2024-04

Dreamy Alpine Homesite in Redstone

Elegance and Vast Views

The quaking aspen and lush gardens surrounding this elegant log home lend privacy and a ‘treehouse feel’. Situated to best enjoy vast views of the Crystal River Valley with Mt. Sopris looming to the north, this beautiful 3 bedroom, 3 bath home has been remodeled from end to end with high quality doors, windows, and finishes that include countless upscale features.

3 BD | 2.5 BA | 3,118 Sq Ft | Redstone, CO

$2,400,000 | MLS#: 182736

Dream home? Dream business? Or both?

A once in a lifetime opportunity to own the coveted ‘’Crystal Dreams B & B and Spa’’ with amazing Crystal River frontage and located smack dab in the middle of charming Redstone, CO. With architectural splendor throughout and 5 charming bedrooms all en suite, this completely unique and perfectly maintained property is waiting for the perfect person to call this treasure home...or business...or both.

5 BD | 4.5 BA | 3,535 Sq Ft | Redstone, CO

$1,600,000 - Pending | MLS#: 182922

Dreamy Alpine Homesite

30 gorgeous acres perched above historic Redstone, Colorado and bordering National Forest with panoramic Crystal Valley views and lush alpine meadows. Ready for your dream home with private well, buried utilities, and activity envelope in place. Just a short walk from the privacy offered by this parcel to Redstone’s charming shops, galleries, and restaurants. No HOA.

30 Acres | Redstone, CO

$975,000 | MLS#: 181543

Edie Engstrom

970.404.1123 edieengstrom@gmail.com

Mission Statement: To provide a voice for the residents of the Crystal River Valley; to bring attention to the individuals and local businesses that are the fabric of the Crystal Valley region; to contribute to the vitality of our small town life.

EDITOR AND ADVERTISING SALES

Gentrye Houghton gentryeh@hotmail.com

CONTRIBUTORS

DJ Sugar Monkey

DISTRIBUTION AND LAYOUT DESIGN

Ryan Kenney

The Crystal Valley Echo is published monthly, and is distributed throughout the Crystal Valley. NEWSPAPER BOX LOCATIONS: Third Street Center • Village Smithy Carbondale Post Office • Carbondale Park & Ride

The Marble Hub • Redstone General Store www.thecrystalvalleyecho.com

Echoes of Life

Daniel Thomas Waller

February 2, 1995 — March 20, 2024

Daniel Thomas Waller, age 29, of Roanoke, Ala., was called home to be with Jesus on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.

Survivors include his wife, Sonya Anne Waller of Roanoke, Ala.; two sons, Asher Daniel Waller and Asa Thomas Waller; his parents, Dan & Debbie Waller of Roanoke, Ala.; grandmother, Freddie Hill of Roanoke, Ala.; sister, Danalee “Madison” Waller of Mobile, Ala.; several aunts, uncles, and cousins; niece, Marley Kate Hand; in-loves, Stephanie and Eric Hand, Shannon Worley, and Phillip Kirk; parents-in-love, Billy and Susan Worley of Roanoke, Ala.; and grandmother-in-love, Ruth Baldwin of Roanoke, Ala.

A Tuscaloosa, Alabama native, Daniel was born on February 2, 1995, the son of Dan and Debbie Hill Waller. He was a member of Community Life Church in Roanoke, Ala., and The Church at Redstone in Redstone, Colo., and worked as an electrician for Floyd Service Co. in Auburn, Ala. Daniel was a family man, he loved his wife, his boys, his dog, his family, and his friends. He had the biggest heart and loved everyone he met. He also was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing, hunting, and the mountains. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Tommy Hill, Willis and Sue Waller, Rev. Ralph and Lera Worley, and Curtis Baldwin.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made to Community Life Church at 220 County Road 79, Roanoke, AL 36274.

Private services will be held at a later date.

On the Cover: RAF's Dinner Theater

Last month, the Redstone Art Foundation hosted a long-anticipated dinner and a movie at the Redstone Inn.

The Inn served a traditional Mexican dinner to approximately 40 attendees and decorated their dining room with flowers.

“We chose ‘Frida,’” said RAF President Frances Bogle, “an Oscar-winning movie, because Frida is an iconic artist with a very interesting and controversial life.”

The 2002 film, starring Salma Hayek as Frida and Alfred Molina, as her husband Diego Rivera, was adapted from the 1983 book Frida: A biography of Frida Kahlo by Hayden Herrera. The film is set in Mexico City, Mex., and depicts the bold and controversial life of artist Frida Kahlo.

Bogle shared that RAF plans to host a Dinner Theater one to two times next winter featuring art-related movies.

