Stuff by Lynn Burton

  • Locations: News Published

    The Crystal Mill: How to get there, how to shoot it

    The Crystal Mill: How to get there, how to shoot it thumbnail The Crystal Mill was built in 1893 to provide compressed air to a Sheep Mountain mine. The structure that leads down to the Crystal River is called a penstock, according to a display in the Marble Historical Society’s museum, which is open Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 3pm until early October. Photo by Lynn “Jake” Burton.

    An entomologist for the Colorado State Forest Service is predicting a good leaf-changing season this year. “They (aspen) look better than they’ve looked in a long time,” the entomologist told the Denver Post. As usual, the peak leaf-peeking time is late September to early October.
    With that information in… read more →

  • Locations: News Published

    Thompson House Museum closed all summer — reopening more than a year away

    Thompson House Museum closed all summer — reopening more than a year away thumbnail The historic Thompson House, located near the River Valley Ranch tennis courts, was first built as a one-story brick structure in 1885, with the second floor added later. The second-floor addition is now causing structural problems in the house, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Photo by Lynn “Jake” Burton

    The Thompson House Museum has been closed to the public all summer, due to structural problems. Estimated cost to fix the problems: about $1 million according to Sue Gray, the Carbondale Historical Society’s museum director. The Sopris Sun put the following questions to Gray via email. Here are her… read more →

  • Locations: News Published

    Eighteen-wheeler attempts four-wheel road

    Eighteen-wheeler attempts four-wheel road thumbnail It’s not entirely uncommon for semi trucks to get stuck on Daniel’s Hill, or on its approach, but this truck was really stuck. Locals say it required two wreckers and a crane to free it. Courtesy photo by Doug Whitney

    A semi truck hauling a 40-foot trailer shut down the road to the ghost town of Crystal, after becoming stuck at the base of Daniel’s Hill, east of Marble, on Thursday, Aug. 17.

    Pictures of the truck trickled out on social media, with comments mostly blaming the driver for his… read more →

  • Locations: News Published

    Introducing: Sweet Jessup and the Dirty Buckets

    Introducing: Sweet Jessup and the Dirty Buckets thumbnail Sweet Jessup and the Dirty Buckets, from left to right: Alex Regginelli, Deb Colley, Ashton Taufer, Brian Colley (Deb’s brother) and Morgan Williams. Photo by Jane Bachrach

    This reporter heard Sweet Jessup and the Dirty Buckets on KDNK a while back and figured they were probably a touring band playing at Steve’s Guitars that night. Wrong.

    They are local folks.

    After hearing the band play to a good-sized crowd at the KDNK First Friday open house a… read more →

  • Locations: News Published

    The Marble Hub: What is it and how did it get here?

    The Marble Hub: What is it and how did it get here? thumbnail Charlotte Graham served a pour-over coffee at the Marble Hub. Photo by Lynn "Jake" Burton

    A few establishments like the Marble Hub might be scattered around the country, but it’s safe to say there are not many.

    Located in the 113-year-old former Marble City State Bank building, the nonprofit Hub is part coffee bar, part book and t-shirt store, which also offers packaged snacks, locally… read more →

  • Locations: News Published

    GCPLD Report: Library board meeting draws a crowd

    GCPLD Report: Library board meeting draws a crowd thumbnail Garfield County library board meetings rarely draw more than a handful of members of the public, if that many. The June 1 meeting at the Carbondale Branch Library attracted just over two dozen. Photo by Lynn “Jake” Burton

    The June 1 Garfield County Public Libraries District (GCPLD) board meeting in Carbondale attracted more than two dozen members of the public and several had comments. Library board meetings are at 2pm on the first Thursday of each month, rotating around the various library branches from Parachute to Carbondale.

    Why… read more →

  • Locations: News Published

    GarCo Library board denies book ban appeal

    GarCo Library board denies book ban appeal thumbnail Garfield County libraries recently received 450 Spanish-language books ordered at the Guadalajara International Book Fair several months ago. The titles include fiction, non-fiction and other genres for all ages. A staff memo said the books will help the library district move toward its goal of increasing the Spanish-language collection by 1% this year. Photo by Lynn “Jake” Burton

    In a special meeting on April 24, the Garfield County library board voted 7-0 to retain three books that a library district resident had challenged earlier in the year, according to Garfield County Libraries Director Jamie LaRue.

    The books were:… read more →

  • Locations: News Published

    Looking back: KDNK’s 16th birthday sure was sweet

    Looking back: KDNK’s 16th birthday sure was sweet thumbnail “The car almost won” said a headline for a KDNK talent show in the old Free Weekly. The show, in the mid-1980s, was held at Barry’s Garage on Main Street (at the intersection of Weant and Main Street). The car was creating the biggest buzz until singer Dale Loper strolled out in overalls strumming his guitar. He stepped up to the mic and eased into Pure Prairie League’s “Amy” then stopped and switched to an Earth Wind & Fire hit. The crowd went wild and he won first prize both nights. (Note: The backup band contributed to Loper’s victory). Photo by Lynn “Jake” Burton

    The old Valley Journal reported in its April 22, 1999 issue that everyone “pretty much agreed” KDNK’s 16th birthday party was the best one ever.

    Held at the Days Inn community room, “The food was good and the beer didn’t run out until everyone was pretty much ready to leave… read more →

  • Locations: News Published

    Proposed RV resort dominated town talk in 1985

    Proposed RV resort dominated town talk in 1985 thumbnail The Crystal River runs through River Valley Ranch. Almost 40 years ago, Glenwood Springs developers envisioned an RV resort that would include “park model” RVs which typically cover about 400 square feet and resemble miniature manufactured housing. Photo by Raleigh Burleigh

    In late 1985, it didn’t take long for the old Valley Journal to speculate about the impacts of a possible RV resort at the south-end of town.

    “Maybe we’ll get a clothing store that sells white belts and white shoes,” wrote Valley Journal editor Michael Paludan. “Maybe we’ll get a… read more →

  • Locations: Columns, News Published

    KDNK turning 40: Anecdotes and other notes

    KDNK turning 40: Anecdotes and other notes thumbnail There used to be several of these buckles floating around on DJs’ belts. Photo by Lee Swidler

    Anecdote: “A short or amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.”

    Well, with hundreds of volunteer DJs, dozens of board and staff members, plus numerous supporters and observers, anecdotes from the past 40-plus years are plentiful. Let’s start with the pre-opening night at the Crystal Theatre, on… read more →