Estes Park News, February 16, 2024

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Hiding In Plain Sight Snowshoe hares have unique adaptations to their environment, such as small ears; wide, furry feet; and color changing fur for camouflage.

Photo by Marsha Hobert www.photosbymarsha.com

What Could Go Wrong?

Estes Park High School & Thespian Troupe 7284 prepare for their upcoming play. See page 14

Friday, February 16, 2024

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Police Department Update By: Town Administrator Travis Machalek

correct retention date, I enlisted the support of the Town’s Information TechThe Police Department has been in transition - not just recently but for a few nology (IT) Division to search further into the Town’s electronic files for any years. Changes in leadership have pretrace of those records. IT found numersented challenges and opportunities. ous records that were listed as having What remains the same is our commitment to uphold the highest level of serv- been destroyed. Among them were files related to substantiated IA investigaice to our community. I am grateful for tions into former Captain Eric Rose.

Interim Chief Stewart’s leadership and The Town has contacted Jensen Hughes, our Police Department’s continued comthe firm that conducted the independmitment to protecting and serving our ent review regarding Eric Rose and the community. We continue to look closely Estes Park Police Department in 2022, at the practices and policies of our Police to provide them with the newly found Department. records and ask that they review them In late January, Town staff completed in light of their prior work. an initial review of all of the Police DeIn order to get a firm understanding of partment’s historical Internal Affairs (IA) records. This review has raised sig- past practices and where IA records management may have been out of nificant questions about past records management and retention practices. We compliance, Interim Chief Stewart and I are in the process of hiring a third-party are concerned about inconsistencies in how IA investigation records were man- expert to evaluate our IA records management practices and make recomaged between 2004 and 2018. Specifimendations for the Police Department cally, we are concerned that some records may have been destroyed before moving forward. My intent is for the consultant to begin this work in Februthey met the correct retention date.

After learning that certain records may ary. The final report from this investigahave been destroyed prior to meeting the tion will be shared with the community.

While this investigation takes place, if

Join The Next Trustee Talk Feb. 22 Community members are invited to join Trustees Frank Lancaster and Patrick Martchink for a Trustee Talk Thursday, Feb. 22 at 5:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Board Room, 170 MacGregor Ave. This is an opportunity for community members to discuss local issues with members of the board in an informal setting. The Trustee Talk session will be an open discussion on local issues.

5,200 copies were printed this week, and distributed FREE to hundreds of Estes Valley locations including Allenspark, Glen Haven & Lyons.

A National Online Audience With Loyal Local Readership Ph: (970) 586-5800 Fax: (970) 692-2611 Opinions of our columnists are not necessarily the opinions of this newspaper.

Owners/Publishers: Gary & Kris Hazelton Editor: Kris Hazelton Operations Specialist: Andrew Donaldson ads@estesparknews.com Office Manager: Tim Buck office@epnews.com Press releases: kris@estesparknews.com All editorial, photo content & graphic design is copyright of Estes Park News, Inc. & can not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of Estes Park News, Inc. ©2024 For subscription information contact us.

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there are any complaints related to the Police Department, or IA matters, they will go through Interim Chief Stewart. I have also directed that no IA records, even those that have met retention, be destroyed without written approval and signature by Interim Chief Stewart, Town Clerk Williamson, and myself.

Proper management of municipal records is essential to ensuring the documentation of the delivery of services, provides legal accountability, gives evidence of the responsible management and expenditure of public funds, and documents the historical development of the community. The preservation and destruction of records is outlined in the Colorado Revised Statutes and the Municipal Records Retention Schedule, if adopted by a municipality through the State Archivist. The Town adopted the Municipal Records Retention Schedule in 2002. 211 municipalities in the state of Colorado have adopted this records retention schedule. Adherence to the schedule further limits legal risk for the agency managing the records.

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Voters To Elect A Mayor And Four Trustees In April 2 Municipal Election

Election will also include questions on a sales tax renewal and a citizen initiative The Town of Estes Park will hold a Municipal Election Tuesday, April 2, 2024 as a mail ballot-only election for the mayor and four trustee seats on the Board of Trustees.

Voters will determine who will occupy seats currently held by Mayor Wendy Koenig, Trustees Frank Lancaster, Barbara MacAlpine, Patrick Martchink and Cindy Younglund. Voters will also consider whether or not the 1% sales tax approved by voters in 2014 should be renewed for another 10 years, and a ballot question to consider a citizen initiative for development applications. A sample ballot is available at estes.org/elections. Biographies and official statements from the candidates are posted at estes.org/candidates.

The League of Women Voters will hold two voter forums, including one on March 6 at 6 p.m. for the trustee candidates and another on March 11 at 6 p.m. for the mayor candidates. The forums will be held in the Town Board Room of Town Hall at 170 MacGregor Ave. Both forums will be recorded and available live and on-demand via estes.org/videos.

Mail ballots will be mailed to all active voters who live within town limits the week of March 11. Voters who will not be home

to receive a ballot may receive a ballot at a location other than the registered address by updating their voter registration at govotecolorado.com or by completing an application for an absent voter mail ballot, available at estes.org/elections. By law, ballots cannot be forwarded with other forwarded mail. For assistance, contact the Town Clerk’s office at 970-577-4777.

Important dates: March 11 – March 15: – Ballots mailed to all active registered voters.

March 11: Last day for eligible electors to establish residency in the State of Colorado. Register to vote at govotecolorado.com, County Clerk office or Town Clerk office up to the day of the election.

March 29: Last day to request an absentee mail ballot to be mailed.

April 2: Election Day – Town Hall polls open 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Ballots must be received by 7 p.m. to be counted.

April 23: Swearing-in of newly elected Mayor and Trustees at the Town Board Meeting.

For more information on the Municipal Election, please visit estes.org/elections or contact the Town Clerk’s office at 970-5774777 or townclerk@estes.org.

Applications Available For Boards And Commissions Applications are currently being accepted for volunteer positions on the Estes Park Board of Adjustment, Estes Park Board of Appeals, Estes Park Planning Commission and Transportation Advisory Board. To learn more about the boards and commissions and to view meeting minutes, projects, and associ-

ated links, please visit www.estes.org/boardsandmeetings. Interested individuals should submit a volunteer application, available at www.estes.org/volunteering, along with a resume and cover letter by 5 p.m. Friday, March 1, 2024.

The charge(s) are merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

On 2/08/2024 at 3:31 p.m. police received a report of a reckless driver in a maroon truck and pulled him over in the O’Reilly parking lot at 1181 Graves Ave. The 29 year old male driver from Denver,

Colorado was spotted doing 46 mph in a 35 mph zone. The driver was contacted and volunteered to perform SFSTs (Standardized Field Sobriety Testing). He did not complete SFSTs to the standard of a sober person. The male was arrested for DUI and transported to Larimer County Jail.

EVFPD firefighters generally respond to medical calls in their personal vehicles, allowing for a faster response. On other incidents, firefighters respond to a fire station to respond in department apparatus with specialized equipment.

During the week of February 4th, 2024, the Estes Valley Fire Protection District (EVFPD) responded to 11 calls for serv-

ice. This included: • Emergency Medical (assist EPH): 4 • Assist: 1 • Odor Investigation: 1 • Smoke Investigation: 2 • Motor Vehicle Crash (MVC): 2 • Mutual Aid: 1

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Thoughts And Views From Mayoral Candidate Gary Hall I’m running for mayor of Estes, but you tool and well-managed these last 10 don’t know my views as well as you know years. I am still a private citizen, so I can those of some of the past & present may- openly say that I do support renewal in ors and Board trustees. I appreciate the the 2024 ballot issue. news space provided by the local newspaMulti-modal transportation options: pers to give you some I’m a supporter of insight into my pergreater options for spectives, so that you pedestrian and bicycan make an informed cle traffic, and other choice when voting for modes of transportayour next mayor. tion. And, of course, I’m by nature honest the shuttles are a and open, and I do great part of the Estes need insight, opinions, experience now, and and information from expansion would not others in order to help be a bad thing. steer the Town into the Downtown paid future. I do need to parking, with opunderstand the budgtions for locals to etary, legal, and other get a preferred deal: factors to help us make Gary Hall Though I’d personthe best decisions. I ally rather not have have a great sense of humor, but I focus to pay at all, I think this was the right decompletely on business when appropriate. cision, we had to evolve with the times.

Every mayor brings their own strengths As a Town leader, I would have supto the position. I plan to keep Mayor ported the decision.

Wendy Koenig’s good tradition of having Noise ordinance: Being a professional predictable open office hours. I like the musician in addition to my other careers, current Trustee Talks and other regular I understand the value of decibels in the outreach options. I will treat your views right place and context. I also understand respectfully and listen to all, and I hope and love peace and quiet in our mounthat you’ll reciprocate so that civility will tain community. Being a vacation/resort always be a key part of our communicatown, we’ll always have festivals and oftion. ten public music. I am still becoming edThe Loop and downtown construcucated about this topic and I need to untion: My first visit to Estes was in 1974. derstand the nature of the complaints Traffic volume has increased exponenand the options available. tially since then. I do understand, at a Short-term rentals: I’m rapidly getting high level, the FLAP funding and pureducated on the history, the concerns, pose, the impact on businesses, the role of the conflicting viewpoints, the statistics, CDOT, and more. I’m aware of the creand more. There should be ways to acation and nature of the Transportation commodate the need for a reasonable Advisory Board. It would have been use- number of short-term rentals. What’s ful to have had this project put to a vote “reasonable?” What will it mean to “acby the citizens, but that ship sailed long commodate?” I still need more informaago, and we need to patiently get through tion. Estes from the start has had some the marathon project. We must work to version of short-term rentals, though improve modern traffic flow and work to only in recent years with the internet minimize impairment to Estes businesses. booking explosion of VRBOs, Airbnb, Despite the studies, I’m not sure any of us etc., has it become a much greater issue. can say how well it will work upon comWorkforce Housing: As a long-time pletion. We may find that it works well – hospital administrator, I am acutely or we may find that it needs to be adaware of the critical need for much more justed in other ways. So – I support comworkforce housing. I believe we should pletion of the project and subsequent increase the amount of workforce housevaluation of its effectiveness over the ing while respecting the integrity of exmonths and years following completion. isting neighborhoods and the rights of The 1% sales tax in 2014: Like Estes homeowners.

Park Health’s 2023 ballot issue to seek apI hope this helps to start to paint a picproval of acquisition by a larger healthture of how I think. You WILL find that care system for long-term viability, putI’ll be honest and straightforward about ting the 1% to a vote by the citizens is a topics. If I don’t understand them, I’ll good idea. I supported the 2014 inception find out how to get educated, and I’ll get of the tax. The percentages that were alloeducated. If I don’t know the answers, I’ll cated to various infrastructure and develroute you to the correct authorities for opment purposes have been judicious information. Stay tuned for news. and worthy. I think it has been a great Gary Hall

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Friday, February 16, 2024 « 5

Bill Brown Running For Town Trustee I am running for a seat on the Estes business while recognizing that, as the Park Town Board and I would like to ask gateway to Rocky Mountain National for your support.

Park, Estes Park’s leading industry is I have a long family tourism. Being a history in Estes Park welcoming place for dating back to the guests is important, early 1960s when my but we must be a parents became a part community that priof this community. My oritizes those who father helped form the call Estes home.

Upper Thompson I am currently servSanitation District and ing on the board of he served on the hosthe Estes Park pital board. My mom Housing Authority was active in the and was deeply inElizabeth Guild and volved in the was a volunteer at the community ballot library. As a teenager initiative 6E that my first job was at the added 3.5% to our Bill Brown Kentucky Fried lodging tax devoted Chicken on Moraine and in college I to workforce housing in the community. also worked for Ted James who owned I have a background in business law. I the Rocky Mountain Park Company. was the managing partner of a 60-memI love Estes Park and I would like to ber law firm. I have taught law as an adserve on the Town Board. I believe we junct professor at the University of Iowa must strike the right balance between and Drake University. the needs of the residents and our local I would appreciate your vote in April.

Focus On Plans Some of you may recall an old Simon & area, projecting for the coming 10-20 Garfunkel lyric: “Make a new plan, Stan.” years, was completed in 2022 and is acAs an Estes Park trustee, I’m focusing cessible at Comprehensive Planning | here on two of the maTown of Estes Park (coljor plans that direct orado.gov). While a action by the town strategic plan is very government and the specific, a comprecounty: the Strategic hensive plan is much Plan and the Comprelonger, very descriphensive Plan. tive, and aspirational rather than prescripThe Strategic Plan is tive. developed annually by town staff, in tandem The lengthy process with recommendafor creating our comtions for the next year’s prehensive plan inbudget. Both the plan cluded soliciting and the budget are disfeedback from the cussed and approved public, working with by the Town Board. citizen advisory Barbara MacAlpine This lengthy process is committees repreone of the key responsenting the town and sibilities of the mayor and trustees. the county, coordinating with county staff, and hiring an experienced consultThis year’s Strategic Plan may be examing firm to write the plan using input ined at Strategic Plan: Vision, Mission & from all the above sources. The result is Goals | Town of Estes Park an extensive document and an outstand(colorado.gov). It covers eight broad outcome areas, each with a number of policy ing source of information on the Estes Valley, complete with goals and implestatements, multi-year goals, and oneyear objectives. Even if you aren’t a policy mentation plans for the town and, to a wonk, you may find items within the plan smaller extent, the county. These cover that address your concerns. For example, the natural and built environments, the economy, housing, health & social servin the “Outstanding Community Services, transportation and infrastructure. ices” outcome area, one of the objectives The plan was formally approved by our for 2024 is to “Review data on needs of [the] senior community in Estes Park and Planning Commission, the Town Board, evaluate actions that the Town could take and the County Board of Commissioners. As a trustee, I was our Town Board to address these needs.” Once the Strateliaison to the Comprehensive Plan Advigic Plan is adopted, its objectives are sory Committee, and I hope to have the tracked monthly. Progress reports are opportunity to help with supporting the available for the public to read at the potential of this important endeavor, as webpage referenced above. your future mayor.

The new Estes Forward Comprehensive Barbara MacAlpine Plan for Estes Park and the surrounding Estes Park

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RMNP Research Conference photo courtesy RMNP.

Explore Park Science At Rocky Mountain National Park’s Biennial Research Conference Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) invites you to explore research, monitoring, and management during the Biennial Research Conference “Challenges and Collaborations for Changing Landscapes” on March 6-7 at the Ridgeline Hotel in Estes Park. Scientific research is an integral part of science-informed decision making and adaptive management at RMNP. The park utilizes a collaborative research process in which park staff and research partners co-produce science to address management questions.

The Biennial Research Conference is sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy. It is free and open to all who are interested in attending. No pre-registration is required.

