“Gateway to the San Juans” Volume 139, Number 36
Del Norte, Colo. 81132
Thursday, September 5, 2013
50¢
TIDBITS Town board reviews water rights Blood drive today in Del Norte DEL NORTE—United Blood Services will be coming to Del Norte for a blood drive. Please come donate on Sept. 5 at the Del Norte High School commons area, 1-5 p.m. Remember to eat first, drink water and bring photo ID. Sixteen and 17 year-old donors need a minor donor permit signed by their parents or guardian in order to donate Contact 1-800-827-4376 to make an appointment, or go online to www.bloodhero.com or www. unitedbloodservices.org to sign up. Del Norte students can talk to a NHS student to sign up.
Steve Nguyen, Marty Asplin, Bonnie Asplin, Rachel Kullman, Bernadette Martinez and Kevin Larimore look over all the water related facilities on a map of Del Norte. Kullman and Nguyen are from Clearwater Solutions, an engineering company the town has hired to help assure the viability of the water supply for now and in the future.
Lifeblood of the Valley measured in Del Norte BY JOHN MCEVOY DEL NORTE – Due to the foresight of some early settlers, town administrators and trustees purchasing water rights in 1874, the town of Del Norte is up the river with a good sized paddle today. The position of the town,
Photo by John McEvoy
Please see WATER on Page 5A
Tigers take John Mall Tournament
SFMA thank you party set SOUTH FORK—The South Fork Music Association would like to thank all their sponsors and volunteers, who helped to make the 8th Annual Rhythms on the Rio a success. To show their appreciation, SFMA will be holding a volunteer/sponsor potluck party at the home of Tom and Wendy O’Rourke in South Fork on Friday, Sept. 6 at 6:30 p.m. Volunteers and sponsors are encouraged to attend and to bring their favorite dish, beverage and lawn chairs.
BY SYLVIA LOBATO
Seniors to serve breakfast Saturday MONTE VISTA— Tri County Senior Citizens Center, at 311 Washington St., will be holding a pancake breakfast fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 7 from 8-10 a.m. The meal includes pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, juice and coffee or tea for only $6 per person. Everyone is welcome.
Flag dedication set for Sept. 15 MONTE VISTA—On Sunday Sept. 15, First Christian Church, 200 Washington St., in Monte Vista will dedicate their flag and flag pole in memory and honor of Sgt. Faith Hinkley, U. S. Army and Sgt. Glen Martinez, United States Marine Corp. Please join them at 2 p.m. for the ceremony. There will be dessert and drinks following.
News tip? Call 852-3531
County pays fire bills
Courtesy Photo
For the second straight year, the Del Norte Tiger’s Volleyball team won the John Mall Tournament championship on Saturday. Please see page 6 for related story.
DEL NORTE — Rio Grande County has been faced with numerous bills from the recent West Fork Fire Complex and it received some help from El Pomar recently. The Board of County Commissioners have applauded a $25,000 grant, given to both Rio Grande and Mineral counties, that covered immediate needs arising for people who couldn’t qualify for other government assistance. These were people without children, and the income for recipients was capped at $75,000. Rio Grande County Administrator Suzanne Benton said she has also asked the state to reimburse some $35,000 for such expenses as employee overtime, facilities usage and the like, while the schools are
Please see FIRES on Page 5A
New employee helps schools into 21st Century BY JOHN MCEVOY DEL NORTE – Leaping into the 21st Century requires a tech savvy leadership. With that idea in mind, the Del Norte School District hired Ken Groff. “Technology Guru” is the sign posted above the door to a large office in the north end of the high school where Groff spends his time programming and syncing up to 15 computers at a time. “An iPad or Android tablet does not have enough processing power to do what needs to be done in the classroom,” said Groff. “We went with a Dell pad that we bought refurbished, to be able to stay within
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our budget and provide as many grades as possible with a capable and reliable computer.” The school district purchased 240 of these machines to help enable students in grades six through 10 to become electronically capable in the technologically demanding world they are in now and will be entering once they graduate. Dell latitude model XT2 tablets have two gigabytes of ram and come with Windows 8 operating systems and Office 2010. The best part about these computers is, not only do they Photo by John McEvoy have an essential keyboard, they also Ken Groff can program and synchronize up to 15 computers at a time in his office. He will need that efficiency, since he has 240 Please see GURU on Page 5A of them to set up for this school year.
