Colorado Country Life August 2020 Grand Valley

GRAND VALLEY POWER

AUGUST 2020

Pioneer Pilot MARVEL CROSSON

PLUS RECIPES TO CELEBRATE YOUR HARVEST

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Volume 51

Number 08

August 2020 THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE COLORADO RURAL ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION COMMUNICATIONS STAFF Mona Neeley, CCC, Publisher/Editor mneeley@coloradocountrylife.org Cassi Gloe, CCC, Production Manager/Designer cgloe@coloradocountrylife.org Kylee Coleman, Editorial/Admin. Assistant kcoleman@coloradocountrylife.org ADVERTISING Kris Wendtland, Ad Representative advertising@coloradocountrylife.org | 303-902-7276 National Advertising Representative, American MainStreet Publications 611 S. Congress Street, Suite 504, Austin, TX 78704 | 800-626-1181 Advertising Standards: Publication of an advertisement in Colorado Country Life does not imply endorsement by any Colorado rural electric cooperative or the Colorado Rural Electric Association.

Colorado Country Life (USPS 469-400/ISSN 1090-2503) is published monthly by Colorado Rural Electric Association, 5400 Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216-1731. Periodical postage paid at Denver, Colorado. ©Copyright 2020, Colorado Rural Electric Association. Call for reprint rights.

EDITORIAL Denver Corporate Office, 5400 Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216 mneeley@coloradocountrylife.org | 303-455-4111 coloradocountrylife.coop | facebook.com/COCountryLife Pinterest.com/COCountryLife | Instagram.com/cocountrylife Twitter.com/COCountryLife | YouTube.com/COCountryLife1 Editorial opinions published in Colorado Country Life magazine shall pertain to issues affecting rural electric cooperatives, rural communities and citizens. The opinion of CREA is not necessarily that of any particular cooperative or individual.

SUBSCRIBERS Report change of address to your local cooperative. Do not send change of address to Colorado Country Life. Cost of subscription for members of participating electric cooperatives is $4.44 per year (37 cents per month), paid from equity accruing to the member. For nonmembers, a subscription is $9 per year in-state/$15 out-of-state.

POSTMASTER Send address changes to Colorado Country Life, 5400 Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216

On the AUGUST 2020

Pioneer Pilot MARVEL CROSSON

Cover Marvel Crosson, 19041929, held the altitude record for women aviators when she died in an August 19, 1929, crash during the National Women’s Air Derby.

“Peaceful Turks Pond” by Laura Cano, a consumer-member of Southeast Colorado Power Association.

4 VIEWPOINT

5 LETTERS

6 ASK THE ENERGY EXPERT

7 YOUR CO-OP NEWS

12 RECIPES

14 NEWS CLIPS

16 COVER STORY

COCountryLife pinned: Grab some garden produce and try the Mediterranean Salad with Riced Cauliflower. It is fresh, light and delicious!

STAR OF THE CLOUDS 20 INDUSTRY 22 GARDENING

24 OUTDOORS

26 MARKETPLACE

27 CREATIVE CORNER

28 COMMUNITY EVENTS

29 YOUR STORIES

FACEBOOK CHATTER Colorado Rural Electric Association posted: Mountain Parks Electric announced its new Electrify Everything program which launched July 1. It encourages consumer-members to convert “everything” to electricity and offers financial assistance through low rates for on-bill financing.

30 DISCOVERIES

Monthly Contest Enter for your chance to win one of two copies of America’s Amazing Airports by Penny Rafferty Hamilton, Ph.D. For official rules and how to enter, visit our Contest page at coloradocountrylife.coop.

coloradocountrylife.coop

PINTEREST SNEAK PEEK

INSTAGRAM PIC of the month cocountrylife posted: How are you dealing with the heat today? I’ve found some cooling #shavedice in Louisville that was about as close to island style as I’ve found in Colorado. What a treat! #toohotoutside #coloradosun #lazyday COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE AUGUST 2020

3

VIEWPOINT

COLORADO WILDFIRES

Electric co-ops continually work to mitigate risks along lines

BY KENT SINGER

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

A

mong the many challenges facing Colorado’s electric co-ops this summer, the threat of wildfires is near the top of the list. Over the last several years, several thousand acres of co-op service territory have been blackened by wildfires.

This problem, of course, is not limited to Colorado. The fires in northern California in recent years led to the loss of many lives, the destruction of billions of dollars of property and the bankruptcy of one of California’s major electric utilities.

Thankfully, in Colorado there has been no loss of life, but the fires have caused extensive property damage and resulted in lengthy interruptions of electric service. In the case of the 2018 Lake Christine fire near Basalt, only the quick thinking of a utility lineworker prevented the burning of facilities that would have caused a days-long power outage in the Roaring Fork Valley.

Electric co-ops spend a great deal of time and money taking steps to mitigate the risk of wildfires in their service territories. While it’s impossible to limit the lightning strikes that sometimes ignite fires, co-ops do as much as they can to clear the trees near power lines

to prevent them from falling into the lines during storms. They also clear the brush and other vegetation under power lines to limit the fuel sources in the case of a downed power line. Co-ops spend millions of dollars annually to clear trees and vegetation to mitigate the risk of wildfires.

This task of “vegetation management” is one that is complicated by many competing interests. Some landowners aren’t excited about the prospect of the co-op cutting down trees on or near their property. While this is understandable, the alternative is drastically worse: the possibility of a “danger tree” falling into power lines and starting a fire. Co-ops work with landowners every day and appreciate the cooperation of their members in mitigating wildfire risks.

Another challenge for electric co-ops is working with federal, state and local government agencies to gain access to co-op rights-of-way across government-owned property. Although most agencies understand that the co-ops must have access to their facilities to clear trees and brush, some have policies that make it difficult for the co-ops to adequately mitigate the risk.

A view of the High Park fire in northern Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.

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COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE AUGUST 2020

KENT SINGER

Thankfully, at least in the case of the U.S. Forest Service, some new rules have been adopted by the agency that will hopefully streamline the process for gaining access.

Some states have adopted legislation to protect electric utilities in the event that a wildfire causes property damage and the utility is sued. In Colorado, as in most states, the standard of care for electric utilities as it relates to the maintenance of their facilities is not clear. In other words, electric utilities, such as electric co-ops, don’t have clear guidelines to follow with respect to their vegetation management practices.

For that reason, CREA will work with the Colorado legislature during the 2021 legislative session to establish some guidelines, which, if followed, would enable co-ops to better defend themselves in the event of a lawsuit. This is an approach that the state of Utah adopted in 2018 and CREA thinks it has merit for consideration in Colorado.

Regardless of whether new legislation is passed, Colorado’s electric co-ops will continue to do what they have done for many years: take all prudent steps to mitigate the risk of wildfires. The good news is that you can play a part as an electric co-op consumer-member. Working with your co-op, you can help mitigate the risks of wildfires by taking steps to protect your property and allowing the co-op access to protect its power lines bringing electricity to you and your neighbors.

Kent Singer is the executive director of the Colorado Rural Electric Association and offers a statewide perspective on issues affecting electric cooperatives.

CREA is the trade association for your electric co-op, the 21 other electric co-ops in Colorado and its power supply co-op.

LETTERS

FROM THE EDITOR

A woman of many firsts leaves her mark

BY MONA NEELEY

EDITOR

E

mily Howell Warner, a woman with many firsts in the aviation industry, has been on my mind this past month.

I was sad to hear that Emily passed away July 3 at age 80.

She was the first woman hired as a pilot by a U.S. commercial airline (Frontier) and the first woman commercial captain. She was also the first woman member of the Air Line Pilots Association and the leader of the first all-female commercial flight crew. A Denver native, she lived in Mountain Parks Electric’s service territory in Grand County for a while, and we featured Emily in a cover story in 2001.

I was lucky enough to meet with Emily at the training center where she oversaw Frontier’s 737 fleet, its more than 150 planes and nearly 2,000 pilots. One of my favorite stories she shared from her early days was

about flying new MONA NEELEY small planes (whose radios hadn’t yet been installed). She picked them up in Wichita, Kansas, set her compass for 279 degrees out of Wichita and dead reckon for Denver. As she neared Colorado, she had to land and telephone the Denver control tower that she was coming in and when to expect her. When she got to the runway, she would watch for a green light that meant she was cleared to land.

Before she retired, Emily and her determination to fly left their mark on Colorado’s aviation industry.

Mona Neeley is the statewide editor of Colorado Country Life, which is published in coordination with your local electric cooperative. Its goal is to provide information from your local electric co-op to you, its consumermembers.

