Lake City | The Silver World Newspaper

Town’s Origins Date Back 150 Years to Formation of Lake City Town Company

Town of Lake City’s Mayor Dave Roberts, along with Town Manager Lex Mulhall, Town staff and Town Board of Trustees have been hard at work planning the sesquicentennial anniversary of the founding of the Town of Lake City in 1875.To commemorate the occasion, there will be a celebration in Town Park on August 16 beginning at 10 a.m.The party kicks off with the always highly anticipated and appreciated Ute Mountain Ute Dancers, who have visited and performed in Lake City on several occasions over the years. The performance will begin at 10 a.m. in Town Park, and is classified, according to Town Trustee Henry Woods, as a “land acknowledgment and culturally artistic performance.”At noon, three speakers will be giving lectures about Lake City’s history, present and future. Mayor Roberts will begin with a welcome speech, followed by former Town Manager Michelle Pierce, speaking about the beginnings of Lake City and the origins of the “Lake City Town Company.”Next, historian and owner of the Slumgullion Gift Gallery in the historic Green Garage will be Joe Fox, speaking on the role and importance of the historic district in Lake City. Following him will be Trustee Woods to discuss the future of Lake City.The lectures are slated to take 45 minutes in total, followed by cupcakes from the Lake City Bakery and ice cream. Live music by Evelyn Roper and Opal Moon begins at 12:30 until 5 p.m. Beginning at 1 p.m., beer and margaritas will be served by Downtown Improvement and Renovation Team (DIRT) at the moderate hundred and fifty anniversary cost of just $1.50, along with food from local food trucks – Summit Wing House and Wagon Wheel. There will also be a cornhole tournament overseen by Town Trustee Nathan Wuest and a water slide courtesy of Town of Lake City’s Recreation Department. Next Saturday’s town park gala celebrates 150 years since formation of Town of Lake City as a municipal governmental organization starting with the quasi-public Lake City Town Company which was formally incorporated and recognized by Hinsdale County Commissioners on August 16, 1875. Although the town company was a privately-owned company with 220 $50 shares of stock owned by 22 leading light incorporators, Territorial Law also required a democratic component in which seven of the incorporators — a president, secretary, treasurer, and four trustees — were elected by the town’s registered male voters on an annual basis.Lake City Town Company incorporation documents were signed and filed in successive months July, August, and September, first with the county clerk in Saguache County in July, 1875, followed by incorporation filings with county clerks in Rio Grande and Hinsdale Counties and, finally Territorial Secretary of State in Denver on September 28, 1875. Focus of the town company as specifically cited in the incorporation documents was to take, enter, and hold tracts of land for the purpose of “establishing and erecting a town thereon and to lay off the said tract of land in Blocks, Lots, Streets, and Alleys… the said tract so laid off to be known as Lake City.”Further intent in the incorporation filing was to “improve, sell, or otherwise dispose of said Lots or Blocks and to do and perform all other business pertaining to the said Corporation.”Incorporators of the Lake City Town Company were, nearly without exception, well-connected businessmen, a majority of whom — including well- known toll road financier Otto Mears — were associated with the two principal toll roads servicing Lake City from Saguache and Del Norte in 1875 and 1876, the Saguache & San Juan Wagon Toll Road, and the Del Norte & Antelope Park Toll Road and its extension, the Antelope Park & Lake City Toll Road.Henry Finley and his father-in-law, John Bartholf, were among the Saguache & San Juan toll road building party which in August, 1874, found and interred the bodies of the five men murdered and partially cannibalized by Alferd Packer.The intrepid Finley successfully parlayed a herd of beef cattle brought from Saguache to Lake City which he traded for a stake in the Hotchkiss Lode, and in 1877 built the stone Finley Block, today’s home of Hinsdale County Museum.Also taking part in the grave digging for the Packer victims was another original member of the Lake City Town Company, toll road construction supervisor Enos T. Hotchkiss who, with Finley and others, took time to prospect and lay claim to a fabulously promising tellurium gold and silver claim overlooking the outlet of Lake San Cristobal. The claim was initially known as the Hotchkiss Lode before years later being rechristened by its better known title, the Golden Fleece Mine.Hotchkiss and Finley, with D.P. Church patented the Granite Falls mill site above Lake City, water power from which powered Lake City’s first saw mill.Finley served as President of the Lake City Town Company and, with fellow officers F. Newton Bogue, town company secretary, and Warren T. Ring, treasurer. Finley, Bogue, and Ring, together with trustees Otto Mears, Isaac Gotthelf, H.M. Woods, and Enos Hotchkiss immediately set to work identifying the future townsite on a 260-acre mosquito-infested tract of beaver dams and willows extending north from the juncture of Henson Creek with the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River.Town company officers reported expending $3,548.50 in October, 1875, perfecting title and securing patent to the 260-acre townsite, requisite details including a rudimentary survey by U.S. Deputy Mineral Surveyor W.C. Lewman.Starting at the extreme northeast corner of the 260 townsite plat and working its way southward to the mouth of Henson Creek, Lake City Town Company’s plat consisted of a total of 72 blocks, the majority with 32 25’ x 125’ lots each, divided by alleys, major envisioned thoroughfares — optimistically looking beyond the prevalent mosquitos, beaver ponds, and proliferation of willows — being north-south running Lake Street, Henson Street, Gunnison Avenue, Silver Street, and Bluff Street, with corresponding east-west running cross streets First through Ninth Streets to the west of the Lake Fork River, and Water Hotchkiss and Pine Streets, with cross streets on what

