MyWindsor May 2021

windsor MAY 2021

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contents

| MAY 2021

06 | EDUCATION Windsor High School teacher blogs on technical education during the pandemic.

08 | COMMUNITY Windsor earned the designation as a Tree City USA for the 40th year.

10 | HEALTH Tips on keeping kids active during the pandemic and the upcoming summer months.

14 | PANDEMIC

06

WINDSOR HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER BLOGS ON TECH EDUCATION

With more people getting vaccinated,is it now safe to start attending social gatherings? It all depends.

16 | COLORADO All Colorado mass vaccination sites now taking walk-ins to boost flagging demand for shots.

18 | OUTDOORS Head outside and discover a whole new world!

Take a ride along the Poudre River Trail corridor.

26 | HEALTH

Learn about the many reasons and health benefits of getting a good night’s sleep.

30 | BUSINESS

After a rocky 2020 Sisu Therapies celebrates their 1 year anniversary in the Windsor community.

32 | SAW IT, WANT IT Chill Potz is a paint-your-own pottery studio that has been part of the Windsor community since 2019.

34 | FINAL THOUGHT Taking time to remember all those who gave their lives for our country this Memorial Day. 4 | mywindsor | MAY 2021

18

ON THE COVER

mywindsor Managing Editor | Page Designer Brian Sathe Contributing Writers and Photographers Darian Armer, Anne Delaney, Luanne Kadlub, Emily Kemme, Tamara Markard, Alex McIntyre, Jadyn Watson-Fisher, Meg Wingerter, Kristen M. White

MYWINDSOR MAGAZINE

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Biking Along The Poudre River Trail Is An Excellent Way To Get Outdoors, Feel The Fresh Air And Exercise

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education | BLOGGING

ALEX MCINTYRE Teacher Tony Hilim, right, works with Windsor High School senior Allison Spirek, left, during a welding class at Windsor High School in Windsor April 16, 2021. Teacher Tony Hilim started teaching at Windsor High School in 1996.

WINDSOR HIGH’S HILIM BLOGS ON TEACHING CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION DURING COVID-19

BY ANNE DELANEY

T

eaching hands-on courses during COV ID-19, Windsor High School’s Tony Hilim considers himself fortunate.

The impact for Hilim and his students might have been greater; it might have been harder, for example, to instruct students on welding and other career and technical education subjects if not for the Weld RE-4 School District’s approach to learning through a pandemic.

“There would’ve been a lot more stress if we were fully remote,” said Hilim, who has 26 years at Windsor in a career spanning more than 30 years. “We were in project planning at that point. I took seat time in school and converted it to remote.”

Now, Hilim and Weld RE-4 are trying to share their story — how career and technical education, or CTE, functions when in-shop classes in schools switch to a remote format — with a broader audience at the U.S. Department of Education.

In Weld RE-4, the CTE curriculum

6 | mywindsor | MAY 2021

includes sk il led trades such as: agriculture, culinary arts, welding, construction and business.

Weld RE-4 spokesperson Lisa Relou said superintendent Dan Seegmiller in December received a request from the federal agency expressing a hope the school district might contribute to a blog from the department’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The blog is filed under the OESE’s ‘Back to School Success Stories,’ and includes submissions from parents, school officials and teachers.

Hilim was tasked with writing the blog, with help from Relou, because of “his aptitude to adapt to whatever comes his way every year,” according to Michelle Smith, the district’s CTE coordinator and community partnerships coordinator.

“It’s an exciting opportunity to showcase CTE programs,” Smith said. “If you think about the changing landscape, we’ve had major challenges to overcome.”

Relou said the district has not received word from the department of education on the status of the blog. It had not been published as of April 16.

In the current academic year, as the pandemic’s continued to impact schools, Hilim and his students saw their shop time reduced to four days a week at the start of the year. District middle and high schools were following a hybrid schedule, meaning each of Hilim’s students were in the shop two days a week.

Weld RE-4 secondary schools went remote in November and it extended into December and the start of winter break. The district returned secondary students to hybrid learning when school resumed in January. The district returned secondary students to in-school learning five days a week in late March at the end of the third quarter.

In the blog, Hilim and Relou wrote about keeping students engaged in the work with shop time cut in half. He said while his CTE colleagues in agriculture and culinary arts gave their students athome kits to continue lessons, that wasn’t an option with welding.

So, to plan online learning, Hilim went with an old-school approach: pencil and paper. Using those, he drew out what he’d teach — online, in person and for both environments.

Windsor High School senior Allison Spirek, left, dunks a welded piece of metal in water to cool it during a welding class on Friday, April 16, 2021 in Windsor. Teacher Tony Hilim recently wrote a blog for the U.S. Department of Education on teaching career and technical education during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)

“With only half the students in the classroom, one silver lining was spending more one-on-one time with students in the shop,” Hilim and Relou wrote. “The past year also presented a unique opportunity to emphasize and teach postsecondary workforce readiness skills such as completing assignments on time, personal responsibility, and selfmotivation, which are all critical in the field of skilled trades.”

Hilim said he dreaded the start of the school year in August, as he wondered if schools would open for in-person learning.

The closure of schools in spring 2020 left him “freaking out,” he said, until the district decided to implement a departmentwide curriculum for CTE rather than individual teachers designing their own work.

Hilim, a Laramie native and University of Wyoming graduate, was a skilled tradesman. He worked in carpentry and taught in Nevada before moving to Windsor in the late 1990s.

With CTE, Hilim and Smith and many others in Weld RE-4 are thinking about the future of the program. The district is exploring options for a November bond up to $189 million to fund capital projects: to build and renovate schools and to invest in current schools.

Among the investments planned, according to the district’s bond website, is increasing career and technical education curriculum and programs at Severance High School, which opened in 2019. Smith career and technical education classes are popular; the classes are flexible, allowing students the chance to continue their education at a post-secondary institution or go into the workforce.

According to the bond proposal, a career and technical education learning facility would be created at Severance High to focus on pathways in agriculture, greenhouse, welding and culinary arts. Smith’s work with career and technical education includes coordinating on-the-job training programs.

“A big piece of career and technical education is looking to see industry demands and regional needs,” Smith said.

“What do they need and what are they looking for? Industry partnerships are critical for giving feedback, and allowing us to know what they’re looking for.”

MAY 2021 | mywindsor | 7

community | TREE CITY USA

ALEX MCINTYRE Main Street is seen in downtown Windsor Aug. 22, 2020.

WINDSOR RECEIVES TREE CITY USA DISTINCTION FOR

40

TH

BY JADYN WATSON-FISHER

T

he Town of Windsor earned the designation as a Tree City USA for the 40th year, the Colorado State Forest Service announced this week.

Windsor has earned the distinction of being a “Tree City” by meeting certain criteria for the Tree City USA program for the past 40 years. Requirements for the distinction include continual investment into a location’s urban forestry, possessing a certain amount of tree coverage, celebrating Arbor Day and more.

