MyWindsor July 2023

TOGETHER WE ARE BUILDING A BET TER WELD COUNTY

EVERY child could be reading proficiently by 4th Grade

EVERY child could be reading proficiently by 4th Grade

EVERY youth could be connected to a caring adult

EVERY youth could be connected to a caring adult

EVERY family could have stable housing

EVERY family could have stable housing

EVERY older adult could have what is needed for a fulfilling life

EVERY older adult could have what is needed for a fulfilling life

EVERY neighbor could be connected with needed resources

EVERY neighbor could be connected with needed resources

& CEO

Melanie Woolman President & CEO

“Sometimes, something unexpected happens and all of the sudden our neighbors are in need of extra help. United Way and our partners know exactly how to assist. What we need is the community ’s generosity of time and money to make it happen. Will you support your neighbors today?”

“Sometimes, something unexpected happens and all of the sudden our neighbors are in need of extra help. United Way and our partners know exactly how to assist. What we need is the community ’s generosity of time and money to make it happen. Will you support your neighbors today?”

UnitedWay-Weld.org /Generosity

Invest in Solutions Today!

UnitedWay-Weld.org /Generosity

President

OnTheCover

Publisher Jill Stravolemos jill@greeleytribune.com

Editor

Tamara Markard

Graphic Designer

Layne Petersen

Marketing Features Coordinator

Greg Stone

Contributing Writers And Photographers

Anne Delaney, Emily Kemme, Morgan McKenzie, Jim Rydbom, Sandi Y. Squicquero

MYWINDSOR MAGAZINE PO Box 337228, Greeley, CO 80633-7228 www.GreeleyTribune.com/Special-Sections

For all editorial, advertising and circulation inquiries, call 970.352.0211. Send editorial-related comments and story ideas to: tmarkard@greeleytribune.com .

Whether you're looking to travel near or far, this month's edition of MyWindsor has some great tips for eliminating stress when getting away. Check out Garden of the Gods, Meow Wolf, Curt Gowdy State Park and other destinations worthy of your time.

For advertising inquiries contact Advertising at Advertising@GreeleyTribune.com. Published by Prairie Mountain Media, publisher of The Greeley Tribune.

BIZ411: TAMARA BUTZ WITH THE ENCHANTED TRAVELER

HOMETOWN HEROES

Windsor Housing Authority Board

Member Diana Frick gets involved in helping people find affordable housing.

BIZ411

Tamara Butz, a travel agent with The Enchanted Traveler, helps her clients plan perfect trips while allowing them to avoid the stress that traveling can often bring.

FEATURE STORY

Some great day trip or weekendworthy trips in and around the Centennial State, including the Garden of the Gods, Meow Wolf, and more.

LIBRARY GROUNDBREAKING

Clearview Library District breaks ground on a second location in Severance.

TREAT YOURSELF TO WELLNESS

Tips and tricks to get away from stress in all its different forms.

GOURMET GRUB

After riding out the pandemic storm, Gourmet Grub finds a new berth at Windsor’s Peculier Ales.

FACES OF THE FUTURE

Recent Windsor graduate Carter Hinkle.

ROAD TRIPS

Pike’s Auto Center’s general manager Mike McWhirt shares things to fix or get checked on your car before heading out.

EDUCATION

Frontier Academy, Windsor Charter Academy receive grants to improve school safety.

ROAD CLOSED

One mile of Colo. 257 in Windsor will be closed to traffic July 5-Aug. 4 as the Colorado Department of Transportation improves five miles of road.

PAST MEETS PRESENT

Windsor Severance Fire Museum teaches history, fire prevention to all ages.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Get into the summer by getting out and about in Windsor at these fun events.

Even as a kid, July has always been one of my most favorite months of the year.

Not only does the month signal the middle of summer (which when you grow up in the desert where temperatures hit well over 100-degrees, the middle of summer is a much welcomed benchmark), we get to celebrate the 4th of July.

With its barbecued meats of all kinds, folks decked out in festive red, white and blue attire, all-day swimming and local parades it’s hard to not have a special place in your heart for the seventh month of the year. There’s no presents to buy and wrap, endless cookie baking or other stress that often comes with the more major holidays. It’s just one relaxing day of fun, friends and family capped off with fireworks lighting up the night sky.

July is also the last full month of school break and the perfect time to squeeze in a getaway or two before we start to swing into end of summer

celebrations, back to school events and the start of harvest festivals.

This month’s MyWindsor features some fun trip ideas to consider, whether that be a day trip, weekend get away or something more adventurous.

For the road-trippers, Pike’s Auto Care provides tips for making traveling by car stress free, while travel agent Tamara Butz with The Enchanted Traveler offers readers a variety of services when planning trips both near and far.

Food feature writer Emily Kemme checks out the grub offerings at Peculier Ales and the Clearview Library District breaks ground on its second branch.

Of course, if you’re interested in more of a “staycation,” the Community Calendar has a variety of local events and activities for all ages.

Flip through the pages for these stories and more and as always, thank you for supporting the MyWindsor magazine.

Have a happy and safe July!

Tamara Markard Editor

I called McCreer y and Sun for an estimate on a new furnace for my home. When Scott Butter wor th came into my home, he was ver y friendly, professional, super knowledgeable, and most impor tantly honest. While he was looking at my furnace, he noticed a few things that needed some attention. Rather than getting an estimate for a new unit I was given some valuable information on how to keep my current unit running properly Thank you, Scott, I greatly appreciate your honestly, time, attention to detail and excellent conversation.

- Lynette Nava

BY TAMARA MARKARD

Whether it’s a teacher who inspires students to be their best, a kid who shovels the driveway for their elderly neighbors or a company that donates services, time and products to the community, there’s no shortage of local heroes in our community.

MyWindsor’s Hometown Heroes is a way to recognize and thank the people and companies who strive to make our community better through their time, talents, generosity and kindness.

Do you know a person, business or organization that would make a great story for the Hometown Hero feature?

Then send their name and contact information to Tamara Markard at tmarkard@greeleytribune.com.

For many people, finding affordable housing is a challenge that can bring on a lot of stress and anxiety.

Then, when you do find an affordable place, the question of how long you’ll be able to live there before the rent increases constantly looms in the back of your mind.

The lack of affordable housing isn’t just limited to large metro areas, rural and smaller cities and towns also experience struggles, including Windsor.

The Windsor Housing Authority, WHA, is working to ease the struggle to find affordable house by helping families and seniors who meet income and other eligibility guidelines find affordable and safe housing in the town.

The commission contracts with the Loveland Housing Authority on projects for the town. The Loveland organization also directly works with the contractors who build the units.

board

Diana Frick is one of the

Diana Frick donates her time as a board member with the Windsor Housing Authority. (Tamara Markard/Staff Reporter)

THE SAYING “NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES” IS SO TRUE WHEN IT COMES TO PEOPLE WHO CONTRIBUTE AND GIVE BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITY.

Windsor Housing Authority Board Member

“I REALIZED HOW IMPORTANT THAT IS TO THE COMMUNITY. I AM AT A POINT IN MY LIFE WHERE I CAN GET INVOLVED IN THINGS I AM PADSSIONATE ABOUT.

members on the WHA commission, who has personally experienced what it’s like to try and find affordable housing.

