The Pitkin Miner Spring 2014 Edition

Published April 11, 2014. Updated April 29, May 5, May 30 and June 19, 2014.

*REVERSE 911 LINK for Cell Phone Users who have homes here: pg. 6* *CALENDAR is at the very end of this document.*

June 19, 2014 Pitkin is getting busier and the weather has been wonderful! Some nights we still have lows in the high 20’s and low 30’s, and highs are usually in the mid-60s. There has not been much rain lately but there’s a little chance over the next few days. SILVER PLUME GRILL

Customer Bob Nuttelman of Colorado Springs and Pitkin receives his (and my) delicious brisket sandwiches this evening at the Silver Plume Grill, served by the smiling Stephanie Weir and Cory Nasso who now live in Pitkin and help out Cory’s parents, Chris and Kandy Nasso at the store and grill!

From inside of the recently-completed dining area, with Tayler McCrery’s hanging flower baskets displayed, for sale through the Silver Plume General Store.

Chris Nasso chats with Bob Nuttelman, my brother-in-law, June 19, 2014.

Silver Plume Grill with seating both inside the tent and outside in the fresh air and sun.

The Silver Plume General Store has been open since early May and has become the Place to Be in Pitkin once again! Mornings, the chairs on the deck are usually full of coffee-drinkers enjoying the beautiful mornings.

Side-by-side ATVs are available for rent at the Silver Plume. The Silver Plume also has lodging in their two apartments. They can be reached at 970-641-3866 for more information. Check http://www.silverplumegeneralstore.com for more details, the menu of the grill, prices of rentals of these ATVs and in the winter, snowmobiles, and general information. The Silver Plume celebrates the 50th anniversary this summer with a Street Dance to be held on July 19, 2014 at the Silver Plume! Any people who formerly owned the Silver Plume are being contacted – or at least an attempt is being made to contact them, so that hopefully lots of former Silver Plume owners will be here, too! PITKIN CAFÉ NOW OPEN The Pitkin Café at Main Street and 5th Streets opened up for the season today! The Pitkin Café offers burgers, pizza, and Mexican food along with hand-scooped ice cream, shakes, cones, snow cones, homemade brownies, and fruit pies! Proprietor Larry Miller has been here in Pitkin since sometime in early May and is doing well. Diane

Pitkin Café, closed this evening, but it was open today for business! June 19, 2014 May 30, 2014 Spring has sprung here in Pitkin! The moose are being seen regularly in the Middle Quartz area, bear tracks have been found in town, and the creek is up! Earlier this week there was a very small storm burst that damaged some property near the Quartz Creek between State Street and River Street around the 700 block. This is quite rare for Pitkin. A piece of metal was seen flying up in the air and it reportedly landed in the Quartz Creek. Summer residents are trickling in and the Silver Plume General Store is bustling. The Pitkin Café is also getting ready to open up for the season. The Silver Plume is now selling food throughout the day and the Nassos’ son Corey and his fiancé Stephanie have moved up to Pitkin to help Chris and Kandy out! Please remember that there is a public meeting on Tuesday, June 10, at 5:00 p.m. at the Newcomb Community Center, put on by the US Postal Service, regarding the Pitkin Post Office. As many people as possible should attend! SAD NEWS

Earlier this week I heard that Gerald Peterie passed away. He was a regular summer resident of Pitkin for many years, with a home on Main Street. I know that many have missed seeing him since he quit coming up in the summer just a few years ago, and it’s sad to see him go. Here is Gerald Peterie’s obituary: Peterie, William “Gerald”, 95, was born April 11, 1919 and passed away on Wednesday, May 21, 2014. He was a WWII U.S. Army veteran having served in the Pacific Theatre and Japanese occupation. Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse T. and Blanche (Bailey) Peterie; his first wife of 61 years, Mary Louise (Brant) Peterie; his sisters, Fanelle Lampkins, Edith Hoyt and Claudine Raleigh. Survivors include his wife, Jody Sondergard Peterie; his children, Bill (Anita), Cindy (Thad), Tom (Nancy), and Jon (Janet); Jody’s children, Mark (Ann), Sanna (Jon), and Steve (Ryta); 7 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren whom he loved to watch play at gatherings. Visitation with the family present, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Tuesday; service, 11:30 a.m. Tuesday both at First United Methodist Church, 330 N. Broadway. Burial will follow at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Ellenwood Cemetery, Sawyer, KS. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pitkin Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 235, Pitkin, CO 81241.

