Columns – The Journal

Grace’s Kitchen serves an estimated 500 meals on ThanksgivingCrew cooked 34 turkeys and more than 200 pounds of meat in preparationGrace’s Kitchen, located in St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, spent the past month roasting 34 turkeys and over 200 pounds of meat in preparation for the 500 meals they were expecting to give out on Thanksgiving Day.“Food is kind of my love language,” said Chris Snyder, who helps coordinate the kitchen during this event along with his family. “And so to be able to share that with individuals and be able to to just enjoy a meal together, I think it’s everything that's perfect.”Since the pandemic hit, the Thanksgiving meal drive has shifted from a dine-in event to a take-out and delivery system, which allows them to serve more of the community.“What we've seen this year is this new pattern of somebody signing up and saying, OK, I'm going to take four, so I can give some to my neighbor. There's this extra tier now,” said Victoria Atkins, who helped coordinate the event. “So that just gives me hope for the world.”“You know, Thanksgiving is basically about gratitude,” said Atkins. “We shouldn’t just be grateful. We should act, and show our gratitude.”

Crew cooked 34 turkeys and more than 200 pounds of meat in preparation

Cortez Turkey Trot draws about 50 participants1-mile course runs around Parque de VidaThis was the 20th year of the Turkey Trot at Parque de Vida in Cortez, organized as a fundraising event for For Pet’s Sake Humane Society. Roughly 50 walkers and runners came out – some in costume, some with their pets–- to enjoy the 1-mile course around the park.“People enjoy it,” said Ric Plese, who began running this course on Thanksgiving 28 years ago before he handed it off to For Pet’s Sake 20 years ago to become a fundraiser. “You know, there's been some really cold, cold Thanksgiving mornings, but for the most part, it gets a pretty good crowd. And the costumes are what's fun. There's been turkeys and donkeys in costume over the years. It's been fun.”For Pet’s Sake is run by all volunteers, and events like this one help keep the organization afloat.“Our food and costs have increased tremendously this year,” said board president Lynn Dyer. “There are a lot of needs as a community, both for medical care and for spay and neuter fees.”Anyone interested in supporting For Pet’s Sake can find them on Facebook or the web, and details for their big year-end fundraiser will be announced soon

1-mile course runs around Parque de Vida

Photos: Mancos Bluejays win 2023 Colorado 8-man football titleBluejays win first title, beating beat Haxtun 40-0The Mancos High School Bluejays scored on the opening possession to set the tone, then added three more scores before halftime to put the game out of reach for the Haxtun Bulldogs.At the end, Mancos walked off the field with its first state title in eight-man football.

Bluejays win first title, beating beat Haxtun 40-0

Snowstorm moves through the areaThe season’s first big snowstorm causes problems for drivers and makes for a winter wonderland

The season’s first big snowstorm causes problems for drivers and makes for a winter wonderland

Snow descends on DurangoForecasters say storm could dump 6 inches in Durango area

A fall storm that moved into Southwest Colorado Friday morning was expected to dump 6 inches of snow in the Durango area – more than weather forecasters had initially predicted.Snow started falling about 9:15 a.m. Friday and intensified shortly before 11:30 a.m., blanketing parks, vehicles and the hilltops overlooking the city. Roads became slick about 2:30 p.m. As of 4 p.m., the Durango Police Department had responded to six crashes, in addition to a few stranded motorists.U.S. Highway 160 at County Road 44 near Mancos Hill was closed from around 4 p.m. to just after 6 p.m. because a vehicle carrying an “oversized load” had spun out and blocked both the eastbound and westbound lanes, according to Colorado Department of Transportation spokeswoman Lisa Schwantes.“Right now our officers are able to keep up with the crashes that are coming in,” said Cmdr. Nick Stasi, with the Durango Police Department. “As always with winter weather, we remind drivers to slow down and give extra space for the cars in front.”Snow started accumulating very fast as the day went on, making it “challenging for plow operators to keep up,” according to CDOT.

