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October 1, 2015 VOLUME 120 | ISSUE 35 | 75¢
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ElbertCountyNews.net E L B E R T C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
County’s burn rules tightened By Geraldine Smith Special to Colorado Community Media As recently as Sept. 17, a roughly 15-acre brush fired burned southeast of the town of Elbert. The fire on Eagle Lane was started by a spark from a resident mowing, according to the Elbert Fire Protection District. Rapid response by crews from Elbert and surrounding areas were able to contain it quickly. However, with the existing dry conditions, the county might not be so fortunate next time. Residents of the county need to be aware of the immediate dangers because of the current vegetation and dry conditions. Due to these conditions, Elbert County Sheriff Shayne Heap has
Brooke Barton goes high in the air as she competes in the vault for Elizabeth during the Sept. 19 Overland Invitational gymnastics meet. There were gymnasts from 15 schools at the meet, and the Cardinals earned the points to finish seventh in the team standings. Photos by Tom Munds
Elizabeth gymnasts aim to soar
Burn continues on Page 9
Cardinals finish seventh at Overland Invitational By Tom Munds tmunds@coloradocommunitymedia.com
POSTAL ADDRESS
A large crowd of fellow competitors and fans cheered loudly, acknowledging the athletic prowess of all of those competing in the Sept. 19 Overland Invitational gymnastics meet, where Elizabeth’s score of 172.75 placed seventh, just a quarter of a point behind sixth-place Ponderosa. Pomona won the team title with 182.025 points, and Cherry Creek finished second. Cardinals coach Stacey Folmar said Elizabeth is a young team this season. “We have 27 girls on our team and 16 of them are freshmen. Having the freshmen is Soar continues on Page 9
Competitors, families, friends and fans filled most of the bleacher seats to watch Elizabeth and 14 other teams compete at the Overland Invitational gymnastics meet. The Cardinals finished seventh in the team standings.
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. 11 a.m. Legals: Thurs. 11 a.m. Classifieds: Mon. 10 a.m.
PL E ASE RECYCLE
Scouts follow trail to fun near Elbert Peaceful Valley hosts major Camporee for Denver area By Geraldine Smith Special to Colorado Community Media Peaceful Valley Boy Scout Ranch was anything but an idyllic setting Sept. 18-20, the weekend of the 2015 Denver Area Council’s Camporee. Close to 3,000 Scouts, parents, leaders and volunteers descended upon the property for a weekend campout and an event-filled three days. This weekend was also the kickoff for the 50th anniversary of Peaceful Valley Boy Scout Ranch. Peaceful Valley is a 2,640-acre camp located just outside of Elbert, purchased by the Denver Area Council in 1961 to expand the existing Camp Tahosa. Peaceful Valley has been
Scouts check out a military vehicle at the Camporee near Elbert. Courtesy photo hosting Scouts and their families since the first summer camp in 1965. Often, generation after generation of a Scouting family returns to introduce the present group to the wonders of Scouting at Peaceful Valley.
Jim Gibbens and his grandsons Aiden and Caleb McClune are an illustration of the generational appeal of the ranch. Although Gibbens never attended a Camporee, he had been to the ranch as a youth.
Gibbens explained, “I camped here with my Scout troop in the 1960s.” Both boys were excited to be camping with their grandfather, and it showed on their faces as they proudly introduced him. Like so many other Scouts, Aiden and Caleb returned to the BB guns, archery and ga-ga ball (a variation of dodgeball) again and again. Scouts from Webelos (pre-Cub Scouts ) to Venturing Scouts and Explorers engaged in a variety of activities from conservation projects to living history demonstrations. Fifty activities and games for Cub Scouts and nearly 100 competitions for Boy Scouts, Venturing Scouts and Explorers were available. Among the highlights of the day was a tour of an Air Force Black Hawk helicopter followed Trail continues on Page 9