Energy Plan: Responsible or irresponsible?

Regarding Kent Singer’s Viewpoint, “A Responsible Energy Plan” (March ’20), I would change the wording to “Irresponsible Energy Plan.”

Nowhere in the article does it mention what our electric rates will do, where the money to pay for all the new equipment will come from, the funds [needed] to purchase thousands of acres of land for the wind and solar [facilities], how electricity will be generated when the wind doesn’t blow or the sun doesn’t shine.

We should see a cost-benefit analysis.

Duane Hayes, Peyton Mountain View Electric consumer-member

Looking for different recipes

Posting the Luther Burger recipe (June ’20) was a failure in journalistic responsibility.

Recent U.S. health statistics indicate more than 42% of the population is obese. Here are the nutritional estimates for one Luther Burger: 1,347 calories, 155 grams fat, 444 milligrams cholesterol and 1,082 mg sodium.

Bill Christie, Westcliffe Sangre de Cristo Electric consumer-member Please include more real life people recipes that include meat and barbecue instead of yogurt and veggie recipes. Your recent recipes are for the minority, not the majority of us.

James Barfoot, Dolores Empire Electric consumer-member

Taking exception to electronics

NOW OPEN FOR ENTRIES

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I see the disgusting front of the magazine with the two boys “zombied out” on electronic gadgets. You’re contributing to the delinquency of all people and especially young people. They should not be inside. They should be outside working to be productive.

Nelson Brent Y-W Electric consumer-member

Altitude versus elevation

Regarding the use of the word “altitude” on June’s Gardening page, you used “altitude” three times: “9,500 feet altitude,” “low-altitude eastern plains,” and “High-altitude gardeners.” Altitude is the distance above the ground. Elevation is the distance above sea level. You should have used “elevation.”

David Selzler, Loveland Poudre Valley REA consumer-member

SEND US YOUR LETTERS Editor Mona Neeley, 5400 Washington St., Denver, CO 80216 or mneeley@ coloradocountrylife.org. Include name and address. Letters may be edited for length.

COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE AUGUST 2020

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ASK THE ENERGY EXPERT

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ir leaks are a common problem, particularly in older homes. In many homes, about half of the conditioned air leaks to the outside every hour. The good news, especially if you don’t want to spend a lot of money or if you’re hesitant to invite contractors into your home right now, is that you can seal air leaks on your own with a little time and effort.

Here are three steps to get you started.

Keep in mind, there’s much more to learn about sealing your home than we can cover in this article, so consider researching trusted websites for additional tips and tutorials.

Step 1: Find the leaks The first step is a thorough visual search of the interior and exterior of the home. Look for gaps and holes in exterior walls, flooring and the ceiling. These will often occur where different building materials meet, such as the top of cement foundation walls or around windows and doors. Another common source of air leaks is where pipes or wiring penetrate a wall, floor or ceiling.

Ductwork located in unheated crawl spaces or attics can also contain air leaks.

Exterior doors and windows that open deserve your attention. Open each door or window and place a dollar bill between the door or window sash and the frame. If you can pull the bill out easily when the door or window is closed again, the seal is not tight enough. Also, a window that rattles when it’s closed or when it’s windy probably isn’t sealed sufficiently.

Use caulk to seal gaps around non-moving parts of doors and windows. Photo credit: Scott Van Osdol

Step 2: Gather the materials you’ll need Supplies you may need are caulk; expanding spray foam; weather stripping; precut foam socket sealers; a chimney plug balloon; and/or adhesive plastic window insulation sheets.

Step 3: Do it! If you are unfamiliar with how to apply any of these materials, we recommend watching online tutorial videos. Sealing air leaks is one of the best ways to boost your home’s energy efficiency.

Whether you’re a DIY pro or novice, with a few simple steps (and low-cost materials), you’ll be well on your way to a sealed, more efficient home.

This column was co-written by Pat Keegan and Brad Thiessen of Collaborative Efficiency.

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COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE AUGUST 2020

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For more comprehensive information, visit coloradocountrylife.coop. Click on Energy Tips under the Energy tab.

YOUR HOMEGROWN BOARD

BY TOM WALCH

YOUR CO-OP NEWS

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

O

ne of the most unique things about electric cooperatives like Grand Valley Power is the way we are governed: Important planning, strategy and policy decisions are made by consumers like you. Members elected to serve on the Grand Valley Power Board of Directors get their electricity from GVP the same way you do. Our directors listen to the membership; they understand the communities we serve. Because our directors are elected by the members of the cooperative, they are accountable to them.

Being a cooperative director requires a significant time commitment. Beyond the monthly board meetings, which can last up to four hours, there is time at home reading meeting notes and minutes, reviewing board packets and prepping for meetings. To be effective, directors must devote time and attention to education and training efforts. In addition, time is needed to attend committee meetings, trainings, seminars, special events, and statewide and national update meetings.

A potential director can expect to attend over a dozen meetings in a calendar year.

The GVP Board of Directors is responsible for establishing our overall goals and objectives, reviewing them on an ongoing basis and issuing policies to ensure their successful achievement. Areas of board responsibility include: MISSION & PURPOSE The board regularly evaluates whether decisions and policies help the cooperative successfully further its commitment to

serving our communities by providing excellent customer service, and safe and reliable energy services at a competitive price.

GOVERNANCE The cooperative’s board of directors approves, and may amend, the GVP bylaws and tariffs, which govern the cooperative’s transactions with members. It also adopts policies, resolutions and actions governing ethical conduct, accountability and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT The board of directors establishes financial targets and goals and approves the cooperative’s budget. The board is responsible for evaluating periodic financial statements, reports and information, and considering internal control procedures each month. Board members also review and approve significant investments, loans and the rates or terms for providing electric service to members.

OPERATIONAL OVERSIGHT The board also selects a chief executive officer, who manages the day-to-day operations of the cooperative. The CEO is hired by and answers to the board. Board members consider and approve GVP business initiatives.

ELECTION Every August, Grand Valley Power members have the opportunity to elect directors to serve on our governing board. This is an important responsibility that should not be taken lightly. You should have received your ballot and election materials mid-July. If you

MEMBER CAPITAL ALLOCATION NOTICE

Each member who purchased electricity from Grand Valley Power in 2019 will receive their member capital allocation notice in the mail by the end of August. As a member of Grand Valley Power, you participate in the cooperative’s financial success with every electric bill you pay. Your payments are used to pay for wholesale power and other operating expenses. Revenue over and above these expenses is allocated back to members each year as member capital, based on the amount paid in by each member. This member capital is used

TOM WALCH

have not already done so, please review them carefully and return your completed ballot so that it is received before our virtual annual meeting on August 6, 2020. You can mail it in the postage-paid envelope provided or place it in the secure ballot box at our headquarters lobby. Thanks for participating in our democratic process.

COMMENTS TO THE CEO You are a member of a cooperative and your opinion does count. If you have any questions, concerns or comments, please let me know by writing to Ask the CEO, P.O. Box 190, Grand Junction, CO 81502, or send an email to me at twalch@gvp.org. Check out our website at gvp.org.

BOARD MEETING NOTICE Grand Valley Power board meetings are open to the members, consumers and public, but due to current COVID-19 health concerns, please call 970-242-0040 if you are interested in attending the meeting remotely. Regularly scheduled board meetings are held at 9 a.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at the headquarters building located at 845 22 Road, Grand Junction, Colorado.

The monthly agenda is posted in the lobby of the headquarters building 10 days before each meeting and posted on the GVP website. If anyone desires to address the Board of Directors, please let us know in advance and you will be placed on the agenda.

to help pay for the construction and maintenance of the electric distribution system.

When the financial status allows, Grand Valley Power will refund or “retire” a portion of this member capital in the form of Cashback Credits paid to the members. The payment of Cashback Credits is made at the discretion of the board of directors. Cashback Credit checks are typically mailed in December.

To find out more about how you benefit from credits, visit gvp. org/CashBackCredits.

COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE AUGUST 2020

7

YOUR CO-OP NEWS New Employee Spotlight

Meet Leif K. LINEMAN A little about Leif: I grew up in Colorado and graduated high school in 1992. Soon after, I married my high school sweetheart, Shelly, in June 1995.

Before I came to GVP, I was working in Craig, Colorado, as a journeyman lineman.

I wanted to move to the Western Slope to be closer to friends and family. The Grand Valley offers so many opportunities for myself, wife, and four children Shelby, Wade, Lane, and Sierra.

Something unique about me is that I was apart of a 3-man ranch competitive roping team in Nucla, Colorado. In 2018, my team won the Ranch Roping title.

