Issuu

FALL 2026

WICKED WESTY

THE PANTRY PROBLEM

OUR CHAMPION APPLE TREE

Westminster City Council Claire Carmelia MAYOR

ccarmeli@ westminsterco.gov

New Mi Pueblo Market “I knew something was going in soon. I’m excited to check it out definitely needed a closer (and easily accessible) grocery store” - ANDI M.

Sarah Nurmela MAYOR PRO TEM

snurmela@ westminsterco.gov

Adam Barajas

@Andi M. and their breakfast burritos ROCK”

Obi Ezeadi COUNCILLOR

oezeadi@ westminsterco.gov

Amber Hott COUNCILLOR

ahott@ westminsterco.gov

So well deserved for such an incredible woman who works so hard at making the City of Westminster a place where you want to live and work! Congratulations Nancy!” - VICKI H.

Overheard

Residents sound off about what's happening around Westminster.

- RAYMOND B .

COUNCILLOR

abarajas@ westminsterco.gov

RE: NAMING MCNALLY PLAZA AT SHERIDAN GREEN PARK

RE: LAND REDESIGNATION AT CITY PARK

As a disc golfer wondering if we would get all 18 holes back and as an environmental policy and management graduate student, this is fantastic news!

Historic Rodeo Market

“I grew up on 75th & Osceola and we walked across what used to be a field to get to the Rodeo when it was our grocery store. Then we'd carry our paper sack of groceries home.” - VICKI E.

- JASON D.

“Wow! Lots of memories about the Rodeo store. When we were at the fire station with our dad we would go buy candy!!” - KATHY J.

OVERHEARD AT COUNTRYSIDE POOL DOGGIE DIVE-IN

Kristine Ireland COUNCILLOR

kireland@ westminsterco.gov

Jack Johnson COUNCILLOR

jejohnso@ westminsterco.gov

Guelaguetza

WANT TO APPEAR IN OUR NEXT ISSUE? LEAVE A COMMENT ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS!

“I thought it was a wonderful way to represent Oaxaca, thoroughly enjoyed the parade, lots of food vendors to select from. If it wasn't so hot we would of stayed longer but did enjoy it! Thank you Westminster ”

I'm going to count all the Goldens. 1 . . . 2 . . . Wait . . . is that the same one?"

- SUSIE L.

- DOG OWNER

westy.news

Your digital news hub for articles, photos, videos, and more.

GENERAL INQUIRIES 303-658-2400 NON-EMERGENCY DISPATCH 303-658-4360 WATER/SEWER BREAKS (24/7) 303-658-2500

The Brill Family

Meet Suzanna and Sebastian HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN WESTMINSTER?

2022

WHAT NEIGHBORHOOD DO YOU LIVE IN?

Historic Westminster, near Westminster Station. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT LIVING IN WESTMINSTER?

I love living at the edge of the plains and the Rocky Mountains. WHAT MAKES A GOOD NEIGHBOR?

I believe that it is important for neighbors to watch out for one another and be mindful. WHAT MAKES YOU A GOOD NEIGHBOR?

I do my best to acknowledge people I meet, both in my neighborhood and elsewhere. HAVE ANY INTERESTING HOBBIES?

I am currently reading two different translations of The Odyssey. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE PLACES IN WESTMINSTER?

Two of our favorite places nearby are the Irving Street Library and Westminster Station Park and Nature Playground. WHAT IS YOUR HOPE FOR THE FUTURE OF YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?

I hope we will see more mass transit options to help people travel across the metro area more easily. Read Suzanna's Story on Page 2

In This Issue The Pantry Problem

Westminster residents share their experiences with food access and the struggle they face making it all add up.

Penny-Farthing Paul

Who is that guy riding the old-timey bike on Westminster trails? And why in the world would anybody choose such an unforgiving mode of transportation in suburban Colorado?

Wicked Westy

Is the historic Bowles House haunted? Decide for yourself after reading this spooky tall tale.

ON THE COVER Paul Brekus and his penny-farthing are a fixture on Westminster trails.

