out of our world
“Better Widowed than Married”: Conversa Women in Early Modern Europe
OUT OF OUR WORLD — On Monday, May 24, from 7:00-8:00 p.m MDT, Professor Rebecca Wartell of the University of Colorado Boulder will lead a Zoom webinar on the subject of Conversa women – individuals and their descendents who had been forcibly baptized into the Catholic Church. Professor Wartell will devote particular attention to how missing husbands – lost at war or sea or with fates unknown – left a disproportionate number of widows in early modern Europe. Jewish and conversa women’s lives were often defined by their status as widows or agunot (“chained women”) whose social and economic mobility was, at times, marked with more autonomy than their married counterparts.
For more information or to register, email cujewishstudies@colorado.edu.
throughout our world
Creative/Conscious Aging Meeting
OUR WORLD — Please join us Thursday May 20th at 1PM at My One Hour Office 523 Main Street, Walsenburg for a brainstorming meeting on enriching the lives of older Americans living in Huerfano County. All ages and all interests welcome to attend! Come help us identify the needs and wants that will help make us an Age Friendly county. You can contact Sandy Dolak at 719-251-1211 for more information.
SCCOG Board Meeting
OUR WORLD — The South Central Council of Governments next board meeting (open to public) is scheduled on May 27, 2021. The meeting will start at 1:00 p.m. Contact SCCOG at 719-845-1133 X223 for Zoom link if you would like to join.
Death Café meeting
OUR WORLD — Death Cafe offers the option for sharing and learning more about universal truths regarding death and dying in a safe and non-judgmental environment. This is not a grief support group. Death Cafes are always free and have no commercial sponsors. Come and join to share and learn. Death Café will be ongoing every 4th Thursday of the month. The next meeting will take place on Thursday May 27th at 1:00p.m. The Death Café group is free and open to all community members and is accessible online or in person. Please register with Laura Jordan at Mt Carmel Wellness Center at 719-845-4800 or ljordan@mtcarmelcenter.org
HUERFANO
Vendors invited to La Veta’s Art in the Park
LA VETA — Artists and fine crafters are invited to become vendors at this year’s annual Art in the Park, held in the La Veta Town Park. Vendors will be spaced 10′ apart, with foot traffic going in one direction, to comply with health department guidelines for the Covid pandemic. The number of booth spaces is about half of normal, so apply early. Applications are available on the SPACe website, www.spanishpeaksarts.org, or at SPACe, 132 W. Ryus, La Veta. Booth spaces are assigned on a first-come-first-serve basis. Call 719 742-3074, Tues., Thurs., or Sat. 11 am – 2 pm
Artists’ Choice show on display
LA VETA — Everyone is invited to see the new art show, Artists’ Choice, now on display at the SPACe Gallery, 132 W. Ryus in La Veta. There will be an opening reception Memorial Day weekend, Sat. May 29, with refreshments provided. Visit with the artists and your friends. Enjoy viewing an assortment of media and styles by 17 area artists. Images of the artwork may be seen on the SPACe website, www.spanishpeaksarts.org. The Gallery is open Tues, Thurs, Fri, and Sat, 11 – 3. Call 719 742-3074 for information.
Silent Auction in Charlie’s Market Window
Sales to benefit the LV Village Assisted Living Facility landscaping. To make a bid through June 15, text 719-250-1496. Leave your name, number and bid amount. You will be notified if you are winner.
Fridays in Huerfano
HUERFANO COUNTY — From May 14th to July 30th, every Friday will be a bit more magical in Huerfano County. Come join us in Walsenburg and La Veta for some music and live entertainment!
Right now, retailers in Walsenburg and La Veta’s Creative District will stay open until 7 p.m. on Fridays to welcome you back downtown. Come see your favorite retailers or just come to enjoy the music!
On June 25th, Thomas Hinds will be performing in Walsenburg.
La Veta Village Food Services
LA VETA — La Veta Village Food Services is no longer taking reservations or making calls for free food boxes. Food boxes are distributed on a first come, first served basis on the first and third Saturday of each month between 10 and 11 a.m. The next food distribution will be June 5th at the La Veta Fire House at 100 Birch Street.
Participants must wear a mask at all times, are not to leave their vehicles, and will be required to sign up during check in.
For more info, call (719) 247-1393 or email lvvfoodservices@gmail.com.