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The Del Norte Prospector
Miss Dana Kitty, played by Barbara Culp, cracks the whip trying to get the two saloon girls, Donna, played by Mettje Swift and Dina, played by Cristi Larsen, to stop fighting over a man during their testimony before the judge.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Miss Maude Heinz, played by Leigh Ann Lobato, becomes distressed when her fiancé Mr. Willie Parker, played by Kodi Whitehead, tells her the engagement is off and he is getting back together with his estranged girlfriend Miss Gertrude Walker, played by Regan Whitehead.
Photos by John McEvoy
Mr. David Dickey the undertaker, played by Al Hibbs, reacts to his bandage rupturing into a bloody mess as Doctor Dunkel, played by Don Berry, uses his cane to keep the drugged and nearly comatose undertaker sitting uptight in his chair before he can expire onto the floor.
Windsor hosts who ‘dun it BY JOHN MCEVOY
D E L N O RT E – S t a t i n g “Nobody’s hands are clean in this murder!” Dr. Dunkel gave the first clue in the mystery of the death of Maude Heinz. Was it a suicide, because she felt jilted after her engagement was terminated as was first reported by witnesses? Or, did a jilted lover murder her in a most unscrupulous way with assistance from prominent members of the community? The skit was funny, entertaining and moved along fairly smoothly under the direction of Jill Clement, who also wrote the score. Local amateur actors were all turned into semi-professionals with their quality performances on the second night of sold-out shows. It was clear they were enjoying acting in the play every bit as much as the audience was enjoying watching it; maybe even more as they often interacted freely with the audience getting them involved with the shenanigans between courses. The audience was able to watch the play during a sumptuous five course meal and to participate in figuring out “who dunnit” while enjoying the feast prepared by Regan Whitehead and her kitchen staff. Both Regan and Kodi Whitehead also had key roles in the play. In the end, guests at each of the several tables seating eight people were able to contribute their ideas as to who was guilty and how it was done. As with most murder mysteries, there were numerous surprises for the audience to enjoy throughout the performance and the answer to who did the dastardly deed stayed a mystery until the very end.
Miss Bula Berry, played by The judge, played by Kevin Bradley, hears testimony from Madie Prather, acts out a mime Cowgirls played by Alice Lenich, Brandy Sawyer and Laurie during her testimony before the judge. Robertson.
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Thursday, October 3, 2013
The Del Norte Prospector
Page 7A
Restoration, historical association still kicking BY J OHN MC EVOY D E L N O RT E — T h o u g h i t was nearly in ruins in 1993, The Windsor Hotel and Dining Room has undergone a magnificent transformation over the last 20 years, thanks to the hard work, vision and dedication of people in the community. “A restoration effort like this does not happen overnight,” said Mark Jones, vice president of Windsor Restoration and Historical Association (WRHA). “It has been a 20-year process of overcoming obstacles.” There are three people, who have over 50 years of volunteer effort between them, who have saved and restored the Windsor Hotel: Jones, Alva Hibbs and Suzie Off. All three, are Del Norte High School graduates. “We were too stubborn to give up,” said Jones. “Persistence pays off.” “These two guys are the chiefs of persistence,” said Off, president of WRHA as she pointed to Jones and Hibbs. “They are the ones that are doing the day-in, day-out chores of fixing the boilers and changing the lights, things that an architect deals with.” “Chief of maintenance,” said Hibbs. “A lot of people have asked us
Photo by John McEvoy
The Windsor Hotel if we are bored now that we have completed the restoration,” said Jones. The answer is no. “When you finish a ship, you don’t just push it off and let it go,” said Jones. “Somebody has to go with it and maintain it because it is a complicated piece of machinery.” Jones said that even though the hotel has a historic designation
and was restored to look as it did previously; all the systems are modern and up-to-date according to today’s standards. “They are all quite complex and require maintenance and periodic inspections,” said Jones. “We are the guys on the ship doing the daily maintenance and fixing whatever comes up. And that will never end.” Jones said when they started
the renovation; they chose all of the highest quality components, equipment and systems because they wanted the hotel to be just as nice and functional in 100 years, as it is now. “Physically, technically, it is capable of doing that,” said Jones. “All it needs is to be maintained regularly.” “It is a long-term project and
that is why we continue to have fundraisers,” said Hibbs. “We would like to finish the courtyard, which will involve replacing the courtyard surface, painting and possibly a mural.” Jones said he won’t be here in 100 years, but the Windsor will be. It will be 240 years old then, and still the oldest surviving hotel in Colorado.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
The Del Norte Prospector
Page 7A
Daughter continues Halloween legacy BY JOHN MCEVOY DEL NORTE - Many families and children have enjoyed returning year after year to the haunted house on 8th and Spruce in Del Norte. Barbara Graham started the tradition of decorating the yard with gravestones, ghosts and ghouls hanging from trees, flashing strobe lights, and full-size spooks walking toward the front door after moving from Denver to Del Norte 15 to 20 years ago. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She started out just handing out candy on Halloween until she realized what a really big deal it is here,â&#x20AC;? said Grahamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daughter Jennifer Falbo. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In Denver, the tradition had really dwindled and was not as popular.â&#x20AC;? Falbo said her mother thought it was really cool that there was such a
