counties, Yellico noted.

“Pitkin County is a totally different animal than Garfield County,” he said. “We pay attention to Eagle County, Montrose, even parts of Mesa when we’re trying to do comparisons for what Garfield County’s like; we don’t really mess with Pitkin.”

For property owners or those in the market for a home, there’s another region worth following, he continued.

“You can kind of track the Front Range markets a little bit — when they start to see a downturn, we’re usually six months to a year behind. When I was doing real estate, that’s how we would pretty much gauge it: six months to a year, we’re going to see what they saw.”

Number crunching All in all, Garfield County property owners’ net worth increased.

“Whatever property they own, those values have gone up,” Yellico said. “In Carbondale, the residential values went up between 10 and 15

percent. That’s still a pretty big deal, when your house is worth $500,000, to have it go up between $50,000 and $65,000.

The biggest gains we saw in our county were actually Downvalley, in Silt, Rifle, Parachute. They saw like 20-percent increases.”

In that example, someone owning a house valued at $500,000 in a tax area with 75 mill levies would have paid $2,700 in property taxes last year. If that same house is now valued at $565,000, with the new assessment rate of 7.15 percent and the same 75 mill levies, that person would pay almost $3,030 next year — assuming more mill levies weren’t passed, which they were throughout the county.

More money, more problems, as the kids say. Simply put, higher values mean higher taxes. But there are several variables that go into determining property taxes — and they’re not all even obviously in the official equation.

According to the Garfield County website (garfield-county.com), the quantity of the actual value multiplied by the assessment rate multiplied by the mill levy divided by 1,000 equals tax dollars owed.

Property Class

Preliminary 2019 Estimates

Final 2019 Estimates

Residential

15.86%

17.23%

Vacant

12.00%

16.50%

Commercial

13.93%

15.77%

Industrial

6.86%

20.40%

Agricultural

-4.29%

1.01%

Natural Resources

-0.22%

-15.24%

Producing Mines

-22.43%

18.11%

Oil and Gas

26.89%

38.65%

State Assessed

0.75%

0.75%

Non-Residential:

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The residential assessment rate is set by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, and it's a multi-step process that includes several estimates before landing on exact figures. For instance, its Jan. 15 report estimated the 2019 residential assessment rate would be 6.95 percent; it ended up being 7.15 percent.

This table is from an updated report of estimates published April 10, outlining the greater increase in estimated value for residential properties in April and that some key drivers of non-residential values had been underestimated in the original January estimates.

In fact, the greater increase in the non-residential aspect, especially industrial and oil and gas, led to the increased residential assessment rate.

Lights for Liberty will bring thousands of people to locations worldwide, as well as to concentration camps across country, to protest the inhumane conditions faced by migrants.

RJ Paddywacks

400 E Valley Rd. # I/J

If you’re head’s spinning, don’t worry. It gets more complicated. For instance, the assessment rate dropped to 7.15 percent from 7.2, which is determined by the state, not Yellico’s office. And that’s just for residential properties — all other properties, including commercial and vacant, are at a static 29-percent assessment rate.

That has big implications for business owners.

“Commercial in general increased about 5 percent,” he said. “Any other tax increase that happens affects commercial businesses and vacant land owners four times more than the residential owners.”

That’s not to say taxpayers don’t get anything in return for their contributions to society. To Yellico, it’s a matter of communication with the public.

“Carbondale Fire District is like my shining star on the hill of telling local governments how to interact with the property owners,” he said. “They do such an amazing job of saying, ‘We need money to offer you ambulance and fire services, and in order to do that, this is what your mill levy or tax rate needs to be.’ And when they don’t need it, they give it back.”

Sayre Park, Glenwood Springs

This event is a local opportunity to join with the worldwide vigil.

For more information: lightsforliberty.org

THIS COMMUNITY AD SPACE DONATED BY COOL BRICK STUDIOS THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • JULY 4 - JULY 10, 2019 • 9

COMMUNITY CALENDAR THURSDAY JULY 4

Submit your events as soprissun.com. Deadline is noon on Monday. Events take place in Carbondale unless noted.

River in Redstone.

TUESDAY JULY 9

INDEPENDENCE DAY • Catch the kids’ parade down Main Street at 10:30 a.m. followed by a community pool party and free watermelon and ice cream at Sopris Park. Or, head up to Restone for a Pie in the Face fundraiser at 10:30 a.m., a parade at 11 a.m. and a 2 p.m. Ducky Derby.

PATRIOTIC TUNES • The Aspen Music Festival band brings a free performance of The Star-Spangled Banner and other favorites to the Benedict Music Tent (960 N.Third St., Aspen) at 4 p.m.

