You may be attracting mountain lions to your property without even knowing it. There have been several highly visible big cat sightings in Estes Park recently. It’s a good idea to be aware of your surroundings and know what to do. See the article on page 16.
The Estes Valley Fire Protection District is proud to announce the successful recruitment and arrival of our new Fire Chief Rick Lasky.
Please join our hearty welcome of Chief Lasky and his wife Jami who have just moved to Estes Park and he officially started April 1. It is an understatement to say that the firefighting volunteers, staff leadership, and Board of EVFPD selected Chief Lasky from a superb slate of applicants. He is a 40+ year veteran of the fire service, renowned educator, and has overwhelming passion to step into this most critically important role for our EVPFD.
details www.chieflasky.com.
Here are a few highlights of his background:
Ryan Bross, Board President of EVFPD said, “I’m so pleased to have Chief Lasky join the District, and hope you’ll help me welcome he and Jami to Estes Park. I’d like to thank the community for their input in the process, our incredible staff for their extra work and effort during the transition, and as always, our dedicated volunteers who sacrifice so much to keep us safe.”
To get full appreciation of his background, please see his website for more
Are you looking for a rewarding way to serve your community? We're seeking passionate individuals to join our firefighting family! Join our ranks as a Firefighter or serve as an Auxiliary Member of the Fire Department!
As a Firefighter, you'll receive comprehensive training and hands-on experience in firefighting, emergency response, and life-saving techniques. As an Auxiliary Member, you will be a part of the team in a needed support role. You'll work alongside seasoned professionals, learn-
Rick followed in his father’s footsteps beginning his career as a firefighter in the suburbs on the southwest side of Chicago and has been a line firefighter, firefighterparamedic, company grade officer, training officer and commandlevel officer.
While in Illinois he received the 1996 International Society of Fire Service Instructors “Innovator of the Year” award for his part in developing the “Saving Our Own” program, a program designed to teach firefighters how to save firefighters that have become trapped or lost in a burning building. Rick is a long-standing editorial advisory board member for Fire Engineering Magazine, serves on the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) International advisory board and has written over 200 technical articles that have been published in national fire-rescue journals.
He is the author of the best-selling books “Pride and Ownership-A Firefighter’s Love of the Job” and “Five Alarm Leadership: From the Firehouse
to the Fireground” published by Fire Engineering Books and is the co-host for the podcast “The Command Post” heard on FireEngineering.com as well as the podcast “Old School.”
Chief Lasky has also served as a police officer and was wounded on several occasions, once while defending a victim of family violence and has received numerous fire and police awards and commendations. He is a Lewisville Honorary Police Officer and Honorary Battalion Commander in the 18th Battalion of the FDNY. In 2017, he was the recipient of the Tom Brennan Lifetime Achievement Award.
Rick lectures at the local, state, national and international levels and is a soughtafter speaker by both the public and private sectors. He is married to his best friend Jami, and they have two children Rick and Emily.
For sport, he was also honored in 2011 as an inductee into the Chicago Softball Hall of Fame.
When asked why he and Jami decided to move to Estes Park, CO they said “It’s an incredible honor to serve as the next Fire Chief for the Estes Valley Fire Protection District. A fire department filled with those who have a passion to serve and who take tremendous pride in doing so. The Board of Directors, the Staff, and an absolutely incredible group of dedicated volunteer firefighters make for the perfect team. The moment you arrive there’s a sense and a feeling of community and one that places a priority on family. This is where we want to be!”
ing from the best in the field while gaining invaluable skills.
Come and meet us for an exciting evening filled with interactive skill sta-
the rewarding opportunities and essential roles within the Estes Valley Fire Protection District.
Recruitment Dinner: Thursday, April 11, 2024
tions and discover what it takes to be part of our dedicated team. Learn about
Time: 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
Where: Station 71 - 901 North Saint Vrain, Estes Park
Whether you're passionate about helping others, crave excitement, or seek a meaningful way to give back, becoming a firefighter or an Auxiliary Member is your chance to make a real difference in people's lives. Join us today and be part of a team dedicated to protecting and serving our community in times of need.
Preliminary, unofficial results of the Town of Estes Park’s Municipal Election are as follows:
Mayor (4-year Term): Gary Hall
Trustee (4-year Term): Mark Igel
Trustee (4-year Term): Cindy Younglund
Trustee (4-year Term): Frank Lancaster
Trustee (2-year Term): Bill Brown
YES on Ballot Issue 1A (Extension of the 1 percent sales tax through 2034)
NO on Ballot Question (Citizen-initiated ordinance to amend sections of the Development Code to require 60 percent approval of certain land use applications by proximate property owners)
Approximately 43 percent of active voters registered in the Estes Park town limits cast ballots in the April 2 election. Average voter turnout for previous mail ballot Municipal Elections is 50 to 60 percent.
The State Election Law requires the Town to send ballots to registered overseas voters per the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). The law allows ballots from UOCAVA voters to be postmarked on
Election Day and be received by the eighth day after the election to be counted. The final canvassing of the election results will be held on the tenth day after the election, with final official results available April 12.
The approved ballot questions take effect upon certification of the election results. The newly elected mayor and trustees will be sworn in at the Town Board meeting scheduled for April 23 at 7 p.m. For more information on the Municipal Election, please visit www.estes.org/elections or contact the Town Clerk’s office at 970-577-4777.
The Town of Estes Park is partnering with the Larimer County Household Hazardous Waste Program (HHW) to host its next battery collection event on Wednesday, April 17, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., in the Estes Valley Library’s Hondius Room (335 E. Elkhorn Ave.). All batteries contain potentially hazardous materials, and residents are invited to dispose of qualifying batteries at this HHW program event. Participation is free for Larimer County residents. This inclusive program is an educational and service opportunity for Estes Park residents to responsibly recycle small residential batteries. Larimer County will accept only the following types of batteries:
● Alkaline (includes magnesium, mercury, silver oxide, and carbon zinc) – This is the most common household battery. Examples include the various sized batteries used in flashlights, hearing aids, radios, and toys.
● Rechargeable (includes lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium, and nickel-metal hydride) – These batteries are labeled as rechargeable. Examples include batteries
The charge(s) are merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
On 3/25/2024 at 7:28 a.m. police contacted a 29 year old male from Estes Park in the 1300 block of Manford Ave. during the execution of a search warrant for evidence. The male was wanted on a warrant for a misdemeanor. He was arrested and transported to the Larimer County Jail.
On 3/29/2024 at 10:44 a.m. police were called to the 1400 block of Raven Circle due to 3rd party calling regarding a verbal dis-
used in cameras, cell phones, and cordless power tools, and those embedded in tablet computers.
● Lithium (includes AA and AAA marked as lithium or CR, and coin cell) –These batteries are labeled as primary/metal or lithium. Examples include batteries used in calculators, watches, and small electronics.
Only batteries will be collected, so please remove them from their devices. For batteries not featured on the list above, Larimer County will provide information on disposal and recycling. Examples of batteries that will not be accepted include automotive/lead acid batteries used in cars and boats; large output lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes, hoverboards, and electric vehicles batteries; damaged, defective, or recalled (DDR) batteries; THC vape devices; and batteries that are generated from business operations.
For more information about this battery collection program, contact Facilities Maintenance Supervisor Robert Schumaker at rschumaker@estes.org or 970577-3576. .
turbance. On scene they contacted a 42 year old female from Estes Park who was charged with domestic violence and harassment, arrested and transported to the Larimer County Jail.
In the same case on 3/29/2024 at 10:44 a.m. in the 1400 block of Raven Circle police contacted a 30 year old male from Estes Park due to a 3rd party calling regarding a verbal disturbance. The male at this address was charged with domestic violence and third degree assault, arrested and transported to the Larimer County Jail.
The Town of Estes Park is pleased to announce that tickets for the 2024 Rooftop Rodeo went on sale April 1 at www.rooftoprodeo.com. This year’s rodeo takes place nightly from Friday, July 5 through Wednesday, July 10 at the Estes Park Events Complex, 1125 Rooftop Way.
Standard ticket prices are $25 for general admission, $35 for box seats, and $17 for senior citizens, military personnel (I.D.s required), and children (ages 3-12). Admission is free for children aged two and under. General admission discounts of 25 percent are available for groups of 15 or more and will apply automatically at checkout.
Each night of the Rodeo features unique themes and/or promotions:
Friday, July 5: Fiesta Night
Fiesta-themed music before the rodeo and during pre-show
Saturday, July 6: Paint Estes Pink We encourage you to proudly wear pink to show your support for breast cancer awareness and research.
Sunday, July 7: Military Appreciation Night
Military personnel and their families pay just $12 per person for general admission (I.D. required).
Monday, July 8: Family Night
Tickets for children (ages 3-12) are just $5 each
Tuesday, July 9: First Responders Night
First Responders and their families pay just $12 per person for general admission.
Wednesday, July 10: Locals Night
Locals receive a 25 percent discount on general admission with online coupon code "80517" (only when ordering tickets online or purchasing in advance at the Event Center office)
Gates open each night at 5 p.m. The preshow begins at 6:45 p.m. and the rodeo starts at 7 p.m.
For more information about the Rooftop Rodeo, visit www.rooftoprodeo.com. Ticket purchasing inquiries may be made by contacting the Town of Estes Park Events Office at 970-970-586-6104 or events@estes.org.
The Town of Estes Park will temporarily close the trailhead access and parking at the Thumb Open Space from April 3, 2024 to no later than April 24, 2024. The planned closure is required due to continued construction activity in the area. The area will be blocked off and not accessible during the closure period. There
will be no parking or public access from the trailhead.
For more information and updates, please contact Jacqui Wesley, Project Manager at 970-577-3611 or jwesley@estes.org or Jason Lang at 970577-3622 or jlang@estes.org
In 2023, 322 Town of Estes Park volunteers gave 16,055 hours of public service to the community, -- a value of $510,549 and a significant savings for taxpayers.
Mayor Wendy Koenig commented, “Our volunteers continue to be a vital part of the services provided by the Town of Estes Park. I am thankful for the contributions of those who give their time and talents to support our community and quality of life.”
The Town maintains a central online location for volunteer information. In-
terested individuals can learn about volunteer opportunities, including program and appointed positions, as well as fill out an easy application at www.estes.org/volunteering. Appointed positions include boards and commissions, such as the Estes Park Board of Adjustment and the Estes Park Board of Appeals. Program, or non-appointed positions include those with the Estes Park Museum, Events, Estes Valley Restorative Justice Partnership, Visitor Services, and the Estes Park Police Department.
You can enjoy planting, cultivating, and eating fresh vegetables this summer!
Join neighbors with your own personal plot at the Estes Valley Community Garden located near the Fairgrounds.
Several garden plots are still available for the 2024 growing season including some with raised beds (no bending!) for eligible seniors 65-years old and over.
The cost is $80 for the season and fi-
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.
nancial aid is available. Participants enjoy a fenced-in garden area with a 4 ft. by 10 ft. individual plot filled with rich growing soil and fertilizer and an automatic watering system.
Benefits include access to hand tools, advice from experienced gardeners, and optional EVCG extra activities. Don’t delay. Secure your garden plot today by completing an application at: https://www.evcg.org/join-us.
During the week of March 24th, 2024, the Estes Valley Fire Protection District (EVFPD) responded to 5 calls for service. This included:
• Emergency Medical (assist EPH): 2
• Motor Vehicle Crash (MVC): 2
• Odor Investigation: 1
Estes Valley Fire www.estesvalleyfire.org
The Estes Park Aviation Club's speaker for the Wednesday, April 10th meeting is Stewart Bailey, the Exhibits & Collections Manager at Wings Over the Rockies Museum in Denver. Mr. Bailey was scheduled to speak at the March 13th meeting but the meeting was cancelled because of the snowstorm. Mr. Bailey has graciously offered to speak at the April meeting. The Wings Over the Rockies is an outstanding air and space museum with two locations in the Denver area at the former Lowery Air Force Base and at Centennial Airport.
Before coming to Wings he served as the Curator for the Lone Star Flight Museum in Houston.
Prior to that he was Curator at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum; Director of Education at the Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum (the Air Zoo); Executive Director of the Michigan Space & Science Center and Exhibits Graphic Designer for the Cranbrook Institute of Science Museum.
Stewart’s presentation will be on the Berlin Airlift of 1948-49. The Berlin Airlift is of special significance in aviation history because only three years after the end of the bloody battles of World War 2 the United States flew cargo missions (and not bombing missions) into Berlin to save the city from starvation. Spoiler alert – a segment of Stewart’s presentation will be on the “candy bomber" (pictured).
