Greeley, CO August 2023

The Kids and Pets Issue

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August 2023

PUBLISHER

Tara Rasmuson | tara.rasmuson@citylifestyle.com

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Caitlyn Olson | caitlyn.olson@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Emily Montgomery | emily.montgomery@citylifestyle.com

The Kids and Pets Issue

The Greeley Lifestyle team would like to take a moment to celebrate our kids and pets with this month's Kids and Pets Issue.

I really enjoyed putting together this issue and finding the amazing places and activities to highlight in our community. As we close out a summer of fun and prepare for the dreaded back-to-school season, it can be easy to get caught up in the to-do lists and responsibilities, but let's take a step back and remember to live in the moment.

Ever since becoming a mom people would often remark at how fast the time goes. I often reflect on the bittersweet reality that although time is not slowing down, each day is a new opportunity for adventures and unforgettable memories. It wasn't until I had kids that I really understood what it meant to be present and live in the moment. Putting this issue together was an opportunity for me to spend time with my family and I hope it encourages you to take the time to visit some of these places and make memories with your kids.

And of course, we cannot forget about our pets. I had the pleasure of meeting many different pets in this issue, and it is special to see how cherished and loved each pet is. We were fortunate enough to adopt our pet this time last year from the Humane Society here in town and ever since, he has been a part of our family that we didn't know was missing.

Whatever your role as a parent, whether to kids or to "fur babies," what children and pets share in common is that they need us. Our care, attention and intention shape how they are raised and who they become. We hope this issue inspires you to pour a little extra into the children and pets in your life this month.

Cheers!

EMILY MONTGOMERY, EDITORIAL COORDINATOR @GREELEYLIFESTYLE

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COPY EDITOR

Emily O’Brien

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Susan McKenzie, Bethany Wiley, MPH, RYT, Aaron Fongers, Alani Casiano, Kailey Pickering, Celena Cisco, Emily Montgomery

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Santora Photo Co., Delaney Morrow Photography, Photos by Diandra, Alyssa Monk, Danja Barber

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

CONTROLLER Gary Johnson

AD DESIGNER Whitney Lockhart

LAYOUT DESIGNER Antanette Ray

Learn Greeley Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Greeley area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Greeley Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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Camping with the Fam

Colorado natives Jared and Mary Bengford had never been campers. “We’ve been more ‘glampers,’” Mary laughs. “We had such a bad experience with tent camping and never really enjoyed it after that.” When the pandemic hit, they decided to give it a second try with their 9-year-old son, Jace, and their two dogs, Stella and Lulu. Jace had just started kindergarten and was doing remote learning, so it seemed like the perfect opportunity to give camping another shot.

“Parks were closed and people were afraid so we decided to start camping," Mary says. "Once the opportunity opened up, we were like ‘let’s get out of here!’” What ensued was a lot of learning and challenges alongside making beautiful memories exploring Colorado as a family.

A year later, the Bengfords are starting to feel a little more comfortable with RVing. They purchased a hybrid camper with air conditioning and a small kitchen, but the

GETTING STARTED WITH AN RV: WITH THE BENGFORD FAMILY

ARTICLE BY SUSAN MCKENZIE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SANTORA PHOTO CO.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE | TRAVEL

beds pop out so it’s not a full camper. They wanted to get something that was more like glamping but that felt manageable for less experienced families like themselves. “The orientation at the dealership was very quick and thorough, but overwhelming,” Mary says. She said their new RV was like buying a vacant house—it’s not equipped with anything so preparing for their first trip was a lot more work than they had anticipated.

“I filmed the whole orientation, but it’s kind of like going home with a newborn,” Mary laughs. “We’re learning on every trip things we wish we had or things that we didn’t end up needing.”

They also mentioned what a valuable tool YouTube video tutorials have been for figuring out what kind of equipment might be helpful.

Their son, Jace, loves traveling with the RV. The family has enjoyed plenty of experiences due to the flexibility a camper has.

“You get to see a lot more of Colorado because you don’t have to worry about staying in a hotel,” Mary says. “A hotel just isn’t quite the experience you get staying out in nature.”

