Issue 35 - Montrose Mirror

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Issue No. 35 May 2, 2012
UVWUA AT 80 PERCENT
www.montroseact.com
http://www.western.edu/academics/sbdc
www.region10.net
www.forealliance.org
www.dmea.com
By Caitlin Switzer
MONTROSE--With snowpack levels now at just 27
percent of an average year throughout the Gunnison
River Basin, farmers and water officials are looking
ahead to the driest growing season in the past ten
years.
“Water is going to be a problem this year,” said
Olathe Corn Farmer John Harold, who has 1,600
acres in sweet corn this year and who is also growing
field corn, seed, pinto beans alfalfa, barley, and
wheat. “We are at 90 percent with water now, but
we’ll be at 80 percent by the end of the week. It will
probably have an impact on everything, but we’ll
deal with it. We’ll end up changing the water three
times in 24 hours, rather than 12.”
Conserving water—the valley’s most essential resource—will
be important not just for agricultural
producers, but for everyone this year, noted Uncompahgre
valley Water Users Association (UVWUA)
Manager Steve Fletcher.
Continued on Page 2
Despite snow flurries that dusted these calves, a warm,
dry spring has left local irrigators scrambling for water.
UVWUA has already gone on percentage rationing.
Photo by Dave Bernier.
MONTROSE ANIMAL SHELTER CREDITS GENEROUS
COMMUNITY FOR “NO-KILL” STATUS, ENHANCED ANIMAL CARE
www.montrosecounty.net
www.voa.org
www.rechargecolorado.org
Volunteer Ken Keeney works with three-year-old Harvey
in the training and exercise area at the Montrose
Animal Shelter. Photo by Dave Bernier.
in this
issue
Abbie’s Energy
Answers!
Rita Clagett reports
from the North Fork!
By Caitlin Switzer
MONTROSE—In 2008, the Montrose Animal Shelter
(3383 north Townsend Ave.) established the goal
of becoming a no-kill facility over the next decade.
Five years later, that goal has already become a reality.
“We were challenged by the Maddie’s Fund,” noted
City of Montrose Animal Services Supervisor
Mike Duncan, “and today we are an adoption-only
shelter. It gives people more confidence, and they
feel better about donating.”
The generosity of local donors has also been a factor
in saving the lives of animals, he said. The Montrose
Animal Shelter receives assistance from dedicated
shelter volunteers, grants and from the Montrose
Animal Protection Agency (MAPA), an allvolunteer
non-profit organization dedicated to promoting
the welfare of companion animals through
public education, and to reducing the number of
Balloons & Varooms
in Ridgway!
Magic Circle’s
Sweeney Todd!
Continued on page 2
Region 10 Small
Business Spotlight!
Proud Member-Online News Association

The Montrose Mirror | May 1, 2012 Page 2
UVWUA AT 80 PERCENT Continued from Page 1
“It’s definitely going to be a tight year,”
Fletcher said. “We’re waiting to see what
the runoff does, and trying to make sure
our water lasts throughout the summer.
We also want to conserve our stored water
because we are going to rely on it—
probably pretty early.”
Water that normally flows down from the
high country this time of year is not coming,
Fletcher said.
“We’re trying to get Ridgway Reservoir
topped off,” he said. “We are in good
shape on storage, but we won’t fill Taylor
Park, and Blue Mesa is down quite a ways.
“We have to look at next year too,”
Fletcher said. “We hope that everybody is
aware, and will use water wisely.”
The UVWUA, which operates the Gunnison
Tunnel, diverts between 350,000 to
500,000 acre-feet of water through the
tunnel each year.
The non-profit organization has 575
miles of canals and provides irrigation
water to 80,000 acres of land throughout
the valley.
In 2002—UVWUA’s Centennial year—
the organization responded to severe
drought conditions by shifting to percentage
rationing, and placed a call on its senior
right to the Gunnison River.
While ordinary citizens can help alleviate
shortages by reducing water waste, farmers
will have to be more creative.
“It’s going to be a difficult year to farm,”
John Harold said. “But we’ll deal with it,
and make the best of a bad situation—
that’s how we make a living.”
And some water-related businesses even
recognize opportunity in current conditions.
“It should make for a nice, long fishing
season,” said Tim Patterson, owner of
RIGS Fly Shop & Guide Service in Ridgway,
“conditions are actually excellent
everywhere, right now.”
MONTROSE ANIMAL SHELTER CREDITS GENEROUS COMMUNITY...continued from page 1
homeless animals by encouraging and facilitating
the spaying/neutering of dogs
and cats.
“We have a very generous community,”
Duncan said. “People make donations
weekly. Like the rest of the City of Montrose
we are tightening our belts here, but
we have been able to use donated funds to
provide more benefits for our animals—
primarily things like grooming, and special
surgeries.
“Where ten years ago, we might have had
to euthanize, now we can use donated
funds to help save the animal,” he said.
In 2011, revenues for Montrose Animal
Services were $89,776, with expenditures
of $573,012. The balance of donations in
the Animal Benefit Fund is currently
$45,720, Duncan said. The annual report is
available online.
In 2011, the Montrose Animal Shelter
sheltered 1,537 animals—and that’s not
just dogs and cats.
“We’ve had snakes, guinea pigs and exotic
birds, and some wildlife,” Duncan said.
“We have a bunny here right now.”
Numbers are actually declining, he said,
thanks to strong regional spay/neuter and
voucher programs. The Montrose Shelter
is part of a 13-county coalition of animal
shelters that has been working to establish
a “no-kill” region, and works closely with
other area shelters such as Ridgway’s Second
Chance Humane Society (serving
Ouray and San Miguel counties).
“All of our programs are having an impact
on our community,” said Duncan, who has
been on the job for 15 years. “The people
who work here put a lot of heart and soul
into their jobs.”
Five staffers operate the Montrose Animal
Shelter, and the City has four animal control
officers. The City of Montrose Animal
Services contracts with Montrose County
as well, to employ County Animal Control
Officer Charles Long.
“He has been at it for three or four years
now, and he is doing an amazing job,”
Duncan said. “It really takes time for one
person to cover the entire county.”
Cooperation among the area’s shelters has
helped alleviate any problems that arise, he
noted.
“We do all we can to help each other,”
Duncan said. “Sometimes when we are
overflowing, Second Chance Humane has
The Montrose Animal Shelter has been a “no
-kill” facility for the past three years. Photo
by Dave Bernier.
rescued animals in our territory—we have
a very good working relationship.”
Unlike the Montrose Animal Shelter, Second
Chance Humane Society (also a nokill
facility) is a privately held non-profit
organization. In 2010, the most recent year
for which it issued an annual report, Second
Chance posted revenues of $474,082
and expenditures of $468,484. Second
Chance sheltered 332 animals in 2010.
The Montrose Mirror is a twice-monthly
Wednesday publication focusing on
local business news and information.
No reprints without permission.
Editor and Publisher: Caitlin Switzer
Editorial Board: Jim Elder, Julianne
Messenger, Darcy Johnson, Casey
Corrigan, Caroline Lescroart
Photographer: Dave Bernier
Region 10 Enterprise Center
300 North Cascade, Suite G-2
Montrose, CO 81401
970-275-5791
www.montrosemirror.com
editor@montrosemirror.com

The Montrose Mirror | May 1, 2012 Page 3
SKY’S THE LIMIT AT NINTH ANNUAL BALLOONS AND VAROOMS FESTIVAL!
Photo opportunities will abound at Ridgway’s Annual Balloons and Varooms Festival, to be
held over Memorial Day Weekend in Ridgway’s Hartwell Park. The event is produced by the
Ridgway Area Chamber of Commerce. Courtesy photo.
By Caitlin Switzer
RIDGWAY—It’s a spectacle you won’t
want to miss—and the breathtaking mountain
views will only add to the experience!
Beloved Western Slope rocker Ralph Dinosaur
has been booked to play the Ninth
Annual Ridgway Balloons and Varooms
Festival, kicking off a Memorial weekend
packed with hot air balloons, exciting automobiles,
and lots of old-fashioned fun
for everyone on Friday, May 25 at one of
the planet’s most perfect locations—
Ridgway’s Hartwell Park.
“I hope everyone on the Western Slope
will come on out for the Ninth Annual
Balloons and Varooms Festival and Car
Show,” Ridgway Area Chamber of Commerce
President and Ponderosa Real Estate
Broker/Owner Kari Wage said. “We have
a three-day event this year, with a balloon
glow and Ralph Dinosaur playing in the
park Friday night, the car show on Saturday,
and the arts and crafts festival and
music all day long on Saturday and Sunday.”
Festival founder and longtime local balloonist
Gary Woods will once again serve
as balloon master, Wage said.
“Come and spend a day here, or the
whole weekend,” Wage said. “With the
San Juan mountains, the car show and the
colorful balloons, Memorial Day weekend
in Ridgway will be a photographer’s
dream—and there really is something for
everyone in the family to do and enjoy.
We’ve got unique shops, friendly people,
great weather and a setting that is second
to none.”
Ten balloons will be on display throughout
the weekend, with tethered balloon
rides offered on Saturday morning between
7 and 10 a.m., and a mass balloon
lift at 7 a.m. on Saturday. Car cruises are
scheduled for Friday evening from 4 to 5
p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 1 p.m.
for brunch at Divide Ranch & Club. Following
Ralph Dinosaur’s show from 5:30
to 9 p.m. on Friday, there will be live music
throughout the day on Saturday, from
10:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m.
Balloons and Varooms is produced by the
Ridgway Area Chamber of Commerce.
Contact RACC at 970-319-7786,
www.RidgwayColorado.com, 1 -800- 220-
4959 or racc@ridgwaycolorado.com.
BEAUMONT TO HOST “A TASTE OF FRANCE” BENEFIT FOR OCHS
Special to the Mirror
OURAY--The Beaumont Hotel invites you
to enjoy an evening of fine food and wine
to benefit the Ouray County Historical
Society.
In honor of the Beaumont's French Gothic
architectural style, the Chef and Wine
Director have selected four rare French
wines paired with four traditional French
courses featuring duck.
These wine selections were imported
exclusively for the Beaumont, and are not
available for sale anywhere in the United
States. The event will take place in the
Grand Ballroom of the Beaumont on
Wednesday, May 9 th , at 7pm. Tickets are
$75 per person. Seating is limited & reservations
are required.
For reservations (21 and over), please
call the Beaumont at 970 325-7000 or 970-
325-7050.
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY FROM THE MONTROSE MIRROR!

The Montrose Mirror | May 1, 2012 Page 4
MONTROSE ACT PR PRO SHARES STRATEGIES FOR TOURISM SUCCESS
Jenni Sopsic of Montrose ACT (left) works
closely with Gaylene Ore of Ore Communications.
By Caitlin Switzer
MONTROSE—For the past three years,
PR specialist Gaylene Ore of Ore Communications
has worked with the Montrose
Association of Commerce & Tourism to
generate valuable publicity and media
attention nationwide. On April 23, Montrose
ACT brought Ore to town for a seminar,
to share public relations strategies for
the travel and tourism industries with
some of Montrose’s front-line businesses.
Ore, a 20-year industry veteran who
works with a number of local chambers
and tourism-related organizations, also has
a background in marketing for the hotel
and ski industries. However, her practical
advice translates easily to other markets.
“Why public relations” she asked the
crowd, which included representatives
from local hotels, golf courses and museums.
“It is cost-effective and credible—
and you can target a specific audience.”
PR is a useful tool that can augment a
strong advertising campaign, she said.
While advertising is easier to control and
can be run repeatedly, ads are very expensive
and can be less effective than an article
generated through strategic public relations.
PR is generated through media relationships,
she noted, and builds greater
credibility because the information is provided
through a third-party source.
Advertising, on the other hand, is a valuable
way to build the media relationships
that can generate greater public relations
success in the future.
“I like to tell people that advertising is
what you pay for, and PR is what you pray
for,” Ore said, noting that the timehonored
PR news release is now augmented
by social media in all of its forms.
“If you own a hotel or a resort, you want
people to like your Facebook site,” she
said. “You want to engage people, and
create a conversation.”
From the perspective of a journalist,
Twitter is a highly-effective medium that
allows the user to access and follow the
nation’s top travel writers, she added.
Bringing out-of-area travel writers to
Montrose has been one of the most powerful
strategies that Ore has used in her work
with Montrose ACT.
“How do today’s travelers decided where
to go” Ore asked. “Fifty-percent read
travel articles or watch travel programs on
TV. Thirty-five percent base their decisions
on travel journalism in some form.
Thirty-four percent get ideas from reading
newspaper travel sections, although these
are going away.”
Also important are publications aimed at
motorists—and of course, the Internet.
While Ore’s survey notes that 26 percent
of travelers use the net to make choices,
that number is already out of date, she
said.
“When I started out the Internet didn’t
exist,” she said. “Now we have all of these
elements—things like Trip Advisor, and
Yelp—and they are always changing.”
When it comes to social media, the big
three are Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter,
she said.
“One out of every nine people on Earth is
on Facebook,” she noted. “Facebook users
log 70 billion minutes per month, and 250
million people access Facebook through
mobile devices.”
With YouTube fans generating 92 billion
page views each month, and Google+
jumping into the market as the newest
player, social networking has become
something a savvy business can no longer
ignore, allowing users to spot trends and
reach a huge segment of the population
with minimum effort.
Cell phone and camera technology have
made it possible for anyone to record a
video anywhere, she noted.
Although advertising in traditional news
media can be very expensive, it is now
possible to reach large circulation audiences
through bloggers and other online resources.
“Some bloggers have a bigger following
than a newspaper,” Ore said. “The Sunday
Denver Post might reach 30,000 people—
but some bloggers reach half a million
readers.”
In the end, Ore’s advice on using social
media was simple.
“Treat social media as you would a social
function in real life,” she noted. “Don’t let
it freak you out, and don’t approach it as
an opportunity to sell; use it to build relationships
and trust.”
The goals of effective communication are
to achieve, persuade, inform, counteract
misperceptions, and drive people to one’s
website or place of business, she said.
Ore offered a five-point test to ensure
that one’s news release is actually of interest
and newsworthy.
“Is it local Is it unique or unusual Is it
timely Does the information concern people,
and create human interest” she asked.
Strong writing skills and the importance
of research remain time-honored PR basics,
she noted.
“Know your media, and your target audience,”
she said.
Montrose Days Inn Owner Brandon Hert,
28, is a seasoned professional who has
lived in hotels all but four years of his life.
Days Inn (1417 East Main St.) already
earns consistent top reviews online with
sites such as Trip Advisor and Bookings.com.
However, Hert said he was able
to learn a few new tricks at the PR seminar.
“Some things I knew, but some things I
didn’t,” Hert said, “and I always like to
pick up a few new ideas.”
“I am very appreciative of the scope of
the PR topic Gaylene covered,” Hampton
Inn Hotel Operations Director Tricia Joy
said. “It was fast-paced, laughter-filled,
and included an effective group breakout
session that was timely and fun. It certainly
reminded me of how valuable a professional
approach to PR remains in the digital
age – as it’s a rare business that can be
objective about the means and methods to
proactively manage their own public image.”
Montrose ACT plans to host more public
relations seminars in the future, noted
Montrose ACT Executive Director Jenni
Sopsic. For more information call 970-249
-5000.