Mr. Bailey has published one book on the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum collection and has numerous articles and photographs in aviation and spaceflight related books and magazines. He is an avid model builder and model rocketeer with additional interests in astronomy and American Civil War naval history.
The Aviation Club meeting is Wednes-
Bailey grew up during the opening of the space age and is a life-long enthusiast of aviation and space flight. Stewart graduated from the University of Michigan School of Art & Design and has had a career that spans over 30 years in Aviation, Space and Science Museums.
day, April 10th at 6:30 p.m., at the American Legion Post 119 Hall, located at 850 No. St. Vrain Ave. As always, the Legion is open to the public with food and drink for purchase at 5:30. Our gathering is open to all interested, so if you like flying, planes, space, or just talking to aviation enthusiasts, come join us!
Estes Park Bigfoot Days presented by The Twisted Griffin Irish Pub & Restaurant celebrates all things Squatchy. The weekend kicks-off with a ticketed dinner on Friday, April 19 with Bigfoot Television Celebrities, and concludes with a free festival in Bond Park on Saturday, April 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The festival includes talks from the Bigfoot TV Celebrities, the Sasquatch Outpost podcast, live music, ax throwing, inflatable games, craft and food vendors, a Bigfoot calling contest, Bigfoot sighting stories, and much more!
The Bigfoot BBQ is Friday, April 19, 2024 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Estes Park. This Bigfoot-themed dinner will feature food, drinks, music, photos, and mingling with our Bigfoot Celebrities. Tickets are $90. For more in-
formation and to purchase tickets visit estesparkeventscomplex.com/bigfootbbq-dinner.html
In addition to the free Bigfoot Days Festival on Saturday, April 20, 2024, there will be a screening of The Bigfoot of Bailey Colorado and its Portal. The screening of this 51-minute documentary will be held at the Historic Park Theater, located at 130 Moraine Ave, at 4 p.m., with commentary by the filmmakers before the screening. Admission is free.
The Twisted Griffin Irish Pub & Restaurant will host a Bigfoot Days After Party with live music and Bigfoot food and drink specials beginning at 6 p.m. Live music starts at 7 p.m. For more event information, please visit www.EPBigfoot.com
Back by popular demand - the Estes Chamber Foundation and The Pet Association of Estes Park kicked-off the 4th annual Coolest Dog Contest to find the coolest floofy pups in town to grace the labels of a special edition Avant Garde beer and Snowy Peaks wine.
"Folks are encouraged to register their dogs for a $10 donation and to vote for their favorite pups for a $1 donation, all of which will benefit the Pet Association and educational programming through the Chamber Foundation," said Estes Chamber of Commerce President Colleen DePasquale.
"The Chamber Foundation will focus
their donations on local education needs for 2024 in partnership with the Estes Park School District. The Pet Association will receive 10% of net proceeds to fuel their ongoing mission to serve the needs of the four-legged friends in our community," DePasquale continued.
The contest runs thru April 30th
Here's how it works: Enter your pooch in Coolest Dog Contest by completing the entry form online at www.gogophotocontest.com/epcoolestdog and making a $10 donation. Once registered, share your personal web-link with friends and family to vote. Each vote is a $1 donation.
The first place pup with the highest number of votes in each category gets their adorable fuzzy face featured on the front of a special-edition label from our craft beverage community:
Pawsh Wine sponsored by Snowy Peaks Winery will feature the small dog category and Barky Mountain Majesty sponsored by Avant Garde Aleworks will feature the four-legged royalty of the bunch. The 2nd and 3rd place dogs in each category will also be recognized on the back label of the can or bottle.
To help "get out the vote," you can bring your dog to yappy hours at Avant Garde Aleworks on April 4th and 18th from 5-6 p.m. At each yappy hour, we'll also be registering pups and meeting the contenders.
Join the fun today at gogophotocontest.com/epcoolestdog
My heart sparked with delight when I saw this message on my phone a few days ago: “POETRY MONTH COMING SOON!!!” Terri S. is a poetry lover like I am, and I appreciate her enthusiasm for verse—triple exclamation points included.
Not everyone shares Terri’s sentiment. Every April, which is National Poetry Month, some Thunker readers stop turning to Page 9 of the Estes Park News, stop reading my column on Facebook, and start ignoring my weekly emails because they know poetry is what I’ll be writing about for four weeks. I get that. I do the same thing when my National Public Radio station has its on-air fund drive twice a year. I turn off the radio until the fund drive is over. (Especially because I give to NPR every month. I love NPR; I don’t like to be endlessly bedeviled about it.)
sail through this to that
Simply lovely! But here’s the thing: rarely will a poem pulse in rhythm with your heart the very first time you read it. Most often you need to read it at least three times. Let’s try bringing this poem deeper into our souls. Here are some steps you can use with every new
poem:
First, read the poem silently. Slowly. Note any words or phrases that stand out to you, or any questions you may have. Then read it again.
Next, find two
I dare to think my column sometimes brings un-poetry people around to the great wide, beautiful, wonderful world of poems (a line taken from a William Brighty Rands poem about the world). Indeed, when I get an email like the following from my friend Chris C., I know I’ll never stop running poetry columns every April: “Sarah, before meeting you poetry wasn't in my sphere. Thank you for introducing me to and enlightening me with its charm. I'll never be a poet, but I'm more appreciative of poetry because of you.”
And so, with these messages of encouragement, we begin another April by celebrating poetry. We will start with a single poem—the theme poem for this year’s Poetry Month, by Lucille Clifton (1936–2010):
blessing the boats (at St. Mary’s) may the tide that is entering even now the lip of our understanding carry you out beyond the face of fear may you kiss the wind then turn from it certain that it will love your back may you open your eyes to water water waving forever and may you in your innocence
people—friends, family, coworkers or strangers if you’re in a pinch (you might make a new friend), and ask them to read the poem aloud. Listen as they read. Write down any additional words or phrases that stand out. You can also find lots of poems being read by the author or other narrators online. See if you can find your poem being read on video. (There are several YouTube videos of blessing the boats being read aloud.)
Now, explore the poem with the folks who read it with you. Talk about the words you wrote down and what imagery came to mind. Ask your companions to share their reaction to the poem. (Need some prompts? In blessing the boats, how might the poem be a blessing? Who might be the audience? What might the boats represent? Look at the poster for this year’s Poetry Month. Does it help you understand the poem? Notice the last line of the poem runs diagonally across the poster. It may be difficult to see as it fades in and out. The artist is Jack Wong. Does the poster help with interpretation?)
Lastly, read the poem once more. Leave it and come back to it tomorrow and read it again. If you didn’t like it at first, eventually you may find a blessing in it.
There’s more to come next week. Don’t go away—we’ll be right back.
You may let The Thunker know what you think at her e-mail address, donoholdt@gmail.com.
©
2024 Sarah Donohoe
Painting with Cathy Goodale 2024 will present another fabulous opportunity to paint with wellknown local artist, Cathy Goodale, who will be teaching monthly from January through December 2024 at the Art Center. Sign up for any number of classes in advance or one at a time, as the year progresses. Each class will meet from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Art Center classroom.
Have you adopted your ducks yet for the 2023 Duck Race?
April 17-“Spring Flowers.” Cathy’s focus will be as fol lows: perspective of a flower – interpretation rather than detail – and how to limit your palette when using many colors. How does color affect us emotionally? What are your color choices? How does that affect your painting? Art Center members: $72, non members: $80.
Current Exhibit "Spring Sojourn"
Watercolor paintings by Deborah J. Jansen and oil paintings by Bill Fritz
March 15-April 22
Opening Reception rescheduled April 5, 5-7 p.m. Sponsored by Bill and Sue Pinkham.
This is an easy way to support the Art Center. The 36th Annual Estes Park Rotary Duck Race Festival will take place in the river on Saturday, May 6. Adopt your ducks now for the Art Center at: www.epduckrace.org/art-center-of-estes-park. Adoptions are $25 each, with $22 going directly to the Art Center. Think about adopting a sixduck Quack Pack for $125, adopt five ducks, get one duck free!
The more ducks you adopt, the better your chances to win one of the hundreds of prizes donated by one of the local merchants or one of the big prizes: $10,000 cash, $6,000 cash, $4,000 cash, a three-night vacation package at Yellowstone or a threenight vacation package at Glacier National Park.
Bill Fritz was raised in South Dakota. He attended the University of Nebraska and graduated from the Art Center School of Design in Los Angeles. He spent his career working for major advertising agencies as an Art Director and Creative Director. He began oil painting after retirement and moving to Estes Park. While developing his artistic skills Bill enjoyed biking and RVing. Bill has always looked forward to capturing the beauty of Estes Park and surrounding areas…he feels blessed to call such a beautiful place “home.”
Deborah J. Jansen: “What a thrill to find that place of wonderful light and color, that certain mood, that provocative living thing—and then paint it! I favor en plein aire, where I am alone with nature’s sounds, scents, and secrets. My watermedia paintings are inspired by my love of life in all forms, and my concern for the environment and the people sharing it.”
Debbie is an established, recognized, awarded, and productive painter. She was raised in Minnesota and educated at Macalester College. She worked as a Medical Technologist (ASCP) in MN, HI, AZ, and CO—all wonderful places for a watercolorist.
On race day, Estes Park Rotary will present a festival of activities at Riverside Plaza and the starting line at Nicky’s Steakhouse, with live streaming of the race beginning at 12:45 p.m.
Your continued support of the Art Center of Estes Park provides a variety of art classes and local and national art exhibits annual for our community.
Satellite Exhibits:
Estes Park Health, US Bank, with newly hung exhibit of artwork by Bruce Boynton and exhibits at VERT, Snowy Peaks Winery, and at the Bank of Estes Park. The public is invited to visit these exhibits
Social Media:
The Art Center can be viewed not only on our website at www.artcenterofestes.com but we are on Facebook at Art-Center-of-Estes-Park and Instagram at artcenterofep.
The Art Center of Estes Park is a nonprofit organization which provides a facility to support the work of local and regional artists, striving to promote exhibition, education, and excellence in the visual arts. Proceeds benefit the artist and contribute to the Art Center’s education and community outreach. The Art Center is located at 517 Big Thompson Avenue, in Middle Stanley Village, below Safeway and above Subway. For more information, please call the Art Center at 970-586-5882 or visit our website at www.artcenterofestes.com.
In 2022, the Estes Valley Land Trust created a new student internship position to foster the next generation of environmental stewards, with grant funding from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO). Over the last two years, the internship has allowed local high school students to gain experience in the environmental field and learn the inner workings of a land conservation organization. “The EVLT internship was a wonderful experience for me,” said former intern Laurel Williamson. “It gave me a greater understanding of career fields that I might be interested in pursuing and helped me connect with nature and the community in a new way. This experience opened up many doors
for me even beyond the internship itself.”
The land trust is now accepting applications for the 2024 student internship position. Currently enrolled EP High School students at least 16 years of age are encouraged to apply. The intern will shadow land trust staff and assist with easement monitoring and reporting, educational events, and general office tasks. This is a part-time position, summer through fall, with a wage of $17 per hour.
For a full job description and application instructions, email Joanna Maggetti at joanna@evlandtrust.org.
On Thursday, April 25, nearly a dozen Estes Park High School students will unveil their original short films that may focus on climate change, wildlife conservation and other current environmental issues. The third annual Estes Valley Student Environmental Film Festival, cosponsored by the Estes Valley Land Trust, Estes Park School District and Bird & Jim, will take place in the high school auditorium from 5-8 p.m. This is a free event and registration is not required. The purpose of the Film Festival is to amplify the voices of local youth by giving them an opportunity to create and reveal their own short films.
“The high school kids in our community are so creative and it’s really interesting to see them explain the role of nature in their lives and the concern they have for the future of our planet,” said Jeffrey Boring, Executive Director of the Estes Valley Land Trust. “In the past, the films have been awe-inspiring, thoughtprovoking and funny; I think the audience will really enjoy seeing what the students come up with.”
Each film will be approximately five minutes in length and screening will occur between 5 - 6:30 p.m. After the films are screened, all student filmmakers will join a panel of judges on stage, for a question and answer session. This year the panel of judges includes Nick Molle, local environmental filmmaker; Melissa Strong, Bird & Jim owner; Rut Miller, EVICS Family Resource Center Program Director; and Steve Johnson, Estes Park
Middle School Science Teacher (retired).
“The question and answer session is my favorite part of the film festival,” said Alicia Rochambeau, Community Engagement Coordinator with the Estes Valley Land Trust. “I’m really proud of the students for their maturity and courage to speak in front of a live audience.”