Conference highlights include 27 oral presentations by research partners and park staff, a poster session highlighting 20 research and public engagement activities in the park, a Visitor Use Management Question and Answer Panel with park staff, and a Conversation Café in which members of the public can engage in structured, small-group discus-

Valentines Specials PLAN A SPECIAL NIGHT TO CELEBRATE YOUR VALENTINE! th, Wednesday, SPECIAL NIGHT TO CELEBRATE Saturday,PLAN Feb.A 10 Feb. 14th,YOUR and VALENTINE! Saturday Feb. 17th th th these special will be offered along regular menu Saturday, Feb. 10items , Wednesday, Feb. 14 with , andour Saturday Feb. 17th these special items will be offered along with our regular menu

APPETIZERS APPETIZERS crab stuffed mushrooms - $9 crab devils stuffedonmushrooms horseback - $9 devils on horseback - $9 CHOICE OF ENTREES – CHOICE ENTREES SURF &OFTURF$45– SURF & 3oz.

TURF-LOBSTER $45 TAIL 6oz. FILET AND 6oz. FILET AND 3oz. LOBSTER TAIL BRULEE SALMON - $35 BRULEE 8oz.SALMON SALMON- $35 8oz. SALMON VEGETABLE NAPOLEON - $28 VEGETABLE NAPOLEON - $28 AND FOR DESSERT – FOR DESSERT – 6 CHOCOLATEAND COVERED STRAWBERRIES - $12 6FLOURLESS CHOCOLATECHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES - $12 TORTE HEART - $12 FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE TORTE HEART - $12 reservations highly recommended reservations highly recommended

sions about moose and vital wetland ecosystems in the park.

Oral presentations are organized into sessions covering related subjects. Sessions will focus on wildfire recovery, cultural resource stewardship, vegetation and forestry science, visitor use management, wildlife challenges, air and water quality monitoring, and wetland ecosystem challenges and stressors.

Oral presentations in the wetland ecosystem session will also be available to attend virtually.

Conference events begin at 8:00 a.m. each day and conclude at 5:30 p.m. on March 6 and 5:00 p.m. on March 7. For a complete schedule of events, to access the wetland ecosystems session virtually, and other accessibility information, visit: go.nps.gov/RMNPConference2024 The conference will take place in the Ballroom of the Ridgeline Hotel, located at 101 S. Saint Vrain Avenue, Estes Park, CO. For more information about Rocky Mountain National Park please visit www.nps.gov/romo or call the park’s Information Office at (970) 586-1206.

Friday, February 16, 2024 « 7

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Business Owners Encouraged To Pave The Way To The Future Of The Estes Park Museum Local business owners, whether historic or brand new, are being given the opportunity to have their name and logo etched into stone at the Estes Park Museum. For a $1,000 donation, an 8” x 8” paver stone can be engraved with an image and custom text to be lined along the pathway between the Museum and Museum Annex. The pathway connects the Annex, which houses artifacts, to the Museum, where artifacts are presented to the public through exhibits and programs, creating a perfect analogy of the past meeting the present.

This fundraiser supports the Estes Park Museum Friends & Foundation, Inc. in their continued efforts towards Museum Annex facility upgrades and collections care with the goal of professionalizing the museum collection and research facility.

The building upgrades will lead to an ideal, secure environment for the preservation of more than 30,000 locally significant historic artifacts with room for the general public and staff to research the collection.

With over 90 pavers ordered, there are just over 90 left! The fundraising opportunity will end in May for the installation to take place later this summer. Or-

der now for a personal inclusion in this community effort!

If you are interested in supporting this special project or have any questions, please call or email Museum Director Derek Fortini for more information at 970-577-3761 or dfortini@estes.org.

Gary HalL for Mayor

The mission of the Estes Park Museum is to conduct activities that preserve, share, and respect the unique history of Estes Park. For more information, call the Estes Park Museum at 970-586-6256 or visit the Museum's website. Museum gallery hours: Wednesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Presidents’ Day Holiday Closure Larimer County Administrative Services, and District Attorney will be closed on Feb. 19, 2024 in celebration of the Presidents’ Day Holiday. The Larimer

County Landfill will be open.

Critical services at Larimer County are not disrupted by closures.

Wisdom Experience Compassion Commitment to All Things Estesian Happy Valentine’s Week!

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Chocolate For Lent

Did you ever give up chocolate for Lent?

Well...this year on Sundays following the service, you're invited to participate in "Chocolate for Lent"-a guilt-free and low calorie experience to grow in your faith with friends.

Bring your favorite chocolate (here is where the calories come in) and favorite friend to church on Sundays in Lent and participate in this year's Lenten program.

The joy of chocolate meets the spiritual challenge of growth and transformation into the risen Christ!

Dates: February 18, 25 March 10, 17, 24 (no session on March 3rd) Saint Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 880 MacGregor Ave., Estes Park.

Be sure to watch the movie Chocolat before the program on Sundays. It's available on Paramount+ and Prime Video.

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This week is a hodgepodge of true thunkers, a word I learned from a hiking friend eons ago. As a verb, thunk is past tense of think at two in the morning. As a noun, a thunker is a) someone who thunks, or b) a controlled daydream.

My least favorite chore is dusting.

Not so much the swipe-my-handalong-the-end-table-as-I-walk-byand-wipe-it-on-my-pant-leg kind of dusting but the drudgery of real dusting, with a rag and some polish. Moving knickknacks around, swiping at bunnies under the bed, stretching to get the top of the refrigerator—it’s all so tedious.

I don’t mind vacuuming because I like to hear the rattle of tiny bits as they get sucked up into the machine. I’m not even bothered by having to clean the bathroom because the bathroom sparkles, it glimmers, it gleams when it’s clean.

Daily kitchen upkeep doesn’t count as part of housecleaning—it is required for good health. We keep the kitchen scrubbed on a daily basis.

Kitchen cleaning becomes a chore to be checked off the list when I scour around each cupboard knob, hand-vac the inside of the silverware drawers, and wipe down the refrigerator, inside and out.

My favorite chore is laundry, which some of you may remember from a Thunker column I wrote in 2007.

(Shameless promo: It appears on page 164 in my book, Slices of Life, Estes Park.) I hang-dry most of what comes out of the washer but when I do need to use the dryer, I like the cozy hug I get when I pull out and fold the warm items from the machine.

I also like to polish the silver tea service that sits on the china cabinet, a gift from my mother when she realized she wouldn’t use it anymore. I don’t use it either, but I can’t give it away. It has family history. The other day, as I was dusting around it, (ugh!)

I said to Joe, “I wish the tea service wouldn’t tarnish so quickly.”

He looked at my quizzically. “The last time we polished it was four years ago, during COVID,” he said.

What was his point, I wonder. ~oOo~ One-hundred-twenty-three-million people watched the Super Bowl last Sunday. That means 123 million people watched 13 ads portraying violence—war, shooting, bombing, stabbing, fire, breaking glass—including the promo for the PG-rated movie Kung Fu Panda IV. Is it any wonder people are blasting into stores, bowling alleys, schools and churches armed to murder? We have become desensitized to violence and killing because we see it on the screen every

single day. Want to do something about it?

Turn off your TV, computer and phone screen and go on a hike. Take your kids with you. ~oOo~ Do you ever say a word and then hear that word echo in your head repeatedly until you no longer recognize the word, you just hear meaningless syllables? The other day that happened to me. The word was galoshes.

Remember when men used to wear galoshes to protect their wingtips from rain? After the word swirled around in my head for awhile I wondered, is there such a thing as a single galosh? Or do the stretchy rubber shoe-protectors come only in pairs?

The answer is yes, you can have a singular galosh, although I don’t know why you would want just one. Other names for these shoe-shields are Wellington boots, or Wellies for short, and gumboots. They each come as singles as well. ~oOo~ Quick—name your high school mascot. Can you do it? Mine was the Lincoln East High School Spartans. As a high school student I didn’t really relate to the Spartan—a native of ancient Sparta—with his helmet designed to accommodate a mohawk hairdo and a skirt made out of what looked like pop can pull tabs. But he appeared strong and brave so I was proud to be a Spartan. I’m not so sure I’d have the same pride if my school mascot were Kewpie.

Remember the Kewpie doll? It is an adorable chubby little cherub with a big heart and impish eyes. Like the Spartan, Kewpie has a mohawk, but where the Spartan is rock solid, the Kewpie looks like s/he is related to the Pillsbury Doughboy.

Kewpie as a mascot? Don’t laugh. My affiliate Joe’s second-cousin-once-removed-in-law is a math teacher at Hickman High School in Columbia, Missouri. He told us about the mascot at a family reunion last summer. Hickman is the only known school in the world with a Kewpie as its mascot— and it’s been that way since the 191314 basketball season. Kewpie’s creator, Rose O’Neill, described the character as “a sort of little round fairy whose one idea is to teach people to be merry and kind at the same time.”

A mascot who is merry and kind.

Great idea! We need more Kewpies in our schools—and in the world.

You may let The Thunker know what you think at her e-mail address, donoholdt@gmail.com. © 2024 Sarah Donohoe

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Merry Marthas Meeting On February 23 Do you sew, knit, weave, or crochet and enjoy visiting with other ladies with similar interests? You’re invited to attend the next meeting of the Merry Marthas on Friday, February 23 at 9:30 a.m. at the Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies at 1700 Brodie Avenue. This group meets monthly to share what we have made, and then we donate our finished projects to local charities. New members are always welcome whether you’re a beginner or an expert. For more information, please call the church office at 970-586-4404.

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Knitting & Crochet Get-Together Everyone is welcome to our free knitting get-togethers!

We meet in the Hondius Community Room at the Estes Park Library.

Our 2024 meeting dates are: Tuesday, March 12, 2024, 5:00-7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 2, 2024, 5:00-7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 14, 2024, 5:00-7:30 p.m.

Friday, June 7, 2024, 3:00-5:00 p.m.

(Wool Market!)

Tuesday, July 9, 2024, 5:00-7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, August 13, 2024, 5:00-7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, September 10, 2024, 5:00-7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, October 8, 2024, 5:00-7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, November 12, 2024, 5:00-7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, December 10, 2024, 5:00-7:30 p.m.

Bring your woolly project, and let’s craft together.

If you’d like to learn to knit, we can teach you! It’s free.

Just show up! We’ll provide yarn and knitting needles for you to use during the meeting.

If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Daley at email jenny@knittingjenny.com.

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Friday, February 16, 2024 « 11

Shakespeare At The Raven, With Storyteller Kurtis Kelly In celebration of Valentine’s season, local performer Kurtis Kelly will lead a storytelling program spotlighting several famous sonnets and passages from the world of Shakespeare. Kelly will step into the role of a costumed actor from the Globe Theatre, sharing some lore of the times, an assortment of the Bard’s enduring verse, interspersed with Shakespeare trivia.

“My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun,” Shakespeare famously wrote in Sonnet 130. He honors beauty and romance, while also poking fun at poets who were trying to outdo themselves with exaggerated metaphors. Shakespeare could be both subtle and brilliant.

Attendees are invited to gather on Friday, February 23 at Raven’s Roast Coffee Lounge, as it becomes “Stratfordupon-Raven” for an entertaining hour. The program takes place at 1 p.m. and at 4 p.m. Prior familiarity with Shakespeare is not necessary to enjoy the program. Drop in for either session and relax in the comfortable space, located at 164 East Elkhorn Avenue in Riverside Plaza.

The event is free for everyone, and listeners are welcome to relax and enjoy the many Raven’s Roast specialties available for purchase, including coffees, teas, hot cocoa and bakery treats.

Barry Denison To Speak At Men On Fire Men on Fire is excited to announce that Barry Denison will be the guest speaker at Men on Fire this Saturday, February 17th, 8:00 a.m. at the American Legion.

As Vice President of Operations and Chief Operation Officer for the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem, Barry is responsible for the day to day activities of ICEJ in Israel. ICEJ responds in times of crisis in Israel when the need is greatest creating a significant positive impact and a testimony of Christian love and reconciliation.

The many contributions ICEJ makes includes supplying bomb shelters that help save lives from terrorist attacks, providing food for hungry children and families, helping women in crisis who live on the street or shelters, delivering aid to disadvantaged children and youth and giving medical care and nutritious meals to those in need.

Ordained in 1983, Barry and his family served and ministered in Brazil for 12 years. He also served as the Executive Pastor of Resurrection Fellowship in Loveland Colorado. Barry’s personal

motto is, “For me to live is Christ, to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21) He has served with the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem since April, 2014.

According to Larry Strong, Founder of Men on Fire, “We couldn’t be more excited to have Barry Denison speak to our men. We look forward to hearing Barry also share on the biblical understanding of Israel and the Church, why Christians should support Israel and the Jewish people, as well as other biblical and current event issues. We hope many men from Estes Park and the Front Range will participate in this exciting gathering.”

Men on Fire is a non-denominational band of brothers dedicated to equipping, preparing and inspiring men to grow in their personal relationship with Christ so that men can more fully live in the fullness of what it means to be a man after God’s heart.

MOF meets every Saturday at the American Legion at 8:00 a.m. and all men are welcome.

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Free Tax Preparation Service At The Estes Valley Library

Now through April 13, volunteers from the AARP Tax Aide program are once again offering free income tax preparation with electronic filing of federal and Colorado returns.

Appointments can be made through the Library in person or by calling 970586-8116 or by visiting estesvalleyli-

brary.org.

Some restrictions apply, such as no residential rental property income or out of state returns.

Filing your Colorado return is the way to claim your TABOR sales tax refund of $800 for full-year CO residents aged 18 and above.

Change In Partners Mailing Address Please note that Partners has made a change in their mailing address effective immediately.

Our mail will now be delivered to our physical mailing address: Partners 600 S. Saint Vrain Avenue, Unit 2 Estes Park, CO 80517 Thank you!

PREMIER MEMBERS CREDIT UNION

BECOME A NEW MEMBER

AND GET $200 Just open a checking account and sign up for eStatements.* TA L K T O A N ARTISAN OF BANKING T O D AY

OR VISIT BECOMEPREMIER.COM

*Limited time offer. This promotion is for new Premier Members Credit Union (PMCU) members only. Existing PMCU members, members who are a joint owner on a PMCU account, and former PMCU members who closed a PMCU account are not eligible. New PMCU members can earn a $200 bonus deposit by joining PMCU and meeting the following requirements: 1) Must open a primary share savings account and a checking account. 2) Must enroll in E-Statements. Bonus deposit will be paid within 30 days of meeting the above requirements. You will be responsible for any tax liability. Offer is not transferable and not valid for trusts, IRAs, or other tax-exempt accounts. Limit one offer per new PMCU member.

Membership eligibility required. Minimum opening deposits will apply based on account type. PMCU employees are not eligible for this promotion.

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Small Mountain Owls Is The Next In CARRI’s Speaker Series

Female Flammulated Owl in her nest in RMNP. Just one of the species we will be discussing during the presentation.

