The Lost Creek Sentinel Hudson, CO 80642
Editor Tammy Whitaker
Publisher Ed Morales
Graphic Design
Ed Morales
Printed by Colorado Trust for Local News
Collaborators
Patty Sheats, VA Medical Center
Diane Blocker, Diane’s Travel
Lance Fleming, Market & Main Realty
Ashley Sidell, Wiggins Parks & Recreation and Event Coordinator
Kara Kearns
Photo Credits
Ed Morales
Randy Whitaker
Ashley Sidell
We would love to hear from you! Please direct comments to: Editor@LostCreekSentinel.com
By Tammy Whitaker, Editor Lost Creek Sentinel
Those are the only Christmas presents Randy and I clearly remember from our childhood.
I remember that purple dress because it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. I wore it to the local spelling bee—and I won. I’ve always believed the confidence came from that dress, the only truly “special” one I ever had. Randy remembers his gloves and socks for a different reason. That was the winter his family had no coal for the stove, so they were burning 2x4s instead. Those boards didn’t burn nearly as hot, and those socks were the only thing keeping his feet warm. The gloves were what he wore while chopping those 2x4s into small enough pieces to fit the stove.
Those Christmases were lean—one or two presents under the tree if we were lucky,
and nothing fancy for Christmas dinner.
So when we had children of our own, I swung the pendulum in the complete opposite direction. I wanted the Christmases I saw on TV—the Hallmark kind, the Home Alone kind—with mountains of presents surrounding the tree and a dinner table full of prime rib and all the trimmings.
What I didn’t consider was how those gifts would grow more expensive as the kids grew, or how inflation would turn a onceaffordable prime rib into something that required its own payment plan.
The turning point came one day as I listened to Paul Harvey. He said something that hit me like a ton of bricks: “In giving our children more, we’ve actually given them less.”
In that moment, I realized that all the
extra hours we worked—so many of them overtime—had taken time away from the very children we were trying so hard to make Christmas magical for. Were those Hallmark movie moments really worth the moments we missed?
As they got older, the kids started asking for gift cards, and I resisted with everything in me. It felt so impersonal—until I realized that a gift card actually gave four gifts:
• one when they opened it,
• one when they used it,
• one when they enjoyed what they bought,
• and one when they sent me the required photo of them wearing or using it.
Four separate moments of joy. Suddenly, it made perfect sense.
So what’s my point in all this?
Well, I think the Grinch said it best in what has become my favorite Christmas quote: “Maybe Christmas…perhaps…doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas… perhaps…means a little bit more.”
Merry Christmas, my friends—from our house to yours.
And a very Happy New Year, too.
Weld County Commissioners
Sheree Sloan-Mary Kay Cosmetics ZenBusiness
Becky Blake Realtor- Berkshire Hathaway Charged Waste
Greg Smith - Orr Land Co Pastimes Collective
End of the Trail
Keenesburg Chiropractic
Blessed BBQ
Lewis Financial Strategies
Bold Brothers Roofing
Pilot Travel Centers
Endurance Contractors LLC
Maverick Concrete
Recovery Roofing – Bob the Roofer
Smokey Jo’s Trading Post at the Pod
Valkyrie Tattoos and Laser Brain Freeze
The Rolling Stoves
Southeast Weld Jr. Fair Association
Tractor Supply
Flores Sprinklers and Landscapes LLC
Tallgrass Energy
DC Construction
Lost Creek Sentinel
Rented Relief
Warner Ranch
The Copper Kettle Restaurant
High Plains Landscapes, Inc
Bandimere Speedway
Schrader Real Estate & Auction
MSP Companies
Town of Wiggins
New York Life - Littman
Exciting things are on the HORIZON for our Chamber members. New PROGRAMS, new EVENTS and new OPPORTUNITIES are headed your way! It’s a great time to be a member of the SOUTHEAST WELD COUNTY CHAMBER!
TOGETHER, we’ll make it!
From coffee shops to convenience stores, we love celebrating the businesses that work so hard to provide outstanding service to their customers out here on the plains of eastern Colorado. That’s why we’re excited to introduce the first annual “Stars of 76” Reader’s Choice Awards!