Huerfano softball captains meeting
HUERFANO COUNTY — Huerfano County Softball League 2021 Captains Meetings will be held on Friday, May 21 at 5:30 p.m. at the Walsenburg Community Center, 928 Russell Street. For more information, please email the new Recreation Coordinator Joshua House at jhouse.huerfano.us
Gardner Moving Vietnam Wall Community Meeting
GARDNER — There will be a meeting at the PFC Raymond Aguirre Community Center on Highway 69 in Gardner, Saturday May 22, 2021 at 10:00 AM. This meeting will be to answer questions from the Community on the Moving Vietnam Wall being displayed between June 18-20, 2021, and to report on the activities to date. The Wall will be displayed to the East of the Spanish Peaks Veterans Community Living Center, 23500 US Highway 160. There is no charge for admission. If you are interested in gaining more information, to volunteer to help or just curious, this will be the last public meeting scheduled before the Wall’s arrival. The ½ scale Moving Wall is an exact replica of the Vietnam Wall in Washington, DC and is over 254 feet long. This will be the only time this Wall will be displayed in Colorado this year!
Gardening 101 at Spanish Peaks Library
WALSENBURG — On May 23rd at 1:00 p.m., the Spanish Peaks Library will be hosting another discussion on gardening basics. This month’s discussion will be focusing on companion planting and the principles of Xeriscape. Come join us and learn the techniques of symbiotic planting in the garden and landscape. Space is limited, so please call early to reserve your space. 719-738-2774.
Gardening 101 at Spanish Peaks Library
HUERFANO COUNTY — The next meeting of the Huerfano County Water Conservancy District will be held in person in the basement of the La Veta United Methodist Church, 416 S Main St, on Monday, May 24th at 6:00p.m. A draft agenda is available on the HCWCD website at www.hcwcd.net
Tentative agenda items include water cases filed in April for Huerfano County, river reports, updates on flood mitigation and collaborative storage grants, progress report on Sheep Mountain Augmentation Facility construction, Family Ranch Holdings presentation.
Sector Partnership Meeting
LA VETA — The Sector Partnership Meeting will join together businesses and wrap up a busy month May 24th at 6pm at the La Veta Library, 3rd floor conference room and online via Zoom. Our next meeting is June 3rd. Visit us at www.spanishpeakschamber.com or email info@spanishpeakschamber.com for more information.
Farmers markets are coming back!
HUERFANO COUNTY — The La Veta Farmers Market will begin May 27th from 3:00-5:00p.m. in front of the Francisco Fort Museum. The Walsenburg Farmers Market is coming back too, on Sundays from 12-3 p.m. at Heritage Park.
La Veta Fire Protection District Auxiliary is hosting a pancake breakfast and open house
LA VETA — The La Veta Fire Protection District Auxiliary is hosting a Pancake Breakfast and Open House on Saturday May 29th from 9:00a.m to 12:00p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children and kids aged five or younger get in for free. Come eat and converse with our local fire and EMS personnel.
Twin Peaks Motorfest
HUERFANO COUNTY — Come out Memorial Day Weekend on May 30 for Sand Drags, Barrel Racing, and Short Course Trails! General admission prices are $10 a day ($5 for kids) and pit passes are $20/day. This event will be held west of Walsenburg between mile marker 292 & 293. Gates open at 8 a.m.- enjoy some fun in the sun with the whole family! Call Luke for more info at (719) 568-3350.
La Veta Visitor Center opens Memorial Day Weekend – volunteers needed!
LA VETA —The Spanish Peaks Chamber of Commerce will be opening the La Veta Visitor Center, located at the Historic Train Depot next to the La Veta Town Park, on Memorial Day weekend. The Visitor Center will be open Thursday through Monday from 10am-5pm. We will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The visitor center is operated with trained volunteers and is a wonderful way to welcome people to the area and help plan their visit. We will be following COVID-19 regulations and masks are required to enter. If you’d like to volunteer we’d love to have you! Two volunteer shifts are available, either one or two days a week or on a fill-in basis. The first shift is 10-1 and the second is 1-5.
A big thank you to the town of La Veta for providing this location free of charge. If you are interested in helping out, please call for more information. Training starts the middle of May.
Contact: LaRissa Morris 808-936-0663
Francisco Fort Museum opening
LA VETA — After careful consideration, the Town of La Veta and the Francisco Fort Museum are excited to announce that the Museum’s doors are opening Memorial Day Weekend. The Fort will be open Saturday the 29th, Sunday the 30th, and Monday the 31st from 10:00 am to 4 pm. Seasonal hours will resume on Tuesday, June 1st and the Museum will be open 10 am to 4 pm Tuesday through Saturday. This is the proposed schedule through Labor Day. There will be free admission on Memorial Day Weekend.
All Huerfano County COVID protocols will be in place. Masks will be required for inside spaces. The Museum staff and board strive to create a positive and safe environment for visitors and staff. We look forward to welcoming you back into the Museum and into history. For additional information check out our website and Facebook page. https://www.franciscofort.org/ https://www.facebook.com/FranciscoFortMuseum.