Back to School Tips Hi I'm

Le if

Remind your child to always wear their helmet.

Don't forget to pack a healthy and nutritious lunch.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children consume 1-2 cups of fruit and 1-3 cups of vegetables per/day.

wear a helmet when riding their bike,

Encourage your child to

skateboard, scooter, etc. Wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of head injuries by 60 percent.

Remind your child to frequently wash their hands.

Practice

proper hand washing

The American Academy of Pediatrics

techniques with your child before they go back to school. Try singing the

twice.

@GVRuralPower

recommends that children 6 to 12 years old get at least

"Happy Birthday" song from beginning to end

Make sure your child gets a full night's rest.

9 to 12 hours of

sleep per/night.

@GVRuralPower

OK, GOOGLE What’s My Electric Bill this Month?

H

omes are becoming smarter by the day. With various devices available that control anything from lights to garage doors and music, the home can be controlled with the touch of a button … or even just a command.

Now, you can connect your Amazon Echo or Google Home device with SmartHub Voice Assistant to pay your bill, check your balance, get your payment history, look for service issues and more!

All Amazon Echo and Google Home devices are supported. This includes: • Amazon Echo • Amazon Echo Show • Google Home Hub • Amazon Echo Dot • Amazon Echo Spot • Google Home Max • Amazon Echo Plus • Google Home • Google Home Mini SmartHub has several features that make managing your account as easy as possible, whether through the web or your smartphone or tablet (Android or iOS), and now through your smart device.

Access SmartHub and find out how to connect your smart device by visiting gvp.org/SmartHub. Plenty of things in life are complicated.

Manage your Grand Valley Power account simply, quickly and easily with SmartHub.

SMARTHUB VOICE ASSISTANT VISIT GVP.ORG/SMARTHUB FOR MORE INFORMATION

8

COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE AUGUST 2020

Glade Park Movies Under the Stars Presents:

Playing

YOUR CO-OP NEWS

BY ACCIDENT BUT WE’RE THE LUCKY ONES

BY CHRISTMAS WHARTON COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

with

Friday, August 28 FREE admission Children's games and hay rides Food and beverage available for purchase

Movie starts at dusk!

All proceeds benefit the

Glade Park Volunteer Fire Department

-EVENT - - - - REMINDER ----Glade Park Movies Under the Stars Friday, August 28, 2020 Movie starts at dusk!

Glade Park Volunteer Fire Department 16400 DS Rd. gvp.org/Hometown-Partnerships

I

Sherry Fix

f these walls could talk, we’d say that we’re pretty lucky that Sherry Fix walked through our doors on accident 38 years ago for a job.

Sherry Fix, Grand Valley Power’s Information Technology manager, has retired after 38 years of dedication. “My husband told me to apply for a job at Public Service, and I went to the wrong building. I couldn’t have been more blessed to walk into the wrong office that day,” Fix expressed.

Sherry was initially working for a water utility at the time and wanted to continue her work outdoors doing meter reading or something similar. At the time, there was a position within the billing department as a customer service representative. After three interviews, she landed the job and stayed for 20 years in that department, all the while wanting more. During that time though, Sherry always had an interest in technology, and it grew even more when she moved into IT. She brought the first personal computer to the office and built our first real network with a shared server. I decided to take some courses at Mesa State College and switched from an accounting major to computer information systems. Dave, the previous manager, was really the only one with that knowledge, so if anything were to have happened to him, we would have been in trouble,” said Fix.

Going to school full-time, with a fulltime job and three kids was not easy though, but Sherry obtained her degree in 2004 and was promoted in 2005 to the Information Technology manager. Since then, she’s been continually learning and implementing security protocols that keep our grid, members and employees secure. “I was initially surprised how fast things changed in the technology world. It’s always changing,” Fix stated.

But it wasn’t all work and no play. Some of the best times that Sherry recalled were during the holidays with other GVP employees. “A lot of us had kids around the same age, and so our kids all grew up together. Each Christmas we’d get together after work to decorate for the parade of lights. It was a huge deal. And after the parade, everyone would come back to the warehouse for Santa and goodie bags. I loved those times,” said Fix.

Sherry Fix retired on July 6, exactly the same date she started work at Grand Valley Power 38 years ago.

For her retirement plans, Sherry plans to still keep up with technology since she owns a local mobile Apple repair business and is looking forward to working alongside her son to build that business. In addition, she’d like to travel more to places like Alaska, Australia and Ireland. We wish Sherry all the best in her retirement years, honoring her 38 years of tireless service to our team and celebrating the legacy of hard work and dedication she leaves behind. “It was my pleasure to serve GVP and our membership for 38 years. I couldn’t have asked for a better career,” Fix said.

COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE AUGUST 2020

9

YOUR CO-OP NEWS

CLEAR FOR SAFETY

BY CHRISTMAS WHARTON

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

W

e love trees. They beautify our landscape, provide shade and are an essential part of nature.

When you see us out trimming trees, know that we are doing so to keep you safe and prevent service issues like outages.

TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT Although most trees do not present a problem, some of them grow into or crowd power lines or other utility equipment.

When greenery grows too close for comfort, we have to address it because overgrowth can interfere with power distribution and create safety hazards.

Power lines can give off a spark or arc that may land on a nearby branch and ignite. Additionally, the lights in your house may flicker when tree branches brush power lines during high winds. Stormy weather can also cause limbs to break off and land on lines.

It is our job to ensure trees, branches and limbs are a safe distance from power lines.

In fact, we conduct year-round vegetation management to ensure our lines are clear of any potential hazards. In 2019, about 127 miles of tree trimming and vegetation management, such as spraying herbicide, were completed.

Clear power lines make it easier and safer for lineworkers to access lines and fix problems that may occur. When clearing around lines, Grand Valley Power and its right-of-way contractors make sure proper pruning techniques are used to preserve tree health as much as possible. Pruning is the first line of defense against unruly trees, although sometimes a tree must be removed. When fast-growing trees are located directly under a power line or the tree is in declining health, we may have to remove it entirely. The goal is not to remove trees unless absolutely necessary, and the operations team works hard at finding solutions that meet GVP needs and yours.

IN YOUR OWN YARD Trees growing in utility rights-of-ways are maintained by the electric utility, while trees growing into power lines on private property are usually the responsibility of the owner.

When hiring someone to prune in those cases, be aware that most tree-care workers are not qualified to work around energized power lines. According to the Utility Arborist Association, utility line clearance professionals who meet Occupational Safety

and Health Administration qualifications are the only ones legally permitted to work within 10 feet of lines, or work on a tree that has branches that are within 10 feet of a power line.

WHEN PLANTING NEW TREES Tall-growing trees with a mature height of greater than 40 feet should be planted at least 50 feet away from lines to avoid future pruning. A mature height of less than 25 feet is recommended if planting near lines.

Keep in mind, trees should never be planted directly under power lines, near poles or too close to electrical equipment such as pad mounted transformers.

Before the tree planting begins, make sure to call 811. The 811 “Call Before You Dig” campaign is a free service that locates and marks your public underground utilities. Call a few days in advance of any digging project to give ample time for a professional to locate these utilities.

Electrical, gas, water, cable and telephone lines can all be found beneath the ground.

If you have concerns or questions over a tree, please contact Grand Valley Power either online at gvp.org/special-services or by calling 970-242-0040.

is tree trimming necessary? is tree trimming necessary?

When you see GVP trimming trees near power lines, know that we are doing so because:

When you see GVP trimming trees near power lines, know that we are doing so because:

Tree and foliage overgrowth can interfere with power distribution.

Public safety is our number one concern. To minimize the likelihood of safety hazards Tree and foliage overgrowth interferemust with power and power outages, treescan and vegetation be kept cleardistribution. of electric power lines.

Stormy weather can cause limbs to break off and land power lines. of safety hazards Public safety is our number onenearby concern.

To minimize theonlikelihood power lines make it easier and safer for lineworkers to maintain equipment and power Unobstructed outages, trees and vegetation must be kept clear of electric power lines. or restore power.

Stormy weather can cause nearby limbs to break off and land on power lines.

Grand Valley POwer is committed to providing safe and reliable electricity, and Unobstructed power lines make it program easier and safer for to lineworkers to maintain our vegetation management is essential fulfilling that promise. equipment or restore power.

Grand Valley POwer is committed to providing safe and reliable electricity, and our vegetation management program is essential to fulfilling that promise.

