Valley Voice June 2023

The Mad Creek Barn |

Photo by Jeff Hall

Publisher/Art Director: Matt Scharf mattscharf1@gmail.com

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A Heated Warning

By Matt Scharf

Zero Tolerance Traffic Enforcement

By Mark Beckett/ Interim Police Chief

2023 Legislative Session

By Dylan Roberts/ State Senator

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Using GDP to Measure Local Economy Page 6

By Scott L. Ford

Do Cellists Have Extra Long 4th Fingers? Page 7

By By Melissa Hampton

Thoughtful Parenting

By Barbara Hughes

Fighting Wildfires: Part III

By Ellen and Paul Bonnifield

The Weatherman's Wife

By Fran Conlon

Beer; Instrument of Fellowship

By Sean Derning

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Kids - Are they Worth Taking the Chance Page 11

By Johnny Walker

Distinctive Female Friends

By Ken Proper

Solar Developments Coming

By Brodie Farquhar

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Toponas Community Club Revitalization Page 14

By Marissa Perry

Zen in the Pen

By Lyn Wheaton

Human Errors

By Wolf Bennett

Your Monthly Message

By Chelsea Yepello

The Sky is Falling

By Joan Remy

Comics

Rants...

The fool who threatened people with a gun at the Hot Springs…

Stealing a coffee shop tip jar on a skateboard…

Town doesn’t seem as prosperous at the garden level… 10th street will never be the same. When will it ever end?

Realizing how short our summers are before it even begins…

The constant barrage of scam callers that use our local phone numbers to fool you…

The people who ride their bikes too fast on the sidewalk… The dead and abandoned car on RCR 45 that sat through the whole winter and is still there…

Raves...

The Veterans that have served and fallen for this country…

To all the 2023 graduates and the promise of a new future after high school…

When the Routt County landscape turns into a shade of awesome…

Getting your oil changed in your driveway without even turning a wrench…

Watching a small farm walk down your county road…

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The people see the power and grace of good customer service. It’s everywhere here…

When all you had to do is restart your computer…

Say What?...

“Lauren Boebert is back in the singles game? Look out, honey. Prince Charming just rode into town.”

“I know. I know you’re a vegan but we can’t take the smell out of our barbeque.”

“This place doesn’t look the same and I’ve only been gone for a month.”

“I’m going to go skateboarding. I need some youth!”

"I don't know how I got so far off center. I swear, I thought it was sun tea."

"Yeah you need a reservation for this campground."

A Heated Warning

By Matt Scharf

The hottest days are still to come here in Routt County and with all the outdoor activities that this area has to offer, I thought it would be important to remind people to be thoroughly prepared for their outdoor adventures. Any exertion in extreme weather can actually kill you. Folks around here tend be prepared for the winter conditions with proper clothing, gear, etc. (Other than the crazies who wear shorts in the winter.) However, during the summer months, many bicyclists and adventurers head west to even warmer climates to enjoy their favorite pastimes and hobbies. Lots of local people head to Moab, Fruita or Grand Junction where bicycling is just as popular. Then there are even hotter destinations like the American southwest. I’m originally from New Mexico, where I know it can get stupid hot out. I couldn’t imagine even going outside in Arizona or southern California in the summer months. For me it’s unbearable. This is why I wanted to print a “Heat Index” chart. The heat index relates to humidity and temperature combined. Add the humidity and the temperature and that gives you that number to make sure you get back to the truck. The rule of thumb for me for the maximum safe zone number should equal around 160. All people are different but don’t flirt with this deadly danger.

Zero Tolerance Traffic Enforcement Runs Through Labor Day

By Mark Beckett/ Interim Police Chief

"Feels Like" Temps

As spring heads toward summer and temperatures start rising, the Steamboat Springs Police Department (SSPD) will be turning up the heat on traffic enforcement with a zero-tolerance campaign.

For some reason, many folks believe that the stop signs with white trim are optional. We’ve seen driving behaviors in our mountain town take a severe turn with flagrant disregard by some drivers. During this program, our goal is to bring awareness to the dangers of speeding, red light running, and generally poor driving.

According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, Memorial Day marks the start of the 100 deadliest days of summer, a period between Memorial Day and Labor Day that sees a spike in impaired driving.

To help plan for the busy summer, here are some tips for staying safe on the road:

• Plan ahead. Have a designated sober driver

• Seat belts. Always buckle up when in a vehicle

• Drop the distraction. Set your phone on Do Not Disturb mode

• Buzzed driving is drunk driving. If you feel different, you drive different

• Use a rideshare service, a taxi or Steamboat Springs Transit to avoid driving impaired

The reason I write this article is because, sadly, my cousin died mountain biking on May 9th in southern California in Palm Desert after suffering from a heat stroke. He was an avid rider and enjoyed it to the fullest. That fateful day he had gone out early to avoid the afternoon sun on designated trails around the area. Unfortunately, he and a friend got lost out there. A three hour tour turned into a six hour ride in the blazing heat. The scary part is that they ran out of water. Can you image the panic being in this position? He collapsed unconscious on the side of the trail with his friend calling for rescue. The heat was well over 100 degrees and the humidity is unknown. He was rescued and lived for twelve more days in the hospital. His friend made it out safely. My cousin suffered dearly. He was intubated and all of his organs failed; liver, kidneys and even his eyes.

He visited Steamboat Springs quite a bit to ski and to ride our beautiful trails. I always looked forward to his visits. He was a great person, funny, smart and fun to be with. He was 53, married with three children. Our whole family is crushed by the news. So please, take extra caution because you never know what can be thrown your way.

RIP Paul.

In the first four months of 2023, officers have issued 290 tickets and 217 warnings for traffic violations, responded to 199 non-injury accidents and 3 collisions with injuries. 32 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs were also made during early 2023.

Starting Memorial Day Holiday weekend and running the entire summer through Labor Day, Operation Rush Hour will involve police officers and vehicles (marked and unmarked) dedicated to zero tolerance enforcement in hot spots across the city.

These officers will be targeting aggressive driving, speeding, not stopping at stop signs, running red lights, and other unsafe behaviors.

Everyone should drive safely every time they get behind the wheel. We shouldn’t have to warn folks that we’re taking a hard line on enforcement but consider yourself forewarned. If you’re pulled over for a traffic offense, you’ll be driving away with a ticket.

During the campaign, SSPD will also be working to educate the community about the importance of safe driving habits including wearing seat belts, not drinking & driving, and avoiding distracted driving.

Driving at night increases the likelihood and severity of crashes. The risk of being in a fatal crash is highest for teens between 9 pm and 6 am. When it gets dark, motorists have a harder time seeing pedestrians and bicyclists. Whether you’re traveling by car, bike or on foot, follow the rules of the road so that everyone makes it home safely.

Help motorists - wear reflective gear, and avoid dark clothing, use caution in crosswalks and do not dart across streets/alleys, eliminate distractions such as earbuds, texting, and cellphones, and assume you can’t be seen by others.

In addition, bikers should use front and back lights, don reflective gear and always wear a helmet. A new law in Steamboat Springs, makes it mandatory for all bikers and passenger 15 and under to wear a helmet. If traveling the Core Trail, ride with caution and follow the 15 mile per hour speed limit.

Remember, the speed limit in the city, unless otherwise posted, is 25 miles per hour. School and Work Zones will have slower speeds during operations. When traveling through these zones, keep an eye out for kids and construction workers and always expect the unexpected.

We need your help in changing driving habits. If we all slow down, drive safely and allow extra time to reach our destination, we can help change the next 100 days and make our roads around Colorado and Steamboat Springs safer.

2023 Legislative Session: What We Got Done

By Dylan Roberts

property taxes for nonprofit housing developers that build and sell affordable housing, like Habitat for Humanity.

Further, I supported HB23-1255, which loosens red tape on housing development, and SB23-303, which refers Proposition HH to this November’s ballot to provide longterm property tax stabilization for homeowners and relief for renters.

Protecting our water

Amid Colorado's historic drought and growing inter-state pressure to reduce water consumption, we must engage in responsible conservation to ensure we can meet our agricultural and municipal water needs. We took a big step in accomplishing this with SB23-295, which creates a diverse task force to make recommendations on a statewide drought security plan for the Colorado River. We also made historic investments in our water future through SB23-177, which invests $95 million in water conservation efforts (the most ever in a single year,) and SB23-270, which removes administrative barriers to undertaking stream restoration projects.

Supporting our rural economies and agriculture industry

provide our agricultural workers additional tools to advance and protect their businesses. Two of my bills, SB23050 and HB23-1094, expand loan and workforce development programs so agricultural businesses can invest in their future. SB23-255 will support livestock owners who will be most impacted by wolf reintroduction by creating guaranteed and adequate compensation for depredation.

Funding education and making healthcare more affordable

This year we invested a historic amount in both K-12 education and furthered the implementation of universal preschool. Recognizing that our schools and teachers are desperate for more resources, I’m proud that we increased K-12 education funding by $485 million, resulting in an additional $1000+ per pupil and a commitment to fullyfunding education by next year - the first time in over 15 years.