FRIDAY JULY 5 SOPRIS MUSIC FEST • Catch The Miner Keys, The RFHS Jazz Band, Callin’ Old Souls, The M. Kelly Band and the Wolf Tones from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Fourth Street Plaza.

MUSIC & MORE • From 5 to 11 p.m., The Way Home (689 Main St.) offers hot dogs and cold drinks on the patio, s’mores kits and fire pits, like music from Henry Hill and more.

TRUSTING YOUR INNER VOICE • Join Deva Shantay from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Coventure (201 Main St.) as she shares her journey of discovering her life purpose in a free, open event.

RENDERED TIME • The Carbondale Clay Center (135 Main St.) shows off the work of 2017-19 resident artist Stephanie Seguin with a 6 to 8 p.m. opening reception.

MUSIC & MAGIC • Mike Schneider leads a free comedic and educational performance that is guaranteed to bring a smile to the faces of young and old alike at 11:30 a.m. at the Carbondale Branch Library (320 Sopris Ave.).

LIVE PAINTING • Marcel Kahhak invites you into his studio (411 Main St.) from 6:30 to 9 p.m. during First Friday.

FRI JULY 5 - THU JULY 11 MOVIES • The Crystal Theatre (427 Main St.) presents "The Biggest Little Farm" (PG) at 7:30 p.m. July 5-8, 10 and 11; "Booksmart" (R) at 5:15 p.m. July 6 and "Late Night" (R, captioned) at 5:15 p.m. July 7. Closed July 9.

WEDNESDAY JULY 10 HIGH IN THE ALPINE • Meet at the North Star Nature Preserve north lot at 8 a.m. to spend the day exploring the alpine tundra on top of Independence Pass (12,095 ft) with the Forest Conservancy Master Naturalists. Info and registration at aspennature.org — free for members and $10 for others.

FURTHER OUT

SATURDAY JULY 6

THURSDAY JULY 11

MILL SITE CLEANUP • Join the crew at the Marble Hub (105 W. Main St.) beginning at 10 a.m. to keep one of Marble’s most significant historical resources beautiful.

CONSENSUAL IMPROV • In the style of "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" and Chicago's Second City, the TRTC troupe performs at 8 p.m. on their home stage (67 Promenade).

TOUR DE FOURTEENERS • Joe Grant shares a film and slideshow about his self-powered effort to link up Colorado’s tallest mountains from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Cripple Creek Backcountry (582 Highway 133).

FRIDAY JULY 12

SLIDE GUITAR • Dennis Johnson and the Mississippi Ramblers headline a 6 to 8 p.m. summer concert along the Crystal

PHOTO SHOW • The Colorado Mountain College (CMC) ArtShare Program and Carbondale Creative District collaborate for a group exhibition at Morgridge Commons (815 Cooper Ave., Glenwood Springs) featuring Sami Dinar, Martin Garfinkel, Karen Glenn, Penelope Greenwell, Cindy Higby, George

Lilly, Mike Rand, Mark Ronay, Lesa Russo, Deborah Shannan and Greg Watts with a 6 to 8 p.m. opening reception.

SUNDAY JULY 7 PLEIN AIR • Join Nicolette Toussaint at Janeway near Avalanche Creek for an 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. free workshop. The program is for strong hikers, 16-years and older. Dogs are not allowed.

Registration, a full supplies list and more information at wildernessworkshop.org.

ONGOING ASPEN MUSIC FESTIVAL • Enjoy world-class classical music performances — orchestra, opera and chamber — with many events a day. In addition to fully free events, it’s always free to sit on the lawn outside the Benedict Music Tent.

FARMERS MARKET • Get fresh produce and other goods from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays through Sept. 25 at the Fourth Street Plaza.

THOMPSON TOURS • The house (301 Lewies Ln.) is open for tours every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, from 1 to 4 p.m. $5 for ages 13 and up, info at carbondalehistory.org.

CASTLE TOURS • Experience life in another time with a tour of the elegant, beautifullypreserved home of Alma and John Osgood (58 Redstone Castle Ln.) at 10:15 a.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets at theredstonecastle.com.

MAGICAL MOMENTS • Bring your family, chairs, coolers and libations to the banks of the Crystal River Redstone’s free summer concert series at 6 p.m.

Saturdays.

ROTARY • The Carbondale Rotary Club meets at the Carbondale Fire Station (300 Meadowood Dr.) at 6:45 a.m.

Wednesdays. The Mt. Sopris Rotary meets at White House Pizza (801 Main Ct.) at noon every Thursday.

