The Dolores Public Library is launching “Winter Tales,” a new series featuring presentations by Dolores adventurers, musicians, naturalists, and poets.
The talks will take place on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. in the community room. Refreshments will be served.
The series kicks off on Jan. 7 with local outdoorsman Brett LeCompte, who will be sharing his adventures exploring the southeast Utah backcountry. He will present a slideshow set to music on his 40-day circular backpacking trek that traverses the La Sals, Abahos, and Henry mountains. LeCompte has been an outdoor guide for 30 years.
On Jan. 14, climber Carolyn Gunn will give a slideshow of her experience climbing Mount Everest in 1984. She will give an overview of the successful climb via the North Wall “when maps were scarce and there were no outside communications.”
Cultural aspects of China and Tibet will be highlighted as well. Gunn was the base camp manager and first aid specialist.
On February 11, naturalist Al Schneider will give a presentation on Southwest Wildflowers. The focus will bon on Colorado wildflowers discovered by Charles Parry, the “King of Colorado Botany.” Schneider says to bring your questions about area wildflowers. He is the author of Colorado Rocky Mountain Wildflowers and the very informative website: www.swcoloradowildflowers.com
On Feb. 25 Joe LaBelle will give a talk titled “Antarctica, The Frozen Continent.” In 2005, LaBelle sailed from Tierra del Fuego, Argentina to the Antarctic Peninsula aboard the icebreaker Polar Star. Along the way he saw glaciers, icebergs and “an amazing variety of wildlife.” LaBelle is a geomorphologist retired from the University of Alaska.
On March 3, Tim Kercher will give a talk titled “Georgia: The mountains of poetry.” Experience the sights, sounds and poetry of the former Soviet Republic of Georgia, nestled in the Caucasus mountain range. Kercher is a high school teacher.
On March 10, Brett LeCompte returns to give a talk titled “Southwest Circle Quest.” This is the story of a 1400 mile, four month walkabout in the Four Corners region. The expedition spanned from the top of the Rocky Mountains to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back again.
On March 31, Wild Bill Kneebone, of the famed band The Porchlights, will offer a free workshop for beginners who want to learn two styles of finger picking. Bring your own acoustic guitar for this free lesson. Kneebone has been playing professionally since 1976. He has shared the stage with Sam Bush and Tony Furtado, and has recorded with R, Carlos Nakai and Peter Rowan.