Photo by Scott Rashid

Come join members of CARRI (Colorado Avian Research and Rehabilitation Institute) for the encore presentation in our Winter Speaker Series. On Wednesday, February 21st members of CARRI will present Small Mountain Owls. The presentation will be held at the Estes Park Community Center at 6:30 p.m.

Small Mountain Owls is the name of CARRI’s director Scott Rashid’s first book with the same name. This presentation covers four small owls that can be found in the western mountains and especially in and around Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP).

This program will cover the natural history of Northern Pygmy-Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Boreal Owl and the Flammulated Owl. Scott has been working with these owls for more than 30

years, researching and rehabilitating them.

Scott has documented the first nest of a Flammulated Owl in RMNP and the first ever Boreal Owl in RMNP. He has documented each species’ preferred habitats, nests, and feeding, not to mention courtship, growth of their young and more.

Scott and his researchers have been trapping and banding these birds as part of their research. During the program, you will learn the results of these banding operations. You will find out how many of these birds are captured by CARRI members each fall and where they may spend the winters.

Join us for a fascinating program about these small owls. Tickets are $10.00 at the door.

Sunrise Rotary Invites Charitable Organizations To Apply For Funding The Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary (EVSR) invites proposals from charitable organizations, in the Estes Valley, for grants to support programs and projects that benefit the Estes Valley community.

To apply for funding, go to portal.clubrunner.ca/5242 and locate the 2024 Community Grants application.

Please print and fill out the application and then email the completed application, and all required backup documents, to estessunriserotary@gmail.com no later than March 31, 2024.

You will be notified in May if you are a grant recipient.

Death Cafe Continues To Meet In March, April & May

At Death Cafe people, often strangers, gather to eat cake, drink tea and discuss death.

Our objective is “to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives.”

Death Cafe is a group directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes. It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counselling ses-

sion. It is respectful and confidential with no intention of leading to any conclusion, product or course of action.

Death Café is for adults and will meet in the Hondius Room of the Estes Valley Library in Estes Park from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. on the following dates: March 9, April 6 and May 4.

Space is limited to 20 adults. To RSVP, please text Deborah at 970-452-9191.

Patricia Gaultier Owen Member of Quota for 6 years Why I love being a member of Quota: Quota is such a wonderful group of Favorite or memorable moment: women whose common goal is to Personally my favorite event is the help their community!

Festival of Trees; I enjoy every moThrough all our events we bring the ment of it. community together. I love being I believe it brings joy to Estes durpart of this team that allows me to ing the holidays and everyone in the help with the needs of our town! community can participate!

If you are interested in becoming a member of Estes Park Quota or finding out more about it, please contact President Mary Murphy at 970-214-6350 or Gail Albers at 970-481-2372

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Tickets Now Available For The Play That Goes Wrong

The cast and crew of the Estes Park High School & Thespian Troupe #7284

have been very busy rehearsing, memorizing lines, and painting the set for

their newest production, “The Play That Goes Wrong” high school edition by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields.

The play is one the entire family will enjoy. Jordanne Bradley said, “The kids are loving this show. It’s definitely the most ridiculous one we’ve done, and it’s so much fun!”

During the performance, a play within a play, a plethora of disasters befalls the cast, including doors sticking, props falling from the walls, and floors collapsing. Cast members are seen Photos by: misplacing props, forgetting Jordanne Bradley and Jordan Hazelton lines, missing cues, breaking character, having to drink white spirit Cast instead of whisky, mispronouncing Annie-Amelia Bryant words, stepping on fingers, being hidden in a grandfather clock, and being manStage Crew- Piper Karl, Geneva handled off stage. One cast member is Thomas, Paige Adams, Grace Thamert knocked unconscious, and her replaceChristine-Lily Shields ment (the group's technician) refuses to Jonathan- Zach Lewis yield when she returns. In another scene, Robert-Henry Thomas an actor repeats an earlier line of diaDenise-Neva Case logue, cuing the other actors to repeat Max-Andie Lewelling the whole dialogue sequence, ever more Sandra- Merin Hamel frenetically, several times. In the climax, virtually the whole of the remaining set Jordanne Bradley and Jordan Hazelton, collapses.

Co-Directors

Performances will be on February 23rd, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, February 24th at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the EPHS Auditorium.

Tickets for adults are $12, for the evening performances and $10 for the Saturday matinee. Students are $8 for evening performances and $5 for the matinee. Tickets may be purchased at ephs.estesschools.org/ or at the door night of the show!

Get your tickets today!

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Democratic Caucus Information For March 9

As announced in last week’s paper, Democrats in Larimer County will Caucus on Saturday, March 9, at 10:00 a.m. This includes all Estes Valley Precincts!

The entire Larimer County Democratic Caucus will be held virtually -- by Zoom -- so that all registered Democrats in Larimer County can attend on March 9 from the comfort of their homes.

Registration to receive the Caucus Zoom link begins on February 20 and continues until shortly before the March 9 Caucus date. The online registration is on the LarimerDems.org website. The specific link to register may be found at: https://www.Larimerdems.org/caucusand- assembly When you register, you will also be able to indicate your interest in becoming one or both of the following: (1) a Precinct Organizer who works with information and activities with all the voters in your precinct during the 2024 election year and afterward, and (2) a Delegate to the Democratic Larimer County Assembly on March 16.

Being a Delegate to the Larimer County Assembly opens many other opportunities for you.

The Democratic County Assembly on March 16 also will be held by Zoom, at 10:00 a.m. At the Assembly you will be able (1) to vote for the candidates qualifying to be on our Democratic Primary

ballots for June 25, 2024, and (2) to run to be a Delegate to other Democratic Assemblies to be held in March or April 2024.

These other Democratic Assemblies include: the State Assembly, the Judicial District 8 Assembly, your Colorado House and/or Senate District Assembly, and/or your Congressional District Assembly.

We need many Delegates for these other Assemblies, so your chances of acquiring an interesting position is very good (or even positions for more than one other Assembly). These other Democratic Assemblies, including the Colorado State Democratic Assembly and Convention, will be held virtually so travel should not be an issue for you to be a Delegate.

And it all starts at choosing to run to be a Larimer County Delegate at the March 9 Caucus.

Only registered Larimer County Democrats may participate in the Democratic Caucus, with such party registration required by February 16. So if you are now a registered Democrat in Larimer County, this Caucus is for you.

Please see the LarimerDems.org website for further information about the Caucus process. You also can contact the Larimer Dems office with any questions. See the website at www.larimerdems.org/contact or call 970-689-6391.

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Whiskey Warm Up Returns To Estes Park March 2

A Celebration of Colorado Whiskey Estes Park’s Whiskey Warm Up Festival presented by Elkins Whisky returns on Saturday, March 2, 2024 from 1 to 4 p.m. in Bond Park, downtown Estes Park.

Whiskey Warm Up is all about home grown Colorado whiskey. Festival goers will receive a commemorative tasting glass to sample whiskey from 33 Colorado distilleries, listen to live music, peruse goods from area vendors, and enjoy food truck pairings. Attendees may even purchase a bottle from their favorite distillery to enjoy at home.

This year’s event will take place in Bond Park due to construction in the vicinity of the previous location, George Hix Riverside Plaza. This event has limited tickets and sells out quickly. Tickets are $50. Be sure to dress for the weather and don’t miss this annual tradition of warming up from the inside out.

Whiskey Warm Up is a Town of Estes Park signature event. For more information and to purchase tickets please visit www.EPWhiskeyWarmUp.com. The event is generously sponsored by Quality Inn of Estes Park, Ridgeline Hotel, and the new Trailborn Hotel.

Student Seeking Help Gathering Colorado Information

Dear People of the Great State of Colorado, Greetings! My name is Kendra Padilla and I am a 5th grade student at Salida Elementary School is Salida, California.

We live in the central valley located east of San Francisco. This year we are each going to complete a state project. I picked Colorado. I am asking for any and all information from you about Colorado to be sent to me. If you would, please send me any postcards, articles, maps, pictures, pins, pencils, stickers, pamphlets, etc. from your great state.

My school address is: Kendra Padilla c/o Ms. Montgomery’s 5th grade class Salida Elementary School 4519 Finney Road Salida, California 95368 I really appreciate your help in making my project a success! I am lucky to have and learn about an awesome state like Colorado.

Sincerely, Kendra Padilla

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Chess Club Meets At Community Center Thursday Afternoons

Guess what? The Chess Club is still here and still going strong! Nearly every week we have six to eight guys playing (three to four boards at a time), and this before some of our “regulars” return from warmer climes where they spend the “off ” season. Most are pretty good players (I used to have the illusion I was pretty good…) but beginners or learners are always welcome! I always learn something, even when not victorious.

So drop in and join us, any Thursday afternoon in the lower level of the local Community Rec Center at 3:30 p.m.

Anyone is welcome, just stop in and in-

troduce yourself. There are no dues or anything like that, though our meeting facilities are not totally free – just ask at the front desk and they will help. Many of us are older and get benefits from Silver Sneakers, although that is not a requirement either.

If you have an interest you can also contact us via phone – John Gintert at (720) 217-6677 or Michael Sisk at (970) 227-5232 (please note this is a corrected number compared to my last post).

Come on down and join us, new friends are always welcome!

Lincoln Dammes 11th Grade Congratulations to Lincoln Dammes, the Estes Park High School Student of the Week for Friday, February 16, 2024.

Lincoln is the son of Brent and Sabrina Larimer.

At EPHS, Lincoln is joining the swim team, and his favorite class is automotive mechanics. He’s proud of the progress he’s made working out and swimming.

Outside of school, he likes weight lifting and swimming and he likes to fish and rock climb in the summer. He has two younger siblings named Ches and Parker who Lincoln says, “are pretty chill and life wouldn’t be as fun without them.”

When asked a place he’d like to visit, Lincoln said, “I would really like to go hiking in the Smoky Mountains again because I went when I was 13 but I wasn’t strong enough to finish the hike and I would like to complete it someday.”

Lincoln’s favorite uplifting quote is “We will fail if we fail to try.” He said, “I like this quote because I struggle with trying new things outside my comfort zone and

this quote helps me venture out to try those new things.”

If Lincoln had to give one piece of advice to someone he would say “Life has its ups and downs, but neither last forever so if you’re going through a hard time, just remember it wont last forever.”

After high school Lincoln plans to join the Air Force and become an aircraft maintenance technician (AMT).

After he gets out he plans to get his certification to work on other types of airplanes and maybe take a little vacation.

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Story Slam Returns In April

The Story Slam has been postponed to April to coincide with a weeklong celebration of Earth Day and sustainability here in Estes Park. The Fine Arts Guild of the Rockies is pleased to partner with Visit Estes Park on this event, and we are equally pleased to welcome back host Nick Ross who hosts the Moth storytelling competitions in Denver.

If you want to start preparing your own story, the theme for the event will be Call of the Wild. If the only call you want to personally answer is the call to show up for a great event focusing on personal stories told live on stage, that's okay too!

Audiences make story slams special. After all, what is a story without someone to hear it?

We all know that these stories are bound to be absolutely wild. So mark your calendars! The Story Slam returns to the Historic Park Theatre on Sunday, April 28th, at 2 p.m. For more information, you can visit www.fineartsguild.org/story-slam-april.

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What’s Happening At The Estes Valley Library WINTER HOURS Mondays - Thursdays, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Fridays & Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sundays, 1 - 5 p.m.

KEY Ⓡ: Registration required.

Visit estesvalleylibrary.org to sign up.

BOOKS & AUTHORS Exploring Identity, Love, & Being Black in America in Fiction Writing: Author Talk with Jason Mott Ⓡ Tuesday, February 20, 2 - 3 p.m., online Join Jason Mott, New York Times best-

selling author and winner of the 2021 National Book Award for Fiction, to hear about his latest novel, Hell of a Book. Presented with the Library Speakers Consortium.

Be A Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity: Author Talk with Kim Scott Ⓡ Wednesday, February 28, 12 - 1 p.m., online Why is giving feedback so difficult, and how can we make it easier? Kim Scott, author of Radical Candor, will explain how as a boss, you don’t have to choose between being a pushover and a jerk. Presented with the Library Speakers Consortium.

ALL AGES Young Chautauqua Performances Saturday, February 17, 4 - 6 p.m., Fireside Theater Saturday, February 24, 4 - 6 p.m., Fireside Theater Sunday, February 25, 2 - 5 p.m., Fireside Theater Watch historical figures like Queen Elizabeth, Dr. Seuss, Benedict Arnold, and Harry Houdini come to life! Visit calendar.estesvalleylibrary.org to see the full schedule.

Seed Bombs Ⓡ

Tuesday, February 20, 5:30 - 7 p.m., Makerspace repeated Thursday, February 29, 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m., Makerspace Use soil, clay, and regional wildflower seeds to make “seed bombs” that can be cast into open spaces to beautify your neighborhood. Recommended for adults and teens.

Create Your Own Gemstones Ⓡ Thursday, February 22, 3 - 4:30 p.m., Makerspace repeated Tuesday, February 27, 5:30 - 7 p.m., Makerspace Craft sparkly stones using translucent polymer clay, mica powder, inks, and foils. Recommended for adults and teens.

Dungeons & Dragons Ⓡ Tuesday, February 27, 5:30 - 7:45 p.m., Quiet Room Calling all fantasy, gaming, and roleplaying fans: join us for the original Dungeons and Dragons. No experience, purchase, or previous knowledge required. Just bring your imagination!

Recommended for ages 16 and up.

ADULTS “Howdy, Neighbor!” at Lumpy Ridge Brewing Company Ⓡ Monday, February 26, 5 - 6:30 p.m., 531 S. St. Vrain Avenue Meet new people and get to know folks in the community! We’ll have fun conversational prompts on-hand, and Lumpy Ridge Brewing Company will be offering its BOGO special on flagship beers. Non-alcoholic beverages also available. Presented with Estes Valley Restorative Justice Partnership.

Workforce & Affordable Housing 101 with Scott Moulton Ⓡ Thursday, February 29, 6:30 - 8 p.m., Hondius Room & online Join Scott Moulton, Executive Director of the Estes Park Housing Authority, for an introduction to all things affordable, attainable, and workforce housing, including how it’s defined, how it’s paid for, how it gets built, and much more. Bring your questions!

TEENS & KIDS Artwork Wednesday: Sip & Paint Ⓡ Wednesday, February 21, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m., Makerspace Use watercolors, tape, and even salt to create a beautiful winter painting, all while sipping on sparkling apple cider.

Young Chautauqua Club Ⓡ Thursday, February 22, 4 - 6 p.m., Hondius Room Thursday, February 29, 4 5:30 p.m., Hondius Room Teacher and facilitator Katherine Dumont will lead participants through research about the life, words, and mannerisms of a historical

character. Young Chautauqua Club culminates in live, costumed performances in February and March.

Lego Club: Build a Neighborhood Ⓡ Saturday, February 24, 1 - 2 p.m., Hondius Room Explore different building and engineering challenges with Legos. This month, in the spirit of “Won’t You Be My Neighbor,” we’ll be working together to create a neighborhood. Recommended for ages 6-12.

