Life is pretty much back to normal around Rico after a great fun-filled 4th of July celebration, and after our town had to shut down Highway 145 the afternoon of Friday, July 8th. I mentioned last week that losing a young child in Rico was unimaginable, but true. Our fire department found him in a very short time, so all was well! Last Friday did not turn out as well. A male driver drove up to the door of the Mountaintop Fuel and Market, opened his door, fell out onto the ground and crawled to the entrance, then collapsed there with a badly-shattered hand. Rico Fire responded, treated him and put him aboard a Care Flight and he was on his way to Durango. The law authorities checked out the contents of the mans truck and it was shut-down for Highway 145 and the store. Hazmat, and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, etc., came on the scene and we finally got home from Cortez about 10 p.m. This all happened sometime after lunch. The victim is still hospitalized, and his injury to his hand and all is serious.
Right now, it is late afternoon on the 11th and we are enjoying a nice, soft rain. Duane Holt our unofficial weather observer each summer reports that we received .79 of an inch of rain yesterday and late into the night. That brings our precipitation received for July to 1.51 inches, with more to come. It has given our lawns a boost! We just hope that the Dove Creek area is getting some of this for their crops.
The Vandergriffs of Rico and Midland, Texas were here last week. Their home is the house that Silver King David Swickheimer built for his wife those many decades ago. They spend some time each trip spiffing up one thing or another in the house, and the rest of the time Gary and his son, Travis, were on the river or wherever fly-fishing catch and release, of course!
A lovely memorial service was held at the Rico Cemetery on July 2, 2011 for a very special, lovely lady. Leslee Curran, wife of Michael Curran, passed away on January 23, 2011 in Hot Springs, Arkansas after a long illness. She was born on January 17, 1940 in King City, California and passed away at age 71 years. She and Mike have had a home here in Rico for many years and she leaves many friends and family saddened by her passing. Her family was so devoted to Leslee. She was a member of our Rico Womens Club and the Rico Historical Society. She and Mike raised three children, all of whom were present along with their children. We will miss her. Sincere condolences to her family.
The top winners of the July 4th Ducky Race on the Dolores river were Lula Carter 1st place (Adult season ski pass); Val Truelsen 2nd place ($200); Brooke Sinclair 3rd place (a casting rod and reel donated by Outdoor Connections, out of Telluride, I believe a fine prize). There were more winners and the prizes were all fine donations.
The Womens Club wants to thank you for your continued support. The Arts and Crafts Faire, the yard sale at the Burley building, the Old Timers Reunion, the raffles, the Yellowman Navajo Taco Luncheon, the parade, the donations for the fireworks and medical supplies, and the list goes on. The fire department members were a weary bunch when the fireworks were finalized the night of the 4th. Rico has many longtime friends and families and it makes us proud to be who we are. Thank you all!
Marlene Hazen has lived in Rico for two decades. An active member of the community, she participates in organizations such as the Rico Womens Club and Rico Historical Society.