Southwest Colorado’s five major mountain passes were icy and snowpacked Friday afternoon. But all five remained open as of 4:15 p.m.The Pacific storm favored the southern and central Colorado mountains, said Dave Byers, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Grand Junction.“Durango looks like a 70% chance of getting 6 inches or more of snow by the end of tonight (Friday),” Byers said.He expected a half inch to three-quarters of an inch of moisture from the storm, which is up from the one-tenth to two-tenths of an inch that was predicted earlier this week. Meanwhile, the mountains could receive 1 to 2 feet of snow from the storm, he said.“In the last few days, it has really picked up,” Byers said. “The southern mountains are catching the brunt of it.”The snowy weather didn’t stop Liz Ferrill and her family from stopping by Cream Bean Berry for a Unicorn Sundae. “We thought it might be a festive way to celebrate,” said Ferrill, who was visiting from Snowmass, where the first snow occurred in September.For others, the snow provided the impetus they needed to swap out tires or purchase new snow tires. Andre Payne, a sales person at J/P Tire in Durango, said the phone began ringing shortly after 9 a.m. with people wanting to switch to snow tires.“We’ve been pretty busy,” he said.

It is not unusual for drivers to wait until they see the first snow and then want to swap out tires. The tire shop began advising customers to switch to snow tires about three weeks ago. Some people take the advice, other choose to wait.“We can always tell people what to do, but if you're not ready for it then you have to suffer the consequences of waiting two hours or maybe getting in an accident,” Payne said.Byers said Friday’s storm was the result of a southwest flow pulling moisture from Southern California, Arizona and the Gulf of California.As the moisture-laden atmosphere hits the San Juan Mountains, it wrings out the moisture, he said.Temperatures are expected to cool off as the storm makes its way out of the region this weekend. The highs this weekend will be in the upper 30s, and the lows could dip into the single digits, he said.“There’s still a northerly flow that is pulling cold air down out of Canada,” he said.Byers characterized Friday’s storm as a “shoulder storm” between summer and winter, but he said it is a sure sign that a regular track is settling in for Southwest Colorado.“We’re expecting regular storms … from now on, more into that winter pattern,” Byers said.Residents can expect mostly clear conditions through Wednesday, with clouds moving in the following day ahead of another storm that looks “very similar” to Friday’s storm, Byers said.shane@durangoherald.com; mhollinshead@durangoherald.com

Forecasters say storm could dump 6 inches in Durango area

Photos: Mancos headed to state football finals for rematch with HaxtunBluejays beat No. 4 Lyons 44-22This year’s Colorado’s Eight-Man Football State Championship will feature No. 1 Mancos and No. 3 Haxtun.Mancos has never won a state football title. Haxtun will be playing for the ninth championship, which would tie Revere for the fifth-most football titles in the Colorado High School Activities Association, CHSAA said.Mancos advanced to the final game by defeating No. 4 Lyons, 44-22, and Haxtun advanced by beating No. 2 Simla, 30-12.

Earlier this year, Haxtun scored on a last-minute interception on Sept. 16 to beat Mancos 28-22 in Fairplay.In that game, Mancos posted a second-half rally and had No. 1 Haxtun on the ropes, only to see the Bulldogs score twice in the final three minutes, including a tiebreaking interception and return on the game’s final play, to steal a breathtaking 28-22 win over the Bluejays.On Nov. 27, 2021, Haxtun beat Mancos 40-0 for the state championship.

Bluejays beat No. 4 Lyons 44-22

Festivities included a pancake breakfast and performances from local school bands.

Cortez celebrates Veterans Day 2023 Residents line Montezuma Avenue for parade with floats, cars and bandCortez hosted its annual Veterans Day Parade Saturday on Montezuma Avenue. The American Legion will also host events all day, starting with a breakfast starting at 7 a.m. and a dance from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Residents line Montezuma Avenue for parade with floats, cars and band

Hundreds turn out to show respect during Veterans Day Parade in Durango‘Thank you’ to the veterans who paved the path for me … it made my service that much better’

Fire engine sirens blared, Harley-Davidson engines revved, cheerleaders chanted and crowds cheered as the 2023 Veterans Day Parade made its way up Main Avenue on Saturday morning in Durango.People lined the streets for the annual parade to pay their respects and show their gratitude to the men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Later in the day, spectators were treated to a fly-over by the 140th Wing F-16 Fighting Falcons and an open house at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4031.Fran Pearlmutter, a World War II code breaker, rode through the parade in a military jeep. And Bill Morris who served in the Korean War and is now in his late 80s, walked all the way up Main Avenue for the parade.Ellen Babers, Durango community events administrator, said she estimates between 800 and 1,000 people attended the parade. That’s not counting people participating in the parade, of which there were about 200.Mike Benton, VFW commander and parade marshal, said on Saturday before the parade he had 30 organizations participating, and he anticipated several more to sign in at the last minute.The people and organizations featured in the parade included but were not limited to the Durango Youth Hockey Association’s Ice Devils, the Durango High School Red Pride Marching Band, La Plata County Mounted Patrol, the Southwest Republican Women and La Plata County GOP, the Tin Lizzies, over 30 Harley-Davidson riders and other groups.

