County, Meeker, Stories

Capitol Christmas Tree arrives in D.C.

The 2012 Capitol Christmas Tree, harvested 40 miles east of Meeker in the White River National Forest, has arrived in Washington, D.C. The tree will be decorated with 5,000 ornaments handmade in Colorado, most created by schoolchildren. Speaker of the House John Boehner will turn on the tree’s lights Dec. 4 at 5 p.m.

RBC I After being harvested in the White River National Forest on Nov. 2, the 2012 Capitol Christmas Tree was celebrated in Meeker for two days, then wrapped and started its journey to Washington, D.C., Nov. 6. Colorado’s gift to the people of the United States has arrived at its destination, our nation’s capitol.

The 73-foot Englemann spruce, harvested 40 miles east of Meeker from the Blanco District of the White River National Forest, toured Colorado and several states including New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia and Pennsylvania. The tree’s first stop was in Rangely and it was Blanco District Ranger Ken Coffin’s favorite.
“The tour was great. The team really enjoyed the welcome we received in Rangely,” Coffin said, who traveled with five Blanco District employees: Patty Wyatt, Natasha Goedert, Lynn Lockwood, Tonie Toelle and Kristin Silva. “People were so enthusiastic and proud that the tree came from their county. I really enjoyed my time with the kindergarten class and they were my favorite group I encountered on the entire trip.”
Coffin enjoyed other stops as well and was thankful Santa and Mrs. Claus were part of the caravan hauling the Capitol Christmas Tree and 70 companion trees.
“My favorite stop outside Colorado was Independence, Mo.,” Coffin said. “They have an annual tree lighting just like Meeker and the crowd was definitely in the Christmas spirit. Our stop at the Charlotte Motor Speedway was also memorable because the two semis were able to drag race!”
Coffin said both semis were required to chain up to go over Wolf Creek Pass, “But with the help of Gerald Morris, we made it over safe and sound.”
Never before had Santa and Mrs. Claus traveled with the Capitol Christmas Tree entourage but they did this year and Santa said it was a “trip of a lifetime.”
“It was the highlight of my life,” Santa said. “It was a great opportunity to travel across the United States, see people of all walks of life, to see many children and to spread Christmas cheer to everyone and tell them about the communities of Meeker and Rangely and the greatness of the White River valley.”
Santa said they received better receptions in the smaller towns but both Santa and Coffin said the best one was in Meeker.
“The participation in Meeker was the best,” Santa said. “The honor everyone paid the tree and to us was unbelievable and we owe a big thank you to the people in Meeker.”
“I am still overwhelmed with the turnout we had in Meeker,” Coffin said. “No community has surpassed that event.”
Santa and Coffin both credited the driving skills of former U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell.
“It was a traffic nightmare,” Santa said.
“We’ve had our challenges maneuvering a 105-foot load through big cities but Ben Nighthorse Campbell did a masterful job driving the truck and we overcame each challenging intersection,” Coffin added.
The tree will stand on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol on Constitution and Independence avenues in Washington, D.C., decorated with 5,000 ornaments handmade in Colorado and will be lit Dec. 4 at 5 p.m. by Speaker of the House John Boehner. Following the lighting ceremony, the Capitol Christmas Tree will be lit from dusk until 11 p.m. each evening through Dec. 26, 2012.
Coffin said he and his team will be delivering the companion trees and preparing for the Congressional reception between now and Dec. 4.
Santa said he was most proud when he and Mrs. Claus were standing near the Christmas tree in front of the nation’s capitol, representing the small communities of Meeker and Rangely and the great state of Colorado with news media from all over the world in attendance.
“We were interviewed by TV stations from Russia, China and other countries,” Santa said. “We told them we flew down from the North Pole to Meeker, Colo., and were blessed to travel with the tree and we wished the world merry Christmas!”

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  • It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
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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.
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
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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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View on Instagram |
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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.
Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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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View on Instagram |
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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.
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