Re: Roberto
Late one afternoon in 1978 I beheld a beautiful site: A lone skier carving graceful, high speed, long curves down Snowmass Mountain. It was Roberto Gasperl. Truly glorious and, clearly, he was loving it. I too remember the kind and amazing Roberto, and the day we lost him. Thank you Ed Colby for your heartfelt remembrance of this lovely man.
Kay Clarke
Carbondale
Fallen idols
Fred Malo’s recollections of Ernie Banks in last week’s Sun brought forth a flood of emotions about the joys and (more often) agony of being a Cub fan. I, like Fred, grew up idolizing Ernie and other Cub players. I didn’t get to see him play in-person much until late in his career. He was always the happy one, ready to play two, so deserving of his “Mr. Cub” honor. To read of him being so drunk and out of it was deeply saddening. I’m glad my mother never knew. I only hope that, like Fred, he did turn his life around.
Thinking about other fallen sports idols brings to mind Pete Rose, whose playing I greatly admired. I was fortunate to see him play several times at Wrigley Field, notably the day in September 1985 when he nearly broke Ty Cobb’s all-time hits record. He had tied the mark earlier in the game, but there was a long rain delay. Almost everybody had left, but I stayed. The game resumed, and Rose came up to bat. He hit the ball sharply, but the second baseman fielded it and threw him out.
Years later, the stories of him betting on baseball, including his own team, were enormously disappointing, greatly tarnishing my image of him. But, that day, standing just behind the Reds’ dugout watching him charge down the line, it’s hard to imagine that any wagering was going on; clearly going for it, he was out by only a step.
Ken Pletcher
Carbondale
Immigrant Voices
Several years ago, I stood on stage and told my story at the very first Immigrant Voices event hosted by English In Action. I did it again at a later event. Both times, I shared pieces of my life, as an immigrant, a father, a neighbor, and both times I was met with warmth, support, and connection from the audience. That’s what Immigrant Voices is all about: connection.
This event isn’t just about storytelling. It’s about building community. It’s about making space for people who are often left out of the conversation to be heard and celebrated. When immigrants are given a platform to share their experiences, it strengthens the entire Roaring Fork Valley. We understand each other better. We see each other more clearly.
In today’s world, where much of our interaction is digital, there’s something incredibly meaningful about sitting together in a room and listening, really listening, to one another. These are unscripted, real stories from people who live and work right here in our towns. Many of them have faced enormous challenges, and still, they step forward with bravery and heart to share who they are.
In a time when immigrants often feel targeted or unseen, Immigrant Voices reminds us that their stories are not just valid, they are vital. Storytelling is one of the most human things we do. It brings us together. It builds bridges where there were once walls.
I invite everyone in our community to come out to TACAW on April 10. Suggested donation is only $10. Let’s show up for one another. Let’s listen. And let’s continue to grow stronger as a community rooted in empathy and shared experience.
Samuel Bernal
New Castle
April 5 protest
Get ready for April 5, a National Day of Action. Americans across the country will be marching, rallying and demanding a stop to the chaos and dismantling of our government by the Trump/Musk regime. Join Mountain Action Indivisible and other local groups for a “Hands Off!” rally at Sayre Park in Glenwood Springs starting at 3:30pm.
There will be great speakers, music, family-
friendly activities and lots of inspiration. It’s time to fight back against the cruelty and greed of the new administration in D.C. and to build the opposition movement.
A core principle behind all “Hands Off! events” is a commitment to nonviolent action and peaceful dissent.
Visit MountainActionIndivisible.org to sign up and get details about the event.
Lori Brandon
Carbondale
Government cuts
I want to express my deep concern regarding the current administration’s attempt to defund, destroy and eventually privatize some of our country’s basic human services. I feel horrified watching our government cut federal programs that supply food to schools and food banks, thus hurting both our nation’s children and its farmers. I’m appalled at the cuts to museums and colleges. It would seem that the last thing this administration wants is an educated populace. This is undeniably proven by the extensive cuts to educational funding. I’m fearful for our postal system which has been operating since the inception of our county with Benjamin Franklin as the first postmaster general. How can it survive without a non-partisan support system that puts its workers and service to the American public first? The United States has long lagged behind European nations in providing its citizens with the social services that support quality of life, such as: free higher education, public housing, universal healthcare and strong labor protections. With the current administration’s evident aim of destroying what little gain we have made in these areas, my hopes for an intelligent and healthy America dwindles. Raise your voice! Call your representatives! March on April 5!
Jan Schubert
Carbondale
A modest proposal
I believe and would suggest that there is a better and fairer way of increasing government funds than firing thousands of hard-working and essential government workers.
The better way would be taxes based on a specific percentage of income for all Americans: whether they be super rich, rich, moderately solvent, or low income.
I was shocked last tax time to discover that Donald Trump, a multi-billionaire, paid exactly the same tax that I paid on a retirement income: 1% of his income.
Taxes based on a specific percentage of income would be an effective, equitable, and totally fair way of raising money for our government. It would also discourage the draconian firings of government employees — firings that endanger, in many cases, the safety of our citizens.
This summer, our remaining national park personnel may have to warn tourists, “We are seriously understaffed and cannot be responsible for any visitor injury or death.”
Samuel Adams Jr.
a.k.a. Clay Boland Jr.
Carbondale