big turnout of kids around here. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She started dressing up as witch,â&#x20AC;? said Falbo. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Then she would add this and that until it became this whole creation in the front yard.â&#x20AC;? Falbo said her mother would set it up every Halloween when the kids were in school and take it down by 9:30 or 10 p.m. that same day. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She would cackle like a witch and talk in a witchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s voice the whole night,â&#x20AC;? said Falbo. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She became the witch.â&#x20AC;? Falbo said her mother was not necessarily a nice witch either. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If the teenage boys would come up to the door and not say â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Trick or Treat,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; she would ask them if they wanted a kiss,â&#x20AC;? said Falbo. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She could be really obnoxious in her witch voice.â&#x20AC;? Graham passed on to the other side a
Photos by John McEvoy
Ghosts dangle from trees and monsters march toward the door of the haunted house to give tricks or treats to all who dare enter the yard on 8th and Spruce in Del Norte on Halloween.
This skeletal bride and groom greet trick-or-treaters on the way to the front door. The blurred in-camera effects were obtained by zooming the lens out with a slow shutter speed and flash.
A slow shutter speed and rear curtain flash catches this ghoul swinging on a tire suspended from a tree in the front yard of the haunted house on 8th and Spruce in Del Norte.
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little over a year ago, in September of 2012, missing that yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Halloween. Falbo said she feels it is important for her to carry on the tradition her mother started so long ago. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People come to the house now telling us they remember the witch when they were growing up and coming here Trick or Treating,â&#x20AC;? said Falbo. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have not added anything to it from what my mom had done except my girls were out there in the yard dressed up this year.â&#x20AC;? Falbo said her mom was an amazing woman. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She was a full-time mom her whole life,â&#x20AC;? said Falbo. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She used to dress up like that and go to the school and the day care center when the kids were there. She was just a neat person.â&#x20AC;?
“Gateway to the San Juans” Volume 139, Number 50
Del Norte, Colo. 81132
Thursday, December 12, 2013
50¢
TIDBITS DN celebrates season with parade BY JOHN MCEVOY
Annual Christmas concert set for Dec. 22 DEL NORTE—The Rio Grande Museum’s second annual Christmas concert will feature music and songs by local favorites. Randy Macy will play the piano with Sarah Off on the violin, Susie Hand on the flute and Rachel and Susie Hand doing vocals. The concert will be Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 with proceeds going to benefit the museum. Museum hours are from noon to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. For more information call 657-2847.
SFMA kids program taking registrations SOUTH FORK – The South Fork Music Association is now taking registrations for the upcoming Children’s Music Program. This awesome, fun program is free and open to children from kindergarten through high school. Each child who registers is given a ukelele or a guitar, furnished by the music association, and goes through an eight week course from Wednesday, Jan. 8 to Feb. 26. The classes are at 5:30 p.m. at the South Fork Community Building on Highway 149. Courtney LaZier teaches these classes. They are hoping to expand the program to encompass keyboards and violins. Anyone able to teach either one of these classes, please let them know. Contact Skip Patterson, 849-1515 or Karen Miller, 873-5466 to register. The deadline for registrations is Dec. 15.
DEL NORTE – Dozens of people braved the cold weather and bundled up in layers to enjoy the Merchants Open House and Parade of Lights on Friday, Dec. 6 in Del Norte. Sponsored by the chamber of commerce, the theme for this year’s event was “Sleigh Bells Ring…an Old-Timey Christmas in Del Norte.” Always held on the first Friday in December, this event has become a popular tradition for neighbors in and outside of Del Norte to kick off the holidays with cheer and camaraderie by enjoying refreshments provided by local businesses sharing their Christmas spirit. The High Valley Mennonite Choir made the rounds through town stopping to sing Christmas carols
in wonderful harmony wherever they went. Santa Claus rode on a horsedrawn sleigh in the parade and was eventually dropped off at the Windsor Hotel lobby where he greeted the children in a much larger sleigh that could accommodate more than just him and his driver Alice Lenich. The extra space was needed, as people lined up outside the doors to wait for a chance to plead their case for Christmas gifts from the jolly old fellow. The hotel lobby was beautifully decorated with holiday cheer, and gingerbread houses made by chef Regan Whitehead were set out for the delight of visitors. Please see PARADE on Page 5A
Photo by John McEvoy
One young rider braves the cold to participate in the Parade of Lights.
