America has been attacked.

The Star Spangled Banner reigned over Pagosa Country at half staff Tuesday, even as residents responded with disbelief, horror, then outrage at scenes of terrorist-triggered carnage transmitted nearly 2,000 miles across the country to television screens and radio receivers.

Downtown streets and shops remained relatively empty through the morning hours. As the drama unfolded, revealing attacks on the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon outside of Washington, D.C., and a plane crashed in Pennsylvania fields, many local citizens remained home, glued to television and radio sets.

Other citizens joined shop owners focused on sets at their businesses where they exchanged comments about the tragedy, forgetting the business of the day. More than a few shops closed. In response to orders from above, the Pagosa Ranger District closed its doors from Tuesday afternoon through 10 a.m. yesterday.

Air traffic at Stevens Field came to a halt Tuesday morning in response to an order from the Federal Aviation Administration closing airspace in the United States to all but military, law enforcement, and emergency medical aircraft. The closure is effective until further notice.

"We are in constant contact with the FAA and will let the public know when we receive change," said Tim Smith, the Stevens Field manager.

Churches open

Most churches in Pagosa Springs posted signs outside their doors Tuesday as events unfolded, inviting people to come in for prayer and thoughts if needed.

Bart Burnett, pastor of Mountain Heights Baptist Church, said several people took advantage of the open doors to pray Tuesday.

The Community Bible Church hosted a prayer vigil all day, starting about 9:30 a.m. It lasted about 12 and a half hours.

At 5:30 p.m., the United Methodist Church and St. Patrick's Episcopal Church held a joint prayer service attended by some 90 to 100 people, Rev. Don Ford, pastor of the Methodist Church, said.

Between 18 and 20 youth and volunteers gathered at the Power House Youth Center for a hour and a half prayer session at 6:30 p.m.

On Wednesday night, prayer services continued, worked around regular prayer times.

Brian Gronewoller, director of the Power House Youth Center, said plans were to change the regular senior high Wednesday-evening activities to focus on the tragedy.

"It's going to be more solemn, more of a reflection time, letting the students talk about what happened," he said.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church planned a special mass for Wednesday evening.

Sermon topic

Although calls to churches in Pagosa turned up no additional memorial services Wednesday, some pastors said the subject will come up during regular services.

"I am going to deal with it on Sunday," Ford said. "That'll be enough time for people to get over the shock of it and move on to what can we do."

Rev. Annie Ryder, of St. Patrick's Episcopal Church, encouraged everyone to find a church to attend this week.

"I would urge people to just go to their own church or just go to a church if they don't have one on Sunday because all churches will be talking about this and putting it in the context of our life as Christians," she said.

In the meantime, many churches will continue the open-door policy. Office assistants at The United Methodist Church, Mountain Heights Baptist Church, Community Bible Church and the Immaculant Heart of Mary Catholic Church all said their sanctuaries would be open during the day today and tomorrow for people to come in and pray or talk.

Blood donations

United Blood Services has arranged for Four Corners residents to donate blood needed by those injured in the catastrophe. Donation sites and schedules have been organized for the entire region. Pagosa Springs donations will be accepted Sept. 27 at the United Methodist Church from 2 to 6:30 p.m. Persons wishing to donate before Sept. 27 can learn of schedules and locations in the Four Corners area by calling (505) 843-6227 or (800) 333-8037.

Local authorities could do little but empathize with victims of the outrage. County and town offices remained open. Flags were lowered to half mast Tuesday and remained at half mast yesterday. Town flags lined Pagosa Street yesterday.

Several public school athletic events were canceled Tuesday afternoon. Activities for the remainder of the week will continue as scheduled, according to school authorities.

Archuleta County Road and Bridge crews have been instructed to watch for anything suspicious, according to Alden Ecker, county commissioner liaison for that department.

"I have had no calls from state officials," said Russell Crowley, the county director of the Office of Civil Preparedness.

Emergency plan

The county has an emergency operations plan that addresses terrorism among many potential hazards such as floods, fires, hazardous materials spills, blizzards, and unforseen contingencies.

Emergency responses vary extensively, depending upon the emergency and its specific circumstances, according to Crowley. In general, the plan advocates a ground-up method of dealing with emergencies. That means county action will be taken first. If that action is inadequate, state help will be sought. Ultimately, if conditions warrant, control could end up at the national level.

Crowley attends regional and statewide gatherings designed to help local emergency managers remain informed on the latest thinking and techniques associated with emergencies.

"We do consider that terrorism could strike small communities such as Pagosa Springs," Crowley said. "It is possible that a terrorist might hit a small community as a warning that worse things could happen if certain conditions are not met.

"Biological attacks, such things as anthrax, are considered the most likely threat to small community level," Crowley said. "Chemical warfare is another possibility."

A five-county southwest Colorado area recently received a $98,000 counter-terrorism grant originating from the Department of Justice, Crowley said. The money has been spent on protective suits, special breathing apparatus, and other equipment used in connection with biological and chemical threats. The same equipment can be used to protect lives in the event of a hazardous materials spill, Crowley added.

Local repercussions connected with the terrorist acts included Federal Aviation Administration closure of Stevens Field, banks postponing recording of deposits until 5 p.m. Wednesday, a dearth of shoppers in local retail outlets, and the failure of a number of businesses to open.

The mood was somber, the concern evident.

After opening their meeting Tuesday with a moment of silence "for Americans who lost their lives today in the tragedies of terrorism," the Board of Education for Archuleta School District 50 Joint turned to thoughts of school safety.

On a motion by director Russ Lee, the board went into executive session for 14 minutes "to discuss student safety procedures in our school buildings."

After the session, the board announced, "In light of today's events, we hereby direct Superintendent Duane Noggle to create a news release detailing for students and parents the safety precautions exercised in our schools."

Noggle said, "Today was a very disturbing day in all our hearts and minds. We had a meeting of all principals and discussed safety issues. I contacted the sheriff's office and town police to reassure ourselves. I visited all the schools personally and was reassured with the way our students handled the news."

He told the board he is "very proud of all our teachers. They did an exemplary job of explaining to students what was happening and what it might mean to them."

Prayers

"Our hearts, as a school family, go out to all the families who lost loved ones and our prayers are with them," he said.

The release directed by the board was received Wednesday morning. It follows, verbatim:

"In light of the senseless terrorist attack that occurred on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the Board and Administration have taken steps to insure the safety of our children.

The Board is appalled at this overwhelming tragedy. They have expressed their most sincere condolences to the families and friends who may have lost love ones in this catastrophic event. The terrible loss of innocent life and property has left the whole nation numb and has left no family untouched by grief or outrage.

During the initial period of uncertainty, an emergency principals' meeting was called to discuss the district's response to this horrific incident. While there was no immediate threat to students, the staff's desire was to provide them reassurance of their safety; and then facilitate an understanding of these events that will have a lasting impact on their lives.

Action taken

As a result of the meeting, the following actions were determined to be most appropriate:

1. School would continue for the day. Students would be safer at school as many parents may be unaware of the event and would not be expecting their children to be returning home early. Parents who called were informed that the district was taking the necessary steps to insure the safety of their children. However, if they would feel more comfortable, they were welcome to check their children out of school.

2. Teachers were to make themselves available to state the facts of the attack and then provide attention and counseling as needed. Teachers were to reassure students of their safety and explain that the attack occurred a considerable distance from Pagosa Springs. To visually assist younger students, a map would be provided to illustrate this distance, and explain that, by automobile, it would take approximately four days and four nights to reach the East Coast.

3. After-school athletic events were to be canceled for the day, as it is in the best interest of students to not be traveling away from home. Practices, however, would continue for all after-school activities.

4. Flags were to be lowered to half staff in honor of those who lost their lives.

5. Heightened security would be initiated, with all staff on duty during the lunch hour. Administrative staff was also directed to be more visible in the buildings.

6. The Archuleta County Sheriff's Office and the Pagosa Springs Police Department were contacted for information and guidance on securing the school campuses. Law enforcement officials stated they were monitoring the situation and there was no immediate threat to Pagosa Springs. They assured us that they would keep us informed should there be any developments that would require our attention.

7. A moment of silence will be held at each of the schools on Sept. 12 at 8:30 a.m.

8. Counselors and other health professionals would be available to students who may be having difficulty coping with the situation.

9. The board president was called to discuss the district's response to the terrorist act.

Steps reviewed

In addition to the Administration's response to this despicable act, the Board called a special executive session to review the District's emergency procedures and codes that may be utilized to remove students from a potentially threatening situation.

As one final measure to show unity with the Nation, the Board requests that all citizens of Archuleta School District take a pro-active stance in responding to this defining act by encouraging all able individuals to donate blood. To schedule an appointment for donating blood, please call United Blood Services at 385-4601 in Durango."

The closures of Wolf Creek pass won't end with the tunnel construction on the east side.

In fact, a new contract has been awarded for work on the west side of the pass and all-night closures in that area began Monday.

Nielsons Skanska of Cortez, which won the bidding for the $7.16 million project, has begun blasting operations 24 hours a day between Monday morning and Friday afternoon requiring closure of U.S. 160 from approximately one mile east of Treasure Falls to the pass summit from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. to all but emergency traffic.

The added nighttime closure is in effect until further notice, but has been scheduled to be consistent with closures at the tunnel project on the east side.

In addition, Neilsons Skanska officials said, traffic may be delayed for up to 30 minutes during daytime operations on the west side project. Signs will be posted at each end of the project to give current information and will include the public information number for the contractor's Wolf Creek office.

The nighttime closures on the west side project are expected to be suspended in late November or early December. Closures on the east side could continue into 2005.

"We are aware of the traffic delays on both sides and we do try to avoid holding traffic that has been delayed at the other project," said Mike McVaugh, Treasure Falls project engineer. "Inevitably, though, there will be motorists who get delayed at both projects, and we apologize for this inconvenience. We're hoping people will plan ahead for the potential delays or consider taking an alternate route."

There are, he pointed out, no alternate routes between the two projects.

McVaugh said flaggers will assist motorists by stopping traffic on both sides at 6 p.m. and advising drivers of the closures pending ahead and the necessity to clear the construction areas before 7 p.m.

Motorists can expect daytime delays of up to 30 minutes on the west side project and up to 45 minutes on the east side and, McVaugh noted, there is a 10-foot width restriction in effect for the entire pass during construction.

The Nielsons Skanska project will include, in addition to the blasting, improving the safety and sight distance of the westbound runaway truck ramp approach, drainage improvements on the top 3.5 miles, and final highway rehabilitation and paving. The project will continue until Thanksgiving this year and is scheduled for completion in October 2002, weather permitting.

For project updates and schedule changes, call the Wolf Creek office at 264-2535, leave your name and telephone number and a contractor representative will return you call as soon as possible.

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Editorials

Test of our identity

There are times in our personal and collective histories when

events occur that test our character and reveal the bankruptcy

of our everyday concerns.

Such an event happened for all Americans Sept. 11, 2001.

On that day, that Tuesday, beginning at 6:45 a.m. Mountain Time, innocent victims - men, women and children - were sacrificed at the altar of deviant zealotry. Victims suffered and died in hijacked aircraft, in office buildings, as members of rescue teams attempting to save other human beings. They died because they were Americans.

At the instant a hijacked jet airliner hit the side of the World Trade Center in New York City, all of us were attacked - because we are Americans. Other blows followed, of the most cowardly and detestable nature, and more of us fell in an act of mass murder.

As we watched these events from afar, observing the carnage on our television sets from the safety of a small mountain town in southwest Colorado, there was no mistaking the attack was intended for all of us.

Any atom of innocence we preserved is gone; any sense we live in a fanciful world that guarantees us and our children safety and unopposed prosperity has evaporated. We do not live in a world obsessed with our self-esteem or concerned about our feelings. There is no doubt now that we are vulnerable in a dangerous, often hostile world; we are open to physical threats and to subtle but equally ominous threats to our information-based economy.

Terrorists aim to demoralize a people, to disrupt daily routine, to instigate fear and suspicion in a populace.Their goal, beyond the initial mayhem, is to dispirit a people, to cause the adhesions that bind a group or a society together to loosen, to give way. The terrorist wants to inspire fear, confusion, disintegration.

The assassins who attacked our nation Sept. 11 will not produce the desired results. We will be energized and focused. Hopefully, our enemies will be identified, and exterminated.

But, their awful work touches us here. The vehicle of association will bring home the death and injury of loved ones and acquaintances many miles away. Reverberations from the blasts leveled at buildings in New York City and Washington D.C. will echo here, erasing any remaining illusions about a comfortable isolation from the anger and horror that have long been a staple of life in other parts of the world.

What is ahead for other Americans is ahead for us: a test of our identity, our strength, our resolve; a test of our integrity and wisdom.

The barbarians who murdered thousands of our fellow Americans Tuesday did not aim those planes at people of one color, at people of one religion, at Republicans or Democrats. The victims died because they were Americans.

We must respond in a way that honors their memory: by seeking justice and exacting a price for their demise and the violation of our homeland; but also by ensuring we protect the unparalleled freedoms and civil liberties we all enjoyed prior to 6:45 a.m., Sept. 11, 2001.

Sometime, probably soon, we will go back to our mundane everyday concerns: trumpeting partisan nonsense, worrying about local politics, pondering tax increases and worn-out roads. But we will go back a changed people. Hopefully the change will make us better.

For now, though, as we reel in shock and mourn our loss, as we deal with our rage and ponder what will happen, we must keep our fellow Americans who died and who suffer as a result of this tragedy in our thoughts and in our prayers. We are in this together.

Karl Isberg

My brain is on its ' Tumble Cycle'

Dear Folks,

When you're 67, it's hard to know what words to use when a lifetime of thoughts tumble around your brain as you once again find yourself riveted to a radio broadcast. At times like this you are forced to start typing while all the while praying that this will be the last time you face this type of predicament.

So you start with:

December 7, 1941. Pearl Harbor. Japan.

November 22, 1963. President John F. Kennedy. Lee Harvey Oswald.

April 19, 1995. Arthur A. Murrah Federal Building. Timothy McVeigh.

September 11, 2001. World Trade Center-Pentagon. As yet undetermined.

Tuesday morning joined America's ever-growing list of dates, places and names to the one President Franklin Delano Roosevelt accurately predicted would become "a day of infamy" following Japan's sneak attack on Pearl Harbor.

Such tragic dates are momentary reminders that there really are some things in life that are more important than the effect compound interest has on our investments or debts. History is a harsh teacher.

There is no more dangerous time than when world leaders hold peace talks. Former British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain thought there would be "peace in our times" after negotiating the Munich Agreement with Adolph Hitler during March 1938. Instead, a short time later we had the start of` World War II . . . and counting.

A sub-headline on the lower left corner on page 1 of Tuesday morning's Rocky Mountain News stated, "Mideast truce talks could start today." The related article appeared on page 21 under the headline "Truce talk precarious amid blood." Yesterday's Rocky Mountain News made no mention of truce talks involving Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

The bold 115-point headline on page 1 of The Denver Post yesterday termed Tuesday's acts of terrorism as America's "Darkest Hour." If our future history proves that the headline is accurate and that in fact America's darkest hour indeed is past, it will be a miracle.

Though all of us see the same scenes, hear the same reports and read the same information, folks' interpretation of this seemingly uncomprehensible information is based on the age of the vision. The same was true when folks listened to Edward R. Murrow on the radio or watched Walter Cronkite on black-and-white TV.

It seems there is no best or most valid assessment of tragic events at times such as these. That's the problem with newscasts. They are limited to divulging the tragedy of the moment at a time when folks are desperately wanting some positive assurance about what is going to happen tomorrow.

While I was interested in what President Bush would say during his address to the nation Tuesday night, my mind kept revisiting some much earlier words of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill from June 1940. By then France had already surrendered to Germany and had asked for an armistice agreement. This left England without an European ally as she faced the certainty of being invaded by Germany. Confronted with such an uncertain tomorrow, Churchill in an address to the British House of Commons said, "Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will say, 'this was their finest hour.' "

I'm like most folks. I like to think my "darkest hour" is behind me and that, despite the blessings of my past, my "finest hour" is somewhere up ahead. It somewhat ties in with what President Roosevelt said during his first inaugural address when he told the American people, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." As for me, I believe that, "Perfect love casts out fear."

Know you are loved and please keep us in your prayers.

David

100 years ago

Taken from The Weekly Times of September 12, 1901

In March the First Bank of Pagosa Springs was opened in our town and has been managed by Cashier F.A. Collins entirely satisfactorily. Too much praise cannot be given to Mr. Collins as he is a businessman in every sense of the word.

Jas. L. Byers of Leavenworth, Kansas one of the owners of the Springs Company ground is visiting this resort in view of making improvements. Which sounds good to us.

The old Parish building is being repapered and painted by order of the school board for use as a school building the coming term.

Mr. and Mrs. G.A. Dutton are carefully attending two of their children who have typhoid fever. The doctor says they will recover.

75 years ago

Taken from SUN files of September 17, 1926

This issue completes the 17th year of the Sun's usefulness.

Norman Price, former resident of Archuleta County and one time forest ranger here, was an arrival the past week to visit with relatives at Chromo.

The garden at the home of J.A. Latta contains many beautiful and interesting sights. One of them is a Flemish Beauty pear tree bending to the ground with fruit. A novelty, too, in the way of four "topeppo" plants, a cross between a tomato and a pepper, is an unusual spectacle. The plant is upright like a pepper plant, while the topeppo is more the shape of a tomato. Dr. Mary Fisher gave nine seeds of this rare plant to Mrs. Grace Parks, who had the luck to raise four in her father's garden.

50 years ago

Taken from SUN files of September 14, 1951

Mr. Gribben, football coach at the high school this year reports there are 26 boys out for practice. The team will be led by the following returned lettermen of last year: George Lucero, Jerry Martinez, Alex Belarde, Harry Cole, Buzzy Smith, Henry Smith, Ron Willett, Wilfred Madrid, Richard Walter, Tommy Meeks and Henry Trujillo.

The San Juan Basin Press Association held its regular annual meeting here on Sunday with 35 persons in attendance.

The Methodist Church will discontinue church services beginning this Sunday for an indefinite period until a minister may be procured. However, the Sunday school program will be continued.

25 years ago

Taken from SUN files of September 9, 1976

Construction crews have moved in to start work on installing a river crossing for the town of Pagosa Springs Water Department. An eight-inch line will be installed under the river at the south end of town. This main will provide additional water for the school recreation complex and is expected to also help somewhat the water pressure problem in the southwest part of town.

Town board members spent a large portion of their meeting Tuesday night discussing problems related to juvenile delinquency, juvenile vandalism, and the police department's role in the prevention and apprehension of these juveniles. Other items discussed included street improvements, telephone franchise, and codification of ordinances.

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Inside The Sun

Completion of the first week of school for the 2001-02 school year shows enrollment at a steady level and holding in Pagosa Springs.

Superintendent Duane Noggle told the Board of Education for Archuleta School District 50 Joint Tuesday that 526 pupils are in the elementary school, 243 in the intermediate school, 263 in the junior high school, and 523 in the high school.

The start of the school year was "very successful," he said. "No students were lost on the first day, transportation was excellent, and teachers and students all seemed excited to restart the learning process."

Noggle told the board warranty repairs at the high school are underway, including a second floor heating unit being replaced and a leak in the fire sprinkler system being repaired. He said the one problem that may require legal steps is a staining problem on the cinder block "where there apparently was no sealer applied originally."

He also told the board construction on the handicapped ramp to the athletic fields is nearly complete and that construction is under way on the new concession stand-restroom facility.

In other action Tuesday, the board:

€ Received the school district accreditation notice from the Colorado Department of Education. The accreditation is through 2007

€ Was reminded that state report cards on all school districts are due out today with recommendations for improvement, if needed

€ Heard Windsor Chacey invite them to participate in the League of Women Voters annual pre-election forum on Monday, Oct. 8 "even though there will be no school board election. Your lone ballot issue (eliminating term limits) will be discussed"

€ Adopted a resolution asking members of the General Assembly to support proposed additional funding for special education

€ Named director Carol Feazel (who was absent) as the board's delegate to the Oct. 6 meeting of the Colorado Association of School Boards

€ Approved Noggle's proposal to upgrade into a single document a consolidated plan of action to meet his goals and board objectives, following the National School Board Association format

€ Heard director Clifford Lucero say he'd been approached by several parents worried about danger to students and others from speeders in the high school parking lot, especially during sports events. Bill Esterbrook, high school principal, agreed there is a problem. "It is an ongoing situation," he said. "We've talked about speed bumps and changing to channeled routing in the lot. If anyone is caught, they're barred from bringing a vehicle into the lot for two weeks. It is very much a concern and is a potential liability issue. Something needs to be done right away and I'm working on it now."

Three school bus driver resignations were accepted, three replacement drivers were named, a new director of transportation was appointed, two teachers were named, a pair of computer technicians appointed, and a vast array of assistant and volunteer coaches were appointed.

That all came in just two motions Tuesday as the Board of Education for Archuleta School District 50 Joint moved ever closer to full staffing.

Driver resignations of David Yates, Lisa Rose and Larry Christine were accepted and Nathan Martin, Lois Norris and Greg Peck were appointed to replace them.

Dolly Martin, who has been acting transportation director since the transfer of John Rose to a maintenance position, was appointed to the full-time job, but only after a 34-minute executive session in which the job and its ramifications were discussed with Martin.

Other appointments not related to sports were those of Lynell Wiggers as an elementary school Title 1 teacher aide; Carolyn Reidberger as elementary computer technician; Margaret Brush as part-time junior high keyboarding teacher; and Barbara Schulz as part-time nurses aide.

Sports related appointments included: Chantelle Kay as high school assistant girl's volleyball coach; Charles Rand as high school boy's C-team basketball coach; Randy Sorensen as high school assistant football coach; Sean O'Donnell as high school assistant basketball coach; Chris Kelly as high school volunteer football coach; Ackim Nyachikanda as high school volunteer soccer coach; Maria Gallegos as junior high assistant volleyball coach; Justin Cowan as junior high assistant football coach; Bob Lynch as junior high girl's C-team basketball coach; and Michelle Martinez and Tiffany Milburn as junior high cheerleading coaches.

A proposed extension of a school bus route for 10 miles down Colorado 151 from U.S. 160 drew a buzzsaw of comment Tuesday and finally a directive to the transportation director to conduct a survey of parents in the area before any definitive action on the proposal.

At issue is the daily transportation of fewer students than required under board policy for Archuleta School District 50 Joint.

The minimum number of riders for a route is set at seven. The extension in question has, according to driver records, never had seven students. In fact, the average number is four with only five days in the last three months of operation having as many as six.

Dolly Martin, appointed earlier in the evening as transportation director for the school district, suggested a 30-day trial run of the route. "If they don't provide seven riders daily, we go back to the stop at 160 and let parents bring them there and pick them up there."

Superintendent Duane Noggle, however, wanted the survey of parents. "If they understand what our minimum is, and can assure us there will always be at least seven, then we can consider the requested extension."

Martin said she'd been asked by a number of parents to extend the route and one of those parents, David Gallegos, told the board of education he believes there would be more riders if the route were extended.

"Right now, parents feel that if they have to drive 10-miles to drop off their children, they might as well go all the way to the school. One reason there are fewer riders at night," he added, "is that several of the older students are involved in athletics and must practice after school."

Director Jon Forrest said, "I'd hate to penalize the kids just because they're involved in sports and therefore can't ride the bus at night. If there were more consistency in morning ridership, we probably could understand the lower evening total."

Finally, the board agreed with Noggle and directed the survey of parents be conducted prior to the Oct. 9 meeting, when the extension request will be considered in light of survey results.

Residential sewer rates are on the rise.

On Sept. 5, the Pagosa Springs Sanitation District Board voted to increase rates from $8.50 to $11.50 per residential unit.

The change brings residential rates in line with the town's commercial rates, an equalization that just made sense, Town Administrator Jay Harrington said. It affects a district including Piedra Estates and those living in town east of Put Hill.

Besides evening the charges out, the increase will help pay for some sewage system improvements down the line.

"Our rates are still low compared to other sewage providers in the region," he said. "Our collection systems are at a point where in the next few years we are going to need some serious improvements and we will have to pay for those improvements."

Next year alone, the town has scheduled replacement of a major collection line from the Town Shop to South 6th Street.

"That's just the tip of what needs to be done," Harrington said.

The increase in residential sewage rates is the first since March of 1996 when residential rates went up from $5 to $8.50 and commercial rates jumped from $8.50 to $11.50 per unit.

A public hearing conducted by the county commissioners Tuesday night did little to change the status of Valle Seco Road. Trenches, deep and wide, continue to prevent travel on the road across property owned by members of the Garcia family.

Valle Seco Road meanders between Montezuma Road and U.S. 84 in the south central part of Archuleta County. The Garcia property straddles the road at its southern extremity where it joins Montezuma Road.

A second piece of private property straddles the dirt road near its mid-point. The second piece is owned by Chuck Russell, brother-in-law to Gene Crabtree, chairman of the board of county commissioners.

"Despite the newspaper referring to that property as owned by the Crabtree family, I am not going to recuse myself," Crabtree said.

"I believe you have a conflict of interest," Commissioner Bill Downey challenged Crabtree. "I ask you to recuse yourself. Any action we take could be overturned because of you."

"It's unfair to Crabtree to ask him to not take part in this discussion because his brother-in-law owns that property," said Commissioner Alden Ecker.

Crabtree took part in the discussion.

At issue is whether the public is legally entitled to use Valle Seco Road across the two pieces of private property. Those who argue for public usage base their arguments on prescriptive right of way laws.

The owners of the southern parcel oppose public usage. They say the road has never been public, was only opened with family permission for the specific purpose of allowing fire control access for the U.S. Forest Service, and that no trespassing signs and other signs designed to prevent use of the road have been torn down or ignored.

Inconclusive evidence was presented by representatives of both sides of the argument attempting to establish dates of ownership, dates of public usage, and other factors.

Downey argued that the issue must be settled based on provisions of state prescriptive easement laws and on no other basis. Downey said it is a county responsibility to determine the road's status. If the commissioner's decision is appealed, then the final decision will be rendered by a court, according to Downey.

Crabtree argued that use of the road across private property is not a county concern. He said it should be decided among the private contenders, in a court of law if necessary.

The county has no business worrying about such a remote road, Crabtree said, when it has other roads to worry about, private roads with citizens living along them such as are found in Arboles.

"The road will remain open across the central piece of property so hunters can reach forest service property," Crabtree said.

That means the road can be accessed from the U.S. 84 entrance and traversed until reaching the trench at the north Garcia property line.

Hunters from the audience argued that because of a steep hill, access to the forest service property located between the two private parcels is impossible in bad weather.

Ecker argued that because the road across Russell property in the center will remain open, hunters have adequate access to Forest Service land.

"I think citizens should have access to the National Forest," Ecker said. "I visited with the Forest Service and the Division of Wildlife. We don't have enough evidence. We've heard a lot of hearsay. We need documentation from the family."

Ecker read a Forest Service letter written last year stating that the Forest Service has always understood that the Forest Service uses the road across Garcia property with the Garcia's permission, implying that the Forest Service has no prescriptive right to use the road.

