2024-12

RHS Hosts Fireside Chat at Redstone Inn

From Becky Trembly

The Redstone Historical Society invites you to another Fireside Chat on Monday, December 9th, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Redstone Inn. Our guest is local author Larry Meredith, who will be interviewed by his daughter, Suzy Meredith-Orr, a Carbondale librarian.

Please join us for a lovely evening as they unfold Larry’s process in developing the plot for his historical novel, This Cursed Valley. Many have already read his epic tale of the first pioneers to inhabit the Crystal River Valley and beyond, and now we can join the author in discovering the facts that led to the creation of this story.

Should we be so lucky, perhaps he may reveal exactly where Owl Point is located.

The Meredith family’s roots in the Crystal Valley date back for over 80 years; Larry Meredith has been coming to this area since the 40s as a child and then has had a home in Redstone since 1970. We have benefited greatly from Meredith's articles in our local newspapers emphasizing the role of the original people who have lived here from the beginning and detailing the development of the small Colorado towns settled via prospecting, mining, ranching, and supporting the railroads.

For more information, contact the Redstone Historical Society at historyredstone@gmail.com or call the Redstone Inn at (970) 963-2526; donations are encouraged.

If you have yet to read Meredith’s harrowing tale, pick up a copy of This Cursed Valley at White River Books in Carbondale. Are you interested in a signed copy? Meredith will sign books on December 9th, and copies will be available to purchase during the event.

The All Coloradans program

The new law helps children and pregnant people get health coverage, no matter what their immigration status is. This law helps all qualifying children and pregnant people see a doctor and get care when they need it Contact the Pitkin County Economic assistance to learn more

Apply for LEAP assistance now

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

Pitkin County unveils community compass tool for navigating substance use recovery

Pitkin County Public Health, with support from the City of Aspen, is excited to announce Community Compass, a new, online navigation tool available to the public that was created as part of the Region 5 Opioid Abatement Council’s 2022-2024 initiatives

Food Sites in the Roaring Fork Valley Pitkin County Human Services would like to remind everyone about food assistance options available in our valley This document has a list of food distribution sites, farmers markets, WIC retailers, and SNAP approved vendors The list is updated regularly https://bit ly/44E1GDz

Citizen Board Vacancies - Planning & Zoning Commission

www pitkincounty com/citizenboards

The Planning & Zoning Commission is looking for volunteers to fill a vacancy . Submit your application at www pitkincounty com/citizenboards by 5:00 PM on Monday, December 2, 2024

Hazmat IncIdent near marble

By Gentrye Houghton

Late in the morning on the ides of November, many Crystal Valley residents received an alarming alert. A Pitkin County Alert stated that due to a Hazmat incident residents of Evergreen Lane, just outside of Marble, Colo., should evacuate immediately. Those residing on Nub Street, Gulch Way, Alpine Street, and Aspen Street were being asked to shelter in place.

A Ferrellgas tanker transporting liquid propane went

off the road along Gunnison County Road 3, near the Highway 133 turn-off, toward the Crystal River. As luck would have it, pine trees caught the tanker and kept it from taking a dunk into the river. Although the driver and her dogs walked away from the incident, a valve had been broken on the truck.

Initially, the Colorado State Patrol HazMat and Carbondale and Rural Fire Protection District (CRFPD) evaluated the scene and determined that the safest and most efficient way to handle the removal of the truck and propane was to allow the propane to vaporize and dissipate naturally. The truck could be extracted from the hillside only once the propane had been emptied from the tank, a process that was anticipated to take seven days. CRFPD stayed on the scene and continued to update the community on their social media pages.

Due to this incident, the Marble Community Thanksgiving meal was postponed, and several residents gathered to feed members of the tanker rescue crew at the Marble Community Church on Saturday, November 16th. Lise Hornbach told The Crystal Valley Echo that they had about 22 people come to the church that Saturday.

Pastor Mike Mackenzie was elated that some of the crew also came down to the church for the Community Thanksgiving event on Sunday, November 17th "They thoroughly enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal and getting to visit. We are glad we could provide some hospitality for them," he said.

However, according to the Gunnison County Press Release on November 17th, “The Colorado State Patrol HazMat Team has determined the safest way to resolve this incident is to have a specially trained technician repair the broken valve on the propane truck.”

The repair took place on the following day, and the tanker was successfully removed from the hillside.