Check the Tape:

More Ways Than Ever to Stay Connected

Events Calendar

Lowell Boulevard Improvements

Westminster's Champion Apple Tree

WESTMINSTERCO.GOV

Nonperishable items at Growing Home's food pantry in Westminster. Donations are always welcome to help fill shelves.

Westminster residents share their experiences with food access and the struggle they face making it all add up.

HE SLIDING DOORS

open, and Suzanna Brill enters King Soopers with her shopping cart, her reusable bags, and a plan. She always has a plan. Today’s mission is nonperishables. “Normally I would look at the fruit and see if there are any kind of sales, seasonal specials, that kind of thing,” the Westminster resident says, passing by a plethora of fresh produce. She beelines toward the buffer between the produce and deli, where she knows there might be hummus marked down. She learned all the tricks of the trade while stocking shelves at Whole Foods in Bradburn, one of several part-time jobs she picked up to supplement her regular job with a local school district. Brill’s dollars need to stretch a little more in the summer months. Her primary job with the school district is contract work, meaning summer months are unpaid. June and July’s silver

THE WESTY | Fall 2026

lining: more time to check aisle caps and hunt for sale stickers while her son, Sebastian, attends a summer program at the Boys and Girls Club. “At this particular moment in time I have more time than money, but once I’m back in the swing of my full-time working hours in August, I’m going to have neither time nor money,” Brill said. “So what will I do then, right?” For now, she combs through ingredient labels and compares prices per ounce. Every product is evaluated by cost, nutritional value, and whether Sebastian will actually eat it. The Boys and Girls Club will provide him a lunch today, but Sebastian most likely won’t partake since he is such a picky eater. What usually ends up in her cart is cereal that comes in bags, not boxes. There’s jelly, but no peanut butter. The food pantries always have peanut butter. Brill daydreams about a Chipotle bowl loaded with vegetables, beans, and salsa while checking ingredients on store-brand pasta. “Buy one get one free,” she says. “Happy days!” The two packages of pasta will pair with a jar of pesto that cleared the cost-per-ounce hurdle, making a Noodles and Company knock-off meal. Another involves a can of Amy’s brand organic soup. “This particular cheese tortellini soup, I heat it up to boiling and drop an egg into it.” she says. “It already has tortellini in it, you’re carbed up, and you have a little extra protein. It’s a real struggle meal, but I eat it. In the winter, these soups go on sale and you can get four cans for $5,

but right now they’re $3 each. No soup today.” Brill’s experience is unique, but not uncommon. As costs rise, thriving looks more like surviving, and food access becomes more difficult. Along with her savvy King Soopers shopping, she visits food pantries and wants others to know about the resources available in Westminster. “Sometimes I want people to know how easy it is. Sometimes I want them to know how hard it is,” she said. “For example, the Growing Home pantry. They are a great resource in our community, especially in the heart of where I

numbered buzzers like it’s a busy restaurant. The buzzers operate like a lottery system, a solution meant to prevent disputes between line cutters and spot savers. At exactly 10 am, the first buzzer begins vibrating, and Growing Home is officially open. Serving as Westminster’s main food pantry off 72nd Avenue and Irving Street, Growing Home offers everything from food items to hygiene products to dog food, all with no income or residency restrictions. Shopping here resembles a grocery store. Volunteers walk alongside participants and assist as personal shoppers, detailing how

live. But their hours are extremely limited. People have to go there and stand in line and wait. And it’s in the midst of a work day.”

many of each item are available, and helping stock grocery carts. Jacqueline Gomez works for Growing Home as a marketing manager these days, but has experienced both sides of the organization’s service model. “I’ve been in that need, and there were several food pantries that I didn’t qualify for.

ON A TUESDAY MORNING, A

line of people forms behind a red brick building in Historic Westminster. Some have reusable bags at their side. All are holding

Suzanna Brill shops carefully for items on sale at King Soopers.

WESTMINSTERCO.GOV

Shoppers at Growing Home's food pantry look at boxes of diapers and hygiene items.

