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A home of their own

Two representatives of Gunnison Energy Corporation who are also volunteers at The Abraham Connection homeless shelter recently presented a $1,500 check for the shelter’s building fund. Making the presentation are Karl Gaiser, plant manager, and Anna Marie Cerame, GEC operations assistant. Pictured with the company representatives are members of The Abraham Connection’s board of directors — Cheryl Oeltjenbruns, president, Darla Volgamore, Ed Oeltjenbruns, Kenny Pettis, Kami Collins and Paul Lopez. Board members Aaron Clay and Dick Kirkpatrick were not available for the photo. For the past three seasons, the homeless shelter has been operated in the basement of the Delta United Methodist Church. “While we greatly appreciate the church letting us use its space, the number of people we served last season necessitates us getting our own building,” Collins explained. “Season 2 we provided 624 bednights of shelter; last season, we provided 953 bednights, a 53 percent increase in services. We desperately need our own building, and have been fundraising to get there. We have a goal of raising $270,000 to purchase our own building; we have raised, with this donation, $133,000.” Most of those using the shelter are Delta County residents, Collins added. Cheryl Oeltjenbruns said, “We’re very grateful to have financial assistance from Gunnison Energy Corporation, and grateful that they recognize the need of the hungry and homeless in Delta County.”

Photos by Pat Sunderland Into the sunset Mary Pfalzgraff, an avid bicyclist, is riding off into the sunset. She has served as administrator of Colorow Care Center in Olathe for the past 30 years. While Nick McConkie (lower right) will take over day-to-day operations, Pfalzgraff will remain involved on a part-time basis to see a remodeling/expansion project through to completion. First, though, she’s going to Disney World! McCon-kie grew up in Wyoming and is moving from Utah to assume his duties at Colorow. Like Pfalzgraff, McConkie will strive to ensure Colorow retains a homey atmosphere. “He doesn’t like the institutional model any more than I do,” Pfalzgraff said.

The Colorado Division of Insurance is reviewing hundreds of proposed new health insurance plans designed to offer coverage to consumers and small businesses starting Jan. 1, 2014. The new plans must meet certain federal requirements for benefits and premiums, as outlined in the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

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Under new ownership

Joshua T. Applegate recently took over the Farmers Insurance Agency offices of Greg Bollig, who retired from the business after 29 years. Josh and his staff celebrated their new venture with a ribbon cutting and open house on May 17. Pictured from left are Gynee Thomassen, Delta Area Chamber of Commerce board president; Wayne Ross, DACC board vice president, Mindi Heinrich from Crossroads Assisted and Independent Living and DACC board member; Patty Blanco, Farmers Insurance staff; Josh Applegate; Lynette Pierce, Farmers Insurance staff; Mike Maigatter and Lynn Shirk, DACC Ambassadors; Levi Rangle; and City of Delta Mayor Ed Sisson. Farmers Insurance, Joshua T. Applegate Agency is located at 270 E. Highway 92, Suite C in Delta.