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COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE AUGUST 2020

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COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE AUGUST 2020

11

RECIPES T H E J U N I O R L E AG U E O F D E N V E R P R E S E N T S

Centennial

CELEBRATE YOUR HARVEST

A CO LO R A DO COO KB OO K

Reap the rewards of your garden with new recipes

BY AMY HIGGINS

Celebrations

WIN A COPY

| RECIPES@COLOR ADOCOUNTRYLIFE.ORG

Photography by Briana Marie

Enter our contest to win a copy of Centennial Celebrations: A Colorado Cookbook. Click on Contests at coloradocountrylife.coop for details on how to enter.

Tasty recipes to celebrate your backyard harvest.

P

aying tribute to its 100th anniversary, the Junior League of Denver recently released a new cookbook, Centennial Celebrations: A Colorado Cookbook, and it’s chock-full of recipes that will surely entice your taste buds. Now that gardens are overgrowing with squash, tomatoes and peppers — to name a few — Colorado Country Life is spotlighting a handful of recipes here and on the website with these ingredients in mind to help you harvest your season’s growth and get cooking.

Summer Vegetable Ratatouille over Polenta 1 cup dried polenta 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese 5 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon plus extra, to taste, Italian seasoning 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes Salt and pepper, to taste 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 medium eggplant, thinly sliced 1 medium zucchini, thinly sliced 1 pint cherry tomatoes, cut into halves Fresh Italian parsley, chopped Shredded Parmesan cheese Cook the polenta according to the package directions until thickened. Remove from the heat. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper.

DID YOU KNOW? In 1987, the Junior League of Denver was the first league in the United States to hire a government affairs specialist to monitor, advocate and support important pieces of legislation at the state Capitol. Most recently, JLD has supported legislation affecting children’s education and health, women’s self-sufficiency and affordable child care.

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COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE AUGUST 2020

Sauté the onion and bell pepper in the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat for 3 minutes. Add the eggplant and zucchini. Sauté for 3 minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high; add the cherry tomatoes. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until the vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally. Season with Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Serve over the Parmesan polenta and sprinkle with parsley and Parmesan cheese.

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NEWS CLIPS

Colorado Co-ops Recognized for Innovation

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olorado’s electric cooperatives fared well in the national Power Player of the Year awards with three nominations. The Smart Electric Power Alliance recognizes individuals, utilities and projects that demonstrate leadership and innovation in the industry.

Duane Highley, CEO of co-op power supplier Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, was nominated for leading Tri-State through a transformational change to cleaner resources for its member co-ops. The G&T has expanded its amount of renewable resources, reduced

emissions and increased flexibility so co-ops can develop more local renewable projects.

Holy Cross Energy in Glenwood Springs was nominated for Cooperative Utility Power Player of the Year for its Seventy70Thirty Plan and its goal of attaining a 70% renewable supply by 2030.

The Basalt Vista Affordable Housing Project facilitated by Holy Cross Energy was nominated for Grid Integration Power Player of the Year. This project, developed as a partnership among government

agencies, nonprofits, private businesses and Holy Cross, consists of 27 all-electric housing units outfitted with solar panels, energy storage systems, high-efficiency cold-climate heat pumps and electric vehicle charging stations. The homes will act as “microgrids” that can operate independently or be controlled in the aggregate by Holy Cross to coordinate load and generation on the grid.

The Smart Electric Power Alliance is a nonprofit organization that focuses on clean energy and grid modernization.

Communications from Your Local Cooperative Colorado Country Life comes to you from your local electric cooperative.

It is packed with articles, charts and Stay in & Stream columns to entertain and inform you, particularly on what is happening at your local electric cooperative.

Each issue contains information about local co-op services, consumermember meetings, staff and management decisions and other co-op activities. By sending the magazine to you, the co-op fulfills one of its cooperative principles: to educate and communicate openly with its members.

We invite you as a reader to get involved, too. Write a letter to the editor; enter a contest; submit your photo with the magazine. Let us know what you enjoy in the magazine and what you would like to see in the magazine. This magazine is for you as a consumer-member of one of Colorado’s electric cooperatives.

JUNE 2020

YouTubers Channel Colorado

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COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE AUGUST 2020

Pushing Energy Efficiency in Ag Help for farmers throughout Colorado to improve the energy efficiency of their operations is available through the Colorado Energy Office.

The Agricultural Energy Efficiency program was launched in 2015 in cooperation with the electric cooperatives that serve the ag producers of Colorado. The program provides a free energy audit to the ag producer, a preliminary renewable energy assessment, and technical and implementation support.

This program is designed for larger operations with monthly electric or heating bills of $400 or more.

More information and the application can be found at https://energyoffice. colorado.gov/clean-energy-programs/agricultural-energy-efficiency.

NEWS CLIPS

Aug. 28 - Sept 7 In Pueblo

Thank You!

to our sponsors

EV Charging Corridor Spans the Country

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lectrify America announced in June that it completed its first crosscountry route, which allows electric vehicle drivers to travel from Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles, California, using a direct current fast charger network. Stations are located across 11 states along Interstates 15 and 70. They are spaced an average of 70 miles apart for more than 2,700 miles.

In Colorado, the stations are located along the Interstate 70 corridor in Flagler, the Denver metro area, Golden, Silverthorne, Glenwood Springs and Grand Junction.

It is anticipated that up to 35 million EVs will be on U.S. roads by 2030.

Electrify America, working to advance electric vehicle adoption in the United States, will add a second cross-country route by the end of summer. That route will go from Jacksonville, Florida, to San Diego, California, along the I-10 and I-8 corridors.

These high-powered DC chargers are designed to get EVs fueled and back on their way more quickly.

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ARE YOU A REGISTERED VOTER? National Voter Registration Day SEPTEMBER 22

Make sure your voice is heard Tuesday, November 3 COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE AUGUST 2020

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COVER STORY

the story of Marvel Crosson, a pioneer pilot

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COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE AUGUST 2020

COVER STORY

by Julie Simpson

I

t’s the summer of 1917. A teenage Marvel Crosson and her young brother, Joe, stand in awe before a flying machine at the Logan County Fair in Sterling, Colorado. It isn’t much: an early model made of a flimsy frame and fabric with a rear propeller and a tiny seat barely big enough to carry the pilot. But still, for Marvel and Joe, watching that rickety contraption miraculously defy gravity was the moment that changed their lives forever.

When the plane took off into the bright, high country sky, Marvel recounts her brother jumping up and down, screaming, “I’m going to be an aviator! I’m going to be an aviator!” She, too, was captivated: “I agreed with him that it was the only thing in the world, and I said I was going to be an aviator, too. This did not seem to be strange to Joe because we had always been partners and I could do anything he could.”

It would be six years before the siblings could live out their dream of getting up in the air, but they never abandoned it. On a family vacation to California’s Dutch Flats airfield, they begged a bored pilot to take them up in his open cockpit two-seater aircraft, and for their combined $2.50, he agreed. The siblings returned to earth even more inspired to become pilots themselves.

Originally from Indiana, the Crosson family stayed in Colorado long enough for Marvel to graduate from the Logan County

“I agreed with him that it was the only thing in the world, and I said I was going to be an aviator, too. This did not seem to be strange to Joe because we had always been partners and I could do anything he could.”

— Marvel Crosson High School in Sterling before moving to San Diego, California. It was there that Marvel and Joe worked odd jobs and saved their pennies to purchase a Curtiss N-9 seaplane for $150. They repaired the plane in their backyard, slowly replacing broken and missing parts as they could afford them.

An old World War I training plane, the machine had been sitting in pieces in a warehouse for years. Marvel and Joe saved more money to pay $125 for an old boat motor to make it run, as well as landing gear that could replace the original floats. They eventually also completely replaced the fuselage and covers on the wings.

Marvel agreed that Joe should take his flying lessons first, then teach her after he received his license. As their younger sister, Zelma, remembers in her biography of her

sister, “Marvel worked and earned money to finance Joe’s instructions, doing more than her share in their partnership. Joe soloed in June 1924 and at the same time he and Marvel were able to purchase the unassembled parts of their aeroplane.”

Marvel finally got her chance to fly a year after her brother, taking her first solo flight on June 20, 1925. When Joe turned the controls over to Marvel, he knew the men at the airport wouldn’t believe a girl was actually the pilot, so he stepped out onto the wing as she made a pass by the hangars so no one could claim they were lying.

Not long after teaching Marvel to fly, Joe received an offer from a company out of Fairbanks, Alaska, to pilot passengers, mail and supplies throughout the remote Yukon territory. Joe couldn’t pass up the amazing opportunity to fly for good pay, though Marvel was sad to see him go. She spent the next year logging hundreds of flight hours and saving money by working at a camera store.

