Hello! Hope all is well with you all!

One of the “perks” we enjoy in Rico is visiting with Rico friends and neighbors who cannot live here year-round. We have the weather and temperature that invigorates anyone who can manage to be here to just sit in the cool shade of a blue spruce and gaze at that blue San Juan sky above.

Our neighbor, Mark Baker and his son of California, Rico and of Chugwater, Wyo., spent a couple of days opening the Baker home and whacking a few weeds before heading out to see grandmother Beth Baker and family on the home ranch in the Chugwater vicinity. Love that name — Chugwater. There is a bit of history up in that country, regarding ranching and all. Beth and whomever can come along should be here in a couple of weeks or so.

The Pasquineli’s of Rico and of Yuma, Ariz., recently left after rejuvenating the juices and gaining strength to go back to the grindstone in that Arizona summer heat. Years ago, before our Catholic church was restored, Gary (being qualified) conducted Mass whenever possible on their vacations up here. Mass was held at Rhea Curran’s home, and it was good! Last year and the year before, services were held a few times. Please call Kathy Myers at 967-2697 for more information. That little church has a bit of history of its own!

The Rico Fire Department/Search and Rescue has had its share of call-outs lately. This time, it was one of our Rico residents down by the river who was 8 or 9 feet up on a ladder, working on some project on the roof. He was treated and transported by ambulance to Southwest Memorial Hospital in Cortez. He was traumatized from head to (a broken) toe! Vacation was over! We know that there are projects in the summer that warrant attention before winter. Ouch! Did I say that forbidden word? Not me!

Duane Holt, our “nice” weatherman, left this bit of information for me before he headed for his favorite fishing holes. Since the 12th last week, we received 0.5 inches of rain, on the 18th. We understand west Dolores County received a good shower that same day. The trouble with that is the hay is down and drying, and the beans and crops need the moisture. Who wins?

Note: I must retract a statement I made in the Rico Report last week. If one is going to print the truth in the newspaper, it better be the truth! I stated that the explosion and injury and the closing of Highway 145 through Rico happened on the 8th — not! I should know, because it took us five hours to get home that day. The incident occurred on the day before, July 7, in the p.m.



Marlene Hazen has lived in Rico for two decades. An active member of the community, she participates in organizations such as the Rico Women’s Club and Rico Historical Society.