2025-09

THE CRYSTAL VALLEY ECHO

& Marble Times

September 2025 Free

TheCrystalValleyEcho.com

Photograph from Jaime Fiske

The Crystal Valley Echo reaches the roof of Africa! Marble Charter School teacher Jaime Fiske stands at Uhuru Peak, the 19,341-foot summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. See inside for the full story of her incredible journey of sisterhood and adventure.

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Page 2 • The Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times • September 2025

Weekend GETAWAY Start planning your escape!

Relax and indulge!

Unwind with elegant dining, bask in the tranquil waters of the Redstone Pool, and enjoy the cozy vintage charm of our historic Inn. Embark on daily adventures around the Crystal Valley and beyond!

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JOHN F. GILMORE

WEDNESDAY, OCT 8TH 4-7PM We invite the community to join us for a celebration of life in honor of John F. Gilmore.

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September 2025 • The Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times • Page 3

Town of Marble Board of Trustees' August Meeting Recap An Account from DJ Sugar Monkey When I saw on the Town of Marble’s website at 5:26 p.m. that the start time of the monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees had been moved to 5:30 p.m., I flew into a blind panic, climbed into my trusty (no pun intended) flower-adorned ATV and pootled off in the direction of the Church Fellowship Hall, respecting the 15mph speed limit regularly ignored by so many of the visitors to our idyllic little town. Stepping out of my vehicle, I took a brief second to look around. But for Amy Rusby’s cute blue truck, Ron Leach’s mighty behemoth, and Larry Good’s carrot orange conveyance, the scene was suspiciously bare.

I allowed myself a deep sigh of satisfaction. The time was 5:32 p.m. I had made it (almost) on time. Buoyed by the wave of relief which accompanied my punctuality, I strode into the Hall, beaming proudly in the direction of the Trustees. Alas, the welcome I received from the Board was, in contrast, distinctly frosty. My heart sank upon the realization that I had arrived half an hour too early for the regular meeting and had unwittingly interrupted an Executive Session.

However, my disappointment vanished instantaneously when Terry “El Tel” Langley, having identified herself as a fellow “persona non grata,” suggested we head outside and wait until the public meeting began. We spent a delightful three-quarters of an hour chatting in the Church garden, mostly about the migratory patterns of hummingbirds and, in particular, the aggressive behavior of the Rufous variety towards its relatives. This

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would serve as an ideal metaphor for the meeting ahead.

Mayor Ryan Vinciguerra called the meeting to order at 6:20 p.m., noting that the presence of four residents was “impressive for Summer.”

He proceeded to praise the Town for another successful Marble Fest, crowned by a superb closing performance from Wooden Rock, a local band fronted by Mario Villalobos and featuring the multitude of musical talents of Board member and Mayor pro tem, Larry Good.

Lost in remembrance of Wooden Rock’s impressive performance, I completely spaced on the contents of the speedily approved consent agenda and the Treasurer’s report, which was, in any case, curtailed due to technical issues caused by a Town-wide power outage.

Town administrator Ron Leach offered a brief update on the Town’s paid parking system. He said that the now largely self-operating and honor-based system was working well, and that the overwhelming majority of visitors had been leaving the correct payment in the honesty box provided. The Mayor praised the efforts of both

Leach and parking tsar Mariah Villalobos for getting the scheme up and running; although, he cautioned, to continue employing a dedicated parking attendant would, in all likelihood, make the system financially unworkable. It is envisaged that the system will “manage itself” going forward.

Marble Charter School Director Sam Richings-Germain, now becoming a familiar face at Town meetings, provided some background on the forthcoming Lead King Loop Race, to be staged on Sunday, September 14th. The race is the largest fundraiser for MCS, raising between $30,000 - $40,000 earmarked mostly for school supplies. The event requires a permit from the Forest Service, which has been renewed for a five-year term. The Forest Service limits the number of competitors to 300, and at the time of the meeting on August 14th, 102 had signed up. Richings-Germain added that there would also be an additional 8-mile “quarry climb” race for younger runners. She requested that the Town provide banners to dis-

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Page 4 • The Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times • September 2025

Town of Marble Recap Continued. . . suade vehicles from using the Lead King Loop on race day. Mayor Vinciguerra was impressed that the School could “raise $30,000 and have everyone clear out by noon.”