August 8, 2025 No Comments

Past Superlatives Among 25 Runners in Aug. 8 100-Mile Run

Preparations are in full out running mode — and 25 hardy men and women mountain endurance runners already enrolled — for the 7th Annual “High Five” 100-mile mountain run starting 6 a.m. Friday, August 8, and continuing until mandatory cut-off at 6 a.m. Sunday, August 10.According to organizer Logan Rhodes — who this year happens to again be one of the race entrants — the informal race route starting and ending at Lake City Town Park remains essentially the same, with each of the qualifying runners required to reach checkpoints on the summits of each of the county’s five 14,000’ elevation peaks, 14,309’ Uncompahgre Peak; Wetterhorn, 14,015’; Redcloud, 14,034’; Sunshine, 14,001’; and Handies, 14,048’.Rhodes, who initiated the hardcore endurance run with his wife, Lake City preschool instructor Caitlin Rhodes, in 2019, emphasizes that there is no pre-set route for the 100-mile run and is instead up to the individual runners to set their course which, in addition to the five 14,000’ peaks, also includes mandatory proof of summiting a variety of other lesser elevation 12,000’ and 13,000’ peaks, including 12,933’ elevation Crystal Peak near the race’s start.Among the 25 ultra runners already registered for the High 5 as of Tuesday this week, local runners include both Logan Rhodes and two other well- known mountain runners, Wade Wandrey, who came out of running retirement for this past June’s 50-mile San Juan Solstice, and School Teacher Doug Eby.Both Rhodes and Wandrey finished this year’s Solstice, Rhodes’ first among local runners in 44th place overall with a time of 11 hours, 34.16 minutes for the strenuous 50-miler, and Wandrey 61st overall, time 12 hours, 14 minutes in the Solstice.Also running in June’s San Juan Solstice — and also registered for this month’s 100-mile High Five is Gunnison middle school teacher Dustin Simoens. Simoens is a past High Five winner, taking first place in the inaugural 2019 High Five with time 32 hours, 51 minutes and in this year’s June San Juan Solstice loped a somewhat slower pace for the 50-miler, finishing 74th overall, 12 hours, 35.09 seconds.First time runners for this year’s August 8 High Five will line up on a Silver Street starting line adjacent to Lake City Park at 6 a.m. Friday; experienced runners who have previously competed in the race one time prior begin the race an hour later, at 7 a.m., and for High Five runners with two prior races under proverbial belt, the start time is 8 a.m.As earlier stated, the mandatory cutoff is 6 a.m. Sunday, August 10, with Caitlin Rhodes and other race organizers predictably camped out in the park throughout the night to greet runners crossing the finish line.A preliminary High Five race meeting for runners and volunteers is planned at the Rhodes’ Gunnison Avenue residence starting 6 p.m. Thursday, August 7.

