Roberta McGowan

Wait. Take a deep breath. Wait again. Aim. Then pull back slowly on the bow. Let go and watch as the arrow flies to its target. You’ve got this. That’s archery in a nutshell. The first arrowheads ever unearthed were in North Africa in the era known as the Paleolithic Age, which ranged from 40,000 […]

On a crisp, cool September morning at the Strang Ranch in Missouri Heights, 500 sheep came figuratively to do battle with the 150 border collies trying to herd them. But, don’t worry, the dogs are highly trained herders, and the sheep also know the drill. This is the setting for the 2019 National Sheep Dog […]

Take a bit of Macbeth, add in a touch of a surprisingly successful 17th century woman painter and then mix a magnificent champion mare into the cauldron. You’ll then come up with the creative, award-winning author Linda Lafferty of Missouri Heights. Chatting with Lafferty at the Strang Ranch as she completes a dozen horse-related tasks […]

“We were bidding at an auction for a lot in Missouri Heights when we were surprised; One person bought all of the entire ranch lots for five percent more than all the bidders combined.” said Ted Bristol, who with his wife Karen, own the UPS store in El Jebel. But, there was more to come. […]

Sometimes things don’t go exactly as hoped. When the River Valley Ranch (RVR) Master Association and the Executive Board began landscaping the new subdivision 25 years ago, they planted several dozen narrow-leaf cottonwood trees in Orchard Park. Cottonwoods can be quite lovely and provide cooling shade. The tree doesn’t mind being flooded or surviving droughts, […]

As the Roaring Fork Valley population grows, so do human interactions with native wildlife. Just ask Mike Porras, public information officer for the Colorado Parks & Wildlife’s (CPW) Northwest Region. “Over the last decade the number of these interactions has increased dramatically,” he stressed, “If you come here, you should know how to responsibly recreate […]

Under the soft glow of a full moon, the Missouri Heights Schoolhouse seemed to sway gently to the lilting sounds coming from within. Americana musicians Jackson Emmer and David Starr performed for a crowd that clapped and sang along enthusiastically. Starr described the program as a song swap; each musician sang his own music intermixed […]

The three-year roller coaster controversy over a building permit for 728 Euclid Ave. continues. At its Aug. 19 meeting, the Board of Adjustment (BOA) unanimously voted for a continuance of the public hearing process and the appeal by neighbors objecting to the project. The next hearing will be Tuesday, December 3, 2019, at 6:30 p.m. […]

Despite dire predictions, the Roaring Fork, Frying Pan, and Crystal rivers continue to be in great shape for rafting, kayaking, paddling and fishing this season. Rick Lofaro, executive director of the Roaring Fork Conservancy (RFC), explained, “The robust 2019 runoff due to the historic snowpack, 155 percent of normal, benefits our river recreation.” Commercial white […]

You could call Amory Lovins the father of hybrid technology, and he wouldn’t mind. The chief scientist and founder of the Rocky Mountain Institute spoke candidly about his achievements Tuesday night at the Coventure interview with Brad Feld, the co-founder if Techstars and a partner at Foundry Group V based in Boulder. The talk, “Reflections […]