Already locally famous as a rare female flyer, it was rumored in the newspapers that Marvel was itching to join her brother in Alaska. In her own letters to a former teacher, however, Marvel made clear that she didn’t want to always be known as Joe’s sister. He was making a name for himself as a long-distance pilot and, though she celebrated his success, she wanted to make a name for herself as a pilot on her own terms.

Marvel Crosson became the first female pilot to earn a commercial license in the Territory of Alaska.

COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE AUGUST 2020

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COVER STORY

The start of the Women’s Air Derby race. Photo source: San Diego Air & Space Museum.

Still, she couldn’t resist the opportunities afforded by her brother’s connections in the far north. In 1927, still in her early to mid-20s, Marvel became the first female pilot licensed by the state of Alaska. She was officially a professional flyer, one of only 70 female pilots in the entire United States and the only one with experience in the Yukon.

Newspapers all over the country loved talking about the “pretty aviatrix.” Marvel became known as “Pollyanna of the North” and “Alaska’s Aviation Grocery Girl,” with pictures of her posing in her heavy fur coat next to her plane scattered across front pages throughout the lower 48 states.

Alaska flying wasn’t all fame and fortune, however. Though fervor for aviation was growing and remote areas benefited, pilots were not generally welcomed by many people in the north. Planes stole much of the work formerly given to sled dog teams, and the locals resented the change and loss of jobs. Many places of business put up signs in the windows: NO DOGS NOR PILOTS ALLOWED. The freezing weather also made flying complicated. “It takes hours to get your planes warmed up and then the daylight

arvel became known M as “Pollyanna of the North” and “Alaska’s Aviation Grocery Girl.” is all gone nearly,” Marvel wrote. “Even the hangars and sheds are cold (and) you have to work in mittens or your hands would freeze fast to the metal parts.” Still, she seemed to love the freedom and beauty she found in the frozen wilderness. She was being paid to do what she loved most.

But Marvel had plans to push her flying even further, and that required returning to California.

In 1928, two pilot friends of the Crossons enlisted Joe’s help to complete a flight across Antarctica. Joe was tasked with picking up the expedition’s Lockheed Vega airplane from the factory in Los Angeles and flying it crosscountry to New York. He asked Marvel to

join him. Together, they took turns flying the plane to cover the over 2,700-mile journey across the country.

The pair parted once they finally reached New York after the grueling trip. Joe boarded a ship headed to Antarctica, and Marvel bought a ticket for the slow train ride back to the West Coast, stopping to visit family along the way.

Once in California again, Marvel had no plans to return to Alaska. Instead, she set her sights on a new challenge: beating the altitude record previously set by Louise Thaden at 20,270 feet. A sponsorship with Union Oil gave her access to an open-cockpit Beechcraft Travel airplane and a barometer to record her flight data.

During her first attempts with the new equipment in February of 1929, Marvel encountered even more difficulties with cold than she had in the frozen northern states. “I tried for two hours to get higher than 20,000 feet, but finally the gasoline began to ice up in the carburetor and the motor began to lose its heat, so I had to come on back,” she wrote. Her success would require an equal measure of skill and good timing with the weather.

It took her until May of that year and a new airplane to finally reach her goal, surpassing the previous record with a peak altitude of 23,996 feet. Though she had been well-known before, now she was a household name, with newspaper coverage of her achievement

Marvel Crosson in a Ryan Brougham, a small single-engine airliner produced in the United States in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Photo credit: San Diego Air & Space Museum Marvel Crosson with brother Joe. Photo credit: University of Alaska Fairbanks

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COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE AUGUST 2020

COVER STORY Marvel Crosson in a Ryan Brougham days before she died on August 19, 1929, in a plane crash in the Arizona desert.

rivaling attention given to Amelia Earhart.

Photos of Marvel in her flight suit covered front pages everywhere, and she was dubbed the “New Star of the Clouds.”

The whole country was poised with excitement to watch Marvel perform as the first entrant in the inaugural Women’s Air Derby cross-country race.

She already won the first sanctioned women’s air race between Palo Alto and Oakland, California, in April, so Marvel was excited and confident about the derby. She also had another reason to be excited: a quiet engagement to fellow pilot Emory Bronte.

The two planned to be wed sometime soon after Marvel completed the derby race. Both Emory and Joe were eagerly waiting at the finish line in Cleveland, Ohio.

In order to participate in the race — nicknamed the Powder Puff Derby by humorist Will Rogers — all pilots had to prove at least 100 hours of solo flying experience, including 25 hours of cross-country flying. The racers would make their way to Cleveland by way of 10 stops through Arizona, Texas, Missouri and Ohio. The first leg of the race had the pilots flying from Santa Monica to Yuma.

After proving they had the proper certificates and experience, 19 female pilots including Marvel and Amelia Earhart took off on

August 18, 1929, from California, cheered on by over 100,000 spectators.

Marvel flew a Travel Air Speedwing Chaparral provided by her continuing sponsor, Union Oil. Its cruising air speed of 160 miles per hour was faster than any other plane in the competition. That, in combination with her extensive flying experience, made her the pilot to beat.

Though Marvel and Joe had complained of engine trouble in the new plane after transferring it from Wichita, Kansas, to California, a few repairs seemed to have done the trick. Marvel reported that the plane flew just fine between California and the first stop in Yuma.

But only 20 minutes after taking off from Yuma at 11:54 a.m. on August 19, she crashed.

When she didn’t appear at the next stop on the derby, alarms were raised and her probable route was traced. Her plane had been spotted flying low by a 6-year-old girl in Wellton, Arizona, before it dipped below the tree line. Searchers followed the girl’s directions and found the plane’s wreckage in a ravine. Marvel’s crumpled body was found nearby, wrapped in her partially-opened parachute.

To this day, no one knows for sure what caused the crash that ended the career of such a young and promising pilot. Some surmised engine trouble, and that Marvel’s Yukon training might have led her to stay in the plane too long before trying to jump free. When other pilots reported mysterious malfunctions in their aircraft throughout the rest of the derby, rumors of sabotage swirled but were never proven.

No matter the cause, the life of the famous female flyer was cut tragically short. Still, the legacy of Marvel Crosson lives on in the memory of Coloradans. Today, the Sterling Municipal Airport is known as Crosson Field.

Across town, visitors to the Overland Trail Museum can see a leather flight helmet that Marvel wore on many an aerial excursion, along with pictures that capture her bright smile, natural beauty and adventurous spirit.

Maybe Marvel’s legacy will live on through some other little girl who visits the museum and is inspired to find her own wings.

As we celebrate National Aviation Day on August 19, we can only wonder what Marvel might have accomplished if she lived beyond her 30th birthday, especially when you consider the unbelievable feats she achieved before it. She may have only lived here for a part of her life, but Colorado is still proud to claim the title as the state where she was inspired to take to the skies.

Freelancer Julie Simpson loves writing about the amazing people and places in her home state of Colorado.

Sources: Mondor, Colleen. “The short, brilliant career of Alaska’s first woman pilot.” Anchorage Daily News. June 19, 2016.

Accessed Feb. 5, 2020, https://www.adn.com/culture/ we-alaskans/2016/06/19/the-short-brilliant-career-ofalaskas-first-woman-pilot/.

Sheinkin, Steve. Born to Fly: The First Women’s Air Race Across America, pgs. 1-30. Roaring Brook Press, 2019.

Sumner, Sandi. Women Pilots of Alaska: 37 Interviews and Profiles, pgs. 11-14. McFarland, 2004.

Read more about the 1929 Powder Puff Derby air race at coloradocountrylife.coop.

COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE AUGUST 2020

19

INDUSTRY

Electric Cooperatives Celebrate Women’s Right to Vote

BY DERRILL HOLLY

T

he 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was approved by Congress on June 4, 1919, but it took more than a year for the measure granting women nationwide the right to vote to gain ratification by 36 states. This August 18, 2020, the nation marks the centennial of this human rights milestone.

Rural America was built and owes much of its success to family-run farms and businesses, operated by men and women. While dads and husbands are often celebrated for their contributions, wives and mothers have been full partners in creating thousands of communities, especially here in the West, where the right to vote came to women years before the 19th Amendment was ratified.

Wyoming, Utah, Washington and Montana territories all granted women the right to vote long before the Constitutional Amendment passed. Colorado was the first state to pass a popular vote giving women the right to vote and it was the first state to elect women to a state legislature. Western women were more than ready to put their skills to use leading their communities.