The Montrose Mirror | May 1, 2012 Page 5
REGIONAL NEWS BRIEFS
Congressman Tipton to Host
Small Business Export 101 Event in Western Colorado
Special to the Mirror
GRAND JUNCTION--Congressman Scott
Tipton and Colorado’s U.S. Export Assistance
Center have teamed up to put on an
export 101 event. The most recent figures
available show that around 4,459 companies
export from Colorado annually. Of
these, 88% were small or medium-sized
businesses with fewer than 500 employees.
Further increasing Colorado exports will
help create jobs and sustain thousands of
Colorado businesses. Of the 281,668 small
businesses exporters in the United States,
58 percent export to only one market, and
83 percent only export to between one and
four countries. There is a fear of uncertainty
when entering a new market, and with
limited time and resources, small businesses
tend to go with what is safe and proven.
“The West Slope has been hit especially
hard during these tough economic times.
This event is a chance for employers to get
valuable information on the opportunities
and resources available to help their businesses
grow,” Tipton said. “More exports
equal more jobs, and the export 101 event
is a great forum to assist businesses with
navigating the export process.”
What: An export forum in Western Colorado
with international trade experts from
the federal government and other industries
to assist small businesses with export
opportunities. This event will bring together
trade specialists and potential small
business exporters, which could lead to
new export successes. Congressman Tipton
will moderate a panel of speakers, that
will include federal and local trade experts.
The panelists will speak about the broad
export procedure and explain the resources
available to assist local businesses. Following
the panelist remarks, businesses
will be available to meet one-on-one with
trade specialists to address specific questions.
When: Thursday, May 3, 2012 10amnoon
Tentative schedule:
10:00 – 10:15: Welcome remarks by Congressman
Tipton and introduction of the
panelists
10:15 – 10:40: Colorado’s U.S. Export
Assistance Center – Export 101 overview
and other issues (financing, export controls,
etc)
10:40 – 10:55: Local businesses that have
successfully exported
10:55 – 11:10: Colorado Department of
Agriculture, International Marketing Specialist
11:10 – 11:30: Presentation of Export
Achievement Certificates for local businesses
that have shown growth in exporting
11:30 – 11:35: Short update and announcement
from the Grand Junction Area Chamber
of Commerce about their upcoming
trade mission
11:35 – 12:00: Open for Q/A
Where: Grand Junction Business Incubator
Center
2591 Legacy Way Grand Junction, CO
81503
Who: Congressman Tipton, 2 trade specialists
from Colorado’s U.S. Export Assistance
Center, a representative from the
Governor’s office of Economic Development
and International Trade, the Grand
Junction Business Incubator Center, the
Mesa County Workforce Center, the
Grand Junction Small Business Development
Center, the Grand Junction Area
Chamber of Commerce, the Grand Junction
Economic Partnership, the Colorado
Department of Agriculture, the Delta
County Workforce Center, the Montrose
Economic Development Corporation, the
Montrose Association of Commerce and
Tourism, and lots of small businesses.
WHY: Most small businesses do not have
the resources or knowledge to export, and
they rely heavily on the federal agencies to
guide them through the process. Increased
education, outreach and coordination are
essential to get more small businesses to
export. Please RSVP to
jeff.small@mail.house.gov or 202-225-
1405 if you would like to participate in
either event. There is no fee to attend.
Make a difference…Partner Up!
MENTORS NEEDED
Call 970-249-1116
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The Montrose Mirror | May 1, 2012 Page 6
Small Business Development Center Spotlight
Special to the Mirror
GUNNISON - Shea Lewis' skills and educational
tool box should suit the Western
State College senior well as she embarks
on life's next great adventure.
Lewis, who graduates with a bachelor's
degree in art and business administration
on May 5th, spent the last four years working
toward setting up a successful future.
A 2008 Montrose High School graduate,
she focused her four years at WSC on
growing her ability to be highly functional
in today's workplace.
Her dream job would be either working
on package design for a high-end cosmetic
company or as a full-fledged makeup artist
serving the photography industry. While
not learning the latest software and prudent
accounting practices, Lewis spent her
spare time working as a Western Ambassador
and on the campus' Program Council.
Western Ambassadors serve as host group
welcoming student tours and families to
learn about the college. Her service taught
her the importance of good public speaking,
organization and the ability to think
on her feet.
"Occasionally I was thrown a question
out of left field but a lot of times, I focused
on not only answering questions from parents
but showing a student how Western
State College could be the perfect fit for
them," Lewis says.
Lewis served three years with the program
while also volunteering for Program Council
which hosts alcohol and drug free
events throughout the year. Given her tenure
with the program, she was sent to
training in Milwaukee, Wisc., to learn how
to plan large-scale events. She was trained
in several aspects event functions including:
contract writing, booking, budgeting,
marketing and promotion, security, and
technical support. She helped recruit and
host national bands like Eve 6, Real Big
Fish and The Tossers along with booking
From college to the real world:
Lewis makes the most of a tight economy
renowned comedians, magicians and various
entertainers.
"I have learned to read contracts very,
very carefully, as it is common for entertainers
to add some crazy rider to make
sure you are paying attention," she adds.
"Which was a great lesson to learn; when I
am working on contract later, I will keep
my eyes peeled and be sure to read the fine
print."
To round out her public relations training,
this past year she was chosen as the Student
Art Director of the Pathfinder Magazine,
to oversee a staff of eight and ultimately
produce a full-color glossy publication.
Duties included design, layout, editing
and prepress work.
Her penchant for credible work came
early. Landing her first paying job with a
newspaper bicycle route, Lewis fully funded
her own way to attend a middle school
trip to Australia. Helping to cover college
living costs, she has worked at the Fox
Theater in Montrose for seven years - an
unusual feat for a teenager.
Given her impending graduation, Lewis
was not quite sure how to roll her work
experience into an actual career so she
turned to the Small Business Development
Center (SBDC). Ultimately she would like
to own her own business, most likely as an
independent consultant to the entertainment
industry. The local SBDC unit is
housed at WSC and offers free business
development services to clients throughout
the region.
By September 2012, Lewis will be relocating
to the Pacific Northwest but will
return to Montrose this summer to earn the
funding to start her career path. After
working on business goals and simple
business plan, the student realized just how
important and difficult cash flow and
budgeting can be in the "real world."
"I know what I can accomplish. The key
is making sure I take the most responsible
steps to get there," she says. "I could have
Western Ambassador Shea Lewis makes sure
not get snowed over while giving a tour at
Western State College. (Photo courtesy of
WSC Office of Admissions)
some big fancy degree and no clue how to
use it.
“My goal was to test what I was learning
in the classroom and make the past four
years count toward my future."
Capitalizing on freelance work she completed
for the business school at WSC, and
other jobs farmed to by local outlets, Lewis
is trying to craft a sustainable career that
she enjoys and can make work anywhere
in the world.
"I had most of the pieces, but the SBDC
opened my eyes as to how to pull those
pieces together and develop a focus for a
future business. They helped me take my
education to the next level."
To learn more about how the SBDC can
help you achieve your business goals, contact
Marilyn Laverty at 970-943-3157.

The Montrose Mirror | May 1, 2012 Page 7
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The Montrose Mirror | May 1, 2012 Page 8
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The Montrose Mirror | May 1, 2012 Page 9
Montrose County Employee Spotlight
MCSO WORK CREW SUPERVISOR CHAD BLACK
Montrose County Work Crew Supervisor
Chad Black of the MCSO (right), with Jail
Administrator Jim Gerlach.
By Caitlin Switzer
MONTROSE—As Montrose County work
crew supervisor, MCSO Officer Chad
Black takes pride in the fact that he and his
crews have made a concrete difference in
the world around them—literally. From
highway cleanup to remodel and even new
construction projects, Montrose County
jail and community service work crews
have helped re-shape and beautify Montrose.
“We do a lot for our city, our county and
our local non-profits,” Black said. “We get
to be outside, and we get to make a difference.”
Black has been with the Sheriff’s office
for 11 years, and has served as work crew
supervisor for two and half. A native of
Montrose, he graduated from Montrose
High School in 1988-1989, and spent 11
years in the military.
“This is my home,” Black said. “I came
back after serving in the military, and I
raised my kids here.”
He has also helped countless other individuals
learn new skills and gain on-thejob
work experience each day.
“I try to teach while we work,” Black
said, “We rely on the skills they already
have, and add to them. One young man
had never touched an animal, and by the
end of his service he could walk them, feed
them, and enter a pen as comfortable as
could be.
“We try to give help our inmates build
new skills for when they get out.”
Montrose and the surrounding region
have benefited greatly from inmate labor,
Black said.
“We help our community,” Black said.
“We save man hours and money, and give
back as much as we can.”
According to state statute, all inmates are
required to work, noted Montrose County
Jail Administrator Jim Gerlach.
“Our goal is to keep every inmate working,”
Gerlach said. “Our job is to find
things for them to do. Chad works very
efficiently with groups of people, and
keeps heightened security for the safety of
the public and of our inmates. We are
pretty selective about who gets to be in the
program.”
Public safety concerns require that others
are kept away while inmates are at work,
he noted.
Work crews are made up of six inmates a
day, putting in an average of six and a half
hours of work. Crews work only for the
City and County of Montrose and for registered
501c3 organizations, Gerlach said.
“We provide crews for almost all of our
non-profits and governmental agencies, he
said, “including the Montrose Regional
Airport. We send two crews to clean up the
Olathe Sweet Corn Festival every year—
it’s a huge area, but with 12 to 15 inmates
they get it all done in one day.”
Crews have performed yard maintenance
for eligible entities, dug power trenches,
shoveled county-owned walks in winter
months, and even assisted with construction
of an investigative office for the
Montrose County Sheriffs, he said.
In addition to jail inmates, county work
crews can include citizens who have been
sentenced to perform community service.
Between the City and the County, 600 man
days of community service are contributed
to work crew projects each year.
“We even work with the Division of
Wildlife a couple of times a year,” Black
noted, “helping with things like deer calving.”
Managing many different personality
types can be a challenge, but does keep the
job interesting, Black said.
“We helped re-do the race track at the
Fairgrounds, and we help set up for and
clean up after the Fair every year,” Black
said. “We clean stretches of roadway, and
we have done remodeling jobs for the
County, including our own work release
center and booking area--we even put up a
whole new building for the County Road
and Bridge department.
“The labor savings are huge.”
Local non-profit organizations that have
benefited from the labor of inmate work
crews include MADA, Disaster Relief,
Hospice, Habitat for Humanity and many
others.
Crews use recycled materials whenever
possible, and projects are often completed
under budget, Black said.
Eligible non-profit and governmental
entities seeking work crew assistance must
call at least two weeks in advance, he added.
To schedule a crew, call Officer Black
at 970-252-4069.
THANKS FOR READING THE MONTROSE MIRROR…
CALL 970-275-5791 FOR AD RATES AND INFORMATION!