It’s hard sometimes for some individuals and families,” Gomez said. “What I love as a mom is that when children come in, they don’t see their parents struggling. They’re having fun and grabbing the little shopping cart. They don’t recognize what their family may be going through because we make it more human.”

WAYS TO HELP GROWING HOME

MAJOR DONATION

A spare commercial building with ADA accessible warehouse space and room for more refrigerators would be much appreciated.

VOLUNTEER

With enough volunteers, Growing Home may be able to expand service hours.

3. IN 2025, GROWING HOME’S FOOD PANTRY RECEIVED A TOTAL

DONATE FOOD Growing

of 7,205 visits, primarily adults shopping for households in Adams Home served County. By Growing Home’s numbers, their services across all over 9,000 individuals programs in 2025 reached 9,446 individuals. Although demand last year alone. for the food pantry’s service is high, Growing Home faces its own resource challenges. Food pantry hours are limited. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, the pantry is open for a single two-hour window from 10 am to noon. On Fridays, seniors take priority and receive their buzzers first. Occasionally staff steps in and pauses their administrative work to run the pantry if there are not enough volunteers. Growing Home previously offered help with housing, including rent and mortgage assistance, but lost that grant and had to pause the program. Food continues to be a significant need, especially following federal cuts to SNAP benefits in 2025. “The community need is growing, so we’re trying to figure out how we can do this better as well,” Gomez said. The biggest challenge is a lack of space, especially for refrigerators. That lack of storage once forced Growing Home to turn down a donation of 60 turkeys around Thanksgiving. The space is also far from ADA accessible, requiring stairs to get from the street level entrance down to the food pantry. There’s even a square window with a slide and rollers that the food is pushed through so participants don’t have to carry full bags upstairs. Wheelchair users often stay outside rather than chancing the rickety lift. BACK AT THE SELF-CHECKOUT IN KING SOOPERS, BRILL SCANS EACH OF

her items and carefully checks along with the beeps to make sure she is only paying the sale price. One item beeps twice. Now she needs help. Brill has had to come to grips with asking for help ever since she moved to Westminster after losing her home in the 2021 Marshall Fire. Today, Brill won’t be bothering the cashier to process an EBT payment. Just remove the double-scanned loaf of bread, please. “You have to have no pride,” she said. “I haven’t always been on the struggle bus. But here I am. As long as we’re all doing our best, we should be living in a world where we all can have fresh fruits and vegetables and protein. We shouldn’t have to be anxious about having food in front of us.” 4

THE WESTY | Fall 2026

Help stock shelves.

DONATE MONEY

Help provide fresh meat, produce, and dairy items that must be purchased from grocery partners.

HOST A DRIVE

Food, hygiene products, diapers, and pet food are always needed.

SHARE INFORMATION

Spreading the word about Growing Home on social networks can help connect future volunteers and donors.

Find more food resources and ways to help.

