Once the children in the family are grown and gone, one White River valley tradition seems to go by the wayside. The hunt for the perfect tree led everyone out to the Piceance Basin or up the White River to find the perfect Christmas tree. It also was a great[Read More…]
Author: Dolly Viscardi
Loose Ends: ‘Telling it like it is’ important
“Tell it like it is” or “say what you mean” are worthy admonitions to everyone whose job depends on good communication skills. Some words work well to increase communication and others fail miserably. Often though, those words get lost in the final translation and those who are paid to keep[Read More…]
Loose Ends: On Thanksgiving
Many of us remember the first verse of that old Thanksgiving favorite, “Over the river and through the wood, to grandmother’s house we go.” Even if we weren’t traveling long distances to get-together with family, it always conjured up the Thanksgiving holiday traditions. Nowadays, more than a few grandparents are[Read More…]
Loose Ends: Courthouse lawn fans make their feelings known
Although a communitywide survey probably would not rank the courthouse lawn in Meeker as one of the top 10 places in the community, it is a public space that is cherished by most residents. At least it seems that way, with all the recent outrage over the possibility of taking[Read More…]
Loose Ends: Things left behind
The things we leave behind tell so much about us. Historical sites and museums across the country are filled with mundane artifacts of our daily lives. It is how the people used them and what effect the objects had on their lives that is most important.
Loose Ends: A different election
Every now and then, a news report surfaces about one more rural community trying something new to drum up business. Tourism is down, energy development flat, and small towns are stretching to find new ways for their town’s to bulk up their budgets. The latest to come to light is[Read More…]
Loose Ends: Debate goes round
The recent flap over the roundabout is a reminder of all the issues that spin round and round in the public forum with no end in sight. No matter what the issue, roundabouts, justice centers or schoolchildren listening to the president on television, sides are drawn quickly.
Looking Back: The settlers arrive
The stories of the first settlers in the White River Valley remind us how often we take modern-day roads for granted. Most of us can’t fathom traveling such long distances by horseback or wagon, much less count on the unpaved roads in all weather. Many of the old-timers recount childhood[Read More…]
Loose Ends: Communication breakdown
“Sometimes when you’re here, you’re not really here,” is a common complaint from today’s children. Children from all levels of the economic spectrum seem to say this to their parents once in a while. It should strike a chord for every parent or grandparent.
Loose Ends: A market-ing success
How do you measure the success of a new community project? By talking to the locals who actively participate or by taking count of the number of people who take advantage of the program’s offerings?
Loose Ends: Staying home not really a true vacation
Vacation. The word itself conjures up leaving, vacating the premises and moving on.
Loose Ends: Earning students’ respect
Talk about one-room schoolhouses or teaching school in the “olden days” and someone is sure to mention the fourth “r” that was part of every school’s curriculum — respect.