KIDS & FAMILIES Library Storytimes Babies: Thurs., Fri., & Sat. at 10 a.m.

Preschoolers: Thurs., Fri., & Sat. at 10:30 a.m.

Read to Therapy Dog Bo: Thurs., February 22 at 11 a.m.

Storybook Explorers: Sat., February 24 at 11:15 a.m.

Bilingual Storytime Ⓡ Friday, February 16, 4 - 5 p.m., Hondius Room Únete a nosotros en nuestra Hora del Cuento Bilingüe, donde aprenderemos sobre la diversidad cultural de nuestra comunidad y buenos modales. ¡Haremos títeres para celebrar nuestra unicidad!

Join us for our Bilingual Storytime, where we will learn about the cultural diversity of our community and good manners. We will make puppets to celebrate our uniqueness!

Early Childhood Music Ⓡ Saturday, February 17, 11 - 11:30 a.m., Hondius Room Children ages 6 and under (and their caregivers) are invited to join Annaka Hogelin, musician and music educator, for songs, movement, rhythm, and fun.

This session’s theme is transportation: Through music, we’ll be going on a speedy car ride, rowing down the stream, flying high in the sky, and more.

MAKERSPACE CLASSES Learn the 3D Printer Ⓡ Monday, February 19, 5:30 - 7 p.m.

For ages 10 and up (participants under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult).

Crochet Learning & Sharing Monday, February 26, 5:30 - 7 p.m.

Want to learn to crochet or improve your skills? Or are you an expert crocheter and want to share your passion?

Pop by! There’s no agenda for any specific pattern or technique; we’re just creating space for the joy and hobby of crochet.

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY FOUNDATION Cliffhanger Used Books Cliffhanger Used Books, located next to the Post Office, is operated by the Friends of the Library Foundation, offering gently-used books, movies, and music at discount prices. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

KEY Ⓡ: Registration required.

Visit estesvalleylibrary.org to sign up.

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Donor-Organization Dating Game By: Karen McPherson, Estes Nonprofit Network Outreach Director

We often assume the best and rely on personal relationships or emotions to make donations. In fact, the number one reason people donate is because they are asked. And the person asking makes a big difference in whether a donor gives and how much. Donors and nonprofit organizations are essentially in the dating game. It’s easy to get excited about your match, but it’s reasonable (and advised) to do a little digging before you commit.

The warm fuzzy feeling or alignment with a mission is easier than understanding an organization’s governance or fiscal accountability. They are all important. A donor checklist, or, at the very least, a few quick seek-and-finds, ensures the organization you think is the right fit is, in fact, the right fit before pushing the “I trust you; here’s my money” button.

Donors and organizations have a responsibility—to themselves and their partners—to be honest and transparent. Maybe I want to donate $20 but not talk again. But maybe I want to test the $20 water and see if we can do more together. A $20 kiss can lead to a $2M marriage or Legacy Gift. It’s important for both parties to build a trusting relationship if it’s going to endure.

When donors decide they want to support a mission, they can look on the Estes Nonprofit Network’s List of Nonprofits that serve the Estes Valley, search by keyword on COGives.org for state-wide organizations, or research further afield for national or international organizations.

When a donor finds an organization that piques their interest, they should be able to easily 1 find basic information on a website: mission statement, contact information, and donor information.

Essentially answering the questions of “What do they do, how do I pay online, or who do I write the check to and where do I send my money?” Also, donors have the right to privacy. Check for a statement about how—or if—personal information will be shared.

So, donor, you like the looks of an organization, but do they have their ducks in a row? Organizations that are committed to their fiduciary responsibilities often get outside verification. They will post on their website if they are a BBB Accredited Charity or earn “seals” on

ture check. Donors: ask what you want, visit the office, and meet the staff. But don’t distract the organization from the work you theoretically want to support. At some point, the organization has to weigh the time it takes to date a donor (or funder) vs executing the mission. Organizations: in some situations, it is ideal to have an advocate or board member dedicated to donor development and inquiry.

Sure, it can be awkward to get to know one another. But a solid relationship between organization and funder can help smooth over bumps that come up (and they always do). It allows the donor to feel genuinely invested in the mission. It allows a director to be able to call a donor in confidence and ask for their support to launch a new program. In the end, these relationships can build a mountain of GOOD WORK. If donors or organizations have any questions about how to engage or what to expect in the wild world of “development,” please contact vvcato@estesnonprofitnetwork.org.

Don’t be shy!

2

Candid . The BBB requires a rigorous 20 standards of accreditation. Candid’s higher-level seals are awarded after sharing audited financial statements and strategic plans. Charity Navigator and CharityWatch are other examples of organizations that rate nonprofit effectiveness.

Candid has clear advice for nonprofits, “Donors and funders have questions— don’t make them ask, tell them.” First and foremost, best practices say that organizations should post their last two to three years of tax filings online. Individuals' federal tax returns are private, but a charitable organization’s tax return (form 990) is public; it also includes salary information.

Donors, if the organization has not posted tax returns online, sleuth around a little. The tax-exempt organization search tool on the IRS.gov’s charities and nonprofit section shows 990s, any information on loss of status, and an IRS determination letter proving 501c3 status.

Organizations may also provide an impact report (formerly and commonly called an annual report): digestible financial reports, simple data summaries,

and storytelling of their mission-based impact. They may post self-assessments by their peers, staff, or board. These reports are all created by the organization, whereas taxes and “in good standing” documents are legal oversight measures.

Both are valuable.

Some nonprofits in the Estes Valley have bare-boned websites. They are small groups of people doing great work. They need donations, but may not have the internet chops to share their details online.

Call them. Don’t be afraid to ask questions before you “buy in” to an organization3. It’s not intrusive; it’s not prying. It’s like asking a future partner if they want to have kids. It’s completely reasonable to ask any organization what your money will be used for. You might want to give more next time if you feel your money made a real difference. Whether it’s $20 or $200, an organization should be able to share an impact report they publish regardless of your personal inquiry. And organizations, this inquiry is an opportunity to dig deeper and possibly discover a program or pursuit that lights this donor up and invites a deeper partnership.

On the other hand, let’s get a tempera-

1 Amazingly, basic information needed to donate can sometimes be hard to find, even a telephone or email. I have tried to help someone who wanted to donate to an organization. After searching through their site, I could find no phone number or email and they only offered to process donations via credit cards online. In this case, the donor was required to send a check via a money manager for their required minimum distribution. In such a case, after emailing through their contact form for the necessary information and not hearing back, we passed on donating to this organization.

Who’s ghosting who?

2 The Foundation Center and GuideStar, the two largest data and information nonprofit organizations in the United States, merged in a deal that took about two years to consummate but was at least a decade in the making. The organizations were rebranded as Candid. - Feb 5, 2019 www.thenonprofittimes.com 3 The Nonprofit Network published “The Nonprofit Overhead Paradox” last October, an article breaking down the reality of costs associated with services. As a reminder, for every dollar donated, it can be assumed that 40% goes to programs, 40% to staff, and 20% to overhead.

Donors and grantors are encouraged to give unrestricted gifts to nonprofits they trust to responsibly manage their donations wisely.

Your Library Card Includes Free Access National News, Music Streaming, & More Last month we unveiled a brand new “subscription service” now available at the Estes Valley Library: Freegal Music+, an online streaming service that works similarly to Apple Music and Spotify, and that’s now available – free of charge – for all Library cardholders.

The response was immediate! Dozens of you easily signed up for an account and have been streaming (and downloading) ever since.

With so many subscriptions for media and entertainment available in this day and age, it can be expensive to keep up.

Before making your next purchase,

check with the Library and see what you can access for free. Like Freegal, all you need is your library card to begin exploring periodicals, genealogy databases, and lots of other great resources.

A typical morning routine includes drinking coffee, making breakfast, and reading the news. Use your library card to stay updated on current events with access to both the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal.

You can browse articles and columns, and if you enjoy the popular NYT brainteasers like Wordle or Connections, make sure to check out the Games

section. The Library’s subscription includes other fun add-ons like Cooking, Wirecutter, and Athletics.

Are you a “maker” or hobbyist? Take a look at our new database, Craft & Hobby, where you can explore videos and classes that will help you learn a new pastime, improve existing creative skills, or get inspiration for your next craft. In February, Craft & Hobby features topics like “French cooking at home” and tips for making “quilled and sculpted cards.”

A recent – and notable – change: most services are now available remotely. In previous years, access to many databases

was only available onsite, while at the library. Now, you can use your phone, laptop, or tablet from anywhere, at anytime, to log on and browse Ancestry.com, Brainfuse, Pebble Go, and more.

“Offering remote access to our databases makes them far more convenient,” commented Brad Maggetti, Technical Services Supervisor. “We hope patrons will take advantage of them! The Library subscribes to these great services so you don’t have to.”

Ready to log on and explore? Visit estesvalleylibrary.org/subscriptions today.

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SOCIETY’S ONGOING STRUGGLE TO UNDERSTAND ‘SOWING / REAPING’ The Bible says: “Whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.’ (Gal. 6:7) Most people who live in the agricultural belt of the U.S. fully believe that. Farmers know that it is vital to plant the kind of crop that you want to harvest, to reap. What you sow is what you will reap…corn, wheat, milo, soybeans, etc. It’s a very simple concept isn’t it?

One that God shared early on with His creature man. And successful farmers have capitalized on it through the centuries. So, what’s the problem?

The problem arises when we forget that principle as it is to be applied to other aspects of man and his activities. Paul shares the principle: “He that sows to his flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption, but he that sows to the spirit will receive eternal life.” (i.e. ‘as you sow, you reap’) We see it borne out in the way we use or abuse our bodies, unwise choices eventually take a toll on our physical bodies, as we ‘sow’, we ‘reap’.

We see it happening in society when it comes to our treatment of others.

Recently a man who brutally took the life of a woman for $1000.00, was executed. When facing his death he said, “Humanity has taken a step backward with my death.” And, indeed it has, back to a time when God told magistrates how to deal with violent evildoers. (Lev. 24:17-22) “A life for a life!” As a man ‘sows’, taking a human life, so shall he ‘reap’. Kenneth Smith did. And yet, many in society do not agree with God’s way of dealing with violent behavior. “It’s inhumane to take a life”, they say, even one who inhumanely stabs an innocent women to death for a few dollars. While my purpose is not to argue for or against capital punishment, it’s worth thinking about as we witness escalating violence in our nation, God’s words: “He who sheds man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed, for in the image of God made He man.” (Gen. 9:6) and, Solomon’s advice: “Do so quickly, for when sentence is not speedily carried out, the hearts of people fill with schemes to do wrong.” (Eccl. 8:11) deserve thought. Timely punishment can be a deterrent. Many things evil people do show they are ‘sowing’ with no fear that they are going to ‘reap’ bad things for their actions. A ‘letter to the editor’ told of seeing a group of youths, ‘smash and grab’ loads of merchandise from a Lowe’s store. The manager’s reaction: “Let them go, there’s nothing we can do!”…thus enabling ‘sowing’ without ‘reaping’.

But there are other ways that we ‘sow’ and end up ‘reaping’ in ways that we did not expect. As we raise our families we are ‘sowing’ as we ‘plant’ principles and values in their hearts. I attended a funeral for several teenagers in a small town in Nebraska years ago. Two cars of teens who had been drinking were racing down the main street…a main highway…through McCool Junction. When they side-swiped each other one car went airborne over a powerline before crashing, the other also crashed. Several teens died. At a memorial service conducted in the school gymnasium, a young preacher took time to solemnly, yet compassionately, remind the people: ‘We’ve been setting ourselves up for something like this. We’ve knowingly let our teens drink as we look the other way.

We’ve watched them drive recklessly, without putting a stop to it.” In essence, they had let their youth ‘sow’, and now everybody in the community was ‘reaping’, so sadly.

Certainly ‘sowing’ is what we each are doing here on earth. Some choose to ‘sow’ by ‘laying up treasure on the earth’, they will ‘reap’ by losing it all…remember Jesus’ story about the ‘Rich fool’ (Luke 12:16ff.) How much better to “Lay up treasures in heaven”, ‘sowing to the Spirit’- God, Christ, and His church - so that we will, someday, ‘reap’ eternal life. (Gal.6:7) How do we do that? Spend time in God’s Word, in prayer, in worship, and in service to Him who will someday give us the everlasting heavenly harvest we desire. God will bless our ‘planting’…and our ‘reaping’.

Bob Lewis .

epnews.com

TDS Honors EPH Employees Who Donate The Employee Assistance Fund On Monday, Feb. 12, several Estes Park Health employees were given a special packet including a gift card to Inkwell & Brew as a reward for donating to the

EPH Employee Assistance Fund through payroll deductions. TDS sponsors the Hospital Employee Recognition Program.

Jeanna Pierce, Kevin Mullin with the EPH Foundation, Virginia Lange, Pamela Serbin, Tariq Bhatti with TDS, and Rachel Ryan celebrate in the EPH lobby. Other winners not pictured are Ixah Gonzalez-Gallegos, Dianna Cordsen, Dr. Christine Bogardus and Dr. Bridget Dunn. Photo courtesy Wendy Rigby/Estes Park Health

Estes Park Pool Team Takes First Place

From left to right: Cat Hilger, Wendy Lundy, Bill Lundy, Jim Hilger, Russel Stephens, Tom Martin and Tripp Goodwin.

The 8-Ball team from Estes Park, Cued Up, took first place last weekend at the Fall 2023 8-Ball Tri-Cup held at Match Ups Pool Hall in Fort Collins.

There were 27 teams representing Boulder, Longmont, Loveland, Fort Collins and Estes Park.

February 16 - February 22

They qualified for the 2024 NoCo 8Ball World Qualifier to be held June 79 in Fort Collins for a chance to advance to Las Vegas for the APA World Pool Championships on August 8-17.

Congratulations!

If interested in playing or starting a team contact Joyce Hughes at (970) 586-2281

Friday, February 16, 2024 « 23

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Presentation On Involvement In Ukraine Relief Efforts By Estes Park Resident Bill Rigsby resident status there. He works with international NGOs and multiple teams of Ukrainian nationals there providing a variety of services across much of conflicted eastern and southern Ukraine - delivery of individualized bags of groceries and medical supplies, building tiny houses and shelters, evacuating civilians out of harm's way to safer ground, and many other helpful activities.

Of paramount importance now is the creation of “Children's Centers” where fatherless children can do homework, socialize, and be mentored by local men who are willing to stand in the gap left by fallen fathers and those who are currently away from home.