August 1, 2025 No Comments

Early Childcare, EMS, Search & Rescue Considered for Lodging Tax Increase

Hinsdale County Commissioners are narrowing their focus on specific ballot language for multiple questions to be put before county voters this November. At their morning workshop Wednesday this week, Commissioners Borchers, Levine, and Hurd discussed at length specifics of a proposed lodging tax increase of up to four percent.During informal discussion, it was repeatedly stated that a three percent lodging tax increase may be more amenable to county voters and thus have a better chance for passage. Hinsdale County currently has a two percent lodging tax for marketing but new state legislation expands the parameters on how the tax may be used — adding medical services, early childcare, and affordable housing to the mix — for a maximum of up to six percent.Although the discussion is ongoing and will be continued at the county board’s Wednesday, August 6, workshop, the three commissioners have apparently reached concensus on seeking voter approval for a one percent lodging tax increase for both Hinsdale County Search & Rescue and Early Childcare.Still up for discussion at the urging of Commissioner Levine is whether ballot language will include either a one or two percent lodging tax increase for Hinsdale County Emergency Medical Services.Based on 2024 lodging tax revenues, one percent equates to $66,343. Earlier in workshop, both Commissioners Hurd and Borchers had indicated support for a one percent lodging tax increase for EMS, although Commissioner Levine was adamant that Hinsdale EMS — which annually receives a substantial financial subsidy from the county — is “financially strained” and, depending on further discussion, may warrant two percent of lodging tax revenues equating to roughly $130,000 on an annual basis.“I worry about EMS a lot,” said Levine, noting on that on consecutive days last month the county’s EMS team received five calls, all before 6 a.m.He emphasized, “a lot is being put on them.”Commissioners Borchers and Hurd reiterated their unequivocal support for “sustainable funding” for all emergency providers, Commissioner Hurd adding his view that in future revenues from the revamped All Hazards Team Program may be able to provide greater financial support to emergency services.A slight modification in Wednesday’s discussion on ballot wording for proposed lodging tax increases — and different from what has previously been reported — is that Lake City Area Medical Center is, at the medical board’s request, now out of the mix in terms of seeking a portion of lodging tax revenues.Medical Center funding through lodging tax was complicated by the fact the health service district is already a taxing district and any portion of lodging tax revenues would necessarily go to the county and be apportioned at the county board’s discretion.In a letter to commissioners from health services board of directors, it is stated that they now wish to be removed from further consideration for lodging tax revenues, commissioners surmising that “most likely,” said Levine, the health services district “will go for a sales tax increase in the near future.”Medical center’s withdrawal from consideration for revenues from an added county lodging tax mirrors Lake City Area Fire Protection District which had initially expressed an interest in lodging tax revenues but later concluded to formulate its own fall, 2025, ballot question seeking a county sales tax increase specifically benefiting the fire district.At the fire district’s meeting Tuesday evening this week, directors finalized plans to seek a 1.25 percent sales tax increase which, with voter approval this fall, would be collected by businesses within the fire district’s boundaries roughly estimated at about $425,000, according to fire district secretary Michelle Pierce. The revenue, in part, Pierce adds, is necessary due to recent determination that the district must hire a fire marshal in order to enforce fire code.Also at Wednesday’s county board workshop and meeting, Lake City resident Ingrid Burnett was formally appointed as the county’s representative on the joint Hinsdale/Mineral County Silver Thread Public Health District. Each county board is allowed two positions on the health board, two Mineral County Commissioners serving on the board and Levine the sole county commissioner from Hinsdale County. Burnett will now represent the county as the second Hinsdale County representative.At start of open discussion prior to start of workshop and regular meeting on Wednesday, Commissioner Borchers uncharacteristically volunteered first in line with a detailed, point by point response to an anonymous letter which has been received critical of the county.Depending on space restrictions, WORLD plans to preprint Borcher’s rebuttal verbatim, although in this abbreviated mention she methodically addressed points in the unsigned letter which included a perceived need for greater financial oversight of the county board, additional details on the now revamped All Hazards Team Program which included Borchers’ acknowledgment that $1.25-million paid by the county as part of the program was ultimately not reimbursed by State of Colorado as the result of unintentional incorrect billing; and the demand in the anonymous letter for greater transparency, including financial and lease/purchase details, on the ongoing construction of the county’s new administration building adjoining Hinsdale County Courthouse on Henson Street.Fellow Commissioners Levine and Hurd concurred with Borchers’ detailed rebuttal of the anonymous letter, Hurd thanking Borchers for compiling the information and emphatically stating “nothing is hidden,” while Commissioner Levine described Borchers’ summation as “very succinct and complete.” Levine continued, noting “the truth is the truth” and inviting and welcoming members of the public to personally attend meetings of the county board — or listen to audio recordings of the board’s meeting — in preference to drafting unsigned letters.Again during open discussion portion of the commissioners’ July 30 meeting, Commissioner Hurd expressed his frustration with ongoing mandatory $8 day use fees required in order to visit Deer Creek Lakes on the Upper Cebolla. Hurd indicated particular outrage at what he termed “aggressive behavior” on the part of the Forest Service facility’s on-site managers which now extends, he said, to placing paper tickets on the windshields of parked vehicles.Commissioners met earlier last month with Forest Service Supervisor Dale Funka who indicated that the decision to impose a charge at the popular fishing and moose-watching

