453 years of service
We would like to thank the RE-1 School District for the beautiful retirement celebration honoring employees who have dedicated their lives to the children and families of this community.
The evening was heartfelt and deeply moving, filled with stories that reminded all of us what makes a school district truly special. From transportation, custodial and maintenance staff, paraprofessionals, teachers, principals, administration and support staff, each retiree represented years of dedication, compassion and service. Together, they represented more than 453 years of combined service to our children and community.
It was especially meaningful to hear that the transportation department alone represented more than 100 years of combined service, a remarkable reflection of loyalty, commitment and care for generations of students.
The presentation honoring each retiree was especially meaningful. Every individual’s story and contribution was recognized with warmth, dignity and genuine appreciation. It was clear how much care went into making the evening memorable.
A special thank you to Aimee Brockman, chief of human resources and talent, whose leadership and compassion shined throughout the celebration.
As Gene retires after nearly five decades of safely transporting children to and from school, we are reminded that the true impact of these employees can never fully be measured in years alone. Their kindness, reliability and quiet dedication helped shape generations of students.
To all RE-1 employees, past and present, thank you for the difference you make every day.
Gene and Stephanie Schilling
Carbondale
Thank you, thank you
Carbondale Rotary’s sixth annual Fireball Drop on May 1 was another big success! An enthusiastic group of spectators joined us at 589 Park on Main Street in Carbondale this past First Friday to witness over 1,000 ping pong balls tumble from a fire ladder truck onto targets on the ground to select our winners. It was the perfect Colorado day and great fun.
A huge thanks goes out to our lead sponsor, Alpine Bank, for their consistent, dedicated support.
The Cowen Center, Glenwood Springs Post Independent, Obermeyer Wealth Partners, RJ Paddywacks Pet Outfitter, Rivers Dentistry, Roaring Fork Oral Surgery and Sopris Liquor and Wine stepped up as our supporting sponsors.
Annual sponsors included: ANB Bank, Crystal River Customs, Mr. Mike Waski, Nordic Gardens, Simon Dogbee with Northwestern Mutual, Reese Henry, Six Productions, Mike Sturhan at State Farm, Valley Lumber and Willits Veterinary Hospital.
Our single-event sponsors were Avalanche Ranch, The BarnYard Pet Ranch, Carbondale Car Care, Michael Doherty and Crystal Valley Dental, Herschel Ross Family Dentistry, Land & Shelter, Jack McKay, John Moore, RK Wolff Safety Consulting, Roaring Fork Valley Coop, Robin Tolan, Sunlight Mountain, Sure Thing Burger, Tim Whitsitt and Willow Creek Bistro.
We would like to especially thank Pablo and everyone from the Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District. They brought the equipment, manpower, expertise and good energy that made it all possible!
Thanks also goes to our event partners: Mike Arnold, Eric, Robin and Erica at the Town of Carbondale Parks and Recreation Department, Deborah and Michael at Carbondale Arts, the Carbondale Chamber, The Sopris Sun and everyone at City Market Carbondale.
We’d also like to congratulate the Family Block Party for putting on another wonderful event that brings out the best of Carbondale.
Lastly, many thanks to all of you who bought balls from us. You’ve helped us raise much needed funds for our community service projects, scholarships, student exchange programs and worldwide disease eradication efforts. We cannot thank you enough!
Alan Cole & Daniel Ferguson
Carbondale Rotary Club
Gas versus electric
I glide past standstill Main Street traffic aboard a quiet, all-electric VelociRFTA BRT. It’s reliable. I can count on it to get me home, to work or to the ski mountain any day. It’s efficient. I save money, time and stress as I read, work or rest along the way.
From my seat, I notice something else advertised as “reliable” and “efficient”: natural gas, in a Black Hills Energy ad. I ignore the irony of an ad for an explosive gas placed beside an ad for Roaring Fork Fire Rescue and ask myself: Is natural gas both reliable and efficient?
Let’s start with efficiency. Natural gas is most often used for heating our homes and water, typically using boilers. The best modern boilers reach about 98% efficiency, meaning 98% of the gas burned becomes usable heat. That sounds impressive, until you compare it to alternatives. Today’s most efficient heating technologies, heat pumps, can be 200–500% efficient. Rather than generating heat, they move it, drawing warmth from the air or ground. After some quick mental math (200 is bigger than 98), I can see that the least efficient electric heat pump is more efficient than the best gas boiler.