Check the Tape WESTMINSTER'S CHAMPION APPLE TREE

UST BEYOND THE SPLIT-RAIL FENCE OF WESTMINSTER’S

historic Semper-Allison Farm, located at 92nd and Pierce Street, an apple tree stands with presence. It’s scraggly, scarred, and hollowed in places. The tree has weathered the “Killer Blizzard” of 1885–86, multiple droughts, and more than 140 years of change. This apple tree was once the largest of its kind in Colorado, and for the first time in over a decade, is being measured again to see if it still holds its place among the state’s champion trees. The story of this particular tree begins in the early 1880s, when Charles and Julia Semper moved onto 160 acres near Pierce Street and present-day Westminster Boulevard. Having uprooted from New Orleans to set out west, Charles began transforming the dry prairie sod into a working homestead: digging a well, plowing several acres, planting barley, alfalfa, clover, vegetables, and berries. He laid out orchards of apples, cherries, and Black Walnut trees. He raised cattle, hogs, and even sheep. The Westminster Historical Society estimates this Sops of Wine apple tree, a variety originally from England, was different. It wasn’t a crop for sale; it was planted for pleasure, shade, fruit, and continuity. It likely went into the ground between 1883 and 1893. In 1903, Julia won first place for her Sops of Wine apples in a Denver horticultural contest. The variety is known for its firm flesh and red-flushed skin, better for baking and cider than eating fresh. After the Sempers sold the property in 1911 and moved to Denver, the farm passed through generations of the Allison family. By mid-century, the area around the tree had grown and changed. Roads were built and realigned. A water treatment plant rose nearby. Yet the apple tree remained rooted in place, protected by community interest and city efforts to preserve the historic farm. In 2006, Allison Community Garden was established around it, not only to steward the land but to give neighbors a reason to know and visit the old tree. In 2010, 150 cuttings from the tree were grafted onto rootstock and distributed throughout the city for Westminster’s 100th anniversary. Today, more than 100 descendants of the Semper apple tree could be growing across the community. The Colorado Tree Coalition last measured the Semper apple tree in 2015, placing it second in the state with 169.41 points (based on measurements of circumference, height, and crown spread). This year, foresters returned to Semper Farm to measure the apple tree again, recording a circumference of 113.1 inches, height of 32 feet, and a crown spread of 29 feet. Its new point value: 152.29. For now, that places it third among Colorado’s apple champions. City Forester Bryan McCoy says decline is natural for trees of this age. “We have intentionally not touched it,” he said. “It’s historical. We could take dead branches out, but there’s always the potential you break off live branches and open it up to fire blight or other disease. We’re just leaving it as is, letting it naturally decline. It’s great for wildlife and the ecosystem.” Still, the tree endures, protected by the surrounding foliage, nurtured by shaded soil, and sustained by the community’s passion for local history. The fresh set of numbers confirm what Westminster already knows: the Semper apple tree remains, in every sense, a champion.

FROM SEEDLING TO CHAMPION

How the Semper Apple Tree has grown over a century.

1883–93 Sops of Wine apple tree planted at Semper orchard. 1885–86 Apple tree weathers the "Killer Blizzard."

1911 Westminster incorporates.

1882 Charles & Julia Semper settle in Westminster. 1884–85 Farmers Highline Canal dug; improves water access.

1903 Julia Semper wins Denver horticultural contest. 2005 Semper-Allison Farm becomes a historic site. Apple tree nominated for champion status.

2006 Allison Community Garden established. 2026 Tree re-measured for Champion Tree Program; wins 3rd place. WESTMINSTERCO.GOV

MORE WAYS THAN EVER TO

Stay Connected New things are always happening in Westminster. Whether you want to stay in the know, share your feedback, or get involved, the City has many opportunities for you to get plugged in. Westminster is your city, and however you choose to connect, we're glad you're here!

Stay Informed

1. THE WESTY NEWSLETTER . Get monthly updates delivered

straight to your inbox. westminsterco.gov/connectwithus

2. WESTY.NEWS . Prefer to read at your own pace? Our digital news

website covers City projects, events, programs, and community spotlights, plus videos that bring it all to life. westy.news

STAY INFORMED

3. THE WESTY MAGAZINE . Four times a year, City storytelling arrives in your mailbox in print form. The Westy takes a deeper look at what's happening in our community. westy.news/archives

4. SOCIAL MEDIA . Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, Nextdoor,

and YouTube for City updates, news, and events. Follow the City's Parks, Recreation & Libraries Department on Facebook and Instagram for more events, programs, and facility information.

5. EMERGENCY ALERTS . Sign up for community notifications.

westminsterco.gov/emergencyalerts

6. OUR WESTMINSTER . Check out the City’s new community

engagement site. Explore projects, share your feedback, and help shape what happens in your community. our.westminsterco.gov

Get Involved

CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS . Open to the public. Attend a meeting, leave

a public comment, or connect with City Councillors at outreach events. westminsterco.gov/citycouncil ACCESS WESTMINSTER . Have a concern or question? With the

City’s online customer service portal, you can submit requests for pothole repairs, traffic signal issues, code enforcement, and more. westminsterco.gov/accesswestminster

VOLUNTEER . If you want to give back, we have volunteer opportunities

for a variety of interests. westminsterco.gov/volunteerwestminster JOIN A BOARD OR COMMISSION . Want a more hands-on role

to influence City decision-making? These groups provide valuable input to Westminster City Council across a wide range of areas. westminsterco.gov/boardscommissions 6

THE WESTY | Fall 2026

GET INVOLVED

Who is that guy riding the old-timey bike on Westminster trails? And why in the world would anybody choose such an unforgiving mode of transportation in suburban Colorado?