August 1, 2025 No Comments

Gunnison Co. Electric Announces New Rate Structure Effective Jan. ‘26

Gunnison County Electric Association (GCEA) announces it will introduce a new rate design for residential and small commercial customers beginning January 1, 2026. This rate design change is part of a five-year transition, which will modernize GCEA’s rate structure to equitably recover operational costs across all rate classes and provide members with another way to control their electric bills.For years, GCEA has educated its members to use less energy through energy efficiency and conservation to save money on their bills. Energy usage patterns have evolved over time and demand for the electric grid is greater than ever, especially during peak hours when people head home from their daily activities to cook and take care of household chores. With GCEA’s rate design change, members can choose not only to save and conserve energy but also to shift their electric usage away from peak hours to lower their peak demand and reduce their monthly bill.GCEA is providing members with greater control by separating its current energy (kWh) charge, which currently combines the cost of total energy use with the cost of peak demand on the electric grid. GCEA’s new three-part rate structure will include the following components: service availability, energy usage (kWh), and peak demand (kW) charges.The peak demand charge will be based on the members’ highest hour of electric usage each month during peak hours from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday, when demand for electricity is at its highest. Sundays are considered “off-peak” all day.This change will not only give members two ways to lower their bills, but will also promote rate equity among GCEA members. Under this new rate structure, each member will pay for their contribution to GCEA’s peak demand, independent of the amount of electricity they consume.This new rate component will not create additional revenue for GCEA. As a not-for-profit rural electric cooperative, GCEA operates at cost. The peak demand charge will be phased in over five years to facilitate a gradual transition. Since a portion of GCEA’s revenue will be recovered through the peak demand charge, the energy charge will be lower than it would be otherwise.“This change will promote fair cost recovery among members, give members a new way to control their monthly bill, and send a clear signal to members about actions they can take to help GCEA keep its rates as low as possible,” said GCEA CEO Mike McBride.GCEA encourages members to become familiar with their electric bill and identify their current peak demand reading. Members may also utilize the SmartHub app to track current energy usage and strategize how to reduce peak demand. Future member education and communication will assist members with how to prepare for this change.For more information on the new peak demand charge, please visit gcea.coop.

July 25, 2025 No Comments

Trustees Ponder Letter from Local Business Unhappy with Utility Rates

Turner states in her preface: “As seasonal lodging and tourism-based businesses are being hit with property tax increases, unfair utility rates, and increased lodging tax, the burden is immense. We feel some discriminatory action against our seasonal lodging businesses, and we hope to see some consideration.”