The Vast Billboard Campaign of the Woman’s Party put up a billboard in Denver in 1916. Photo source: Library of Congress

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COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE AUGUST 2020

The Woman Suffrage Monument, located in Nashville, Tennessee’s Centennial Park, features five women who were actually in Nashville during the final ratification effort: Anne Dallas Dudley of Nashville; Frankie Pierce of Nashville; Sue Shelton White of Jackson; Abby Crawford Milton of Chattanooga; and Carrie Chapman Catt, the national suffrage leader who came to Nashville during the summer of 1920 to direct the pro suffrage forces and stayed at the Hermitage Hotel. Photo source: Robin Conover, The Tennessee Magazine

Power and partnership “Historically, rural wives were always isolated and only had interaction with their husbands and children, but they helped run farms and ranches, and ran their homes,” said Betsy Huber, president and CEO of the National Grange.

Founded in 1867, the Grange chapters took root as fraternal community organizations committed to promoting sound agricultural concepts in the North, the South and the expanding West.

“From the very beginning, women could hold any office in the Grange,” Huber said.

“We have 13 offices, including four that are only open to women.”

By the early 1900s, organizations like the Grange were providing rural women with meaningful leadership opportunities and fueling passions for full engagement in public life that included political participation.

With the rise of suffragist sentiments in the early 20th century, the Grange routinely included women in governance decisions, Huber said. “One of our national agriculture committees early in the last century had six members, including three men and three women, who reviewed and discussed the

INDUSTRY resolutions submitted by local Grange chapters that ultimately set policy for the National Grange.”

Among the farm women embracing the suffragist cause was Febb Ensminger Burn, a widow from Tennessee’s McMinn County who ultimately played a decisive role in earning women the right to vote and forever changing U.S. history.

“Suffrage has interested me for years,” Burn once told a reporter.

Between running her farm and caring for her family, she followed news accounts from Nashville and was turned off by harsh opposition speeches against ratification in the summer of 1920. In August, she penned a seven-page letter to her son, Henry T. Burn, a freshman representative in the House of Representatives of the Tennessee General Assembly.

Suffragists gather outside the depot of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with a banner: “We Demand an Amendment to the United States Constitution.” Photo source: Library of Congress

Wolfe, a National Rural Electric Cooperative Association senior political advisor, who lives in Nashville.

“Voting is so much more than just a right, it is a privilege,” Wolfe said. “The suffragettes fought for generations to finally win that privilege 100 years ago, and every time we cast a ballot, we honor their memories.”

Fueling cooperative change

A donkey carries a sign urging a vote in favor of the 19th Amendment. Photo source: Library of Congress

“Vote for suffrage and don’t keep them in doubt,” Burn wrote to her 24-year-old son.

“Don’t forget to be a good boy and help.”

With the letter from his mom in his pocket, Rep. Burn broke a 48-48 deadlock by changing his vote to pass the measure, and women nationwide were guaranteed the right to participate in all national elections.

“I spend a lot of my time encouraging co-op members to contact their legislators, and mother-son influence is a great example of true grassroots activism,” said Amanda

When electric cooperatives were organized years later, many of the same principles honored by rural organizations, including recognition of property rights, were among the fundamental tenets included in co-op charters. Family memberships were vested in heads of households, regardless of gender, and women were among the founding members of many electric cooperatives.

When President Franklin Delano Roosevelt created the Rural Electrification Administration in 1935, farm magazines quickly published stories about the news.

Maye Shaw of Quitman, Texas, was a former teacher and regular reader who knew life on the farm would be easier with electric power.

She wrote Rep. Morgan G. Sanders for information on the new electric co-ops and persuaded her husband Virgil Shaw to look into it. By 1937, they both were riding through the surrounding countryside recruiting members and collecting $5 sign-up fees. Mr. Shaw eventually became the founding general manager of Wood County Electric Cooperative, which now serves nearly 36,000 meters and is still

headquartered in Quitman. In 1939, when the Rural Electrification Administration approved its first loans for electric cooperatives in South Carolina, women were actively involved in the formation of Darlingtonbased Pee Dee Electric Cooperative.

Mrs. E.S.J. Evans, the home demonstration agent for the Darlington County Agricultural Extension Service Office, was an organizer, and Miss Sue Coker and Mrs. E.A. Gray were elected to the founding board.

Acting for the future America’s electric cooperatives support Co-ops Vote, a grassroots movement designed to encourage voter registration, political engagement and participation by everyone in local, state and national affairs.

“We provide the information to co-op consumer-members to find out how, where and when to vote, and information on the issues that affect rural communities,” said Laura Vogel, an NRECA senior political advisor. “We do not tell people who to vote for, and we don’t endorse candidates.”

Co-ops want their consumer-members to vote. They want the rural voice to be heard. Voting in the upcoming election is a great way to celebrate the passage of the 19th Amendment and honor those suffragettes who worked hard to win the right for women to vote.

Derrill Holly writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the national trade association representing more than 900 local electric cooperatives.

COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE AUGUST 2020

21

GARDENING

ACCLIMATING TO AUGUST GARDENING Plant with prudence in late summer

BY VICKI SPENCER

MASTER GARDENER | GARDENING@COLOR ADOCOUNTRYLIFE .ORG

W

ith plants wilting in the summer heat, people often wonder how to spruce up their gardens. They ask me if it’s too late to plant. The answer is no. It’s OK as long as you give the plants some tender loving care — which basically translates into hydration.

In Colorado, heat and intense high-altitude sunlight make plants work harder. With more water transpiring from leaves, there is greater demand for water, which puts greater pressure on the roots.

Hibiscus

The advantage of planting in August is that many nurseries have sales. Dahlias are one of my favorites for late planting. They bloom from June through late fall, so there’s still lots of time to enjoy them. Dahlias come in a wide spectrum of sizes and colors with flowers that vary from 1-inch pompons to

LEARN MORE ONLINE

22

COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE AUGUST 2020

10-inch giants. This year, Colorado nurseries boasted the usual wide variety, ranging from Caroline dahlia, which grows 8 inches tall with rich red flowers and brilliant yellow centers, to Gold Crown, which grows up to 4 feet with cactus-like golden flowers. Both do well in full sun to partial shade. As an added bonus, the more you cut dahlias the more they bloom, so you can create indoor bouquets to enjoy inside as well.

Hardy hibiscus is another good way to add excitement to your garden. It has bountiful flowers that bloom continuously in red, pink or white from midsummer until frost.

Although you will get more blossoms if you plant in the spring, you can still get flowers with an August transplant. Newer hybrids are smaller and more compact than older varieties, such as Lady Baltimore. Perfect Storm grows 3 feet tall with huge white flowers and a red eye radiating in veins out to pink edges.

In August, most container grown plants are getting root bound and will benefit from being planted in the ground. It is better to plant early in the morning when cooler temperatures reduce the stress of transplanting. Dig a hole the same depth as your pot and twice as wide. Before planting, you want to make sure the plants are

Dahlia

well-hydrated. Moisten the soil by filling the hole with water and waiting for it to absorb into the ground. While waiting, mix some compost into the soil just removed from the hole (typically a 1-to-2 ratio). Then gently remove the plant from the pot and loosen the roots before placing it in the hole. Fill the hole with soil to the same level it was on the plant in the container.

For the first few weeks, check your transplants in the morning and evening to see how they are doing. I am extremely hands-on when I garden, so I poke my finger into the soil up to my second knuckle and if it is dry, I water. If it is especially hot and dry, I devise a temporary shelter from the sun to help the plants adapt to their new home.

Gardener Vicki Spencer has an eclectic background in conservation, water, natural resources and more.

Looking for more great tips for gardening in Colorado? Visit coloradocountrylife.coop.

Click on Gardening under Living in Colorado.

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COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE AUGUST 2020

| OUTDOORS@COLOR ADOCOUNTRYLIFE.ORG

his is one of my favorite months to fly-fish the Colorado high country.

By the time August rolls around, you can be reasonably sure if you hike into a cutthroat lake at say, 10- or 11,000 feet, you won’t have to drill a hole in it to catch a trout. You can also be fairly certain the streams up there will be in pretty good shape, too. Runoff will have been over for a while; the headwater creeks might even be a wee bit low but they’ll be martini-clear and the fish in them will be hungry. Trout in the high country are always hungry.

They’re usually wild, too, if not authentic natives. Depending on the watershed you fish, you may find river-born browns and rainbows among the various populations of cutthroats: Colorado River cutts, West Slope cutts, Rio Grande or maybe even native Colorado greenbacks. For sure you’ll hook brook trout. In fact, the brookies will probably outnumber all the other species by at least three to one. They’re an introduced and extremely invasive species. Release the cutts, browns and rainbows, but Colorado Parks and Wildlife encourages taking a limit of the invading brookies when you leave. They’re delicious and you’ll be doing the other fish a favor.