WESTMINSTERCO.GOV

’M

NUTS.

THAT’S

THE

simple answer,” said 72-year-old Westminster resident Paul Brekus. “I love to ride the bike. And when you're on a penny-farthing, everybody smiles.” Smiles are a familiar sight for Brekus when he rides his Victorian-era bicycle through modern-day Westminster. Looking down from his perch above the gigantic front wheel, he sees plenty of other reactions. Children point. Joggers slow to a walk. Someone almost always reaches for their phone. Stopping for a chat is easier said than done, but Brekus is happy to smile and wave as he cruises along Big Dry Creek Trail at 10 miles per hour. There is one popular refrain he can’t stand: “Pop a wheelie!” “How do I explain in five seconds that this is a front-wheel drive, and it’s impossible to do that?” Brekus said. “So, my natural reaction is ‘Momma wheelie!’” Paul Brekus estimates he rides 360 days per year, often along Big Dry Creek Trail.

THE BIKES BREKUS PREFERS WERE

never designed for childish BMX tricks. They were built for speed. Since early bicycles didn’t have chains or gears, builders in the 1870s made the front wheel huge so the rider could cover more ground with one turn of the pedals. The name “penny-farthing” is British slang, referring to old coins — the large penny and the much smaller farthing, worth one quarter of one penny. Nineteenth century design is beautiful but unforgiving. This bike weighs about 50 pounds. The tires are solid rubber with no modern geometry to smooth out mistakes. Every crack, bump, rock, and pothole sends direct feedback nearly five feet straight up into the saddle.

THRILL SEEKERS AND HIPSTERS MIGHT

give it a go. Brekus has logged 200,000 miles and counting. “I try to do at least 100 miles a week,” he said. “I'm 72 years old now, and a couple of years back I was usually doing 8

THE WESTY | Fall 2026

7,000 miles a year, now down to about 5,500 a year. It's rare that I miss a day.” Brekus documents each and every ride using the Strava app. His morning and nightly walks around the neighborhood sandwich pennyfarthing journeys in a consistent feed that dates back to 2015. Brekus has over 1,200 followers on Strava who give kudos on rides titled with quotes he hears from onlookers, like “That’s tight, bro!” and “How you do dat? That’s crazy!” Brekus was profiled by The Denver Post as a local celebrity back in 2021, but has since become a Westminster resident. A 24-mile ride from his old neighborhood in Denver to his current residence is titled “Glad to see you still riding after all these years, Paul!” “I got tired of shoveling snow and doing a lawn and trying to keep the lawn looking nice. That's covered here,” he said about his Legacy Ridge townhome. “I love this neighborhood. And what I really like about Westminster is the trail system.”

WESTMINSTER’S EXTENSIVE

trail network allows Brekus to venture out pretty much everywhere he needs to go. His routes spider web throughout the metro. He rides to visit with a friend in Golden, attend church near Sloan’s Lake, and run an errand to a bike shop in Thornton.

A vintage penny-farthing hangs in Paul's garage workshop.

One of his favorite routes is a cruise along Big Dry Creek out to Standley Lake, making sure to pass through the Armed Forces Tribute Garden near City Park on his way home. “The view heading west and seeing the mountains in the background is amazing,” he said. “Also on the return trip, I will go through the Veterans Memorial and I'll name people that I know that served in each of the branches as I go around. The only one I don't have is the Coast Guard.”