“On behalf of the Colorado State Forest Service, I want to congratulate

8 | mywindsor | FEBRUARY 2021

YEAR

the Town of Windsor on reaching this impressive milestone,” Dana Coelho, Urban and Community Forestry Manager for the state forest service, said in a release. “Being a Tree City for 40 years is a testament to the dedication and value the town and its residents place on the trees in their community and the benefits trees provide, from clean air and water to natural beauty.”

Windsor Town Forester Ken Kawamura said he has been honored to manage the town’s trees for the past 18 years and is appreciative of the Windsor Tree Board, established in 1976, for its constant support. He said the board has played a key role in the town reaching this milestone.

“The Town of Windsor is one of a handful of communities across the

nation that has reached this milestone,” Kawamura said in the release.“I am very fortunate to be part of a community that supports and values the importance of trees and all that they contribute to the wellbeing and prosperity to the town we call home.”

Tree City USA is a program by the Arbor Day Foundation, which provides guidance for communities to manage and increase the number of public trees.

The Colorado State Forest Service oversees the program in the state.

For more information on Windsor’s forestry services and the Tree City USA program, people may go to the Windsor town website and the Arbor Day website.

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heallth | FITNESS

Childhood fitness • Keeping Kids Active during the pandemic and the upcoming summer months •

BY DARIAN ARMER MARKETING FEATURE

A

s we creep back toward normalcy, summer fun awaits kids.And making sure your kids stay active and healthy this summer is more important than you might think.

“Physical activity improves learning and helps kids maintain focus and attention,” says Dani Unrein, Windsor High School PE teacher. “Just like reading levels, fitness levels can dip over the summer break. I see fitness test scores go down from when kids left school for the summer to when they come back.”

While the words “active” and “fitness” can seem daunting, Unrein says it can actually all be very manageable. No fourteener hikes required.

(Photo: ABC Child Development Center)

“Everyone should get 60 minutes a day of physical activity. A good goal for parents to have for their kids would be anywhere from 45 – 60 minutes.”

Most importantly, notes Unrein, is to understand you don’t have to do it all at once.

“It can be really intimidating to think 60 minutes solid but you can break it up to me more manageable,” she says. “It can be chalk on the sidewalk, a nature walk in your neighborhood, going to the pool, backyard scavenger hunts,bike riding,hopscotch,foursquare, jump rope, tag games, hide and seek, nerf gun wars, wiffleball, there are so many options.”

Unrein also says unstructured playtime is necessary for kids.

“Provide them with a space and equipment if they need it, but let them entertain themselves.Unstructured play develops their imaginations, allows them to problem solve and if they’re playing with other kids they learn the basics of teamwork.”

When it comes to nutrition, Unrein suggests planning ahead and keeping it simple.

(Photo: ABC Child Development Center)

10 | mywindsor | MAY 2021

“Meal prep will be really important.Always

rely on childcare, centers like ABC Child Development Centers partner with community organizations to make sure the children in its care receive plenty of options for recreation throughout the summer.

(Photo: ABC Child Development Center)

have fresh cut fruit and veggies. You can use bento boxes to make your own ‘Lunchable’ type meals but with healthy options.”

She says to aim for high protein snacks and meals with plenty of fruits and veggies.

“Try not to buy processed foods. Try to keep fresh, easy stuff on hand that they can make themselves or you can easily throw together in the morning,”Unrein says.

Healthy swaps are easier than you might think. Substitute mashed up berries for jelly on a traditional PB&J sandwich. Make veggies fun to eat by pairing them with dips like peanut butter or yogurt ranch.

For parents who work full-time and

“We believe wholeheartedly in being outside and getting fresh air and sunshine.

We believe that sort of environment is ideal to combat spreading viruses,”says Scott Bright, owner of ABC Child Development Centers.

“We feel that developing gross motor skills, friendships and social/emotional activities is highly valuable. We are excited to get back to normal.”

Bright says he hopes to introduce some normal activities back this summer. He says kids and parents alike are ready for it.

“We have lots of outdoor activities planned like every summer. As a licensed childcare provider,we are subject to certain restrictions with advice from the local and state health departments and the CDC. We weigh everything to create the best environment for the kids.We want to get kids out and active as much as we possibly can.”

To see a sample schedule of activities or for more information about ABC Child Development Centers,visit www.abccdc.com.

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When it comes to what your children drink, what they choose to hydrate with is really important, says Unrein. “They need zero sugary drinks.”

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For a fun take on water, Unrein suggests making it a family activity and making your own flavored water. She says berries and melons are great to flavor water. She suggests blackberries, raspberries and even melons like honeydew.

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Experiment with different amounts of time letting the water sit with the fruit and see what tastes best.

Make a competition out of it and see who can develop the best flavor. Have fun!

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health | LONG COVID

FIVE STEPS

TO HELP MANAGE RECOVERY FROM

M

'LONG COVID'

ore than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s becoming clear that some patients who recover may take longer to feel like themselves than others.

A new analysis of Cigna claims data estimates that about seven to 10 percent of its commercial customers diagnosed with COVID-19 could be considered “longhaulers,”or patients experiencing symptoms for longer than 12 weeks after initially getting sick.

“Much remains to be learned about the potential long-lasting effects of COVID-19, but the good news is that the health care community is working to support people in their recovery long after they leave the hospital,” says Dr. Steve Miller, executive vice president and chief clinical officer,Cigna.

Dr.Miller,a nationally-recognized advocate for greater access, affordability and excellence in health care,is offering the following tips for those grappling with “Long COVID.” 1. Take care of your mental health: It’s no secret that we’re facing a mental health crisis in America that will remain long after COVID-19 restrictions are eased. Last year alone, Cigna’s pharmacy benefit manager saw a nearly 8 percent increase in people using antidepressants. Recovery from COVID-19 can be physically and mentally draining, 12 | mywindsor | MAY 2021

especially for people whose symptoms persist for many weeks or months. Cigna research shows at least 5 percent of its patients who recovered from COVID-19 developed a mental health disorder in the following months.

The good news is that the pandemic has rapidly accelerated the availability and adoption of a range of behavioral health options, making it easier to find a mental health counselor who can help.In fact,60 percent of Cigna behavioral health customers are now using virtual services – 97 percent of which had previously never had a virtual visit before the pandemic.

2. Take advantage of care managers: Many health plans have expanded access to virtual and telehealth services that can help you avoid additional trips to the clinic or emergency room. Equally important, some health plans offer individualized support in your recovery from a “care manager.” Think of them as a personal health advocate. They will check in to see how you’re feeling, help connect you with needed specialists and followup treatments, and will even check in on your family.Hospitalized Cigna customers who had a post-discharge visit with a provider,either inperson or virtually, and engaged with a Cigna care manager, saw savings of almost $2,000 in 60-day post-COVID costs.Care managers also helped people recover and return to work a full

week sooner than average.