“When I was in college I was a single mom and I lived in income-based housing,” Frick explained. “I realized how important that is to the community and as someone who came up through the system, it is my time to give back. I am at a point in my life where I can get involved in things that I am passionate about.”

Currently, the town has two affordable housing communities — Century III Apartments for seniors and Windsor Meadows Apartments that house families.

The town recently received a loan from the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, CHFA, to build another senior living facility.

“Once you are retired and living on a fixed income, if there is some situation that took all your savings or forced you to sell your home, you may need to look at affordable housing options,”

Frick said. “It’s a community as well. They all know each other and look after each other.”

While rewarding, working with WHA also poses numerous frustrations. The town of Windsor has to compete against other larger cities for state funds to help build affordable housing.

“There were 15 of 31 affordable housing projects approved for funding by CHFA in the state of Colorado,” she said. “One of the hardest things we face is just the awareness of the need for low income housing and the demand.”

Through her position as a board member with WHA, Frick also works to dispel common misconceptions associated with affordable housing units, such as the communities being infested with crime and drugs.

“It’s important to have people of all income brackets in a community. It is important to offer people who work at the coffee shop or at King Soopers or over at the Ace Hardware housing at all different levels,” Frick said.

“People that live in low income housing contribute to the population of the community as well.”

In addition to her work with WHA, Frick is a member of the Windsor High School Music Boosters and serves on the Weld RE-4 Bond Oversight Committee as well as works with the United Way of Larimer County’s WomenGive organization.

“Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community and learn more about it. It’s a great way to really understand how a town board works or like the housing authority and the work we do,” Frick said. “There has to be something that sparks your interest to be involved in your community. In today’s day and age, you can do a Zoom call and then get back to what you were doing, so really the ask of your time to be involved in your community is pretty minimal.”

To learn more about the Windsor Housing Authority, go to https://bit. ly/3PzmXum.

Tamara

Each month MyWindsor highlights a local business to share what services and products it offers the community.

From plumbers to pet shops and breweries to hardware stores, and everything in between, every business plays a part in the success of a community.

Do you know of a business that would be a great candidate for the Biz 411 feature?

Send the name of the business and any contact information to Tamara Markard at tmarkard@ greeleytribune.com.

Butz, THE ENCHANTED TRAVELER

BY TAMARA MARKARD

ith this month’s theme focusing on travel — both near and far — MyWindsor highlights local travel agent Tamara Butz with The Enchanted Traveler.

For myself, and possibly many folks, the task of planning a vacation or trip can be overwhelming.

First, there’s figuring out where I want to even go, then getting a hotel, booking the flights and rental cars, planning out excursions and activities and budgeting for it all.

On top of all that, there’s the concern about what if I need to cancel the trip or what do I do if there’s an emergency and I need to suddenly come back home.

As a travel agent with The Enchanted Traveler, Butz helps her clients plan their perfect trip while allowing them to avoid the stress that traveling can often bring.

“I want to give extra and provide value to my clients. There’s a reason why they should be booking with me rather than this Joe Schmoe on the internet or Expedia or Costco or wherever,” Butz said. “With them, you are just a number and you’re still doing it all yourself.”

Working as an agent with The

Enchanted Traveler, a small agency out of Puyallup, Wash., Butz is able to provide concierge services to clients.

“There’s no single trip that’s the same, there’s no family that’s the same

Before becoming a travel agent, Butz often would plan her family trips herself, using a binder to keep everything organized and everyone on track.

“Every trip we would go on, day by day organized with the things we can do, the things that were planned and things that were extra,” she explained.

As smartphones began to offer people the ability to keep calendars, files, notes and more in a compact and portable format, Butz hopped on the technology train and uses travel apps to help keep things organized for her own trips as well as clients’ trips.

“It’s not just a one and done thing. From the second that you contact to when you are home, we are constant communication. I organize everything for you,” Butz said. “I like to have it done so when you arrive at the airport for a relaxing vacation, everything is taken care of for you.”

Butz’s clients have all the information they need for a flawless

Tamara Butz is a travel agent with The Enchanted Traveler. (Tamara Markard/Staff Reporter)

trip, down to what color shirt their driver will be wearing when they get picked up at the airport.

As a parent of a special needs child, Butz is well versed in vacations that offer accessible attractions, accommodations and more for families with children of different abilities.

“There are certain resorts that are phenomenal when it comes to offering accommodations for families with special needs kids,” she said. “Beaches resort is the best one I’ve ever seen. They are Autism certified and are amazing. They are probably the best program I have ever seen.”

Travel agents are also the experts when it comes to what countries are and aren’t safe to travel to.

“I think a lot of things in the news are fabricated to be fair, but it’s scary for people who just don’t know,” Butz said. “And I’ve been to a lot of the different resorts. The best way to learn about different destinations is by experience.”

It’s a common thought that using a travel agent is only for when you want to partake in grand vacations, such as trips across Europe or luxury island rentals.

However, it’s quite the opposite.

People can book a variety of destinations across the U.S. with a travel agent that will often save them money and get them access to special perks and offerings that the general public isn’t privy to.

“Most of the time, even with my fees built in, I am either at the same price or a little bit cheaper than doing it on your own. More than not, we can book things through our suppliers that are definitely cheaper than what you are seeing direct. The cheapest way isn’t always the best,” Butz explained. “Most of the time, places like Expedia or HotWire, their prices tend to kind of map direct booking. Think about the time you can save by hiring somebody to do all of that planning for you.”

GET

| FEATURE STORY TRIPS IDEAS NEAR

GETOUT

OUT ND

NORTH

& FAR

NORTH

This month’s edition of MyWindsor is dedicated to travel — in and around Colorado and Wyoming as well as unique destinations across the nation.

We are fortunate enough to live in a state that is on the

travel bucket list for many folks. However, sometimes we take for granted all of the adventures and amenities that Colorado has to offer.

So let’s start out with some great day trip or weekendworthy trips in the Centennial State.

The first two suggestions are right in our own backyard — Windsor Lake and Boardwalk Park, 100 N. Fifth St.

Windsor Lake offers residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy a variety of water activities such as paddle boarding, kayaking, pedal boats and more for all ages.

Boat rentals and concessions are open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

Land lovers can also enjoy fishing, picnicking, a dog park, a playground, volleyball area and 2.25-mile trail around the lake at Boardwalk Park.

The park features two shelters and a large pavilion

A boat speeds around Windsor Lake while water skiing on Wednesday June 7, 2023.(Jim Rydbom/ Staff Photographer)

Spend the day splishing and splashing in the river at Poudre River Whitewater Park. (Greeley Tribune file photo)

with picnic tables and restrooms.

All shelters and restrooms are ADA accessible.

The Eastman Park River Experience is located off of Seventh St. and Eastman Park Drive, north of the playground and shelter.

For more information on Boardwalk Park and Windsor Lake, go to https://bit.ly/3PwBua5.

The Eastman Park River Experience features a milelong river adventure for kayaking, canoeing, tubing and splish-splashing in the water.

A dedicated float launch and take out area make it easy for people of all ages to enjoy what the river experience has to offer.

The scenic river plaza provides amazing views of the Poudre River and Longs Peak as well as a place to hangout in between playing on the river.