BREKUS IS AWARE THAT HE

Paul salutes while riding through the Armed Forces Tribute Garden.

is getting older. The miles are starting to feel a little longer. The hills are getting steeper. But for a man who has summited Lookout Mountain on the penny-farthing and careened all the way down its eastern side, friction brake glowing red, the pedaling never stops. “My oldest daughter, Laura, and my youngest daughter, AJ, both realize that there's no stopping dad,” Brekus said. “So they're just going to have to live with it." Someday, somebody else may become the man on the penny-farthing, towering over the trails as e-bikes zip by. Until then, Brekus will continue to smile and wave. He will keep pedaling and promoting his passion for the outdoors. He will trust the next generation to try using “proper transportation” to get around. “I'm hoping it's going to inspire people to get outdoors,” he said. “Preferably on a bike, preferably a penny-farthing, but just get out there. Enjoy nature, enjoy life, enjoy Westminster.” WESTMINSTERCO.GOV

Events

Explore our full events calendar at westminsterco.gov/events.

Community Update with City Council and the City Manager

SEPTEMBER Westminster History Tour: Becoming Westminster

Tuesday, October 20 5:30 to 6:30 pm

Saturday, September 12 9 am to noon Westminster History Center 7200 Lowell Blvd

Tickets are required for Westminster History Tours. Visit westminsterco.gov/ specialevents to purchase.

FALL 2026

Location to be announced. Visit westminsterco.gov/citycouncil to learn more.

Public Safety Open House Saturday, September 26 9 am to 1 pm Public Safety Center 9110 Yates St

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER 37th Annual Holiday Craft Show Saturday, November 7 9 am to 3 pm The MAC 3295 W 72nd Ave

City Council's Fall Town Hall Details to be announced. Visit westminsterco.gov/citycouncil to learn more.

Family Camp Night

Saturday, September 12 to Sunday, September 13 Starts at 1 pm on Saturday Standley Lake Regional Park 11610 W 100th Ave Registration ($35 per family) is required. Visit westminsterco.gov/ specialevents to register.

Westminster History Tour: Trailblazing Through Time Saturday, October 10 9 am to noon College Hill Library 3705 W 112th Ave

Tickets are required for Westminster History Tours. Visit westminsterco.gov/ specialevents to purchase.

Honor the Land and Streams Monday, November 9 to Sunday, November 15 Citywide

Visit westminsterco.gov/ openspacevolunteering to register.

Community Update with City Council and the City Manager Tuesday, September 15 5:30 to 6:30 pm

Location to be announced. Visit westminsterco.gov/citycouncil to learn more. 10

THE WESTY | Fall 2026

Westy Fest

Saturday, October 17 Noon to 8 pm City Park 10455 N Sheridan Blvd

Veterans Day

Wednesday, November 11 10 am Armed Forces Tribute Garden 6001 W 104th Ave

will begin work on a construction project along Lowell Boulevard to improve water reliability and support future growth. Lowell Boulevard is an important north-south corridor, serving neighborhoods, schools, businesses, and daily commuters. It’s also home to critical underground water and sewer infrastructure that supports everyday life across our community. The City is planning a project in the northern section of Lowell Boulevard as part of a significant investment in the City’s water and sewer systems.

92nd Ave and Lowell Blvd Intersection Improvement

W 92ND AVE

Lowell North: Waterline and Sunset Open Space Sewer Improvements

What to Expect •

•

As is the case with any construction project, drivers should expect delays and consider using alternate routes when possible. Some customers may also experience temporary water service outages while new waterlines are installed. The City will work to minimize disruptions and, whenever possible, provide advance notice of water service interruptions or temporary changes to property access.

Residents can sign up for email updates or contact the project team directly at our.westminsterco.gov. We appreciate the community’s patience and cooperation during construction.

Start of 8” Lowell Waterline

W 88TH AVE

End of 24” Lowell Waterline

End of 8” Lowell Waterline

W 84TH AVE

LOWELL BLVD

The Lowell North project includes installation of a new waterline between 88th and 97th avenues. The City will also install a new sewer line within Sunset Open Space to replace a section of sanitary sewer that is currently undersized. This new water infrastructure will help support service reliability and resiliency, while the sewer improvements will increase capacity. The project is funded by the Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund, general funds and Uplands Development fees. The City is committed to providing safe, clean, and affordable water for generations to come. Installing the new waterlines will support reliability in areas where the current water lines are undersized or aging.

