Day: August 1, 2025

All who attended the Lake Fork Wind Ensemble concert on July 20 will agree the director was amazing, the musicians were outstanding, and the performance was spectacular.We want to thank all who came to this annual event. Your generous tax deductible donations are very much appreciated and will fund the 2026 Lake Fork Wind Ensemble. Thank you so much!We want to share with you the note the director, Dr. Brett Keating, sent to the musicians. Dear Lake Fork Wind Ensemble,It’s good to have fun, but it’s more fun to be good. And you all delivered.Thank you all for your efforts this past weekend. Congratulations on a fabulous performance that connected with the audience. The amount of gratitude for you all that was shared with me by the audience was profound. Your music making made a meaningful impact. Thank you for your dedication and service to the music. It is why we do what we do.I have had the pleasure of working with ~15 community concert bands this year around Colorado. From that perspective, it is clear to me that the Lake Fork Wind Ensemble is emerging as one of the finest in our state. And it seems you all are only getting started. What a special musical community you are all building. I’m fortunate to have the best seat in the house.Have a great year and I’ll see you next July. Musically Yours,Dr. Brett M. KeatingDIRECTOR OF BANDS, DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC Plan to attend the 2026 concert on July 19. You definitely don’t want to miss it!The Lake City Stinger Band Board(Sponsor of the Lake Fork Wind Ensemble) This letter to the Editor was submitted to Elaine Gray at Lake City library following the July 16 death of Dan Grantowski, husband to Eva Grantowski, the author of the following: Thank you for all your help to: Sheriff Starnes & staff at the Sheriff’s Office, Coroner Lori Lawrence, Lydia McNeese and daughter Rowan, Highlander Campground – Amy, Scott, Don & Spencer, Inn at the Lake – Ginny, Mike, Bunny & other volunteers, Lake View Property – Tannah Snow & Chris & Linda, staff at the bank, Post Office, and the people at the library. Sincerely,Eva & Kitty Granatowski

In my initial thank you letter, I inadvertently omitted a vital acknowledgment that deserves deep appreciation.I want to extend heartfelt thanks to Jerry Gray and the San Juan Solstice (SJS) Board for their continued generosity and support of the Hardrock 100 and the Sherman Aid Station. Each year, the San Juan Solstice allows us to utilize many of their supplies and kindly donates leftover aid station food and fuel—contributions that make a significant difference in our ability to care for runners and volunteers.In particular, I want to recognize Jerry Gray, who has served as the San Juan Solstice Race Director for the past 23 years. His dedication to the ultrarunning community is matched only by his deep-rooted commitment to public service. Jerry served as Lake City’s EMS Director from 1988 to 2018, a remarkable 30-year tenure. His impact on our community—through both emergency services and the ultrarunning world—has been profound I personally, along with so many others, have benefited from Jerry’s leadership, generosity, and unwavering service.Thank you, Jerry, for your enduring contributions to our events and our community. With deep gratitude,Martha ReinhardtLake City

Jeanie wants every everyone to know, especially those who read the Silver World, how grateful she is to the EMT’s who responded Sunday afternoon, June 30, Sheriff Starnes and “Deputy Dan” were the first to arrive.Currently we are at our son-in-law and daughter’s home near Buena Vista for three weeks or more —- as there is no home health in Hinsdale County — for therapy after 25 days at Gunnison Valley Hospital.Again thank you to all who were involved. We greatly appreciate the emergency services quick response and everyone’s efforts.Gene and Jeanie BrysonLake City

No, this is not another of my Mountain Musings articles. These are words of love and appreciation to the residents of Lake City and to those not yet captivated by the beauty of its mountains and people.My family found this well-hidden treasure in the early 1970’s while staying at the Black Mountain and Oleo Ranches where my daughter, Meredith, worked as a ranch hand. The highlight every summer was the scary jeep drive over the Divide and down Slum’s dirt switchbacks into Lake City. In those days when people asked me about Lake City the only words I could come up with were, “It’s like a trip into another world, like a timewarp.” In the early 1980’s we talked Bill Hall into selling us what was known as the “Blue House” on the river where the fishing and teenage skinny dipping events were a regular favorite of the locals.Little did I know that while I was here in Oklahoma grieving deeply the loss of Sandra to Alzheimer’s my daughters and son-in-law would offer to help make living out my dream in Lake City as a yearound resident a reality. The almost four years with you were even more than I could have imagined. The friendships made were undoubtedly one of the most valued highlights of my eight-plus decades. The close friends I left in Lake City are too many to name. They know who they are and I am already missing each of them. They made my life richer and more fulfilling and the stories we shared are filed away forever in my aging brain’s archives.Those who had never experienced the “Peak Experience” thought I was crazy to move to such a remote place at my age. But how could they know about the breathtaking San Juans or the mountain spirit of its people? Even the senior residents want no sympathy from those lowlanders asking about the long, hard winters. Of course, the high country life is challenging but you won’t hear those older than I complaining about being snowbound or hauling firewood in for the winter. They know they have each other and they don’t have to ask for help. When my drapes were closed all day my neighbors would call or show up at my front door to check on me. More than once it meant a scary trip by ambulance over the mountains to the nearest ER. When I needed help they were always there.Finally, a best kept secret in those mountains are the amazing seniors who came together to create the “Senior Connection” with more resources and events than I could keep up with. Upon entering any of the senior events I was always met with smiles, some hugs and was soon discovering the unique stories that brought us to the great San Juan Mountains.Just about everyone in Lake City, Colorado is a volunteer. It is said that there are more nonprofits in town than there are people. Five churches in a town of a few hundred residents and annually they gather outdoors, surrounded by fourteen-thousand-foot snowcapped peaks, to celebrate together their common faith in the Creator of their beautiful world.Right. I’m bragging on you all. But it ain’t bragging if it’s true. Thank you for sharing yourselves so generously, as you do annually for the thousands of summer tourists, but also for each other. I know. I was one of you for a brief “Peak” at your lives together. Gratefully,Dan [email protected]