Nearby Eastman Park has a skate park, trails, water fountain, restrooms and plenty of open space to cop a squat for some refueling and hydration after a day on the river.

For more information on the Eastman Park River Experience, go to https://bit. ly/43WatBx.

OTHER COLORADO ATTRACTIONS

Poudre River

Whitewater Park

Poudre River

Whitewater Park, located just north

of Old Town Fort Collins at 201 E. Vine Drive provides safe access to the river for kayakers, tubers and offers large rocky areas to relax on after taking a dip in the water.

The free park has stairs leading down to the riverbank as well as an overlook plaza and pedestrian bridge connecting to the Poudre Trail. The area offers paved biking paths and walking trails.

While there are no flush toilets, the park does have a changing area and porto-lets in the parking lot.

Before hitting up the park, brush up on some safety tips at www.fcgov. com.

Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs offers amazing sights, hiking trails and more for all ages. (Greeley Tribune file photo)

Ride the rails on the Georgetown Loop. (Greeley Tribune file photo)

Garden of the Gods

The free park offers different ways to tour the landmark — hiking, jeep and Segway tours, bikes and electric bikes and from the comfort of your car.

Stop by the Visitor and Nature Center at 1805 N. 30th St. to pick up maps of trails, learn about the history of the red rocks, use the restrooms and more. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Before you exit the park, stop off at the Trading Post for some souvenirs, snacks or to just browse around.

For more information, trail maps and picnic areas, go to www.gardenofthegods.com.

Georgetown Loop

Construction on the railroad began in 1877, and its first train rolled along the tracks in 1884. The railroad was considered an engineering marvel for its time and was one of Colorado’s first visitor attractions.

The railroad takes visitors from the Devil’s Gate station in Georgetown to the station in Silver Plume, or vice versa.

Riders can board the train at either station for the round-trip ride.

Before boarding the train, visitors can get their photo snapped to purchase as a keepsake of their trip.

The train features open-air cars with bench seating that are pulled by a historic steam engine or diesel engine.

The train stops at each station for a brief break, allowing for potty stops or to browse the gift shop before turning around and heading out.

The Loop also offers a tour of an old silver mine as add-on option to the train ride.

The Georgetown Loop opens at 10 a.m. daily with a variety of ride times. Tickets for just the train ride are $34 for adults age 16 years and older, $28 for children ages 3 to 15 years and free for children age 3 and under.

For more information on the Georgetown Loop, go to www.georgetownlooprr.com.

Meow Wolf

Meow Wolf offers visitors the chance to explore far away lands without having to leave the planet.

Convergence Station features four floors of Meow Wolf’s most amazing, unusual, unique and mind blowing interactive exhibits and artwork.

The exhibit, located at 1338 First St. in Denver, is a great day trip for all ages.

The exhibit offers a gift shop, food area, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and is ADA accessible.

Timed entry admission is $50 per person age 13 and older, $45 for kids ages 4-12, $45 for military personnel with an ID.

For more information, go to www.meowwolf.com.

Wyoming

Known as a rough and rowdy town, Cheyenne gave meaning to the term “the wild west” with its numerous saloons and theaters showcasing burlesque performances. However, as the railroad continued to prosper, more people moved into the town bringing a different skills and talents, turning the town into a bustling stop for travelers from the East and West coasts.

Historic Governor’s Mansion

The Historic Governors’ Mansion, 300 E. 21st St. offers a free look into the

If history and museums are what you are looking for, Cheyenne has no shortage of either.

Explore worlds unknown without leaving the planet at Denver's Meow Wolf. (Courtesy/Meow Wolf)

The city of Cheyenne is just a hop, skip and jump away from Windsor, offering some fun western-inspired adventures. (Greeley Tribune file photo)

digs of past governors and their families.

While the house is now a museum, it was the residence of the first families from 1905 to 1976 including the state’s first female governor, Nellie Tayloe Ross.

The home is outfitted with around 80% original art and furnishings. All of the eras that the house served as the home for the first family are seen throughout the museum’s décor. Tours of the house are self-guided.

Parking for the museum is located along the streets around the building.

The museum welcomes people of all ages and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Masks are required for adults and children age 3 and older, as well as social distancing.

For more information, go to https://bit.ly/3h11hT9.

Curt Gowdy State Park

Rolling prairies lined with golden colored grass, grazing cows and beautiful ranch houses line each side of the road leading to the park at 1264 Granite Springs Road.

The park offers a variety of amenities for a full day of activity including fishing, an archery range,

biking and horseback riding. With numerous picnic areas, there is no shortage of places to sit and enjoy a meal in the serene outdoors.

Hikers can enjoy 35 miles of tails ranging in elevation from 6,800 up to 7,600 with trails available for any skill level. The Granite Springs Reservoir is great for boating, kayaking, paddle boarding or just sitting on one of the docks enjoying the view with your feet in the water.

There are also opportunities for stream fishing at the park. Day use and a Wyoming fishing license are required to fish in the park.

The park store offers beverages, food and snacks, bait, fishing licenses and different rental options like paddleboards.

Day use fees are $7 per day, per vehicle for resi-

dents and $12 per day, per vehicle for non-residents.

For more information on Curt Gowdy State Park, go to https://bit.ly/3h1nQqL.

Wyoming Territorial Prison

The Wyoming Territorial Prison, 975 Snowy Range

Fish, hike and just enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer at Curt Gowdy State Park. (Greeley Tribune file photo)

Check out some history at the Wyoming Territorial Prison in Laramie. (Greeley Tribune file photo)

Road, is where “evil doers of all classes and kinds” were locked up. Built in 1872, more than 1,063 male and female convicts called a cell in the prison home.

The museum takes visitors through a self-guided tour of the daily operations of the prison as well as introduces them to some of its most notorious residents such as train and bank robber Butch Cassidy, and Minnie Hulett Snyder, who was convicted of manslaughter.

Exhibits include the infirmary, women’s wing, kitchen, dining hall, Guns of the West, Butch Cassidy, and the warden’s house. Visitors can step inside a tiny cell to ponder how two adults lived day to day in the small area.

Admission into the museum is $9 for adults, $4.50 for youth ages 12 to 17 years, and children age 11 and under are free.

The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

For more information, go to https://bit.ly/3XGhkwF.

OTHER INTERESTING DESTINATIONS ACROSS

THE UNITED STATES: Palm Springs, Calif.

If you like heat, golf and exploring what was once considered “the playground of

the stars,” then this desert is your jam. Spend some time hanging out on the downtown strip next to statues of former Mayor Sunny Bono and comedian Lucille Ball. And don’t miss the giant sculpture of actress Marilyn Monroe in her iconic white dress. Learn more about Palm Springs at www.visitpalmsprings.com.

Las Vegas

Viva Las Vegas baby! If you’re looking for endless nights of dining, dancing, gambling and people watching, then Sin City is where it’s at. From high-energy shows to lazy days by the pool, Las Vegas offers something for everyone — including those looking to get hitched. For

more information on hotels, entertainment and more, go to www.visitlasvegas.com.

Kansas City, Mo.