Come listen to Bill’s first-hand perspective of the reality on the ground as he presents his phoThe Estes Park Senior Citizens Center tos and videos, and recounts personal (EPSCC) is honored to host Bill Rigsby, humanitarian relief worker, for his pres- experiences of helping people in difficult places at an exceedingly difficult entation on past and ongoing efforts in time. Also, of interest will be his perUkraine. This compelling presentation, spective on the far-reaching implicawith slides and video, takes place Tuestions of this conflict on the world, and day, February 20, from noon to 1:30 at on all of us here in America. the EPSCC, 1760 Olympian Lane. This presentation includes time for questions For the presentation, you are welcome and discussion. All are encouraged to at- to bring your own lunch or pre-purtend this free presentation. chase a hot meal. Place your order before 1:00 p.m. on Monday, February 19.

Bill is a third-culture person, raised in For this event, the Senior Center will be Latin America and Asia during his serving a favorite of herb-roasted youth, and then, in turn, having raised his and his wife, Angelica's, kids overseas chicken (1/2), with roasted potatoes and vegetables. The cost of the meal is $7 for as well. He was a founding partner of a EPSCC members and $10 for nonsecurity consulting and surveillance members. If you become an EPSCC company, with large-scale and highly sensitive projects across the globe. Since member for just $35 per year, you will not only enjoy meal discounts but also March 2022, Bill has been dedicated to gain access to all the amazing activities. humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine.

For more information about the EPSCC He has taken 7 trips to Ukraine and is or to order a meal for the presentation, planning the eighth in the coming weeks. He has spent a year physically on please call the Senior Center at (970) 581-2195. the ground inside the country and has

Photo by Jim Ward

Estes Park Senior Citizens Center Menu Feb 19 – 23 Monday, Feb 19

BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich w/ Baked Beans & coleslaw

Tuesday, Feb 20

Roasted Herb Chicken (1/2) w/ Roasted Potatoes & vegetables

Wednesday, Feb 21 Philly Beef Sandwich (topped w/ mozzarella cheese, green peppers & onions) w/ Potato Salad Thursday, Feb 22

Chicken Parmesan w/ Spaghetti, garlic bread & side salad

Friday, Feb 23

Shrimp Basket (8 fried) w/ Homemade Chips & soup of the day

Monday, Feb 26

Country Fried Chicken w/ Mashed Potatoes, gravy & vegetables

Tuesday, Feb 27

BBQ Pork Ribs (4) w/ Baked Beans & coleslaw

Feb 26 – Mar 1

Wednesday, Feb 28 Chicken Quesadilla w/ salsa & soup of the day Thursday, Feb 29

Baked Mac ‘n Cheese w/ Beef Brisket charred ends, garlic bread & side salad

Friday, Mar 1

Signature Salad w/ Shrimp (8 grilled) (greens topped w/ tomatoes, corn, cheese, croutons, pecans & croutons) w/ ranch dressing

Meals are $7 for current 2024 EP Senior Citizens Center members and are by reservation only. (Or 3 meals for $20; use pre-paid meal tickets.) Exact cash or check payment required. Reservations must be made by 1:00 PM at least one business day in advance. Note, if you want to reserve a meal for Monday, Feb 19th, you need to call before 1:00 PM on Friday, Feb 16th. For reservations call 970-581-2195 and leave a detailed message. Pre-paid meal tickets and membership forms are available at the Estes Park Senior Citizens Center located at 1760 Olympian Lane.

The Center is OPEN Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 10-1; Tuesday 10-2 TriFit M-W-F 10:30-11:15 AM; Circuit Balance Class Mondays 1-1:45 PM Fluid Movement & Balance Class Tuesdays 10:30-11:15 AM Yoga Thursdays 10:15-11:15 AM Mahjong Tuesdays 10 – 2; Board Games 2nd & 4th Wednesdays 11:30-1:30 Live Music & Presentations Tuesday @ 12:00 – 1:30 (TBA) Two Bridge Groups: 1st, 3rd, & 5th Wednesday of the month & Every Thursday 12:30 - 4 PM

Reserved Meals-to-Go delivered to your vehicle or EAT at the Senior Citizens Center Check out our website: estesparkseniors.org or call for the latest information

24 » Friday, February 16, 2024

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“The Magic Of Masks” Opening Reception/Awards

Adult winners-Mary Campbell, Velina Davidson, Carol Barkley (two masks), Elizabeth Soriono Tamagni and Hollyn Stegall.

Wow! What a great opening reception we had for the “Magic of Mask” awards.

So many community members came to enjoy the wonderful creations by students and adults. This exhibit can be seen February 10-March 11, FridayMonday from 11:00 to 5:00. Don’t miss seeing this exciting community exhibit, the details in the masks are amazing.

We had three judges take on the tremendous job of selecting 10 winning masks, Olga Ortega de Rosa, owner of Mountain Home Café; Kathleen Littlejohn, former teacher and member of the Fine Art Guild of the Rockies; and Debby Hughes, artist.

We had 34 student entries and 30 adult entries. It took two hours to make their decisions. We can’t thank you enough!

The Winners: In the student category ages 5-17, our winners were Ximena Erves-age 6, Gus Berg -age 10, Elijah Washam-age 11, Abbi Scott -age 16 and Audrey O’Toole- age 17. They all received $10 or $25 plus art supplies. The adult winners were Mary Campbell, Velina Davidson, Carol Barkley, Elizabeth Soriono Tamagni and Hollyn Stegall. They received $75 each.

The mask that was chosen as the community’s favorite was “Trying to Break Free, an Ode to Mental Health Struggles” by Sarah Fedoreston from Estes Park and she received $125.

This mask challenge was successful due to the efforts of many people and help of organizations. Severyn Cargill, elementary art teacher and Ilah Ranyar, high

People’s Choice Award-Sarah Fedoreston with her creation, “Trying to Break Free. An Ode to Mental Health Struggles"

school teacher went out of their way to encourage students to get involved in the challenge by teaching students about masks and ways to approach making a mask. These teachers helped get funding and scholarship for their student to participate. At the elementary school the students voted on the masks they thought should be in the challenge! Many thanks to Seph Reed at the Library Makers Space. He set up three classes for 24 people to create their masks with access to a lot of materials. The Arts District and the Fine Arts Guild were able to provide 20 scholarships for Makers Space. The Art Center also received a grant from the Community Foundation of Northern ColMs. Cargill with Gus Berg and Audrey O’Toole’s masks, Ximena Erves, Oscar (stand in for orado, it was recommended by the Abby Scott-sister ) and Elijah Washam.

Estes Valley Community Fund Committee. This grant allowed us to increase our awards, offer scholarships, and pay for the canvases and the reception. We also want to thank Olga Ortega de Rosa from Mountain Home Café for giving an unexpected donation, $20 gift certificates to our five student winners. She wanted to encourage them “to do more art!” Thank you to the community for participating by making your masks and sharing them. Each mask had its own story.

It was truly a rewarding and “magical” evening!

Friday, February 16, 2024 « 25

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Office: 970-586-5324

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510 Stanley Ave $435,000 Call Javier or Maria

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26 » Friday, February 16, 2024

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Dexter, Kat, Peach, Brook, Max And Barbie All Seeking New, Loving Families

Breeyan Edwards

Dexter is a sweet orange and white tabby who is very friendly and outgoing and he does well with other kitties.

Brook is a new mom and will be done raising her puppies in the coming weeks. She is only two years old, housetrained and weighs around 12 lbs. She is a sweet and cuddly Chihuahua pug mix.

Peach (orange collar) and Kat (blue collar) are two special female puppies that are about five month old. They each weigh about eight pounds. We would like to put them in foster to adopt homes.

Max is about six years old. He was in a rural shelter for over a year. While he was there this guy was pretty neglected and he could benefit from some TLC. He is settling in nicely at his foster home and they say he is an easy boy to have around and is good with other dogs. Max is a big guy at 90 pounds and would benefit from losing some weight.

He currently does one zoomie when he is really happy and excited. He would be a great couch potato friend.

Barbie is not quite ready for adoption just yet so she will need a foster to adopt home. She weighs 11 pounds and is two years old. She loves to cuddle.

Please call (970) 286-1652 if you’d like to meet or foster any of these special pets. Don’t shop, please adopt!

All pets are offered through the Pet Association of Estes Park, a non-profit organization that is your local humane

society. You can make a tax-deductible donation to the Pet Association by sending your check to P.O. Box 4342, Estes Park, CO 80517.

For more information about the Pet Association, please visit petassociationestespark.com.

FirstColoradoRealty.com 970-646-6555

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Friday, February 16, 2024 « 27

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Estes Park Area Weavers Guild To Meet February 22

The monthly meeting of the Estes Park Area Weavers guild will be held Thursday, February 22, 2024 at the Estes Valley Public Library in the Hondius Room at 1:00 p.m. The program,” Journey to Fair Isle: Knitting and Textile History,” will be presented by Dr. Jennifer Daley.

Dr. Jennifer Daley is a textile historian and knitwear designer. Her family moved to Estes Park in 1996. For the past twenty years, she lived in England where she worked as a college professor.

In 2022, she made a knitting pilgrimage to the Shetland Islands, Scotland where she worked at the Shetland Textile Museum. Jenny lived on Fair Isle, the historic birthplace of Fair Isle Knitting, and the most remote inhabited island in the United Kingdom with only 44 inhabitants. Jennifer will present insight into her life on Fair Isle and Fair Isle knitting, and will show and tell many knitted items.

Although the EPAWG was established as a weaving group, not all of our members are weavers. We actively participate in other fiber arts such as knitting, crocheting, felting, needlepointing and embroidery. The EPAWG meetings are always open to non-members. Anyone with an interest in fiber is welcome to come to the program and even join if they wish. For more information on the guild, contact Gray Rueppel (grayrueppel@gmail.com) or Barb Richards (barbat2160@gmail.com).

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CALL/TEXT 970-231-8570 523 SAINT VRAIN LANE, ESTES PARK

28 » Friday, February 16, 2024

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The Inspired Living Group Inspiring Others to Live Their Dream in Estes Park

Nicole White, REALTOR - 2023 Realtor of the Year Nicole@TheInspiredLivingGroup.com - 970-567-9971

Alison Gilbert, REALTOR - 2022 Realtor of the Year Alison@TheInspiredLivingGroup.com - 970-227-0561

TheInspiredLivingGroup.com

641 Findley Ct., Estes Park 5 bedroom, 4 bath, 5399 sq. ft. $1,629,000

Wild Horse Advocacy Nonprofit Fundraising Gala Area horse and nature enthusiasts are invited to support a local advocacy group working to foster, train and rehome American mustangs. Wild Rose Mustang Advocacy Group of Wellington is sponsoring a fundraising gala, “Denim and Diamonds,” on Saturday, March 23, 2024, in Fort Colins. This year’s annual event will be held at the Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant Agave Room, 149 W. Mountain, Fort Collins, from 6 to 10 p.m. featuring dinner, music, a silent auction and drawing for a gold pendant crafted by Rocky Mountain Goldworks.

Wild Rose Mustang Advocacy Group trains mustangs originating from Fed-

eral lands to showcase their innate talents and abilities and adopt out to permanent homes. Since 2018, over 60 mustangs have been touched by Wild Rose with the support of donors and grants.

Using natural horsemanship, Wild Rose is the number one training center for mustangs in Colorado. Their expanded summer 2024 youth program will take applications this spring for 14 local youth trainers to work hands on with seven mustangs.

Tickets for the gala and additional details on their programs are available online at www.wildrosemagic.org.

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Come To Our Mid-Week Lenten Soup Suppers And Dramas All are welcome and are invited to come to our Mid-Week Soup Suppers and Lenten Services. Our theme for our Lenten journey is “You Were There.” We had an Ash Wednesday Service on February 14. Then beginning on Wednesday February 21 and each Wednesday through March 20, we have a Soup Supper from 5 to 5:30. From 5:30 to 6:30 we will gather for the Holden Evening Prayer Service. We are extremely excited and blessed to have Jan Schaffer McCown as our accompanist. Jan’s talent on the piano and voice is inspirational and beyond words. Jan is highly appreciated in the Estes community. Each week we will hear firsthand from a Biblical character, Simon Peter, Barabbas, Judas, Pontious Pilate and the Centurion as they share their experiences with Jesus. Please plan on joining us at Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church, 2000 Ptarmigan Trail (across the street from Good Samaritan).

We look forward to seeing each and everyone of you.

Feel free contact me with any questions –Bruce Brackman (Faith Life, Care Coordinator) 816 520-1825, 970 586-3900 or brucebrackman@gmail.com.

Friday, February 16, 2024 « 29

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THE GOMEZ TEAM

Javier Gomez Broker

Feeding Bodies And Souls

970 213-8692

By: Brian Schaffer

estesparkproperties@gmail.com

Maria Gomez Broker

Mountain Brokers

970 213-9479

maria@estesparkproperties.realestate

1200 Graves Avenue, Estes Park

SOLD

SNACKS - PET FOOD

EGGS - MILK - BREAD - CHEESE

Crossroads is serving over 130 neighbors weekly – including families, homeHow do people tame the growling less, seniors, and young students – with tummy when the cupboards are empty?

I hope it’s through the kindness of a lov- canned goods, fresh fruit and veggies, meats, cereals, and staple household ing neighbor who sees their need and reaches out to help. Crossroads wants to items. But, the most incredible aspect of The Market at make sure no Crossroads is one in our FRUITS - VEGETABLES - MEAT - FROZEN MEALS - PREPARED MEALS that, more community than any finds themother proselves alone gram, our in the strugneighbors gle to tame volunteer the growling their time tummy. As helping The you may alMarket stay ready know, organized, hunger is LOVE IN ACTION help neighabout so bors in need much more find food, and than food.

AT CROSSROADS care for their The food we We have a wide selection of fresh, quality products that neighbors. eat fuels our change daily. We are thinking outside the food box and The Market is mind, body, invite you to come experience love in action! a beautiful and soul.