CRFPD would like to remind Crystal Valley residents to sign up for Pitkin County Alerts by visiting www.pitkinalert.org. “Even if they live in Gunnison County, sign up for Pitkin County Alerts,” said Deputy Chief - Admin Jenny Cutright with CRFPD, “but Pitkin County Regional Dispatch Center takes the 9-1-1 calls for residents in the Crystal River Valley, and that is the dispatch center we are working with when we are in that part of the fire district.

Forest Service Approves Daniel’s Hill Parking Area Near Marble

Last month, the White River National Forest approved plans to build a parking area to help address congestion and other issues related to recreational use of the Lead King Loop and the nearby Crystal Mill near Marble, Colo.

“Congestion and safety issues from visitors parking illegally in this area is an increasing problem that we have been working with the Town of Marble, Gunnison County, and other stakeholders to address proactively,” said Jennifer Schuller, Aspen-Sopris Deputy District Ranger.

A stakeholder group formed by the Town of Marble, Gunnison County, and the White River National Forest developed a series of recommendations for managing the area, which included building a parking area at Daniel’s Hill in Marble. A public meeting was held in August and the final decision over the parking area was released in mid-November.

BackgRound

Daniels Hill is a parking area used for the Lead King Loop, a summer and winter recreation route. This area is a popular recreational spot for hikers and runners, OHV use, jeep tours, snowmobiling, horseback riding, and backcountry skiing.

The current condition has many issues with the public parking

on private property, blocking driveways, and parking along the road creating traffic flow issues and damaging natural resources. With the year-round concerns of this area, Gunnison County, the White River National Forest, and the Town of Marble convened a collaborative stakeholder group to provide recommendations for the management direction of the Lead King Loop and surrounding areas.

The convening entities partnered with Western Colorado University’s Center for Public Lands (the Center) to provide skilled, neutral facilitation of the Lead King Loop stakeholder process. Between December 2021 and June 2022, the Center organized and facilitated four stakeholder workshops and three public listening sessions attended by 123 members of the public. The Center also conducted a community survey.

The stakeholder group provided the consensus-based recommendations that Gunnison County and Aspen-Sopris Ranger District should explore, develop, and plan to establish parking spots, landscaping, signage, From the United States Forest Service

Redstone

Senior Days

At the Redstone Inn

Redstone programs are open to all! RSVP: (970) 920-5432

DECEMBER 17

• 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

Holiday Music with Tom & Julie Paxton

Professional musicians and music teachers

Tom and Julie Paxton have performed together in the Dickens Carolers for over thirty years. Join them to hear some of your favorite holiday tunes.

WANT TO BE KEPT IN THE LOOP?

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

turnaround options, and facilities (e.g., bathrooms, trashcans, kiosks) on land adjacent to County Road 3 at the base of Daniels Hill. It is also recommended the Forest Service implement signage clarifying where it is legal and illegal to park at the base of Daniels Hill. Finally, Gunnison County and the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District should work closely with residents local to Daniels Hill during parking planning, especially regarding environmental concerns. The full recommendations from the stakeholder group may be viewed by visiting www.thecrystalvalleyecho.com

PuRPose and need

In response to local concerns, the purpose of this project is to provide an adequate parking lot, turn-around area, and informational signage for public recreators on the Lead King Loop. There is a need to improve traffic flow by providing a large enough turnaround area for tractor-trailers and unequipped vehicles to turn around before reaching or attempting to reach FS 315. There is also a need to prevent public parking on private land, blocking pri-

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!

Considering signing up for a subscription, $60 for print or $35 for digital, or making a monetary contribution online or by sending a check to

The Crystal Valley Echo

364 Redstone Blvd., Redstone, CO 81623 www.thecrystalvalleyecho.com

flagged with intermittent closures as necessary.

CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION

vate driveways, and illegally parking along the road. Informational signage is needed to inform recreators and designate legal parking to lessen impacts on soils and vegetation from illegal parking.

daniel’s Hill PaRking aRea

Based on resource information gathered to date, it is anticipated that this project falls within a Forest Service category of actions under 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 220.6 that may be excluded from further documentation in either an Environmental Assessment or an Environmental Impact Statement. Scoping comments, along with complete resource analysis, will determine whether this project can be categorically excluded. The proposed project is consistent with category 36 CFR § 220.6(e)(22):

The project will grade a section of USFS land adjacent to CR3 that will level an area to allow a turning radius of at least 80 feet adjacent to CR3. Heavy equipment will be used to grade the area. The road will remain open but

Construction, reconstruction, decommissioning, or disposal of buildings, infrastructure, or improvements at an existing recreation site, including infrastructure or improvements that are adjacent or connected to an existing recreation site and provide access or utilities for that site. Recreation sites include but are not limited to campgrounds and camping areas, picnic areas, day use areas, fishing sites, interpretive sites, visitor centers, trailheads, ski areas, and observation sites. Activities within this category are intended to apply to facilities located at recreation sites managed by the Forest Service and those managed by concessioners under a special use authorization.

The proposed parking area would accommodate approximately 9-15 vehicles to meet current and anticipated future demand. The 80-foot turning radius would provide vehicles with trailers with a large enough area to turn around. Trailers will not be allowed to park in this area from May 21st – November , except in specific spots to be used by a special use permittee for parking a horse trailer.

The area is relatively flat, and some trees must be removed. A layer of base gravel will be applied and compacted. Then a second layer of surfacing gravel will be applied and compacted. Forest boundary signs will be installed at the forest boundaries up and down the parking area to notify visitors of the forest/private land boundary along the parking area. Signage clarifying where it is legal and illegal to park will also be added.

“We will evaluate how the parking system works and may adjust management in the future,” Schuller said.

The parking area will be constructed in partnership with Gunnison County. Work is anticipated to begin next spring.

More information is available by visiting www.fs.usda.gov/ project/whiteriver/?project=65794

ron's rInk seeks Volunteers

By Gentrye Houghton

“Have you seen the new sign? Michael made it!” Rob Hunker told this reporter back in March of 2021, as he filled me in on the new Redstone skating rink dedication. The rink was dedicated as “Ron’s Rink” to honor Ron Phaneuf for the massive amount of time and care he donated annually for the popular winter activity, but Phaneuf began passing along the torch to Jake Marine a couple of years ago.

Lisa Wagner, who formerly owned Crystal Dreams Bed & Breakfast next to Propaganda Pie, contacted Michael Askew, former owner of the Redstone Art Gallary, in the spring of 2020 about creating a sign to commemorate the rink’s founders as well as the massive effort by Phaneuf to construct, maintain, and tear down the rink every season. The sign was installed on the warming shed in March of 2021.

“The idea for the rink was originated by Stepha-

nie Askew and Janette Bier in November 2013,” Phaneuf told The Crystal Valley Echo, “They obtained skates, and obtained permission from Open Space and Trails to use the site for that purpose.”

Phaneuf continued, “Ivo Bensch was enlisted to design the rink structure and purchase needed supplies, and a group of us local volunteers was organized to build the support structure. Gary Nelson, who was remodeling the Franke house, at the time, helped us to level the site. That winter, I helped Bensch to set up and maintain the rink and gradually assumed more responsibility for it in subsequent years since I was retired and had more free time.”

Jake Marine began stepping into some of the roles of responsibilities a couple of years ago as the progression of a terminal illness began to render Phaneuf less and less physically fit to handle the demands of the rink’s construction and maintenance.

When Pitkin County updated Redstone Park, a few trees were removed which allowed the size of the rink to grow. Last year, Marine approached Pitkin County regarding financial aid for the rink’s necessary supplies. With the County’s backing, he was able to purchase a new, larger liner for the rink as well as a little bit of lumber and some new snow shovels. Although the County contributed last year, the rink is primarily funded by donations from those

From

Dress warmly and plan for a magical day as you shop from 40+ local artists wares under tents along side Redstone businesses.

Listen to carollers, warm up by the fire pits and enjoy food and drinks specials. Santa will be visiting from 12-2pm at the Redstone Cliffs.

Parking available at Elk Park and the Redstone Inn. A free shuttle runs up and down the boulevard for those that need assistance. Some artists may not accept credit cards; bring cash. ATMs are available.

who enjoy the use of the skating rink. Maintenance, partially clearing snow from the ice once the rink opens, is performed by community volunteers. Many of those volunteers have stepped away from their responsibilities for various reasons since Phaneuf’s passing last year.

The rink itself is typically open for three full months, December through February, but sometimes longer or shorter as the weather allows. Skating usually subsides by early March due to warm daytime temperatures; this is caused by an increase in the strength of the sun that softens and melts the ice and creates poor skating conditions, which renders maintenance nearly impossible.