Ron Leach then provided a brief update on the Crystal River Augmentation Plan. He explained that Beaver Lake could provide “more than enough water to satisfy a call from down valley.” Colorado Parks and Wildlife, which owns the body of water on the east end of Town, designates it a “fishing lake.” This, Leach explained, would have to be amended to be part of the water augmentation plan, a public process he characterized as “slow motion.”

Regular readers of this column will recall the insistence of Councilman Dustin Wilkey to further the discussion of his idea to establish a “Commercial Corridor” through the Town of Marble and for this to be a regular agenda item for monthly Board meetings, along with its attendant land use and infrastructure headaches. Wilkey has consistently sought to “level the playing field” for businesses in Town with the stated intention of increasing revenues. His efforts have, on occasion, aroused suspicion on the part of his fellow Trustees.

Wilkey’s plan involves first broadening the road that runs from the Marble Gallery to the Fire Station. He is seeking quotes to allow backfilling of the verges and extending the existing culverts to allow for expanded parking and a

pedestrian path (with future plans to extend it along the main “corridor” to Beaver Lake). He proclaimed, “This town needs parking.” When asked whether it would be used, he replied, “Absolutely,” conceding that some vegetation would have to be removed. He envisaged that any development would necessarily take time, contemplating an annual spend in the region of $5,000 - $10,000, to start at the Fire Station.

Mayor pro tem Larry Good asked Councilman Wilkey whether he had been to a Parks Committee meeting. Wilkey said he had not, countering that only Town rights of way would be impacted by his scheme. Good echoed Mayor Vinciguerra’s concerns about the potential cost of such a project, seeking to clarify at what expense his proposal would cease to make sense to the Town. Dustin Wilkey replied that he had no idea until he had procured some quotes for the work. The Mayor sought to bring the discussion to a close, concluding that “it just comes down to cost.” Given the modest state of the Town’s finances and the vast expense of road construction, there is little hope that work will begin anytime soon.

Not to be dissuaded, Wilkey continued to hijack the meeting with his ambitious plan to establish a main corridor through Town, extending the existing blacktop around the Church, passing The Marble Hub, and on to Beaver Lake. He referred the Board to the recent Master Plan, explaining his vision to allow zoning applications along the proposed route based on specific business types. Mayor Vinciguerra

warned that “legal issues persist.” Larry Good also urged caution, stating that he was “traditionally opposed to paving. Treasurer Amy Rusby added that a forensic discussion of the Master Plan would be necessary to identify what the Board ought to prioritize “as a group.”

The Mayor opined, “I can’t find much in the Master Plan that references parking,” noting that he couldn’t help but notice that the proposed changes stood to benefit Councilman Wilkey the most. He repeated the Town’s need to avoid spot zoning to protect itself from the potential threat of litigation. Wilkey defended his position, emphasizing his wish to maximize revenues for the Town. Jerry Begly, ex-firefighter and resident of Prospector Drive high up off Serpentine Trail (2.5 miles outside of Town limits), voiced his support for establishing new businesses in Marble, saying, “A business is all about making money to be able to afford to live here. No one wants to have to drive to Carbondale to buy a gallon of milk.”

At that point, Dustin Wilkey decided to throw the cat amongst the pigeons, unapologetically announcing that he was “calling out businesses that are not paying for use of Town right of ways.” Specifically, he pointed the finger at the Raspberry Ridge Café, Beaver Lake Lodge, and Rusby Rentals, all businesses owned and operated by fellow Board Members. A posturing Wilkey pointed out that the width of roads in the town of Marble was set at 65 feet and that the businesses he named encroached upon the 32.5 feet of public right of way, measured from the center line of the road. His assertions were accompanied by his oft-repeated mantra that the Town apply its rules in a “fair and consistent” manner.

Larry Good was first to react. Visibly irritated by the accusation, he suggested to Wilkey that he (Good) pull up the documentation showing the exact boundaries of the Beaver Lake Lodge and its associated easements dating back to the time of its original purchase, which he said would prove the accusation baseless. A resident commented on the absurdity of having 65 feet wide roads in a town the size of Marble and that Councilman Wilkey’s proposal to "scrape" them risked completely destroying the charm of the place and would in effect turn Marble into a parking lot, adding that given the increasing amount of boundary disputes in Town, a wholesale remapping of the “municipality” might be needed to sort out any rights of way disagreements for once and for all.

Next to speak was Amy Rusby with the Parks Committee report.