The Montrose Mirror | May 1, 2012 Page 10
SIMMER FOOD AND WINE TO DONATE
PERCENTAGE OF SALES TO CARING FRIENDS FUND
By Caitlin Switzer
MONTROSE--Fresh from an extremely
successful “Dine out for Kids” night on
April 26, Donn Wagner of Simmer Food
and Wine (320 Main St.) is already looking
ahead to the popular Downtown eatery’s
next charitable venture--“Simmer
Smiles.”
“We want to help the Caring Friends
“Sock it to Cancer” fund,” Wagner said.
“So every Monday night, and every Thursday
lunch, we will donate a portion of our
proceeds to the Caring Friends Fund.”
The fund provides “fill-in” funding to
help meet day–to-day needs of cancer patients
and their families.
“We will also have the socks here, and
other items that people can buy to help the
cause,” he said. “There are a lot of avenues
to get involved.”
Wagner also has plans to once again host
the Simmer Food and Wine Men’s Fall
Fashion, Food & Wine Gala in partnership
with Andrisen Morton on a to-beannounced
date in October.
The “Simmer Smiles” campaign is intended
to provide some relief for both cancer
patients and their families, he added.
“That kind of stress is never fun,” Wagner
said, “maybe a smile will help—we’ll
give it all we’ve got!”
To learn more about the Simmer Smiles
campaign, call 970-252-1152.
MAKE MONTROSE MOM’S DESTINATION THIS MOTHER’S DAY!
Special to the Mirror
MONTROSE—Celebrate Mom in classic
style this Mother’s Day, at the Downtown
Montrose Vintage Mother’s Day Celebration,
to be held Saturday May 12 on Main
Street from 1 to 4 p.m. Bring the whole
family downtown to enjoy a relaxed day
of fun, complete with music, food, old
fashion games, vintage cars and a vintage/
modern day fashion show. The fashion
show will start at 2 p.m., with models to
showcase fashions from the early 1900’s
through the present day. The season’s
hottest fashions will also be on display,
courtesy of Pollux, Nina Suzanne’s and
MOBILE SERVICE AND REPAIR BUSINESS OPENS
By Susan Bony
Special to the Mirror
REGIONAL--Spring is here and so is the
time for those outdoor chores. Good
news! Tim Shelton has just opened a new
business providing on-site mechanical services
in the Delta, North Fork and Montrose
areas. High View Equipment Repair
will come to you to service and repair
your small engine equipment. That means
that Tim will come to you instead of you
having to load up and haul your piece of
equipment to a repair shop. Tim has more
than 25 years of experience working on
large and small engines and miscellaneous
mechanical equipment. So, he has pretty
much seen it all and then fixed it.
High View Equipment Repair specializes
in repair and servicing for tractors,
backhoes, fork lifts, riding lawn mowers,
SheShe Boutique. Children are welcome
to submit a poem about Mom to Great
Harvest Bread by Friday May 11 th for a
FREE COOKIE. Participating Downtown
merchants will host special promotions on
Saturday only.
The idea for this year’s Mother’s Day
celebration began with friends Joyce Rime
and Pat Brown, who put their heads together
and came up with the unique idea
for a vintage Mother's Day event downtown.
“We thought it would be a fun family
experience to do a re-enactment of early
Montrose 100 years ago,” Brown said.
and snow blowers. Additionally, he has
experience working on a wide variety of
manufacturing and farm equipment. Tim
uses only original manufacturer equipment
so that you can feel good about the replacement
parts he installs. High View
Equipment Repair also provides a 45 day
warranty on his services – the industry
standard is only 30 days. Tim’s mission is
to provide superior service at a reasonable
price. While he’s servicing or repair your
equipment he’ll let you know if he sees
something else that might cause a problem;
thus, saving you time and money in the
long run. He also provides 24/7 emergency
repair service at a reasonable price –
Tim knows that sometimes things break at
night or on the weekend and you need your
equipment fixed immediately. Tim will be
there to help. So, if it has moving parts and
“We plan to transform Downtown by having
people strolling Main Street dressed in
period costumes, with a historic walking
tour led by Sally Johnson of the Montrose
County Historic Society.
Other things on Main St. will include
vintage cars, live music and activities for
all."
Mom is also sure to enjoy the Montrose
Botanic Society Plant Sale in the parking
lot of the Montrose Botanic Gardens (at
the Montrose Pavilion) from 8 a.m. to 2
p.m. on May 12 as well, followed by the
Montrose Food and Wine Festival events
from 2 to 5 p.m. on the Pavilion lawn.
Tim Shelton, who has more than 25 years of
experience working on engines large and
small, has launched High View Equipment
Repair—the service that comes to you.
is making a funny noise or isn’t working
right, call Tim at High View Equipment
Repair at 970-596-9860.

The Montrose Mirror | May 1, 2012 Page 11
REGIONAL NEWS BRIEFFS
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The Montrose Mirror | May 1, 2012 Page 12
BLACK CANYON BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB LANDSCAPES
OLATHE FACILITY, SEEKS FUNDING FOR OUTDOOR GRILL
Program Manager Jerra Grett of Black Canyon
Boys and Girls Club in Olathe shows off
pom poms club members made by recycling
plastic trash bags. The club hopes to raise
funds now for an outdoor grill.
By Caitlin Switzer
OLATHE—At the Black Canyon Boys
and Girls Club in Olathe (750 S. 8 th St.) ,
they know that true beauty comes from
within—but that a little outer adornment
probably doesn’t hurt either.
This week, the 43-member club is excited
to partner with Pioneer Sand & Landscape
Company, the SHARE program and
the Town of Olathe to beautify the outdoor
landscape at its headquarters near Colorow.
“With this economy, there was no grant
funding available,” Club Program Manager
Jerra Grett said. “So Pioneer is giving
us the materials to transform our outdoors,
and the Town of Olathe is helping us
move the bulk materials—we’ve got two
different kinds of mulch, a ton and half of
sand, some railroad ties, and some barrier
to help with weed control.”
The Town has also donated a heavy picnic
table that will be refurbished. Club
members, who range in age from 6 to 18,
have been collecting boulders and painting
them blue to create a peace sign, Grett
noted.
“The SHARE program is bringing us
potting soil and bedding plants, and some
rebar for parking barriers,” Grett said,
adding that Subway in Olathe has donated
sandwiches for the garden work day.
Because the Olathe BCBGC location,
which is open from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday
through Friday during the school year, will
not be open this summer, the club plans to
celebrate the season’s end with a fundraiser
on May 17.
“We have organized five teams, and five
local businesses,” Grett said. “The Bank of
Colorado, the Olathe Co-Op, Olathe True
Value, West Slope Ag Center, and B & C
White Kitchen are all taking part. Each
location has a jar, and will collect donations.
We plan to take each team, collect
the jugs, and combine them with the kids’
donations. The team that collects the most
will get to decide how our director’s hair
will be cut.”
The money raised will be used to buy an
outdoor grill, she said.
“The kids love being outside,” Grett said.
“Eventually, I would love to see a game
structure out there too. They really need
the physical play. As it is, we take them
over to the Sweet Corn Park—they love
the hill, and the water.”
Grett said that she hopes to keep the club’s
positive momentum going despite the fact
that the facility won’t be open this summer.
Club members have been welcomed
to the Montrose location for the summer
months, and will return to Olathe when
school resumes in the Fall.
“We want to keep our numbers up and
end the summer on a big community
note,” Grett said, “so we can be open all
summer long next year. Our community so
needs a summer program for kids—and
we could take as many as 65.”
The Black Canyon Boys and Girls Club
helps to build leadership skills with a variety
of program offerings, including Homework
Power Hour, arts and crafts, fashion
shows, kite flying, kickball, survival work,
and healthy cooking.
“We have programs for girls and boys,”
Grett said. “We have also been going to
Colorow three days a week, to visit with
residents. It has been wonderful for the
kids—they glow from the interaction, and
so do the elders.”
Next fall, Grett said that she hopes to
implement a weekly program of room
visits for club members and Colorow residents.
“We want our kids to have a sense of
responsibility to the community around
them,” she said. “It really does take a village.
It’s all about getting the kids involved,
teaching respect for the community.
We want show them what life holds for
them—it’s a journey, and it’s lots of fun.”
Making the most of limited resources has
always been part of the fun—club members
recycle old materials whenever possible.
A recent project involved turning old
grocery bags into pom poms for cheerleading.
“This really is a village here,” Grett said.
“Everybody knows a little about everybody.
The village has your back--and it
makes you a stronger individual.”
Many club members begin as young children
and grow into leadership roles.
Olathe High School Senior Rio VanMeter,
17, a ten-year member and BCBGC Youth
of the Year, recently took fourth place in
the statewide Boys and Girls Club Youth
of the Year competition.
“It’s huge,” Grett said. “Rio will be going
on to college. We also have two other
club members on our junior staff, Gustavo
and Cierra—both of them are just great,
very dynamic. The younger kids love
them.”
As a mother and community leader, Grett
believes that young people represent
Olathe’s future.
“We owe more to our kids,” she said.
“We all need to Step up—I would love to
see more of our village involved. We have
such huge resources here!
“I think having the outside of our facility
look good will really bring the community
in.”
To contribute to the Olathe Black Canyon
Boys and Girls Club grill project, call
970-323-6391.

The Montrose Mirror | May 1, 2012 Page 13
THE OLATHE MIRROR
Olathe True Value Hardware: Still the Heart of the Town
Olathe True Value is located at 321 Main
Street in Olathe. Photo by Joseph Harold.
By Deb Barr
Olathe Mirror Reporter
OLATHE--It has long been the economic
heart of Olathe. Some would even say the
social heart. Locals drop in daily to catch
up on the local gossip and hear what was
going on. If you need something important
to finish the job, chances are whatever it is
you need you will find at the store. And
the folks who run it know you – and quite
possibly your daddy and your granddaddy
-- so you can trust their advice.
The Hardware Store. Every community
needs one, and Olathe True Value Hardware
is one of the oldest continuously
operated in Colorado. The brick building,
with its two-foot-thick brick walls and one
-inch oak flooring, was built by a Mr.
Scheck in 1908, and opened as a hardware
store. The original pressed tin ceilings are
intact as are the oaks floors, although the
building has been updated and is no longer
heated by a coal-fired stoker.
At various times the building has also
housed a dry goods store, a pharmacy, and
a medical clinic (upstairs). The pharmacy,
which was operated by Herb McGrath for
40 years before being sold to a Mr. Hausman,
operated on the west side of the
building until the mid 1980s.
In 1980 Paul and Marsha Gottlieb bought
the building and the store from previous
owner Bob Adams and moved their family
from Orange County, New York, to
Olathe. They had vacationed in Colorado
for many years and wanted to give their
family a better life style. Their first employee
was the building’s upstairs tenant –
Walt Colson. Colson worked at the hardware
store until his death in the late 80’s.
Although they were also in the hardware
business in New York, Paul, with a BS in
microbiology and a master’s degree in
communication, was also an educator and
a firefighter.
Remembering those times, Paul says, “It
was a very good decision to leave New
York. Olathe is a great place to raise kids.
It’s slower…different…there’s more opportunity
to do the things I love, like fish
and hunt.”
Paul and Marsha operated the store for
32 years.
When they arrived in Olathe, Marsha
worked for Colorado Ute, and did the
books for the hardware store on the side.
Marsha also had a teaching degree and ran
the Olathe Activities Department’s preschool
in 1983-1984. Paul minded the
store, which meant early to rise mornings
and late hours. Their three children – Jill,
Steve and Jeff – helped out in the store
whenever they could.
Additionally, the family was extremely
active in the community. Paul served on
the volunteer fire department, Montrose
Hospital Board, DMEA board and the
Sheriff’s posse (and still does after 30
years). He was also instrumental in the
founding of the San Juan Cancer Center.
Steve Gottlieb and wife Michelle took
over the reins in 2008. After graduating
from Montrose High School, Steve had
obtained his degree in criminal justice and
also his P.O.S.T. certification and worked
as an officer for the Alamosa Sheriff’s
Department. It was there that he meant
Michelle while instructing a class in CPR.
Steve and Michelle married in 1993 and
moved to Olathe six years later, when
Steve decided he no longer wanted to be
in law enforcement. It did not, however,
quite work out that way. In addition to
running the hardware store, Steve is the
Sunday patrol officer for the Olathe Police
Department and has taught at the police
academy in Delta for the last 8 years. Not
unlike his community-minded dad, he also
Pictured Left to Right are Michelle, Steve,
Paul, and Marsha Gottlieb. Photo by Joseph
Harold.
officiates high school and college wrestling.
Michelle, who was the director of the
Montrose Visitors and Convention Bureau
from 2001 until 2008, also works at the
store, but mainly “spends time with the
kids.” She is active in Altrusa, particularly
the ASTRA club, which is the high-school
off-shoot of Altrusa, and the Montrose
Community Foundation.
Paul and Marsha are semi-retired. The
hardware store has expanded into the area
that was the variety store and now only
has one door (it used to have two), but not
much has changed really. The old manual
cash register has been replaced with a
computer, but it’s the same friendly,
knowledgeable service, the same familiar
clutter of every possible thing even slightly
related to hardware and then some, including
hunting and fishing licenses. You
are still greeted at the door, and if you go
by often enough, they’ll remember your
name.
Both generations credit their success and
the store’s continued operation to their
loyal customers. They and their longstanding
employees know the regulars by name.
Together the Gottlieb family and their
staff have served four generations of
Olathe families. That’s astounding, and a
testament to what a hardworking family
can accomplish.
Olathe True Value, located at 321 Main
Street, Olathe is open 7 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Monday through Saturday. 970-323-5708.

