2016/17 Explore Magazine

Your Complete Travel & Tourism Guide ● 2016-17

Co F up RE on E sI ns id e

EXPLORE The High Plains of Northeast Colorado and Southwest Nebraska

HUNTING & FISHING ● RECREATION ● LEISURE ● PARKS & MUSEUMS

DePoorter Lake near Julesburg, by Bard Kappius

WELCOME TO EXPLORE

South of Brush, by Meg Henderson

Each year a photo contest is held for the Explore magazine cover. Runner-up photos can be found throughout the edition, on pages 3-4, 14, 21, 26, 29, 32-33, 36, 43, 52 and 59.

On the Cover Winning Entries

Tubing photo taken at Jackson Lake by Cindy Schneider, Fort Morgan “Kickin’ Up Dust” rodeo photo

by Karianne Donnelson, Fleming Sunflowers photo by Peggy Blake, Sterling Sterling Loop photo

by Janie Glenn Horse photo

by Tom Goss, Brush

EXPLORE 2016 • 3

Fourth of July in Brush, by Cindy Schneider

»» Table of Contents

Day Trips

Fort Morgan/Morgan County, Colo. ......................5 Brush/Morgan County, Colo. ...............................6 Washington County, Colo. ................................... 7 Yuma County, Colo. ............................................ 8 Logan County, Colo. ............................................9 Phillips County, Colo. ........................................10 Sedgwick County, Colo. .....................................11 Deuel and Keith Counties, Neb. .........................12 Garden County, Neb. ........................................ 13

Fort Morgan/Morgan County

Disc Golf Courses ............................................ 15 Fort Morgan Museum ....................................... 16 Riverside Cemetery ..........................................17 Glenn Miller Festival .........................................19

Brush/Morgan County

Brush Municipal Course at Petteys Park .............22 Brush Parks .....................................................23 Brush Rodeo ....................................................24

Washington County

Escape from city life .........................................27 Eastern Colorado Roundup ............................... 28

Yuma County

Greater prairie chicken tours .............................30

Logan County

Logan County Shooting Sports Complex .............37 Sterling bronze sculptures ................................ 38 StoryWalk in the Park ........................................ 39 North Sterling State Park ..................................40 Pawnee Cycle Club ...........................................40 Overland Trail Museum .....................................41

Phillips County

Ballyneal Sporting Clays Course ........................44 Holyoke Gun Club .............................................44 Haxtun Gun Club ..............................................45 Phillips County Fair ...........................................46 Haxtun Corn Festival .........................................46 Red Dale Wagon Train .......................................47 Old Fashioned Saturday Night ............................47 Dandelion Daze ............................................... 48 Phillips County Raceway ....................................48

Sedgwick County

Julesburg history ..............................................53 South Platte River Trail ......................................53 Julesburg Drag Strip .........................................55 Hippodrome Arts Centre ................................... 56 Julesburg parks ............................................... 57 Julesburg recreation .........................................57

Keith and Deuel Counties

Lake McConaughy ............................................60

Coupons ........................................................31 Ogallala history ................................................61 I-76 Exits ...................................................... 33 Garden County and Lisco Bridges ...............................62 Map.............................................................34-35 Lewellen Ash Hollow State Historical Park ........................63

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Calendar of Events ............................... 64-66

CONTRIBUTING NEWSPAPERS

This magazine was produced by six northeast Colorado newspapers: Akron News-Reporter 69 Main Ave. Akron, CO 80759 970-345-2296 akronnewsreporter.com Brush News-Tribune 109 Clayton St. Brush, CO 80723 970-842-5516 brushnewstribune.com Holyoke Enterprise 130 N. Interocean Holyoke, CO 80734 970-854-2811 holyokeenterprise.com Julesburg Advocate 108 Cedar St. Julesburg, CO 80737 970-474-3388 julesburgadvocate.com Journal-Advocate 504 N. Third St. Sterling, CO 80751 970-522-1990 journal-advocate.com The Fort Morgan Times 329 Main St. Fort Morgan, CO 80701 970-867-5651 fortmorgantimes.com

3 day trips »» Fort Morgan, Morgan County

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it all

Historic river crossing has weathered

Fort Morgan’s historic Rainbow Bridge is an original arch bridge that now serves as a bicycle and pedestrian pathway, as well as a great place to view or take pictures of the beautiful South Platte River and Riverside Park.

The original timber bridge was built in 1890, but the Colorado State Highway Department and Morgan County decided to replace the structure with a concrete bridge in 1922.

The current bridge, located on U.S. Highway 52 on the north side of Fort Morgan, was used to carry traffic across the river and in and out of the city of Fort Morgan. The Colorado Department of Transportation closed the bridge to vehicular traffic in 1987 because of deterioration, but it was rehabilitated by local workers in 1992.

The bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the American Society of Civil Engineers has designated it as a Colorado Civil Engineering Landmark.

Rainbow Bridge stands with 11 arch spans and 24 antique replica lampposts to provide visitors with a view of the historic structure and the South Platte River any time of day or night.

The bridge also survived a big flood in September of 2013.

Despite the waters of the South Platte flowing on top of it, the bridge was declared structurally sound later that year. It now serves as a symbol of Fort Morgan.

Fort Morgan Times photo

The historic Rainbow Bridge in Fort Morgan, closed to vehicles, sees lots of foot traffic from its location over the South Platte River along Highway 52.

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A year-round escape with plenty to do

Located just a few miles north of Wiggins, Jackson Lake is an escape from the summer heat and a fun place for those who love to walk along the beach, swim, fish, boat or even water ski.

Even in the winter, camping, ice fishing and ice skating are available.

The park logs about 300,000 visits each year.

A marina with recreational supplies, food and beverages is located on the shoreline and a large ramp nearby offers a convenient spot to launch a boat.

The park offers 260 campsites, many with electrical hookups, as well as picnic areas. Showers, flush toilets, laundry facilities and drinking water are available.

Trout, walleye, bass, catfish, perch, crappie and wipers are there for the angler to try to catch.

Campsites can be reserved by calling 1-800-678-2267 or online at coloradostateparks. reserveamerica.com.

Jackson Lake can be reached from Interstate 76 by taking the Highway 39 exit near Wiggins, taking Highway 39 north to Highway 144 at Goodrich and following the signs west from Highway 144.

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A full course experience

Renamed in 2011, Quail Dunes at FortMorgan Golf Course provides the luxuries of a big-city course with the benefits of a small town. The two nines have distinct personalities and challenges, but both benefit

from new irrigation systems that were upgraded in recent years.

The front nine, designed by Henry Hughs in the 1920s, has tree-lined fairways, smaller greens and water hazards, while the back nine, designed

by Frank Hummel in the 1960s, features more native vegetation and elevation changes.

The 165-acre, par-72 course has four sets of tees with yardage ranging from 5,391 to 6,600, as well as a putting green, driving range and sand bunker.

A golf shop and snack bar round out the links experience.

To schedule a tee time, call the Quail Dunes Pro Shop at 970-867-5990 or visit the Golf Course department page on cityoffortmorgan.com.

Find out more about Fort Morgan and Morgan County on pages 14-20 EXPLORE 2016 • 5

3 day trips »» to Brush and Morgan County

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Step into local history

The Brush Area Museum & Cultural Center is open each Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from May through September. Housed in the former Knearl School building that was built in 1912. Located at 314 S. Clayton Street, the site became home to the Brush Museum in the 1990s after a citizen board was formed. A gift of $100,000 from the estate of Ada Cooper allowed the board to restore the school and achieve the designation of a historical landmark.

Within its walls, the Museum holds a wealth of exhibits that include a “Beetdigger” wing with school history, early pioneer and Native American artifacts, an interactive area wildlife display, Military Honor Room, horse racing history and more.

The Museum Board also hosts monthly, free sack lunch programs on the first Friday of each month.

A bevy of historic sites, from the Central Platoon School built in 1928, to the Sands Theatre, formally known as the Emerson Theatre and built in 1911, helps bring Brush back to its nostalgic past. The Sands Theatre, the only Morgan County site to be listed on the state Historical Register, was begun by notable citizen Charles Emerson, with current owner Joe Machetta, heading the entertainment palace since 1958, recently underwent a digital conversion to help sustain the picture palace.

Several churches, such as the All-Saints Lutheran Church built in 1916 and housed on the campus of Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center, the Immanuel Congregational built in 1927, and Rankin Presbyterian, built in 1907, also hold a place on the list of Brush’s most historic

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

Fourth- and fifth-graders finish building a log cabin during the Brush Area Museum's Summer History Camp, which taught about frontier times.

Reservation System, primed for fishing, hiking, hunting and wildlife viewing. From Brush, Get outside 2.5 miles north on Hwy 71 to on public lands go CR 28; then 1 mile north to the Located two miles south parking lot. Another south of Brush on Clay- parking lot is located on the ton Street near County Rd P, north side of the river on CR the Brush Prairie Ponds State T.9 and CR 27. Fish species Wildlife Area has been leased include smallmouth bass, largeby the City of Brush since 1987 mouth bass and bluegill, with and is open year round. The the nearby Chartier Ponds 1600-acre recreational retreat offering bass fishing. Hunting includes eight hunting areas for species range from deer, rabbit, waterfowl, pheasant, rabbit, squirrel, pheasant, turkey, bobduck, goose and deer, with trap- white quail, dove and waterping allowed. The area provides fowl. The area is closed from 9 excellent wildlife viewing espe- p.m. to 3 a.m. with the excepcially for birds such as shoretion of night hunting permits. birds and waterfowl, in its natu- Call the CPW Brush office at ral prairie and riparian habitat.

970-842-6300 for more info.

Duck blinds provided. All users must check in at a station in the All-America Brush Memorial Park. For resCity promotes ervations, dates and regulations, call (800) 678-2267. active/healthy The 588-acre Brush State lifestyles Wildlife Area is located along The City of Brush received the South Platte River, is part of the Small Game and Waterfowl the prestigious honor of being buildings.

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named one of the National Civic League’s 2014 All-America cities based on not only community-wide appeal and partnerships, but in efforts to promote wellness, healthcare and a friendly atmosphere. Venues such as the Brush Roller Rink, a favorite venue for youth who have gathered at the 1615 Edison St. locale since the early 90s, display that very commitment to health, along with efforts such as the recent partnership between the City of Brush! and the Weigh and Win program, which placed a weighing kiosk for northeast Colorado participants in Brush’s East Morgan County Hospital, a Banner Health facility, located on Hwy 34. The Sweet Peach Spa, housed in downtown Clayton Street, has recently remodeled to offer fitness classes of all varieties and the Crossfit Athena gym, located at 1226 Mill St., also provides a place and programs for physical fitness and challenges.

Find out more about Brush and Morgan County on pages 21-25.

6 • EXPLORE 2016

3 day trips »» to Washington County

The Washington County Museum is open to the public on Sundays through the summer months.

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Tee for 9

Teams come from all around northeastern Colorado to The Washington enjoy a steak supper before County Golf Course the tournament and then they became a reality in 1951. A group of men were sit- really look forward to playing ting around and it was suggest- with glow in the dark balls.

Money raised is always given ed they build a golf course. to a worthy organization.

Pete Severin took the bull by the horns and was instrumenGet a line on tal in getting the men involved in laying out and building the this stocked course. The course plays to fishing pond the natural contour of the land The Akron Pond, about one and was started with sand south of town, is located on the greens. It was converted to same property as the golf bent grass in the 1970s when course. You just follow the dirt irrigation was installed. road past the golf course and The course is a nine-hole you will soon see the pond. course with a par 36. The sigYou can enjoy your time at nature hole is the No. 6, par 3 hole. The course is located the pond in fishing, walking, about one mile south of Akron snapping pictures or just relax on Highway 63 and you can with friends. The town always play all year round. sets funds aside each year to Summer men’s and women’s stock the pond with fish. leagues are offered annually. A There are places where you moonlight golf tournament is can picnic and if that picnic held annually every summer. involves hamburgers, hot dogs

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Akron News Reporter

or chicken, there are places to grill your food. You can take your dog with you and enjoy walking around the pond. The town and others have worked hard to make the Akron pond a scenic and peaceful place to spend some time.

schoolhouse.

The museum has many different rooms in the four buildings. There is a jail cell in the Rock House, an old country doctor’s room, a Just Us Girls (JUG”S) room, wedding gown room and a hat room. There is also an old carriage and thousands of other items on display History in at the museum. Each year, season there is always something new added, as items will be donatThe Washington ed to place in the museum.

County Museum is If you are interested in findopen from 2 to 4 p.m. on Suning an obituary, you can either days in June, July and August, check the obituary books at except during the fair. It conthe museum or the library. sists of five buildings: the There are old newspapers and Depot, Dormitory and Weigh books on the history of WashCar at 202 W. Railroad St., ington County.

Akron, and the Rock House The museum is fully mainand the School House on High- tained and operated by volunway 34, one block east of the teers. Donations are greatly stoplight, across from O’Dells appreciated.

Supermarket.

The museum does allow speThe Rock House once cial openings by appointment. served as the town hall and jail To schedule a visit, call 970for the town. It was also a 345-6529.

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Find out more about Washington County on pages 26-28 EXPLORE 2016 • 7

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4 day trips »» to Yuma County Historic site recalls battle

The Beecher Island Battleground, a site listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is the site of an armed conflict between the U.S. Army and several Plains Indian tribes in 1868. Beecher Island, located on the Arickaree River near Wray, was named for Lt. Fredrick H. Beecher, an army officer killed during the battle.

A unit of Army scouts followed Indian raiders into Colorado and sought cover on the sand bar in the middle of the river after a larger Indian force attempted a surprise attack. Estimates put the number of attacking Indians at anywhere from 200 to 1,000, while the Army unit had only 50 men. The battle lasted two days and resulted in numerous casualties on both sides. The main body of Indians left on the third day, but enough warriors remained behind to keep the scouts on the island for another seven days. The scouts sur vived on rotting horse meat until they were rescued by the 10th division of Buffalo soldiers.

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Take strides toward fitness goals

The Life Trail Health Park on the campus of Yuma District Hospital opened in 2014.

Funding for the park, built to help the community get healthy and stay healthy, came from a Colorado Health Foundation grant and community donations.

The park consists of walking paths, outdoor exercise

8 • EXPLORE 2016

of outdoor recreation opportunities.

Stalker Lake was constructed in 1947 by damming Chief Creek, a groundwater-fed tributar y to the North Fork of the Republican River. In 1961, the lake was enlarged to its present size of 27 acres.

Similar to the much larger eastern plains reser voirs, Stalker Lake was created to store water; however, a fairly stable water level is maintained at the lake, allowing Colorado Parks and Wildlife aquatic biologists to manage a quality warmwater fisher y.

Spend the day fishing for largemouth bass, redear sunfish, bluegill and channel catfish, or take aim at a variety of game birds, including pheasant, bobwhite quail and goose.

4 Courtesy photo / Yuma District Hospital

Yuma District Hospital's Life Trail Health Park offers exercise equipment and walking paths to promote a healthy lifestyle. equipment and appealing gardens. Organizers hope the beautifully designed park will ser ve as a national model for other communities.

The park integrates its facilities with programs and classes at the hospital to help residents manage chronic diseases, with exercise being a key component to achieving balance and maintaining a

healthier lifestyle. The Master Gardeners of Yuma are also offering classes in the elevated gardens.

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Get out in the great outdoors

The Stalker Lake State Wildlife Area, located northwest of Wray, offers 59 acres

Blues and greens

The nine-hole Indian Hills Golf Course in Yuma is “3,600 yards of Bluegrass fair ways and Bentgrass greens,” according to golfcolorado9holes.com. The 36-par course, established in 1970, has few sand traps and only two water hazards but their placement adds to the difficulty. Three sets of tees provide options for golfers of var ying skill levels, and the club also features a driving range and practice putting green. The course is owned

by High Plains Recreational Association, which also operates the Yuma Gun Club and the Clubhouse.

On the Green Restaurant offers a varied menu five days a week. Flat screen TVs encircle the Sports Lounge, and guests enjoy a spacious dining area. Banquet facilities are also available.

Find out more about Yuma County on pages 29-30.

4 day trips »»

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A sportsman’s paradise

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Splash and sweat

to Logan County

Logan County is truly a paradise for the avid sportsman, touting world class fishing and also providing both small and big game hunting.

Dove, quail, ring-necked pheasant, rabbit, raccoon, bobcat, coyote, deer and pronghorn are the area’s most popular game. There are several state-managed public hunting grounds to choose from in Logan County, as well as a number of Walk-in Access properties where owners have enrolled to allow hunting on their land.

While water may not be the first thing that comes to mind when looking across the miles of farmland and open prairie in Logan County, the fact is there are plenty of great fishing holes stocked with walleye, channel catfish, black crappie and other species. Access to three reservoirs, plus the Overland Trail Recreation Area on Riverview Drive and public lands along the South Platte River provide plenty of places to case a line.

Hunters and anglers should check out the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website, http://cpw.state.co.us/, for general licensing requirements as well as restrictions for the area they plan to visit.