Designed to spotlight ANY business along the I-76 corridor—including the communities of Lochbuie, Hudson, Keenesburg, Roggen, and Wiggins, as well as all members of the Southeast Weld County Chamber—this campaign gives your customers the power to vote for you-their favorite as many times as they want!
Whether you’re a hometown restaurant, a trusted service provider, a tattoo shop, a farm-based business, or anything in between, this is your chance to shine.
Every participating business receives a full Registration Packet, which includes access to our comprehensive Marketing Kit—everything you need to spread the word and bring the votes in all campaign long. You’ll use these tools to rally your customers, energize your supporters, and showcase the pride you bring to eastern Colorado!
Let’s celebrate the businesses that help make our plains communities strong, connected, and uniquely ours.
As we approach the close of another remarkable year in Wiggins, I want to take a moment to reflect on a few of our accomplishments and share my excitement for what lies ahead in 2026. This year has been a successful one for our town. In the spring, we commissioned the non-potable water line, which now supplies outdoor irrigation for both the school and Teets Park. We’ve also made strides in improving drainage in key areas and maintaining the quality of our roads, ensuring safer and smoother travel for all. Throughout the year, our community events have continued to bring people together, offering opportunities to get involved, support local businesses, and celebrate what makes Wiggins special. I encourage everyone to stay tuned for upcoming events, there’s always something happening in town! A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the businesses that help sponsor events and consistently give back to the Wiggins community. Your support is invaluable, and we couldn’t do it without you. Looking ahead to 2026, we have exciting plans to continue making Wiggins a wonderful place to live and raise a family. We will be upgrading some roads as well as improving and updating some other infrastructure in town. I’m deeply grateful for your ongoing support and feedback — it helps us grow stronger together. From my family to yours, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May the Lord’s blessings be upon you and your loved ones during holidays as well as 2026! God Bless, Mayor Franzen
While cardboard boxes can (and should!) be recycled, many common gift-wrapping materials cannot go in the recycling bin. This includes bubble wrap, ribbons and bows, gift bags (laminated, coated or dyed) embellished wrapping paper (foil or glitter), cellophane, foam packing paper. All of these items should be placed in your garbage bin. Thank you, Town of Lochbuie, for providing these recycle tips!
The Hudson Fire Protection District shares the great news that they just purchased their first ambulance, made possible through voter approved mill levy funds. Chief Ken Gabrielson shared that this program is a huge step forward in improving emergency medical care and response times for the community of Hudson. After using third-party ambulance services for decades, the district was forced to go to voters when the current provider informed them that they weren’t planning to renew their contract. Receiving 57% of voter support, the passing of the mill levy will allow the district to purchase its own fleet of ambulances. The ambulance and its paramedics have responded to over 206 calls since going into service on November 10th. Also, according to Chief Gabrielsen, due to a decision recently passed by the board of directors, the fire district will bill insurance and Medicare for ambulance services, therefore residents will not receive bills for additional charges. That’s a fantastic benefit for the residents of Hudson!
By Kara Kearns,
November 23, 2025 - Weld Central High School freshman, Hayden Chambers, a resident of Roggen, Colorado, is headed
to the bright lights of Las Vegas next week in hopes of bringing home a world championship bareback riding title. This 14-year-old isn’t nearly old enough to be allowed in any casinos, but he is tough enough to be climbing aboard some of the rankest junior bucking stock in the country, competing against bareback riders from the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Hayden has been riding bareback horses for a little over a year. He climbed into his first chute at the age of 13 atop a Cervi bucking horse at the Ace High Roughstock Academy in Stoneham, Colorado, in September 2024. Due to excellent coaching by one of Hayden’s mentors and one of the best in the business, 15-time NFR qualifier and 3-time World Championship Bareback Rider, Will Lowe, Hayden was hooked.
Hayden is no stranger to the world arena. In 2024, he was ranked 2nd in the state of Colorado in junior high bareback riding and qualified for the Junior High School National Finals Rodeo in Des Moines, Iowa, where he competed against the best bareback riders from the USA, Mexico, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
This trip to Las Vegas will be even more special for Hayden as it almost didn’t happen. Hayden had a traumatic rodeo injury at his second high school rodeo of the 2025 spring season, which has had him sidelined for 12 weeks following major surgery for a compound tibia-fibula fracture. Hayden was cleared to ride with just a few weeks to get his mind and body ready to go, which meant as much time on the bucking machine and spurboard as he could get in as possible.