If you enjoy this winter activity, consider giving a little of your time to the community for shoveling or drop a donation into the box located on the warming shed, just under the rink dedication. To be added to the tiny pool of volunteers, you may reach out to Jake Marine at (563) 299-3268.

letter to tHe edItor

YES to a Redstone Cell Tower

For The Crystal Valley Echo,

Having learned that the Redstone Water and Sanitation Board has been approached by [a company requesting] to place a cell tower in Redstone, I add my voice to YES.

I have lived just outside town along the Crystal [River] for 40 peaceful years, with only electricity and a landline phone (party line in the early days!). Redstone’s [slogan] for many years was “A Step Back in Time.”

Recently, my situation has changed. This fall, my landline went out twice. Each time, it took a couple of hours (using the phone at the Redstone Inn) to reach Century Link. Then, two weeks for the service repair to come.

Century Link is the only provider here and is no longer very reliable.

My landline is the only connection to the outside world for emergencies. With a tower, my cell phone would work at my house.

I live alone and at 89 hope to have my remaining days in my home.

Thank you for considering my wishes,

Carolyn Kauffman Redstone

** Editor’s note:  As Kauffman does not own a computer, this handwritten letter has been reproduced at the author’s request.

Town of Marble Board of Trustees' November Meeting Recap

An Account from DJ Sugar Monkey

A few minutes ahead of the scheduled start time of 6 p.m., I stepped out of the cold into the warm embrace of the Marble Community Church Fellowship Hall. Unwaveringly punctual, Councilman Dustin Wilkey sat in his usual spot at the end of the row behind his red metallic can of chosen soda pop.

He looked dapper and ready for business in a turquoise collarless shirt adorned with thick black suspenders. The look reminded me a little of Gordon Gecko, the unscrupulous speculator played by Michael Douglas in the 1987 Oliver Stone movie Wall Street. Douglas of course sported a greased-back mane for the role, in contrast to Wilkey’s ruffled “bed head” style barnet; a nod perhaps to the 2010 Wall Street sequel Money Never Sleeps

The rest of the Board arrived in dribs and drabs. Treasurer Amy Rusby (pictured) dazzled in a black, white, and gray knitted en-

The Marble Town Council meets on the 1st Thursday of each month starting at 6 p.m. in the Marble Community Church’s Fellowship Hall.

Town of Marble meetings are open to the public.

semble. Eight residents were in attendance, not including the Town’s administrative team. The meeting began in earnest at 6:07 p.m.

The first order of business was to sing an enthusiastic Happy Birthday to Town Administrator Ron Leach. Mayor Vinciguerra thanked Leach for “keeping the Town rolling forward.” This was followed by a warm round of applause for the hardest-working man in Marble, Colo. Leach looked fresh in a white baseball cap and appeared moved by this heartfelt show of gratitude. Many happy returns, Ron!

Minutes were quickly approved for both the October and November meetings, along with bills, followed by a brief budget summary from Rusby proclaiming the Town was “right on course” against its year-to-date targets.

Next on the docket, Sam Richings-Germain, Director of the Marble Charter School, provided an update on the institution’s comparatively sobering financial position. Describing the school as a “really happy place,” she explained that although they had been the recipient of a recent State grant of $1 million, estimates for the renovation of both the main school building and the adjacent Historic Schoolhouse, which is home to the Marble Museum and is now owned by MCS, stood at approximately $2.2 million.

This figure, Richings-Germain elaborated, did not include upgrades to the roof of the main building which is essential to satisfy snow load-bearing and slide mitigation requirements. MCS has long been considered a pillar of the community, and Richings-Germain has been hard at work in search of funds to fill the gaping shortfall in the school’s finances.

She requested the Town provide a letter of support to assist in her grant writing endeavors and asked for a monetary contribution which the school could potentially leverage. The Board unanimously agreed to provide the letter and to do their best to work a donation of $5,000 into

their ongoing 2025 budget conversations.

Next came a discussion around the establishment of a Gunnison County Flood Study Memorandum, parties to which are the Town, Gunnison County, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). A draft document identifies the Crystal River and Carbonate Creek as the main areas of flood risk in Marble. Councilman Wilkey was quick to point out that Slate Creek should also be added to the list.