The family usually takes their two dogs along also. “You don’t have to find a petfriendly hotel or Airbnb. It’s your camper; you can go wherever you need to and the animals can be right there with you.” She also mentioned the ability to just pack up and go without having to worry about finding a dog sitter. The family has learned a lot of lessons about

traveling in an RV with kids and pets. One of their dogs, in particular, is a little more high maintenance, which can make finding a good location a challenge. They suggested ensuring you choose a spot that has a grassy area and perhaps a gated area to let dogs roam off-leash. They also suggested getting a little fence that you can take with you to fence off an area outside the RV, so the pets can still be out and be a part of the family.

Mary provided us with some advice on RVing with kids as well. “Definitely include your kid in what side of the camper you want!” she laughs, stating that allowing Jace to have that choice made him more excited and comfortable. They also bring things that are similar to their routine at home, such as movies and popcorn. While a lot of their time is spent outside, there are days when it rains, and having things such as games for inside days or after-dark  can help keep the kids entertained.

In general, the family stressed how important it is to be patient throughout this process, especially as you’re learning.

“There was a lot of really scary stuff at the beginning!” Mary says. Alongside learning how to tow a trailer, park and hook up the camper and tear it down, other things broke because they didn’t properly lock it while they were driving. Additionally, planning is a huge factor in having a more enjoyable experience. “You have to book your trips ahead

CONTINUED >

“A hotel just isn’t quite the experience you get staying out in nature.” - Mary

at least 9-12 months,” Mary says. “Spots quickly fill up, especially the ones with electrical and water hookups.”

One clever idea the Bengfords had was to measure packing totes and put them in all of the empty spaces in the RV. If it doesn’t fit in the tote, it doesn’t go. This is a helpful tool for kids who tend to overpack with toys. This also makes it really easy to see everything they pack at once, allowing them to easily make sure they have what they need. It also helps with loading everything into the RV.

While the Bengfords were never campers, they have enjoyed making memories with their family. They’ve frequented the KOA campgrounds, which are a great place for them to meet people and for their son to make friends, some of whom he’s still maintained contact with. KOAs also have activities, such as hikes and marshmallow roasts, that make it really easy to socialize with their fellow campers.

“Jace loves to just jump out of the RV and go,” Mary says. “He’d probably say it’s a little stressful to do all of

“We’re all really close-knit in the camper. When we’re all together, everyone is really happy.” - Mary

the setup before we can go enjoy ourselves.” Once the camper is set up, the family enjoys the outdoors and fishing, sledding down the sand dunes (especially at night!), paddleboarding at the lake and geocaching. Jace has learned how to help tie up the hammock and search for wood for the fire. They even went buffalo hunting with some of the new friends they made. Together, they have been able to explore the beautiful trails, waterfalls and Colorado scenery while developing an even closer relationship with each other. “We’re all really close-knit in the camper. When we’re all together, everyone is really happy.”

The Bengfords took their very first trip in Granby at the YMCA with their friends, who were experienced campers that helped

them get set up. After that, they took a solo trip to the sand dunes and then to Red Feather; however, they are still traveling to places where they have help in case they need it. This summer, they’re heading to Yogi Bear RV Park in Estes, Red Feather Lakes and back up to Granby.

“We’ve been married for 20 years and this is our first time really exploring Colorado. There’s a lot to see and we’re bummed we didn’t start sooner,” Mary says. While they do have the benefit of being able to work if they need to with a booster on the camper for the internet, the ability to disconnect and make memories is a wonderful experience for the family—one they encourage all of us to do!

Greeley offers miles and miles of smiles. For instance, we have 30 beautiful miles of trails for biking, walking, jogging or taking the whole family for a stroll. Plus, we’ll soon have 2,000 acres of open space ready to give you plenty of room to roam, no matter what path you choose. Let’s hit the trail and see where life takes us.

New Destination Library Opens in Downtown Greeley

THE LINC LIBRARY INNOVATION CENTER IS NOT YOUR AVERAGE LIBRARY

The new LINC Library Innovation Center located in downtown Greeley, gives kids a non-traditional library experience with museum-like exhibits, quirky furniture and thematic elements that teleport visitors into other worlds.