In May we wrapped up the 2023 legislative session and wow, there is a lot to report. It was a true privilege to serve my first session as your State Senator, and I am proud of what we accomplished to solve problems and improve our way of life in Colorado’s rural and mountain communities.

When I ran for Senate District 8 last year, I promised to stand up for all of our communities, ranging from our rural resort communities to small towns and everyone in between. I heard from thousands of constituents that we needed solutions to protect our natural resources, boost our rural economics, and ensure that all Coloradans have access to quality education and healthcare. More than anything else, I heard that our towns are becoming too ex pensive, and we need to develop more affordable housing.

While this session was challenging and full of long days and nights, I’m proud of the bills we passed that take the next step in addressing each of these challenges. In total, I was the prime sponsor of 44 bills, all of which passed both chambers and received 98% bipartisan support. Here are just a few highlights of what we accomplished:

More affordable housing

Many of our counties are thousands of housing units short, which means too many of our teachers, nurses, police officers, and hardworking individuals have no hous ing options near their place of work. For this reason, my legislation sought to remove barriers to housing develop ment. My first bill, SB23-001, addresses the biggest hurdle developers face on the Western Slope - a lack of affordable, buildable land. SB23-001 allows the state to sell its many parcels of unused land to public and private developers to build affordable, workforce housing, and we will see the benefit of this right here in Routt County with the development of land currently owned by CDOT. Another bill I sponsored, HB23-1184, will lessen the burden of

This year I also maintained my commitment to supporting our rural communities as they face economic transitions. With SB23-006, we codified the ‘Rural Opportunity Office,’ a one-stop shop for our communities to explore economic assistance and development opportunities. We furthered our support for Northwest Colorado specifically with HB23-1247, which will study the feasibility of alternative energy development in this region. This study will help

We also strengthened our healthcare system by funding Medicaid expansion and a 3% pay increase for our doctors, nurses, and other health care providers. I also led the charge with HB23-1002 to cap the cost of EpiPens for all Coloradans at just $60 per pack. Further, two of my bills, HB23-1224 and HB23-1226, make affordable healthcare more accessible by strengthening the Colorado Option and improving hospital financial transparency.

And much more

While this was just a short debrief of what I worked on this session, I look forward to taking the next few months to discuss many of these ideas in more depth and hear your feedback and questions. As always, I invite you to join me for an upcoming town hall meeting or reach out

had

Using GDP to Measure the Local Economy

By Scott L. Ford

First, I want to thank all of you that stopped me in City Market. Post Office and Library to let me know how much you enjoyed the three-part series I wrote on Colorado mountain community commercial air transportation landscape. Over the summer months I will turn my focus back to the local economy.

This month I am focusing on Routt County’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). GDP is a measure used to assess economic performance. GDP is an estimate that represents the total value of all goods and services produced within a specific period, typically a year.

There are three main approaches to calculating GDP: the production approach, the income approach, and the expenditure approach. The production approach calculates GDP by summing the value added at each stage of production in various industries. The income approach measures GDP by summing the incomes earned by individuals and businesses, including wages, profits, and rents. The expenditure approach calculates GDP by summing the total spending on goods and services within an economy, including consumption, investment, government spending, and net exports.

In Routt County GDP is calculated using the income approach. This way is the most common way GDP is measured at the county level and statewide. Why the incomes approach? It is easy because it uses IRS data based on the tax returns from individual households and local companies. The data I will be using is from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) and encompasses the past 21 years, (2001 to 2021).

In 2021 Routt County had a GDP of slightly over $2.3 billion. Without question this is a lot of money. However, to keep this big number in perspective the cost of the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, was $13 billion. This big boat costs 5.5 times more than the total size of Routt County’s annual economy when measured on a GDP basis.

Colorado has 64 counties. Is Routt County’s economy growing faster or slower than that of Colorado’s economy as a whole? Some would say yes; just look around at all that is going on locally.

The reality is that both the states and Routt’s GDP have grown over the past 21 years, however, Routt’s statewide ranking amongst the 64 counties has remained essentially the same at 19th out of 64 counties.

Another question that is often raised is whether the economy is growing. GDP data can help us answer this question. When adjusted for inflation the statewide GDP has grown at an annual rate of 6.4% over the past 21 years. During this same time Routt’s economy has grown 3.6% annually.

This on the surface when comparing growth rates presents a bit of a puzzle. How is it possible for Routt County to be ranked 19th out of 64 counties and yet have a rate of inflation adjusted GDP growth that is about 40% below statewide GDP? It is possible because the 18 counties ranking above Routt County have growth rates greater than those statewide. These 18 counties represent Colorado’s major economic centers. Think of the Denver metro area, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, and Grand Junction.

Another useful way to view GDP is to calculate GDP on a per capita basis. This is simply done by dividing the GDP in any given year by the population for the same year. In 2001 Colorado had a population of about 4.5 million which resulted in a per capita GDP of $42,006. In 2021 the statewide population has grown to 5.8 million and a per capita GDP of $75,044. Routt County had a population in 2001 of 20,436 with a per capita GDP of $63,843. In 2021 Routt County’s population had grown to 25,098 and a per capita GDP of $91,381. Over the past 21 years the percentage gap between the statewide GDP and that of Routt County has narrowed.

NextIssue–

Overtimewhatchangeshaveoccurredinthepercentage variousindustrysectorsmadetoRouttCounty’sGDP?

Do Cellists Have Extra Long 4th Fingers?

And Other Interesting Data You Could acquire by Home-hosting a Musician!

By Melissa Hampton/ Opera Steamboat Board Advisor/ Performing Arts Alliance

Thoughtful Parenting: Reading Builds Brains!

By Barbara Hughes

Steamboat Springs has an exceptional performing arts history. Beginning in 1913 when Portia Mansfield and Charlotte Perry arrived to set up their dance and theater school, the performing arts have flourished in our special mountain town.

And the vibrancy of our performing arts community continues to thrive today. Steamboat Springs is the home to eight extraordinary performing arts organizations:

Colorado New Play Festival

Perry-Mansfield

PikNik Theater

Opera Steamboat

Steamboat Dance Theatre

Strings Music Festival

Steamboat Symphony Orchestra

Yampa Valley Choral Society

You have, no doubt, been to a performance by one of these organizations (and if not, why not ?!) so you know how magical the experience can be, and how fortunate we are to have so much talent living in and passing through our community. But we have a special favor to ask of you that is critical to keeping our performing arts thriving.

We need housing for our guest artists. And we need it year around. Whether you have a spare bedroom and bath in your home, have a condo not occupied full-time, or are a second home owner/part-time resident, your performing arts community needs your help!

Why do we need it? The majority of our performing artists come to our Steamboat stages come from across Colorado, the United States and around the world. And it really puts a dent in our small budgets to rent condos and/or hotel rooms.

For how long do we need it? The stays vary from a few days to a week or more, depending on what performance is happening in town. Our on-line calendar allows you to plan in advance as well as choose the number of hosting nights convenient for your schedule and your home.

We have a loyal pool of housing donors that have hosted artists for many years but we are growing and need more availability!

What’s in it for you? Each organization has a benefits package for you, the housing donor, as a thank you. This varies by organization.

But the real benefit is getting to know a professional musician in an informal setting. What is the life style of a professional musician? Where will they go after they leave Steamboat? What favorite pastimes, hobbies, do these elite performers enjoy? How did a life in the arts begin?

And if you are a parent of a budding musician, imagine the inspiration your youngster would gain by spending some quality time with a pro!

As a home host myself, I can tell you that my experience hosting artists has been a rich, educational and fun every single time. The casual conversations around the dinner table have been remarkable. My husband and I have made so many wonderful connections - so much so that these days, we often re-host the same artists if they return to Steamboat because we enjoy the experience so much!

You can get to know these exceptional artists by volunteering to be a home host!

Interested? For more information, contact: housing@steamboatsymphony.org

Spring has finally arrived. Now is the perfect time to get out and enjoy our beautiful Yampa Valley. If you have kids, we suggest strolling through StoryWalk® on the path along the Yampa River between The Depot and the Stockbridge Transit Center. StoryWalk® is an early literacy program sponsored by Women United of Routt County United Way in partnership with the Bud Werner Memorial Library. Seasonally themed children’s stories are displayed in panels all along the path. If you have children from newborns through age 5, be sure to scan the QR code on the last panel to register them to receive FREE books every month. Yes, you read that correctly. Read on to learn more:

Women United of Routt County United Way is the local affiliate of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Every child who is registered for the program will receive a FREE high quality, age-appropriate book every month from birth through age 5 mailed directly to his or her home address. The books are selected by a team of early literacy professionals at the Dollywood Foundation and change from year to year, including two bi-lingual titles annually. The only books that remain the same are the first book which is The Little Engine That Could and the final book which is Look Out Kindergarten Here I Come. If you have more than one child, each child will receive their own books and, if registered at birth, will have their own personal library of 60 books by the time they are ready for kindergarten.