3. Get vaccinated when you can.

Some preliminary reports show that getting the COVID-19 vaccine has helped improve symptoms for long-haulers.

4. Find a “long-hauler” clinic.

Researchers are still learning about COVID19’s long-term impacts,and there are a number of clinics opening across the country focused solely on treating COVID long-haulers. The National Institutes of Health has also dedicated $1.1 billion to the study of “Long COVID,” and Cigna is coordinating closely with them and these clinics to support its customers.

Connection is crucial,so also consider seeking out an online long-hauler support network like Survivor Corps.

5. Keep practicing COVID-19 precautions. Everyone is ready to get back to doing the things they love,but none of us are safe until all of us are safe. America is in a race to reach herd immunity before more contagious variants gain momentum. Continue wearing masks, washing your hands and practicing social distancing and encourage family and friends to do the same.

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MAY 2021 | mywindsor | 13

pandemic | SOCIAL GATHERINGS

? y t r a p o t y d a e t R h g i l w o l l e y e h t s e v i g C DC ) n o i t u (use ca

BY LUANNE KADLUB MARKETING FEATURE

I

s it now safe to celebrate Mother’s Day? Cinco de Mayo?

Graduations? Weddings? Not to mention retu turn u to the gym, church and restaurants or simply hang out with friends?

It all depends.

The good news is that many events and occasions that were canceled last year because of the Covid pandemic are maki king i a comeback. Albeit All a careful, well-thought-out comeback with statewide restrictions — mask wearing,social distancing,etc.— left in the hands of individual counties and for different situ tuations. u Alll of the variables make it an interesting situ All tuation u for Windsor residents.

“It would seem like having one foot in Larimer County tyy and one foot in Weld County would complicate how Windsor responds to the pandemic, but it really hasn’t,” said Kimberly

14 | mywindsor | MAY 2021

Overholt,communications coordinator for Windsor.

“We’ll continue to watch the latest safety tyy precautions and our overarching goal will remain keeping residents safe.” She noted that last summer theTown held the Farmers Market and Movies in the Park without incident.

This year, Windsor is planning a “more normal summer season,” said Lexie Spykstra, recreation coordinator of events and sponsorships.What that means is outdoor events such as the Thursday summer concert series (ki kicks i off June 2 with Twenty tyy Hands High), Farmers Market (Satu turdays u June 12-Sept. 11), Fourth of July fireworks,Movies in the Park (starts June 11 with “The Croods” at Windsor’s Main Park), and Mother Daughter Tea: LittleTea Party tyy on the Prairie ( June 5) are alllll on the summer calendar among others.

And yes, the Harvest Festival over Labor Day weekend is back on the docket as well.

However, attendees are expected to wear masks, social distance and stay home if not feeling well. “The nice thing is people sort of distance themselves anyway.It’s kind of natural to look for that spot that’s not real close to others,”Spykstra said.

In addition,Windsor’s parks can be reserved for outdoor events, be it Mother’s Day, graduation or birthday parties, or other small gatherings. The Community Center’s indoor meeting space, however, is still off limits. For now.

And while restaurants are opening their doors to more customers, small event venues are still off to a slow restart.

“When you go to restaurants, you have an individual table attended by one server.When you go to small events, such as weddings, you have closer proximity to a lot of people you haven’t been around. People tend to be a little more leary,” said Deb Nelson, business and beverage manager at Mason’s Event Center, which opened in downtown Greeley a year and a half before Covid shut down many event venues and restaurants.

She is hopeful that May will bring more small events to the venue, a former Masonic Lodge.

“In our industry, we are pretty careful generally. We are in hospitality and we want to take care of the customers. It’s important that we still do that so they want to go to the next event.”

What does the Colorado Department of Health advise regarding upcoming spring and summer gatherings?

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Visit with unvaccinated people from a single household who are at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing.

•

Refrain from quarantine and testing following a known exposure if asymptomatic.

The CDC recommends that vaccinated people continue to wear masks, practice physical distancing and follow other prevention measures when visiting with unvaccinated people who are at increased risk for severe COVID-19. They are also recommending that fully vaccinated individuals:

The importance to vaccinate increases as variants of COVID-19 show up in Colorado.

They are now responsible for more than 50 percent of positive cases, according to Dr. Rachel Herlihy, state epidemiologist. The variants are considered more transmissible and in some cases more difficult to treat, and are infecting more young people.

All Coloradans 16 and older can now be vaccinated. You’ll find a list of providers at COCOVIDVACCINE.org or by calling 1-877CO VAX CO (1-877-268-2926).

So what does the CDC recommend?

•

Continue to avoid medium and large gatherings.

•

Get tested if you start experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.

•

Fo l l o w C D C a n d h e a l t h department travel requirements and recommendations.

Individuals who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 can: •

Visit with other fully vaccinated people

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colorado | VACCINE SITES

OFSA Kashif Hayat, left, goes over instructions before giving Alec Bosshart, 23, his vaccination as his dad Jim, right, listens at a drive through clinic near Ball Arena on April 6, 2021 in Denver.

ALL COLORADO MASS VACCINATION SITES TO TAKE WALK-INS IN BID TO BOOST FLAGGING DEMAND FOR SHOTS

Counties with higher vaccination rates have fewer new COVID-19 cases, state health officials say

BY MEG WINGERTER AND THE DENVER POST

A

ll six drive-thru mass vaccination sites in Colorado are now taking walk-ins as the state tries to boost flagging demand for shots and COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to rise.

About one-third of Coloradans are fully vaccinated, and state officials said data is increasingly showing the inoculations are effective at slowing the virus’spread.

But the number of people receiving the shots each week has fallen since early April. Gov. Jared Polis attributed the drop-off to people taking a wait-and-see approach,or not wanting to deal with the perceived hassle of getting an appointment.

While the number of people who wanted to get vaccinated initially exceeded the number of appointments available, that’s changed in recent weeks.

“The people that really wanted it have gotten it,” Polis said during a briefing Tuesday.

“It’s not a resistance to vaccines issue. It’s a hesitancy or laziness issue.”

16 | mywindsor | MAY 2021

There are still disparities in who has gotten the vaccine, with Black and Hispanic Coloradans less likely to be protected than white Coloradans, though the gap has narrowed over time. People of color, in general, are less likely to have internet access to sign up for an appointment or transportation to get to one, and are more likely to work in jobs where it’s difficult to take time off for health reasons.

The goal of opening all mass-vaccination sites — which originally were set up as appointment-only — to walk-ins is to reduce the difficulty of getting a vaccine, Polis said.

Three of the sites, in Denver, Pueblo and Loveland, began taking walk-ins last week.

People who don’t have a way of getting to a site can call 211 to find free rides, he said.