The silo is one of the main architectural designs that is seen from the library’s entrance. The silo was designed by Wes Bruce and commissioned by the Weld Community Foundation to represent Weld County’s agricultural history. Inside the silo are climbing ropes that go to the top level leading to the Children’s Innovation and another Wes Bruce exhibit, “Where Water Flows Uphill.” The Children’s Innovation exhibit was designed in collaboration with the Denver Children’s Museum. This space features many hands-on attractions that are both educational and interactive. “You do not realize you are learning while you’re just playing, but playing is how we learn,” LINC Library Manager Melissa Beavers says.

The Children’s Innovation exhibit features a color panel on the wall that controls large screens and changes the lighting in the cloud-shaped ceiling structures. According to Melissa, this exhibit is an opportunity for children to have control over their environment and learn color theory. There is also a station where people can build paper airplanes or use LINC-provided cones for the rocket launcher tunnel. In this exhibit, “the kids are learning about gravity and aerodynamics, and how things move.” The rocket launcher tunnel is decorated with pictures and cloud-related words, which ties to

the overall cloud theme of the space. There are two workstations within the Children’s Innovation exhibit, which are smaller replicas of the adult workstations in the lower-level workshops. “Kids need to have the opportunity to engage in a workshop for many reasons—the creativity, learning how to measure things and being like older siblings or being like the adults,” Melissa says. Some additional attractions within the Children’s Innovation space are a wind tube, a ball track, a water table, floor projectors and a fullsized Lite Brite.

For a full-sensory experience, visitors can adventure into the “Where Water Flows Uphill” exhibit, which is also located on the upper level of LINC. Upon entering, visitors are greeted with a musical track playing throughout the exhibit and floor-toceiling murals decorated with a fictional written language—“the water language”—which can be decoded using guides. Visitors can experience different spaces within the exhibit—the web room, the tree room, the grotto room and the barnacle. At the center of the exhibit is a dome-shaped theater room with a 360-degree screen that plays short films showing the hero’s journey. Visitors can then experience the hero’s journey by passing through a series of spaces with different thematic elements. Concluding the hero’s journey, visitors walk through a waterfall of mist into a small room and then return through the exhibit.

For visitors seeking a more traditional library experience, the art studio provides solo or guided crafts. There are two additional spaces within the art studio. One room is enclosed under the silo and is intended to be a meditation room or quiet room. It is designed to look like a theater with different levels of stairs and the entire room was hand-painted from floor to ceiling. There is another smaller room within the art studio that is intended to be a more private space. “Kids can

“You do not realize you are learning while you’re just playing, but playing is how we learn.” - Melissa Beavers

come into this space, have a private desk and work alone,” Melissa says. The space, which is known as “the chill-out space,” features a single desk and an open ceiling below the climbing ropes of the silo.

The children’s library is the final children’s attraction. It was furnished using a universal design featuring quirky stone-shaped stools and grassy knolls, which are round stools covered in Astroturf to give people a sensation of sitting in the grass. “Universal design is the concept that any user should be able to use your space regardless of

the EXHIBITS

THE SILO- The purpose of this climbing attraction is to allow users to redirect their energy before entering “Where Water Flows Uphill.”

THE ART STUDIO- Each art station is stocked with art supplies to give visitors the opportunity to engage in solo or guided activities.

CHILDREN’S INNOVATIONChildren’s Innovation was designed to give visitors a local experience similar to the Denver Children’s Museum with interactive attractions.

“WHERE WATER FLOWS UPHILL”- Adventure into a fantasy world and experience the hero’s journey through different spaces within the exhibit.

THE CHILDREN’S LIBRARYExplore the quirky furniture and pick out a book from the “creek of books” or listen to a fairytale in the storytime room.

size, shape and ability level and a key component of that is furniture,” Melissa says. The color themes selected for the children’s library resemble Colorado’s colorful sunrises and sunsets featuring abstract ceiling structures, which contribute to the acoustic element of universal design. There is a “creek of books,” which is a smaller model of the “river of books” located in the adult library. The storytime room located within the children's library has a large hobbit door, and cloud-like ceilings to give visitors a fairytale experience.