Pitkin County Sheriff's Office simplifies pet licensing

The Pitkin County Sheriff's Office has simplified its pet licensing program by partnering with DocuPet, a pet profile, lost pet, and licensing platform This collaboration modernizes and streamlines the pet licensing experience for pet owners and prioritizes the safety and well-being of pets in Pitkin County Visit pitkincounty docupet com to get a license

Rental

The Colorado Department of Local Affairs recently implemented a NEW Temporary Rental Assistance Grant Program Residents of Colorado who are currently renting but at risk of eviction due to a substantial life event may qualify Use your smartphone to scan the code and learn more

Apply for LEAP assistance before end of April

The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) is designed to help low-income households with their heating expense and water bills The LEAP program typically accepts applications from November through April annually Scan the code to apply

Senior property tax relief

Locally in Pitkin County, there is a tax relief program for lowand moderate-income older adults who are residents within the county Qualifications are dependent on annual income and the program is focused on those older adults with low and moderate incomes Scan the code, visit bit ly/2023pitkintax or call (970) 920-5432 to learn more.

Pitkin County Healthy Rivers and Streams on Aspen 82 SCAN TO WATCH: Pitkin County Commissioner Kelly McNicholas Kury talks about efforts to protect the Crystal River

Agreement Reached, New Phase Kicks Off in the Wild & Scenic Collaborative Process

A Press Release from the Crystal River Wild & Scenic and Other Alternatives Collaborative Steering Committee

The Crystal River Wild and Scenic and Other Alternatives Feasibility Collaborative Steering Committee has reached a consensus on a set of next steps for protecting community-held values on the Crystal River.

During a meeting on February 29th, the group reached a consensus on the next steps for three of the river potential protection tools for the upper Crystal River that were evaluated in a community stakeholder process. These potential protection tools include the use of an intergovernmental agreement, the exploration of a peaking instream flow right, and continued work to examine the feasibility of Wild and Scenic designation on the Crystal River. The consensus recommendation comes after a series of seven meetings in Marble and Carbondale, Colo., seven educational webinars with subject matter experts, two community summits, and a community survey.

The Crystal River Wild and Scenic and Other Alternatives Feasibility Collaborative Steering Committee was formed to identify shared values and principles for the protection of the upper Crystal River and is chaired by the Town of Marble, Gunnison and Pitkin Counties, and the Colorado River District. Alie Wettstein (Town of Marble) and Hattie Johnson (American Whitewater) provide administrative support

and Jacob Bornstein (Wellstone Strategies) and Wendy Green Lowe (P2P Solutions) serve as co-facilitators.

The Steering Committee is a stakeholder group made up of a robust and representative cross-section of interested parties that have been working to provide informed input, identify shared principles, and examine various approaches to river protection. The group is committed to continuing to participate in an inclusive process to move forward with the following recommendation:  “We recommend that the Town of Marble, Gunnison County, Pitkin County, and the Colorado River Water Conservation District support the formation of three subcommittees (each of which does not preclude the other protections being considered) representing the diversity of perspectives that have participated to date to continue the work initiated by the Steering Committee:

•  An Intergovernmental Agreement Subcommittee - composed of representation

of the local governments of jurisdiction within the proposed reach and interested Steering Committee members - to develop a draft intergovernmental agreement to memorialize a commitment to protecting the Crystal River against mainstem dams and trans-basin diversions.

• A Peaking Instream Flow Subcommittee - supported by the Colorado Water Conservation Board in collaboration with interested Steering Committee members, a potential recommendation entity (a potential entity to formally recommend the instream flow to the CWCB), and legal and technical experts from the local government entities – to draft a peaking instream flow to protect peak flows and prevent diversions of the free river.

• A Wild and Scenic Feasibility Subcommittee – including representation of diverse perspectives found within the Steering Committee and with the support of the ex officio members and

Independent, Local Journalism Needs Your Support!

We can’t do it without you. In an economic climate where many established news outlets continue to scale back or close, your support goes directly to writers living in the Crystal Valley!

technical advisers - to continue to endeavor to draft a proposal for a Crystal River Wild and Scenic package tailored to meet the specific needs and flexibility expressed by the Steering Committee for the Crystal River. This effort should include additional research as needed, continued outreach to local landowners and stakeholders, and an effort to learn from others who have had direct experience to ensure a Crystal River approach would build upon the lessons of previous efforts.”

The Steering Committee strives to respectfully listen to members with diverse perspectives and work collaboratively to reach agreement where possible.

A few words on behalf of the co-chairs:

“On behalf of myself and the Town of Marble, I want to offer our thanks to my fellow co-chairs and members of the Steering Committee for hanging in there and putting in the hard work necessary to reach a consensus on the way forward for this important work!”

— Ron Leach, Town of Marble.

“I really believe that by coming together as neighbors, representative stakeholders,

and elected officials, to discuss our shared values for the Crystal River, we made our community stronger, and laid a solid foundation for protecting our beloved river long into the future.”