RODEO • Catch the Carbondale Wild West Rodeo at 7:30 p.m.

Thursdays through Aug. 22 at the Gus Darien Arena on Catherine Store Road.

BOOK CLUB • Join friends and fellow readers to discuss great books at Carbondale Branch Library (320 Sopris Ave.) at 4 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month; call 963-2889 for this month's selection.

WRITERS GROUP • Wordsmiths of all experience and abilities gather at the Carbondale Branch Continued on page 11.

COME CELEBRATE First Friday in July!

Community Celebration | July 5, 5-9 PM In the Heart of Carbondale's Creative District

The 19th Annual Mt. Sopris Music Fest takes place this First Friday in the 4th Street Plaza, 5pm-9:30pm. Enjoy live music, family-friendly fun with balloons & face painting, and shop the summer artisan & farmers’ market. The market is open 5:30pm-8:30pm, located at 3rd Street & Main.

Artisan & Farmers' Market vendors: Aspen Mini Donuts Nieslanik Beef Señor Mango

PC: Hal Williams

Sopris Health & Wellness Soul Funk Creations Wildeye

www.carbondale.com

10 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • JULY 4 - JULY 10, 2019

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Library (320 Sopris Ave.) at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of the month.

YOUR STORY, YOUR LIFE • A free facilitated workshop for adults, writing your personal history, one story at a time.

Facilitated by Shelly Merriam, historian/writer/genealogist.

First and third Fridays, 10 a.m. to noon at the Glenwood Springs Branch Library, (815 Cooper Ave.).

Info at 945-5958 or gcpld.org.

ALAPRIMA • A watercolor painting group meets from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays at the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.).

COMMUNITY MEAL • Faith Lutheran Church (1340 Highway 133), in collaboration with Carbondale Homeless Assistance, hosts a free community meal from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the third Saturday of the month. Info: 5105046 or faithcarbondale.com.

YAPPY HOUR • Colorado Animal Rescue’s Yappy Hour at the Marble Bar (150 Main St.) takes place at 5:30 p.m. the third Thursday of the month. Sip on handcrafted cocktails and meet a C.A.R.E. dog, with $1 from every drink donated to C.A.R.E. Bring your own dog along as well.

WALK WITH A DOC • Aspen Valley Hospital (401 Castle Creek Rd.) invites you to meet in the cafeteria at 10 a.m. the first Saturday of the month for a short discussion on a healthrelated topics, such as high blood pressure, asthma, anxiety, etc.

RUN AROUND • Independence

Continued from page 10.

Run & Hike hosts a run around town Saturdays at 8 a.m. Meet at the store 596 Highway 133 (in La Fontana Plaza) and run various distances, with different routes each week. Info: 704-0909.

LOSS SUPPORT • The Compassionate Friends of the Roaring Fork Valley, a group for parents, grandparents or siblings who have lost a child of any age, meets at 6:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at The Orchard (110 Snowmass Dr.).

HEALTH THROUGH NUTRITION • Free opportunities include a PowerPoint presentation

by Retired Family Physician, Dr. Greg Feinsinger about the science behind plant-based nutrition, on the first Monday of every month at 7 pm., as well as Monday morning free one-hour consultations by appointment for heart attack and other chronic illness prevention through PlantBased Whole Foods Lifestyle.

(Call 379-5718.) A once a month Plant-Based whole foods potluck for anyone interested in plantbased living is the 4th Monday of the month at 6:30 pm. All events take place at 3rd Street Center, 520 S. Third St. SUNSET YOGA • River Valley Ranch hosts complimentary classes at the fi rst tee box from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday evenings throughout the summer.

BLUEGRASS JAM • Bring the instrument of your choice or just your voice for a weekly jam session fi rst and last Sundays at

6 p.m. at Steve’s Guitars (19 N. Fourth St.) and all other Sundays at the Glenwood Springs Brew Garden (115 Sixth St.) OPEN MIC • Take the stage at Riverside Grill (181 Basalt Center Circle, Basalt) from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays. Food and drink specials. Free.

WORLD DANCE • Learn rhythms from various countries and cultures for $12 per class from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Mondays at the Carbondale Community School (1505 Satank Rd.).

LET’S JUST DANCE • Feel great, have fun and dance Tuesdays at The Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.). Catch a free lesson at 7 p.m., then from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. it’s open dancing with two-step, swing, waltz, line dance, salsa and more. No partner or experience necessary. $8/person; $14/ couple. Questions? Call 970-3666463 or email billypat4@gmail. com.