With all the technology available today, it is very tempting to slip a smartphone or tablet into your little one’s hands to keep them occupied. However, research has shown that animated stories are a bit overwhelming for developing brains. In contrast, a parent or caregiver’s reading voice is soothing to infants. Further research has shown that neural pathways in the brain that support imagery, language and attention are strongest when reading illustrated picture books. In other words, reading builds brains!

To register your child to receive FREE books from the Dolly Parton Imagination Library courtesy of Women United, go to https://RouttCountyUnitedWay.org/ImaginationLibrary or scan the following QR code.

PhotocourtesyofTheDollywoodFoundation:

Fighting Wildfires: Part III

By Ellen and Paul Bonnifield

From the Forest Service’s inception, hundreds of fire lookout towers and guard stations with rangers patrolling the forest were firmly established in national forests across the west, but they had serious shortcomings. It was nearly impossible for fire guards to determine the size of a fire and its exact location when all they could see was smoke. They needed a closer look. Following the Armistice of 1919, Chief Forester Henry S. Graves believed he had an answer. He contacted the commanding officers of the Army Air Corps and proposed a deal. The Air Corps needed a new mission after World War I to avoid being disbanded or put on moth balls. Graves proposed a joint effort of spotting and mapping fires, supplying crews in the field, and monitoring.

Following a brief period of tinkering to learn if anything worthwhile could be accomplished, in 1925 a Fire Patrol began operations out of Spokane, Washington. During the early years Colonel H. H. (Hap) Arnold (later Commander of the Air Force during World War II) played an important role. From 1925 - 1935 air patrols expanded. Arial photography became an essential element and developed to a refined art that was later used by a broad spectrum of business and military interests. Cargo dropping supplies into remote active fire base camps was first attempted in 1929. Although the first attempts were failures, with the development of parachutes, supplying firefighters in roadless areas became standard wildfire fighting protocol. When it was feasible and necessary, small landing strips were built and often used to remove injured firefighters.

Following the war, some thought was given to dropping men in parachutes to fight fires. Soon set aside as simply too dangerous – dependable equipment was not available and only “crazy men” would jump out of a plane into a fire. The tight-fisted policy of the national government refused to finance the necessary experiments to develop smokejumping.

New Deal philosophy provided funds and encouraged the unthinkable. T.V. Pearson with the Intermountain Region of the Forest Service (Region 4) headquartered at Ogden, Utah, in 1934 proposed a pilot program using parachutes to drop supplies and transport men and equipment. A professional jumper, J. B. Bruce, made a few successful demonstrations. Once again, the program was shelved as a “harebrained” idea, although not totally abandoned.

In late 1935, the project was moved to Washington with a primary plan of experimenting with bombing fires with water and chemicals. Earlier tests used beer kegs filled with water dropped on fires without much success. The 1935 experiments were not successful and in 1939 the program was abandoned.

The big change came in 1938 when the Army and the Forest Service purchased high wing, five passenger planes. Now a crew of men could be flown to a fire, and the high wings allowed for a safe exit from the plane. Despite the setbacks, the years between 1935 and 1940 were highly productive ones of learning. Giant gains were made in dropping goods and equipment, and that knowledge used to equip and train smokejumpers. The Forest Service in 1939 successfully completed several dummy tests and over sixty human jumps.

It was a long and difficult two decades with numerous setbacks and biting tongues from nay sayers.

The first actual fire jump was made on the Martin Creek Fire on July 12, 1940, by Rufus Robinson of Kooskie, Idaho, and Earl Cooley of Hamilton, Montana. Three days later, Chester N. Derry made a rescue jump to a plane crash in the Bitterroot Mountains. Dr. Leo P. Martin from Missoula became the first “jumping doctor” initiating search and rescue as well as fire fighting for the smokejumpers. During this period Major William Cary Lee was attached to the smokejumping project. He later applied many of the techniques and ideas when he became commander at Fort Benning, Georgia, and later commander of the 101st Airborne Division at Normandy. During the first year, 1940, twelve jumpers completed 99 successful jumps. A decade later (1950) 250 jumpers fought on 1,465 fires. By 1967, 425 smokejumpers completed 7,529 jumps. Between 1940 and 1977, 77,231 jumps were completed, and the numbers continued to increase. Both Canada and Russia have adopted smokejumping modeled after the United States.

It hasn’t been without tragedy. At Mann Gulch on the Missouri River near The Gates of the Mountains, on August 5, 1949, fifteen smokejumbers and a fire guard were trapped by a wildfire. Eleven died at the fire, two more died the next day from burns. Only three survived.

When the jumpers landed, the fire did not appear threatening. Smokejumper Robert Sallee later reported, “I took a look at the fire and decided it wasn’t bad. It was burning on top the ridge and I thought it would continue up the ridge. I thought it probably wouldn’t burn much more that night because it was the end of the burning period.” The cargo was assembled in a smart but not hurried way. The radio shattered when its chute failed to open. After collecting their gear, the men started towards the river where they met Recreation and Fire Prevention Harrison. They continued towards the Missouri River for about five minutes when they discovered the fire burning below them and on the ridge toward them. They turned and headed up hill at an angle and a fast pace – hoping to skirt the fire. Foreman Dodge instructed them to drop their heavy gear. The fire, now driven by strong wind, was getting ahead of them.

The crew topped a ridge and found a small clearing of low intensity fuel. Foreman Dodge quickly lit a fire creating a “black area.” He instructed the men to join him in the black and lay down. Believing they saw an opening in the converging fire, they raced for it. They were too slow, and the fire caught them. Dodge survived in the black. Sallee and Rumsey found refuge in a rockslide. Dodge, Rumsey, and Sallee found three men badly burned but alive and the others dead. While Rumsey stayed with the injured, Dodge and Sallee went for help. Learning of the disaster, the alarm was given, and volunteers, doctors, and pack animals rushed to assist. The three badly burned men later died in a hospital.

The Mann Fire remains well known and often studied; however, a year later (1950) Colorado suffered a tragic fire. Crews were working on the Broadmoor Hotel’s new golf course when a blaze escaped in a 55 mile per hour

wind and raced into Camp (Fort) Carson. Soldiers were called out and local volunteers rushed to assist; however, the fight lacked organization. Eight soldiers died and thirty were seriously injured. The ninth death was Harley McCullough. He was only fourteen and skipped school to join the fight to defend the main gate. Why a boy that young was allowed on the fire line remains an unanswered question.

Bud Burrill was driving his jeep at high speed with an injured man heading for a treatment center when he came upon a wooden bridge afire. In the smoke and fire, he did not see the bridge until it was too late. His jeep crashed into the stream’s channel and rolled on its top. Bud was pinned in the jeep and severely burned although he lived. The passenger did not. Eighty-nine buildings were destroyed including an abandoned German prisoner of war barracks.

The first smokejumper to die in action was PFC Malvin L. Brown, an African American. Fearing the threat of Japan sending balloon bombs and starting large forest fires along the Pacific coast in 1943, the US Army began organizing a smokejumper outfit. The Triple Nickle was a proud Black unit. After intense training, the Triple Nickle was stationed at Pendleton, Oregon (not to be confused with Camp Pendleton, California).

Segregation at Pendleton was extremely difficult for the men of the Triple Nickle. Pendleton also had a German prisoner of war camp. The prisoners were allowed into stores, to movies, and to move about the base, whereas the African Americans were not.

On August 6, 1945, Brown’s company was ordered to make a jump near Roseburg, Oregon, where a fire was burning in heavy stand old growth trees. Some trees were over two hundred feet tall. No one knows for sure what went wrong, but PFC Brown’s chute hung on the top of a tree. Brown fell to his death in a rocky creek bed while attempting to free himself. In its brief war time history, the Triple Nickle made over 1,200 jumps and fought in 36 wildfires.

Women in the workplace are so common today that many of us don’t give it a second thought. But not so long ago it was rare and required special women to challenge the system, although the Civil Rights laws gave them a stronger base. Often, once they were hired, they were soon fired for petty reasons. Fellow male workers could be, and often were, hell on women. So, when we say a woman was “First” it means she accomplished the nearly impossible. She was and remains special.

In 1971, a twenty-year-old woman from Fairbanks, Alaska, Caroline “Cara” Peters, applied for work as a wildland fire fighter with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Cara was hired and only four hours later was fired. A BLM official told her, “It was not reasonable to expect the bureau to provide separate sleeping accommodations and bathroom facilities for men and women on the fire line.” Miss Peters was ticked off and would not give up.

Cara first went to the press for assistance. Failing to win, she hired a lawyer, made a direct appeal to the BLM office, and threatened other legal action.

For those who live here and for those who wish they did.

The Bureau had a clear shortage of fire fighters and needed more. With growing public support and legal pressure, the BLM decided to negotiate. Cara was informed if she recruited 12 suitable candidates, half a fire crew, she would be hired. The lady accepted the challenge and recruited 23 young women. In 1971 following training, the first all female fire crew went on fire line in the Wickersham Dome Fire near Fairbanks. The Crew Chief Dan Rodey stated, “The women competed successfully with the men and in fact were superior in many respects. As far as their physical capabilities, all could handle the job, and they did.”