When asked what Hayden likes most about rodeo, he said, “My favorite thing about rodeo is the community and how everyone supports each other.” Hayden says he is most excited about riding in Las Vegas because it will be the first time he will be able to get on the back of a bucking horse since his injury in the spring rodeo season.
The Junior National Finals Rodeo runs from December 4th through 14th and hosts over 700 contestants in multiple events. The JR NFR will be broadcast live on the Cowboy Channel from the Wrangler Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. If you can’t make it to Las Vegas, tune in and cheer this local cowboy on.
Christmas has never worn just one face. It is a season stitched together from a thousand stories, carried across generations, cultures, and family traditions. For some, the season arrives wrapped in ribbons and glittering lights. For others, it comes quietly—like a warm memory tucked away in the heart, surfacing when the air turns crisp and the year begins its gentle descent toward winter.
Memories—humble, heartfelt, deeply human—are reminders that Christmas looks different for every family. And yet, each version is complete, because each is grounded in love, sacrifice, and the extraordinary beauty of ordinary things.
Across Southeast Weld County and our neighbors along the I-76 corridor, the many faces of Christmas appear in countless forms. In most of our communities, the season begins with a Christmas parade where lights from floats cast their glow across the sidewalks and neighbors wave to one another across the street as the kids eagerly wait for the candy to be tossed their way. Families gather for tamalemaking marathons that have been passed down for generations. You’ll find cookie exchanges, community meals, and quiet acts of generosity that never make the news but always make a difference. And in Wiggins, where the prairie sky stretches wide, Christmas was ushered in this year with the generosity of Stagecoach Meats donating the meats for the chilis and soups served at their local Christmas festival. Thank you Stagecoach Meats!
From Orchard to Weldona, from Kersey to the far corners of Southeast Weld County, Christmas unfolds in ways both familiar and unique. Some families attend candlelight services at their local churches, where hymns echo through the sanctuaries and remind us of the sacredness of the season. Others gather around menorahs, honoring a heritage rich with light and meaning. Many households blend traditions—lasagna beside ham, pierogies beside green bean casserole, enchiladas beside mashed potatoes—as families honor the cultures that helped shape the communities we call home.
Some children place stockings above the fireplace; others place their shoes by the door for St. Nicholas Day. Some families open presents on Christmas Eve; others wait until the sun breaks across the plains on Christmas morning. Some set out cookies for Santa; others leave hay for the reindeer. And many of our neighbors spend the season giving back—donating to food banks like Loaves and Fishes, delivering blankets to seniors, or quietly slipping a gift card into a mailbox where they know it is needed most. And don’t forget Sheree’s Seniors who do so much to bring smiles to the faces of the seniors in our communities.
What unites all these traditions is not their similarity, but their spirit. Christmas in our local towns is not about perfection or extravagance. It is about belonging. It is about kindness. It is about honoring the stories that made us who we are—stories of neighbors helping neighbors, of communities that lift one another up no matter the reason and no matter the season.
As this Christmas unfolds, may we remember that the holiday is not defined by what sits under the tree, but by what fills the heart. May we celebrate the richness of our diverse traditions, the resilience of those who came before us, and the kindness that continues to shape our towns and our people.
In the end, Christmas isn’t one story—it is all of our stories. Each one brings its own beautiful face to a season that belongs to everyone. But more than ever, we need to restore what we have allowed to fade—the recognition that our strength as a nation lies in the diversity of our experiences and the richness of our traditions. Embracing that truth is the only way forward, at Christmas and long after the lights come down. Embracing that diversity is the quiet miracle we most need this Christmas.
“From home to home, and heart to heart, from one place to another. The warmth and joy of Christmas, brings us closer to each other.” Emily Matthews
We here at the Lost Creek Sentinel thank you so very much for your support over the past months as we’ve taken on this new and sometimes scary adventure. We wish you and those you hold dear a very Merry Christmas and much happiness and prosperity in the New Year.