The Montrose Mirror | May 1, 2012 Page 14
Montrose ACT —2012 Events Line-up
Special to the Mirror
MONTROSE-- The Montrose Association of
Commerce and Tourism (MACT) today announced
its 2012 signature events list. The
lineup includes everything from athletic events
to food festivals and heritage celebrations.
Here's a look at what's in store.
9 th Annual Montrose Wine & Food Festival
- May 11-12
This features fare from renowned national and
regional chefs. The event, which has raised
more than $200,000 for charity, supports the
Black Canyon Boys and Girls Club, Voices for
Children (CASA) and Kids Aid. The fun-filled
festival includes cooking demonstrations and
wine tastings, as well as entertainment.
Black Canyon Ascent - May 12 - Black
Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
The stunning Black Canyon of the Gunnison
National Park serves at the backdrop for the
37th Annual Black Canyon Ascent. The race
leads runners and walkers from the valley floor
to the rim of the magnificent Black Canyon of
the Gunnison National Park. Navigating more
than 2,000 feet of elevation gain, the ascent is
dubbed Colorado's toughest six-mile road race.
Mission to Ride - May 13
The 9 th Annual Mission to Ride is a noncompetitive
bicycling tour geared for riders of
all ages that benefits the Montrose Medical
Mission. The Century Ride offers a challenging
100-mile climb to the rim of the Black Canyon.
Other options include the 40- and 60-mile road
routes. A locals' favorite, the 30-mile route, is
an out-and-back to Olathe. Two mountain bike
rides are also planned for both intermediate and
advanced riders, as well as a bicycle safety rodeo,
featuring safety tips, freebies and a kids'
ride. After the ride refuel at the Montrose
Wine & Food Festival.
Tribute to Western Movies - June 9 -
Museum of the Mountain West
This year's event focuses on the Marlow family,
which is depicted in the movie "Sons of Katie
Elder," starring John Wayne. Three of the
Marlow brothers were killed when they were
wrongfully accused of outlaw activity in Texas
Donny Morales, Bob Becker and Glenn Patterson
play for an appreciative crowd at the 6th Annual
Oktoberfest in Centennial Plaza. Photo by Dave
Bernier.
and were attacked by a lynch mob. Two
brothers - George and Charlie - escaped
and fled to Montrose/Ouray where they
lived for a number of years and served in
law enforcement. The Tribute to Western
Movies includes an historical presentation
about the Marlows by Jim Pettingill, live
music acts and food vendors.
Black Canyon Horse Races - June
16-17 and Sept. 8-9 - Montrose
County Fairgrounds
This event is a throw-back to when horse
racing was popular in Montrose during the
late 80s and early 90s. The two-weekend
race series includes six races per day,
ranging in length from 220 yards to 7/8 of
a mile. Pick your favorite pony and buy a $2
option ticket on a horse or participate in the
Calcutta. Food vendors, stick horse racing for
the kids, and the Cowboy Horse Race are also
planned.
Main in Motion - Thursdays, June 7-
Aug. 19 - Downtown Montrose
This 12-week-long summer festival turns historic
downtown Montrose into the hippest
place in town every Thursday night. This family
-friendly event features local musicians, regional
artists, food vendors, children's activities,
dance performances, the local farmers market,
and booths featuring local non-profits. Stores
are also open late and offer special sales as part
of this award-winning series of events.
21 st Annual Olathe Sweet Corn Festival -
Aug. 3-4 - Olathe
This family-friendly festival is one anybody can
sink their teeth into! The event, which pays
homage to 'Olathe gold', includes a car show;
food, arts, crafts, local business and non-profit
booths; carnival rides; and live music.
Depot 100 Year Celebration - Aug. 11 -
Montrose County Historical Museum
This event, hosted at the Montrose County
Historical Museum, is a centennial celebration
of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Depot
Building. Activities include a motorcycle poker
run, a fun race/walk, music, food, a classic car
show, square dancers, street vendors and museum
visits. The day will end with the "Otto
Mears, Pathfinder of the San Juans" enactment
from the Colorado Humanities Council Chautauqua
Speakers Bureau.
USA Pro Challenge (UPC) - Aug. 21
The USA Pro Challenge, known for its breathtaking
altitudes and treacherous climbs, leads
135 of the world's best cyclists from Durango
to Denver, Aug. 20-26. Montrose is hosting the
second stage of the race, which starts on Aug.
21.
All Nations Indian Nations Powwow -
Sept. 21-23 - Montrose County Fairgrounds
This colorful celebration is a tribute to the Native
American heritage in Montrose. The event
features performances and vendors from 33
different Indian Nations. Gourd dancing, a
grand entry, drum and dance contests, lectures,
and authentic Native American food are all in
store.
7 th Annual Oktoberfest - Oct. 6 - Centennial
Plaza - Downtown Montrose
This annual event celebrates the unique flavors
of Montrose. It also raises money for All Points
Transit. On tap: live music, locally brewed
beer and local food, as well as activities for the
kids. For a $20 donation attendees receive beer
tastings from 12 western slope breweries. For
those who aren't drinking the donation cost is
$5.

The Montrose Mirror | May 1, 2012 Page 15
SPRING CREEK FIRE STATION HOLDS CORNER STONE CEREMONY
Left (top and bottom) The corner stone ceremony for the new
fire station was held Saturday, April 21, at Fire Station 3# on
Spring Creek Road.
Above, Colorado Masons' Deputy Grand Master Dana A.
Speaks starts the ceremony for the new fire station.
Photos by Dave Bernier.
To Moms everywhere—my own mom Jane Neth, and your mom too—Happy Mother’s
Day!!
To everybody at the Delta County Independent, for putting out such an enjoyable paper
every week!
To Cottonwood Principal for a Day Tiernan Polikalas (see article on page 31)—nice going!!
To Region 10 Executive Director Paul Gray, for the innovative thinking and leadership
that have renewed an essential community non-profit organization…
To Class of 2012 graduates everywhere!!!
HONORABLE MENTION

The Montrose Mirror | May 1, 2012 Page 16
Abbie’s Energy Answers
Dear Abbie,
We know it takes a lot of energy to
heat things, but what about cooling
things down I like ice in my coffee
on those warm days, but what kind
of energy goes into making those
cute little cubes in my glass
Cooling off in Colorado
Dear Cooling,
Ice is a treat! As a rough guess we
probably each consume, either directly
or indirectly, an average of
around a pint of water a day as ice.
We use it in our coffee, tea, water
and soft drinks to make our drinks a
bit colder and more refreshing. It’s
very difficult to provide you with
exactly the numbers on how much
energy it really takes to make ice,
because it all depends on your ice
making system, and how efficient
your freezing system is. It’s been
estimated that the average home
fridge ice maker increases energy
consumption by 12 to 20 percent,
which means it could cost you an
extra $8 to $24 per year to make.
So, the next time you are thinking
about putting those cute little cubes
of ice in your drink, consider cooling
it down in the refrigerator prior
to consumption and not using the
ice maker.
Abbie Brewer
Community Energy Coordinator/
Montrose Farmers' Market
Manager
(970) 417-6313 Cell Phone
FORE Alliance
(970)874-7566 ext 232 Delta Office
(970) 240-1272 DMEA Office
(970) 209-8463
Montrose Farmers Market
abbie@forealliance.org
info@montrosefarmersmarket.com
www.forealliance.org
Developing community-based resources;
Facilitating regional collaboration;
Promoting the cost-effective use of
energy and natural resources.
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The Montrose Mirror | May 1, 2012 Page 17
MAIN IN MOTION NEEDS YOU!
Special to the Mirror
MONTROSE--The Main In Motion Committee
is preparing for the 11th Season,
and we are seeking vendors. If you are
interested in promoting your business
please fill out an application online at
www.maininmotion.com. Booth Space is
only $250, for 12 fun-filled Thursday evenings
where you can expect up to 5,000
people each week. Vendors are encouraged
to engage the crowd through demos, giveaways
or games. For more ideas on how to
creatively promote your business call Amy
at 970-249-4711 or the MIM Line at 970-
901-5918.
Volunteers are needed for a variety of
duties during Main in Motion. If you have
spare time on any Thursday evening, 6:00
pm to 8:30 pm, we need your help. A volunteer
training will be held on May 16th at
Centennial Plaza. Please fill out an application
online at www.maininmotion.com
or call 970-901-5918.
Main in Motion is a 12-week event located
in Montrose Downtown featuring live
music, family friendly activities and regional
food. The event is thoughtfully put
on by a group of volunteers dedicated to
preserving and enhancing Montrose
Downtown and building community.
If you would like to sponsor this Award
Winning Summer event please call 970-
901-5918.
There are many different and creative
ways for you to receive recognition
through Sponsorship.
Visit us on Facebook or at
www.maininmotion.com for more information.
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The Montrose Mirror | May 1, 2012 Page 18
BEECOMING A BEE GUARDIAN
Corwin Bell gently holds a drone bee, showing
the class the male bee's enormous eyes.
Photo by Rita H. Clagett.
By Rita H. Clagett
North Fork Bureau Reporter
PAONIA--Bee Class starts at 10 a.m. on
Saturday morning. At 10:01, Caren announces
that her hive is swarming again.
We have gathered at this farm in Paonia
from as far away as Salt Lake City to learn
how to be bee guardians. A swarm is a
bonus none of us could have anticipated.
Bee guardian and farm owner Caren Vongontard
has hosted this workshop, offered
by the Soil Academy in Paonia, for the
past three springs, with bee charmer Corwin
Bell and his team from Back Yard
Hive in Boulder. The night before class,
Bell gave an introduction to his pioneering
philosophy of bee guardianship.
“A bee colony’s immune system is its
ability to react and adapt to its bioregion,
and to pass that knowing on,” he says, his
gestures as graceful and expressive as a
bee’s dance. Bell began collecting “feral”
bee swarms on the Front Range fifteen
years ago, and housing them in top bar
hives of his own design. Through workshops,
and selling both architecturalquality
plans and hives, Bell has fostered
honeybee colonies up and down the Front
Range, in the North Fork, and in other
communities across the state and around
the world.
Bell points out that honeybees in their
capacity as pollinators are critically important
to the survival of the human species,
and he believes that we can help them
survive and thrive by offering them safe
haven in our own back yards.
It’s easy to think of an aspen grove as a
superorganism, because underground all
the trunks are connected through the root
system. Bell describes the superorganism
of bees as something larger even than a
single hive. Not only are the honeybees of
a given hive connected by something intangible,
but by periodically throwing off
swarms, and moving to a new hive when
they become honey-locked, bees of an
entire region are linked by common
knowledge and genetics in a single superorganism.
By the end of the evening’s
presentation I am completely enchanted
with both honeybees and Corwin Bell.
And so at 10:01 the next morning, our
class of more than twenty troops up to the
strawberry patch where Caren has two of
her several hives in a juniper-post shade
shelter. We watch enthralled as bees pour
out of the narrow horizontal doorway at
the bottom of one hive, filling the air,
seeking the right place to cluster. “Maybe
they’ll go here,” Caren says of a forsythia,
then a few minutes later, “or maybe in this
blue spruce.” A few minutes longer and
the bees settle on two twigs of a chokecherry
just ten feet from the hive, and a
couple of feet off the ground. By 10:30 we
are watching two clusters of calm bees,
two feet apart in the same shrub, and wondering
which to catch first.
A honeybee swarm is a wonder of nature.
When a hive has more than enough bees,
and a new queen has matured inside, the
old queen leads most of the bees out to
seek a new cavity in which to reproduce
and live for a few more years. A hive can
also swarm when it has filled its space to
capacity with last year’s honey, or become
honey-locked, and the bees leave en masse
to start a new hive. By swarming, the bee
superorganism extends tendrils out into its
environment, increasing both its population
and the successful pollination of uncountable
species of plants over a wide
area. In an agricultural setting this is an
extraordinarily valuable effect for humans.
Bee guardians aim to provide a safe haven
in a world increasingly hostile to honeybees.
The top bar style of backyard hive
requires little maintenance from the bee
guardian, and with minimal interference
the bee colony is enabled to thrive as it has
adapted over around 25 million years to
do, in balance with its surroundings.
As with so many human endeavors that
profit from the mass production of animal
species, the bees, the environment, and
ultimately human beings suffer from overcommercialization
of honeybees. A complex
interplay of factors, including (but not
limited to) pesticides, mite infestation, and
flattening of genetics, has critically imperiled
the global honeybee superorganism.
Full on collapse of honeybees worldwide
would interrupt pollination of many plants
that humans depend upon to survive. Think
about that.
Virtually every plant we eat or use for
feed or fiber requires pollination by some
kind of insect, bird, or mammal. Bees of
many species make up a huge percentage
of pollinators. The bee guardian philosophy
differs from commercial beekeeping in
that its goal is to support bees in their wild,
unfathomable complexity, and maybe gain
a few jars of honey on the side, rather than
to profit by their exploitation. It views
honey as a valuable gift rather than as a
commodity, and seeks to protect habitat
and hive both for their own sake and as
integral infrastructure in our human lives.
Honeybees unexpectedly swarm from a Back
Yard Hive at the start of a Bee Guardian
workshop in Paonia in late April.
Photo by Rita H. Clagett.

