From the archives of the Roaring Fork Review, Valley Journal and Sopris Sun in collaboration with the Carbondale Historical Society and Carbondale Branch Library.
May 30, 1974
Regular services returned to the Episcopal Church at Marble for the first time since the 1950s. The church had been transported from Aspen by mule wagons in 1908 with a bell and altar donated by Mrs. Mortimer Proctor of the Procter & Gamble Soap Co. Although its “typically New England” exterior made it a landmark in town, it took serious effort from Marble Community Church Secretary Bleu Stroud to get services moved from the old high school building, with Father Tom of St. Vincent’s Catholic Church in Basalt presiding.
In other news… Volunteer firefighters Sadie Dump and Bonnie Williams were going above and beyond by helping to construct a new El Jebel station with material donated by park owner Floyd Crawford.
May 10, 1984
After eight years as mayor of Carbondale, Eldon Beck announced his resignation as he prepared to move to Delta. He’d been advised to distance himself from the worry and stress of municipal affairs due to heart problems, but didn’t feel he could do so without leaving town. “How can you get out of all activities when you’ve been in the community as long as I have?” the 29-year resident queried. Pro-Tem Hank Busby briefly filled the top seat until trustee Bill Gray was selected as a long-term replacement.
In other news… Fundraising was wrapping up for construction of the Benjamin H. Reed Memorial Gazebo in Sopris Park, with hopes to have it completed in time for Mountain Fair.
May 19, 1994
“The Valley Lark” summer guide did its best to sum up the history and spirit of each community in the Valley. “Aspen’s as rich as ever,” it observed. “Carbondale feeds Aspen not with potatoes but with employees. Basalt notes its railroad heritage with a caboose that serves as a visitors information center, as it cashes in on its reputation as one of Colorado’s hottest fishing spots. Redstone is still a one-of-a-kind village, with a main boulevard of restaurants, shops and art galleries. Marble’s population is on the rebound and the quarry reopened two years ago. Glenwood’s Hot Springs Pool is as popular as ever.”
In other news… A series of boil orders had locals worried about the safety of their tap water.
May 13, 2004
Carbondale trustees unanimously passed a resolution calling the Patriot Act “an abuse of power” and “violation of civil rights.” Around 300 municipalities around the country had already taken aim at the post-911 legislation that broadened the government’s powers of search and seizure. One advocate suggested Carbondale go a step further by directing police not to cooperate with “secret searches” by federal agents. Only Redstone resident Francine Singleton spoke against the measure. “It’s the People’s Republic of Carbondale,” she said. “The terrorists thank you all.”
In other news… Carbondale’s days as a one-stoplight town were numbered, with signals considered along Highway 133 at Cowen, Hendrick, Meadowwood and/or Village (the latter two of which were ultimately completed before a roundabout replaced the original light on Main).
May 22, 2014
A petition was circulating to name the park outside the Third Street Center after longtime teacher Bonnie Fischer. The building had, after all, originally housed Carbondale Elementary School, and the “Third Street Center Community Partnership Park” was an underwhelming name for the space mostly occupied by Demeter’s Garden and the Carbondale Community Oven. Bonnie Fischer Park was christened later that year, and Fischer would continue teaching until weeks before her passing in 2017.
In other news… Graphic Designer Terri Ritchie reflected on her and her son’s appearance in the 1997 Mother’s Day edition as he prepared to graduate high school. “Perhaps in 17 years you will be able to look back on this issue and reflect on how your friends’ families have grown with you in life’s eternal rhyme,” she wrote.