After the event, the judges finalize their scores and students who created the top three films will receive academic scholarships. Thanks to our sponsors, $8,000 will be available for student filmmakers this year. The filmmakers will be judged on the quality and content of their films as well as their participation in the Q&A portion of the event. Scholarships will be announced at the Estes Park High School Awards Night. A reception will conclude the event and free refreshments will be available.
Through this film festival, and other youth-oriented programs, the land trust aims to foster the next generation of environmental stewards in the Estes Park community. Please join us at this event to show your support for our local youth. All are welcome!
About the Estes Valley Land TrustFounded in 1987 by Estes Park residents, the Estes Valley Land Trust is a nationally recognized land conservation organization that has preserved over 10,000 acres of land in the Estes Valley. Please consider becoming a member of the land trust at www.evlandtrust.org/donate.
In celebration of April’s National Poetry Month, local performer Kurtis Kelly will lead a storytelling re-enactment of Charles Edwin Hewes (1870-1947), the innkeeper, poet, and chronicler of the early days of Estes Park. Along today’s Highway 7, the historic Hewes-Kirkwood Inn is home of today’s Rocky Ridge Music Center.
In 1907, a Denver clairvoyant advised Charley to get himself to Estes Park immediately: there, his future awaited. Within days, an exhausted Hewes was “doing the work of five men” alongside Joe Mills at the Longs Peak Inn. Charley's twice-widowed mother later joined him to become proprietors of the newly-built Hewes-Kirkwood Inn. At the end of the 1918 season, Charley counted $1.50 profit in the cash register. And that was a good year. But his love for mountain life and his ambitions as a poet and novelist kept his inspiration alive, and he chronicled a transformation of the valley from dusty horse trails and cattle battles to automobile roads busy with tourists.
Attendees are invited to gather this Friday, April 5 at Raven’s Roast Coffee Lounge to hear stories and poems from Charley’s adventurous life. The program takes place at 1 p.m. and at 4 p.m. 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 enjoy the many Raven’s Roast specialties available for purchase, including coffees, teas, hot cocoa, and bakery treats.
Calling all thespians who will have completed 3rd through 12th grades in 2024! Join us to be a part of Youth Theater Camp and Disney’s Newsies, Jr. We’re going to have a blast bringing this musical to the stage!
Youth Theater camp is a tuition based two-week camp meeting Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., June 1021, with public performances scheduled for Saturday, June 22 and Sunday, June 23. Camp meets at the High School auditorium. Production camp is for students who have completed 3rd through 12th grades and who want to learn or perfect their acting skills. No cut auditions are held, and the cast chosen before camp so that students can learn lines and music before camp starts.
For vocal auditions, students should prepare two minutes of a musical theater selection, bring sheet music or a backing tract, theater resume, and current photograph. They will also need to select and
memorize a monologue from a list provided and deliver it following the vocal audition. A group dance audition will follow the conclusion of vocal auditions, so students need to wear comfortable clothes and closed toe shoes. Auditions for Production Camp are Saturday, April 13 at Estes Park High School, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sign up on Sign Up Genius, tinyurl.com/2utpcvbc. These are no cut auditions. Everyone will be cast.
Don’t want to sing and dance? If you’ve completed 6th-12th grade, you can join the tech camp and help build and paint the set and props, help with light and sound, and move set pieces on stage during the production. It’s fun, and when everyone works together the results are pretty amazing! No audition is necessary to participate in Tech Camp, but students need to sign up. tinyurl.com/38wmd9ma.
Additional information including a list of characters can be found on the Fine Arts Guild website www.fineartsguild.org. Tuition for the Production camp is $250 and $175 for tech camp. Scholarships are available for students in the Estes Park School District. Application forms are available on the website. Questions? Email fineartsguildep@gmail.com
The Fine Arts Guild is pleased to announce dates for auditions for the musical, Quilters, Sunday, April 14, 2-3 p.m. and Monday, April 15, 7-8 p.m. at the Estes Park High School Auditorium. Cold readings from the script will follow vocal auditions at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. respectively. Sign up for an audition time at tinyurl.com/7rk4r3c5.
Quilters is the story of a pioneer woman and her six daughters. It blends a series of interrelated scenes into a rich mosaic which captures the sweep and beauty, the terror and joy, and the harsh challenges and abiding rewards of frontier life. Illuminating stories depict the life of women on the frontier: girlhood, marriage, childbirth, spinsterhood, twisters, fire, illness and death. In the
end, the various patches presented throughout are assembled into one glorious, brilliantly colorful quilt. There are 7-8 roles for women. Sarah, the mother, and her six daughters are the primary roles. There are additional parts that can be played by the 8th actor or taken on by the original six daughters. There are also parts for musicians who can play bass, hammered dulcimer, guitar, banjo, cello and flute.
Rehearsals will begin the week of June 10 through July 18, with performances set for July 19-21, 26-27. The rehearsal schedule will be determined based on availability of the cast members.
Those auditioning will need to prepare 32 bars of a musical theater selection that will showcase your vocal abilities and range, bring sheet music or a backing track, resume, headshot and audition form which will be emailed.
Virtual auditions are possible for people with schedules that won’t allow an in-person audition and will include a Zoom interview in addition to the submission of the vocal audition and reading from emailed sides.
Quilters Artistic Director is Jim Valone and Musical Director, Cynthia Hunt. Questions? Email fineartsguildep@gmail.com
Peak-to-Peak
Come and catch up on what your quilting buddies have been up to and enjoy new designs of Estes Park fabric! There will be a demo on new tools available and light appetizers.
Bring your show and tell, and remember to wear your name badges!
Did you miss the Elevate Partners Fundraising Dinner on March 7th, 2024, at Mama Roses? It was a busy night in our Estes Valley Community with snow and several other community activities scheduled on the same evening. You have been supporters and friends of Partners for so long, we don't want to lose contact with you. All donations directly support the Estes Park Partners office and are tax deductible. Donations also qualify for the CO Child Care Contributions Tax credit, which provides a tax credit of 50% of your donation. You can donate or find out more information at online at: poweredbypartners.org. Choose either one time donation or reoccurring monthly donation. From the drop down box choose type of donation, choose Event Donation, and in the notes section write in “Elevate Partners 2024.” Please fill in all your contact information.
If you prefer to write a check, please send it to Partners, 600 S. Saint Vrain Ave., Unit 2, Estes Park, CO 80517-7488. Please write “Elevate Partners” in the memo line on the check. Also, please include your current mailing address, email address, and phone number. Thanks for your support of Partners and the youth, families, and volunteers we serve!
Colorado's abundant wildlife is often cited by residents as one of the things they like best about living here. During the mid and late 20th century, Colorado's growth brought people in closer contact with deer, elk and other wildlife species, to the delight of a new generation of wildlife watchers.
But one of these wild animals is the mountain lion, a powerful predator that while secretive by nature, has become increasingly visible in recent years. And as some Coloradans have discovered, when mountain lions follow deer and other wildlife prey, it brings them into to people's neighborhoods.
Although most people will never see a mountain lion in their lifetime, the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) says the number of reports of mountain lion sightings has been gradually increasing. Attacks on people are rare, but attacks on dogs and cats are becoming more common. DOW policy is very clear when it comes to lions that pose a threat to human safety. They must be destroyed.
While there have been several lion sighting in Estes Park recently, DOW officials stress that these big cats can be found almost anywhere in the state where a suitable population of deer exists.
Roughly 65 percent of Colorado is classified as good mountain lion habitat. The only place mountain lions cannot live for an extended period of time is where there is no prey.
There are a variety of reasons for increased mountain lion sightings. One is that more humans live and recreate where mountain lions and their primary prey, mule deer, exist. Other explanations could be related to changes in lion distribution and movement patterns, increasing populations, or the simple fact that people are more apt to report sightings.
mountain lions. Mountain lions usually avoid people, but even with human activity nearby, mountain lions are more likely to stay in an area where deer congregate.
When a lion kills a large animal like a deer, they consume part of the meat and conceal the rest by covering it with dirt or leaves. They return again later to eat more. As long as the meat does not spoil, the lion will remain in the vicinity until it is consumed. That might be up to a week during the winter.
If you find a partially eaten carcass on your property, call our local DOW office and they will safely remove the carcass. This will prompt the lion to leave the area. In some cases, DOW officers use "negative conditioning" techniques to haze cats away from populated areas. One method is shooting the lion with bean bags or rubber buckshot. It sends a strong message to reinforce the cat's natural instinct to avoid people.
The vast majority of sightings happen very quickly and end when the lion runs away. But wildlife managers are concerned that more and more reports are coming from populated areas where mountain lions are finding plentiful food supplies.
Feeding deer and other wildlife draws prey animals into residential areas-which means mountain lions are likely to follow. Sometimes people become a little too anxious to see wildlife and attempt to bring animals closer by putting out food. It is illegal to feed deer in Colorado, but sometimes people do it anyway because they are unaware of the problems it causes. Deer are more than capable of finding plenty of natural food to eat on their own. Feeding deer congregates them in back yards and puts everyone in the neighborhood at risk because deer are one of the main food sources for
Like most predators, mountain lions are opportunistic. In addition to deer, mountain lions also eat raccoons, fox, rabbits and other mammals. They do not differentiate between domestic pets and livestock that also make easy prey. Pets that are allowed to roam free are in danger of being killed by lions, but also by coyotes or foxes. Pet owners with outside dogs are encouraged to install tops on kennels to prevent predators from jumping in.
People often ask why the Division of Wildlife doesn't move all of the lions away from the where people live. The answer is, lions are destroyed if wildlife managers determine the cat is a threat to public safety, but it is impractical to try to move every mountain lion because as long as there is food to eat it is only a matter of time before another mountain lion will move in to fill the vacated territory.
Male mountain lions are territorial. Some individuals live in small territories where prey is plentiful. Other lions are constantly on the move in territories that cover hundreds of miles.
The fate of moved lions is poorly understood. There is reason to believe that some mountain lions die after they are moved. They could be killed by other lions where they are released, may return, or die trying. Colorado researchers are currently studying lion movements to learn more about the effectiveness of relocating them.
Mountain lions hunt day or night, but are most active during hours of darkness. Males will travel as much as 25 miles a night in search of food.
Lions are generally solitary. Offspring can be born during any time of the year and will stay with their mother for approximately one year before heading off on their own.
TIPS FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN MOUNTAIN LION COUNTRY: DON'T FEED WILDLIFE: By feeding deer, raccoons or other wildlife in your yard, you may inadvertently attract mountain lions, which prey upon them.
LANDSCAPE FOR SAFETY: Remove dense and/or low-lying vegetation that provides good hiding places for mountain lions, especially around children's play areas. Make it difficult for mountain lions to approach a yard unseen.
can attract foxes, raccoons, rodents and other mountain lion prey.
KEEP LIVESTOCK SECURE: Where practical, place livestock in enclosed sheds and barns at night, and be sure to secure all outbuildings.
KEEP CHILDREN SAFE: Keep a close watch on children whenever they play outdoors. Talk with children about mountain lions and teach them what to do if they encounter one.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ENCOUNTER A MOUNTAIN LION:
DO NOT APPROACH A LION: Most mountain lions try to avoid people. Human encounters are generally brief. Give them a way to escape. Mountain lions become aggressive if they feel they are cornered.
DO NOT RUN FROM A LION: Running may stimulate a mountain lion's instinct to chase. Instead, stand and face the animal. Make eye contact. If there are small children, pick them up if possible so they don't panic and run. Although it may be awkward, pick them up without bending over or turning away from the mountain lion.
STAND TALL AND APPEAR LARGE: Raise your arms. Open your jacket if you are wearing one. Again, pick up small children. Throw stones, branches, or whatever you can reach without crouching or turning your back. Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly in a loud voice. The idea is to convince the mountain lion that you are not prey and that you may be a danger to it.
INSTALL OUTDOOR LIGHTING: Keep the house perimeter well lit at night - especially along walkways - to keep any approaching mountain lions visible.
KEEP PETS SECURE: Roaming pets are easy prey for hungry mountain lions. Outside kennels should have a secure top. Do not leave pet food outside; this
FIGHT BACK IF ATTACKED:
Many potential victims have fought back successfully with rocks, sticks, binoculars, garden tools and their bare hands. Since a mountain lion usually tries to bite the head or neck, try to remain standing and face the attacking animal.
DO NOT HIKE ALONE: Go in groups, with adults supervising children.
KEEP CHILDREN CLOSE TO YOU: Observations of captive mountain lions reveal that they seem especially drawn to children because they are lower to the ground. Keep children within your sight at all times.
To learn more about mountain lions, please visit www.colorado.gov/wildlife.
Help Us Help the Helpers
Friday April 19th, 2024
From 5:00-8:00pm
555 S. St. Vrain Ave. Estes Park, CO
Come bowl a game or join us for food and fun.
