FITNESS TECHNOLOGY
May 19, 2016 VOLUME 121 | ISSUE 16 | 75¢
Tracking your health has been made easy in the digital age. PAGE 12
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Festivities on tap for Elizabeth celebration Community Rodeo offers new, old events in lead-up to Stampede By Tom Skelley tskelley@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Cori Fierkens says goodbye to her horse, Big Brown Buddy, before leaving to undergo immunotherapy in California. “He has been with me through all of it,” she said of the 28-year-old horse. “He has taken care of my son. He has given so much to me.” Photo by Shanna Fortier
Fighting for her health Immunotherapy is next step in woman’s cancer battle By Shanna Fortier sfortier@coloradocommunitymedia.com After several rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, Corrine “Cori”
Fierkens has now turned to immunotherapy as a way to build up her immune system and fight her cancer. “I suspect that I will be doing immunotherapy for the rest of my life as a way to extend my life,” Fierkens said, while sitting on the couch in her Elizabeth home. She was preparing to leave for the Issels Medical Center
in Santa Barbara, California, to begin immunotherapy. Fierkens had just completed another round of radiation treatment in attempts shrink the 30 tiny tumors in the lining of her brain in preparation for the new treatment. Battle continues on Page 7
Artists help others find creativity Paint-along parties play part in mission of studio owners By Geraldine Smith Special to Colorado Community Media If release of the inner Rembrandt is only a blank canvas and a few brushstrokes away, Tama Peck and Suzy Sadak of Blondies Art Happy Canvas Gallery on Main Street in Elizabeth can help. They have the blank canvas and will adeptly direct the brushstrokes. Peck and Sadak hold regular paintalong Happy Canvas Parties in the gallery/studio, open to everyone from the accomplished artist to the neophyte. As Peck says: “The idea is to make art fun for everybody, of all ages and abilities.” Peck and Sadak were always interested in promoting and supporting art in Elizabeth, which was part of their mission when they started the gallery and studio Studio continues on Page 6
Blondies Art Happy Canvas Gallery is located at 619 Main St. in Elizabeth, where owners Tama Peck and Suzy Sadak hold their artist-led painting parties. The gallery also displays the art of Peck and Sadak. Photo by Geraldine Smith
The Elizabeth Stampede’s Community Rodeo returns to Casey Jones Park on the weekend of May 21 and 22, with old and new events to bring more boots to the bash. “It’s kind of a `thank you’ to the community from the Elizabeth Stampede organization, but it’s also a full-fledged rodeo,” said Don Martin, the rodeo’s committee chair. This year’s rodeo begins with a grand entry from the Blazing Saddles Drill Team and includes family-favorite events like saddle broncs, bareback riding, mutton bustin’ and a new event that Martin is especially excited about — chute doggin’. The idea for chute doggin’ is basically the same as in steer wrestling, in which a steer is released from a chute and a rider lassos it and wrestles it to the ground. The twist in chute doggin’ is that the participant isn’t on a horse — he or she is in the chute with the steer. As soon as the gate opens, Martin said, both man and beast rocket out of the chute, tussling and turning until one triumphs. The event is open to anyone and no prior registration is required. “If you think you’re tough enough, or if your friends think you’re tough enough, you can come on down in your shorts or whatever you’re wearing — you don’t have to be dressed up in cowboy boots,” Martin said. With a laugh he added, “The bull usually wins, by the way.” The mutton bustin’ competition, a returning favorite, will accommodate 30 children on May 21 and 60 on May 22 this year. The event is open to children up to 55 pounds between 4 and 7 years old and all protective equipment is provided. Entry fees are $20 per child, thanks to a $10 discount from the Elizabeth Stampede and its sponsors. Once the little cowpokes are in bed, adults can dance the night away on May 21 at the Stagecoach Saloon in Franktown. Pup Morse and the Island Cowboys will provide country-western music for a dance from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Martin said the Community Rodeo is only possible because of the people who come from around the state to attend and support from the event’s sponsors. “The best thing about the whole event is that it’s free,” Martin said, referring to admission and parking for the event.
ELBERT COUNTY NEWS (USPS 171-100) OFFICE: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 | PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Elizabeth, Colorado, the Elbert County News is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT ELIZABETH, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display: Thurs. 12 p.m. | Classifieds: Mon. 10 a.m. | Obits: Mon. 10 a.m. | Legals: Thurs. 11 a.m.
Rodeo continues on Page 7