Deanne Shulman had to prove herself repeatedly. She began work on an engine crew on the Los Padres National Forest at Santa Barbra, California. If she wasn’t the first woman, she was among the first to work “J” (repelling) on a helitac crew during the fire seasons of 1975 and 1976. She was once again first when she worked two fire seasons, 1977-1978, on a elite hotshot crew.

Just as sideline: Most wildland fire fighters only work during the fire season. At the end of the fire season, they are laid off, and since they are seasonal, they cannot draw unemployment. Every year they face a long financial drought.

In 1979, Shulman applied to become a smokejumper. She passed the physical fitness requirements without

difficulty, and she had enough fire experience to be highly qualified. However, the regulations required a person to be at least 5'5" tall and weigh no less than 130 pounds. Shulman worked two days before being dismissed because she weighed only 128 pounds. Her next moves are a complex story, but the government later lowered the weight requirement to 120 pounds. In 1981, Shulman weighed 132 pounds and became the First Woman smokejumper. During the 1983 fire season while working in Alaska, she made six jumps in three weeks. After four seasons as a smokejumper Shulman moved up. She retired as Assistant District Fire Management Officer for the Greenhorn Ranger District of Sequoia National Forest. Reaching that level of management was impossible for a woman back in 1970.

All wildland fire fighters know that regardless of how they reach a fire – walk, by engine, helitac, or parachute – once they get there it is all hard work, sweat, breathing smoke, calloused hands, and tired muscles. Danger is always near and horrible death occurs all too often. Yet, a wildland firefighter belongs to a special fraternity – a brotherhood and sisterhood unlike any other.

Readers:Weonlyplannedathree-partseriesonwildfires; however,thesubjecthas“blownup”andisracingoutof control.Wehaven’tevenopenedthedoorontheColorado fires.Nextmonth,lookforpartfour.

The Weatherman's Wife

By Fran Conlon

The weatherman’s wife hears many a prediction, Gloomy rain, sustaining sun, Might well be fake news with conviction, A rumbling discourse with no end, now begun.

His wife is used to meteorological strife, Many want moisture, others not so, From an audience inside, no wilderness life, To hear, touch, and see raw nature’s show.

The urban crowd so oft’ quarreling, For drops of liquid from a cloud, Missing the flight of a nearby starling, And, nature's pattern, a secret shroud.

Above the clouds, the currents flow, A mystery rather to crowds below, Sublime zephyrs keep a golden glow, Truth’s gentle beauty, an ephemeral show.

The prediction is sometimes right, ‘Tho not seen in nature’s evening light.

3162 Elk River Road Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Buddy’s Hobby Hut Track!

Beer; Instrument of Fellowship

By Sean Derning aka A Beer Fairy

Three stooges

There are three individuals who have been outspoken critics on Bud Light’s spokesperson choice; Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R), Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia), and musician Kid Rock. All three have expressed condemnation over Bud Light’s decision for sponsorship and their comments and actions have gone from open criticism to an act of violence.

Gov. DeSantis has made the claim to boycott Bud Light due to their efforts at transgender marketing.

“Why would you want to drink Bud Light?” DeSantis said.

“I mean like honestly, that’s like them (Anheuser-Busch InBev, makers of Bud Light) rubbing our faces in it, and it’s like these companies that do this, if they never have any response, they are just going to keep doing it.”

“Corporate America is trying to change our country, trying to change policy, trying to change culture,” DeSantis said. “I’d rather be governed by ‘We the People’ than woke companies. I think [the] pushback is in order across the board including with Bud Light.” (WFLA, 4/18/23)

DeSantis, a republican presidential nominee hopeful, needs to speak softly regarding his opposition, as Anheuser-Busch INBev has a large presence in Florida. The Jacksonville brewery produces a staggering 10 million barrels of beer annually (5% of the country’s entire beer production) (Jacksonville Business Journal 11/22/19) and employs 700. (Florida Times Union, 9/1/15) In addition, the Busch Gardens theme park started by AnheuserBusch in Tampa is the 11th most visited theme park in the US, (discoverwalks.com) and employs 5,073 workers (zoominfo.com).

from gun violence so far this year (abcnews, 5/2/23). Perhaps if the Kid were to protest the watered down, fizzy taste of Bud Light by illustrating you can grow better flowers in your garden on a diet of the brew, it may have had greater impact with a more positive outcome.

At the center of controversy

So who is Dylan Mulvaney? College educated in theater, she has acted in past productions of The Book of Mormon, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, Legally Blonde, Bye Bye Birdie and High School Musical. In October, 2022, she met with President Joe Biden where they discussed the upswing of anti-trans legislation being passed by states (hollywoodlife.com). She has 10 million followers on Tik Tok, and is articulate and engaging in her internet segments. So Bud Light reached out to her and the controversy started with harsh words, product boycotts and even a bomb threat at the Budweiser Van Nuys, CA plant (New York Post, 4/14/2023). It is A Beer Fairy’s firm belief that beer should never be utilized as a catalyst for terror but utilized as an instrument of fellowship.

Bud Light might not be a top shelf product but it should be recognized for trying to break down barriers to sell to individuals who like beer. Quite simply, beer is a beverage for everyone (of legal drinking age of course), not exclusive but inclusive. Including Dylan Mulvaney. What makes Mulvaney unique is her refreshing refusal to address the haters by being herself.

"What I’m struggling to understand is the need to dehumanize and to be cruel. I just don’t think that’s right. Dehumanization has never fixed anything in history ever." (wikipedia.com)

Over the past few years, A Beer Fairy has presented reviews of many different beer styles and their histories, along with several examples which readers can purchase locally. Promoting beer, and good beer, in a positive light has been the goal of these articles and educating readers to make excellent choices in their beer purchases has always been A Beer Fairy’s mantra. But lately, there has been a national news story that insists on polarizing the public and really has A Beer Fairy’s tutu in a twist. Breaking with tradition, a look at the issue and social commentary needs to be discussed.

Dylan Mulvaney, a person who celebrated their first year of being a woman, was offered a sponsorship by Bud Light, currently the nation’s top selling beer. What has resulted has been a firestorm of opposition from conservatives, reported sagging sales of the product and numerous calls for boycott.

All over one individual who chooses to wear makeup and looks exceptionally vogue in her fashion selection. This article will focus on Mulvaney’s detractors, expose Mulvaney’s character and allow readers to come to their own conclusion on if beer should be viewed as a marketing status/social/sex symbol or product consumed for pure enjoyment and refreshment.

Second critic to offer opposition to the controversy is Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. She urged, “I would have bought the king of beers, but it changed its gender to the queen of beers,” when she tweeted on April 8. (them. us.com) and then attached a photo of a case of Coors Light mixed in with her backseat groceries.

However, Greene may have been unaware that CanadianAmerican beverage company Molson Coors (brewer of Coors Light) has publicly expressed support for the LGBTQ+ community. Coors Light has sponsored Denver’s Pride festivities for over 20 years, in addition to donating over $100,000 to LGBTQ+ organizations, according to Denver Pride (themarysue.com).

The final opponent to Bud Light has been the musicianwho-has-overstayed-his-welcome-at-the celebrity-party-bya-decade, Kid Rock (Robert J. Ritchie). There is a clip out there in cyber land of Mr. Ritchie taking a submachine gun and blasting away at several cases of Bud Light. He then turns to the camera, middle finger extended and says “F**k Bud Light and f**k Anheuser-Busch!”

The symbolism is unnerving; using violence and automatic weapons is a poor way to get anyone behind their cause. Not only is Ritchie promoting violence towards the LGBTQ community but he is also slapping the face of every friend and family member of the 13,900 people who have died

For those who live here and for those who wish they did.

Time for something completely different

It’s no secret that Bud Light is far from brewing excellence and critics agree. It received a 47 (awful) rating from beeradvocate.com and is perhaps best suited for previously mentioned garden fortifier or used in kitchen recipes that call for it.

So this gives beer drinkers the opportunity to try something different, something better without participating in a poorly-conceived boycott and being sucked into the controversy vacuum. Perhaps this polarity is the perfect reason to try other beers that have better taste, and that is the crux of this article; to get readers to drink better beer. Beer purchases should not be based on image or gender stigmas and marketing campaigns but what is inside the bottle/can and how it tastes.

What Dr. Thompson said at the beginning of the article holds true. Think about becoming a better person by drinking better beer.

-SeanDerningisABeerFairyandoffersbeer/brewery reviewsandvideosatBeerfairytales.com

“Goodpeopledrinkgoodbeer.Thinkaboutit.”

-Dr.HunterS.Thompson

Inaquandaryoverabrewery.

Kids - Are They Worth Taking the Chance?