Downey again argued that the issue has nothing to do with the Forest Service or public access to the Forest Service or with hunter access. The issue rests solely upon whether a prescriptive public right of way exists or does not exist, Downey said.

The property owners described damage to their property including fence cutting and poaching conducted by encroachers as another reason to close the road.

Forest Service officials say their agency has maintained the road at various times in the past.

"The statute says roads over private property adversely used continuously for at least 20 years without objection from the owners can be public through prescriptive easements," said Mary Weiss, the county attorney. "Adversely means used without permission."

"Continuously" could mean driving down the road once a year according to case law, Weiss said.

No action was taken at the public hearing.

Nearly 1,500 lottery tickets were stolen from Poma's Pit Stop downtown in a burglary sometime after 11 p.m. Sept. 8.

According to Pagosa Springs Police reports, the lottery tickets, plus an estimated $400 in cigarettes were taken. To gain entry, an object was thrown through the front door, causing an estimated $300 damage. Police responded to the scene early Sept. 9 after an employee reported the break-in.

As part of the burglary, damage was done to the cash register, lottery ticket case, a gasoline regulator and a pay phone, reports said. The tire shop was not hit in the burglary. Police are investigating the incident, but no suspects have been identified as of Monday afternoon.

It's official. On the Nov. 6 general election ballot, Archuleta County voters will be asked to say yea or nay to extension of a countywide 2 percent sales tax.

The proposition became official Wednesday when county officials submitted an ordinance to June Madrid, the county election official. The ordinance defines the ballot language and terms agreed upon by the county commissioners.

In essence, the county is asking for a 2 percent, countywide sales tax on most retail items and services. The ballot question asks for a seven-year extension of the 2 percent tax last approved by voters in 1994. Ballot wording also promises to continue splitting the proceeds 50-50 with the town, and to dedicate the county's portion to the road and bridge capital improvement fund.

Ballot language stressing the word "extension" emphasizes the county position that this is not the renewal of the old tax following its expiration, but continuance of the old tax without interruption. The county's position is a response to a 1999 town voter-approved 2 percent sales tax within town boundaries to become effective upon the expiration of the existing tax Jan. 1, 2003.

State law limits the total sales tax levy to 7 percent. The state levies 2.91 percent. The county collects a 2 percent sales tax in perpetuity, bringing the total to 4.91 percent. Consequently, any town or county levy or combination thereof cannot exceed 7 percent minus 4.91 percent, just over 2 percent. Obviously, the town and county cannot collect the same 2 percent levied on the same taxpayers. Conflict between the town and county is possible.

Town officials say they put the issue on the ballot for town voters because the existing sales tax collection system does not provide adequate safeguards to prevent interruption of town sales tax revenues.

Fueling town fears was a petition followed by a lawsuit brought by certain county citizens trying to change the distribution formula from a 50-50 split between town and county to a 75-25 split favoring the county. After county commissioners refused to recognize the petition and put an issue before the voters, the petition's filers brought suit trying to compel the county to implement conditions of the petition. The suit eventually reached the Colorado Supreme Court, where a ruling was rendered favoring the county's position.

The supreme court's ruling was based on flaws in the petitioning process and did not rule out the possibility of a future successful petition.

After linking arms with the county to successfully defeat the lawsuit, the town sought counsel from its attorneys. They advised that as long as sales tax collection authority derives from a county-authored election, county citizens are legally entitled to challenge and potentially change provisions governing collection and distribution of the tax through the petition process.

By obtaining town voter approval to collect up to a 3 percent sales tax, the town has limited the field of those who can challenge their tax to citizens living within the town. County citizens living outside of town will not be able to challenge the tax through the petition process.

The town's tax is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2003, if the county sales tax is repealed, repealed and readopted, determined not to be effective, or expires in whole or in part in an amount greater than 1 percent. The town's proposed tax extends in perpetuity.

Town officials have promised to negotiate an intergovernmental agreement with the county containing provisions to continue sharing the tax with the county on a 50-50 basis.

County officials are promoting the proposal contained on this year's ballot on the simplistic rationale that voter approval means business as usual regarding collection of the tax. Such promotion does not present all of the facts or possibilities.

Several options were available to the county. One option was to choose between placing the question on the ballot this coming November or, if the commissioners should wait until the November 2002 election. A second question considers the option of levying the county tax only on county territory outside of town limits, thus avoiding a conflict with the town. As worded on the coming election ballot, the tax, if approved, will be levied countywide, including the town.

The commissioners chose to place the question on this year's ballot because, if voters deny the request this November, the opportunity remains to place the question on the ballot in November of 2002. If they wait until next year and voters defeat the issue, the county is left without a sales tax Jan. 1, 2003, excepting the 50 percent the town has agreed to share from collection inside town limits.

Concerning the option of seeking a tax only on sales within the county and outside town limits, and thereby avoiding confrontation with the town, the commissioners have opted to go countywide.

In so doing, they run several risks of losing.

First, if voters deny the tax request this November and next November, the county will have no sales tax in place. Second, if voters approve the countywide tax this coming November, the county is placed in an adversarial position with the town. Both entities cannot collect their respective taxes because the total would exceed the 7 percent limit prescribed by state law. Consequently, a decision by the state attorney general may be required to decide which entity's tax will prevail. If the attorney general decides against the county, again the county will have no sales tax in place. Finally, if voters deny the county-wide proposal this fall, then deny the outside-of- town-limits proposal next fall, the county will still be without a sales tax.

Commissioners Gene Crabtree and Alden Ecker argue that the question should be placed on this year's ballot, allowing the commissioners another chance next year if this year's proposal fails. Commissioner Bill Downey argued to wait until next year, but in a show of solidarity voted to place the issue on the ballot this November.

Concerning the option of asking for the tax only outside town boundaries, Crabtree is opposed. He argued that a tax on businesses outside town limits will not generate sufficient revenue and raises the issue of double taxation.

Ecker argues, relevant to the same option, that there was no reason to adopt that option and that consideration of such an option must await the outcome of the current election.

Downey described the choice of options as a question of security for the county. Adoption of a county tax outside the town limits places the county at the town's mercy for sharing collections made within town, Downey said. Even though the two entities enjoy a good working relationship at the present time, Downey said, there is no guarantee that future boards will continue to enjoy that relationship.

The worst scenario involves county failure to secure any county sales tax levy. Even without a county tax, the town has promised to negotiate an intergovernmental agreement sharing the collection from within town borders on a 50-50 basis.

Currently, the county and town each receive about $1 million a year from their shares of the 2 percent levy. Town and county officials estimate that between 80 and 90 percent of those collections originate from within town boundaries.

Terry Alley is the newest member of the La Plata Electric Association board from Pagosa Springs and already he has formulated an agenda that rests on "service and rates."

Alley won a landslide victory Saturday in the association election for a director from District 1, polling 657 votes to easily outdistance Nikki Little, who drew 119 supporters, and Jean Macht Taylor who garnered 116.

At the same time, association members across the area rejected all six proposed bylaws changes by votes of nearly 3 to 1. Each measure drew approximately 1,000 backers and 3,300 opponents.

Alley will attend his first formal meeting of the cooperative board next Wednesday.

"In talking with the people of this community as I considered running" he said, "I found the biggest concerns to be the continuation of service and reasonable rates.

"Those things will be my focus. We have a good staff for the cooperative members," he said, "but communicating company positions and needs could stand some improvement. I hope to be a part of that improvement process."

Surprisingly, only 4,900 of a possible 24,000 votes were cast. The surprise is that the total was lower than last year's 5,300 despite all the attention drawn by the proposed amendments and charges the utility was wasting members' money on non-productive, money-losing investments.

Greg Munro, interim CEO, said the resounding defeat of the proposed bylaw changes "showed that our membership recognized the harm approval could have caused."

And Davin Montoya, board president, said of the election, "We hit a bump in the road but these results show the member/owners have confidence we can make the necessary changes to keep operation member-friendly far into the future."

He told the 178 persons who registered for the annual meeting held in the Pagosa Springs High School auditorium the company is hoping to become a wholesaler of fiber-optic services utilizing the new line completed from Albuquerque to Grand Junction.

"The plan," he said, "could be presented as early as our next regular board meeting."

Alley said there appears to be increasing costs to some of the cooperative's suppliers and "it is not out of the question that we (La Plata Electric) could have a rate increase at sometime in the future. I will work to keep any increase as low as possible."

Asked if he has jumped from the frying pan into the fire (retiring as school superintendent and then seeking election to the utility board), Alley said, "I hope not."

"Seriously, though," he said, "it is another means of serving the community and that is what I've always strived to do."

She wasn't looking forward to the ride up Wolf Creek Pass or traveling through two blasting zones on her bicycle while at it.

But Lee Anne Barry was determined to make the trip Friday, just another leg in her cross-country cycling trip to raise awareness of and funds for brain injury research.

The Charlotte, N.C. resident, accompanied by her husband, Ben serving as support vehicle driver, left Morro Bay, Calif., Aug. 25 on a 57-day odyssey which will have covered at least 15 states by the time they arrive at the planned final stop in Augusta, Maine.

Mrs. Barry is founder of The B.I.G. Ride, Brain Injury Greatest "Journey 2001."

Her mission statement, pointing out there are nine riders taking different routes, says in part:

"We will stop in various towns and cities along the way to promote bike helmet safety, seat belt safety, and more importantly, to give people with brain injuries a voice for the new millennium . . . Our mission is to raise funds for the research of head trauma and programs designed specifically for people with brain injuries, through the state and national Brain Injury Associations. We hope to inspire people living with a brain injury to do more than just survive."

Mrs. Barry said she has no specific monetary goal, just to make sure people are aware there are alternatives for people affected by brain injuries. "They don't have to be dependent couch potatoes," she said.

Her cross-country trip was endorsed by the national Brain Injury Association which noted "raising money for individuals with brain injury is critical."

Allan I. Bergman, president and CEO of the association wished her, "Good luck with your exciting initiative as we work to create a better future through brain injury prevention, research, education and advocacy."

Patrick McCrory, mayor of Charlotte wished her success "in this ambitious endeavor," adding, "Since brain injury is the leading cause of death and disability among young people in the United States, public awareness of the consequences of brain injury is critical and will lead to the prevention of injuries."

Also on the trek's support list is San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown Jr., who, in a letter to Barry, said, "Statistics on the number and frequency of brain injuries demonstrate the need for brain injury research and programs. Through this worthy endeavor, members of The B.I.G. Ride raise funds and also educate the public that much can be accomplished beyond just survival."

From Pagosa and Wolf Creek Pass, Barry was to visit Denver, Oklahoma City, St. Louis, Atlanta, Nashville, Chattanooga, Raleigh, Richmond, Washington, Philadelphia, New York City and Boston (and small towns in between each) before arriving in Augusta by Oct. 21.

Anyone wishing to contribute may send donations to Barry at 3123 Windsor Drive, Charlotte, NC 28209.

Many hands make short work - or so goes the saying.

This summer, members of the First Baptist Church put that expression to the test on the shoulders of an army of volunteers. The result is a nearly-completed new church building across from the golf course on U.S. 160.

"We virtually got that whole building from a dirt floor to a building ready for texture and painting in 90 days," Dan Sanders, pastor of First Baptist Church, said. "We never expected to be this far along this soon."

It took 450 volunteers from eight different states plus the hard work of many congregation members.

"They were terrific," he said of the volunteers.

They came from Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Mississippi and Oklahoma to help. Most stayed about a week. On a record week in July, a total of 130 volunteers pounded, sawed and sanded on the structure.

James Butler, vice president of the Texas Baptist Men Church Builders, was one of those volunteers. He and his wife, of Austin, Tex., along with 18 or 20 other couples, stayed in Pagosa Springs for a month, working alongside a group from Gunther, Tex.

"I had a very good experience," he said. "The hospitality was wonderful. We stayed at the Happy Camper RV Park, and our people just fell in love with that couple."

The Baptist men put up metal framing, sheetrock, helped to build the front entrance "and beaucoups of other things," Butler said.

Many of the volunteers were retired, Sanders said. Some were teenage youth groups. The majority were from the Southern Baptist denomination, but a few other denominations, including the United Methodists, lent a hand as well.

Faith in organization

Pulling off the summer-long schedule took some powerful organizational skills.

To start, Sanders said, the idea of recruiting a volunteer force to help with the project was a bit of a leap of faith.

"We really didn't know what we were getting into," he said. To recruit volunteers, the church advertised on the North American Mission Board website, made lots of telephone calls and then relied on good old-fashioned word of mouth.

"We got probably half of our people from the network system within our own denomination," he said. Each volunteer group was mailed a questionnaire to determine food, transportation and lodging needs during their stay.

Members of the congregation were asked to assist in any way possible. Some opened their homes to guests, others baked, cooked or served food and still others worked alongside the visitors on the construction side. Cindy Ebarb, church office assistant, said many people helped and then helped again.

"That tends to be the case with smaller congregations," she said. "You have to do double duty a lot of times."

About two weeks before each group was scheduled to arrive, Sanders, or another of the work team coordinators, would contact the group leader to leave instructions concerning the kind of work needed. Meanwhile, those on the Pagosa Springs end scrambled to ensure materials would be on site and ready to go whenever a group of volunteers arrived.

"We're going to be in the building for less than $53 a square foot and it's going to be nice, not cheaply built," Sanders said. When finished, the construction costs will mount to about $1.5 million, about half as much as construction under a regular bid process.

"We have paid $1.2 million cash, debt free to this point," Sanders said. "But we'll probably have to borrow to finish it." That's not including the land which was donated to the church. It appraised at around $900,000.

Funding up to this point has been made possible through both full-time members and part-time guests. Several summer visitors have contributed to the project, the pastor and Marie Rascoe, First Baptist Church office administrator, agreed.

"When the summer people got here, why they rolled up their sleeves and pitched in," Rascoe said. Numbers showed 96 church members helped with hospitality services throughout the summer - serving a total of 3,000 meals to guests.

"We were working without kitchen facilities," Ebarb said. "The most finished part was the basement. It had a concrete floor and wiring for electricity."

Because the structure was incomplete, a full kitchen was impossible, but the space was used as a dining hall.

"We had a refrigerator and a little drink cooler down there," she said. "Another church offered us a freezer. It was hot, and the workers needed cool drinks. We had a couple of gas grills set up right outside for hot meat, or we just carried in crock pots."

Making their move

Planning for new construction began in 1997. The church sold its old building on U.S. 160 near downtown to the Humane Society and the Powerhouse Youth Group, and has been worshiping in the Community Bible Church building for the last year and a half.

"They've (Community Bible Church) been very generous to us," Sanders said. "We've developed a wonderful relationship between our group and theirs."

Subcontractors were hired to do the foundation, electrical work, heating, air conditioning, plumbing and to erect the frame steel building. The heating, electrical and plumbing bids all went to local companies, the pastor said.

Saturdays have been the official work day for church members.

"I think there's probably been five Saturdays since January that because of weather or a holiday we've not worked," Sanders said.

The finished product

When completed, probably sometime in October or November, the new First Baptist Church will have a multi-purpose auditorium big enough to seat 640 people for worship or 500 people for banquets, classrooms for 600 people in Bible study, an 800 square foot kitchen space and locker rooms with showers for overnight guests.

Sanders said because of its size and flexibility, it will be possible to use the multi-purpose auditorium for more than Sunday services.

"We want it to be used to assist the community," he said.

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Letters

Democratic party

Dear Editor,

Let's hear it for the multi-party system that separates our great country from many others.

Mr. Tackach's letter from last week seemed to imply that he believes a one-party system is the best form of government and any dissenting opinions should be illegal.

Let's take a look at the history of the one-party system, shall we?

We could start with the Nazi Germany that killed over six million dissenting citizens. We could look at the Soviet Union that killed untold millions of their dissenting citizens and then went on to threaten the entire world with nuclear annihilation. How about a more modern example such as Iraq? Saddam Hussein has killed thousands of his own people and some of ours. Is that what we want?

The Democratic Party has begun a reemergence in this county and for some reason that scares a few people. I have even heard one man equate the Democratic Party to communism! I guess that means that Presidents Kennedy, Roosevelt, Truman and Johnson, just to name a few, were all communist, too!

That sure would have been a shock to true communists like Kruschev and Brezhnev, who they stood up to. Thomas Jefferson started the Democratic Party and what else did he do? Oh yeah, he wrote the Declaration of Independence! He started this party because he thought (and rightly so) that the Federalist Party was too elitist and unconcerned with the working class people.

The Democratic Party has a long history of upholding peoples' rights and demanding social justice and that's what we hope to continue here.

There is nothing "thinly veiled" or otherwise veiled about our meetings, since they are open to the public as our recent ads and letters would illustrate. In fact, we are having a very open meeting on the 23rd of this month. Your new Colorado State Senator Jim Isgar and United States Senatorial candidate Tom Strickland are scheduled to speak.

Every party has issues we don't like and every party has people we don't like, but using scare tactics and inflammatory language just because someone happens to disagree with your opinions goes against everything this country stands for.

John A. Eustis

Co-chairman

Archuleta County Democrats,

Archuleta County

taxpayer and employer,

U.S. citizen, U.S. Army veteran

Feeling the loss

Dear Editor,

Just wanted to mention that the town has undergone a big loss because two families have moved from this area.

Lee Ann and Blair Timmerman and their two sons are following their dreams in the Pacific Northwest, and John and Lisa Thurman have moved to Carson City, Nevada, to be near their family.

Each of these families brought strong character and principles to this area and they will be missed.

Cindy Gustafson

From the other side

Dear Editor,

Living in Pagosa, I learned that "some trust in horses and some trust in chariots" and all enjoy the thunder reverberating through the mountains and ancient fir forests.

It never dawned on me that people across the ocean are listening to horses and chariots (armies) move across their land as mortar shells crack through their walls echoing through their mountains. They listen for the sound of "marching in the tops of the balsam trees."

Living over here in Hungary and, previously, in Romania, the picture of Little Boy Blue fast asleep comes to my mind. To view the other side of the haystack is not one of uninterrupted sleep, but of lostness, straying. I see the other side of the haystack, the part going unattended. That haystack separates America from Eastern Europe and former Soviet-block countries. The winds of change are still sweeping away this part of the world, so fast it makes your head whirl.

Like a giant merry-go-round, it goes on spinning round and round. Many hands are reaching for a hold; many feet are running toward the carousel - No one there to help. Where do they grab? Where's a handle? How do you get on? Stop! Please!

They've run out of breath - They stumble - they fall.

Look! Someone there on the sidelines is stepping forward to catch them, to put them on their feet. But it isn't who you think.

But you know who they are - the same ones in place before communism - the fascist, the dictator, the former party leaders. They will rescue them. Who is that man over there in the background? You know him, too, and he knows his business - the Mafia gentleman!

Poor runners, ill-equipped, yet ambitious for the prize the carousel steed promises - all fair game for the corruption trade - a perfect fit in the residual of communism. But what about the promise of the 'sound of marching?' It says, 'to move quickly because that means the Lord has gone out in front of you!' (I Samuel 5:24) Can we tell them? Is there a prize? Do we urge them on? Can they keep running? Is there a 'handle'?

If we know - If we have the answers - How are we packaging the instructions?

What is our strategy? What are our marketing techniques? How do we sell the product? What about those sheep? Maybe it is easier to go back to sleep.

But if you are awake, come to Mountain Heights Baptist Church, 1044 Park Avenue Oct. 3 at 6 p.m. to see and hear "what's happening in Eastern Europe today from an eye witness account" (of over 4 1/2 years).

Reita Hawthorne

Hazardous waste

Dear Editor,

Imagine for a moment what happens when you bring a can of paint or a container of pesticide to the dump, along with the rest of your garbage.

The container gets crushed and, eventually, the contents leak into the land which sits above the San Juan River.

Now think about how many of us have done this in the past, and multiply that number out. It's kind of scary!

Well, here is your chance to make your loved ones happy and, at the same time, rid your garage of the endless cans of old paint, dried up glues and caulk, as well as pesticides.

Archuleta County Solid Waste is holding its First Annual Household Hazardous Waste Pick-Up Day Sept. 22, behind the downtown City Market from 9 a.m. to noon.

This is your best opportunity to dispose of these materials properly. Anyone who can use some paint to spritz up a room is welcome to come down and take a peek at what becomes available. A complete list of items that will be accepted can be found in this week's paper.

If you have any questions, please call Archuleta County Waste at 264-0193.

Mary Madore

Archuleta County

Recycling Committee

Conservationist

Dear Editor,

During Betty Feazel's memorial service, I sat looking out across the At Last Ranch toward the San Juan Mountains and wondered if the people of Colorado have any real concept of her gift to them.

Many of us travel through life never carving a lasting legacy, or when we do, too often it is one that benefits the few at the expense of the many. But Betty Feazel saw the world not as it was but as it should be. She was a Quaker, who listened to the moral imperative of her "inner light," guided by her conscience in right and wrong and in her obligation to God, people and the astounding land to which her parents brought her as a child in the 1920s.

Most people cannot remember Southwest Colorado when every valley was as pristine as the At Last Ranch today. The Animas, Florida, La Plata and Pine river valleys and certainly lands west of Pagosa Springs were as recently as the 1960s unfettered by development, but too often today they represent tortured messes of sprawl - mediocrity on land so beautiful it should have been developed guided by the wisdom of an inner light.

Betty knew instinctively that with her inheritance of the At Last Ranch, she was entrusted with something sacred and irreplaceable. Through her dogged determination and that of her family, there today rests a sanctuary of beauty, wildlife and nature upon which we can all gaze and be reminded of what once was everywhere.

I am sure there are those who feel well rid of the obstacle Betty represented to their plans - at the expense of the many - for God's country, but I suspect that future generations will remember her as a great conservationist and as the woman who helped protect the last pristine valleys in the San Juans. In what I fear will be the crowded years of this century, the gift of the beauty of the At Last and other ranches she helped protect will be of a value greater than we can now comprehend.

Kathleene Parker

'Taxiway farce'

Dear Editor,

I wonder how much work could have been accomplished over the summer on our deteriorating county roadways, etc., had our commissioners not undertaken the Stevens Field taxiway farce.

Here it is early September and county road crews are still moving taxiway materials. But they'll probably be ready to plow snow off the runways by the time the white stuff flies. The "corporate toy" flyers will want to partake of that fabulous Wolf Creek powder very soon and have the added advantage of that huge write-off at the end of the year.

Somehow, I do not believe a majority of the Archuleta County taxpayers will be highly pleased when they see the final bill on "Ecker's Folly." As of Sept. 7, County Road and Bridge has spent over $105,000 of our hard-earned money for materials, manpower, heavy equipment use etc.; and the tally continues to climb. When you add in the $200,000 that it will cost to asphalt, if they can find a contractor foolish enough to finish the job at that figure. The big question now would be: Can the total rip-off hit a half million?

Surely those in need of the "aviation fix" would not require those who pay the bills to also provide gold plated taxiway lights. Or would they?

I am now convinced and can "recall" why some Archuleta County commissioners, just like diapers, must be changed quickly and for the same reasons.

Jim Sawicki

Just as important

Dear Editor,

I realize that space is limited for reporting school events, even though section 2 is almost exclusively devoted to our high school activities.

I would like to see you recognize our Jr. High School. They have had football games and volleyball games. Why don't you mention their scores or print pictures from their games? These Jr. Pirates are just as important. Don't you think these athletes would benefit from being acknowledged? After all, are they not Pirates in training?

Many relatives and friends are more interested in how these students are doing than the high school, as we do not have children in the High School.

Come on, be fair to all our schools. Show us our kids. More happens in the other schools besides just the Honor Roll. I also noticed that the 4th quarter 6th grade Honor Roll was never printed. Was that omission a faculty error or a newspaper error?

As a note to our Jr. High volleyball teams (A team, B Team, C Team and C1 Team) Good Going Girls! Your families and friends are proud of you and support you.

As Worth Crouse used to say, "Thanks for taking the time, so you could know."

Sincerely,

Debbie Fultz

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Sports Page

Heart challenged huge when Pagosa's Pirates collided with the humongous Kirtland Broncos in Golden Peaks Stadium Friday night.

Huge won, but not before the Pirates scared the Broncos. Not before the Pirates thrilled hometown fans with a threat to take over the game.

Kirtland scored early, erecting a 13-0 lead with the first quarter scarcely half finished. The game looked like a blowout.

Battered but unbowed, Pagosa's stalwarts rallied, sacrificed their bodies with bone-crunching blocks, and soon punctured the Kirtland end zone on a 7-yard Caleb Melette run before the first period clock ran out.

The 13-7 Pirate deficit didn't look so bad, following the TD, that is until Bronco quarterback Chase Hathaway threw a 14-yard scoring strike to Garret Lucero. A pass for two on the extra point try failed and Kirtland led 19-7 with 9:37 left before the halftime clock ticked down.

First half scoring fireworks were just heating up. On the next Bronco series, Hathaway threw across the right side of his line. Pirate Ross Wagle stepped in front of the intended receiver, snagged the ball, and streaked down the sideline and planted his feet in paydirt. Darin Lister booted the extra point. The Pirates had chopped the Kirtland lead to 19-14 and the fired-up Pirates were looking for more.

It didn't happen. Kirtland took the ensuing kickoff and marched 65 yards for yet another tally. This time the Broncos ran for two on the extra point try to jack up their lead to 27-14. Two and one-half minutes remained on the halftime clock.

Pagosa dug into their bag of plays for yet another score. From a start on their own 20-yard line, the Pirates needed just nine plays to cash in one more time before the half ended. A roughing the passer call against Kirtland helped keep the Pirate drive alive.

With less than a minute remaining, Pirate quarterback Ronnie Janowsky found Jason Schutz in the right corner of the end zone for the final score of the half. Lister missed an extra point kick for the first time this season. Pagosa trotted up the hill to the locker room trailing only 27-20.

Play in the second half reversed first-half scoring pyrotechnics. Defenses dominated. After a quarter and one-half without scoring, Kirtland's Max Wheeler powered over from the 2-yard line, Jared Whipple kicked the extra point, and the Bronco lead jumped to 34-20.

Fire still remained in the Pirate burner. On their first possession following the Kirtland score, Janowsky threw an interception. Heads dropped on chests. Three plays later Brandon Charles grabbed a pick to return the favor. Clenched fists stabbed upward.

Starting with a first down on their own 43-yard line and owning less than a minute of playing time, Pagosa again punctured the end zone. In quick succession, Janowsky tossed an incomplete pass, connected with Lister for a first on the 20, threw incomplete to Schutz in the left corner, then followed up with a bullseye to Schutz in the same location. Lister toed another ball though the goal posts setting up the game's final score of 34-27.

"I thought we played pretty good offensively," said Myron Stretton, the Pirate coach. "I think we have a ways to go still, but we'll be a good offensive team."

Stretton lamented the low Pirate pass completion percentage. Janowsky unofficially connected on but nine of 28 pass attempts and threw two interceptions.

"He wasn't setting his feet before throwing," Stretton said. "We'll work on that and I'm sure we can correct it."

Pagosa's aerial game rolled up 215 yards for the game, considerably more than the 119 yards contributed by the running attack.