The outdoor swimming pool at the Sterling Recreation Center on Elm Street, which opened in 2006, features four water slides and several water attractions in the larger of the two pools, as well as a volleyball net and some basketball hoops for some friendly competition. There is also a smaller wading pool with a giant mushroom waterfall for the smallest splashers. The outdoor pool is open daily through the summer, weather permitting.

The Rec Center also boasts an indoor pool, updated fitness room and basketball, wallyball and raquetball courts. A day pass provides access to all amenities, and there are also punch cards and annual

Find out more about Logan County on pages 36-42

Journal-Advocate photo

The outdoor swimming pool at the Sterling Recreation Center is a splash with people of all ages throughout the summer. memberships for those planning longterm use. The center also offers a multipurpose room that can be rented for special events. For information, call 970-5227882.

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Savor the rural flavor

Get a taste of true small-town flavor at the various tiny communities that dot the Logan County landscape. Dine in one of the unique eateries that call our rural towns home and offer selections that range from barbecue to steak to a classic diner experience.

While there, immerse yourself in the local experience by enjoying other small town amenities, such as town parks and museums.

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A barking spot

For some, a trip isn’t complete without the four-legged members of the family. Sterling’s new dog park at the Earl D. Franklin Park on Front Street offers some room for them to run.

The park includes runs for big and small dogs inside 6-foot chain link fences, and shade trees to keep out of the heat on those dog days of summer. Water fountains for canines and their human companions will be installed in the spring of 2016, and obstacles will be added as funds allow.

Dogs must remain on a leash until inside the fence, and must not be left unattended. Waste bags are available on site; owners are required to pick up after their dogs.

EXPLORE 2016 • 9

5 day trips »» to Phillips County

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Fun for everyone

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Cast a line

Homesteaders Park, at the Phillips County Fairgrounds on the north edge of Holyoke, features a universally accessible playground with ramp accessibility, special swings, slides large enough for parents to assist a child while playing and more. Also on the grounds are a 60’ x 120’ turf field, nine-hole disc golf course and a mile-long walking/bike path that runs through the park and loops around the fairgrounds.

A favorite in the summer months is a water feature where children can splash in the water.

The landscaping also makes it a perfect place for special occasion photos.

Two fully stocked fishing ponds are available in Phillips County.

Avid anglers can spend all day, any day, kicking back at the Holyoke Lions Club Fishin’ Hole, located a mile east and a quarter-mile south of the stoplight in Holyoke.

Year-round fishing is also available at the town of Haxtun’s fishing pond. The pond is located one mile west, one and a quarter miles south and a quarter mile east of Haxtun, through the Haxtun Gun Club, down a winding road.

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A swing at the green

Phillips County is home to three golf courses.

Described as family-oriented, F&H Golf Course, located between Fleming and Haxtun, is a very long course that is

10 • EXPLORE 2016

Holyoke Enterprise

The water feature at Homesteaders Park is a perfect place for special occasion photos.

challenging for all skill levels.

F&H can be found one mile south of Highway 6 on County Road 87. For more information on this public course, visit the “Fleming-Haxtun Golf-Course” Facebook page.

The city-owned Holyoke Golf Course features nine holes, grass greens, grass fairways, a remodeled lounge/ clubhouse and a pavilion. Call the office at 970-854-3200 for more information.

Ranked among the best golf courses in the world, Ballyneal Golf Club is a destination club located between Holyoke and Wray, which was built and maintained for a specific idea: a private, authentic North American inland links golf

experience. For more info on membership, lodging or dining, call 970-854-5900 or visit www.golfballyneal.com.

ment by calling 970-580-1939 or 970-774-4747. Visit www.prairiewindsartcenter.org for more information.

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Modern technology in historic setting

Express your creativity

Since opening in January 2014, Prairie Winds Art Center has enriched the art culture in northeast Colorado. Located at 443 S. Interocean in Holyoke, the center hosts monthly art exhibits as well as paint parties and art classes for children and adults. A gift shop also offers art for sale.

Open hours from April-December are Fridays from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. or by appoint-

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Digital projection, 3-D capabilities and surround sound keep The Peerless Theatre a popular entertainment destination in northeast Colorado.

Located at 212 S. Interocean in Holyoke, the beautiful building remodeled and reopened in 1998 stays true to its 1919 beginning, with a grand brick facade and the original soda counter.

Find out more about Phillips County on pages 43-51.

4 day trips »»

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Everyone is welcome

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On the water

to Sedgwick County

Start the day at the Welcome Center, just north of the I-76 Julesburg Interchange. This beautiful facility is staffed by a highly qualified director and an enthusiastic group of volunteers.

They will welcome you with a cup of great coffee and answer any of your questions.

Check out the artistry of local craftsman, Terry Hinde. A trip up the stairs to the viewing area will give you a broad vista from which to view the surrounding river area. Take a picnic lunch and eat by a teepee guarded by peaceful bisons.

DePoorter Lake, owned and maintained by the Town of Julesburg, is located just south of the railroad overpass leading into or out of Julesburg on Highway 385. It is a popular evening excursion. A walking path encircles the lake and provides an opportunity for walking and biking. DePoorter is a great place to view wildlife or a spectacular sunrise The Jumbo Reservoir is located six miles east of the town of Sedgwick, on the border of Logan County. This 1,700-acre reservoir provides quality fishing, camping and boating. Amenities include picnic areas, boat ramps, shelters, and rest rooms.

Access to the State Wildlife Area requires an annual access permit or valid Colorado hunting or fishing license.

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History lives on

The Fort Sedgwick Historical Society provides a glimpse at life in Julesburg’s earliest days at two loca-

Courtesy photo

The Old Ford Garage Museum features an extensive collection that includes antique Ford cars, photos, signs and other memorabilia from past decades. tions. The Fort Sedgwick Museum and the Depot Museum are open annually from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Tours are provided during the off-season by appointment, by calling 970474-2061.

Located at 114 East First St. in Julesburg, the Fort Sedgwick Museum permanent exhibits are designed to interpret the history of Fort Sedgwick and the four Julesburgs. These include relics from the previous towns of Julesburg and the Fort.

Temporary displays are selected which enhance this history and to provide continuing incentive for repeat visits to the museum. Revolving exhibits have included: a history of modern radio, antique Valentines, spinning wheel, doll houses, meteorites, local personalities, etc.

Featured at the museum is a

restored 1862 3-inch Ordinance Rifle (cannon) of the same type as that used at Fort Sedgwick.

The Depot Museum’s building, located at 201 W. First St. in Julesburg, is listed on the National Register of Historic Properties.

The Depot Museum features relics, artifacts and documents collected since the 1940s at the museum’s previous location.

The reallocated and renovated Union Pacific Railroad depot opened as a museum in 1976 using many of the display cases from the earlier site. Those items and accession added through the ensuing years provide visitors with a glimpse of early-day life in northeastern Colorado.

Books about area history are for sale at both museums. Postcards, booklets, and souvenirs depicting local scenes and legends are also available.

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Treasures from the past

The Old Ford Garage and Museum, at 110 East First St. in Julesburg, features retired barber Lee Kizer’s extensive private collection of perfectly preserved memorabilia. The structure began as a car dealership in 1908, and now offers vintage automobiles, memorabilia and photographs, including an original first print of TIME Magazine. Classic filling station pumps, music hall instruments and banners, vintage tin signs and a still-functioning quintessential old time barber shop will have you walking around wide-eyed and smiling. Don’t miss the elegant and respectful display of military uniforms from friends and colleagues dating all the way back from cavalry to World War II. The museum is open as requested.

Find out more about Sedgwick County on pages 52-28 EXPLORE 2016 • 11

5 day trips »» Keith and Deuel Counties

The Mansion on the Hill Museum in Ogallala has a sad past.

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Step back in time on Front Street

Not so long ago, Front Street was the headquarters for Texas drovers, tin-horn gamblers, pretty dance hall gals and some of the fastest guns in theWest.

Now you can relive this rip-roaring era along the famed street of old. Push aside those swinging doors of the Crystal Palace and suddenly, it is 1875 again. Walk right up to the bar, put a foot on the brass rail, cock an elbow and down a cold mug of sarsaparilla. The trail dust washes down and you relax... the house lights dim and the stage fills with the prettiest gals west of the Missouri River... the Front Street show is under way!

Front Street is open year round. The Crystal Palace Review is featured in the summer months.

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Mansion memorializes cautionary love story

An authentic Victorian style home, the Mansion on the Hill was Ogallala’s finest residence when it was completed in 1887.

L.A. Brandhoefer, a wealthy banker from Chicago, became intrigued with the open

prairies, the Platte River valley, cowboys, Native Americans, and early pioneers whose fortitude and determination to win the West inspired him.

Brandhoefer was engaged to a girl in Chicago and as a wedding gift, he built the large three-story red brick mansion.

Upon its completion he returned to Chicago for his sweetheart, only to find that she had married another.

The mansion is open from Memorial Day through mid-September.

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Buried with their boots on

Tomislav Stefanac / http://www.ogallala-ne.gov/

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Unique art collection a sight to behold

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Big Springs area marks a trail back in time

The Chappell Memorial Art Gallery located at 289 Babcock in Chappell is home to one of the most rare and valuable collections of art in western Nebraska. The Chappell collection features reproductions of Rembrandt, works of Aaron Pyle and unusual oriental art.

Visit Big Springs and see the restored Phelps Hotel Bed and Breakfast and BufIn the stirring days of the 1800s, falo Joe’s five buffalo, made entirely of barbed wire located next to the hotel. when the present city of Ogallala was an infant town on the Union Pacific Railroad, Nine miles north of Big Springs is the Waterman Sod House. This well-preBoot Hill Cemetery was the final resting served sod home was lived in by the place for cowboys, drifters and settlers Waterman family until the late 1980s. A who helped make Ogallala a booming cow few miles east on Highway 30, you will town. Many buried at Boot Hill ran afoul see the marker of the California Hill. Pioof the law and the streets of Ogallala neers on the Oregon Trail crossed the echoed with gunfire as some slick gamSouth Platte river a short distance to the bler or horse thief met his waterloo. south before climbing this steep hill and One burial was that of “Rattlesnake Ed,” starting the trek to Ash Hollow. The trail who was shot down over a $9 bet in the winds its way across the table toward Monte game in the “Cowboy’s Rest Lewellen, where the wagons were lowered down the cliffs by ropes when they Saloon.” Most were buried with their reached Windlass Hill. boots on, thus the name Boot Hill.

Find out more about Keith and Deuel Counties on pages 60 and 61 12 • EXPLORE 2016

3 day trips »» to Garden County, Nebraska

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A look at local history

The Garden County Historical Society operates two admission-free museums in Oshkosh that reflect the rich pioneer past of the area.

The Rock School Museum, at 315 West Ave. G, served as a school from 1905 to 1914, and was also used as a hall for society and church meetings. Later, is was rented as a residence, often to more than one family at a time. The museum contains a large collection of arrowheads, pioneer memorabilia and local history.

The Silver Hill Theater Museum, at 501 W. First, was constructed in 1907 as an opera house and gathering place. It later served as the location of the Silver Hill Movie Theater. The museum includes local celebrity Miles Maryott’s collection of local birds, period tableaux, and the original theater movie projector.

The museums are open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., or by appointment by calling 308772-3848.

Bird watchers touring Ash Hollow in March.

migration area encompassing Lake McConaughy and Clear Creek Wildlife Refuge to the east, Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge to the north in the worldly unique rolling sandhills and the bluffs and river Top spot for valley at Ash Hollow and the bird watching North Platte River.

Each spring, 20,000 or more According to Dr. Paul greater sandhill cranes gather Johnsgard, Garden County along a 15-mile stretch of the and nearby Lake McConaughy North Platte River between make up the third best birding Oshkosh and Lake McConarea in the United States with aughy before continuing north widely diverse eco-regions to nest. While watching the including the sandhills with cranes, you may also enjoy many lakes, the North Platte seeing mink or river otters, River valley, wetlands at the white-tailed deer and wild turhead of Lake McConaughy keys in their natural habitats. and the lake itself.

The Clear Creek State Wildlife Eastern and western bird Area, near Lewellen, also is populations come together in host to thousands of migrating the hour glass north-south snow geese in early spring and

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Photo courtesy of the Garden County Visitor's Committee

dozens of nesting bird species in late spring and summer.

3

Arts and culture

Garden County communities boast multiple venues for cultural events.

The Most Unlikely Place in Lewellen is a cafe, art gallery and woodworking studio open three seasons of the year. It was originally built as a playhouse and silent movie theater, and briefly served as a school.

The building was renovated in 2009 to create a new space that showcases the work of the three featured artists — all siblings. Live music events are offered throughout the year.

The Blue Water Art Gallery

in Lewellen is housed in a restored art deco gas station that is also home to a body shop. The gallery features art and photography from local artists and photographers.

A number of buildings in Oshkosh and Lewellen boast murals painted by local artists, and Garden County is home to many local writers whose books are available at Budaroo’s in Oshkosh and The Most Unlikely Place.

The Main Street Tavern in Oshkosh is home to a modern touch screen digital jukebox, with thousands of songs that can be selected from your smart phone! From 7 to 8 p.m. every night, it goes on free play.

Find out more about Garden County on pages 62 and 63 EXPLORE 2016 • 13

»» Morgan County · Fort Morgan, Brush

At Bijou Reservoir by Cindy Schneider

WELCOME to Morgan County FORT MORGAN, LOG LANE VILLAGE, ORCHARD, WELDONA, WIGGINS

At Jackson Lake by Cindy Schneider

14 • EXPLORE 2016

Weldona area by Meg Henderson

With the rise of popularity disc golf has in Colorado, the city of Fort Morgan is on board to bring the sport to the city. During the summer, the city hosts the Hi-Plains Challenge, bringing professional disc golfers from across the state and country to compete.

Now, Fort Morgan has another reason to show its progression to the sport of disc golf.

The new Pessimist DiscGolfPark opened in September at Riverside Park and is the first disc golf park to be developed in the United State by a globally recognized course development company from Finland. The course is a good comple-

See COURSES, pg. 18

Explore

Morgan County

Jenni Grubbs / Fort Morgan Times

Justin Hensler, of Greeley, prepares to make his first throw on the first hole at the new Pessimist DiscGolfPark at Riverside Park in Fort Morgan.

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»» Morgan County · Fort Morgan, Brush

Two full-time disc golf courses ready to go in Fort Morgan

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www.korf.net Call 877-531-1077

EXPLORE 2016 • 15

Morgan County · Fort Morgan, Brush

Fort Morgan Museum offers free family fun Anyone expecting a quaint, small-town museum when they visit Fort Morgan Library & Museum for the first time is in for a big surprise.

After a multi-year renovation and professional design of the permanent exhibits in the two upstairs galleries, Fort Morgan’s museum now rivals many big-city museums for quality and content.

Visits to the museum, which is attached to the city’s public library, are free to all those who stop in, although donations are accepted. And Fort Morgan Museum offers a trip through northeast Colorado’s past, with a focus on the history of Morgan County and the city of Fort Morgan.

There are parts that will appeal to all ages, with plenty of information history-minded adults can take in and lots to see down low that will grab little ones’ attention.

Exhibits in the museum’s West Gallery cover everything from the wildlife and early history to Native Americans, the military fort that gave the city its name, settlers and homesteaders, the rise of the railroad, how irrigation changed farming, the sugar beet processing industry and the people that created the community that is there today.

The East Gallery’s exhibits include a windmill, a miniature oil rig, a World War II-era airplane and displays about music, schools, technology, medicine and more. There also is a small theater with a wooden dance floor dedicated to hometown musical hero Glenn Miller, who graduated from Fort Morgan High School. Miller is said to have

16 • EXPLORE 2016

Jenni Grubbs / Fort Morgan Times

The Native Americans exhibit at Fort Morgan Museum features a real buffalo head on the wall and a teepee comparable with what one would have seen in what now is northeast Colorado.

The World War II-era airplane that hangs over one section of Fort Morgan Museum is visible through the arch-lined walkway between the West and East Galleries. The arches were designed to resemble Fort Morgan’s historic Rainbow Bridge.

discovered his love of bigband music in the little city in Morgan County.

On top of that, the old Hillrose Soda Fountain was recreated in the East Gallery, with the counter, equipment behind it, and a couple tables and chairs staged to show what it looked like in operation in a tiny town a ways down the road from Fort Morgan.

Some of the exhibits are made even more lifelike by

mannequins that “talk,” playing recordings describing the era they represent.

Others have video monitors playing films, documentaries or other informational shows.

And there are flip-books and interactive elements throughout the museum’s two permanent galleries.

There also is another space in the museum downstairs that allows for hosting temporary or travelling exhibits.

Those change anywhere from

monthly to quarterly, and there is an exciting list of special exhibits planned for the coming year.

The museum and library also frequently offer programs that coincide with those special exhibits, along with various other special programs on weekends. Many of those are free or relatively cheap. For more information about those, visit www.cityof fortmorgan.com or call 970542-4000.

Plenty of Fort Morgan’s history can be found at the museum, but the town cemetery also forms a strong connection to the area’s past.