— Kelly McNicholas Kury, Pitkin County Commissioner

Comments from steering committee members:

Michael Gorman, Campaign Director at Wilderness Workshop and member of the Steering Committee says he’s encouraged by the process. “I am impressed by the willingness of this group to come together and listen to each other’s concerns. That we reached a consensus among a group of diverse perspectives is a testament to our community’s love for the Crystal River and desire to see it protected in perpetuity. I look forward to working in the subcommittees and taking a deeper dive into what Wild and Scenic legislation could look like for the Crystal River while ensuring it represents the community’s values and concerns as we’ve identified.”

“It has been a joy for me to be a part of the steering committee and see our community come together and recognize our common interest in the Crystal River. I wholehearted-

ly support the group recommendations and look forward to seeing the work continue to establish thoughtful and lasting protections for the Crystal River.”

— Josh Vogt, Steering Committee member, and Marble resident.

“I look forward to working on drafting Wild and Scenic legislation that takes into account the concerns raised during this process. Since Wild and Scenic can be tailored for each community, hopefully, we can come up with legislation that protects the river and works for the people who live in the Crystal River Valley.”

— Wendy Boland, Steering Committee member, and Marble resident.

“I’ve seen a lot of changes in the Crystal Valley over the past few decades, but my experience being on this committee has proved to me one thing that hasn’t changed: Local passion for protecting the river. As climate and population growth keep putting more pressure on western rivers, we owe it to the Crystal to do everything we can to protect one of the last free-flowing rivers. The Committee has agreed to work on a number of river protection tools to do what we can in the shorter term while we continue working out a Wild and Scenic package”.

— Bill Argeros, Steering Committee member and Crystal River Caucus Vice-chair.

For the full text of recommendations, as well as more information, detailed meeting notes, and webinar recordings, visit thecrystalvalleyecho.com/wild-scenic-stakeholder.

Experience the Ultimate in Adventure: 5 Point Adventure Film Program Returns to Carbondale

The highly anticipated 17th Annual 5 Point Adventure Film Program is set to captivate audiences once again from April 24th - 28th, in Carbondale, Colo. This yearly event celebrates the spirit of adventure through inspiring films and engaging community events.

Thursday evening will feature New York Times bestselling author, Jedidiah Jenkins, as the host for opening night. The Saturday Changemakers program will bring professional rock climber and always entertaining personality, Timmy O’Neill, as host, and feature award-winning filmmaker Ben Knight’s new film, Mirasol, presented in collaboration with Aspen Valley Land Trust (AVLT).

Established in 2007 by the former owner of Climbing Magazine, Julie Kennedy, 5 Point Film is on a mission to inspire adventure of all kinds, connect generations through shared experience, engage passion with a conscience, and educate through film. Creating various events, including an annual five-day film festival in Carbondale, Colo., and several On The Road film events across the country, 5 Point Film continues to deliver a unique film experience by drawing in passionate athletes, artists, filmmakers, films, and the community around short documentary adventure films. 5 Point has also developed its educational resources, including the 5 Point Dream Project student scholarship program for local

high school students, and 5 Point Education Week bringing our program to 1,500 middle schoolers. Filmmaker development resources now include the 5 Point Film Fund which provides financial assistance for film projects, the Adventure Filmmaker Pitch Event, and Wading For Change BIPOC Filmmaker Grant.

Redstone

Senior Days

At the Redstone Inn

Redstone programs are open to all!

RSVP: (970) 920-5432

APRIL 9 & 30

• 12:00 p.m. – Lunch ($10)

RSVP by noon the Friday prior – space is limited. Plated lunch will be served. There will be a gluten-free option.

• 12:45 p.m. – Program

April 9: Know Your Trees

Bioregional Herbalist Sheehan Meagher will offer this program to identify and connect with the many medicinal native trees of the Aspen area.

April 30: Dental Care and Oral Health

Lisa Westhoff from Community Health’s “Smiles for Seniors” program will offer dental care appointments at the Inn beginning at 9:00 a.m. Call (970) 920-5420 to schedule. She’ll provide oral health education & answer questions after lunch.

WANT TO BE KEPT IN THE LOOP?

Send us your email address: (970) 920-5432 • seniors@pitkincounty.com

FesTival highlighTs

5 Point curates a reflective line-up of thought-leaders and influencers to lead panel discussions on topical subjects, trends, or events shaping the outdoor world and the culture around visual storytelling, as well as free community events and parties that connect with the essence of 5 Point.

arT exhiBiTions anD insTallaTions

The Festival kicks off with an art exhibition at the Launchpad featuring the works of renowned adventurer and filmmaker, Renan Ozturk, and artist and surfer Tre’Lan Michael, both of whom have films in this year’s

festival. Their artwork reflects their diverse backgrounds and creativity. Local artist Lara Whitley will be premiering an on-site installation at the Carbondale Rec Center. Nimbus reflects Lara’s interest in the recycling of materials and a renewable aesthetic in her work. Festival Artist Hugh McCormick, will showcase his unique visual style through a site-specific outdoor scene diorama at the Rec Center throughout the weekend.