July 25, 2025 No Comments

Rehabilitation Complete at Lake City’s Historic Brick Green Garage

The historic Green Garage on 4th Street in Lake City’s downtown historic district — which houses Joe Fox’s Slumgullion Gift Gallery — has just recently completed a rehabilitation of its exterior brick walls and historic windows and door.The building’s owner received grant money from Colorado’s State Historical Fund (SHF) for almost half the slightly over $120,000 cost of the entire project. Hinsdale County Historical Society sponsored an initial SHF Planning Grant to create construction documents for the project, and for the actual repair work the Denver-based non-profit Colorado Preservation Inc. (CPI) sponsored and administered the successful grant from SHF.Lake City Town Trustees, Lake Fork Valley Conservancy, Hinsdale County Chamber of Commerce and several nearby property owners all provided critical letters of support for the project application and SHF awarded and initiated the rehabilitation project in 2023.The building’s brick walls on the south, east and west elevations of the original 1917 building, and its ca. 1930 expansion, were refurbished by Salida-based Agave Landscapes and Masonry headed by Thaddeus Hust, window work was completed by Henry Woods’ Native Sun Construction of Lake City, and door replacement was accomplished by new Lake City resident Jared Boyd of NOMI craftsman firm.Colorado State Historical Fund deemed the project to be successfully complete effective the end of June this year, and Fox tells WORLD that Jacob McDonald is to be thanked for his work on this project.From Colorado Preservation Inc.’s perspective, this successful rehabilitation completes the restoration of Lake City’s largest and only commercially utilized outbuilding, thus furthering CPI’s goal of saving Lake City’s historic outbuildings, which in 2010 were declared by CPI as one of Colorado’s Most Endangered Places.The current Green Garage work follows an initial 2010 SHF-funded project, accompanying the 2010 CPI Endangered Places designation, during which Town of Lake City and local volunteers, with assistance from Virginia-based HistoriCorps, rehabilitated several historic outhouses and carriage house/barns in the town’s historic district. Colorado Preservation Inc.’s help has been much appreciated in all these endeavors.Fox especially mentions the invaluable endeavors of CPI’s Jennifer Orrigo Charles and Kate McCoy for taking on this project. Further, Fox gives a shout-out to Architect Tim Stroh of Springboard Preservation Studio in Montrose, who capably dealt with the architectural responsibilities of this project.State Historical Fund monetary support and History Colorado’s participation is also greatly appreciated, according to Fox.To mark the completion of the Green Garage’s rehabilitation, Monday, July 21, the building’s owner, Fox, and Gift Gallery Staff will host an Open House starting at noon, and they and CPI staff will be on hand for a commemoration ceremony at 5 p.m. and an open-to-the-public potluck get-together from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Slumgullion Gift Gallery to celebrate the completion of this notable project.

July 18, 2025 No Comments

Navy Reserve Veteran Strausbaugh Cites Resilience, Determination as New Deputy

As a student in law-enforcement academy, Strausbaugh described himself as “active”.
“I was challenging things, asking clarifying questions. There were quite a few times when things weren’t, in my opinion, clearly articulated and I’m thinking, ‘that’s pretty freaking important’, because that lack of clarity leads to the miscommunication leads to someone’s Fourth Amendment rights being trampled on.”

July 18, 2025 No Comments

Facilities Manager at Sky Ranch Appointed as New Lake City Fire-Rescue Chief

by Jodi Linsey Newly appointed Lake City Fire-Rescue Fire Chief Justin Thompson is earnest in his hopes to provide quality leadership to the largely volunteer fire department. Justin is stepping into the role of Chief following the resignation of Bill Hagendorf, who acted as Chief, Fire Marshal, Training Officer, and Maintenance Officer.Justin and his wife Jacque, along with their nine and one year old daughters, moved to the Lake City area so that Justin could begin work as the Facilities Manager at Sky Ranch at Ute Trail. Justin and Jacque homeschool their children and were pleased to find a co-op in Gunnison that supports their vision.The Thompsons moved from Kirtland, Ohio where they ran a small construction contracting company. When not working as a contractor or playing with his young daughters, Justin spent his time in the Hudson Fire Department, with a mix of paid and volunteer personnel. While there he earned certification in a variety of aspects of firefighting skills, including obtaining Firefighter II certification, which requires a mix of class work, practical skills, and physical abilities.Soon after settling into their temporary housing at Sky Ranch, Justin began volunteering with Lake City Fire-Rescue as a firefighter. He is proud that he has built new connections between Sky Ranch and Lake City as he has encouraged other Sky Ranch employees to volunteer at the fire department.He is enthusiastic when describing the many people he has met through the department and in town. Justin readily described his feelings of being led to accept the position at Sky Ranch and the feeling of coming home to Lake City and the caring and supportive community they have found here.Justin looks forward to exploring the local area and sharing backcountry adventures with his family in what he describes as his “almost mid-life” vanity car, a pristine green Toyota FJ Cruiser.When describing his anticipated duties as Chief, Justin spoke at length about building relationships and providing leadership that the crew can depend on. Deepening relationships between the fire department and other emergency response entities in Hinsdale County is a priority as he anticipates working together to safeguard the Lake City community. Never Miss Another Story! Subscribe and receive the Silver World right to your inbox!