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NEXT GENERATION COWGIRL

years old and younger and was established to expand youth participation, enhance leadership skills and provide opportunities to get involved with horses and meet others who are passionate about the American Quarter Horse.

A GREELEY COWGIRL WITH BIG DREAMS

“If I could be an animal, I’d be a horse,” said Sadie Lamar, a 13-year-old Greeley cowgirl with perseverance, determination and big dreams. Her love for horses began with a Christmas present from her grandparents in Michigan when Sadie was less than a year old—her first horse named Rosie.

Sadie’s mom, Ashley, remembers Sadie as a young girl setting up picnics with her horses, talking to them and grooming and feeding them. Sadie’s fondness for horses was evident, but a trip to Texas when Sadie was 10 further fueled Sadie’s passion when she tried out competing and found her first show horse, Miracle, in Texas, an AQHA all-around horse. Some would say her interest in horse shows and competitions were in Sadie’s blood, as she follows in her mom’s footsteps, and Sadie gives much credit to Miracle. “Miracle and Sadie learned and accomplished a lot, which led to getting her Mr Driggs for Christmas this year to help support her dreams,” Ashley exclaims.

Today, Sadie competes in shows through the American Quarter Horse Youth Association (AQHYA). AQHYA is designed for enthusiasts 18

Sadie doesn’t just compete in one class through AQHYA; at each show, she participates in 12 different classes with two different horses. Recently Sadie qualified to compete in the AQHYA World Championship Show, which takes place this summer in Oklahoma City. The AQHYA World Championship Show is the world’s largest, single-breed world championship horse show, where youth competitors come from around the world and must qualify for the event by earning points to secure a spot.

Sadie’s parents enjoy helping her pursue her dreams and they never miss an event. “I love supporting Sadie in her horse-showing journey,” Ashley shares. “It's completely deja vu for me and I get so much joy watching her show and grow into the cowgirl she is.”

Supporting Sadie means spending a lot of time away from home with her horses. Her two horses reside with separate trainers in two different Colorado locations—Im Really Classie AKA Mr Driggs, trained by Chad Evans Performance Horses, resides in Franktown, and High Brow Jess Perry, aka M$ney Man, trained by Cody Crow at No Where But Up Performance Horses, resides in Johnstown. Since Sadie trains with each horse twice per week, she juggles time between the two locations. She also competes monthly, which takes the Lamar family all over Colorado as well as across the country. The Lamar’s come home to Greeley to regroup in

between trips. “Greeley has always been home since Sadie was born,” Ashley says. “Greeley is our place of peace and rest to enjoy in between Sadie’s horse shows.”

Some of Sadie’s future goals include joining an equestrian team at a Division 1 College. She also hopes to earn a World Show Title and compete in the Youth World Cup held in College Station, Texas. The Youth World Cup is the horse Olympics for youth and hosts 22 teams from different countries. As a dedicated next-generation cowgirl, Sadie shares the lessons that she’s learned along the way. The number one lesson is to go to bed early—before 9:00 p.m. Sadie practices this regularly because at the AQHYA shows, she gets up by 5:00 a.m. to get the horses ready. Sadie said another important lesson is, “to never give up, always try and believe in your dreams.”

While the commitment to competing and training can be extensive for the Lamar family, Ashley says the benefits are ample and the life lessons Sadie is learning, such as hard work, reaching goals, persistence, dedication and time management, are invaluable.

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Music to Inspire with Angela Slaughter

Music’s Power to Develop Young Minds

Angela Slaughter always knew she wanted to teach music. “My mom was an elementary school music teacher for 35 years,” Slaughter says. “I grew up in a household that was very musical and I just always loved it.”

After being a choir director at Greeley West High School for three years, she decided to take a step back in order to focus more on her three young children. She currently teaches at Galeton Elementary School. She’s a firm believer in the power of music to enrich the minds of young people.

“Even just listening to music engages the brain,” Slaughter says. “Playing an instrument or singing affects visual, auditory and motor areas in the brain all at the same time.” She also believes music can have a positive impact on people’s mental health. “They say that practicing and listening to music can reduce cortisol in the brain. It floods the brain with dopamine,” she says. “I think we all attest to that as people. Almost every person

that you ask, they’ve made some kind of connection with music.”