BACHATA • Learn a Latin dance with Erik and Claudia Peña presenting weekly classes from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. every Thursday at The Launchpad (76 S. Fourth St.). $10 drop-in fee; info at 963-8425.

MEDITATION • Free silent

NEW VIEWS SCREENING PROGRAM Documentaries & Dialogue

Highlighting critically acclaimed documentaries and including post-screening discussions with special guests.

The series occurs on July 15, 22, and 28.

MIKE WALLACE IS HERE

THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM

Presented in association with Aspen Film

JULY 22 | 7:00 PM | $20

JULY 15 | 7:00 PM | $20

YOGA • Get a donation-based introduction to Hatha Yoga from 8 to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays at The Launchpad (76 S. Fourth St.).

KARAOKE • The Black Nugget (403 Main St.) and Sandman bring you over 30,000 songs to choose from and a quality sound system to release your inner rockstar at 9 pm. every Thursday.

EISNER I LAUDER

Presented in association with Aspen Film

meditation sessions are held at the Launchpad (76 S. Fourth St.) from 6:45 to 7:30 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (info at 306-1015).

THE CELLIST: THE LEGACY OF GREGOR PIATIGORSKY

Presented in association with Aspen Film and Aspen Music Festival and School

JULY 28 | 7:00 PM | $20

ALL EVENTS

PAEPCKE AUDITORIUM, 1000 N. THIRD STREET, ASPEN ASPENSHOWTIX.COM | INFORMATION AT ASPENINSTITUTE.ORG

This program is made possible by generous donations from Leonard Lauder and Jane and Michael Eisner.

TAI CHI • All levels are welcome to participate a gentle path to health and flexibility from 9 to 10 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays with John Norton.

Marty Finkelstein offers a 5 to 5:30 course for beginners before his 5:30 to 7 p.m. class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Both classes take place at the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.).

SANSKRIT MANTRA • Devika Gurung demonstrates how chant is about more than spirituality, but also breath and rhythm at 4:30 p.m. Sundays at The Launchpad (76 S. Fourth St.).

RF INSIGHT • Monday Night Meditation meets from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. at Roaring Fork Aikikai (2553 Dolores

Way) and offers instruction in the Buddhist practice of Vipassana. RFI also offers secular mindfulness at the Carbondale Community School and is working with CMC to provide a class on “Zen and the Art of Dying” — more info at roaringforkinsight.org.

DHARMA • The Way of Compassion Dharma Center holds a Dharma talk and meditation from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and a silent meditation and Buddha of Compassion practice at 8 a.m.

Saturdays at the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.).

• The MINDFULNESS Mindful Life Program in the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.) offers group sessions Mondays at 7:30 p.m.

Admission is by donation and registration is not necessary.

Info: mindfullifeprogram.org and 970-633-0163.

MINDFULNESS IN RECOVERY • An inclusive, peer-led recovery support group open to anyone with a desire for recovery — independent of faith and regardless of race, gender or orientation — meets Tuesdays from 6 to 7 p.m. in room 36 of the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St.) LOVE ADDICTS • Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous, a 12-step group will meet from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday at Holland Hills United Methodist Church (167 Holland Hills Rd., Basalt).

REGISTER NOW!

`` SUMMER CLASSES STILL STARTING:

Qigong - Grandfather of Tai Chi ........... 7/8-8/7 (MW) ...... 8:45-9:45am Carbondale History .............................. 7/10 (W) .......................... 6-9pm and 7/13 (S) .............. 9am-12pm Singing Basics....................................... 7/15-8/5 (M) .................... 6-8pm A Life Less Toxic Series ........................ 7/17-8/7 (W) ............... 6-7:30pm Toxins: Skin Deep ........................... 7/17 Toxins: Food & Water ..................... 7/24 Toxins: Airborne ............................. 7/31 Toxins: Home ................................. 8/7 Materia Medica: Elder & Arnica ........... 7/9 (T) ........................ 6-8:30pm Materia Medica: Wild Berries .............. 8/6 (T) ....................... 6-8:30pm Drawing: The Contour Line .................. 7/20 (S) ...................... 9am-3pm

`` FALL CLASS SNEAK PEAK:

ING M CO FALL S THI

Drawing, Painting, Printing Quickbooks, Indesign, Illustrator Busness, Investing, Financial Literacy Sewing, Needlepoint, Embroider Kiln Glass, Mosaics, Hand Woven Baskets Beginner PC, Email, Photos, Shopping, YouTube Pilates, Swing Dancing, Barre, Qigong Creative Writing, Carbondale History Sound, Music and Healing Zen and the Art of Dying, Brain Health - Memory Materia Medica, DIY Tinctures, Elixers, Salves & Lotion

NEW! Register for FALL non-credit classes online. u ColoradoMtn.edu/community-education Carbondale Lappala Center • 690 Colorado Ave • 963-2172 THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • JULY 4 - JULY 10, 2019 • 11

TOWN REPORT COP SHOP From June 21 through 27, Carbondale Police handled 212 calls for service. During this period, officers investigated the following cases of note: FRIDAY June 21 at 12:21 p.m. Someone reported a hit-and-run on a parked vehicle.