The Montrose Mirror | May 1, 2012 Page 19
BEECOMING A BEE GUARDIAN...continued from page 18
Catching the Swarm 1: Bell and students clip
the branches holding the swarm. Photo by
Rita H. Clagett.
To this end, Corwin Bell is singlehandedly
saving bees around the world
with his compelling fusion of science and
love. He has consulted on bee colonies
from Scandinavia to Hawaii, and his patient
observations and astute interpretations
of bee behavior are breaking ground
in the global effort to save the honeybee.
His enthusiasm is as contagious as a revival
preacher’s.
At 10:30, we watch and assist as he clips
twigs that extend from the smallest swarm
on the shrub, then gently, gracefully, lowers
the swarm into a prepared “fetcher”
box, gives it a swift shake, and carefully
closes in the barely disturbed cluster. As
the bees settle down, he encourages us to
cup our hands, one at a time, under the
swarm that remains on the bush. The soft
brush of bee hair and beating wings tickles
my palm as I feel the heat generated in this
docile, humming, living ball.
Bell says “There’s a drone!” and springs
from a crouch to catch a single bee above
his head. Holding it in a pinch just tight
enough he shows it around for us to notice
the enormous eyes of the rare male honeybee
adapted purely to reproduce the bee
colony and its collective knowledge.
In a weird twist of fate, the first cluster
swarms out of the fetcher and joins the
buzzing ball on the limb. We mull over
this phenomenon for awhile, until the bees
have settled again. Then Bell and his rapt
students repeat the process of snipping
twigs and depositing the swarm in the box.
This time, the swarm remains in its new
temporary home. Two hours have passed
with more than twenty humans mingling
with clouds of honeybees. Only one of us
has worn a bee screen, and nobody has
been stung.
After lunch, we learn about the many
ways bees use the comb they make inside
their hives, and how and when we can help
them by taking a share of their honey. The
hands-on lessons continue through the
weekend. By the time I leave Sunday afternoon
I am exhausted and inspired. At
home I will level a place under the birch
tree to install my back yard hive, and wait
patiently for my turn on the swarm list so
that I, too, can become a bee guardian.
At his website,
www.BackYardHive.com, Bell offers an
instructional and inspirational DVD, top
bar hives, and helpful management tools.
He also sells plans for $10 so you can
make your own hive. This is another facet
of the altruism that informs his whole approach
to bee guardianship: Corwin Bell
encourages people to buy plans at this ridiculously
low price, and to build and sell
hives in their communities. It’s not a pyramid
or trickle-up business plan, it’s just a
way to expand the “network of bee caring
individuals who will work to improve bee
ecology, fight pesticide abuse and help
sustain healthy wild bee populations,
thereby improving the genetic diversity of
the honeybee.”
For information on the Soil Academy’s
agricultural classes and workshops, many
of which focus on alternative or biodynamic
approaches to farming, you can
check out their website at
www.soilacademy.com, or email Lynn
Ruoff at info@soilacademy.com.
Catching the Swarm 2: Lowering the swarm
into a special box called a fetcher for temporary
housing. Photo by. Rita H. Clagett.
REAL ESTATE MARKET REPORT
Click here to catch Montrose Realtor Valerie Meyers’ weekly
Real Estate Market Report...from the road!
http://youtu.be/xwhWw3FNP3k
Valerie Meyers, Realtor, GRI
Coldwell Banker Bailey & Co
2023 S. Townsend Avenue, Montrose, CO 81401
970-209-1378 Cell
970-257-6748 Direct

The Montrose Mirror | May 1, 2012 Page 20
OPINION/EDITORIAL
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Dear Editor:
Recent decisions by the city of Montrose
may bode well for the future. Eliminating
the $6,000 fee for street closure to be
charged to Main in Motion and foregoing a
$400,000 burdensome assessment to Russell
Stover Candies for a median are both
intelligent decisions mindful of our economic
quagmire. With a newly constituted
City Council, just maybe there can be a
new way of thinking, including compromise,
collaboration and teamwork rather
than animosity and dissension. Hard decisions
need to be made, based on zerobased
budgeting and prioritizing. Montrose
City government must be run like a business.
Any government's first priority is public
safety, namely, an adequately funded and
efficient police department with proper
funding for infrastructure being the second
priority.
REGIONAL NEWS BRIEFS
All else then follows, in order of real
need. With the police department being
substantially under-funded and infrastructure
suffering, the City Council and City
Manager have their work cut out for them.
With proper prioritizing and hard decisions,
much can be accomplished in these
challenging times. You, the taxpaying public
must be part of the dialogue. Get involved!
John W. Nelson
BLM RELEASES BOWIE COAL MINE
LEASE MODIFICATIONS FOR PUBLIC REVIEW
Special to the Mirror
MONTROSE--On Monday, Apr. 30, the
Bureau of Land Management released a
preliminary Environmental Assessment
and unsigned Finding of No Significant
Impact for public comment regarding the
proposed coal lease modifications at the
Bowie mine about five miles northeast of
Paonia, Colo.
The EA evaluates the continuation of
mining operations adjacent to Bowie Resources,
LLC existing federal coal leases.
Bowie’s application consisted of adding a
total of about 500 acres to leases
COC37210 and COC61209 in order to
prevent the bypassing of about 3.25 million
recoverable tons of federal coal.
The BLM Uncompahgre Field Office in
accordance with the Mineral Leasing Act
of 1920, the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired
Lands of 1947 and the Uncompahgre
Basin Resource Management Plan
is responsible for analyzing the leasing
Special to the Mirror
MONTROSE--Bright Beginnings is hosting
its annual Spring Fling festival on Saturday,
May 12th from 11am-2pm on the
Bright Beginnings grounds (121 N. Hillcrest
Drive). The event is open to the community.
proposal through the National Environmental
Policy Act. The coal lease modifications
surface area includes private and
public lands in which BLM manages a
portion of the surface.
The Bowie No. 2 Mine has been in operation
since November 1997 and produced
about 2.5 million tons of coal in 2011.
Currently, the mine employs 297 employees,
and the majority of these employees,
as well as their families, live in communities
in Delta County. Total direct economic
benefits associated with the coal mines
within the North Fork Valley exceed $60
million annually.
Delta County received $860,000 in tax
revenues from Bowie in 2011 which was
the largest revenue source for the County
for the year. To review the EA and FONSI,
go to http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/
BLM_Information/nepa/ufo.html.
Comments must be submitted by Wednesday,
May 30, 2012, in writing to the BLM
Tickets for the kids are available at the
event for $5 (basic pass) and $10
(unlimited access pass).
Lunch is also available for a $3 charge.
Activities include bounce house, pony
ride, climbing wall,petting zoo, face painting,
bubbles, cupcake walk, chickendrop,
Uncompahgre Field Office, Attn: Desty
Dyer, 2465 S. Townsend Ave., Montrose,
CO 81401, fax 970-240-5368 or email
ddyer@blm.gov.
Please note comments and information
submitted regarding this project, including
email addresses and street addresses of
respondents will be available for public
review and disclosure. Individual respondents
may request confidentiality. If you
wish to withhold your name, e-mail address,
or street address from public view or
from disclosure under the Freedom of Information
Act, you must state this prominently
at the beginning of your written
comment. Such requests will be honored to
the extent allowed by the law. All submissions
from organizations or businesses,
and from individuals identifying themselves
as representatives of officials of
organizations or businesses, will be made
available for public inspection in their entirety.
BRIGHT BEGINNINGS TO HOST SPRING FLING MAY 12
dunk tank and much more! The event is
sponsored by the Bright Beginnings Parent
Action Council (PAC) and proceeds will
help the school build a new toddler playground.
For more information, please call Bright
Beginnings at 970-252-3399.

The Montrose Mirror | May 1, 2012 Page 21
Special to the Mirror
MONTROSE--In support of Montrose
County’s goal to provide a reliable source
of water for the West End of Montrose
County in the future, Montrose County and
the Towns of Nucla and Naturita recently
released expert reports in support of their
pending water court applications.
The reports describe the firm yield of
3,200 acre-feet (AF) per year that is needed
to meet the municipal, industrial, and
REGIONAL NEWS BRIEFS
MONTROSE COUNTY RELEASES REPORTS IN SUPPORT OF WATER COURT APPLICATIONS
irrigation needs of the area over the next
fifty years.
The reports describe in detail the reservoirs
and associated facilities that would
be needed to provide that water supply, the
financial and technical feasibility of the
projects, and the possible effects on
streamflows and biological and cultural
resources in the area.
“The reports are thorough, wellresearched,
and document our efforts to
serve the future needs in the West End of
Montrose County,” said Brian Wilson,
Public Works Director for Montrose County.
“These reports show that Montrose County
is looking at all options and seeking a
solution that works best for all parties involved.”
To view the reports please visit: http://
www.montrosecounty.net/
DocumentCenter/Home/Index/223.
DOUG ECCHER OF MHS HONORED BY
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BIOLOGY TEACHERS
Special to the Mirror
MONTROSE—The National Association
of Biology Teachers (NABT), in conjunction
with BIOZONE and the Colorado
Biology Teachers Association (CBTA), is
pleased to present Doug Eccher of Montrose
High School, Montrose, CO, with the
Outstanding Biology Teacher Award for
CO for 2012.
This honor, given annually since 1961 by
NABT, identifies outstanding biology
teachers in all 50 states, Wash. D.C. and
Puerto Rico, Canadian provinces, & overseas
territories. Teachers who teach the
majority of their classes in the life sciences
in grades 7-12 in public or private schools
are eligible. Colorado honorees are selected
by actual classroom visitations & observations.
Doug Eccher teaches classes in
biology and physics, as well as serving on
the district’s science curriculum committee,
grants board, and Academic Booster
Club. He has been teaching for 13 years
and was a Fisheries Management biologist
for 17 years. Eccher received his B.S. degree
in Fishery Biology from Colorado
State University and his M.A. in Curriculum
and Instruction from the University of
Colorado at Denver.
Eccher will be honored at the CBTA Biology
Symposium, Saturday, April 21,
held at the National Jewish Medical Center.
His achievements will be celebrated at
the 2012 NABT Professional Conference
in Dallas, TX, October 31 to November 3
& at the Colorado Science Conference,
November 16 at the Denver Merchandise
Mart. NABT will provide certificates for
him & his school. CBTA will contribute a
plaque & a $350 honorarium toward his
travel expenses.
Eccher will be presented with more than
$4,000 worth of prizes, including a Digital
Core Scope from Ken-A-Vision, Biology
Entry Probe Bundle from PASCO, a TI 84
+ graphing calculator from Texas Instruments,
14 photographic atlases from Morton
Publishing Co., an ELSIA Kit from
Bio-Rad, a World Population DVD from
the Population Connection, a DNA crystal
model from The DNA Store, a microscope
from Leica Microsystems, and books from
Flinn Scientific. He will receive gift certificates
for merchandise from Carolina Biological
Supply, ThermoFisher Science Ed,
Nasco, Nebraska Scientific, Sargent-
Welch, Science Kit & Boreal Laboratories,
Vernier Software, Ward’s Natural Scientific,
Wild Wings Environmental Ed, and
Windsong Environmental Ed Foundation.
Eccher will receive cash stipends from
Keith Anderson, David Dean of A+ Microscope
Company & Ellie Isbill.
Throughout Eccher’s recommendation
letters the words commitment, collaboration,
sharing, & deep passion are continuously
used to describe his teaching. Administrators
and former students wholeheartedly
endorse him for this award. One
of his former students who is now in medical
school said that he is the best teacher
because, “Your class was fun, your way of
teaching great, and what you taught me
stuck!” Eccher strives to connect standards
to something meaningful in his students’
lives, making the concepts memorable.
Each day Eccher asks his students, “What
do we need to know How will we get
there How will we know if we got there
And What if we didn’t get there”
Eccher is dedicated to the larger mission
of the school and community, providing
positive leadership within the district’s
team of science teachers. Colleagues describe
him as a team player, helping colleagues
to complete professional development
needs and even giving up his room
so that a new teacher could have a “home
base”.
His assistant superintendent, summed it
up best when she wrote, “Doug is an extremely
conscientious, dedicated, and talented
science educator, meeting the needs
of all students with his deep understanding
and commitment to differentiating instruction.”
Doug Eccher is indeed, as his science
coordinator stated, “The Teacher of a
Lifetime”. He is an outstanding asset to
his school, his community, & his profession.
Eccher has been married to his wife, Lori
Tucker-Eccher for 25 years. She is the
Director of Product Development and Senior
assessor for Tucker International, a
company that specializes in the selection,
development and training of expatriates on
international assignments. They have two
children Franklin, age 14 and Josie age 10.

