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Cathy Walton-Smith – ‘I’ve never once thought of moving’

Cathy Walton-Smith/View from the Lake
Grand County, CO, Colorado

It was 21 years ago that I relocated to Grand County from Sunnyvale, California. Through the years, there have been good times and bad, health and sickness, success and failure, happiness and sorrow. But never once have I thought about packing up and leaving. There is a feeling of comfort, security and family here that makes this place home. Every day I wake up with anticipation of the ever-changing beauty that surrounds us. One of these days, I just know I will drive right off the road from the distraction. These are the things I am thankful for.

Just this week, I drove through a patch of fog that opened into blazing sunshine with a double rainbow touching the ground ahead of me. I continued to drive right through the rainbow into a glistening mist.

Now, that’s what I’m talking about!



As we head into this Thanksgiving week, the opportunities to participate in our traditional, annual Old Fashioned Christmast events begin. The Olde Fashioned Craft Bazaar will be held in the Grand Arts Center on Park Avenue (not at the grade school) on Friday and Saturday, and will be filled with our county’s best selection of handmade items. There will be several new additions this year including photos with Santa at the Grand Arts Council booth along with chances to win a beautiful Marjorie Cranston work of art, plus tickets will be on sale for the Holiday Melodrama. The Grand Lake Womens’ Club will be offering their now famous walking tacos, beverages and a variety of goodies at their bake sale. In addition, there will be over 30 craft vendors offering everything from handmade jewelry, winter hats, home decor, jams, jellies and sauces, stuffed dolls and animals, to knitted scarves, painted ornaments, and much, much more. This is truly one of the best craft sales of the year.

The Kauffman House Museum will be open on Nov. 27 and 28. See the Chistmas decorations, along with the new wallpaper in the parlor, and the antique winter toys throughout the museum. Admission is by donation, as usual. The great decorations should put us all in the mood for the holidays. Hot Cider, coffee and cookies will be served. In the gallery Katie Gailey will be Georgia Eslick to show a replica of the Cottage Court and tell you some stories. Watch for the moose in the house!



Please join Mayor Judy Burke, the Chamber and your friends and neighbors for the annual lighting of the Grand Lake Christmas Tree this Friday, Nov. 27 at 5 p.m. in Town Park.

The Independent Sports Club Holiday Gala is at Caroline’s Cuisine on Saturday, Nov. 28. Cocktails are at 6 p.m. with a full buffet dinner at 7 p.m. Dance to the music of Nine Toed Bob and Super Dave and bid on both silent and live auction items or win a door prize. The cost is $50 per person and tickets are still available at all Grand Mountain Bank locations or by calling Dee at 627-5078 or Laura at 887-1282. Black tie is optional.

Don’t forget to check out gift ideas at our local merchants. All will be open with great ideas and bargains this weekend. Author Avis Gray has compiled Grand Lake’s only cookbook in color, with over 100 donors, including most of our local restaurant chefs’ favorite recipes. Also included are many sepia photos of Grand Lake in yesteryear, along with the history and legends. A portion of the proceeds goes to the Rotary’s important Read-to-Me program for all Grand Lake children.

Grand County Gives Gifts this Christmas! Everyone is welcome to come and pick out three items per day for Christmas gifts. No money is needed. The event is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., next Friday and Saturday, Nov. 27 and 28, at the Fraser Valley Shopping Center next to the Radio Shack.


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