July 13, 2025 No Comments

Recap on an Exuberant, Joyful July 4 Celebration

PARADE FLOATS – superlatives in this year’s July 4 Parade — longest in recent history at over a mile in length snaking its way down Gunnison Avenue and back up Silver Street to bottleneck with tail end of the parade on Gunnison Avenue — were business category Virden’s 50-year-old Mountaineer Movie Theatre’s vintage jeep ably piloted by theater-owner in similarly vintage military uniform and the runner Bennett Levine, also in drab olive military attire, energetically tossing out treats; Mountaineer Movie Theater’s benefit showing of the classic “Patton’ film raised $532 for the Veterans’ Wreaths Across America program.Coker family in the individual category, illustrating a family theme with mountain animals; and, in the non-profit category, the gyrating and stylishly attired crew from Lake City Arts promoting the upcoming star-themed music extravaganza, “Sky’s the Limit”.Although the promised jet flyover mysteriously failed to materialize, leading the parade were marching U.S. Veterans, Peter Breeden in the lead bearing the U.S. Flag, other flag bearers including John Bonner with Space Force, Harvey DuChene displaying the Colorado Flag, and Russ Brown bearing the Prisoner of War Flag. Others were new Lake City resident Tom Hewett, formerly Woodland Park, Colorado, with the U.S. Coast Guard Flag, multi-generational Bruce Heath, U.S. Coast Guard, David Evans, Tom and Tammy Hamel, and Mike Tuttle, U.S. Army.Also near the parade’s start, Bill Reinhardt piloted a Ford pickup with insignia U.S. Army, pulling a frontier model cannon and Army Vet Ben Redler piloting a trailer with comfortably seated veterans including Dennis and Erin Cavit, and Gerry Springer.The marching and seated veterans receiving loud cheers and salutes were followed by an impressive array of highly polished, bright red fire engine apparatus and fire response vehicles, together with marching volunteers collecting donations in buckets and firemen’s hats, followed in turn by a gleaming white array of Hinsdale EMS ambulances and response vehicles, and Hinsdale County Sheriff’s Dept. patrol vehicles.Other intriguing float entries included classic vehicles such as Ken Vigil’s ancient pickup with political sentiments honoring the late Ron and Margaret Ray, Josh Votruba driving R.S. Scott’s red 1970 Mustang, and, from Powderhorn, David and Debbie Irwin in their blazing red 1964 Chevrolet pickup. Other classics were a jaw-dropping 1937 Chrysler Royale, and assorted Willys Jeeps, including Bill Dehmlow driving 1963 Willys pickup loaded with his 10-year-old granddaughter, Grace Henegan and Chelsea Brown Harper with kiddos Will, 1-1/2, and Davis, 5-1/2.Kay Shull was stylish as ever decked out in a red sports car promoting Alpine Pedal; especially interesting to longtime locals was Karen and Robert Hurd’s Sweety’s Wildlife Zoo float with small, printed placards honoring old-time local miners, a majority of whom are now deceased, as well as past and present Hinsdale County Veterans.In describing the float, Karen says that the placards were intended as representational only and “the list goes on and