June 20, 2013

Klondike Mike’s unexpected adventure

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Mike Folkerth fuels the Cessna 206 he was piloting when he found himself in a “life changing” experience. Forgetting to retract the landing gear, Folkerth found himself and the plane upside down in a remote lake in Alaska while landing to pick up a party of fishermen. He escaped, but the lessons of that day have stayed with him.

Born in Dunkirk Ind., Cedaredge resident Mike Folkerth is one of three sons born to Ed and Jessie Folkerth. He graduated from Dunkirk High School in 1964;  attended Bellevue Community College (Bellevue, Wash.); and served in the U.S. Navy before meeting his wife-to-be, Cathy Lemon, in Delta.

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One heck of a hunt

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Once the truck was parked, the down-to-business part of the elk hunt began with a hike with loaded packs through trailless oak brush. The terrain became more severe before giving way to ridgetop exploration routes for the last leg of the three-hour-long trek for two hunters last fall.
Blizzard, rugged and remote terrain, bears and big bulls make for one memorable elk hunt!

Photos by Blum

 

As any big game hunter knows, there's a difference between hunting elk and finding elk.

The recent elk season in western Colorado saw many hunters returning home empty handed.

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Carving in the shadow of Grand Mesa

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THIS SIMPLE, YET USEFUL, scribe was made by Buck Taylor of Grand Junction. In this photo, woodcarver John Gilbert uses the scribe to align the arms on a “chain saw” bear. It’s also useful for positioning the eyes on any wooden character.
When storm clouds drape themselves over Grand Mesa and the cold settles into the low-lying areas of Delta County, John Gilbert settles comfortably into the enclosed patio in the rear of his home on Redlands Mesa. With a sharp knife in hand, he transforms a block of wood into an adorable character, glancing up occasionally to watch the deer migrate through his yard.

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A vision for better habitat

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Kevin Parks describes how his wetland and island creation project will improve wildlife habitat on a 36-acre parcel of land on the North Fork River that he and wife Jackie own. Parks is working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners for Fish & Wildlife program to improve wildlife habitat on the land in hopes of attracting game and migratory birds and a host of other wildlife.
Kevin Parks has many wonderful memories of growing up along the North Fork of the Gunnison. He enjoys recalling a time when game and migratory birds could be found all along the river corridor, and, in particular, on one piece of river-front property that has remained in his family for generations.

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One bead at a time!

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Jody is working on a strip with a sunflower pattern that she designed. It will be added to a Christmas ball for a special order.
Jody Phillips has been beading for about three years. She and a friend bought a pattern for a beaded ornament, finishing just the one and she was hooked!

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Angels in Africa

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Angel Covers director Kari Fillmore with some of the children being helped by the Angel Covers Foundation. Fillmore was one of the original founders of the foundation, created to help children who will likely spend their childhoods in orphanages.
It’s a long journey from Cedaredge to Nairobi, located in the Republic of Kenya, East Africa.

But for Cedaredge resident Judy Weaver, it’s an experience she will never forget.

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Assignment: Feed hungry kids

 

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A photo of two friends making their way back to class after picking up Food for Thought backpacks at Lincoln Elementary poignantly illustrates what the Opportunity School’s program is achieving.
The Delta Opportunity School’s Food for Thought program is feeding a real community need. At the same time, it stimulates student minds with powerful doses of success and self worth.

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Clearly creative

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Crawford glass carver Lark Abel shows how her creations are born. This pencil drawing of Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce Indians will soon be an ink drawing which will eventually be etched and carved into an original piece of art. When finished, an eagle will be the most prominent figure and Chief Joseph will be a more subtle background figure.
When glass artist Lark Abel first visited Crawford several years ago, she discovered a blossoming arts community.

“Crawford and Paonia have incredibly talented people,” said Abel, who has been a working artist for almost 40 years.

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Rooms full of memories

 

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The Consolidated School building, completed in Cedaredge in 1920, was approved by Colorado State Historical Society to be entered on the Colorado State Register of Historic Places on Sept. 4, 1998. A band of decorative brick work lines the front of the building just below the eaves and brick inlayed arches are found above the windows on either side and above the doorway.
Take a look back at the history of the old school as building a new Cedaredge Elementary School and restoration of the 1920 Consolidated School building gets underway.

In 1919-1920 the school district worked toward constructing one large building to accommodate all students in grades 1-12.

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