Conservation Board to Meet
WALSENBURG- The Board of Supervisors of the Upper Huerfano Conservation District will meet tonight, Thurs. Sept. 18 at 5:30 pm, at 711 Walsen Ave., Ste. A, in Walsenburg. Financial Reports will be handed out at the meeting.
The meeting is open to the public.
Alzheimer’s Memory Walk
by Carol Stevens
LATHROP- Alzheimer Association’s annual Memory Walk will be held Saturday, Sept. 20 at Lathrop State Park. The event will include a kids’ activity area, food, prizes and music. The musical entertainment will be provided by: “The Coal Camp Kids” with Oress DeHerrera and Louis “Squeaky” Martinez. Ann Levy will be performing and accompanied by her daughter Suellen Levy. Other performers are; David McDonald, Richard Coca, and Matthew Martinez. For those interested in participating; check-in time is 9 am, and the walk itself begins at 10 am.
Walsenburg Care Center administrator Fern Sandoval spearheads the walk every year, and has had much success with this fundraiser. Dollars raised by walk participants go toward advancing research into developing better treatments and a possible cure for this disease.
Coal Camp Tour This Saturday
HUERFANO- A short tour of nearby coal camp ruins will lead Celtic Festival visitors and locals to a better appreciation of life here in the mining years.
Everyone is invited to meet at the Walsenburg Mining Museum (1896 jail) on West Fifth Street, at 2 pm Sat. Sept. 27. The guided tour includes a talk about the County Courthouse, scene of 50 deputies surrounding the building during the 1913-14 strike. Labor leader Mother Jones was imprisoned in the basement.
Then a drive past Walsenburg homes moved in from coal camps, on to Toltec and Pictou camps beyond the hogback and a stop at the former Walsen camp where a cannon was aimed into town and searchlights helped keep watch on strikers. Mutual camp is next where 13 miners were trapped by an underground river.
The two-hour tour is designed so that history buffs can carpool or drive their own vehicles for the 20 miles, ending at 4 pm. A $4 per person donation, which includes handouts, benefits the Walsenburg Mining Museum. (Huerfano County Historical Society members half price). For information contact the Walsenburg Mining Museum 738-1992 or Carolyn Newman 738-2840.
Rep. McKinley Leading Wagon Train to Picnic
TRINIDAD- Shades of 1808 in 2008: State Representative Wes McKinley (D-Walsh) will lead a group of friends and supporters in half a dozen covered wagons on an old-fashioned cowboy wagon train ride from Branson to Trinidad this weekend.
Starting Thurs. in Branson near the New Mexico border, McKinley, Billy the Guitar player and other fun-lovin’ folks will travel to Trinidad in time to cook-up and host a picnic in Kit Carson Park at 2 pm Sat. Sept. 20. All are invited.
They will take their horse-led covered wagons along the Gray Creek Road through Trinchera and Barela in south-central Las Animas County.
Asked why he would want to travel 50 miles in 200-year old vehicle, McKinley, a long-time rancher and foe of the Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site expansion, said “I just want to share our Western heritage, say hello to a few folks along the way, and share God’s great gift of this beautiful land.”
Sunday Entry Deadline for Fiber Show
LA VETA- The Spanish Peaks Arts Council invites people who create with fiber to take part in the FIBER! show. Bring entries to the SPACe Gallery, 132 W. Ryus in La Veta, on Sunday Sept. 21, Noon – 2 pm. Entry fees: SPACe members–$8 for the first entry, $5 for each additional entry with a limit of 4 per artist. Non-members, $10 for the 1st entry. Maximum width, 48". No factory made patterns can be used and no kits allowed. For more information call the gallery at 719 742-3074.
Historic Coal Mining Films Showing Sunday in La Veta
LA VETA- Two films will set the mood for the Celtic Festival′s emphasis on coal mining.
"Mother Jones: America′s Most Dangerous Woman" is a 23-minute account of the labor leader′s life, including two shots of Walsenburg and an actual interview with Mother Jones in her later years.
A video of men working in a coal mine, the York mine near Raton, the last one to close there, gives a glimpse into the hard life of a miner.
These two films are open to the public at no charge at the La Veta Public Libary meeting room 2 pm. Sun. Sept. 21. They are presented by the Walsenburg Mining Museum.
Open Arms- Open House
WALSENBURG– Open Arms Pregnancy Resource Center is having an open house on Tuesday September 23, 2008, 10 to 2 pm, at 116 East 6th in Walsenburg. All members of the community are invited to attend and see what the center has to offer. Refreshments will be served. Call 738-9994 for more information. The center’s hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1 to 4.
Roundtable on Business Finance
WALSENBURG- The Huerfano County Roundtable on Business Finance being held at the Huerfano County Community Center on Thurs. Sept. 25 promises to be a interesting and informative discussion, well worth a couple hours investment. Several presenters have already confirmed their participation including the Colorado Office of Economic Development (Alice Kotrlik and John Reese), Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (Rhonda Housden), Governors Energy Office (Bob Mailander)… ; several others are expected as well. These presenters will be sharing information about the various funding opportunities and resources available to businesses in Huerfano County. The Roundtable will run from 5:15 to 7:30 p.m. and dinner will be served. Don′t miss this rare opportunity to learn about regional, state, and federal programs, right here at home! Please RSVP to your invitation to Denise at 719-738-2370 by Sept. 22. We look forward to seeing you there.
Karate Kid(s)
WALSENBURG- Huerfano County Youth Services is proud to sponsor a new Karate program for school age youth.
Lifelong Martial Arts expert Ron Striegel will meet with youth in La Veta and Walsenburg two times a week for an hour and a half. Youth are invited to participate in this new program to increase all around wellness. The cost is free to school age youth throughout Huerfano County. Enrollment will be on a first come first serve basis with limited class sizes. Huerfano Re-1 students will meet from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. on Monday and Thursday at John Mall High School. La Veta Re-2 youth will meet on Tuesdays and Fridays from 6 to 7:30 at 903 South Oak (next to the Laundromat). For more information or to sign up, please contact Debbie at 738-1573.
Now Forming 8-ball Pool League
WALSENBURG- Thursday night pool league forming in Walsenburg. Cash payouts, For information or sign up call Kathleen at 719-214-4176. The organizational meeting will be Thursday October 2 at 7 pm at Silver Dollar. League to begin Thursday October 9.
Victim Services Applications
WALSENBURG- The Victims Assistance and Law Enforcement Board of the 3rd Judicial District is accepting agency applications for 2009 funding to support victim services.
In 2008, the board distributed approximately $80,000 to organizations and programs that provide services to victims of crime in Huerfano and Las Animas Counties. Funds for the grant are generated by fines assessed by the courts.
Grant application forms and instructions can be obtained by contacting Julie Fairman, VALE Administrator, at the district attorney’s office, 500 South Albert Street in Walsenburg, or by calling 738-1510. Completed applications must be returned to that office by 4 pm Fri. Oct. 10.
Dickey Rescinds Resignation
WALSENBURG- The Board of Directors of Huerfano County Hospital District are pleased to announce that Gary Dickey has rescinded his resignation and will remain Administrator of the Colorado State Veterans Nursing Home – Walsenburg. The Board is delighted that Gary has decided to remain and we look forward to continued exemplary leadership from Gary and close collaboration with the Board.