She shared that Mark Beckler, owner of Sopris Engineering and resident of Hermits Hideaway, had been collaborating with Ron Leach to assess the Marble “structures” in the Mill Site Park with a view to making them safe, all the while preserving their historical significance to the town. Beckler has put the onus on the Parks Committee to come up with its own Master Plan to encompass an explicit framework detailing the scope of work needed, which he decided was a prerequisite to making further

2025 Meeting Schedule Starting at 6 p.m.

The Marble Town Council meets on the first Thursday of each month starting at 6 p.m. in the Marble Community Church’s Fellowship Hall.

Town of Marble meetings are open to the public.

September 4TH October 2ND November 6TH

Agendas can be found prior to each meeting by visiting

www.townofmarble.com

September 2025 • The Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times • Page 5

Town of Marble Recap Continued. . . progress.

Bringing the meeting to a close, Jerry Begly spoke rather alarmingly of his view of the valley from his elevated position on Serpentine Trail. He described an expanding swathe of forest succumbing to beetle kill, looking out over the valley with a sense of dread, “Waiting for it to burn.” Begley’s son, Josiah, spoke plaintively about the pressing need to partner with Gunnison County to secure a Federal grant to build a bridge over “Slate Creek,” a hotspot for floods and mudslides. Mayor Vinciguerra suggested that the Beglys bring their concerns to the Gunnison County Commissioners when they make their annual pilgrimage to Marble in the Fall.

The Board of Trustees is left in the unenviable position of having to prioritize among the many projects and concerns brought to its attention. Fortunately, most of these come with hefty price tags, leaving them handily beyond the scope of the Board’s consideration. Plus, ça change, plus ça reste la même chose (roughly translated: As it changes, the more it stays the same).

The next meeting of the Town of Marble’s Board of Trustees will be held on Thursday, September 4th at 6 p.m. at the Marble Community Church Fellowship Hall.

DJ Sugar Monkey is a resident of Marble. You can tune into his music show “Snack Time” on KDNK every other Thursday from noon to 2 p.m.

Photograph Right: Terry "El Tel" Langley kept the author company with a riveting conversation about humming birds while the two waited for a Town of Marble Board of Trustees executive session to close prior to the regular public meeting.

Crystal River Caucus Regular Meeting

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The agenda includes: A presentation on the Pitkin County Vision 2050 project; A presentation on the Crystal River Fish Hatchery – what it does and how it affects the Crystal River; The fire ban and the seriousness of the issue; impacts of the low flow in the Crystal River; and An update on the Swiss Village Culvert cleaning or replacement.

Participants may also attend the meeting on Zoom. Links are sent to those on the Crystal River Caucus e-mail list. If you are not on the list but would like to be, please send a request to crcaucus@gmail.com.

Page 6 • The Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times • September 2025

Echoes of Life: John F. Gilmore John Frederick Gilmore, owner of the Historic Redstone Inn, born May 9th, 1929, in DeKalb, Ill., to Helen and Bruce Gilmore, died June 7th, 2025, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, well-tended by hospice, caregivers, family, and friends.

John Frederick Gilmore, christened “Jack,” a confident upstart from the beginning, changed his name to “John” at age seven because he felt it sounded more business-like. Also known as Daddy Dear, Papa Bear, and Santa Claus all year round, he was always “JFG,” never, ever “grandpa” to his grandchildren.

He was a loyal, supportive friend, patron, and founder of the arts–particularly opera, symphony, and theater – in Grand Rapids, Mich., Chicago, Ill., and Colo. A brilliant, savvy, visionary businessman, he was the “Honorable Leader” of the Gilmore (restaurant and hotel) Collection, which he headed with his son Gregory. He was a marathon runner who swore by “the famous Gilmore double knot” to keep his kickers on throughout the races. A voracious reader of great, ponderous, often arcane books, he was a devotee of the Wall Street Journal and many periodicals. He read widely in U.S. and world history, remembering great swaths of what he read and dispensing quotes when needed. He curated a personal library that a friend, a former president of Grand Valley

State University, called the most impressively extensive he had ever seen. Self-taught, a true autodidact, he claimed “the more you know, the more you realize you don’t know.”

Relentlessly and perversely frugal, he could also be fantastically, considerately generous. A collector of fine art, he was a lover of wine, women, and song, specializing, as he might say, in “training” the second. Never ordinary, often extraordinary, he was charming and charismatic, an eloquent speech-maker and whizbang toastmaster.