FRIDAY June 21 at 10:49 p.m. Following a traffic stop for failing to maintain a lane, police arrested a 47-year-old man on suspicion of driving under the influence and child abuse.

FRIDAY June 21 at 10:49 p.m. Police located an open bottle of whiskey that had been taken from a local restaurant and issued a citation for theft and open container.

SATURDAY June 22 at 2:06 a.m. A traffic stop for weaving led the arrest of a 45-year-old woman on suspicion of driving under the influence.

SATURDAY June 22 at 2:46 a.m. Following a speeding stop, a 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

SATURDAY June 22 at 3:45 p.m. Police responded to a dog bite and issued a summons to the 30-yearold owner.

MONDAY June 24 at 11:46 a.m. A homeowner along Surrey Road reported her fence vandalized.

M

ir Fa

Ju ly

Get Involved Honoring Elders

THE STEIN PROPERTY on the northeast corner of Highway 133 and Main Street has a new development team, which is proposing to change the approved project to increase the commercial square footage and number of residential units.

A revised plan would need to go back through the review process.

DIRT is being hauled to the Wastewater Treatment Plant and White Hill Cemetery.

PLANNING AND ZONING approved an accessory dwelling unit at 417 Sopris Ave. and a condo exception at 718 Lincoln Ave.

GRAFFITI has recently been popping up throughout town.

TRASH SIGN UP brought in 641 customers by the end of last week. The Town is now working with Mountain Waste and Recycling to order containers in time for service to begin Oct. 1.

THE WATER CONSUMER Confidence Report was submitted to the state. It is available for viewing at Town Hall, The Post Office and was included in The Sopris Sun.

STRAWBERRY DAYS brought in Carbondale Police support, with Glenwood officers returning the favor during Mountain Fair.

GENE SCHILLING attended the annual Chiefs of Police Conference.

A NEW INVESTMENT POLICY was adopted by trustees, as were the 2018 audited fnancial statements.

SPRAY PATCHING took place in River Valley Ranch and the contractor will be back later in the summer to do the rest of town. The cheap seal project should be done in mid July after priority work is done on Highway 6.

COMPETITIONS during the Independence Day pool party include a noon watermelon relay, a 1 p.m. coin hunt and a 2p.m. cardboard canoe race.

DAYTIME WATERING will take place at Hendricks and Miners Parks to support new turf.

SCHOOL GROUPS, day camps and others are making use of the pool this summer, including Sopris Crossfit, Stepping Stones, Camp Run-a-Muc, Faith Lutheran Child Care and Ascendigo Adventures. Meanwhile, attendance is catching up, with 1,448 regular visitors through June 27.

THE GATEWAY RV PARK was 91.5 percent booked from June 21-28, with 48 reservations for the following week.

WATER LINES were replaced on Morrison.

Fostering Diverse Educational

Senior Advocacy Qigong, TaiChi Alzheimer Help Tax Assistance Art, Brain Train Bridge, Bookclub Medicare Assistance Watercolor Bud’s, Ping Pong Podiatrist, Sno Cones to Cow Kids Room 33, Third St. Center Carbondale

JULY SPEAKERS

tn

TUESDAY June 25 at 4:32 p.m. Following a collision at Highway 133 and Cowen Drive, drivers gave differing versions of the event.

From Town Manager Jay Harrington's weekly report to trustees, staff and others.

SAND BAGS are in place along the Crystal River Trail in the Town’s Riverfront Park and elsewhere. It seems to be working, but some repair will be necessary after the waters recede.

Looking to have fun and give back?

Come join us at Rotary every Wednesday at 7 a.m. at the Carbondale Fire Station Guest Speaker To be determined July 10, 2019

Club Members Club Assembly July 24, 2019

John Craig Farmers of the Future - Africa Update July 17, 2019

All are welcome!

RSVP to Ed Queenan (401) 465-4276 queenan.edward@gmail.com

“What is Freedom?”

Join us for a service that explores the themes of freedom and responsibility with music by the TRUU Singers and Christina Wenning.

Join us Sunday, July 7, 2019 - 10 a.m.

Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist (TRUU) @ Third Street Center, Community Room

www.tworiversuu.org

Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist 12 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • JULY 4 - JULY 10, 2019

Music with Jimmy Byrne, Religious Exploration with Ana Chynoweth, Preschool with Justice Bouchet

The Bard comes to Basalt Staff Report

The newly-updated Elephant Mountain tower site. Courtesy photo

High-speed internet goes live in Mid and Crystal River valleys Staff report Beginning July 1, new broadband (high-speed internet) service will be available to residents of the Crystal River Valley, areas of Old Snowmass and in the mid-valley El Jebel area.

Improvements to Pitkin County’s existing mountaintop tower sites have made it possible for high-speed internet providers to serve rural users in the region who have previously had few or no internet options. Anyone within line-of-sight of mountaintop towers on Williams Peak, Crown Mountain, and Elephant Mountain should be able to access the new service via two new Internet Service Providers Pathfinder and Visionary Broadband.

Translator tower sites on Lower Red Mountain in Aspen, the Jackrabbit site above Snowmass Village, a site above Ruedi Reservoir and Thomasville and additional relay locations to be identified throughout the region slated for improvements and development for broadband in the next two to three years.

“This accomplishment moves us closer to reaching the County’s goal of making broadband available to the unserved and underserved areas of the region,” said Pitkin County Policy and Project Manager, Kara Silbernagel. “We still have more work to do to complete these additional tower upgrades, but we are on our way to achieving our goal of providing broadband service throughout Pitkin County.

OPEN THE LATEST

Follow us @HighQRockies

After a 12-year run in Aspen, the Hudson Reed Ensemble (HRE) is moving Shakespeare in the Park to Basalt this summer.

HRE Artistic Director Kent Reed said the move was a year in the making and was necessary because Shakespearian verse can cover different settings. of the loss of rehearsal and Courtesy photo performance space in Aspen.

“Richard III” introduces England’s “I have spent most of my creative life Wars of the Roses, while “The Taming in Aspen and leaving is like leaving home of the Shrew” is set in Deadwood, South and starting afresh. But leaving home is Dakota with Calamity Jane and Wild Bill a growth experience and I am so pleased Hickok and “Romeo and Juliet” is takes that the town of Basalt has opened its place in renaissance Italy arms to us and we are very excited to beThe hour-long evening of scenes in come a part of Basalt’s vibrant and grow- Midland Park mirrors the birth and first ing arts community.” season of Shakespeare in the Park in AsThe Ensemble will be performing in pen.

Midland Park adjacent to the Basalt Re“Just as in Aspen twelve years ago, gional Library in Old Town Basalt. we wanted to initiate folks unacquainted “It’s a small, intimate park nestled with Shakespeare to gain an appreciation alongside the river making it ideal for of his work through these bite- sized, easy our Shakespeare productions,” Reed ex- to digest, samples of his work.” said Reed. plained.

Cast members include Chris Wheatley, The company will perform a series of Talulah Marolt, Naomi Havlen, Rodrigo three scenes from three of Shakespeare’s Perez and Kent Reed. most popular plays: “Richard III,” “The Performances are at 7 p.m. July 12, 13, Taming of The Shrew” and “Romeo and 14, 19 and 21. People are encouraged to Juliet.” bring a picnic.

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OBITUARIES

Reverend Wallace D. Finley Wallace Dean Finley, was born in Canon City, Colorado on Jan. 27, 1931. He died in Mexico on Dec. 29, 2018.

Wally was raised in SouthEastern Colorado in the WileyEads-Lamar area. Although as a child he lived in a house made of sod — “a soddy” — with scant educational resources, he became an outstanding student and a lifelong learner. He taught himself to play the piano, played clarinet in a dance band, sang in high school musicals and placed first in the state spelling competition.

Wally graduated from the University of Colorado-Boulder with a major in accounting.

He paid his college tuition by working as an accountant for the Wiley Garage. Scholarships helped, but it took him six years to graduate. He joined ROTC and was later drafted into the Army during the Korean conflict.

Student and army life pointed

him toward the ministry. He received a full scholarship to Boston University School of Theology to specialize in student ministry. He and CU classmate Katy Drexel Finley, both deeply involved in the Methodist Student Movement, married and moved to Boston. After the course of study and a year-long placement in the Cochituate United Methodist Church, Wally was ordained.

His first assignment as campus minister was to the Methodist Student Fellowship at the University of Denver where he and Katy spent five years and adopted two babies Ruth and Tim. His second appointment was to the University of Colorado Wesley Foundation in 1965. The family grew with one more baby, Tony. Eighteen months later — in 1965 — Katy died of sudden heart failure.

