Devil’s Thumb wins National Award for Outstanding Nordic Patrol

The National Ski Patrol has a strong awards program designed to recognize patrols and patrollers. Each year, the NSP gives out its National Outstanding Awards, which are awarded in 12 categories: Outstanding Large Alpine Patrol, Outstanding Small Alpine Patrol, Outstanding Administrative Patroller, Outstanding Alpine Patroller, Outstanding Patroller, Outstanding Paid Patroller, Outstanding Nordic Patrol, Outstanding Nordic Patroller, Outstanding Instructor, Outstanding OEC Instructor, Outstanding Patrol Representative, and Outstanding Young Adult Patroller. The awards are handed out in the fall, and an article featuring the winners is published in the winter Ski Patrol Magazine.

Moffat Road Railroad Museum opens for the holidays
“I love this holiday! Great food and we get to open the museum’s “Christmas Train” to our community”, said museum director, Dave Naples. The museum, located in Granby by Kaibab Park, will open the day after Thanksgiving. Naples tells us that, for the past 10 years, this is a very busy day and volunteers are needed to help out as greeters at the front door and walkers to keep an eye on the little hands! “It’s not hard and is a bunch of fun”, said Naples. If you are able to help, contact David Naples at the Moffat Road Railroad Museum in Granby (970) 281-9094.

This weekend, the Christmas Train will be open on Friday and Saturday, from 10 am to 7 pm, and on Sunday, from noon to 4 pm. A $5 suggested donation for adults, $1 for kids 12 & under will help the museum meet its goal of opening year-round.

Orientation Express at Idlewild Spirits

Orientation Express at Idlewild Spirits

All aboard the Orientation Express

The Winter Park and Fraser Chamber of Commerce’s Orientation Express tours will take place the week of November 26-30. Each afternoon, into the evening, the tours will cover many of the local businesses in the towns of Winter Park and Fraser. The tours are designed to introduce members of the community to local businesses and services as well as provide networking opportunities for both.

If you haven’t had the opportunity to take one of the tours in year’s past, or even if you have, there are plenty of new and exciting things to be discovered on this year’s tour.

Participating businesses in the towns of Winter Park and Fraser roll out the red carpet, open house style, welcoming tour guests with special discount offers, free samples, libations and prizes. To catch a ride on the Orientation Express, visit: playwinterpark.com/orientation-express.

Grand County Gives hosts Kickoff Rally

Grand County Gives is a collaborative effort to raise funds on Colorado Gives Day, Tuesday, December 4th for over 20 participating Grand County non-profits. The Kickoff Rally is on Tuesday, November 27th. The event will be run by Grand County Gives-participating nonprofits throughout the county and all are welcome to join in on the fun.  All the details on Page 12 in the Colorado Gives Full Page ad.

On November 27th, from 8:15 – 9 am the rally will be at Big Shooters in Kremmling for half-off coffee; 9:30 – 10 am, they’ll be at the Hot Sulphur Springs Courthouse for a Commissioner’s Declaration; 10:45 – 11:15 am, they’ll be at the Grand Lake Center on Marina Drive, giving away baked goods; from 12 – 1:30 pm, they’ll be at Country Ace Hardware in Granby with hot dogs for a donation in the tent outside.  Ace is also offering a “Roundup” at the register for sales from 11/27 – 12/4. Grand County Gives will have a nonprofit incentive drawing for $500, sponsored by Grand Foundation. At 2 – 2:45 pm, they’ll be at the Grand Park Community Recreation Center in Fraser, for coffee and baked goods; and will finish the day off at 3 pm at The Peak in Winter Park for Happy Hour Specials. The Peak will donate a portion of sales to Grand County Gives. Grand County Gives will have a nonprofit incentive drawing for $500 sponsored by Grand Foundation.

 

Fire damages new construction on Vasquez Road

Saturday night, Vasquez Road in Winter Park was closed due to a structure fire at 500 Vasquez Road, Vasquez Creek Condos. East Grand Fire responded and put the fire out, but a building, currently under construction, suffered substantial damage. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but East Grand Fire Chief Todd Holzwarth said, “at first look, it appeared to be a faulty chimney flue that had not been serviced properly”. The fire is a reminder to get your chimney flue and vent piping checked and cleaned regularly.