A survivor of military school and a winter-time stint in the U.S. Army in Anchorage, Alaska, he would point out that he also survived the school of hard knocks and serious heartbreak.

He identified with Sisyphus, as the “pusher of the rock up the hill,” enjoying the sport of it and “the mental fortitude” it took, rather than lamenting the futility of the effort.

JFG was a wild, whooping skier of mountains and a man who enjoyed life after work and off the slopes. An exuberant reveler well into his 80s, he would be the last to leave the dance floor, “hoofing it up” and “tripping the light fantastic,” because, he would say, he had been “overserved and under-supervised,” more than likely because he had “fallen in with some bad

John F. Gilmore, May 9th, 1929 - June 7th, 2025, aquired the historic Redstone Inn in the late 1980s. Photograph provided by The Gilmore Collection.

LIMITED WEEKENDS LEFT FOR SUMMER & FALL EVENTS

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She is passionate about access to healthy, affordable and safe foods, which is why you’ll see her volunteering at UpRoot Colorado.

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September 2025 • The Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times • Page 7

Gilmore Continued. . . company” — always, and ever, the life of the party.

A keen observer and student of human psychology, he was enormously and confoundingly complex–acutely sensitive, surprisingly sentimental, but stoic. He was sometimes introspective, but also steadfastly and inflexibly opinionated, a curmudgeon with a heart that could be a Midas trove.

An epicurean who complained often of recipes being too sweet, once notoriously yelling “too much sugar,” while lofting his daughter’s homemade rhubarb pie off his deck to the prowlers in the undergrowth in the hillside below, his Machiavellian cackle echoing across Reeds Lake in Michigan. Shouldn’t the baker have known? Be that as it may, he ate Crispy Creme donuts (“sinkers”) as if they were going out of style. He cherished his copy of The Art of Contrary Thinking by Humphrey B. Neill, and embodied the title, writ large.

He was a post card writer who invariably promised “long letter to follow,” as well as a thorough note-taker and legal pad user.

He was a romantic and a dreamer, tempered and always girded up by pragmatism. A spurner of gifts, relishing organization and a strange asceticism, often wearing clothing held together with pins, 60 years old, he was a subscriber

to having little and being dead ready.

He was a preacher of fiscal prudence and disciplined responsibility tutored by “hard lessons via the pocketbook,” lessons learned and relearned, he would say, generally “in a moment of weakness” when he was too trusting of human decency and honor.

As a businessman, he was a gutsy, undeterred, intrepid, optimistic deal-maker who loved the pursuit of the deal as much as the profit. He often said that he eyed the horizon looking for “his ship to come in.”

He often said to children, “I may be short, but I am a giant among men.” His legacy proves that. The Grand Rapids Press once profiled him against the graphic of a monopoly board featuring the many properties owned or developed by him and his company, Investors’ Incentives. Among some of his holdings were The Ledyard Building, The Oakwood Manor, and The Federal Square Building, for which he commissioned the eagle sculpture watching over its entrance. The Press also delightfully chronicled his purchase of a building valued at $375,000 for $100 and some years-long creative financing.

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Some of his projects spawned the transformation of the communities around them. In the 1960s, he repurposed part of the then-defunct Ramona Amusement Park in East Grand Rap-

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Page 8 • The Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times • September 2025

Gilmore Continued. . .

his brother Gene J. Gilmore, and his granddaughter Ariel Hettinga.

ids. Mich., to build a Jacobson’s Department store, a retail centerpiece of what came to be known as Gaslight Village. In the 1970s, he created the Thornapple Village Shopping Center in Ada, Mich., featuring The Thornapple Village Inn, an upscale venue that served as a foundational element of The Gilmore Collection.

He is survived by his ex-wife, Barbara F. Gilmore (Bobbi), whom he extolled for her ability to run a beautiful home and be an excellent mother and cook.

He credited her with being “a hostess with the mostest,” whom he could call on to dazzle, feed, and graciously entertain opera casts, lawyers, doctors, bankers, investors, friends, and family.

During the same period, he also turned his developer’s eye to Colorado, purchasing and reopening one of Aspen’s finest landmarks, The Hotel Jerome, a project that induced him to move his family, where they, for a time, lived in the hotel and enjoyed what was then the small-town life of a mountain haven. Although he later sold the Jerome, he sustained his interest in Colorado and in historical architecture with the purchase and development of The Redstone Inn.