A portion of the proceeds collected will benefit Restoration Ranch Colorado.
Silent Auction drawings begin at 7:00pm (must be present to win)
$20 admission includes food and bowling
Your support allows RRC to continue innovative programs for First Responders and their families including FREE stays at the nonprofit founders’ Ranch.
Local First Responders Need Our Support!
Are you part of a local non-profit or service club? Whether your organization has been here for 100 years or just began, here is an opportunity to have your
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 etched 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 anal-
ogy 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. Donations will lead to the completion of building upgrades for an ideal, secure environment and 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 80 pavers ordered, there are just over 70 left! The fundraising opportunity will end in May for the installation to take place later this summer. Order now for a personal inclusion in this community effort that will be seen by thousands of annual visitors!
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.
The Estes Valley now has it’s own photo club, the Estes Valley Photo Club (EVPC).
“A group of local photographers felt there was need to bring the community together,” said Deena Sveinsson, Founding Member. “We decided it was time for the Estes Valley to have it’s own photo club.”
“The best way to become a better photographer is to learn from other members,” said Dean Cobbs, Founding Member. “The club will allow members to enjoy the fellowship with others that have a similar passion.”
The Estes Valley Photo Club will initially be on social media as a private Facebook Page. Look under the Group Section and enter Estes Valley Photo Club. You will receive an approval after answering a few questions.
Membership is open to anyone interested in photography or video regardless of experience. It doesn’t matter what the sophistication or simplicity of your camera equipment is. All are welcome.
Invitation to join is extended to residents and visitors to the Estes Valley and beyond.
There will be monthly photo contests in which members can post their best work and be awarded the “Rachel Reward.” The award is named after a local photographer that recently passed away. In addition, there will also be posted information about photography events and meetups.
At this time, there will be no annual dues. Once established, there may be a dedicated website.
“We look forward to being a part of this community,” said Deena Sveinsson. “After all, the Estes Valley is the reason most of us started taking photos in the first place.”
Mondays - Thursdays, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Fridays & Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sundays, 1 - 5 p.m.
Special Hours
Closed Thursday, April 18 for staff training
KEY
Ⓡ: Registration required. Visit estesvalleylibrary.org to sign up.
From Murder to Atonement:
Author Talk with Colum McCann & Diane Foley Ⓡ
Tuesday, April 9, 12 - 1 p.m., online
Don’t miss this unique conversation between National Book Award winner
Colum McCann and Diane Foley, the inspiration behind American Mother: the story of a mother who confronts her son’s killer and in doing so, arrives at the heart of forgiveness. Presented with the Library Speakers Consortium.
Book Club for Mortals:
The Art of Dying Well Ⓡ
Thursday, April 11, 10 - 11:30 a.m., Wasson Room & online
Discuss end-of-life issues and our shared mortality. April’s feature, The Art of Dying Well, considers how we might adapt successfully to change and therefore live as well as possible for as long as possible.
A Literary Examination of Power, Love, & Art with Xochitl Gonzalez Ⓡ
Wednesday, April 17, 6 - 7 p.m., online
Anita de Monte Laughs Last is a propulsive, witty examination of power, love, and art, daring to ask who gets to be remembered and who is left behind. Don’t miss this chat with the novel’s award-winning author, Xochitl Gonzalez. Presented with the Library Speakers Consortium.
ALL AGES
Eclipse Viewing Party
Monday, April 8, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Estes Park Memorial Observatory Estes Park is projected to see 60% coverage of the upcoming solar eclipse! We’ll have viewing glasses, four filtered telescopes, the NASA livestream, crafts,
snacks, and even tours of the radio room with the Estes Park Radio Club. All ages welcome.
Tech Help with Digital Navigators of Larimer County
Thursday, April 11, 1 - 7:30 p.m., Dream Study Room
Wednesday, April 17, 1 - 7:30 p.m., Dream Study Room
Schedule an appointment and build your digital skills, including using your smartphone, accessing websites and accounts online, improving online communications, and more. Presented by AmeriCorps service members.
Spread Wing Butterfly Mounting Ⓡ
Thursday, April 11, 5:30 - 7 p.m., Makerspace
Join Little Caterpillar Butterfly Art & Conservation to learn how to preserve a butterfly (and other winged insects) for display. Recommended for adults and teens.
Don’t Fret, Just Keep Plucking: Banjos! Ⓡ
Wednesday, April 17, 5:30 - 7 p.m., Hondius Room
Local musician Joshua James Johnson will teach the history of the banjo, including its African roots and use in American music. Participants will have the opportunity to touch, feel, and play a full size banjo. Recommended for adults and teens.
Social Security: What You Need To Know Ⓡ
and electrification programs, highlighting new rebates and programs for 2024.
Artwork Wednesday: Color a Plant Pot Ⓡ
Wednesday, April 17, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m., Makerspace
Use sharpies and markers to decorate a small terracotta pot, then choose a plant to take home and nurture!
Library Storytimes
Babies: Thurs., Fri., & Sat. at 10 a.m.
Preschoolers: Thurs., Fri., & Sat. at 10:30 a.m.
Read to Therapy Dog Annie: Sat., April 6 at 11 a.m.
Storybook Explorers: Sat., April 13 at 11:15 a.m.
Wagon Parade & Animal Crafts
Saturday, April 6, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m., Hondius Room
Join us for our annual Month of the Young Child community kickoff event!
Come for Baby Storytime at 10 a.m. and Storytime at 10:30 a.m., then stick around for a wagon parade, crafts, and reading to a therapy dog. Presented in partnership with EVICS (Estes Valley Investment in Childhood Success); full details at calendar.estesvalleylibrary.org.
Early Childhood Music Ⓡ
Saturday, April 20, 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.
MAKERSPACE CLASSES
Tuesday, April 9, 5:30 - 7 p.m., Hondius Room
For many, Social Security plays a crucial role in retirement. In this session, get answers to questions like, “Can I live off of Social Security?” and “Will Social Security run out?”
Bring questions of your own, too.
The Latest in Home Energy Efficiency & Electrification Ⓡ
Tuesday, April 16, 5:30 - 7 p.m., Hondius Room
Are you curious about how to prepare your home for a non-carbon energy future?
Interested in improving your home’s energy efficiency? Join us for an overview of residential energy efficiency
Learn the Laser Cutter Ⓡ
Monday, April 8, 5:30 - 7 p.m.
For ages 10 and up (participants under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult).
Learn the Embroidery Machine Ⓡ
Monday, April 15, 5:30 - 7 p.m.
For ages 10 and up (participants under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult).
LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES Study Session
Thursday, April 4, 6:30 - 8 p.m., Wasson Room
Regular Meeting
Monday, April 15, 6:30 - 8 p.m., Wasson Room
View the agenda and packet materials at estesvalleylibrary.org/board.
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.
“Thanks for another great selection of books! The ones you ordered for me are exactly what I needed.”
“I know Dad is enjoying his books. He stayed up later than he should have to read the books you sent!”
“Another chance to express how profoundly you have improved my life, ever since I’ve been in your home-delivery program. I so appreciate it!”
If traveling to the Estes Valley Library is difficult for you or someone you know, join these satisfied patrons and let us bring your next checkouts to you via our House Calls program.
When signing up, participants indicate the types of materials they enjoy (including favorite authors or genres, special areas of interest, preferred media type, etc.). Ask for specific titles or say, “Here’s what I like. Surprise me!”
Then, House Calls Coordinator Gretel Bock will personally select items in tune with your interests and arrange for delivery to your home. We use a doorstep approach: before your appointment time, participants place their Library returns outside their front door, and replace that with
a bag of new items. Drop-offs occur twice per month and are supported by our friendly, fabulous volunteers.
Patrons are eligible to sign up for House Calls if they reside within the Library District and are unable to visit the Library due short or longterm illness, visual limitations, physical challenges, non-driver status, or caregiver status (whose responsibilities may make it difficult to travel, including new parents).
House Calls ensures that all residents, even those who are unable to visit us in-person, can continue reading, listening, and learning.
"I relish each opportunity I have to serve our House Calls patrons,” commented Gretel. “I feel tremendous joy when we deliver materials and resources that can enrich their lives."
Interested? Give Gretel a call at (970) 586-8116, extension 827, or email her at gbock@estesvalleylibrary.org.
To learn more about the program, visit estesvalleylibrary.org/housecalls.
On Saturday, April 13, at 1:00 p.m. join Town of Estes Park Historian Laureate, Dr. James Pickering, as he discusses his latest publication, He Came and Stayed: Pieter Hondius, the Estes Park Years. Published by the Estes Park Museum Friends & Foundation, Inc. Press, the book explores the life and contributions of Pieter Hondius Sr. (1864 – 1934) and the critical role he played in the early history of the Estes Park community. The program will take place in the Estes Park Museum meeting room; light snacks and refreshments will be provided. This program is free and open to the public.
This biographical history provides a detailed account of the life and accomplishments of one of Estes Park's early residents. He Came and Stayed traces the life and career of Pieter Hondius Sr., beginning with his arrival at the door of the Elkhorn Lodge in November 1896 in search of relief from a chronic asthma condition. Hondius wasted little time establishing himself in the cattle industry by purchasing land in both Estes Park and Loveland. By 1915, Hondius had become the largest single landowner within the new Rocky Mountain National Park. In 1904, he married Eleanor Estes James, the only daughter of the pioneer family which had established Elkhorn Lodge. In the years that followed, Hondius went on to a series of successful business ventures, which made him one of the wealthiest, well-respected, and most civically engaged citizens in the Estes Valley. The richly detailed text is illustrated by nearly 100 period photographs, some of which have never been seen locally. The paperback book will be available for purchase for $39.95 (+tax) before and after the program. Make sure to pick one up while supplies last! Additionally, those who pre-ordered the collector's edition may pick-up their copy before or after the program.
Learn about Longview with Paige Lechtenberg, Behavioral Health Outreach and Engagement Specialist SummitStone Health Partners
Join us for our next Zoom Coffee on Saturday, April 13 from 10 - 11 a.m. We will go "Behind the Scenes" with Paige Lechtenberg.
Paige will give us news about the new Longview Campus of SummitStone Health Partners.
are welcome to this free community program. Register for your Zoom invitation at www.lwv-estespark.org.
Facebook/Friday Focus/Town of Estes Park version
Larimer County's new Mental Health Urgent Care Center in Ft. Collins is open.
Join us for our next Zoom Coffee on Saturday, April 13 from 10 - 11 a.m. We will go "Behind the Scenes" with Paige Lechtenberg. Paige is an Outreach Specialist with SummitStone. She will give us news about the new Longview Campus of SummitStone Health Partners.
Longview is Larimer County's mental health urgent care center which opened in December 2023. It is the only center of its kind in the state of Colorado. All
Longview is Larimer County's mental health urgent care center which opened in December 2023. It is the only center of its kind in the state of Colorado. All are welcome to this free community program. Register at lwv-estespark.org for your Zoom invitation.
“THE HEAVENS DECLARE THE GLORY OF GOD!” (ESPECIALLY THIS WEEK)
These are the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 19:1. He continues “the sky above proclaims His handiwork.” There are many, of course, who would argue that point, believing that this world just ‘happened’ as a result of a ‘Big Boom’ or some other origin. At a time when many in France held such a conclusion, Ben Franklin is said to have taken his solar system model to show a skeptic he knew, who lived there. The man asked, “Where did this come from?” Ben, a devout believer in creation, is reported to have said, “Oh, I just put the pieces in the box, shook it, and this is the way it came out when I opened it!”
I wonder how a skeptic would describe the phenomenon that is occurring this week. Parts of our world will be mesmerized by the upcoming total solar eclipse…and all of us will be aware of its presence and activity. Multitudes are travelling to distant places, buying solar glasses or securing other safe methods, to be able to view this marvelous event. Its powerful demonstration should cause us to question if such a phenomenon is just a 'happen-stance' or if it is one more thing that shows us the order of a great Mind that has set it…and all nature …in place. Think about it. It’s called the ‘Great American Eclipse’ and it is going to occur in the United States on April 8. For every location in its path it will last for 4 minutes and 27 seconds. In Texas it will be full at 1:22 AM CDT. In Maine it will take place at 3:57 PM EDT. During those hours between it will be viewed by 31 million people …and it is so predictable that a schedule is available to show each area exactly when it will be where they are. (check: ‘Total Solar Eclipse’) Their website urges: “If you’ve never seen a total eclipse before, put it on your bucket list and mark the date. It is truly a breath-taking sight while you stand there in the shadow of the moon.”
