Colorado Country Life November 2018 Yampa by American MainStreet Publications

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NOVEMBER 2018

VIEWPOINT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Volume 48, Number 11

COMMUNITY EVENTS YOUR CO-OP NEWS NEWS CLIPS INDUSTRY COVER STORY RECIPES GARDENING OUTDOORS ENERGY TIPS

“Snowy Sunrise” by Janele Husband, a Yampa Valley Electric member.

CLASSIFIEDS

MORE WAYS TO CONNECT WITH US

FUNNY STORIES

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DISCOVERIES

FACEBOOK CHATTER

[cover] Read reviews of these books and more on pages 16-20. Photo by Chris Coleman.

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE COLORADO RURAL ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION COMMUNICATIONS STAFF: Mona Neeley, CCC, Publisher/Editor; mneeley@coloradocountrylife.org Cassi Gloe, Designer; cgloe@coloradocountrylife.org Kylee Coleman, Editorial/Admin. Assistant; kcoleman@coloradocountrylife.org ADVERTISING: Kris Wendtland, Ad Rep; advertising@coloradocountrylife.org Colorado Country Life (USPS 469-400/ISSN 1090-2503) is published monthly by Colorado Rural Electric Association, 5400 Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216-1731. Individual subscription rate: $9 per year for Colorado residents or $15 per year for out-of-state residents, taxes and postage included. Periodical postage paid at Denver, Colorado. © Copyright 2016, Colorado Rural Electric Association. Call for reprint rights. Subscribers: Report change of address to your local cooperative. Do not send change of address to Colorado Country Life. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Colorado Country Life, 5400 Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216 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. 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. EDITORIAL: Denver Corporate Office, 5400 Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216; Phone: 303-455-4111 | mneeley@coloradocountrylife.org | coloradocountrylife.coop | facebook.com/COCountryLife | Twitter.com/ COCountryLife | Pinterest.com/COCountryLife | YouTube.com/COCountryLife1 Advertising: advertising@coloradocountrylife.org | 303-902-7276 National Advertising Representative: National Country Market | 611 S. Congress Street, Suite 504 | Austin, TX 78704 | 800-626-1181

MONTHLY CONTEST

Enter to win one of the books we are reviewing this month. Visit coloradocountrylife.coop and click on Contests for information on how to enter. We will choose winners on Thursday, November 15.

INSTAGRAM PIC OF THE MONTH

COCountryLife posted: Editor Mona Neeley delivers one of the water filters that Colorado Country Life readers helped purchase for two villages in Guatemala.

ColoradoREA posted: Highline Electric Association board member and CREA Board President Jim Lueck was part of the inauguration team that traveled to see the international team’s work Guatemala.

PINTEREST SNEAK PEAK

COCountryLife pinned: Looking for something to warm you up this winter? Try this delicious kale soup recipe from one of our readers. Find the recipe at coloradocountrylife.coop.

[viewpoint]

TURNING ON THE LIGHTS

Thankful to share the gift of light with two remote Guatemalan villages BY KENT SINGER CREA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR KSINGER@COLORADOREA.ORG

After three weeks of hard work by line crews from Colorado and Oklahoma, the lights came on for the first time in two remote Guatemalan villages October 2. Just as they have done in the United States, co-op linemen brought electricity and a better way of life to our neighbors in Central America. The line crews that made up the “Energy Trails” team gave their blood, sweat and tears to build 5 miles of distribution system and install the inside wiring for more than 100 homes, two churches, two schools and two medical clinics in the villages of Pie del Cerro and Tierra Blanca Salinas. They traveled over makeshift roads and worked long hours in sweltering heat and humidity to complete the much-needed project. When it was done, one more corner of the developing world had electric lighting and power.

The efforts of the Energy Trails team to bring electricity to these two rural Guatemala villages is in the best tradition of the electric co-op program. For over 80 years, electric co-ops in Colorado and across the country brought power to rural areas that would not otherwise have access to it. Electric co-ops have provided electricity to the most remote areas of the United States Kent Singer and we believe we have a responsibility to help people in other parts of the world as well. NRECA International has been doing just that since 1962, and we were proud to join our Oklahoma friends to complete this project in Guatemala. The real heroes of this effort, of course, are the linemen from Colorado and Oklahoma who volunteered to be away from their families and friends for three weeks to help people they had never met and who they will probably never see again. Each day, the Colorado and Oklahoma crews navigated a bone-jarring dirt road from Playa Grande to the job site; just getting back and forth from the villages each day required two hours on the road. They often arrived back in Playa Grande at 9 or 10 p.m. after a sweat-soaked day in the field. The Colorado crew consisted of Ben Ludington from Poudre Valley Electric Association in Fort Collins; Nate Towne from Mountain Parks Electric Association in Granby; Chet Stickler and Christian Baker from Holy Cross Energy in Glenwood Springs; Kelly Snow from United Power in Brighton; and Kris Barbee from Southeast Colorado Power Association Women from Pie del Cerro prepare to lead a parade celebrating the lights coming on in in La Junta. The Colorado team leader was Dale their remote Guatemalan village. Kishbaugh, CREA’s director of safety and loss control. The Colorado Rural Electric Association joined our partners at These men from the Colorado co-op family deserve our gratitude for the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives and NRECA representing the Colorado electric co-op program in an exemplary International to send some of our best men to Guatemala to provide way and for completing a project that will forever change the lives of electricity to the two villages. Working without the bucket trucks many children and families in the two villages. and modern equipment available in the United States, the line crews During this season of Thanksgiving, I am thankful for many relied on “old school” techniques using ropes and hand tools to things: my family, friends, good health and great fortune to be an string the lines and hang the transformers. American. But I am especially thankful this year to be associated In celebration of this historic event, the children and families with the incredible linemen of the Energy Trails team who gave their from the villages saluted the co-op linemen with a parade, a time, skills and, most importantly, their brotherhood to people in flag-raising ceremony, speeches and a special banquet to thank need. Many thanks for a job well done. them for bringing power to their communities. The inauguration ceremony on October 2 was a joyous occasion, complete with drummers, dancers and incense-carrying villagers who escorted the Energy Trails team to the school grounds for an elaborate program recognizing their service. Following speeches by local dignitaries, the ceremonial first light was switched on and the party began. Kent Singer, Executive Director 4

NOVEMBER 2018

coloradocountrylife.coop

[letters] Mounted Ranger Memories

Thanks for the article on the Colorado Mounted Rangers (January ’18). It brought back fond memories of my father, Charles J. Marston, who served as a ranger in the 1960s in Durango. Julia Marston, Grand Junction Grand Valley Power member

Guatemala Gratitude

Thank you, thank you. The first thank you is for your efficient and economical delivery of electricity to our mountain home. The second thank you is for sharing with our less privileged friends in Guatemala so they might have electricity in some of their schools and homes. Bill Gramlich, Poudre Valley REA member Colorado electric co-op employees are going to Guatemala — how wonderful! Employees who travel to other countries, interact with and help people will come back better employees and better persons. I have traveled overseas and it gives you a whole new point of view. And the people of Guatemala will improve their standard of living (with electricity), which will improve their economy. Barbara Klein, Wellington Poudre Valley REA member

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Got something to say? We welcome letters to the editor via mail or email. They must include the writer’s name and full address. Send your letter to Editor Mona Neeley at 5400 Washington St., Denver, CO 80216 or to mneeley@ coloradocountrylife.org. Letters may be edited for length. coloradocountrylife.coop

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[community events] [November] November 8 Colorado Springs Author Esther G. Belin Presentation Colorado College 7 pm • coloradocollege.edu November 8 Granby Ladies Night Country Ace Hardware 6-8 pm • 970-887-3395 November 8 Salida “Gold Prospecting in the Arkansas Valley” Presentation Mt. Shavano Manor Meeting Room 6:30 pm • rockaholics.org November 10 Briggsdale Briggsdale Library Craft Fair Fundraiser Harry Green Gym 10 am-2 pm facebook.com/BriggsdaleLibrary November 10 Buena Vista Gingerbread House Bazaar Faith Lutheran Church 8 am-2 pm • 719-395-2039 November 10 Durango LPC Humane Society Bark & Wine Fundraiser Fort Lewis College Grand Ballroom 6-9 pm • 970-259-2847 November 10 Monument Holiday Boutique and Craft Fair St. Peter Catholic School 9 am-4 pm petertherockschool.org November 11 Boulder Complimentary Meal for Veterans Hotel Boulderado 303-442-4344 • boulderado.com

November 16-January 3 Durango THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad 888-872-4607 • durangotrain.com November 16-17 Pueblo West Jingle Bell Boutique VFW Club 9 am-5 pm • 719-547-2302 November 17-18 Colorado Springs Holiday Alpaca Extravaganza Black Forest Community Club 719-495-6693 November 17 Durango Bazaar United Methodist Church 8 am-3 pm • 970-247-4213 November 17 Durango Thanksgiving Farmers Market La Plata County Fairgrounds 9 am-1 pm • 970-749-1653 November 22 Durango Community Thanksgiving Dinner La Plata County Fairgrounds 11:30 am-1:30 pm • 970-259-4061 November 24-25 Loveland Rocky Mountain Train Show Larimer County Fairgrounds rockymountaintrainshow.com November 30-December 1 Craig Holiday Artisan Market Moffat County Pavilion 970-629-1307 November 30-December 1 Durango Old Fashioned Christmas Bazaar Animas Museum 970-259-2402