He is also survived by his daughter Kimberly (Donald) Hettinga; son Scott (Karen) Gilmore; son Gregory (Jacqueline); daughter Tamara (Frank) Woods; daughter Julie Gilmore; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; and by his sister Ruth Jo/Shri Lehka Gilmore; his sister Laurinda Gilmore Graves; by his brother Bruce E. Gilmore; and by dear friends Bob Woodhouse and his partner Jodi Ter Molen.

Though pleased with his business developments, his greatest source of pride was his family, which will, in turn, greatly miss this world traveler who left on his last great adventure on June 7, 2025, recalling memories of their lives with him and, very likely, quoting him now and again.

More Than a Mountain: A Kilimanjaro Journey of Sisterhood and Soul A Photo Essay from Jaime Fiske

The community is invited to attend a celebration of life at the Redstone Inn on October 8th from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Helen and Bruce W. Gilmore, by

For author and photographer Jaime Fiske, the journey to the 19,341-foot summit of Mount Kilimanjaro was not just a physical challenge, but a deep dive into the heart of Tanzania. Guided by the trailblazing women of Kilimanjaro Wander Women Tours, her expedition became a powerful story of sisterhood, cultural connection, and the magic found far beyond the mountain's peak. Included here is the story of her journey through photographs.

Have a say in shaping our outdoor spaces!

Take the 15-minute survey open to anyone who lives, works, or recreates in Pitkin, Eagle, Garfield, or Gunnison counties— and help guide the future of conservation and recreation across the 1,500-square-mile Roaring Fork Watershed. The survey is available in both English and Spanish and closes on September 14, 2025. Your input will directly influence stewardship, access, and educational priorities across our region.

Vision 2050 Public Engagement Process Begins Pitkin County is launching community engagement for the Vision 2050 Comprehensive Plan update—a vital roadmap for guiding countywide policy and preserving our values. This summer and early fall, join us at outreach events and share your vision for our community. All who live, work, or recreate in Pitkin County are invited to participate!

Stay up to date on fire restrictions in Pitkin County Fire restrictions in Pitkin County can change quickly depending on weather and fire danger. Staying up to date helps you know what’s allowed—and what’s not—when camping, recreating, or working outdoors. Even when restrictions ease, safe practices like fully extinguishing campfires and disposing of cigarettes properly are essential.

Follow Pitkin Emergency for the latest updates and resources to help protect our community year-round.

September 2025 • The Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times • Page 9

Kilimanjaro Continued. . .

This day was truly special. We were welcomed into our guide Ekeney’s village, where we made coffee the traditional way alongside her incredible mama and all her beautiful sister-friends. We roasted the beans over an open flame, ground them by hand, and sipped the freshest, most love-filled cup of coffee I have ever tasted. It wasn't just coffee — it was tradition and sisterhood poured into a cup.

Before the climb, we explored Moshi town with guides from the Kilimanjaro Wander Women Tours team to experience the culture beyond the mountain and get to know the heart of this vibrant place. From colorful markets to conversations that opened our hearts, the day was full of connection and laughter. Kilimanjaro may have been the goal, but this was the soul of the journey.

Our first adventure took us on a hike deep into a lush green forest where lava columns towered above us and waterfall mist kissed our cheeks. Along the trail, we picked up a little friend, a local child, who walked with us the rest of the way, reminding us that joy can be found in the most unexpected places. We left with muddy feet and full hearts, knowing this was just the beginning.

Continued on the next page. . .

Redstone Historic Walking Tours $20 per person Private tours available up to 10 people, To book a tour call Becca at 970-929-5085 or The Redstone Inn 970-963-2526

We want YOUR INPUT on regional CONSERVATION and RECREATION priorities!

The survey is open August 14th to September 14th, 2025.

Please note that your participation is voluntary, and that all your answers will remain strictly confidential. Your responses will help the Roaring Fork Outdoor Coalition address the region’s conservation and recreation needs. The survey takes most people less than 15 minutes to complete.

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Recreation Volume and Impacts

Access and Equity

Learn more about the Roaring Fork Outdoor Coalition: https://pitkincounty.com/1621/Roaring-Fork-OutdoorCoalition

The Roaring Fork Outdoor Coalition is a cross-jurisdictional collaboration among state, federal, and local governments in our region with participation from community members, local organizations, and visitors.

We work collectively to turn ideas into action for the benefit of recreation and conservation in our region and seeks funding to support these efforts.

