Monthly “Coffee with Commissioners” meeting
By Lynn Volkens
The recent change in Colorado gun control laws was the topic most on the minds of approximately 60 people who attended the “Coffee with Commissioners” meeting held the evening of March 28, 2013 at the Gilpin County (more…)
Warning signs and how to get out of an abusive relationship
by John Hough
According to recent statistics, it is extremely likely that you or someone you know has experienced violence in a dating relationship. Dating violence can take many forms, including psychological and emotional abuse, physical (more…)
New superintendent has first day on job
By Patty Unruh
The Gilpin County Board of Education met April 1. Members present were President Craig Holmes, Brook Ramsey, Charlotte Taylor, Kersten Armstrong, and Rusty Hardy. New superintendent David MacKenzie was also present, (more…)
Mountain Living
By Irene Shonle
I’ll start with the good news: the 2012 aerial survey shows that the Mountain Pine Beetle epidemic has essentially petered out. This is definitely cause for celebration, but it doesn’t necessarily change the picture on the potential (more…)
Selections from “Of Mines & Beer!”
By Dave Thomas
Estimates of the number of non-Native Americans living in Gilpin County within a few months following Gregory’s discovery of gold vary widely from 5,000 to as many as 30,000 in 1860. Enumeration of the number of Native (more…)
Finance Reform Proposal, Technology, BOCES, and other matters
By Patty Unruh
The Board of Education of Gilpin County School met March 18. Present were members Craig Holmes, President, Brook Ramsey, Charlotte Taylor, Kersten Armstrong, and Rusty Hardy, as well as Interim Superintendent Morris (more…)
VFW contest fosters awareness of drug and alcohol abuse
By Patty Unruh
Two students from Gilpin County School placed in the top five in Colorado for their age categories in the recent Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) “Just Say No” to drugs and alcohol coloring contest. Jasmine Arends won second (more…)
PTA competition leads to wins at regional level
By Patty Unruh
Several students from Gilpin County School were finalists in a regional Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) “Reflections” competition recently. The theme of the event was “Magic of the Moment” and encompassed several categories of creative expression, including literature, musical composition, dance choreography, film production, photography, and visual arts.
Students who won locally and were regional finalists were Samantha Smith for literature in grades three to five, Jasmine Arends for photography in grades three to five, Aubrey Allen and Gadje Holbird for visual arts in kindergarten to second-grade, and Anna Yocom for visual arts in grades six through eight. The local competition was held last November, with winners going on to the regional level in mid-January. A ceremony for the State level was to have been held February 24, but was postponed due to snowy weather. No Gilpin students went on to become State finalists.
The Colorado PTA website explains that the Reflections program was first developed in 1969 to encourage students to explore their talents and express themselves by giving them positive recognition for their artistic efforts. Since then, the site says, over 10 million students across the nation have taken part in the popular program. The contest is open to all students attending a school where PTA sponsors the program.
To allow student projects to be judged at the appropriate age and skill levels, the program is divided into four levels: primary (preschool through grade two), intermediate (grades three through five), middle/junior (grades six through eight), and senior (grades nine through twelve). The entries are first judged by the local PTA unit. Some selected entries are then chosen to represent the PTA at the regional level. Artwork submitted to Colorado PTA from the regional PTA is considered for awards at the State level.
Curt Halsted, art instructor at Gilpin County School, said, “I encourage my students to enter their artwork and to develop their ideas in art and writing. The students do their projects individually at home and enter the local, judged competition at school.”
Reflections creations are on display in the hallways at the school.
Tech expert provides advice on future direction
By Patty Unruh
The Board of Education of Gilpin County School met March 4. Members attending were President Craig Holmes, Brook Ramsey, Charlotte Taylor, Kersten Armstrong, and Rusty Hardy. Also attending was Interim (more…)
Gilpin High School students to visit Costa Rica
by Patty Unruh
A small group of Gilpin County high school students and their adult chaperones will be visiting Costa Rica March 21 through March 31.
The purpose of the trip is for the young people to have real-life experiences in using a foreign language and to learn about the cultural geography of Central America, the biology and ecology of the rain forest and a variety of other (more…)
Gilpin students join Masons for “sweet” history lesson
By Patty Unruh
We all know that George Washington was “the father of our country.” But how much do we really know about him? For instance, how old was he when he had his teeth pulled? What was his middle name? And what color was his (more…)
Budding Einsteins and Edisons explore the world of science
by Patty Unruh
For inquiring minds that want to know, there was much to discover at Gilpin County School’s science fair, held February 21. For instance, soda pop does not make an efficient stain remover. Your rocket car will probably not run (more…)
The transformation of farmland to oil fields
By Casey Saltness
If, ten years ago you happened to hear North Dakota in the national news it may have been a story about the LA Lakers coach Phil Jackson (a North Dakotan) and how he and the Lakers had won their third NBA Championship (more…)
County Commissioners agree to fund officer for remainder of school year
by Patty Unruh
The Gilpin County Board of Education met February 19. Board members attending were President Craig Holmes, Brook Ramsey, Charlotte Taylor, and Kersten Armstrong. Rusty Hardy attended via telephone for a portion of the (more…)
Central City citizens turn out in force for Amendment 64 legislation
By David Josselyn
Call to Order
The Central City Council was called to order by Mayor Ron Engels at 7:04pm on Tuesday, February 19h. All council members were present.
Consent Agenda
Items on the consent agenda included the Regular Bills lists of February 7th and 14th and the City Council minutes of February 5th. Alderman Bob Spain moved to approve the consent agenda and Alderman Shirley Voorhies (more…)
Testing your mountain wells regularly and treatment options
By Irene Shonle
Most mountain well owners have heard that it is recommended to test your well every couple of years for “bacteria.” For the most part, this recommendation refers to coliform bacteria, which can make you sick. The Gilpin (more…)