This event makes me think of an account of a man who didn’t believe in God. He told a Christian, “If I could just see God then I would believe!” The Christian suggested that he go out and look at the noon-day sun. He retorted, “If I looked at the sun I’d go blind!” His friend said, “If you can’t even stand to look at one of God’s creations, how do you possibly believe you could survive if you saw Him?” We need to keep that in mind as we view the eclipse…and do it safely, but with its Creator in mind.
This total solar eclipse is just one more thing that reminds us that a great Mind and Power is responsible for this orderly (nature-wise) world we get to enjoy. It doesn’t amaze us when a newscaster reports exactly what time the sun will ‘rise’ and ‘set’ in our area. Seasons come and go and we have a good idea about these because our world is governed by a ‘higher-power’. We’re all aware that long before most of the earth’s inhabitants realized that the world was not ‘flat’ as commonly believed, God’s Word said clearly: “God sits on the circle of the earth!” (Isa. 40:22) Before anyone had mapped out the various currents in the oceans an oceanographer pondered the words of Psalm 8:8, which spoke of the ‘paths of the seas’ and he concluded, “If the Bible says there are ‘paths in the seas’ there must be!” and he set out to chart the ‘paths’… ‘Gulf Streams’… that now are major shipping lanes. So, there are many ‘evidences’ that were revealed about our world that show that there is a Creator of this wonderful world we live in. So, this week I encourage to consider this wonderful phenomenon we will be seeing…but, sadly, at more of a distance…as another wonderful reminder that “God is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Heb. 11:6) and this awe-inspiring sight is just one more way that He ‘rewards’ us, reminding us of His presence with us and in charge in His orderly natural world. Thanks for viewing it with me. May all be blest.
Bob Lewis
You might not think you have much in common with a pigeon, but when it comes to failed diets and living a fulfilling life, we can learn a lot from these feathered gamblers. Let me explain.
A study by the University of Wyoming showed that when pigeons were trained to gamble for food, they exhibited behavior similar to humans in situations of scarcity. This behavior, however, changed drastically when the pigeons were placed in more stimulating environments, offering a profound lesson for us all.
In the study, pigeons were given two options: peck at one key for a consistent, smaller reward, or peck at another key for a sometimes larger, sometimes even smaller reward. Despite experiencing significant losses more often than not, the pigeons continued to gamble, hoping for that big win. This mirrors what many of us do with diets: We keep trying different ones, hoping for a big payoff, even when they don't work out in the long run. And in the process we prime our bodies to go into starvation mode.
What's interesting is that when the pigeons experienced calorie restriction, they became more likely to choose the risky, potentially high-reward option, even when it resulted in overall less food intake. This behavior reflects how traditional dieting, by way of calorie deprivation, causes us to enter a vicious cycle of restriction and binging.
However, the researchers found that when the pigeons were put into more stimulating environments, such as larger cages with more toys and social interaction, they stopped gambling altogether. This shift in behavior highlights the importance of living a fulfilling life that goes beyond mere survival. Just as the pigeons sought stimulation and engagement in their environment, we humans also thrive when we live in environments that nurture our mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
Living a fulfilling life involves more than just meeting basic needs; it's about finding purpose, passion, and joy in
everyday activities. When you focus your effort for weight control solely on the external guidelines of diets, you ignore the cues of deeper hungers related to living a truly fulfilling life.
In my own work with clients struggling with their weight, I have never once met someone who wasn’t also deeply unhappy in some other essential aspect of their lives. Maybe they worked an 80hour-per-week job that kept them up at night and drove them straight through the drive-thru for all their meals. Maybe they were deeply lonely and turned to Ben & Jerry’s for the comfort they weren’t getting in their social life. Or maybe they were a blocked musician who turned to food rather than song to fill themselves and yet never felt fulfilled. Whatever their unique situation, they always zeroed in on the food as “the problem” rather than looking at the “cages” they were living in.
So, what can we learn from gambling pigeons? First, be wary of diets that promise big results but don't offer longterm sustainability. Second, understand how scarcity can influence your decisions on a subconscious and primal level and try to make choices based on long-term health and well-being, rather than short-term rewards. Finally, strive to create a more stimulating and fulfilling life for yourself, one that nourishes your mind, body, and soul.
If you are currently struggling with your weight, remember it's not just about the food but the environment and mental state in which you’re eating. If this is striking a chord with you and you’re ready to break free from the cycle of failed diets and live a more fulfilling life, one that includes a healthier body, email me at chazz@higherelevationscoaching.com to find out more about my upcoming group program, "Write More, Weigh Less." Together, we’re going to uncover what’s eating you that’s causing you to overeat—and then say goodbye to gambling on diets forever. We begin May 6, but the early bird registration deadline is next Tuesday.
Bartholomew Episcopal Church this Sunday, April 7. Mr. Balfour “Bal” Patterson serves as Missioner for the Front Range Region of the Epsiscopal Church in Colorado, an area encompassing 25 churches in the greater northeast quadrant of the state. He will address the congregation at 10:30 a.m. following the service of Holy Eucharist which begins at 9 a.m. The Front Range region, including St. Bartholomew, supports diverse outreach efforts of the Episcopal churches in this part of the state through grants totaling about $87,000 in 2024. St. Bartholomew is located at 880 MacGregor Ave., visit the website at www.stbartsepiscopalchurch.org
Happy and solemn Easter…a few days late. Easter weekend turned out to be a very nice, despite the wind. Maybe, just maybe, spring is here? I had my dog Sunshine groomed for it. During the cold days, I keep her coat long but because of my optimism that spring is just around the corner, I had her coat cut rather short. Now when the snow came the following day, Sunshine was not as convinced as I was that spring had sprung. Oh well, her coat will grow out again…then she will wish it was trimmed shorter.
I recently saw a delicious recipe for Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo. I wondered if I could convert it to using scallops instead. I Googled several recipes and came up with an altered version of two that I found. I have not tried it yet, but I know it will be delicious. It is rather simple, and I really love scallops. I just had Easter at Marie’s on my mind so the week after I will do the Scallops Fettuccine Alfredo. You can either wait for my comments or be brave and do it yourself.
Scallops Alfredo
Fettuccine
Serves 4-5
12 oz fettuccine or 1 lb. (depends on package.)
Olive oil (for tossing pasta)
½-1 cup reserved pasta water
1 lb. large scallops
Salt and pepper to taste
2 finely chopped cloves of garlic
2 Tbs. unsalted butter
6 Tbs. butter
2 cups heavy cream
2-3 pinches nutmeg
1 ½ cups fresh grated parmesan cheese,
finely grated.
½ cup freshly chopped parsley
Cook pasta according to directions on package, reserving the designated amount of water while draining the rest. Place back in pot and toss with a little olive oil.
Rinse scallops and dry them on paper towels. Heat large fry pan to high and add scallops, 2 tbs. butter, salt and pepper. Cook for 3-4 mins., turning to sear both sides. Remove and place on paper towels. Do not rinse the pan. Lower heat to low on pan now add remaining butter, garlic and salt. Cook for about one minute. Pour in cream, nutmeg and cheese, stir often and allow the cheese to melt into the cream. Combine this with the pasta and add in the parsley. Toss well to combine all. Add water if necessary but wait to see if needed. Now add scallops. Toss to combine and serve with a sprinkle more of cheese and parsley and freshly grated black pepper. Taste and salt if needed.
Oh, I survived Spring Break. I had a great time, saw every national park, monument, rock, cliff, and lake in AZ. i am saddle sore from riding in the back seat of the truck. I got to see a long lost cousin and friends and needed a rest when we got back. Went for sun and had a lot of rain and snow around Flagstaff. Came home to more snow.
Life, “aint it the berries?” Google joke: What do you call a belt made from coins?
A waste of money.
My email: esther.cenac@gmail.com Bon Appétit.
The Estes Park Genealogical Society will meet on Thursday, April 11 at 1:00 p.m. in the Hondius Room of the Estes Valley Library. Our guest speaker this month, Dr. Ted Bainbridge, will discuss “Finding Civil War Soldiers on the Internet.” More than seventy percent of eligible men fought in the Civil War, so if you had a male relative of fighting age in America during that time it is probable that he was involved. This presentation explains how to determine if you had relatives in uniform, even if you don't have any family traditions or specific individuals to research. Demonstrations of how to use some of the most powerful internet sites are followed by illustrated examples of successful ancestor hunts in both Northern and Southern armies.
Monday, Apr 8
Dr. Ted Bainbridge has been a genealogical researcher, teacher, speaker, and writer since 1969. He has spoken many times to organizations in Colorado. His genealogical and historical articles have been published throughout the United States and in several foreign countries. He has served as president of the Longmont Genealogical Society and as a staff member in LDS Family History Centers.
The EPGS meets the second Thursday of every month from January through November in the library, offering a wide variety of programs and workshops. All are welcome to attend the free public programs. More information about the Society can be found on its website estesparkgenealogicalsociety.weebly.com.
Apr 8 – 12
Denver Omelet (ham, mushrooms, onions & green peppers) w/ Hashbrowns & fruit
Tuesday, Apr 9 Meatloaf w/ Mashed Potatoes, gravy & vegetables
Wednesday, Apr 10 Taco Salad w/ Chicken
Thursday, Apr 11 Baked Mac ‘n Cheese w/ Chicken & Mixed Vegetables, garlic bread & side salad
Friday, Apr 12 Trout (4 oz) w/ Baked Potato & soup of the day
Apr 15 – 19
Monday, Apr 15 Country Fried Steak w/ gravy, Scrambled Eggs, Hashbrowns & biscuit
Tuesday, Apr 16 BBQ Pork Ribs (4) w/ Baked Beans & coleslaw
Wednesday, Apr 17 Hawaiian Chicken Sandwich on Ciabatta bread (grilled chicken topped w/ ham, swiss cheese & pineapple) w/ Homemade Chips
Thursday, Apr 18 Chicken Parmesan w/ Spaghetti, garlic bread & side salad
Friday, Apr 19 Cod Croissant (topped w/ lettuce, tomatoes & coleslaw) w/ Roasted Potatoes & soup of the day
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, Apr 8th, you need to call before 1:00 PM on Friday, Apr 5th. 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 thru Friday 10 – 1
TriFit M-W-F 10:30 – 11:15 AM
Circuit Balance Class Mondays 1 – 1:45 PM
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
The Peak to Peak concert series is pleased to present two concerts in April: A Vocal Potpourri: Quartets, Solos and More on April 13th and The Composer’s Craft: Featuring the Music of Estes Park Composers J. Richard Dixon, Robert Howard and Chase Jordan on April 20th Both concerts will be held at 2:00 p.m. at Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church, 2000 Ptarmigan Trail in Estes Park. The Peak to Peak concert series is sponsored by the Oratorio Society of Estes Park. There will be receptions following the performances to meet the musicians. The concerts are free but donations are gratefully accepted. The Peak to Peak Concert Series is sponsored by the Oratorio Society of Estes Park and showcases local musicians.
and Nelson Burke. The group organized last spring and rehearses weekly as a premier acappella quartet in Estes Park. They have performed at the EP Chorale Concert, for the Woman’s Club, the Rotary Club and at the tree lighting for the town of Estes. They are available to hire for private events.
The Nada Quartet is actually “not a quartet”, as there are six singers: Nelson Burke, Don Bryson, Bob Gunn, Dave Stookesberry, Steve Tice, and Randy Welch.
Named after Patricia’s daughter, the Luciana Quartet was created after Robert Gunn, Patricia Arias, Nelson Burke, and Miranda Dillard met while singing in the Estes Park Chorale. What began as a re-
A Vocal Potpourri on April 13th will feature Simpática Quartet, Nada Quartet, and Luciana Quartet. Simpática Quartet is comprised of Miranda Dillard, Denise Stookesberry, Steve Tice
group to sing some selections for this concert.
hearsal for “The Parting Glass” transformed into a group that enjoys singing a range of styles of music.
Steve Tice and Don Bryson joined the
In addition to the quartets, Patricia Arias, Nelson Burke, Miranda Dillard, and Denise Stookesberry will perform as soloists. Piano accompaniment will be provided by Cynthia Hunt. The program contains a wide variety of music, from classical to jazz to contemporary. There will be something for everyone to enjoy!
Estes Park is home to several composers and arrangers. On April 20th the Peak to Peak Concert Series is pleased to present the work of three nationally known composers, Richard Dixon, Robert Howard and Chase Jordan in the program The Composer’s Craft: Featuring the Music of Estes Park Composers Richard Dixon, Robert Howard, and Chase Jordan.
