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November 9, 2017
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Elizabeth runner wins silver medal Fine finishes second in 3A boys race at state cross country meet BY TOM MUNDS TMUNDS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Kate Blackburn gathers fleece sheared from one of the alpacas from her farm as she explains that often the fleece is dyed different colors, like that in the container beside her, before it is spun into yarn that can be used to weave, crochet or knit projects. Blackburn and her husband raise alpacas on their ranch and she runs the Antelope Alpaca Fiber Arts Center on Main Street in Elizabeth. TOM MUNDS
While the Cardinals ran well, they didn’t earn a team trophy, but Elizabeth junior David Fine received the silver medal as he was the second runner across the finish line at the Class 3A boys race that was part of the Oct. 28 State Cross Country Meet held at the Norris Penrose Events Center in Colorado Springs. SEE SILVER, P2
Center offers fleece of mind
Antelope Alpacas hosts classes and stocks fibers, yarn, finished creations BY BY TOM MUNDS TMUNDS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
After raising and loving alpacas for almost 10 years and learning all about the warmth and beauty of items made from alpaca fleece, Kate Blackburn said it seemed natural to bring the Antelope Alpacas Fiber Arts Center to Main Street in Elizabeth.
“We moved to 40 acres in the Elizabeth area in 2005 and looked into raising animals,” she said. “We spent about 18 months learning about alpacas. “Through the study of them we realized the beauty of the animal, the beauty of the fiber and the fact no animal had to die to harvest the fibers. So a few years ago we began raising alpacas. “We started four alpacas and we now have 22 alpacas, three lamas and a horse that believes she is the mother of the whole herd.” She said as they sheared the alpacas and learned about the beauty and versatility of yarn made from the
fleece, it seemed a natural next step to open the shop on Main Street in Elizabeth about two years ago. She said she unexpectedly found when she opened the shop that it also provided an outlet for items local artisans have used yarn made from alpaca fiber to weave, crochet and knit — items ranging from hats and gloves to toys and blankets. The fiber sheared from alpacas is a single color. In the shop, Blackburn dyes the fibers so they can be spun into yarn in a wide variety of colors. SEE ALPACA, P2
Elizabeth junior David Fine has a good lead as he heads for the finish line during the Class 3A boys race . TOM MUNDS
THE BOTTOM LINE PERIODICAL
‘Veterans Day is coming up. It’s the only holiday that I observe. It’s the only meaningful one that hasn’t been turned into an exaggeration.’ Craig Marshall Smith | columnist, Page 10 INSIDE
VOICES: PAGE 10 | LIFE: PAGE 16 | CALENDAR: PAGE 8 |
ElbertCountyNews.net
VOLUME 122 | ISSUE 41