The Redstone Historical Society

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Page 10 • The Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times • September 2025

Kilimanjaro Continued. . .

Chemka Hot Springs had us living our best life! We swung into crystal-clear water, got a fishy foot spa, and tubed the day away. I even taught our friend how to float on her back like a water goddess. We snorkeled for a lost phone (and found it!) and had to try the rope swing. Tanzania, you just kept surprising us.

With the Kilimanjaro Wander Women Tours crew, we began our climb. We covered about seven miles from Machame Gate to Machame Camp. While gaining roughly 4,000 feet in elevation, we trekked through a lush rainforest full of giant ferns, mossy trees, and plenty of misty magic. The trail vibes were high, and the sisterhood was strong. We were one step closer to the Roof of Africa.

In Tanzania, we learned that “just another hike” can mean weaving through vibrant villages to a hidden waterfall that feels like a dream. We swam in Mount Kilimanjaro's icy, glacier-fed waters — the kind of invigorating cold that wakes up every cell in your body. It wasn't just another hike; it was a whole world opening up.

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THE CRYSTAL RIVER CAUCUS WANTS YOU! This coming November, the caucus is set to hold an election for board members for the coming year. There is an opening for a new board member, so if you are interested in being nominated to serve on the Crystal River Caucus Board or have questions, please respond to this email. Board members elected in November would be expected to serve a two-year term beginning in January 2026.

September 2025 • The Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times • Page 11

Kilimanjaro Continued. . .

With creaky joints and tired bodies, we paused to teach yoga on the side of the mountain. It wasn’t about a perfect pose; it was about creating space to feel the strength rising within us. We moved with our breath through the high altitude, taking it one breath, one step, one summit at a time.

We started hiking at 2 a.m., bundled up under the stars. The air was thin and the mountain was steep, but then the sky began to glow. Just as our legs grew heavy and our spirits low, our incredible guides and porters began to sing. Their voices lifted us, step by step, all the way to the top. It was a moment of joy, tears, strength, and unity.

Every morning, Rachael, a guide-in-training, woke us with “bed tea” and a loving sister smile. Her kindness and warmth made every morning special, from her sweet "good morning, dada" (sister) to the warm basin of "washy, washy" water she brought to our tent.

I miss waking up to her radiant and caring energy.

Continued on the next page...

The Crystal Valley Echo

A PITKIN COUNTY LIBRARY RESOURCE

& Marble Times

Mission Statement: To provide a voice for the residents of the Crystal River Valley; to bring attention to the individuals and local businesses that are the fabric of the Crystal Valley region; to contribute to the vitality of our small town life.

EDITOR AND ADVERTISING SALES Gentrye Houghton gentryeh@hotmail.com CONTRIBUTORS DJ Sugar Monkey Amber McMahill

DISTRIBUTION AND LAYOUT DESIGN Ryan Kenney The Crystal Valley Echo is published monthly, and is distributed throughout the Crystal Valley.

NEWSPAPER BOX LOCATIONS: Third Street Center • Village Smithy Carbondale Post Office • Carbondale Park & Ride The Marble Hub • Redstone General Store

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Page 12 • The Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times • September 2025

Kilimanjaro Continued. . .

We wrapped up our adventure with a walking safari in Arusha National Park, and what a way to end.

There is nothing like experiencing the scents, sounds, and energy of the African bush on foot. We wandered alongside wild, free-roaming animals, from Cape buffalo to giraffes.

Some moments feel like they hold the weight of centuries, and hugging a Baobab tree with my Wander Women sisters was one of them. As we circled its massive trunk, we felt a deep sense of grounding.

It was a reminder that adventure is about more than places — it’s about the way those places change us forever.

Compelling Design Attracts More Buyers

This climb wasn’t just about the summit; it was about walking alongside the most inspiring women we have ever met. The Wander Women showed us what true empowerment looks like. In a world where mountaineering is often male-dominated, they stood tall as leaders, athletes, and role models, reminding us that strength is heart, resilience, and lifting each other up.

Are you curious about the Crystal River Wild & Scenic and Other Alternatives Committee?

Does your marketing need a refresh?

Branding Refresh - Update Your Logo Social Media Templates Graphic Design for Print Ads, Flyers, Posters, and more Website Updates

Let’s discuss ideas that can help you more effectively market your business.

