MEEKER | This year at the Pioneers Association Celebration, we are honored to celebrate recipients that are so deserving and represent the spirit of a pioneer just in their existence let alone their involvement in the community.
The recipients in no particular order are Gus and Christine Halandras, Forrest and Connie Nelson and Ann Turner. These recipients represent lifelong commitment sto our community and truly represent the spirit of a pioneer award better than any. They have served this community, cheered for our schools, and help keep Meeker what it is today.
Gus and Christine Halandras have committed their lives to this area and the end of the cattle/sheep wars that were so prevalent in the early 1930s. Christine came from a family of hard-working people and married Gus, another person known for his work ethic. The two not only prevailed but expanded and made our community better because of their compassion and work ethic.
The two are third generation community members and have shown the importance of giving back as they are so involved in organizations that give back to the community. There is not a couple that has given more of their time and resources to help keep this community great and make it what it is today.
The second recipients are Forrest and Connie Nelson. They have lived in the county since the 1950s and both earned a degree from CHS and DU. Forrest was a member of the national judging team that won a national championship. He knew livestock and wanted to continue his profession in that area. Connie not only worked for the school for more than 40 years, she was the leader of the cattlemen’s association and involved with that organization for 55 years. They both promoted 4-H and served as leaders and board members for several years. Forrest was our county commissioner supporting agriculture during his tenure as a commissioner and both believed wholeheartedly in the importence of agriculture.
Forrest and Connie created a legacy in terms of progressive genetic programs as well as teaching their kids and grandkids the importance of quality livestock. Connie was the primary secretary for the school district for more than 30 years and their daughter Kathy taught and was a principal for over 30 years. This family has demonstrated the importance of hard work and giving back to the community and are well deserving of this award.
The last recipient of this award is the fourth generation, life-loving and sports-loving Ann Turner. Ann is a fourth generation Sheridan whose great-grandfather founded this community. She has followed sports, not only because of her children, but because she loves to be a Meeker Cowboy. She has seen many state champions in her years and she is the loudest fan in the crowd for every Meeker Cowboy. Ann will have the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh generations represented at the celebration, confirming she truly is the Spirit of the Pioneer. She loves her family and takes great pride in the traditions that make Meeker special.
I congratulate and tip my hat to these members that are so deserving of an award that could truly be named after them. Thank goodness we have people like this carrying on the tradition of hard work, family spirit, and work ethic. Congratulations to this year’s recipients of the Spirit of a Pioneer awards.
Please come and join us as we celebrate people that absolutely represent our amazing community and why we are so fortunate to live in a community that is at least seven generations strong.
The Pioneers Association Dinner and Dance is Saturday, Aug. 10 at the 4-H Building at the Rio Blanco County Fairgrounds. Doors open at 4 p.m. The dance starts at 7:30 p.m.
By Hallie Blunt