Wilkey has an intimate knowledge of this area. He has been repeatedly called upon to clear blockages caused by flooding from spring runoff and heavy rain throughout the year, which have rendered the final approach to and from town on County Road 3 temporarily impassable. The Board thanked him for raising awareness of this and it was agreed that Ron Leach would ask Gunnison County to add Slate Creek to the conversation.

The Board moved on to review the 2024 final Master Plan, the final payment for which is owed to Mark Chain, the consultant who chaired the Committee process and was the chief architect of the plan. The finalization process of the document had been delayed due to Chain falling ill earlier in the year, a setback from which he has now fortunately recovered.

Ron Leach invited comments from the Board on the 162-page draft document in anticipation of a wrap-up meeting to be scheduled between the Trustees and Chain early in 2025, to be then followed by a session open to the public. Mayor Vinciguerra proposed that the last payment be withheld until the final plan is agreed upon. He and Mayor pro tem Larry Good confessed to not having had the time to read the draft, but committed to do so before the Board’s December meeting, when the matter would be revisited.

Town Administrator and Birthday boy Ron Leach continued with an update on the Historic Jailhouse project. The building on East State

town of MaRBle continued. . .

Street now boasts a new foundation, but Leach warned that there was still plenty of work to be done and that he was focused on securing the outstanding grants pledged to stage one of the project. He said that bills were still coming in for work already completed and that further costs would be incurred to add flashing to the structure.

It is hoped that the final cost of the project does not exceed the $25,000 (including grants) budgeted by the Town. Mayor Vinciguerra floated the idea of throwing a party to honor those individuals and organizations who had contributed their time and money to bring the first stage of the renovation project to its completion. Long-time Marble resident Richard Wells thanked the Town for “greasing the wheels” to get the project done.

The Parks Committee report was provided by Town of Marble Treasurer Amy Rusby. She reported that a couple of new people had expressed an interest in joining the Committee; that a wedding application had been approved for August 23rd, 2025; and that the Carbondale and Rural Fire Protection District had agreed to pay for a “skirt” to ensure safety in the area around the base of the communica-

T

tions tower behind the firehouse. It is to be finished in red corrugated iron to match the main building.

Rusby added that the Committee had also agreed to examine ways to reduce the cost of MarbleFest. Councilman Wilkey suggested that the Town add a $10 surcharge to the cost of MarbleFest (and other Town events) vendor licenses to cover the cost of the provision of user-friendly written instructions on how vendors should go about paying local sales tax on all their event transactions, thereby maximizing rev enue to the Town. His idea was met with a warm reception.

Further budget discussions led by Ron Leach revealed that wages for Town employees would be raised (in line with State inflation rates) by 5 percent. There was some discussion over add ing $5,000 to the budget for repairs to the bell tower in the center of Town, a topic that prompted Mayor Vinciguer ra to comment, “We’ve been pushing that one down the road for some time.”

The bell tower is a divisive issue for the Town. Questions were raised about whether the Town should spend the money on saving it at all, and suspi cions were unearthed about the scope of its original construction. Pursuing the theme of tall structures in Mar ble, Leach highlighted potential safe

he C rys Tal V alley & Marble Times

ty issues posed by the towering marble stone walls in the Mill Site Park. He reported that he had discovered a matching grant opportunity to engage a surveyor to assess what repairs might be needed to address these risks. Leach served for many years as Fire Chief in Carbondale and has a great nose for potential disaster. The Board agreed he should pursue the matter.

The meeting approached its denouement with a discussion of new busi-

around these issues including those concerning the Town's right of ways; all to stave off future conflicts.

He added, gracefully, “Not everyone is as good a neighbor as the Goods.” They are taking steps to expand their business from simple lodging which they view as “unsustainable” to creating more of a “retreat” and “educational space” incorporating a freight farm and housing for staff. “This space is more about accommodating the cus-

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

Amber McMahill

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

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Mon., 12/2/24 | 10a-1p | Senior Center | 0275 Castle Creek Rd Mon.,12/9/24 | 9a-3p | Health & Human Services Building 0405 Castle Creek Rd

puede ayudar a calentar su casa. (LEAP = Programa de asistencia energética para personas de bajos ingresos)

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Redstone Historical Society's Vintage Valley: Redstone, Geology

From Ron Sorter

It was a lazy summer day when I sat on Maureen Rogers’ memorial marble bench in Redstone Park, holding a melting ice cream cone from the Redstone General Store. I imagined this infant village’s first post office manager, in the 1880s, trying to think of a name to give to the place. Post Office officials needed to know where to send all the mail, especially to Mr. [John C.] Osgood, Redstone's founder. The manager had the same view of these mountains as I did, so he sent them to where else? “Red Rocks.”

