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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Piece by piece

Pat Sunderland

Published on Thursday, 17 November 2011 14:36

Photo by Pat Sunderland

With her husband Gary serving as the videographer, Cheryl Phillips creates an online tutorial for quilt shop owners. The tutorial demonstrates how Cheryl’s quilting tools can be used in a class setting. She also provides handouts and a supply list.

Along-standing theory holds that "left brain" thinkers are analytical. They're able to look at a series of puzzle pieces and quickly decide how they fit together in a rational, sequential fashion.

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Remembrance and honor

Hank Lohmeyer

Published on Thursday, 10 November 2011 16:14

Photos by Hank Lohmeyer

Steve Dunivan’s museum quality displays of U.S. Military history greet visitors with hundreds of items, many of them curated and arrayed to tell the wartime stories of local men and women who served. Only a fraction of Dunivan’s collection is visible in the photo above.

A pilot struggled at the controls as his plane lost power and altitude.

Two of the B-17's four engines were now damaged by anti-aircraft fire.

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Spooky special effects

Tami Meck

Published on Thursday, 03 November 2011 17:11

Photos by Tamie Meck

Every year, former special effects artist Rex Whitney of Paonia puts his skills to work to create a Halloween costume worthy of envy. This year, he transformed Ashley Westin into 12-year-old Regan, the sweet little girl possessed by Satan in the 1973 horror classic, “The Exorcist.” The finishing touch was coating her teeth with a special enamel paint. The color? Why, “Decay,” of course

It's a tradition for Ashley Westin and Tucker Lee to dress up for Halloween. Last year, with the assistance of a professional special effects artist, Lee was transformed into a decrepit old man. While he arrived at Paonia's costume parties too late for judging, everyone agreed he had a winning look.

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Working on their ‘bucket list’

Bob Borchardt

Published on Wednesday, 26 October 2011 01:00

Photo by Bob Borchardt

Cherrie Gilliam, Barb Hoffart, Eve Friemel, Carole Robertson, and Marilyn Stumpf (holding “Peanuts”) have been working on their “bucket lists.” As a group they have enjoyed many adventures . . . next on their list is a hot air balloon ride.

Bucket lists became a common term after Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman paired up in "The Bucket List" in 2007. The movie told the story of two terminally ill men who become friends on a road trip around the world to accomplish things on their "bucket list" — things they've always wanted to do before they "kick the bucket" but lacked the courage to do on their own.

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Delta’s flower girls

Pat Sunderland

Published on Thursday, 13 October 2011 17:16

Photo by Ted Britain

The flowers bursting from the medians in downtown Delta are a visual treat for motorists travelling Highway 50.

Despite a substantial cut to the City of Delta's flower budget, Cindy Valdez, Veronica Pacheco and Lori Timbreza — Delta's "flower girls" — pulled together to create a show-stopping summer display.

Throughout the summer, residents and visitors alike commented on the beautiful flowers gracing Main Street medians, city parks and Bill Heddles Recreation Center.

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Out-of-the-box creations

Verna Barr

Published on Wednesday, 05 October 2011 01:00

Photo by Verna Barr

Applying her knowledge of pottery and glazes, Carol Ann Rasmussen creates whimsical forms glazed in her own colors and continues to expand her experiences in clay. Fish, dogs, and sandhill cranes seem to be her favorite subjects.

As a child, Carol Ann Rasmussen always wanted to paint. "I was fascinated with color.

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