Home to two-time Super Bowl Champions the Kansas City Chiefs, the city sits across the border of Missouri and Kansas. The city features national museums such as the American Jazz Museum (with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum located in the same building) and National Museum of Toys and Miniatures, a vibrant nightlife scene and of course Kansas City-style barbecue. Take a peek at everything Kansas City has to offer by going to www.visitKC.com.

Nashville, Tenn.

Known as the Music City, Nashville is a music fan’s dream destination. However, even if you’re not a big fan of music, there’s still plenty to do, see and eat. Surprisingly, Nashville has a thriving art scene and numerous museums that tell the story of the city’s colorful history. The city is also very family friendly and offers a variety of events and activities for all ages. Learn more about Nashville by going to www.visitmusiccity.com.

Las Vegas is the destionation for dining, dancing, gambling, and people watching. (Credit/Shutterstock)

The entrance to the American Jazz Museum and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City. (Courtesy/African American Heritage Trail of Kansas City /AAHTKC.org)

Clearview Library District

BY TAMARA MARKARD

second location breaks ground on

The Clearview Library is expanding the opportunities and resources offered by the Windsor-Severance Library through the addition of a second branch in the town of Severance.

On Monday, May 22 leaders, library staff and community members all gathered at the location of the soon-to-be built library at 5 Timber Ridge Parkway to throw the ceremonial dirt, kicking off the official groundbreaking for the new branch. Library Board President Jeromey

Balderrama, Severance Mayor Matthew Fries and Christine McDaniel, executive director of the Severance Chamber of Commerce, along with Windsor Town Board Member Julie Cline and Weld RE-4 School District Board President Russ Smart were just a few of the town’s leaders that gave remarks during the ceremony.

Plans for the Severance branch were approved on Oct. 28, 2021 with the town passing an ordinance authorizing the purchase of the property for the building on Dec. 19, 2021.

The new branch will be 10,000 square-feet and construction costs will be covered by a lease from Glacier Banks as well as from the library district’s reserve funds and a $500,000 grand from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs. Construction on the facility is estimated to take around 10 months.

To learn more about the Clearview Library District, including facility plans, mission, events at the WindsorSeverance Library and more, go to www.clearviewlibrary.org.

Community leaders, library staff and representatives from the design and construction companies helped celebrate the groundbreaking for the second branch of the Clearview Library District. (Courtesy/Clearview Library District)

The Clearview Library District’s second branch will be 10,000 square-feet and offer residents and businesses of Severance the opportunity to access library resources in their own town. (Courtesy/Clearview Library District)

TREAT YOURSELF Getting Away From STRESS WELLNESS: TO

BY SANDI Y. SQUICQUERO

In life, we all experience stress— both the positive and negative kind. No matter how you define it, stress can come in several different forms. Things like loss can impact stress, making it worse. Stress can also be the killer of smiles, taking the wind out of your sails.

There are four different types of stress that can have an impact on our lives.

The first type is called “eustress.” Eustress is a type of positive stress that helps us feel motivated. When we feel this kind of positive stress, we tend to be more creative and problem solve more effectively. People may feel this type of stress when they are competing in a race or are more productive at work. Eustress is a general overall feeling of well being.

No matter how you define it, stress can come in several different forms. Things like loss can impact stress, making it worse. Stress can also be the killer of smiles, taking the wind out of your sails.

Whether it’s a daytrip, short getaway or long vacation, taking time to experience new scenery is important for your physical and mental health. (Credit/Rich Vintage)

The second type of stress is “distress,” which is a negative form of stress and can appear when you are angry, frustrated or fearful. It may result in anxiety and/or other types of mental issues.

The third type of stress,”under-stress,” presents when a person doesn’t have enough positive stress in their life. For some people, under-stress can result in boredom and a decrease in motivation.

The fourth type of stress is “over-stress.” This type of stress is a result of one pushing themself too hard to reach a goal. I often experience this type of stress when I am dealing with immediate issues/problems and don’t have time to think or process them.

Something to keep in mind is that not all stress is bad stress. Positive stress has its own characteristics and can help you accomplish things.

Positive stress helps us make the necessary changes in our lives and produces good chemicals in our bodies, such as endorphins, serotonin and dopamine, which create a feeling of relaxation and contentment.

Positive stress also acts as a radar, telling us we need a warm blanket when it is cold or when it’s time to make a job change.

The presence of negative stress can overwhelm our bodies and weaken our immune system. An overload of adrenaline is produced when we experience negative stress, which can result in feeling anxious or fearful. With this said, bad stress can warn us in times of danger.

How each person experiences stress depends on how they define stress, what they think about the stressor and the ability they have to cope with the stressor.

When defining a stressor I suggest that you ask yourself, “does this stress matter to me, and if so how much?”

I typically use a scale of one to 10 to help rate a particular stressor in my life.

Stressors that receive a “one” have very little to no importance, while a stressor labeled a “10” is one of high in importance. Stressors labeled a “five” are more neutral and can go either way.

One way to get escape from stress is to take a day trip, short getaway or long vacation.

When a person takes time away from the stressors of daily life and work stressors, it can improve their

mental health, relationships, job performance, motivation and physical health.

What if someone’s work life balance is out of balance, should they still go on vacation?

My answer is yes! Plan a getaway, decrease burn out and get a shot of happiness.

As Jimmy Buffett sings, “it’s 5:00 somewhere.”

In the United States where culture often pressures people not to take a vacation, around 52% of American workers leave some vacation time unused.

Decrease the stress of traveling by planning your trip or vacation ahead of time, including booking hotel rooms, rental cars and excursions.

If you are not in the workforce, such

as a stay at home parent or caregiver to a family member, before you leave on vacation, practice relaxation techniques, prioritize tasks that need to be done prior to leaving, focus on being calm and energized, and unplug your phone. If these are too difficult, ask for positive messages from friends and family.

Make a plan to unwind and reset priorities, but most of all enjoy your time away!

Sandi Y. Squicquero M.Ed,.LPC, is a licensed professional counselor who works out of the Medical Hypnosis and Counseling Center at 1180 Main St., Suite 5B in Windsor. She has more than 30 years experience as a counselor and is board-certified in medical hypnosis

If you don’t have vacation time from work, make the most of your days off by hiking, swimming or enjoying other activities that makes your heart happy. (Credit/Getty Images)

Avoid some of the stress of traveling by packing early. (Credit/Israel Sebastian)

Whether it's by car, boat, train or plane, remember that traveling is all about making memories and sharing experiences with family and friends. (Credit/Thomas Barwick)

AFTER RIDING OUT THE PANDEMIC STORM,

GOURMET GRUB FINDS AT WINDSOR’S PECULIER ALES

BY EMILY KEMME

NEW A BERTH

When Chef Justin Brown decided to close his fiveyear-old Greeley restaurant, Gourmet Grub Scratch Kitchen, in August 2022, disappointment was only one of the many emotions affecting his mental and physical wellbeing at the time.

The eatery, located in Westlake

Shopping Center, had been in business for two years when the COVID pandemic started.

Brown, who has a degree from Johnson & Wales University’s culinary program, said it was a period when his concept, based on serving gourmet food in a casual setting with everything from soup stocks, sauces and condiments prepared from scratch, along with in-house butchering and meat smoking, was trying to gain footing and establish a steady stream of clientele.