Schutz caught six of the nine Pagosa completions for a total of 135 yards and two touchdowns. Melette topped Pagosa rushers with 83 yards on 15 carries.

Tomorrow night, the Pirates cross the New Mexico border to Farmington, where they engage Piedra Vista at 7:30. The New Mexico school finished runnerup for the state 4A crown last year, but has suffered from graduation, according to Stretton. Even so, Piedra Vista enrollment is about three times that of Pagosa Springs. Piedra Vista should be tough.

Pagosa Springs' Intermountain League comrades faced mixed results last week. Ignacio, Monte Vista, and Centauri won, Bayfield lost.

Summary

Kirtland 34, Pagosa Springs 27

Kirtland 13 14 0 7 34

Pagosa Springs 7 13 0 7 27

K: Lucero 45 run, (Whipple kick). K: Wheeler 5 run (Whipple kick fail). PS: Melette 7 run (Lister kick). K: Hathaway 14 pass Lucero (run fail). P: Wagle 38 with int. (Lister kick). K: Wheeler 5 run (Hathaway run). P: Janowsky 15 pass Schutz (Lister kick failed). K: Wheeler 5 run (Whipple kick). PS: Janowsky pass 20 Schutz (Lister kick)

After a five-hour car ride early Saturday morning, Pagosa Springs' cross country team found themselves without a race to run.

Six inches of snow on the ground caused officials at the Lake County Invitational near Leadville to cancel the day's races. Pagosa Head Coach Scott Anderson said on the way up there, one of the runners who is new to the area asked if the race might be canceled.

"I told her the only reason the race would be canceled would be because of too much lightning. We got there, and they had decided to cancel the race."

Rather than call the whole day a bust, Anderson said Pagosa Springs and about six other teams drove back to Buena Vista where the coaches marked out a shortened course in a park behind the school and had a race.

"We started at about 11 a.m. with a junior high race, and then followed with the varsity guys and girls."

Although no official scores or finishes were recorded, Anderson said the team looked good in the impromptu race, considering the occasion.

The team's next outing is Sept. 15 at the Shiprock Invitational - a relatively high altitude, fast course on desert terrain.

"I think we're guaranteed of not being snowed out," Anderson said.

Last season, the Lady Pirate volleyball team put a dent in 5A Durango with a win on the Demons' home court in the second match of the season.

Friday, the Ladies duplicated the damage, this time defeating the Demons 15-11, 15-11 at the Pagosa Springs gym.

Durango brought in a team blessed with decent height - including a 6'4" middle hitter/blocker - and offered up two decent outside hitters.

Pagosa countered with 6'3" Ashley Gronewoller in the middle and 6'1" setter/hitter Katie Lancing, got good defensive play at the net from junior Katie Bliss then added some punch of their own in the person of senior outside hitter Nicole Buckley. Strong back-court defense stripped the Demon outsides of much of their effectiveness and the Ladies managed to control most of the match.

Durango had early leads in the first game, but when the Ladies evened the play at the net, the tide began to turn. The Demon attack was turned aside numerous times by the excellent back-court play of Shannon Walkup. The Lady Pirate junior kept several unblocked hits alive with center-court digs behind the 10-foot line.

Pagosa forged ahead from a 9-9 tie with an ace by Bliss, a tandem stuff by Lancing and Gronewoller and a kill of an errant Demon pass by Gronewoller. Durango made a move with a successful back-row attack and an ace, but Buckley killed down the line to end the game.

The Lady Pirates went ahead in game two only to suffer a spate of sloppy play, allowing the Demons to tie the game at 3-3. Lancing left the game and went to the locker room. Shannon Walkup hit two ace serves, but Durango tied the game again.

Pagosa held the fort while their senior setter was off the court, with senior Emily Finney coming off the bench to do half the setting. The lead was handed back and forth before the Demons went ahead 10-8.

There was to be no gain of momentum for Durango. Walkup again came through with stellar back-court play, as did Gronewoller. Bliss, giving away inches to Demon hitters, compensated at the net with a good vertical and a critical block. Demon errors - including one of many service mistakes - helped the Ladies to tie the game at 10-10.

Buckley killed and hit an ace to give Pagosa a 12-11 lead before Lancing returned to the floor. A back-row kill by Buckley, a kill by Lancing off a backset by Lori Walkup and an ace by Buckley finished the game and the match.

"The girls played better as a team," said coach Penné Hamilton. "In general they played steadier than they did against Cortez. There were a couple of lulls, but just before I started to call a timeout, they would do something to get back on track. They did that twice in the second game, and it was good to see. This was our second win in a row over Durango and if anything helped us it was our consistent back row play."

With their preseason record at 1-1, the Ladies now head into the Intermountain League schedule with road games tomorrow at Bayfield and Saturday at Monte Vista. Tuesday, Centauri comes to town for a key IML clash.

Pagosa and Bayfield battle tomorrow, with C team games beginning at 4:30 p.m. The Wolverine varsity suffered significant losses to graduation last year and will field a team relatively untested in varsity action.

Monte Vista, like Bayfield, lost several varsity starters from last year's squad. Monte sat at the bottom of the standings the last few years and, no doubt, is ready to make a move this season. Games begin at Monte Vista at noon.

Centauri was originally scheduled to travel to Pagosa Oct. 12, with the Ladies set to motor to the San Luis Valley to meet the Falcons Sept. 21. The last-minute schedule change has the Falcons winging their way over Wolf Creek Pass Tuesday for what will be a showdown of two of the league powers. The Falcons started slow last season but made up ground by schedule's end. This year, with several veterans returning, experienced blocking and hitting power at the middle of the net, and savvy setting, the Falcons figure to be one of the most competitive teams in the IML.

The C-team matches pitting Pagosa against Centauri begin at 4 p.m. Varsity action is expected to begin at approximately 6.

Summary

P.S. def. Durango 15-11, 15-11

Kills: Buckley 15, Gronewoller, 8. Digs: S. Walkup 8, Gronewoller 5. Aces: S. Walkup 2. Assists: Lancing 11, L. Walkup 7.

At last, Pagosa Pirate boys' soccer will get the league season started tonight.

It wasn't expected to be the home first night game ever, but it will be.

After opening their season Sept. 1 with a 2-1 upset victory over Class 4A Cortez, the Pagosa High School team was supposed to keep their skills sharp during a game against Piedra Vista of Farmington under the lights, on the home field, on Sept. 4.

But the game was mislisted on Piedra Vista's schedule and had to be postponed. It has been rescheduled for 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Tonight, however, the kickers of coach Lindsey Kurt-Mason will put their act on the field for a 7 p.m. contest against Bayfield's Wolverines at Golden Peaks Stadium.

The visitors' last appearance on the Pagosa field came in the district playoffs last year when Pagosa carried the visitors through double overtime and then beat them in a shootout to gain a state playoff berth and send the Wolverines home stunned. Earlier in the season, Bayfield had clobbered Pagosa on the Wolverine's home field.

After tonight's contest, the Pirates play Ridgway on the road Saturday and then, on Sept. 21 and 22, go on the road to joust with state-ranked Telluride the first day and then clash with Crested Butte the following day.

Those three games should give a pretty good impression of the Pirates' chances for another playoff spot this year and Kurt-Mason believes his squad is ready for the challenge.

First, he has some new faces to show the opposition.

Enrique Diaz, a 6 foot-3 inch midfielder and wing is an exchange student from Brazil. Joining him will be Benjamin Raab, a 5 foot-8 inch sweeper and midfielder.

Kurt-Mason also welcomes back Michael Dach who had been sidelined until now by a muscle pull and a knee injury, and reserve keeper Josh Soniat. Still unable to play and scheduled to see a specialist in Denver next week is Kyle Fry.

Kurt-Mason said, "I'm feeling confident about this team, both mentally and physically. They're ready to play, they want to play and I plan to use everyone to the best of his individual abilities."

The coach noted his charges are ranked ninth in the state in the latest poll but warned them not to rest on their laurels.

"You have to win to deserve being ranked," he said.

Travel tired Pagosa Pirate golfers spent all day Monday either on the road or the golf course and turned in one of their poorest outings of the year at the latter.

Competing in the Ridgway Invitational, all four varsity swingers saw higher than normal scores.

Senior Luke Boilini paced the squad with an 82. Ty Faber carded an 86, Jesse Trujillo an 88 and Garrett Forrest an inflated 97.

Coach Kathy Carter said both Forrest and Trujillo had terrible first rounds but battled back.

Forrest, she said, had two particularly bad holes but picked up one birdie and four pars on the back nine to recover. "I was really proud of his commitment," she said. "

"Everyone has a bad day and he could have just chalked it up to bad luck. But he stuck with it and his game started coming back, even if it was too late for him to contend."

Trujillo, too, got off to a bad start, driving out of bounds twice on the opening hole and then taking a double bogey on the second. "But he persevered," Carter said. "He doggedly kept attacking until his stroke evened out and he kept cutting his score down. It was an excellent comeback after that terrible start."

Final scores for the 13-team field were not yet posted when the team had to depart for home, Carter said. They were supposed to have been faxed to her but had not yet been received Tuesday evening.

"I think we were probably in the middle of the pack" she said. "Other golfers seemed to be having the same kinds of problems we were."

Carter said she has decided to stay with the current four team members for the balance of the season and the regionals. "I have a couple more who are battling, but not quite at the team competition level yet," she said.

However, she said, "I'm beginning to really like the prospects for next year. We have a great bunch of young players and we seem to have no limits to the possibilities for next year."

Their two-year reign as champions of the Monte Vista Invitational ended Saturday but the Pagosa Springs Pirates golf team finished second to Las Animas in the 16-team tournament.

The Pirates were paced by sophomore Garrett Forrest who fired a 79 on the par 70 course. Senior Luke Boilini was one stroke back at 80, while Ty Faber had an 83 and Jesse Trujillo checked in with an 85.

Coach Kathy Carter said the play was "a little inconsistent. Each player had a hole where he had bad luck and that held us back from a challenge for the title."

With regional playoffs and state qualifying rounds coming up next Thursday in Alamosa, Carter has repeatedly told her players "shooting in the 70s is a must."

"Kids from other schools already are shooting in the high 70s," she said, "and I told our kids they have to consider high 70s the breaking point. It's possible someone could get in with an 80 or 81, but only if everyone is having a bad day."

Tuning up for the Alamosa appearance, the squad was scheduled to play today in Gunnison, tomorrow in Montrose and Monday in Canon City.

The Canon City meet, however, may be dropped.

Carter said she's seriously considering withdrawing.

"We're getting road weary," she said. "I think we might be better off spending the day at home practicing on the things we see needing help after the two matches this week. Withdrawal isn't definite, but I'm leaning that way."

"I think we'd be better served by being rested for the playoffs," she said.

Date	High	Low		Precipitation
			Type	Depth	Moisture
9/5	80	47	-	-	-
9/6	78	48	-	-	-
9/7	72	38	-	-	-
9/8	68	35	-	-	-
9/9	74	28	-	-	-
9/10	74	32	-	-	-
9/11	77	35	-	-	-

 

Births

Sam and Yolanda Morris own and operate Cisco's Southwestern Eatery, located in the Pagosa Country Center in F-5, across the parking lot from ALCO. The Morris' purchased the restaurant Aug. 1.

Cisco's is open Monday-Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Breakfast is served 6 to 10:30 a.m. Lunch items include combination plates, tacos, burritos, stuffers, sandwiches, sides, desserts and more. All items on the menu are homemade.

Carry out is available. Call 731-3663.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ROSS BOOT AND SADDLE has moved east of town on Hwy. 160, 1/4 of a mile. 264-2122.

LISTEN TO "THE BREAD OF LIFE" radio program on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on 1400 AM. Speaker Carl Lungstrum.

SINGLE FATHER'S SUPPORT GROUP 6:30 p.m. First and third Wednesdays. Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall. For more information call Bill, 264-4133 ext. 26. Free!

AL-ANON meets every Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Community United Methodist Church, 434 Lewis Street. For more information call 731-5086 or 264-5421.

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS meets Thursday nights at the Heritage Building from 7-8 p.m.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS will meet at the Heritage Building, 468 Pagosa Street, upstairs, first door on left. Meetings are Monday and Friday, 7 p.m.; Wednesday, noon and 7 p.m.; Saturday, 7:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.; Men's meeting, Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.; Women's meeting, Tuesday, 7 p.m. For more information call 731-4242, 731-5877, 264-2913, 731-9774 or 264-9221.

JAMES RANCH NATURAL grass finished beef. Order for freezer or buy at Durango Farmers Market Saturdays 8-12. (970) 259-0301.

TRAVEL ADVISORY. HOUSE MOVE, Sept. 19, 2001. MOVE WILL START AT 5:30 a.m. FROM 430 Lewis Street south to Pagosa Street then west to 8th Street south to San Juan Street. BOWDIE'S STRUCTURAL MOVERS, phone 970-564-9221, cell 970-560-0369.

NEW HOMESCHOOLING Group forming. Open to all. Call 731-3308.

AUTOS

1989 JEEP CHEROKEE Loaded, good tires, runs good. $3650. Contact Lee Riley at 264-3210. Evenings, 264-2677.

'98 FORD RANGER XLT pickup. 4 cylinder, AC, AM/FM cassette, bed liner, sliding rear window, good tires, 5 speed, good gas mileage. Priced well below book. $6300 OBO. 731-2207.

1986 CHEVY SUBURBAN 4X4 3/4 ton, low miles on new engine. Looks and runs great. $2750. Call Wayne at 731-4181.

'99 SILVERADO 4X4 LS package, extended cab, auto, CD, custom fiberglass camper shell, sprayed in bed liner, less than 36,000 miles, $21,500. 731-9858.

'96 CHEVY BLAZER LT, 4WD, Leather, AM/FM CD, AC, tow package, running boards, very clean. (970)731-2818.

1987 JEEP WRANGLER Custom wheels and body. 731-3336. Call Kenny.

1992 CHEVY ASTRO Power windows and locks. New tires, new fuel pump. Very dependable. Decent mileage. Asking $2800. Call 731-0197-evenings or 810-300-0905-cell.

1983 FORD VAN. 1 ton, automatic, extended length. Low miles on new 460. New Michelins, shocks, brakes and many other parts. Runs strong, well maintained. Removable double bed and storage. Perfect for work and camping. $2500. 731-3117.

1999 FORD PICKUP F250, diesel, 4x2, super cab, long bed, 57,000 miles. 264-6995.

'86 F250 4WD 6 cylinder work truck, $3,500. 731-3338 evenings.

SATURN SL I 2000. A-1, 5 speed, 4 door, CD, air, 40 hwy./32 city, low mileage. $11,200. 731-5556.

'98 MAZDA PROTEGE ES 4 door sedan, AC, cruise, power everything, 42,000 miles, $8,000 or OBO. 759-8504 or 731-3628.

1996 BLAZER 4x4, LS, automatic, power locks and windows, new brakes. $12,000 or best offer. 731-9119 evenings or leave message.

1994 DODGE RAM 2500 Laramie SLT. V8, 5.9L, automatic, 4WD, 45K miles, $13,900. 731-9263.

1994 CHEVY S-10 Blazer, Tahoe edition, 4.3 V-6, 4-door, automatic, AC, new tires, excellent condition. $6,795. (970)731-0028.

1996 NISSAN PICKUP, low miles, excellent condition, 5-speed, $7,600 firm. 731-2872.

1998 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. 4x4, 8 cylinder, loaded with only 19,000 miles! Mint condition, must sell. $20,000. 731-3601.

COMMERCIAL RENTAL

OFFICE AND RETAIL SPACE - $600 and up. Michael C. Branch, 264-2135.

FRONTIER BUILDING 190 sq. ft. office. $250/month includes utilities. References and one year lease required. Call Gary for appointment, 731-2220.

MEDICAL OFFICE FOR lease in Pagosa Springs. Includes 2 patient rooms and a reception area. Located next door to Mercy Physical Therapy. Office is 572 square feet. $600 per month. Contact Michelle at 970-264-5000 for more information.

MOUNTAIN VIEW PLAZA has units available now. 625 sq. ft., 715 sq. ft., 770 sq. ft. and 825 sq. ft. Good Hwy. 160 frontage. Call 264-9177.

INDUSTRIAL/COMMERCIAL SPACE for rent. 1000 sq. ft. units with heat, bathrooms, 3-phase power, paved parking. Suitable for office, shop or storage. Has garage door and entry door. Conveniently located in Pagosa Lakes core area. $460/month. Contact James at 264-5662, evenings.

PAGOSA HOTEL MALL/DOWNTOWN office suite for rent. Close to post office, banks and courthouse. Call Dusty at (970) 264-5824 or Nettie at (303) 853-9288.

COMMERCIAL OFFICE SUITES on Pagosa Street over Victoria's Parlor. $765 per month includes utilities, plus deposit. One year lease required. 264-6656.

OFFICE SUITE FOR RENT Two rooms in beautiful, downtown, residential neighborhood. Use of copier/fax. $350/month, utilities included. 264-4411.

ASPEN GROVE PLAZA at 175 Pagosa Street, has office/retail space for rent. Unit #7, 742.6 sq. ft., all utilities paid. 264-5080.

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT Ground level. 100 square feet plus waiting room. $200 per month. All utilities paid. No smoking. Deposit required. Jerry Driesens Real Estate/Associated Brokers Building. 731-4500.

750± SQ. FT. Retail/office space. Great Main Street location available August 1st. 264-6594.

RENT REDUCED. Office and/or commercial space in Greenbriar Plaza at North Pagosa Boulevard. Carpeted, A/C, parking, great views, 1000 square feet. $575/month. By owner. 731-0774.

DOWNTOWN Light industrial space on 6th Street. 1250 sq. ft., large door plus 2nd story storage. 264-4123.

DOWNTOWN PROFESSIONAL OFFICE SUITES 475 Lewis St. Short/long term, telephone, receptionist, Xerox, fax, internet, conference room, kitchen. Off street parking. 264-4123.

AVAILABLE SEPT. 1 In San Juan Plaza. 1st unit on Hwy. 160 across from Plaza Liquor. 731-2545 leave message.

KIVA MINI STORAGE UNITS now available. Sizes, 8x12, 12x24, 16x24. Fairfield Industrial Park, 90 Bastille Drive. Call 264-6116.

FOR RENT Downtown professional office suites. Full service with secretarial, fax, xerox, internet, conference room and kitchen. Short and long term leases. Off street parking. 264-4123.

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

12 COMMERCIAL LOTS All with water and sewage, gas and 3 phase electricity. Only $130,000. Call for details. Pagosa Real Estate Store, 731-2175.

IN THE UPPER PIEDRA Ideal lodge or retreat business. Water rights, live creek through property, ties into national forest. Three log cabins with fireplace and antique stoves. $599,000. Todd Shelton, CCIM, Century 21 Wolf Creek Land and Cattle, Inc., (970) 731-2100, 800-944-2147.

SAN JUAN MOTEL Offering a variety of overnight accommodations. 32 units, 2 hot tubs, game room, laundry area, access to the San Juan River, 1.7± acres. $1,125,000, possible terms, possible SBA assumption. Todd Shelton, CCIM, Century 21 Wolf Creek Land and Cattle, Inc., (970) 731-2100, 800-944-2147.

CORNER PIEDRA ROAD AND HWY. 160 Best commercial location in Pagosa. New intersection being built now with signal light. 1700' frontage, 20+ acres. All or part. Romar Group, 264-6096.

GREAT COMMERCIAL PROPERTY Prime location, highway exposure. Nine 20'x40' retail approved PUD lots. $352,000. Todd Shelton, CCIM, Century 21 Wolf Creek Land and Cattle, Inc., (970) 731-2100, 800-944-2147.

1-3 PARCELS WITH HWY. 160 FRONTAGE. Across from Pizza Hut. Two water tap fees paid. Great exposure for professional or office building. Call for price. JoAnn Laird, Jann C. Pitcher Real Estate, (970)946-9700 or (888)202-1222.

27+ ACRES WITH HWY. 160 FRONTAGE. Excellent location within the city limits with beautiful views. The perfect location for an RV Park or residential development. $390,000. JoAnn Laird, Jann C. Pitcher Real Estate, (970)946-9700 or (888)202-1222.

THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS! Big views! Perfect location! Corner of Hwy. 84 and County Road 119 (Light Plant Road). 5.72 acres, 3000+ square foot log home, 800 square foot workshop wired 220, 3 mobile homes and mobile home sites that produce rental income. Priced to sell at $495,000. See all available commerical properties, homes, land and ranches in Pagosa Country with Pamela Novack, G.R.I. owner/ broker, EQUUS REALTY COLORADO, L.L.C. 970-731-1626, www.equusrealtycolorado.com.

"PAGOSA'S BEST COMMERCIAL SITE" At the corner of Hwy. 160 and Hwy. 84. Now available. In town limits. City water and sewer. Views of both mtn. Ranges. 5 ponds. Water rights. Zoned commercial or B2 residential. 3 ac. on the river, ideal for 10 rm. B&B, $225K. 35 ac. zoned for 284 residential units, $890K. 36 ac. multi use commercial, $1 per ft., $1.5M. 39 ac., on both highways, $2 per foot, $3.5M. Call MOUNTAIN LAND INC., (970) 731-9255, www.swcolorado.com, mtnland@frontier.net.

FOR RENT 1800 or 3600 sq. ft. in former La Cantina Bar building. Will remodel to suit. Call Tom, 264-5168.

RIVERFRONT COMMERCIAL SITE in town at corner of Highway 160 and Highway 84. Ideal for Bed and Breakfast, etc. City water and sewer, power and phone. 3.2 acres, $225K. Mountain Land Inc., 731-9255, www.swcolorado.com.

FOR SALE OR LEASE 4400 sq. ft. Archuleta Building, formerly La Cantina Bar. Hwy. 160 downtown. $325,000. Call Tom, (970) 264-5168.

LIVESTOCK

SADDLES BOUGHT AND SOLD Ross Boot and Saddle, 264-2122.

CLEAN SAND FOR HORSE arenas and round pens, only $14/ton pit price. Call CommRock at 731-5663 from 7:30-5 for delivery rates and schedules.

4 HORSES Ride or pack. Daytime 264-2201, evenings 264-3389.

LUSH, IRRIGATED PASTURE National forest access, end of Snowball Road. 264-2882.

8 YEAR OLD Sorrel gelding. Experienced rider. $1500 OBO. 731-5986 or 946-2768.

FOR RENT Large indoor horse stalls on 75 acres in Pagosa Meadows. Call Tim Brown, 946-2768 or 731-5986.

BALENTI HORSESHOEING OPEN for business at our home. Hot, cold, corrective. Call for an appointment. 264-5175.

1989 PAINT GELDING, $1500. 1982 Jenny mule, $800. Both pack and ride. Easy keepers, mountain and arena experienced. Both shine. 731-3311.

GLEN'S HORSESHOEING. Prompt, reliable service. All types of shoeing. Call 946-4340 or 731-3665.

RANCH SITTING I feed and water ranch animals. Experienced, references available. Call 264-6680.

HORSE AND COW hay, small round bales. $40 a bale. 749-7570.

THE ULTIMATE HORSE facility, horse boarding, box stalls and pasture horse training from starting colts to problem horses, and riding lessons. Hayes Ranches 247-4332.

1997 CM DROVER gooseneck. 3 horse slant with tack room. $4800 OBO. 731-9263.

"I'LL SKIP THE SUGAR" yearling paint stud, beautiful color, great disposition. 247-4332.

HORSE HAY FOR sale. $4 a bale. 749-7570.

MOUNTAIN MEADOW GRASS hay, 731-5593.

AFA CERTIFIED FARRIER Greg Wells, 731-9026.

SORREL MARE 16 years old, 1/2 quarter horse, 1/2 Tennessee Walker with Palomino filly born June 14, 2001. Call Betty, voice mail 731-6005.

TWO BEAUTIFUL Quarter horses for sale. 7 years and 8 years old. $1500 each. Call 264-6278.

MASSEY FERGUSON TRACTOR with cab. 125 hp, great condition. Overhead 200 gallon fuel tank with stand, $375. 883-2510

HAY FOR SALE Fresh, dry hay for sale. Call 264-6278.

FOR SALE

PAPER BUNDLES FOR fire starter 25¢ each. Pick up at The Pagosa Springs SUN. 466 Pagosa Street.

REDI-MIX CONCRETE DELIVERIES in Pagosa Springs, Allison, Arboles and surrounding areas. Call CommRock at 731-5663 from 7:30-5:00 for prices and delivery schedules.

DRIVEWAY AND ROAD GRAVELS 3" base $5.40/ton, 1 1/2" base $5.65/ton, 3/4" minus $5.90/ton pit price. All material meets CDOT specifications. Call CommRock at 731-5663 from 7:30-5:00 for delivery rates and schedules.

POTTERY AND CERAMIC SCULPTURE by Gail Hershey. See at Made in Colorado Shoppe or visit online gallery www.mountaintimedesigns.com. Gallery consignments, commissions. 731-2207.

SHAKLEE for proper nutrition, use Shaklee products. For information call Marsha Preuit. 264-5910.

SCREENED ROCK FOR leach fields and French drains. 1 1/2" $14/ton pit price. Meets CDOT specifications. Call CommRock at 731-5663 from 7:30-5 for delivery rates and schedules.

1000 GALLON WATER TANK with pressure pump and pressure tank. Used for 2 months. $750. 1 year old free standing propane refrigerator. $900. 731-5986 or 946-2768.

KENMORE SIDE-BY-SIDE refrigerator/freezer with icemaker. Like new. $500. Six Duncan Phyfe chairs, good condition. 264-4275 after 6 p.m.

WOOD HEATING PELLETS. We are now taking orders for soft and/ or hard wood pellets. Call Seth at 731-4111, Ponderosa Do It Best.

LOG CABIN PACKAGE $12,945. 24'x32' with 8' porch roof, 7' coped and notched logs. Log beam, 2"x6" T&G roof. Free catalog, (307) 684-2445.

ARCHULETA SCHOOL DISTRICT is accepting bids on the following vehicles: 1978 Ford Fairmont, automatic, 4 door. 1982 Ford Fairmont, automatic, 4 door, front end smashed and rusty top. 1978 Thomas diesel bus, 74 passenger, stub nose, 5 speed, air brakes, electric retarder. 1980 GMC 6000 bus, V8, 5 speed, manual brakes, handicap lift, 15 passenger. 1981 Thomas diesel bus, 65 passenger, conventional, air brakes, electric retarder. Bids may be submitted to the Administration Office located at 309 Lewis Street. For more information on any of these vehicles contact Transportation Director Dolly Martin at 264-2305. The district reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids.

FRESH PRODUCE Certified Organic and seasonal Local Organic. Joy's Natural Foods Market. 117 Navajo Trail Drive. 731-1500.

FLAGSTONE Sold by the ton or pound. Inquire at the Spring Inn, 165 Hot Springs Blvd., 264-4168.

RESTAURANT EQUIPMENT FOR SALE Great opportunity to start your own restaurant. Call for more information. Isn't it time to be your own boss? Betty Johann Realty, 731-3434.