Sites accepting walk-ins are: •

•

Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday through Thursday Ball Arena in Denver, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday

•

Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday through Tuesday

•

The Ranch Events Complex in Loveland, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday

•

Grand Junction Convention Center, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday

•

Colorado State Fairgrounds in Pueblo, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day

Jessica Bralish, spokeswoman for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, said Tuesday that the state is running a campaign to encourage those who haven’t gotten a shot to do so, and those who might have missed their second dose to come back. Centura Health is offering 2,500 appointments on Thursday to people who missed their second Moderna shot or are due and couldn’t get another appointment.

Data has shown that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines remain equally effective when the second shot comes up to six weeks after the first. It’s not completely clear if it’s equally effective after six weeks, but even then,

people don’t need to start over again, Bralish said.

The state health department’s records show about 2.8% of people who got one dose of Pfizer or Moderna’s shot in Colorado didn’t get the second, though it’s possible some of them got it out-of-state or from a federal agency that doesn’t send records to the state.

That’s lower than the national average of about 8% of people missing their second dose, according to The New York Times, and significantly better than some other multishot vaccines. About one-quarter of adults who get their first shot for shingles don’t get the second, and the results are similar for teens getting the HPV vaccine.

Colorado is starting to see more evidence that vaccines are effective at a community level, state epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Herlihy said. Declines in hospitalizations among older people, who were among the first to be vaccinated, showed protection at the individual level. Now, counties with higher vaccination rates have lower cases and hospitalizations, indicating some level of protection for the general community, she said.

It’s unlikely that any counties have reached “herd immunity” — a level of protection

where the virus struggles to find new hosts, because so many people are immune, Herlihy said. Community-level protection isn’t like a light switch, turning the pandemic off once a certain percentage of people are vaccinated.

Rather, it’s like a dimmer switch, with the size of flare-ups decreasing as more and more people are protected.

Statewide, new cases and hospitalizations keep rising. The state health department reported, as of Tuesday afternoon, 679 people were hospitalized with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 — the highest total since Jan. 28. Cases last week also reached their highest levels since mid-January.

More than 9% of tests were positive on Monday, though it’s possible that number could reflect the low number of people who got tested, Polis said. Experts believe that positivity rates above 5% are a warning sign that increasing numbers of cases are going undetected.

“If you haven’t been vaccinated, you are at a very high risk for contracting this virus right now,” Polis said.

The largest amount of transmission seems to be happening in children ages 11 to 18, Herlihy said, with the virus spreading to lesser degrees in younger children and adults.

School-based outbreaks are also increasing, she said.

“We did see a little bit of stabilization last week,” she said. “Unfortunately, the numbers are heading the wrong way again.”

The Pfizer vaccine is authorized for anyone who is 16 or older, but the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson shots are only available to those who are least 18. Children’s Hospital Colorado is going to offer the Pfizer shot to 16- and 17-year-olds at its Aurora and Colorado Springs locations, Polis said.

State law requires most businesses to give employees four hours of paid time off to get vaccinated, Polis said, and to offer sick days while they recover from any side effects. He advised employees to file a complaint with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment if their employers don’t do this.

Two buses are bringing vaccines to mountain communities and the Western Slope this week, and partnerships with organizations in underserved communities to set up clinics will continue, Polis said.

“That’s on us to make it available, then that’s on you to protect yourself, protect your community,” he said.

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outdoors | POUDRE RIVER TRAIL

PEDALING ALONG THE POUDRE

BY EMILY KEMME

EMILY KEMME The River Bluffs Trailhead off Highway 392 is in Larimer County, offering shaded parking, an indoor restroom with running water, and currently, the furthest west starting point for cycling the Poudre River Trail.

T

he Cache la Poudre River flows across natural wetlands and alongside ancient river bluffs, defining Northern Colorado’s landscape.The river’s life-giving waters nurture agriculture while forging a connection betw tween w communities bordering its banks.

The popular Poudre River Trail meanders alongside the river, offering access for nature-lovers and those looki king i to enjoy the benefits of outdoor activities.

Since 1994, sections of the Poudre Trail have been incrementally linked by a team of representatives from Greeley, Windsor, and Weld County. The 10 foot wide concrete trail extends 21 miles, but continues to lengthen thanks to efforts of the Poudre River Trail Corridor nonprofit, an entity formed to coordinate trail growth and maintenance.

Trail Manager Bob Hinderaker said that last year during the height of the COVID-19 lockdown, trail count showed usage up by 200%. Automatic trail counters average over 2,000 users daily.

The original trail from Greeley to Windsor now includes sections reaching to Timnath. Links connecting an environmental center near LaPorte will incorporate a new tunnel beneath Interstate 25. Plans to extend the trail eastw twards w from Island Grove Park to the Platte River are in the works. Hinderaker hopes that by 2023, the entire 40+ mile trail project will be complete.

The trail is important to the community. “It’s not just a recreational trail, it opened access to the entire corridor because nature is in our backyard,” he said.

Open year round, mild weather offers boundless outdoor fitness options. A great way to experience the trail’s entire length is by bicycle. As you pedal, stop and enjoy the trail’s unique sights and activities.

— Jump on the trail at the new Island Grove Park trailhead on 11th Avenue. Split rail fencing and signage direct people to plentiful parki king i and easy trail access.

— Head east to 35th Avenue and Poudre Ponds, a popular fishing spot that doesn’t require a long drive for anglers to cast a line. Partnering with Colorado Parks & Wildlife, the Ponds have been expanded after draining them for repairs. The fishery will be rebuilt and stocked with catchable trout and warm water species.

— Dogs are allowed on the trail if leashed, but at Rover Run Dog Park, your four-footed friends can have playtime. The 3-acre fenced area has benches, a portable restroom, and waste bag receptacles. Bring water for you a d your animals. and i l TOP: A peaceful stretch of trail in Eastman Park, this section winds past picnic benches, soccer fields, a playground, and restrooms with running water. Nearby is the new Eastman Park River Experience.

(Photo: Doug Kemme) TOP-MIDDLE: To the south of Kodak Watchable Wildlife Area off Highway 257 is a hollow offering bow-and-arrow target practice. (Photo: Emily Kemme) BOTTOM-MIDDLE: Treasure Island Demonstration Garden is a partnership between the Town of Windsor and the Colorado Master Gardeners of Weld County. Located on the west edge of Eastman Park, cycling past the gardens can provide both innovative ideas for your own garden, and peace of mind. (Photo: Emily Kemme) BOTTOM: Cyclists and joggers share the 10-foot wide Poudre River Trail near the Frank State Wildlife Area. (Photo: Emily Kemme)

MAY 2021 | mywindsor | 19

— Park by the red barn to explore Signature Bluffs Natural Area off 71st Avenue, which leads to the Sheep Draw Nature Trail. The 86-acres of natural river habitat offer walking trails open to bikers, and canoes and kayaks are allowed on the pond.