Contact Heather for more info

heather@elephantmountaincreative.com

For information, including minutes and webinars, visit: Marketing & Graphic Design in Redstone, Colorado 970-718-5848 | ElephantMountainCreative.com

thecrystalvalleyecho.com/wild-scenic­stakeholder

THE MARBLE TIMES

September 2025 • The Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times • Page 13

A LOOK AT LIFE AT THE MARBLE CHARTER SCHOOL

All content is provided by the Marble Charter School staff with original essays written by students and is not edited by The Crystal Valley Echo staff.

A Collection of Poems

Stuck in the Picture

By Luna Schachter, written in 5th grade

Past the cooling river, Through a cluster of nettles, Ducking, twirling, twisting through a painting, Picture perfect, the painter flicks a dust of gold onto his canvas painting the pollen in my hands, Stripes appear on my back, My wings start to shine as the painter makes a friendly sun at the top of the picture, A field of flowers appear under me colors of red, gold, pink, and white climb into the picture too The flowers burst and glow with color, Picture perfect painting

The Sea

By Hazel Schlichter, written in 5th grade

Hushing and hissing cooling the sand turning it into sludge Seafoam against blue meeting shells and grains of tan The sand is rough and hot, then the ocean turns it darker damper, cooler The scents of salt and rocks and fish and sun are in the air

The warm breeze wishes not to steal them away and plays with the seagulls instead

Octopus

By Maddie Durham, written in 5th grade

I glide as I ride the waves taking me home A soft whisper as I move on the ocean floor taking me into the unknown.

No sound louder than a rustle as I move onward towards the reef.

The world around me slows down as I move onward towards my home.

My life depends on my every move Taking me home to the cove where my home stays.

One slight move then went into the unknown.

I hold still while my prey gets closer and closer.

One fatal move and It will be gone forever and ever, never to be seen again.

At last I'm home where I will stay forever and ever after generation and generation.

Somewhere

By Hazel Schlichter, written in 5th grade

Surrounded by sea The reflection of the sky At night all alone Except for the fish Whom swim quickly beneath it Flashes of silver Completely quiet

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There is only reflection On the sloshing sea

I Am Poem

By Georgia Owings, written in 4th grade

In a huge hug, When I jump into your waters, I feel a rush of cold, Even though your water is cold, I still feel warm inside,

I am curious and different I wonder why friendship is sometimes hard I smell happiness and sweet rain I want to he a good and kind person I see I am great the way I am I feel love and family I wish I could do things like other kids I am curious and different I hear birds of the wind I taste that the future is good I am curious and different

Dear Football

I Am Poem

Beach

I am kind and strong I wonder what I am meant to do I smell flowers I want a bright future I see the world coming together I feel safe and protected I wish to have a happy future I am kind and strong I hear the birds chirping I taste fresh air I am kind and strong

Dear beach,

By Jack Howland, written in 3rd grade

Dear Beach

By Amira Paris, written in 3rd grade

Dear Beach, You tell me to wake up in the morning, By your waves crashing against the sand, You wrap around me,

By Auggie Tardie, written in 3rd grade

Dear football, I love when I catch you and we win the game How you feel like is a bumpy and smooth rock I love when you fly through the air I love when I get to give you to the Quarterback My love will stay with you always

By Georgia Owings, written in 4th grade

You are very hot, your sand is warm when I dip my feet in your blue ocean I feel the waves in motion Flowing up to shore I smell sea salt and I feel happy.

I lay in the sand I’m still on land as your waves breath straight to me I feel a breeze on my feet While the sun is bright The birds fly by Way up high in the sky.

Marble Times is generously sponsored in part by

(970) 963-2504 BeaverLakeLodge.com

Page 14 • The Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times • September 2025

Redstone Historical Society's Vintage Valley:

Redstone's Kindred Spirit,Gustav Stickley

By Deb Strom As we all know, Redstone is a unique place with a unique story. One important chapter involves Gustav Stickley, the man who handcrafted the original furniture of the Redstone Inn, Clubhouse, Bighorn Lodge, and original cottages. The Inn still has one of the largest collections in the country of his early work, with over 60 pieces. Stickley is the best-known artisan of the American Arts and Crafts movement.

His turn-of-the-century furniture was a dramatic departure from the baroque and machine-made Victorian pieces of the late 1800s. Speaking of his bold designs, Stickley wrote, “I want them to be beautiful — not with superficial prettiness of applied ornament, but with the inherent decorative quality which comes from good proportions, mellow finish, and harmonious decorations.”

