Introducing our hottest citizens
The sound of a siren travels far in the thin air of our mountain communities. That’s usually what folks notice first. Those on the road might see the flashing lights next, followed by the big red or yellow fire trucks headed …read the rest of this story »
Colorado Medical Marijuana
On August 12th of 1930 Harry J. Anslinger was appointed the first Commissioner of the Treasury Department’s Federal Bureau of Narcotics. With prohibition in force, legal and illegal drugs were gaining in popularity. …read the rest of this story »
Can history help me find good Greenback Trout fishing?
Where can one find the Colorado native Greenback Cutthroat Trout around here? Where can I catch some of those big strings of trout they caught back in the early days? They did catch huge numbers of trout, no doubt about …read the rest of this story »
Community member committees interview RE-1 candidates
On Saturday, May 9th, there was a flurry of activity at the school building as community members sat in groups and conducted interviews with three potential candidates for the position of superintendent of the Gilpin County RE-1 School District. The district is comprised of two schools, the elementary and undivided high schools, with about 360 currently enrolled students. …read the rest of this story »
Events continue throughout summer
Gilpin County’s Sesquicentennial Celebration officially started Saturday at the Governor’s Mansion in Denver. Gilpin County hosted the kick-off event, a commemoration of the 150th anniversary of John Gregory’s discovery of gold in Mountain City. The front gates and doors to the mansion were opened at 11:00 a.m. for the free event. People streaming in for the tour of the Governor’s elegant first floor, were greeted by Gilpin volunteers. Inside, docents pointed out the chandelier from the White House. …read the rest of this story »
“John Gregory’s Gold”
The Peak to Peak Chorale players are at it again. Just in time for Mother’s Day, they’ve put together their annual spring dinner theater musical production, “John Gregory’s Gold.” This will be the ninth play (she thinks, but who’s counting?) written by soprano Cora Jean Leenheer. She describes herself as “mainly a homemaker” (with a background in psychology and management) who likes to write and does a little bit of professional editing. “I’ve become quite a history buff,” she said, crediting the months of research she’s done while writing each original Chorale play. …read the rest of this story »
Miracles on a Mountainside
“It was a blast!” That was what Robert Branford had to say about his first time as a participant in the 23rd National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic held from March 28-April 3 in Snowmass Village. “Miracles on a Mountainside!” proclaims the motto for the clinic. The schedule of adaptive sports events for this year included snowmobiling, scuba diving, fly fishing, rock climbing, and …read the rest of this story »
Frances Belford
She originated the Lincoln Highway, met both Lincoln and Custer and was proclaimed “the most loved woman in Colorado”. After leading the fight to give women the vote, she was the first woman in Colorado to be appointed to a state board. The local papers trumpeted, “Her character, ability and mind made her a natural leader. During Colorado’s formative years she wielded a restraining, cultural authority on the …read the rest of this story »
African Safari Part III
I get word that the airstrip at my final lodge is being regraded. The transfer to my last safari camp will be by helicopter. Having never been in one before, I am almost as excited about the helicopter ride as I am about my next destination. Flying at 400 feet and looking down through Plexyglass at elephants and giraffes, a Marshall Eagle passes below. We touch down at Chitabe Lediba, in the southeastern part of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Surrounded on three sides by the Moremi Game Reserve, it and its sister camp Chitabe are known for leopards. They are also famous for …read the rest of this story »
African Safari Part 2
Kwetsani Camp is found in the southwestern part of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Rains from Angola take months to reach the area, sometime during March when the delta is magically transformed into a marshy oasis. At this time Kwetsani becomes a “water camp” wherein boat safaris, fishing, and bird-watching are emphasized. My visit coincides with the arrival of …read the rest of this story »