[December]

November 12 Granby Salute to Military Aviation History and Veterans Open House Emily Warner Field Aviation Museum 11 am-1 pm • 970-887-2101

December 1-2 Cortez Holiday Bazaar St. Margaret Mary Church Hall 970-564-1468

November 16-18 Denver Colorado Ski & Snowboard Expo Colorado Convention Center skisnowexpo.com/denver-expo

December 1 Durango Christmas Bazaar St. Mark’s Episcopal Church 8 am-3 pm • 970-247-1129

NOVEMBER 2018

Winter Wonderlights

November 16-December 22, 5:30 pm Chapungu Sculpture Park at Centarra, Loveland Get a shining start to your holidays at Winter Wonderlights where you walk the park grounds and discover sights and sounds to get you in the holiday spirit. Enjoy light shows, music and sculptures every evening. On Fridays and Saturdays, the show is kicked up a notch with a huge inflatable igloo, local vendors and live performances. For more information and a complete list of entertainment, visit visitlovelandco. org/winterwonderlights. December 1 Fort Collins Vi Wickam and Friends Christmas Concert Avogadro’s Number 7:30-10 pm • amjenks694@gmail. com December 1 Gardner Holiday Art and Craft Fair Raymond Aguirre Community Center 9 am-3 pm • 719-746-3050 December 1 Peyton Christmas on Front Street Peyton Country Mercantile 7 am-4 pm tinyurl.com/ChristmasFS December 1 Wiggins Holiday Craft Show Wiggins Elementary Gym 10 am-3 pm • 970-380-1888 December 1 Wray “Toddy’s and Treasures” Event 33566 CR HH.5 11 am-2 pm • 970-597-0070 December 2 Loveland Jingle Bell Run® Ranch Events Complex 8 am-12 pm • 720-758-9827 December 2 Mancos “In December” Christmas Concert Mancos United Methodist Church 3:30 pm • 970-533-9165

December 8-9 La Junta Bents Old Fort Traditional Holiday Celebration Ranch Events Complex 8 am-12 pm • 720-758-9827 December 8 Bayfield FROSTY’S Craft Fair, Fun Zone, Fun Run and Silent Auction Bayfield High School 970-903-4294 December 8 Las Animas Christmas at the Museum and Boggsville Various Las Animas Locations 12-5 pm • 719-456-6066 December 8 La Veta Holiday Art, Craft, Entertainment Event La Veta Mercantile 10 am-3 pm • sandy@dolak.biz

SEND CALENDAR ITEMS

TWO MONTHS IN ADVANCE TO:

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

[YVEA News]

YAMPA VALLEY ELECTRIC ANNOUNCES HIGH-SPEED FIBER BROADBAND SERVICE IN 2019

Yampa Valley Electric Association is proud to announce that in 2019 it will begin offering high-speed fiber broadband internet service with data speeds of up to 1 gigabyte (1,000 megabytes per second). Initial service points could include the city limits of

Craig and pockets of Steamboat Springs. A YVEA broadband service map and more information about the new highspeed internet service will be shared with YVEA members on the yvea.com website, in Colorado Country Life magazine and on YVEA social media pages in the

coming weeks and months. During November, members may be receiving interest surveys about the new high-speed fiber broadband internet service. Keep up to date via yvea.com and on the YVEA Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages.

OFFICES CLOSED FOR

Thanksgiving Holiday CRAIG SERVICE CENTER NOW OPEN Public Open House November 12

The Craig Service Center opened November 1 for members wanting to drop off payments or ask service related questions. YVEA will hold an official open house for the Craig Service Center on November 12 during its regular business hours of 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

coloradocountrylife.coop

THURSDAY AND FRIDAY NOVEMBER 22-23 OFFICES REOPEN MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26 AT 7 A.M. NOVEMBER 2018

[YVEA News] GENERATE SAFE PRACTICES If you own an emergency generator, it is critical for your safety, and the safety of YVEA’s line workers, that your equipment be properly installed. Improper installation can result in house fires or feeding electricity back into the grid and endangering the lives of repair crews. It’s also critical that YVEA be aware that you have a generator. If you have not already done so, please call YVEA at 970-879-1160 so it can note the generator location and confirm that a safety transfer switch is being used to switch between standby and utility power.

Be Energy Wise With SmartHub Become energy wise with SmartHub, the free online bill payment system and mobile app that allows members to report a power outage and empowers members to have active control over their energy usage, allowing them to live comfortably and save money with greater convenience For 75 years YVEA has brought energy and innovation to the valley to make life better within its communities. SmartHub continues that tradition by providing access to your energy usage, offering online payment and making it easy to report a power outage, making life easier for you. Check YVEA’s website at www.yvea.com or call 970-879-1160 for more information. 8

NOVEMBER 2018

Pat McClelland, Director Gold, January 2018

Scott McGill, Director Gold, January 2018

Frank Roitsch, Director Gold, January 2018

Tom Fox, Director Gold, March 2018

Jean Stetson, CCD, December 2017

YVEA DIRECTORS RECEIVE CERTIFICATION

Yampa Valley Electric Association board members were among the 22 directors from Colorado electric cooperatives receiving recognition for continuing education from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association at the Regions 7 and 9 meetings in Anchorage, Alaska, September 25-27. Pat McClelland, Scott McGill, Frank Roitsch, Tom Fox and Jean Stetson received certification for adding to their knowledge of the electric industry and completing a specific schedule of classes. Today’s electric utility environment imposes many demands on electric cooperative directors, particularly the need for increased knowledge of changes in the electric utility business, new governance skills and a working knowledge of the cooperative principles. The NRECA Cre-

dentialed Cooperative Director, or CCD, program requires attendance and demonstrated understanding of the core competencies contained in five courses: director duties and liabilities; understanding the electric business; board roles and relationships; business planning; and understanding financial planning. Board member Jean Stetson earned her CCD certification in December 2017. The NRECA Board Leadership program is for directors who earn their CCD certification and complete 10 additional credits in advanced, issues-oriented courses. The NRECA Region 7 and 9 meeting is one of a series of regional meetings convened by NRECA, the national trade association for the more than 900 electric co-ops across the United States.

YOU NEED THE ASSURANCE OF SURGE PROTECTION

Wyoming and Colorado combined account for 790,000 lightning strikes per year. Today’s homes and businesses have more sensitive electronic equipment than ever. These devices make our lives easier, but, due to their delicate circuitry, they are all susceptible to damage from voltage surges. Lightning and power surges can strike at any time without warning and cause major damage within your home.

YVEA offers whole home meter-base surge protection, which is warranted to protect your household’s major appliances and electronic devices. This protection is available for a $5 monthly fee, which is added directly to your electric bill. It is a small price to pay to ensure you are protected. For complete information on the surge protection program, visit our website at yvea.com or email surge@yvea.com.

coloradocountrylife.coop

[YVEA News]

CALLING ALL HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS & SENIORS

Yampa Valley Electric is accepting applications for the 2019 Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., and the Leadership Camp at Glen Eden in Clark. The Washington D.C. Youth Tour is June 13-20. Candidates compete for a weeklong all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., sponsored by YVEA and organized by the Colorado Rural Electric Association.

The Youth Leadership Camp is July 13-18, in Clark. Candidates compete for a week-long all-expenses paid experience in the Rocky Mountains where they learn about themselves and leadership skills and make new friends. Applications are accepted through December 2018. For more information, contact Tammi Strickland at 970-8791160 ext 2245 or email tstrickland@ yvea.com. Applications and information can also be found at www. yvea.com/content/youthprograms.

POWER OUT? CHECK YOUR BREAKERS FIRST Do you know where your home’s circuit breakers are? It’s important to know how to reset them. Before you call YVEA about a power outage, first check your breakers. If you have neighbors, check to see if their lights are off as well. It is helpful to YVEA if you can let the co-op know if the power outage affects more than just your home.

coloradocountrylife.coop

Pole inspectors continue to be in south Routt County between Oak Creek and Toponas. Contract line crews are in Hayden and RCR 15 south of Phippsburg and finishing up in Baggs. If you have any questions, please call Larry Ball at 970879-1160.

Lightbulb Recycling

Be Cen$ible for Energy Savings Thanks to YVEA’s partnership with the Cen$ible Energy program, YVEA members can submit their receipts for energy-saving measures, such as four types of Energy Star appliances, up to 10 LED bulbs, programmable thermostats or post audit air sealing. New this year: A $75 rebate will be offered for hardwired, electrician-installed heat tape timers. Full program information is available at www. CensibleEnergy.org. The YVEA and community-funded Cen$ible Energy program is also open for residential energy audit appointments. Residents living in the Yampa Valley Electric Association territory can sign up for a free comprehensive home energy assessment by a local certified auditor by visiting www.EnergySmartColorado.com. The audit is free for customers with YVEA service as well as primary home heating via Atmos natural gas service. Funding for free home audits is available on a first-come, firstserved basis each season. Customers with only one of those utility services can pay half price

NOVEMBER WORK PROJECTS

or $150 for an audit. Cen$ible Energy is also offering commercial or small business energy audit rebates with a $200 rebate for the first 10 customers to sign up. The audit service is $500 for businesses up to 10,000 square feet within the YVEA territory. To sign up, email suzie@yvsc.org. Cen$ible Energy is made possible through funding from YVEA, the city of Steamboat Springs and Alpine Bank. The program is administered by the Yampa Valley Sustainability Council. More funders are needed for Cen$ible Energy to become a year-round energysaving rebate opportunity for residents and small businesses. Learn more at www. CensibleEnergy.org.