Located on a quiet, shady few acres near Riverview Avenue, Riverside Cemetery holds around 14,000 graves dating back to the early 1900s. Many of the most prominent citizens of Morgan County are buried there, including some of Fort Morgan’s early founders. It’s also Stephanie Alderton / Fort Morgan Times home to a few names that are The most famous person buried in Riverside Cemetery is well-known outside Morgan science fiction writer Philip K. Dick, who was buried there County, and its wide range of with his twin sister, Jane. Fans often leave trinkets architectural styles tells the beside the grave relating to Dick's fictional worlds. story of the last century of funeral traditions. what was once the sexton’s The oldest part of the cem- of a flower with four petaletery is laid out in the shape shaped sections surrounding office. Now that part is a

»» Morgan County · Fort Morgan, Brush

Riverside Cemetery provides glimpse into area’s history

landscaped garden, and the new cemetery office is located on Eighth Avenue, near the newer section of graves and the columbarium.

But the older part, located in the northeast corner of the cemetery adjoining Riverview Avenue, is the richest in history. It contains the Veterans Section, where several Civil War graves can be found alongside veterans of other wars. It’s designated by a monument to “Our Heroes.” The original founder of Fort Morgan, Abner Baker, is buried in Section C with his family. Many of the county’s oldest families have their own private plots in other areas.

See RIVERSIDE, pg. 18

Celebrating

over 40 years with Quality, Value and Service!

www.korf.net

Fort Morgan 1010 West Platte Ave. • 867-2438 EXPLORE 2016 • 17

RIVERSIDE from page 17

Morgan County · Fort Morgan, Brush

Section I holds memorials to the parents of one of Morgan County’s most famous residents, Glenn Miller. The big band leader disappeared in a plane crash during World War II and his remains were never recovered, but his parents’ graves are under a spruce tree in the north central part of the section.

But the most famous grave in the cemetery is that of Philip K. Dick, the famous science fiction writer whose stories were the inspiration for “Blade Runner,” “Total Recall,” “Minority Report” and other hit movies. He is buried on the west side of the cemetery beside his twin sister, who died in Fort Morgan just a few weeks after being born there. The writer’s fans often visit in order to take pictures and leave micro-

chips, toy cars, plastic sheep and other trinkets on his grave. Matt Underwood, the current cemetery foreman, said he finds new items on the grave all the time, even though they’re never disturbed.

Stephanie Alderton / Fort Morgan Times

The oldest part of Riverside Cemetery is built to look like a flower from above. The main entrance is located on West Eighth Avenue, but the rest of the cemetery, including the Memory Gardens, which include room for expansion, covers about four blocks.

Death certificates, photos and other records of the historical graves are, unfortunately, difficult to find. But David Wood, a local expert, typically leads three or four tours of the cemetery every year, focusing on its historical significance. And much of the place’s history can be gleaned by a simple walk around its well-tended paths.

“Even though we’re surrounded by roads, this is a quiet place,” Underwood said. “It’s a good place to just walk through.”

COURSES from page 15 ment to the current Optimist Disc Golf course and contributes to Fort Morgan’s reputation as a mecca for the sport.

Josh Miller, the Director of Community Services for the city of Fort Morgan, wrote an article detailing the features of Pessimist DiscGolfPark. That article was recently published in a national magazine for parks and recreation professionals.

“The Parks and Rec Business magazine asks for contributions on a quarterly basis,” Miller said. “It’s comes with no charge and I thought it would be helpful. I’ve worked with them since last October.”

The eight page article talks about the history of the course and some of the new improvements brought to the course. A popular feature with the course is the artificial turf tee pads to provide solid firming and grip for disc golfers to tee off. Another new trend to the course are small arrows in 18 • EXPLORE 2016

each of the basket cases at the end of each hole pointing in the direction of next hole. This is especially useful to first-time players on the course.

Pessimist was once considered a dream course to be added with the Optimist Disc Golf course. This past fall, that course has now become a reality, and Miller looks forward to seeing how the sport can grow with the new course in Fort Morgan.

“We’ve got a lot of competition, and the addition of Pessimist was utilized on a temporary capacity,” Miller said.

“With the changes in conditions over the years, it has not been consistent. We took the opportunity to put it in on a full-time basis.”

Miller said the course provides a variety of new challenges and hopes the new course will attract more players and visitors to Fort Morgan.

“As tours grow in popularity,

Jenni Grubbs / Fort Morgan Times

Hole 6 of the Optimist Disc Golf Course sits right alongside a pond at Riverside Park, making for a gnarly water trap. we hope to have a chance to get big events on a larger scale,” Miller said. “We can be tied to big brands and head in the direction the sport is growing. That is important.”

The course will give disc golfers a second full-time course to go with the Optimist Disc Golf Course as well. This course was established in 2002 that has a 75 for par from the red tees and 63 par score from blue tees. The course is most-

ly flat and lightly wooded, ranging between 6,000 and 7,000 feet.

This course begins as mostly open holes with the pond coming into play for two of the first seven holes. The remaining holes are in the wooded area next to the South Platte River, but still offer open fairways to drive.

Both courses can be found at Riverside Park. Take exit 80 off I-76 and turn north.

New sponsors, new events for 2016 Glenn Miller SwingFest Fort Morgan’s annual festival celebrating its most famous high school graduate will see some changes in the summer of 2016.

But the Glenn Miller SwingFest from July 28 to 30 promises to be just as much fun and filled with music, dancing, history and events as ever.

Three days of events will kick off Thursday, July 28, with a Party in the Park in Fort Morgan City Park. It will include a free barbecue dinner and games for families, followed by a concert by the MCC Platte Valley Band in the Dahms-Talton Band Shell in the park. Also, Fort Morgan Mayor Ron Shaver will read a proclamation about Glenn Miller.

On Friday, there will be the

premier of the new documentary “Glenn Miller: The Birthplace of His Music” at the Cover Theater in downtown Fort Morgan. It will even get the Red Carpet treatment ahead of the showing at 4 p.m. and then again before the “Tuxedo Junction” Red Carpet Social at Fort Morgan Elks Lodge from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Capping off the evening will be a performance by the U.S. Air Force Falconaires at Fort Morgan High School in the Glenn Miller Auditorium.

Saturday will see things kick off earlier with the Fort Morgan Lions Club putting on its annual pancake breakfast, although this year it will be held at City Park.

»» Morgan County · Fort Morgan, Brush

Still swinging

See MILLER, pg. 20

City City of of Choice Choice

for Ourselves and Future Generations • Seasonal Festivals & Concerts • Miles of Recreational Trails • 18-hole Championship Golf Course • Historic Downtown Business District • First DiscGolfPark in the U.S. (the lack of spaces is intentional) • Fort Morgan Museum

Capital of the Plains Beautiful, Clean, Safe

WWW.CITYOFFORTMORGAN.COM

Courtesy Photo / Fort Morgan Museum

Glenn Miller was a musician, arranger, composer and band-leader in the swing era. He was one of the bestselling recording artists from 1939 to 1943, leading one of the best known big bands, the Glenn Miller Orchestra.

2016 Glenn Miller SwingFest Events Schedule Thursday, July 28, 2016: “In the Mood” 5-6 p.m. City of Fort Morgan Party in the Park and free BBQ at City Park 6 p.m. Glenn Miller proclamation by Fort Morgan Mayor Ron Shaver at City Park 6-7 p.m. Music in The Park featuring MCC Platte Valley Band at City Park Friday, July 29, 2016: “String of Pearls” 4-5 p.m. Red Carpet Public Premier of the new documentary, “Glenn Miller: The Birthplace of His Music” at Cover Theater 5-6:30 p.m. “Tuxedo Junction” Red Carpet Social at Fort Morgan Elks Lodge 7-8:30 p.m. U.S. Air Force Falconaires Performance at Glenn Miller Auditorium in Fort Morgan High School Saturday, July 30, 2016: “Sunrise Serenade” 9-11 a.m. Lions Club Pancake Brunch at City Park 11 a.m. - noon Glenn Miller History Discussion, featuring Alan Cass at Fort Morgan Library & Museum Noon - 2 p.m. Glenn Miller Movie featuring Jimmy Stewart at Cover Theater 2-4 p.m. Glenn Miller Family Cemetery Tour and Museum Highlights 4-7 p.m. “Supper on the Town” at local restaurants 7-10 p.m. “Juke Box Saturday Night” Street Dance in City Park featuring MCC Jazz Ensemble

EXPLORE 2016 • 19

Morgan County · Fort Morgan, Brush

Jenni Grubbs / Fort Morgan Times

Chuck Morgan directs the MCC Platte Valley Band in July 2014 at the Dahms-Talton Band Shell in Fort Morgan City Park.

The band will play a free concert in the band shell for the kickoff of the 2016 Glenn Miller SwingFest.

MILLER from page 19

Fort Morgan Times file photo

University of Colorado Professor Alan Cass, an expert on all things Glenn Miller, speaks at a previous SwingFest in Fort Morgan honoring the musician.

Cass will be back in Fort Morgan in late July for a talk during the 2016 Glenn Miller SwingFest.

20 • EXPLORE 2016

Afterward, things will move inside the Fort Morgan Library & Museum, also located in City Park, for a special presentation by University of Colorado Professor Alan Cass, who is known for his vast knowledge of Glenn Miller.

Next up will be a showing of a movie about Glenn Miller that features actor Jimmy Stewart at the Cover Theater, followed by guided tours at Fort Morgan Cemetery and Fort Morgan Museum highlighting everything related to the famed big band musician and his days in Fort Morgan.

There will be a break in events where SwingFest attendees can check out Fort Morgan’s many eateries and get some dinner.

Closing out this year’s Glenn Miller SwingFest will be a “Juke Box Saturday Night” street dance party in City Park, with the MCC Jazz Ensemble getting the crowd moving.

While many of this year’s events are free, some likely will require tickets.

For more information about the 2016 Glenn Miller SwingFest, including the event’s history and Miller’s connection to Fort Morgan, visit www.glennmiller swingfest.com.

»» Morgan County · Fort Morgan, Brush »» Morgan County · Fort Morgan, Brush

At the Jean K. Tool State Wildlife Area by Tom Goss

In Hillrose by Barb Stolp

WELCOME to Morgan County BRUSH, HILLROSE

Brush fireworks by Cindy Schneider

EXPLORE 2016 • 21

»» Morgan County · Fort Morgan, Brush

Photos by Katie Collins / Brush News-Tribune

The Brush Municipal Course at Petteys Park has seen a complete refurbishment since the city of Brush acquired the nine-hole course last year.

Brush golf gains new life

The rolling hills and lush greens that once gave Brush’s Bunker Hill Country Club and Course a unique place among plains golf greens will now define a new era of the game, following the City of Brush’s purchase of the favorite destination in May of 2015.

Since taking over management from the ailing private course, city staff has been hard at work breathing new life into the classic course, now known as the Brush Municipal Course at Petteys Park. The course now boasts itself as not only a premier and picturesque 9-hole golf attraction, but also as a public course for Colorado golf fanatics.

The atmosphere, both inside and out, has been transformed. A complete refurbishment of the course itself included new sprinkler systems and driving range ball dispenser, a redesigned deck, carts and a revamped Pro Shop. Interior changes saw staff gut the kitchen area before bringing in upgraded equipment, installing new energy efficient windows and fresh flooring. Even the name and new logo provide a sense of renewed spirit that includes a more modern feel, most especially in the flavors and aromas that emanate from the newly-named The Course Café and Lounge at Petteys Park. There, a whole new feel and flair

22 • EXPLORE 2016

The menu at The Course Cafe and Lounge features some new, more modern flavors under Head Chef Bill Wentworth. has been found following the hiring of new Head Chef Bill Wentworth. He brings a large array of experience, ideas and appeal to the site since heading up the kitchen in December of 2015.

As the links grow greener and the golf season gets ready to tee off with a long list of tournaments, much of the reconstruction and design is being wrapped up, with plans to rebuild the outdoor deck and to redecorate the bar and lounge area still in the works.

Newly hired Golf Pro Shawn Stutzman, who gained new hope for his love of the game following years of farming in Nebraska, notes the excitement that pervades as the season gets into full swing. After his own time spent with the University of Tulsa golf team and in the PGA apprentice program before work-

ing at pro shops in courses from Tucson to Castle Rock, Stutzman was ready to reclaim his golfing glory days. He is most excited to get the chance to teach others the game he enjoys, through lessons, junior golf programs and support of the Brush High School Beetdigger golf squads.

The Course at Petteys Park features 3,161 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 36, a course rating of 36.5 and a slope rating of 114 on Bluegrass.

Designed by Frank Hummel and opened for the first time in 1971, the Brush Municipal Course at Petteys Park owes much of its transformation to generous donations from the Joslin/Needham Family Foundation and Jack Petteys Memorial Foundation. The municipal Course at Petteys Park is located at 2301 W. Mill St., and can be found online with more information on the Course and Course Café and Lounge, including updated hours and menus and online tee time booking, at www.thecourseatpetteyspark.com, www.golfnow.com or www.brushcolo.com. The Course Café and Lounge can be contacted by phone at 970-8429798 and the Brush Municipal Course at Petteys Park can be reached at 970-8425470.

With parks packed full of family fun, activities and amenities, the city of Brush provides ample space for a variety of recreational romps that often invite tournaments and competitions to town from all over northeast Colorado, through the city of Brush Recreation Department.

Brush VFW Memorial Park Located on a Texas-Montana Cattle Trail marker near the corner of South Clayton and Ellsworth streets, it provides a large playground, five picnic shelters, basketball and volleyball courts, horseshoe pits and the indoor Jaycee Building. The Municipal Campgrounds and RV Park includes instant access to the Brush Area Museum, Brush Municipal Swimming Pool, Joslin/Needham Softball fields complex and the Morgan County Fairgrounds.

Campgrounds include 60 sites, 12 electrical, tents, barbecue areas, water, restrooms, heated showers and sewage disposal.

Prairie Trails Park / Doty Fishing Ponds

Across S. Clayton Street from the VFW Memorial Park, the Prairie Trails Park is ADA Accessible with a concrete path that surrounds beautiful Doty Pond. The local fishing hole has two docks and is regularly stocked by CPW with bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish, trout and sunfish. It is open for fishing 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and welcomes pets with a leash.

Petteys Gardens Park

Located on Mill Street next to the Brush Municipal Golf Course at Petteys Park, the smaller park area includes three picnic shelters, two lighted tennis courts, a well-equipped playground, volleyball area, horseshoe pits and a lovely pond with a nearby fountain.

Pioneer Skate Park

Built in 2014, the fresh new feature was made possible by multiple partner-

Brush News-Tribune

Anres Robles of Brush gears up to skate during a competition at Pioneer Skate Park.

»» Morgan County · Fort Morgan, Brush

Brush parks cater to all ages

See PARKS, pg. 24

EXPLORE 2016 • 23

»» Morgan County · Fort Morgan, Brush

Barrels, broncs, bulls, BAM! Celebrating its 62nd annual rodeo, the Brush Rodeo Association has planned for another thrilling ride in 2016.

As it has in the past, the 2016 edition will include three nights of events, July 2-4, with a full day of slack events scheduled for Friday, July 3.

Also a part of the holiday affair agenda, the free Western Art show at the Mark Arndt Event Center will be set up, as well as mutton bustin’ and Princess Rides for youth, a Rodeo Royalty competition, free July 2 barbecue and the annual Fourth of July fan favorites that include the Brush Lions Club pancake breakfast, held at the East Morgan County Library in Brush the morning of the parade. Also hosted on the EMCL grounds will be the 28th annual East Morgan County Library Quilt Show and Friends of the Library Book Sale, slated from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the Independence Day Parade set to begin at 10 a.m. on July 4.

Featured events this year will include roping and full rodeo competitions beginning at 7 p.m., July 2-4. Only July 3, slack events begin at 9 a.m. and will include barrel racing, calf roping, team roping and bulldogging or steer wrestling.

Concluding the holiday and rodeo hullabaloo, following the final rodeo event, will be the “Fantastic Fireworks” display, sponsored by the Brush Rodeo Association, with cooperation and assistance from the Brush Volunteer Fire Department.

The history of Brush’s annual Fourth of July celebrations, in essence, has helped shape the history of Brush itself.

Iva Kay Horner / Brush News-Tribune

The broncs proved to be mighty powerful at the 2015 Brush Rodeo.

While it was officially organized in 1954, the roots of the festivities go back to the turn of the 20th century.

History recalls that around 1900, local cowboys, farmers, their wives and girlfriends, would meet for the holiday in a pasture just west of the present-day Brush VFW Memorial Park, for a full day of picnicking and horse racing.

In 1924, a group of businessmen led

by J.R. Ryland and Alonzo Petteys, purchased land near that pasture for a park. They gave the land to the town, and residents built a grandstand and laid out a new track there. In 1925, the American Legion staged the first rodeo and race meet. Later, the show became a community project with volunteer

PARKS from page 23 ships between Great Outdoors Colorado, city of Brush Recreation Department grant matching, a generous grant from the Joslin/ Needham Foundation and small business efforts throughout the community.

Located at the corner of Hospital Rd. and Mill St., the versatile skate park’s varied terrain encompasses 2,500

24 • EXPLORE 2016

square-feet with lighting.

