Hello!
There is that feeling in the air that it is time to get to work and bring in five to six cords of wood for the wood-burning stove. Having the privilege of a wood-burning stove sounds like a money saver, but it is no small effort to get out the chimney sweep, unhook the stove pipe from above the stove, attach a sturdy bag on the end of the pipe, climb up on the roof of your home, and clear the pipe of the stuff that causes those chimney fires you hear about. This sounds like a lot of work, but that is the way it is. Be safe and not sorry.
We are still using Myron Jones old log splitter after all these years. Some families are now using pellet stoves and they are very efficient, but we still do it the hard way. The trouble with that is that our family has to do the hard part like finding good dead trees, felling them, cutting the right length for the stove with a heavy chain saw, loading the heavy logs, unloading the logs, and then using Myrons splitter. The work is not yet done. There is a certain way wood should be stacked to keep it from falling over, and having accomplished that feat, the good deed is done. Thank you!
We have been receiving mostly light rain showers this week, and it all amounted to a half inch or so. Consequently, we see hunting garb hanging here and there to dry so that the hunters can continue the hunt the next day with dry clothes. Hunting for game like ours is not an easy task up here on the steep mountainsides, and it is hard to get up early each day and take off with a spring in your step.
There are some community events happening next weekend (Sept. 24 and 25). Beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, the Rico school is sponsoring the annual Fun Run to raise money for the childrens ski program, which is kind of a P.E. program. The entry fee is $15 if you register before the 24th and $20 the day of the race, and it includes a Fun-Run T-shirt! The race begins promptly at 10 a.m. at the town park. Families do it walking or running athletes test their speed against each other, and you see big-wheeled baby buggies scooting along. Its great! See you there.
At 11:30 a.m. the same day at the town park, the Rico Womens Club is holding its annual Chili Cook-off to be held in the Cabana. Those competing must bring their goods by 11:30 a.m. to plug in and stay hot, and tasting begins at noon. There will be refreshments, and please feel free to bring a dish to complement the chili! This competition is for red or green chili only, and the winners will be awarded the Traveling Trophy to keep for the next year. See you there.
Last, but not least, the Rico Alpine Society a great organization will celebrate a good summer of work accomplished for the town by sponsoring a volleyball tournament and potluck. The society will furnish the main course, of course! Come join the fun.
In fact, plan to stay all day for everything.
The next day, Sunday, the Rico Historical Society will meet for its annual membership meeting at 2 p.m. at the museum. A short meeting will be held, focusing on what has been accomplished this year, and storyteller Marsha Bankston will tell the real, true story of Lizzy Knight, the first official woman to come to Rico in the early days. It will prove to be interesting, I can tell you that! Refreshments will be served afterwards. Please, we would like to see lots of interested public visitors. See you there.
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.