Oktoberfest Smokeoff and Cody Sisters Concert
LA VETA — Who makes the best smoked meats in southern Colorado? If you think you do, enter this exciting competition on June 19th when the Oktoberfest committee presents their benefit Cody Sister concert and Smokin’ cookoff! Show your community spirit, enter your smoked specialities and compete for the title! To register or for details, call John at 719-742-3288.
Addiction treatment
WALSENBURG — Front Range Clinic is offering confidential, safe, access to medications for addiction treatment at two locations in Walsenburg. Thursdays, 9:30 to 11 a.m the mobile unit will be at 1818 E. Kansas Avenue. Fridays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. the clinic will be held at 129 Kansas Avenue. For more information call 1-866-MAT-STAT or visit www.frontrangemd.com.
Free COVID-19 testing at health dept.
WALSENBURG — The Health Department has expanded FREE COVID-19 testing in Huerfano County. This free COVID-19 test is available to everyone, regardless of symptoms. No insurance required.
Please call for an appointment. Testing will be available on: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Appointments are required for testing, call 719-738-2650 for an appointment. The Las Animas/Huerfano Health Department office address is: 119 E. 5th Street.
Walsenburg area AA and NA meetings
WALSENBURG — AA meets Tuesday and Friday, at 7 p.m. at the Church of Christ, across the street from the Spanish Peaks Library. NA meets Saturday at noon at the Huerfano County Community Center.
Free legal self-help clinic
HUERFANO COUNTY — The Spanish Peaks Library in Walsenburg is hosting a free legal self-help clinic on the second Tuesday of every month. As a COVID work-around, instead of coming into the physical library, the volunteer attorney will call the clinic patron’s telephone directly, using the phone number provided to your library staff.
Please call (719) 738-2774 to be added to the sign-up sheet. The next clinic will be hosted on Tuesday, June 8th from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. If possible, patrons are encouraged to have a computer or tablet available during the phone call.
Huerfano County Courthouse grand opening
HUERFANO COUNTY — As most of you know, we had to cancel our grand opening last year due to COVID restrictions. We are now planning to have our Grand Opening Friday, August 6th, at 1:30p.m.
LAS ANIMAS
Primero Kindergarten Screening
PRIMERO — On Saturday, May 15 there will be a screening for any child aged 5 by June 1st who is interested in attending Kindergarten in the Primero School District. The screening will take place at Primero School at 20200 State Hwy 12. Your child will be screened using DIAL-3. Please bring your child’s vaccination records, birth certificate, and proof of residency in district.
Colorado Pet Pantry expands its food bank to Trinidad
TRINIDAD — Colorado Pet Pantry is hosting a new monthly pet food bank serving the Trinidad area. The first pet food distribution event took place on May 19, 2021 and will continue on the third Wednesday of every month from 10 – 11:30 AM for ages 60 and up, and from 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM for all ages at Las Animas Fairgrounds, 2000 N Linden Ave, Trinidad, CO 81082.
The Colorado Pet Pantry temporarily feeds Colorado pets, allowing families to increase their ability to care for pets with the goal of keeping them out of shelters and with their families. In the past 12 months, the Colorado Pet Pantry has served 5.1 million meals to hungry pets. The organization has 75 monthly pet food banks. The Colorado Pet Pantry is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Our EIN is 45-4210185. More info: www.coloradopetpantry.org
Action 22 Meet and Greet
TRINIDAD — Come on down to the Action 22 Meet & Greet on Thursday, May 20 at 5 pm. The event will take place at Phil Long Toyota, 105 E. Cedar Street in Trinidad. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be available. If you would like to attend please RSVP by emailing tlacchamber@outlook.com
Spring Bulldog Run
TRINIDAD — The 2021 Spring Bulldog Run will feature a 5k walk, 5K run, and 10K run along the south shore of Trinidad Lake State Park at 8 a.m. on May 22. Both runs are participating events for the 2021 RaBa Cinco running series. 2021 races are now open for registration, with detailed information and individual event links found at RaBacinco.com.
Races held in the three county Raton Basin area of southern Colorado and northern New Mexico are available to residents (featuring county team competitions) and visitors to our region with events including 5K up through the half marathon and 50K “ultra” challenges. Teens through seniors (with three age groups for both males and females) are eligible for awards based on point totals accumulated for up to five races in what is expected to be a series of ten races concluding in the fall. However, please note the total number of races may be limited depending on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information or to register online, visit at https://runsignup.com/Race/CO/Trinidad/BulldogRunMay2021 or call Jason at 719-680-0171.