Sunset Field Park

Home to Brush Beetdigger baseball, and a variety of other recreational ball clubs, Sunset Park is located in the Sunset East subdivision, just west of Hospital Rd and Emerson St. The surrounding neighborhood encircles the Sunset baseball field,

workers and professional rodeo performers.

Brush held the state’s first pari-mutuel betting on horses when Colorado legalized the action in 1949. However, the new horse races were not held strictly in conjunction with the town’s annual Independence Day festivities.

It wasn’t until 1954 that the Brush Junior Chamber of Commerce began sponsoring the event, and today’s celebration format was born.

Since that time, special events have come and gone — including pie-eating contests, softball “grudge” matches, beard growing competitions, greased pig chases and cow-chip hurling contests — but the essence stays the same.

tennis and basketball courts, biking and hiking paths, a ParQ fitness course and exercise areas.

Watrous Disc Golf Course

This newly designed course is home to Brush’s first-ever permanent disc golf course, featuring 9 holes free and open to the public. The layout, designed by local disc golfer Wayne

Carlson, includes 2,608 square-feet of mostly flat and lightly wooded terrain.

Located behind the Beaver Valley School on Glacier Ave., it includes newly planted trees, a walking and biking path, benches, a restroom and drinking fountain.

All holes are par 3, with the largest distance being a 370foot throw. For more information, visit www.pdga.com and click on Courses.

EXPLORE 2016 • 25

»» Washington County · Akron At Prewitt Reservoir by Janie Glenn

WELCOME

to Washington County

AKRON, OTIS

By Eric Christensen

26 • EXPLORE 2016

Akron News Reporter

Escape the hustle, bustle of city life

With a population just shy of 5,000, Washington County is strategically located in the center of northeastern Colorado, ideally situated along Highways 34 and 63, with swift and easy access to Interstates 76 and 70.

Akron, the county seat, is home to a brand new outdoor swimming pool and newly renovated bath house, located at 382 Elm. The facility features a beach front big pool with fountains, two slides, diving boards and a chair lift for ADA compliancy. A separate baby pool for the little ones also features beach front entry and fountains. Pool hours can be found outside of the bath house or obtained by calling the pool at 970-345-2767 during open hours.

Located adjacent to the swimming pool is a large park with plenty of equipment and grass to run and play. The park boasts a skate park, sand volleyball court, charcoal grills for public use and shaded picnic tables to enjoy lunch in the park. Akron City Park, situated at Fourth and Main Streets, is

»» Washington County · Akron

Enjoy the classic cars at the Akron Car Show in June.

also home to lots of shade, tables, toys and a small basketball court.

Car lovers will be delighted at the Akron Car Show on Saturday, June 25, at the Akron City Park. The event is a non-competitive, nonjudged show, with only a $5 entry fee per car and 100 percent of the proceeds going to a local charity. Admission is free for spectators and showgoers will enjoy a poker walk, plenty of door prizes, lunch provided by the Akron Lions Club and entertainment from Lost in the 50s.

Just 13 miles east of Akron sits Otis, a town with a population of less than 500. On the Fourth of July, people flock in from all across the state for their annual patriotic celebration. The day-long festivities include something for everyone, such as a couple’s volleyball tournament, Otis Volunteer Fire Department’s Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry and capped off with the outstanding fireworks show.

EXPLORE 2016 • 27

»» Washington County · Akron

Granger Smith headlines 2016 Eastern SITO BUILDING COMPONENTS Colorado Washington County Church Listings Roundup Established 1971 • ENGINEERED CERTIFIED TRUSS MANUFACTURER • WALL PANEL FABRICATOR www.sitobuildingcomponents.com 409 East First Avenue • Otis, Colorado 80743

Office: 970-246-3461 1-800-925-3207 FAX: 970-246-3306

Courtesy photo

Granger Smith will take the stage at the Eastern Colorado Roundup July 30.

The much-anticipated Eastern Colorado Roundup is set for July 26-30 at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Akron.

Colorado’s first home-owned carnival includes a 42-foot tall vintage Ferris wheel, kiddie Ferris wheel, Tilt-A-Whirl and much more. Satisfy your appetite by grabbing a Lions Club burger, Mexican food, pizza or any of the usual fair sweet treats. Catch a break from the heat by checking out 4-H and FFA exhibits in the Event Center and stroll through the barns to view the livestock.

The week includes a miniature rodeo Wednesday; NPSA Tractor Pull Thursday; parade down Main Street Friday morning; ranch rodeo and team roping Friday afternoon; livestock sale Friday evening; mud volleyball tournament Saturday; and wrapping up the week with the Saturday night show with headliner Granger Smith featuring Earl Dibbles Jr. and a guest performance by Halfway to Hazard.

A Texas native, Smith took up the guitar at age 14 to emulate George Strait, and was performing on small town stages by the time he was 15. He recorded his first album as a freshman as Texas A&M, and landed a songwriting deal with EMI Music Publishing in Nashville.

While in Nashville, he says in his online bio, “I absorbed the craft of songwriting from some 28 • EXPLORE 2016

of the best, learned my way around studios and recording gear, (which paid off for me later) and cut my teeth on countless stages as both a singer and as a steel guitar player for other singers. After four years, I had a shelf full of song demos, a little bit of music business know-how and a strong conviction to move back to Texas, finish my degree at Texas A&M, and start a band.”

Gradually, Smith’s band gained a following, helped in part by the homemade music videos they made. After his younger brother, Tyler, joined him in 2008, they worked together to build a brand through social media. “We put communities first, knowing that without the people, we were without a job,” he said.

They created alter-egos through videos to promote the music, and in 2011 Earl Dibbles Jr. was born. “It turned out to be something that completely changed the shape of my career.”

In 2013, Smith’s album “Dirt Road Driveway” hit No. 1 on the iTunes store, and in 2015, he signed his first record deal with the Broken Bow Music Group in Nashville.

Tickets for the concert are available online through the ECR website, http:// bit.ly/1UN5c7W, or by calling 970-554-0076.

Baptist (Independent, Fundamental) First Baptist Church Pastor Jon Acker 875 East Third Street – Akron (970) 345-2385 Sunday School, 9:45 a.m.

Sunday Worship, 11 a.m.

Wednesday Bible Study & Prayer Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Seventh-Day Adventist Akron Seventh-Day Adventist Pastor Rex Bell 217 Fir – Akron (970) 345-2721 Saturday Sabbath School, 2 p.m.

Saturday Sabbath Service, 3:15 p.m.

United Methodist Howard United Methodist

Pastor Linda Hoover 5919 Highway 36 – Last Chance (970) 386-2344 Sunday Worship, 11 a.m.

»» Yuma County · Yuma, Wray

“Beautiful Evening” by Karianne Donnelson

“Peaking Out” by Karianne Donnelson

WELCOME to Yuma County IDALIA, WRAY, YUMA

“Storm Coming” by Karianne Donnelson

EXPLORE 2016 • 29

»» Yuma County · Yuma, Wray

Witness love on the lek

During the latter part of March and the month of April, the small town of Wray in northeast Colorado becomes a busy place on the weekends.

Bird lovers throughout the United States and from all over the world arrive to view the greater prairie chickens in their natural habitat.

The greater prairie chickens begin their courtship display in early spring. The males “strut their stuff” on the lek (booming grounds) and stake out their territory.

Each male claims an area and protects it from invasion by other males. The males put on an interesting show.

They strut, stomp, boom, crackle, jump and bow trying to attract a female.

Fights occur frequently between the males as each tries to outdo the other.

At one time, the greater prairie chickens in Colorado were designated as an endangered species.

Through the efforts of Colorado Parks and Wildlife and local landowners, the population has increased and is no longer threatened. The rolling sandhills north of Wray provide an excellent territory for the birds.

Fort Morgan Times

Birdwatchers flock to Wray to watch the annual courtship dance of the greater prairie chicken.

The Wray Chamber of Commerce, the East Yuma County Historical Society, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife, in cooperation with landowners, sponsor greater prairie chicken tours every spring to help educate the public and ensure the bird population remains stable.

Both guided tours with a

“Finest Store on 34”

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www.shopallyuma.com 30 • EXPLORE 2016

Colorado Parks and Wildlife officer and self-guided excursions are available. For more information, go to www.wraychamber.net. The two-day tours include an orientation program on the greater prairie chicken. Following the orientation, visitors are invited to take a guided tour of the Wray

Museum.

Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Wray Chamber of Commerce at 970-332-3484 or the Wray Museum at 970332-5063.

The town of Wray is located on U.S.Highway 34, about three hours driving time from Denver or Fort Collins.

Northeast Colorado CoupoNs

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EXPLORE 2016 •MAY 25, 2016 • 31

By Karianne Donnelson

By Cindy Schneider

By Gayle Tappy 32 • EXPLORE 2016

Views on the High Plains

By Ben Hewes

On the High Plains

By Janie Glenn

“Silos” by Cathy Shull

Plum blossoms by Trista Cobbley

I-76 SERVICES BY EXIT Exit 66a CO 39, CO 52, to Goodrich: Gas(3), Food(9), Lodging(0) within 5 miles Exit 66b US 34 W, to Greeley No Services: Gas(0), Food(5), Lodging(1) within 5 miles Exit 73 Long Bridge Rd No Services: Gas(5), Food(29), Lodging(3) within 5 miles Exit 75 US 34 E, to Fort Morgan: Gas(5), Food(29), Lodging(3) within 5 miles Exit 79 CO 144, to Weldona no WB return: Gas(9), Food(35), Lodging(5) within 5 miles Exit 80 CO 52, Fort Morgan: Gas(9), Food(36), Lodging(5)

within 5 miles Exit 82 Barlow Rd: Gas(9), Food(34), Lodging(4) within 5 miles Exit 86 Dodd Bridge Rd No Services: Gas(8), Food(29), Lodging(4) within 5 miles Exit 89 Hospital Rd: Gas(4), Food(23), Lodging(2) within 5 miles Exit 90b a CO 71 N, to US 34, Brush: Gas(4), Food(24), Lodging(2) within 5 miles Exit 92 to US 6 E, to US 34, CO 71 S No Services: Gas(4), Food(24), Lodging(2) within 5 miles

Exit 95 Hillrose No Services: Gas(0), Food(4), Lodging(0) within 5 miles Exit 102 Merino No Services: Gas(0), Food(0), Lodging(0) within 5 miles Exit 115 CO 63, Atwood: Gas(2), Food(4), Lodging(0) within 5 miles Exit 125 US 6, Sterling: Gas(8), Food(28), Lodging(5) within 5 miles Exit 134 Iliff No Services: Gas(0), Food(1), Lodging(0) within 5 miles Exit 141 Proctor No Services: Gas(0), Food(1), Lodging(0)

within 5 miles Exit 149 CO 55, to Fleming, Crook: Gas(1), Food(2), Lodging(0) within 5 miles Exit 155 Red Lion Rd No Services: Gas(0), Food(0), Lodging(0) within 5 miles Exit 165 CO 59, to Haxtun, Sedgwick: Gas(1), Food(1), Lodging(0) within 5 miles Exit 172 Ovid: Gas(0), Food(2), Lodging(0) within 5 miles Exit 180 US 385, Julesburg Welcome Center/Rest Area both lanes, full handicap facilities, info, RV dump: Gas(5), Food(3), Lodging(1) within 5 miles

EXPLORE 2016 • 33

34 • EXPLORE 2016

EXPLORE 2016 • 35

»» Logan County · Sterling “Pot of Gold” at Cactus Hill Ranch by Ben Hewes

WELCOME to Logan County

CROOK, FLEMING, ILIFF, MERINO, PEETZ, STERLING

Pawnee Buttes by Meg Henderson

36 • EXPLORE 2016

“Still Hungry” southwest of Fleming, by Karianne Donnelson

»» Logan County · Sterling

New shooting sports complex offers something for everyone

Photos by Callie Jones / Sterling Journal-Advocate

Wooden pallets sit ready for target use in the large rifle 600-yard shooting range that is part of the new Logan County Shooting Sports Complex, expected to open approximately Aug. 1, 2016.

Shooting enthusiasts will be able to hit their mark at one of the newest attractions in northeast Colorado, the Logan County Shooting Sports Complex.

Located at 12515 Highway 6, on the east side of Interstate 76, at the entrance to Sterling, the complex is expected to open approximately Aug. 1, 2016, according to Dennis Vierow, president of the shooting advisory board. Hours of operation will be 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. March 1 through Oct. 31 and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 1 through Feb. 28.

The complex includes rifle, pistol, trap, sporting clays, skeet and archery ranges. Future plans also include construction a building on site, to be used as the operation facility as well as for hunter education courses and indoor

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Logan County’s new shooting sports complex is the result of many years of work by a group of local citizens interested in having a public shooting range in this area. It is located on an almost 400-acre site. In 2014, Logan County purchased 270 acres of land for the range and in 2016 an additional 46 acres of land was purchased from the State Board of Land Commissioners, to tie together approximately 100 acres of city of Sterling property and the 270 acres the county previously purchased.

Construction of the shooting sports complex has been funded in part by the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife. In 2014, CPW awarded Logan County a $60,000 grant for range design and improvements to the com-

plex and in 2015 it granted another $72,500 to be used for new rifle, handgun and archery ranges and a trap field.

While the complex will be a public use facility, there will be a small daily use fee to use it and memberships will be available to help sustain the facility.

Open shooting will be allowed whenever the range is open. There is also expected to be a number of events, including two-day rifle/pistol events, averaging 24 events a year, two events per month; three shotgun leagues in early spring, summer and early winter, for a total of six weeks per league; and the Amateur Trapshooting Association will have two-day events between March and October, with potentially 60 to 100 shooters per event. There will be archery events as well.

Bob McCarty, a local citizen who has been helping with the development of the new Logan County Shooting Sports Complex, gives an overview about the long range shooting area during a tour of the complex. A table has been set up for long range shooters to sit down and take aim at the 1,000-yard targets that have been setup.

EXPLORE 2016 • 37

»» Logan County · Sterling

A bronze statue of a frontier man on horseback greets travelers approaching Sterling from Highway 14. It is one of five sculptures donated to the city by area cattlemen and installed this spring along the highway corridor.

Callie Jones / Sterling Journal-Advocate

A miniature of the bronze sculpture depicting a Plains Indian beside William and Charity Hadfield, the area's first white settlers, by Patrick Kennedy. The full-size sculpture will be placed in the summer of 2016.

Sara Waite Sterling Journal-Advocate

Sterling treasures bronze additions

The generosity of Sterling-area residents has given the community a solid public art collection to be proud of. In the past few years, the community has seen the addition of about a half dozen bronze pieces, as well as some bicycle-themed art scattered around the community.

In 2014, the city received a donation of five bronze sculptures depicting Western themes from local cattlemen who wanted to pay tribute to the community’s heritage. Following the completion of a major construction project on West Main Street, two of those bronze sculptures have been placed in the new raised island medians near Wal-Mart and Home Depot. A third sculpture located next to a new welcome sign at the Sterling Municipal Airport greets motorists entering the city from Highway 14, and the other two were placed on city right of ways along the West Main corridor.

38 • EXPLORE 2016

Sara Waite / Sterling Journal-Advocate

A cowboy riding a bucking horse sits in the west raised island median in front of Home Depot on West Main Street.

To connect the two ends of Main Street, the Sterling Rotary and Reviewers Clubs joined forces to raise funds for a bronze sculpture to be placed in the streetscaping planned along Front Street at the east end of Main. They quickly collected donations exceeding their goal, allowing them to fully fund a sculpture depicting the area’s first white settlers, William and

Charity Hadfield, and a Plains Indian who would have been their contemporary. Excess funds were put toward additional wildlife sculptures to go among the landscaping as part of the beautification project.

The East Main project is slated for completion in the summer of 2016, with an event to celebrate the addition planned for August.

The city also benefitted from a grant program through the Pedal The Plains Eastern Plains bike tour when it served as a host city in 2014. That funding was applied to three public art pieces: a mural on the corner of Fourth and Main streets, a pennyfarthing bicycle sculpture at Columbine Park, and three farm animal bike racks located at Prairie Park, the Sterling Public Library and Columbine Park. When the ride returned to Sterling in 2015, the city added a “Cycles of Life” arch over the path in Pioneer Park, a contemporary sculpture that doubles as a bike rack for the new dog park at Earl Franklin Park, and debuted a fall scarecrow campaign.

In addition, the community has long been known as the “City of Living Trees” for the sculptures originally carved from trees by Merino artist Bradford Rhea. Many of those outdoor sculptures have now been cast in bronze, while the remaining wooden originals have been moved indoors to preserve them. A map to the sculptures for those wishing to take a self-guided tour is available at the Tourist Information Center, or on the Explore Sterling website at http:// bit.ly/1OcuRFK.

ComEand

A great place to live, work, raise a family, and play!

Hunting, Fishing, Boating, Swimming, Camping, and golfing!

Beautiful Parks, Tree Sculptures & Walking Trails.