YVEA, in partnership with Brite Ideas, is accepting residential lightbulbs at the YVEA office, 2211 Elk River Road, during regular business hours of 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. This free program makes it easy to recycle residential lightbulbs, which is important because compact fluorescent lightbulbs often contain small amounts of mercury. Residents may drop off their CFLs at special containers located in the YVEA office reception area. No light tubes of any size are accepted. This program is for residential lightbulbs only. Contractors, businesses and other commercial or large-scale operation in need of bulb recycling can contact Cody Skurupey, cody@ briteideasbr.com, or call 970-290-3379 to schedule a pickup.

NOVEMBER 2018

[YVEA News]

YVEA HONORS RETIREES AT OCTOBER LUNCHEON

YVEA hosted its annual luncheon for retirees in the community room of its Steamboat Springs Service Center and corporate office on October 17. Participating retirees enjoyed a catered lunch on a cool fall day, toured the building, swapped stories and learned more about current projects from current YVEA staff. The annual luncheon for retirees is a tradition at YVEA, allowing the organization and its members to honor and thank its retirees for their dedicated service.

YVEA serves up free tailgate food at area high schools Yampa Valley Electric Association General Manager Steve Johnson and his management team recently worked the grills serving up free hamburgers and hotdogs, chips, cookies and drinks to students, families and community members attending the Steamboat Springs High School Homecoming football game on October 12, and again between the Hayden High School volleyball match and football game on October 19. YVEA is proud to power area high school sports and supports the important role they play for students and within the communities served by YVEA. Look for additional free YVEA tailgate events at area high schools in the future.

SAFE DÉCOR FOR A HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON It’s almost time to deck those halls! Statistics show that home fires and electrical accidents typically increase during winter months, so keep these holiday lighting tips in mind for a safe holiday season.

Carefully inspect all electrical decorations before you use them. Cracked or damaged sockets and/or loose or exposed wires can . cause serious shock or start a fire

Consider purchasing LED lights, which use less energy and run cooler than traditional incandescent lights.

General Manager Steve Johnson works the grill with Member Services Manager Kathy Bertrand.

Never mount or support light strings in a way that might damage the cord’s insulation.

Make sure that cords are not pinched in doors, windows or under heavy furniture, which could damage the cord’s insulation.

Always unplug electrical decorations before replacing bulbs or fuses.

electrical decorations before leaving home or going to sleep.

Source: Electrical Safety Foundation International

NOVEMBER 2018

YVEA IT Manager Kelli Root (left) and YVEA Executive Assistant Larissa Rock serve up buns, chips and cookies at the free tailgate event at Steamboat Springs High School. coloradocountrylife.coop

[ newsclips]

Water Filters Delivered to Guatemalan Villages The lights are on and clean water is now available in two Guatemalan villages thanks to electric cooperatives in Colorado and Oklahoma and their volunteer lineworkers. The line team spent more than two weeks in September bringing power lines into the villages, and the lights were turned on October 2. (Read more about the project and the team in next month’s issue of Colorado Country Life.) The team also delivered 110 water filters to the villagers in Pie del Cerro and Tierra Blanca Salinas. Also donated were much-needed wheelchairs for two disabled youngsters in the

village and a computer and printer for each of the schools. These donations were made possible through donations from several electric co-ops and other organizations, as well as from Colorado Country Life readers. Each household received a 5-gallon water filter that will last two years and provide safe, clean drinking water. These “Eco Filtros” were manufactured in Guatemala and shipped north to be distributed by the team. Team members who participated in the Guatemala project include Dale Kishbaugh, Colorado Rural Electric Association director of safety and loss control; Christian Baker, Holy Cross Energy, Glenwood Springs; Kris Barbee, Southeast Colorado Power Association, La Junta; Ben Ludington, Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association, Fort Collins; Kelly Snow, United Power, Brighton; Chet Stickler, Holy Cross Energy, Glenwood Springs; and Nate Towne, Mountain Parks Electric, Granby. Also on hand to turn on the lights and help distribute water filters and the other donations were CREA Executive Director Kent Singer, CREA Board President and Highline Electric Board Member Jim Lueck, Southeast Colorado Power Association CEO Jack Johnston and Colorado Country Life Publisher/Editor Mona Neeley. A. T he schoolmasters for the villages accept the computer gift from Colorado and Oklahoma. Standing behind them are line team leader Derec Janaway of Oklahoma, CREA Safety and Loss Control Director Dale Kishbaugh, CREA Executive Director Kent Singer, CREA Board President Jim Lueck and Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives General Manager Chris Meyers. B. The gift of a wheelchair brings a huge smile to this young boy’s face. He and another young girl previously were only able to travel around the village when their mothers carried them.

C. S outheast Colorado Power CEO Jack Johnston helps hand out water filters to villagers in Pie del Cerro, Guatemala.

Wind Power Gains on Hydroelectricity in U.S. Back in 2007, hydroelectricity represented the largest share of electricity generation among renewable resources in 28 states, including Colorado. Ten years later, hydroelectricity has shrunk to 7 percent of the national total and its top status dropped to 19 states. It is no longer the top renewable resource in Colorado. Wind is. Wind is the most prevalent renewable resource in 16 states. Solar is the most prevalent in seven states. Both wind and solar are growing, and wind is expected to surpass hydropower as the largest share of renewable resources by 2019, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Short-Term Energy Outlook. coloradocountrylife.coop

The shares noted here reflect the portions of total utility-scale electricity and small-scale solar photovoltaic electricity generated in each state.

The electricity generated in one state may be consumed in another.

NOVEMBER 2018

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(Continued from previous page)

free handling. That’s a real steal because all other state residents must pay over six hundred dollars for each State Vault Brick. Not long ago, nobody knew that the only U.S. State Silver Bars locked away in the private vaults of the Federated Mint would be allocated for a limited release to residents in 8 states. Every single one of the 50 U.S. State Silver Bars are date numbered in the order they ratified the Constitution and were admitted into the Union beginning in the late 1700s. “As Executive Advisor to the Federated Mint I get paid to deliver breaking news. So, for anyone who hasn’t heard yet, highly collectable U.S. State Silver Bars are now being handed over at just the state minimum set by the Federated Mint to residents in 8 states who beat the offer deadline, which is why I pushed for this announcement to be widely advertised,” said Mary Ellen Withrow, the emeritus 40th Treasurer of the United States of America. “These bars are solid .999 pure fine silver and will always be a valuable precious metal which is why everyone is snapping up as many as they can before they’re all gone,” Withrow said. T h e r e ’s o n e t h i n g Withrow wants to make very clear. State residents only have seven days to call

the Toll Free Order Hotlines to get the U.S. State Silver Bars. “These valuable U.S. State Silver Bars are impossible to get at banks, credit unions or the U.S. Mint. In fact, they’re only being handed over at state minimum set by the Federated Mint to CO, UT, WY, NE, KS, OK, NM and AZ residents who call the Toll Free Hotline before the deadline ends seven days from today’s publication date”, said Timothy J. Shissler, Executive Director of Vault Operations at the private Federated Mint. To make it fair, special Toll Free Overflow Hotlines have been set up to ensure all residents have an equal chance to get them. Rapid shipments to state residents are scheduled to begin with the first calls being accepted at precisely 8:30am today. “We’re bracing for all the calls and doing everything we can to make sure no one gets left out, but the U.S. State Silver Bars are only being handed over at just the state resident minimum set by the Federated Mint for the next seven days. For now, residents can get the U.S. State Silver Bars at just the state minimum set by the Federated Mint as long as they call before the order deadline ends,” confirmed Shissler. “With so many state residents trying to get these U.S. State Silver Bars, lines are busy so keep trying. All calls will be answered,” Shissler said. ■

CO, UT, WY, NE, KS, OK, NM AND AZ: COVER JUST $59 STATE MINIMUM

call

1-888-282-6742 Ext.FMS2486 beginning at 8:30am

1. If all lines are busy call this

special toll free overflow hotline: 1-888-414-3758 Ext.FMS2486 2. residents who find their state on the Distribution List to the left in bold and beat the deadline are authorized to get individual State Silver Bars at just state minimum of $59 set by the Federated Mint. That’s why everyone should be taking full Vault Bricks loaded with five State Silver Bars before they’re all gone. And here’s the best part. Every CO, UT, WY, NE, KS, OK, NM and AZ resident who gets at least two Vault Bricks is also getting free shipping and free handling. that’s a real steal because all other state residents must pay over six hundred dollars for each State Vault Brick.