Dry flies rule up here this time of year and though fly selection varies from one fisherman to the next, you can bet the beer money almost every high-country angler will carry at least one Wulff pattern — probably two or three of them, in sizes 12 to16. The Royal Wulff is a universal favorite, and so is the H&L Variant or the “House and Lot” as some old-timers call it. The Western version of the Ausable Wulff tied with moose hair tails and a cream-colored fur body is popular with some Estes Park guides I know. I like the traditional Eastern version; it has woodchuck tails and a dyed, rusty-orange Australian ’possum body. Add a few light and dark elk

Eastern (top) and Western versions of the Ausable Wulff, an excellent high-country dry fly.

hair caddis; a couple of ants, beetles, hoppers; and some midge patterns for the lakes, and you’ll have most of the bases covered. On second thought, you ought to carry an Adams or two. The standard version is fine, but the parachute version with the white, calf tail post wing is a lot easier to see.

A few years back I discovered a size 14 partridge and yellow soft hackle was an effective match for the little yellow stone flies and pale morning duns that hatch on my favorite headwater creek this time of year.

Now, for obvious reasons, I never leave home without some of those. The same goes for a lightweight rain jacket. It’s not a fly pattern, I know, but it is indispensable for fly fishing the high country because, well, you know.

Dennis Smith is a freelance outdoors writer and photographer whose work appears nationally. He lives in Loveland.

MISS AN ISSUE? Catch up at coloradocountrylife.coop.

Click on Outdoors.

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MARKETPLACE

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CREATIVE CORNER

READER POETRY 2020

BEST

COLORADO PRESENTED BY COLORADO COUNTRY LIFE MAGAZINE

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE CENTENNIAL STATE?

This is your chance to vote for your favorite: Cross Country Ski Trail: Colorado-Made Wine (red):

Apologies to Mr. Einstein How relative - this poetry…

For herein I spend energy, probe space-time and search for words to somehow…

fuse pain, fission doubt, conjure faith, anneal hope, billow dreams, sputter prayer, cascade joy, and marrow love.

And yet, the total mass of such when crudely strewn across the page is lesser than a pinhead or, perhaps, a mustard seed.

Colorado-Made Wine (white): Bed & Breakfast:

William Penfield, Berthoud Poudre Valley REA consumer-member

Burrito: Colorado-Made Jam/Jelly:

Silent Cry

Country Store:

I can see him sitting there, hidden within his secluded crevasse.

Coffee Shop: Golf Course:

Ballots must be submitted by September 10, 2020, either via mail or online. Only one entry per person. Nominations must be located in Colorado. Ballots nominating the “Best of” in at least four categories will be eligible to win one of three $100 gift cards. Winners will be selected by random drawing.

Submit ballot online under Contests at coloradocountrylife.coop.

If ballot is mailed, list your name, phone number, email address, mailing address and electric cooperative. Send to: Best of Colorado, 5400 Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216.

FOLLOW US!

/COCountryLife @COCountryLife @cocountrylife

A lonely heart beaten by insensitivity. He longs for someone, anyone, to grasp his hand. For someone to share his collage of memorabilia...

To dance with him among his hopes.

Alas, his thoughts are broken by the sound of his only companion.

A clock that ticks...

Moments that pass...

Who will share with him his dreams?

Diane M. Getzy, Durango La Plata Electric Association consumer-member

DO YOU WRITE POETRY? Send us your best work; we’d love to read it.

Submission: Submit your poetry via email to: mneeley@coloradocountrylife.org or by mail to: Colorado Country Life 5400 Washington St. Denver, CO 80216 COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE AUGUST 2020

27

COMMUNITY EVENTS

August 2020 Through August 16 Golden

Weekend Train Rides Colorado Railroad Museum coloradorailroadmuseum.org

August 7 Pueblo

Gaming and Pop-Culture Showcase Pueblo Arts Alliance Studios 7 pm • puebloarts.org

August 8 Castle Rock

Front Range Maker’s Market Outlets at Castle Rock 10 am-4 pm • creativecrafters.org

August 12 Online

“Bold Women, Change History” Suffrage Presentation 6-7 pm • historycolorado.org

September 2020

August 15-16 Savery, Wyoming

Sheepwagon: Tales and Trails Event Little Snake River Museum 307-383-7262 • littlesnakeriver museum.com/sheepwagon

August 24-28 Online

Denver Botanic Gardens’ Fête des Fleurs Fundraiser botanicgardens.org

August 25 Nationwide

September 3 Fort Collins

Northern Colorado Astronomical Society Meeting Fort Collins Museum of Discovery 6:15-8 pm • nocoastro.org

September 3-6 Virtual

2 MONTHS IN ADVANCE Calendar, Colorado Country Life, 5400 Washington St., Denver, CO 80216; fax to 303455-2807; or email calendar@ coloradocountrylife.org.

Yampa Valley Crane Festival coloradocranes.org/2020-festival

September 4 Grand Lake

Opening Night “Ring of Fire” Johnny Cash Theater Performance Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre 970-627-3421 • rockymountainrep.com

Free Admission Day U.S. National Parks nps.gov

SEND CALENDAR ITEMS

Due to COVID-19, some of these events may be canceled, modified or rescheduled. Please contact the host of the events if you have any questions.

Please send name of event, date, time, venue, brief description, phone number, a photo, if you have one, and email and/or website for more information.

FIND YOUR HAPPY PLACE Paint with Bob Ross

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f the words “happy little trees” and “almighty mountains” slow your pulse and bring a sense of calm, you’re probably already a fan of Bob Ross. Now you can take in the soothing sights of Ross creating his famous art for free from virtually any device you own.

Ross painted more than 1,000 landscapes for the classic PBS television show “The Joy of Painting.” Now, 25 years after his passing, nearly 400 episodes are available on Tubi, a free video-on-demand service.

Whether you’re a budding artist or simply enjoy getting lost in the art of creating, Ross is an icon who has inspired generations of fans.

“My mother first discovered Bob more than 35 years ago, and since that time he’s become a global phenomenon,” said Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross Inc. “I can’t think of a better time for people to listen to Bob’s soothing voice and hear his peaceful words of wisdom. I’m really happy that everyone can watch Bob create his ‘happy little accidents’ whenever they want for free on Tubi.”

The service offers more than 20,000 movies and television shows from nearly every

28

COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE AUGUST 2020

major Hollywood studio on virtually every platform, from smart televisions and video game consoles to mobile phones, tablets and more. Since it is ad-supported, the massive library of films and television shows is available for free without the hassle of credit cards and subscription fees.

Viewers can indulge in genres of all kinds from Hollywood blockbusters and independent films to specialty content, children’s programming and more on the growing platform. To find your own relaxing programming, visit Tubi.tv.

Photo source: Bob Ross Inc. Used with permission.

Check out our list of VIRTUAL SANITY SAVERS! Since some Community Events are being canceled or rescheduled due to COVID-19, Colorado Country Life went on an online scavenger hunt to find ways to be entertained while social distancing. Find these and more at coloradocountrylife.coop/category/living-in-colorado/at-home-durning-

covid-19.

YOUR STORIES

READERS’ PHOTOS

FUNNY STORIES Each evening when I came home

La Plata Electric consumer-members Helen and Terry Gebert visit Split, Croatia, with Colorado Country Life.

Mountain View Electric consumer-members Jim and Bonnie Kennel spend the Fourth of July with CCL on the Cowboy Coaster at the Snow King Resort in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Yeehaw!

after work, our elderly nanny would first shower herself and then bathe our 2-yearold daughter. One particular evening I had just came home and heard a loud slam of the upstairs sliding closet door in our toddler’s room. I ran upstairs and heard her crying in her closet. I slid the door open and asked my wet, shivering, frantic little girl why she was crying so profusely. Her immediate reply in a loud, shaky voice was, “I WON’T take out my teeth before my bath like Lola did!”

Jim Gulland, Chromo

One day I was outside playing

with my 5-year-old grandson. He wanted to play tag and I told him I could not run. Later I heard him telling his 7-year-old brother, Nathan, “If a person has a little bit of white in their hair, like Daddy, they can run, but if they have a lot of white in their hair they can’t run.” You just never know what goes through the mind of a child.

Regina Jameson, Beulah

The Renova family enjoys CCL and wine at Snowy Peaks Winery in Estes Park. Cheers to these United Power consumer-members!