A time to remember Army Corp of Engineers
revisit DN area after fires
BY JOHN MCEVOY
Military names sought M O N T E V I S TA — Va l l e y Publishing will be running a special holiday salute in the weekly papers on Dec. 18 to honor and thank our local active duty military personnel. Please send names of any Valley residents currently serving our country. Names can be emailed to: vpadvertising@ amigo.net, faxed to 852-3387 or mailed to Valley Publishing, P.O. Box 607, Monte Vista, CO 81144. Please include their hometown, along with their military branch. Deadline is Monday, Dec. 16, 9 a.m. Photo by John McEvoy
Hundreds of luminaries were on display at the corner of Columbia and Grand in Del Norte during the Parade of Lights. The display is called “Light up the Night” and proceeds from the sale of luminaries go to help local victims of cancer who are battling the disease.
DEL NORTE – The West Fork Fire Complex has put a bull’s-eye around Del Norte on the map. The Army Corp of Engineers returned to the town hall for a meeting with administrators on Thursday, Dec. 4, with some new ideas on how to protect the town from possible future flooding. A team from the Albuquerque D i s t r i c t ( C E S PA ) U S A r m y Corps of Engineers (USACE) had previously traveled to Hinsdale, Mineral and Rio Grande counties in southern Colorado on Sept. 9. According to the first site visit report from the corp: “The team traveled to the area in order to determine what locations may have a higher flooding potential, as well as identify infrastructure that may have an increased flood risk. The area is at an elevated risk of increased flooding as a result of the West Fork and Papoose burned areas, known as the West Fork Complex Wildfire, which burned in the San Juan National Forest above the towns of South Fork and Del Norte.” “Apparently, the initial report indicated they needed a more sophisticated team of engineers to come up and do a ‘Technical Assistance Report,’ said trustee Marty Asplin. “I don’t know what that is for sure, but I get the feeling we are moving up the food chain in the ‘corps’ world.” Everyone and everything downstream from the headwaters of the Rio Grande is in potential danger from flooding. That was already determined in 2001.
A study done by the Rio Grande Headwaters Restoration Project in 2001, showed that of all the areas in the study, which included South Fork, Del Norte, Monte Vista and Alamosa, the town of Del Norte was in the greatest danger of flooding. However, this was before the fires. Jeffry Daniels, chief of the Readiness and Contingency Operations office for US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) in Albuquerque, N.M., said he wanted to present potential ways to protect the town, the wells and its sewer lagoons. “There is not much we can do right away; there is not a quick fix for this,” said Daniels. “It is usually about a three year period before the shovel hits the ground after we receive the request from the town.” Daniels said the good news was Del Norte was not under imminent threat at this time. “The burn scar is approximately 30 to 50 miles away,” said Daniels. “There is a lot of wide river valley between here and there before it impacts Del Norte.” Daniels said he did not mean to diminish the potential danger, because it was surely there. “It is not as bad as in South Fork or in Creede, where they are closer to where the fires burned,” said Daniels. The endeavor would first have to start with a feasibility project. “The first $100,000 is paid for by the federal government,” said Daniels. “After that, the cost would be split 50-50.” (Del Norte and Please see FLOOD on Page 10A
“Gateway to the San Juans” Volume 140, Number 6
TIDBITS
Del Norte, Colo. 81132
SOUTH FORK—The South Fork Music Association is seeking singer/songwriters and barbecue enthusiasts for their second annual SFMA Singer/Songwriter Competition and first Barbecue Cook-Off to be held Saturday, June 21. Singer/songwriters from across southern Colorado are encouraged to submit an entry to SFMA to be considered for the competition. They must submit an MP3, video, website link or other audio of
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DAC opts to grow tech program BY JOHN MCEVOY
SFMA seeking performers
Thursday, February 6, 2014
DEL NORTE – A recent survey of parents and students opened some eyes for members of the Del Norte School District Accountability Committee. Elementary School Principal Russell Braiden presented results from an online survey, which included 63 responses from parents and students. Eight questions were presented and each person was asked to rate their answer on a scale from one to five. One meaning, “not very well,” and five meaning, “extremely well.”