CiTy OF STERLiNg 421 N. 4th St. 522-9700

Parks, Library ry y & Recreation Administration 522-9700 Overland Trail Museum 522-3895 Parks, Cemetery ry y & Forestry ry y 522-2619 Recreation Center 522-7882 Recreation Division 522-7882 Sterling Public Library ry y 522-2023

Public Works

Administration 522-9700 Code Enforcement 522-9700 Serv rvice v Center 522-2619 Billings 522-9700 Wastewater Plant 522-4804

EMERgENCy 9-1-1 Fire Department 410 N. 5th St. 522-3823

Police Department 421 N. 4th St. 522-3512

Logan County Sheriff’s Office 110 Riverv rview v Road 522-2578

youth Serv rvices v 522-6599

The Sterling Public Library has a new way to promote childhood literacy with the addition of a StoryWalk to Columbine Park.

The 20 stations situated around the .69-mile multi-use path come courtesy of funding by the Friends of the Library.

According to Library Superintendent Sandy Van Dusen, one Friends member saw the idea elsewhere and brought it to the group as an idea.

Each station can hold up to two pages of a book, so as users walk the path, they can stop and read the next part of the story. Some stations will also offer suggested activities to go along with the reading.

The stories selected will be “easy reader” level — Van Dusen notes that they have to stick with books that are 40 pages or less to fit in the stations. She said they plan to swap out the story every two months during the walking season, and once during the winter months.

The StoryWalk in the Park opening on May 16 coincides nicely with this year’s Summer Reading Program theme, “On Your Mark, Get Set, Read,” with a focus on active, healthy lifestyles. Free programs for all ages are offered regularly throughout June and July for Summer Reading Program; check the Sterling Public Library Facebook page for information about upcoming activities.

The first book selected for the StoryWalk is “Giraffes Can’t Dance” by Giles Anreade, which was the book selected for this year’s One

»» Logan County · Sterling

Exercise for body Enjoy! and mind

Twenty reading stations now line the multi-use path at Columbine Park for the new StoryWalk in the Park.

Sara Waite Sterling Journal-Advocate

Book 4 Colorado campaign that provides a free book to 4 year olds throughout the state.

Van Dusen said the book works well because there are “great activities” that go along with the story.

Each book will start at the station located on the south side of the west entrance off Third Avenue, and continue to the south on a counter-clockwise path around the park.

Columbine Park is located on the south side of Sterling, between S. Third Avenue and Highway 6. In addition to the walking path and StoryWalk, the park boasts a playground, restroom facility, two pavilions, a Veterans Memorial, a pennyfarthing bicycle sculpture by Andy Anderson and Bradford Rhea’s “Skygrazer” bronze tree sculpture.

EXPLORE 2016 • 39

»» Logan County · Sterling

Your next outdoor adventure awaits

North Sterling State Park (http://bit.ly/JwGtQ0) is a gateway to fun and relaxation, located just a short drive from Sterling in Logan County.

The 3,000-acre irrigation reservoir boasts two boat ramps for those wanting to enjoy a day on the water.

Explore the great coves and fingers of the lake, take in the wildlife and geographical formations, find a shady spot for a picnic or cast a line into the warm-water fishery.

North Sterling is open to fishing year round, featuring walleye, crappie, perch, bass, bluegill, trout, catfish, tiger muskie, wiper and northern pike. Please refer to the Colorado Fishing Regulations published annually by Colorado Parks and Wildlife for a complete listing of size restrictions and possession limits.

The Northside Marina, located by the Visitor Center, is accessible from the north entrance or by water. The marina is open weekend hours through Labor Day, contingent upon water levels, with extended holiday hours.

They offer seasonal and daily boat slip rentals, firewood, fuel and bait, as well as the supplies you’ll need to enjoy

The Pawnee Cycle Club a great place for motocross enthusiasts

40 • EXPLORE 2016

Watercraft of all kinds are welcome on the water at North Sterling State Park.

John Epperson Denver Post

your campsite.

Natural surface trails offer miles of options for those on foot, bike or horseback.

Prairie wildlife is abundant in the park, on the ground and in the air. Land-based animals of all sizes and species call the park home, from prairie dogs to coyotes, badgers, deer and antelope. Birdwatchers will enjoy sighting a wide variety of raptors, including golden eagles, red-tailed

hawks and American kestrels, among other types of birds. A complete Bird Species List can be found on the park website or at the Visitor Center, and guided bird walks can be arranged by calling 970-5223657.

Hunting is carefully managed and permitted during established seasons from the first Tuesday after Labor Day through the Friday before Memorial Day. Hunting area

maps are available at the Sterling Visitor Center and south entrance brochure kiosk.

The park boasts three campgrounds with a total of 141 campsites. It can accommodate the largest motor homes as well as the smallest pup tents, with 50 developed sites available year-round.

View fees and make reservations for any of the campgrounds online at http:// bit.ly/ICIZDI.

The Pawnee Cycle Club, located on Highway 14 west of Sterling, was voted the 2009 RMXA Track of the Year. It’s home to three different tracks.

The main track features many elevation changes. It has high speed sand sections and some of the best soil in Colorado.

The beginner track is a good ride for any skill set. It’s designed with learning in mind. It features elevation changes, table top jumps, and a non-enclosed layout for safe

bail out points.

The prep track has three separate hand watering stations. It has two water trucks and a full access road. The Pawnee Cycle Club prides themselves on keeping all three tracks in great condition during races and practice events.

A Pawnee Cycle Club membership is needed to access the facilities. A membership cost $75 a year for an individual, and $100 for a family. A one

day membership is available to guests of PCC members, but the PCC member must accompany their guest at all times.

The PCC club has open riding from 10 a.m. to dusk five days a week. The track is closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The track is also closed the week prior to any scheduled event.

The PCC with Mile High MX will be hosting a D25 RMXA motorcross race on Sunday, Aug. 31.

What began in 1936 as a project of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) has grown significantly in the past eight decades, but the mission of the Overland Trail Museum remains the same: to preserve and share the rich history of the Overland Trail and the heritage of the early settlers who traveled it.

“Items we have here were items the first settlers brought with them and items donated by their families,” said museum curator Kay Rich.

Additions to that original stone building have transformed the museum into a showcase of natural history, natives and settlers. The museum is home to a one-ofa-kind Rural Electrification of America exhibit in the Dave

Hamil building, which also houses special temporary exhibits highlighting artifacts from the museum’s collection.

The museum has also acquired over the years a collection of area historic buildings — some of them originals, some reproductions — that form a “village” in the museum courtyard, including a church, one room school and country store.

The area’s agricultural heritage is reflected in the Karg Barn and displays of antique farm equipment, and the community’s connection to the railroad is evident with the restored ATSF caboose and boxcar depot.

The High Plains Education Center, dedicated in the fall of 2011, features interactive

exhibits on the people, geography and industries found in the area. The building also includes a large meeting room that can be rented for private functions and classroom space for children’s programs.

The museum hosts programs for all ages throughout the year. Its premier event is the Heritage Festival on July 4 each year, with hours of activities and enter-

»» Logan County · Sterling

Preserving the past

tainment on the museum grounds and the neighboring Heidi Park.

The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday during its summer season, April 1 to Oct. 31, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday from Nov. 1 to March 31.

It is closed on holidays.

For more information, call 970-522-3895, or visit the Overland Trail Museum Facebook page.

Schedule a visit today to see our impressive campus!

Sara Waite / Journal-Advocate

The special military exhibit in the Dave Hamil Building at the Overland Trail Museum looks at Logan County's rich tradition of military service through the various war eras.

Newly remodeled E.S. French building with state of the art technology and theatre!

We are a comprehensive 2 year liberal arts school, but our signature programs include: • Wind Technology • Automotive/Diesel Technology • Agriculture Sciences/Equine Prrograms • Sports Medicine/Nursing • Fire Science

Go to www.njc.edu for more information or call 1-800-626-4637 and ask for admissions.

Stopandseethebeautifulbronze statuesonourcampus.

Callie Jones / Journal-Advocate

Sterling, Colorado

Children pan for “gold” in the Overland Trail Museum’s creek on Bison Hill.

EXPLORE 2016 • 41

CAN YOU IMAGINE A WORLD WITHOUT

VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS? Neither can we.

COLORADO STATE NEEDS VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS. Emergency calls don’t follow a schedule. They don’t care if another fire is burning across town or if another car accident just happened.

Or if there are enough emergency responders available.

That’s why we need your help. We need volunteers on hand to answer the call when our community is in need. Your neighbors depend on you.

Apply today to become a volunteer firefighter.

volunteerfirefighter.org 42 • EXPLORE 2016

|

855.vol.fire

“Beauties” in Haxtun, by Karianne Donnelson

»» Phillips County · Holyoke, Haxtun

“Rural GPS” by Cathy Shull

WELCOME to Phillips County AMHERST, HAXTUN, HOLYOKE, PAOLI

At Holyoke by Samantha Krieger

EXPLORE 2016 • 43

»» Phillips County · Holyoke, Haxtun

Ballyneal offers sporting clays, hunting to locals

Holyoke Enterprise

“Hole 7” one of the 10 stations of Ballyneal’s sporting clay course, offers a stunning view of the surrounding scenery. Aimed more at locals rather than golf members, Ballyneal offers a fall sporting clay league and hopes for a spring 2017 league as well.

“It’s golf with a shotgun,” joked Ballyneal general manager Dave Hensley. After some restructuring back in 2012, the club has brought back wild and preserve hunting, in addition to a new 10-station, or “hole,” sporting clay shooting course and five-stand shooting range.

Ballyneal is a golfing and hunting club located 11.5 miles south and 2 miles east of Holyoke.

“We really want to emphasize that we are open to any-

body — 100 percent to the public,” stressed Hensley.

Among other discounts, locals receive member prices for hunting and shooting, and half-off pricing for sporting clays. Shot guns are available for rent on site.

Ballyneal offers a fall shooting league for the 10-“hole” shooting course and hopes for a spring 2017 league as well.

Winding through the chop hills on the east side of Ballyneal, the 10 stations are set up See BALLYNEAL, pg. 47

Holyoke Gun Club is sporting for all ages Over 120 members strong, the Holyoke Gun Club boasts a history dating back to 1947, adult members of all ages, and open doors for more youth involvement.

“We like taking time with younger kids,” said club president Aaron Schlachter.

The Gun Club has worked with youth groups in the past, such as 4-H and FFA, and would like to provide more students with the opportunity to have fun, hone their skills and compete.

“There are people who would

be willing to donate kids’ membership fees if they wanted to come out and work,” said Schlachter, who has seen youth get hooked on the sport when they come out to help hold points.

Anyone with a hunter’s safety card and a gun is welcome to come out and trap shoot at the Gun Club, said Schlachter, stressing that a person doesn’t need any prior connection to feel welcome. “We’ll open up and let people come practice on off-days too

See HOLYOKE, pg. 45

Holyoke Enterprise

A lined-up five-person trap shooting team competes for the best shooting percentage.

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44 • EXPLORE 2016

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970-522-2650

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970-854-5900, ext. 1 www.ballyneal.com

Phillips County Stay to Live

Holyoke Enterprise

NRA .22 silhouette shoots are one of many features available from spring through mid-autumn at Haxtun Gun Club. The ridge provides a natural backdrop for target practice and rifle shoots as well.

Dandelion Daze

June 18, 2016 • Courthouse • Holyoke

Old-Fashioned Saturday Night July 16, 2016 • Haxtun

Phillips County Fair

July 19-24, 2016 • Fairgrounds • Holyoke

Haxtun Corn Festival Sept. 24, 2016 • Haxtun

Haxtun Hospital

235 W. Fletcher • Haxtun • 970-774-6123 • haxtunhealth.org

Haxtun Family Medicine Center

233 W. Strohm • Haxtun • 970-774-6187

Fleming Family Health Center

104 W. Larimer St. • Fleming • 970-265-2595

Brandt Chiropractic Clinic

Dr. Jerold Brandt, D.C. 246 S. Interocean Ave. • Holyoke • 970-854-3398

Phillips County Commissioners

221 S. Interocean Ave. • Holyoke • 970-854-3778 www.colorado.gov/phillipscounty

The Holyoke Enterprise

130 N. Interocean Ave. • Holyoke • 970-854-2811 www.holyokeenterprise.com

Phillips County Abstract Co.

202 S. Interocean Ave. • Holyoke • 970-854-3527

Tennant Funeral Homes & Crematory 241 E. Furry • Holyoke • 970-854-3333 242 N. Logan • Haxtun • 970-774-7272 www.tennantfuneralhomes.com

»» Phillips County · Holyoke, Haxtun

Come to See

Trap, rifle range and silhouette shoots at Haxtun Gun Club Located a half-mile west and 1.5 miles south of Haxtun off of County Road 3, the Haxtun Gun Club offers a variety of sport shooting opportunities for people of all ages.

Shooting enthusiasts can find trap shooting, a rifle range and National Rifle Association .22 silhouette shoots at the club, with three trap houses and a variety of target shapes and sizes.

“We have members from youth to people who have been members since it was incorporated in 1948,” said Kevin Salvador, Haxtun Gun Club board member.

The club is over 100 mem-

bers strong, with five-person trap teams competing on Wednesday nights beginning at 6 p.m. during their spring and fall trap leagues. Shells and meals are available in the clubhouse on league nights.

They also host boy scout meetings, youth hunts and waive team fees for youth teams. Youth are welcome with sponsors, and members can bring guests as well.

Those interested in the Haxtun Gun Club and its events can find more information at haxtungunclub.com, by calling 970-774-6633 or emailing keyapaha1@gmail.com.

HOLYOKE from page 44 if they’re interested.”

Board member Stacy Rueter, who served as president for seven years before Schlachter took over, agreed. “We like to teach gun safety, and we’re willing to help anyone,” he said.

When Rueter got involved, he helped improve maintenance and upkeep of the grounds and buildings. The board added a summer league and “fun

shoots” in addition to the spring league, and meals are sold on site every night that they shoot.

The five-person teams meet on Monday nights for trap shooting, a great opportunity for both sporting and socializing.

Holyoke Gun Club is located on the east end of Holyoke, just off of County Road 41 south of Highway 6. Contact Schlachter at 970-580-4458.

EXPLORE 2016 • 45

»» Phillips County · Holyoke, Haxtun

PC Fair features Country concert and Bulls Gone Wild

Fair time in Phillips County is guaranteed to offer fun for the whole family July 19-24 this year. Taking the stage at the Friday night concert, July 22, is Nashville recording country singer Dustin Evans with the band Good Times, featuring Ned LeDoux, son of country legend Chris LeDoux.

The bulls are back for the third straight year Saturday night, July 23. Bulls Gone Wild! includes a thrilling night of bull-riding, bull-fighting,

mutton bustin’ and some added entertainment.

“Remember When ...” is the theme for the 2016 fair. Grand marshals Pete and Dixie Fagerlin of Holyoke will be leading the Saturday parade, and Taylor Hendrix, a Holyoke High School junior, will reign as the fair queen.

R&B Catering will again draw crowds to the Friday evening barbecue. Entertaining at the beer garden Friday and Saturday nights will be

Holyoke Enterprise

“Back Where I Come From” is the theme for the 2016 Corn Festival in Haxtun, with Winston and Mary Ann Ham and Dennis and Jan Workman to serve as grand marshals of the parade.

A weekend of celebration hits Haxtun each fall when community members join forces to put on a Corn Festival that just gets better each year. Area residents turn out in great numbers to celebrate in the Phillips County community.

Saturday, Sept. 24, is the date set for the festival this year. Among the popular events is the Corn Festival parade along main street.

Working to find additional attractions for younger attendees, the Chamber has booked Judd Hoos, a band based out of Sturgis, S.D., to provide live music for the street dance in front of the Haxtun American Legion Saturday eve-

»» Churches

Baptist

Haxtun United Methodist Church First Baptist Church of Holyoke Pastor Jeri Soens and Vida Abundante 106 S. Washington Ave., Haxtun, Pastors Jeremiah Krieger and CO Ismael Lopez 970-774-6418 1000 E. Johnson St., Holyoke, Sunday Worship: 9:30 a.m CO

46 • EXPLORE 2016

Crook. Planet Bounce Carnival is also new this year, featuring mostly inflatables.

Located just north of Holyoke on Highway 385, the Phillips County Fairgrounds is ablaze with activity as area residents gather to show their crops, crafts and livestock while enjoying all the fun of the fair.

For the full schedule for the 2016 Phillips County Fair, visit www.phillipscofair.com.

Haxtunpromotes ‘Back WhereIComeFrom’

The military color guard leads the 2015 Haxtun Corn Festival parade to kick off the annual event. Color guard members are pictured, from left, Matt Allphin, Lester Weers, Ron Carpenter and Dean Michael.

United Methodist

Braydon Zink, who hails from Iliff. Now based in Austin, Texas, Zink’s music is a fusion of Texas-style music and country music.

New to this year’s fair is a Thursday evening ranch rodeo, a catch-it-goat contest Thursday afternoon, a “Chrome Stacks and Headache Racks” working truck show/awards Saturday and a special cowboy community church service Sunday morning, led by Frank Waitley of

ning. Braydon Zink will open for Judd Hoos. Zink is a 2011 graduate of Caliche High School. After making a name in the music scene in northeast Colorado, Zink has moved to Texas to further his career.