ALL OTHER STATE RESIDENTS:

MUST REMIT $134 PER STATE SILVER BAR

1. No State Silver Bars will be issued to any

resident living outside of CO, UT, WY, NE, KS, OK, NM or AZ at state resident minimum set by the Federated Mint. 2. Call the Non-Resident Toll Free Hotline beginning at 11:00am at: 1-888-414-3761 Ext.FMS2486 3. If you are a u.s. resident living outside of the states of CO, UT, WY, NE, KS, OK, NM or AZ you are required to pay $134 for each State Silver Bar for a total of six hundred seventy dollars plus shipping and handling for each sealed State Vault Brick loaded with five u.s. State Silver Bars. This same offer may be made at a later date or in a different geographic location. FEDERATED MINT, LLC IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, A BANK OR ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY. IF FOR ANY REASON WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM SHIPMENT YOU ARE DISSATISFIED, RETURN THE PRODUCT FOR A REFUND LESS SHIPPING AND RETURN POSTAGE. DUE TO THE FLUCTUATING PRICE IN THE WORLD GOLD AND SILVER MARKETS, ORDERS MAY BE CANCELLED OR PRICES WILL CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE AND STATE MINIMUMS ARE SUBJECT TO AN ADDITIONAL FEE OF NO MORE THAN 2% FOR EVERY $1 INCREASE IN THE NEW YORK SPOT SILVER PRICE PER OUNCE WHEN EXCEEDING $18 PER OUNCE AND SHALL BE APPLIED AT THE TIME THE ORDER IS PROCESSED FOR SHIPMENT. THIS SAME OFFER MAY BE MADE AVAILABLE AT A LATER DATE OR IN A DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION. FEDERATED MINT 7600 SUPREME AVE. NW, NORTH CANTON, OH 44720 ©2018 FEDERATED MINT P7125A OF20925R-1

■ A SNEAK PEEK INSIDE SILVER VAULT BRICKS: Pictured left reveals the valuable .999 pure fine silver bars inside each State Silver Vault Brick. Pictured right are the State Silver Vault Bricks containing the only U.S. State Silver Bars known to exist with the double forged state proclamation. CO, UT, WY, NE, KS, OK, NM and AZ residents are authorized to get individual State Silver Bars at just $59 state resident minimum set by the Federated Mint. That’s why everyone should be taking full Vault Bricks loaded with five State Silver Bars before they’re all gone. And here’s the best part. Every resident who gets at least two Vault Bricks is also getting free shipping and free handling. That’s a real steal because all other state residents must pay over six hundred dollars for each State Vault Brick. coloradocountrylife.coop

NOVEMBER 2018

[industry]

CO-OP SOLAR PROJECTS START AND SUCCEED WITH SUNDA PROJECT BY DERRILL HOLLY AND AMY HIGGINS

Electric cooperatives are committed to providing safe, reliable, affordable energy to their consumer-members, and in many parts of the country that includes increasing the availability of solar power. “Co-ops are big supporters of an ‘all sources’ national energy policy,” said Debra Roepke of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s business and technology strategies group. “Our challenge is finding ways to get sustainable value out of investments that not only help meet the needs of co-op members today, but also control their costs in the future.” Roepke spent more than four years as NRECA’s liaison and co-project manager of the Solar Utility Network Deployment Acceleration (SUNDA) project, an initiative launched by NRECA with partial funding from a Department of Energy Sunshot Initiative grant. In that role, she worked with generation and transmission cooperatives, electric cooperatives and other organizations involved in planning, developing and assessing the value of various approaches to solar projects. Colorado Solar Projects Between 2013 and 2018, total solar capacity owned or contracted by electric co-ops grew from 94 megawatts to 868 MW. Electric coops host more than two-thirds of all utilitysponsored community solar projects. Tri-State Generation and Transmission, based in Westminster, has three projects totaling 85 MW of utility-scale solar in place. According to NRECA, Tri-State is the top solar G&T in the nation. Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association, based in Fort Collins, utilizes community solar energy from six sites throughout northern Colorado and owns 2.7 MW. “We have had a demand for a community solar option since we decided to build our first solar farm in 2012; the farm sold out before it was even built,” said David White, PVREA vice president of member relations. “Members continually requested a solar offering so we constructed a second solar farm that is five times bigger than our first solar farm, which sold out just a few months after construction was complete. 14

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“An important part of our mission is to provide exceptional service to our members and, if meeting their energy needs includes a solar component, we need to be prepared to deliver,” White explained. “SUNDA provided resources at our fingertips that would have taken considerably more time to research on our own.” SUNDA Provides Research Solar projects, regardless of size or structure, help to build a knowledge base accessible to all electric co-ops. PVREA’s first community solar project was Highlands Community Solar, followed by the Willox Community Solar Farm. Both thrived but were Power Purchase Agreement projects, which means the farms are owned and operated by a separate entity that PVREA purchases the energy from. “With the success of two solar farms under our belt, we decided to build our third solar farm: the Coyote Ridge Community Solar Farm,” White said. With this project, PVREA wanted to take a different approach where the cooperative would own and operate the solar array, eliminating the need for a third party to maintain the farm. However, the co-op

did not yet have the experience to do it on its own. “SUNDA was a great resource for PVREA, providing information on engineering, procurement and construction. We found their financial analysis tool to be instrumental in evaluating options,” White explained. Materials provided by SUNDA help electric cooperatives with everything they need to know about the process of attaining solar power, from conceptualization to planning and execution, as well as communication with the co-ops’ memberships. White explained that SUNDA’s resources helped cut the amount of time it would have taken otherwise to build Coyote Ridge, which sits at 74 percent subscribed today. “SUNDA has supported cooperatives across the country,” said Lee Boughey, senior manager of communications at Tri-State. “The sharing of knowledge helps co-ops understand the opportunities with solar and reduce risks, which leads to successful projects.” Declining Costs Several SUNDA participants contend that declining prices helped move solar from a

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demonstration or educational technology to a competitive asset within wholesale generation portfolios in many areas of the United States. Solar products and components are improving, and the manufacturing and vendor base continues to expand. That led to substantial declines in the cost for deployed solar. According to NRECA, the per-watt costs declined from $4.50 for the first research project in 2013 to less than $1.40 per watt in 2018. “The ultimate economics of solar lends itself to serious consideration as a daytime resource,” said Todd Bartling, vice president of renewables development for the National Renewables Cooperative Organization. With an average of 300 days of sunshine annually, Colorado electric cooperatives are primed to benefit from this renewable energy resource, given their membership’s support.

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“With clear skies and bright sunshine across the West, decreasing costs and federal tax incentives, solar power is an attractive resource for both Tri-State and our members,” Boughey said. “We are able to blend solar power and other renewables with our owned and contracted resources to keep power reliable and costs down for our members.” “The industry is working to reduce the costs of the underlying equipment, installation and financing,” Bartling said. “Those improvements will help ensure the technology’s commercial viability when or if tax incentives designed to hold down costs are phased out.” Shared Insights Thanks to the SUNDA project, all of this information is available to electric co-ops. Shared experiences and open discussion are among the greatest strengths of the electric co-op movement. Derrill Holly writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Amy Higgins is a freelance writer for Colorado Country Life magazine. coloradocountrylife.coop

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NOVEMBER 2018

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2018 BOOK REVIEWS BY JULIE SIMPSON

Let’s be honest: Sometimes life can be tough. But in the hard times, curling up with a good story, real or fiction, often has the power to comfort us, encourage us or inspire us to keep going. That’s why this month we feature some feel-good reads about

people who also faced difficult odds and managed to overcome them. Some are based on true stories and some are fiction; some are romantic and some are exciting. All of them have one thing in common: their ability to inspire.

REVIEWER’S FAVORITES The Saturday Night Supper Club

By Carla Laureano Rachel Bishop spent most of her life clawing her way closer to the top of the culinary world. She may experience little of life outside the kitchen, but her hard work won her a James Beard award and a position as executive chef of a Denver fine dining hot spot. Her career is going exactly as she intends. Until, that is, an article making her the spokeswoman of a cause she never chose leads to a disastrous misquote and sudden unemployment in the course of three days. The writer of the article, Alex Kanin, never intended to cause Rachel’s career implosion. Rachel reluctantly accepts his apology and offer of help, and together they come up with an idea to get her back on the food scene: a restaurant pop-up dinner party called The Saturday 16

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Night Supper Club. The club’s popularity helps Rachel’s reputation, and a potential restaurant investor might be in the works. But will Rachel allow her growing attraction to Alex get in the way of her professional dreams? Is it possible for her to chase both love and success while still remaining true to herself? Well-researched, well-written and with well-rounded characters, The Saturday Night Supper Club transcends the romance genre and achieves something closer to literary fiction. An added bonus is a glimpse into the fascinating, somewhat fictionalized, fine dining world of Denver, with mouthwatering food descriptions included. For a perfect book club read, find this great novel at local bookstores and online retailers.