The premises occupied a former sports bar, retaining the central bar format and large number of screens while also hosting themed 5-course wine dinners in a large back room replete with white tablecloths and educational discourse from visiting winery representatives.

The pandemic wreaked havoc on all manner of dining establishments, with state-mandated restaurant

The ahi tuna poke bowl is tossed with curled radishes, carrots, edamame and avocado and garnished with house-made wanton chips. (Credit/Emily Kemme)

The extensive patio at Peculier Ales in downtown Windsor. (Credit/Emily Kemme)

shutdowns and social distancing periods.

Fallout happened because restaurant workers left the industry in droves, and many were slow to return, if they did at all. Finding skilled kitchen workers created an ongoing headache for Brown and his colleagues who were all drawing from a greatly reduced pool.

But Brown doesn’t think it was just the public health crisis which was to blame for his business troubles.

In an August 2022 Greeley Tribune story, Brown explained there were a number of economic reasons for closing the restaurant, one of the most pressing being the location’s large footprint.

At the time, he had decided to focus solely on catering gigs and

a food truck operating under the same name that had found success because many of the meals he sold were either take-out or off-site.

Brown said investing in a truck is significantly cheaper than what

it costs to run a brick-and-mortar. He ended up outfitting a mid-range version for around $100,000 so he could continue plating up the sort of gourmet meals he was starting to be known for, like a beef ravioli

Peculier Ales opened in late summer of 2020 and has seen steady growth, including opening a tap room in Fort Collins. The brewery, headed by Nick Armitage, designs innovative beers that are both wild and crazy styles but are sought out for their drinkability. (Credit/Emily Kemme)

with marsala sauce and truffle cheese, homemade brats or Creole shrimp and grits with house-cured Tasso ham.

The truck and catering service was a way to stay afloat until a smaller location came along that was the right fit for what he had to offer.

“Life is always crazy,” Brown admitted. “I was doing catering, we were surviving, paying bills, and trying to look into renting a canteen kitchen. I’d previously known a brewer at Peculier Ales who’d worked at Mash Lab Brewing & Kitchen in Windsor.

“There was a place they’d carved out with a little kitchen for a place called Comn Fare that had closed. Peculier called me, I knew they were busy and it felt like a win-win.”

For a restauranteur with a concept based on high-end foods served in a low-key setting, Peculier Ales might just be the ideal partner.

Peculier — and no, it’s not spelled wrong — derives its name from English ecclesiastic history, particularly a handful of churches which were outside the jurisdiction of their dioceses.

What that means in regular-speak is that Peculiers were governed independently, retaining funds earned for their parish’s use rather than paying taxes to the diocese.

Nick Armitage, co-owner and head brewer at Peculier, chose the name for his new craft brewery because his family’s roots come from one such diocese in Masham, a small village in North Yorkshire.

“The Peculiers were parishes that focused on the community and didn’t deal with church politics,” Armitage explained.

These days, he puts that independent spirit to work by designing innovative beers which are both

wild and crazy, yet are still sought out by his customers for their drinkability.

A recent tasting flight started with a palate-warmer, Lavender Lemonade seltzer, a bright and sunny hard seltzer, ramped up with Cherry Almond Pie a la Mode, a fruited pastry sour with tart cherries, Tahitian and Madagascar vanilla and (imagine this!) a graham cracker crust that offered light, creamy notes.

A berry-laden dry-hopped New England IPA, Berrylicious, with a light mouthfeel when compared to others in this class also topped the flight followed by Aroha Nui, a Rye Double New England Hazy IPA made with Waimea, Kohatu and Ella hops, a fruity trio with tropical notes.

Finally, there was Maibock, a lager made in the Doppelbock style leaving a touch of bitterness that it was the last taste of the evening.

Craft breweries pull their energy from producing small-batch, out-ofthe-ordinary beer that has engendered a shift as to how and where beer is consumed and what foods are eaten with it.

According to Beer Advocate, ever

Chef Justin Brown recently moved his Gourmet Grub Scratch Kitchen concept into the on-site kitchen at Peculier Ales in Windsor. (Credit/Emily Kemme)

Handhelds at Peculier Eats include a bacon burger topped with a tempura avocado and the grilled Red Bird chicken sandwich slathered in fig jam, topped with goat cheese and draped with serrano ham. (Credit/Emily Kemme)

since Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens in Escondido, Calif. pushed culinary boundaries in 2006 by breaching the barrier between pub grub and gourmet cuisine, breweries around the world have followed suit.

You can still enjoy a burger and fries with a cold (but not frosty) beer, but it will likely be slathered with tomato jam, truffle aioli and topped with locally sourced, housecured bacon.

“People these days don’t want bar fare at breweries,” Brown said. “We’re grinding our own burgers, smoking meats every day and making everything from scratch like we were at Gourmet Grub.”

depending on how a customer orders it,” he said.

The streamlined menu has already developed new favorites, including a Tri-Tip sandwich prepared Philly style, with beef shaved thin and chopped to make it easier to eat. It’s served on an Italian hoagie bun, paired with grilled onions and peppers, melted provolone, draped in smoked cheddar cheese sauce and is served with roasted garlic au jus.

In addition to old favorites like the bacon burger topped with a tempura avocado half, seafood red curry bowl and grilled Red Bird chicken with parmesan risotto, there are new tastes.

He admits that the space is tiny, but because the Peculier Eats kitchen is counter service where diners receive a text to pick up their meal when it’s ready, the space retains its charm as a non-stuffy brewery environment with open seating.

Even though the kitchen is scratch, Brown said they’re turning tickets quickly, typically no more than 15 minutes.

“Most of what we make is built to be fast, and we’ve switched to smash burgers because they cook faster than the thicker ones we made at Gourmet Grub. We have a butter-basted hangar steak that can take up to 20 minutes,

Sushi grade ahi tuna shows up in poke tostadas on the appetizer menu and as a poke bowl tossed with scallions, edamame, carrot and radish curls, cucumbers and avocado and served with wonton chips that’s healthy and filling.

Brown, who’s still catering, including developing a good relationship with the Windsor Mill Events Center next door, has parked his food truck for lack of manpower. He sees his new brew-house digs as just life after COVID.

“The pandemic killed big restaurants,” he said. “We’re just trying to keep everybody fat and happy on both sides of the table.”

WHAT TO KNOW:

WHERE: 301 Main St., Windsor; 1831 E. Mulberry St., Fort Collins.

HOURS: Noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; Noon to 9 p.m. Thursday; 11 a.m to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday (check website as Fort Collins hours of operation differ).

CONTACT: Windsor (970) 460-2224; Fort Collins (970) 661-2144; www. peculierales.com.

FOR A RESTAURANTEUR WITH A CONCEPT BASED ON HIGH-END FOODS SERVED IN A LOW-KEY SETTING, PECULIER ALES MIGHT JUST BE THE IDEAL PARTNER.

A tasting flight at Peculier Ales in Windsor offers a range of unique flavors. (Credit/Emily Kemme)

BY TAMARA MARKARD

CARTER HINKLE

The future of a community lies in its youth. As elders pass on and leadership roles are handed down to the next generation, it’s the young people that will shape the future of a community as well as the nation.