Book reaDing: Mother, Nature By JeDiDiah Jenkins

Award-winning New York Times best-selling author and entrepreneur, Jedidiah Jenkins, will host a live book reading on Friday, April 26th at 11 a.m. at El Dorado. In his new book, Mother, Nature, Wilderness magazine editor Jenkins (To Shake the Sleeping Self) tackles his fraught relationship with his conservative mother in this affecting memoir.

DirTBag Diaries live PoDcasT

The original outdoor adventure podcast. Fitz Cahall, creator of the pioneering outdoor podcast the Dirtbag Diaries and co-founder of creative agency Duct Tape Then Beer will be joining 5 Point for a live recording of the influential podcast on Saturday, April 27th at 3:30 p.m. at El Dorado. The podcast is a collaboration between writers, photographers, artists, and listeners to produce the types of stories that rarely find homes in the glossy pages of magazines.

5 PoinT aFTer ParTy

Dance the night away at our Saturday After-Party featuring the electrifying band Rattlesnake Milk. Celebrate the spirit of community and camaraderie amidst a backdrop of pulsating rhythms and infectious energy. Tickets for the after-party are on sale now.

TiTle ParTner sTio PresenTs The 3rD annual aDvenTure Filmaker PiTch evenT

A central part of 5 Point’s mission is to nurture and support the next generation of adventure filmmakers. On Saturday, April 27th a jury will listen to five finalists present their projects for the chance to receive $15,000 and a festival premiere of their film in April 2025. This event is free and open to the public.

5 PoinT 5k

Independence Run & Hike along with ValleyOrtho host the second annual 5K at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 27th. The race starts and finishes at Independence Run & Hike located at 901 Hwy 133 in Carbondale. Pre-registration is available online, with race packet pick-up at the Festival Box Office at the Carbondale Rec Center, on April 25th and 26th. Day of registration takes place from 7:30-8:00 a.m. Entry fee is $10, free for Independence Pass Patrons. More details at www.5pointfilm.org

Spend Sunday, April 28th with your family watching a fantastic film program starting at noon, and top it off with a free scoop! Sundae Artisan Ice Cream will debut an exclusive new flavor - 5 Point Rocky Mountain Adventure! Sunday’s Family Film Program is “pay what you can”, free for children 12 and under.

5 PoinT DigiTal WalleT

Smart Media Technologies/FASTG8 has created a fan experience that provides the inside track to everything festival-related. 5 Point has partnered with local businesses for exclusive perks for festival goers. Vote for the People’s Choice Film and be automatically entered for a chance to win a Yeti cooler or the Take it Easy Giveaway - a fabulous trip for two to the 2025 Flagship Festival that includes VIP passes, airfare, and lodging courtesy of Carbondale Tourism.

5 PoinT gear giveaWay

Support our Film Fund and Education Initiatives by entering for a chance to win the latest gear from our wonderful partners: Revel Bikes, NRS, Stio, Yeti, Strafe Outerwear, Kahtoola, and more. Grand prizes are valued at over $5,000.

FesTival Film highlighTs

“Slides on the Mountain”

Slides on the Mountain follows Talon (17) and Riki (15), two brothers from the Lil’wat Nation, as they decide to ski Ts’zil and set off to learn the skills they need to ride the mountain safely. Their unique personalities shine as we follow them through the winter while their mentors and Lil'wat elders shed

light on why it's so significant for Lil’wat youth to be able to experience the mountains so deeply entrenched in their culture.

“Moving Mountains”

Tre'lan, a young, Black man from Tulsa, seeks a new life and travels to a remote Hawaiian island, finding peace, for the first time, through a connection to nature, and finding meaning, through a newfound love of the ocean & big wave surfing. What seems a pointless pursuit to most, now serves as his anchor in all of life’s challenges.

“Mirasol, Looking at the Sun”

Water is a finite resource — and an essential one. For farmers, it’s everything. In this poignant new film, award-winning filmmaker Ben Knight challenges us to think about land and water use in the West through an intimate portrait of a rural farming community in Pueblo, Colorado as they fight to protect their water and land, and in turn, their culture and livelihood. Presented by Aspen Valley Land Trust.

“Beyond Normal”

In this intimate portrayal of resilience and self-discovery, professional surfer Becca Speak battles to reclaim her identity and return to the waves after a devastating brain injury suffered during a competition.

“Three Grant Recipient Films will also Premier During the Festival”

These films were generously supported by

NRS, STIO, and Fat Tire and promise to push the boundaries of storytelling and showcase the indomitable spirit of adventure.