- Tammy and Ed
The holidays arrive wrapped in lights, music, and…expectations. We are told this is the happiest time of year—a season of joy, gratitude, and togetherness. Yet for many people, the holidays don’t feel merry at all. Instead, they bring a quiet heaviness that’s hard to explain and even harder to admit.
Holiday depression is real, and it affects people of all ages and backgrounds. It doesn’t discriminate between those with full calendars and those spending the season alone. In fact, the busier and more outwardly “cheerful” the
season appears, the more isolating it can feel for someone who is struggling inside.
One reason the holidays can be difficult is the weight of expectation. Family gatherings aren’t always warm and welcoming; old tensions often resurface. Financial pressure increases as people feel obligated to give, host, travel, or entertain beyond their means. For those grieving the loss of a loved one, the holidays can amplify absence—an empty chair at the table, traditions that no longer feel the same, memories that ache instead of comfort.
There is also a physical component to holiday depression. Shorter days mean less sunlight, which can disrupt sleep patterns and moodregulating hormones. Normal routines fall apart—late nights, heavy meals, more obligations, and less movement—all of which can affect emotional well-being. When our bodies are out of balance, our minds often follow.
What makes holiday depression especially challenging is the pressure to hide it. People feel they should be happy. They worry that acknowledging sadness makes them seem ungrateful or weak. So they smile, keep going, and hope the feelings will pass. Sometimes they do—but sometimes they don’t.
It’s important to say this clearly: struggling during the holidays does not mean something is wrong with you. It means you are human, responding to stress, loss, change, or exhaustion.
Caring for your health during this season may mean doing less, not more. It may mean setting boundaries, declining invitations, or letting go of traditions that no longer serve you. It may mean choosing quiet over chaos, rest over
perfection, or connection over obligation. Simple acts can make a meaningful difference. Getting outside during daylight hours, even briefly. Moving your body in ways that feel manageable. Eating regular meals. Limiting alcohol, which can deepen low moods. Reaching out to one trusted person and telling them honestly how you’re doing.
And if the sadness feels overwhelming, persistent, or begins to interfere with daily life, seeking help is not a failure—it’s an act of care. Talking with a healthcare provider, counselor, pastor, or trusted professional can provide support and perspective when things feel too heavy to carry alone. The holidays don’t have to look like a postcard to be meaningful. Sometimes the greatest act of health is allowing yourself to feel what you feel, without judgment, and taking small steps to care for yourself through it. And above all, just remember that your mental and emotional well-being depends on you extending grace to yourself as well as to others.
our hard-earned dollars for things that bring us no value but line the pockets of others (here’s looking at you Amazon!). The list
Learn more about this
below should help you to evaluate your own spending habits to see if you’re utilizing your hard-earned dollars for your own benefit or someone else’s…
Ten Things to Eliminate That Are a Total Waste of Money
• Unused subscriptions: Streaming services, apps, magazines, or software you rarely open—cancel them.
• Extended warranties on cheap items: They’re usually overpriced and rarely used, especially for electronics under a few hundred dollars.
• Daily takeout coffee or snacks: Small daily habits add up fast—home brewing saves hundreds a year.
• Impulse purchases: Buying on emotion instead of need often leads to clutter and regret.
• Brand-name basics: Generic and storebrand items are often identical in quality at a much lower cost.
• ATM and banking fees: Out-of-network
fees, overdraft charges, and account fees are completely avoidable.
• Cable TV: Paying for hundreds of channels you don’t watch is one of the biggest modern money drains.
• Buying new instead of used: Cars, furniture, tools, and kids’ items lose value fast—used saves big.
• Unused gym memberships: If you’re not going regularly, it’s not motivation—it’s a donation.
• Convenience fees and rush charges: Late fees, expedited shipping, and lastminute bookings cost far more than a little planning.
In the end, building wealth isn’t about earning more—it’s about keeping more by eliminating what adds no real value and putting those dollars to work where they truly matter.
Over the last six months, I’m seeing some trends that are concerning about the level of desperation that my peers have shown. Let’s look at where this desperation came from, and some of the things that potential Sellers should be aware of, before listing their home.