on.”Honorees both mining and military listed on the float included Don Craig, Ralph Martinez, Steve Carricato, Erin and Dennis Cavit, Don Campbell, Scott Campbell, Walter Wright, Bill Burke, Johnny Saville, Russ Brown, Babe Vickers, Phil Mason, Don Farmer, Donny Rightsell, George Hurd, Frank Mendenhall, Brice Pavich, Ronnie Hurd, Martin Davis, Charlie Colopy, Buddy McDonald, Larry Pavich, Mike Schell, Ed Hughes, and Milo Morse. FOOT RACES – first place boys and girls – 4 and under, boys – Cale Chase, age 4, from Windsor, Colorado; 4 and under, girls – Rosalie Carlson, age 4, from Dallas, Texas. Age 5-6, boys – Brooks Brown, age 5, from Oklahoma; age 5-6, girls – Elle Heath, age 5, from Austin, Texas. Age 7-8, boys – Will Stewart, age 8, from Milwaukie, Oregon; age 7-8, girls – Ada Ramsey, age 8, Anaqua, Texas. Age 9-10, boys – Samuel Karssenberg, age 10, from Prosper, Texas; age 9-10, girls – Alyssa Sibley, age 9, from The Colony, Texas. Age 11-12, boys – Isaiah Sibley, age 12, from The Colony, Texas; age 11-12, girls – Cecilia Syracuse, age 11, from Ft. Lupton, Texas. Age 13-14, boys – a tie between Miles Dillard, age 14, from Denver, Colorado and Caleb Smith, age 13, from Highlands Ranch, Colorado; age 13-14, girls – Rebecca Linsey, age 14, from Lavernia, Texas. Age 15-18, boys – Lynden Colson, age 17, from Houston, Texas; age 15-18, girls – Allie Smith, age 16, from Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Age 19-29, boys – Caleb Dillard, age 19, from Denver, Colorado; age 19-29, girls – Katelyn Jensen, age 19, from San Diego, California. Age 30-39, boys – Nicholas McIntire, age 33, from Gunnersville, Alabama; age 30-29, girls – (name was deleted from scorecard). Age 40-49, boys – Trevor Potts, age 40, from Ardmore, Oklahoma; age 40-49, girls – Kelsey Peoples, age 40, from Midland, Texas. Age 50-59, boys – Tyler Heath, age 50, from Austin, Texas; age 50-59, girls – Amy Lovato, age 55, from Westfield, Texas. Age 60-69, boys – Barry Exum, age 61, from Georgetown, Texas; age 60-69, girls – Michelle Robnett, age 67, from Edmond, Oklahoma. Age 70 +, boys – Paul Witsaman, age 71, from Arlington, Texas; age 70 +, girls – Kay Barber, age 78, from Mineola, Texas. SACK RACES – first place boys and girls – 4 years and under, boys – Raymond Perkins, 4, Dallas; 4 and under, girls – Emi Powell, 3, San Antonio, Texas; Age 5-6, boys, first, Corbin Juhl, 6, Brighton, Colorado; girls, first, Maddy Perkins, 6, Dallas; Age 7-8, boys, first place tie, Henry Alexander, 8, and Skyler Walker, 7, both Fort Worth; girls, first, Emilia Picucci, 7, Denver; Age 9-10, boys, first, Bryce Vickers, 10, Denver; girls, first, Kylie Shepherd, 10, Overland Park, Kansas.Age 11-12, boys, first, Isaiah Sibley, 10, The Colony, Texas; girls, first, Caroline Temple, 11, Shreveport, Louisiana; Age 13-14, boys, first, Miles Dillard, 14, Denver; girls, first, Ruby Phillips, 13, San Diego, California; Age 15-18, boys, first, Luke Dillard, 17, Denver; girls, first, Ava Delle, 15, College Station, Texas; Age 19-29, men, first, Caleb Dillard, 19, Denver; women, first, Katelyn Jensen, 19, San Diego, California; Age 30-39, men, first, Shane Austin, 36, Albuquerque, New

