Crafting custom boots

Verna Barr

Published on Thursday, 15 October 2009 16:26

An interest in history led Jim Sigle to Pioneer Town where he has served as a volunteer rover, leading tours during the summer season.

Sigle makes his custom ordered boots from raw materials from start to ﬁnish. Here, he is crimping vamps, a procedure that takes the stretch from the leather and pre-shapes the leather that will be the foot of the boot.

When he was asked to stage a "shoot-out" for Heritage Day, he called on James Strouss (featured on the Back Page in July).

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Carving his own niche~

Kami Collins

Published on Thursday, 08 October 2009 17:07

Todd Wellman has carved out a niche for himself - literally and ﬁguratively - by creating works of art using drywall mud.

Todd Wellman, a commercial drywaller for 10 years, recently began adding a creative touch to his work. He specializes in creating intricate, 3D affects out of drywall mud, and has done everything from business logos to ceiling-height aspen trees. His work can be seen in businesses and homes in Delta and Montrose counties. He’s standing here in front of a wooden-looking beam he carved from drywall.

He's been a professional drywaller on and off for the last 10 years or so, but for the past four years he's been building a portfolio of art done for clients who want more than regular old spackle, paste and paint.

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Signs of the time

Bob Borchardt

Published on Wednesday, 30 September 2009 01:00

Sherry Henrie’s work is proudly displayed at Cedaredge High School, where this beautiful etched rock sign greets visitors. The sign project was a huge community project, with many businesses and individuals contributing to create a welcoming entryway. Other examples of Henrie’s work are found throughout the community.

Since ancient times, stone has been popular for building and custom decorating. Even though Cedaredge is not Bedrock (that ﬁctional prehistoric city that was home to the Flintstones), people are beginning to take notice of the beautiful, natural looking, rustic sandstone and rock signs and memorials springing up all over the Surface Creek Valley.

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A family’s paradise of pets

Hank Lohmeyer

Published on Thursday, 24 September 2009 16:48

As pets, reptiles are capable of exhibiting complex behaviors and different levels of tolerance and bonding with human individuals, the Wiegerts explain. Here, Cash, the family’s three-and-a-half-year-old green Iguana, displays his acceptance of Lela reaching into the territorial animal’s personal space to stroke it. Cash is intolerant of others doing so.

People do not understand reptiles.

Even confirmed animal lovers will balk at the notion of getting very close to a "cold blooded" critter that crawls or slithers about.

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Artistry in silver

Pat Sunderland

Published on Wednesday, 16 September 2009 01:00

Jerry Holmes is a man of many talents. A self-described "hobbyist," he's dabbled in stained glass, woodworking, etched glass and ceramics.

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Putting a face to history

Verna Barr

Published on Wednesday, 09 September 2009 01:00

James Strouss portrayed a Union soldier during the filming of a television pilot at the battlefield of Gettysburg, Pa. An active re-enactor, Strouss adds a personal dimension to his classroom presentations as a history and geography teacher.

James Strouss portrays characters from the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Civil War (both sides), WWI and WWII, all branches of service, the cavalry, artillery, even trappers and early mountain men. This interest and ability has led to a variety of opportunities as a museum curator, in ﬁlms, reenactments and teaching.

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PEARLS before swine

Kami Collins

Published on Thursday, 03 September 2009 16:13

Feather boas, tiaras, an 80s-era prom dress, leopard-print tights, white gloves, a wolf mask, a grass skirt...

Believe it or not, when the weekly Pearl theme is announced, the runners look ﬁrst to their own closets, as they did for their “80s Awareness” week. From left are Leah Morris, Kelly Johnson, Arla Shepard, Mary Groome, Cassandra Henion, Jenny Davis and Cassidy Boone.

There is a group in Paonia that has kicked up the quirkiness factor a notch or two.

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Making a difference!

Bob Borchardt

Published on Wednesday, 26 August 2009 01:00

Coach Don McFadden (center) with members of his Cedaredge High School boys tennis team — Danny Etter, Christopher Smith, Devin Larsen, Dylan Buckallew, Bryan Fairchild and Jordan Warner.

Two or three generations from now it probably won't matter much to anyone - other than his children and grandchildren - how large a house he had, how much money he made, what kind of car he drove, or how expensive and stylish were the clothes he wore. What will matter will be the impact he had on others.

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History written in plants

Hank Lohmeyer

Published on Wednesday, 19 August 2009 01:00

Ken Reyher, director at Fort Uncompahgre, takes a moment to admire a bloom on one of the Fort Garden’s carefully tended and well-mannered morning glory vines.

Throughout all of human history and in every human culture, plants have made essential and defining contributions to human society and survival.

From simple expressions of everyday social interactions to health-giving and healing substances that make life itself and its enjoyment possible, plants of all kinds enrich and sustain the human experience.

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