An average of the eight questions came to 4.10, indicating an overall feeling of satisfaction or “quite well,” on the scale. The highest ratings were recorded on the question: “Please indicate your level of satisfaction with the methods of communication from Del Norte Elementary.” That response was 4.37. The lowest rating was to the question: “How concerned are you about bullying at Del Norte Elementary School?” The response was 3.56. Some of the comments to the bullying question included:
“Negativity is opportunity; right? So identifying bullied/bullies is the chance to help kids develop more effective strategies for managing conflict in their lives.” Two other comments mentioned that bullying was a problem on the playground and at lunchtime and those respondents felt monitoring of those areas could be better. There was also some concern about new technology being introduced in the school system. Respondents expressed pros and cons with new tablets and laptops recently offered to students.
Some homes do not have computers and those students may struggle learning how to use them, as their parents do not have enough knowledge to help them. Other parents felt there could be more emphasis on technology to help prepare children for the future and the rapid pace of classes and instruction being offered to students online and at school. Superintendant Nathan Smith asked the committee for their opinion on the school’s technology program.
Please see DAC on Page 9A
Students learn money skills with Tiger Bucks
Please see SFMA on Page 6A
Cancer support meeting planned
ALAMOSA—San Luis Valley Health will host their monthly cancer support group on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at the San Luis Valley Health Education and Conference Center located at 1921 Main St., Alamosa. This month, we will talk about how to love oneself and love others while dealing with cancer. All cancer survivors and anyone who has loved them through it are free to come. We will provide a free lunch for those who can make it. For more information or to RSVP, please call Theresa Curtis at 587-6319.
BY JOHN MCEVOY DELNORTE—With a $7,000 grant from the Greater South Fork Community Foundation, grade school teacher Amy Duda has continued and expanded her Tiger Bucks program. Please see BUCKS on Page 12A Students eagerly reach for items they can purchase during their weekly trip to the Tiger Bucks store.
Roundtable meeting set for Tuesday ALAMOSA—The Rio Grande Basin Roundtable will meet Tuesday, Feb. 11 from 2-5 p.m. at the San Luis Valley Water Conservancy District at 623 Fourth St. in Alamosa. Agenda items for the meeting include soil health and water, Rio Grande Water Implemenation plan, drilling, RWEACT, sub-district issues BY JOHN MCEVOY and snow pack. DEL NORTE—The Ruth Marie For more information and Center in Del Norte held an open background information contact house and “meet the teachers” event Mike Gibson at 589-2230. on Saturday, Feb. 1. The new board members wanted to get the word out about the expanded services and opportunities for the community at the center. “We would like to open up the building for the use of a diverse ALAMOSA—The Small Business community,” said President Cristy Development Center will host a Quickbooks for Beginners workshop Larsen. “We wanted the get the word on Feb. 12 at the Bistro Rialto in out to the community that they are welcome to lease the building for any Alamosa. The program will be presented activities or events, such as weddings from 4-6 p.m. Cost for the event is or birthday parties.” Larsen said they wanted to inform $25 per person. Call the SLV-SBDC and educate people about how the at 589-3682 or email jeff@slv-sbdc. programs are run, when the building com to register.
Photo by John McEvoy
Ruth Marie Center hosts open house
Small business workshop to be held Feb. 12
is available and pricing. “The people that have used and steadfastly supported the Ruth Marie want to extend a warm welcome to as many uses as possible to serve the citizens and visitors to the San Luis Valley,” said Larsen. “Many of the people who now use the building regularly cherish and have a reverence for the ways the facility has allowed friendships to form and children to be included in the festivities.” Larsen said there are a number of new classes scheduled. “We began offering theater classes, Tai Chi, line dancing, fitness and Photo by John McEvoy Native American studies and will Maya Castaneda took advantage of some of the toys available in the basement of the center while the adults were discussing Please see CLASSES on Page 11A “grown-up stuff.”