The Montrose Mirror | May 1, 2012 Page 22
Legislative Update
By Senator Ellen Roberts
It’s hard to sum up this past week as my
wish for political pragmatism as the session
winds up gave way to the controversial
issues stacked on the Senate calendar.
In particular, we debated allowing civil
unions in Colorado, followed the next day
by the resolution to send to the U.S. Congress,
urging the adoption of meaningful
religious exemptions allowed under the
federal health care act.
The Senate Democratic majority decides
the legislative calendar, so the timing of
these legislative proposals back to back
was purposeful and perplexing, given the
lateness in the session and the political
polarization they were bound to provoke.
To make two long stories short, I spoke
and voted in favor of both of these bills,
which, to a casual observer might be hard
to understand since one is characterized as
a liberal position while the other is conservative.
I’ve mentioned before the challenge of
representing a very politically diverse district.
On bills like these, there’s no universal
district position, no common sense
measuring stick to use. At these times, I
turn to my own thoughts and principles,
knowing that either choice in voting brings
dissatisfied voters and future political consequences.
That’s the price I pay for voting
my conscience and I accept that fact.
The foundation for my vote on both of
these bills is shaped by my view of the
U.S. Constitution, which I swore to uphold
each time I’ve been elected. While the
Constitution doesn’t provide exact answers,
its guiding principles are what I
think of as I arrive at how I’ll vote on these
difficult, divisive issues.
For me, voting for civil unions is an extension
of the 14 th amendment of the Bill
of Rights, providing for the government’s
promise of equal protection of all citizens.
Equal protection means to be treated with
justice, regardless of an individual’s personal
characteristics.
The bill before us provided that no one of
any faith would be required to perform a
civil union and it’s a governmental, not
religious, status, which is why it’s called a
civil union. Colorado’s state constitution
doesn’t allow gay marriage and this bill
recognizes that.
I believe equal protection means a couple,
straight or gay, in a committed relationship,
and possibly raising children, should
be able to achieve a status recognized by
the government that will provide certain
family rights and responsibilities.
On to the next topic, while challenging to
implement, the First Amendment’s right to
religious freedom is clear that the government
can not infringe upon this most personal
and individual right. The intersection
of the new national health insurance
mandate and religious faiths such as Christian
Scientists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Catholics
and other faith traditions is complex
and problematic.
Although I’m not a practicing Quaker,
many in my family tree were and are,
spanning hundreds of years. Protecting
religious freedom, even if inconvenient for
national health care policy, is a basic, fundamental
American principle.
We appropriately accommodate those
who object to military service and those
who refuse vaccinations for religious reasons,
why aren’t we even trying to find a
way to provide employers a means to
sponsor health insurance that doesn’t violate
their faith principles
Supporting these controversial measures
is tied together by my understanding and
respect for the Constitution. Reasonable
people will disagree with me. I accept that,
too.
Colorado State Senator Ellen Roberts,
Senate District 6, can be reached at the
Colorado State Capitol, 200 E. Colfax
Avenue, Denver, CO 80203
VIRGIL TURNER TO RUN FOR DMEA BOARD
Special to the Mirror
MONTROSE--Virgil Turner, a founding
member of the Focus on Resource Efficiency
Alliance (FORE) announced today
that he is seeking election to the District 1
seat of the DMEA Board of Directors.
“I feel that electricity is the lifeblood of
our communities," Turner said. "As a
DMEA Board Member I would seek opportunities
to strengthen our regional economy.
I would look for ways to leverage the
resources of DMEA to better the economic
vitality of Delta and Montrose counties.”
“I feel strongly that we must look for
ways to utilize local contractor resources
when carrying out the work of the cooperative.
Every dollar spent with a local business
will return five times that amount
through employee wages, local taxes and
the purchase of other supplies and materials
from other local companies. Contributions
made by these local companies go to
support local non-profits and charities,
further benefiting our communities,”
Turner added.
Interested DMEA Members are encouraged
to attend one of the two Candidate
Forums to be held in May.
The first forum will be held at Noon on
Tuesday, May 8th at the Orchard City
Town Hall Community Room, 9661 2100
Road in Austin. A second forum will be
held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 16th at
the DMEA Montrose Office, 11925 6300
Road.
Mail ballots will begin arriving after May
21. More information about the candidate
and the election is available at his website
located at dmea.vsturner.com.

The Montrose Mirror | May 1, 2012 Page 23
REGIONAL NEWS BRIEFS
MONTROSE ACT OFFERS TIPS FOR VISITING A NATIONAL PARK THIS SUMMER
Special to the Mirror
MONTROSE--Montrose, Colo., is home
to one of the nation's most breathtaking
national treasures - The Black Canyon of
the Gunnison National Park, one of nearly
400 parks in the national parks system.
Each year more than 275 million visitors
converge on the nation's special places.
"When visitors come to the national parks
they are able to create stories to take back
with them," says Black Canyon Park
Ranger Paul Zaenger. "The wilderness of
the parks enables many people to see
themselves as a part of the whole community
of life on Earth,"
Whether one plans a trip to Black Canyon
or one of the other national parks this summer,
Zaenger has these tips every park
visitor should consider to create the most
memorable, relaxing and enjoyable vacation
story possible.
Slow down and be selective. Zaenger
advises that it is better to do fewer things
Special to the Mirror
OLATHE– Olathe High School announced
today that a senior at Olathe High
School has been named a recipient of the
Daniels Scholarship and plans to attend
Colorado Mesa University to pursue a
degree in special education. Terri Pacheco,
high school counselor at Olathe stated,
“We are so proud of Jason. He represents
everything that is expected in a Daniel’s
Scholar and mirrors the values and character
true to the spirit of community in
Olathe. He is going to do great things!”
Seven students were nominated for the
scholarship by Olathe High School. Jason
Armendariz made it to the finalist category
after an interview with Daniel’s Fund representatives
in Grand Junction, CO. Over
600 referral agencies nominated over some
2,400 candidates this year from 4 states.
258 candidates were selected for the honor.
Daniels Scholarship recipients are selected
based on strength of character, leadership,
and really enjoy them than try to pack lots
in and not remember most of it.
"In America we live a really harried lifestyle
and often forget to stop and smell the
roses," says Zaenger. "Our natural places
can help us put the fast-paced lifestyle into
check and put our lives into perspective.
That's something I'd encourage everyone
to consider, whether coming to Black Canyon
or any other natural treasures - give it
some time."
Stay late, go early. Zaenger encourages
visitors to take a picnic with them so that
they can enjoy the park during the early
morning or early evening hours.
"There's a peace and stillness that comes
over the parks at daybreak and sunset,"
says Zaenger. "There's simply nothing like
it!" Zaenger also notes that the wildlife is
typically more active earlier in the day.
Utilize the park rangers. Zaenger says
the first stop at any national park should be
at the visitor center, where travelers can
Jason Armendariz from Olathe High School
Receives Daniels Scholarship
a record of accomplishment in community
service, and other qualities.
The Daniels Scholarship is not “full
ride,” but is supplemental to all other financial
aid resources available to the student.
After other financial aid resources have
been applied, the Daniels Scholarship covers
all required tuition and fees, room and
board, books and supplies and a variety of
other miscellaneous expenses. Students
also receive a laptop computer and a printer.
Bill Daniels, a cable pioneer known for
his kindness and generosity to those in
need, established the Daniels Fund to provide
grants and scholarships in Colorado,
New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.
When he died in the year 2000, his estate
transferred to the Fund, making it the largest
foundation in the Rocky Mountain
West. For more information about the
Daniel’s Fund, visit the website at
www.danielsfund.org.
get up-to-date information on park conditions
and tips on how best to spend one's
time in the park.
Additionally, suggests Zaenger, visitors
should inquire about ranger-guided programs,
which tap in to the expertise of the
employees and enrich the park experience
for visitors by educating them on the park's
history, science and geology.
Take advantage of park discounts. A
National Parks Annual Pass is a good value,
particularly if there are multiple parks
on a traveler's vacation itinerary. The pass,
available online or at the park, costs $80
and provides access to most areas for an
entire year. Additionally, a senior pass
(available for those 62 and older) costs
only $10 and is good for a lifetime.
Zaenger encourages visitors to take advantage
of free entrance days at the national
parks. Check online for the updated
schedule, which includes June 9, Sept. 29
and Nov. 10-12.
Jason Armendariz of Olathe High School has
been named a recipient of the Daniels
Scholarship.

The Montrose Mirror | May 1, 2012 Page 24
ARTS AND CULTURE
ART PARTNERS EXPO OPENS!
Special to the Mirror
CEDAREDGE--Join Partners Mentoring
of Delta Montrose and Ouray as we open
the Annual Art Partners Art Expo. We will
be displaying Art produced over the past
year by our interns and their mentors at
The Apple Shed in Cedaredge. The exhibit
will run from May 2 through May 18th
with the opening reception on May 5th
from 3-5 PM. Snacks and light refreshments
will be served.
Art Partners is a mentoring program for
youth 12-17, matching Art Interns with
local Artists, Artisans and Craftsmen. The
young artists commit to a year so they may
study with as many as four mentors in
twelve months. The Artist/mentors commit
to a three month period.
The Apple Shed is open seven days a
week 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9
a.m. -4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. It is
located at 250 S. Grand Mesa Drive, Cedaredge.
For info call 970-874-4661.
Courtesy photo of partners at work.
Black Canyon Barbershop Chorus
Presents Award of Harmony to Jim
Kerschner during Annual Show
Special to the Mirror
MONTROSE--Jim Kerschner, left, receives Award of Harmony presented by
chorus member Rex Pierson. This award recognizes outstanding achievement in
service to the community. Jim was selected for many reasons including his work
with Operation Sweet-Tooth, public service via KUBC and support of local school
sports. Jim was also presented with two US Flags, flown over respective Capital
buildings, by State Representative Don Coram and Scott Streit, District Director
for US Congressman Scott Tipton. For more information on the Chorus please
see www.blackcanyonchorus.org.
MAGIC CIRCLE PLAYERS SCHEDULE PAINT YOUR WAGON AUDITIONS
Special to the Mirror
MONTROSE--Auditions for Alan Jay
Learner and Frederick Loewe's musical
Paint Your Wagon, directed by Jane
Pierrepont , with Nick Hoppner, assistant
director, will be held Saturday, May 12, 2-
5 p.m. at A Time to Dance studio, 1912 S.
Townsend Avenue, and Monday/Tuesday,
May 14/15, from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Magic
Circle Players Community Theatre, 420 S.
12th St., Montrose.
Set in the late 1800s, this "gold-bustin'"
musical focuses on the gold fever that consumes
the lives of the lonely miners. Needed
are 20 or so male actors/singers, ranging
in age from 20s to 60s; four female
actresses from 18 to mid-30; a female chorus
of saloon ladies from 20-60 years old;
two principal male dancers and two principal
female dancers, with no speaking lines,
from 18 to
Paint Your Wagon opens Friday, September
7 and runs weekends through September
29. Rehearsals are tentatively set for
Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings.
Audition packets are available after April
24 at the theatre. For more information,
contact Jane (417-4018) or Nick (964-
4379).

The Montrose Mirror | May 1, 2012 Page 25
ARTS AND CULTURE
BROADWAY HIT ON STAGE AT
MAGIC CIRCLE PLAYERS COMMUNITY THEATRE
Expect an exciting show with plenty of thrills when the Magic Circle Theatre’s production
of Sweeney Todd opens May 11! Contact the box office at 970- 249-7838 for more information.
Courtesy photo.
By Nick Hoppner
Special to the Mirror
MONTROSE--Sweeney Todd, the Demon
Barber of Fleet Street, with music
and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book
by Hugh Wheeler, is a multiple Tony
Award-winning musical thriller that caps
the Magic Circle Players’ 2011-2012 season
this May and June.
Set in 19th century London, the tragiccomedic
musical tells the story of a barber
named Benjamin Barker, alias Sweeney
Todd, who returns home to London after
15 years in prison in Australia on false
charges to find his life in ruin. When told
that his wife poisoned herself after being
assaulted by the crooked Judge Turpin
who sent him to prison, Todd, in total despair,
snaps and begins a campaign of revenge
on the judge and, subsequently, the
rest of London’s hypocritical elite.
Returning to his occupation as a barber in
a rented room above the bakery of a struggling
meat pie baker named Mrs. Lovett,
Todd discovers a handy way to dispose of
his clients who’ve been shaved a bit too
closely, while Mrs. Lovett profits from the
convenient and flavorful supply of fresh
cutlets for her pies. Business becomes an
overnight success.
When Anthony Hope, the cheerful young
sailor who befriends Todd, learns from a
beggar woman that the lovely maiden,
Johanna, by whose voice he is smitten, is
the unhappy and unwilling fiancée of
Judge Turpin, Hope vows to rescue her
and enlists Todd to help him.
Through a series of double-crosses, uncovered
true identities, and disastrous errors,
Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett’s
thriving enterprise comes to tragic ruin.
Although love prevails for Anthony Hope
and Johanna, it is clear to all that a lust for
revenge is destructive to everyone it touches.
Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet
Street is unquestionably one of Stephen
Sondheim's most complex scores, relying
heavily on counterpoint and rich, angular
harmonies. It is also one of the most ambitious
and challenging musicals ever performed
by the Magic Circle Players, as the
actors sing virtually non-stop throughout
the show.
Directed by M. A. Smith, assisted by
Sandy Lundberg, with music directed by
Lenore Hample, assisted by Jeannie
Hougnon, the principal actors are Dalyn
Pearson, Bethany Ward, Matt McDonald,
Taylor Deskin, Maggie Magee, Nathan
Cretti, Dave Olson, Mark Glasbrenner, and
Niko Nelson. A strong supporting chorus
of 17 local performers provide urgent and
ominous support throughout.
Sure to be popular for mature theatre goers
due to its adult themes and complex
plotlines, Sweeney Todd tickets are likely
to be in demand. Play dates are May 11,
12, 18, 19, 25, 26 and June 1 and 2, with
Friday and Saturday evening performances
at 7:30 and Sunday matinees May 13, 27
and June 3 at 2 p.m. Contact the theatre at
249-7838 for reservations, information.
Tickets are available to the general public
beginning May 6, at the box office, 420 S.
12th St., Montrose.