July 13, 2025 No Comments

Starry-Eyed Crowds Mesmerized at Annual Dark Sky Celebration

by Jodi Linsey Lake City’s own Star Man, Phillip Virden, worked closely with a small but enthusiastic group of astronomy fans to deliver this year’s festival of the stars, the most well-attended one yet in the short history of Star Fest.In just over 24 hours, astronomy fans from near and far packed in a smorgasbord of galaxy related activities, beginning with Cosmic Cocktails at Packer’s Saloon Friday evening, followed closely by Lights Out Lake City, star gazing from the Lake Fork Memorial Park. Early on Saturday, at least for night sky loving people, was Cosmic Insights, a presentation featuring two astronomers. Kyle Davis gave an informative talk on the development of telescopes while Jimmy Neguse took a deep dive into AGNs, or Active Galactic Nuclei.The middle of the day was taken up with a special opportunity for people to visit a portable planetarium set up at the Lake City Community School. Then Mountaineer Theatre had a special showing of the 1956 sci-fi classic Forbidden Planet.Saturday night was the finale of the festival with stargazing at the future home of the Lake Fork Earth & Sky Center, located near State Highway 149 on County Road 50, or Deer Lakes Road, near the top of Slumgullion Pass.The evening began before sunset to allow both professional and amateur astronomers to prepare themselves and their instruments for an evening of sharing the wonders of the cosmos with friends, neighbors, and strangers from all over.First the crowd was introduced to some of the wonders they would have a chance to observe over the course of the evening. They were also treated to personal stories of discovery by ever-enthusiastic Virden and other enthusiastic stargazers.Before the sun fully set and the show began, there were already more than 200 people making themselves comfortable, scattered across terrain that featured strawberries, tree stumps, and small currant bushes. They braced themselves for a chilly night, despite the heat of the day. They had chairs and blankets for cushioning and warmth, and many wore small headlights in anticipation of making their way from telescope to telescope.Present that evening were many locals, introverts and extroverts alike. There supporting the cause were representatives of the Lake Fork Valley Conservancy, including Board Secretary Cristina Abbenante, author and photographer Kristen Breeden, and Judy Boyce, the latter revered for her work with recent rehabilitation of the Blue Bird Project.Fervent amateur astronomer Bruce Scodova is a recent transplant to Lake City, in large part for the night skies. His 20” Dobsonian reflector telescope stood almost 6’ tall in the upright position and seemed to be the largest telescope in a field littered with impressive equipment. He is looking forward to getting his new house completed and settling further into the comfort of Lake City. This year’s stellar turnout for Starfest was, according to organizer Phil Virden, the best so far. Above, Jimmy Neguse shows off his high-powered telescope, and at right, with a magnificent mountain sunset blazing behind him, stargazer Bruce Scodova with a large reflector telescope. Seasonal residents Craig and Linda Bennet state that they have participated in this event as long as it has been happening. They are fans of Phillip Virden and happy to support his projects.Karen and Roy Shaw sat with dear friends from their old neighborhood. Lisa and Allen Davis are familiar with the environs of Lake City and the pristine skies in the area. The Davises are also pleased to be able to support their son Kyle, whose engaging discussion of the history of stargazing tools kept the audience entertained at the Mountaineer Theatre earlier in the day.Jimmy Neguse, the other speaker at the morning presentation, was found with fellow Dark Sky Colorado Board Member Deborah Price, making adjustments to his own Dobsonian reflector telescope. Deborah and Jimmy were both eager to speak about the importance of dark skies and how easily adjustments can be made that create a ripple of good in today’s overly lit world. One example they spoke about was how bright night lights can upset migratory bird patterns, and they pointed to Dark Sky International’s website at darksky.org or Dark Sky Colorado’s site at darkskycolorado.org for more information on the reasoning behind the dark sky movement.More curious visitors who made the trek to Slumgullion Pass were Sarah (Fry) Tooley and her engaging 9-year-old daughter Remi, with connections to Lake City but living in Utah now. Together with family from Montrose, they were here for a semi-regular visit to the stomping grounds of her youth, when she lived here with her dad, Lake City Community School instructor Brad Fry.From Loveland, Colorado, came Glen and Sara Gilbert. They had an impromptu and solitary episode of stargazing in Death Valley that whetted their appetite for more. This brought them to the Lake City area for the first, but not last, time.Perhaps the couple who most epitomize the mission of Star Fest are Sarah Bailey and Eric Tyson from Denver. Sarah took it as a sign to visit Lake City when it dropped into her social media feeds twice in less than a week. Seeing an ad for Star Fest prompted a discussion with her boyfriend and the discovery that neither of them had ever seen the Milky Way. They aimed to change that and headed to Lake City.Educational and literally illuminating, the Lake City Star Fest provided entertainment for a wide variety of people; older and young, professionals and amateurs and newbies, visitors and locals.The potential for this event is as large as a universe of stars.A twilight highlight at the opening of last weekend’s Star Fest were wide-eyed stargazers assembled on blankets and lawn chairs in Memorial Park Friday evening, June 27, to hear an opening salvo from Star Fest organizer Phillip Virden.Virden, who proceeded to entrance spectators as he pointed out constellations vividly visible from the downtown confluence park such as the Big Dipper, North Star, and Sagittarius, enthusiastically described himself to the spell-bound audience as an astronomy student at STU —Self Taught University.He first became entranced

July 3, 2025 No Comments

Tag: Lake City