Gerald Peterie, who passed away on May 21, 2014

May 5, 2014 Post Office Town Meeting, June 10, 5:00 p.m.

Please mark on your calendars that the U.S. Postal Service Post Office Town Meeting to discuss the new operating hours for the Pitkin Post Office will be held on Tuesday, June 10, at 5:00 p.m., at the Newcomb Community Center here in Pitkin. It is important that as many people as possible attend this meeting! Thank you! April 29, 2014 Sad News   Wendell Doonan, a long-time part-time resident of Pitkin passed away on Sunday, April 27. Wendell was often seen riding his 4-wheeler in Pitkin with two medium-sized poodles in a basket on the front. He was well-known and loved here among all residents. Wendell’s step-daughter Jody Wise and her husband John Wise live here in Pitkin full-time and their address is Mr. & Mrs. John Wise, PO Box 165, Pitkin, CO 81241. Wendell Doonan is survived by his wife Mary Jane Doonan, whose address is P.O. Box 1246. Great Bend, KS 67530. Here is Wendell’s obituary posted this afternoon on the internet.

Wendell M. Doonan, 91, died April 27, at Eckstein Center - Hospice of the Valley in Scottsdale, Ariz. He was born Feb. 27, 1923, in Great Bend, the son of Clarence Cecil and Florence Roberta (Bowyer) Doonan. On Jan. 31, 1944, he married Wanda Lee Wolf in Hoisington. She died Oct. 19, 1980. He then married Mary Jane (Stricker) Reich on March 12, 1983, in Great Bend.

A lifetime Great Bend resident, Mr. Doonan founded Doonan Truck and Equipment in 1947, an Oliver farm equipment dealership which was housed in a small building north of Great Bend on Highway 281. In 1950, the dealership was moved to north Main Street and a service station was added. Four years later, the GMC Truck franchise was secured and another move was made to a new building on Main Street. In 1961, the dealership moved to 10th Street and the 281 By-pass as a result of the new building burning. The Peterbilt truck line was added in 1964. A new facility at the Highway 56 and 156 junction was opened in 1970 due to increased business where the present-day dealership is located. The Doonan Trailer facility was added in 1974 where Doonan’s own design of grain trailers, oilfield beds, pressure tanks, and flatbed and drop-deck trailers were manufactured. Mr. Doonan eventually had satellite dealerships in Wichita, Liberal, Garden City, and Grand Island, Neb. Those, with the exception of Great Bend and Wichita, have all been sold and the two remaining dealerships are owned and operated by his son, Kenny Doonan. Mr. Doonan was a member of First United Methodist Church, Lions Club, A. F. & A. M. Masonic Lodge #15, and Isis Shrine, all of Great Bend; and Ascension Lutheran Church and ROMEOs at Ascension Lutheran Church in Paradise Valley, Ariz. Mr. Doonan is survived by his wife, Mary Jane Doonan, of the home; three sons, Maurice Doonan of Kingman, Kenny Doonan and his wife Sue of Wichita, and Warren Doonan and his wife Jeanne of Hoisington; one sister, Evelyn Graham of Washington; one sister-in-law, Lila Doonan; nine grandchildren, Kelly Husher and her husband Steve, Dan Doonan and wife Debbie, Brian Doonan and his wife Shannon, Brent Doonan, Jennifer Pece and her husband Steve, Aaron Doonan and his wife Gina, Jarrod Doonan and his wife Lyndsay, Chelsea Coon and her husband Chris, and Darren Doonan and his wife Sabrina; 12 great-grandchildren, Madison Husher, Jacob Husher, Cassidy Husher, Quin Doonan, Brock Doonan, Preston Doonan, Ava Doonan, Jaxson Doonan, Liam Doonan, Jacey Doonan, Taetym Doonan, and Jovie Coon; one step-son, Tim Reich; one step-daughter, Jody Wise and her husband John; and three step-grandchildren, Lindsay Reich, Chandler Reich, and Alex Wise. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Dorothy Roberta Doonan; one step-son, Brian Reich; two brothers, Robert Doonan and Willard Doonan; and one sister, Margarite McAnulla. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday at the First United Methodist Church in Great Bend with the Reverend Judy Stricker officiating. Burial will be