The Montrose Mirror | May 1, 2012 Page 26
JAPANESE ENERGY EXPERTS
RESEARCH DMEA’S SOLAR PROGRAM
Special to the Mirror
MONTROSE--Representatives of the Japan
Electric Power Information Center
(JEPIC) and Kyushu Electric Power Company
met with the Delta-Montrose Electric
Association (DMEA) on April 26, 2012, to
research the Colorado electric distribution
co-op’s Community Solar Array program.
Because of the Fukushima nuclear plant
accident, Japan is looking to reduce reliance
on nuclear power. To accomplish
this, the Japanese power utilities are looking
for ways to accelerate the rate at which
they are integrating more renewable energy
resources into their power grid.
After hearing a presentation by Jim
Heneghan, DMEA’s renewable energy
engineer, at a utility conference, Mr.
Koichi Koyama of the Japan Electric Power
Information Center, Inc. (JEPIC) scheduled
the trip to Montrose, Colo. for a detailed
discussion of the economics of the
Community Solar Array as well as a tour
of the photovoltaic (PV) array itself.
Japan Electric Power Information Center,
Inc. (JEPIC) was established in 1958 as a
non-profit association of the electric utility
industry in Japan in order to meet the increasing
needs for a systematic and sustained
exchange of information with the
electric utility industries in the world.
Joining Mr. Koyama in the research visit
was Mr. Takahiro Immaru of Kyushu
Electric Power, a company that generates,
transmits, and distributes electricity on
REGIONAL NEWS BRIEFS
Koichi Koyama of the Japan Electric Power Information Center (JEPIC) and Takahiro Immaru
of Kyushu Electric, a power company serving 8 million customers in southern Japan,
talk with Doug Kiesewetter of BrightLeaf Solar Technologies, a Montrose-based concentrating
PV manufacturing company. The Japanese energy experts visited the Delta –Montrose Electric
Association as part of a research effort to explore solar marketing concepts used by DMEA.
Japan's southernmost island. Kyushu Electric
Power serves more than 8 million residential
and business customers in the Kyushu
region.
“We’re honored and pleased that programs
developed by a relatively small
electric co-op are of interest to representatives
of major utilities in one of the
world’s most technologically-sophisticated
nations,” said Dan McClendon, DMEA’s
general manager.
After the discussion and tour at DMEA,
the Japanese energy experts toured Bright-
Leaf Technology (www.rethinksun.com),
a Montrose-based manufacturer of concentrating
solar power systems.
HOSPICE VOLUNTEERS HONORED
By John W. Nelson
Special to the Mirror
MONTROSE--On April 23rd, 180 Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado
volunteers attended their annual Volunteer Appreciation Evening at the Pavilion,
honoring their 268 volunteers of 2011. Last year these dedicated volunteers
gave 22,720 hours representing a value of $485,307, to assist area residents suffering
terminal illnesses or in need of bereavement assistance. These compassionate
caregivers give of themselves, providing services, expertise and money to improve
the quality of life of Hospice patients and their families. If you are interested
in becoming a Hospice volunteer, contact Volunteer Coordinator Priscilla
Cozzens at 252-2642. Donations to Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado
can be made by calling Director of Community Relations Nancy Hoganson at
970-240-7776.

The Montrose Mirror | May 1, 2012 Page 27
MONTROSE COUNTY UPDATES AND INFORMATION...
MONTROSE COUNTY HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
EMPOWERING DADS PROGRAM NOW ACCEPTING PARTICIPANTS
In 2011, Montrose County Health and Human Services was invited to enter into a competitive federal grant
award application process for a new Fatherhood Grant, Pathways to Fatherhood, and was selected to be funded.
After a five-month hiatus, the new and improved Empowering Dads program was rebooted in March 2012.
This program still focuses on mentoring fathers and helps to teach them parenting skills, while promoting
community awareness of the importance of responsible fatherhood.
The new program can now serve fathers from Montrose, Delta, Ouray, and San Miguel counties and includes
the following key components:
● Individual coaching-mentoring
● Father - focused parenting education classes
● Healthy relationships classes
● Economic stability resources and services
Montrose County is partnering with Hilltop Community Resources, Inc. to ensure that Empowering Dads program
participants are receiving an appropriate and tested Healthy Relationships curriculum education, as well
as other program support services. Montrose County is also partnering with the Western Colorado Workforce
Center. Workforce will provide job readiness assessments for the possible placement of long term unemployed
or underemployed Empowering Dads program participants in program - financed subsidized (on the
job) employment skill training, to build resumes with real work experience.
“The Empowering Dads program has had a very positive impact on many local fathers and their families over
the past 5 years,” said Jon Merritt, Montrose County Family Support Programs Manager. “We’re excited at
the prospect of having this new program and being able to include the Healthy Relationships education and
Economic Stability elements to strengthen this program and make it even more valuable to the participants.”
If you or someone you know is interested in this program please contact Empowering Dads at: (970) 252-5000
or e-mail: empoweringdads@montrosecounty.net.
Empowering Dads: We’re here for Dads. Be there for your kids.
Empowering Dads funding is provided by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration
for Children and Families, Grant #90FK0030.
Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this advertisement are those of the
authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Department of Health and Human Services,
Administration for Children and Families. Program services are available to all eligible persons, regardless
of race, gender, age, disability, or religion.
“A government responsive to citizen needs, quality of life and individual liberty.”
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The Montrose Mirror | May 1, 2012 Page 28
REGIONAL NEWS BRIEFS
SIX CANDIDATES CHARGED UP TO
RUN FOR THREE DMEA BOARD SEATS
Special to the Mirror
REGIONAL--Delta-Montrose Electric
Association (DMEA) is a non-profit electric
distribution cooperative governed by a
board of directors elected by its memberowners.
Each year there is an election to determine
the representative from three of
DMEA’s nine board districts. (Maps of
each district are available on the co-op’s
website, www.dmea.com).
By the deadline of 5 p.m. on April 30,
2012, six candidates had submitted the
sufficient number of signatures needed to
qualify them for the 2012 election ballot.
In District 1, the candidates are Virgil
Turner and William N. Patterson. Incumbent
Ken Norris was unable to run
again pursuant to DMEA’s policy on term
limits.
In District 2, incumbent Brent Hines faces
challengers Kay Heinschel and Tammy
D. Theis.
In District 5, incumbent Marshall L. Collins
did not draw a challenger.
The League of Women Voters of Montrose
County is facilitating two opportunities
to meet the candidates running in
DMEA’s 2012 board election:
• On Tuesday, May 8 there will be a candidate
forum from noon ‘til 1:00 p.m.at the
Orchard City Town Hall Community
Room, located at 9661 2100 Road in Austin.
• The evening of Wednesday, May 16,
there will be a candidate forum from 6-7
p.m.at DMEA’s Montrose office, located
at 11925 6300 Road.
Light refreshments will be served at both
events.
On May 21, 2012, ballots and a summary
of each candidate’s background are scheduled
to be mailed to DMEA members who
had electric service from DMEA as of
April 30, 2012.
Voted ballots must be returned by mail to
DMEA’s election credentials committee
no later than June 13, 2012, or the member
can vote in person at DMEA’s annual
meeting at the Montrose Pavilion on the
morning of Thursday, June 14, 2012, from
8-9a.m.
DMEA members who RSVP and attend
the annual meeting will be entered into a
drawing for door prizes.
To RSVP for DMEA’s annual meeting,
call 240-1273 or 1-877-687-3632x273.
MHS YEARBOOK RECOGNIZED BY JOSTENS
Special to the Mirror
MONTROSE – April 2012 – Montrose
High School’s yearbook, The Chief, has
been recognized for excellence and featured
in the 2012 Gotcha Covered Look
Book, Volume 10 celebrating the best-ofthe-best
in yearbook design and creation.
Jostens’ Look Book is a collection of
spread and photos from outstanding yearbooks
and their creative themes, cool covers,
dazzling designs, relevant coverage,
storytelling copy and action-packed photography.
Along with design excellence, the annually
published Look Book honors the important
role well-crafted yearbooks play in
helping schools chronicle the experiences,
stories and achievements more relevant to
students and that academic year.
The Chief yearbook was created by Hannah
Stangebye, Jaycee Taylor, Kelsey
Howe, Kia Peters and the 2011 yearbook
staff under the direction of Kathy Gaber,
Montrose High School’s yearbook advisor.
“I think that last year’s staff really pushed
themselves to create an amazing book.
They did something that had never been
done before by having a chronological
book and having a spring delivery. It’s
cool to see their hard work pay off by being
published in such a prestigious book
showcasing all the trends of yearbook designs
across the nation,” said Kathy Gaber.
The Montrose High School Chief was
one of only 400 yearbooks selected from
approximately 3,000.
The 2012 panel of judges, comprised of
nationally recognized scholastic journalism
professionals and award-winning yearbook
advisors, selected the best examples
of yearbook spread and photos to make up
the 288-page 2012 Look Book.
“Yearbooks are unique, limited edition
books created by students to capture the
stories and events for all of the school’s
students and Jostens is proud to celebrate
the yearbook tradition and the 400 yearbooks
selected for the 2012 Gotcha Covered
Look Book, Volume 10,” said Gay
Lundgren, Jostens senior program manager/education.
“We are passionate about
helping schools create yearbooks that include
the entire school community.
The yearbooks selected for the Jostens
2012 Look Book reflect the sophistication
and relevance of yearbook programs.”
Kathy Gaber and her yearbook staff received
a copy of Jostens’ 2012 Gotcha
Covered Look Book and plaque from Jostens
to recognize their outstanding
achievement. Jostens Gotcha Covered
Look Book is a must-have resource for
yearbook advisers and staffs seeking creative
design and coverage idea, trends and
inspiration. The Look Book complements
www.YearbookAvenue.com and
www.facebook.com/
JostensAdviserandStaff, Jostens online
destinations for yearbook creation ideas.

The Montrose Mirror | May 1, 2012 Page 29
VOLUNTEERS , DONORS NEEDED FOR
MEALS ON WHEELS PROGRAM
Dedicated volunteers like these young men are greatly appreciated, and essential to the success
of the Meals on Wheels program. Volunteers of America currently home delivers 5,000
meals per month throughout the region. Courtesy photo.
REGIONAL--Since taking over the Senior
CommUnity Meals program in 2009, Volunteers
of America—which serves appealing
and nutritious meals five days a week
at eight congregate sites in Montrose, Delta
and San Miguel counties and operates
the region’s Meals on Wheels program—
has increased program participation and
improved meal quality.
Now, Volunteers of America is seeking
greater local involvement to continue the
momentum it has achieved.
In 2010, Volunteers of America served
117,000 meals, and increased participation
by more than 15 percent in 2011.
Today, “We are serving 10,000 meals a
month in Nucla, Norwood, Montrose,
Olathe, Cedaredge, Hotchkiss, Paonia and
Delta,” Volunteers of America Director of
Outreach Eva Veitch said. “Five thousand
meals are home-delivered to those who
may not get a hot meal without this valuable
service--and every one of those meals
is delivered by our volunteers.”
Additional volunteers are needed to assist
with the Meals on Wheels program, and
are encouraged to call 970-874-7662. Donations
are also greatly needed; Volunteers
of America is a faith-based non-profit organization
that welcomes both financial
and volunteer participation from those it
serves. While seniors over age 60 pay only
a suggested donation for meals, guests and
others pay just $6.75.
Additional donations will keep the program
affordable, Veitch said.
People age 60 and over make up 20 percent
of the population in Montrose County,
and 25 percent of the population in Delta
County. In San Miguel County the percentage
is smaller, but the need for nutritious,
low cost or donation only meals remains
the same.
“Financially, the Meals on Wheels program
is very fragile,” Veitch said. “We
need the support of our communities, both
through donations and through our dedicated
volunteers.”
Parents who are currently home with
young children are especially encouraged
to become involved.
“Delivering meals to seniors is a great
way to get younger children involved in
volunteerism,” Veitch said, “and our seniors
like nothing more than seeing a child
at the door with their meal.”
Dining sites are conveniently located in
either community centers or senior centers
in the following communities: Cedaredge;
Delta; Hotchkiss; Montrose; Norwood;
Nucla; Olathe; and Paonia. Meals on
Wheels are delivered upon request by dedicated
volunteers.
To learn more, contact Volunteers of
America Outreach Director Eva Veitch at
970-240-0139, ext. 27.
Going where we are needed, doing what comes to hand…
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The Montrose Mirror | May 1, 2012 Page 30
OUT AND ABOUT IN MONTROSE!
Legislative Update
PHOTOS BY DAVE BERNIER
Selena Rubalcaba runs past the finish line during a race at the
Special Olympics at Montrose High School on Saturday, April
21 .
McKinley Kane maneuvers the ball around a Durango defender for a
chance at a shot last Friday at Montrose High School.
Barrella Evans wins the 100 meter walk at the Special Olympics
competition.
Below, Special Olympian Nick Rubalcaba finishes the 100-meter
dash.
A few hearty souls gathered at dawn on a chilly Sunday morning at the Ute Indian
Museum prayer circle in Montrose to celebrate Earth Day on April 22.