From 2021 to 2025, Northern Colorado homes sales dropped from nearly 25,000 to about 15,000. That’s a 40-percent drop.
The Metro Area was hit just as hard, peaking at 55,000+ sales in 2021 and is down 39-percent, looking to be closer to 34,000 in 2025.
The number of licensed realtors has only dropped 1.5% in the same amount of time. Basically the same number of people eating from 60% of the pie. Some elbows are getting thrown.
Here are some things that Sellers can do to make sure
that they are looking to sell their home, when vetting a real estate professional.
Interview More Than One: A poll by sold.com found that 4-of-5 Sellers hired one of the first two agents they met. That is a big investment to put into the hands of the first person interviewed. My recommendation: 3-minimum.
Take them for the tour. Look for honest discussions, ask lots of questions, and go with the professional you feel most comfortable.
Beware the Prophets and Soothsayers: When buying and selling real estate, there are two truths. 1. Buyers think homes are overpriced. 2. Seller’s think their home is worth more. I say that with a chuckle, but it is something we see all the time. When interviewing, be careful of falling into the reverse-Price-Is-Right-game.
There are some professionals that are getting the contract by telling people their home is worth more than it really is. When Sellers already think their home is worth more, and a professional says they are right, the Seller feels better about going with them. I watched a home value start at $1.4M last fall, it stayed on the market and kept dropping price until is finally sold for about $950,000. That’s almost a half million dollars they missed by.
A few things to remember when you are looking at pricing.
• In the past 3 years, average home prices in Northern Colorado have only gone up 3.5-percent. A $600,000 dollar home in 2023 is now selling for about $618,000.
• A new furnace, roof, and hot water heater do not raise the price of your home. They help sell it, but don’t expect to recoup all of those funds (unless you bought the home and they were in disrepair.
• Refurbishing, renovating, or updating your home, rarely brings 100-percent returns, when you sell the home. According to the National Association of Realtors, most updates and renovations only bring back about 50%-65% of the money spent, if the home was in average condition when it was purchased originally.
Local Competency: When interviewing and talking to professionals, local knowledge is a big deal. I had a non-local realtor contact me for advice on a listing they had in Keenesburg. They were asking if the price should be lower than average based on the traffic because the home was on Main Street. After cleaning up the coffee I spit on my desk, laughing. I asked which of the eight blocks of Main Street it was on. They were a Denver agent who had never been to the town.
True, numbers and experience do matter, as a whole. I’ve worked with some incredible agents who sold more homes in a year than many do in a career. But when it comes to protecting you, understanding local markets, and maximizing your returns, it does make a difference. Both shortterm (selling your home) and long term (liabilities and disclosures).
Unethical Sign Crossing: This is a line that can’t be crossed by real estate professionals. Something Sellers often times do not know, is once they are in a contract to sell their home, other real estate professionals cannot contact them to sell their home.
There are some things that are not considered “direct contact” like mail blasts that hit everyone in your neighborhood. But once you have picked your professional and put your home on the market, you should make them aware of any others who have reached out to you about selling your home, or contact the Colorado Division of Real Estate if this happens.
If selling your home is on your New Years Resolution for 2026, hopefully this will help with getting you set up with a professional that will
By Lance Fleming
I recently was on an airplane and unintentionally sat down next to a person who was ill. They started coughing shortly after take off and continued to do so for the majority of our flight. . As I dug through my travel bag, I realized that I no longer had a mask in there. The flight attendant was able to provide me one, but it made me wonder why I (and the 100 + other passengers) had to mask up instead of the person who was ill. I started looking into social etiquette regarding traveling when sick and here is what I found;
• Avoid travel if contagious: Experts emphasize that if you have flu-like symptoms, fever, or a confirmed infection (COVID, flu, RSV), postponing travel is the most responsible choice.
• Mask use: Wearing a mask is considered a baseline courtesy when coughing or sneezing, especially in enclosed spaces like airplanes, trains and busses.
• Cough etiquette: Covering coughs with tissues or elbows, disposing of tissues properly, and sanitizing hands afterward are essential.
• Self-awareness: If symptoms develop mid-journey, travelers should minimize exposure by limiting conversation, keeping distance when possible, and notifying staff if severe.