at Great Bend Cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m., on Thursday, at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to First United Methodist Church or Shrine Travel Fund or Ascencion Lutheran Church, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, Ks. 67530 Great Bend (Kansas) Tribune, April 30, 2014 LAST CHANCE on PHCA FLAG CONTEST Judging for the PHCA Pitkin Flag Contest will be held on very soon, so please get your entries to Nancy Mitchell as soon as possible! Here are the details of the Flag Design Contest. I apologize for the lateness of this article. Due to my husband’s illness and then his death, all in a 5-1/2-week period, my life in general became pretty disorganized and difficult. I haven’t been functioning quite normally but things are getting a bit better, so here you go: A Flag Design Contest! In 2014 we will be celebrating Pitkin’s 135th anniversary! As part of the celebration, we would like to have a town flag. PHCA is holding a contest for flag design and we encourage you to submit an entry. The design should be 11” x 14” in size. Your proposal should include colors. Submit those entries by May 8 to Nancy Mitchell, PO Box 121, Pitkin, CO 81241. Make sure your phone number and return address are included. Questions can be sent to Nancy Mitchell at grammym53@aol.com, or acll 970-275-5849. A joint committee of Town Council Trustees and PHCA Board Members will judge the entries. The contest winner will be announced on Memorial Day. Judges’ choices will be final.

POST OFFICE NEWS Last Monday, April 19, Pitkin’s Postmaster Darwin Geesey started his new Postmaster position in South Fork, Colorado. Now our Post Office is expected to be closing down to just 2 hours a day by early August, from what I have been told. On June 10, a Tuesday, there will be a Postal Service “Town Hall Meeting” held most likely before our scheduled Pitkin Town Meeting. The location has not yet been decided. If at all possible, please try to attend this special meeting put on by the U.S. Postal Service. The more people attending this meeting, the better for the future of our local Post Office. April 11, 2014 SUMMER PLANS IN THE QUARTZ CREEK VALLEY QCIA 5K and 10K RACE The Quartz Creek Property Improvement Association (QCPIA), an organization of residents of the entire Quartz Creek Valley, is planning a 5K and 10K Walk up Gold Creek from Ohio City on August 16, 2014! They now have both a Facebook Page found at Ohio City Gold Rush 5K 10K on Facebook, and their own website at http://www.goldrush5k10k.com/, where people can donate, register and learn more about the route, view sponsors, and get area information! If you have further questions, the organizers can be emailed at goldrush5k10k@gmail.com. PHCA FLAG CONTEST and BEARD-GROWING CONTEST The Pitkin Historical and Community Association is planning a celebration of Pitkin’s 135th Anniversary this summer. They are asking for people to submit designs for a Pitkin 135th Anniversary Flag and they are also planning to hold a beard-growing contest among the men. For more information, please email Nancy Mitchell at GrammyM53@aol.com (for now…I emailed her for more information that I will include here in the Miner when I get the info).