Street games, carnival booths, a hot dog eating contest, a beer garden and more continue on the main street. Other popular events include a community breakfast, sponsored by the Haxtun Fire Department, and a 5K run Saturday, and an antique tractor pull Sunday, Sept. 25. Shows throughout the event include a crop and garden show, flower show, quilt show, cooking with corn contest and cake decorating contest.

Alicia Schram serves as chairman for this event. For more information about the Haxtun Corn Festival, call 970-7746600.

970-854-2452 Sunday Worship: 10:30 a.m.; Vida Abundante, 5:30 p.m.

Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

Independent

First Christian Church Pastor Merle Powell 310 S. Interocean Ave., Holyoke, CO 970-854-3438 Sunday School 8:45 a.m., Wor-

ship 10 a.m.

Lutheran ChurchMissouri Synod

Zion Lutheran Church Pastor Gary Rahe 240 S. High School Ave., Holyoke, CO 970-854-2615 Sunday Worship: 10 a.m.

Sunday School & Adult Bible Class 8:45 a.m.

Holyoke Enterprise

Over 100 happy campers enjoyed Holyoke’s beautiful June weather during the 2015 Red Dale Wagon Train national round-up.

Recreational vehicle enthusiasts will be rolling into Holyoke with their RVs for the annual Red Dale Wagon Train national round-up event June 19-24.

Even though they aren’t related, this will be a week of family reunion festivities for the club’s camping and travel family. Planned events include horseshoes, ladder jack golf, bean bag toss, washer toss, pitch tournament, golf scramble, kids games and water fight.

This is the second year in a row that the Red Dale Wagon Train will be utilizing the Phillips County Fairgrounds’ Harvest Park for their national roundup venue. Improvements to the Phillips County Event Center and Homesteaders Park make it the perfect place for club members to reunite.

It’s exciting for members to meet up with the same people year after year to enjoy daytime games as well as evening programs during the Sunday through Friday event.

Hailing from Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming, approximately 135-140 RV units from eight local clubs and a members-atlarge organization make up the national club. Local clubs usually get together once a month for fun and fellowship.

The Columbine Caravan, a local club, is in charge of hosting the 2016 national round-up and got to choose Holyoke as the location.

Originally, the club started as an annual gathering of Red Dale RV owners. Since then, it has been opened to owners of any brand of RV since Red Dale RVs are no longer in production.

Some members are certainly in it for the long haul as they’ve been participating since the club began in the 1960s.

For more information or for an application to join the Red Dale Wagon Train, visit their website at https://sites.google.com/site/ reddalewagontrain/.

BALLYNEAL from page 44

as a two-person shooting game.

A pre-paid card with a certain number of shots is clipped into an electronic box. When the shooter is ready, their partner sends a clay bird flying with the push of a button.

Each station sends the birds flying from a different angle for a variety of “flight patterns.”

Scoring is similar to golf, with the goal being to hit as many birds as possible with as few shots as possible.

A five-stand is also available, essentially a practice range

with five side-by-side stations for clay shooting. The cedarsided shooting stations match the surrounding towers that house clay throwers. Discs are pitched from 20-foot, 15-foot and smaller towers to imitate various birds and small animals on the move.

“There’s nothing in the area like this,” said Hensley. “That’s why we did it.”

Besides the 10-“hole” shooting course and the five-stand, Ballyneal also offers both wild and preserve hunting. Guides

Pizza p.a.d.

24-Hour

Holyoke Community Federal Credit Union

Open Tues.-Sat. 110 N. Interocean Holyoke

970-854-3042

and hunting dogs are available to those who wish to use them.

For preserve hunting, no hunting license is required, and hunters are guaranteed five birds. Wild hunting requires a valid small game license, and hunters have a three-bird limit.

Preserve hunting is available Oct. 1, 2016 through early spring 2017, wild bird hunting Nov. 14, 2016 through Jan. 31, 2017, and the shooting course Oct. 1, 2016 through mid-May 2017. Call Ballyneal at 970-8545900 with questions.

Weather-Protected ATM on Premises

Sandwiches Pizza • Pies Ice Cream NMLS #811861

“People Helping People”

101 W. Denver St., Holyoke 970-854-3109•ww www ww.hcfcu.org w

»» Phillips County · Holyoke, Haxtun

Wagon train rolls into Holyoke

202 S. Colorado Ave. HAxtun

970-774-5000 Open thursday-Saturday Order Online @ www.dosmokehouse.com

Old Fashioned event revisits the 1950s A blast from the past features ’50s-style fun at Haxtun’s annual Old Fashioned Saturday Night. Scheduled on July 16 this year, the event is just right for those who still think the 1950s was the grandest decade in American history.

Haxtun Chamber of Commerce presents Old Fashioned Saturday Night with a day of cars, music and cruising.

Numerous activities are scheduled. It will start with citywide yard sales in the morning. On Haxtun’s main street, it will include the traditional car show, good music, games, poker run, burnout, beer garden and a street dance.

Chairperson Laurie Koellner said information about the event can be found at www.Facebook.com/old fashionedsaturdaynight.

EXPLORE 2016 • 47

»» Phillips County · Holyoke, Haxtun

Shady courthouse lawn is setting for Dandelion Daze

Father’s Day weekend will be hopping with activity in Holyoke with the 16th annual Dandelion Daze car and bike show Saturday, June 18, on the Phillips County Courthouse lawn.

While the Dandelion Daze show and numerous other games, crafts, information booths, exhibits, vendors and food booths will be set up on the courthouse lawn, the Dandelion Daze celebration will be spread throughout town.

The Chamber of Commerce-sponsored event will begin early in the morning with citywide garage sales.

Prairie Winds Art Center will be open two blocks south of the courthouse from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Additionally, Phillips County Museum at 109 S.

on the west courthouse steps.

To add to the fun, Phillips County Players will be performing a variety show with skits from 9:45-10:15 a.m. and again at 1 p.m.

A flag-folding presentation

by VFW Post No. 6482 and American Legion Post No. 90 will begin at 12:30 p.m. on the courthouse steps.

Car and bike show awards will be presented at 2:30 p.m., followed by cruisin’ down main street to the Regent Park Nursing & Rehabilitation Hoyloke Enterprise Center parking lot.

Vehicles of all makes and models attract a crowd at Car show registration and Dandelion Daze, sponsored by Holyoke Chamber of further information can be Commerce. obtained on the Chamber website at www.holyoke Campbell Ave. will be open Free kids’ and family games chamber.org or by contacting from noon to 4:30 p.m. to will begin at 10 a.m., and Nick the Chamber office at 970showcase its transportation Mitchell will be providing live 854-3517 or emailing director area. music from 10:30 a.m. to noon @holyokechamber.org.

Husqvarna Mowers Airport

5,000 ft. Runway AWOS & GPS Approach RC Air Field Jet-A and Av-Gas Fuel available

Traeger Grills NAPA Auto Parts

Recreation

Baseball/Softball Fields Indoor Swim Pool Skate Park Beautiful In-City 9-Hole Golf Course Beautiful City Park Bike/Walking Path

Heginbotham Library Listed on the National Register of Historic Places

City Office H 970-854-2266 cityofholyoke-co.gov 48 • EXPLORE 2016

S & W Auto Supply Open 7-6 Mon.-Sat. “Because It Matters” 310 E. Denver, Holyoke 970-854-2258 221 Cedar, Julesburg 970-474-2067

Friday Night Lights at Phillips County Raceway Folks looking to get their Friday Night Lights fix of fast racing and great action need look no further than Phillips County Raceway at the fairgrounds in Holyoke. Modifieds, sport mods, stock cars, hobby stocks and hornets/sport compacts are featured consistently on the Friday night racing schedule, which began April 22.

Summer races are slated for Fridays, June 17, July 1 and 15, Aug. 5 and 19 and Sept. 2, with action starting at 7:30 p.m. each night. Midgets, a possible Monster Truck event, a sprint car tour and potentially a freestyle motocross event are scheduled features during the season.

New at PC Raceway this year will be a beer garden named Good Times, located south of the grandstands. It will feature

both heating and air conditioning to make sure all patrons are comfortable. Good Times will host a race bar with music, as well as live bands on occasion, according to racing organizer Joe Bellm.

“This year, all four tracks of the Colorado Racing Alliance (Phillips County Raceway, El Paso County Raceway, Lamar Speedway and I-76 Speedway) are making sure that we are all working together and all of our schedules are practically 100 percent compliant with one another,” said Bellm.

For an up-to-date schedule, as well as race results, go to www.phillipscountyrace way.com, call the Colorado Dirt Track Hotline at 720-404-0400 or visit their Facebook page and click “Like” to follow them.

Explore Fresh Baked from Scratch!

HOLYOKE Peerless Theatre 212 S. Interocean, Holyoke

854-2453

115 S. Interocean Holyoke 970-854-2939

970-854-FLIK Movie Info Line Movies Friday thru Monday

M-F 7-3:30; Sat. 8-2

www.thepeerlesstheatre.com

Sullivan’s Appliance & Air

Appliances, Heating-Air, Carpet

We also service all makes & brands of appliances 128 S. Interocean—Holyoke—854-2180

Red’s LiquoRs 140 E. Denver St., Holyoke

Call for our wine-tasting schedule

970-854-2206 Open 7 Days a Week

#13 Holyoke, CO 115 E. Denver St. 970-854-2233

Golden Plains Motel 1250 SW Interocean Holyoke www.goldenplainsmotel.com Scott Dille, Manager 1-800-643-0451 — 970-854-3000

128 S. Campbell Holyoke, CO 970-854-5505

LLC

Kwik Stop p Open 24 Hours

Holyoke General Store

Your community newspaper— in print and online every Wednesday n Covering hometown news of Holyoke and Phillips County n Offering printing and other promotional items n

970-854-2811 holyokeenterprise.com

115 S. Interocean, Holyoke 970-854-3699 M-F, 10-6; Sat., 10-3 Like us on Facebook

Shop-hop at our store

June 21-Sept. 6 rowbyrowexperience.com

The Skillett

Restaurant Family Dining

Full Menu • Cocktails Take-Out • Credit Cards Accepted

OLYOKE Fitness Club

Gym & Studio Classes 123 S. Interocean, Holyoke 970-218-4037

970-520-2274—Casey Blake 970-332-4838—Wray Office bonanzafordofwray.com

Serving the Banking Needs of Northeast Colorado for over 100 years

ATM Banking available CHS Grainland Ampride

Computer Repair

970-854-2201 866-854-2111 240 S. Interocean Holyoke www.pctelcom.coop

Internet Cable TV/Video Phone Business Solutions 24/7 Technical Service

at 220 W. Denver St. Saturday Drive-Up Banking 8 a.m.-12 noon

150 S. Interocean—Holyoke 970-854-2227 or 1-800-854-2227

www.efpnb.com

EXPLORE 2016 • 49

»» Phillips County · Holyoke, Haxtun

Restaurants HOLYOKE Heidi’s Coffee & Bake Shop

215 N. Interocean Ave., 970-854-2253 (CAKE) 6:45 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon-Fri; 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Sat. Breakfast and Lunch served all day Specialty cakes, coffees, wraps, baked goods and more.

KarDale’s Restaurant & Lounge

142 N. Interocean Ave., 970-854-3455, 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon-Sat, Lounge 11a-2a Mon-Sat Family Style, Kids and Senior Menu, Take-out, Credit Cards accepted.

Kwik Stop

115 E. Denver St., 970-854-2233 Kwik & Fresh Mexi Open 24 hours.

Credit Cards accepted.

Pizza p.a.d.

110 N. Interocean Ave., 970-854-3042, 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m., Tues.-Fri.; Sat., 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m.

Pizza, subs and ice cream Take-out, Delivery, Credit Cards accepted

The P Pod

Fresh baked from scratch!

Also serving lunch.

All credit cards accepted.

Haxtun Lions Club

The Skillet Restaurant

130 W. Denver St., 1/2 block west of the stoplight.

970-854-2150.

Family Dining. Cocktails served. 10-2, 4:30-9 p.m., Tues-Sat; 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Sun; Closed every Mon. and last Tues of month Jan.-Sept.

Full menu, Breakfast, Hamburgers, Sandwiches, Chicken, Steaks, Seafood.

Take-out, Visa, Mastercard, Discover cards accepted.

HAXTUN Bar-Lo

Hwy 6, 970-774-7418, Th, 6 a.m.-8 p.m.

M, T, W, F, 6 a.m.-3 p.m.

Hometown Cafe serving hometown food. Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Breakfast served any time.

Kids/Senior menu, Take-Out, Credit Cards accepted.

Joe Boerner, president Meet 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m.

Haxtun Community Center, 125 E. Wilson, Haxtun

Lodging Golden Plains Motel

1250 SW Interocean Dr., Holyoke, CO 970-854-3000 or 1-800-643-0451 www.goldenplains motel.com

The Dutch Oven Smokehouse & Steak Co.

115 S. Interocean Ave., 970-854-2939 M-F 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; Sat. 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Cookies, muffins, scones, breads

Deaver Guns & Ammo 110 S. Interocean Ave. Holyoke, CO

Buy, Sell & Trade Firearms

Clubs

Several hundred new and used firearms on hand.

Inventory changes weekly.

202 S. Colorado Ave., 970-774-5000 Open Thurs.-Sat. Order online. www.dosmokehouse.com

Hometown Shopping at its Best!

joys from our n E item

Deli, Bakery, Fresh Produce & Meat Departments

Federal Firearms Licensed Dealer for 25 years Steve Deaver — 970-580-2549 Nora Deaver — 970-597-2452 Store — 970-854-2275 seebie@pctelcom.coop 50 • EXPLORE 2016

112 E. Carnahan, Holyoke www.holyokemarketplace.com

854-FOOD (854-3663) Hours: Mon-Sat, 7-8 Sun, 8-5

Welcome to

PhillipsCounty Entertainment Nightly Tuesday-Saturday starting at 4 p.m.

“Becoming Stronger by Working Together” admin@phillipscountyco.org 970-580-3614 www.colorado.gov/phillipscountyed

Holyoke Vets Club 229 E. Denver • Holyoke 970-854-9444

Ag Power Equipment Co.

PAOLI

FARMERS CO-OP ELEVATOR CO. paolifarmerscoop.com

774-7234 Certified Seed Cleaner

217 S. Colorado—Haxtun

970-774-6118

hfherald.com

Westbred Certified Seed Wheat 280 N. Sunflower Dr.—Holyoke www.agpowerequipment.com

970-854-4535 Toll Free 866-854-4535

Come see what Phillips County has to offer!

Tyler & Laura Knode

Haxtun 970-774-4500 800-320-6922 Holyoke 970-854-4400 www.knode-realtyauction.com

Hassler Crop Insurance, LLC

Rebecca Oliver, Agent 507 E. 1st — Haxtun 774-7186 114 W. 1st — Julesburg 474-2112

Over 50 Years

of Rural Real Estate Experience

For all your brake, tires and alignment

970-774-7450

Oliver Agency Home u Farm u Auto u Commercial

HAXTUN SAV-O-MAT Right on Hwy #6

Locally Owned Locally Controlled

Your full-service community bank

www.pwcbank.com

128 S. Colorado—Haxtun—970-774-6141

Casey Blake, Broker Associate, 970-520-2274 Kim Fuller, Broker/Owner, 970-466-1413 Shawna Holveck, 970-580-8585 Toby Thompson, Broker Associate, 970-580-0581 www.homesatchoice.com

Serving Northeastern Colorado www.korfautogroup.com

Hank & Wanda Hassler MPCI & Crop Hail 112 N. Sunflower Dr.—Holyoke 970-854-4595

Five Star Rentals and Equipment, LLC Equipment Rental Headquarters 416 E. Denver, Holyoke 970-854-2145

BUILDING CE NT TUN X ER For all your A H building needs!

321 S. Colorado, Haxtun 774-7655 Windows & Doors Insulation

Friday Night Lights

Holyoke, CO 7:30 p.m. Fairgrounds

June 17 • July 1 & 15 Aug. 5 & 19 • Sept. 2 Full schedule at phillipscountyraceway.com or see our Facebook page 720-404-0400

See coupon for $2 off in the Explore coupon section

EXPLORE 2016 • 51

»» Sedgwick County · Julesburg, Ovid, Sedgwick

At Ovid, by Kim Zion

WELCOME to Sedgwick County JULESBURG, OVID, SEDGWICK

“Following” on the Jumbo Reservoir, by Karianne Donnelson “Solitude on the Plains” outside Julesburg, by Gary Lewis.

52 • EXPLORE 2016

See HISTORY, pg. 54

»» Sedgwick County · Julesburg, Ovid, Sedgwick

Wicked town, fiery history

The emergence of the railroad caused a population explosion and earned Julesburg the nickname, “Wickedest City in the West.”

The wild town derives its name from the infamous Jules Beni who ran a trading post on the south side of the Platte River during the

Courtesy photo

This October 1886 photo shows the original Union Pacific Railroad station at Julesburg, with railroad workers and town dignitaries.

Take the scenic route

Although the shortest of Colorado’s 23 byways, the South Platte River Trail is long on history.