The Patchwork Bride

By Sandra Dallas When she suddenly gets cold feet about her upcoming wedding, June runs to the place she feels safe: her grandparents’ ranch. Her

grandmother Ellen is a wealth of wisdom, but instead of telling June what she should do, Ellen tells a long story about a girl named Nell who runs away from not one, but three engagements. Nell’s first engagement is to a cowboy in the New Mexico territory, where she works as a cook on a large ranch. Her second is to a much different man, a handsome travelling salesman with a troubled past. And her third, a rich older man from the city of Denver. As Ellen weaves her tale of loss and finding love, June finds comfort and wisdom in the story of a girl, not much different from herself, who manages, after a long journey, to find the place her heart belongs. Another masterfully written story from best-selling Colorado author Sandra Dallas, The Patchwork Bride is an enjoyable coloradocountrylife.coop

romantic read set in historical New Mexico and Colorado. Discover this great book at online retailers or local bookstores.

Rush

By Jayme H. Mansfield The Oklahoma land rush is coming soon, but recently widowed mother Mary Louisa Roberts is unsure she can do it on her own. Not only will she have to travel across the country to the starting line, but she’ll also have to race against thousands of others, drive in her stake first, and protect her claim against “sooners” and “jumpers.” By strength of will, God’s providence and a little help from the handsome newspaper illustrator Daniel McKenzie, Mary finds a way. She is determined to lay claim to her own land and future. But as soon as she thinks she finally made a home, will the past come back to haunt her and ruin any chance of future happiness? An exciting and romantic read, Rush is all the more compelling because of its basis on the true story of Colorado author Jayme H. Mansfield’s great-great-grandmother. For a window into the history of the West, find this novel at local bookstores and online retailers.

The Encore: A Memoir in Three Acts

By Charity Tillemann-Dick Single-mindedly pursuing her lifelong goal of becoming a famous opera singer, Charity Tillemann-Dick starts to see the realization of her dreams in her early 20s. She is accepted to the finest schools, sings on stages worldwide and works with the best voice instructors available. But then she starts feeling fatigued, barely able to catch her breath. Charity is diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension, a devastatingly fatal lung condition. Charity undergoes a complete lung transplant to prolong her life and manages not only to survive and recover, but, miraculously, also to pursue her dreams of singing opera again. coloradocountrylife.coop

Along the way she finds love, purpose, faith and friendship, and becomes a symbol of medical achievement and personal endurance. With moments both lighthearted and weighed down with grief, this true story of a Colorado native is an honest rendering of the life of an individual with a chronic health issue and an inspiring reminder of the things in life that matter. Look for this book online or at major retailers.

Off Trail: Finding My Way Home in the Colorado Rockies By Jane Parnell Jane Parnell became the first woman to climb the 100 highest peaks of Colorado. She climbed for her sister who was in an institution for mental illness. She climbed to silence the terror in her heart and the disgust in her body after she was raped. She climbed to fall in love with her husband, then to deal with the pain of divorce. She climbed to hold onto something. She anchored herself in the mountains. A touching and lyrically written memoir, Off Trail draws on historical accounts of other female mountaineers as well as the author’s own personal experiences. For an inspirational read about a love affair with the dangerous beauty of the Colorado mountains, discover this book at local bookstores and online retailers.

Home of the Brave

By Donna Bryson All it took was for Melanie Kline to see a video on the news about a veteran who was missing limbs learning how to river kayak with his father. Her inspiration started a chain reaction that changed the entire town of Montrose, Colorado, forever. Journalist Donna Bryson conducted research and interviews to chronicle the impact that Welcome Home Montrose, Kline’s brainchild, has had on the town. Along with the mental health support, job and housing assistance and the feeling of

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community provided by Welcome Home, the organization has had interestingly far-reaching effects into the business and economy of Montrose, keeping it vibrant in an era of exodus to big cities and the dying of rural America. Though this book could use some further editing, the story it details is interesting, inspirational and timely. Look for it online or at local retailers.

FICTION Celine

By Peter Heller Raised in the wealthiest high society circles of Paris and the East Coast, Celine was expected to follow the rules and join the next generation of the elites. Instead, her free spirit led her to become an exceptionally well-dressed, sharpshooting private eye who has a better track record of finding people than the FBI. Celine is aging and has difficulty breathing, but when the beautiful Gabriela comes to her with a story of love, loss and the disappearance of her father, the investigator is intrigued. The case takes her on a road trip across the country to Colorado, Wyoming and Montana, trying to discover what happened to Gabriela’s father. This beautifully written novel’s title character is just the right balance between fallibly human and larger than life. Add that to the fairy-tale reminiscent mystery she investigates, and you have a book you’ll still be thinking about days after you finish it. Discover this book by Colorado author Peter Heller in bookstores and online.

Light It Up

By Nick Petrie Marine veteran Peter Ash just wanted to help. His friend Henry’s business, a Denver security company protecting cannabis growers and retailers, lost a huge shipment, along with four of its employees. They really were lost: Four men and a truck, vanished into the Colorado mountains. Peter agrees to tap into his military training and work for Henry for just a few weeks, but the plan changes NOVEMBER 2018

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when his crew is attacked and his friends murdered. Peter wants — needs — to hunt down the men responsible for the attack. What at first looks like a simple robbery becomes more sinister the deeper Peter investigates. The closer Peter gets to answers, the more dangerous the search becomes, for him and for those he cares about. Author Nick Petrie’s well-researched story provides a fascinating glimpse into the complicated and shadowy world of the legal cannabis industry in Colorado. His believable plot paired with a broken and larger-than-life hero make for a book ready-made for the big screen. To read this shoot-’em-up thriller, look online or at major retailers.

A Season to Lie

By Emily Littlejohn In the middle of a paralyzing blizzard, the body of famous author Delaware Fuente is found behind Valley High School. Detective Gemma Monroe may just be coming off maternity leave, but she’s still the best the Cedar Valley Police Department has to offer when it comes to solving such a high-profile case. During her murder investigation, Gemma also uncovers a sadistic bully who leaves graffiti signatures on school property before he — or she — strikes. The more Gemma digs, more mysterious details about the author’s shady past come to light, but can she find the killer before the killer finds her … or her family? In her sophomore novel, Colorado author Emily Littlejohn crafts yet another well-written, edge-of-your-seat thriller that will keep readers guessing until the final dramatic reveal. Gemma remains a unique, relatable and strong female character who sets this series apart from others in its genre. To find this nail-biter of a murder mystery, visit a bookstore and online retailer.

A Dog’s Way Home

By W. Bruce Cameron The first thing the puppy knows is a dusty den in an abandoned building full of cats. Then Lucas finds her and becomes her person. He names her Bella. 18

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Lucas loves Bella and Bella loves Lucas, but in trying to save the cats in the building where Bella was born, Lucas gets on the bad side of the developer who wants to tear it down. The bad man pays animal control to label Bella as a pit bull, a breed illegal in Denver where Lucas lives. Bella wants to be a good dog and do everything Lucas teaches her, including “go home,” which means no matter where she is, she runs back to curl up on her front porch. Then Lucas has to send her away to live outside of the city so that she won’t get put down as an illegal breed. How will she do “go home” when home is so far away she can barely smell it? Bella must find a way to get back to Lucas. Across mountains, through winter snows, despite dangerous predators, she will find him, or die trying. Told through the loyal, loving and often hilarious perspective of Bella, author W. Bruce Cameron’s latest canine novel is not for readers who hate books that make them cry. Keep the tissues handy and find this story of love that knows no distance at major retailers and online.

Missing Bonds

By Bruce W. Most Bail bondswoman Ruby Dark is well-known in all sorts of Denver circles, her bright red hair and fiery personality hard to forget. She rarely ever has any skips because of her uncanny ability to sniff out runners before she agrees to post bail. So when “Bullet Joe” Brown decides to avoid court, Ruby knows something changed. When she finds the man who put up collateral for Bullet Joe’s bail brutally murdered in his home, the search shifts from a skip on the run to a murderer on the loose. The mystery only deepens when Ruby is informed that the murdered man was hiding under a fake name, and that his prints match a soldier who was officially listed as missing in action during the Vietnam War. As the bodies stack up and the federal government gets involved, the stakes grow ever higher.

A keep-you-guessing mystery with an entertaining main character, Missing Bonds has an emotional and historically linked reality at its core. Find this book and others by Colorado author Bruce W. Most at local and online retailers.

Brokeheart

By Kevin Wolf Death is familiar occurrence in the mining town of Brokeheart, Colorado, but when several people meet gruesome, bloody ends in what seem to be attacks by wild animals, the citizens are understandably spooked. Scandal-haunted newspaperman Kepler sees the deaths as an opportunity for a story, but the deeper he digs the more the details don’t seem to point to attacks by a rogue wolf. The circumstances are too strange, the teeth marks on victims’ throats too consistent. At the same time the odd deaths begin, a mysterious European aristocrat rolls into town on his private train car and enlists Kepler’s investigative services. The money is good, but Kepler becomes suspicious of his employer’s odd behavior. This sophomore novel from Colorado author Kevin Wolf is a significant departure from his first, though just as well-written and creative. For a cowboy Western and sci-fi-monster mash-up full of nail-biting twists until the last page, look for Brokeheart online and at major retailers.