Note: I have more info now (April 11) but I have to figure out where I put it. The past month is kind of a big blur for me. SEPTIC INSPECTIONS DUE THIS YEAR I was in a big hurry when I printed out and copied form letters to send out to Pitkin property owners who are due for a septic inspection. I apologize that I made some type of clerical error and I sent letters to people who had already had their systems inspected in the last year. When I get time (it could be another month or so), I will be in contact with those who were notified in error to let them know when their system is REALLY due for a septic inspection. I have not yet had a chance to figure out exactly what I did, or whether there may still be some reports from inspectors or from septic pumpers which I never received. I do know that septic pumpers very, very rarely ever send me a report, so I will add a note to the Septic Inspection Information sheet that I send out each year with the letters that property owners need to themselves send me a copy of their dated receipt for having their septic tank pumped. There really is, however, no good reason to just arbitrarily decide to have your septic system pumped: that costs hundreds of dollars and having an inspection by one of our local septic inspectors only costs $30. Then they will advise you if in fact your system does need to be pumped (and they will not charge you the $30)…and sometimes they will suggest alternatives, such as adding a product to your tank that will help the necessary bacteria to flourish. IMPORTANT: REGISTER YOUR CELL PHONE FOR REVERSE 911 CALLS - UPDATED Update as of March 27, 2014, Gunnison Country Times story: “A new emergency notification system intended to save lives and money – and that takes advantage of new technology – is now online throughout Gunnison, Hinsdale and parts of Saguache counties. The Gunnison/Hinsdale Emergency Telephone Service Authority (GHETSA) has switched from Twenty First Century Communications to CodeRED. CodeRED is a high-speed telephone emergency notification that allows public safety personnel to send messages directly to residents during an emergency. The system was used recently to notify Taylor Canyon residents of avalanches in the area.” For those who are in the Pitkin area at summer homes and who have disconnected your local Gunnison area phone numbers, please note the following:

REGIONAL EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS: To register your Voice over IP (VoIP) or Wireless Telephones, please use the link provided just below to go to the Intrado Target Notification System (TNS) and fill out the registration form. Each number provided will be added to the regional emergency database to receive voice notifications when your address is impacted by a disaster or emergency. Each number can only be associated with one address in the system. Copy and paste this link into your interner browser. https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/BF7ED953CC69 If you are registered, you will receive a Reverse 911 call in case of emergency. Pitkin Calendar of Events 2013 Saturday, April 12 – QCIA Meeting & Pot Luck Dinner, 6:30 p.m., Ohio City Town Hall Saturday, May 10 – QCIA Valley Clean-up followed by a Pot Luck Lunch at noon at the Ohio City Town Hall. Tuesday, May 13 – Pitkin Town Meeting, Pitkin Town Hall, 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 4 – PHCA’s Bunco begins at 10:00 a.m. at the Newcomb Community Center. Come at 9:30 for food and fellowship before the game. Monday, June 9 – PHCA Board Meeting, 2:00 p.m. at Newcomb Community Center Tuesday, June 10 – Pitkin Town Meeting, Pitkin Town Hall, 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 11 – PHCA’s Bunco, 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 14 – QCIA Meeting & Pot Luck Dinner, 6:30 p.m., Ohio City Town Hall. Wednesday, June 18 – PHCA’s Bunco, 10:00 a.m.

Thursday, June 19 – PHCA Movies in the Mountains, 7:00 p.m., Newcomb Community Center Monday, June 23 – PHCA Board Meeting, 2:00 p.m. at Newcomb Community Center. Wednesday, June 25 – PHCA’s Bunco, 10:00 a.m, Newcomb Community Center Friday, June 27 – PHCA Pot Luck Dinner and PHCA General Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Newcomb Community Center Sunday, June 29 – PHCA’s Pancake Breakfast, 8:00 a.m. til noon, Newcomb Community Center Wednesday, July 2 – PHCA’s Bunco, 10:00 a.m., Newcomb Community Center Saturday, July 5 – Pitkin Fireman’s Day! PHCA’s 4th of July Parade at 3:00 p.m. Times for Fire Department’s Dinner and Dance to be announced. Monday, July 7 – PHCA Board Meeting, 2:00 p.m., Newcomb Community Center Tuesday, July 8 – Pitkin Town Meeting, Pitkin Town Hall, 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 9 – PHCA’s Bunco, 10:00 a.m., Newcomb Community Center Thursday, July 10 – PHCA’s Movies in the Mountains, 7:00 p.m., Newcomb Community Center Saturday, July 12 – QCIA Meeting & Pot Luck Dinner, 6:30 p.m., Ohio City Town Hall. Tuesday, July 15 – PHCA’s Family Bunco Night, 7:00 p.m., Newcomb Community Center Wednesday, July 16 – PHCA’s Bunco, 10:00 a.m., Newcomb Community Center Friday, July 18 – PHCA Pot Luck Dinner and Annual General Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Newcomb Community Center

