Meeker, Stories

After Birth Ball a success for FFA chapter, chamber

More than 300 people enjoyed an evening of fun, food and dancing at the annual After Birth Ball, held last Saturday in the packed Fairfield Center. The event benefited the the Meeker High School FFA, sponsored by the Meeker Chamber of Commerce and supported by local energy companies Enterprise, EnCana, XTO and Williams.
MEEKER I The Meeker Chamber of Commerce and the newly founded Friends of the FFA joined together to provide a fun-filled evening for the community on May 21. The second annual After Birth Ball was held at the Fairfield Center. Outstanding attendance made the event a huge success.
The original After Birth Ball took place annually until the mid 1980s and then faded away. Last year the Meeker chamber reintroduced the celebration of spring to the community.
Katelin Cook, the chamber’s executive director, said, “I was very pleased with the turn out and hope it will continue to be a great community event.”
Cook worked extremely hard on this event and acquired approximately $3,500 in donations from Enterprise, Encana, XTO and Williams to provide the band, location, advertisements and decorations for the evening.
Friends of FFA also received tremendous support from several community members. Todd Morris and Ben Rogers donated their time to cook their specialty meats — roast pork and beef tri-tips — for the meal. The pig was donated by the CSU Livestock Judging program. Artwork was donated by several artists including John Kobald. Toys and several other prizes were supplied by several businesses, along with monetary donations from Doug Moody, Petrox Resources, the Stockgrowers Association, the CattleWomens Association and the Woolgrowers Association.
With the hard work of Tera and Clint Shults, Quentin and Trina Smith, Paul and Shannon Sheridan, along with so many other FFA members and their parents, the FFA program was able to raise money for future events. This year, Trina Smith’s eighth as advisor, the FFA began with 62 members.
In June the judging team of Stacey Fitzgibbons, Maclaine Shults and Clay Carlson will compete in Scotland at the Royal Highland Show. They won the judging event at the National Western Stock Show in January, which the original team qualified for by placing second in last year’s state event.
The Ag. Communications team of Katelyn Dinwiddie, Caleb Dodds, Krysten Atchley, Maclaine Shults and Kelsey Gross also won a state event this year which qualified them for the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind., in October.
Several members will participating in this year’s state convention: Stephany Joos, Maclaine Shults, Kasey Collins, Kaylyn Dunham, John Mac Sheridan and Torrie Gerloff.
Obviously, several students will benefit from the After Birth Ball. The goal of the Friends of the FFA is to make it an annual event to raise scholarship money to further excellence in leadership and agriculture.
“I was really excited about the support the community showed and how the event brought the town together,” Trina Smith said.
The evening’s events began with dinner, followed by a live auction led by Paul Sheridan. The tables were cleared for dancing to music provided by a great band. The packed house enjoyed entertainment, friendship and simply gathering as a community.

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  • Pictured with awards from the Triple Crown Series (#3 and #4) from bottom left Hudson Hummel (4th and 2nd), Lee Kirkpatrick (3rd and 4th), Heath Bennet (2nd and 2nd), Sawyer Hummel (1st and 3rd), Eli Bennet (1st), David Murray (Coach), Auri Murray (2nd and 1st), Taylor Bain, and Dawn Arnold (2nd). Story online at ht1885.com.
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Bailey and Real Estate West will host the second annual Easter Egg Hunt March 25th-29th. Go follow her page so you don't miss any clues!
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Results are not guaranteed, unfortunately! Read all the Rio Happenings in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Results are not guaranteed, unfortunately! Read all the Rio Happenings in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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Pictured with awards from the Triple Crown Series (#3 and #4) from bottom left Hudson Hummel (4th and 2nd), Lee Kirkpatrick (3rd and 4th), Heath Bennet (2nd and 2nd), Sawyer Hummel (1st and 3rd), Eli Bennet (1st), David Murray (Coach), Auri Murray (2nd and 1st), Taylor Bain, and Dawn Arnold (2nd). Story online at ht1885.com.
Pictured with awards from the Triple Crown Series (#3 and #4) from bottom left Hudson Hummel (4th and 2nd), Lee Kirkpatrick (3rd and 4th), Heath Bennet (2nd and 2nd), Sawyer Hummel (1st and 3rd), Eli Bennet (1st), David Murray (Coach), Auri Murray (2nd and 1st), Taylor Bain, and Dawn Arnold (2nd). Story online at ht1885.com.
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@bailey_waldref_rew 

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Marketing Mixology is a FREE promotion where we spotlight one lucky local business across print, digital, and social channels each month! 

#locallove #locallovespotlight #lovemeeker #marketingmixology #shoplocal #superchargeyourmarketing
Bailey is our first Marketing Mixology partner and we are excited to help her promote this fun event along with the Meeker Colorado Chamber of Commerce! Bailey and Real Estate West will host the second annual Easter Egg Hunt March 25th-29th. Go follow her page so you don't miss any clues! @bailey_waldref_rew 💚💚💚 Marketing Mixology is a FREE promotion where we spotlight one lucky local business across print, digital, and social channels each month! #locallove #locallovespotlight #lovemeeker #marketingmixology #shoplocal #superchargeyourmarketing
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The Cowboys played in their first golf tournament in the spring at Chipeta, “it was a bit of a cloudy and windy day but it was awesome to see some grass and a golf course,” commented head coach Amanda Back. Vivian Brown, pictured on the left, broke 100 and shot a 94 and Jayda May second from right shot a 99. From the far right, excluding those that have been mentioned, Averee Woodward, Joelle Soler, Mia Pinzon, Aurora Stalling, and Kailynn Watson all played scramble. This was Pinzon’s, Stalling’s and Watson’s first tournament as Meeker High School girl golfers. “It’s going to be a great season,” ended Back.
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Mountain Sage Therapeutics held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 640 Main St. in Meeker. Owners Teresa Wilde and Justin Noller offer movement, energy, and massage therapy for animals and their human companions. They are pictured here with the Chamber of Commerce and local citizens who attended. View their service on their website at www.mountainsagetherapeutics.abmp.com and contact them for an appointment 970-706-8445.
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View on Instagram |
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“For 50 years I’ve waited to see Meeker’s greens come out this nice,” said Jim Cook, who is returning to help at the course.” Hats off to Hunter and Matt Fellows who did an excellent job applying the snow mold preventative last fall which has made all the difference this year.”
Board members and volunteers are very hopeful that this will be a turnaround year for the local 9-hole course which plans an early April opening, weather permitting.
Members of the Rio Blanco Golf Association got a jump on spring this past week as volunteers shoveled and blew the snow off the greens. The winter’s snow and ice layers suffocate the fragile bent grass putting surfaces and getting the snow off allows Mother Nature to start her healing process earlier. “For 50 years I’ve waited to see Meeker’s greens come out this nice,” said Jim Cook, who is returning to help at the course.” Hats off to Hunter and Matt Fellows who did an excellent job applying the snow mold preventative last fall which has made all the difference this year.” Board members and volunteers are very hopeful that this will be a turnaround year for the local 9-hole course which plans an early April opening, weather permitting.
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The 2024 Colorado State Champions hosted their annual awards banquet Sunday. Head Coach JC Watt and Assistant Coach Carl Padilla commented on this year’s team’s success as a product of work in the room, dedication by wrestlers and coaches, and a champion mentality. Read the story online at ht1885.com.
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