There is a restroom available without running water.

— Poudre Learning Center, 8313 West F. Street, is an ideal spot to begin your cycling journey or take a break off the saddle to browse the educational facility and grounds. Supported by five school districts, the center is a wonderful way to introduce kids kii to nature while underscoring the river’s importance.

— Bring binoculars as you glide past Kodak Watchable Wildlife Area, an ideal bird-watching locale. Look for eagles, hawks, and waterfowl. To the south is Windsor’s archery range for bow-and-arrow target practice.

— Cross Highway 257 and pedal to Water Valley, offering a diverse riding experience through neighborhoods, a golf course, and ending at Eastman Park.

Colorado Master Gardeners of Weld County. Eastman Park has indoor restrooms, sinks with running water, and a drinki king i fountain to refill water bottles.

— Frank State Wildlife Area features a birdsong-fi filled i conservation easement. A new bridge over the river on County Road 13 connects to Highway 392. Nearby, the RainDance Golf Course trail section has been realigned to be compatible with the golf course.

— The trail ends (or begins) at River Bluffs Open Space, north of Highway 392 off I-25. Windsor has linked the corridor with trail around Kyger Reservoir with additional shaded parki king i and an indoor restroom with running water.

Head outside and discover a whole new world!

Poudre River Trail Corridor

Cool off at the new Eastman Park River Experience, where you’ll find kayaki king, i canoeing and tubing along one river mile.

e

Funplex

Twin Rivers Park

Oxbow & Overland Trail 2.5 mi

Great Western Farm

Kodak

2.7 mi

3.1 mi

For additional information, maps, questions, or to report trail issues; Visit us on the web @ www.poudretrail.org or call the Trail Office @ (970) 336-4044

Sheep Draw Junction 1.4 mi

4,687 ft elevation

Trailhead

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Cottonwood Sandpiper Ponds Spanish Bend Colony 1.4 mi 1.9 mi .9 mi

Parking Information Restrooms Water

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20th St

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71st Avenue Poudre River Ranch NA

Poudre Learning Ctr. 83rd Avenue

95th Avenue

Kodak Bridge

● Do not harass, capture or kill wildlife ● Never feed wild animals ● Do not disturb nests/animal homes ● Do not pick/remove vegetation ● No camping or fires ● No alcoholic beverages ● No glass containers ● No firearms, paintball, fireworks, etc.

Trail

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Island Grove 2.1 mi

Picnic Area Dog Park Fishing Boating

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● Park only in designated areas ● Trail hours are dawn to dusk ● No motorized vehicles except emergency and maintenance ● Pets must be leashed ● No swimming or pets in the river ● No littering (includes animal waste) ● No trespassing off trail

Prisoner Sharkstooth of War 1 mi 1.3 mi

4,700 ft elevation

10th St

e c re tio n

Bison Arroyo 1 mi

4,730 ft elevation

HWY 257

Eastman Park

WCR 13

HWY 392

River Bluffs River Bluffs 1 mi

4,762 ft elevation

4th St

No .3D

GREELEY

Greeley YouthSports Complex

4,792 ft elevation

CR 35

CR 33

CR 31

CR 29 She

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11th Ave

POW Monument

"F" Street

Island Grove

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Crossroads Blvd

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25t h Ave

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Poudre Ponds

25th Avenue

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35th Ave

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W-15 RoverRun 16 DogPark

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Eastman Park W-2 3

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83r d Ave

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FrankS tate NaturalArea

7th St

Future Connection to Fort Collins

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Future Connection to Severance & Eaton

RiverBluffs OpenSpace

Future Connection to confluence and American Heritage Trail

— Continue cycling along the Eastman Park nature trail, past Treasure Island Garden, featuring innovative demonstration gardens in a partnership betw tween w the Town of Windsor and the

0.5

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Created on 12.29.11 by City of Greeley Planning, gossardb

Miles

A detailed map of the Poudre River Trail going between Greeley, Windsor, and Fort Collins. For additional information visit www.poudretrail.org

20 | mywindsor | MAY 2021

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community | HELPING VETS

HEALING VETERANS AND HELPING THE ENVIRONMENT GO HAND-IN-HAND

W

hat does helping the environment have to do with veterans suffering from psychological trauma brought about by their combat experience? A lot, actually.

That is because one organization, Help Heal Veterans (Heal Vets), is busy delivering thousands of arts-and-crafts therapy kits to veterans each month, and most kits are made largely from recycled materials.

The kits provide an important therapeutic benefit for veterans and active-duty military recovering from wounds,injuries and the long-term psychological effects of warfare,including post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.Heal Vets kits include leatherwork,models, woodwork, jewelry, painting, needlecrafts, poster art, scrapbooks and more,and are created from materials that would have otherwise ended up in landfills.

Heal Vets has been doing this work for 50 years, and commitment to environmental sustainability has become an important and growing part of its mission.

“Over the last five years,we have recycled almost one million pounds of materials,”says Joe McClain,retired Navy captain and CEO of Heal Vets.“By upcycling, we responsibly utilize numerous materials, mostly textiles, one of the biggest contributors to landfill waste in the US.” Indeed,since 2017,Heal Vets has worked with partner organizations to repurpose the extraordinary amounts of potential landfill waste, including: • 300,000 pounds of leather from airplane seats. Southwest Airlines and Arise Foundation have donated leather from airplane seats since 2018. These materials are used to make wallets, footballs, and 22 | mywindsor | MAY 2021

components for moccasins, such as liners and insoles.

• 55,216 pounds of tanned deer skins. The Elks, a partner since 2002, donates tanned deer skins from Elks Lodge members around the country that are used to make moccasins,wheelchair gloves, dreamcatchers, pouches and more.

• 454,500 pounds of upholstery. Since 2017, La Z Boy has donated upholstery fabric that Heal Vets uses in kits to make messenger bags, oven mitts, bowl cozies and more.

• 112,416 pounds of cabinets. Since 2019,American Woodmark has donated cabinets,which have been repurposed for wood kits to make items like boxes and birdhouses.

• 40,000 pounds of automobile seats. Since 2019,Magna has donated auto seats used to make purse kits.

Heal Vets is seeking new partners for its dual mission of helping veterans heal and contributing to a sustainable economy.Businesses can donate materials that reduce their environmental impact and support the recovery of veterans who have served their country and need to recover fully from the visible and invisible wounds of war.To learn more about the power of craft therapy and the sustainability efforts of Heal Vets, visit healvets.org.

“Environmental sustainability has taken on a new meaning for us because it relates directly to our mission,” says McClain. “To us, sustainability means ensuring both the long-term existence of our natural resources and the well-being of the veterans we serve.”