Who the Bishop Knows

By Vannetta Chapman The Amish community of Monte Vista is quiet, beautiful and generally peaceful. That is, until a young Amish man is shot off his horse while participating in the local rodeo. The weapon was a highpowered rifle, but no one remembers seeing a shooter, nor can they come up with a motive. Bishop Henry Lapp hoped he wouldn’t be called to use his gift — the ability to precisely draw anything he sees — in yet another murder investigation, but he wants to help. The only problem is he didn’t see much: He wasn’t in the arena at the time of coloradocountrylife.coop

the shooting. Still, Henry knows he must use his connections within the extremely private Amish community to uncover the reasons why Jeremiah was killed and track down the murderer … before he or she strikes again. Vannetta Chapman provides yet another riveting story in “The Amish Bishop Mysteries” with Who the Bishop Knows. Henry’s character is relatable and loveable, and the story offers a fascinating glimpse into the life of an Amish community. Pick up this murder mystery at your local bookstore and online.

Keturah

By Lisa T. Bergren A father dies in the far-off Caribbean, leaving his three English daughters without male protection and on the edge of destitution. Lady Keturah Tomlinson must find a way to restore the family fortune in order to provide for the future of her younger sisters. Their only option is to leave everything they know and travel to the island of Nevis in an attempt to make their sugar plantation profitable once again. Others continually tell Keturah that running a plantation is no job for a lady. The land is harsh and the competition steep, the slavery brutal and the risk high. Despite everything working against her, Keturah is determined to succeed, partly for her sisters and partly for herself, to banish the shadow of her abusive first marriage by proving she needs no man. A dramatic, romantic historical fiction set in the time before the Revolutionary War, Keturah is the first installment of “The Sugar Baron’s Daughters” series by prolific Colorado author Lisa T. Bergren. Find this along with her many other books online or at local retailers.

The Go-Backer

By Peter R. Decker Most people are familiar with the stories of the pioneers who civilized the West: hardworking families who left their lives in the East to find a new and better future on the wild frontier. But few are familiar with the stories of the go-backers, the ones who found the West too wild to tame and turned their wagons back East. Ridgway, Colorado, author and retired professor Peter R. Decker coloradocountrylife.coop

sought to keep those men and women in the record of history by writing The Go-Backer. This fictional, historically-inspired tale follows Calvin Marlow, a recently discharged Union Army sergeant and Vermont farmer, along with his wife and three children. After the long war and a bad year for crops, Calvin decides to move his family west to Colorado, where he has been told the farmland is vast and fertile. Along the way they face higher than anticipated tolls and fees, raucous frontier towns, unfriendly natives and a corrupt trail leader. When they finally do make it to Colorado, the ground is covered with sod too thick to plow and it hardly ever rains. A tragic death in the family is the last straw: The Marlows decide to go back the way they came. Look for this unique glimpse into the history of westward migration and the Oregon Trail online or in local bookstores.

Heart Bender

By Betty J. Slade Millie Montgomery doesn’t want to leave Paris — especially not after she meets the handsome Rik Hansson — but feels she has no choice but to accept a prestigious appointment as head curator at the Brantwood Art Museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Little does she know that she is only being hired to be set up as the scapegoat for an art theft ring and that Rik is actually an Interpol agent who follows her to New Mexico in disguise. Can Rik keep his cover intact long enough to save Millie from life in prison? Find this debut novella by Colorado author Betty J. Slade at online retailers.

INTERESTED IN READING ONE OF THESE BOOKS? Enter to win a copy of one of the books reviewed. Visit Contests at coloradocountrylife.coop to learn how.

NONFICTION

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Ann Bassett: Colorado’s Cattle Queen

By Linda Wommack In the early days of Colorado, the gumption and ruthlessness of individuals often held more sway than the power of the law. This was especially true in the northeastern corner, where cattle barons battled it out through trickery, false accusations and theft in order to control water and grazing land for their herds. The remarkable Ann Bassett held her own among those ambitious and oftenmurderous men, gaining herself the nickname “Colorado’s Cattle Queen.” Though her life was far from morally spotless, it was also far from boring. She rustled cattle, fought against the landgrabbing maneuverings of her neighbors’ larger cattle operations, consorted with outlaws like Butch Cassidy and had a fiancé and friends murdered in cold blood. Hers is a fascinating true story of a woman who refused to be ruled by anyone and was willing to do whatever was necessary to fight for her land and the people she loved. Author Linda Wommack does an excellent job meshing real letters and other documents from the time period with an engaging narrative flow to make a book about history that doesn’t feel like a historical book. Discover this fascinating read at local bookstores and online retailers.

The Long Haul: A Trucker’s Tales of Life on the Road By Finn Murphy Most people have a picture in their head of what a trucker should be: a rough-aroundthe-edges type with a beard and perhaps cowboy boots who loves the freedom and transience of life on the road. Longdistance mover Finn Murphy was one of those who bucked the status quo for the trucking life, but he insists that the mythos of the wild and free trucker is mostly a fabrication. NOVEMBER 2018

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In this compelling and intelligent memoir, Murphy gives readers an insider’s glimpse into the world of long-distance moving. From stories about disgruntled customers and other truckers to detailing just how much mathematics is involved in expertly packing a trailer, Murphy’s astute observations and witty, sometimes humorous, sometimes dark philosophizing offer a cutting evaluation of the way we live our lives and the stuff that, for some reason, is so important to us. For a funny, thoughtful, interesting and utterly honest read, find The Long Haul at local bookstores and online retailers.

or even cannabis? Fort Collins author and gardener Richard W. Bender spent years experimenting with turning his garden produce into many unique and delicious varieties of wine, and he shares his recipes and things he learned in this beautiful, detailed, tantalizing book. Wine making doesn’t have to be intimidating with the knowledge in this guide. It includes a detailed list of materials you need to get started, helpful tricks, tips for the preparation of different ingredients and clearly written recipes. To start your own adventure in wine making, find this book at bookstores and online retailers.

Killdozer: The True Story of the Colorado Bulldozer Rampage

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By Patrick Brower On June 4, 2004, Marvin Heemeyer drove an armor-plated bulldozer through the streets of Granby, Colorado, destroying 14 buildings and firing rounds at law enforcement from his homemade tank. Patrick Brower was there. A longtime resident and newspaperman, Brower knew Heemeyer personally and witnessed the destruction of his own business during the rampage. Brower relies on facts and extensive detail to lay out the story of the Killdozer from the beginning, from the day that Heemeyer first purchased land in Granby to the antigovernment conspiracy theorists who rallied to his defense after his death. For a fascinating, well-researched and detailed account of the Killdozer rampage and the man behind it, look for this book at online retailers or local bookstores.

Wild Wine Making: Easy & Adventurous Recipes Going Beyond Grapes By Richard W. Bender Everyone knows that most wine is made from grapes, but have you ever thought about making wine from, say, lavender? Or what about hot peppers 20

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Hardscrabble

By Sandra Dallas After losing their farm in Iowa, the Martin family tries to make a new life as homesteaders on the prairie of Mingo, Colorado. Twelve-yearold Belle helps out her parents and six siblings as best she can, but it’s a hardscrabble existence, battling natural disasters, cold and heat, bugs and disease. Heartbreaking losses make everyone in the family doubt their ability to persevere, but Belle knows that as long as they have their love for each other, they’ll find a way to make it through. Another well-written and heart warming book by best-selling author Sandra Dallas, Hardscrabble is an enjoyable and historically informative read for middle schoolers all the way up to adults. Look for this great book at local bookstores and online retailers.

Gutless

By Mariko Tatsumoto Kenji is a normal 14-year-old boy who loves surfing and dislikes working in his parents’ shop. That is, until a tsunami decimates his town and kills his entire family. Kenji can’t let go of his guilt, believing he could have saved them if he had just been braver.

Kenji is sent to Tokyo to live with his uncle. At first big city life seems glamorous, but then Kenji starts to pay attention to his uncle’s strange habits and discovers the truth: Uncle Kazuo is a Yakuza, a mobster in organized crime. When gang war breaks out between rival crime families, Kenji’s uncle sends him to a sumo training camp where he is forced to learn and fight as a sumo wrestler in order to keep his cover. Through it all, his guilt weighs him down. Colorado resident Mariko Tatsumoto is the author of one of our featured books from last year’s reviews, Ayumi’s Violin. Gutless, her third book, was a finalist for the Colorado Authors’ League Award and winner of the 2018 Paterson Prize for Books for Young People. Find this great book for middle school readers at local bookstores and online.

The League of Governors

By Wendy Terrien Jason Lex thought his life was going to calm down after he saved the world. His family is still reeling after Jason’s killing of his villainous mother to prevent her destruction of the Rampart, the shield that keeps magical creatures hidden from normal humans. Now he just wants to continue to train using his Guard powers and be a relatively normal teenager. Then his dad and sister disappear after a visit to the League of Governors in London, and Jason and Uncle Alexander must travel across the ocean to figure out what happened. They find themselves trapped in a strictly governed society where the slightest misstep leads to severe punishment. An exciting, action-packed novel perfect for middle- and high school-aged readers, The League of Governors is the second book in this series by Colorado author Wendy Terrien. Pick it up at your local bookstore or from online retailers. Writer Julie Simpson, a Coloradan who started her writing career as an intern at Colorado Country Life, is now reading books at her home in Texas. Find reviews of Colorado children’s books on page 30 and more information on all the books featured in the magazine as well as additional books at coloradocountrylife.coop. coloradocountrylife.coop

[ recipes]

Warm Up With Simmering Soup Slurp soups from recipes furnished by fellow readers BY AMY HIGGINS RECIPES@COLORADOCOUNTRYLIFE.ORG

Here it is: part two of our readers’ recipe submissions. This month we feature soups, straight out of the kitchens of your electric cooperative comrades. Hot, hearty and perfect with a piece of buttered bread, these soup recipes are fitting for fall fare. So, as November temperatures ebb and flow as often as your dinner menu, keep these recipes close at hand.