By Johnny Walker

We’ve got this grandson who has always amazes Gigi and me, but we never knew quite what to think. Oliver was barely 16 when he pulled out of school because of the COVID pandemic and discovered that he wasn’t much interested in sitting at a computer all day - he felt he was learning what he “didn’t need to know.” He got a job, a truck, a motorcycle and a speedboat in his first year of work. He lives and plays in the outdoors, and is accomplished in all that he does. By now he likely has his “black belt.” As Oliver’s grandparents, some of this made us a bit nervous, although he always had great respect for his parents and they trusted him in return. On February 11th Oliver’s world was turned upside down. He was driving home at 1am that Saturday morning (I supposed from a late outing with his friends, as Oliver has his own time clock), when he rounded the corner house in his neighborhood. He noticed a glow from inside the home that was apparently shared by fourteen residents. He pulled over and dialed 911. He saw flames behind a window and people running around in panic. Oli jumped out of his truck and found the windows were stuck and the outside door was on fire. There was no time to wait for help. He ran around the house and found no way inside. Picking up a large rock Oli smashed a window and the victims ran towards the broken opening. He pulled most of the victims through… one by one. A screaming woman was trapped on the second level. Oliver yelled, “Jump!” And then yelled again. The trapped woman jumped and Oliver caught her, using all the moves he learned in martial arts. The firemen arrived and attempted to rescue an obese woman stuck in her bed. They couldn’t get to her. Oliver still regrets her loss.

One week later, he received a Congressional Medal of Honor from Congressman Kevin Kiley. As I write this column, I just learned that Oliver is now working at his new job as a part-time firefighter. Last night he and another firefighter rescued a 22-year old girl who was alone and had just had a baby. The two firemen arrived minutes after she gave birth and immediately rushed her to the hospital. Just another day in Oliver’s life!

That California town now claims Oliver as their own but we know that he has Steamboat blood in his veins - and that occasionally calls for risky behavior. True adventure is knowing your boundaries and the confidence to walk up to the edge - and not step over. Oliver’s unconventional lifestyle taught him well!

Oliver’s younger sister, Lynea, only 13, has the values of peace and love shared by her parents and especially those of her grandmother, (Gammy Gigi who was arrested 50 years ago for protesting the war). We wish Lynea luck and may she have fewer disappointments than many of us from the “sixties” generation.

Lynx and Fisher, our two local grandsons, are classic products of Steamboat, “born and raised.” They are Nordic skiers at heart, but this last year they discovered the freedom of being a kid on Mt. Werner. They can turn a pair of skis on a dime whether they are skinny skis or fat boards. It makes no difference to them. Lynx’s passion for Greek mythology is shared by 20 other middle school graduates and especially those of a retired 5th grade teacher, Danielle Scov. She conceived the idea of a Greece trip this summer to explore Greek mythology. Their teacher is in now the owner of “Off the Beaten Path.” They will be leaving right after school ends.

Kids like this are nothing new to Steamboat, but Steamboat 8th grader, Kayleigh Esswein conceived a student trip that truly takes “Adventure Travel” to the edge.

I was the student council sponsor at SSMS for many years, but during my last three years I had an unstoppable council. During their early years at SSMS, this Council, with Kayleigh as their president and the help of former student, Lenea Jenkins, (just out of college), introduced the idea of helping a new school get started in Africa. Lenea had volunteered at the local chimpanzee recovery center in Zambia as a college project and suggested we

send books and supplies to the new school. My student council had recently put together a “penny war” to raise money for the victims of hurricane Katrina. It took a backhoe to load over five thousand pennies to be delivered to the bank and turned it into a $5K cashier’s check payable directly to New Orleans survivors. Now these same students wanted to help with Lenea’s Africa project. These 8th graders were now confident they could pull this off! Over a breakfast in Denver, after the Council paid our annual visit to state congressmen Al White and, the late Jack Taylor (Lenea was on that trip, as a chaperon), Kayleigh and several student council members walked over to our table, and “announced” to Lenea and me, “We want to go to Africa and volunteer to teach at the new school. We could use your help.” I was speechless and offered a meager reply, “Yes, of course.”

These 8th graders were sophomores in high school when they finally pulled the Africa trip off. This flawless adventure into the heart of Zambia was followed by a second trip just after they graduated from high school. The seven girls and one boy, with two chaperones, were unsupported by any organization or school as the two trips seemed “risky.” Kayleigh led both trips. The Zambian school is now a success with over 100 elementary students enrolled!

These young adults are the fruit of a very large family tree and we are all very proud. During my 16-years as a SSMS teacher I have watched a lot of the kids mature, even after some rough falls. I applaud all the students I was so lucky to know… many who went on to greatness, following their goals and passions and others who faced challenges that they never asked for.

I always felt appreciated by my students, but my personal reward came from a former student, Meghan Lukens. She was working at Beaujo’s one night when I ordered a pizza to go. I got home, from that long day of teaching and driving a school bus and opened the pizza box. Written inside the lid was a message, in her hand, with a bold marker pen, “We love you Mr. J.” Meghan is now your Representative in the Colorado Congress.

The question is - are kids worth taking the chance?

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Distinctive Female Friends

By Ken Proper

June 10, 1915

My mate, du Bois and I had two distinct groups of women friends. Nellie, Flo, and Madame Ollie’s crew resided in Brooklyn. Maggie, Angela and formerly Corina lived in Steamboat. Like oil and water, they did not mix socially or professionally. Freely, respectable men crossed the river with little social stigma. Not so with the Steamboat women, they feared the loss of their jobs, community standing and respect. Any contact required stealth. Corina attempted to jump the ditch, was assaulted, impregnated, and forced into a miserable marriage. The women of Brooklyn were social misfits, with questionable repute, many in poverty and forced into prostitution. For them to cross the river guaranteed cat calls, rejection and perhaps arrest. To Corina’s credit, she believed there will be no freedom until all women are allowed sexual freedom. Men must take the responsibility for their actions and share raising children. Independence cannot be different for men and women, rather we should be all free people.

Maggie and Angela invited du Bois and me to their parlor. Then they surprised me with a frosted cake. A red candle burned brightly surrounded by an almost perfect circle of different colors of dripped candle wax, a subtle, amusing, reminder of the evidence of my sexual exploits which banished me to Colorado.

“One year, you’re an American now,” Angela laughed. Du Bois looked up and gazed at her too long.

Maggie retorted, “There are plenty who would say you’ll never be an American, because you weren’t born here. But you’re our local boy. Now, make a wish, if you want, blow out the candle and I’ll cut the cake.”

“You girls are just too good to me. Thanks for being my friends.” I silently wished for our continued happiness, my safety and snuffed out the flame with a tiny puff.

Maggie started cutting the cake. “Has the jimson weed cured your asthma?”

Du Bois started laughing. I replied, “That wasn’t my problem.”

“So, I hear,” and she offered me my plate of cake.

Angela looked straight into my eyes, “Julius, can you take a walk with me and Charlie this evening?”

Du Bois looked up again. Maggie did not. She kept serving cake on plates.

“Of course,” I returned her gaze, searching for Why?

“It’s lovely at six o’clock with a gentle wind. I’ll meet you at the Second Street Bridge.” She smiled and asked, “Milk or tea?”

“Tea,” I replied and wondered what she wanted to talk about.

The volume of river runoff was greatly reduced. The clarity and a pellucid glow had returned. The tops of boulders were moist and visible again. Aspen and cottonwood trees swayed gently in the wind, a canopy of rustling, verdant leaves.

Angela arrived right on time. She suggested walking up Butcherknife Creek to Crawford Hill. We strolled in silence for a while. Charlie smelled everything and rushed toward any movement in the undergrowth.

“You don’t know what love really is until your heart is broken,” she finally said. I did not know how to answer. “I had to come to Steamboat because I was discovered,” she continued.

“As a dancer?”

“No, maybe in the future. My fiancé saw me kissing a woman.”

“Oh.”

“In a lake.” She paused. I could not read her momentary expression. She then added, “Naked.”

I smiled, “A very dramatic presentation.”

“Thank you.” She looked at the rushing creek water, recalling her past. “The engagement ended immediately. I was crushed and frightened. My mother was afraid too.”

“Oscar Wilde went to prison for the same kind of thing,” I mentioned. “Except it was with a man.”

“Exactly. I think my mother always assumed I liked women more than men. I loved the idea of financial security more than the man. I’m not the first woman to think that way. He was a vengeful man. I boarded the train two days later.”

“Interesting. It’s like you were banished too.”

“Yes, I was spoiled and anything I wanted; I took it. I didn’t bother to resist the things I wanted. He was immoderately verbose, intensely dull and laughed like a magpie, nonstop and loud, but he had money. My bad decisions taught me lessons.”

“Du Bois is sweet on you.”

“I know. I’ll be friendly but want to keep my distance. I’m happy now, in love with Maggie, and the point I’m making is, you will be too. Your time will come. We know how heartbroken you were with the loss of Corina. Duty, honor, the damn contract created a bizarre situation, complicated by the fact you both were too scrupulous.”

I just looked at her. I did not know what to say again. She broke the silence with, “Maggie and I love you in our own special way. You’re dealing well with your loss. Remember we’ll always be your friends and always be there for you.”

“Thanks,” I said as she wiped a single tear from my eye and gave me a hug. “I’ll be okay,” I mumbled.

