June 19, 2013

The making of a bike race

A youth group leader looking for a fund-raising project is likely to think in terms of concession sales, booths at a local street fair, or maybe even a carnival if the group is big enough to handle one.

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A race contestant glides down a swift descent, one of the smoother ones on the 15-mile race course for the first “12 Hours Behind the Prison” mountain bike race held in September.

But not many youth leaders would commit to taking a personal passion and turn it into a unique fundraiser for their youth group, and also for an essential, local volunteer first responder organization.

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A-tisket A-tasket A talent for making baskets

d08_bp1Every Thursday, three friends get together at Carol Haskett’s home near Eckert. They visit about the goings-on in the community as they pull out pattern books, coils of reed and half-completed baskets.

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Crafting custom boots

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

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

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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

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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

d08_bp1Jerry 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

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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

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