“Gateway to the San Juans” Volume 140, Number 20
Del Norte, Colo. 81132
Thursday, May 15, 2014
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TIDBITS Commissioners clarify SRS funds BY JOHN MCEVOY
Squares to host a tri-club dance MONTE VISTA—A tri-club dance, sponsored by the Monarch Mavericks, The Gunnison Gorge Dancers and the Rio Grande Squares, will feature national square dance caller Mike Sikorsky. The dance will be hosted by the Rio Grande Squares on Friday, May 16 at Sargent Elementary gym, 7090 County Road 2 East, Monte Vista from 7-9:30 p.m. Please bring snacks. There will be a regularly scheduled dance on Sunday, May 17, also hosted by the Rio Grande Squares at Sargent Elementary School gym. The caller for this dance will be Jeff Palmer. Square dancers are invited to these dances for an evening of dancing and good fellowship. Please bring snacks. For further information call Sylvia at 303-517-8199 or sylarmijo@yahoo.com, Charlie at 850-0864 or Mollie at 588-7526 or mollie235@q.com.
D E L N O RT E – C o u n t y Administrator Suzanne Benton cleared up some misinformation that was inadvertently printed in last week’s newspaper about funding from Secure Rural Schools (SRS). School superintendents from Del Norte, Monte Vista and Sargent met with the commissioners to learn what amount of payments their districts would be receiving from the (SRS) and Community Self-Determination
Act through the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). SRS is from revenue received by the federal government off of federal lands. SRS funding is split between the schools and county road and bridge departments with the first 50 percent automatically split evenly between them. The percentage of the school’s split is based on the student enrollment of each school. The schools' disbursement is according to student
enrollment as of the latest numbers from February 2013. The total amount received was $210,810.32. It was distributed as follows: County road and bridge $52,702.58 Del Norte schools $39,969.64 Monte Vista schools $83,164.67 Sargent Schools $29,265.74 Center Schools $5,707.69 Title III budget Benton reported that Adam Moore
DNES honors third graders
from the U.S. Forest Service had sent her a budget for Title III money and the Community Wildfire Protection Plan. “He wants funding for South Fork and other areas that are not currently under a plan and he figures that would be $3,000 to $5,000,” said Benton. “Education would be at least $1,000, publications and signage $2,000, homeowners from $1,500 Please see RGCC on Page 2A
D.N. teacher arrested, crime worries rise BY JOHN MCEVOY DEL NORTE — A Del Norte High School math teacher was recently arrested under suspicion of smoking marijuana with two juveniles. Carly Reed, 22, was arrested by Del Norte Police Chief Robert Fresquez and charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor. “After an investigation into a Del Norte teacher by the name of Carly Reed, it was determined that there
County common law meeting May 17
Please see CRIME on Page ?A
MONTE VISTA—An open election for a common law grand jury for Rio Grande County will be held on May 17 at the Carnegie Public Library in Monte Vista. The election will follow a 37-minute presentation beginning at 2 p.m.
Correction RIO GRANDE COUNTY—Due to an incorrect decimal point in the RGCC story on May 8, the Title I funding appeared to be in the millions rather than the thousands. The story should have read: “Under Title I funding the county received $210,810.32,” said Benton. “By statute and Federal regulation, the first 50 percent is split; 25 percent goes to the schools and the other 25 percent goes to road and bridge.” The percentage of the school’s split is based on the population of each school. The school’s disbursement is according to student population as of the latest numbers from Feb. 2013. “The reason for this meeting is to decide on how to split the second 50 percent, or $105,405.16,” said Benton.
News tip? Call 852-3531
Photo by John McEvoy
Third graders emerge from a gauntlet created by fourth grade students as they enter the gymnasium before the award ceremony for their overall proficiency scores on TCAP testing for the year. See related story on page 6A
Carly Reed
Chamber announces Stars of the Year BY JOHN MCEVOY DEL NORTE – The Windsor Hotel and Dining Room hosted this year’s Del Norte Chamber of Commerce Pie Social and Pie Auction on Friday, May 9. The gathering was not only for pie however, as the Del Norte Chamber also recognized the six Stars of the Year nominees: Kathy Black, Tammy Clark, Donna Greeling, Michelle Mansanares, Pauline Washburn and Edie Wilson, and honored dual Stars of the Year: TJ Blackmon and Jake Renner.
Photos by John McEvoy
Please see PIE on Page 12A
TJ Blackmon shakes hands with chamber president Will Kreutzer; Adrienne Atencio looks on.
Jake Renner
“Gateway to the San Juans” Volume 140, Number 32
TIDBITS No August RG Roundtable
MONTE VISTA—There will not be a Rio Grande Roundtable on Tuesday, Aug. 12. The next meeting will be Tuesday, Sept. 9.
CWD posters offered for sale
DEL NORTE—The Covered Wagon Days Committee has commemorative art posters offered for sale, featuring the beautiful night scene with the stagecoach running across the face of the moon. They can be viewed on the website, www. coveredwagondays.org and at Elk Ridge Framing and Gifts and Haefeli’s Honey Farm in Del Norte. Posters are $10 unframed.