This program will include Richard’s instrumental work for solo piano, duet for piano and flute, and the premiere of his new work, “Elegy,” for flute and strings, featuring Robert Howard on flute. Three works of Chase Jordan’s will be performed – including two world premieres - an art song on a poem of Walt Whitman, a work for solo viola inspired by Rocky Mountain National Park’s Gem Lake, and a quartet for flute, viola, percussion and piano originally written with choreography in mind. Robert Howard’s compositions will be the Sonata for Flute and Piano, a world premiere of “The Mountains Call, a Sonata for Violoncello and Piano, and “River Song,” a movement from the “Wilderness Reflections” cantata that was premiered for the Rocky Mountain National Park Centennial Celebration in 2015.
Richard Dixon brings to this community 60 years of musical experience as a choir and orchestra conductor as well as a professional singing career beginning at the age of 18 singing in the chorus of the Muny Opera in St. Louis Missouri. He has soloed with the St. Louis Symphony, the Chicago Symphony, the Milwaukee Symphony, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. His real passion is composi-
tion and theory. With over 200 works published for a wide range of ensembles from brass quintets to full concert band, string quartet to full orchestra, a choral mass and cantata to pieces for piano and organ, his music has been performed throughout the United States and thirteen countries around the world.
Robert Howard received his bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University in 1967 and a Master of Music Degree in composition from Michigan State University in 1970. He went on to Washington University to study composition with Robert Wykes and conducting with George Silfies. In 1999, Robert was a conducting fellow at the Conducting Institute of South Carolina. Mr. Howard retired as Associate Professor of Music at St. Louis Community College at Meramec in 2001 after 31 years of teaching music theory and conduction the Meramec Orchestra and Meramec Chorale. He conducted the Belleville Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorale from 1995 to 2015. Many area ensembles including the St. Louis Symphony, New Music Circle, and the Webster Symphony, Alton Symphony, and University Symphony Orchestras as well as the Oratorio Society of Estes Park and the Estes Park Village Band have performed Mr. Howard’s compositions. Robert now resides in the town of Estes Park with his wife Robin and is the conductor of the Oratorio Society of Estes Park.
Recently arrived in the Estes Park community in 2023, Chase Jordan is a composer and violist who frequently collaborates with writers, visual artists, and choreographers in his artistic practice. His music, which has been described as an “engaging musical narrative” (Arcadia Winds, 2018) has been performed around the world, ranging from performances at YMCA of the Rockies to the Pärnu Contemporary Music Days in Estonia by performers such as the Wild Beautiful Orchestra, The Haven Trio, SHHH!!! Ensemble, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, and the Colorado Chamber Orchestra. As a violist, he has performed around the United States, including recitals with the New York Viola Society and the Philadelphia Viola Society as well as having premiered works by leading and upcoming American composers such as Daniel Bernard Romain, Hannah Rice, Caleb Walker and others.
Chase holds a B.M. in Viola Performance from the University of Wyoming, and an M.M. in Viola Performance and Music Composition from the Hartt School.
A celebration of sustainability, education and stewardship of our natural lands.
The Rocky Mountain Channel, in collaboration with Nick Mollé Productions,
is thrilled to unveil the Estes Park Environmental Film Festival, on April 26th and 27th, 2024, at the Historic Park Theater. This two-day cinematic experience promises to captivate audiences with an array of compelling documentaries aimed at promoting environmental education and sustainability.
The festival kicks off on Friday, April 26, with an exciting lineup of events, including screenings of "The Living Dream" and "Rivers of the Rockies," in the afternoon, followed by a welcome reception catered by Claire’s on the Park, featuring live music by talented local musician John Berry all leading up to the muchanticipated premiere of "Wild Ride," a documentary exploring Estes Park's connection to un conventional travelers. Following the screening, there will be a Q&A ses sion with the filmmakers Nick Mollé and Sean Doherty, offering insights into the cinematic process and the themes explored in the movie.
On Saturday, April 27, the festivities continue with afternoon screenings of "Nature of the Beasts" and the brand new, "Wildside Australia," followed by a welcome reception
catered by Poppy’s Pizza and Grill and Mama Rose’s, providing attendees with the chance to mingle and meet special guest, Meteorologist Mike Nelson. The evening will feature a sneak peek premiere of "Water: The Sacred Gift," offering an exclusive 20-minute preview of the brand-new film followed by a panel discussion with esteemed experts, including Colorado's renowned meteorologist, Mike Nelson, along with Chris Ray, Scott Denning, Nico Strange Owl and Gary Miller.
"We are excited to present the Estes Park Environmental Film Festival, a platform for raising awareness about crucial environmental issues and inspiring action towards a sustainable future," said Nick Mollé, renowned filmmaker and founder of Nick Mollé Productions and The Rocky Mountain Channel. "Through the power of film, we aim to spark meaningful conversations and foster a deeper appreciation for the natural world."
Tickets for the festival are available now, with package deals offering access to both days of the event for just $60, or individual day passes for $35. Food and drinks are included. All proceeds go back to independent environmental filmmaking.
For more information and to purchase tickets, go to www.historicparktheatre.com.
Thin Space Wellness, the Estes Park Medspa, is thrilled to announce the grand opening celebration of its newest location in Estes Park, Colorado. The ribbon cutting ceremony, in collaboration with the Estes Chamber, will take place on Monday, April 8th at 4:00 p.m. at the Qi Wellness Spa, located in the picturesque Estes Park Resort at 1700 Colorado Peaks Drive.
We cordially invite the wonderful community of Estes Park to join us in commemorating this exciting milestone. Together, let's toast to the success of Thin Space Wellness and the warm embrace we've received from the community.
of the way.
Founded with a commitment to preventative healthcare, Thin Space Wellness offers a holistic approach that combines medical expertise with wellness coaching and lifestyle modifications. We believe in treating the whole person –mind, body, and spirit – to achieve lasting results and promote a balanced, healthy lifestyle.
During the event, guests will have the opportunity to meet Stephen and Kim Branum, the medical practitioners for The Estes Park Medspa and learn more about our rejuvenating wellness, anti-aging, and weight loss services. Indulge in delightful snacks and refreshing cocktails as you explore the offerings of our premier medspa.
Thin Space Wellness is committed to empowering individuals on their journey to optimal wellness and longevity. Our dedicated team provides comprehensive, personalized care tailored to address the diverse needs of our clients.
Whether you're seeking weight loss solutions, anti-aging treatments, or simply looking to enhance your overall well-being, we're here to support you every step
Located in the heart of Estes Park, our medspa provides a tranquil oasis where you can relax, rejuvenate, and embark on your wellness journey with confidence. Join us on April 8th as we celebrate the grand opening of Thin Space Wellness and discover a renewed sense of vitality and vitality.
For more information about Thin Space Wellness and our services, visit thinspacewellness.com.
About Thin Space Wellness: Thin Space Wellness is Estes Park's leading destination for holistic health and rejuvenation.
Stephen Branum, PA-C, and Kim Branum, RN-BSN (owners) offer personalized care for your journey to vitality, with services ranging from weight loss to anti-aging treatments. Founded with a commitment to preventative healthcare, Thin Space Wellness combines medical expertise with wellness coaching and lifestyle modifications to promote a balanced, healthy lifestyle.
One of the ways that we are called to action is to care for our environment. Caring for our environment means not only taking steps to use our resources wisely but also to learn about the world around us. The more we learn about nature, how we rely on it for our sustainability and how we both impact and are impacted by it, the more we can understand our role in protecting it. In response to this mission focus of our denomination, the PCUSA, we are dedicating six weekends to creation care. On Saturday mornings at 10:00, we will feature environmental experts and enthusiasts to share their knowledge and experience about all matters concerning the environment, and on Sunday mornings at worship, we will look specifically on how caring for creation can make a
difference in our call to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and help the suffering. These talks are open to the community. Please join us for a learning hour, question and answer, and fellowship.
Saturday, April 6, 10:00 a.m.: Scott Rashid, “Small Mountain Owls”
Saturday, April 13, 10:00 a.m.: Meredith Ishida, “The Poetry of Wild Sacred Spaces”
Saturday, April 20, 10:00 a.m.: Robert Hancock, “Bugology 101: Why Insects Matter”
Saturday, April 27, 10:00 a.m.: Kent Dannen, "Developing A Meditation Trail"
Saturday, May 4, 10:00 a.m.: Pat Waltermire, “How Should Humans and Plants Interact?”
A Quality Service Certified (QSC) award status is the only recognition in the real estate industry based on independently validated customer satisfaction survey results. After the conclusion of real estate transactions, clients of QSC agents receive a survey, asking them to rate the agent on various aspects of the service process. The surveys are administered and the results are received and compiled by LRC.
Client feedback from the surveys becomes part of the agent’s credentials. An overall satisfaction rating is displayed on the consumer website (www.RatedAgent.com) where buyers and sellers have the ability to select a real estate professional based upon each agent’s validated record of service satisfaction.
“Nothing is more important to a prospective client in selecting a professional than the service results achieved
with past clients,” says Larry D. Romito, President and CEO of QSC. He adds, “Consumers have greater confidence in service reliability, results and satisfaction with a Quality Service Certified real estate professional because they know that the agent’s service record has been validated by an independent third party. 100% service satisfaction record like Christian and Jeremy Collinet have achieved is just awesome.”
About Quality Service Certification, Inc. (QSC)-Quality Service Certification, Inc., based in San Juan Capistrano, California, is recognized as the real estate industry’s earliest advocate and the leading provider of independently administered customer satisfaction surveys. With nearly a 20 year history and over one million post-closing surveys sent, QSC’s unique “closed” survey process ensures that consumers access legitimate reviews from actual home sellers and buyers reports on past customer satisfaction. QSC is the only source for objective and validated agent ratings designed to help consumers make informed choices in selecting real estate professionals. For more information contact QSC at 888-5474772.
from 6 to 11 p.m. This free annual event is an opportunity for all our community and all ages to join together. This year’s celebration takes place once again at the Estes Park Event Center at Stanley Fairgrounds.
Savor an authentic and complimentary Mexican dinner served from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Then enjoy the sights and sounds of live dance, with performers of all ages in traditional costume, performed by Grupo Folklorico Mexico Lindo from Longmont. Dancers from Estes Park’s Ballet Renaissance will also be performing. Afterward, relax and tap your feet or step onto the dance floor for live music with our local Mexican band Los 7 de La Cumbia. Door prizes and kids’ activities will be part of the family-friendly festivities.
Cinco de Mayo is made possible through the dedication of Mountain Home Cafe Restaurant, whose staff will again be serving this year’s food. The
event would also not be possible without the assistance of several major partners: Crossroads Ministry, Ascent Escrow and Title, the Town of Estes Park, Salud Family Health Center, the Estes Valley Library, the Estes Park News, and the Estes Park Education Foundation. Additional partners are being finalized, with a full list before the event.
Enrique and Olga, owners of Mountain Home Cafe Restaurant, wish to express their gratitude to all these partners: “As we have often said over many years, if it wasn’t for everyone’s unconditional support, multicultural events like this would not exist in Estes Park.”
Locally, the fiesta is an opportunity to come together in kindness and enjoy an evening of new and renewed friendships, conversations, activities, and civic pride. Cash donations are welcomed, but not required.
Everyone is encouraged to save the date of May 5 and join in the spirit of community for Cinco de Mayo.
Help Estes-area charities and organizations by volunteering at this year’s duck race.
For many participating organizations, the duck race is the biggest fundraising effort of the year and a source of funds that is heavily relied upon. The Rotary Club of Estes Park organizes the Duck Race Festival and handles all the administrative, operational, and financial aspects of the event. Volunteers help make this festive, fun event happen.
“We welcome volunteers from high school age and older who can give a few hours on Saturday, May 4. No special skills are required except a positive attitude. It’s a great way to meet people, help the community, and have some Springtime fun!” said Estes Park Rotary Duck Race Festival Big Duck, Scott Robbins. The Duck Race Committee is looking for volunteers to help:
● Setting up and taking down equipment, tables, and signs at the start and finish lines.
● Selling duck-themed race merchandise at Bond Park and George Hix Memorial Riverside Plaza.
● Supporting operations at Riverside Plaza and Bond Park.
● Ensuring safety along the banks of Fall River.
● Keeping ducks from getting snagged or otherwise stuck in the river.
● Helping at the finish line.
The Rotary Race Festival is raising funds for sixty-three charities and nonprofit organizations this year. “The festival generates so much excitement and goodwill in the community, it’s fun for anyone who wants to be a part of the event as a volunteer!”
To volunteer to help with any of these activities, please email Andrea Escorcia, Volunteer Coordinator for the festival at volunteers@epduckrace.org, or Scott Robbins at bigduck@epduckrace.org
The Estes Park Rotary Duck Race Festival occurs annually on the first Saturday in May. The annual Duck Race Festival continues a tradition started in 1989, which has returned over $3 million to local Estes Park charities and groups. 2024 marks the 36th annual Duck Race
National Deaf History Month, celebrated annually from April 1 to 30, is a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals to society. It is also an opportunity to raise awareness about hearing health and the importance of early detection and treatment of hearing loss.