MONDAY - THURSDAY 10AM TO 4PM FRIDAY 10AM TO 1PM picture of Hunger is not 970-577-0610 how Crosssimply a WWW.CROSSROADSEP.ORG roads’ role in physical need; A special thanks to Safeway, The Country Supermarket, YMCA, building auit impacts Starbucks, and The Farmer's Market for their generous donations. thentic relahow we work, 1753 WILDFIRE ROAD, ESTES PARK, COLORADO tionships learn, and leads to a deeper, transformative comgrow. It affects children, seniors, and munity among our neighbors. It is truly families across our country, state, and a picture of how neighbors help neighneighborhoods every day. At Crossbors. Because, at Crossroads, we’re feedroads, we see first-hand how feeding ing more than physical hunger. hungry neighbors of all ages is essential to meeting their foundational needs and Last week during a fundraiser at Ed’s challenges. Before a child can learn, they Cantina, our Food Program Manager, need to be fed. Sharing a meal with a Debra Avezzano, was approached by a neighbor means building relationships person who shared how Crossroads had and trust and meeting their physical a big impact on him. When he moved to needs. In an economic climate plagued Estes Park several years ago, he relied on by rising food costs, our mid to low-inthe groceries he received from Crosscome neighbors are hit hardest, often roads, and without it he would not have choosing to keep the lights on, pay the survived his first few years. He went on rent, or feed their families. Food is one to express his sincere gratitude for all of the many ways Crossroads can authe help he received from the loving thentically connect with our neighbors, people who worked at Crossroads while meeting their most immediate need to he was coming for supportive services. build a relationship and help them find He realizes more today than ever before hope. Crossroads has many initiatives to that if it wasn’t for the help he received feed our hungry neighbors – home defrom Crossroads that he would not be liveries, Meal on Wheels delivery, week- here today. This is encouraging to hear! end food packs, nutritional snacks proI know there are hundreds of others vided to the schools, cooking classes, who have a similar story and we’re honand one of our most vital programs, The ored to be a part of their story. Thank Market at Crossroads. The Market at you for partnering with us to keep this

510 Stanley Ave $435,000

2222 Hwy 66 Unit 13 $760,000

SOLD

PRICE REDUCED

880 Crabapple Ln $550,000

950 Big Thompson Ave #1162

THE MARKET

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0 Marys Lake Rd $349,000

30 » Friday, February 16, 2024

epnews.com

League Of Women Voters To Host Candidate Forums For Town Mayor And Town Trustees The forum for trustee candidates will be held on Wednesday, March 6th, 6:008:00 pm in the Board Room of the Estes Park Town Hall, 170 MacGregor Avenue.

All candidates for Trustee positions, Bill Brown, Bruce Darby, Nathan Harger, Mark Igel, Frank Lancaster, Frank Theis, and Cindy Younglund, will participate.

The forum for mayoral candidates will be held on Monday, March 11th, 6:007:30 p.m. in the Board Room of the Estes Park Town Hall, 170 MacGregor Avenue.

Both candidates for Mayor, Gary Hall and Barbara MacAlpine, will participate.

The League of Women Voters of Estes Park is sponsoring these forums to inform Town of Estes Park voters. Your votes will determine who will occupy seats currently held by Mayor Wendy Koenig (not seeking re-election), and Trustee Frank Lancaster (partial term), Trustee Barbara MacAlpine (running for Mayor), Trustee Cindy Younglund (ending first term), and Trustee Patrick Martchink (term-limited).

The League invites constituents to submit questions ahead of the forums to voterservice@LWV-estespark.org. The deadline to submit questions is Wednesday February 21st at 5:00 p.m. The League will choose questions based on their relevance to the roles of Mayor and/or Trustee, may reword questions and will ask as many questions as time allows.

The Town of Estes Park Board of

Trustees is non-partisan. It consists of seven elected members - the mayor and six trustees. All are elected for four-year terms. The next regular Municipal Election is on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, as a mail ballot-only election. Ballots will be mailed to all active voters who live within Town limits the week of March 11, 2024. To obtain an absentee ballot application go to www.estes.org/elections. In-person voting, and voter registration will be available beginning March 11th through election day at the Town Clerk's office during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). On Election Day, the office will be open from 7:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m.

Both forums will be live streamed through the town’s streaming channel and will be recorded for later viewing.

A link to watch the forums will be advertised closer to March 6th.

No campaign materials are allowed in the Town Hall Trustee Board Room, but may be placed outside of the Board Room, in the foyer.

If you have additional questions, please contact Robin Converse, Director of Voter Service at voterservice@ lwv-estespark.org.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan education and advocacy organization, neither supporting nor opposing individual candidates or political parties at any level of government.

La Liga De Mujeres Votantes Será Anfitriona De Foros De Candidatos Para Alcalde Y Fideicomisarios Del Pueblo El foro para candidatos a fideicomisarios se llevará a cabo el miércoles 6 de marzo de las 6:00 a 8:00 p.m. en la Sala de Juntas del Ayuntamiento de Estes Park, 170 MacGregor Avenue. Participarán todos los candidatos para los puestos de fideicomisario: Bill Brown, Bruce Darby, Nathan Harger, Mark Igel, Frank Lancaster, Frank Theis y Cindy Younglund.

El foro de candidatos a alcalde se llevará a cabo el lunes 11 de marzo de las 6:00 a 7:30 p.m. en la Sala de Juntas del Ayuntamiento de Estes Park, 170 MacGregor Avenue. Participarán ambos candidatos a la alcaldía, Gary Hall y Barbara MacAlpine.

La Liga de Mujeres Votantes de Estes Park patrocina estos foros para informarles a los votantes del pueblo de Estes Park. Sus votos determinarán quién ocupará los escaños actualmente en manos de la Alcaldesa Wendy Koenig (quien no busca la reelección), el Fideicomisario Frank Lancaster (período parcial), la Fideicomisaria Barbara MacAlpine (candidata a alcalde), la Fideicomisaria Cindy Younglund (finaliza el primer mandato), y el Fideicomisario Patrick Martchink (período-limitado).

La Liga invita a los electores a enviar sus preguntas antes de los foros al correo electrónico de voterservice@LWV-estespark.org. La fecha límite para enviar preguntas es el miércoles, 21 de febrero a las 17:00 horas. La Liga elegirá las preguntas con base en su relevancia para las funciones de alcalde y/o fideicomisario, puede reformular las preguntas y hará tantas preguntas como permita el tiempo.

La Junta Municipal de Estes Park no es partidista. Consta de siete miembros

electos: el alcalde y seis fideicomisarios, todos elegidos por períodos de cuatro años.

La próxima Elección Municipal ordinaria es el martes 2 de abril de 2024, por medio de boletas enviadas y devueltas por correo. En la semana del 11 de marzo de 2024, las boletas se enviarán por correo a todos los votantes activos que vivan dentro de los límites del pueblo. Para obtener una solicitud de boleta de votante ausente, vaya a www.estes.org/elections. La votación en persona y el registro de votantes estarán disponibles desde el 11 de marzo hasta el día de las elecciones (2 de abril) en la oficina del Secretario Municipal durante el horario habitual (8:00 a.m. a 5:00 p.m.). En el día de las elecciones, la oficina estará abierto de las 7:00 a.m. a 7:00 p.m.

Ambos foros se transmitirán en vivo a través del canal de transmisión (streaming) del municipio y serán grabados para su posterior visualización. Un enlace para ver los foros se anunciará más cerca al 6 de marzo.

No se permite propaganda de campaña en la Sala de la Junta Directiva del Ayuntamiento, pero puede colocarse fuera de la Sala de Juntas, en el vestíbulo.

Si usted tenga preguntas adicionales, puede comunicarse con la Sra. Robin Converse, Directora de Servicios a los Votantes en voterservice@lwv-estespark.org.

La Liga de Mujeres Votantes es una organización no partidista de educación y abogacía, que no apoya ni oponerse a candidatos individuales o partidos políticos en ningún nivel de gobierno.

Updates From RMNP At Next Learn With The League February 21 Learn with the League Wednesday, February 21 at 10 a.m.

American Legion Hall, 850 N. St. Vrain All are welcome. No registration necessary.

Join Rocky Mountain National Park's new Superintendent Gary Ingram and Public Affairs Officer Kyle Patterson for a variety of park updates. Scott Esser, the Director of the Continental Divide Research Learning Center, will also be highlighting the park's upcoming biennial research conference which will be held March 6 and 7.

Gary Ingram came to Rocky in 2023

with a wealth of knowledge and experience gained during his 30 years with the National Park Service. Prior to this,

Gary was Superintendent at Cumberland Island National Seashore and Fort Frederica National Monument, Jimmy Carter National Historic Site, and Special Assistant to the Alaska Regional Director (Washington D.C. Desk Officer). He began his National Park Service career in Yosemite where he served in a variety of positions including law enforcement, horse patrol, emergency medical services, fire fighter, shift supervisor, Chief Liaison Officer, and Man-

agement Assistant.

Kyle Patterson is the Management Specialist/Public Affairs Officer at Rocky Mountain National Park.

Her main duties include media relations, community outreach and overseeing the park's digital media presence including the website and social media channels. She has been at Rocky in this position since 2001. Prior to this she was the Public Information Officer at Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

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Composting Has Advantages By: Judi Smith

In 2019, the EPA showed that 51% of food waste went to the landfill, with 6% into the sewer/wastewater system -- only 5% was composted. www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food is one of the best research sites available to discover details. The EPA Wasted Food Scale places incineration, landfill, and “down the drain” at the bottom, ranked by sustainability. Naturally, reducing food waste at the onset, by buying, preparing, and consuming well, is at the top.

Preparing menus before shopping assists in buying only what you need. Planning a few “backup” emergency meals whose ingredients will keep (canned, frozen) is always wise.

Buying only what you need or splitting into cooking size packages when you get home helps control leftovers. Being careful to freeze leftovers (meal-size containers) in a timely manner will result in more latitude when you are hungry. When our daughters were young, I used to cook up huge pots of their favorite one-dish meals and freeze in “glad-boxes” that held one serving. With an erratic schedule, they could choose and warm-up a meal. No leftovers!

But there are the eggshells, coffee grounds, parings, etc. and the unavoidable faux pas. In an attempt to keep the organic waste out of the landfill where it produces methane gas that contaminates the breathable air and heats the Earth, It is vitally essential to keep organics (food waste and plant waste) out of the landfill.

Our Estes Park High School offers career education in sustainable composting, composting school cafeteria leftovers, the results of which contribute, I believe, to the Agricultural classes and to the Community Garden. Since the garbage disposal is no longer a viable option for dumping the unwanted food (see last week’s Eco-sense column), our best bet is some form of composting. The ideal composting would be public: either community based or municipal; local or transported Down-Valley to A-1 Organics or Eco-cycle. According to the EPA, the benefits of community composting, public or private, include local soils, local jobs, greener neighborhoods, community engagement, and (perhaps most important of all with our changing agricultural climate) enhanced food security.

However, we do not, yet, have either a public composting arrangement or a private company interest in developing the

market, so each household must resolve this predicament on their own.

There are many different forms of composting. Each type has good points and bad points, a full description of which would be far more than will fit sufficiently in this article. However, a short list, for use by those who want to research: Bokashi Composting is an indoor method that accepts many ingredients (meat, fat, oils, and dairy) forbidden in traditional composting. Once the bucket is full, processing takes two weeks indoors, draining every day, and two weeks outdoors. For worm composting, it is advisable to have a contained home for the worms, filled with a minimum of four inches of damp bedding. (I have heard that this can be shredded paper.) at 35-80 degrees F. This can range from plastic drawers to an old refrigerator. No meat or dairy in this one.

The process takes three to six months.

Aerobic outdoor batch-composting, like our in-vessel bins, takes about a month to process, during which nothing can be added. Multiple bins are ideal. Browns and greens must be balanced, and the mix must be aerated often. It is possible to do this with a pitchfork, but I prefer a tumbling bin. Our bins are manual. Still, I would suggest investigating an electric model. The Vitamix Foodcycler, which my household uses, also accepts most types of food waste including meat and dairy, oil and fat. Avoid hard bones, shells, etc. In six to eight hours, the electric Foodcycler grinds and dehydrates the food scraps (“greens”) which can then be buried in the garden without attracting animals. This works well in the winter when we have very few “browns.”

In the summer we will mix the resulting nutrient rich greens with the carbon rich browns in the outdoor composter to complete the conversion to compost.

The purpose of these articles is to work together to share information and build our collective sustainability. Most of this information came from the Internet.

There are plenty of keywords offered herein to get us started. Anyone with questions about how my household composts is welcome to contact me.

Anyone wanting to serve as a consultant for those considering other methods, please let me know.

Agree? Disagree? Questions? Comments? RRRcyc@signsandwishes.com

Estes Chamber Takes On Role Of The Economic Development Corporation Consolidation of resources intended to optimize and maximize impact The Estes Chamber of Commerce is taking over the operations and responsibilities of the Economic Development Corporation under a newly formed Economic Development Department that will be managed and programmed by the Chamber of Commerce.

The EDC was founded a decade ago as a public/private non-profit partnership out of concern for the present vitality and future viability of the Estes Valley economy and has played an important role in numerous economic development initiatives since its inception, including the creation of the Business Accelerator Services of Estes (BASE) programs.

The Estes Chamber of Commerce was founded five years ago to be the champion for business, dedicated to promoting a strong business climate, connecting business and community, and making Estes Park a great place to live, work, and play.

“While the organizations’ missions and programming focus were distinct, the outcomes will be optimized by combining resources to maximize the impact of our efforts,” said Colleen DePasquale, Estes Chamber of Commerce President.

“We are really excited about this opportunity to grow the best part of EDC, the BASE program. Customizing it to the needs of our unique business community is something we all look forward to.

I can’t wait to see how we help new and “seasoned” businesses in town to grow in the manner that suits them best,” commented Carissa Streib, Chamber Board Chair.

In 2023, EDC investors commissioned a task force which called for a renewal of its focus - creating better alignment with local organizations, macro and micro level economics, while building on its own past successes. Collaborative workshops were held during the summer of 2023.

“We researched 20+ other gateway/tourism economies - most with similar sized populations and visitation.

Of those communities that invest in Economic Development, 50% had a single local organization that not only handled Economic Development, but also Chamber and sometimes Visitors Bureau/marketing functions,” said John Schnipkoweit, interim EDC CEO. “These learnings identified a path to operationalize the strategic results, maximizing the impact of the EDC and investor dollars. The outcome was that the Chamber would create an Economic Development Department under its organizational umbrella and the EDC will be dissolved,” Schnipkoweit added.

“The Chamber has created this department and initiated the new processes required to meet the financial transparency needed and we are pleased that this unification of resources can now to take place,” commented DePasquale.

“The Chamber’s newly formed Economic Development Department is now responsible for maintaining existing and creating new programs, while providing business assistance that is aligned with the Economic Development mission. It is important to our Chamber team that the voice of investors in Economic Development remain strong and we are creating an Economic Development & Workforce Council (EDWC) – made up of investors and chamber members to provide strategic guidance, drive continuity and oversee transparency of operations. Additionally, the BASE program is considered an integral part of moving forward and we are excited to share that this will continue and will be the first work from the new Department, thanks to the approval of the transition of BASE funding to the Chamber’s Economic Development Department. We will begin our search for a Program Manager and look forward to kicking-off another year of successful programming for our community,” DePasquale added.

“The Estes Chamber is excited to take on the continuance of the BASE education program and working with the newly formed Economic Development Department within the Chamber. This will allow the Chamber to build on the successful combined missions of both organizations in being a champion for business, dedicated to promoting a strong business climate and assisting businesses in scaling a robust workforce and cultivating a diverse economy in the Estes Valley,” added Robert Armstrong, Chamber Board Member.

The Chamber’s Economic Development Department will focus on developing and implementing an annual BASE program and offer a post-BASE program for former participants. The Department responsibilities will include developing resources for businesses and implementing county and regional workforce development programming.

