We are experiencing the blue haze coming from the several wildfires in the west. One is south of Payson and the others from Idaho and neighboring states.
We are happy and relieved to welcome Dr. Gerry and Marilyn Griebel back from their latest volunteer project, Helping Hands. They and their team made their way to northeast Bolivia and the end of the trek found them located on the Maniqui river a tributary of the Amazon river. It was a jungle. Marilyn mentioned that they always watched where they were walking!It is an area that is in great need of medical attention because of parasites, skin and intestinal problems and other more difficult health problems. The native people desperately need medical attention and the closest town or village is a 2 and 1/2 day river trip by boat. There are no roads. The medical team sometimes would simply set up their clinic on the beach of the river. Once again, we in America are a blessed people and our medical friends are to be commended for their spirit of giving.
Next Sunday, the 26th, from 4 to 6 p.m., the Community Church will be offering a Back to School, Fun With Friends Time for children ages 3 to 12. They will have activities, games and refreshments. For more information email RicoCommunityChurch@gmail.com or call 560-1407.
Our grand Colorado statesman, Senator Mark Udall and his staff-mates Wanda Cason and Rachael Outman met with our Townspeople and interested parties from Ouray, Ridgway, Tellluride, etc. We were given the opportunity to ask Senator Udall about items that are foremost on our minds at this time and it was a good session. The public has questions about everything from geo-thermal progress;the possibility today of being able to make a living and, therefore, make a life; U.S.F.S. Travel Management Plan which included the Calico Trailhead and Trail and the 1 percent who are destroying the trail and also the volunteers who are able to clean up some of the mess and how much they are needed in these areas of concern; Senior citizens and handicapped citizens who are not able to enjoy the back country and what can be done about this situation; Senator Udall mentioned the llth Amendment, if there ever was one, that states that we must protect the environment.
We thank our Senator for his input and for the items of concern that he pursues as our help-mate.
The Rico Womens Club plan to hold a yard (indoor) sale over Labor Day weekend. We will probably see citizen yard sales around Town also. Those of you who may wish to donate items to the Womens yard sale should drop by Saturday morning and we thank you. We all know all the rules about what should not be donated: T.V.s-beds-computers, etc. And, thank you all.
Also, Rico Fire and Rescue will be doing the fire works display on Saturday, Sept. 1 at dusk. There are great plans for that day: Fred Enriquez band Rico Blues Project will begin performing at 2 p.m. at the Town Park. We like that band! here will also be a Boot Drive during the fireworks display and when you see the old, old fire truck coming your way, try to donate for the fireworks. This display is possible only by donation and it is a strain for our fire department and other towns our size to do fireworks each year.
We citizens of Rico experienced a wonderful USA Pro Cycle ChallengeMonday. We appreciate these extremely talented strong athletes. This was truly a happy day with everyone looking forward to the actual appearance of the racers. We had tents set up for family BBQs and all that kind of fun. Then, when the competitors came around the corner at the bottom of main street we could hardly keep them in our vision because they were moving so fast-up hill!And, we clapped and whistled cheering them on. Beautiful, beautiful athletes they are.