Slaughter believes music can teach young people bodily awareness, or proprioception. “In my music classroom, we breathe and we stretch and we think about how our bodies are moving,” Slaughter says. She feels access to music programs in school can make children more engaged in their education as a whole. “It gives a lot of kids excitement for going to school,” she says. “It’s a bright spot in their day.” She thinks these effects showcase just how valuable music education is. “Music is just the full package deal with how it enriches everybody’s experiences with life,” she says.

“Access to band, choir and orchestra is not provided consistently at the middle school level in every District 6 school,” Slaughter says. “I hope that we find a way to promote strong 6th, 7th and 8th grade programs across the board.”

Angela Slaughter

Tips for Introducing Your Kids to Music

1. “Sing with your kids, no matter what you feel about how you sound, and have them sing back. That mimicking is such a huge piece of developing that inner ear.”

2. “Turning on the music and dancing with your kids is so good for their body and for that feel of tempo.”

3. “Our libraries provide story time with singing and moving—I think that’s a sweet place to start for kids. There are so many opportunities to go to concerts whether that’s the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra, Greeley Chorale or Greeley Children’s Chorale.”

4. “Be aware of what’s happening in their music programs and what those elementary school music teachers are providing. They’re doing ukulele clubs and recorder clubs and having different opportunities for their students to get more involved.”

WOOFSTOCK:

SUPPORTING COMMUNITY THROUGH TIE-DYE

Weld Community Credit Union Puts on the Woofstock Event to Raise Money for Weld County Animals

As the leaves begin to turn and the weather begins to cool in Colorado, tiedyed T-shirts and bandanas popping with color will be created when the annual donation drive for the Weld County Humane Society takes place at the Weld Community Credit Union. The event that raises donations for the furry friends at the Humane Society while spinning tie-dyed clothing into funding has been dubbed the Woofstock event for the past two years.

Woofstock began in 2021 when the Weld Community Credit Union picked a non-profit for its Jeans For a Cause program. Jeans For a Cause happens once a month and is where members choose a nonprofit to help out for two weeks. In 2021, they picked the Weld County Humane Society. According to Weld County Credit Union's Kristen Campbell, marketing specialist, and Jolene Yates, marketing director, they realized the Humane Society needed more help and decided to launch a donation event.

Campbell and Yates’ team worked with the Weld County Humane Society to jump into creating the event. They bounced ideas off of each other and soon came up with a 1970s-themed event that involved tie-dye and donations. In Woofstock’s first year, 150 T-shirts were made and sold for the fundraiser. In their second year, the event included tie-dyed bandanas.

In 2022, the rain moved the venue of the event to the inside of the Credit Union. Winnie the Pooch, a dog brought to the event from the Humane Society, greeted guests at the door with a wagging tail and a smile as he lead people from booth to booth. Campbell and Yates explain that by the end of the day, the dog had been adopted.

“We were all cheering when we heard that by the end of the day Winnie the Pooch had a forever home,” Yates says.

The Credit Union has worked to create a sense of community and encouragement in Weld County. They strive to help groups like the Humane Society and bring awareness to groups’ presence and needs. Yates explains that the Credit Union's core values are “people helping people or people helping pets,”

as in the case of Woofstock. It believes in helping the community through events like Woofstock and in everyday work at the Credit Union.

“It's a sense of community and that's obviously who we are as Weld Community Credit Union,” Campbell says. “It is just a community event. It's what it's all about.”

As a neighborhood event, many people come together to make it a success, Campbell describes that they had a pet photographer for pet portraits, two DJs who volunteer their time to work at the event and sponsors like Ambriz The Broker and J&T Feeds pet store. All sponsors and volunteers help to make the event happen.

With a passion to help the community of Weld County, the Credit Union plans to continue to work with the Larimer Humane Society when the Weld County Humane Society transfers its assets to Larimer in October 2023, following its dissolvement. Yates explains that the Credit Union will continue to support Weld County animals. “We will work with the Larimer Humane Society to earmark the funds we raise and items we gather to be used in Weld County,” Yates says.