Each piece in the Redstone Inn is personally signed with the Dutch inscription translated as “I do my best.” This was Stickley’s promise that he would produce the highest quality furniture that he could. His work represented a simple, natural lifestyle fit for a new century. His work directly influenced

All content sponsored and provided by the Redstone Historical Society. the Bauhaus movement. It is amazing how functional and durable the remaining pieces are. They have endured Colorado’s dry climate and over a century of hotel use.

Like Redstone’s founder, John Cleveland Osgood, Stickley was a self-made man. Born in the Midwest, he was forced to leave school after the eighth grade. Yet, at the pinnacle of his career, he commanded the seven-story Craftsman Building on Fifth Avenue in New York City, N.Y. It had four floors of furniture, a whole floor dedicated to gardening, a floor housing a permanent “Home Builder’s Exposition,” and the Craftsman Restaurant, which served meals with food grown at Stickley’s farm estate, Craftsman Farms.

What destiny brought Gustav Stickley’s furniture to Redstone in 1902?

We will never know whether the two men met, or, for that matter, how Osgood came to select the then fledgling furniture company for what must have been a substantial furniture order in the first year of operation. What is certain is that both enterprises embodied the spirit of Redstone.

IS THERE MORE TO THE STORY?

We move through a world full of beautiful, unsettling, and meaningful moments.

Join Gentrye Houghton for a weekly journey exploring our inner and outer landscapes, where a storyteller's heart meets a journalist's eye.

Point your phone's camera here to join the community.

The Redstone Inn Fireside Lounge, circa 1903. Photograph from the Denver Public Library, Western History Collection.

While John Osgood was developing “The Redstone Social Experiment” with its colorful cottages and recreation-education centers for his workers, Stickley was in upstate New York, committed to not only a different style of furniture but also to creating an older business structure for his company.

Named United Crafts, the company

SQC

was modeled after a medieval guild, with Stickley himself as the master craftsman. Not unlike Osgood with his castle and cottages for his workers.

So there was a philosophical kinship that brought this furniture from faroff New York into this remote valley.

Furniture was brought here not only

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September 2025 • The Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times • Page 15

Redstone Senior Days

Vintage Valley Continued. . .

RSVP: (970) 920-5432 Redstone programs are open to all!

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 & 23 At the Redstone Inn

12:00 p.m. – Lunch ($10)

The DeMaestri-Durrett Cottage, circa 1925, will soon be acquired by the Redstone Historical Society; the Osgood era original home is “loaded” with the original Stickley furniture. Photograph provided by Jeff Bier.

for the miners’ comfort, but also for their edification. It is not far-fetched to think that Osgood was similarly motivated when he selected Stickley furniture for his new experiment in welfare capitalism. Redstone was more than one man’s vision; it embodied the cutting-edge spirit of the era.

Deb Strom was the General Manager of the Redstone Inn, 1988 - 2008, and is the current treasurer of the Redstone Historical Society.

RSVP by noon the Friday prior – space is limited.

Plated lunch will be served.

There will be a gluten-free option.

STARTING IN SEPTEMBER:

12:45 p.m. – Programs September 2: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Playshop

11:00 a.m. – YOGA ($5/session)

Just like the wheel, the printing press and electricity each transformed civilization, AI is likely to make them all seem incremental by comparison. Join tech enthusiast Mark Goodman to discover AI through hands-on exploration and real projects. Bring your laptop or smartphone.

September 23: Pitkin Sheriff: Fraud Prevention

Gustav Stickley personally signed his furniture pieces with the Dutch inscription translated as “I do my best.” The above Stickley logo was provided by the Redstone Historical Society.

Parker Lathrop from the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office will share real examples of local impersonation scams, explain how to spot fraud (even when the caller ID looks official), and offer practical tips to protect yourself from phone and online scams. From fake warrants to gift card shakedowns, learn how to stay one step ahead. A general Q & A will follow. Knowledge is your best defense.

Instructor Anna Raphael leads this invigorating class to reconnect your body and breath.

With more than15 years of yoga instruction and massage therapy experience, Anna brings a deep understanding of movement and wellness. Open to all ages and abilities.

WANT TO BE KEPT IN THE LOOP? Send us your email address: (970) 920-5432 • seniors@pitkincounty.com

Page 16 • The Crystal Valley Echo & Marble Times • September 2025

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2025 REGISTER NOW - GRAB YOUR SPOT

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