Opinion

Up and down el Rio Blanco: Staying positive when losing

My wife asked me the other day if I thought the world was upside down. Even after spending a weekend watching several losses, I quickly replied “no.” I’m not sure I convinced her but I didn’t hesitate when I answered, because although there were losses over the weekend, I saw a lot of friends and family along the way, which keeps my spirit and world upright.
I traveled to Denver last weekend to watch our local high school basketball teams play in regional tournaments, then to Colorado Springs to watch a former local graduate wrestle in an NCAA Division I regional tournament. On the way home, my wife contacted me about the loss of one of my favorite people.
Friday I went to watch the Rangely girls’ and boys’ basketball teams play at the University of Denver. Eight regional tournaments were being played around the state, Meeker’s boys’ and girls’ teams  were playing at the same time, in the same city, about 30 minutes north of where the Rangely teams were playing. Each regional tournament featured four teams in each gender bracket, only the champion of each would advance to the “elite eight,” the state tournament held in Pueblo.
Both Rangely teams lost Friday but as I was walking out to my vehicle, I saw someone walking up the sidewalk, bundled up with a hockey stick strapped to her back.
“Kandice,” I said.
“Hey Bobby, what are you doing here?”
It was Kandice Torno, many of you may remember her. She used to live in Rangely and worked for the rec. district and CNCC. Kandice is very athletic and a talented photographer who used to submit photos and articles to the Herald Times.  She was playing goalie for a Steamboat Springs team against a DU team that night. The chance meeting took my mind off the losses and made me smile, keeping my world upright.
I had gotten word that the Meeker boys also lost but the Meeker girls won and would be playing in the championship game the next day.
My daughter Haylee and her family, which include two beautiful grandchildren, live in Fort Morgan and were going to be in Denver Saturday, so we made plans to meet before the Meeker girls tipped off. Well, they got a late start and I got lost trying to find the school (Standley Lake High School), where Meeker was playing, we had to postpone our meeting so I wouldn’t miss the game.
Meeker lost the game and I got lost again trying to meet up with Haylee but they found me and we got to spend a little time together. Once again, keeping my world upright.
I then drove to Colorado Springs and spent the night with my in-laws, which I honestly enjoyed. My oldest grandson lives with his mother in Colorado Springs and Sunday morning his mom dropped him off and the two of us drove to the United States Air Force Academy to watch Joe Leblanc, who wrestles for the University of Wyoming, compete in the Western Regional tournament. We watched Joe win his semifinal match. I took my grandson home and came back to watch Joe lose in the championship match. Joe, a two-time All-American, will still compete in the NCAA Division I national tournament in Pennsylvania next week. And I got to spend time with my oldest grandson, so my world is still upright.
Traveling home with my lifelong friend Tad Sullivan, a sign at the junction of I-25 and C-470 said westbound I-70 was closed at Silverthorne, so we decided to spend the night in Denver. Coming home Monday, my wife texted me that our friend Judi Brown had passed away. Judi lost a long, hard-fought battle with cancer but left her kindness and wit behind, with two wonderful grown children, several grandchildren and many memories. What a special lady she was, I miss her already, but I will always remember her.
When I did finally get home, I walked into our coffee shop and running toward me was my other grandson, the only grandchild I hadn’t seen over the weekend.
“Pop Bob,” he said, before giving me a big hug, lifting my spirit and keeping my world upright.

By BOBBY [email protected] wife asked me the other day if I thought the world was upside down. Even after spending a weekend watching several losses, I quickly replied “no.” I’m not sure I convinced her but I didn’t hesitate when I answered, because although there were losses over the weekend, I saw a lot of friends and family along the way, which keeps my spirit and world upright.I traveled to Denver last weekend to watch our local high school basketball teams play in regional tournaments, then to Colorado Springs to watch a former local graduate wrestle in an NCAA Division I regional tournament. On the way home, my wife contacted me about the loss of one of my favorite people.Friday I went to watch the Rangely girls’ and boys’ basketball teams play at the University of Denver. Eight regional tournaments were being played around the state, Meeker’s boys’ and girls’ teams  were playing at the same time, in the same city, about 30 minutes north of where the Rangely teams were playing. Each regional tournament featured four teams in each gender bracket, only the champion of each would advance to the “elite eight,” the state tournament held in Pueblo. Both Rangely teams lost Friday but as I was walking out to my vehicle, I saw someone walking up the sidewalk, bundled up with a hockey stick strapped to her back.“Kandice,” I said.“Hey Bobby, what are you doing here?”It was Kandice Torno, many of you may remember her. She used to live in Rangely and worked for the rec. district and CNCC. Kandice is very athletic and a talented photographer who used to submit photos and articles to the Herald Times.  She was playing goalie for a Steamboat Springs team against a DU team that night. The chance meeting took my mind off the losses and made me smile, keeping my world upright.I had gotten word that the Meeker boys also lost but the Meeker girls won and would be playing in the championship game the next day.My daughter Haylee and her family, which include two beautiful grandchildren, live in Fort Morgan and were going to be in Denver Saturday, so we made plans to meet before the Meeker girls tipped off. Well, they got a late start and I got lost trying to find the school (Standley Lake High School), where Meeker was playing, we had to postpone our meeting so I wouldn’t miss the game.Meeker lost the game and I got lost again trying to meet up with Haylee but they found me and we got to spend a little time together. Once again, keeping my world upright.I then drove to Colorado Springs and spent the night with my in-laws, which I honestly enjoyed. My oldest grandson lives with his mother in Colorado Springs and Sunday morning his mom dropped him off and the two of us drove to the United States Air Force Academy to watch Joe Leblanc, who wrestles for the University of Wyoming, compete in the Western Regional tournament. We watched Joe win his semifinal match. I took my grandson home and came back to watch Joe lose in the championship match. Joe, a two-time All-American, will still compete in the NCAA Division I national tournament in Pennsylvania next week. And I got to spend time with my oldest grandson, so my world is still upright.Traveling home with my lifelong friend Tad Sullivan, a sign at the junction of I-25 and C-470 said westbound I-70 was closed at Silverthorne, so we decided to spend the night in Denver. Coming home Monday, my wife texted me that our friend Judi Brown had passed away. Judi lost a long, hard-fought battle with cancer but left her kindness and wit behind, with two wonderful grown children, several grandchildren and many memories. What a special lady she was, I miss her already, but I will always remember her.When I did finally get home, I walked into our coffee shop and running toward me was my other grandson, the only grandchild I hadn’t seen over the weekend.“Pop Bob,” he said, before giving me a big hug, lifting my spirit and keeping my world upright.

Comments are closed.

Come say hi!

@ht.1885
  • Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
  • The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
  • 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 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.
Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
8 hours ago
View on Instagram |
1/9
The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
9 hours ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
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!
14 hours ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
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.
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.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
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
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
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.
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.
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
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.
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.
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
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.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
9/9

Thank you, advertisers!