“I know you will. You are an intelligent, handsome man.” She put her arm through mine, and we walked back to town. Her rebellious bobbed hair mingled with body and soul. They were essentially one. We continued our stroll, talked about the most mundane subjects imaginable, parted with another hug and her comment, “Corina still loves you.”

For those who live here and for those who wish they did.

Solar Developments Coming

By Brodie Farquhar

storage projects across 20 states. Apex also specializes in community (shared) renewable energy development, where any customer can use renewable power, even if renewable sources are miles away.

These renewable energy developers are looking at land south of Hayden and south of the Hayden power station. Accordingly, the Routt County Planning Department, together with the Design Workshop, is trying to identify issues of concern to local farmers, ranchers, Hayden-area businesses and residents, as county staff strive to update the county subdivision/zoning code, so as to facilitate the growth of solar energy.

HAYDEN – Around the nation and Colorado, coal-fired power plants are headed for extinction – part of cutting back on carbon emissions and combating climate change. That means that the transmission lines that carried coalfired electric energy are going to have excess capacity for carrying electric power to customers around the state and country.

And thanks to the federal Infrastructure Act, the rapidly growing sector of renewable energy – solar, wind, storage, tidal and geothermal, is on track to build renewable infrastructure near those transmission lines, as a way to save money and increase profits.

In early May, Routt County officials, planning staff, consultants and residents got a taste of what all these changes might mean at day-long meetings in Hayden, which is scheduled to see the closure of nearby power plants over the next few years – Hayden 2 will retire in 2027, Craig 2 and Hayden 1 will retire in 2028. Statewide, Excel Energy anticipates adding approximately 2,300 megawatts of wind, 1,600 megawatts of large-scale solar, 400 megawatts of battery storage and 1,300 megawatts of flexible “always available” generation. The actual level and type of resources acquired will be based on the bids received.

“We shared with the (Routt County) Commission the response to our 2022 All-Source Solicitation for the Clean Energy Plan, which had an unprecedented 1,073 total proposals submitted for new energy generation, including new renewable energy and storage options,” said Michelle Aguayo, communications director for Excel. However, Excel has so many proposals to wade through, that it has a 170-day deadline beyond March 1, to outline proposals that best meet future energy needs, while also considering cost impacts, she added.

While Excel has not identified their contenders for building utility-scale solar-arrays in the Hayden area, the Routt County Planning Staff is aware of two companies who are interested:

• RWE in America, which has an array of on- and off-shore wind projects, solar projects and storage projects across the country. With the acquisition of Con Edison Clean Energy, RWE is now the number four renewable energy company in the U.S. and the country’s second largest solar owner and operator.

• Apex Clean Energy, of Charlottesville, North Carolina, which has active utility-scaled wind, solar and energy

Two areas of concern are the impact of solar farms on local wildlife (deer, elk and sage grouse) and where the workers would live for the six-to-nine months construction phase.

The two companies are looking at flat and sloped land, with a good orientation to the south. Alan Goldich, a county planner, said the potential for utility-scale solar farms in the Hayden area is 2,500 to 3,500 acres.

On average, five acres of solar can generate one megawatt of electric power, said Mike Kroger, president and CEO of Colorado Solar and Storage Association. “Regarding energy storage,” said Kroger, “I assume that the developers would have offered that to Excel as an option. The general idea is to add energy storage either with big solar installations like what is planned for Routt County, or close to the load in the Denver area. Where those batteries will end up is unclear to me. That's an Excel decision.” COSSA is the trade association leading Colorado’s solar and energy storage industries.

Solar arrays are currently permitted in Routt County by special use permit in agriculture and forestry areas, but significantly bigger solar farms come with potential impacts that are not addressed by current codes, he said. For example, the Yampa Valley Community Solar Garden near Craig is 2.5 acres. A bigger array, 20 acres, is planned for the Craig area, with ground-breaking in May.

Goldich said county planners are looking at the height of proposed solar arrays above the ground; setback from roads and fences; fencing; access for maintenance crews; vegetative management and agricultural impact.

Kacie Peters, director of business development for Pivot Energy, said that vegetative management can entail planting deep-rooted grasses and nitrogen fixers that will result in improved soils at the end of a 25-30 year lease period. “For an area like the Yampa Valley, a solar-array could accommodate sheep grazing that would happen below the solar panels. Cattle grazing—not so much. Cattle like to rub on solid objects to relieve itches. Wouldn't be good for solar panels,” said Peters. Pivot counts Chicago, Denver and Breckenridge as clients, as well as schools, universities such big-box businesses as City Markets and Whole Foods, or with large land owners, such as the U.S. Army.

Routt County's Goldich said he and his planning department associates are on track to have streamlined permitting process ready for review by late August. That's also the time that Excel announces the winning proposals for renewable energy.

Toponas Community Club Revitalization: Launch of History Project

By Marissa Perry on behalf of the Toponas Community Club

This winter was akin to one of the “real” winters experienced in years past in Routt County. A couple of families in the Toponas area decided to hold a winter community club meeting to gauge interest of rekindling the community club and foraging ahead into spring with new energy. New officers were elected in February. A couple of planning sessions and conversations later a new mission was launched: capturing the unique agricultural history spanning a 100-year period from 1862 (Year of the Homestead Act) to the early 1960s (End of the Lettuce Crop Era). The radius of our project encompasses all of the Upper Egeria Park area which spans from Finger Rock to the South, Five Pine Mesa to the West, Green Ridge and the edge of Gore Pass up to the Stage Stop to the East and King Mountain, Conger Mesa areas to the South stopping just North of McCoy. Insert Railroad Survey Picture. Cite Denver Library Western History & Genealogy Research Center

The Toponas Community Club kicked off this research project with the launch of The Toponas History Talks in an effort to awaken and inspire interest in preserving the history of the varied types of industry that took place in the wide-open park and surrounding spaces. Longtime

locals with engaging storytelling reputations were contacted, dates decided, a Facebook page created, invitations and a potluck google sheet released. Within a few days the team had the first positive responses. A videographer sponsorship was offered by local Brian Ripley, King Creek Ranch’s former ranch manager-turned-real-estate agent. The club’s group effort yielded a tremendous first event with 110 people packed into The Toponas Hall. We had over 90 at the 2nd event, during calving season, proving our hunch that post-Covid there’s a real appetite for in person community connection. President Kelly Gates aims to capture all the most interesting stories of the “wild west” days in Toponas. Our intention is to publish a book as a gift to the community and a fundraiser for maintenance of the building.

Driving through Toponas today you may wonder what -if anything- could have possibly happened in this postagestamp sized town? One of the first destinations in Upper Egeria Park was The Stage Stop on Gore Pass built in the 1880s by James & Katherine Gates near the mineral springs. “These springs are very cold and contain large quantities of iron and soda. The use of this water greatly

For those who live here and for those who wish they did.

helps those who are troubled with indigestion”. Upper Egeria Park was a destination for homesteading in the early days of settlement in Routt County. Surveys were often completed by Toponas rancher Preston King, Sr. then irrigation pathways hand dug or trenched before the new crops of lettuce and spinach were planted. Ice was cubed, transported to the icehouse between the existing store and hall building for packing produce before it was shipped out via rail. There were tiny homes in Toponas before it was all the rage, cabins off Highway 131 and back by the old store site near the railroad and intersection of Highway 134 served as housing for seasonal crop workers. Toponas was a center of activity being the last stop in Routt County. The town was one of the main railroad loading zones for exporting produce and cattle. Timber camps sprang up in the National Forest up Five Pine Mesa and Gore Pass where the logging industry fed sawmills producing building supplies and sawdust was “repurposed” in lettuce crates to help keep the ice frozen and the produce refrigerated during transit.

The Toponas Hall was built in the early 1920s offset from the highway back along the railroad. It was later divided into three sections, an organized community effort moved to its present location on the beds of lettuce trucks in 1941 where it was placed on a new, full-basement foundation. Historic Toponas Hall uses included: Public Meetings, Club Dances, Social Events, Election Polling, and The Ladies Home Demonstration Club. Toponas Recreation attracted people from a multi county radius. The winter rabbit hunts were an annual all-day affair to control the overpopulation of jack rabbits. These most voracious pest moved in after a few good snowfalls making a winter feeding ground of the local haystacks. Ranchers would gather and fan out across fields starting at the base of Gore Pass. The day ended back at the hall with a dinner prepared by the Toponas ranch women. Rodeo finals were always held in Toponas as were the community teams’ baseball games on ball diamond hill. A group of local men were recruited to serve as hunting guides for President Roosevelt, many had spent time honing outdoorsman skills on their family ranches near Toponas & Yampa. Due to the flat landscape, planes landed in a few fields bringing locals home and vacationers to visit ranching friends. Tales of the Toponas Wild West from the bygone era abound as do the stories of

TheToponasannualwinterrabbithunt

car wrecks and dangerous road conditions before speed limits were implemented and well before the state highway construction created safe passage over Gore Pass and down Red Dirt Pass to Conger Mesa and McCoy. After reading old accident reports, I have newfound respect for C-DOT.