 

Photo: Emergency crews respond to structure fire in Winter Park. Photo courtesy of Jen Szczepanski

 

Fraser Valley Hockey Association hosts Toy Drive

With gratitude for the community’s support of the hockey program, FVHA is giving back with a toy drive to benefit the Mountain Family Center. Please drop off new, unwrapped toys and items in the collection box at the Icebox Ice Rink anytime after the ice officially opens (hopefully, in the next week). The collection will continue through Thursday, December 6th. A list of suggested items can be found on FVHA’s Facebook page.

Uptrip your Thrift

On Wednesday, November 28th, Uptripping hosts their version version of Flea Market Flip, using Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan. Bring in a small thrift store find or old piece from your home which you will uptrip during the class. You will learn how to apply Chalk Paint and wax and leave with a finished piece. Bring a piece that you can carry with just one hand. Think small side table, dining chair, frame, lamp or small trunk. The class runs from 5 – 8 pm on November 28th. To register, visit uptripping.com.

CPW celebrates Fresh Air Friday

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is renewing its tradition of opening its parks to free entry on the day after Thanksgiving. CPW welcomes you to join them in celebrating Fresh Air Friday on November 23, transforming a day traditionally spent more on material goods and leftovers into a day spent appreciating nature and having some fun outdoors.

With support from partners at Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), CPW invites you to connect with family and friends by getting outside and celebrating Fresh Air Friday with free admission to any of the 41 state parks. If you can’t make it to one of the state parks, CPW still encourages Coloradans to get outside to their favorite local park, open space or trail system to enjoy quality time with loved ones and create outdoor memories that last a lifetime.

“There’s no denying how grateful we as Coloradans are for our outdoor way of life,” said CPW Director Bob Broscheid. “So instead of spending the day after Thanksgiving surrounded by crowds and hunting for deals, we hope people will choose to get their friends and families outside to be surrounded by nature instead.”

Starting a Fresh Air Friday tradition in Colorado is easier than ever. Aspiring adventurers can download the free COTREX trails app to choose where they’d like to hike, bike or ride. If you’d like to avoid leftovers, find a fresh catch with help from the CPW Fishing App. Families with young children can even check off activities from Generation Wild’s 100 Things to Do Before You’re 12 list right in their own backyard. Or, if you simply need to move around after a large meal on Thursday, visit a local trail, park or open space near you for a family dog walk or to view some wildlife.

Use CPWs park finder to decide which state park you’ll visit on Fresh Air Friday. No matter where you go, get out and turn Black Friday into a blue skies Friday, a green trees Friday, a white snow Friday… a Fresh Air Friday! For a list of specific park activities, visit cpw.state.co.us.

Grand County taking Applications

The county manager and county attorney positions will both need to be filled in the coming months County Manager Lee Staab recently announced his retirement after a brief term in the office, and, County Attorney Bob Franek has resigned. For information, visit: co.grand.co.us.

2019 Health Insurance Open Enrollment continues

November 1, 2018 – January 15, 2019 is the open enrollment period for Colorado’s Health Care Exchange: Connect for Colorado.

Even if you have NO changes, you still need to renew your plan for 2019. Here are a few things you can do right now to make open enrollment easier:

  1. Create or update your Connect for Health Colorado account: Online, at www.healthcare.gov or www.connectforhealthco.com, or, by phone, at: (855) 752-6749.
  2. If prompted, update your password.
  3. Make sure your current contact information and mailing address is up-to-date.

For in-person assistance, call Kim Long, Certified Health Coverage Guide and schedule an appointment: (970) 531-4769

Holiday DUI Enforcement underway

According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, in 2017, 617 impaired drivers were arrested during the 10-day Thanksgiving DUI enforcement period. That’s more than 60 drivers each day. Colorado State Patrol and statewide law enforcement agencies are on the lookout for impaired drivers — increased DUI enforcement is underway.

This holiday season, party responsibly, have a designated driver and/or use The Lift transit system to arrive at your destination safely. You can download the free “The Lift Rider” app from the Apple or Google Play stores and easily track your route.

Hasbro releases parody board games

Just in time for the holidays, Hasbro has released five new board games that are parodies of some old favorites.

New are Botched Operation; Clue: What Happened Last Night? Lost in Vegas; Game of Life: Quarter Life Crisis (Now with crippling debt!); Mystery Date: Catfished (Dating in the digital age); and, Sorry! Not Sorry! (secret confessions, no regrets). These new games with twists will surely provide hours of entertainment and make great gifts. At $18-20 apiece, the games are now available at Target stores and online at target.com.