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Week of February 17, 2022
ELBERT COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
ElbertCountyNews.net
VOLUME 127 | ISSUE 1
Book club turns page Elbert group restarts after pandemic hiatus An artist’s rendering shows a proposed fieldhouse/ag building at Casey Jones Park, part of a plan that voters in the Elizabeth Park and Recreation District will consider on May 3. COURTESY OF ELIZABETH PARK AND RECREATION DISTRICT
Plans laid out for rec center, park Elizabeth voters will weigh request for increase in mill levy BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
A vision for sweeping improvements to Casey Jones Park and a proposed Elizabeth recreation center was presented on Feb. 8 by Mike Barney, the executive director of the Elizabeth Park and Recreation District. Voters in the district will be asked on May 3 to increase the mill levy to support the project, which would have some other funding sources. The Feb. 8 meeting was held at the Casey Jones Pavilion, where Barney presented the park’s master plan and general information about the potential recreation center on the property. The rec center planning committee was in attendance for the trial presentation, and Barney plans to give the presentation several SEE REC CENTER, P4
Mike Barney, the executive director of the Elizabeth Park and Recreation District, presents information on a proposal calling for a major renovation of Casey Jones Park and a new rec center during a Feb. 8 trial run of a series of meetings he will have with district residents. Voters will decide May 3 whether to support a mill levy PHOTO BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON increase for the plans.
INSIDE: CALENDAR: PAGE 7 | VOICES: PAGE 8 | LIFE: PAGE 10
BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
The Elbert Book Club, a longstanding tradition for the people of the town, has been re-energized after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The club held its most recent meeting on Feb. 3 at South 40 Bar and Grill in downtown Elbert, its second meeting post-pandemic. Four members sat around a large wooden table with a taxidermy elk hovering overhead to discuss two books they’d been assigned to read: “Firekeeper’s Daughter” by Angeline Boulley and “The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek” by Kim Michele Richardson. The women in attendance discussed the books over burgers and fries, tackling tough social issues like race, economic diversity, and issues for Native Americans. The meeting wasn’t all deep discussion, though. Because Elbert is a small, close-knit community, locals made their way in and out of the restaurant, stopping by the table to chat and catch-up. Book club attendee Katie Faughnan believes the club helps her build a sense of community with others in her area. “I think it helps connect with new people that I may not spend much time with,” said the 31-year-old Elbert-based rancher. “I SEE BOOK CLUB, P2
TOGETHER FOR GOOD Couples talk about life as business partners P10