Hearing loss is a common but often overlooked health issue, affecting millions of people worldwide. It can have a significant impact on an individual's quality of life, affecting their ability to communicate, socialize, and work effectively. However, with early detection and intervention, many cases of hearing loss can be managed or even reversed.
Accordingly, the Estes Park Salud Foundation is committed to supporting the hearing health of its patients. The Foundation provides vouchers to assist eligible patients with covering the cost of hearing screenings by an audiologist. These screenings are essential for detecting hearing loss early and determining the need for further intervention, such as hearing aids.
Should a patient require hearing aids, the Estes Park Salud Foundation can also provide assistance with covering the cost. Hearing aids can be expensive, and many individuals may struggle to afford them. By providing financial support, the Foundation ensures all patients have access to the hearing health care they need to live full and active lives.
If you or someone you know is a current Salud patient experiencing hearing loss or is in need of a hearing screening, please call the clinic at (970) 484-0999 to schedule an appointment with your regular provider to discuss an audiology referral. If you are not currently a Salud
patient, simply call the above number to schedule your first appointment. Be sure to ask about eligibility for help with covering costs related to hearing health when you come to the clinic.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the Estes Park Salud Foundation continues to support the health and well-being of this community. Won’t you join us by donating at saludclinic.org/estes-park to ensure that everyone in Estes Park has access to a quality, integrated health care home?
contribuciones a la sociedad de las personas sordas y con problemas de audición. También es una oportunidad para crear conciencia sobre la salud auditiva y la importancia de la detección temprana y el tratamiento de la pérdida de audición.
Together, we can work towards a world where everyone has access to the hearing health care they need to thrive.
The Salud Estes Park clinic, located at 1950 Redtail Hawk Drive, is accepting new patients. For more information, please visit saludclinic.org. To schedule an appointment, call (970) 484-0999.
At Salud Family Health, we provide quality, affordable primary health care services to keep you and your family healthy. Salud accepts Medicaid, Medicare, CHP+, and most private insurance plans. We serve all members of the community regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
Con motivo del Mes Nacional de la Historia de las Personas Sordas, la Fundación Salud Estes Park reconoce su apoyo a la salud auditiva
El Mes Nacional de la Historia de las Personas Sordas, que se celebra anualmente del 1 al 30 de abril, es un momento para reconocer y celebrar las
La pérdida de audición es un problema de salud común, pero a menudo ignorado, que afecta a millones de personas en todo el mundo. Puede tener un impacto significativo en la calidad de vida de un individuo, ya que afecta su capacidad para comunicarse, socializar y trabajar de manera efectiva. Sin embargo, con una detección e intervención tempranas, muchos casos de pérdida de audición pueden controlarse o incluso revertirse.
Por esta razón, la Fundación Salud Estes Park se compromete a apoyar la salud auditiva de sus pacientes. La Fundación proporciona subsidios para ayudar a los pacientes elegibles a cubrir el costo de los exámenes de audición realizados por un audiólogo. Estos exámenes son esenciales para detectar tempranamente la pérdida de audición y determinar la necesidad de una intervención adicional, como el uso de audífonos.
Si un paciente necesita audífonos, la Fundación Salud Estes Park también puede brindarle asistencia para cubrir el costo. Los audífonos pueden ser caros y muchas personas tienen dificultades para pagarlos. Al proporcionar ayuda financiera, la Fundación se asegura de que todos los pacientes tengan acceso a la atención de la salud auditiva que necesi-
tan para llevar una vida plena y activa. Si usted o alguien que conoce es un paciente actual de Salud que está experimentando pérdida de audición o necesita un examen de audición, por favor llame a la clínica al (970) 484-0999 para programar una cita con su proveedor habitual para hablar sobre una referencia a un audiólogo. Si actualmente no es paciente de Salud, simplemente llame al número anterior para programar su primera cita. Cuando venga a la clínica asegúrese de preguntar sobre los requisitos para recibir ayuda para cubrir los costos relacionados con la salud auditiva.
Gracias a la generosidad de nuestros contribuyentes, la Fundación Salud Estes Park continúa apoyando la salud y el bienestar de esta comunidad. Le invitamos a colaborar con nosotros haciendo un donativo en saludclinic.org/estespark para garantizar que todos los habitantes de Estes Park tengan acceso a un centro de salud integral y de calidad.
Juntos, podemos trabajar por un mundo en el que todos tengan acceso a la atención de la salud auditiva que se necesita para prosperar.
La clínica de Salud de Estes Park, ubicada en 1950 Redtail Hawk Drive, acepta nuevos pacientes. Para más información, visite saludclinic.org. Para programar una cita, llame al (970) 484-0999.
En Salud Family Health, ofrecemos servicios de atención primaria de calidad y accesible para mantenerlo a usted y a su familia saludables. Salud acepta Medicaid, Medicare, CHP+ y la mayoría de los planes de seguro privados. Atendemos a todos los miembros de la comunidad independientemente de si tienen seguro o su capacidad de pago.
The Blue Canyon Boys, known for their innovative original music and pitch-perfect vocal harmonies, will soon perform at Estes Park's American Legion Post 119 (850 North Saint Vrain Avenue). The concert will take place this Saturday April 6 at 6:30 p.m. Advance
tickets can be purchased at legionlisten.org.
After winning first place in the 2008 Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Contest, the Blue Canyon Boys went off at full tilt, taking the bluegrass circuit by storm, performing in illustrious venues across the
country plus the occasional international festival. This event is part of "Listening at the Legion," a budget minded concert series that brings nationally acclaimed music creators and performers to our little town. Please visit legionlisten.org to learn more.
Lady Psychiatrist's Booth, San Diego’s singer-songwriter/guitarist Ashley E. Norton and violinist/mandolinist/singer
Stephanie Groot, will soon perform at Estes Park's American Legion Post 119 (850 North Saint Vrain Avenue). The concert will take place on April 20 at 6:30 p.m. Advance tickets can be purchased at legionlisten.org.
After five years on non-stop tours with their band Whitherward, the duo has paired off for multiple dates throughout
the SouthWest alongside their first studio project featuring Laura Hall from the hit TV show "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" There is also a new album on the way with music that ranges from comedy, creepiness and all heart. This event is part of "Listening at the Legion," a budget minded concert series that brings nationally acclaimed music creators and performers to our little town. Please visit legionlisten.org to learn more.
Have you ever been inextricably drawn to the wild? Or did you have a moment where you just couldn’t resist something? What calls out to some wild part of your soul, and how did you rise up to
winner earns a gift certificate to Macdonald Book Shop and second-place earns a gift certificate to Inkwell and Brew—the perfect gifts for any lover of stories. Come wow us with your words
answer that call? As part of Earth Week, come prepared to answer the call of the wild, live on stage—or come to listen.
The Fine Arts Guild of the Rockies (FAGR) is inviting you to a Story Slam at 2 p.m. on April 28th at the Historic Park Theatre. A Story Slam needs no introduction if you are already an avid aficionado of The Moth, but if not, you are in for an extra special treat. Story Slams are live story-telling competitions where storytellers share personal vignettes— without notes—connected to a theme. Be prepared to be at the edge of your seats as story tellers share personal stories about their own brushes with the wild.
Come to share your own story or to discover how riveting live storytelling can be. Stories must be true, told without notes, and connected to the night’s theme. Volunteer audience members will help crown the night’s winner of the Story Slam. Besides bragging rights, the
and wit on this incredible night of storytelling—or just come to listen to a good yarn.
We are delighted to welcome back our host for the evening, Nick Ross. Ross has hosted story slams for The Moth for the last nine years in Denver. Ross is himself a passionate storyteller with a background in theatre and film; he performs regularly at Chaos Bloom Theatre and Rise Comedy—and for one memorable night, he’ll be right here in Estes Park for our own Story Slam sponsored by Visit Estes Park.
The Story Slam tickets are $22 for adults and $17 for youth under the age of 18 for advance tickets. You can buy your tickets at: www.fineartsguild.org/story-slam. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for youth the night of the Story Slam. The Historic Park Theatre opens its doors for this event at 1:30, and the program starts promptly at 2:00.
Partners is a participating organization in the 2024 Estes Park Rotary Duck Race Festival scheduled for Saturday, May 4th The theme is We Are Family, and the hope is it will bring some peace, tranquility, and togetherness to life in the Rockies. Choose your quantity of single Duck Adoptions or Quack Packs. Quack Pack includes five duck adoptions all to benefit one organization of your choice plus get a 6th adoption (one more chance to win) free! Partners will receive $23 for every $25 duck adoption made when you chose Partners as the beneficiary. Partners Duck Adoptions for 2024 can be found at www.epduckrace.org/partners. Thanks for your support!
Presented by Twin Owls Steakhouse, Spinphony is a dazzling all-female electric string quartet known for their highenergy performances that blend classi-
This event is part of "Listening at the Legion," a budget minded concert series that brings nationally acclaimed music creators and performers to our little
cal, rock, and pop music. The group will perform at Estes Park's American Legion Post 119 (850 North Saint Vrain Avenue). The concert will take place on May 19 at 2:00 p.m. Budget friendly advance tickets can be purchased at https://legionlisten.org.
Spinphony creates unique arrangements that mash-up classic melodies with popular rock and pop hits. Imagine what "Bach in Black" and "Don't Stop Beethoven!" sound like. Their performances are more like rock concerts than traditional recitals. They often incorporate choreography, lighting effects, and even costumes. All four members are classically trained conservatory musicians.
town. The presenting sponsor, Twin Owls Steakhouse, has made it possible to offer this concert to the community at a generous discount. As it has for two decades, Twin Owls Steakhouse continues to provide the premiere dining experience in the Estes Valley. Please visit taharaa.com/twin-owls-steakhouse to learn more.
This month’s Memory Café is coming up, Thursday, April 11th. Our theme will be April Showers (rain or snow). Bring indoor fun and games! We will celebrate being together with songs, snacks, conversation, games, and activities. We welcome all in Estes Valley who want to enjoy fellowship as caregivers with those experiencing memory loss due to dementia of any kind. Whether you have come to Memory Café before or want to check this gathering out, we meet at St. Bartholomew’s from 10:00 – 11:30. We look forward to seeing you!
Memory Café is a free, relaxed, social gathering for Estes Valley community members experiencing memory loss due to any form or stage of dementia, together with a caregiver, family member, or friend. If you are living and driving independently, feel free to come on your
Sweetie Pie is about 13 years old. He will probably do best as an only child as he doesn't really seem to like other cats or dogs. He likes catnip, lounging in sunny spots and begging for treats. Sweetie Pie is declawed.
Samson is 107 pounds of sweetness. This guy loves people, is good with other dogs (but not cats). He is a Great Pyrenees mix and about six years old. He is a gorgeous boy.
Miso is about seven years old. His previous family couldn't keep him anymore. In his previous home he enjoyed many outside opportunities (safely) on a leash, such as camping, hiking and kayaking. He would probably not require such a demanding schedule in his new home but maybe he will find someone that enjoys the same things. He is a fun and loving guy. Miso is at the Pet Lodge.
Please call (970) 286-1652 if you’d like to meet or foster any of these special pets.
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.
own. We stimulate engagement, attention, and memory by enjoying coffee/snacks, conversation, singing, and sharing remembrances through games and activities in a non-stressful atmosphere. Research and the medical community encourage fun, social activity for all of us. We meet at St. Bartholomew’s Church (880 MacGregor Ave.) from 10:00 – 11:30 (usually the second Thursday of every month).
Hard to encourage your loved one to try something new or to come out of the house? Memory Café can be referred to as a “meeting,” an “appointment” (doctor approved), or an invitation to have coffee / tea with friends. All are welcome!
For more information call the church 970-586-4504 or Jane at 970-430-8105.
By: Judi SmithIn Estes, all resident K-12 students, regardless of where they go to school, are eligible to practice vote in our public elections. County residents of the Estes Valley are included in this student invitation.
The high school voter turnout was 64.9%. quite close to the middle schools’s turnout of 68.6%. However, the 5th grade turned out an impressive 87.5% having hosted a private forum for mayoral candidates. These percentages exceeded those of the adults, where less than 50% of those eligible – voted. While the high school students favored Barbara MacAlpine, the preference for Gary Hall at EPMS and EPES gave him the student nod to lead our town.
High school age students chose Bill Brown, Mark Igel, Frank Lancaster and Bruce Darby for Trustee. Students in
grades 6-8 opted for Mark Igel, Cindy Younglund, Frank Lancaster and Bill Brown. Fifth grade only voted for Mayor. Final overall choices: Bill Brown, Mark Igel, Frank Lancaster and Cindy Younglund (2-yr.). Both ballot questions passed in the practice election.
