Hello to you all, wherever you may be, meaning that this is the season for camping and touristing and visiting our precious families — all before school begins!

We have good news. Earlier this year, there was a chance that our Rico school may not be opened because of two or three fewer students and the financial crisis that is always breathing down our educational institutions’ necks. The Dolores County School Board found it possible for our elementary and preschool to be open for the 2011-2012 session and, hopefully, no problems like this will arise again, for we have a fine school and excellent teachers. Miss Tara (Mark) Allen, after five years, has committed to the Telluride Mountain School for this year. You do what you gotta do. Her replacement as preschool teacher is Eileen Cahalane of the town of Ophir, which is a perfect situation for her. We welcome her. But, you know how we will miss Tara; she is so pleasant and has been a happy addition to our school community and all they do. We still can keep Nancy Scarborough, our beautiful elementary teacher. This will be the sixth year since the reopening of the Rico school.

I have been so anxious to talk to Duane Holt about precipitation received this week, because we really had the course these last few days. Beautiful rains and everything is green, green, green and no flooding, at least, not in Rico. But, he and Judy must be on a hike, so no new information this week — sorry. Would you believe that I checked the top of Expectation this morning (Aug. 2) to see if there was a hint of white up there. Thank heavens there wasn’t. Our friends from Illinois stayed at the hotel last night and couldn’t believe how a 4-inch open window would be cool enough for comfortable sleeping.

Did you ever wish that you owned a Newfoundland doggy? Our niece Katy Nunley and Mikey Davis did, and now they do. “Griswold” is about seven months old and weighs in at around 100 pounds. He is chocolate colored, and has a sunny disposition — not. Ours is a little Mexican dog named Snowflake — just our size.

Now we see in the newspaper that the U.S. Postal Service is studying a possible revamping of the postal service in Rico. We hope that this doesn’t mean that we residents will do our mailing business in Dolores or Ophir. Wouldn’t that be a tough situation.

The Rico Volunteer Fire Department responded to a rollover on the curve just before the cemetery. The male victim was checked out at the scene by our team and determined that he declined any further follow-up. The mop-up of fuel, etc., took some time with the traffic coming and going.

I wanted to mention that Bucky Sparks and Co. were in the Fourth of July parade, including Hanna Truelsen, who is in equestrian training under the Sparks family program. That is also where that beautiful Tennessee walker with the young man astride was from.

The Rico Historical Society Board met recently at the Burley building with President Mike Curran presiding. Discussion centered on the completion of restoration of the grand plank flooring on the first floor, completion of rest room facilities, and our three new displays on the second floor. Also on the agenda were ideas regarding new bookkeeping procedures, etc. The museum is enjoying a good summer season, and that makes us happy.

Someone spotted an aspen across the valley and swore that it had turned yellow. You should have heard the uproar of unhappiness and disbelief.



Marlene Hazen has lived in Rico for two decades. An active member of the community, she participates in organizations such as the Rico Women’s Club and Rico Historical Society.