Some of these young men and women are athletes and musicians, while others are making waves in the world of academics and community service. No matter what their achievements, they all help shape our community one way or another. Each month, MyWindsor will feature students from Windsor high schools for the Faces of the Future feature.

If you know of a high school student that would be a good candidate for the Faces of the Future feature, send their name and contact information to Tamara Markard at tmarkard@ greeleytribune.com.

This month, MyWindsor introduces readers to Windsor High School 2023 grad Carter Hinkle.

Year in school: Graduated with Class of 2023. What is your favorite subject in school and why? Math. I love the problem-solving and the challenges that are constantly faced when pursuing math. What clubs, sports and other extracurricular activities are you a part of? I was a part of the golf team for four years ,the lacrosse team for two and Future Business Leaders of America, FLBA, for my senior year. How has being part of sports, clubs and/or other extra

curricular activities helped shape your high school career? Being a part of sports and clubs helped shaped my friendships and my experience with amazing moments with my teammates and friends.

What are some things you enjoy about living in Windsor? Windsor has a great community with everyone being very friendly and open to helping a student athlete thrive.

What are your future aspirations? To compete at Hastings College and golf at a high-level.

From athletes and musicians to class presidents and stand-out scholars, the youth of Windsor play an important part in the future of the community.

Windsor High School 2023 Carter Hinkle. (Tamara Markard/Staff Reporter)

fter seven months of work, holidays and wonky weather, getting away for some R&R can help rebalance the mind and body. However, if you don’t have an endless bank account or scored big with the lottery, taking a trip may not be in your budget.

Road trips are a great and somewhat inexpensive way to get away from home for a day, weekend

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO ON ROAD TRIPS

or even longer.

Plus, they allow explorers the opportunity to stop along the way and check out different sights, try different foods and learn about life outside of Windsor and Weld County.

As with planning any trip or vacation, preparing ahead of time is one of the keys to avoiding unexpected hiccups or emergencies— especially when you’re hitting the road.

MyWindsor met up with Mike McWhirt, general manager of Pike’s Auto Care Center at 728 Main St., to learn about what to know before you go on a road trip.

“The first thing I would say is that if you are close to needing an oil change, go get the oil changed,” McWhirt said. “They will check all the fluids, filters, tire pressure and tread depth, fluids and antifreeze as well as belts and hoses.”

If you’re vehicle isn’t due for an oil change, McWhirt recommends scheduling an appointment with your mechanic to take a peek under the hood and kick the tires.

“If you don’t check all those things beforehand, you can get overheating out in the middle of nowhere that you weren’t expecting, that you could have prevented if you had somebody look at it beforehand. The same thing with oil, if it’s dirty or low it could cause damage and leave you stranded somewhere,” he said. “If you have one tire that is lower than the rest, it may have a leak.”

Problem prevention goes a long way, McWhirt added.

Pike’s Auto Care Center is a local mechanic who provides a variety of services and products for many different models of cars, SUVs and trucks. (Tamara Markard/Staff Reporter)

Avoid unexpected car troubles by getting your vehicle checked and serviced before hitting the road on vacation. (Credit/Shutterstock)

McWhirt also recommends having a roadside emergency kit in your vehicle with safety items like flares or lights, extra water and food bars as well as making sure your vehicle has a working jack and good condition spare tire.

If you should have to replace a tire with a temporary or “donut spare” don’t plan on driving endless miles on it.

“You should really only drive to your next ability to get the tire replaced or fixed,” McWhirt said. “Those little donut tires are really only made for temporary use. Most of them say you can only go around 55 miles-per-hour so you don’t want to be on the highway doing 90.”

Keeping a can of seal-a-flat in your emergency kit is a good idea, but, using it for a leaky tire in a newer model vehicle can cause sensors to be contaminated.

“Newer vehicles have sensors in the tires that tell drivers when the tire is low and using that fixa-flat can gum up the sensors,” he explained. “If that happens, those sensors can be anywhere from $40 to $200 for a new one.”

If your car starts to overheat while driving, McWhirt advises to turn the heat on inside the vehicle. This alleviates heat in the engine and brings the temperature gage down.

If you can safely stop, let the

vehicle cool down on its own and never remove the radiator cap before the vehicle cools off.

“If the fluid in the radiator is low, there’s usually a leak somewhere,” McWhirt said. “But it could be overheating because the fan isn’t working or something like that.”

If the tires on your vehicle haven’t been rotated in a while, it’s good to have that done before hitting the open road.

Rotating tires helps keep them wearing even, which can extend tires’ life.

“If you have a mileage warranty on a tire, the first thing they will ask for is proof of rotation,” McWhirt said.

“Rotating tires also helps the car drive quietly and smooth.”

Another tip to making a road trip flawless is to sign up for roadside assistance like AAA or add on assistance through your insurance company.

Drivers should also be familiar with basic roadside care such as changing a tire, checking the dipstick and knowing where to add window fluid.

If you plan on renting a camping trailer, check your vehicle’s manual to determine its maximum towing weight.

“I’ve seen a minivan and a lot of different vehicles where owners think they have a ¾ ton truck and the bumper is slightly off of the ground,” McWhirt said. “This can wear on the transmission and rearend and it’s probably not safe for the people behind you.”

If you don’t have a local mechanic, Pike’s Auto Center does offer full service oil changes as well as inspection services.

Appointments for services can be made online at www.pikesautocare. com or by calling (970) 686-8473.

Keeping kids occupied when on the road

Not many things are worse than hearing, “are we there yet?” when you’re not even out of your driveway. Keeping kids occupied on road trips not only makes adventures

Having emergency items like flares, glow sticks or signs helps alert other drivers to take caution when passing a broken down vehicle. (Credit/Shutterstock)

Before heading out on a road trip, create a road trip checklist of all the items you'll need to pack. (Credit/Shutterstock)

more fun but also saves parents’ sanity.

When traveling with kids, know your limits, reports the website Positive Parenting Solutions.

“If your kids haven’t made the twohour trip to Grandma’s house yet without screaming the whole way, this may not be the best time for that cross-country trip to Yellowstone,” the website states.

Start out with small trips and build up travel time slowly. Also, take some test trips during different times to see when is the best time to travel with your kids — morning, afternoon or evening.

If parents know how long their kids can travel before having a melt down, they can plan the route accordingly.

The website also suggests having kids pack their own activities to do while riding in the car.

Giving kids some control over their bag or backpack of activities takes one more thing off of your plate and allows them to feel like they are part of the road trip process.

For younger kids, parents will want to give them a hand in assembling their activity bags to avoid youngsters bringing along loud, noisy toys or numerous pieces.

While it’s pretty traditional for parents to sit up front and the kids in the back of the car, change things up and swap places with your kids or take a turn riding alongside them in

the back seat.

Other tips for traveling with kids include:

• Pack plenty of snacks and beverages

• Stop by the Dollar Store and pick up some fun surprises to hand out along the way

• Make a playlist of your family’s favorite songs

• Bring along tablets or laptops loaded with kid-friendly viewing or portable video games

Don’t forget to pack for your pets when road tripping

For those who don’t have human kids, or are taking the entire family on a trip, online pet supply retailer Chewy.com offers some tricks to traveling with pets.

First, talk with your veterinarian about if your pet is healthy enough to travel — near or far. This includes making sure pets are up-to-date on vaccines and that their microchip is still in place and scannable.