CARHARTT WORK CLOTHES Georgia work boots. Best selection, best prices. Gem Village Country Store, 39793 Hwy. 160, Bayfield. (970) 884-9440.

WICKER LOVE SEAT, table, chairs with cushions, $150 set. Rattan-iron-glass dining table with 4 rattan chairs, upscale, $425/ set. 48" round glass top/ metal base table with 4 chairs, $175/ set. 264-2774.

BEAUTIFUL INTERIOR RED brick. Enough for 300 square feet (1500 brick). $750. 505-281-1904.

GENERAL ELECTRIC 15 cubic foot deluxe refrigerator/ freezer. Apartment size, almond color, clean, excellent condition. $150 OBO. 731-3975.

300 GALLON WATER tank with hose, pickup bed style. $225 OBO. 731-0016.

LARGE SNOWBLOWER, almost new, $800. Riding mower, $150. 1984 Ford Ranger pickup, 4x4, $1000. Call 731-2490.

FIREWOOD FOR SALE Oak, aspen and pine. Split and delivered. Also graveling driveways. 264-6080.

EARLY AMERICAN TABLE with leaf and 4 chairs, $150. Lawn mower, $110. Bar cabinet on rollers, $75. Microwave cabinet on rollers, $75. Life styler air challenge stationary bike with arm action, like new, $145. Call after 5 p.m. 731-2578.

HIGH COUNTRY FURNITURE & Gallery, 7 miles west of the new City Market. Full time year round. We sell log furniture, chain saw carved bears, bedding. Call John, 800-289-3140.

MOVING SALE Cream leather sofa/ love seat, $850. Coffeeand end table, white/ glass, $175. Glass/ metal d/r table, beautiful cushioned chairs, $550. Custom built southwest entertainment center, $350. 731-3838.

4 TIRES almost new, only 13,000 miles, with 80,000 mile warranty. 205/70R15. New $425, sell for $200. OBO. 731-3022.

DRESSER, COMPUTER DESK, vacuum and lamp. Call Debbie, 731-0487.

OAK FIREWOOD Dry or green. Call for price and delivery. 731-5424.

1995 5x10 UTILITY trailer. Tilt steel mesh bed. $300 OBO. 264-9062

HOUSE PLANTS 1530 Shenandoah, Holiday Acres, Friday and Saturday, 9-12. 264-4592.

BUNK BEDS for sale. $300. 264-9204.

FORD TRACTOR 800 SERIES. Diesel with power steering, 3 point hitch, wheel weights, new tires on front, 90% on rear tires, less than 60 hours on engine overhaul, comes with brush cutter, drag scrapper with rippers. $6,800. 970-264-6914.

CARPET KIT FOR Chevy truck. 6 foot bed, adjustable bed, storage cabinets and ski holding compartments. Grey color. $50. 731-0210.

PORTABLE STORAGE CONTAINERS New and used: 20' and 40" @ $1600. Best Prices! (970) 259-9376.

EXERCISE EQUIPMENT Total Gym 2000 with all accessories, brand new, $300. 731-1344.

2 BASKETBALL GOALS. Gas range, clean, like new, $175. Delta 10-inch unisaw, $1200. 731-3338 evenings.

EARTH STOVE "Brass Flame" wood burning stove. Small, new. Heats 1200 sq. ft. Approved for mobile homes. $600. 264-4923.

FIREWOOD FOR SALE. $90 per cord, $55 per 1/2 cord. Sorry, no deliveries. Call 264-5011.

FLUTE $400. Yamaha. Appraised by Katzin Music at $450. 731-3361.

DINING ROOM SET 48" round oak table with 4 chairs. Beautiful condition, like new. $350. Four snow/ mud tires, 16", very good condition, $150. 731-3601.

CONCORD GRAPES. Call 505-632-0879.

10 FOOT METAL garage door with windows. $325 OBO. 264-6521

TANNING BED, COMMERCIAL, almost new, $1700. 1983 Honda 650, $1500. Everex computer complete with printer, $500. Lighted, 8 foot hutches, glass shelves, $100 each. 731-3327, 946-4485, 731-3311.

QUALITY TOPSOIL Regular and fine, soil test available. Will deliver. 731-0007.

STORAGE CONTAINERS Used 20 foot and 40 foot. Starting at $1700. (970) 375-9629.

MOBILE HOMES

REDWOOD SIDED MODULAR on 1 acre in Twin Creek Village. Trees and privacy, 3 bedroom plus study or day room, oversized double car garage and more! $179,900. 1cb2452 Coldwell Banker 800-888-5755 / (970) 731-2000.

TWO BEDROOM one bath mobile on 1+ acres in Arboles. Private, cozy, nice landscaping. Colorado Southwest Properties. (970) 883-5428.

NEW MOBILE HOME spaces available for rent at Rock Ridge Mobile Home Park. Call Todd, 731-2121.

FOR SALE 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1536 sq. ft. mobile home on deeded lot across the street from park and open space. New carpet and roof. $68,500. (970) 731-3530.

3 BEDROOM 2 bath mobile in Vista. New carpet and tile, natural gas, paved roads. Price reduced to $47,000. Call Patsy Wegner, 731-4564 (Broker Associate; Coldwell Banker).

WANT HUD APPROVED mobile home under 500 sq. ft. (970) 931-2822.

UPSCALE 1782 SQUARE foot 3 bedroom mobile home on beautifully treed 3.8 acres. Paul Carpino Realty, 731-2053, www.pagosaspringsrealty.com.

2,128 SQ. FT., 5 bedroom doublewide mobile. All city services. $119,000. Must meet HUD income guidelines. Paul Carpino Realty. 731-2053.

SAM'S CLUB AUTHORIZED Fleetwood home dealer. Are you a Sam's Club member? Come to Timber Homes to find out more about saving $$ on your new home. Shop us last, we'll beat anyone's price guaranteed. Hwy. 160 west next to Let's Store It and Quality Topsoil. 731-0007. www.timberfactoryhomes.com.

GET A FREE VACATION for 2, including airfare to Las Vegas with every home purchased through Sept. 30. Price reduced on stock models with $2000 cash rebate at closing. We are an authorized SAMS CLUB Fleetwood Home Representative. Financing available. Land/home packages, we do it all. Shop Us Last, we'll beat anyone's price guaranteed. Timber Homes, Hwy. 60 West, next to Let's Store It and Quality Topsoil. www.timberfactoryhomes.com. 731-0007.

HOUSES FOR SALE

OWNER CARRY OR LEASE Call for list of properties with owner carry finance. Great acreage properties for horses and lots of privacy. Homes range in size. Call for details. Pagosa Real Estate Store 731-2175 or 1-800-560-6050.

1400 SQ. FT. newly remodeled home on 9+ acres. Outbuilding with fenced riding area. Call Todd Shelton, Century 21 Wolf Creek, 731-2100.

WWW.PAGOSAMORTGAGE.COM Free mortgage information on-line. Get pre-qualified or completely pre-approved from the comfort of your home or office. Jim Askins, Fairway Mortgage-Pagosa Springs, (970) 731-3100 or toll free 800-326-2100.

HOME LOANS, COMMERCIAL LOANS Refinance your current loan at a lower rate? Purchase that home at low interest rate that you could not afford before? Build your dream home? Or use the equity in your home to: (1) pay off debts? (2) start a business? (3) invest in a retirement fund? Why wait . . . realize your dreams today. The professionals at Pagosa Peak Financial Group are ready to serve you. Call Richard Faubion, the Loan Arranger today at (970)731-5541 or email us at ppfg@pagosa.net.

FULL ROUND ROCKY MOUNTAIN LOG home. 5 bedroom, 3 bath on 1/2 acre. Views of mountains and lake, 3470 sq. ft., includes furnishings. $379,000. call Carolyn Craig at Coldwell Banker, 731-2000 or 731-5447.

RIVER FRONT 3 bedroom, 2 bath in town. 576 sq. ft. heated garage. $170,000. By owner, 264-5247.

13 ACRES, LOVELY horse property. Darling home with guest cabin. Fenced, 2 wells, 800 bales of grass hay possibility, barn. $269,000. JoAnn Laird, Jann C. Pitcher Real Estate, (970)946-9700 or (888)202-1222.

35 ACRE HORSE boarding operation on the edge of town. Fenced, water rights, 7 stall barn, 2400 square foot home and the best views you'll ever see. JoAnn Laird, Jann C. Pitcher Real Estate, (970)946-9700 or (888)202-1222.

BANK SAYS "LET someone assume this loan before the home goes into foreclosure." Bell Country Homes, 731-6633.

NEW EVERYTHING! Completely updated with new carpet, appliances, paint. Backing greenbelt, views, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, office. $189,000. JoAnn Laird, Jann C. Pitcher Real Estate, (970)946-9700 or (888)202-1222.

LOG HOME ON 5 acres. Incredible views, 3 bedrooms, 2 bath, storage buildings, huge trees and close to all amenities. JoAnn Laird, Jann C. Pitcher Real Estate, (970)946-9700 or (888)202-1222.

BEAUTIFULLY TREED, BEAUTIFULLY built. 3000+ square feet, 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, heated 3 car garage and workshop. Privacy and views on 5+ acres close to town. JoAnn Laird, Jann C. Pitcher Real Estate, (970)946-9700 or (888)202-1222.

CUSTOM HOMES starting at $23 per square foot. 100% financing. Don't miss this opportunity. Great homes at a great price, many to choose from. Pagosa Real Estate Store Property Management, 731-2175 or 1-800-560-6050.

EXECUTIVE HOME Approximately 5000 sq. ft., end of exclusive Snowball Road, 5.7 acres, irrigated pasture and gardens. (970) 264-2882.

FOR SALE 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1536 sq. ft. mobile home on deeded lot across the street from park and open space. New carpet and roof. $68,500. (970)731-3530.

CUSTOM LOG AND ROCK home on 3 acres. Lake frontage, 4 bedroom, 4 bath. $550,000. Located on Piedra Road. Todd Shelton, CCIM Century 21 Wolf Creek Land and Cattle Inc., 731-2100.

TAKE OVER PAYMENTS Beautiful 3100 sq. ft. home with great mountain views from every window. Totally furnished, ready to move in. Call for details. Pagosa Real Estate Store. 731-2175 or 1-800-560-6050.

FOR A COMPLETE look at all homes in the county check out my web site: isellpagosa.com, Lee Riley with Jim Smith Realty.

LEASE WITH OPTION to buy. Bell Country Homes, 731-6633.

TWIN CREEK VILLAGE Beautiful quality construction, 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 3 covered porches, mountain views. $199,500. 1cb2454 Coldwell Banker The Pagosa Group (970) 731-2000 or 800-888-5755.

OUT OF AREA Ranch style home on 3 acres in Cortez area. 2500 sq. ft. Great views of Mesa Verde and Sleeping Ute Mountain. 1cb2459 Coldwell Banker The Pagosa Group (970) 731-2000 or 800-888-5755.

UNIQUE GOLF COURSE HOME 3 bedroom, 2 bath, garage, mountain views, solarium. Make an offer! 1cb2201 Coldwell Banker 800-888-5755 / (970) 731-2000.

NATIONAL FOREST CLOSE 3 bedroom plus den, 2 bath, excellent short term rental, good occupancy rate, fully furnished. $250,000. 1cb2373 Coldwell Banker 800-888-5755 / (970) 731-2000.

VIEWS OF LAKE PAGOSA Spectacular setting, new construction with many extras, 1733 sq. ft. $230,000. 1cb 2372 Coldwell Banker 800-888-5755 / (970) 731-2000.

ON LAKE PAGOSA on corner lot overlooking lake. Big decks, fenced yard, mountain and lake views, 4 bedroom, 2.5 baths, 2,400 sq. ft. $155,900. 1cb2432 Coldwell Banker 800-888-5755 / (970) 731-2000.

COTTAGE IN THE WOODS Charming Victorian home on 1 acre. Seclusion, lots of trees, huge shop, a craftmans dream come true! $189,000. 1cb2185 Coldwell Banker 800-888-5755 / (970) 731-2000.

1950 SQ. FT. HOME with one car garage across from Lake Hatcher. $169,900. 1cb2250 Coldwell Banker 800-888-5755 / (970) 731-2000.

WELL KEPT 3 bedroom, 2 bath log home on 2 acres. Covered decks and garage. Appraised price $149,000. Aspen Springs Realty. 731-5077.

NEW CONSTRUCTION Views from this 1600 sq. ft., 3 bedroom, 2 bath, with a large open kitchen with breakfast nook, 2 car garage and much more. $189,000. 1cb2269 Coldwell Banker 970-731-2000 or 800-888-5755.

8.7 ACRES WITH beautiful 3200 sq. ft. home nestled in the trees. 4 bedroom, 3 baths, spacious rooms, vaulted ceilings, great kitchen and breakfast nook. Close to town with central water. 1cb2400 Coldwell Banker (970) 731-2000 or 800-888-5755.

GORGEOUS LOG HOME 5 bedroom, 3 baths, 3470 sq. ft. Great rental, furnished, views. $379,000. 1cb2264 Coldwell Banker 800-888-5755 / 731-2000.

MULTI-LEVEL STUCCO 4 bedroom on 15th green. End of cul-de-sac, landscaped. Great views. $324,000. 1cb2399 Coldwell Banker 800-888-5755 / (970) 731-2000.

AFFORDABLE FAMILY HOME on 3 corner lots. Outdoor storage, privacy fence, large veggie garden, landscaped, covered carport. $59,900. 1cb2271 Coldwell Banker 800-888-5755 / (970) 731-2000.

CONTINENTAL DIVIDE VIEWS 4879 sq. ft. home. 5 bedrooms, 4 baths on 7+ wooded acres, loft, sunroom, game room, office, 3 decks. $499,000. 1cb2396 Coldwell Banker 800-888-5755 / (970) 731-2000.

RIVER FRONT mountain chalet on wooded lot. Open floor plan, 3 bedroom, 2 bath, patio overlooking river. $298,000. 1cb2367 Coldwell Banker 800-888-5755 / (970) 731-2000.

FSBO 1700 sq. ft., 3 bedroom, 2 bath home on two cedar fenced lots bordering a pond. Magnificent fireplace, luxurious custom appointments, drywall interior, and 6 top Maytag appliances. Covered deck. Qualifies for conventional loan. 175 Paradise Drive, Vista. Priced at appraisal, $130,000. 731-2525.

CABIN IN THE WOODS Reduced! 2 bedroom, 2 bath cabin with loft on 3.30 acres. Many extras. Douglas fir ceilings, 3 decks, storage area, large detached 448 sq. ft. garage, and more. Great views, nicely landscaped, well. Only $124,900. Call Pam Barsanti at Jim Smith Realty, 888-287-6864 or (970) 264-3231. Check out additional listings at pambarsanti.com.

GOLF COURSE HOME situated above the T-Box. 3 bedrooms, 3 baths on 1 1/2 lots. Formal dining room, open floor plan, lots of windows, large master suite, landscaped and more. $415,000. Coldwell Banker 800-888-5755 / (970) 731-2000.

LAKE FOREST HOME on 1/3 acre with 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 530 sq. ft. garage. Vacant and ready to move into. Repainted and over 1200 sq. ft. Only $134,000. Call Pam Barsanti at Jim Smith Realty, 888-287-6864 or (970) 264-3231. Check out additional listings at pambarsanti.com.

FSBO 3 BEDROOM, 2 bath, 1450 square foot, redwood sided house. Great views of Pagosa Peak, backs greenbelt on 2 sides. Lots of trees, privacy, nicely landscaped. Tile floors and Berber carpet. 731-2543. 394 Monte Vista Drive, Pagosa Highlands.

BACKS NATIONAL FOREST. Brand new cedar sided home. Ranch style, 2 car garage, 3 bedroom, 2 bath, open floor plan. Lots of windows, Berber carpet and ceramic tile. 52 Columbine Court, Pagosa Highlands. 946-2154.

3 BEDROOM, 2 bath modular in quiet neighborhood. Fenced yard. $87,000. Call Kenny, 731-3336

HOUSE ON 10 acres w/beautiful view of Continental Divide. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, secluded solar energy. 731-3639.

FOR LEASE WITH option to buy. Southwest contemporary, 3 bedroom, 2 bath on 3.2 acres. $175,000. 731-3639.

BACKS UP TO national forest. 3 bedroom, 2 bath brand new home, 1.3 acres, 1 story, views, 1349, choose your colors. Equus Realty, 731-2141.

HANDCRAFTED LOG AND STONE home. FSBO, situated on 5 acres in Meadows 4. 3200 sq. ft. 3 bedroom, 3 bath, full unfinished basement, outbuildings, chicken coop, planted garden, 2-car detached garage with mother-in-law apartment or studio area. Quality custom details inside and out. Call for appointment. 731-3511.

FSBO WELL-MAINTAINED 3 bedroom, with lake and mountain views. 1-3/4 bath. 1700 sq. ft., garage, natural gas with mature landscaping. $159,000. Lake Pagosa Park, 86 Carefree Place. 731-2574.

2 FOR 1. 3 bedroom, 2 bath singlewide purged and 1 bedroom, 1 bath mobile. 1.4 acres, well, septic. Only $59,500. View at www.sacred-trust.com. 86 Stollsteimer Lane. 264-2201, 800-835-5331, Lee Constant, United County Riggs Ranches.

PERFECT FOR RETIREES! Three bedroom, two bath singlewide in Vista. Aspen paneling, foundation below frostline, nicely landscaped, large shed/workshop, deck, fenced patio, carport pad. Good location, near lake and pond. Views! Great value for $65,000. 731-4894.

HIGH PEAKS HOMES For sale 2 or 3 bed., 2 bath conventionally built homes to your specifications. From $99,500. Discounted lots available throughout Pagosa. No money down, construction financing available. Call (970) 264-6150 or visit our website: highpeakshomes.com.

SALE/RENT/OR LEASE OPTION on this beautiful new 4 bedroom, 2 bath, 1900 sq. ft. ranch style home in the San Juan River Village area with mountain views. Large, open floor plan includes a great room, tiled kitchen, master bedroom with bay window, walk-in closet, and many extras. Heated double garage. For appointment call 731-9672.

FSBO New home under construction. November completion. 2030 sq. ft., 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath, 2 story, gas fireplace, mountain and lake views. $199,000. 731-9270.

FSBO 1786 sq. ft., 1 story, 3 bedroom, 2 bath. 1 1/2 years old. Mountain and lake views. Available Dec. 1. $169,000. 731-9270.

FSBO 1786 sq. ft., 1 story, 3 bedroom, 2 bath. 1 1/2 years old. Mountain and lake views. Available Dec. 1. $169,000. 731-9270.

EQUESTRIAN PROPERTY 6 stall barn, 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, views. $468,000. 731-3373.

FSBO. Lake Forest Estates. Lovely, cedar, 3 bedroom, 2 bath, nearly new home on Dutton Drive. Many amenities including Peachtree windows, Hunter fans, lovely landscaping. $159,000. Will sell furnished for $164,000. Furniture used for 10 months. 731-4616.

BY OWNER 2400 sq. ft. home. Lots of extras, 35 acres, 5 miles out of town. $595,000. 264-1131.

FOR SALE BY OWNER, 2 bedroom plus office, 2 bath near Lake Hatcher. Awesome Pagosa Peak views, loads of storage, knotty pine interior. $127,500. 731-3886.

BY OWNER 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage with paved driveway. Large master bedroom with bath. Lake and mountain views. Lake Forest boat ramp and fishing just steps away. $160,000. 34 Beaver Circle, (970) 731-5901.

BUILDERS COST Zero down possible. Finish final improvements as equity for this 1551 sq. ft., 3+2, 2+ car garage in Lakewood Village. $131,900. (719) 240-1088.

PRICE LOWERED! Now $265,000. 4 bedroom, 2 3/4 bath, 5 acres with extras galore. 13 miles east of Durango. Visit on www.forsalebyowner.com #10005990. Call 884-8295.

CABIN IN THE woods. 1.3 acres, septic and well in, 2 bedroom, 1 bath. Offered at $29,500. Ask for Tom Ramey at Coldwell Banker, 1-800-888-5755 or 731-2000 or 970-731-9501, www.homesinpagosa.com.

PERSONALS

PREGNANT? DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO? Call the Pregnancy Support Center. 264-3733.

SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE for confidential support and information. 247-5400.

ALTERNATIVE HORIZONS 24 hour domestic violence hotline. Confidential help available. 247-9619.

REPORT KNOWLEDGE OF CRIMINAL ACTS To Crime Stoppers, 264-2131. You may be entitled to a reward. Anonymity guaranteed.

DRUG HOT LINE Call 264-BUST to report any illegal drug activity.

HOSPICE CARE A special kind of caring. Call 731-9190.

PROPERTY

FANTASTIC 35 ACRES Adjoins national forest, central water, trees, seclusion. $159,900. 1cb2402 Coldwell Banker 800-888-5755 / (970) 731-2000.

OVERSIZED LOT on cul-de-sac. Pagosa in the Pines 2 lot 365, views and privacy. $19,900. Coldwell Banker 800-888-5755 / (970) 731-2000.

LAKE FOREST LOT Level, on cul-de-sac, mountain and lake views. $10,200. 1cb2471 Coldwell Banker 800-888-5755 / (970) 731-2000.

UNBLOCKABLE VIEWS Trees, common area, very secluded, all utilities. Over 2.3 acres available. On Antelope Ave. Call Pam Barsanti at Jim Smith Realty 888-287-6864 or (970) 264-3231. Check out additional listings at pambarsanti.com.

70 ACRES Huge mountain views, water rights, central water, year round creek, national forest access. $199,900. 1cb 2251 Coldwell Banker 800-888-5755 / (970) 731-2000.

5 ACRES Majestic mountain views, convenient location, trees. $79,500. 1cb2381 Coldwell Banker 800-888-5755 / (970) 731-2000.

LAKE HATCHER PARK View on corner lot, greenbelt on side, mountain and lake views, ideal building spot. $14,500. 1cb2440 Coldwell Banker 800-888-5755 / (970) 731-2000.

THREE ACRE BUILDING SITE Teyuakan, trees, central water, electricity, adjoins national forest. $72,500. 1cb2199 Coldwell Banker 800-888-5755 / (970) 731-2000.

MOUNTAIN TOP GET-AWAY Fantastic views. $39,900. 1cb2434 Coldwell Banker 800-888-5755 / (970) 731-2000.

CORNER LOT San Juan River Resort, 1/2 acre, less than 30 minutes to Wolf Creek Ski Area. 1cb2254 Coldwell Banker 800-888-5755 / (970) 731-2000.

35 ACRES JUST off Light Plant Road is just waiting for that perfect owner. Multiple building sites, lots of trees, some meadows and serene privacy can all be yours for $350,000. Road is roughed in and current owner will be installing city water. With no CC&R's this is the perfect place for a Bed and Breakfast! Call High Country Real Estate at 264-4191 or 800-259-5264.

VIEWS THAT NEVER END Top of O'Neal Hill, 13 city lots, great potential, down town over looking Pagosa Springs! 1cb2272 Coldwell Banker 800-888-5755 / (970) 731-2000.

VERY DESIRABLE 1-1/2 acres in a nice area. Plenty of pine trees, $12,500 terms. Aspen Springs Realty, (970)731-5077.

LAKE PAGOSA PARK Corner lot, great price, easy build in a great neighborhood. $8,000. 1cb 2428 Coldwell Banker 800-888-5755 / (970) 731-2000.

5 ACRES in Meadows at end of cul-de-sac. 1cb2205 Coldwell Banker (970) 731-2000 or 800-888-5755.

LAKE PAGOSA PARK 1 block from lake, easy build lot, views. 1cb2428 Coldwell Banker The Pagosa (970) 731-2000 or 800-888-5755.

LAKE HATCHER PARK Lot with lake and mountain views. $14,500. 1cb2440 Coldwell Banker (970) 731-2000 or 800-888-5755.

EXCLUSIVE TIMBER RIDGE homesite. 4+ acres close to town. Exciting mountain views, wooded, utilities, easy build. $129,000. 1cb2461 Coldwell Banker 800-888-5755 / (970) 731-2000.

EBONY COURT IN Lake Forest Estates. .30 acres on cul-de-sac. 1cb2386 Coldwell Banker (970) 731-2000 or 800-888-5755.

4.01 ACRES on Hwy 84. Beautiful buildable lot, fenced, 2 wells permitted. Only $89,500. 1cb2463 Coldwell Banker 800-888-5755 / (970) 731-2000.

3 ACRES - 6 ACRES. Great horse property, surrounded by greenbelt, nice views. $8,500 an acre. Aspen Springs Realty, (970)731-5077.

RIVER PROPERTY This 56 acres takes in both sides of the World Renown Fishing available on the Piedra River. Water rights, 15 acre alfalfa field, exceptional climate, 1896 Adobe home plus guest quarters. This is the perfect place for your dream. Price reduced to $530,000. SELLERS WANT TO SELL. 1cb2382. Coldwell Banker. (970) 731-2000 or 800-888-5155.

NAVAJO RIVER RANCH - New listing. On Soaring Eagle Ct., this 35 acre parcel has 360º views, seasonal stream, lots of trees and numerous building sites. Call Pam Barsanti at Jim Smith Realty 888-287-6864 or (970) 264-3231. Check out additional listings at pambarsanti.com.

BEST FOUR ACRES IN ASPEN SPRINGS Views and private. (970) 731-5077. Aspen Springs Realty.

TWO ADJACENT LOTS approximately 1/4 acre each. Twin Creeks Village. $10,000 each, or $18,000 for both. Call Wayne at 731-4181.

LOT 478 FAWN COURT - Lake Forest Estates. $10,000 OBO. Call Jon Ross at 264-2122.

1/2 ACRE WITH greenbelt and beautiful views. Only $16,900. Pagosa Real Estate Store, 731-2175, 800-560-6050.

TOTAL SECLUSION Beautiful 35 acre parcels bordered by BLM. Live spring, old growth timber, spectacular views and loaded with wildlife. Parcels start at $159,000. Pagosa Peak Realty. (970)731-0200.

APPROXIMATELY 10 ACRES All utilities, ponds, in Arboles. Must see. Colorado Southwest Properties, 883-5428, www.navajolake.com/coloradosouthwestproperties.htm.

MOUNTAIN VIEWS 4 acres, city water, septic system is in. Building pad ready and garage is built with driveway. Call for details, Pagosa Real Estate Store, 731-2175, 1-800-560-6050.

PIEDRA ESTATES Beautiful treed lot with a good view. Utilities and a great building site. Ready for your new home. Pagosa Peak Realty. (970)731-0200.

35 ACRES WITH mountain views. Less than 2 miles from downtown Pagosa Springs. $300,000. Call Todd Shelton, Century 21 Wolf Creek, 731-2100.

EXCAVATION (LARGE AND SMALL) Redi-Mix Concrete, and Sand/Gravel Deliveries. Call CommRock at 731-5663 from 7:30-5:00 for quotes.

REDI-MIX CONCRETE DELIVERIES in Pagosa Springs, Allison, Arboles and surrounding areas. Call CommRock at 731-5663 from 7:30-5:00 for prices and delivery schedules.