Monday, July 21 – PHCA Board Meeting, 2:00 p.m., Newcomb Community Center Wednesday, July 23 – PHCA’s Bunco, 10:00 a.m., Newcomb Community Center Thursday, Friday & Saturday, July 24, 25 and 26 – PHCA’s Pitkin Melodrama at 7:00 p.m., featuring the Pitkin Town Players at Pitkin Town Hall Saturday, July 26 – Pitkin Day – Activities all day – schedule to be provided closer to the date. Sunday, July 27 – PHCA’s Pitkin Melodrama Matinee at 4:00 p.m. at Pitkin Town Hall Wednesday, July 30 – PHCA’s Bunco, 10:00 a.m., Newcomb Community Center Monday, August 4 - PHCA Board Meeting, 2:00 p.m, Newcomb Community Center Wednesday, August 6 – PHCA’s Bunco, 10:00 a.m., Newcomb Community Center Thursday, August 7 – PHCA Movies in the Mountains, 7:00 p.m., Newcomb Community Center Saturday, August 9 – QCIA Meeting & Pot Luck Dinner, 6:30 p.m., Ohio City Town Hall. Sunday, August 10 – PHCA Pancake Breakfast, 8:00 a.m. til noon, Newcomb Community Center Tuesday, August 12 – Pitkin Town Meeting, Pitkin Town Hall, 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 13 – PHCA’s Bunco, 10:00 a.m., Newcomb Community Center Friday, August 15 – PHCA Pot Luck Dinner and General Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Newcomb Community Center

Monday, August 18 – PHCA Board Meeting, 2:00 p.m., Newcomb Community Center Wednesday, August 20 – PHCA’s Bunco, 10:00 a.m., Newcomb Community Center Thursday, August 21 – PHCA Movie in the Mountains, 7:00 p.m., Newcomb Community Center Wednesday, August 27 – PHCA’s Bunco, 10:00 a.m., Newcomb Community Center Sunday, August 31 – PHCA Pancake Breakfast, 8:00 a.m. til noon, Newcomb Community Center Tuesday, September 2 – PHCA Board Meeting, 2:00 p.m., Newcomb Community Center Wednesday, September 3 – PHCA’s Bunco, 10:00 a.m., Newcomb Community Center Friday, September 5 – PHCA/QCIA Joint Pot Luck Dinner, 6:30 p.m., Newcomb Community Center Tuesday, September 9 – Pitkin Town Meeting, Pitkin Town Hall, 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 10 – PHCA’s Bunco, 10:00 a.m., Newcomb Community Center Saturday, September 13 – QCIA Meeting & Pot Luck Dinner, 6:30 p.m., Ohio City Town Hall. Saturday, October 11 – QCIA Meeting & Pot Luck Dinner, 6:30 p.m., Ohio City Town Hall. Tuesday, October 14 – Pitkin Town Meeting, Pitkin Town Hall, 7:00 p.m. Saturday, November 8 – QCIA Meeting & Pot Luck Dinner, 6:30 p.m., Ohio City Town Hall

Tuesday, November 11 – Pitkin Town Meeting, Pitkin Town Hall, 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 9 – Pitkin Town Meeting, Pitkin Town Hall, 7:00 p.m. Saturday, December 13 – QCIA Meeting & Pot Luck Dinner, 6:30 p.m., Ohio City Town Hall Wednesday, December 24 – Christmas Eve Service at Pitkin Community Church, 6:00 p.m.