If your pet doesn’t have a microchip, now is the perfect time to have one implanted. It’s an easy procedure where the vet implants a small chip underneath your pet’s skin. The chip contains owners’ contact information and some chips even hold vital medical information and vets’ contact information.

While chips can help reunite owners with their pets, they are not

locators, GPS beacons or tracking devices.

In addition to making sure your pet has a microchip, be sure to pack their medication and if you are crossing stat lines or the U.S. border, their vaccine records and/ or health certificates.

Just like when traveling with human kids, pet parents will want to pack some favorite toys or blankets, treats and plenty of water to keep them hydrated.

When you plan your route, be sure to include places for potty and exercise breaks. Look for pet-friendly rest stops.

New places can be exciting and scary for pets, so keep them on a leash or in a carrier when outside of the vehicle.

No matter how far, or near, you plan on driving this summer, remember to enjoy the journey.

Keeping the kids occupied during road trips will help save your sanity when taking road trips with the family. (Credit/ Shutterstock)

AS WITH PLANNING ANY TRIP OR VACATION, PREPARING AHEAD OF TIME IS ONE OF THE KEYS TO AVOIDING UNEXPECTED HICCUPS OR EMERGENCIES, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU’RE HITTING THE ROAD.

Frontier Academy, Windsor Charter Academy receive grants to improve school safety

BY ANNE DELANEY

Frontier Academy in Greeley and Windsor

Charter Academy were among 13 school districts and three schools in Colorado selected to receive money from the 2023 School Access of Emergency Response grant program.

The state legislature allocated nearly $5 million for the program, known as SAFER. The state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management received 32 applications for a total

requested amount of $12 million.

The SAFER program was enacted by the state in 2018 to provide funding for interoperable communication hardware, software, equipment maintenance and training to allow for seamless communication between existing school communications systems and first responder communication systems, according to the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

Grant recipients may use the money received through the grant program to deliver training programs to teach effective communications with first responders in an emergency.

Windsor Charter Academy received $167,850. Frontier Academy received $35,101.

The other selected recipients are:

• Cherry Creek School District, $394,403;

• Centennial School District R-1, $215,376;

• Harrison School District #2, $1,032,152;

• Widefield School District 3, $399,198;

• Boulder Valley School District $832,150;

• Pueblo County School District 70, $436,006;

• Bennett School District 29J, $432,976;

• Elbert County School District C-2, $130,087;

• Woodlin School District R-104, $119,820;

• Adams Arapahoe 28J, $113,044;

• Cheraw School District 31, $67,837;

• Northeast Colorado BOCES, $433,260;

• Telluride School District RE-1, $36,565;

• Burlington School District RE-6J, $13,963.

Windsor Charter Academy Elementary is located at 680 Academy Court in Windsor. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)

ROAD CLOSED

BY ANNE DELANEY

One mile of Colo. 257 from north of Walnut Street in Windsor to south of Eastman Park Drive will be closed to all traffic beginning 7 a.m. July 5 through 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4, the Colorado Department of Transportation announced this week.

The following streets will not have access to or access across Colo. 257 during the closure: Walnut Street, Chestnut Street, Commons Drive and Eastman Park Drive. Garden Drive will remain open to through traffic only, except for periodic short closures to reconstruct the intersection.

Significant travel delays are expected. Drivers should plan ahead and seek alternate routes. Access to businesses and adjacent properties will be maintained.

CDOT said in a news release issued Wednesday the 30-day closure is in place to perform major road construction and complete as much work as possible before school reopens in mid-August.

Two signed detour routes will be in place:

• The local detour will direct

drivers around the west side of the closure using Crossroads Boulevard, 7th Street and 1st Street.

• Through commercial truck traffic must use Eastman Park Drive, Weld County Road 23 and Colo. 392 because of size and weight restrictions on local roads.

CDOT coordinated the road closure with the town of Windsor. The town will be able to accelerate parts of the Colo. 257 and Eastman Park Drive project during the road closure.

Crews will work extended hours and perform some activities over the weekend to complete this work as quickly as possible. Planned work includes a complete reconstruction of the roadway section. This full closure will save several weeks of one-lane alternating traffic conditions and partial intersection closures. Any changes to the closure schedule will be posted on message boards, cotrip. org and on the project webpage.

CDOT and Coulson Excavating Company are improving nearly 5 miles of Colo. 257 between U.S. 34 Business in Greeley and Walnut

Make sure to watch for signs and for workers during the road construction on Colo. 257. (Credit/Shutterstock)

One mile of Colo. 257 in Windsor will be closed to traffic

July 5-Aug. 4 as the Colorado Department of Transportation improves five miles of road

Street in Windsor this year. Planned bridge repairs at mile point 7.6, which is about 2 miles north of U.S. 34 Business, will also require a 20-day closure of Colo. 257 in the fall. This project will resurface the road to provide a smoother driving surface and increase the longevity of the highway. Intersection improvements at Crossroads Boulevard will enhance mobility by adding a second eastbound left turn lane to northbound Colo. 257. Safety improvements include installing new guardrails,

LET’S PLAY A ROUND IN GREELEY

Juniors

roadside delineators and rumble strips.

The project is anticipated to be completed in the fall, CDOT said.

General work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday with occasional extended hours and weekend work. The construction schedule is weather-dependent and subject to change.

For additional information about this project, contact the project team at (970) 776-5580 or pr@ workzone.info

For text alerts, text 257 to (866) 762-3640.

Young Adults

BY MORGAN MCKENZIE

WHEREPAST WHEREPAST MEETSPRESENT MEETSPRESENT

WINDSOR SEVERANCE FIRE MUSEUM TEACHES

HISTORY, FIRE PREVENTION TO ALL AGES

Last summer, a retired firefighter turned museum curator taught a mother and her son fire safety at the Windsor Severance Fire Museum. During the museum tour, the mother recognized the

curator as the firefighter who taught her the same fire safety lessons when she was a child.

The full circle moment for Daniel Lowe, also known as Fireman Dan, adds to the excitement

of his volunteer gig of teaching children and their parents fire safety and prevention.

Lowe, a retired firefighter and engineer who’s been in the first responder business since the 1970s, now spends his time working as the curator for Windsor Severance Fire Rescue Museum, located at 121 6th Street in Windsor’s Boardwalk Park.

The museum is free for all ages and open Saturdays from Noon to 4 p.m., by appointment or every Thursday during the Windsor concert season.

Lowe said the

museum is where the past meets the present. Tours guide people through the beginnings of the fire department in 1902 — when it was only the Windsor Fire Department and Severance didn’t have a department yet — all the way up to today’s Windsor Severance Fire Rescue.

History, traditions and education are the core of the museum. The tour not only provides interesting and historical details about the Windsor Severance Fire Rescue but also knowledge about the overall fire service, according to Lowe.

“It’s one way to learn the history of Windsor from 1902 to the present,” Lowe said about the museum.

“The fire department has always been a large part of the town of Windsor and Severance.”

Daniel Lowe, the curator for Windsor Severance Fire Rescue Museum, during a tour of the museum. (Morgan McKenzie/ Staff reporter)

What stands out about the Windsor Severance Fire Museum compared to others is the three main fire trucks on display: A red 1925 REO Speedwagon, a white 1941 International Howe and the white 1951 Ford Howe that was recently refurbished.