They kindly responded that one-word names like Aspen, Rifle, Basalt, and Silt are preferred. So, after a head-slapping moment, he named the town “Redstone.” Isn't that more lyrical than Red Rocks anyway?

Redstone’s cliffs areas also emerged as the Maroon Bells which isn’t surprising since they’re both from what geologists have labeled the Maroon Formation. Is it surprising that they’re the same stone that makes up the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colo.? I’ll bet I’m not the only one who’s heard John Denver sing “Rocky Mountain High” there.

It’s also the same majestic stone in the Morrison Formation as the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, Colo. And, yes,

All content sponsored and provided by the Redstone Historical Society.

the Flatirons in Boulder, Colo., too. You can see where this is going, can’t you?

Where did all this red stone come from? What a great question. We’ll need to do some prodigious traveling to answer that, not in space, but in time.

Now, we'll need to jump back 300 million years. Hold onto your boots!

The Ice Ages flew by, and see? Three miles of Maroon Formation are being reburied. The lighter stuff on top is Jurassic, with dinosaurs and all that. The present-day Rocky Mountains have disappeared. Hold on; we’re at -80 million years; I’m going to stop here at the Mancos shale deposition.

Surprise! We’re now in the middle of the Cretaceous Seaway. It's a good thing we can float.

The water underneath us is 1,000 feet deep, and the Seaway is 600 miles wide. It entirely separates our continent; if you wanted, you could sail from Texas to Alaska. Today, if you drive west up Coal Basin and stop at the big pullout with all the dark shale -- that’s Mancos Shale. Eventually, that shale filled up this Seaway.

Then, deserts of sand, intermixed with coal deposits, covered it. Twenty million years into the future, the Mount Sopris intrusion will help heat

that coal into “coking coal.” Penny Hot Springs is proof of the proximity of magma under Redstone and Coal Basin.

The next time you drive down to Grand Junction, check out the sandstone cliffs in Debeque Canyon with all those spherical pockets eroding out of them. They’re the same deserts of sand and are called the Mesa Verdean Formation. Its prime feature is the Williams Fork Formation, which holds a lot of coal around here. Osgood knew that when he bought Coal Basin.

OK, we’d better keep going. Running backward through time like this will let us see the breakup of the Supercontinent Pangea when all the continents were attached. A supercontinent also means that the opposite side of the Earth is entirely oceanic. Imagine sailing across that ocean in winter.

OK, almost there. Pangea — 300 million years.  See those un-eroding mountains growing back into the sky? Near that island chain, marked in red.

Brenda is the lead customer service representative at the Carbondale branch and has been with the bank for four years.

She is passionate about giving all Spanish speakers a voice in our community, which is why Brenda volunteers at Great Expectations assisting new moms with translation services.

They’re being relentlessly slammed against the African continental plate on our southeast. Off the west coast of Nevada (California is still sea-bottom somewhere), an undersea rift is shoving new continental material onto our western shoreline. They’re pushing from both ends like a rug, making mountains and basins.

These two great island ranges, known together as the Ancestral Rockies, have slowly emerged from the Colorado seas, and Redstone stands in their surf line. The left range will be called Uncompahgria, and the right one will be

Tropical hurricanes are stripping the rock and silt off these mountains. Rivers carry their iron-rich red sand and sediment (with a hint of manganese, making them maroon), exposing them to the air and then sluicing the rusting maroon deposits into the Redstone basin. These fast-moving rivers first polish the bigger stones from these ancient mountains and cement them into maroon conglomerate riverbeds. When we get back to the present, I encourage you to take a drive sometime heading upstream from Redstone. As you curve around west, thereby the remains of the Osgood powerhouse, look to your right, and you can see the conglomerate of one of those ancient rivers.

In a few hundred million years, these Ancestral Rockies will be eroded flat, and Redstone will lie buried under three miles of sand and siltstone.  As Pangea pulls apart, different mountains will emerge to the south and west and pour more vertical miles of sediments on top of us. These are also subsequently washed away.

