1-Color
February 12, 2014
75 cents | Volume 49, Issue 5 Tri-Lakes Region, Monument, Gleneagle, Black Forest and Northern El Paso County A publication of
tri-lakestribune.net
What makes this a ‘snow day?’ District 20 and District 38 policies outlined By Rob Carrigan
rcarrigan@ coloradocommunitymedia.com
With the extreme cold weather Thursday, District 38’s bus fleet was difficult to get moving as diesel fuel jelled and starters protested. Photo by Rob Carrigan
Every eighth-grade math student that fails to finish his or her homework assignment the night before, has asked, no pleaded, for a snow day tomorrow. But despite several in the last few weeks, the truth is, such snow days rulings are difficult to come by. “It is a difficult decision,” says Interim D-38 Superintendent Ted Bauman. “I like to drive the roads myself before making a call. So I get up at 3:30 a.m. and I am out on the roads to see for myself. Four of us are out driving them. My rule of thumb is to think about my daughter, if it would be safe
for her. If they are too bad — and I wouldn’t want her on bus on the roads, or waiting for one, if I don’t think it is safe, I will call it then. But I recognize that we live in a state where can’t call it every time it snows.” Bauman says they make the decision usually by 5 a.m. as they have to notify drivers and others when they decide. When asked how this winter compares, he says this one a cold one but not so snowy. “In my experience, it is one of the coldest I remember — in the time I have been here, since 1988. We have had much more snow before, but this has been cold.” Nanette Anderson, public information officer for District 20, says their “snow day” criteria is similar. “A variety of conditions are considered, road conditions, temperatures, wind chill, upcoming forecasts. Several of our security Snow continues on Page 2
Oxen team carries woman of history to final rest By Rob Carrigan
rcarrigan@ colorado communitymedia.com “At 2 p.m., a funeral procession was formed, in which nearly every man, woman and child of the company united, and the corpse of the deceased lady was conveyed to its last resting place in this desolate but beautiful wilderness.” — From The Grave of Sarah Keys on the Oregon Trail, by William E. Smith, 1936, Kansas Historical Society. Penny May Burdick, of Larkspur, was carried by ox cart Saturday, to her final resting place in Spring Valley Cemetery, and laid to rest among other notables in the historically rich, and beautiful grounds known for its Pikes Peak vistas and links to the past. Burdick, 67, died Jan. 30 after fighting a lifelong illness. “Penny always loved Douglas County and appreciated her great grandmother’s family history of coming to Castle Rock in 1885 from Staffordshire, England. When she was a child, her grandmother, Evelyn, would tell stories about living in the “Rock” as they drove down to visit relatives and that sparked a passion for the history of the area. Her grandmother played piano for barn dances and her Great Uncle Frank Bakewell was the Castle Rock Station Agent for the Santa Fe Railroad for many years,” related the memorial program in her honor. “Penny enjoyed history, children, loved animals, especially horses, and always had some kind of critter needing a home on the ranch. She was involved in many community organizations, serving on the board of directors for Praying Hands Ranch, she was a founding member of the Doug-
las County Historic Preservation Board, a 4-H leader for Cherry Valley AG and was a superintendent for the Douglas County Fair. In addition, she served as president of Cherry Homemakers Home Extension Club and Larkspur Historical Society. At the time of death, she was still actively involved in researching historical properties, doing enactments for adults and children and nominating properties for the local registry. In 2011, the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners recognized Penny for her contributions in documenting Douglas County history.” David and Dandridge, two oxen owned by Rollie and Paula Johnson, at Three Eagles Ranch, just over the Douglas County line near Monument, carried Penny the several hundred yards from Killin Chapel at Spring Valley Cemetery to the gravesite. The cemetery is permanent home to Monumentarea historical notables such as Patrick Murphy, Grace Best, John Hodgin, many Noes and the Gwillim children. Three Eagles Ranch is one of the few western ranches that raise American Milking Devon Oxen. The breed is now extinct in England and were down to just a handful in the United States until about 30 years ago. Efforts by the American Livestock Breed Conser-
Oxen Dandy and Davy at the last stop for Penny Burdick. Photos by Rob Carrigan vancy and others have been able to increase the American herd to about 600 animals. The Johnsons, who began demonstrating their Oxen at Penny Burdick’s urging, are raising oxen teams the help of their hired hand of the past 10 years, Dulces Granados.
Douglas County historian Penny May Burdick was carried by ox cart to her final resting place in Spring Valley Cemetery Saturday, Feb. 8.
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Loading up for Penny Burdick’s last ride through historic Spring Valley Cemetery in southern Douglas County.
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