FesTival aWarDs

This year each film award winner will receive a $500 prize courtesy of festival partner Hence Creative. Hence is proud to support the 5 Point Film Festival and believes in the power of impactful storytelling.

neW WeBsiTe launch

To enhance the attendee experience, we are thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new website, providing easy access to event schedules, film descriptions, purchasing tickets, and more. Visit www.5pointfilm.org to explore all the exciting new features.

ProuD reciPienT oF Dola aWarD From nPi granT

We are honored to announce that 5 Point has been selected as a recipient of the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) Award from the Nonprofit Infrastructure (NPI) Grant. This award enabled 5 Point to update its branding, launch a new website, and will help carry it forward into the next decade.

“The spirit of 5 Point has always been centered on building community and we are once again thrilled to offer audience experiences that go beyond the medium of film,” said 5 Point Film Executive Director, Luis Yllanes. “We are truly excited about the quality of the film programming that reflects even more diverse story-telling, subject matter, and filmmaker talent. We can’t wait to welcome our 5 Point audience together again.”

TickeTs anD FesTival Passes

Tickets and passes are now on sale. Pass prices begin at $380. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening tickets are $50 each. The Changemakers program on Saturday morning is $35. Sunday’s Family Film Program is still “pay what you can,” and free for children 12 and under. Visit www.5pointfilm.org

Redstone Historical Society's Vintage Valley: "American Greed" in Redstone

By Sue McEvoy Strong

Originally published in the March 2012 edition of The Crystal Valley Echo.

It could be said that Redstone’s most famous landmark, the Redstone Castle, is also its most infamous. The Castle, or Cleveholm Manor, was built by the town’s founder, John Cleveland Osgood, as a private home and a showpiece for his model company town.

However, since Osgood’s death in 1926, the castle has endured a dozen different owners, multiple foreclosures, three

All content sponsored and provided by the Redstone Historical Society.

auctions, and a seizure by the IRS. It is the Ponzi scheme leading up to the Internal Revenue Service's seizure in 2003 that is the focus of an episode of American Greed, a program that airs on CNBC.

On November 21, 2011, American Greed producer, John Pappas, accompanied by a small film crew came to Redstone to interview former castle manager Cynthia (Cyd) Lange. She managed the Castle for 14 years during its heyday as a site for weddings, special events, and a Bed & Breakfast.

With permission from the owner Ralli Dimitrius, a several-hour interview took place inside the Castle. Lange explained her role as long-time Castle manager and also how she fell victim to the Ponzi scheme perpetrated by then-owner Leon Harte.

At the height of the "Dot-Com" bubble, Harte purchased the castle at auction in 2000 for $6 million cash. Following a two-year IRS investigation, the castle was seized by the IRS in 2003. They also seized 60 bank accounts, eight NASCAR race cars (several were stored in the nearby Castle barn), and other cash and property.

Investigators said that from 1999-2003, those behind the investment scheme misrepresented it as being high-yield and low-risk, and used proceeds for purposes different from what had been promised to investors.

“I think this should hopefully send a clear warning to the public that there is no such thing as a risk-free investment; that if you can’t afford to lose it, don’t invest it, and that’s it in a nutshell,” said John Harrison, Special Agent/Criminal Investigator at the IRS-Criminal Investigation Division.

Harte, who resided in the Castle, was the onsite face of the Ponzi scheme and Norman Eugene Schmidt appeared to be the mastermind behind the $56 million fraud scheme. In 2004, just two weeks before they were to be indicted, 48-year-old Harte died of a heart attack; two weeks later, Schmidt was indicted. In 2007, following a six-week trial in the U.S. District Court, Schmidt was convicted of 37 felony counts, including conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud, securities fraud, and money laundering. He was sentenced to 330 years in federal prison.

[At the time of original publication,] American Greed was in its sixth season and rated CNBC’s highest primetime series. Each episode profiles cases of financial fraud, corporate crime, insurance fraud, identity theft, or

murder.

According to Pappas, of Kurtis Productions, producers of the series for CNBC, they learned of the scheme involving the Castle from a cellmate of another con man they'd profiled earlier in the season. "When I heard about the Castle and how much money was involved, it practically wrote itself,” he said.

A native of Colorado, Pappas was not familiar with the Crystal Valley until the interview brought him to Redstone. “Overall I was blown away by the grandeur and exquisite attention to detail at the Castle. After a hundred years, it looks as though it hasn’t aged a day,” he said.

American Greed's episode 8 of season 6 "Loan Scam: Money for Nothing," detailing the fraud scheme involving Redstone Castle, aired on Wednesday, March 21, 2012.

Author Sue McEvoy Strong, 1958-2019, was a prolific writer for The Crystal Valley Echo, manager-caretaker of the Redstone Castle through several owners, and the secretary of the Redstone Historical Society. She also was a Pilates instructor, an expert skier, and the Nepal trip leader for Global Dental's volunteer dental program.

Redstone Historical Society Note: An audio version updated in 2017 is available on YouTube and can be found by Googling "American greed Norman Schmidt." By press time, we have been unable to locate the original 2012 video version.