This year’s Woofstock will be held on September 9 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Weld Community Credit Union. The Humane Society is looking for items such as dog food, cat food, dog and cat toys (washable), stuffed animals (without plastic eyes or noses), blankets, towels, pet beds, ice cube trays, empty egg cartons, cracker/cereal boxes, paper grocery bags, canned green beans (low/no salt), canned pumpkin and monetary donations. Come take part in the tie-dye fun to support Weld County animals.

“We were all cheering when we heard that by the end of the day, Winnie the Pooch had a forever home.” - Jolene Yates

West Ridge Academy

A Charter School that Focuses on Character and Curriculum

West Ridge Academy (WRA) is a small but growing core-knowledge K-8 charter school that offers a fast-paced, well-rounded curriculum. While WRA has a heavy emphasis on all content areas, building character is also a significant factor embedded in the curriculum. “We spend a lot of time on our pillars of virtue, which are self-control, responsibility, gratitude, community, compassion, respect, integrity and perseverance,” Davon Renfrow, executive director of West Ridge Academy, says.

According to Renfrow, deciding on the WRA curriculum is a collective community and stakeholder process. “When we adopt something, we bring in parents, we bring in teachers… We have a very clear line of what we teach and what we leave up to the parents to teach at home,” Renfrow says.

To attend WRA, there is a student fee of $125 for K-5 grade and $135 for middle school which includes the P.E. uniform.

“We’re a one-to-one iPad school, so with that, as well as, programs for individual differentiation comes expenses,” she says. “We have sports for grades six, seven and eight; soccer, volleyball, basketball, track and cross-country. We have afterschool clubs for third, fourth and fifth graders. We determine the clubs based on student interest.”

Since WRA is a K-8 school, students have the option to apply through the open-enrollment process to attend the high school of their choice, if it is outside of their home school. “I am a firm believer that children learn and thrive when they are in an environment that works for them…that’s the whole beauty of choice and charter,” she says.

“It’s an honor to be part of a community that values engaging families, has amazing students and an exemplary staff.  When personal values align with WRA’s mission of fostering a rigorous and character-focused learning environment, it creates a strong foundation. We ensure that students receive a well-rounded education that prepares them for success in all aspects of life and the eight pillars of virtue provide a framework for character development, allowing students to cultivate essential qualities.”

ARTICLE BY EMILY MONTGOMERY

PHOTOGRAPHY BY PHOTOS BY DIANDRA

Jen Metzler, Teacher Tyson and Amber Massey, Parents  Anthony Villalobos, Student

“WRA is known for academics and character development, but teaching at WRA is much more. My administration provides me with genuine opportunities to learn and use best practices in my teaching. I am provided support in my lessons and personal growth. WRA’s strong focus on family relationships allows me to build a “school as a second home” style classroom. The whole WRA community truly fills my heart with joy and I am always eager and thankful to come to work.”

“Our family has been so blessed by our kids attending West Ridge Academy because of the Core Knowledge education they receive, the community it creates and the character building with the pillars of virtue. WRA is a charter school that appreciates, seeks out and values parents’ input and participation. Its teachers holistically care about their students and want to hear from parents and the administration clearly communicates needs and events. It is truly a wonderful school.”

“I am glad that I attend West Ridge Academy because the teachers and students are nice, specials are fun and I learn a lot about every subject. I am comfortable talking to teachers when I need support.”

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

J&T Feeds Gives Nutritional Thoughts for Happy and Healthy Pets

When it comes to our pets, they’re more like members of our family than a chore or an extra mouth to feed. So when it comes to these bonus family members, proper nutrition is a key factor in ensuring they can enjoy a long, healthy life. For over 20 years, J&T Feeds has prided itself on doing the best it can to keep our furry friends healthy and happy.

“If you were to look at each member of our team, from myself and manager/partner Rob Lambusta to the rest of our staff, we have nearly fifty years of experience with animal nutrition and care,” Teri Segelke, owner and founder of J&T Feeds, shares. “Even with the ever-changing nature of pet nutrition, we consider it an absolute joy to partner with families to ensure that their animals can receive the best food and best lifestyle possible.”