In 1968, Wally married Mary

Peace Finley, a former member of Wally’s Methodist Student Fellowship at the University of Denver. At CU Boulder, the exciting and tumultuous years of the 1960s and 1970s called for radical ministry and action, trips into the deep south, political demonstrations, and peace groups. Wally and Mary led cultural awareness travel and workcamps to Mexico to expand student opportunities in the wider world.

After serving 16 years in campus ministry at CU, Wally worked with the American Youth Foundation in St. Louis, Missouri and at Camp Miniwanka, an AYF youth leadership training camp on Lake Michigan. For a decade he pastored the congregation of the Carbondale Community United Methodist Church of Carbondale, then he retired.

Post-retirement, he served for two years as an adjunct pastor

Timothy Leonard Hoffman Timothy Leonard Hoffman was born on July 4,1937 in Estherville, Iowa to Dr. Leonard Frances and Rita (Braun) Hoffman.

Timothy Hoffman, courtesy photo Tim was raised with two sisters Jacquie, and LaNora, and his brother Reggie with whom he shared his love of fast cars. He passed away on June 21, 2019 at the age of 81.

After high school, Tim attended Colorado State University to study Forestry. It was at CSU where he met Limon Thompson, brother of close friend Lew Ron Thompson, who first brought him to the Roaring Fork Valley where he met and married Winona (Nonie) Holgate.

Tim and Nonie were married in 1960 in Glenwood Springs. They lived in Carbondale where their sons Michael and Gregory were born. In 1963, Tim and Nonie moved to Leadville where Tim worked for Climax Mine and achieved his Journeyman’s Electrician’s license. While living in Leadville, Tim and Nonie had their first daughter, Holly.

In 1966, the family returned to the Roaring Fork Valley where Tim achieved his Master’s Electrician license and established his own business, Hoffman Electric. While living in Basalt, Colorado, Tim and Nonie’s fourth and final child, Tracie, was born in 1970.

When he wasn’t enjoying breakfast with his buddies at the Red Rock Diner, Tim, aka “Tiny Tim” enjoyed spending time in the outdoors, snowmobiling, boating, camping, and riding his jet skis.

Tim is remembered with love by his family: Reggie (and Joanne) Hoffman; Jacqueline Lang; LaNora Sullivan; Michael Leonard, married to Joan Brady, children, Robert Scott and Cody Michael; Gregory Scott, married to Linda Prinz, son Connor Dalton; Holly Hoffman, married to Todd Gressett, children Dylan Jackson and Julia Grace; Tracie Hoffman, married to Todd Skoglund, children Ryan Michael McFarlin, Taylor Morgan and Erika Lindsay.

A private celebration of Tim’s life for family and friends will be held at a later date.

for the Aspen Chapel, an interim pastor at the Monte Vista United Methodist Church, interim pastor for three more years in Carbondale and two years as Chaplain for the Frasier Meadows Retirement Community in Boulder, Colorado.

Wally is survived by his wife, Mary Peace, three children, Ruth Ellen Finley, Timothy Allen (Nghi “Nee” Tran), Anthony “Tony” Roy; his brother, Jerry (Katherine), their son, Andrew and family; two grandchildren, Katie Finley, and David Allen; nieces, Barbara Ormsby, Judy Haskell, Patricia Gregory and nephews, Mike and Bif. Preceding him in death were Wally’s first wife, Katy; his parents, Mabel and Merle; siblings, Olive (Jack Francisco), Roy; Larry Finley (Jeannie); nephew Geoffrey, niece Peggy, and other extended family members.

During Wally’s last year, he and Mary moved to Frasier Meadows Retirement Community in Boulder, Colorado. and continued to travel. They were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary near Cancun, Yucatan, Mexico when a heart attack sent Wally on to his next adventure.

Gifts in Wally’s memory may be sent to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) in care of the Carbondale Community United Methodist Church. P.O. Box 793, Carbondale, Colorado 81623.

Wally’s family and the Carbondale Community United Methodist Church invite you to gather together with us at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 20 at the church, 385 S. Second St. in Carbondale, to remember Wally’s life and ministry, to celebrate his time with us, to laugh, to cry and to say, “Hasta la vista, Wally,” — until we meet again.

Christopher James Schumacher

Christopher Schumacher, courtesy photo It is with great sadness that we pass on the news that life-long local Christopher James Schumacher, Age 30, passed away June 15th in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was a kind, gentle, and loving son, brother, grandson, uncle, nephew, and friend to so many. … We find tremendous comfort in knowing that he is at peace after his long struggle with alcoholism.