2.8 ACRES RIVERFRONT Lower Blanco property, utilities available, views of river and Square Top, $35,000. 731-4546.

GREAT 10 ACRE piece just off of Hwy. 84. No C&R's, borders national forest, fenced and cross fenced, view of Square Top and has a spring fed pond for only $85,000. Call High Country Real Estate, 264-4191 or 800-259-5264.

40 SECLUDED ACRES - with mountain views, trees and meadows. Recently fenced and completely dog proof. 1800 gallon cistern, septic system, solar system and driveway already in place. No restrictions and taxes only $18 per year. $149,000. 3 adjacent acres available for $12,000. 731-5986 or 946-2768.

BACK ON THE MARKET Across the street from national forest, these two lots on Overlook Ct. in Pagosa Highlands Estates offer lots of seclusion with aspen grove. Call Pam Barsanti at Jim Smith Realty 888-287-6864 or (970) 264-3231. Check out additional listings at pambarsanti.com.

WE BUY LOTS Bell Country Homes, 731-6633.

COLORADO'S TIMBER RIDGE RANCH offers fully improved homesites from three acres and up. What's your pleasure? Mountain view lots, equestrian or densely timbered homesites assuring privacy and seclusion - we have them all. If you're looking for a low-density, master planned community in a breathtaking alpine setting, you must see Timber Ridge Ranch. Our dedicated open spaces, nature trails and equestrian center all offer the Rocky Mountain lifestyle you're dreaming of, right here in Pagosa Springs. Our big city conveniences include central water and sewer service, underground utilities and paved roads. Timber Ridge is located 4.5 miles from downtown Pagosa Springs via paved access. Call MJM Ranches, Land and Marketing for your personal tour. 731-3235. www.TimberRidgeRanch.com.

A 210 ACRE horse/cattle or llama homestead featuring pure, uncomplicated simplicity. Mostly open prairie in grass (part alfalfa at one time) and rolling hills. Forever yours mountain views, Hollywood rainbows and real western sunsets. All fenced, year round creek, numerous springs. Old house, several pond sites, many southern exposure building sites including "king of the hill." Not remote, yet private. A peaceful sanctuary on an all weather road about 20 miles south of Pagosa. "It was a privilege to own this property" but health forces owner to sell. Colorado like it used to be. The luxury of simplicity. Call Lee Riley with Jim Smith Realty, (office) 264-3210, toll free 1-877-ISELLPS, www.isellpagosa.com.

30 ACRES Very private, rustic cabin, big view of Navajo Lake, borders state park. Must see. Colorado Southwest Properties, 883-5428, www.navajolake.com/coloradosouthwestproperties.htm.

FSBO 8.768 acres 2 miles from town on Hwy. 84. 1000' road frontage. City water, no restrictions. 264-2332.

PARK MEADOWS Water front lot, rimmed by golf course, mountain views, privacy. $58,000. Coldwell Banker 800-888-5755 / (970) 731-2000.

GREAT SELECTION OF mountain and lake view lots at Lake Hatcher. Very buildable. $14,500 up. Paul Carpino Realty, 731-2053.

CASH! Sold real estate? Carried financing? I buy seller-held trust deeds, contracts. Any size, location. Pat O'Brien, (505) 823-2877, 1-800-347-9501.

LAKE HATCHER PARK Six 1/4 acre building sites with great views. From $14,500. Paul Carpino Realty, 731-2053. www.pagosaspringsrealty.com.

41 ACRES, SECLUDED Gravel roads, water well, ponderosa and fir trees, view, electric and phone coming soon. $145,000. 731-6131.

FSBO Free archery business with $20,000 inventory and fixtures, with the purchase of our home and property. Approximately 2500 sq. ft., 3 bedroom, 2 bath home attached to approximately 3000 sq. ft. archery shop, 3 car garage, and 4 stall horse barn, on 2.5 acres on stream. Serious inquiries only. 731-3832.

MOBILE HOME LOT Trees and mountain views with all city utilities. On paved street. $12,500. Paul Carpino Realty, 731-2053, www.pagosaspringsrealty.com.

RIVER FRONT UPPER BLANCO 87 prime acres in the Upper Blanco with 2 sides national forest. Rolling hills covered by mature ponderosa pines, aspens, spruce and oak. Open meadows for your horses. Spectacular views of Square Top. All utilities and road are in, and it's only 15 minutes from town. Don't miss this rare opportunity! Offered at $560,000.(970) 264-6175.

GREAT BUILDING SITE with panoramic views of the Continental Divide. Offered at $18,000. Ask for Tom Ramey at Coldwell Banker, 1-800-888-5755 or 731-2000 or 970-731-9501, www.homesinpagosa.com.

GOOD BUILDING LOT, nice neighborhood, central sewer, cental water, natural gas. Offered at $6000. Ask for Tom Ramey at Coldwell Banker, 1-800-888-5755 or 731-2000 or 970-731-9501, www.homesinpagosa.com.

35 ACRES PRESTIGIOUS ELK PARK Nice pond, city water, underground utilities, electric gated entrance, close to town yet quiet and secluded. Nice mix of grassy meadows and tall pines. Panoramic views. $275K. By owner. www.swcolorado.com. 731-9255.

FOR SALE BY OWNER Aspen Springs. 1.7 acres includes 2 bedroom, 1 bath trailer, 1800 gallon cistern. $42,000. 731-3487.

REDUCED! MOBILE HOME LOT on Canyon Circle, Pagosa Vista. Singlewide or double. Was $8500 now only $5300 ($2000 tap fee paid) large trees. 731-4906

RANCHES

100 ACRE RANCHETTE City water, underground power, two sides national forest, trees and great views. $510,000. Call Todd, Century 21 Wolf Creek, 731-2100.

IRRIGATED RANCH LAND 1200 sq. ft. home, 10,000 sq. ft., barn on 80 acres. Good location, great views. $385,000. Possible terms. Pagosa Peak Realty, (970) 731-0200, pagosapeak.com.

262 ACRES Creek completely through property, next to national forest, 10B 5B lodge/home, 3 other homes, 2 for rental. Irrigated hay fields, barn, corrals, fishing and hunting. Romar Group, 264-6096.

MOUNTAIN PARADISE 160± acres, two parcels, total seclusion, spectacular views, surrounded by forest and BLM, some utilities. Pagosa Peak Realty, 731-0200.

100 ACRES Central water, beautiful meadows, very nicely treed, next to national forest, very close in, totally private, views of all the mountains. Romar Group, 264-6096.

10+ ACRES ON 7 lots with a home and guest studio. High tensile horse fencing, pasture and pond. Price reduced to $179,900. Call Todd Shelton, Century 21 Wolf Creek, 731-2100.

IRRIGATED all utilities. County road. 10 minutes to Navajo Lake. Asking $2,500 per acre. Motivated seller. Pagosa Peak Realty. (970)731-0200.

BY OWNER 35 irrigated acres, 3700 sq. ft. new home. Allison area. Jon, 264-2122 or Kheta, 883-5442.

RANCH FOR SALE 237 acres, ranch home, large pond, pasture, cross fenced, priced to sell. Owner motivated. Colorado Southwest Properties, 883-5428, www.navajolake.com/coloradosouthwestproperties.htm.

SMALL FARM Doublewide, 2 car garage, borders Navajo State Park, pasture, irrigation, great views. Must see. Colorado Southwest Properties, 883-5428, www.navajolake.com/coloradosouthwestproperties.htm.

FOR A COMPLETE look at all larger vacant land parcels and ranches in the county check out my website: isellpagosa.com, Lee Riley with Jim Smith Realty.

RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT Rito Blanco, water rights, alfalfa, beautiful home, fruit trees. Much more awaits you. $619,000. 1cb2384 Coldwell Banker 800-888-5755 / (970) 731-2000.

HISTORIC RANCH HOUSE on 25 acres. Barn, garage, henhouse. 3 adjoining ranches available. Near town, VIEWS! WWW.GAWIZ.COM 731-2430.

FOR SALE BY OWNER in Chromo. 27 acre ranch. 2 bedroom, 1 bath home. 883-5425.

SPECTACULAR 340 ACRE ranch, 3 sides national forest, views, easy access, year around creek through center of ranch, irrigated hay meadows and forest, springs, premier wildlife habitat, one of a kind! $1.3 million. 731-4670.

6,000 ACRE RANCH with BLM and national forest, river, lakes, trophy hunting, water and mineral rights, 20 min. to commercial airport. 45 min. Steamboat Springs Ski Resort, owner may finance. $16,500,000. (970) 247-5518.

CONDOS

CONDO AND HOME OWNERS I have a ton of people that are qualified renters that need a place to live. Please contact me at 731-0415 or toll free 877-731-0415. My name is Carolyn at CC Rentals.

CHECK OUT THESE SPECIALS Reduced! Pines Condo. 3 bedroom, 2 bath, mountain views, never been rented, new carpet, in great condition. Only $115,000. Furnished $120,000. Call Pam Barsanti at Jim Smith Realty 888-287-6864 or (970) 264-3231. Check out additional listings at pambarsanti.com.

FOR A COMPLETE LOOK at all condos in the county check out my web site: isellpagosa.com, Lee Riley with Jim Smith Realty.

3 BEDROOM 2 bath condo. Furnished, immaculate. 1cb2220 Coldwell Banker (970) 731-2000 or 800-888-5755.

TRADE HOUSTON CONDO Beautifully furnished, adjoining golf course, country club and LDS Temple for Pagosa condo. Call (281) 880-6885 for details.

FSBO Townhome. 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath, fireplace, fenced yard, all appliances. Small complex. 731-2244. Leave message or call after 6 p.m.

FSBO 3/3 loft, Mountain Vista townhome, heated underground parking, lots of storage, recently redecorated, gorgeous water and mountain views. 731-4797.

RENTALS

FURNISHED EFFICIENCY Mountain views, clean, great location, gas heat. Visit our website at www.pagosacentralmanagement.com. Pagosa Central Management, 731-2216.

4 BEDROOM 2 bath doublewide. 1850 sq. ft., unfurnished, fenced yard, fireplace. Available Sept. 1. $950 plus utilities. Call Carolyn at CC Rentals, 731-0415.

3 BEDROOM 2 bath apartment. Visit our website at www.pagosacentralmanagement.com. Pagosa Central Management, 731-2216.

FURNISHED 2 BEDROOM 1 bath duplex on golf course. Visit our website at www.pagosacentralmanagement.com. Pagosa Central Management, 731-2216.

2 BEDROOM 1 bath condo. Visit our website at www.pagosacentralmanagement.com. Pagosa Central Management, 731-2216.

3 BEDROOM 2 bath, 2 car garage. Visit our website at www.pagosacentralmanagement.com. Pagosa Central Management, 731-2216.

HIGH COUNTRY MINI STORAGE Most sizes available. Paved, lighted, security. Behind Pizza Hut. Call 264-9142.

DURANGO HOUSING CORPORATION has clean apartments with affordable rents, close to schools and bus lines. Now featuring a Resident Computer Lab. Call for details, 247-2788. EOH.

CONDO OR HOME OWNERS I have a ton of people that are qualified renters that need a place to live. Please contact me at 731-0415 or toll free 877-731-0415. My name is Carolyn at CC Rentals.

3 BEDROOM 3 bath house. Unfurnished plus utilities, natural gas and wood stove. $850/month. Call Caroyln at CC Rentals, 731-0415.

VACATIONERS We have fully furnished homes and condos for rent by the day, week or month. Call and check our prices and variety of selection. Pagosa Realty Rentals. Box 1619, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147. (970) 731-5515.

VACATION CONDO 2+2 with full kitchen, TV, VCR. Two days to monthly. No smokers or pets. (970) 264-6656.

HUNTERS HAVE IDEAL hunting cabin next to national forest up Fourmile Road in two parts. One side sleeps 4 at $150 a night, other side 6 at $250 a night or use both sides at $400 for party of 10. Call Carolyn at CC Rentals, 731-0415.

2 BEDROOM 1 bath apartment. Visit our website at www.pagosacentralmanagement.com. Pagosa Central Management, 731-2216.

LEASE OPTION 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage on 1 acre in trees. No smokers, no pets, plus utilities. Call Carolyn at CC Rentals 731-0415.

3 BEDROOM 2 bath home in town. Natural gas. No smoking. $700/month. Pagosa Realty Rentals, 731-5515.

2 BEDROOM 1 bath unfurnished, older home on Hermosa in town. $600/month. Pagosa Realty Rentals, 731-5515.

2400 SQ. FT. 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home, 2 car garage, large rec room, mountain and lake views. Month to month lease. $1150/month. Pagosa Realty Rentals, 731-5515.

3 BEDROOM 2 bath mobile on 5 acres. Views. $750/month plus utilities. Call Carolyn at CC Rentals, 731-0415.

3 BEDROOM 2 bath modular. Twin Creek. $1100/month. Call Carolyn at CC Rentals, 731-0415.

2 BEDROOM 1 1/2 bath duplex with garage. No refrigerator, propane heat. $750/month. Pagosa Realty Rentals, 731-5515.

SMALL 2 BEDROOM 1 bath mobile in town. No smoking, no pets. $400/month. Pagosa Realty Rentals, 731-5515.

LARGE 2 BEDROOM 2 bath mobile in Vista. $550/month. Pagosa Realty Rentals, 731-5515.

AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 1 Cabin close to Williams Creek Reservoir. 6 month lease, $750/month. Call owner at 731-3164.

3 BEDROOM, 1 3/4 BATH on 3 acres in the Meadows. $1000/month, $1000 security deposit. Call Todd, 731-2100.

2 BEDROOM 1 1/2 bath Westwind condo. Visit our website at www.pagosacentralmanagement.com. Pagosa Central Management, 731-2216.

2 BEDROOM plus loft, 1 1/2 bath house. Visit our website at www.pagosacentralmanagement.com. Pagosa Central Management, 731-2216.

BEAUTIFUL 3 BEDROOM plus loft furnished home. Views of Lake Pagosa . No smoking, no pets. $1300/month. Pagosa Realty Rentals, 731-5515.

SHORT TERM FOR LABOR DAY for hunting. Two 3 bedroom, 2 bath 4 plex on Lake. One 3 bedroom, 2 bath house on 6 acres. One A-frame cabin. One 3 bedroom, 2 bath home. Call Carolyn at CC Rentals, 731-0415.

NEWLY REDECORATED 3 bedroom, 1 bath apartment on Pagosa Street over Victoria's Parlor. $765 per month plus deposit. One year lease required. 264-6656.

NEW HOME 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1500 sq. ft., 2 car garage. $1100 per month. Tim Brown Properties, LLC, 946-2768 or 731-5986.

2 BEDROOM, 2 bath furnished condo. Visit our website at www.pagosacentralmanagement.com. Pagosa Central Management. 731-2216.

VERY NICE 3 bedroom, 2 bath home in Pagosa Pines area. 1 car garage and large basement storage room. No pets or smokers. $1,000 per month. 731-9625.

3 BEDROOM 2 bath mobile in Vista on 2 treed lots. Natural gas. $630/month. Pagosa Realty Rentals, 731-5515.

2 BEDROOM, 1 bath Lakeview duplex available Oct. 1. $710 per month. 731-9949 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

2 BEDROOM, 1 1/2 bath home in town. Visit our website at www.pagosacentralmanagement.com. Pagosa Central Management, 731-2216.

FURNISHED 2 BEDROOM with loft, 2 bath. Visit our website at www.pagosacentralmanagement.com. Pagosa Central Management, 731-2216.

FURNISHED LOFT BEDROOM condo. Visit our website at www.pagosacentralmanagement.com. Pagosa Central Management, 731-2216.

BANK SAYS "LET someone assume this loan before the home goes into foreclosure." Bell Country Homes, 731-6633.

FURNISHED 2 BEDROOM, 1 bath condo. $700 per month. Pagosa Realty Rentals, 731-5515

3 BEDROOM, 2 bath furnished home with garage. $800 per month. Also larger one at $1300 per month. Pagosa Realty Rentals, 731-5515.

ARCHULETA HOUSING CORPORATION - has clean apartments with affordable rents close to schools and bus lines. Call for information, 264-2195.

LUXURY HOME NEAR LAKE 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage with work area, hot tub off master suite, large decks with lake and mountain views, easy care Italian tile floors, unfurnished. Lawn maintenance provided. No smoking. $1350/month. Pagosa Realty Rentals, 731-5515.

NEW DUPLEX 2 bedroom, 2 bath, laundry room, single car garage. $775 per month. Tim Brown Properties, LLC, 946-2768 or 731-5986.

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT at the best rates and service in town. Let us manage your property. Call for details. Pagosa Real Estate Store Property Management, 731-2175 or 1-800-560-6050.

FOR RENT VACATION log cabin. One week minimum stay. Two miles east of Pagosa Springs. Deck overlooks river. Modern facilities. Available summer and fall. Call (970)264-2729.

RIVERFRONT VACATION RENTAL. San Juan River Village East of Pagosa. Just 20 minutes to W/C ski area. 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath. Fully furnished sleeps 8-10. Perfect for Ski families. Booking now for Christmas and Spring Break. 1-800-332-9653 or online at www.frontier.net/~jeffgreer/.

LEASE WITH OPTION to buy. Bell Country Homes, 731-6633.

2 BEDROOM, 2 bath passive solar home in Aspen Springs. Visit our website at www.pagosacentralmanagement.com. Pagosa Central Management. 731-2216.

VACATIONERS: EXCEPTIONALLY CLEAN and well-maintained two story condo. Two bedrooms (sleeps four maximum), 1 3/4 baths, fully furnished with well-equipped kitchen. Located in core area, close to new City Market. $450 weekly through Sept. 30. NO PETS and NO SMOKERS - NO EXCEPTIONS! Contact owners (970) 731-2017 (evenings best).

READY 527 S 6TH 2 bedroom, 2 bath. $500/ month plus utilities with option for $475/ month, first, last and deposit. No pets. (970)731-2610.

READY 535 S. 6TH 3 bedroom, 2 bath, $600/ month plus utilities with option for $575/ month, first, last and deposit, no pets. (970)731-2610.

LIVE THE DREAM! Enjoy 360 degree, panoramic views in brand new 1 bedroom home on very private, wooded 5 acres bordering national forest. Redwood decks, vaulted ceiling, tile floors, jacuzzi bathtub. Everything is new. $850 per month. 731-0210.

ROOMMATE WANTED. Oct. 1. No smoking, no pets. 731-3989.

EXECUTIVE LOG CABIN over 5 acres in Meadows 4. Very secluded 3 bedroom, 2 bath. Oversized 2 car garage. Animals welcome. Deposit required. $1400. Available October 1st. 731-3511.

VACATIONERS fully furnished, 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo. Available August 10. Spectacular views. Walk across the street to Village Lake. No smokers. 731-9414.

5 BEDROOM, 2 bath rustic home. Backs national forest, solar heat and wood burning stove, large yard, 2 car garage, no smokers. $1100/ month includes water and electricity. 264-6044 / 884-5280.

SALE/RENT/OR LEASE OPTION on this beautiful new 4 bedroom, 2 bath, 1900 sq. ft. ranch style home in the San Juan River Village area with mountain views. Large, open floor plan includes a great room, tiled kitchen, master bedroom with bay window, walk-in closet, and many extras. Heated double garage. For appointment call 731-9672.

OCT. 1 San Juan River Village. 5 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath log home. Office space, huge garage, workshop. 264-4293.

SINGLE FAMILY HOME Three bedroom/ 2 bath, Pagosa Lakes, 2 car garage, spacious kitchen, in-floor heat, $1150 plus utilities. Pets considered. No smokers. 970-731-2107.

ROOMMATE WANTED TO share house. No pets, no smokers. $500 a month. ASAP call Catherine, 731-3449.

HUNTERS, VACATION RENTAL downtown. 3 bedroom, 2 bath, sleeps 8. Wife can walk to shops and spa while you hunt. 1-4, $100; 5-8, $125 per night. Weekly rates available. No smoking, no pets. 264-2619.

3 BEDROOM 2 BATH 1 car garage home on cul-de-sac. Nice yard. Now available. $700/ month. Call 731-9389.

FOR RENT 2+ bedroom, 2 bath, newly remodeled. In South 10th St. $750 1st & last plus security deposit. No smokers, no pets. Call 731-0010 for further details.

SEEKING RESPONSIBLE, MATURE person to share spacious home - ten acres, magnificent setting. Private room, bath, entrance, $500 plus utilities. 6-month lease, first, last. Must appreciate animals and peaceful surrounding. 731-4391.

3 BED/ 2 Bath, nice private home on Lewis St. $825 a month, first and last plus $700 deposit. 264-1335.

3 BEDROOM, 2 bath home in Lake Forest Estates. Available end of August. $950/ month. (719)266-6391. Ask for Doug.

ROOM FOR RENT. Furnished, utilities paid, non smokers preferred. $250 per month. Available Oct. 1. 731-2098.

ROOMMATE WANTED Female, non smoker, quiet home. $300 per month, 1/2 utilities. 731-4206.

2 BEDROOM 1 bath, great views, furnished. $875. 3 bedroom, 2 baths completely remodeled. $1100. (719) 338-6867. Fax: (719) 540-2224. GSTEW9583@aol.com.

ROOMMATE WANTED. Non-smoker. $310 per month. Call 264-5762.

TIMESHARE

TIMESHARE RE-SALES Coldwell Banker 800-888-5755 / (970) 731-2000.

RETREAT SPACE AVAILABLE with beautiful view of Continental Divide. Secluded, solar energy. If you seek place to hide away, relax or get better, this is the place for you. Holistic counseling available. Call Sacred Spaces, 731-3639.

PETS

ADOPT FROM THE Humane Society. Stop by or call 731-4771. You'll be amazed at what we have to offer. www.humanesocietyofpagosasprings.org.

REGISTERED AKC GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUPPIES Ready 10/01. Field Champion Bloodlines. $450. 884-9743.

SERVICES

EXCAVATION (LARGE AND SMALL) Redi-Mix Concrete, and Sand/Gravel Deliveries. Call CommRock at 731-5663 from 7:30-5:00 for quotes.

FORK LIFTS FOR HIRE Caribou Construction. 731-9848 or 946-2488.

YARD WORK - 731-1313.

CARPENTRY/HANDYMAN General maintenance, remodels, painting, drywall, etc. No job too small. Blair Jackson, 749-4252 or 264-6002 evenings.

JOB SITE CLEAN-UP - Anything goes inside and out. 731-1313.

WWW.PAGOSAMORTGAGE.COM Free mortgage information on-line. Get pre-qualified or completely pre-approved from the comfort of your home or office. Jim Askins, Fairway Mortgage-Pagosa Springs, (970) 731-3100 or toll free 800-326-2100.

JUNK IN YOUR YARD? Needed hauled to the dump? Call 731-1313.

RIVERSIDE UPHOLSTERY Furniture, drapes, awnings. 247-1260.

CUSTOM FRAMING AND MATTING - Reasonable prices, quick service. Jan Brookshier, 264-4275 after 6 p.m.

ADULT POTTERY CLASSES to promote creativity, self-expression, joy, friendship and healing. Instructor Gail Hershey. Classes beginning Sept. 7. 731-2207 for application. www.mountaintimedesigns.com

AREA NEWCOMERS Welcome! The Pagosa Springs Welcoming Service has a free packet of gifts and coupons to introduce you to your local merchants. Call 731-2398.

T.V. TROUBLES? Call Mike! Mike's TV. Since 1979. 264-2788.

REDI-MIX CONCRETE DELIVERIES in Pagosa Springs, Allison, Arboles and surrounding areas. Call CommRock at 731-5663 from 7:30-5:00 for prices and delivery schedules.

HOUSESITTER TO TAKE care of your beautiful home. Dependable, health conscious, non-smoker. Cell phone number for Pagosa, 303-817-5229.

TAMI'S LOVING CARE. Openings for full or part time daycare, drop in ok, Monday through Friday. I offer ABC's, numbers, arts and crafts, music and movement and lots of TLC. 731-9467.

WILL DO BABYSITTING CPR and First Aid certified. Love working with special needs children. References available. Call 731-9135.

UPLAND BIRD HUNTS, 1/2 or full day. Dogs and handlers available or your dogs are always welcome. Hunt with an experienced preserve. Robinson Game Birds, LLC, established 1992. 970-247-9415.

ROOF REPAIR New roofs, reroofs, and repairs. Sheds, decks and home repairs. Barn building and repair. Dan Snow. 731-3171.

ANTIQUE RESTORATION 35 years experience. The beauty of an antique is in the quality of the restoration. William G. Jones, 995 Oak Drive, Pagosa Springs, 731-9908.

HOME REPAIRS/HANDYMAN Carpentry, decks, ceramic tile, painting, room additions. No job too small. By David, (970) 749-4625.

BRIAR RABBIT DAYCARE and preschool has 2 openings. Some evening care also available. Country setting. 731-1227

MARY KAY Loretta Hildebrandt Independent Beauty Consultant. 124 Paradise Pagosa Springs, CO 81147. (970) 731-3645, (888) 485-2955 toll free.

DISCOUNT WINDOW WASHING SERVICE Residential/commercial. Local. 264-2919, evenings or page anytime, 382-4064.

23 YEARS IN PAGOSA All aspects of carpentry from decks to additions. Repair work. Quality workmanship, affordable prices. 264-5100.

MARY MCLELLAN, CMP offering quality, nurturing massage therapy through deep tissue work, Swedish massage and acupressure. Great results with chronic pain, injuries, or wellness care. See me at Pagosa Chiropractic 264-2604 or call for outcalls in your home.

NEED HELP with your software? Do you need someone to manage your database, mailing lists, contact manager? Do you need someone to run software specific to your business needs - contractors, churches, retail? Do you need someone to keep track of the contributions you receive? Call Lynn at Moffett & Associates, 731-3279 or email, rlynnmoffett@pagosa.net.

CARE ABOUT DETAILS Let us clean the road grime and muck off your auto investment. Special care given to carpets and upholstery. Call Teddi Richter at 970-264-2632 for appointment.

PROFESSIONAL MASSAGE Relaxation massage, stress relief, pain relief, deep tissue, energy work. Home 264-6680, office 264-4003.

ARE YOU IN need of a responsible person with excellent local references to clean your house? I currently have one biweekly opening available. Call 731-0323.

TREES Removal, trimming, clearing, landscapes, fire breaks, firewood. Free estimates. Brian, 264-2683.

PET SITTING AND PLANT CARE Dogs, cats, horses, all ranch sitting, exotics. Reliable, excellent references. Animal Massage Therapist, 264-6680.

PAGOSA HOME CLEANING & WINDOW SERVICE All types of maintenance and repair. Husband and wife team. Call 264-5087.

SELECPRO SCHOOL & SPECIAL EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY is the "70mm long-roll" division of Harms PhotoGraphic, Pagosa. SelecPRO has provided over 40,000 quality portraits to schools and organizations throughout the Four Corners. Reunions, sports, dance, and fund raisers also a specialty. Six long-roll cameras and three professional photographers to meet all your needs. We're proud to be "School Photographers for Pagosa Springs"! Call Ken or Jan Harms at 731-2700.