This also includes identifying gaps and implementing new programming on specific opportunities for local businesses, developers and workforce. The Department will continue building upon new partner relationships with SBDC Larimer County, Northern Colorado Hospitality Sector Partnership, Larimer County Workforce Development Board, NoCo Works – Business Resources subcommittee, OEDIT Rural Opportunity Office and Larimer County Business Retention & Expansion Partnership.

Members of the Chamber can be assured that these additional roles of the Chamber will not detract from the Chamber’s focus on promoting the business climate and advocating for our members. Economic Development funding will remain earmarked for the operations of the Economic Development Department, while membership dues and other fundraising will remain committed to activities and operations for the benefit of Chamber members.

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Some Creative Winter Ideas To The Editor: I am writing this with the goal to help to stimulate a conversation, ideas, and to help to move the Estes Valley toward more balance – a more balanced yearround economy. In my opinion, we as residents face two extremes. The extreme of the valley being overrun, stressed, congested, with stretched resources and more during the late spring, summer, and fall months. This contrasts with the very slow, economically draining months of winter.

These extremes are a hardship on businesses, employees, housing, the park, and us as residents. I, for one, would love to have fewer people here in summer and more in winter.

What can be done? I suggest that all the money that Visit Estes Park collects be used only to promote tourism during the slow months from October to May. Why spend money to make an over-crowded summer situation worse? That does not make sense.

What will these winter tourists do? For one, the advertising dollars could promote the abundance of trails that can be easily hiked with just spikes on your shoes. No need to buy or rent snowshoes. And spikes are far less work. Promote our abundance of sunny days and that average temperatures in Estes are often 15 degrees warmer than many other mountain towns. And Estes is even often warmer in winter than the Front Range communities.

The Estes Valley needs to promote and help potential winter visitors realize that in winter, the Estes Valley offers almost everything it offers in summer. Gorgeous views, trails, great shopping, restaurants, wonderful lodging, and all with less people and at a lower cost.

In addition, winter visitors can ice skate, rock climb, horse back ride, ride the mountain coaster, go sledding, cross country ski, and there are even offroad rentals available.

What could be developed to broaden the appeal of Estes in winter? A lot. An easy one would be for the rec department to groom cross country ski trails on the golf courses. Maybe the DOA House or the Salvation Army site or the mountain coaster could groom cross county ski trails. The trails in the Winter Park area are busy all the time and that is very remote compared to Estes Park.

What else does the Winter Park area offer that could work well in Estes? Dog sled rides, sleigh rides, and a well-developed tubing hill. These are so popular, it’s hard to get a reservation.

How about an Ice Bar? We went to one in Patagonia. It was great fun and even in a remote town, it was super busy with reservations only.

Possibly ice skating in town or near town could be popular. Winter Park has an ice complex that is very heavily used.

A small ski hill could be developed with the goal of low-priced lift tickets, so it would be much more affordable than the big ski resorts. This would attract young families and those that cannot afford Summit County and the like.

Front Range high school ski teams or clubs could use it.

How about developing a really nice Iceland-style high-end hot springs, with a wonderful view of the Continental Divide? We recently visited one that offered a five-sense treatment. Starting with cold plunge, dry sauna, cold mist, steam room, and salt scrub. They charge a lot, yet these hot springs in Iceland are so busy, it’s reservations-only day and night.

Hopefully, I have stimulated your thinking about what could be. I am not pro-growth. I am for a balanced, sustainable community that is economically vibrant. One where workers can find year-round employment, and residents, employees, and businesses thrive.

Scott Stewart Resident

Cats Aren’t Trophies To The Editor: As a backcountry enthusiast and horse owner living in rural Colorado, I am excited to announce this week marks the official launch of the signature gathering campaign by Cats Aren't Trophies (CATs). Our goal is to collect 124,632 verified signatures from registered Colorado voters to secure a spot on the November 2024 state ballot for our measure that prohibits trophy hunting and trapping of mountain lions, bobcats, and lynx in Colorado.

Training is underway statewide for petition circulators, for this once-in-a-generation opportunity to protect Colorado’s native wild cats from cruel, outdated, and unnecessary hunts.

Science is on our side. As chronic wasting disease ravages Colorado, we need these cats alive to selectively target infected deer and reduce the deadly prion infection spreading rapidly in our forests. Cats keep herds and ecosystems healthy.

There is absolutely no science supporting that killing mountain lions and bob-

cats for heads, hides and fur helps wildlife or ecosystems. There is no science demonstrating that trophy hunting and trapping improves the safety of our pets, livestock, or families. There is science demonstrating these activities create an imbalance in nature, increase the risk for conflicts, and limit the ability of native wild cats to contribute to Colorado’s ecosystems.

Lion trophy hunters use dogs to corner mountain lions and bobcats, pinpoint their location with GPS technology, then shoot unoffending animals from close range; this is not hunting, it’s target shooting.

This measure empowers Colorado Parks and Wildlife to lethally remove individual mountain lions or bobcats involved in conflicts, but eliminates indiscriminate and unnecessary trophy hunting and trapping that serves no one but the trophy collector.

Learn more at www.catsarenttrophies.org Sam Bruegger Grand Lake, CO

I Voted Sticker Design Contest Open To Larimer County High Schoolers The Larimer County Elections Department invites high schoolers at public, private, and home schools to participate in an I Voted Sticker Design Contest.

Larimer County students in grades 9 – 12 can submit designs for use in the 2024 General Election. The winner’s artwork will be on the I Voted stickers distributed to every voter who receives a ballot in Larimer County.

The contest is now open, and entries are due by 5 p.m. March 22. After the Larimer County Clerk and Recorder Department conducts an internal review process to narrow down entries to the top ten finalists, the Larimer County

community will have an opportunity to vote on the winner.

Voters can access their ballots through the Larimer County Clerk and Recorder’s social media and at larimer.gov/ivotedsticker. Polls will be open from April 8 through April 12.

The winner will be announced on social media and the Larimer County Clerk and Recorder website by April 19.

For more details, visit larimer.gov/ivotedsticker and follow the Clerk and Recorder on Facebook (facebook.com/LarimerCountyClerkAndRecorder) and X (@Larimer_Clerk).

Estes Park Special Olympics Tuesday Bowling Fun Estes Park Special Olympics organizers are hosting bowling fun at the Bull Pin, 555 S. St. Vrain Ave. on Tuesdays from 3:30-5 p.m.

All ages are welcome to participate.

For more information, contact Audri Smith at 970-451-3762 or email epspecialolympics @yahoo.com.

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Friday, February 16, 2024 « 33

Gary Nelson his mother’s declining health.

Gary focused on getting the farm up to date, working within the community to better things for all. He was appointed to County Commissioner at Large for three years. Gary once again embraced travel nursing and headed west working in Marina Del Rey and San Francisco.

Gary Nelson, 61, of Estes Park sadly His mom visited several times while left us on January 27, 2024, following a hard-fought battle with renal cancer. he was working in California and really enjoyed it. After Marie passed Gary was born on November 30, away in 2019, Gary once again ac1962, and raised by his parents Vernon E. and Marie G. Nelson on a farm cepted a travel nursing assignment and spent two years in Redwood City , in Falun, Kansas. He grew up helping his parents raise wheat and hogs. Ver- CA. In April 2022, Gary began his position of Director of Perioperative non and Marie spent their lives atServices at Estes Park Heath. tending Gary’s functions and activiYou would never know based on the ties. friends Gary has made, and the good Gary spent his K-8th grade years athe has done for the town and the resitending school in Falun, KS and Smolan, KS. His memories include his dents, that Gary has only been in Estes teachers, school music festivals, school Park for two years. He stated many field trips and class road trips, making times, “this is the most fortunate landing spot in the world, I am home.” His life-long friendships with classmates journey at Estes Park Health began and 4-H. He spent 9th-12th grade at Lindsborg High School. Gary’s activi- with Vern (the CEO) helping him move in to his first apartment, and ties in high school included choir, FFA, band, athletics, and dancing with then he quickly became a board member at the National Western Stock Lindsborg Swedish Folk Dancers. In Show. Gary jumped right into life in his travels with Swedish Dancers, he Estes by volunteering at the Jazz festitraveled all over the US (which inval in May 2022 and his involvement cluded a performance in Estes Park) in Estes just took off from there. Gary and even a trip to Europe which inwas a member of the Rooftop Rodeo cluded a performance for the King of for two summers and thoroughly enSweden. joyed every minute of his involveGraduation from high school led ment. In December 2022, he became a Gary to his next adventure at Kansas member of the noon time Rotary Club State University in Manhattan, and was actively involved in the ScotKansas. Gary got a degree in journaltish Festival every fall. This last fall, ism/mass communications/advertishe was made an honorary member of ing, public relations, marketing and Klan MacArthur. industrial relations. He followed this Gary was preceded in death by his with several internships, including parents Vernon and Marie Nelson, one with Senator Bob Dole in Washand his beloved dogs and travel comington DC. This experience allowed panions May and June. him to open his own business in ManGary was dedicated to his friends hattan, offering public relations, adand his community. He leaves behind vertising, and marketing strategies to clients. Gary continued with this busi- many lifelong friends who will miss his zest for life but will surely carry on ness until he wrapped up two imporhis legacy to embrace each day with a tant projects for Kansas State Univerfull and grateful heart. sity and Emporia State University.

A visitation will be held on Friday, During his time in Manhattan, Gary began to study the possibility of enter- February 23rd from 1-3 p.m. at the American Legion Post 119, 850 N. St. ing Bethel College to study Nursing.

Vrain Avenue, Estes Park, CO 80517.

He graduated from Bethel in 1996 with his Bachelor of Science-Nursing Gary’s funeral service will be held on degree. In his first role as an RN, Gary Saturday, February 24th at 10:00 a.m. accepted a job at NE Baptist, San Anat Shepherd of the Mountains tonio on their telemetry unit. He was Lutheran Church, 2000 Ptarmigan there almost a year before deciding to Trail, Estes Park, CO 80517. accept a travel\locum nursing assignMemorial contributions in Gary’s ment in Washington D.C. After some memory may be made to Estes Park time, Gary returned to Kansas and Health Foundation, Shepherd of the made the leap to work at St. Lukes on Mountains Lutheran Church, Roof the Plaza in Kansas City. It was there Top Rodeo, Rotary Club Of Estes Park that he found his love of PACU\Reor The American Legion: Post 119 in covery Room nursing. His next stop care of Allnutt Funeral Service 1302 was Dallas, Texas, Presbyterian Hospi- Graves Ave Estes Park, CO 80517. tal with more than 1000 beds. Gary To share favorite memories of Gary was at Presby Dallas for over five please visit www.allnuttestespark.com years, before returning home due to and post them there.

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In Loving Memory Of Stephen Laing (Mr. Bobcat)

February 1, 1961 - January 31, 2024 Estes Park mourns the loss of a cherished lifelong resident, Stephen Laing, affectionately known as "Mr. Bobcat."

Born on February 1, 1961, in Boulder, Colorado. Stephen passed away on January 31, 2024, after facing health complications. He leaves behind a community that he touched with his warmth and vivacity, love of music, and constant optimism about sports and about life.

A true son of Estes Park, Stephen was deeply rooted in his hometown.

He graduated from Estes Park High School in 1979, where he excelled in track and field and played on the football team. He also served as the Class President and was active in student council. He helped organize a ski day (back in the day) when the Hidden Valley Ski Area was still open. His impact extended beyond his immediate family as he played a vital role in fostering connections within his high school graduating class of 1979 and other classes. He was instrumental in organizing class reunions and informal gatherings, long after graduation.

Stephen's love for sports, music and culture were regular topics in his conversations.

After high school, he studied Engineering drafting at the Denver Institute of Technology. In 1983, he married Angela Mueller. Stephen worked briefly as a construction draftsman in Denver. He and his family moved back to Estes Park permanently in 1991. For the next 20 years Stephen worked in construction where he designed and built homes in the Estes Valley.

As a devoted season ticket holder for the Colorado Buffaloes, he reveled in the camaraderie of tailgate parties. He

led the group in singing the CU Fight song, cooking interesting dishes, and discussing the latest popular topics including the fortunes of his favorite teams. He brought his own brand of cooking delights like elk burgers for pregame consumption which made him a welcome addition to the tailgate parties and after parties. (Or as he often said “Party On” which was one of his favorite quotes from the movie Wayne’s World.) His football loyalties extended to the Dallas Cowboys, much to the dismay of his Colorado based Bronco lovers. He made several trips to Arlington to watch the Cowboys play, and toured the stadium including the locker rooms where the attached picture was taken. One of his final wishes was to be known as being a “Dallas Cowboys fan until dead.” (Said as only Stephen could and loudly). His love for sports was not limited to the sidelines however, as he enjoyed skydiving adventures at the Mile-Hi Skydiving Center alongside his daughter Carmen.

Stephen was an avid fan of the television show "American Pickers" on the History Channel. Additionally, his love for REM, Peter Gabriel and The Who led to concert trips with Carmen and friends. He was a true classic rocker who liked his music loud.

Stephen's daughter, Carmen Laing, was the joy of his life. Together, they shared a love for football games, concerts, skydiving and whatever challenges life offered including trips to Arlington, Texas, where they attended Dallas Cowboys games.

He is survived by his daughter Carmen Laing, Carmen's Mother and former wife Angela Laing, Uncle John Mueller, his mother Paula Steige, Step Father, Walter Steige, sister Stacia Valley and her husband Daniel Valley, nephews Stuart and Rafe Valley.

A celebration of Stephen's life will take place on February 17th from 2:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. at the Wheel Bar in Estes Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to charity or cause of your choice in Stephen's memory. He asked that you bring a favorite picture, your high school yearbook or photo albums to the celebration of his life, where you can expect some wonderful stories and loud music. Party on!

Franklin Farrel IV It is with great sadness to announce the passing of Franklin Farrel IV, lovingly known as Toby from complications of renal failure and diabetes at the age of 85. Toby is survived by the love of his life Christine; his sister Lisa (David); his children: Dennis (Patty), Andy, Karen, Dorothy (Jason), and Craig (Stefanie); his grandchildren: Scott/Scooter (Charmi), Steven (Katharine), Rachel (Casey), Emma (Taylor), Courtney, Franklin (Kristen), Braxton (Carlee), Colin, Cassandra (Fawaz), and Julia; and great-children Finley, Avery, Weston, and Wesley. He was preceded in death by his parents, Franklin Farrel III and Sallie, sister Sallie Brown; granddaughters Seneca and Sara and daughter-in-law Susan.

Toby grew up with his two sisters (Lisa and Sallie) and parents (Franklin and Sallie) in Woodbridge, Ct. he attended Hopkins Grammar and graduated from Proctor Academy in Andover, NH, then made his way to Colorado College, where he graduated with a BA in Economics in 1956 and was commissioned in the US Army Corps. He transferred to the quartermaster corps and was stationed at the Fort Lee VA and Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He was discharged in 1963 as a Captain and was in the Reserves until 1969.