(StatePoint) PHOTO SOURCE:Courtesy of Paris Kissel,Help Heal Veterans

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H Hearty, earty y, W Wholesome holessome D Dishes ishess to o Support Suppo ortt IImmune mmu une Systems Systtems Grilled Portobello Gyros with Yogurt Dill Sauce

Recipe courtesy of Emily Weeks of “Zen and Spice” Cook time: 15 minutes Total time: 25 minutes Servings:4 4 portobello mushrooms 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika 2 yellow bell peppers, sliced Yogurt Dill Sauce: 1 English cucumber, grated 1 cup whole-milk Greek yogurt: 1/2 cup sour cream 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 small lemon, juice only 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon minced fresh dill 4 pita breads or naan 2 tomatoes, thinly sliced 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced 1/2 head green lettuce crumbled feta cheese (optional) Remove stems from mushrooms and brush caps with wet towel.Using spoon, carefully scrape out gills. Slice mushrooms into 1/4-inch pieces and place in medium bowl with olive oil,oregano and smoked paprika.

Preheat indoor grill pan over medium-high heat.Add mushrooms and peppers; grill, tossing occasionally, until tender, 5-7 minutes.

To make yogurt dill sauce: Squeeze grated cucumber in clean towel to remove excess liquid. Add to large bowl with yogurt, sour cream, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt and dill. Stir to combine.

To serve, place mushrooms and peppers in middle of pita bread. Top with tomatoes, onion, lettuce, feta, if desired, and big dollop of yogurt dill sauce.

FAMILY FEATURES f feeding your family wholesome meals is a daily goal, keep in mind you can serve up tasty foods that also feed your immune system by including ingredients like mushrooms. With their earthy flavor, mushrooms – like many other fruits and vegetables – can also play a positive role in supporting a healthy immune system.

Studies at Oregon State University concluded there are a variety of micronutrients important for supporting a healthy immune system.

Consider that three of these nutrients (vitamin D, selenium and B vitamins) can be found in mushrooms, meaning these family-friendly recipes for Roasted Chicken Thighs and Veggies with Mushroom Orzo Risotto; Grilled Portobello Gyros with Yogurt Dill Sauce; Creamy Spinach, Mushroom and Lasagna Soup; and Asian Barbecue Sesame Salmon with Noodles and Veggies can help you add all-important nutrients to your family’s menu.

Find more ways to add mushrooms to family meals at mushroomcouncil.com.

I

Creamy Spinach,Mushroom and Lasagna Soup Recipe courtesy of Emily Weeks of “Zen and Spice” Cook time: 30 minutes Total time: 40 minutes Servings: 4 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 medium onion, small diced 8 ounces crimini mushrooms, sliced 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes 2 tablespoons tomato paste 24 | mywindsor | MAY 2021

2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar 1 teaspoon granulated sugar 1 tablespoon dried basil 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon oregano 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1 bay leaf 3 cups vegetable broth 6 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces 1/2 cup heavy cream 5 ounces fresh baby spinach 1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, for topping Heat large pot over medium heat.

Add olive oil,garlic,onion and mushrooms.Cook,stirring occasionally,until onions and mushrooms soften, 4-5 minutes.

Add marinara, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, vinegar, sugar, basil, salt, oregano, pepper, bay leaf and broth. Bring to boil over high heat then reduce heat to low and simmer.

Add lasagna noodles and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 15 minutes.

Remove from heat and remove bay leaf.

Stir in heavy cream and spinach until wilted, 2-3 minutes.

Divide between bowls and top with dollop of ricotta and sprinkle of mozzarella.

Roasted ChickenThighs and Veggies with Mushroom Orzo Risotto Recipe courtesy of Emily Weeks of “Zen and Spice” Cook time: 50 minutes Total time: 1 hour, 10 minutes Servings: 4 Chicken: 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs salt, to taste pepper, to taste 6 tablespoons unsalted butter 16 ounces crimini mushrooms, quartered 3 zucchini, sliced in half moons 3 large carrots, thinly sliced 4 sprigs fresh rosemary,leaves removed and roughly chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced Orzo: 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 small yellow onion, diced 2 garlic cloves, minced 16 ounces crimini mushrooms, finely chopped 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta 1/8 teaspoon black pepper 1/3 cup white wine 1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese To make chicken: Preheat oven to 450 F. Pat chicken dry. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. In large skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. Sear chicken until browned, 4-5 minutes on each side.

In large bowl, toss mushrooms, zucchini, carrots, garlic and rosemary.

On large baking sheet, spread vegetables. Nestle chicken into vegetables. Drizzle with butter and juices from pan.

Bake 20 minutes until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.

To make orzo: In small pot over medium-low heat, warm broth.

Using skillet from chicken, add butter and olive oil over medium heat.

Add onion, garlic and mushrooms. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions soften, 3-4 minutes.

(Continues on Page 29)

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health | SLEEP

So many reasons to get your

ZZZs

BY KRISTEN M. WHITE MARKETING FEATURE

Y

ou know that intense mid-afternoon craving for sugar, followed by a burst of energy and then a low again? Yeah, we’ve all been there. But you can reduce the frequency of needing a pick-me-up, whether it’s more coffee in the mornings or a junky snack in the afternoon, just by getting your head to the pillow for good and consistent sleep.

Just about everyone knows how refreshing a solid night of ZZZs can be. But beyond the obvious, some of the benefits from good sleep might surprise you.

26 | mywindsor | MAY 2021

Get sick less often and lower your risk for serious health problems Sleep allows the body to repair itself in a variety of ways. Your heart rate falls and your blood pressure drops, which creates less demand on your heart. Your breathing also slows. Combined, these things boost your immune system and give it a better chance to fight off whatever might be coming your way, such as a cold.

Stay at a healthier weight If you don’t get enough sleep, your body produces a hormone that boosts appetite, and it decreases the production of a hormone that tells you you’re full. Combined, these hormonal changes can bring on unneeded snacking and cravings for not-so-healthy foods. So getting a full night’s rest helps keep off extra pounds.

Reduce stress and improve your mood If you sleep well and wake up feeling rested, your energy levels go up. And when energy is improved, small challenges during the day won’t get under your skin as much as they might if you’re tired and cranky. That’s why getting a good night’s sleep can truly lead to a better day.

Think more clearly and do better in school or at work Studies have shown that good sleep is linked to improved concentration and higher cognitive function. Whether you’re completing tasks at work, preparing a presentation or taking a math test at school, good sleep will help.

Make good decisions and avoid injuries Sleep can help keep you – and everyone around you – safer. A study from the AAA AA AA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that people

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But, we all know how difficult it can be to get a good night’s sleep. Whether it’s the amount of hours or the quality of sleep, it’s sometimes an elusive goal.

Adults generally need seven to eight hours of quality sleep, while teens need eight to 10, school-aged children need nine to 12 and babies and toddlers need between 10-16 hours a day, depending on their age.

Ability to log those hours can be affected by all kinds of things, including stress or anxiety, medication, caffeine, health conditions, pain or untreated sleep disorders.