Students who voted off-campus at the Estes Valley Library, the Learning Place, or the Community Center, as well as those voting on campus, are included in the above results. The off-campus precincts are designed to allow homeschooled students to vote.
We are pleased to see that the students are learning to be aware, to ask questions, to evaluate candidates, and to make well-considered choices. In four years, when these candidates are up for re-election, our current high school students will be voting as adults.
Gladys Marie Van Drie of Estes Park passed away March 31, 2024 following a short battle with cancer. She was 87. Gladys and her twin brother Gerald were born in Martin, South Dakota, May 24, 1936, to Lee and Gladys Allison. Their mother died during childbirth, and with seven older children to raise during a tough economic time, Lee Allison made the difficult decision to give the twins up for adoption, relying on family and friends to raise the rest of his children. At six days old, Rev Gerritt and Johanna Vander Wolde adopted Gladys and Gerald. Raised mostly in the Midwest, with a brief time spent in Alberta, Canada, the Vander Woldes’ made sure the twins were re-united with their siblings as they matured, celebrating with
biannual family reunions. Gladys attended Northwestern Academy and Northwestern Junior College in Orange City, Iowa, earning an associate degree in education. She taught in Royal, Iowa and Milford Township, Iowa (near Nevada, Iowa).
In 1958, Gladys married Rudy Van Drie and later their union was blessed with two daughters, Karen and Karla.
Gladys and Rudy owned three freecommunity papers in Ames, Boone and Knoxville, Iowa, and published local real-estate guides. In the 1960s, Rudy ran for public office, with Gladys serving a key role on his campaign committee that helped get him elected as a state representative and later a state senator for Story County, Iowa.
Louise Ann Smith, 76, passed away in Estes Park on Sunday, March 24, 2024. Services will be held April 5, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Summit Church, 156 1st Street, Estes Park.
Flowers may be sent to the church. Alternatively, donations can be made in Louise’s name to Crossroads Ministry PO Box 3616, Estes Park, Colorado 80517, crossroadsep.org/donatenow.
See Louise’s full obituary in the March 29, 2024 edition of the Estes Park News, estesparknews.com
Rudy died suddenly of a heart attack in 1976, and while Gladys wasn’t involved in the business prior to his passing, she stepped in and immediately took the reins at the papers. She wasted no time nurturing her team, collaborating with vendor partners, and integrating herself in local business issues that saw the papers flourish under her counsel. She owned the state and national award-winning papers for 16 years before selling them to the Des Moines Register.
Gladys believed in giving back to her community and her industry and was a tremendous state and national organization volunteer. Locally, she served as a chairperson for her county’s American Heart Association, and on the board of directors and as vice president of the Ames Chamber of Commerce. She was elected to the Ames City Council, and then Iowa Governor Robert Ray appointed her to the board of directors for the Governor’s Economic Committee.
As a publishing industry leader, she served as president of the Shopping Guides of Iowa (SGI) and the National Association of Advertising Publishers (NAAP), now known as the Association of Community Publishers (ACP).
The accolades she received for her commitment to community and industry service were many. The 1986 American Heart Association state conference recognized her as Campaign Person of the Year for the largest increase in donations to the heart-health cause. Continuing her commitment to service, the 2008 Rotary District Convention honored her as Outstanding Club President.
A trailblazer in the publishing world, she was recognized for her leadership and commitment to the growth and development of the free-paper publishing industry with ACP’s two highest honors, the Robert S. Green, and Publisher of the Year awards.
In 2008, ACP created the Gladys Van Drie Volunteer Award “...bestowed to an
individual who demonstrates exceptional service to the association and a level of commitment and dedication that reflects the ideas and passion of Gladys Van Drie.”
After selling her papers in 1992, Gladys moved to Monument and later, Estes Park, Colorado, again finding her niche serving as president of Newcomers for the Community of Estes Park, president of the local Rotary Club, trustee of the Estes Park Hospital Board and president of the Antiquarians.
Gladys would like to be remembered as a lifelong learner and someone who spoke out for justice. She loved reading, traveling, camping, antiquing, and setting a beautiful table for family and friends. Family, friends, colleagues, employees, competitors, and neighbors alike will remember her for her enthusiasm for life, thirst for knowledge, fairness, personal and professional growth, volunteerism, and her abundant hospitality.
She is survived by her daughters Karen and Karla Van Drie, granddaughters Allison and Kelly Goldthorpe (Nick Lindeke), sisters-inlaw Marlene and Anna Allison, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband Rudy, she was preceded in death by her twin, Gerald Vander Wolde, and siblings Andrew “Bud,” John, Ken, Jim and William Allison, Mitzi Mills and Shirley Ringo.
A Celebration of Life will take place Saturday, June 8 from 1-4 p.m. with details to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials are welcome to Rotary International (www.rotary.org), Crossroads Ministry of Estes Park (www.crossroadsep.org) and the Association of Community Publishers’ Rising Star Program (www.communitypublishers.com/rising-stars).
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.
Dayton was born to Donald Ender Olson and Mable Ann Mauser on August 29, 1932 in Big Springs, Nebraska. He graduated high school from Big Springs, NE in 1950. He attended Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln Nebraska from 1950-1954. Dayton graduated with a Bachelor degree in Humanities and Master Degree in Philosophy of Religion and post graduate in Social Ethics from Iliff School of Theology in Denver Colorado.
He married Rosina (Rosy) Estella Ammon in Bassett, Nebraska on August 4th, 1953. They celebrated 70 years of marriage in 2023.
Dayton was a minister of a number of Methodist Churches in Nebraska, Colorado and Illinois. He was a Chaplain at Nebraska Wesleyan. Dayton was also manager at Denny’s Restaurant and served as Administrator/Consultant for U.S. Senator Floyd K. Haskell. He was a fund raiser for National Jewish Hospital and Program Planner for American Friends Service Committee in Des Moines, Iowa and Denver, Colorado. He also worked at Ace Hardware for several years in Estes Park, Colorado. Dayton liked to hike in the Rocky
Mountains weekly for many years. He climbed Longs Peak about four times and climbed the Powell Route two times with his son, Michael. Dayton volunteered at Rocky Mountain National Park in the Elk Bugle Corps and Big Horn Sheep Patrol.
Dayton is survived by his wife and two sons, Vance and Michael, nephew Mark Kjeldgaard and niece Julie Walsh. Dayton died March 9th, 2024 at the age of 91 years and was cremated. Memorials can be sent to the Rocky Mountain Conservancy, P.O. Box 3100, Estes Park, CO 80517 or RMConservancy.org.
Barbara Van Ausdall, née Silk, 91, born in Lowell, MA and formerly of Estes Park, CO, passed away
February 29, 2024. Beloved wife of Peter “Pete” Van Ausdall; loving mother of Steven Van Ausdall and David Van Ausdall; cherished grandmother of Parrish, Tea, Conor, Hailey, Cameron “Cami,” and Aidan Van Ausdall; she is also survived by her daughters-in-law Aimee Van Ausdall and Marie Marchand. Barbara loved life and family, she loved the mountains and the ocean, and she loved hiking and bird watching. Her fondest memories from her childhood were of her time spent at summer camp in Massachusetts; swimming and canoeing in the lake. She was an avid puzzler. She graduated from Lowell Teachers College and participated in a team-teaching program sponsored by Harvard Uni-
versity while teaching in Lexington, MA. Barbara met Pete at a Square Dance at the University of Colorado in Boulder during a teacher’s conference, and square dancing became a lifetime activity. She was a career early childhood and special reading educator. Pete and Barbara were snowbirds in retirement and lived in Estes Park, CO during the summer and Mesa, AZ during the winter. A memorial service will be held later. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Rocky Mountain Conservancy or Desert Botanical Garden Foundation.
Many people confuse ecology (or environment) with sustainability. These are three different concepts. The word “sustainability” simply means the ability to survive into the future. “Environment” is merely our surroundings, the world around us, whether city or forest. “Natural environment” refers to the natural world, without the input of mankind. Ecological sustainability means that the world will survive, which is good, but to protect human civilization we must extend that to social sustainability and to economic sustainability.
Towns have disappeared from a lack of economics or a lack of social support. Though ecology studies are relatively new, Towns have always evaporated due to results caused by ecological factors: rising ocean water, hurricanes and tornado, drought, fire, even unbreathable air, undrinkable water. While Estes is in better shape than most for these last two, our air has been affected, our temperature is warmer. We have, at various times, been faced with flood, with drought, with fire. These all can affect the water supply, and the sanitation system.
We do a good job here of providing for those that, temporarily, cannot provide for themselves. We bind together in a disaster and support each other as we move to recover. However, sustainability means more than that. Economic sustainability means living within our means – individually – but it also means establishing a local economic base that provides the services we want. It means
having a place where local plumbers, electricians, repair shops, doctors and nurses, educators want to live, but it also means offering a place where our workforce can live within their means. No one wants to be eternally dependent. Success is vital to survival.
The real answer to a sustainable economy is the existence of trade. When money changes hands and stays in town, it is a contribution to the economy. The more often money changes hands before it leaves the community, the better the local economy, the more our workforce can afford to live here. Buying here in the Estes Valley is a contribution to the sustainability of the people who live and work here, all of us, and to the availability of the goods and services provided.
Stores do not carry items just for tourists, but they do carry items for people who buy. Yes, it could cost a little bit more, but the trip down valley is now 67 cents a mile, according to the IRS. Yes, there are many items not available here. But there are many things that are and with some encouragement, there could be more.
Consider local buying before running down valley or even buying on Amazon. Enter one local store every week to see what they have. Tell the merchant what you would like them to carry. Ask them if someone in town has that item. Communication is key. Increasing the amount of local trade can only be beneficial.
Agree? Disagree? Questions? Comments? RRRcyc@signsandwishes.com
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.
JOIN OUR TEAM!
Full details on employment opportunities and the application can be found at estes.org/jobs.
Full-time Events Maintenance Worker I
Journey Lineworker
Police Chief
Police Officer I - III
Water Operator I - IV
Limited Term Museum Visitor Coordinator
Seasonal
Community Service Officer Parks Maintenance Worker Utilities Ground Worker
The status of applications will be communicated via e-mail. By choice, the Town of Estes Park is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
Maintenance & Hot Tub Tech FT Seasonal, PT Off-Season
Possible $18 - $20/Hr
1885 Sketch Box Ln #7 Estes Park
Basic carpentry, plumbing, electrical, drywall and painting
Work orders, troubleshoot, vendor comm, snow shoveling, mowing
Daily hot tub service, drain, fill, keep records, will train
Computer skills, lift 50+ lbs, English, Spanish a plus, valid DL Weekends, holidays, rotating on call a must
Apply online with resume
https://app.joinhomebase.com/loc/ skyrun-rm/job/maintenance-amphot-tub-service-tech
Help Wanted
Liquor Store Sales Associate
Full Time/Part Time available
Starting wage $19 hour
Sign on bonus! Employee Benefits & discounts at Bart's Liquor and our sister store Rocky Mountain Pharmacy
Stop by for an application and become a Spirit Guide today! (970) 586-1930
Scratch Deli and Bakery is looking for short order cooks. Experience preferred. $20-$30/hr. Apply in person at 911 Moraine Ave.
Housekeeping & Maintenance
Help Wanted
(local housing option available)
Small family business seeking self-motivated, responsible person to clean vacation cabins part time.
Earn $20-$30/hr. Pay varies by project. Some flexible hrs allowed. Must be available weekends. Good transportation req. Email us at peregrineresortgroup@gmail.com.
Susan Fereday State Farm Insurance is looking to add an additional team member to our successful Insurance office in Estes Park
If you are looking for a career, please give us a call at 970 586 9547 Training and licensing will be provided. Competitive Salary, 401 K and vacation and Holidays. No weekends.
Job Opportunity: Office Administrator for General Contractor's Office.
Are you organized, efficient, and thrive in a dynamic office environment? We're looking for a skilled Office Administrator to join our team at Glacier Creek Construction, General Contractor.
Requirements: Proficiency in QuickBooks for managing accounts and financial transactions. Strong typing skills to handle administrative tasks efficiently. Excellent organizational abilities to maintain smooth office operations. Exceptional communication skills for interacting with clients, suppliers, and team members. Friendly demeanor to provide outstanding customer service and support. If you're ready to take on a pivotal role in a fast-paced construction office environment and contribute to our team's success, we want to hear from you! Apply now with your resume and cover letter highlighting your relevant experience.
glaciercreekinc@gmail.com
970-214-3000
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.