NEED REPAIRS DONE But everyone you call is on "Pagosa Time"? Or, they never return your phone call? Then call "Southwest Maintenance." I'll call you back promptly, and provide you with excellent service for a reasonable cost. No job too small, and I'll guarantee satisfaction. Call (970) 264-0644.

AFFORDABLE CHOICE MOVERS Safe, careful service with a smile! (970) 946-0573, cell phone. No job too big or too small, we do it all!

BAR Z CONSTRUCTION (licensed). Design/ build, new, remodel, post and beam, log homes/ barns. Free estimates. Bill 731-0170, Rob 946-5187.

BEFORE/ AFTER SCHOOL care. All ages. I need to be home for mine so let me help with yours. 731-0344.

AFFORDABLE FRAMING "A complete professional shop." In stock: frames, matboard, glass, moldings. Call Linda Lerno, 731-5173 or Brenda, 731-9473.

BOOKKEEPING SERVICES specializing in small business bookkeeping with 16 years of experience: bank recons, GL, payroll, 941s, taxes monthly or quarterly financials. Low monthly/quarterly fees. Tom, 731-0661.

ABSENTEE OWNER? Who looks after your property in Pagosa while you're back home? WE DO!! Interior/exterior inspection twice monthly for pennies a day with month end written reports, plus much more. Call for details. (970) 264-4840. Fax: (970) 264-4840. email: eagle2@frontier.net EAGLE EYE INSPECTION SERVICE.

EXCAVATION AND TRUCKING No job too big or small. 20 years experience. Local references, fully insured. Call 731-1146 for quotes and prompt reliable service. Tufco Inc., Jeff Hunts.

LICENSED DAYCARE. Low numbers. Can transport to school and activities. Evening and weekend babysitting. Carol Baughman, 731-0577.

LET US DO your clean up. Inside, outside, hauling, construction clean up, winter make ready. We do windows. 731-9982, free estimates.

CARPENTRY PLUS 15 years experience in fine home building. Rough framing and finish. Truck and tools. Local references. Will work with home owner or contractor. Call David, 731-9509.

MASTER PAINTER HAROLD KORNHABER Power washing and staining, exterior log homes. Everything in the painters trade. Established 1970. (970) 264-2789.

HOUSEKEEPING BY RUTH. Reliable, experienced, thorough, reasonable, personal service. References. 731-5556.

BEAVER CREEK FENCE All styles of wood, vinyl and chain link. Residential, farm and ranch. Free estimates. 884-2585 or 382-3279 pager.

HELP WANTED

POSITION OPEN FOR sales. Must be mature, energetic, enthusiastic, must like cats. Pick up application at Old Town Gifts, River Center.

POSITION AVAILABLE Part time kennel attendant needed at the Humane Society Shelter. Full-time cashier/sorter needed, Monday-Friday at The Humane Society Thrift Store. Applications available downtown at the Humane Society Thrift Store. No phone calls please.

LAND PROPERTIES, INC. is looking for highly motivated real estate brokers to join their sales team. Large commissions on quality land. Call Jim, (970) 264-6062.

PROPERTY MANAGER NEEDED with knowledge of Quickbooks. Send resume to Property Manager, P.O. Box 9, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147.

OPERATORS, LABORERS & DRIVERS NEEDED at gravel pit. Experience preferred. Call Commercial Rock at 731-5663.

TELLER POSITION AVAILABLE Pick up application at Citizens Bank, 703 San Juan Street, Pagosa Springs.

LOREDANA'S IS hiring for a dishwasher. Apply in person at 68 Bastille Drive.

REAL ESTATE PERSONAL assistant needed full-time. Contact Lee Riley with Jim Smith Realty. 264-3210.

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR - ARCHULETA COUNTY, COLORADO: Salary range $50,000 to $65,000 DOQ. The Board of County Commissioners of Archuleta County is now accepting applications for the position of County Administrator. Salary range $50,000 to $65,000 DOQ. Position reports to and serves at the pleasure of a three member Board of County Commissioners, and is responsible for the general administration and supervision of all departments under the Commission. Archuleta County has approximately 120 employees and a $15 million budget. QUALIFICATIONS: A Bachelors Degree in Public or Business Administration or related field with extensive experience in management, including Finance, Local Government or Business Administration. Must have knowledge of organization and functions of county departments; ability to establish and maintain satisfactory working relationship with County Commissioners and other elected officials, county employees, the public and media. Must possess good organizational skills and be able to work in a diversified environment. Job description and employment applications are available at the Board of County Commissioner's office, P.O. Box 1507, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147, by email at kwendt@archuletacounty.org or call 970-264-2536. Applications and resumes will be accepted until Oct. 8, 2001. Archuleta County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

APPLICATIONS ARE BEING accepted for the position of Executive Officer of the Upper San Juan Builders Association. Must have experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher and Quickbooks. Must be able to work under deadlines and have strong people skills. Will work one evening a month. Position is 30 hours per week. Pay comparable to experience. Call 731-3939 for application.

ARCHULETA COUNTY EDUCATION Center is seeking a part-time tutoring/ homework center coordinator to work with after-school program for 5th - 8th grades. Teaching experience/ Colorado teaching license is desirable. Please send a letter of intent, three letters of reference and a resume to: Dr. Livia Lynch, P. O. Box 1079, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147 (970)264-2835 Position will remain open until filled.

FRONT DESK HELP, administrative assistant and sales director. Apply at Best Western Oak Ridge or call 264-4173.

SAN JUAN BASIN HEALTH DEPARTMENT is seeking caring, dependable people to become personal care providers. Pick up applications at 502 South 8th Street or call 264-2409, ask for Theresa.

ARCHULETA COUNTY TRANSPORTATION Part time driver. CDL required. 264-2250.

GOOD DEPENDABLE ROOFERS NEEDED if possible with experience. Call Troy. 264-5265.

JOIN OUR DEDICATED TEAM of volunteer victim advocates, supporting survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Demonstrate your commitment and learn how you can make our community a safer place. Training provided. For more information call Carmen Hubbs at 264-9075.

EARN $$$ HELPING MDs! Process medical claims from home. Call the Federal Trade Commission to find out how to spot medical billing scams. 1-877-FTC-HELP. A message from The Pagosa Springs SUN and the FTC.

THE FIRST INN is now accepting applications for housekeeping, laundry and front desk positions. Please apply in person or call 264-4161 before 10 p.m.

ARCHULETA COUNTY DEPARTMENT of Social Services is hiring a full time family advocate. General position of duties is to bring families, agencies and community together to keep children safe and strengthen families, address emergency needs as well as ongoing support. Monthly salary is $1,720 plus county benefits. Resumes should be delivered to Archuleta County Social Services, 551 Hot Springs Boulevard. Deadline for resumes is Sept. 21, 4 p.m.

COOK FOR WILDERNESS hunting camp, guides for rifle seasons also. Top wages. Call 731-4630 for interview appointment.

MAINTENANCE PERSON AND housekeepers neede at the Spa Motel. Please apply in person. 264-5910.

ATTENTION RESTAURANT STAFF. Looking to fill various positions. Evenings preferred but others available. Apply in person, Squirrel's Pub & Pantry at the Best Western Oak Ridge.

ATTENTION: HOUSEKEEPERS! Help needed. Full or part time available. $3.75 per room. Apply in person. Best Western Oakridge.

FULL TIME POSITIONS available for drivers with CDL licenses wanted for Redi Mix deliveries. Good pay. Please inquire at 264-4568.

ARCHULETA COUNTY EDUCATION Center is seeking a part time English as a Second Language teacher to work with children and/ or adults. Teaching experience/ Colorado teaching license is desirable. Please send a letter of intent, three letters of reference and a resume to: Dr. Livia Lynch, P.O. Box 1079, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147, (970)264-2835. Position will remain open until filled.

THE TIMBERS OF PAGOSA SPRINGS is seeking full time, year round, day/night help to assist our incredible team. All positions are available. Must be available for some weekends and holidays. Pay DOE. Only self motivated, loyal, and flexible people are welcome. Apply in person at The Timbers of Pagosa, 249 Navajo Trails Drive, (970) 731-8867.

THE TOWN OF Pagosa Springs is looking for contractors to bid the installation of a river to park irrigation system. Specifics of the job are available at Town Hall. Work planned is to be completed this fall or winter. Job will entail trenching and irrigation pipe installation.

ARCHULETA SCHOOL DISTRICT 50 Joint is now accepting applications for substitute custodian and cafeteria substitutes. Substitutes are called on an as needed basis and pays $7.50 per hour. Applications may be obtained at the Administration Office located at 309 Lewis Street.

NOW INTERVIEWING FOR front desk people. Please visit Best Western Oakridge for application.

THE CORNER STORE Accepting applications for a FT/PT clerk. Must have applicable work experience, work well with the general public and co-workers. Above average pay with benefits for long term employees. Background check required. Apply in person at 40 Piedra Road.

TRUCK DRIVERS NEEDED Local hauls, class A CDL, call Commercial Rock, 731-5663.

RIVERSIDE RESTAURANT now hiring evening wait and host staff, morning and evening line cooks. Apply in person

PAGOSA'S MOST POPULAR RESTAURANT Victoria's Parlor, is seeking experienced waitress, line cook and closer. Pace is fast and furious, but very friendly and fun. Apply in person at 274 Pagosa Street. Speak with Pat or Sheri.

VILLAGE TEXACO is seeking motivated individuals for part time or full time positions. Health benefits after 1 year of employment. Apply in person, North Pagosa Blvd. and Highway. 160. Ask for Kevin.

NAIL TECH Help! Must have good work ethics and happy, for high traffic quality salon clientele already here. Call Elizabeth, 264-6413.

HELP WANTED Colorado licensed journeyman electrician. Permanent position in Pagosa Springs. Residential and light commercial experience required. 264-5133.

NEEDED Part time bookkeeper. Day and night hours. Starts at $7.50 per hour. Apply at local McDonald.

KWUF SEEKING full time advertising sales person. Experience preferred. Choice territories available. Please call 264-1400 for appointment.

PHARMACISTS Earn extra cash with part time work. 800-318-5681.

PHARMACISTS Permanent position in metro Denver. Salary negotiable. New grads OK. 800-318-5681.

EXPERIENCED METAL ROOFER and helper needed. Jack, 731-5848.

PHYSICAL THERAPISTS Occupational Therapists. For temporary assignments. Call (719)630-7500.

FULL TIME RANCH position available. One mountain cow/calf operation near Kremmling, Colorado. Excellent opportunity for self-motivated and reliable individual. Experience necessary with flood irrigation, haying, calving, equipment operation and general ranch work. Non-smoker preferred. Housing, utilities, health insurance and beef provided. Top pay for someone who really loves this way of life. Send resume with work references to: Lindner Ranches, c/o Phyllis McCoy 3955 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45212

SECRETARY/RECEPTIONIST For professional office suite. Downtown on Lewis Street. 264-4123.

PERSONAL ASSISTANT Office help, errands, baby sitting in professional office. Monday-Thursday, 9-5. Contact Julia Donoho, P.O. Box 3303, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147.

DRYWALL HANGERS AND FINISHERS wanted. Experience with tools necessary. Call David Urbom, Drywall Done Good, 731-5810.

RESPIRATORY THERAPISTS for travel assignments in Colorado. All expenses paid. 719-630-7500.

XRAY TECH All modalities for local and traveling assignments in Colorado. Call 800-318-5681.

HELP WANTED Experienced carpenters and laborers needed, year around work, Pagosa area. 884-4043.

UTILITY PIPELINE LABORERS needed. J.E. Sutherland Construction. 731-5952.

HAIR STYLIST FULL or part time. Busy salon looking for motivated experienced licensed stylist. 731-4449.

FORMRITE CUSTOM COUNTERS is looking for FT employees for new shop in Pagosa. Will train. 2640 CR 250, Durango, 247-2000 or 151 Great West Ave., Pagosa (behind Circle T Lumber), 264-2026.

CHAIN SAW EXPERIENCE. Full time winter work. 264-5160.

HEAD HOUSEKEEPER/LAUNDRY PERSON San Juan Motel. 264-2262.

COLUMBINE DELI IS LOOKING for part time counter help. Apply in person, 162 Pagosa Street, 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

LARGEST SPORTING GOODS STORE in Archuleta County. Indoor archery range/archery leagues. 4000 square feet of leased space with lots of parking. $60,000. For more information call Todd at Century 21 Wolf Creek, 731-2100.

LIGHT MANUFACTURING BUSINESS for sale in Pagosa Springs. Established clients, will train. $195,000 plus inventory. No agents please. 1-602-938-0525.

RECREATIONAL VEHICLES

1976 SANGER DRAG BOAT Big block 454 engine, less than 2.5 hours. Great condition. $5500. Day 731-2262, Night 264-9290.

1999 VENTURE MOTORCYCLE factory dressed. Many extras. Warranty. Silver. 15,000 miles. Heart attack forces sale. $12,000. Serious only. Zach 731-3300.

1969 NORTON COMMANDO S Rare model, nice shape, $3200. 1973 Ossa Plonker MAR Trials bike, 250cc, $1000. 264-1998.

'97 HONDA CR250R dirt bike. Excellent condition. 2001 Skidoo snowmobile for sale. Call 264-5968 or 946-2459.

1992 COLEMAN POPUP trailer. Sleeps 6, excellent condition, i/o stove, sink and storage. $2000 OBO. 264-9062.

ATVS FOR SALE 1994 Yamaha Big Bear, 4 wheel drive, $2500. 1987 Kawasaki, $1000. Call 264-6278.

1988 TOYOTA 4x4 pickup, $3500 OBO. 1984 Honda 650 motorcycle, $1500 OBO. 1984 Sun travel trailer, cozy, 12 foot, fully self contained, single axle, $1500. 731-3327, 946-4485, 731-3311.

COACHMEN MOTOR HOME 1985 Class A. 31 foot, 454 Chevy engine, 74,000 miles, lots of extras, good condition. $10,500. Evenings, 731-9476.

POLARIS SNOWMOBILES. 2000 liquid cooled RMK 700, 2 inch track, 400 miles, $5500. 2000 liquid cooled RMK 500, 300 miles, $4500. 2001 Triton trailer, $950. Package deal. 731-4691.

1978 COACHMAN 31', 440 engine, 74K miles, in great shape, located airport self storage on Piedra Rd. $9,000 OBO. 731-2698.

2K ALPEN LITE 29' 5th wheel, excellent, N/S. No pets. 264-6209.

POP-UP TENT TRAILER 1991 Jayco, refrigerator, stove, sink, cabinets, sleeps 5 adults. $3600. 264-4923.

1985 16-FOOT SHASTA TRAVEL trailer, great condition, $2,000. 731-4236 after 5:00.

PREDATOR CAMPER SHELL. 88-98 Chevy short bed. Like new. $350. 264-2711

2000 BMW R1100 RT motorcycle. 19K, rear bags, CB radio, heated grips, red, excellent condition, trailer included. $12,950. 731-3838.

TOO LATE TO CLASSIFY

FREE PAINT, ASSORTED colors, interior/exterior, first come, first serve. Paint Connection Plus. Monday - Friday, 8-5. 731-5564.

ARCHULETA SCHOOL DISTRICT is accepting bids on the following vehicles: 1978 Ford Fairmont, automatic, 4 door. 1982 Ford Fairmont, automatic, 4 door, front end smashed and rusty top. 1978 Thomas diesel bus, 74 passenger, stub nose, 5 speed, air brakes, electric retarder. 1980 GMC 6000 bus, V8, 5 speed, manual brakes, handicap lift, 15 passenger. 1981 Thomas diesel bus, 65 passenger, conventional, air brakes, electric retarder. Bids may be submitted to the Administration Office located at 309 Lewis Street. For more information on any of these vehicles contact Transportation Director Dolly Martin at 264-2305. The district reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids.

MINI RE-STORE All kinds of new and used building materials. Every Saturday, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at 398 Bastille Drive, Unit B1 in Summit Commercial Park. All proceeds go toward building homes for Habitat for Humanity of Archuleta County. If you have any questions or donations please call 264-6960. It's tax deductible and we are saving the landfill.

REDI-MIX CONCRETE DELIVERIES in Pagosa Springs, Allison, Arboles and surrounding areas. Call CommRock at 731-5663 from 7:30-5:00 for prices and delivery schedules.

NEED A CHANGE of pace? Come join our team at Archuleta School District Transportation. Hours are so flexible it doesn't seem like a job. Route drivers earn $13.50 per hour to start and substitute and activity drivers earn $10 per hour. Training available. Call Dolly Martin at 264-2305 between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

SCREENED ROCK FOR leach fields and French drains. 1 1/2" $14/ton pit price. Meets CDOT specifications. Call CommRock at 731-5663 from 7:30-5:00 for delivery rates and schedules.

FUTONS! FUTONS! FUTONS! starting at $199 and up. Metal, hardwood, and log frames available. Choices of cushions. Come see our display at The Humane Society Thrift Store. 269 Pagosa Street. 264-6424.

HELP WANTED FULL time with benefits. Tuesday through Saturday. Testing, maintenance, driving, heavy lifting. Must have good back. Must be able to pass background check. Applications available at Humane Society Thrift Store.

MOUNTAIN BIKE FLEET Specialized, Diamond Back, Murray. 4 months old. $100 - $300 each. Call now. 731-9369.

FOR RENT OR sale, large home on five acres. Fenced for horses. Cistern and well. City water available. $850 per month. 264-9083.

FOR SALE, new 16 foot utility/auto trailer with brakes. $2050. 264-6761.

ALFALFA HAY FOR sale. 264-5591.

4 STUDDED SNOW tires on 5 lug white spoke rims. Almost new. Fits 1/2 ton Ford. $500. 731-1099

FOR SALE 1990 Nissan Axxess. Front wheel drive. $500. 264-4365

HUNGRY FOR ONE OF Columbine's great sandwiches? Open Monday thru Friday, 6-3 and Saturday 9-2! Starting October 1, we will be delivering. Call before 10 to place your order. Minimum $15. 264-3354.

BOAT FOR SALE. 1983 16 foot Bluefin. 85 hp Mercury, tilt, bait pump, bilge pump, fish finder. $2200 OBO. 264-5637

MATCHING FOUR PIECE dresser set. Oak and oak veneer. $350 OBO. 731-0757.

CHILD CARE, LICENSED, fun day care and after school craft program. AM/PM Kindergarten p/u and after school p/u. 264-5892.

35-50% OFF STOREWIDE. Wild Hare, 118 N. Pagosa Boulevard.

DANCE, DANCE, DANCE in Pagosa this fall. All ages. Modern/Jazz to Ethnic (including Belly Dance, Folklorico and Celtic) and Tap. Combination classes, Rythym and Thera Dance. Call Sharman Christine Alto, 883-5313.

NEED A TRENCH DUG? Call Cimarrona Enterprises for your trenching needs. 731-2167.

MATURE, RESPONSIBLE HORSEWOMAN ISO full time live in caretaker position. 883-3030.

FIREPLACE FOR SALE "Malm" circular fireplace with glass sides. Some piping included, great condition. $295. 731-9849.

PLANT SERVICE Professional and experienced plant lady will come to your home or business for weekly maintenance, temporary care, or a one time visit. For a free estimate call Stacey 731-9849.

1993 HONDA XR250. Street legal, only 6000 original miles. $1800 OBO. 264-5637

HORSES- 2 APPALOOSAS, brother and sister, gelding and mare, 4 and 5 year olds; names Peekaboo Cowboy and Kiss Me Cowboy. Excellent animals. 731-2612.

1987 FORD RANGER. Extended cab, 4x4. $3000. 731-0757.

WANTED

CLEANING OUT YOUR FREEZER? Help feed the zoo animals. Rocky Mountain Wildlife Park, 264-5546.

HOUSESITTING WANTED Will lovingly care for your home and pets. Mid October/ November through March (negotibale). Responsible, reliable, and references provided. Non smoker, no pets. Single, middle aged woman. Marta, 264-6177.

WANT HUD APPROVED mobile home under 500 sq. ft. (970) 931-2822.

WANT TO PURCHASE minerals and other oil/gas interests. Send details to: P.O. Box 13557, Denver, CO 80201. 33-32/03.

GUITARIST NEEDED to accompany Banjo/ Guitar player for old tyme blues, jazz, progressive. Possible training opportunity. Call Jim, 264-2449, leave message.

YARD SALES

BE SURE TO check for more yard sales in the Too Late To Classify section.

YARD SALE, Saturday only, 8 a.m. Household goods and appliances. 470 Stagecoach in Holiday Acres.

INDOOR GARAGE SALE, Royal Pine Plaza. 4760 west Hwy. 160, look for signs, Friday and Saturday 9-3. Lots of clothes and misc.

MOVING SALE. Kitchen items, carpenter tools, fishing equipment, trailer hitches, TVs, Christmas items, linens, garden tools, double bed, books galore, hunting supplies, folding chairs, hanging Coors lamps and much much more. Saturday, Sept. 15, 8 a.m. to ? 671 Hills Circle, Hwy. 160 west, right on Piedra Road, left on North Pagosa, right on Monte Vista, left on Hills Circle. No early birds!

MOVING SALE. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 14 and 15, 9-3. Clothing, furniture, kids' toys and books, bikes, snowblower, riding mower, insulation, doors, lots of miscellaneous. 1960 Meadows Drive.

MOVING SALE 429 Oak Drive, Aspen Springs, 14th and 15th, 8 until ?

SATURDAY, 9/15, 8-2. 160 west to Oakridge (Aspen Springs Realtors), go left. 150 Steep.

GARAGE SALE. 66 Dutton Drive. Saturday, Sept. 15, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Christmas, kitchen, yard, clothes and many miscellaneous items.

BUY ANTIQUES AND collectibles, conduct estate sales, 20 years experience. 731-9858.

MOVING SALE Freezer, 22 rolls R11 insulation, sheds, bike, ski equipment, wood box household. Something for everyone. Friday/ Saturday, 9-1, 2113 Meadows Drive.

MOVED TO A smaller place. Lots of stuff to go. Saturday only, Sept. 15, 468 Fireside, 8 a.m. - 2p.m.

HURRY DON'T MISS THIS! Saturday, 15th, 8:30-12:30. Tools, Antiques, 2 wood stoves, furniture, bed, refrigerator, microwave, air compress, etc. Renner's Mini-Storage, Bastille Drive.

SNOWBLOWER, TOOLS, REFRIGERATOR, antenna, household items, house for sale. 89 Stollsteimer Lane. Turn across from Turkey Springs Trading Post, follow signs. 9-15, 9-2.

MEGA "MOTHER" OF all "Indoor" garage sales this Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tack, toys, tools, furniture, woodstove, mountain bikes, guitars, electronics. 6 miles west of Pagosa in Aspen Springs on Highway 160 West.

MOVING SALE SATURDAY Sept. 15, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. 387 West Golf Place.

YARD SALE. Looking for something? Come and look at the American Legion Hall, 287 Hermosa Street. Saturday - Sunday from 9 a.m. - ?

GARAGE SALE. Hwy. 160 east just past Fawn Gulch Road. Ten man Army tent, ladies like new Nacona boots (4-1/2-5-1/2C), quality clothes, ski stuff, Berber area rug, 1993 S10, 4x4 Blazer. Friday and Saturday, 9-?

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, 8:30-1. Potter from Santa Fe selling seconds of SW lights, 30 pairs of new ski pants, many additional items. Piedra to North Pagosa, left on Saturn, right on Morro Circle to 45 Simi Court.

LOST & FOUND

IF ANYONE has lost their pet, please call the Humane Society of Pagosa Springs, 731-4771. www.humanesocietyofpagosasprings. org.

LOST, PEARL GRAY cockatiel. No leg band. Approximately 1-1/2 years old, answers to the name of Pineapple. Lost 9/4 on 2nd Street. Possibly female. 264-2380 message, 731-5548 days.

FOUND BLACK MALE cat named Midnight. 731-4771.

LOST BLUE L.L. BEAN daypack, on Hwy 84. Call Debbie, 731-0487.

Don't blow chance to see 'Fiddler'

I have attended many opening nights in my long life, but I have never witnessed a stronger one than "Fiddler on the Roof."

Normally, during an opener, you anticipate the forgotten or misplaced line, the uncomfortable silences, the miscues, the missteps, the blatant wrong note(s) and just generally an awkward performance. Not so with our Tevye and Golde, their five daughters and the wonderful community of Anatevka circa 1905. The performance was as smooth as silk and elicited every possible emotion from an extremely appreciative crowd.

Literally, we laughed, we cried and absolutely enjoyed every minute from beginning to end. I thought the casting was simply brilliant, and I've spoken to many folks who think that Steve Rogan is not really Steve Rogan at all but the living, breathing Tevye and clearly born to play this role. I couldn't agree more, and I applaud the entire cast for their individual, multiple and ensemble performances. The big production numbers were especially impressive, and, without giving anything away, let me assure you that you don't want to miss the dream sequence.

The 16-piece orchestra was so terrific that the audience applauded their musical vignettes between scene changes which is hardly commonplace in theater.

Joan Hageman and Andy Donlon are to be congratulated on their remarkable directing, choreography, conducting and just about anything connected to this production short of selling candy bars during intermission. And, as always, congratulations to the invaluable, albeit unseen, backstage crew who worked practically nonstop on the demanding and frequent scene changes and the lighting folks who did a magnificent job on an extremely challenging production.

Suffice it to say, folks, you have three more opportunities to see this exceptional production - don't blow it. Tonight, Friday, and Saturday nights at 7:30 at the high school auditorium join the wonder of "Fiddler on the Roof." Purchase your advance tickets from Moonlight Books or at the door and enjoy.

Movin' members

Our old pal, Marion Francis, has joined our working force once again after enjoying several months of retirement. Marion and wife, Pat, did some serious traveling, golfing, and fishing during their hiatus, but I guess you just can't keep a good man down.

Marion joins the Bank of Colorado as Vice President of Business Development, and I'm sure they're counting their lucky stars to have someone with his vast experience in the world of banking. Congratulations, Marion, and be sure to go in and welcome him back to the nine to five set.

SunDowner sign-up

Believe it or not, Oct. 1 is right around the corner, and this is darned-near sacred day to sign up to host a SunDowner in the year 2002.

These blasted things have become so popular that we've had to designate a particular day (Monday, Oct. 1) and a particular hour, 8 a.m., as the time to grab one for the next year.

At one time, we took phone requests, but now that just doesn't work - we need a body at the door of the Visitor Center to request the desired month. Truth be known, one of the reasons they are like gold is that there are only 10 months available because the Chamber Annual Mardi Gras acts as the January SunDowner, and the imminent Colorfest Wine and Cheese Tasting is the September party. Lots of folks have been asking about them recently, so we encourage you to be here or send a representative from your business if you would like to host a 2002 SunDowner. There isn't a better way to showcase your business and acquaint folks with what it is that you do. If you have any questions, please call us at 264-2360. Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you bright and early on Oct. 1 - we'll have the coffee on.

Famous Forest

How nice to see our local folks in national magazines bragging about Pagosa Springs and the healing nature of our hot springs.