Town of Marble Board of Trustees: March 7th Meeting Recap

An Account from DJ Sugar Monkey

The sound of laughter greeted me as I arrived at the Marble Community Church Fellowship Hall for March's Town Council meeting. A jovial “El Tel” Langley and soon-to-be stepping-down Trustee Larry Good were tittering over a sermon delivered the previous Sunday by Church Pastor Mike MacKenzie on the “meaning of circumcision.”

Wincing, I took a seat behind Town Administrator Ron Leach adorned with one of his favorite baseball caps, a fetching navy blue Grateful Dead number with turquoise stitching. The meeting was sparsely attended; only five of Marble’s most stalwart residents, Sue Blue, Paul Wahlbrink, Dustin Wilkey, Richard Wells, and myself had turned up.

By contrast, all Board members were present. From left to right: Emma Bielski, Mayor Ryan Vinciguerra, Larry Good, Amber McMahill, and Tony Petrocco. This would be the second to last outing for Trustees Bielski, Good, and perhaps Vinciguerra or Petrocco depending on who emerges as victor in the mayoral election on April 2nd. Whatever combination of Board members remain when sworn in in May, they will be joined by a newly appointed Councilman Dustin Wilkey, who is uncontested in April's election.

The meeting began five minutes past the hour, a cheerful and welcoming Mayor Vinciguerra expressing his thanks to the people of Marble for creating such a vibrant and bustling community, further expressing his gratitude for a busy and trouble-free winter season. The consent agenda was passed without resistance, following which Ron Leach reported on the 2024 Election procedure. The results will be out on the evening of April 2nd and posted on the notice board outside The Marble Hub. The new Board of three, including the Mayor, will be sworn in during the regular Town meeting scheduled for May 2nd with an additional two trustees to be appointed thereafter.

The topic then switched to the Public Hearing of the Beaver Lake Lodge liquor license application. Larry Good presented the case for his establishment, reassuring those present that the license was only being sought to lubricate special events

The Marble Town Council meets on the 1st Thursday of each month starting at 7 p.m. in the Marble Community Church’s Fellowship Hall.

Town of Marble meetings are open to the public.

such as his popular Songwriter and Storyteller nights and would allow the Lodge’s guests to enjoy social evenings together.

He made it clear that he was not looking to establish a permanent bar for walk-ins or for the arrangement in any way to become a “free-for-all all.” After some questioning by Chief Inquisitor Dustin Wilkey on the likely evolution of the Lodge’s business, Good, sporting a preppy new haircut and looking youthful in a combination of a lightweight hooded gray sweatshirt and dark jeans, became slightly resistant to the unrelenting but well-intentioned Wilkey, insisting that he would be serving only beer or wine to his guests. There were to be no kegs on the premises, nor was he planning to put up a neon sign, and he had not been expecting such a “technical” cross-examination. He summed up the situation stating that he had no malicious motives, rather he simply wanted “to expand the services the Beaver Lake Lodge offers to its guests.”

An insistent Wilkey (“I just like transparency”) pushed Good on where he would likely channel his profits. “Back into the business,” came the response. Observing the escalation at hand, Leach stepped into his role as peacekeeper to offer his assurance that the Liquor License would, in any case, have to be renewed annually and that Beaver Lake Lodge was a fine establishment with a classy pedigree. A rather subdued Tony Petrocco with a trendy Beatle-esque hairdo then asked about the impact the license would have on the parking situation around the Lodge, to which Good replied, “None.” The application was passed unanimously, with a reminder from Leach that State processing of the applica-

tion might take some time.

Amber McMahill then took to the floor to present Jyoti’s Seeds for Change 501c3 Farm Campus Plan, on behalf of Karen Good, who runs the Beaver Lake Lodge with her husband (and soon-to-be ex-Trustee) Larry. McMahill presented Karen’s preliminary plans to place a prefabricated “Freight Farm” on her property butting up to East Third Street to grow greens, lettuce, and herbs, all housed in two shipping containers. The project will be funded by the foundation named after her late mentor and friend (Jyoti) with whom she (Karen) had worked extensively on projects in Hawaii.

Eventually, “Freight Farm” is expected to cover its costs with the establishment of a CSA program and an educational partnership will be explored with the Marble Charter School. Neighbors were assured by McMahill that the two containers — one consisting of the farm itself, the other comprising a kitchen and accommodations — will be aesthetically sheathed to ensure it does not appear as an eyesore. McMahill, responding to several questions from the floor, stated “I have a hard time seeing the cons of this (plan).” I got the impression that everyone present agreed that this would be an exciting development for the town.