South Routt will grow, people will move here to embrace our shared Western heritage and proximity to nature. It seems important now, with the older generations in their 70s, 80s and 90s, to preserve the historic footprint of all the activity that took place here in original voices before the people who remember specifics about the land, their parents and grandparents are irretrievably lost.

As Larry Kier stated at our first event, this landscape makes a deeply lasting impression on people and they never forget their time in Toponas. Our multigenerational family histories deserve to be thoughtfully catalogued for future reference. At the end of the 2nd event, Linda Long implores us to jot down a memory of the people who lived

in Toponas to create a tapestry of the character of the community. With the help of the families with ties to the area, we aim to create a lasting record that will serve as a digital community library.

The next time you drive through Toponas, stop by The Egeria Park Store to fuel up and have a long look around: consider the generations of hard-working people who spent a season or a lifetime in Upper Egeria Park with the steadfast views of the Flattops to the West. The Toponas People (as they were often referred to in old newspaper articles) were hardworking, land-loving, tenacious individuals. Most ranching families experienced struggles unimaginable to us today without many of the modern conveniences we are accustomed to, like vehicles & electricity. The spirit of survival and ranching success did prevail for some families. Others spent a season, several years or decades then sought other opportunities while holding dear their time spent in Toponas. The Toponas Reunion in 2008 was one of the most well attended events

Where in Routt County is this?

Historic Routt County is actively working to save the places you love: Mt. Harris, Hubbard Cabin on the Yampa River, Selbe Cabin, Farwell Ditch, and the Julie Harris Theater. HRC has a long list of more projects, and your donations are critical to preserving these special historic structures and features located throughout the County.

Email your answer by 7/1 to kelly@historicrouttcounty.com with Where in Routt County? in the subject line. Free Historic Routt County license plate frames to the rst three correct answers. Correct answer will be published in the July issue of the Valley Voice. This Place

in South Routt at the time, over 400 people with ties to the area attended a 3-day event. Linda Long catered 5 meals, all without running water there at the hall.

While you’re fueling up, check out the beverage options at Egeria Park run by the Hewes and Horn families. This is the only commercial business in Toponas proper, currently under renovation and aims to reopen soon. A grand reopening celebration of community support will be complete with an old-time dance held at The Toponas Hall. Check out our Facebook page for an upcoming family friendly movie night. Our history events will recommence in the fall. We look forward to more storytelling.

Participate in our research and join our event list: toponascommclub@gmail.com

Connect with us! ToponasCommunityClub|Facebook Watch History Talk Recordings Ranch Wire TV with Brian Ripley - YouTube

Toponas Community Club Memberships are $75 per family, we’d love to have you join this year!

Toponas Community Club Mailing Address: PO Box 222, Toponas, CO 80479

Leadership Contacts:

Kelly Gates, President - Toponas Community Club

Andi Schaffner, Secretary & Treasurer

- Toponas Community Club

Sam DeCosta, Vice President

- Toponas Community Club & Event Photographer

Tiffany Gates, Volunteer - Toponas Community Club

Marissa Perry, Archivist & Writer

- Toponas Community Club

When I was a child, I named my rabbit Pancake and my guinea pig Maple Syrup. — Sophie Dahl

State Bridge/ Eagle County

Routt County

Grand County

Zen in the Pen

By Lyn Wheaton

my head, there was not really anything I could do about it. I decided that keeping my mouth shut would be the best way to hold space in that moment. She told me to drop my Lululemons, bend over and cough. Really? What did she think I was going to do, smuggle a smoothie inside my butt? Confident my fine yoga booty could’ve handled such a feat, unfortunately, I hadn’t thought of it. I paused for reflection—if this happens again, I could probably stuff a week’s worth of raw bars all up in there. I made a mental note.

Why hadn’t anyone asked about my dietary restrictions? You know, like when you fly and they offer a vegan choice? I had to speak to someone right away. I was being very flexible with the entire situation, going with the flow, but my food was not open for any sort of compromise. I marched up to the bulletproof glass encasement that shielded the information guard from us. Out of nowhere, I found myself craving some Bulletproof Coffee.

I was really irritated now. I had rights and I had some money, not a bunch. I mean… Yoga doesn’t pay well at all, so I am kind of poor, except for the husband that normally supports me. It’s just that he may not be so willing to send me any money just now—with the broken arm and all. But I had an idea. I knew from watching Orange is the New Black that there is a commissary. I had to find out more about it. I went back to the guard window. I asked her if I could get a green drink at the Shoppe. She called the guard again. They handcuffed me, threw me in a van, and transported me across town to the County Correctional facility.

“They can deal with you,” he said, “I’m done.” I was surprised to hear the hostility in his voice. I was such a pleasant person—except when I get PMSy—when it’s time for my moon. Oh bother, that’s what caused all the fracas with the husband. I curse the natural order of things. Men don’t understand the sufferings of women, aummmmmm. We all suffer – I must remember that.

Based on true events. Source will remain anonymous.

I was a Yoga instructor. Well, I guess the yoga stopped working. I wasn’t exactly practicing what I preached when I beat the crap out of my husband and landed my tight little yoga ass in the County Jail. After my sentencing, which I could not believe even happened, they took me to the downtown detention center for processing. I sat in an ergonomically unfriendly chair for an entire day and waited for the overburdened system to catch up. I watched them bring busloads of people in and started to wonder if they had me in the wrong section.

I decided to sit tight and not say anything just yet. I meditated for as long as I could and decided that the meditation wasn’t really working either. Finally, after what seemed to be the 3000 years that it took for yoga to come to the west, ommmm, a guard came and got me. She said to follow her and I noted that she didn’t have a very loving demeanor. Perhaps a few yoga classes would benefit her. Should I offer? Maybe not right now, she seems busy and a little stressed out, or irritated… something.

She took me into a little room and told me to strip. This is what happens when you do too much yoga, you become irresistible to everyone. This burley woman was going to have her way with me and aside from shoving my leg over

879.5929

“Excuse me ma’am…” I said politely, “Whom do I speak to about my meal requirements.”

She looked at me, “Your what?”

Determined to get this one aspect of my life on the inside under control, I said,

“The menu, may I speak to the cook because I have a plethora of dietary restrictions.”

I thought I saw her snicker. This was no laughing matter. I asserted myself, “I am gluten-free, vegan, and I can’t have any sugar. Basically, all I eat is steamed vegetables. Now who do I speak to about this?”

“Hold on.” She said, “I’ll get someone.”

I could have sworn she was laughing when she walked out of her booth through a door that led into the back. A minute later she came back with the main guard. He leaned over and said, “What is it you need, sweetheart?”

He didn’t seem authentic to me. I hate that. He could use some Yoga lessons as well. I repeated my dietary concerns to him. He looked at the other guard and they all started laughing and poking fun at me.

I said, “You know, if someone feeds me wheat or any of the things I mentioned, I could have a severe allergic reaction and die… right here on your watch.”

“Hmmm, that is a shame,” he said.

I nodded and continued, “The city would have an awful lot of free-range egg on its face if that were to happen.”

He paused. I could see he was pondering the complexity of my situation. Finally, he said, “Well… now that is a real conundrum, isn’t it? I guess the only solution to that would be a hunger strike. Maybe we get you some of that… Hey Ed, what’s that diabetes stuff called?” He and the other guard started laughing and then he yelled at me to go sit down.

I wound up in a large dormitory type room. I know from watching prison shows on TV that I’m going to have to join a gang to insure my survival. I just don’t know which to choose. I was really hoping there would be one more tailored to my interests. I scan the room for a friendly face, but nobody looks like they want to have a conversation, these ladies could really use some heart opening poses.

Dejected, I sat down on a wooden bench and started chanting.

“Hey sis,” one of the girls said, “what the hell are you doing?”

“I’m trying to manifest my release. I’m overdue for some self-care. I need to make a vision board and have a kombucha.”

“You in a cult? What the hell is a kombucha?”

“It’s a fermented drink.”

“Oh, is self-care code for getting wasted?”

I shrugged.

“Here, try this Pruno. It’s fermented.”

I chugged some and we all had a real good time hangin’ out until the guard came and busted up our sisterhood.

“Miss Thing,” he said, looking at me, “time to go.”

The universe provides! Ommmm. This will definitely get top billing in my gratitude journal.

With hands in prayer position, I bowed to the girls in the pod and said, “Namaste, bitches! I’m out.”

I left with peace in my heart, knowing my positive aura, radiating love, lit up the jail and made it a better place. I was just like Ghandi. Blessed be!

For those who live here and for those who wish they did.

