Opinion

From My Window: From new hospital to fish fry—impressive work done

By sean mcmahon
[email protected]
T he weekend was beautiful for those who spent most of the time outdoors—with the exception of a good part of the crowd present for the last 15 minutes of the dedication and setting of the cornerstone at the new Pioneers Medical Center east of Meeker.
I have always been interested in the history of the Masons and their ties to the Holy Grail (Christ’s chalice from the Last Supper) and cornerstones. For centuries the Masons have been the entity that lays these landmark plates into the lower levels of buildings all over towns and cities, large and small, all over the planet.
I do not know how many there are in Meeker, but a fair number of the older buildings in Meeker and Rangely bear cornerstones, and I had always kind of wondered how they got there.
Meeker Masonic Lodge No. 80, AF&AM, laid the cornerstone on Saturday afternoon at the new Pioneers Medical Center in front of a crowd of roughly 300 people.
The ceremony was led by the top Mason in the state of Colorado—Most Worshipful Brother Dexter D. Koons, the Grand Master of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of Colorado. The rest of the ceremony passed back and forth between state Masonic officials and local Masonic officials, following ancient rules and traditions dating back many centuries.
Eventually, Meeker Mason Chuck Mills set the cornerstone in masterful manner, entombing a time capsule behind the stone in all of 10 minutes, getting the cement where it needed to go on all four sides of the stone, packing it in firmly. Mills was quick, capable and seemed to get it all right for the cornerstone to remain in place for at many decades to come.
The Masons in attendance put on a good show. They looked sharp in their black coats, their white tool belts and many wearing their jewels/chains of office.
They showed that the Masons are not dying off, as has been stated in some small and some not-so-small towns, and they should be proud of their appearance, their ceremony and their future.
They added tremendously to a celebration of the new Pioneers Medical Center, a facility that all Meekerites should be proud of for its new services, the facility itself and the safer, more comfortable interior and exterior—now, and, more importantly, for many years to come.
Those at the Meeker Healthcare Foundation have had the foresight to act now to build the new Pioneers Medical Center, and those who work at the hospital should be darned proud of the new and improved and expanded facility.
And the Walbridge Wing is almost homey and attractive enough to make me want to move in a little early.
A job well done, folks.

Unfortunately, also scheduled for Saturday afternoon/evening from 4 to 6 p.m. was the Buford School Fish Fry, put on annually by the White River Community Association to raise money for the historic Buford School’s upkeep and restoration.
Roughly 200 people took part in the fish fry, where the star of the show was at least 200 pounds of white fish caught a couple months ago during a fishing derby for white fish in the White River.
I thought of myself as a decent fisherman who grew up in Colorado, but until I returned to the state roughly two and half years ago, I had never heard of or caught a white fish.
I must have been fishing in non-white fish waters in other parts of the state.
But the white fish were, for the third straight year, really good food. A couple of the smaller pieces I had were mildly bony, but the bones could easily be taken out and disposed of, which left some pretty darned good fish.
The only thing as good as the fish was the wide assortment of cornbreads, salads, etc., and my favorite of all, which was a polenta with jalapenos. It was warm, but not hot, and it was just perfect for an accompaniment to the fish.
But likely the highlight of the annual fish fry was the dessert table. Every time you walked by the table, there was something new and diet-crashing.
There were huckleberries in a sauce I ate by itself and other folks put over their cornbread. There was a chocolate layer cake to die for, and my favorite, which was a single-level carrot cake without nuts. There was also a carrot cake with nuts, but my favorite prevailed. There were brownies, pies, peanut butter cookies, sugar cookies, etc.—all delicious and often decadent.
It was a great spring feast, and, unlike the festivities earlier in the afternoon at the hospital, the good, sunny weather held on until the end.

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  • It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
  • Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
  • Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
  • Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
  • The winning teams and individuals for the 18th annual White River Community Association Buy-Fly Fishing Tournament are as follows. Individual top weight catch was Dave Metrovich and longest fish was Kevin Massey. First place team won by Rio Blanco Abstract: Erik Eckman, Adam Parrett, Dave Metrovich and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Second place team was Drake Consulting: Travis Kaiser, John Douglas, Tony Bartolomucci and Bob Brandeberry. Third place team Mr. Rogers and the Hood (accepted by Doug Rogers) Gary Rogers, Mark Beauchamp, Kyle Schutte and Rick Gunter. The white fish have been frozen and will be served at the annual White River Community Association fish fry fundraiser in June.
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week. Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! We appreciate all your continued support!
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It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
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Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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4 days ago
View on Instagram |
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A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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