He worked at the Farrel Corporation until 1980 in a variety of roles, including assistant secretary, manager of international administration, and foundry and materials manager. In 1980 Toby and Chris moved to Colorado and owned the Ponderosa Lodge in Estes Park, Co. until 1991, when they moved to Arizona and coowned Century 21 San Tan until 2000, when they headed to the next adventure in Puerta Penasco, Senora, Mexico, and continued to sell real estate and then retired in 2010 and moved back home to Estes Park.

Toby was an extremely generous person and was very active in the communities he lived in. Some of these contributions in Connecticut included: a trustee and chair of the development council at Griffin Hospital, Board of Directors for the Valley Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Valley Association of Retarded Children and Adults Building fund,

Director of the Derby Savings Bank, chairman of Junior Achievement, the Board of Directors of the Valley YMCA, Housatonic Council of Boy Scouts, and a Coach and director of numerous youth hockey associations.

In Colorado, he served on the Estes Park Accommodations Association, was chairman of the Estes Park Chamber of Commerce, was co-chair of the Estes Park Lawn Lake Flood Committee, and was director of the early Estes Park Trolley. Toby was also a former member of the Elks Lodge and Optimist clubs in Estes Park and was an ongoing member of the American Legion. In Arizona, he was the Vicechairman of the Chandler Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Society of Naval Architects and Engineers, U.S. Power Squadron, American Foundrymen Association, American Red Cross, Valley United Way, Newcomers Society of North America, the Society of the Colonial Wars, and Alpha Kappa Pai. He was awarded the Gold Seal Citizen of the Year of the Housatonic Valley in 1978.

Toby loved life. He lived a peaceful and optimistic life where he showed unconditional and enduring love to those around him. He traveled the world and enjoyed taking road trips!

He loved Estes Park and the beach, golfing, skiing, hockey, NASCAR, football, wine, and a good glass of scotch. Toby would like to be remembered as a thoughtful and kind person. His presence will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Wind Horse Sanctuary at 601 Red Mountain Rd, Livermore, CO 80536, or Crossroads Ministries in Estes Park. At Toby’s request, there will be no funeral, but a celebration of life will be held later this spring. To leave a message for the family please visit www.allnuttestespark.com.

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AA & Al-Anon Meetings AA of Glen Haven Every Monday night at the Town Hall at 6:30 p.m.

Early Worms Monday thru Saturday at 7:00 a.m.

(Monday through Saturday hybrid meetings with Zoom #796 839 839 PW:Worms20) at St. Bartholomew Church, 880 MacGregor Ave. Early Worms Women's Meeting 12 p.m. Mondays St. Bartholomew, 880 MacGregor Ave. Mixed Nuts Al-Anon Group We meet Friday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at St. Bartholomew Church. The meeting is hybrid with Zoom #285 426 3644 PW: serenity.

One Day at a Time Location: Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies 1700 Brodie Ave, Estes Park When: Tues and Thursday @ noon.

Please park in back, Meetings are held downstairs in Room 6.

Alcoholics Anonymous Fall River Group, 453 West Elkhorn, Estes Park.

Current Schedule for 1/4/2024 Zoom ID 999 829166 for AA Meetings Monday-12 p.m.-In Person-O, D Monday-7 p.m.-In Person and ZoomO, BB Tuesday-12 p.m.-Zoom-O, D Wednesday-12 p.m.-In Person and Zoom-O, D

Wednesday-7 p.m.-In Person and Zoom- O, D Thursday -12 p.m. Zoom-O, D Friday-12 p.m.-In Person and ZoomO, D Saturday-12 p.m.-In Person and Zoom-O, D Sunday -12 p.m.-In Person and ZoomO, D Last Friday of each month is birthday night; 6 p.m. Potluck, 7 p.m. Speaker. *** Contribute via VENMO @SamuelCherman Other 12 Step Meetings Held at Fall River Group Thursday-7 p.m.-Narcotics Anonymous “New Horizons” Group O, D-In Person and Zoom 705 555 830 **O=open to all D=discussion BB=Big Book Zoom Meetings-Everyday at noon Zoom #999 829 166 (no password needed).

Monday Zoom Big Book study at 7 p.m. #654 598 884 (no password needed).

Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Zoom #999 829 166 Online AA and NA Meetings at www.intherooms.com There are 70 AA Meetings and 30 NA Meetings a week.

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970.494.0289 Each Home Instead® office is an independently owned and operated franchise of Home Instead, Inc., an Honor Company. © 2023 Home Instead, Inc.

NOW HIRING! Experienced Maintenance

Full Time/Part Time $18.00 to $25.00 per hour DOE plus bonus* • General Maintenance and/or • Hot Tub Service • Landscaping/Snow Removal • Painting *Bonus is $1.00 per hour May through October Apply at, mail or email resume to: Fawn Valley Inn, 2760 Fall River Road, Estes Park, CO 80517 Email: Jamie@RockyMtnResorts.com YMCa oF tHe RoCKies 2515 tunnel Road estes Park, Colorado, 80511

DininG RooM ManaGeR

We’re hiring for the following positions starting at $21.01/hr.: • Drive-up & Go Service Helpers • Checker • Courtesy Clerk • Day-Stocker • Overnight Stocker • Bakery Clerk • Deli Clerk • Produce Clerk • Seafood Clerk • Cake Decorator • Meat Cutter Get your application at: www.albertsoncompanies.com After your application has been completed, please call our hiring manager Ann at 970.586.4447.

JOIN OUR TEAM!

Full details on employment opportunities and the application can be found at estes.org/jobs.

Full-time Emergency Services Dispatcher I/II/III Events Maintenance Worker I Human Resources Technician Journey Lineworker Seasonal Community Service Officer Parks Maintenance Worker Utilities Ground Worker

This position is responsible for managing the on-site restaurant at YMCA of the Rockies, the Pine Room. Responsibilities include overall day to day operations in the front and back of house, supervising staff, updating the daily menu board and ensuring all food and drink line equipment is clean and functioning properly. $18 - $21.30/hour with full benefits, generous PTO/vacation, discounted childcare, and so much more.

www.workintherockies.org

Join Our Team!

Assistant Branch Manager Ideal candidates will have five years minimum of prior banking experience.

Additional requirements include customer service skills, supervisory experience, attention to detail, strong computer and problem-solving skills, and the ability to work in a fast paced, team-oriented environment.

Excellent benefits including medical, dental, 401(k) and paid time off.

Full time, $25 - $30 / hour Please apply at: Member FDIC

The status of applications will be communicated via e-mail. By choice, the Town of Estes Park is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Guest ReGistRation ManaGeR Primarily responsible for overseeing the Front Desk and Back Office with a high priority on delivering exceptional guest service to all guests, training, overseeing, and supporting Guest Registration seasonal staff & volunteers, problem-solving any issues that impact guest services, and ensuring accurate accounting and reporting processes. $18 - $21.90/hour with full benefits, employee perks, generous PTO/vacation, discounted childcare, and more.

www.workintherockies.org

NOW HIRING! Hot Tub Service Tech

Full Time / Part Time $18.00 to $20.00 per hour DOE plus $1.00 per hour bonus May through October Apply at, mail or email resume to: Fawn Valley Inn, 2760 Fall River Road, Estes Park, CO 80517 Email: Jamie@RockyMtnResorts.com

36 » Friday, February 16, 2024

EMPLOYMENT » Place and View Ads at EPNews.com « EMPLOYMENT

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Full Time Opticianist ( Reception + Optical Skills) Who We Are: Aspen Eyecare is a locally owned, busy Optometric practice located in Estes Park, Colorado. We have a long history and are well loved by locals and visitors to Estes Park.

Aspen Eyecare is a heavily sought-after location for personalized eye care and a wide variety of optical services. We experience an even greater demand for services during the summer months with increased tourism to the town and visitors needing emergency evaluations or quick repairs on their eyewear.

Job Description: As our Opticianist, you will be responsible for greeting patients, accepting phone calls, scheduling appointments, authorizing insurance benefits, collecting payments, and other tasks as assigned. Our practice relies heavily on the use of our electronic billing and documentation, so computer skills are an absolute necessity. The Opticianist must be friendly and personable with our patients, and must have the ability to multi-task in a high volume work environment. 50% reception/front desk tasks and 50% optical frame selection, dispensing and repair tasks.

Who We Are Looking For: A motivated individual who is looking to grow with our business. Required • Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced work environment • Friendliness when greeting patients over the phone, and in person – one who enjoys interacting with a wide variety of individual personalities • Strong computer, telephone, and interpersonal communication skills • Personal confidence and ability to ask for help when needed • Ability to work independently when necessary • Attention to fine detail • Availability to be flexible with schedule changes and a hunger to learn new skills What We Offer: • On the job training is available for individuals with exceptional communication skills - • Paid time off accrual, paid holidays, paid sick leave • Competitive pay: starting at $21.00 per hour with increases as new responsibilities and skills are acquired.

Please send your resume to: eyedocbusche@gmail.com For more information about our practice please visit: www.aspen-eyecare.com

www.estesparknews.com RENTALS

RENTALS

TRANSPORTATION

SERVICES

MISCELLANEOUS

SALES

Homes

Commercial Rentals

SUVs/CUVs

Sewing/Alterations

Misc.

Estate Sales

HONEY BEE HIVES Used, $100 ea/ with base board boxes and frames.

HONEY EXTRACTOR used, stainless steel hand crank. $400.

970-652-0419

ESTATE/MOVING SALE Need to have one, but seems overwhelming.

We do the work, you make the $. Local, Affordable, References. CALL JUDI 970-215-5548

House for Rent 1895 Fall River Rd. 3,089 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 1 1/2 bath, sun room, full kitchen, office.

970-308-4457 ndkpropertiesep@ gmail.com

Remixed Custom Sewing PRIVATE OFFICE: Services.

We have two private NEW LOCATION! offices coming available on Small Furniture, March 1, 2024, at 1180A Restoration, Cushions Graves Avenue. All utilities and Industrial Repair. are included, even high Call for appointment speed internet. Access to 970-492-5446 handicapped bathroom, 2018 Ford Explorer Sport front door parking for Piano Tuning one owner, garaged, clients, waiting room and excellent condition kitchenette. $385.00 a Susan Novy, local 19,300 miles $35,000 piano tuner. month each. Please call 970-402-9988 Call for appt.

Peggy 970-232-5588.

577-1755 www.estesparkpiano SERVICES tuner.com

Condos For Rent: Two bedroom condo, one bath, one car garage, annual lease, pets negotiable $2,150/month Call: 970-699-6727

Apartments Perfect Winter Rental!

Furnished 1-bedroom apartment on Lake Estes. $1,300 monthly with all utilities included!

Long term rental available now until Memorial Day. Contact us at 1-970-779-7455

Cleaning Office Space for Rent 1377 Sq. Ft., Conference Room, 3 Private Offices, High Traffic Area with Great Exposure, Open Lobby Area, Printer Room.

351 Moraine Ave. Suite B 970-227-4865 nathan@kinleybuilt.com

HOUSEHOLD

REAL ESTATE Commercial Industrial Condo.

1392 Sq. ft. 1205-7 Graves Ave. Office and bathroom. $275,000.

Text or call 813.613.5767

Heating

Residential & Commercial Cleaning, Window Cleaning, Snow Removal 970-443-1283

100% SEASONED, HARDWOOD, SPLIT FIREWOOD. Absolutely no pine or cottonwood.

Delivered Price $475/cord, 2 cord special $800, 5 cords $1675.

Professional arborists capable of any job, big or small! Fire mitigation.

Our Family Tree Service 720-840-6120

Commercial Spaces for sale and lease.

Call Eric.

Anderson Realty.

586-2950

Friday, February 16, 2024 « 37

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PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS BUILDER APPLIANCES

970-586-4315

CHIMNEY SWEEP

FINANCIAL SERVICES

rglibby@msn.com Estes Park, CO

ATTORNEYS

CLEANING SERVICES

FLOORING

CAMERAS

6(59,1* (67(6 3$5. )25 <($56

COMPUTER SERVICES CARPET CLEANING

SDUNIORRULQJ FRP

38 » Friday, February 16, 2024

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PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS BUILDER GARAGE DOORS

HEARING & TINNITUS CARE

MOUNTAIN PHOTOGRAPHY

Cory D. Workman, Au.D. Phone: 970-586-5255 • Hearing Aids / New & Repair • Hearing Evaluations • Hearing Protection • Ear Care / Wax Removal • Dizziness / Balance

1186 Graves Ave., Ste. B Estes Park, CO 80517 Fax: 970-577-7260 drcory@estesparkaudiology.com www.estesparkaudiology.com

HOME HEALTH CARE

PAINTING

GENERAL CONTRACTOR

HOT TUBS & POOL SERVICES PEST CONTROL

New Construction & Remodeling Specializing in Decks, Windows, Siding, Kitchen/Bath Remodels, and Exterior Painting Long time local serving the Estes area.

970-581-2670 • cornellhico@gmail.com cornellhomeimprovement.com

LOG RAILINGS & ACCENTS

PILATES

Elkins Construction

Licensed and Insured

Custom Homes • Remodels Decks • Drawings 40+ Years Experience Tim Elkins Estes Park, Colorado 970.310.1683 elkskins22@gmail.com

MAINTENANCE/REPAIR SERVICES

DH D

IAMOND D ANDYMAN SERVICE

Home Maintenance & Repairs Snow Removal & Hauling • Painting

970-586-1685 Custom Homes, Additions, Kitchens, Baths, Historic Renovations, Remodels and Design Work

Charles Santagati 1191 Graves Ave glaciercreekinc.com Full service general contracting since 1998

Licensed & Insured

“Consider It Done!”

Dave 303-877-2007

Friday, February 16, 2024 « 39

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PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS BUILDER PLUMBING

STORAGE

REAL ESTATE Call, Text or E-mail Today!

Aaron L. Busche CMAS, SRS, ABR, CNE

Realtor®

NOW !

ABLE AVAIL

Aaron@EstesPK.com Cell: (970) 470-9962 facebook.com/estesvalleymountainbroker

Certified Mountain Area Specialist Seller Representative Specialist Accredited Buyer's Representative Certified Negotiation Expert

Simply. Elevated. Real Estate.

• Unit Sizes: 800-1600 sq. ft.

• Boat & RV Storage • Fire Suppression System • Utilities Available

970.481.9807 Colexcav@gmail.com

TREE SERVICE

PRE-PLANNING ADVISOR Dawn Shields 970-909-4789 DAWN.SHIELDS@DIGNITYMEMORIAL.COM

We at Allnutt-Estes Park Chapel have been serving families for over 35 years. As part of Dignity Memorial, we are committed to the highest standards at your time of need.

We can also put a plan in place to emotionally and financially relieve your loved ones of burden. This can be the greatest gift that you can offer them. Show them how much you care by protecting them now!

ROOFING PRINTING

WINDOW CLEANING PROPANE

TAROT READING

40 » Friday, February 16, 2024

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Your Local Real Estate Experts 544 Meadowview Drive

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