Swedish weaving at RG Museum
DEL NORTE—Judy Simmel will teach a Swedish weaving class at the Rio Grande County Museum on Friday, Aug. 8, at 2 p.m. The class is $10 with proceeds going to benefit new exhibits for the museum. All supplies for the class are provided. Diana Gates’ art show will also continue through August. The Rio Grande County Museum is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. through 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. through 3 p.m. For more information, please call 657-2847 or check on Facebook. The museum is located at 580 Oak Street in Del Norte.
RG Sportsman’s Club to host event
RIO GRANDE COUNTY—On Sunday, Aug.10 at 10 a.m., the Rio Grande Sportsman’s Club will hold a tactical shotgun and .22 caliber rimfire rifle competitive event. This fun and safe event is open to the public and club members. Shooters pay $5 to shoot in this event. Winner takes half of all fees collected, the other half goes to the club to cover expenses. Bring eye and ear protection and ammunition. NRA certified Range Safety Officers will oversee the event. Rio Grande Sportsman Club rifle and pistol range is located on U.S. Highway 160 between Monte Vista and Del Norte. Watch for the blue and white CDOT signs. Contact Nancy or Jim Baily at 580-7590, Kelly Slater at 849-8296 or Dave Pote at 580-0738 for more information.
Del Norte, Colo. 81132
Thursday, August 7, 2014
50¢
Covered Wagon Days a huge success BY JOHN MCEVOY
DEL NORTE - The 42nd Annual Covered Wagon Days celebration started off with a soggy sizzle on Friday. It was an uncomfortable beginning for the riders who gathered at the Old Spanish Trails encampment, but their spirits remained undampened. The Kit Carson Wagon Train and Trail Ride to benefit the Wounded Warriors Project rode from Old Spanish Trail to the Off Island Ranch where riders shared stories and reenactments of the Civil War with participation from the Fort Garland Calvary Regiment. Despite the downpour, there was still a very successful and well attended Artists Quick Draw and Art and Antique Auction held under tent awnings on Friday. Saturday began with the Val Alto Pancake Breakfast starting off the big celebration at 7 a.m. There was a solemn ceremony under a huge American flag hung by the Del Norte Volunteer Fire Department with a color guard to Photo by John McEvoy honor all of the fallen who have given Part of the Kit Carson Wagon Train and Trail Ride to benefit the Wounded Warriors Project leaves the ultimate sacrifice to country. Old Spanish trails landmark monument on Friday on their way to the Off Grand Island ranch for Please see DAYS on Page 6A a rendezvous.
Del Norte native pens novel Photo by John McEvoy
Sheriff Brian Norton addresses the crowd at the public hearing in Rio Grande County at the annex building in Del Norte on July 30.
County road ATV law change discussed at Annex BY JOHN MCEVOY DEL NORTE – More than 50 people filled one of the Rio Grande County Annex conference rooms to express their opinions about the current laws that ban all ATV use on Rio Grande County roads. County Commissioner Karla Shriver said the object of the meeting was to “discuss the operation of ATVs and UTVs on County roads and to seek public input on whether to allow these types of vehicles on county roads.” The commissioners recognize that these vehicles offer recreational and economic benefits to users and
communities, but want to ensure they are used safely. Local law enforcement does not have the staff necessary to enforce the law all the time. Shriver said the commissioners would like to hear comments from the audience on three areas: “In favor of allowing, against and neutral.” Shriver set the ground rules of the meeting by first using a PowerPoint presentation to go over the current Colorado laws the county follows. No off road vehicle is required to be registered if it is used strictly for agricultural purposes, which is
generally the case in the area around Monte Vista, nor is it required when used on private property. Organized competitive or noncompetitive events are also exempt as long as proper authorization has been obtained. Any off highway vehicles (OHVs) that operate on public land or trails in Colorado must be registered with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and that includes motorcycles, dirt bikes, three wheelers, ATVs and dune buggies. If a visitor is to be in state for fewer than 30 days, no registration is Please see ATV LAW on Page 2A