There are simple habits that can be incorporated into a daily routine to help with a good night’s sleep. Some include: • • • • •

Spending time outdoors Limiting caffeine late in the day Drinking alcohol in moderation Not eating a large meal close to bedtime Keeping the bedroom dark and quiet

While many people think of bedtime routines as something for the toddler and preschool set, a consistent bedtime routine can be extremely helpful for adults, too. Experts suggest going to bed at approximately the same time every night and aiming for roughly the same amount of sleep per night. Avoid using screens (including computers, smartphones or TV ) at bedtime.

If you’re concerned about a sleep disorder, such as insomnia or sleep apnea, talk to a doctor.Treatment can lead to better sleep, which can truly impact so many other facets in your life.

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community | THANKING SERVICE MEMBERS

5 WAYS

TO GO BEYOND SAYING ‘THANK YOU’ TO MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS

H

ow do you thank someone who’s willing to risk their life for yours? When it comes to military service members and their families, advocates say there are many avenues for giving back meaningfully.

As part of its “Give More Than Thanks” campaign celebrating 80 years of being the “Force Behind the Forces,”the United Service Organizations (USO) is inviting Americans to take actions that can make a tangible difference in the lives of service members. Here are five ideas to get you started: 1. Offer Skills or Services. Many service members face difficulties translating the skills and experience they acquired in the military to civilian jobs. Others struggle to adjust to the norms of the civilian workforce. Meanwhile, military spouses face professional obstacles throughout their service member’s career due to constant moves and deployments. Consider offering career advice or volunteering to guest lecture via military transition programs, such as the USO Pathfinder Transition Program, which equips service members and military spouses with tools needed to tackle the civilian job market. If you own a business or are a leader in a company, advocate for hiring qualified veterans. By offering practical support, you’re not only thanking service members, you’re helping build an inclusive community that bridges the civilian-military divide.

2. Send a Care Package. Care packages filled with treats and reminders of home let troops know that friends, family and the American people are thinking of them, even from thousands of miles away. However, the process of sending military care packages can be complicated. One easy way to do so is through USO Wishbook, where you can select a symbolic gift from a catalog to be sent to service members.

28 | mywindsor | MAY 2021

3. Support Military Spouses. Deployments are challenging for both service members and their spouses. Reach out to a military spouse whose service member is deployed and offer to cook their family dinner, or to pick up groceries. Simply reaching out to see how they are doing can also make all the difference.

4. Volunteer. Put your gratitude into action. Many USO locations across the country need volunteers who can facilitate programs and events – virtually or safely in person – that provide the military community with the support needed to carry out their missions.

5. Donate. The USO has been expressing its thanks to service members by supporting the troops since World War II. Today, that gratitude is shown in USO locations around the globe; these brickand-mortar centers serve as a home away from home for deployed service members, and a place of respite for the larger military community. USO programming keeps deployed troops connected to loved ones, provides resources for service members and their families and boosts the morale of the entire military community through entertainment and other supportive events. Charitable donations to the USO help make that mission possible.

To learn more about the USO’s work and discover additional ways to give more thanks, visit USO.org/morethanthanks and follow the conversation at #MoreThanThanks.

“Our service members and their families’ sacrifices require us to rise to the challenge. All Americans, united in spirit and action, can change the lives and communities of our military, and thus, our country, for the better,” says J.D. Crouch II, CEO and president of the USO. (StatePoint) PHOTO SOURCE: (c) USO Photos

(Continued from Page 25) Asian Barbecue Sesame Salmon with Noodles and Veggies Recipe courtesy of Emily Weeks of “Zen and Spice” Cook time: 30 minutes

Total time: 40 minutes

Servings: 4 Sauce: 1/2 2 1 2 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 1/2 12 1 1 1 1 2-3

Cook stir-fry noodles according to package directions. Drain, rinse and set aside.

Heat large skillet over medium heat. Add sesame oil. Add mushrooms, snap peas and broccoli. Cook, stirring often, until veggies are tender-crisp, 7-8 minutes. Add noodles and remaining sauce from pan; toss to combine.

To serve, divide noodles, veggies and salmon between plates.

cup soy sauce tablespoons brown sugar tablespoon rice vinegar cloves garlic, minced teaspoon fresh ginger, minced teaspoon chili garlic sauce (optional) tablespoon toasted sesame oil tablespoons barbecue sauce tablespoons water teaspoons cornstarch pounds salmon (4 filets) ounces stir-fry (pad thai) rice noodles tablespoon toasted sesame oil pound white mushrooms, sliced cup sugar snap peas large broccoli head, cut into bite-size florets green onions, thinly sliced, for garnish sesame seeds, for garnish

Top with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

Preheat oven to 400 F. In small saucepan, whisk soy sauce; brown sugar; rice vinegar; garlic; ginger; chili garlic sauce, if desired; sesame oil; and barbecue sauce. Bring to boil over high heat then reduce heat to simmer.

In small bowl, whisk water and cornstarch. Pour into pan and cook on low, whisking often, until sauce thickens, 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

Pour 3 tablespoons sauce into small bowl. Brush salmon filets with reserved sauce and place on baking sheet. Bake 15 minutes, or until salmon is flaky. Discard small bowl sauce if any remains.

MAY 2021 | mywindsor | 29

business | THERAPY CENTER ALEX MCINTYRE Co-owners Laura Simenson, doctor of physical therapy, left, and Joe Schroeder, doctor of physical therapy, stand for a photo at Sisu Therapies in Windsor March 31, 2021.

WINDSOR’S SISU THERAPIES TO WINDSOR MARK ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY AFTER A ROCKY 2020

BY TAMARA MARKARD

THANK YOU

to the town Of Windsor for supporting us

970.663.3500 | pathways-care.org

Learn more at Pathways-Care.org/CapitalCampaign

30 | mywindsor | MAY 2021

While some businesses were forced to close,others were struggling to hold on, persevering and hoping for the best.

Joe Schroeder and Laura Simenson are just two of many business owners who found themselves facing the challenges that COVID-19 presented while trying to open a new business.

The need for a hospice inpatient care center in Northern Colorado is clear.

We are building a new inpatient care center to provide the highest level of care in a home-like setting.

Join us in making this vision a reality.

T

he year 2020 provided challenges that no one could ever foresee, especially business owners.

The couple, who are both Doctors of Physical Therapy (DPT), own Sisu Therapies, 1230 W. Ash St., Suite A, Windsor.

“We had all our wheels in motion and this building became available,”Simenson explained.“We had been thinking about this for years so we said ‘let’s go’.”

By March 2020,the couple was deeply entrenched in a remodel of the building with no idea that a major pandemic was brewing.

The toughest part for Simenson and Schroeder was dealing with the insurance credentialing portion of opening the clinic.