All three trucks are from Windsor, Lowe said, while other museums typically have equipment on display that isn’t local to their department.

Along with learning about fire trucks, visitors will gain insight into fire equipment and trends throughout the years of the fire service. The tour includes discussions about sliding poles, dalmatians, hoses, horses, fire alarms, safety nets, ladders and more.

There are many handson lessons at the museum, including a demonstration of how pulling the past fire alarms works. A quick switch of the alarm, typically with the help of a lucky attendee, will cause the bell on top of the museum to ring throughout the firehouse.

The tour ends with an exciting ride around town in the 1941 fire truck for a fire station tour led by a volunteer tour guide. Those on the tour may even get a chance to ring the truck’s bell or play the siren along their learning journey.

Interactions through education

More than 13,000 people have been through the fire museum, Lowe said. In 2022, the museum staff interacted with 6,500 people, whether staff did outreach in the community or peo-

ple visited the museum.

One of the museum’s main purposes is to teach fire prevention and fire safety in the home to schoolaged children — creating the perfect free, educational and fun experience for the summer.

Second graders in Windsor, home-schooled students and kids with physical and intellectual disabilities are among the many visitors at the museum throughout the year.

But children are not the only ones who can learn a thing or two. Attendees range from young children to college students, all the way up to grandparents, according to Lowe. People come from all over Colorado for a unique learning experience.

Lowe’s favorite part of the job is interacting with small children who are learning about fire safety. He loves to children’s eyes light up when they get to ring the bell or see a piece of equipment for the first time.

It’s also thrilling for Lowe to see the light in parents’ eyes as well, especially those who remember learning fire safety as a child and now get to apply it to their children.

Lowe thanked the volunteers who give tours and help maintain the trucks — work that keeps the museum up and running. He said the museum is always looking for more volunteers if anyone is

interested.

For more information about the museum, contact Lowe at (970) 7860915 or dlowe@wsfr.us.

“You can’t understand the history of Windsor without understanding the history of the fire department,” Lowe said.

Daniel Lowe, the curator for Windsor Severance Fire Rescue Museum, during a tour of the museum. (Morgan McKenzie/ Staff reporter)

COMMUNITYCALENDAR

ART LIVE! AT YOUNG AT ART FAMILY OPENING PARTY

Saturday, July 8, 10 a.m. Art and Heritage Center, 116 Fifth Street

The Windsor Art Commission is hosting the Art LIVE! at Young at Art Family Opening Party 10 a.m.

Saturday, July 8 at the Art and Heritage Center, 116 Fifth St. The free event will include professional artists creating amazing pieces of work. All ages are welcome to attend. For more information, go to https://bit. ly/43WYEuj.

DEMENTIA TOGETHER: GAME ON!

Monday, July 10, 1 p.m. Pike's Peak Room, WindsorSeverance Library, 720 Third Street

The program offers an hour of games and socializing for those living with dementia and their care partners. Light refreshments will be served. Registration is not required to attend. For more information, go to https://bit.ly/3CxjLI1.

BOOKMOBILE

Wednesday, July 12, 3 p.m. Poudre Heights Park, 1670 Green River Drive. All ages are welcome to come and see what the bookmobile has to offer.

PINTS WITH PAUL

Wednesday, July 12, 4:30 p.m. 408 Exchange Tavern, 408 Main Street

The event, open to adults age 21 and older will give attendees the opportunity to visit with Mayor Paul Rennemeyer to ask questions, learn about upcoming projects and voice concerns. Registration is not required to attend. For more information, go to https://bit.ly/43S1BfS.

NOT QUITE BROTHERS BAND

Thursday, July 13, 6:30 p.m.

Summer Concert Series

Boardwalk Park, 100 N. Fifth Street

The free event invites all ages come to bring their lawn chairs or blankets to the park for an evening of live music under the stars. For more information, go to https://bit. ly/3qGp1X4.

WINDSOR FARMERS' MARKET

Saturday, July 15, 8 a.m.

Boardwalk Park

100 N. Fifth Street

The market features a variety of items and goods such as produce, flowers, gifts and more. There is no cost to attend the market and all ages are welcome. For more information, go to https://bit. ly/3MYM5sW.

BLUES & BREWS CRAWL

Saturday, July 15, 5 p.m.

408 Main Street

The event, open to adults age 21 and older, will feature live blues performances, tastings from local breweries and opportunities to learn about the local downtown businesses. Tickets are $40 per person and include a custom printed mug, swag bag, appetizers, map of participating businesses and 10 tasting tickets. For more information, or to purchase tickets, go to https://bit. ly/466QEsm.

BOOKMOBILE

Monday, July 17, 4:30 p.m.

Windshire Park, 1520 Dartford Drive

Community members of all ages are invited to come and check out the bookmobile when it makes a stop.

18 21 24

AN EVENING WITH ILLUSTRATOR MARK

LUDY

Tuesday, July 18, 5:30 p.m. Pike's Peak Room, WindsorSeverance Libary, 720 Third Street

Ludy is a professional working artist, author and illustrator whose work spans between whimsy and humor to thought-provoking and profound. Ludy will speak about his experience working on children’s books. Registration is required to attend and can be done by going to https://bit.ly/3X5f0in.

MOVIES IN THE PARK: SHARKBOY AND LAVAGIRL

Friday, July 21, 8:30 p.m.

Chimney Park Pool, 421 Chimney Park Drive

All ages are welcome to come enjoy a movie under the stars while relaxing or splashing in the pool. Admission is $5 for adults age 18 to 49, $4 for seniors age 50 and older, $4 for kids ages 6-17 and $3 for children age 5 and younger. For more information, go to https://bit. ly/41VCPKM.

ART LIKE AN ILLUSTRATOR: COMMUNITY PHOTO COLLAGES WITH MO WILLEMS

Monday, July 24, 5 p.m.

Art and Heritage Center, 116 Fifth Street

The program, open to kids ages 6-12 years, will teach attendees how to create photo and multimedia collages using doodles. Registration is required for the free event. For more information, go to https://bit. ly/441R41I.

27 28 29

TREE WALK

Thursday, July 27, 5:30 p.m.

Main Park, 300 Locust Street

The group will meet at the shelter near the restrooms before being taken on an educational tour of the park’s trees. There is no cost to attend and registration is not required. For more information, go to https://bit.ly/43G2Bnw.

YAPPY HOUR

Friday, July 28, 4:30 p.m.

Eastman Park’s Poudre Pooch Park, 7025 Eastman Park Drive

Do a date night with your dog! The event will feature local breweries selling a variety of beer, food, music and a special off-leash area for pups. Admission is free and all ages are welcome to attend. For more information, go to https://bit.ly/3Pdyf7d.

END-OF-SUMMER CARNIVAL

Saturday, July 29, 3 p.m. Windsor-Serverance Library

Parking Lot, 720 Third Street

The free event is open to all ages and will include bouncy houses, inflatable games and challenges, refreshments and more. There is no cost to attend and registration is not required. For more information, go to https://bit.ly/3Nv55zh.

“Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.”

— ANTHONY BOURDAIN

SUNKEN CONCRETE?