In the 19th century, the trail lay on the main route westward, and was used by tens of thousands of pioneers lured by the promise of wealth, land, and freedom. Beginning at the Colorado Welcome Center, this 19mile loop features interpretive signage at the original Julesburg townsite, the location of Colorado’s only Pony Express home station, and Fort Sedgwick, established in 1864 to protect the trail and telegraph line. Additional markers commemorate the other three Julesburg townsites, the Transcontinental Railroad, and the Lincoln Highway, the first coast-to-coast automobile road in the United States.

Plan a drive time of about 30 minutes, plus time to see the sites along the trail.

Colorado Department of Transportation map

Map of the South Platte River Trail scenic byway

EXPLORE 2016 • 53

»» Sedgwick County

HISTORY from page 53 1850s.When the overland Stage Company was established in 1859, Jules was an agent.

Indians burned the first Julesburg in February 1865. Julesburg II was built four miles east just outside the Fort Sedgwick Military Reservation boundary. Some historians claim the move was made to allow the sale of whiskey.

Julesburg was a busy stage station until June of 1867 when Union Pacific

54 • EXPLORE 2016

rails arrived north of the river. The town reestablished itself at the railhead.

“Wickedest City in the West” was third Julesburg’s well-deserved reputation. Saloons and gambling houses did a thriving business as the population grew to nearly 5,000. When the tracks stretched farther west, Julesburg continued as an important shipping point. This site was also known as “Weir.”

In 1881 several miles east of Julesburg III, Union Pacific began laying rails for its Denver Branch. A few merchants and several actual structures moved to “Denver Junction,” so named by the railroad. The new town soon settled down and attracted permanent businesses and citizens, but the Beni legend remained popular. In 1886 the name “Denver Junction” became history when the site was incorporated as Julesburg (IV).

Medical

A

Retail

R

SEDGWICK GARDEN SUPPLY

“First Aid For Your Garden!”

Courtesy photo

The Julesburg Drag Strip is the oldest continuously operating race track in the United States.

Racing through history

Combine your love of history with your need for speed at the historic Julesburg Drag Strip.

The NHRA-sanctioned track is the oldest operating drag strip in the United States. It was opened in 1953 by the Platte Valley Customs Club. The 1/4-mile asphalt track is located at Julesburg Municipal Airport.

The racing season runs from April to September. The dragstrip is always open to new racers, points or not.

There are seven race categories: Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Street, High School, Jr. Dragster and King Street.

The strip is a great place to race your car and enjoy great friends, and you may park and sleep and the track.

For a season schedule, news and more information, visit http://www.julesburgdragracing.com/.

NUTRIENTS

PESTICIDES

SEEDS

Miracle Grow Fox Farm Happy Hog Coco Grow

Botanicare Fox Farm General Hydroponics Miracle Grow

Burpee Scott’s

Scott’s Orthene Flying Skull Einstine Oil

SOILS

TOOLS

Rain Wands Sprayers Lights Starters Pots Stakes Canning Perlite

Check out our greenhouse for your plant, vegetable and flower needs.

FUN FACT: A flower garden planted with a mix

or marigolds, citronella grass, lavender, wormwood and/or lemongrass close to your outdoor entertainment area can help keep unwanted guest (snakes, flies and mosquitos away from the party. An herb garden with things like basil, mint, rosemary y, garlic and peppermint can also bring the same effect.

»» Sedgwick County · Julesburg, Ovid, Sedgwick

S

15% Off Your Entire Purchase!

One time use only. Valid through September 1, 2016.

NEXT Courtesy photo

A car takes off at the start of a race at the Julesburg Drag Strip.

DOOR TO THE DISPENSARY.

109 Main Avenue · Sedgwick, CO Off I-76 at Exit #165

(970) 463-5342

EXPLORE 2016 • 55

»» Sedgwick County · Julesburg, Ovid, Sedgwick

Take in a movie at the Hippodrome in Julesburg

Courtesy photo / Hippodrome Arts Centre Facebook page

The center of art

The historic Hippodrome Theatre, located in the 200 block of Cedar St., Julesburg, is home to first-rate movies and cultural events. The addition of an art gallery and reception areas have been very successful undertakings including weddings, concerts, receptions and conferences.

Built in 1919 for a cost of $10,000, the Hippodrome Theatre has persevered nearly 100 years.

AE Lanning opened the theatre in July of 1919, with two separate street-side rooms for rent to merchants. The Hippodrome was forced to close due to financial losses in 1922. Purchased in a sheriff’s sale, the theater was bought by PJ Zorn and remained under the management of the Zorn/Lowery family until 1973. Chad and Kay DeCastro purchased the theatre at an estate auction and initiated extensive remodeling and changed its name to “Chaka.” The DeCastro family ran the movie house until 1996 when it was placed up for

56 • EXPLORE 2016

Courtesy photo

This is an early photograph of the Hippodrome Theatre built in 1919. Years later, the Hippodrome Arts Centre was born through countless hours of hard work and dedication, the theatre has been completely renovated and is the highlight of Julesburg. sale.

Concerned citizens launched a fund-raising campaign in June 1996, and in October of the same year, the Hippodrome Arts Centre was organized and the Hippodrome was reborn. Plans were made for the facility to be used

as a multi-cultural centre in addition to movies.By April 1997, the Hippodrome incorporated the help of over 100 volunteers to man the ticket booth, sell concessions, and help with general cleanup.

The first major annual fundraiser, the “Gala” was sched-

uled in April 1997, and the community was invited. Food, fun and entertainment as well as an auction helped raise funding for ongoing projects.

This Hippodrome event has become the spring social event of the year and continues to be the highlight of the community calendar.

During the years 2003-2008, building reconstruction included renovating the building, adding a ballroom and adding a commercial grade kitchen. The roof was completely rehabilitated as well.

In 2012 the lobby and concession stand took on a whole new appearance as both were completely remodeled.

The digital age arrived in 2013 when the Hippodrome made the conversion from the carbon arc to the new projector system. This new digital operating system allowed the theatre to utilize the projector in many ways: hooking up to gaming systems so guests may play on the big screen, and showing Blu-Ray movies too.

The Union Pacific Railroad Park is located at Cedar and First Street just across Highway 138/385 from Julesburg’s main business district. It boasts a beautiful gazebo and lots of shade trees.

It is an ideal place to spend an afternoon watching the trains scoot through town.

Municipal-owned parks include: • Thompson Park (named after a former Julesburg town mayor), just one block from the Julesburg Elementary School Playgrounds, is located at 400 West Fourth St. within the town’s residential area. It has an open playground area, playground equipment available, beautiful shade trees, a covered pavilion and plenty of picnic tables.

• The Meline Park (also named after a former mayor) is located at Ninth and Oak Street, within the same two-block area as the swimming pool and ballfield and just across the intersection from the tennis court. It has playground equipment and is open to the public year-round.

• The small downtown Mini-Park is located at the corner of Pine and Second Street and is encompassed with beautiful flowerbeds, planted and maintained by our Julesburg Garden Club Ladies, a shade tree and a comfortable park bench.

»» Sedgwick County · Julesburg, Ovid, Sedgwick

Picnic, play in one of Julesburg’s parks

Amanda Mathies / Julesburg Advocate

Relax and enjoy the view from the Union Pacific Railroad Park gazebo in Julesburg.

Outdoor fun every day of the week An active lifestyle is a priority in Julesburg, where there are recreational amenities available for a variety of preferences.

beginning to advanced swimmers. Amenities include a diving board and two slides.

The pool is open daily from June through mid-August, but only on days when temperaSwim tures are above 70 degrees.

Have a splash in the summer Open swimming is from 1 to 5 at the Julesburg Swimming p.m. each day, with night Pool. swims offered from 7 to 9 p.m.

With a depth ranging from 3 Tuesday and Thursday. For an feet to 13 feet, 6 inches, the extra workout, join the water pool provides options for aerobics class from 5 to 6 p.m.

Monday through Friday, or get in some serious pool time during lap swim from 6:30 to 8 a.m. on weekdays.

Daily and seasonal passes are available. Call 970-474-3320 for more information.

owned course features grass greens with buffalo grass fairways.

A $250,000 grant from the Stretesky Foundation was awarded in 2014 to help refurbish the course and add new features.

Golf The course offers affordable Get into the swing at the Sedgwick County Golf Associa- user fees and membership dues, and cart rentals are availtion’s 9-hole course, located 3 able. No tee times are miles north of Julesburg on Highway 11. The publiclyrequired.

EXPLORE 2016 • 57

58 • EXPLORE 2016

Around the

HIGH PLAINS

“Suns” by Karianne Donnelson

“Cherry Blossoms” by Trista Cobbley

By Meg Henderson

By Eric Christensen EXPLORE 2016 • 59

»» Keith and Deuel Counties · Ogallala

Big fun on ‘Big Mac’

Nearly everything about Lake McConaughy is big! Its 30,500 surface acres make it Nebraska’s largest reservoir, with over 100 miles of shore line.

McConaughy is known as a place for outdoor good times.

Its waters and white sand beaches provide the setting for many different kinds of outdoor recreation. In addition to excellent fishing and boating, Big Mac is a favorite with campers, sailboaters, wind surfers, swimmers, water skiers, picnickers, scuba divers, hunters, ice boaters, and many outdoor fun seekers.

The $2.5 million Lake McConaughy Water Interpretive and Visitors Center is perched on a bluff one-quarter mile south of Kingsley Dam overlooking Lake McConaughy. The 8,700 square foot Visitors Center features Nebraska’s first water interpretive center, a museum that looks at the important role of water in the state’s past, present and future. An exhibit in the center shows the balanced needs of recreation, fish and wildlife, irrigation and hydropower. Also within the Visitors Center is a diving bell used in 1976 to inspect the outlet structures of the dam.

60 • EXPLORE 2016

In addition to wildlife and natural history related films and video productions, the facility also includes a community room available for public meetings and receptions, a freshwater aquarium, a 50-seat state-ofthe art theater, an information desk and gift shops.

The lake’s formation was funded by the Public Works Administration in 1935, after drought and economic depression convinced officials of the need for irrigation. Kingsley Dam was closed and dedicated in 1941 and project operations began soon afterward. It is the second largest hydraulic fill dam in the world.

Courtesy photos / Ogallala/Keith County Chamber of Commerce

Lake McConaughy is a destination for those looking to enjoy some fun in the water.

Enjoy a campfire by the shore of “Big Mac.”

Eichner Sales & Service 1210 Ogallala Beach Road • Ogallla, NE 69153

South of Ogallala at the Y

(800) 286-4852 • eichners.net

In Business Since 19800

Spurred by the development of the Union Pacific Railroad and its position on the Texas cattle trail, Ogallala held the title of “Gateway of the Northern Plains” for a period of 15 years in the late 1800s.

The community is believed to have been formed around 1867. The area had seen the passing of trappers from St. Louis, who co-existed with the Pawnee Indians on the Republican River, but were constantly threatened by the Sioux Indians to the north. Then came the pioneers on the Oregon Trail, and the establishment of forts along the trail to protect them. The railroad followed, and settlers followed it west, while cattlemen started driving their cattle to Ogallala, where they were shipped east or sold to ranchers from Wyoming or Montana.

Ogallala’s hey-day came from about 1870 to 1885. Once

»» Keith and Deuel Counties · Ogallala

Quiet town holds wild past

The seasons dictated the lifestyle for those early residents — business boomed in the summer months with the arrival of the Texas trail herds, but by November things would settle down for the winter. During the busy season, crime ran rampant as Ogallala filled up with cowboys and gamblers, saloon girls and prostitutes. The tiny town saw www.keithcountyne.gov / Courtesy photo 17 violent deaths in one Ogallala's original train depot decade.

Settlers and farmers began just a stop on the railroad, it was populated by saloons with arriving in 1882, encouraged was one of the most wellnames like The Cowboy’s Rest by the low land prices offered by the railroad. known towns on the Texas and the Crystal Palace, with When in the summer of Trail. Gold was exchanged the last building on the street across the table as Western a dining room called the Ogal- 1884, a serious epidemic of Texas fever broke out in ranchers bargained over cattle lala House.

Nebraska, it brought an end to prices with Texas cattle kings.

Military campaigns to conFrom 1868 to 1876, the town fine the Sioux to their reserva- Ogallala’s trail period. The Nebraska ranchers called for a consisted mainly of stores sit- tions brought growth to the ban on Texas cattle to protect uated south of the railroad town, and by 1880 Ogallala their herds, and the town tracks, fronting the railroad had a courthouse, school, became a peaceful settlement street and the trail leading hotel, two dwelling houses of farmers. south to the Platte River. It and 25 permanent residents.

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I-80 Exit 126, Ogallala, NE EXPLORE 2016 • 61

»» Garden County · Oshkosh

Historic bridges represent unique construction

The Lewellen State Aid Bridge was contracted in 1926 for $71,300 under the Nebraska Department of Public Works. After completion, the county requested another in Lisco for $47,600.

The Lewellen and Lisco bridges were important crossing points of the North Platte River. The Garden County Commissioners first applied for state aid to build bridges over the North Platte River at Lewellen and Oshkosh in July 1916. The Oshkosh Bridge was finally erected in 1924-25. The Oshkosh bridge was replaced years ago.

Although originally a state highway crossing, the Lewellen Bridge is now maintained by the county in essentially unchanged condition.

The Lewellen Bridge was one of eight state aid bridges designed by the state engineer’s office using multiple-span Pratt pony trusses, with spans ranging from 60 to 100 feet. Most were built in the mid-1920s, when the riveted long-span pony truss found its greatest acceptance in Nebraska. Of the three Garden County state aid bridges, two remain in original condi-

62 • EXPLORE 2016

important crossing of the Platte River and one of the last two intact multiple-span state aid truss bridges.

Lisco Bridge Specs

Garden County Visitor’s Committee / Courtesy photo

The Lewellen State Aid Bridge. tion. In fact, the Lewellen and Lisco bridges are the only remaining intact examples of state aid pony trusses in Nebraska. (A third structure, the Platte River Bridge in Hall County, is made up of six spans salvaged from the Silver Creek State Aid Bridge.)

Just months after completion of the Lewellen Bridge, the Nebraska Department of Public Works began designing another multiplespan truss over the North Platte River at Lisco. The Lisco Bridge differed from

the Lewellen and Oshkosh structures in that it consisted of eight 80-foot spans. In October 1927 a contract for its construction was awarded to the Western Bridge and Construction Company for $47,600. Using steel fabricated by the Inland Steel Corporation, Western completed the structure during the relatively mild winter of 1927-28. Although originally part of the primar y highway system, the Lisco Bridge now carries a county road.

It, like the Lewellen Bridge, is distinguished as an

County Road over the North Platte River 0.6 Miles South of Lisco on Road 151 Total Length: 651 ft.

Roadway Width: 15 ft.

Type: Rigid-connected Pratt pony truss, 5 Span, 5 Panel Built: 1927-28 by the Western Bridge and Construction Co, $47,600 Both bridges are registered on the Nebraska State Historical Registr y.

Lewellen Bridge Specs

County Road over the North Platte River 1 Mile South of Lewellen on Fairgrounds Road Total Length: 710 ft.

Roadway Width: 15 ft.

Type: Rigid-connected Pratt pony truss, 7 span, 5 panel Built: 1926-27 by the Western Bridge and Construction Co. $71,300 — The Garden County Visitor’s Committee

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Ash Hollow was a major stopping-off point on the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails. The site offered access to the North Platte River and was abundant with fresh water, wood, and grazing — all sought by pioneers. Wagons descending into the valley over the steep grade of Windlass Hill scraped ruts into the hillside, still visible today. Ash Hollow is one of the most mentioned places in pioneer diaries.

Today, the Ash Hollow State Historical Park offers a rock schoolhouse, sod house, ancient cave, freshwater spring, museum and interpretive center.

Archeological digs at Ash Hollow Cave and the nearby

Clary site found early Americans lived in the area from 300 years ago to 9,000 years ago.

The cave site is open through the Visitor’s Center.

The rock school at the southeast corner of the park was made of native stone by some of the first white settlers to the area.

According to the Visitor’s Committee, a great hike along the actual Oregon Trail goes from the rock school past the trading post and continues north along the bluff. It is a little over one mile from the rock school to the entry road.

For a great three-mile hike, part at the visitor’s center and walk down the sidewalk path to the spring and pond, continue past the picnic area to the

Photo courtesy of the Garden County Visitor's Committee

Bluff showing "Ash Hollow Formation" to the right. entry road. Cross the road and follow along the bluff (you will be walking the Oregon Trail in reverse) to the rock school and then up the road to the visitor’s center.

A new trail near the visitor center is a one mile walk — round trip — from the parking lot to the edge of the bluff.

From that point visitors can see the path of the CaliforniaOregon Trail on the south side of the river and the Mormon Trail on the north side.

»» Garden County · Oshkosh

A major Oregon Trail stop

The point also allows a view of the location of Fort Grattan which was built in 1855.

Ash Hollow State Historical Park is located 3.5 miles southeast of Lewellen on U.S. Hwy. 26. The grounds are open year around from 8 a.m. to sunset. The visitor’s center, museum and cave are open from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend.

Fees are $5 per vehicle fee to enter the State Historical Park or an annual pass is $25.

For a quiet country stay, ay visit us on the Oregon Trail.

