Community of families

Hank Lohmeyer

Published on Wednesday, 18 January 2012 00:00

Photos submitted

Delta’s familiar Highway 92 “Welcome Home” marquis seems to capture the essence of the innovative and successful Families Plus county-wide program: committed volunteers mentoring young people and strengthening families to build community.

About 50 Delta County children and their families may not know it, but they are leaders on the cutting edge of a growing national trend aimed at building successful families and stronger communities.

Those 50 children and their families, located across the county and in every one of its communities, are participating in the Families Plus program.

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Spinning a yarn

Tamie Meck

Published on Wednesday, 11 January 2012 00:00

Photos by Tamie Meck

Teresa Schneider spins tufts of llama hair into yarn, which she weaves into scarves, hats and other products for Peacock Weaving.

Wear a garment made by Teresa Schneider and you'll not soon forget it.

The fibers are soft but strong, the weave tight, and the colors range from earthy to bright and vivid.

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On target for 9 decades

Bob Borchardt

Published on Thursday, 05 January 2012 14:27

Photo provided Since 1923 a group of sportsmen in the Surface Creek have been working to protect and enhance fishing and hunting opportunities and providing a safe place to enjoy shooting sports locally. The Cedaredge Rod and Gun Club, pictured above during a meeting around 1930, is one of the oldest and largest clubs of its kind on the Western Slope.

"The suggestion has been made that the fishermen of the community organize a rod and gun club for the principle purpose of stocking the streams with trout each season," according to an article in the June 25, 1915 issue of the Surface Creek Champion (1904-1943).

Eight years later (May 19, 1923) an article in the Champion stated, ". . . a number of men met at the office of J.M. Conner and discussed the feasibility of organizing an association for the protection and propagation of fish and game in this section. It was unanimously decided that such an organization had much to do and was badly needed.

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Christmas with Old-World flavor

Verna Barr

Published on Thursday, 29 December 2011 14:41

A wagon, placed in the yard of Blaine and Judy Wells of Cedaredge, is decorated with garlands and lights for Christmas. At other times of the year the wagon becomes an Easter, July 4, and other holiday display. Blaine and Judy celebrate the Christmas season by decorating their home, inside and out, with treasures purchased during their six-year stay in Germany.

Christmas holds special memories for a Cedaredge couple.

Blaine and Judy Wells lived in Germany from June of 1995 until June 2001.

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Rock Stars

Pat Sunderland

Published on Wednesday, 21 December 2011 00:00

Dennis Harriman (top) spent two years in Hawaii loosening rock from steep mountainsides. Helicopters did most of the lifting as Dennis and his crew installed cable net and mesh to protect motorists traveling the highway on the south end of Maui.

A change in careers for a longtime Delta County coal miner took an unexpected twist when Dennis Harriman and his crew were selected for a new documentary series called "Rock Stars."

The show airs Tuesday nights on the National Geographic Channel.

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Raised from little sprouts

Hank Lohmeyer

Published on Wednesday, 14 December 2011 00:00

Members of the Little Sprouts Preschool in Cedaredge graduate with positive, self-assured, learning-ready attitudes for their coming school years. Shown above is the Little Sprouts pre-kindergarten class of 2011.

A community has nothing if it doesn't have a future.

So the people and institutions that protect the future, nourish it, and keep it safe are irreplaceable.

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Goat whisperer A labor of love!

Tamie Meck

Published on Wednesday, 07 December 2011 00:00

Photos by Tamie Meck

At the encouragement of Dena Smithson, Saunter performs a trick while Bello keeps an eye on the photographer. Dena and husband Saul rescued the four goats, Nubian wethers, in 2010 and are training them to do tricks at their Orchard Mesa home. The four are also the subject of four children’s books, set in the North Fork area shortly after the Civil War, being written by Dena and illustrated by Holly Quinn of Paonia.

They just couldn't leave them behind.

While helping with kidding season at the Avalanche Goat Dairy on Bone Mesa, Dena and Saul Smithson of Hotchkiss made a most unlikely bond with four of the 200 male goats born there in 2010.

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Serving without expectations

Bob Borchardt

Published on Thursday, 01 December 2011 16:58

Photo by Bob Borchardt

Dorothy and Les Mergleman (left) with a small army of volunteers who helped serve a community Christmas dinner last year.

The holidays often bring out the best in people, and it is certainly no secret — Cedaredge is, beyond any doubt, a "giving" community.

Some area residents take great pride in "giving back to the community," others embrace the more contemporary ideology to "Pay it forward," especially during the holiday season.

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Crafting a bright solution . . .

Verna Barr

Published on Wednesday, 23 November 2011 12:12

Photos by Verna Barr

The kitchen table becomes the work space for Kristen’s candle making at her home in Cedaredge.

Kristen Green started making candles when a massage therapist friend mentioned that she couldn't find all natural unscented candles that she could then add the essential oils that she wanted for her aromatherapy sessions.

"I was making jams, jellies, and even some wine to sell at farmers markets," Kristen said.

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