The point behind the festivities was to recognize the brave men and women who served to protect the country and the freedoms Americans enjoy, and plenty of veterans were in the crowds on Saturday.Jim Akin, a retired U. S Air Force veteran, served in the Armed Forces and specialized in electronics maintenance for 23 years during the Vietnam War. Although he never served in Vietnam, he traveled the world and spent time in England, Turkey and Berlin.He said he accumulated many technical skills and life experiences while serving abroad.“Just traveling and seeing the world. I enjoyed the job and enjoyed the work. I really, really liked it,” he said.

His daughter-in-law, Shanda Akin, also served in the Air Force for 25 years after graduating from DHS in 1991. She said the most valuable skill she developed during her time was the art of resiliency.“I did seven different jobs in my Air Force career,” she said. “But resiliency is probably one of the biggest ones. No matter what it was – a move to a different country or a different city or a different job or whatever it involved – it was the skills to push through and work through those challenging moments.”Veterans Day is important because it’s a reminder of veterans’ sacrifices, she said.Looking to Jim Akins, she said, “The Vietnam vets didn’t get the appreciation and the ‘thank yous’ and the ‘welcome homes’ that we did even in our generations. It’s a lot more than I think your average citizen understands or realizes what it is about. … For me, to be able to be here and say ‘thank you’ to the veterans who paved the path for me, even, it made my service that much better.”

Steve Ashburn, 76, is a proud American and Navy veteran. He lives near Pastorius Reservoir these days. But during the Vietnam War, he was stationed at the Bethesda Navy Hospital (Walter Reed National Military Medical Center) in Bethesda, Maryland.He said he followed in the footsteps of his father and inspired his son, Russell Ashburn, to join the Navy, too.Veterans Day is a reminder to layman Americans to talk to local veterans because they have a lot of knowledge and experience to share.“When you’re proud of something that you have done in your life then it’s good to let other people know. It was a good experience,” he said.During his service, Ashburn studied nuclear medicine, which John Hopkins Medicine describes as “a specialized area of radiology that uses very small amounts of radioactive materials, or radiopharmaceuticals, to examine organ function and structure.”Ashburn’s father was a proud serviceman, and it’s his pride for the country and for military service Ashburn believes inspired him to join the Armed Forces. The same goes for Ashburn’s son, Russell, he said.“ (Russell) saw that I was proud of what I did in the service. He worked in aviation and was happy that he served,” he said. “If we don’t honor and remember our veterans, then we’re losing a whole lot.”Frank Vandruff, another parade-goer on Saturday, traveled from Kirtland, New Mexico, to be in Durango and support the Aztec veterans community. He said he didn’t serve in the Armed Forces, but his father served in the 1950s Korean War, and his daughter joined the Navy in 2022 and is currently stationed in Japan.He said he worries for his daughter, but “like she said, it’s what her destination is.” And he’s very proud of her.He said veterans can be thanked for every freedom Americans enjoy.

“To be able to have our home, to be able to go to church on Sundays,” he said. “ … For us to be able to enjoy a parade today, to be able to go forth and watch people … To be able to fly that flag under freedom. That means everything.”He said the freedom of having differing political parties and opinions is thanks to veterans’ sacrifices. And some members of the younger generations don’t understand the sacrifices made.“They need to go back and listen to a little bit of history and pay a little respect to these elders,” he said.His father taught him that “a friend is a friend and a neighbor is a neighbor,” and it doesn’t matter how close or far someone is, during times of need, it’s time to help take care of each other.“I’m just grateful for what I’ve got,” he said.cburney@durangoherald.com

‘Thank you’ to the veterans who paved the path for me … it made my service that much better’