Then, starting about 65 million years ago, the modern Rockies will begin to rise. New seas and freshwater swamps appear, with vegetation growing in low-sulfur water, which age into coal. The pressure and the heat in local Redstone buried sediments will help transform gypsum into alabaster, limestone into marble, and soft bituminous coal into hard and valuable “metallurgical” coal, which was so prized by Osgood.

Let’s jump back into the future to -30,000,000 years. These second-generation Rockies have now fractured our maroon stone as they pushed up through them, dragging the strata into the air. Through these millions of years, the sediments have frozen, fractured, and eroded by the weather at increasingly dizzy altitudes.

Water and annual cycles of cold and heat will continue to work on a fault zone that runs through Redstone.  It will erode, widen, and deepen into a beautiful valley filled with elk, eagles, bears, and bighorns.

The Utes will eventually arrive to inhabit this valley, carved by the Crystal River through the now-uplifted Maroon Formation. After they were banished in 1881, a town was built to cook coal into coke to add to iron to make steel. This process will make John C. Osgood a very rich man, and he’ll give the village of Redstone its life.

Ready? Let’s jump back to the present.

Redstone is such a beautiful place. The masons who built the Historic Redstone Inn used 300,000,000-year-old red stone in its arched entryway. And in the silence of the night, if you wander down to the river under these incredibly dark skies, you can hear the whisper of the Crystal. Like those ancient rivers, it’s still carrying the Maroon silt of Uncompahgria to the sea.

About the author:  Ron Sorter — historian, author, geologist — He and his wife Michelle were vital members of the Redstone community for 20 years. They worked tirelessly to secure the resources to purchase, protect, and restore the Coke Ovens property. He now lives in Sequim, Wash., where he wrote a book memorializing his wife, Love Michelle, and co-authored a book Letters in a Helmet: A story of Fraternity and Brotherhood. Both books can be checked out from the Redstone Inn's reading room library.

Low Income Energy Assistance Program

THE MARBLE TIMES

A LOOK AT LIFE AT THE MARBLE CHARTER SCHOOL

Essays on Winter Activities

My faVoRite winteR actiVities

By Luna Schachter, 5th grade

Do you ever look out your window right after you wake up and realize there is frost on the frame of your window and see the little kids playing in the snow? You smell baked goods in the kitchen. These are some of the many signs of winter.

One of my favorite things in winter are the outside activities. For example, having an old fashioned snowball fight with my dad is one. Of course snowball fights are fun in general but they also create memories. Another one of my favorite activities to do is to ski. I have been skiing since I can remember. I love to ski, the powder hitting your face, the warm hot chocolate and I especially love the speed that you can get while you're at it. Aside from skiing I like to sled. We have a huge snow bank next to my house. It's so steep that it knocks the breath out of you, it's like a roller coaster. So me and my sisters love to sled it. The next thing I love, when the snow is just right, is fort building. Forts can be very dangerous so you have to build them right. The snow base has to be just right, it's the same snow for building snowmen. Last but not least is hot tubbing… I also have a friend who lives right next to me.  I remember one time we sat in

the hot tub all day, our faces turned red and we had to get out.

Next, is tradition. My family has a lot of family traditions-  we always have a family dinner before Christmas. My sisters and I make cake and help decorate the tree. We bake cookies and listen to music. On Christmas day in the afternoon me, my dad, my mom and my sisters have brunch and go ice skating. Our friends own a cabin up high in the mountains and we go visit it during the winter. My friend and I snowmobile and watch movies, and last time I went to their cabin we made boba. My last tradition is Christmas tree hunting. My grandma, my dad and my sisters and I all go out on a hunt for the perfect tree. Sometimes it takes hours but other times you walk for two minutes and then right in front of your face there it is-  the perfect Christmas tree. I love tradition, it helps families all around keep fun things in their life that they love.

If I were to rank all the fun things you can do in winter cooking would be right up there at the top. First off, I love cooking. In general it's so fun, but there are lots of other reasons too. In fact not only does cooking make me happy but I love making baked goods for other people. Maybe your neighbor is sick or you're cooking something

for someone in return for a gift. Maybe you just want to cook something for someone just because you're being nice. No matter what you're cooking or why, it makes lots of people happy. Cooking is also a very calming activity. In the summer I look forward to winter and the warm smell of brownies in the oven. Of course you can make baked goods in the summer but it's not the same as in winter. Every time, after playing in the snow or skiing I love to come home to the smell of freshly baked goods. Out of all the great things cooking brings to this world, memories are the best.  Sometimes my sisters, me and my cousin make dinner for the grownups. Like once we made spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread and asparagus. It was quite fun and entertaining. I have a really funny memory. Once my dad and I were making banana bread, and I was about three. Right when we were about to put the butter on,  I plopped the whole stick straight in my mouth! These are some of the many reasons I love cooking.