In what must come as a great relief to Wilkey and his wife Samantha, an Ordinance (#2024-1) was then approved allowing for Residential use in a Business zone. The ordinance will allow the couple to run their long-standing Crystal River Jeep Tours business from the same location as their home, the construction of which can now continue

2024 Meeting Schedule April 4th May 2nd June 6th

County Cares

County Cares

in earnest. Mayor Vinciguerra voiced his support for the ordinance, saying that it was all but impossible to go into business in Marble and shoulder the costs of a mortgage without a zoning infrastructure allowing for mixed-use. Kudos to the Wilkeys for their patience in this process and to Ron Leach and his administrative team for their hard work in seeing this challenging process through to its conclusion.

In a short Parks Committee report, Richard Wells offered us all assurance that the population of gnomes amassed at Treasure Falls was not showing any sign of further expansion and that the Mill Site Park stood at the ready for any future offensive should the Enchanted Army launch a more ambitious “land grab.”

The next meeting of the Town of Marble Board of Trustees will be held on Thursday, April 4th at 7 p.m. in the Marble Community Church Fellowship Hall.

DJ Sugar Monkey is the host of “Snack Time” every other Thursday afternoon from 12-2 p.m. The music show features mostly jazz with a mix of funk and, according to DJ Sugar Monkey, a "smattering of world music thrown in, mostly from Africa." You can find him on KDNK (88.1 FM), Carbondale’s public access radio that connects community members and the world.

THE MARBLE TIMES

THE MARBLE CHARTER SCHOOL

MCS Names New Director

Dear MCS and the Crystal Valley Community,

The MCS Hiring Committee is excited to share that Sam Richings-Germain has accepted the position of Director at MCS for next year!

A big thank you to our hiring committee for all their volunteer work through this process.

The MCS Board, Staff, and Sam are developing a transition plan. We will ensure she has the opportunity to shadow current employees and learn about MCS, our staff, and our students. This transition plan will be developed in conjunction with families to focus on long-term success of the school.

a FeW WorDs From sam richings-germain:

I am honored to introduce myself to the MCS community and to serve as the new school director of the Marble Charter School. I have nine years of experience in school administration.  For the last seven years, I have served as the principal of  Carbondale Community School, a small, K-8, district-authorized charter school, similar to MCS. For two years, I was also the assistant

principal of Crystal River Elementary School. I lived in Fort Collins for many years before moving to the Roaring Fork Valley in 2015. Prior to moving into school leadership, I taught elementary and middle school students, plus anthropology and archaeology at Front Range Community College.

As a school leader, I have focused my efforts on fostering a positive school culture and promoting effective and engaging teaching and learning. I believe strongly that supportive relationships and open communication are integral to a positive school culture. Additionally, I am relentlessly devoted to ensuring a successful school experience for each and every MCS student by empowering teachers to prepare, support, and inspire their students. I look forward to being a part of the school's devoted staff and supportive MCS community.

I am so grateful to live in Marble with my husband, Jeff. I have two adult children who live in the Roaring Fork Valley and a cat. I love to camp, hike, mountain bike, ski, garden, and to simply enjoy living in Marble and the great state of Colorado.

I look forward to getting to know you all better and to answer any questions that you may have about my leadership experience and transition to MCS.

Courage and Loyalty

By Elsie M, Grade 7

The book Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson follows a pair of siblings, Homer and Ada, on their quest for freedom. Along the way they overcome many challenges and meet many runaways. Their heroism saves many slaves from their captivity, including their mother and a good friend Anna. They bring them to Freewater, a place where runaways work together to live in the untamed swamp. Many of the characters demonstrate courage and loyalty even though the odds are stacked against them.

Freewater starts with Homer and Ada being chased by dogs through the forest. They ran from the dogs, but they were quickly outrun as one of the dogs bit Homer in the ankle. He kicked the dog in the head, grabbed Ada and ran. Their mother had told them that there was a river nearby. Homer realized that that was their only chance of escaping even though they didn't know how to swim. They jumped in. Homer thrashed around trying to resurface and was about to give up when he felt his sister pass by in the current. His loyalty to his sister gave him the courage to push through and save them both. In this small part of the book, Homer shows a lot of courage and loyalty.

Sanzi is an adventurous girl who wants to grow up to be exactly like Suleman. She dreams of leaving Freewater to steal tools and other supplies from plantations. She was born in Freewater, so she knows nothing of the hardships and suffering of slavery. She only knows of what the adults of Freewater have told her. There are only a few kids her age in Freewater. Billy is her timid best friend. Juna is her older sister who takes after her mom. Homer and Ada are new to Freewater. Her mom is a herbalist and her dad works with Suleman and the others to steal supplies.