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EXPLORE 2016 • 63

»» Calendar May

May 28 — Brush Municipal Swimming Pool Seasonal Opening. Visit www.brushcolo.com for more info. Brush May 28 — Keith County Historical Society Drive-In Movie Night Fundraiser.

Keith County Fairgrounds, 7:30-11:30 p.m. Free will donation. Ogallala Memorial Day Weekend — North Sterling Reservoir summer activities start, Sterling May 30 — Sterling Recreation Center outdoor pool opens for season. Open swimming 1-5:30 p.m. daily.

Sterling

June

June — Golf tournaments all summer, Quail Dunes at Fort Morgan Golf Course, visit www.quaildunes.com.

Fort Morgan Thursdays — Sounds on the Square, downtown Ogallala’s Rendezvous Square.

Live music, 6-9 p.m. June 16July 17. Ogallala Thursdays — Live@ThePark Summer Concert Series in Fort Morgan City Park at 6:30 p.m. Fort Morgan June 2 — Julesburg’s Downtown Thursday Nights begin. Dinners on the courthouse lawn at 5:30 p.m. each Thursday through Aug. 18.

Julesburg June 2 — 5K/1M Twilight Run/Dog Walk. Music, watermelon feed. Starts at Ogallala Adams Bank & Trust. Ogallala June 3 — Sterling Xpress Baseball season starts. www.sterlingxpressbaseball.com. Sterling June 3-4 — 2nd annual BBQ Cook-off at downtown Ogallala’s Rendezvous Square. Ogallala June 4 — Akron Town Wide Yard Sales. Akron June 4 — Fishing is Fun free outdoor skills/wildlife education day. Doty Pond, Brush 64 • EXPLORE 2016

June 4 — Relay for Life, 4 p.m. to midnight, Logan County Courthouse. Fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Sterling June 4 — 12th annual Terry McCormick Memorial Walleye Tournament.

Ogallala June 7, 14, 21, 28 — Twilight Tuesday Movies, various city parks. Sterling June 9-11 — Brush Area Museum Summer History Camp for Kids. Visit www.brushcolo.com for more info. Brush June 10 — Taste of Summer & Country Showdown, 5 p.m., Logan County Chamber of Commerce. Sterling June 10-11 — Pioneer Days. Friday: lip sync contest, talent show, a play, live band and street dance. Kids’ carnival, bargain shopping and BBQ. Saturday: Yuma Volunteer Fire Department pancake breakfast, car show and swap meet. Yuma June 11 — Relay For Life walk for American Cancer Society, at Legion Field. Fort Morgan June 11 — Cottonwood Forge Tractor and Power Show, AMA Complex, Hwy 34. 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Brush June 11 — Otis Dog and Cat Clinic, 9-11 a.m. at the Otis Ambulance Building.

Otis June 11-12 — 17th annual Big Mac Shut Up & Fish Walleye Tournament.

Ogallala June 14 — Akron Customer Appreciation Picnic, sponsored by Akron Chamber of Commerce, at the Washington County Event Center.

Akron June 17-18 — Ash Hollow Historical Pageant, Ash Hollow State Historical Park.

Chuckwagon Supper, free open air performance “Don’t Give Up My Brothers.”

Lewellen June 17-19 — Summer Sizzler Annual NE Colorado

Youth Baseball Tournament.

Sunset Field & Joslin/Needham Complex. Brush June 18 — High Plains Outdoor Show, Tractor Pull and Draft Horse Show, Logan County Fairgrounds. Sterling June 18 — Ogallala Optimist Youth Fishing Tournament. Ogallala June 18 — Dandelion Daze Car Show. City-wide garage sales, 5K/Fun Run. Holyoke June 18 - 19 — RMXA Motorcross Father’s Day Race, Pawnee Cycle Club.

Sterling June 21 — Free Shredding Day, sponsored by Akron Chamber of Commerce, 4-6 p.m. at Farmers State Bank.

Akron June 22-23 — Pony Express Re-Ride. Julesburg June 25 — Annual Car Show at the Akron City Park.

Akron June 25 — Otis Town Wide Yard Sales, beginning at 8 a.m. Otis June 25 — 34th Annual Brush! Rush! 5K. East Morgan County Library Park.

Visit www.brushcolo.com for information and registration.

Brush June 25 — Quilts of the Plains, Main Street in Wray.

Outdoor quilt show for quilters of all levels. Vendor mall available. Wray June 25 — Happy Camper Run & Carnival at Lake Ogallala State Recreation Area.

5K/1K/Fun Run and family carnival. Ogallala June 25-26 — Brad Amack Memorial Adult Softball Tournament. Joslin/Needham Complex. Visit www.brushcolo.com to register. Brush June 26 — Tri on the Plains, North Sterling State Park. Sterling

July

July — Crook Fair. Crook Thursdays — Live@ThePark Summer Concert Series in Fort Morgan City Park on

Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. Fort Morgan July 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 — July Jamz, 6 p.m., Logan County Courthouse Gazebo.

Sterling July 2-4 — 62nd Annual Brush Rodeo. Brush July 2 — Ron Prascher Dasher 5K. Rotary Club sponsored event. Hosted at The Course at Petteys Park.

Brush July 2 — Goodall Rec Center Dualathlon, Triathlon and 5K. Ogallala July 4 — Otis’ Traditional 4th of July Celebration at the Otis Baseball Field. Otis July 4 — East Morgan Library Quilt Show, Lions Club Breakfast, Parade at 10 a.m. Fireworks at dusk.

Brush July 4 — Heritage Festival, Overland Trail Museum.

Sterling July 4 — Wiggins Fourth of July Blowout and Car Show, Wiggins Town Park.

Wiggins July 4 — 4th of July Festival at Western Diamond Sports Complex. Ogallala July 4 — Fireworks Display, Julesburg Fire Department. Julesburg July 8-9 — BobStock music festival, Fort Morgan City Park, downtown Fort Morgan, featuring headliner Grand Funk Railroad. Fort Morgan July 8-10 — Flatlanders Car Show, Pioneer Park. www.coloradoflatlanders.org.

Sterling July 10-16 — City of Brush! Parks and Recreation Week. Free golf at The Course at Petteys Park, basketball and wiffle ball tournament at VFW Park, free swimming, belly flop contest at Brush Municipal Pool, free community breakfast and pickle ball at The Course at Petteys Park, horseshoe and mud volleyball tournaments at VFW Park, and movie

See Page 65

»» Calendar night at Sunset Field. Brush July 16 — Old-Fashioned Saturday Night. Haxtun July 16-17 — Hobie Tropical Dreams Regatta at Lake McConaughy. Ogallala July 19-24 — Phillips County Fair. Holyoke July 19 — Annual Customer Appreciation Free Barbecue, East Morgan County Library Park, 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Brush July 22-23 — Kingsley Dam 75th Anniversary Celebration. Free BBQ, boat parade, kayaking events, sand volleyball, paddleboarding. Ogallala July 23 — Sixth Annual Brush Disc Golf Singles Tournament. Watrous Disc Golf Park, 2810 Mill St. Brush July 23 — Dam Run at Lake McConaughy 5K & 1 Mile Walk/Run. Ogallala July 26-30 — Eastern Colorado Roundup at the Washington County Fairgrounds.

Akron July 27-31 — Sedgwick County Fair and Rodeo, Sedgwick County Fairgrounds. Julesburg July 28-30 — GlennMiller SwingFest, downtown Fort Morgan, visit www.glenn millerswingfest.com. Fort Morgan July 28 - Aug. 7 — Logan County Fair & Rodeo, Logan County Fairgrounds. PBR and PRCA events, Demolition Derby, 4-H/FFA and open class exhibits, livestock shows, carnival, vendors.

Aug. 6 Night Show featuring Canaan Smith, A Thousand Horses, with special guest Jana Kramer. Visit lcfair.org.

Sterling July 29 - Aug. 6 — Morgan County Fair at Morgan County Fairgrounds. Brush July 29-31 — Wray Daze.

Friday: 6-9:30 p.m., Family Fun Night on Main Street.

Food, crafts, games, fireworks. Saturday: Lions Club’s free chuckwagon

from page 64

breakfast and free BBQ at City of Wray Plaza Park, Wray Volunteer Fire Department Keg Fights at Wray Shopping Center, beer garden, River City Cruiser cars show at Rainbow Park. Sunday: Mud volley tournament and horse show tournament by the ball fields. Wray July 30 — 27th annual Kites & Castles at Lake McConaughy’s Martin Bay. Ogallala

August

August — Julesburg Alumni Reunion, Sedgwick County Fair. Julesburg Aug. 5 — Steak Fry at Morgan County Fairgrounds.

Brush Aug. 6-10: Yuma County Fair. 4-H and FFA exhibits and sales, parade, rodeos, night show, carnival and exhibits. Yuma Aug. 13 — Buckers Unlimited ABBI Bull Futurity & Bull Riding at Brush Livestock Exchange. 8 a.m.

Brush Aug. 17-18 — IRF Farm Show. Demonstrations and information about the latest irrigated farming techniques, ideas and innovations at the Irrigated Research Farm.

Yuma Aug. 20 — Brush Disc Golf Doubles Tournament.

Watrous Disc Golf Park, 2810 Mill St. Brush Aug. 26-27 — “Get Smashed” Demolition Derby, Morgan County Fairgrounds.

Brush Aug. 27 — Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Columbine Park. Fundraiser for Alzheimer’s Association.

Sterling

September

September — Fleming Fall Festival. Fleming September — Brush Balloon Festival. Brush September — Sedgwick Car Show, Sedgwick Inn. Sedgwick Sept. 3-4 — Hobie Mac

Attack Regatta. Ogallala Sept. 3-4 — RMXA Motorcross Labor Day Race, Pawnee Cycle Club. Sterling Sept. 3-4 — Sedgwick Harvest Festival. Parade, rodeo, games, exhibits. Sedgwick Sept. 9-11 — Old Threshers Days, Yuma Pioneer Town. Demonstrations of frontier threshing equipment, corn shelling, log sawing. Food and shopping.

Yuma Sept. 10 — Alzheimer’s Memory Walk, starts at Fort Morgan City Park. Fort Morgan Sept. 10-11 — Hot Air Balloon Festival. Doty Pond.

Brush Sept. 16-18 — Fall Harvest Car Show, downtown Fort Morgan. Fort Morgan Sept. 17-18 — Sugar Beet Days, Logan County Courthouse Square. Outdoor craft and vendor bazaar, live music and entertainment. Sterling Sept. 22-24 — 33rd annual Ogallala Indian Summer Rendezvous. Downtown Ogallala Rendezvous Square.

Ogallala Sept. 23 — Car ShowCruise In, 6 p.m. Brush Grocery Kart. Brush Sept. 24 — Volksmarch 5K Community Walk. Brush Sept. 24 — Oktoberfest, downtown Brush, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Brush Sept. 24 — Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center’s Fall Festival. Carroll Building, Hwy 34/Edison St. Brush Sept. 24 — Haxtun Corn Festival. Haxtun

October

Weekends — Chamber of Terror, Logan County Courthouse Annex. Sterling October — Akron Volunteer Firemen’s Community Appreciation Breakfast.

Akron October — Julesburg Pumpkin Fest. Scarecrow contests, hay rides, haystack hunt, free pumpkin, October

Soup Fest. Julesburg October — Sedgwick County Health Center’s Fall Ball, Fairgrounds. Costumes.

Julesburg October — Holly Daze Craft Fair. Holyoke October — Scarecrow Event. Sterling October — Sterling Miracle Players Haunted House.

Sterling October — Sweet Adelines Windsong Chorus Concert.

Sterling October — For Peetz Sake Days. Peetz Oct. 1 — Merino Fall Festival. Merino Oct. 8 — Cub Scouts Chuckwagon Skills Challenge, Pioneer Park. Sterling Oct. 22 — East Morgan County Hospital Foundation’s 6th Annual Fall Affair Fundraiser. Mark Arndt Event Center, Morgan County Fairgrounds. Brush Oct. 29-31 — Otis Volunteer Fire Department’s Haunted House. Otis Oct. 31 — Trick or Treat Street, Sterling Recreation Center. Sterling Oct. 31 — Trick or Treat Trail events in downtown Fort Morgan. Fort Morgan

November

November — Shop Brush First campaign begins. Brush November — Julesburg Holiday Open House. Julesburg Nov. 19 — Winter Festival, Yuma Community Center.

Christmas lights around Lake Yuma and Downtown.

Santa visits, a book giveaway, wagon rides and craft fair.

Yuma Nov. 19 — Ogallala Fall Arts & Crafts Show, Keith County Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall. Homemade arts and crafts, special occasion and food baskets, jellies, jewelry, floral wreaths and arrangements, wooden items, afghans, face painting, purses, crocheted items, bake

See Page 66

EXPLORE 2016 • 65

»» Calendar

from page 65

sales. Ogallala Nov. 24 — Turkey Trot.

Sterling Nov. 25 — Light the Night, Logan County Courthouse Square. Sterling

December

First week — Fort Morgan Parade of Lights, downtown.

Fort Morgan Thursday nights and Saturdays all month long — Christmas Capitol of the Plains events. Fort Morgan All month long — Sterling Public Library Parade of Trees. Sterling December — Julesburg Parade of Lights. Kid’s matinee, fire truck rides with Santa. Julesburg December — Hippodrome Art Center Vendor/Craft Show and Turkey Dinner.

Julesburg December — Akron Volunteer Fire Department’s Beef Noodle Supper; Akron Chamber of Commerce Parade of Lights. Akron December — Sweet Adelines Windsong and Centennial State Chorus Concert.

Sterling December — Master Chorale Christmas Concert. Sterling Dec. 1 — Parade of Lights.

Sterling Dec. 2 — Brush Businesses Host Holiday Open Houses, City sleigh rides, marshmallow roast. Brush Dec. 2 — East Morgan County Library Book Sale.

EMCL basement. Brush Dec. 3 — Brush High School FBLA Craft Show. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Brush Dec. 3-4 — Otis Christmas Tree Walk at the Otis Ambulance Building. Otis Dec. 10 — Free kids movie at Sands Theatre, 1 p.m.

Brush Dec. 17 — Free kids movie at Sands Theatre, 1 p.m., followed by Santa Party at the Carroll Building, 2:30 p.m. Brush Dec. 24 — Otis Volunteer 66 • EXPLORE 2016

Courtesy photo from Ogallala/Keith County Chamber of Commerce

Held on the shores of beautiful Lake McConaughy each July is the annual Kites and Castles competition. Kite fliers and sand sculptors from around the nation take part in this event and is open to everyone of all ages and skill levels.

Fire Department’s Candy Run. Otis

January

Jan. 24 — Brush Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet. Carroll Building. 5:30 p.m. Brush

February

February/March — Annual Ag-Appreciation Night Banquet. Brush High School.

Brush February — Northeastern Junior College Hoops Homecoming. Sterling February — Hospice of the Plains Benefit Hog Roast & Auction. Sterling

March

March — Holyoke Art Show. Holyoke March — Haxtun Lions Chuckwagon Dinner. Haxtun March — NJC Auto Show and Toy Show. Sterling March — Family Resource Center Wearin’ O the Green fundraiser. Sterling March — Leprechaun Leap. Sterling

March — NJC Regional Art Show. Sterling March 1-31 — Sterling Public Library Quilt Show.

Sterling Mid-March — 14th annual Ag Appreciation Night, Brush. Visit www.brush chamber.org. Brush

April

April — City of Brush 27th Annual Arbor Day Celebration. Tree City USA. Call 970842-5001 for more information. Brush April — East Morgan County Hospital Foundation’s 3rd Annual ‘Prairie Rose’ Spring Fundraiser. Call (970) 842-4899 for more info.

Brush April — Art Walk. Sterling April — Red Cross Your Heart, Our Hands Benefit.

Sterling April — NJC Mudevil Dayz. Sterling April — High Plains Secondary Schools Art Show, Northeastern Junior College.

Sterling

April — NJC Annual Student Art Exhibit. Sterling April — Hippodrome Art Centre “Gala.” Julesburg April-October — Julesburg Drag Strip racing season.

Julesburg Mid-April — International Music Fest. Visit http:// onemorgancounty.org. Fort Morgan April/May — Hertneky Vision Source 8th Annual Sight from the Heart. Community outreach, eyewear and exams donated free for those in need. Visit www.hertnekyvisioncare.com for more info.

Brush April 15 — Akron Lions Club Annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Akron City Park.

Akron

May

May — Tread for Trails, Pioneer Park. Sterling May — Livestock Prospect Show, Sedgwick County Fairgrounds. Julesburg

North Sterling State Park • Overland Trail Museum • Logan County Fair & Rodeo • 60 acres of Parks Bradford Rhea Tree Sculptures • Sugar Beet Days Craft Fair • Flatlanders Car Show July Jamz Free Concert Series • Bird Watch • View Wildlife • Hunting, Fishing, Boating • Golf Courses Bowling Lanes • Walk & Bike Paths • 5-Plex Movie Theater • Outdoor Pool & Water Park Historical Buildings Self-Guided Tour • Unique Gift & Antique Shops Sterling Xpress Baseball • And Much, Much More!