Chicken, Chorizo & Tortilla Soup Submitted by Frieda Koran Gunnison County Electric Association member

Ingredients: 3/4 pound chorizo sausage, fried until lightly browned and broken up into small pieces 1 pound cooked chicken tenderloins, cut into bite-size pieces 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 medium onion, chopped 8 small, red-skinned potatoes, diced 1 (15-ounce) can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained 1 (15-ounce) can fire-roasted tomatoes 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 teaspoons Tabasco hot sauce 1 quart chicken broth salt and freshly-ground pepper, to taste 1 bag red or blue tortilla chips, lightly crushed

DO YOU HAVE A GREAT RECIPE? Share it with us. We always welcome your feedback and ideas. If you have a recipe you want us to try, send it our way to recipes@ coloradocountrylife.org.

Garnishes (optional): 2 cups pepper jack or smoked cheddar cheese green onions, chopped cilantro, chopped thyme, chopped In slow cooker, add all of the ingredients except tortilla chips. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours. Top with crushed tortilla chips. A note from Frieda: “I wish I could claim this recipe as my own, but one of the cooks (name unknown) at the Trinidad Catholic Church soup kitchen prepared it for us ladies who had just attended a DCCW meeting in Trinidad and was gracious enough to share a list of the soup ingredients. This soup is a winter staple for our family.”

Frogmore (Low-Country) Stew Invite your friends over and spread out some newspaper for a fun, roll-up-your-sleeves meal that will feed a crowd. Give Ethel Wood Foster’s Frogmore Stew recipe a try. Get the recipe at coloradocountrylife.coop. coloradocountrylife.coop

FUN FACT Eat Your Veggies! Soups generally call for vegetables, which will make your mom happy. Step up your game and increase nutrition to your servings by adding even more vegetables, fresh or frozen.

NOVEMBER 2018

[gardening]

Pages to Peruse for the Perfect Garden Great reads to prepare yourself for next year’s garden

BY VICKI SPENCER MASTER GARDENER GARDENING@COLORADOCOUNTRYLIFE.ORG As daylight hours become noticeably shorter in November, it’s a good time to catch up on reading. Sometimes the sheer abundance of gardening books makes it difficult to know where to begin. Perhaps you will like some of the suggestions below. Since going on a French garden tour this past spring, I became more interested in the history of gardening. Naively, I was surprised to see centuries old French gardens were filled with the same flowers I’ve always included in my yard. After getting home, I turned to the Denver Public Library for insight on how flowers, such as hydrangeas, lilies, tulips, irises and roses, made it to the New World.

The Starter Garden Handbook By Alice Mary Alvrez This handbook covers all the basics, from deciding what kind of garden to grow to soil preparation, understanding the relationship between climate and your garden, getting started with herbs and harvesting your produce. It includes useful information for beginners and more experienced gardeners. The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible (2nd Edition) By Edward C. Smith If your harvest was disappointing this year, you might find this book beneficial. Smith explains how raised beds can help you reap more from your garden by reducing the space taken up by walking paths, by positioning the beds to take full advantage of the sun and by incorporating organic techniques.

The Well-Tended Perennial Garden: The Essential Guide to Planting and Pruning Techniques (3rd Edition) By Tracy DiSabato-Aust The “Encyclopedia of Perennials” chapter, with a section on perennial maintenance needs, is especially helpful for weekend gardeners. You can save lots of time just by knowing which flowers need deadheading or pruning and which require less care before you plant your garden. Garden Renovation: Transform Your Yard into the Garden of Your Dreams By Bobbie Schwartz

After renovating four houses, it’s no wonder I was attracted by this book’s title. Awardwinning landscape designer Bobbie Schwartz This well-researched academic publication recognizes that many people buy the home is not a casual read. Its extensive history of of their dreams only to find the landscapEnglish gardens might appeal to readers ing disappointing. This book will give you planning to visit England, but if history is not Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden: Grow, confidence to begin making changes, even your thing, other books I read might be more Harvest & Arrange Stunning Seasonal if it means removing old trees and shrubs. enjoyable and they are full of ideas for making Blooms Schwartz encourages you to assess goals and your garden even better next year. By Erin Benzakein and Michele M. Waite budgets before creating a design and determining what plants to keep and what plants to What I love about this book is that it’s not add. If you want to make your home inviting just a handbook for planting your flower garden. The beautiful photos are inspirational, and create usable space where you will be More Online: especially if you have any doubts about start- comfortable, this book is for you. Read previous gardening columns at ing your first flower bed. Follow the book’s Gardener Vicki Spencer has an eclectic coloradocountrylife.coop. Click on season-by-season planting guide and you will background in conservation, water, natural Gardening under Living in Colorado. always have cuttings for indoor bouquets. resources and more. The History of Gardens By Christopher Thacker

NOVEMBER 2018

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NOVEMBER 2018

[outdoors] HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS

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NOVEMBER 2018

BY DENNIS SMITH OUTDOORS@COLORADOCOUNTRYLIFE.ORG

The time has long passed since the kids and I could drive 15 minutes from our old house in southwestern Loveland to the neighbor’s farm pond, throw out a few decoys and shoot a couple of ducks or maybe even a fat goose. We’d make sure to get there way ahead of sunup so we’d have time to rustle up a skillet full of sausage and eggs, set a pot of coffee to boil on the camp stove and let our Lab, Moses, run off some of his pent-up energy before legal shooting light. Green-winged teal were often the first ducks to show up, arriving before dawn on a rush of wings that sounded for all the world like a squadron of miniature fighter jets zooming overhead. They’d circle the decoys once and splash down in the pond like they owned the place. More likely than not, it would still be too dark to shoot, which would pitch Moses into fits of excitement — whining and trembling from head to tail. Early in the season there’d be spoon-billed ducks or shovelers, as they are sometimes called, green- and blue-winged teal, widgeon, gadwalls and an occasional, elegant pintail in the mix. But what we really looked forward to was the flights of mallards that came whistling down out of Canada ahead of the big winter storm fronts late in the year. These were plump, gloriously-colored birds fattened on the vast grain fields of Saskatchewan or Manitoba and among the best tasting of all waterfowl. We’d marinate their breast meat in whiskey, hot pepper flakes and apricot preserves; skewer them with slices of portobello mushroom, leeks and sweet bell peppers; then

grill the whole shebang quickly over hot coals. Served rare on platters of jasmine rice, they’re an epicurean delight. We seldom shot a full three-man limit, but that was never our intent anyway. Wild duck is a dish best served fresh, so we never shot more than our family could eat at one sitting. When we collected enough for dinner, we’d kick back in the blind and continue to scan the sky for waterfowl. If you’ve never seen a flight of ducks drop from on high, slip their wings and flutter like maple leaves falling to earth, you’ve missed one of the most enchanting demonstrations of aerial grace in the wild. And it’s not only ducks. I recall one November afternoon when the sun drooped soft and gold in the late day sky, painting the pond with the colors of autumn. A family of Canada geese circled our spread, cupped their wings, sideslipped into the water right beside our blind and made themselves at home. I fully expected Moses to freak out and lunge from the blind, but he didn’t. He just sat there looking from the geese to us and back again as if he were dumbstruck. Which, now that I think about it, I suppose he was. 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. coloradocountrylife.coop

[ energy tips]

Light the Holidays with Efficiency in Mind BY PAT KEEGAN AND BRAD THIESSEN

It’s a shame that holiday lighting can lead to higher energy bills, but the good news is there are strategies that can save money without dampening your holiday spirit. One of the best ways to save energy is LED lights, which use about 80 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs. The amount of money saved depends on a lot of factors, including your electric rate and how many hours your holiday lights are turned on. Innovative decorating ideas can make a display more dynamic and interesting, which might help you get by with fewer lights. Here are some ideas that can reduce energy costs while keeping your holidays bright: • Color-changing LED lights can cycle through the colors in sequence and can even be set to change colors in response to music. • A laser light projector sits on the ground or other flat surface and projects multicolored patterns onto the wall outside of your house. Most include a timer function and may come with a remote control and additional features. They come in a range of prices from $20 up to $150 or more. • Re-create the excitement of a laser light show (using LED lights) by installing a smart lighting system that creates preset or programmable light shows through a smartphone or other smart devices. • Try distributing lighting across a broader space. In the spaces between light, add reflective ornaments and decorations to increase the effect of the lights and add interest.