J&T Feeds began with a dream, as Teri took over twenty years of experience in the corporate world of pet nutrition into her own business in 2002, along with her husband and two sons. Today, J&T Feeds serves as a staple in the Northern Colorado community for providing food and animal supplies for a variety of animals—from cats and dogs to farm-fare like cows and horses to chicken and pocket pets. But their dedication to studying pet

nutrition and providing personalized suggestions and options puts them ahead above the rest when it comes to animal care.

“With any animal, food sensitivities can play a huge part in their daily living and overall health, impacting anything from skin and gut irritation to a whole host of other issues,” Teri says. “When pets are struggling, we know that helping to provide proper, balanced nutrition can get them back on the right track and provide the highest quality of life, no matter what stage an animal is at.”

J&T Feeds stocks a variety of animal feed from vendors all over the globe, to provide the best options for animals of any shape and size. Their dedication to knowing their customers and building relationships with them and their animals has provided valuable opportunities to serve the Greeley community and the animals they love with the highest support from community members.

“We want people to get as much time with their pets as possible,” Teri says. “As people have been so generous to support us and our store, we want to continue to provide the best possible service to the Greeley community with the experience we’ve gathered over the years.”

The Best Diet  for Your Pets

1 | Raw/Meat-Heavy

J&T Feeds recommends raw feeding or meat-heavy diets. Raw is the cleanest as far as not losing nutrients in the baking process and can address many health and allergy issues. The meat-heavy kibble provides balanced nutrition with ease of the feeding schedule.

2 | Variety of Protein

The variety of protein choices is key. If your dog has sensitivities to a food, try another protein. Chicken is typically a culprit when it comes to skin sensitivities and gut health.

3 | Read Nutrition Labels

Read any nutrition labels on your pet food, and see what ingredients you can/can’t identify. The more you know, and the more you get to know your animals’ specific dietary needs, the better you can take care of them for a happy, healthy lifestyle.

4 | Ingredients to Avoid

Avoid GMO grains such as corn, wheat and soy. Anything created with byproducts prevents your pet from getting the highest quality protein.

MORE RECREATION than

GREELEY RECREATION OFFERS IMPACTFUL PROGRAMMING FOR THE CITY’S YOUTH

Recreational programs specifically targeted at youth are needed in a local community. “Youthdesigned programs impact the quality of life for the future generation,” Whitney Dyer, supervisor for the city of Greeley says. “These programs help our youth problem solve and make decisions that are going to impact their adult lives.” The following locations offer a wide variety of programs and classes designed for the youth of our community.

“Youth-designed programs impact the quality of life for the future generation.” -Whitney Dyer

GREELEY RECREATION CENTER

Offering a wide range of programs for youth-aged community members, the Greeley Recreation strives to be the place where anyone can find something they are looking for. Recreation Supervisor Katie Lundberg states, “We offer non-traditional programs such as art, climbing, and archery.” Greeley Recreation seeks to impact the community as a whole, and the only way to do that is to offer programs that fit a diversity of needs and interests. A visit to its climbing wall is a must. The Rec even puts on frequent family nights at the wall, where the whole family can enjoy food, climbing and instruction on proper climbing techniques.

1RODARTE COMMUNITY CENTER

The Rodarte Community Center values the youth in the local community. From creating fun and engaging programs for kids and students to having staff and volunteers care about the community, it recognizes the opportunity it has to make an impact on the future. Partnering with Billy Martinez Elementary, the community center offers affordable after-school care that provides kids with dinner, time to play and academic help. The Rodarte also houses a spacious boxing facility, where youth ages 8-17 can sign up for lessons or step into competitive boxing.

GREELEY ICE HAUS

The Ice Haus has a historic presence in the community and continues to offer current programs and spaces for kids and teens. Known for Ice skating, the Ice Haus provides an activity, “that’s healthy, sociable and has physical and mental benefits,” according to Greeley Recreational Manager Mark Mann. They offer a range of classes and competitions in both figure skating and hockey. One of the events the Ice Haus looks forward to putting on every year in December is the Winter Ice Show. The ice rink is transformed to fit the year’s theme and participants from clubs and classes put on a show for the whole community to enjoy.

