$1.00
Week of January 26, 2023
ELBERT COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
ElbertCountyNews.net
VOLUME 127 | ISSUE 50
Groups plan valentine fundraiser Last such event was held at end of 19th century BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
her second year in a row winning the district spelling bee. Her final championship word was “commendable.” “It feels really good to win for the second year in a row. I am really proud of myself. I was scared though,” commented Samaco. “I do feel a little bad for the other people because they wanted to win too.” Samaco will go on to compete in the 83rd Annual Denver Post Colorado State Spelling Bee on March 11 at the University of Denver, where the state’s top spellers will compete for the title of Colorado State Spelling Bee Champion.
Instead of watching teams toss around the pigskin on Super Bowl Sunday, some Elbert County residents are choosing to attend the Town of Elbert Valentine’s Day Dinner and Dance on Feb. 12. The event will take place at the Russell Gates Mercantile Co. building, the informal community center for the Town of Elbert. The Valentine’s Day Dinner & Dance will be hosted by three organizations crucial to the functionality of the Town of Elbert: The Elbert Fire Protection District, The Elbert Town Committee, and the Elbert Woman’s Club. “All three organizations strive to bring our community together with these events,” said Elbert Town Committee President Lacey Catterton in an interview from Jan 16. “We want provide events for the citizens where they can take their families for holidays or just for fun and not have to drive miles away for things to do.” The event will include a twohour Italian dinner, complete with spaghetti, garlic bread, salad and dessert. The food will be provided by volunteers from the three hosting organizations. The dinner will last from 5-7 p.m. Dancing will take place immediately after dinner from 7-8 p.m. The suggested donations for the event are $10 per adult and $5 per child. All proceeds from the event will go toward the upkeep of the Russell Gates Mercantile Co. Building.
SEE SPELLING, P4
SEE FUNDRAISER, P2
Elizabeth Middle School sixth-grader Luci Samaco spells her first word of the competition at the Jan. 11 district spelling bee. Samaco went on to win for the second straight year. PHOTO BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON
Spelling bee winner wins again Luci Samaco achieves two-year streak in Elizabeth School District contest BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Elizabeth Middle School sixthgrader Luci Samaco racked up her second straight win in the Elizabeth School District’s annual spelling bee on Jan. 11. Eleven spellers vied for a place in the statewide competition. Top spellers from Singing Hills Elemen-
tary, Running Creek Elementary, Elizabeth Middle School and Legacy Academy were present at the competition. The Elizabeth district spelling bee, held at Elizabeth Middle School, also hosted three local judges and a pronouncer. The judges were Dr. William Dallas, the district’s interim/ assistant superintendent; Allison Ritter, Town of Elizabeth accounting clerk, and Shellie Scobee, the school district’s student data management specialist. School board member Craig Blackham served as the official pronouncer. After 18 rounds of spelling, Samaco won the first-place trophy. This is
INSIDE: CALENDAR: PAGE 7 | VOICES: PAGE 8
FOR THE KIDS Enrollment begins for universal preschool P6