Laboratory to combat Human Trafficking
LAS ANIMAS COUNTY — On May 26th from 1:00p.m. – 4:00 p.m., the Trinidad Police Department along with The Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking will be hosting a virtual community training on how human trafficking is impacting our state and region. This training will cover federal and local laws, root causes of trafficking, identification and complexities of disclosure, mandatory reporting, and local resources to support survivors.
Trinidad law enforcement will be receiving a separate, mandatory training. This training will complement that one so that the community can work together to prevent trafficking and support victims and survivors in a comprehensive and collaborative response.
Link to register available on Facebook, search for “Trinidad Police Department Laboratory” or go to:
https://zoom.us/…/tJYrdOCopz8sHtBZqKK38ftn6SUnYES8q0fK
Fishing Tournament
LAS ANIMAS COUNTY — The Stonewall Fire Auxiliary is hosting the 2 nd annual Fishing Tournament at Monument Lake Resort on Saturday, June 5. 2021. Registration starts at 7am, fishing starts at 9am. The cost is $20 for adults and youth (under 16) is $15. No license is required as that is Colorado’s free fishing day. Early registration has begun at www.stonewallfireauxiliary.com; with adults @ $15 and youth (under 16) at $12. There is a park entrance fee collected at the gate or office. The tournament ends at 3pm and awards begin at 4pm with $3,000 in cash prizes. The day doesn’t end then. The country band, The Break room, will be playing in the meadow following awards and later on the patio of the Monument Bar & Grill, Estin McGraw with “Estin and the 86’d’ will be playing.
You can then head up to the Monument Bar and Grill and listen to the acoustic guitar of Estin McGraw with Estin and the 86’d on the patio. There is no cover charge for either.
Please come and join us for a fun filled day with lots of food, prizes, and great entertainment while supporting the Stonewall Fire Department.
For more information contact 719-868-2249 or www.stonewallfireauxiliary.com.
Registration now open for ‘Rad Dirt Fest Gravel Bike and Trail Run Event
TRINIDAD — As off-road endurance events continue to gain popularity throughout the country, Life Time is excited to announce The ‘Rad Dirt Fest, a new off-road cycle and trail run event based in Trinidad, featuring views of the Spanish Peaks, small town charm and miles of smooth gravel and trails. The inaugural event, which will take place Oct. 2-3, 2021, offers three gravel cycling distances and two trail run distances. It also coincides with a town celebration commemorating the 200th year of the Santa Fe Trail.
The off-road cycle race will offer three distance options for athletes on fast, fun and clean gravel: a short 38-mile loop with 2,720 feet of elevation gain, a 90-mile course with 5,000 feet of climbing and a 162-mile grind with 10,800 feet of elevation gain. In its inaugural year, the trail run will take athletes on two scenic routes on the outskirts of Trinidad: an approachable half marathon option with 1,000 feet of elevation gain and a 50k route with 3,200 feet of climbing. As the town evolves and grows its trail network, the running courses will also evolve, allowing The ‘Rad to grow alongside the town of Trinidad.
Registration for The ‘Rad opened Tuesday, April 13. Learn more and register at www.theraddirt.com. Or follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
COLFAX
Springer Red Devil Booster Club
RATON — The Springer Red Devil Booster Club is Reforming and looking for members to join and help with the various organizations in the school (Athletics, Academics & Clubs in the School). The Board is in need of at least 5 Board members( President, Vice President, Treasure, Secretary and Public Relations) Plus several members to help with the organization of events and activities.
If you would like to help please come to a meeting on May 24th at the Springer Schools Board Room at 5:30pm. Please wear a mask. For More information, please call Superintendent Julie Crum or Principal Christina Hildago @575-483-3432.
Raton AA meeting
RATON — AA meetings are every Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday night, at 6 p.m. at First United Methodist Church at 4th and Tiger Drive in Raton. Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
Al-Anon meeting
RATON — Al-Anon comes to Raton thanks to support from the World Journal and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Raton. Meetings are every Thursday at 6 p.m. at 240 Rio Grande. Al-Anon is a self-supporting group that seeks to assist the family and friends of people who are abusing alcohol or other substances. Questions? 970-568-6969.
Free transportation for veterans for medical appointments
NE NEW MEXICO — The New Mexico Department of Veterans Services is partnering with the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) to provide free transportation for veterans for VA or VA-approved non-VA medical appointments. The first phase of this innovative program will serve military veterans in the following counties: Cibola, Colfax, Guadalupe and Socorro.
Veterans must make reservations three days in advance for these free round trips by calling the DAV at 505-582-4544. If you are interested in volunteering as a driver, call the DAV for details.