Ferdinand is her rival who is known in Freewater for his knife that he stole on his way out of his plantation. It is like an extension of his hand. Ferdinand stole Sanzi’s bow, which is very valuable to her. To get revenge on him, she stole his knife and  buried it in the cornfield. A few days later Sanzi accidentally started a fire in the corn fields. Instead of running away, she warned the sleeping town of the increasing threat. She and the other

kids were told to stay away from the main fire and beat down the smaller ones while the adults tried to tame the other fire. Sanzi listened at first, but then she remembered that she had buried Ferdinand's knife where the big fire was. She courageously ran to where she thought it was buried as the fire was quickly advancing. She moved from place to place, digging and failing to find his knife. Suddenly Billy appeared out of the smoke. He tried to convince her to go, but her mind was fixed on finding his knife. She finally found it, but accidentally dropped it into the flames.

It was Homer and Ferdinand. They yelled at Billy and Sanzi to get to safety. Sanzi screamed and fell to her knees. Ferdinand picked her up and carried her out of danger. She bravely apologized to him for losing his knife. In this scene, she displayed loyalty to Ferdinand and showed a lot of courage by going into the fire without hesitation.

Ferdinand also showed loyalty and courage when saving Sanzi.

At one point in the book, Sanzi and Ferdinand were fighting in the woods when they heard a scream. They forgot everything to go and help. “The two encountered three wild pigs Snorting and squealing around Ada, who in terror had rolled herself into a ball … Sanzi let out a howl and charged…” As soon as they heard someone in trouble they ran to their rescue, selflessly throwing themselves into danger.

Homer found a map back to Freewater. He was committed to going back to get his mom and friend Anna. He told his friends about it. The fire returned, and in the midst of the chaos, Homer got ready to go. He was about to start on his journey when he ran into Sanzi. She convinced him to let her come. Soon Homer, Sanzi, Ferdinand, Juna and Ada were on the sky bridge lugging the boat into the swamp. This is a huge demonstration of courage and loyalty. Homer was loyal to his mother and to Anna. He was also demonstrating courage by leaving the safety of Freewater. The rest of them were showing loyalty to Homer by going with him even though it had no benefit for themselves.

Once they had made it through the swamp, Homer went into the plantation to find Rose and Anna. Soon he was stuck in the plantation. The others went to look for him and their friends worked together to free all the slaves of Southerland and bring them back through the swamp into the safety of Freewater.

"Courage to me is doing something daring, no matter how afraid, insecure, intimidated, alone, unworthy, incapable, ridiculed or whatever other paralyzing emotion you might feel. Courage is taking action….no matter what. So you're afraid? Be afraid. Be scared silly to the point you're trembling and nauseous, but do it anyway!" ― Richelle E. Goodrich.

The book Freewater showed many examples of courage and loyalty through thick and thin. “It gives me strength to have somebody to fight for; I can never fight for myself, but, for others, I can kill.” This quote by Emilie Autumn is about doing a courageous deed that you wouldn't do for yourself, but you would do for someone you are loyal to. Through everything the characters in Freewater were committed to family and friends even when they were scared silly. This book taught me about the extent of courage that can be shown for loyalty.

Exploring Winter Weather with ACES

Provided by Jaime Fiske and the Kinder First Graders

Written content created with help from ChatGPT.

Marble Charter School's kindergarten and first-grade students recently embarked on an exciting winter weather exploration program organized by Miss Jaime and Director Miss Gina in collaboration with the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES). Aimed at enhancing their understanding of the water curriculum, the initiative proved to be an engaging and educational experience for the young learners.

Under the guidance of experienced educators and environmental experts, the students delved into the mysteries of winter weather, with a particular focus on the effects of sunlight on Earth's surface. In the Spring conditions, the eager participants observed firsthand how the sun influences the structure of snow, gaining valuable insights into the dynamics of their winter environment.

One highlight of the program involved a hands-on activity challenging the students to design and construct structures for cotton ball baby mice in order to keep them warm from the cold

"This program not only provides an opportunity for students to connect with nature but also reinforces key concepts from our water curriculum in a tangible and memorable way," remarked Miss Jaime. "It's incredible to see the enthusiasm and curiosity these young minds bring to their exploration of the natural world."

Aligned with educational standards, including K-PS3-1 and K-PS3-2, the winter weather exploration program at Marble Charter School underscores the school's commitment to providing students with immersive and interdisciplinary learning experiences that extend beyond the confines of the classroom. Through partnerships with organizations like ACES, the school continues to empower students to become stewards of the environment while fostering a deep appreciation for the world around them.

As the students return from their winter weather adventure, their hearts and minds filled with newfound knowledge and appreciation for the wonders of the natural world, one thing is clear: the journey of exploration has only just begun.

Mike Kennedy, Broker/Owner 970-379-3907

mikekennedy@sopris.net ColoradoHomesRanches.com

Echo Travels

This photograph was submitted by Leo Langston, who has been in the Crystal Valley since 1969. He says,“This picture was taken while diving the C53 ship wreck doing our safety stop in Cozumel, Mexico. We currently are gypsies in Marble, Colo., and Cozumel, Mex.”

Submit your photograph for “Echo Travels” to gentryeh@hotmail.com