ERIN

(Owner/ Groomer)

AVERY

(Groomer)

BECCA

(Manager/ Groomer)

KRISTA

(Groomer)

SHERI

(Groomer)

www.hotroddogpetgrooming.com 1297 Main Street #7 • Windsor, CO A few doors south of Dairy Queen 970-686-5333 Please leave a message.

We may be busy with furry clients

Insurance credentialing is the process of applying for inclusion into insurance networks such as United Health, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Medicare and other companies.

If a provider is not credentialed with a specific insurance company, they are not allowed to accept that insurance.

Basically,lack of credentialing means lack of money coming in.

“We could start credentialing the moment we had a location and a phone number, which was last February,” Schroeder said.

“But everything just shut down.”

With the virus forcing people to vacate office buildings, insurance credentialers were not in the position to make the transition to working from home as quickly as other industries.

Insurance companies had to come up with ways to keep provider information secure while creating new processes that worked with employees who now worked from home.

“A lot of the major commercial insurers had closed down to new providers coming in,”Simenson said.“We didn’t get into network with United Healthcare until mid to late October; Blue Cross/Blue Shield was in mid-December.”

“Cigna was just last week,”added Schroeder.

Despite the challenges,Simenson and Schroeder pressed on and as the therapy center continues to take off,the couple is looking forward to marking their one-year anniversary on April 27.

The center is named after the Finnish word “sisu”(seé-soo), which means to have “extraordinary endurance in the face of adversity; persistence, determination, guts; full of courage, tenacity, willpower and an indomitable spirit.”

“I actually have a background of Finnish heritage and my grandmother used to speak Finn.She was an inspiring woman to me and we have a good story behind it,” Simenson explained. “We had another name planned, but I kept going back because it just didn’t ring to me.”

Patients in rehab experience not only physical challenges but go through a lot of emotional challenges, Schroeder explained. So the word “sisu” is a testament to their determination and dedication to get better.

“It takes some grit and some determination,so the name plays to that,”Simenson added.

The center offers a variety of physical therapy for issues such as frozen shoulder, soft tissue sprains and strains, running injuries as well as hand therapy,massage therapy,access to a sauna and wellness classes.

“Having a hand therapist is a big deal. It takes a while to get your certification in hand therapy,”Simenson said.“We also have a medical massage therapist who is really popular.”

In addition, the center has a personal trainer and a fitness instructor on staff.

A variety of workout tools for physical therapy sit in the clinic at Sisu Therapies in Windsor March 31, 2021. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)

Simenson and Schroeder, who are married, have been working as physical therapists for over 16 years. They met as class mates when they attended college in Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN. They moved to the Windsor area in 2013 where they worked for different healthcare companies before opening Sisu Therapies.

“People ask us how we are doing and I tell them there’s lots of challenges,but every week is better than the last,”Schroeder said.“Are we where we should be at this point? No,but it’s better than last week.”

For more information on Sisu Therapies,go to www.sisutherapies.com.

Moms golf free mother’s day

“We are used to being in a multidisciplinary setting,” Simenson said.“We love to get people in here and help them build themselves back up and get back into a routine again.”

Bring mom to the golf course on her special day!

Mom’s green fees are free on Mother’s Day, May 9.

Range balls and carts are available at regular price.

Book your Mother’s Day tee time today!

GOLFinGREELEY.COM | golf@greeleygov.com |970-353-GOLF (4653) The studio for group classes in the basement is seen at Sisu Therapies in Windsor March 31, 2021. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)

Highland Hills Golf Course

Boomerang Links Golf Course

2200 Clubhouse Drive | Greeley, CO 80634 7309 West 4th Street | Greeley, CO 80634 /BoomerangLinksGC /HighlandHillsGC

MAY 2021 | mywindsor | 31

SAW IT

W

WANT

IT!

Chill Potz is a Paint-Your-Own pottery studio that ha s been part of the Windsor community since 2019. They have earned their positive reputation through the truly exceptional service they provide to each one of their cu stomers.

hether you are planning that next ladies night out, a fun and unique birthday party for the kids, or looking to create a personalized keepsake that you can cherish forever, Chill Potz has exactly what you are looking for. Personalized Plaques, Plates, Mugs, and parties for any occasion, Chill Potz has something for everyone. Schedule your next party or team building event online and walk-ins are always welcome. Come paint with us!

Custom Hand Print Plaques For The Babies Create a timeless and oneof-a-kind keepsake that you can cherish forever!

Make this beautiful hand and footprint art of your precious little one adding their name and birthdate to create a truly unique memento. Once finished and glazed, these plaques will be fired in a kiln to ensure that they will last for years to come.These make the perfect gift for Mother’s Day!

Custom Platers For Any Occasion Make a custom platter for a special friend or one for yourself to always remember that milestone even in your life. The possibilities are endless. You design it and Chill Potz will fire it and have it ready for you to pick up the following week. It couldn’t be simpler!

Hand Building Classes Grab some clay and come create a truly unique and personalized creation that only your hands can make.

Chill Potz offers handbuilding classes allowing you to create a variety of items without the use of a pottery wheel, using only your hands, fingers, and a few simple tools. No experience needed!

Parties For Any Occasion Let Chill Potz help you take the stress out of planning your next party or team-building event. Pricing is $7.00 per person to cover all paint, glazing, and fire. The cost of the pottery is determined by what you pick. Chill Potz can order something for you or you can choose something they have on hand. Once you and your party is all done, don’t worry, Chill Potz will do all the clean-up!

Come visit Chill Potz at 1215 Main Street, Unit H in Windsor. Walk-ins are always welcome! You can also schedule your next event by calling them at 970.388.1581 or email them at chillpotzllc@gmail.com.

32 | mywindsor | MAY 2021

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NOBODY DELIVERS a more engaged audience than we do. Our growth online, combined with print, is impressive as more readers turn to us for local news.

Here in Colorado, we like our chiles green, our burritos smothered and our news from a Colorado journalist.

Newspapers are your best investment.

We care about local.

NEWSPAPER POWER.

Print, Digital & Social Solutions for our advertisers.

Thank you for reading and supporting your local newspaper!

Mason’s Event Center A historic building that has been completely refurbished with great ambiance for your next event.

Mason’s Event Center is available for weddings, quinceaneras, graduations, corporate events, or any other special occasion.

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final thought

A Day to Honor & Remember

“OUR DEBT TO THE HEROIC MEN AND VALIANT WOMEN IN THE SERVICE OF OUR COUNTRY CAN NEVER BE REPAID. THEY HAVE EARNED OUR UNDYING GRATITUDE. AMERICA WILL NEVER FORGET THEIR SACRIFICES.” - HARRY S. TRUMAN ADDRESS BROADCAST TO THE ARMED FORCES, APRIL 17, 1945

34 | mywindsor | MARCH 2021

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windsor 501 8th Avenue Greeley, CO 80632 GreeleyTribune.com/MyWindsor

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