Will Grandbois Archives – The Sopris Sun

Locations: Columns, Opinion By James Steindler Published Jan. 5, 2022

Digging the dark

James Steindler begins to understand why people would willingly crawl around underground — to enjoy the solitude and beauty of hard-to-get-to places like the Glenwood Caverns' Black Grotto. Photo by Will Grandbois

Sometimes it takes friends to get you out of your comfort zone. It takes even better ones to get you to cross that proverbial boundary while at your side every step of the way. So, with a little help from my friends, for 2022 I tried something new:… read more →

Locations: News By Will Grandbois Published Dec. 1, 2021

Pages of the past: You’ve gotta have a website

For the first few years after the demise of the Valley Journal, The Sun continued on its "Color the Cover" contest more or less to the letter — with each kid putting their own spin on the same line drawing. In 2012, however, someone had the bright idea of just having the budding artist go free-form around a common theme. And so, Spruce up The Sun as we now know it was born, with then-middle schooler Renee Bruell boasting the first totally original entry to grace the cover. Help us carry on the tradition by submitting an original entry around the thme of "Healthy Future." They should be vertically oriented on an 8 1/2 x 11" piece of paper, with the artist's name, age, grade and school as well as the parent's contact info on the back. Bright, bold colors are reccomended and a variety of media is allowed, but please no glitter or 3D elements. Drop them off at the Launchpad (76 S. Fourth St.) by 5 p.m. Dec. 14 or mail them to PO Box 399, Carbondale CO 81623 with enough time to arrive by the deadline.

From the archives of the Valley Journal, Sopris Sun and Roaring Fork Rampage

Dec. 3, 1981

The Aspen Center for the Visual Arts was hosting the first major display of the late Frank Mechau’s work in the Valley — where he spent his boyhood and… read more →

Locations: News Published Oct. 13, 2021

Falling in love with the RFV

Mount Sopris looking majestic, as usual, with the changing leaves in the foreground. Photo by Tommy Sands.

Autumn is in full swing in the Roaring Fork and Crystal valleys. Three of The Sopris Sun’s regular contributors captured the wondrous color changes this season. Sunlight Mountain Resort also kicked the paper a vibrant set of courtesy photos.

A lovely, golden-tinted green ash tree in Sopris… read more →

Locations: News By Will Grandbois Published Oct. 13, 2021

Pages of the Past: Unified for the Thompson Divide

Kindergarteners Hank Meyers and Tucker Hinchliffi really set the bar high for "best carving pumpkin ever" back in 1994. Valley Journal file photo.

From the archives of the Valley Journal and The Sopris Sun

Oct. 8, 1981

Carbondale mourned the loss of old-timer Joe Corthell, who spent most of his 79 years gardening and tending hives on what was then the outskirts of town. As Editor Pat… read more →

Locations: Opinion By Will Grandbois Published Dec. 30, 2020

Welcoming a new dawn

The bound volumes of The Sopris Sun and Valley Journal are reminders that today's news is tomorrow's history. Photo by Marc Grandbois

The months since I announced my departure from the paper remind me of graduating high school, with everyone asking what’s next. It’s gratifying that so many people assumed that only something bigger and better could drag me away from The Sun.

But it’s really more like… read more →

Locations: Columns By Nicolette Toussaint Published Dec. 10, 2020

Having enough is the new ‘having it all’

Recently, my friend Jessi Hempel, a nationally-known journalist, asked Facebook friends how they felt about “having it all” in this time of COVID-19.

Cosmo editor Helen Gurley Brown used that phrase to title her 1982 memoire, and at the height of my career, it seemed something… read more →

Locations: News By Will Grandbois Published Dec. 3, 2020

A new Mr. Black teaches woodshop in a pandemic

Michael Black (center) is finally getting to teach shop in person after months online. Photo by Sue Rollyson

You may not be able to tell under the mask, but there’s an almost-familiar face in the woodshop at Roaring Fork High School (RFHS). New to teaching himself, Michael Black grew up watching his father, Larry, fill the role for more than 30 years.

“It isn’t… read more →

Locations: News By Will Grandbois Published Nov. 24, 2020

Health alliance brings new insurance option

By Will Grandbois
Sopris Sun Staff

Before your insurance plan auto renews at the end of the month, it’s worth taking a look at some new options. Rocky Mountain Health Plans (RMHP), is now offering coverage to compete with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.

It’s…