W 96TH AVE

FEDERAL BLVD

S SOON AS THIS WINTER, WESTMINSTER

End of 24” Squires Park Waterline

OAKWOOD ST

Start of 24” Lowell Waterline

City of Westminster Sunset Ridge Hydropillar Tanks

FEDERAL BLVD

IMPROVEMENTS

Squires Park

LOWELL BLVD

Lowell Boulevard

End of 24” Squires Park Waterline

W 80TH AVE

Sunset Sewer Line

For updates on the Lowell Boulevard project, scan the QR code

W 76TH AVE

Legend Waterline Replacement Sewer Replacement

WESTMINSTERCO.GOV 11

Dried leaves crunched under the black rubber of tires. Hands clenched bicycle grips in the crisp fall breeze. Maria and Cayden pedaled as fast as they could. They traveled east along Historic Westminster’s 72nd Avenue, their shadows growing longer on the sidewalk. “Four more blocks to the Nature Playground!” shouted Cayden. They had just zoomed by England Park when Maria slammed on her rear brake, marking the concrete with a black streak. “Woooooah,” Cayden yelled as he skidded to a stop. “What is it?” Maria stepped off her purple bicycle, letting it fall to the grass. She approached a short iron gate covered in spider webs. Behind the gate, a 12

spooky building towered over her. It had to be a hundred years old, maybe more. Made of blood-red bricks and ornate green woodwork, Maria had never seen anything like it. “Do you think someone still lives here?” Maria asked. “No way,” Cayden said. “Look!” Maria pointed to the second-story window where a golden light flickered on. A shadow moved behind the curtain. “That’s just cleaners or something.” Cayden said. “Let’s go.” He picked up his bike and walked it to the corner of the lot where he found a blue sign that read Bowles House. “Never heard of it.” Then a terrifying sound stopped him in his tracks. “Did you hear that?” Maria asked. He wanted to say no. But that would be a lie. In between the passing of cars, they heard laughter, someone cackling. Cayden shivered. It took every ounce of bravery he had to turn around. Stepping down from the front porch, a woman with wrinkled skin and a long dark dress passed quietly down the path to the gate. Her frizzy grey hair shimmered in the dimming light. She held folded fabric between

her hands. “Maria! Run away!” Cayden threw the bike aside and ran to help his sister, but Maria didn’t move. The ghastly woman unfolded the fabric and lifted it high in the air. “I think she’s trying to…” Maria started. The woman wrapped the fabric around her. Maria found that the handstitched heavy yellow blanket rather comforting. “…help.” Cayden’s hands passed right through the woman, and when he turned around, she’d disappeared. He panted like a dog, searching in every direction for her, and found nothing at all. Maria tied the quilt around her shoulders. “Was that a…” Cayden didn’t dare finish the sentence. “A ghost. I think so.” “Why’d she give you a quilt?” “Maybe she’s just looking out for us? She might have been one of the earliest people to live in Westminster.” “Now you’re just making stuff up.” Cayden said. He retrieved his bike and turned it around. “I won’t be hanging out with ghosts anytime soon.” He pedaled off. As Maria lifted her bike, she caught one last glimpse of the woman. She stood on the porch with an oil lantern.

Ghostly snowflakes fell in front of the firelight like it was already winter, but only on her porch. “Thank you.” Maria said quietly, knowing colder weather was just around the corner.

PRSRT STD

U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 32 Westminster, CO 80031

City of Westminster

4800 W 92nd Ave Westminster, CO 80031

S ECO N D AN N UAL

Send us a photo of your carved, painted, or decorated pumpkin for a chance to win eerie-sistable prizes!

SEPT. 26 OCT. 27 –

SCAN TO SHARE YOUR PUM PKIN