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Visit coloradocountrylife.coop to learn more about efficient holiday lighting tips. Look under the Energy tab. NOVEMBER 2018

4 categories • 4 chances to win 1st, 2nd or 3rd We want your photos that fit any of these four categories: Water at Play: Any photo (with or without people) of water. Active Play: Photos that capture motion. Settings for Play: Any outdoor seasonal shot of Colorado. People and/or Pets at Play: Photos of subjects enjoying Colorado. Deadline: December 14, 2018

Contest rules:

• Photographer must be a member of a Colorado electric co-op. • Photographer may enter up to 2 photos per category. • A completed entry form must accompany each photo. Use the form below or an online form is available at coloradocountrylife.coop under Contests. • Photos may be submitted in a printed or digital format (max file szie 10MB) • Printed photos must be 8X10 inches and may NOT be printed on a home printer. Prints will not be returned. • Digital photos must be at least 9X12 inches in size at least 300 ppi resolution and a max of 10MB in size. • Photographer may win only one first-place prize. • By entering the contest, photographers give Colorado Country Life permission to publish the image in print and online. • Find a full list of official rules online at coloradocountrylife.coop

Submit entries by mail (in entry form below with photo): Photo Contest, Colorado Country Life, 5400 Washington St., Denver, CO 80216 Submit entries online: An online form is available at coloradocountrylife.coop under Contests.

Winners will be published in March 2019

Title for entry (to appear if published) Name

Phone

Address City

State

Zip

Electricity co-op you are a member of Email

Please check the appropriate category for your photo: ☐ Water at Play ☐ Active Play ☐ Settings at Play

☐ People and/or Pets at Play

By submitting this photo, I am giving Colorado Country Life permission to use the submitted photo in the magazine and/or on its social media sites.

Prizes: 1st place – $175, 2nd place – $75, 3rd place – $50 NOVEMBER 2018

coloradocountrylife.coop

[ marketplace]

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[classifieds] TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD

Please type or print your ad on a separate paper. Indicate how many months you would like your ad to run and which month to start. There is a minimum of 12 words at $1.63 per word/month. Be sure to include your full name and address for our records. Check MUST accompany this order or call to pay by credit card.

Send your ad to: mail: Colorado Country Life 5400 Washington St., Denver, CO 80216 phone: 303-902-7276 fax: 303-455-2807 email: classifieds@coloradocountrylife.org

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Colorado electric cooperative linemen take CCL with them to Guatemala. Oklahoma and Colorado electric cooperatives partnered to help electricfy two remote villages.

LIVESTOCK

COLORADO INDEPENDENT CATTLEGROWERS ASSOCIATION represents Independent Colorado Ranchers! Join! www.coloica.com 1-719-980-0460, cattlegrowers@coloica.com (936-03-19)

WANTED TO BUY

CAST-IRON COOKWARE (Wagner & Griswold). Pyrex. Old toys in good condition. Vintage signs. Anything cowboy and Indian – hats, boots, spurs, rugs, etc. Antiques, collectibles, furniture, glassware, etc. We come to you! 970-7593455 or 970-565-1256. (871-01-19) NAVAJO RUGS, old and recent, native baskets, pottery. Tribal Rugs, Salida. 719-539-5363, b_inaz@ hotmail.com (817-12-18) OLD COLORADO LIVESTOCK brand books prior to 1925. Call Wes, 303-757-8553. (889-02-19)

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OLD GAS AND OIL items: Gas pumps, advertising signs, globes, etc. Pieces, parts, etc. considered. Also 1932-34 Ford cars and trucks, parts and pieces, too. Any condition. Brandon, 719-250-5721. (519-11-18) OLD POCKET WATCHES—working or non-working and old repair material. Bob 719-859-4209. (870-12-19) ONE WINNER NEEDED —WIN $25. Email the number of classified ads to classifieds@coloradocountrylife.org. Subject line say “Classifieds Contest.” Include name, mailing address and phone. We’ll draw November 15. WANT TO PURCHASE MINERAL and other oil/gas interests. Send details to: PO Box 13557, Denver, CO 80201 (402-04-19) WE PAY CASH for mineral and oil/ gas interests, producing and nonproducing. 800-733-8122 (099-02-19)

Pat McCelland, Yampa Valley Electric Association member, visits Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River in China. It is the largest electric production facility in the world.

OCTOBER’S CONTEST WINNER Congratulations to Richard Strohecker Richard is the winner of an assortment of Hammond’s Candies.

Find hidden treasure in the CLASSIFIEDS Read through the ads and FIND the CCL classified explaining how to WIN $25. It’s easy. You could WIN. The October classified ads contest winner is Terri Thompson of Burlington. She correctly counted 23 ads. 28

NOVEMBER 2018

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READE R PHOTOS

A husband says to his wife, “I am the MAN of this house! Starting tomorrow, I want you to have a hot, delicious meal ready for me the second I walk through that door. Afterward, while I am watching sports and relaxing in my chair, you will bring me my slippers and run my bath. And when I’m done with my bath, guess who’s going to dress me and comb my hair?” The wife responds, “The funeral director.” Lila Taylor, Stratton CCL visits Mount Rushmore! Gary and Stacy Merrifield and Roy and Patty Lackey, all members of Empire Electric Association, took the magazine along.

WINNERS: Gordon and Julie Racine, members of San Isabel Electric, take CCL to the Oberhaus Museum in Passau, Germany.

Jan and Craig Larson, members of La Plata Electric, take CCL to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico.

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 Thursday, November 15. NAME AND ADDRESS MUST ACCOMPANY PHOTO. This month’s winners are Gordon and Julie Racine of Pueblo West. coloradocountrylife.coop

One morning while getting my kids ready for school, we were watching “Good Morning America.” They told a story about a fox on a school playground that a man had to catch with his “bare hands.” My 5-year-old daughter started laughing and I asked her what was so funny. She replied, “There was a fox with ‘bear hands!’” Joni Castillo, Kremmling

My daughter had a discussion with my 3-year-old grandson, Nolan, about not snacking before supper. A short time later, she noticed him snooping in the pantry. She asked, “What are you doing?” Nolan answered, “Just looking at all the stuff I can’t eat.” James Tyler, Hayden One night we had our 3-year-old granddaughter over to watch a movie and spend the night. It was getting late and past her bedtime when I looked at her and said, “When the big hand on the clock is on the 6 (8:30), then you need to start getting ready for bed.” She turned to me and said, “Well, why don’t we just move that clock into another room; that way we don’t have to look at it!” Roslyn Swofford, Elbert 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 2018 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.

$15 NOVEMBER 2018

[discoveries]

Book Reviews for Kids THE 5,000 FRIENDS OF VERONICA VEETCH

GOD GAVE US FAMILY By Lisa Tawn Bergen, Illustrated by David Hohn

From the creators of the other wonderful “God Gave Us” books comes a sweet, thoughtful and ageappropriate explanation of how God brings families together to teach us about loving each other. This book covers questions kids might have about why not all families look the same, addressing divorce, single parenthood, number of children and adoption. It also teaches children an important lesson about loving one another even when we have differences or members of our family might annoy us. With God Gave Us Family, Colorado author Lisa Tawn Bergren and illustrator David Hohn provided a great tool for teaching children about family. Find this and the other wonderful books in this series at bookstores and online retailers.

Wild Zoo Train By Carmela Lavigna Coyle, Illustrated by Steve Gray Want to take a ride through the zoo … the zoo that is planet Earth? Then hop on the wild zoo train! These kids think they’re just exploring the zoo, but really they get to travel all over the world and see everything from savannahs to jungles and the Antarctic. Ride along with them to meet cheetahs, penguins, toucans and lizards. Kids ages 2-5 will love the repeat rhyming structure and bright illustrations of this choo-choo animal adventure. Look for Wild Zoo Train by Colorado author Carmela Lavigna Coyle at bookstores and online retailers.

IF YOUR MONSTER WON’T GO TO BED

By Denise Vega, Illustrated by Zachariah Ohora Do you have a kid who loves monsters? Then this brightly illustrated book is for you. A funny twist on the parentgetting-the-kid-to-bed story, this cute retelling guides kids through ways to get their unruly monster under the bed to go to sleep. From slime balls to monster danceoffs, sheep eating to bug juice smoothies, every page will have kids giggling about all the gross, noisy, icky things monsters like to do before they sleep. For this story and other books by Colorado author Denise Vega, visit your local bookstore and online retailers. 30

NOVEMBER 2018

By Jean Hanson, Illustrated by Launie Parry

Veronica Veetch is an odd girl. She uses big words and talks about far-off places as if she traveled the world. Her classmates assume she’s fancy-pants rich and decide to take her down a notch by refusing to talk or play with her. Then they find out that Veronica is not rich at all, unless you count the thousands of books that fill her tiny house. In the end, Veronica teaches them that you don’t need money to explore the world through the pages of a book and that you should never judge a book by its cover, or a person by the size of words they use. An intelligent, sweet story told in rhymes with large vocabulary words, The 5,000 Friends of Veronica Veetch is a great book about friendship and the value of books that also teaches young readers, ages 5-8, new words and interesting facts. Find this and other books by Colorado author Jean Hanson at bookstores and online retailers.

GLASSES FOR MARGIE By Virginia K. White

Margie the skunk loves her cozy home in Doc’s backyard, but she has one problem: Her bad eyesight means she keeps falling in the pond! Luckily, Doc knows how to rig her up with some cool new glasses and a whole new world opens up before her eyes. Colorado author Virginia K. White is a former schoolteacher who combines interesting facts about animals with this cute, short chapter book. Look up this read for kids in second or third grades at online retailers.

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