Such is the case with Forest Bramwell who was the subject of the recent article in a rodeo publication featuring a couple of pictures of this young man and a number of quotes. It seems that Forest has persevered in the world of rodeo and is ranked way, way up there despite an injury that has plagued him for some time. His goal, it seems, is to participate in two rodeos a week and try to avoid injury and stay healthy. We wish you all the best, Forest, and hope you enjoy health and wealth for many years to come.

Baby contest

I don't think anyone would deny that there are few things in the world of cute that beat a baby and puppy, and ALCO is challenging you to bring in a photo of your child (not puppy) to win the title of Cutest Baby.

The contest begins Oct. 1 and runs through Oct. 31, and all proceeds will go to a local, to-be-determined charity. The rules are simple: Take a 5 x 7 or smaller photo of your child to ALCO for them to display for the month. Children must be two years old or younger, and the child receiving the highest number of votes will be named the winner and receive a $25 gift certificate from ALCO.

Customers may vote for any baby by contributing a penny a vote (or more, natch.) If you have questions, just give the folks at ALCO a call at 731-6204.

Wine and cheese

Doug and I just met with the good folks at Copper Coin, George and Marcia Wakefield, Robert Sparks and (former owner) Jody Unger to determine the wines for this year's tasting, and I don't mind saying that this year's selections are some kinda wonderful. Even the most discriminating wine connoisseur will be impressed and mollified by the choices made by this highly qualified group. The cheeses are equally appealing with some new choices and some much-requested repeats. It's going to be quite an evening. Desserts are still being determined, but you can bet that Kathy Keyes at Pagosa Baking Company will come up with some mouth-watering delectables.

Invitations should have reached you by now, and we hope you will take advantage of the presale bargain and come in to purchase your tickets soon. The advance price is $20, and you will pay $25 at the door. We feel this is a super value for the buck considering the goodies offered and the great time we always enjoy at this event.

Your Chamber board directors and spouses, some diplomats, and old friends of the Chamber will be pouring the wine and chatting up the cheese. Keeping in mind that this is one of our 25th anniversary events, the theme this year is "An Evening in Silver and Black" and everyone is invited to be creative and dress in the signature colors. For those who abhor theme dressing, not a problem - wear any blasted thing you like. We just want you to join us and have a good time. The ascensions, the picnic, concert and balloon glow are also parts of this fabulous weekend, so look for further installments on our Colorest/Balloon Rally weekend, Sept. 21-23.

Membership

We have two new members to introduce to you this week and 17 renewals. The fall continues to bring us wonderful things in the mail and in person in the way of members and renewals. Who could ask for anything more?

Our first new member this week is Bonnita Lynne who is a project coordinator offering a number of services. Those services include publication projects, including editing, grant proposal research, writing and personal memoir organization and production. Bonnita also offers office organization for individuals and businesses including Quicken and Quickbooks. If you need some organization in your office, Bonnita sounds like the answer to your prayers. Please give her a call at 264-6448.

Our second new member is Diego Valdez who brings us Playa Mar with a business location in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Diego is a Mexico Real Estate Consultant and invites you to call him locally at 731-9854. Puerto Vallarta is sounding awfully appealing right now, huh?

Our renewals this week include the Archuleta County Administration; Zach Nelson with Pagosa Players and Kings Men; Susan Neder with Colorado Land Title Company, LLC; Marsha Preuit with The Spa @ Pagosa Springs and Exodus Shipping; Tom Terrell or Sarah Potts with the Chimney Rock Interpretative Program (San Juan Mountains Association); Connie Giffin with Serenity Trail; Granton Bartz with Cowboy Carpet Cleaning, Inc.; Connie Prunty with Century Tel; Kent Davis with Cabinets Plus; Ray and Robin with Abracadabra; Darlene Danko with Riverbend Resort in South Fork; Reverend Annie Ryder with St. Patrick's Episcopal Church; and Joyce Hopkins with Log Park Trading Company.

Our Associate Member renewal this week is Doug and Judy Galles who are valued Chamber volunteers. Thanks to one and all for your continued support.

Freeze halts gardens but not the Chacon baby

Welcome to fall in Pagosa Springs!

These below-freezing mornings remind us that winter is on the way so we had better get prepared. Our poor vegetable garden is showing the effects, too - freeze-nipped squash, beans and tomatoes are a sad sight.

Congratulations. Selene and Al Chacon have a new baby girl. Selene works in our kitchen and we have all been eagerly awaiting this little one's arrival.

A belated "Happy Birthday" to our Ted Cope, who is currently recuperating at Pine Ridge. We miss Ted and hope she can join us again soon. We also missed Dorothy Million while she was away and are so happy to have her back with us.

Friday, Aug. 31, was the day for honoring all our folks with August birthdays. We celebrated birthdays of Carolyn Hanson, Ismael Castillo, Jerry Sager, Larry Waddell, Judy Ulatowski, Ray Finney, Jerry Driesens, Dorothy Million, Eleanor Jones, Rose Perea (from our kitchen staff), Iris Clark, James Dunavant, William Clark, George Ziegler, Charlotte Archuleta and Helen Schoonover. A great big thank you to Mary Hannah who brought birthday cakes for the celebration and to our wonderful kitchen staff who prepared a scrumptious meal.

Our Senior of the Week for last week was Bruce Muirhead. Bruce and his lovely wife, Mary, celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary on Sept. 5 so we congratulate them both. This week's Senior of the Week is Gwen Woods - yeaaa! Gwen is such a sweet lady and we love having her join us at the Center.

We had a very special treat on Wednesday when June Nelson's son, Joe Neal, sang and played several beautiful songs. Joe lives in New York so he was here enjoying visiting with family. His sister Katherine, and cousin, Maggie Oliver, also joined us - we all welcome you and hope you will come again soon.

Also on Wednesday we were happy to have Andy Martinez, Mable Bennett, Lucille Alley and Jackie Schick back with us.

On Tuesday, we welcomed Foy and Beth Rotan, sister and brother-in-law of Helen Tarver as our guests.

Shirley Sprague is one of our "donation angels" this week - thanks so much for the craft supplies, Shirley. A big thank you to Eva Darmopray for the books and Lauren Lee for the puzzles.

Also, Robin and Ray Ball have offered a couple of electric ranges and a refrigerator to any of our seniors who are in need. Please contact Musetta or Cindy at the Center for more information.

Speaking of donations, if anyone has a computer modem (56K or bigger) that they would like to donate, it would sure speed up our on-line computer use.

A little bird told me that Lee Hill is moving from the area - we are sorry to have her go and she will be missed.

A big "Thank You" to Timbers of Pagosa which will honor our membership cards with a 10 percent discount, and they are also offering small-portion meals for those who prefer them.

On Sept. 19, just after lunch, Arthur Jacobs, attorney at law, will speak to us about Medicare/Medicaid issues, consumer law, access to public benefits, etc. He will be available for questions but won't give legal advice at this time. His service is provided through the Older Americans Act Legal Assistance Program.

On Sept. 26, during the lunch hour, Margie Gurule will give a presentation on Medicaid.

Visiting friend raves about our 'Fiddler'

I took a friend as my guest to "Fiddler on the Roof" and got my money's worth. She lives in Houston, with all its "big time," and she raved - specifically saying, "it was nearly professional" and that "the staging was wonderful!"

Enough can't be said for the cast. Steve Rogan as Tevye was fantastic, and Kathleen Isberg as Golde and Trish Davis as Yente, the matchmaker - the list goes on and on. And I could almost hear a klezmer band - the European Yiddish band which features the characteristic plaintive clarinet.

We can say to Joan Hageman and Andy Donovan (director and assistant director) that indeed the labor of love of those who helped produce Fiddler in any way, "leaped across the footlights and embraced each and every one."

Around town

St. Patrick's Episcopal Church will be having its Annual Bazaar Sept. 23 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Catholic Parish Hall.

The money from the Bazaar will go to the St. Patrick's building fund: The old church has been sold and a new church is planned to be built on land next door to the Dr. Mary Fisher Medical Center on South Pagosa Boulevard.

Featured will be the usual crafts, baked goods, frozen casseroles, a boutique and a white elephant sale, and this year there will be food: chili, nachos and drinks.

A play area will be available for kids to use while mothers shop, and there will be someone there to watch over them.

Fun on the run

A preacher was walking down the street one day when he noticed a small boy trying to press a doorbell on a house across the street. The doorbell was just out of his reach.

After watching the boy's efforts for some time, the preacher moved closer to the boy's position. Stepping smartly across the street, he walked up behind the little fellow and, placing his hand on the child's shoulder, he leaned over and gave the doorbell a ring.

Crouching down to the child's level, the preacher smiled benevolently and asked, "And now what, my little man?"

To which the boy turned and yelled, "Now we run!"

No definite opening for Durango clinic

The latest word on the proposed VA Medical Clinic in Durango is that it is still in the planning stages, and there is no positive opening date.

In talking to Thomas Johnson, member of the Colorado Board of Veterans Affairs in Durango last Friday, no definite date has been set for the opening, though the end of 2001 or first of 2002 is still a possibility. He said it was still in the planning stage of property or facility acquisition, and staffing requirements.

Late in 2000 it was anticipated to open in the summer of 2001. Obviously that hasn't happened and information since then pointed to an opening around the end of this year. That is now uncertain or at least not definite, according to Johnson.

The Albuquerque VA Hospital is in charge of setting up the clinic in Durango. I have made several attempts to contact Albuquerque VA Hospital personnel recently and have been unable to obtain any further information on the Durango clinic.

As many of our Archuleta County Veterans are aware, the nearest VA clinic is in Farmington. This facility provides outpatient medical needs such as doctor consultations and examinations, psychiatric evaluations, X-ray lab, etc. Veterans requiring higher levels of health care such as surgery, intensive testing or internal examinations must travel to the Albuquerque VA Hospital. Usually the Farmington VA Clinic makes referral appointments to Albuquerque for our Archuleta County veterans.

The Farmington VA Clinic has a fine staff of personnel dedicated to the needs of our veterans, but lately there are signs the facility and its staff are swamped with veterans seeking health care benefits. Local veterans indicate many of their appointments have been rescheduled for later dates. New applicants for Veterans Health Benefits are now being scheduled toward the end of the year. A new facility at Durango will certainly help with this situation and provide needed nearby health care for our veterans from this area.

It might be a good idea for our local veterans to apply as soon as possible for the VA Health Care Program with the current schedule delays, if they haven't already done so.

Archuleta County government has always provided very positive support of veterans programs. They provide a vehicle veterans can use for transportation to VA health care facilities, check out on a first-come, first-served basis. The county provides all care and maintenance of the vehicle; the veteran pays for the fuel costs for the trip and keeps the vehicle clean for the next veteran to use. I keep a schedule in the VSO office when veterans schedule the vehicle. Also, we are fortunate to have a number of volunteer drivers who can often help veterans drive to their medical appointments if they are unable to drive themselves. If you would like to volunteer for this service we sure could use your help. Just give me a call at the office.

For information on these and other veterans' benefits please call or stop by the Veterans Service Office located on the lower floor of the Archuleta County Courthouse. The office number is 264-2304, the FAX number is 264-5949, and e-mail is vsoarch@pagosa.net. The office is open from 8 to noon and 1 to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday, or Friday by appointment. Bring your DD Form 214 (Discharge) for registration with the county, application for VA programs, and for filing in the VSO office.

Youth soccer opens; games Tuesdays, Thursdays

Youth soccer began Tuesday with official games being played on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Players not yet registered, ages 5-10, can still do so at the $20 rate in Town Hall. Players will be put on a team immediately and will start playing at the next games. Registration for the 11-12 year olds has been closed, as teams are full.

Coaches needing practice times need to call the recreation department at 264-4151 ext. 232. Teams that didn't have their pictures taken Tuesday are scheduled for this afternoon before games. Exact times for each team's sitting is listed on the game schedule. Game schedules are available at Town Hall and are posted at the Middle School and Elementary School.

Games will be played at 4, 5, and 6 p.m. The Kickers League, ages 5-6, will play through Oct. 11 with other games lasting through Oct. 18. The season ending tournaments will take place Oct. 19 and 20.

Sponsors for this year's youth fall soccer league are: The Pagosa Veterinary Clinic, Edward Jones Investments, Century 21 - Wolf Creek, the Liberty Theatre, The Corner Store and the Source Realty.

The Town is currently looking to hire experienced personnel including officials, and field supervisors. Each position is paid according to experience, interested people need to contact Summer at Town Hall, 264-4151 ext. 232.

Adult volleyball

This fall's adult coed volleyball league started Monday with a managers' meeting. Players must submit a $10 player fee prior to playing the first game. Games will begin Sept. 17 and will continue through mid-November. The recreation department is looking to hire volleyball officials, pay is based on experience. If you have questions about the adult volleyball league, contact Summer at Town Hall.

Commission meeting

The next Park Commission meeting is scheduled for Sept. 19 at 5 p.m. Items on the agenda are the Folk West budget, a skateboard park, and the recreation report. All meetings are open to the public and take place in Town Hall at 5:30 p.m.

Pedal Fest

This year's Color Fest mountain bike race will be held Sept. 23. The mountain bike race will be held in the Turkey Springs area and will include the Chris Mountain ride for sport and expert riders. This year's course will start at the cattle guard on Piedra Road, just before the Turkey Springs turn, cross Newt Jack on the newly formed ATV trail and continue to Brockover Road. From Brockover Road expert and sport riders will ride Chris Mountain, go down Brockover Road and return back to Newt Jack. The courses for beginner, sport and expert riders have been marked; distance for beginners is 10 miles, 27 miles for sport riders and 32 miles for expert and pro riders. A novice/kids race will also be held and will consist of three miles, with all participants awarded medals. People wishing to help with the race can do so on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Contact Doug Call at 264-4151 ext. 231 for more information. All volunteers will receive race socks and a free lunch.

Wood cutting

Wood cutting on Reservoir Hill has been completed and all wood on the hill has been removed. The wood was gone by 5 p.m. Monday. Please return all gate keys for deposits left.

Let your taste buds savor game flavor

Sept. 17 - Livestock Committee Meeting, Extension Office, 6 p.m.

Sept. 18 - 4-H Council Meeting, Extension Office, 6 p.m.

Sept. 21 - Colorado Kids Meeting, Extension Office, 5 p.m.

Cooking game

Game meats for many of us are a mystery because most of us have never tried them. Or some of us tried game once and discovered it "tasted wild."

This fall, allow your culinary skills and taste buds to experience game cooking. If meat is properly prepared, you will eliminate the unpleasant gamey taste you might remember from your past.

Succulent and tasteful wild meat depends on three critical control steps for which the hunter must take responsibility: initial field dressing, moving game from field to vehicle, and transporting game from field to home/processor.

Animal, bird or fish should be skinned and cleaned within an hour of harvest, and the meat refrigerated within a few hours. For field dressing information, contact your county office of Colorado State University Cooperative Extension or the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Be informed and prepared before the hunting or fishing trip.

The wild flavor in game meat is the result of the animal's diet and activity levels. Factors that determine the meat's quality include the age of the animal (younger animals are more tender), the animal's diet (Wyoming has more wild sage than Colorado or Kansas), and the time of year the animal was harvested, (early fall is best because of a diet of summer grass.)

Commercial suppliers provide an alternate means of acquiring game meats. The price per pound is higher than domesticated meats, but remember the advantages of fewer calories, less fat and rich protein.

Wild game entrees appear frequently on fine restaurant menus, often as combination plates so you can discover several new meat flavors.

In general, wild game meat is less tender than domestic animals because wild animals get more exercise and produce less body fat. Game fat may contain "off" flavors and should be removed. For flavor and moisture, you can use bacon, butter, sweet or sour cream, beef suet or pork fat in game dish preparation.

For maximum tenderness, most game meat should be cooked slowly and not overdone. It can be cooked with moist heat by braising or with dry heat by roasting. Use of marinades, commercial tenderizers or acid brine sauces can further tenderize and moisten the lean muscle tissues of game meat. Pounding steaks or chops will tenderize the meat tissue. Pressure saucepan, over cooking bag or crock-pot cooking are other moist-heat methods.

The acid base of a marinade breaks up the connective tissue and also complements flavor. When preparing marinades, select a non-metal container and pickling or kosher marinades. Marinate only in the refrigerator and discard leftover marinade, as it will contain blood from the raw meat.

Marinade acid ingredients may include Italian dressing, lemon or lime juice, vinegar, tomato juice, beer, red wine or soured milk products each mixed with water. Add to this mix seasonings, such as thyme, bay leaves, basil, sage leaves, rosemary, lavender, dried fruits, nuts, liquid smoke, red chili paste, honey ginger, black pepper, coriander, celery seed, allspice, garlic, cloves or chives.

Using a meat thermometer is the only reliable method of ensuring that game meats, birds or fish have reached a proper internal temperature during cooking. For these foods to be safe, internal temperatures must be high enough to kill any harmful microorganism, parasite or bacteria. Cook ground meats, chops, steaks and roasts to 160 degrees F. (170 degrees F. for well done); cook game birds to 180 degrees F. Cook fish until it's opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Stuffing and leftovers should be cooked to 165 degrees F. Color change in a meat is not always indicative of a proper internal temperature. In some instances, meat changes color before a temperature is reached or pathogens are destroyed. Even if the meat is pink because of marinades, smoking or other ingredients or processes, it should be safe to eat if cooked to the proper final temperature. Use updated jerky preparations that direct you to first heat meat to 160 degrees F. by baking or simmering before being placed in the dehydrator. The 130 to 140 degrees F. drying temperature will not destroy the E. coli 0157:H7.

After dressing game birds, soak them in water for one to two hours in the refrigerator to remove excess blood. Freeze or cook within three days. Fish-eating ducks (pointed or serrated bills) may need soaking or marinating. You can soak older birds in a solution of one-half teaspoon salt and one tablespoon vinegar per quart of cold water for four to 12 hours in a refrigerator. Wild duck is dryer and the meat is darker than domestic duck. Young birds have flexible beaks, soft breastbones and lighter legs. If it is a young bird you have the option of dry-heat cooking methods.

What to serve with wild game? Side dishes - wild rice with nuts (pinon or pecan), pasta, rosemary potatoes, apples, sauerkraut and fall vegetables, such as mushrooms, cauliflower, turnips, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, butternut squash. Try the extras of seasoned lemon butters, salsa relish or mint sauce. Try our recipes on zucchini that can be found in this week's recipe column.

Recipes

Create baked stuffed trout by using 2 1/2 pounds of fish; four cups of bread cubes, two tablespoons chopped onions, and one-half cup chopped celery, one teaspoon salt, and one-quarter cup of fat. Mix and toss gently. Stuff the fish, insert toothpicks and lace with string. Wrap fins and tail in brown wrapping paper. Brush with fat or cover with bacon strips. Bake in a shallow pan 35 to 40 minutes at 400 degrees F.

Poached Fish: bring to a boil enough water to cover the piece of fish. Add one tablespoon salt per quart of water, a few cloves, bay leaves and a sliced onion. Simmer the fish gently 20 to 30 minutes for large pieces and 12 minutes for small pieces. Remove the platter, lift off skins, garnish with lemon wedges and boiled potatoes. Pour a thin white sauce over the platter and top with chopped chives or green onions.

The common cooking method for fish is to pan-fry, but - for fast and easy meals - consider baking, broiling, boiling or poaching fish in combination casseroles or skillets. If size and density is consistent, you can use a microwave.

In place of a gravy, try this sauce for game: Combine 4 tablespoons orange juice concentrate with one-half cup of ketchup, sherry (or port wine), one half cup of currant jelly, 2 tablespoons butter and one-half teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce. Beat, then let stand in refrigerator one day before serving warm or cold with game birds or game meats.

Substitution of one meat for another can be done in most recipes, or you can adapt your domestic meat recipes for wild game preparation. Use venison or beef for antelope, buffalo or elk; elk, beef, or moose for bear; venison or lamb for big horn sheep; pigeon, quail or grouse for doves, goose or duck and vice versa; goose or domestic turkey for wild turkey.

Scary Story Contest entrants sought

Budding writers from third grade to adult are invited to enter our scary Story Contest.

Write a mystery, a suspenseful thriller, or a humorous scary tale of a non-violent nature. Winners will be chosen from various age groups, so please include your name, age, and phone number with your story.

Contest rules: Stories should be less than 600 words. One entry per person. Entries will not be returned; be sure to make a copy for yourself. Participants must be residents of Archuleta County.

Deadline for entries is Monday, Oct. 15. Turn in entries to the Sisson Library.

New display

Barbara Draper has lent us her excellent collection of Kachina dolls to share with our patrons. These have been collected over many years by members of her family. Others are from Barbara's private collection.

They are Navajo and depict many of the tribe's cultural beliefs.

The removable masks are indicative of more recent crafts. These are most interesting so please come in and see them.

Feazel memorial

We were honored to be included in the gathering at Betty Feazel's Picnic Grounds to pay final respects to her.

Dave Rosgen read a tribute to Betty taken from the "Sand County Almanac" by Aldo Leopold.

"We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us ... When we see land because we regard it as a commodity to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect." Betty helped us understand that.

We are accepting donations to the book endowment fund established by Betty to honor her mother, Lucy Turner. Gifts have been received from Bank of the San Juans, Adrienne Barnett, Gil and Lenore Bright, Ruth Engwall, Billie and Sidney Evans, Sally Frantsen and Friends, Friends of the Library, Sue Gast, Terese (Terry) Hershey, Her Friends at Bruce Spruce Ranch, the Hingers, Eve Kirton, Ray and Genelle Macht, George Reeves, Millie Rudd, Joann Sager, Ruth Schutz, Mr. and Mrs. William Seielstad, Virginia Sheets, Martha Smith, Martha Thomas, Jim and Margaret Wilson, and the Wednesday Bridge Club.

Donations

Thank you for materials from Juanita Bilberry, Therese Emmerich, Mark Thompson, Emily Stolz, Dave Pearson and Barbara Carlos.

Firewood project aided 40 families

As summer comes to an end, the need for families to fire up their furnaces becomes a necessity in the Archuleta County area.

Last year, over 300 families in Archuleta County received LEAP funds - assistance from the Low-income Energy Assistance Program - which assisted them with the high and rising heating costs. Unfortunately, there were many people and families who, for one reason or another, were not eligible for this assistance.

In mid-April of this year, Archuleta County Department of Social Services received a call from Mary Ossian of Southwest Community Resources in La Plata County. She had been contacted by one of our local land developers regarding a firewood project. Mary felt that since the project was in Archuleta County, Department of Social Services would be a good resource to assist with the project.

Donna Pina, Adult Protection Case Manager and LEAP Coordinator for Archuleta County Department of Social Services spoke with Guiseppe Margiotta, development manager of Land Properties regarding the wood project. Guiseppe has been managing the development of the Pagosa Springs Elk Park Subdivision, west of Pagosa Springs.

During development at the site there was a lot of timber cut, and Guiseppe thought it would be nice to give back to the community. Guiseppe said he wanted people in the community who can't afford firewood to receive this wood free. He said he would be willing to donate approximately 100 cords of firewood, but Social Services would have to make the arrangements to have the wood cut into rounds, split and delivered.

After speaking with Social Service Director Erlinda Gonzales and co-workers, Kathy Kulyk and Isabel Willis, Pina jumped at the opportunity and began to put together a volunteer project.

Over the next couple of months, Donna organized the project. Through resources and advertising she was able to locate households which were in need or that had fallen through the cracks. Donna and her co-workers started contacting several agencies requesting everything from food to chainsaws, splitters trucks and to volunteer time.

DSS administrators knew that in order to make the project successful and safe, it was necessary to divide the project into phases. The first phase was cutting the timbered decks of wood into 18-inch long rounds. On July 11-12, on two very warm summer days, over 30 volunteers showed up with their own chainsaws to help out. Gas and chain lube was donated along with lunch from various local restaurants.

On July 30-31 another 30 volunteers, mostly seniors, showed up to volunteer their services. The splitters and fuel were donated and again local restaurants provided lunch.

Finally the third phase was scheduled for the pick-up and delivery of firewood. This was done every Tuesday in August and ended Tuesday, Sept. 4.

Throughout the course of this project, 40 households were supplied with over 64 cords of firewood. Out of the 40 households, Social Services arranged delivery of firewood to 16. The dollar amount of this wood is more than $8,000.

On behalf of the firewood recipients and Archuleta County Department of Social Services, we would like to thank Guiseppe Margiotta and Elk Park homeowners for their donation, kindness and use of their facilities. In addition we would like to thank Southwest Community Resources, Timber Tech West, Southwest Ag, Pine Valley Rentals, Pagosa Do-It Best, Knights of Columbus, Our Savior Lutheran Church, Pagosa Springs Seventh-Day Adventist Church, McDonalds, KFC/Taco Bell, Subway, Pizza Hut, Domino's Pizza, Daylight Donuts, the Fruit Stand, City Market and all the volunteers throughout our community who worked hard and made donations to help this all come together. We couldn't have done this without you.

Hunters are careless; we have the proof

Hotshot and I went backpacking for the opening of bow hunting season. We hiked up the Four Mile Trail. Past the waterfall the trail gets really interesting. Interesting. As in challenging. As in steep, rocky, hard, exhausting. Coming down you might throw in dangerous, as your boots slip and slide on the rocks.

We were rewarded with a babbling brook and a private meadow to camp beside. That's a lie. There are really no private campsites in the Weminuche Wilderness. The best you can hope for is that no one else is there when you are. Someone had built a fire against a boulder in the idyllic spot we found.

Probably the person was a single backpacker, who sat close to keep warm. Otherwise there would have been a bigger fire ring, and the people would have kept warm fetching wood.

If they were outfitters or hunters they probably would have sawed up a log to make seats. They would have burned whole trees. And I'm sorry to say, they wouldn't have burned them completely. We've found plenty of established sites with enormous fire rings and equally enormous half-burned logs.

When Congress passed the Wilderness Act, back in the '60s, the intent was to preserve some of these wild and untrammeled places.

Here's your vocabulary lesson for the week. Trammeled comes from an old English, and before that an old Anglo-Saxon word, that means fenced, chained, bound in. It doesn't mean trampled, as I first thought. Heaven knows the Weminuche Wilderness is definitely trampled.

Prowling around the area next morning, near a lake close to timberline, we came upon a couple of bow hunters. Their horses and pack mule grazed in the meadow. Friendly guys, they invited us over to their campsite for a visit.

When you have a big animal carrying your stuff, you can really take a lot.

It was spread out all over the campsite. Of course, most of it was connected with the animals. Saddle blankets and pack saddle and riding saddles. Two huge canvas pack bags. One hundred pounds of feed.

"Look at all this stuff," one of the men said. "And would you believe it, we forget our kitchen."

"Oh dear," we said.

"Yeah," said the other hunter. "We left our pots, our dishes and cups, our eating utensils."

In front of him was a propane bottle with a burner attached. Perched on a grate above the burner water heated in two of those metal containers that flavored instant coffee comes in.

"That's it," he said. "That's all we've got to heat water in."

Hotshot said, "We'd give you a pot, except we only have the one."

"Oh, we're doing okay," said the first hunter. "We've got a lot of food that we don't have to cook." Clearly, not everything they needed was in the forgotten kitchen. The MRE's, for instance.

And the grate.

