Letter: Fond memories of an earlier time

Dear Editor:
I started playing trumpet for dances in 1935 at the IOOF Hall in Meeker, corner of 4th and Main. There was no TV in those days, so dances were quite popular. The band personnel at that time was Vic Parr, Damon Adams, Al Wear, Charles Tagert, George Oglesby and Lucylle Dunbar. Meeker annual dances were New Year’s, Mason’s, St. Patrick’s, Woolgrowers, Old Timers, 4th and 5th of July, Fireman’s Ball and Stockmen’s (Cattlemen). We also played Saturday night dances in Meeker and neighboring towns. We played Pollard’s barn dances up the White River for a few years. I remember seeing three silent movies at the Rio Theatre. It cost 10 cents each for kids, the seats were all on the same level. I played professionally with several different groups in western Colorado for over 60 years and, at age 90, miss it a lot.
Al R. Wear
Grand Junction, Colo.