The Montrose Mirror | May 1, 2012 Page 31
BRIGHT IDEA TURNS INTO
ENERGY REDUCTION, CASH FOR SCHOOL
Special to the Mirror
MONTROSE--In celebration of Earth
Day, Tiernan Polikas of Cottonwood took
his opportunity as the Principal for the day
and turned it into an energizing success .
"Recycling is important to help save the
earth," Tiernan said.
Teachers, friends, parents and neighbors
brought in more than 250 pounds of aluminum
cans to help Cottonwood raise
funds for additional energy related projects.
According to The Aluminum Association,
creating an aluminum can out of
recycled materials requires only five percent
as much energy as creating a brand
new can from bauxite ore.
Cottonwood Elementary School earned
more than $400 for energy related projects.
"Thank you all who brought cans to Cottonwood
to help us kids raise money for
our school,” - Tiernan Polikas Cottonwood
Principal for the day - Earth Day
2012.
Back row: Greg Fulks of ReclaMetals
(left) presents a check for $156 to Dr.
Russ Tomlin, principal of Cottonwood
Elementary school, for the commodity
value of aluminum collected as part of
Cottonwood’s “Earth Day” recycling
efforts.
The FORE (Focus On Resource Efficiency)
Alliance, represented by Kay
Heinschel at right, more than matched
the value of the aluminum itself, enabling
the elementary school to earn more
than $400 in total for energy-related projects.
Front row: Cottwood Elementary students
Cali Fulks, Tiernan Polikalas, and
Ashley Bollinger have recycling—and
the world—in their hands.”
WORD POWER WINS BIG FOR FIRST-EVER MONTROSE
ABC CLUB SCRABBLE TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS
Special to the Mirror
MONTROSE--Academic Booster Club Event
Organizer Amy McBride with the Scrabble
Tournament winners: (left to right) Amy,
Dick Lillard (2nd highest game score, 350
pts), Paul Janzen (highest game score, 380
pts), Greg Jennings (highest word score, 84
pts, TOASTED), Lisa Jennings (2nd highest
word score, 74 pts, GRANTOR). The tournament
was held April 29 at the Montrose Executive
Plaza. Courtesy photo.

The Montrose Mirror | May 1, 2012 Page 32
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The Montrose Mirror | May 1, 2012 Page 33
REGION 10 BUSINESS LOAN FUND SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT—
GUNNISON RIVER PRO OFFERS
EQUIPMENT RENTAL AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT
Gunnison River Pro offers equipment rental and logistical setup services for private boating
parties. Owner Chris Mortimer has been a local river guide for more than 20 years.
By Caitlin Switzer
PEACH VALLEY—When Chris Mortimer
obtained a permit from the Bureau of
Land Management (BLM) in December to
operate his business along the Gunnison
River in Delta County, it was the first of
its kind granted in 30 years.
Mortimer, a former river guide with 20
years of local experience, saw a niche that
had not been filled—providing equipment
rental and logistical support.
“I am renting rafts and equipment to private
boaters,” he said. “We’re just 20
minutes from the takeout on the left side of
the river; we do the full logistic setup, with
everything packed in by horse—I have
worked to develop a package of equipment
that is lightweight and horse-friendly.”
Horse packing begins May 1, and those
who are interested can visit the company’s
web site, www.gunnisonriverpro.com.
“It’s really nice to be on this end of
things,” Mortimer said. “Basically, if you
book a trip with me, I go in the day before
and set up the boat--you show up, walk
down the trail and go. We put in from
Chukar to Escalante.”
Mortimer, who grew up in Wyoming,
came to Colorado originally to work for an
uncle with a rafting company, found himself
floating the Gunnison Gorge, and
“never left.”
“I’ve done more trips through the Gunnison
Gorge than anyone in history,” he
laughed.
Although he hopes to succeed in business,
Mortimer is also motivated by a love
for the land and water.
“It’s nice to look out and not any see oil
and gas development here,” he said. “This
is a pretty special place, and I’m trying to
conserve it; I want to let people know what
it’s all about.”
To learn more call 970-318-2509.
OPEN HOUSE PLANNED FOR SUMMER SPEECH AND LANGUAGE PROGRAM
Special to the Mirror
MONTROSE-- Mountain View Therapy
at Montrose Memorial Hospital will host
an Open House to explain their Summer
Speech and Language Program on
Wednesday, May 9 th between 5:00-6:15
p.m. at 645 S. 5 th St. The speech staff will
be present to answer questions about the
eleven week summer speech program.
Please bring your child’s insurance card to
the Open House. Financial assistance is
available through the Scottish Rite Foundation
for those without insurance or Medicaid.
If you are unable to attend, please contact
the office at (970) 252-2819 to receive the
required paperwork. Applications must be
submitted NO LATER THAN MAY 17.

The Montrose Mirror | May 1, 2012 Page 34
Hold the Date! Upcoming Business and Cultural Events
May 2—Delta-Montrose Technical College will host a college and career day from 8:30 to 3 p.m., at the DMTC Campus (1765 US
Hwy 50). Call 970-874-7671 for more information.
May 2—Forum at Heidi’s Brooklyn Deli (1521 Oxbow Dr.) featuring Re-1J Superintendent Mark MacHale, from 8 to 9 a.m., Coffee
is $1.
May 3-Western Colorado Export Forum, Grand Junction Incubator (2591 Legacy Way, GJ) 10 a.m. to Noon. Call 202-225-1405.
May 3—Cave of Forgotten Dreams to show at Ute Indian Museum, 6: 30 p.m.
May 3-4—Club 20 Leadership Conference, Courtyward by Marriot, Grand Junction. Register at www.club20.org.
May 4—Canyon Gallery (300 East Main) to host “Celebrating Colorado History and Colorado Wines!” 5 to 8 p.m.
May 5—Cinco de Mayo in Olathe!
May 5-Historic Downtown tour with Sally Johnson of Montrose County Historical Society, meet 1 p.m. at Museum at Main and Rio
Grande.
May 5—Opening reception (3 to 5 p.m.) for Annual Art Partners Art Expo, to run May 2 through 18 at the AppleShed Arts Complex
in Cedaredge. For information call 874-4661.
May 6—Canyon Creek Bed & Breakfast (820 East Main St.) hosts Laff In Comedy Club, 7 p.m.
May 8—Candidate Forum/DMEA Election, from noon ‘til 1:00 p.m.at the Orchard City Town Hall Community Room, 9661 2100
Road in Austin.
May 10-12—Ninth Annual Montrose Wine and Food Festival!
May 10-Montrose ACT Business Development Seminar, “The Business Loan Fund and Enterprise Zone Tax Credit Programs” with
Business Loan Fund Director Vince Fandel and .Enterprise Zone Coordinator Rhona Keckler of the Region 10 League for Economic
Assistance & Planning, Noon to 1:30 p.m., 1519 East Main. RSVP 249-5000.
May 11—Montrose County Historical Museum open house, 5:30 p.m.
May 11-Grand Opening of Elevate Day Spa, 308 6th Ave. in Ouray, 6 to 8 p.m.
May 12—Montrose Celebrates a Vintage Mother’s Day Downtown! 1 to 4 p.m.
May 12-Montrose Botanic Society Plant Sale at Montrose Botanic Gardens from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
May 12—Auditions for Magic Circle Theatre’s production of Paint Your Wagon will be held from 2-5 p.m. at A Time to Dance
studio, 1912 S. Townsend Avenue.
May 12—Montrose Farm Market opens for the season Downtown!
May 12—Bright Beginnings Spring Fling Festival, from 11am-2pm on the Bright Beginnings grounds (121 N. Hillcrest Drive). The
event is open to the community.
May 13—Mission to Ride, benefit for Montrose Medical Mission, new for 2012 is a family fun ride. Visit the web site for information
or to register, www.missiontoride.com.
May 13-Mother’s Day Salon—Sponsored by Ouray County Performing Arts Guild at 1 pm at a beautiful southwest-inspired home
on the Log Hill escarpment. The day will include a delicious luncheon catered by Secret Garden Catering of Ouray, then a lovely
musical program by Ruth Francisco Wilson, Soprano, of Cortez singing cabaret and musical favorites. This is truly a treat for a special
Mom or friend. Tickets are $40 each and must be reserved ahead of time. Call 970-626-2970.
May 14-15-Auditions for Magic Circle Theatre’s production of Paint Your Wagon will be held from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Magic Circle
Players Community Theatre, 420 S. 12th St.
May 16—DMEA candidate forum from 6-7 p.m.at DMEA’s Montrose office, located at 11925 6300 Road.
May 17—Women’s Business Alliance Presents “Strategies to Align a Chaotic Life.” 5:30 p.m. at Bridges. Call 970-901-6761 for
info or to RSVP.
May 19—Great US Hwy 50 Yard Sale, Downtown! Call 970-249-5000 for info.
May 22—Rocky Mountain Non-Profit Institute at Western State College, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. www.western.edu/RMNI for more info.
May 25-27—Balloons and Varooms Festival, featuring balloon glows, family fun, and rocker Ralph Dinosaur Friday evening! All
events in Ridgway Town Park unless otherwise noted. For more information visit www.RidgwayColorado.com.
June 9—Museum of the Mountain West (68169 East Miami Road) Tribute to Western Movies Days, to feature “Sons of Katie Elder.”
Call 970-240-3400.
June 14-Montrose ACT Business Development Seminar, “Disaster Preparedness for Businesses,” with City of Montrose Emergency
Management Coordinator Sgt. Paul Eller and Montrose County Emergency Manager Deb Veo. Noon to 1:30 p.m., 1519 East Main.
RSVP 249-5000.
June 14—DMEA Annual Meeting, Montrose Pavilion, 8 a.m.
June 15—Montrose County Democratic Party presents Clay Jenkinson performing as Thomas Jefferson, 6 p.m. at Montrose Pavilion.
Tickets are $25, available at Dahlia Floral Design (301 East Main Street). Reserved seating.
July 26-29—Western State College hosts “Writing the Rockies;” schedule and registration form can be viewed at www.western.edu/
writingtherockies. For more information, contact Mark Todd at Western State College, (970) 943-2016, mtodd@western.edu, or
WSC Extended Studies, (970) 943-2885 or visit the Writing the Rockies Website, www.western.edu/writingtherockies.
Aug. 1-Montrose Botanical Society Summer picnic at the Garden, 6:30 p.m.
Aug 21-USA Pro Cycling Challenge, Pavilion Lawn!

The Montrose Mirror | May 1, 2012 Page 35
LESS PLASTIC NO PROBLEM!
A volunteer assists with the re-usable shopping bag giveaway at WalMart on April 22. The
company donated 1,000 shopping bags to local customers in honor of Earth Day. Photo by
Sara Berndt.
By J. Berndt
MONTROSE-Over the years we have been
taught the importance of recycling, and to
leave as little trash behind us as possible.
And yet, in the United States alone, the
average person throws away 800 pounds of
garbage each year. We also consume two
million beverages that are packaged in
plastic bottles every five minutes. If trash
is piling up everywhere, we have only ourselves
to blame.
On Earth Day (April 22), I heard that
some people were handing out 1,000 reusable
tote bags that Wal-Mart had donated
to the cause. As the volunteers stood
there throwing out statistics to stubborn
ears, they were also plugging the documentary
“Bag It,” which I watched very
soon after receiving my free bag.
I must say that “Bag it” is a great documentary;
directed by Suzan Beraza and
written by Michelle Curry Wright, it is by
turns powerful, informative and saddening
as they take you on a journey to see what
we have done with the place we call home.
The film starts off with the very likable Jeb
Berrier in Telluride as he digs deeper into
the world of plastic and the effect it has on
the planet around us.
Jeb begins by stating that he is not a tree
hugger, and I would say the same about
myself. You don’t have to be a hippie or a
radical to do what’s right; just stop for a
minute and take a look at the world around
you. Is it hard to bring your own bag to the
store No! It really isn’t. You want groceries
Bring a bag. This is something that
could easily be learned in the early stages
of life, like kindergarten.
This film shows the impact our trash has
on many aspects of life, from the oceans
and coast lines, to the animals as well as to
your own home. Even though the documentary
is based around plastic, one-timeuse
bags (which many places around the
world have banned), the film does a great
job branching out to show you a much
bigger picture of the destruction.
The few minutes I stood out there in front
of Wal-Mart talking with the brave souls
who were handing out the bags, people
would walk by and snub their noses at this
free gift that will not only help themselves
but also have a small impact on the world.
They couldn’t possibly think about changing
something so small in their lives, but
will surely take the time to update their
Facebook status while walking through
Wal-Mart.
Oh—and shall we talk about bottled water
What a hippie-down-to-earth backfire
that was, and still is. Twelve billion dollars
a year is spent on purchasing bottled water.
Someone is getting rich selling us what we
already have, while people in many parts
of the world have no access to clean drinking
water at all. As Americans, I believe
we need to stand up for ourselves and take
control of the impact each and every one
of us has on the world we live in.
I myself am by no means great at doing
my part, and have only been using reusable
tote bags for a year or so. Sadly, I
stopped recycling when the city of Montrose
gave up on it, although I have vowed
to start up again. The main point that I got
from the documentary was, yes recycling
is great--but reducing the amount of plastic
we throw away every day is much, much
better.

Region 10 Enterprise Center
300 North Cascade, Suite G-2
Montrose, CO 81401
970-275-5791
www.montrosemirror.com
Email Us: Editor@montrosemirror.com
Above, Morgan Omer, left, and Janey Alex, talk to Sam Collins at the
girls varsity soccer game against Durango on Friday, April 27.
At left, the moon sets just before dark on April 22.
Photos by Dave Bernier.
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