COLORADO—Colorado author Theodore Marquez was born and raised in Del Norte, one of 24 children, with 16 now living, over 300 nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews. With only a seventh grade formal education his writing career has spanned over 20 years with several unpublished novels. His aspiration for writing began in childhood. Through determination and persistence dreams are awakened. “Simply Nora: High Heels And Diapers” was recently published by Club Lighthouse Publishing. May 24, 1929 was Nora’s Prien’s 13th birthday. Three weeks later on June 19 she was married to Ed Marquez Please see AUTHOR on Page 2A
Theodore Marquez
Page 6A
The Del Norte Prospector
Thursday, August 7, 2014
DAYS
Continued from Page 1A During the National Anthem, there was a fly-in by local airplanes and pilots. Parade Grand Marshall, local astronaut and hero Kent Rominger gave awards to the winners of the essay contest “Math and Science, My Dream for the Future.” There was a reenactment of the famous “Biscuit Throw” where card players using baked goods for currency got into an argument and gun battle ensued because someone cheated. The bullets flew after the biscuits ran out. Then the biggest ever Covered Wagon Days parade began. The festivities continued all day and into the night with a car show, games and fun at the park, concerts at Wildwoods and at the Windsor Hotel and Dining Room and a country swing dance at Frontier Corner. The One-Man-Band, CW Ayon, provided entertainment during much of the day’s activities also. Preparations for next year’s Covered Wagon Days will begin as soon as everyone involved catches their breath and returns from a wellearned vacation - whichever comes first. Essay contest winners: 6th Grade: William Perez, 7th Grade: Jacob Thacker, 8th Grade: Anne Marie Thacker Parade contest entry winners Best horse drawn large breed--#38 High Country Best horse drawn small breed--#39 Best horse group--Fort Garland B e s t t h e m e - - H i g h Va l l e y Community Center Most artistic--#32--decorated truck Spanish oriented Best children’s #2 Kid in the car Best motorized--#34 Class of 57’ Best non-motorized-- Wildwoods Bad Cactus Brass Band Car show results: People’s Choice, Elias Montoya (Del Norte, CO) 1954 Fleetwood Cadillac Best of Show, Nick & Vicki Kulyk (Creede, CO) 1947 Ford Business Coupe Best Motor, Mike & Pauline Maddox (Del Norte, CO) 1968 Pontiac GTO Best Interior, Howard Larimore (Del Norte, CO) 1966 Ford Mustang Best Paint, Scott Decan (Monte Vista, CO) 2012 Harley Davidson Street glide Best Custom, Elias Montoya (Del Norte, CO) 1954 Fleetwood Cadillac Best Antique, Matt Ratzlaff (Monte Vista, CO) 1916 Model T Indy
Photos by John McEvoy
The Kit Carson Wagon Train and Trail Ride to benefit the Wounded Warriors Project lines up for a photo at the Old Spanish Trails landmark monument on Friday before the Covered Wagon Days celebration begins.
Parade grandmaster and hometown hero/astronaut Kent Rominger gives the essay contest “Math and Science, My Dream for the Future” awards and NASA caps to two of the three Del Norte students that won the contest at the start of the Covered Wagon Days parade. Abe and Kiki Becente pose for Carl Hill was the announcer for a photo outside Holy Name of all the Covered Wagon Days Mary Catholic Church before the Covered Wagon Days parade activities.
The Val Alto Pancake Breakfast was a huge success with hungry Winner of Best Non-Motorized Parade Float--Wildwoods Bad people lining up before 7 a.m. to get their fill of pancakes and sausage. Cactus Brass Band Best Truck, Delbert Ford (South Fork, CO) 1937 Chevy Rat Rod Best Chevy, Vernon Casias (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1972 Alice 5 Corvette Best Dodge, Baldamar Gonzales (Monte Vista, CO) 1972 Charger SE Best Ford, Nick & Vicki Kulyk (Creede, CO) 1947 Business Coupe
Gosar Sausage Pick of the Show, Cadillac Davin Seybold (Espanola, N.M.) Colorado State Patrol Pick of the Lotus Super 7 Show, Elias Montoya (Del Norte, Three Barrel Brewing Pick of the CO) 1954 Fleetwood Cadillac Show, Greg Gosar (Monte Vista, CO) Crafts: 1947 Chevy Sedan Delivery 1st place: Loretta Ehardt Del Norte Auto Supply - NAPA 2nd place: Lugail Davie Pick of the Show, Elias Montoya 3rd place: Lugail Davie (Del Norte, CO) 1954 Fleetwood Wall hangings:
1st place: Jayne Olsen 2nd place: Jayne Olsen 3rd place: Char Sierra Quilts: 1st place: Betty Buttman 2nd place: Caroline Irwin 3rd place: Sharon Reznick Best of Theme: Jayne Olsen Best of Show: Betty Buttman
Valleu Publishing