FAMILY FUN PLEX

While the Family Fun Plex is known for its gym, indoor water park and mini golf course, what many people may not know is that the Fun Plex offers athletic conditioning programs for youth. These programs are specifically designed for the kid that wants to be active and have fun but doesn’t want to be involved in a specific sport. The biggest way the Family Fun Plex impacts the community is through education. They offer a range of classes including babysitting, healthy living, swimming and art. “Teen Night Out” is going to be an event you will have to put on your calendar! Taking place on August 18th from 5 pm - 8 pm, teens are invited to enjoy all the Family Fun Plex amenities at a low cost. There will also be outdoor games and food trucks, so you won’t want to miss this event.

Direct Primary

events

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

JULY 31ST-AUGUST 4TH

High Plains ChautauquaAIMS WELCOME CENTER

AUDITORIUM AND BALLROOM | 1:00 PM

2023 High Plains Chautauqua, “Oh, the Places We’ve Been!” will feature portrayals of explorers, adventurers, and international entertainers. On the finale evening, the ultimate in exploration will be featured with retired NASA astronaut and veteran of three shuttle missions, Rick Hieb. Visit: highplainschautauqua.org

AUGUST 3RD

Family FunPlex Concert Series- August 3, 10 & 17

FAMILY FUNPLEX, 1501 65TH AVENUE | 7:00 PM

Bring a picnic blanket and listen to local bands play in the outdoor amphitheater. The event is free to the public. Visit GreeleyRec.com/ Events for information.

AUGUST 12TH

The Kress serving WeldWerks Brewing @ Monster Day

KRESS PLAZA PATIO AND DOWNTOWN GREELEY | 12:00 PM Kress is hosting Weldwerks Brewing Co. for the release of 2023 Monster Day Beer! The Kress Plaza Patio will be serving up Monster Brews and Movie treats! The Mission of Monster Day is to celebrate monsters in a positive way that encourages imagination and creativity. There will be costumed monsters, professional makeup demonstrations, vendor booths, food, monster makeup, face painting, kids activities, a costume contest and more!

QUALITY WORK SPEAKS FOR ITSELF

AUGUST 26TH

Family Fest & Bears Bash

UNC PRACTICE FIELDS, 270 ALLES DR. | 10:00 AM

Join UNC Athletics and family-friendly businesses as it kicks off the Bears sports season with free sports clinics and activities hosted by UNC student-athletes. Enjoy inflatables, fall football practice, Klawz, the UNC mascot, a live performance by the Pride of the Rockies Marching Band and more at this FREE event for the whole family. Vendors and prizes galore!

SEPTEMBER 2ND

Waggles for Warriors Golf Tournament

BOOMERANG LINKS GOLF COURSE | 8:00 AM

West Ridge Academy is holding their first annual Waggles for Warriors golf tournament fundraiser at Boomerang Links Golf Course. The cost is $150 per player and that includes green fees, golf cart usage, breakfast, and lunch. All proceeds directly benefit West Ridge Academy and students. Sponsors are needed for the event. Please contact Ali Rusch at principal@wrak8.org

SEPTEMBER 9TH

Bears, Brews & Bites

Beer Festival

L LOT ON UNC CAMPUS (NORTH OF NOTTINGHAM FIELD) | 11:00 AM

Join over a dozen local brewers for the annual tasting benefitting the Brew Science program at UNC. Your $45 Festival ticket includes admission to the Bears football game at 2 pm, tasting and a food voucher when purchased in advance. Enjoy food trucks and a bevy of tailgate activities in the Pepsi UNC Bears FanFest. Buy tickets at UNCBears.com/Tickets or call 970-351-4849.

970-353-1389

FAMILY

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Saturday, September 9th 4:00-7:00 pm on the stage of the Monfort Concert Hall at the Union Colony Civic Center

Join us for an evening of entertainment benefiting your Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra.

Wine Pull

Live Music

Bourbon Drawing

Local Artists

$50 for single tickets / $90 for pairs

Tickets include unlimited wine & spirits tastings, a commemorative wineglass, & heavy hors d'oeuvres.

greeleyphil.org/tickets

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