Slush, slush and more slush I cant believe Im going to say this, but I love the slush! The snow is melting so incredibly fast that the dirt is actually showing on the roads around town. Seems like such a silly thing to write about, but let me tell you, it is wonderful! Not the messes it can create, but the fact that we can see dirt! Slush equals spring, spring equals summer, summer equals warm, and warm equals happy!
The Rico Alpine Society will host an End of Season, Full Moon, Spring Barbecue on Sunday, March 20. Bring your family and friends for a fun-filled day and celebrate a great season of backcountry recreation. Thanks to the Rico Center for helping to make this possible. Bring your skis, sleds, snowshoes and appetites to the Mill Road trail. Free hot dogs, burgers and beer will be served. Come join the fun. The event begins at noon and will continue until around 4 p.m. For information, call 708-9482 or contact Annie at High Ground Coffee in Rico.
I received a call the other day from an old friend, Jim Starks. This gentleman called to share something he is very proud of, and I would like to share it with you. Im sure there are a few of you left out there that remember Ila Stark. Ila grew up around Rico. After high school, Ila went on to college at Fort Lewis in Durango, where she graduated fifth in her class of 390 students. She began her teaching career and taught fifth, sixth and seventh grade in fall 1971. She taught in Rico for two years, then moved to Dolores to teach elementary and special education. Ila then moved to San Juan County School in Utah, where after teaching for 40 years, she will be retiring. Teaching for 40 years takes a great deal of commitment and patience, and Ila, we would like to commend you for all your hard work and love of children. Congratulations Ila you should feel very proud of yourself for your dedication and hard work.
Speaking of congratulations, I would like to congratulate Ricos own Benn Vernadakis and his crew of Fines Double Racing on a job well done in the Baja 250 race. The crew consisting of Benn Vernadakis (navigator), Reid Rutherford (captain), Dana Dague (driver), and Steve Rudd (navigator) entered the limited production truck class 7-2 in the 250 mile race that took place in San Felipe, Mexico. This Baja race is typically one of the roughest of the Baja races. The team worked through the very competitive race for seven long hours, missing first place by only 1 minute, 53 seconds. They proudly received second place, with the third-place team only six minutes behind. The team is looking forward to the next adventure, the 500 race in Ensenada. Their goal first place of course! Congratulations to everyone, and a thank you goes out to all the sponsors: BF Goodrich tires, Method wheels, Fox shocks, Planet Motor Sports, and Mason Motor Sports. You always make us proud, Benny! Well done.
I would like to wish everyone a happy St. Patricks Day, and hopefully, you all stuck to the fun tradition of wearing green so as not to get pinched on this day!
Kim Jones is filling in for her mother, regular Rico Report columnist, Marlene Hazen, this week.