Keeping it in the family: How The Abundant Life’s new owner blends Cortez’s past and futureMonique Alvarez is taking over where her mother, Diana Toms, left off After nearly 42 years, The Abundant Life is under new management. But they are very familiar hands taking control.“My entire childhood was inside the store,” Monique Alvarez, the daughter of store founder Diana Toms and its new owner, told The Journal. “I absorbed it all over the course of 18 years.”The store today, however, looks much different from the one Alvarez, 45, grew up in. Now, alongside a wide selection of wellness products, customers can enjoy an Acai bowl, avocado toast or a Papa Lecco sandwich, and wash it down with a tea or fresh-blended juice. Alongside those staples, there’s a menu inspired by Alvarez’s travels around the globe that changes weekly. A 12-person table will be the site of future community dinners. There’s a new co-working bar complete with high-speed internet. And soon, customers will be able to sip espresso or indulge in afternoon tea.“Ten years ago would this work in Cortez? Probably not,” she said. Now, “we have Californians, we have East Coasters. They've moved from the city because they want a different lifestyle, but they miss things from the city.”But ultimately, it’s not just about changing the layout of the store or adding new menu items. With the revamp, Alvarez is hoping to create a new spot where customers can unplug, unwind and connect with the community.“I know you've got your farm to take care of, I know you've got your business. We can also gather here,” she said.

A pandemic transition Growing up in Cortez as a fifth-generation Montezuma County resident, Alvarez knew she wanted to escape. But in 2020, after about 25 years of living and working in places like Kenya, Burma (now Myanmar) and Albania, she found herself back where it all began.At the time, Alvarez and her family were living in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. But as the COVID-19 pandemic raged, she faced daily pleas from her father to return to Cortez. They eventually worked. And despite once pledging to never go back, Alvarez, her husband and two kids drove from the border of Belize back to Southwest Colorado.It wasn’t long after settling into her grandparent’s 6-acre property when Alvarez’s mother popped the question.“She knew her time had come to an end. It was a different season for her. So one day, she just said: ‘Would you take over the store?’” said Alvarez. “I never thought I’d say yes, but it felt like the right thing to do.”The timing was perfect. In 2019, Alvarez started her own publishing company, AMA Publishing, with a goal to empower female entrepreneurs and print “stories that the big guys reject and censor.” That mission earned her international media attention, but it also caused some controversy.“I got delisted from the Wall Street Journal because of my stance on vaccinations,” Alvarez said. But, “we became the biggest female-owned publishing company in the world.”

However, after growing the company so quickly in just a few years, Alvarez realized she was ready for the next challenge. But unlike AMA Publishing, which had clients in 41 countries, she knew her next “mountain to climb” had to be something that would make an impact locally.“I was living here, but I was on my property. My business is online. I wasn’t a part of the community,” Alvarez said. “If I was going to be here, I had to be here. I needed to contribute something to where I live.”Bringing the world to Montezuma CountyAfter deciding to take the store over in April, Alvarez spent the next several weeks observing. She watched what products her mother ordered, what customers bought and what they were asking for. Quickly, her vision for The Abundant Life’s future began to form.While Alvarez knew it was important to carry on what her mother had built over the past four decades, she also wanted to modernize the store to reflect the region’s changing demographic. “I've pulled recipes and ideas from all over the world. My favorite things from Italy, the Mediterranean, Greece, Mexico; everywhere I've lived,” she said. “There's an appreciation for it because Cortez has expanded and grown.”

And in a town with more than a dozen fast food restaurants, including a Wendy’s that sits right in The Abundant Life’s backyard, Alvarez is trying to offer residents a healthier option.“Convenience has really got Americans by the throat. We go for convenience every single time,” she said. “With food it's easy just to get caught in that loop. I'm wanting to present another option where I make them remember how good good food tastes, and how much better they feel.”But Alvarez also acknowledges the uphill battle in persuading customers to ditch the ease and low cost of a drive-through for a homemade meal cooked with high-quality ingredients, served in a setting that encourages patrons to slow down and enjoy it.In Cortez, “not a lot of things change,” she said. “On the one hand, that’s hard for a lot of people, because we need to evolve and move forward. But sometimes in a world that’s rapidly changing, you need some things that are rock solid.”By taking over and revamping her mother’s store, Alvarez seems to be providing residents both options.The Abundant Life’s official reopening will be Nov. 9, which coincides with the store’s 42nd anniversary.

Monique Alvarez is taking over where her mother, Diana Toms, left off

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