Reliability is more nuanced. The American Gas Association (very pro natural gas organization) notes that gas outages are relatively rare compared to electric outages. At face value, that sounds reassuring. But it overlooks an important reality: gas heating systems rely on electricity to run fans, pumps and controls. When the electricity goes out, gas systems stop working too. Electric systems, by contrast, do not depend on gas. In that sense, electric systems are inherently less vulnerable to cascading failures, and therefore more reliable.
This is just a brief look at the claims of this advertisement. There could be many situations where gas is a decent option, but at a basic level, the comparison is clear: electric systems are both more efficient and more reliable. As our valley moves toward a cleaner future, we should prioritize energy that is not just marketed as reliable and efficient, but that actually is.
Baker Casagrande
Carbondale
Thank you, Sprazzo
I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to Chester White and the entire Sprazzo team for graciously hosting our recent community mixer and campaign update for the Carbondale Clay Center.
The evening provided a warm and welcoming space for friends, neighbors, supporters and community members to come together to share in the vision for the Clay Center’s new campus and to celebrate the growing momentum of our capital campaign as we work toward a Spring 2027 groundbreaking.
Events like this remind us how fortunate we are to live in a community where local businesses and community leaders so generously invest not only in commerce but also in connection, creativity and the future of the Roaring Fork Valley.
Chester White’s generosity, hospitality and ongoing commitment to our community continues to make a meaningful and lasting impact throughout Carbondale and beyond. His kindness and goodwill reflect the very spirit that makes this valley such a special place to call home.
We sincerely thank Chester and the wonderful Sprazzo team for graciously opening their doors, warmly welcoming our community and generously supporting the Carbondale Clay Center’s bright vision for the future.
Angela Bruno & Lori Dresner
Carbondale Clay Center
Poop pick-up
While most dog owners are responsible and clean up after their pets, there are others who lack such responsibility, etiquette and consideration for others. Town and RFTA generously provide poop bag dispensers and receptacles in so many locations. Come on, folks! Pick up your dog’s poop and deposit it in an appropriate public container. Your decency would be appreciated.
Laurie Loeb
Carbondale
Re: Ps&Qs
Jeannie Perry, you’ve managed to write several paragraphs without landing on a single coherent point, which is impressive in its own way. You bounce from AI philosophy to alien rescue fantasies to Cold War fan fiction like a Roomba with a dying battery. If you’re trying to warn humanity, maybe start by warning yourself about the dangers of posting before your thoughts finish buffering.
You talk about “entrusting the planet to AI,” while ignoring the fact that humans — not algorithms — are the ones who’ve been screwing things up for centuries. AI didn’t start wars, topple governments or lose nuclear material. People did. And if you’re going to accuse an entire administration of being “the short bus lost on a field trip,” maybe check your own map first, because your argument wandered off a cliff three paragraphs ago.
Then you pivot into some conspiracy-theory improv about murdered generals, Putin as Dr. Evil and Trump as Number 2. If you’re going to write political commentary, at least pick a lane: satire, thriller or rant. Right now you’re doing all three badly.
You claim Trump is some kind of chaotic pawn destroying the country, but conveniently ignore the actual record: Middle East normalization efforts, border enforcement, pressure on drug cartels, counter‑Iran operations and attempts to rein in inflation, reduce antisemitism in our country. You don’t have to like him — plenty don’t — but pretending he’s a cartoon villain while your preferred leaders sleepwalk through crises isn’t analysis. It’s coping. By the way: Where’s Jackie? Google that one.
And your big finale? “AI will roll the credits.” Cute line, but here’s the reality: AI isn’t stealing nuclear weapons, Putin isn’t living in an ‘80s movie and your entire argument reads like someone fed a blender equal parts Reddit, late-night cable news and expired NyQuil.
If you want to critique Trump, fine. But at least do it with facts, not fever dreams. Because right now, the only thing “missing” in this whole story is your logic.
Pete Small
Carbondale