YOUR AD HERE »

Cathy Walton-Smith: Spring cleaning on my mind

Cathy Walton-SmithView from the Lake

In spite of the snow and below zero temps this week, I still cant get my mind off spring. Maybe I really do have spring fever. Or maybe its all my friends with their big travel plans for spring break. But for me, its spring cleaning thats on my mind largely because of an e-mail from Martha Stewart giving me a spring cleaning check list. Martha says spring-cleaning is a lot easier to tackle when broken down into specific tasks, starting with the bathrooms and bedrooms: Clean out the medicine cabinet Organize the linen closet Restore your towels Organize the closet Mend winter clothing before storing Rotate your mattress.Those are all very good tips, but I think that spring cleaning in Grand Lake calls for more drastic measures, like: Hose out the garage where the mud has dropped off your car all winter Throw out the old fish in your freezer from last summer Wash your car for the third time this week Pick up the trash that somehow accumulated and has been buried in the snow Mop the floor every time the dogs (and cowboys) come in the house Burn the old Christmas tree that got left in the yard. Thats enough for a start. Spring cleaning in the Rockies is just a whole other animal. The General had a Dumpster delivered to the house last week I think were on the same page.Its Gary Lutons birthday this week, and it must be a milestone. He wont say, but were all invited to the celebration this Friday night at 7 p.m. with Mango Chutney in concert at the Grand Lake Community House. The concert is also a benefit for the band, and a $10 donation is suggested at the door (kids are free). In case you dont know, band members are Walter Holland, Warren Ward, Patrick Brower, and Jeff & Jim Peterson with Brad Pregeant joining in on keyboard. Sounds like a fun night.The 9Health Fair is coming back to Grand County, to be held at Granby Elementary School a week from Saturday, April 12, from 7 to 11 a.m. With many locals not being able to afford health insurance and a majority of others with high deductibles, this is an important event for our community. Take advantage of more than 20 free and low-cost health screenings and education. Vision, blood pressure, oral health, foot health, mental health, hearing, skin cancer, breast cancer, finger-stick glucose test and more. For the cost of a co-pay, you can access a 31-component blood chemistry screening, including a full lipid panel. You must fast for 12 hours prior to blood draw, you may drink water, black tea or coffee. (Be sure to take all prescribed medications and diabetics should not fast.) Free child care will be privided by Grand Beginnings. It is suggest to come after 9 a.m. and avoid the crowds. Call Carl Marsh at (970) 887-3523 for more information.A collection of local postcards, photographs and souvenirs spanning more than 100 years chronicles the history of the Rocky Mountain National Park area. Authored by Suzanne Silverthorn, Rocky Mountain Tour tells the story of the scenic Circle Tour, an early-day auto excursion founded in 1921 by transportation pioneer Roe Emery. The most thrilling leg of the tour took place along Fall River Road and later Trail Ridge Road as passengers made their way across the Continental Divide. The 128-page book features more than 300 postcards, plus brochures, decals, ticket stubs and other souvenirs that give readers a sense of adventure and inspiration. A long-time summer resident of Grand Lake, Silverthorn has accumulated a large collection of historic postcards and other souvenirs included in the book. Contributions from other area collectors and folks like Mac Ruske, Jane Kemp and Bob Scott were tremendously helpful in developing material for the book. The book is sold for $24.95. Copies are available at the Visitor Centers in Rocky Mountain National Park. There is still time to sign up for a couple of great classes being offered through the Grand Lake Art Gallery. Grand Lake artist Patty Alander will teach the fun art of creating silver jewelry with precious metal clay. This class is sponsored by the Fraser Metropolitan Recreation District and is being held at the Grand Lake Art Gallery, April 15 and 22, 5:30 through 8:30 p.m. Cost is $95, and participants will be able to make between 3 and 5 pieces of jewelry. Call the Fraser Rec. District at 726-8968 to register. On Saturday, April 19, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. learn gourmet cooking at Caroline’s Cuisine. For $30. learn from a master chef and enjoy the fabulous food you’ve created over lunch. Sign up through the Grand Lake Art Gallery, (970) 627-3104. While youre out and about this week, ask your neighbor where they are going for spring break. Ask your bartender if youre really the only customer of the day, and ask your boss why you have to stay here while everyone else goes on vacation.Spring time in the Rockies.


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

The Sky-Hi News strives to deliver powerful stories that spark emotion and focus on the place we live.

Over the past year, contributions from readers like you helped to fund some of our most important reporting, including coverage of the East Troublesome Fire.

If you value local journalism, consider making a contribution to our newsroom in support of the work we do.