• Heightened awareness: The pandemic reshaped norms—what once was tolerated (coughing openly) is now seen as inconsiderate. Etiquette guides stress that personal responsibility for illness management is part of community care.
• Shared burden: While individuals can’t always control when illness strikes, the expectation is to mitigate risk for others. This includes proactive measures like carrying masks, hand sanitizer, and being transparent about symptoms.
• Cultural shift: Surveys show that many travelers now expect sick passengers to mask up, and some even feel empowered to politely request it.
• Check with the airline: If you have proof you tested positive for Covid or another contagious illness, you may be able to change your flight without significant penalty, check with your airline.
• Pack a mask in your carry-on, even if mandates are lifted.
• Use hand sanitizer after touching shared surfaces.
• Politely advocate for yourself—asking staff for masks or requesting a seat change is acceptable.
• If you’re sick, own the responsibility: mask up, limit exposure, and consider rescheduling if possible. Some airlines allow changes with proof of positive Covid test or Dr’s note.
Sources: CDC travel health guidance, POPSUGAR’s updated sickness etiquette rulesPOPSUGAR, AARP’s post-pandemic travel dos and don’ts.
If we all work together and do our part to contain germs, we can all have a happy, healthy and safe holiday season~
As we honor our Veterans, there is an aspect in their care that is often overlooked: the caregivers that stand beside them. These family caregivers are crucial to the wellbeing of the aging and disabled Veteran population. The role of caregivers is so important, however fraught with challenges such as emotional strain, burnout and isolation.
The Department of Veteran’s Affairs offers a wide range of programs aimed at providing support through education, support groups, and counseling for caregivers navigating their roles as they
care for their loved one. The program known as the Caregiver Support Program provides resources that are tailored to the Veteran’s and caregivers’ unique needs to address the emotional toll of caregiving with access to other caregivers navigating similar situations. In addition to the Caregiver Support Program, the VA offers respite care. Respite care allows caregivers to take much needed pauses while making sure Veterans continue to receive quality care. This can include in-home care, or short term stays in a VA facility while the
caregiver has time to recharge, attend to other needs, or in emergency situations. By utilizing respite care, caregivers can take time for themselves, alleviate stress and feelings of loneliness. After respite, caregivers can return to their responsibilities with renewed energy to care for their beloved Veteran.
Navigating caregiver support programs can be daunting, but there are numerous resources available. To find more information about the Caregiver Support Program for a Veteran enrolled in VA care, call the VA Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274 or visit the VA Caregiver Support Website at https:// www.caregiver.va.gov/. This website provides information on eligibility for financial assistance, training programs, and a support service near you.
Caregiving is a 24/7 job, and it is important for caregivers to take care of themselves so they can care for their Vets. Programs like this not only improve the burden of burnout but also helps families provide the best care to their Veterans who have unique care needs
that the VA understands, and strengthens the bonds that connect our community. It is essential for caregivers to know they are not alone in their journey and that their dedication, compassion and resilience is seen.
By Patty Sheats VA Medical Center
HUDSON
HUDSON Pepper Pod
Pepper Pod
Hudson Meat Locker
Ben’s Brick Oven Pizza Tractor Supply
Shell Gas Station (7th & Cedar)
End of the Trail Bar (after 4pm)
Studio 52 Beauty Bar
Studio 52 Beauty Bar
Hudson Public Library
Hudson Public Library
Pilot Travel Center
Pilot Travel Center
KEENESBURG
KEENESBURG
The 1919 Café
The 1919 Cafe Keene Market
Keene Market
High Plains Bank
Market Street Mart
High Plains Bank Market Street Mart
TBK Bank
Family Dollar Store
TBK Bank
Town of Keenesburg
WIGGINS
Pastimes Collective (open Wed-Sat) WIGGINS
Mariana’s Mexican Country Hardware
Mariana’s Restaurant Country Hardware
High Plains Bank
High Plains Bank
Stub’s Gas & Oil
Stub’s Gas & Oil
Stub’s Liquor (next to Stub’s Gas) Wiggins Supers
Wiggins Supers or read our digital version online at lostcreeksentinel.com