Colorado Country Life travels to Zapier, New Zealand, with Kelli Brown (left) and Kim Threlkeld, daughters of long-time Empire Electric Association board member William (Bill) Bauer. Kelli and Kim live in Cortez and are also consumer-members of Empire Electric Association.

When my granddaughter was 3

years old, we were driving and saw a large rattlesnake in the road. I stopped so she could see it from the car. It was coiled and rattling and I explained that a rattlesnake is very dangerous and if she sees or hears one she should quickly get away. “If it bites you,” I said, “you will get very sick and could possibly die.” As she was listening and looking very intently, she very seriously stated, “And don’t put it in your mouth.”

Anna Concialdi, Beulah

SHARE WITH US YOUR FUNNY STORY Mountain View Electric Association consumermembers Sam and Sandy Grivy visit the historic Beckwith Ranch in Westcliffe with CCL.

WINNER: 10-year-old Logan Tillery and duck, Vern, enjoy Colorado Country Life at home in Rye. Logan and family are consumer-members of San Isabel Electric.

Take Your Photo with Your Magazine and Win! It’s easy to win with Colorado Country Life. Simply take a photo of someone (or a selfie!) with the magazine and email the photo and your name and address to info@ coloradocountrylife.org. We’ll draw one photo to win $25 each month. The next deadline is Monday, August 17. Name, address and co-op must accompany photo. See all of the submitted photos on Facebook at facebook.com/COCountryLife.

We pay $15 to each person who submits a funny story that’s printed in the magazine. At the end of the year we will draw one name from those submitting funny stories and that person will receive $200. Send your 2020 stories to Colorado Country Life, 5400 Washington St., Denver, CO 80216 or email funnystories@ coloradocountrylife.org. Don’t forget to include your mailing address, so we can send you a check.

COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE AUGUST 2020

29

DISCOVERIES

High Flying Explore the skies from the ground

Highlighting the History of Airports As an aviator, writer, speaker, founding member of the Grand County Aviation Association and a host of additional accolades, Penny Hamilton is acquainted with the aviation community, to say the least. In her book America’s Amazing Airports, Hamilton shares insight into the history, functions and construction of airports of the world that you may not have otherwise recognized. Available in paperback for $12.99 and Kindle for $3.99 on amazon.com.

Aviation Museums We Recommend 1

4

5 2 3

Call or visit the aviation museums’ websites for hours of operation.

30

COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE AUGUST 2020

Take a Fascinating Flight Let a professional pilot fly you around the Grand Valley in a magnificent World War II airplane offered at the Commemorative Air Force’s Rocky Mountain Wing at the Grand Junction Regional Airport. You will learn about the plane’s history and perform preflight safety checks before you take to the skies for the flight of your life. For ages 13 and older.

Cost is $100 for 40 minutes for a WWII trainer flight adventure; $750 for 40 minutes in a WWII TBM Avenger. For information, call 970-921-3700 or visit rockymountainwingcaf.org.

1 Emily Warner Field Aviation Museum, Granby • Named after the first U.S. female airline captain, this museum is chock-full of aviation displays, photographs and artifacts. Warner passed away — or, in aviation-speak, “flew West” — on Fourth of July weekend 2020, so be sure to visit the museum to learn more about this esteemed pilot. • 970-531-1100 • grandcountyhistory.org 2 The National Museum of World War II Aviation, Colorado Springs • Located on a 21-acre campus at the Colorado Springs Airport, this museum features 28 fully-restored flying aircraft as well as an array of exhibits and U.S. armed forces’ vehicles.

719-637-7559 • worldwariiaviation.org 3 Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum, Pueblo • Located near the Pueblo Memorial Airport, PWAM has nearly 100 years of military and aviation history showcased throughout two hangars. • 719-948-9219 pwam.org

4 Spirit of Flight Foundation, Westminster • The Spirit of Flight’s home is moving to the Rocky Mountain Metro Airport. In the meantime, you can schedule an appointment to feast your eyes on flight artifacts and memorabilia, or you can check the museum’s website to find out where its mobile air museum will be. • 303-460-1156 • spiritofflight.com 5 Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, Denver • Wings Over the Rockies Exploration of Flight, Englewood • The popular Air & Space Museum recently opened an “interactive aviation center” at the Boeing Blue Sky Aviation Gallery in Englewood. Its interactive exhibits, flight simulators, airport tours and more will leave you inspired to take flight or possibly look into an amazing career in aviation. • 303-360-5360 • wingsmuseum.org

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SUPER COUPON Customer Rating

44" x 22" Double Bank Extra Deep Cabinet

$ 99

$

Compare to TEQ Correct T830018Z $189.99

SUPER COUPON Customer Rating

99

SUPER COUPON Customer Rating

4 Piece, 1" X 15 ft.

Ratcheting Tie Downs

$

19

$

(5148)

Save 69%

LIMIT 4 -

Heavy Duty Foldable Aluminum Sports Chairs

$

SUPER COUPON Customer Rating

$

* 80399013 * Exp. 9/15/20* 80399013

YOUR CHOICE OF COLOR

YOUR CHOICE

$

Use Online & In-Store

Compare to Streamlight ProTac 1L $59.99

10999Save

$ ITEM 64799 63934 shown

9999

SUPERRating COUPON Customer

(6170)

3 Gallon, 100 PSI Oil-Free Air Compressors

$

5"

Save 83%

Use Online & In-Store

ITEM 63255 63254 shown

Rapid Pump 3 Ton Steel Heavy Duty Low Profile Floor Jack

9

$

(1034)

1 SELLING JACKS IN AMERICA ®

#

$ 99

9999

$

SUPER COUPON Customer Rating

(5173)

588 Lumen Tactical Flashlight

7999

Limit 1 coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item purchased. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or any of the following items or brands: Inside Track Club membership, Extended Service Plan, gift card, open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale item, compressors, floor jacks, power stations, safes, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, welders, Admiral, Ames, Atlas, Bauer, Central Machinery, Cobra, CoverPro, Daytona, Diamondback, Earthquake, Fischer, Hercules, Icon, Jupiter, Lynxx, Poulan, Predator, Tailgator, Viking, Vulcan, Zurich. Not valid on prior purchases. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/15/20.

* 80391995 * 80391995 Exp. 9/15/20*

SUPER COUPON Customer Rating

(5841)

Use Online & In-Store

LIMIT 3

LIMIT 1 -

ANY SINGLE ITEM*

*80389870 * 80389870

Use Online & In-Store

ITEM 47737 69031 69030 shown

* 80391057 * 80391057 Exp. 9/15/20*

ITEM 62523

20% OFF

1" x 25 ft.

Tape Measure

(1394)

(4450)

2000W Super Quiet Inverter Generator

10 Masks per Pack

$

Customer Rating

SUPER COUPON

$

99

34

99

Save 46% ITEM 67514

Use Online & In-Store

* 80406489 * Exp. 9/15/20* 80406489 LIMIT 4 -

Compare to Blazer C7300 $42.65

Mechanics Gloves Customer Rating

(1524)

30" Pedestal High Velocity Shop Fan

(315)

UP TO 72"

11999

$

.

Save 40%

Customer Rating

149

$

Use Online & In-Store

* 80407550 * Exp. 9/15/20* 80407550 LIMIT 2 -

1,000+ Stores Nationwide • HarborFreight.com *Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 9/15/20.

99

Compare to Strongway 49939 $189.99 ITEM 61845/47755 shown

Save $ 70 Use Online & In-Store

* 80408755 * Exp. 9/15/20* 80408755 LIMIT 1 -

AVAIL. IN SM, MED, LG, XL, XXL

4

$ 99 $ 49 5 Compare to Valeo 25521 $14.99 ITEM 62434, 62426, 62433, 62432, 62429, 64179, 62428, 64178 shown

Save 66% Use Online & In-Store

* 16051119 * Exp. 9/15/20* 16051119 LIMIT 4 -

Pricing, promotions, and availability may vary by location and at www.harborfreight.com and are subject to change without notice. We reserve the right to limit quantities. “Compare to” advertised price means that the specified comparison, which is an item with the same or similar function, was advertised for sale at or above the “Compare to” price by another national retailer in the U.S. within the past 90 days. Prices advertised by others may vary by location. No other meaning of “Compare to” should be implied. Although we make every effort to assure that our prices and products are advertised as accurately as possible, we are only human and in the event an error is made, we reserve the right to correct it.

We’re adding enough utility-scale wind and solar projects to double our renewable resources by 2024. Combined with our existing projects, that’s enough to power nearly 850,000 homes. To learn about how we are increasing clean energy, visit www.tristate.coop/responsibleenergyplan