Generally speaking winter is the coziest, happiest, season of all. It brings joy to many families and friends. I love winter and all the fun things you can do.

By Mylo Schumacher, 5th grade

Some people think sledding is the best winter activity but I think it is sleep. Sleeping is the best winter activity ever.

Sleeping is fun because you get to dream with imagination. Most of all you're relieved when you wake up from a bad dream. Imagination land is the best kind of land. You get to imagine the good, bad and funny. I love Imagination land. It's weird when you fall and don't know the feeling of falling that high but you know it when you're asleep. I love and hate that at the same time.

Don't you just love that winter feeling when it's quite peaceful and comfy and no one's disturbing you? It is so so so nice when it's so quiet where you can hear the birds chirping and the snow falling off the branches of trees. Here's another plus it's dark!!!! I love when it's dark, it's so nice, I sleep so well when it's dark. The thing is when I sleep, I feel safe. I don't know why, but I just do.

Despite everything else, I like being warm, it's what makes you comfy. The soft and heavy blanket makes you feel amazing. Sometimes, I'll let Daisy go

cuddle me when I'm sad or lonely. The best part is jammie time!!!

In conclusion, sleeping is the best because you are warm and cozy under your soft and heavy blankets. Wild and funny dreams fill your head with imagination. And that is why sleeping is my favorite winter activity.

winteR inside

By Georgia Owings, 4th Grade

I like to spend winter inside because you can do a lot of fun things. Spending winter inside is really fun!

Spending winter inside is a great time to spend time with your family. You can eat a family and friend dinner together. I like to karaoke with friends and family.You can sit by a fire and tell stories and drink cups of hot chocolate. I also like to sit by the fireplace and play the piano in the living room while the others are outside roasting marshmallows with hot chocolate.

You can also watch a movie with your family with a nice cup of hot tea. Listening to music and singing and playing games is fun to do with my family. Winter inside is fun because you can go to a party with your family and friends.

My mom and I love to bake together.

Having winter inside is so much fun for me because I can spend time with my family and and I love to cook with my mom, sit by the fire and have a nice cup of hot chocolate.

I love to spend winter inside!

caMPing

By Jack Howland, 3rd Grade

Camping is my favorite thing to do in the winter.

I really like camping in the winter because you get to make s'mores with the crunchy crackers, the gooey marshmallows, and the melted chocolate over the fire. Being in a sleeping bag and telling scary stories is fun.

Camping is good exercise. For example, setting up the tent and making a fire is good exercise. I like riding my bicycle and hiking.

Camping is relaxing. When I am around the campfire I feel calm. When I camp in the mountains I get to sleep under the stars.

Compelling Design

The Giving Tree: Opposing Views

tHe giVing tRee — tHe tRee is weak

By Hazel Schlichter, 5th Grade

The tree is obviously weak and naive. She sacrificed all she had for absolutely nothing in return. “I have nothing left. I am just an old stump,” the text says. Also, the tree is sad and lonely. As evidence, the text says, “the boy cut down her trunk and made a boat and sailed away. The tree was happy… but not really.” She also previously let the boy cut her branches to build a home. “You may cut off my branches and build a house.” In short, she never gave up on the boy, even after he had openly taken everything from her, and given her zip in return, she remained naive, and loyal the entire time.

tHe giVing tRee —

tHe tRee is stRong

By August Tardie, 3rd Grade

It is my opinion that the tree is strong. One reason the tree is strong is because she was a loyal friend to him. She said, “come boy, come sit on me.” Another reason the tree is strong is because she was always kind. She gave him apples and the tree was happy. According to the text, the tree said, “take my apples”. The last reason the tree is strong is because the boy climbed up her trunk and he played on her branches. “He would climb up her trunk.” As you can see, the tree is strong and happy.

Halloween at MCS

FIRESIDE CHATS

PRESENTED BY THE REDSTONE HISTORIC SOCIETY

MONDAY

DECEMBER 9TH at 5:30PM REDSTONE

Larry Meredith & daughter Suzy Meredith-Orr discuss his legendary novel