Human Errors

By Wolf Bennett

Your dog, cat, bird or any animal you know will never get scurvy, but you can. Scurvy is a devastating disease caused by lack of vitamin C that cripples and kills. There is a particular gene, called GULO that allows the body to process its own vitamin C in all animals, but not humans. We still have that gene, but it mutated several million years ago and “broke” and does not work. It has become a pseudogene that will never “heal.” Way back when we were still eating fruit (lots of citrus up in those trees) we got a lot of vitamin C from our diet and so when the gene broke it really didn’t matter much as our ancestors could get vitamin C from their diet. Once we started traveling and not ingesting enough C we started suffering from scurvy. All across the planet cultures have suffered greatly (unless they had citrus fruit in their diet). There are times when it would be nice for evolution to work backwards but it doesn’t.

stance where the muscles can assist holding the weight and stress on the knee so they don’t need a super strong ACL. Once we started standing up straight the load shifted and is now on the bones. The ACL became the major player in holding the joint together, not the muscles. It was never big or strong enough to take a vertical load because it was just strong enough to get by with muscle assist.

There are a lot of odd things about the human body. Things we inherited from our ancient ancestors that we don’t use or need anymore and some that are just plain stupid. I most often write about the human mind and how it works and fails. This month I thought exploring some of your body’s weirdness might prove interesting.

The human eye is built backwards. The sensory neurons, the rods and cones, are actually behind the nerves that are needed to send signals. It is literally like looking up through the branches of a tree. There is even a blind spot where the nerves bundle together and punch backwards through the back of the eye. We do not see the branches because our brains have been forced to become adept at filling in the missing information. Such a poor arrangement requires huge amounts of brain power and many corrective measures. Yes, that means you are seeing mostly a manufactured reality. There are many animals with eyes where the neurons are in front of the nerve bundles, where you would expect them, and yes, they see far better than humans and require far less brain power and have fewer injuries or diseases. It is sad but true that our eyes really are not all that good. It's not very amazing at all when your eyes age and get worse.

Ever see a dog with a stuffy nose? Well, you probably never will because their sinuses have a drain that goes downwards as gravity would dictate, as do all four footed creatures. Humans on the other hand have sinuses that drain upwards. It does so because as we evolved into bipedal creatures and began to stand upright the drains remained as if we were still on all fours (that’s why lying down can relieve sinus pain and blockages.) Evolution doesn’t work backwards nor does it have an intent or plan, simply good enough to survive, but certainly not to perfection.

Speaking of vertical, have you ever had back pain? Have you ever slipped a disc or had one herniate? That is virtually impossible in any animal that walks on all fours. It is completely due to the fact that the discs evolved to settle into a sort of pocket when the spine was in a horizontal position. Once our ancestors started walking upright the vertical forces increased and the little pocket that evolved horizontally cannot hold discs very well, so now they can slide sideways and crush more easily. It also forced the backbone to curve dramatically which causes all sorts of other structural loads that our four footed animals don’t experience.

The ACL, Anterior Cruciate Ligament, basically holds your thigh bone to your shin bone underneath the knee cap. Many animals have much stronger ACLs. Our closest cousins, the apes, typically stand in a sort of crouched

The nerve connecting the two sides of the larynx (the left recurrent laryngeal nerve, the RLN) is a fascinating one because very long ago when our family was all fishes we didn’t really have necks or a circulatory system as we know it today. Hundreds of millions of years ago after we became bilateral but before the circulatory system developed fully, that nerve ran straight from the brain to the gill area which is what you would expect. Easy, straight shot that ran through the area that became arteries. As the circulatory system developed that particular nerve happened to be under the aorta. As we moved out of the oceans and grew necks, the heart got farther from the brain and the left nerve had to elongate. It is easier to simply grow longer rather than change locations and so that is what happened. One side of the nerve, the right one, goes straight from the brain stem to the larynx, easy and short. The left side loops unnecessarily way down around the aorta near the heart and back up. In us it adds a couple feet but in giraffes it is a bit less than 20 feet long and in dinosaurs was well over 30 feet long.

The male and female human skeletons are identical and cannot be distinguished apart unless the female has carried a child (tiny stretch marks in the pelvis.) Yep, there is neither an extra rib nor any other distinguishing characteristic. Not much of a size differences either overall. We’re not as different as we share 99.99% of the exact genetic structure. It is just one tiny X chromosome that separates men and women. If there were aliens visiting, humans would look as similar to them as penguins do to us. Face it guys, you’re ¾ female (XXXY) and women are all female (XXXX).

There are many more flaws in the human body than this short article can cover. It is really quite fun to read about and be amazed by it. If we were designed, at best, it was slapstick, stupid job. Evolution would absolutely develop us into the odd, fun mess we have become.

If you want total security, go to prison. There you're fed, clothed, given medical care and so on. The only thing lacking... is freedom. — Dwight D. Eisenhower

Your Monthly Message

By Chelsea Yepello

Aries March 21 - April 19

You will get an offer to star in your own reality television show, yet you will not become the next Kardashian because your life is simply not that interesting. Your show will air in the middle of the night in between infomercials about a solar powered electric can opener and a vacuum that can suck up stray neighborhood cats. Despite the low ratings, you are still satisfied with the 15% discount from a famous chain restaurant as compensation.

Taurus April 20 - May 20

People say that money has gone to your head, but you would beg to differ as you sink to the bottom of a lake wearing crudely constructed cement galoshes because of the thousands of dollars you owe the local mobsters. Actually, money has gone to your feet.

Gemini May 20 - June 20

You think that joining a bike gang is going to get you street cred and acknowledgment as a bad ass. You ride your bike on the perforated line in the middle of a busy street to prove to any gang members who might be watching that you fear nothing and are on the top of the food chain. Unfortunately, the Hells Angels will never reach out to you, but you will become a legend to the neighborhood kids and they all will get one speeds with streamers on the handlebars just like yours.

Poetry

THE SKY IS FALLING

By Joan Remy

Cancer June 21 - July 22

You want to prove to yourself that you are a responsible person, so you decide that nurturing a plant would be a good start. After a while, it grows into a lush, tall, healthy… actually, you might want to do something with it before your wife sees it.

Leo July 23 - August 23

You convince yourself to drink all your room-mates booze as your own version of an anti- drink and drive campaign, however, that won’t persuade them to see how you selflessly sacrificed your sobriety on a Tuesday morning when they catch you in the living room dancing on the coffee table in your underwear.

Virgo August 23 - September 22

No matter how heartbroken you can feel, your heart doesn't actually break. It’s a medical fact that if your heart did actually break, you would die. It’s science.

Libra September 23 - October 23

You will have an overwhelming desire to express your contempt to the delivery guy that never remembers your soy sauce in an old fashioned way of slapping him in the face with a leather riding glove.

Scorpio October 24 - November 21

It’s not that you’re idle or oblivious of the situation, it’s just that you simply don't care.

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21

As you scratch your brain with a pencil to satisfy a truly annoying itch, you consider that maybe the itch is a metaphor for something that you are unsatisfied about in your life, but you settle on just getting a longer pencil.

Capricorn December 22 - January 19

According to medical sources, benign laughter can cause several pathologies that induce death. Laughter can trigger a necrosis (tissue death) in a region of the brainstem, more precisely the pons and the medulla which can lead to death. Furthermore, atonia (when a muscle loses its strength) and loss of consciousness, also called gelastic syncope, or laughter-induced syncope, which can create trauma in the cerebellum and ultimately cause death. In conclusion, saying that you are dying of laughter is quite dramatic.

Aquarius January 20 - February 18

The reason that you and your imaginary friend have lost touch isn’t because you grew up or that you have less of an imagination. It’s because they told you to burn things and it’s just a matter of time before you get arrested for being a serial arsonist.

Pisces February 19 - March 20

They tell you that it’s for your own good, but halfway through the procedure, you really don't understand how getting an umbilcoplasty is going to help you run a marathon, but all the exclusive runners say it helps aerodynamics.

Flat Tops in the distance - Photo by Crash Sterne

By Matt Scharf

By Matt Scharf

Magic mushrooms, also known as psilocybin mushrooms, have been used for centuries for various purposes, including spiritual, medicinal, and recreational reasons. Here are some potential bene ts associated with magic mushrooms:

1. Psychedelic Experience: Psilocybin mushrooms contain the compound psilocybin, which can induce a profound psychedelic experience. Many individuals describe these experiences as profound and meaningful, often leading to personal insights, introspection, and a sense of connectedness.

2. Mental Health: Research suggests that psilocybin may have therapeutic potential for various mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and addiction. Studies have shown promising results in reducing symptoms, enhancing emotional well-being, and facilitating long-lasting positive changes.

3. Reduced Anxiety and Depression: It may promote neuroplasticity and increase serotonin levels, which are implicated in mood regulation.

4. Spiritual and Mystical Experiences: Magic mushrooms have been used in spiritual and religious practices for centuries.

5. Creativity and Cognitive Enhancement: These e ects may be attributed to increased brain connectivity and novel patterns of thought.

6. Addiction Treatment: Preliminary studies indicate that psilocybin-assisted therapy may help individuals overcome addiction by disrupting negative behavioral patterns and promoting a sense of self-re ection and motivation for change.

Additionally, psilocybin mushrooms should be approached with caution, used responsibly, and in controlled settings, as they can also have potential risks and side e ects, especially in high doses or for individuals with certain medical conditions. Consulting a healthcare professional or a trained psychedelic therapist is recommended for a comprehensive understanding of the risks and bene ts speci c to individual circumstances.