Chris was proud to be an Aspen Native. He attended Aspen Country Day School, Colorado Rocky Mountain School, and his sense of adventure led him to further studies at the University of Montana and the University of Utah. He was a stand-out athlete who excelled in soccer, freestyle skiing, and multiple other athletic endeavors.

An avid outdoorsman, his love of the mountains and nature took him on

fabulous adventures in many places, including Chile and Alaska. He was a world traveler and great adventurer.

Besides being a black belt and fierce competitor in all sports, Chris was a talented artist in many mediums and creative ceramicist.

He is preceded in death by his grandfather’s John P Sedlak and Dr. Lee R Schumacher, and his Grandmother Jane Barry Schumacher.

Chris is survived by his Mother (Judy Schumacher), his Father (B Lee Schumacher), Siblings: John (Annie), Jennifer (Max), Megan, Molly, and Michael; Grandmother (Dorothy Sedlak), Nieces (Grace & Norah), Nephews (Jack & Bodhi), many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and countless friends.

There will be a Celebration of Life to honor his memory at the base of Aspen Highlands on Saturday July 6th at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Aspen Valley Ski Club Freestyle Program or Phoenix Multi-sport (an organization striving to help those suffering from substance abuse through intense physical activity).

Chris was like a shooting star, he shined so brightly and burnt out much too soon. We will all miss him dearly….

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970-963-1173

LETTERS get so involved in timing themselves that they are reluctant to slow down or stop for any reason.

I really am very careful to stay in my lane but I am often startled and/ or frightened by cyclists who suddenly whiz past me, especially when they ride two abreast. I realize that the cyclists are not intending any harm and simply don’t realize how dangerous it can be to come up behind someone who is not aware that they are about to be passed.

For seniors, this is a special problem as our reflexes are slowed and we often can’t move out of the way very quickly. Just because the cyclist can see a pedestrian ahead does not mean there is no danger. I have had a couple of near misses. I am reluctant to give up my walks as they are one of the reasons I live in this lovely valley. I have checked the Rio Grande Trail website and I can’t see if there is any trail monitoring or rule enforcement that I could appeal to.

I would gladly wear a special vest or in some other way alert cyclists to my impairment but that does not seem to be an official option. I would be very interested in other’s experiences or helpful suggestions.

Denise Fogerty Carbondale

Mutt & Jeff feedback Dear Editor: Thanks to Paige Meredith for shining the light on this extremely important issue.

Hopefully, this information will be well received by parents and those who plan to be parents who read this article. We as parents have a God given responsibility to look out for the welfare of our children, and not be duped by things that are not true.

In the words of Edmund Burke, The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

Now is the time to do something.

Jim DeBerge Carbondale

A shorter exchange Dear Editor, I just read Judith Ritschard's article about hosting an exchange student for the school year and was reminded of

the wonderful experience we also had hosting an exchange student.

If you think your family might be willing to host a student but you're not sure about the year-long commitment, there are ways that you can open your home and heart for a shorter time.

This summer, FLAG International is running a culture and language camp for students from Japan and Thailand.

On Aug. 3, they will go to host families for two to eight weeks.

If those dates don't work for you, they will also need welcoming families later in the summer/fall. If you're interested in learning more, contact Jenny Graves at (479) 234-5983 or jgraves@flag-intl.org.

Jen Hamilton Carbondale

Socialized medicine Dear Editor: As a young adult in Virginia I remember hearing the words “socialized medicine” spat from lips as if they were unpalatable morsels of food.

In Europe, in London, Tipperary and Dublin where I have lived during thirty years we were assigned the physician whose office was closest to our home.

I had the good luck and good health not to have required medical care. In 2008, my husband received a diagnosis of ALS. The lift only goes down in that hideous condition. From a standing man with a lengthy and quick stride very soon he required a wheelchair.

No payment was sought from me for that equipment which was delivered to my door nor a promise of a fee in the future. Every week a delightful female volunteer came and gave him a wash from his wheelchair in front of the kitchen sink.

His decline was rapid. In 90 days, he was admitted to a facility that provided 24 hour care and I went into respite, a period of two to three weeks when the state has full responsibility for a patient giving the principal caregiver a time to rest.

“Don’t you be running up to see him,” I was told by a social worker.

“Ah, the sweet Irish.”

Too soon he was admitted to the hospice, a former convent. Volunteers

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managed the garden and staff members opened the doors of his room widely so that his bed could be rolled through to the sunlit patio.

Guy Robinson died smiling anticipating his coming adventure and I think with gratitude that he was not leaving me horrendous medical bills.

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