What is it with some of these hunters? They are so careless. If they don't forget to take it in, then they forget to take it back home again. Hotshot and I have found enough rusting grates in the Weminuche to cook up burgers for everyone in town. All at once.

We find them tucked behind rocks, under trees, and right out in the open. I don't know if the owners plan to come back next year and use them again, but somehow I doubt it. Just like I bet they don't plan to return for the cans that get crushed and burned and left in the ashes of their enormous fires. Or those pesky bits of foil that didn't burn up.

Being traditional backpackers, we cook one-pot meals, usually. Stuff you can eat with a spoon. Chili. Mac and cheese. Soup and stew. We carry a small stove. No grates needed.

Also, being backpackers, we don't take in what we don't expect to use. When every ounce is on your back, you pay attention to these things. But we carry out stuff. Oh boy, do we!

On the last trip Hotshot picked up an ancient plastic wading pool, dirty and stiff. I'd love to know what it was doing in that meadow 12,000 feet up. This trip we poked around the hunters' campsite at the head of "our" meadow and found five grates stashed in various places. Five! Plus a huge stainless steel bowl.

At another campsite we picked up a coffee cup hanging from a metal spike that had been hammered into a tree. Somewhere in between we also found an empty Coleman fuel bottle and a new roll of toilet paper, somewhat the worse for having been rained on.

We tied up the grates and put the smaller stuff in a plastic garbage bag, and hauled them down the mountain. So let me apologize to their owners right now. If you really did plan to use those grates this season, you're out of luck. You should have carried them home with you last year, when you had the chance.

I know we're not perfect. We've forgotten stuff, left it behind. The first time I came here to hike with the Scouts, I forgot a lot of the food. Just left it sitting in the freezer. (Even dried food lasts longer in the freezer during south Texas summer heat.)

One of our Explorers dropped a wrist watch at some campsite many years ago. We looked for it the next time we camped there, but couldn't find it.

Hotshot left behind a pair of wool gloves at Archuleta Lake. The kind with no fingertips, so that your hands can function even as the feeling gradually leaves the ends of your fingers. We never found those either.

As for the forgetful bow hunters we met that morning, they said that they hadn't seen any sign of elk. They were "bugging out" and moving to a different section of the Wilderness.

I hope they remembered to take their grate.

PLPOA Rules Committee town meeting Monday

Rotary Club of Pagosa Springs is accepting applications from local sophomores and juniors to participate in the Rotary International Youth Exchange. Please contact Maggi Dix Caruso at 731-3394 for application paperwork and additional information. General information of the exchange program was written up in this column last Thursday.

The rules committee of Pagosa Lakes Property Owners Association will hold a town meeting at 7 p.m. Sept. 17 in the clubhouse at 230 Port Avenue.

Purpose of the meeting is to hear views of association members regarding two issues: enforcement and regulations regarding exterior maintenance of property, and commercial use of residential property. All interested members have been urged to attend the meeting. The meeting will begin with a social and refreshments at 6:30 p.m. Since the issues are two key problems which have confronted the PLPOA board, the committee has been asked to prepare recommendations for board action, hopefully within a year. An earlier session was unproductive because severe weather conditions limited attendance.

PLPOA directors will hold their monthly meeting at 7 p.m. tonight in the Pagosa Lakes Clubhouse, 230 Port Avenue. Members and observers are encouraged to attend. Public comments will be heard at the beginning of the meeting. The following agenda will be heard at the beginning of the meeting:

€ Call to order

€ Approval of Agenda

€ Approval of minutes of Aug. 9, 2001 board meeting

€ Presentation to the board of expression of appreciation by the Pagosa Lakes Porpoises (local youth swim team)

€ General manager's report

€ Public comments (30-minute time limit)

€ Treasurer's report -Director Bohl

€ Committee reports (no new reports expected)

€ Old business: Adoption of revised Resolution 2001-07. Paragraphs 2d and 3 modified since last presentation.

€ New business: Reconsideration of Resolution 2001-03 as requested by property owner Mojie Adler at their annual meeting; adoption of updated Environmental Control Committee Building Package dated July 2001, inclusive of all data exchanged at the Board/ECC workshop and an additional section on tree care from DPE. Resolution of acceptance has been prepared; the other principal parties have agreed to the settlement agreement with the Ranch. The agreement has been discussed in executive session. Agreement of the Board of Directors of the Association is requested; There remains one unfilled position on the Board of Directors. One application for appointment has been received. What does the board wish to do at this time regarding the position; Revision of Code of Enforcement Hearing Panel Makeup - President Manley; and (provisional item) Several months ago Davis Engineering presented a request for an easement for PAWS which would run between Port Avenue and Vista Lake, then to the south of the association office. The firm has been asked to move the easement to the rear of the lot lines for those properties that run on the south side of Port Avenue. They have moved a majority of the easement but one portion near the office building has been questioned. This is strictly a request for an easement across association-owned property for sewer lines and would not involve rights of way or condemnation proceedings.

Autumn means shorter gallery hours

Autumn weather has arrived and so have new shorter hours at the Gallery and Gift Shop in Town Park.

The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each Tuesday through Saturday until Spring 2002.

Watercolor exhibit

A new exhibit of landscapes and wildlife paintings opened September 6 in the gallery in Town Park. Greg Coffey's "Photo Real Watercolor" will grace the log cabin gallery until Oct. 3.

Coffey has been called "The Painter of Nostalgia" and has been awarded two Blue Ribbons in the Professional Watercolor Class in the Archuleta and La Plata County fairs. "Pargin Mountain Homestead" and "Frosty Communications" are the first-place award-winning watercolors and both hang in the exhibit.

Coffey, a resident of Ignacio, is self-taught with no formal training in art. He has experimented over his 35-year career with different media including scratchboard, acrylics, and pen and ink, but watercolor is his favorite means of expression.

Newly finished paintings will be added to the exhibit each week that Coffey's "Photo Real Watercolor" collection is in Pagosa Springs. Be sure not to miss it.

"Fiddler on the Roof"

Music Boosters are performing "Fiddler on the Roof" for three more evenings this weekend, Sept. 13, 14 and 15, at Pagosa Springs High School Auditorium. Audiences are raving about the ambitious production, saying that this is the best play Music Boosters has ever done. Congratulations to all performers and crew.

Over 60 Pagosans are on the stage or behind the scenes to make this production a huge success. Tickets for reserved seats for this weekend's shows are available at Moonlight Books only. Tickets are also for sale at the door.

At intermission, visit the fabulous snack booth provided by Pagosa Springs Arts Council volunteers. The arts council thanks all the volunteers who have worked to make the snack booth fund-raiser happen.

Local music

A CD release party to unveil Volume Two of the Pagosa Springs CD Sampler, "A Local Gathering," is Sept. 29. The fun begins at 7 p.m. at the Timbers of Pagosa. Local musicians on the CD Sampler will be providing the evening's entertainment and the recording will be available for purchase. There is no cover charge for the evening's party and performances. All music lovers are welcome.

Whistle Pig

Pagosa favorite Bruce Hayes comes to town Sept. 30 for a Whistle Pig House Concert. Hayes is a mandolin virtuoso, songwriter, guitarist and vocalist. Your $7 donation at the door includes homemade desserts, coffee or tea.

Call Bill or Clarissa Hudson at 264-2491 for reservations and more information about Whistle Pig Music Nights. Visit the Whistle Pig website anytime at http://hudson hudson.com/whistlepig.

Buddy Tabor, Alaskan songwriter and recording artist, will perform his easy-going country blues music at a Whistle Pig House Concert Oct.13. Again, call the Hudsons for details. Remember, your $7 donation buys you great live music in an intimate setting, delicious desserts, and it keeps these musical events happening in Pagosa Springs.

Donation program

Pagosa Springs Arts Council now receives donations from City Market Stores whenever you shop. Drop by the gallery in Town Park between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and sign up for your purchases to be counted toward quarterly contributions to PSAC. That's all you have to do, just sign up and then use your City Market Value Card to support the arts.

Lost sneakers

A patron of the recent PSAC Home and Garden Tour lost a pair of Reebok shoes when she accidentally put on a pair of E-Z Spirits at the Hatcher Circle house. Do you have any clues to help solve this mystery? If so, call Joanne at the gallery, 264-5020.

PSAC volunteers

The Arts Council organizes and promotes an outstanding array of arts events in Pagosa Springs, and it does so through the efforts of volunteer art lovers.

Right now, the search is on for a layout person to put together "Petroglyph," the quarterly newsletter. PSAC is also in need of a business to sponsor the newsletter. In return, a flyer advertising the sponsoring business would be inserted in each Petroglyph and mailed to all PSAC members. Petroglyph can be picked up while supplies last at the gallery in Town Park, the Sisson Library and other locations around town.

Do you restore oil paintings or know anyone who does? Do you make macramé or other types of plant hangers? Do you have some time to spend helping out at the gallery, or with other PSAC projects? If so, please call Joanne at 264-5020.

Dual-credit prep classes become more meaningful

"You can earn $15,000 while attending high school!"

Does this sound like a typical scam enticement? It is actually very real and being done by thousands of students across the United States every year. It is all related to enrolling in dual-credit classes. Parents, if your son or daughter hopes to go on to college, this is something you should sit up and pay attention to. Nearly 70 percent of American high school graduates now enroll in college or trade school the next fall, compared to 60 percent in 1990.

A year of college - particularly if it includes going away, paying for a dorm or an apartment, food, tuition, fees, books, etc. - can easily cost $15,000 for a year. A lot of Pagosa parents would say you're getting off easy if that's all it costs. Dual-credit classes (post-secondary enrollment options) allow Colorado secondary school students to earn college credit and high school credit simultaneously. With a little advanced planning your son or daughter can graduate from Pagosa Springs High School with one or more semesters of college credit already under his or her belt. Ergo, they have saved not only that money, but the time it would have taken to complete those classes.

Dual-credit classes offered this fall semester at Pagosa Springs High School include Fundamentals of Accounting I, Drawing I, Human Anatomy & Physiology I, Records Management, Touch Keyboarding, Introduction to Business, English Composition I, Mechanical Drawing, World Regional Geography, Ethnic Literature (Hispanics), College Trigonometry, and Principles of Speech Communication. If space is available, other community members may also register for these classes.

These dual-credit classes are provided through Pueblo Community College (PCC) Southwest Center. The Pueblo Community College Southwest Center is a fully accredited two-year college.

Dual-credit classes have recently become even more meaningful because of an alliance between PCC and Franklin University. This education alliance can help you earn a bachelor's degree online. First you take many of a degree program's required courses through PCC, then you will plug into the Internet to complete your degree from Franklin University by taking completion courses online. Current degrees available through this alliance include: Business Administration, Technical Management, Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Health Care Management, and Public Safety Management.

For additional information on dual-credit courses you can contact Livia Lynch at The Education Center (264-0445) or contact Pagosa Springs High School.

For additional information on the Bachelor's Degree program offered through Franklin University, you can contact Pueblo Community College (main campus) at (719) 549-3200 or write them at 900 West Orman Avenue, Pueblo, CO 81004. Student Services at Franklin University is (888) 341-6237, ext. 6256 (e-mail: alliance@franklin.edu).

Good information is also available on Franklin University's WEB site: http://www.alliance.franklin.edu <http://www.alliance.franklin.edu/> .

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Features

Rocker washer: 1898 laundry marvel

The year is 1898. Folks have struggled to settle frontier Pagosa Country for almost 25 years. As across the rest of the nation, change is in the wind. The frontier has disappeared.

Machines replace hand labor at an alarming pace. Household appliances powered by electricity invade the kingdoms of housewives. Automobiles, if not readily available everywhere, are already adding to the mechanical revolution. Telephone communications shrink the globe.

Pagosa Country during 1898 is not on the cutting edge of modernization. Pagosa Springs has no community water, sewage collection or treatment, or electricity. Reservoir Hill is not named Reservoir Hill because there is no reservoir yet. The first reservoir awaited construction of the first town water system some time after 1900.

Pagosa does boast of a two-wire telephone connection with the outside world in 1898. Pioneer Welch Nossaman installed that first line between Pagosa Springs and Edith. From Edith, messages danced along New Mexico Lumber Co. wires to Lumberton, N.M., where they connected with lines reaching the outside world and following Denver & Rio Grande railroad right of ways.

We learn much about 1897-1898, day-to-day living in Pagosa Country by looking at advertisements in The Pagosa Springs News, D.L. Egger, editor.

Newspaper item, Aug. 13, 1897: R.H. Sloan and C.C. Campbell rode over from Durango on their wheels Sunday.

Motter's comment. In 1898, a wheel was a bicycle. I don't think spandex was invented yet. Bicycles had been around since about 1790. The bicycle of 1897-1898 existed pretty much in the form we know it today and was called the safety bicycle. Millions of Americans rode bicycles. The bicycle riding fad diminished when car ownership spread across the country shortly after the turn of the century.

Riding a wheel between Durango and Pagosa Springs is an extraordinary feat if one considers that the road between Pagosa Springs and Durango at that time was not paved or graveled, was probably no more than one lane, and probably did not feature bridges on other than the largest streams. Nevertheless, wheels probably made the trip faster than horses or wagons.

Newspaper item, Aug. 13, 1895: Hatcher Bros purchased 2,000 lambs from Louis Montoya of Del Norte whose name is still fresh in the memories of many Pagosans.

Motter's comment: As we've noted before, sheep raising was big business in early Pagosa. By 1898, the Hatcher Bros. were pretty big also. Many sheep were owned by merchants such as Hatcher who paid herders to take the flocks to mountain pastures. Typically, the herder was grubstaked at Hatcher's store, took Hatcher's sheep to the mountains, was sustained by Hatcher during the grazing season, then watched Hatcher sell the sheep during the fall. As payment, a herder could collect wages, a number of sheep with which to start his own herd, or some combination of wages and sheep. The practice was common at the time throughout sheep country. Hatcher's successors, the Hersches followed the same practice, as did other major herd owners.

Newspaper item, Jan. 21, 1898: The New Mexico Lumber company has moved its logging camp to the end of the railroad track on the Big Navajo, which is four miles above Chromo.

Motter's comment: This is the first railroad with Archuleta County as a destination, not just crossing the county. At the time, this railroad ran from Lumberton to Edith where there was a big lumber mill, then up the Navajo past Chromo to a point in the vicinity of Price Bridge. The newspaper does not say if a mill has been built near Chromo, or if the logs are hauled to the Edith mill. In the absence of information to the contrary, we assume the logs are freighted to Edith.

Newspaper item, Feb. 18, 1898: Plans are now being proposed for a large two-story business house, which will be erected by Miss Alice Phillips on Pagosa Street.

Motter's comment: The business house mentioned is still with us. Today it is known as the Hersch Building. The Phillips family was prominent in the Anglo settlement of Del Norte, beginning circa 1874. Pagosa pioneer Welch Nossaman's wife was a Phillips.

Newspaper item, March 4, 1898: The Archuletas are now laying the foundation for a grist mill on their ranch at Edith. This mill will be of the latest approved process and will have a capacity of seventy five barrels a day. Water and steam power will be used. The mill will be completed by August next. This county is very much in need of a grist mill and we hope the one being built will be a success. While we would rather see a mill go up at the county seat, yet if we cannot get it here we will be glad to have it somewhere in the county.

Motter's comment: Flour from grain was the product of a grist mill. Before Archuleta's mill at Edith, locals hauled their grain to Pine River (Bayfield) for grinding, if they had it ground. The Archuleta family was responsible for many firsts in Archuleta County. In 1898, Edith was at the forefront of Archuleta activity. The family also operated stores in Lumberton and Pagosa Springs. The lumber mill in Edith already used electricity.

The following local businesses advertised in the March, 1898, Pagosa Springs News.

€ J.V. Blake, general merchandise, a full line of staple and fancy groceries, and hardware. We have re-stocked our gents' furnishing goods department. Have a full line of boots, shoes, hats, clothing, etc., and at the very lowest prices. We quote salt No. 1 fine per 1,000 pounds, $1.60 per hundred; rock salt per 1,000 pounds, $1.70 per hundred.

Motter's comment: Blake built his store building in 1895. It housed the business advertised above until circa 1900 when the county rented the building from Blake for use as a courthouse. The building today is the first building listed on the town's historic register. It is located on the lot just north of the Pagosa Hotel and houses the Taminah Gallery. Shortly after 1900, we read no more about the Blakes. Where did they go?

€Largest stock, best goods, lowest prices, at Hatcher Bros. (Archuleta Building). Our stock comprises groceries, dry goods, boots and shoes, hats, clothing, gents' furnishings, etc.

Motter's comment: I believe the Archuleta Building stood on the lot now occupied by the Pagosa Hotel. Buildings on that site have burned several times. Sullenberger rebuilt on that site circa 1907-1908 and again circa 1920 following yet another fire. Hatcher Bros. were just rising to prominence locally in 1898. Many of their business interests were later assumed by the Hersch family.

€ W.H. Harpst, blacksmith, horseshoeing a specialty, all work guaranteed. New building near post office.

Motter's comment: I don't know where the post office or Harpst's building was located in 1898. Had the post office crossed the river or did it remain on the east side? The Harpst's were a many-talented clan. One was a Methodist preacher instrumental in getting the pioneer M.E. church here off of the ground. Harpsts also ran lumber mills, livery stables, and operated a jewelry shop. Where have all of the Harpst's gone?

€ Pagosa Meat Market. Fresh meat always on hand.

Motter's comment: The owner and location of this meat market are not identified. P.A Deller ran a meat market about this time. Fresh meat meant a local slaughterhouse, since refrigerated shipping was not possible at the time and meat could not be shipped in from the outside. McCabe Creek in town was called Slaughterhouse Creek once upon a time. The practice of using local slaughterhouses survived well into my lifetime (1934-?).

€ Pagosa Springs Barber Shop. A.J. Lewis, prop., satisfaction guaranteed.

Motter's comment: Ab Lewis was a genuine Pagosa Country pioneer. Some time after Pagosa Springs incorporated in 1891, Lewis served as mayor. His early barbershop was near the Pagosa Hot Spring. When Wm. "Bill" Mullins came to town circa 1900-1901, he entered some kind of business arrangement with Ab, both men being barbers. William Mullins' son, Earl, is well remembered. His barbershop remains on Pagosa Street.

€ Frank Spickard, lawyer, Pagosa Springs, Colo.

Motter's comment: Spickard served Pagosa Country as a lawyer for many years. He was a passenger on the stage during the last stage holdup we know about in Pagosa Country. It took place during 1891 about where Light Plant Road and U.S. 84 intersect today. During 1898, Spickard was listed as judge for the judicial district..

€ V.C. McGirr, attorney at law. Pagosa Springs, Colo.

Motter's comment: McGirr was another early Pagosa Country lawyer. During 1898 he was town clerk and recorder. At other times, he taught in several communities in the Colorado southwest. McGirr left behind a reputation as a girl chaser and at one time was shot by his father in law, Eudolphus M. Taylor, because Taylor thought McGirr was not doing right by his daughter.

€ The Pagosa Springs mail, express, and stage line. W.G. Sanderson, propr., runs a daily stage each way between Pagosa Springs and Lumberton making close connection with eastern and western trains at Lumberton. Comfortable coaches and fast teams. Prompt attention given to all express matters.

Motter's comment: A stage or stages have served Pagosa Springs from the south since 1880. The train reached Pagosa Springs during 1900, thereby ending the need for stagecoaches.

€ D.L. Egger, clerk of courts. Fees - making homestead filing $1.00, Taking testimony in final proof (of homestead) $4.00.

Motter's comment: Egger arrived in Pagosa Country during 1890 with a trunk full of type and founded a successful newspaper. He became very influential and at one time served as county judge and judicial district clerk. His public offices placed him in a good position to profit from homestead filing applications.

€ R.A. Howe, surveyor, offices in courthouse.

Motter's comment: Guess what? Here's another public servant with a private business address in the courthouse.

€ Patrick Hotel and Bath House. Hotel one block from bath houses. Rates from $1 to $2. Strictly first class. M.A. Patrick, Prop. Pagosa Springs, Col.

Motter's comment: Marion Patrick managed the Great Pagosa Hot Springs for the Pagosa Company, a Leavenworth, Kansas, firm which controlled the big spring from the beginning. The Pagosa Company declared bankruptcy during the early 1900s. The Patrick Hotel was probably located near the southeast corner of today's Hot Springs Blvd. and San Juan Street where the Spa Motel is located. The bathhouse was located on the bank of the San Juan River.

€ John Deere plows and harrows, barb wire and fence staples. Washing machines, round and square. Tar paper and building paper. Wagons and buggies built to order. Tents and wagon covers. We will guarantee our prices and will name you delivered prices at your nearest railroad station for cash. Kindly send us your inquiries. Jackson Hardware Co., Durango, Colo.

Motter's comment: Jackson was a San Juan Basin pioneer. It's interesting to note that one could have a wagon made to order. A lot of the old farm equipment is still around.

€ Do you ever smile? If you do go to W.L. Bostwick's place. Pure whiskeys, wines and beer always on hand. Fine cigars (Archuleta's old stand)

Motter's comment: Bostwick had just moved to Pagosa Springs after abandoning the lumber mill at Edith. I don't know where his saloon was located. Bostwicks were well-known around Pagosa Springs for several years, then apparently moved to the Mancos area.

€ New hardware. Prices on hardware such as nails, butts, locks, bolts, files and rasps, horseshoes and nails, saws, planes, squares, hammers, tacks, stove pipes and trimmings, and in fact a general stock of shelf goods. Doors, windows, paints, oils, putty, glass, mouldings, etc. Call and see what we can do for you; no trouble to show goods, and will sell them as cheap as the cheapest. Terms cash. Groceries. P. M. Cockrell.

Motter's comment: I don't know where Cockrell's store was located or much about Cockrell. He advertised his business for a short time in the local newspaper, then disappeared. Where have the Cockrells gone?

€ I have just received an invoice of millinery goods, having had several years experience in this line. H. Gross

Motter's comment: Hannah and Gene Gross were merchants in Pagosa Springs for many years. Gross Hall was located on the north side of San Juan Street between its intersection with Lewis Street and McCabe Creek. The Grosses testified in the trial of Juan de dios Montoya resulting from Montoya's shooting of William Howe during the Montoya-Howe Sheepmen's-Cattlemen's War. The Grosses also donated land for the town cemetery.

€ F.H. Patton, rough and dressed lumber. Shingles $2.25 at mill. Common rough lumber $7.50. Mill two mile north of Pagosa Springs, and one two miles southeast. We can satisfy you in our line.

Motter's comment: I don't know if Patton's Mill was located north on Four Mile or Snow Ball roads. It's a good bet the cleared fields north of town we take for granted today were first cleared by these early mills.

€ Advertisement: Nothing succeeds like merit. The rocker washer has proved the most satisfactory of any washer ever placed upon the market. It is guaranteed to wash any ordinary family washing of 100 pieces in one hour, as clean as can be washed on the washboard. Write for prices and a complete description. Rocker Washer Co., Ft. Wayne, Ind., Liberal inducements to live agents.

Motter's comment: By golly, if it beats a washboard, I'm in favor of the rocker washer. If they offer liberal inducements to live agents, what do they offer non-living agents?

Pagosa's community community

The annual passing of Labor Day seems to bring a sense of finality in other locales but only to signal the ongoing variety of life in Pagosa Country.

Of course we have some of the same endings: Summer has nearly spent its course. Major League baseball has only 20 or so regular season games remaining. Water in the rivers is at a seasonal low. Daylight Saving Time has less than three weeks to make our days longer.

On the bright side, Labor Day's passing means an end to the weeklong, seemingly endless, roar of motorcycles passing through en route to the Iron Horse Rally. It brings the return to school of our youngsters and therefore the resurgence of Pirate Pride as prep athletes give their best on various fields of athletic endeavor.

In other communities it might mean an end to the fun of summer, a time of leaning back and watching endless football games on television.

In Pagosa Country it means going to football, soccer and volleyball games.

It means getting out in the wild to watch the brilliance of mountain color as it signals the end of one season and beginning of another.

It means traffic flow will begin to drop off - until the next hunting season - and there'll be less congestion on our highways.

It means it won't be long until the skiers converge on our slopes to savor "the most snow in Colorado."

It means the Four Corners Folk Fest has come and gone for another year but other musical outlets will keep springing up.

It means high school band concerts, chorus performances and drama presentations are just around the corner with budding young thespians ready to beguile you with their talents.

It means snow is just down the seasonal lane, waiting with a mantle of white to disguise the dusts of summer and to prepare us for a new Spring.

It means opportunities to enjoy a seemingly unending list of opportunities for community service, neighborhood celebration, off-the-record assistance to the needy and less fortunate, and simply making you feel good about yourself and your home town.

Some say Pagosa Springs was once one of your "dime a dozen" rural towns but it no longer fits that mould.

It has become a destination. It has become a place to be - any time of the year; a place where you can find - if you want to - something to do to raise your morale or that of someone else any day of any week.

Nowhere is there a community where being a volunteer has been raised to such a level as you'll find here. Nowhere will you find people more willing to lend a helping hand; nowhere are people more giving of their time and money for the betterment of others.

It is a community, a place where people don't just give lip service but really care about their fellow citizens. People's privacy is respected and their desire for anonymity recognized.

You can walk the streets of the town or the trails of the forests without the fear of being mugged and robbed that you might have in some other community.

If you are a religious person, there are churches of all denominations where your spiritual needs can be met.

Sometimes it is enough to just go out into the wild, watch a sunrise, listen to the forest come alive, smell the sweet freshness of unspoiled nature, and wonder to yourself how there could be anything more important than the serenity one can find here.

Labor Day has passed and summer's bounty is being harvested. Women are canning foods for the winter just as their mothers and grandmothers did before them. Some are sewing quilts and making new fall and winter jackets for members of their families.

Men are laying in supplies of wood for the winter, stockpiling feed for the stock, making sure the plow is ready to go and that the tire chains or snow tires are in order for the season ahead.

It is as it has always been in Pagosa Country - and yet it seems more desirable now.

Mother Nature's seasons come and go. Pagosans take them in stride and enjoy the best of what each has to offer.

If you are unhappy here, if you feel the community has been ill-conceived for your peace of mind, if you expected to make a fortune, you probably are in the wrong place.

We'll defend your right to criticize, to condemn, to leave.

But we'll also savor the love affair the true Pagosan has with that which surrounds us in physical and personal spirit every day we are given the opportunity to remain here.

Labor Day just signaled anew how blessed we are.

Silvian O'Cana, 86, of Aztec, N.M., died Sept. 5, 2001. He was born in Pagosa Springs on May 8, 1915 to Marcelino and Cicrillia O'Cana.

Silvian is survived by his brother, John O'Cana of Colorado and a sister, Betty O'Cana of Kentucky. He was also loved by Cordelia Martinez, his companion for eight years and her family of seven sons and five daughters and their spouses, 33 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Graveside services were held Sept. 8, 2001, at Hill Top Cemetery in Pagosa Springs with Pastor Fermin Talamante officiating. Pallbearers were Herman, Horace, Tony, Johnny, Alfred, Fidel and Jose Martinez.

Funeral arrangements were by Cope Memorial Chapel of Aztec.