by Fred Hernandez
The world’s premier fighting force, the United States Army, honors
its legacy with a grand military parade in Washington D.C., celebrating their 250th Anniversary. It was initially formed from a band of militiamen for the protection of the first thirteen colonies of America. In 1775, the 2nd Continental Congress formally established the U.S. Army. Its main responsibility is defending the country and fighting land battles and military occupation as needed. Significant contributions are also made by the Corp. of Engineers in the control of rivers within theUnited States.
Over the years the U.S. Army has performed crucial roles in various conflicts all over the world. It has also adapted as necessary to the changing needs of the nation. On June 14th, President Donald J. Trump will join veterans of wars, wounded warriors, Gold Star Families and Patriotic Americans from all across the country to celebrate our nation’s heroes and their selflessness, bravery and commitment.
The U.S. Army has a 250th Anniversary coin on sale. Visit their website or shop at Amazon.com or EBay. Happy Birthday to the world’s premier fighting force!
USA, USA, USA,USA!!!
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John Emmerling Celebration of Life Planned
John Emmerling was born April 25, 1946, on the East coast. He passed away on May 31, 2025, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The oldest of five children, John and his family moved to Alabama, where his father earned a master’s degree from the University of Alabama. The family then moved back to New Jersey, where his father taught school. One of his fondest memories, John enjoyed living on the East coast, working on the farm with his grandfather, picking fruit, growing vegetables and learning to build onto the home where his family lived.
After high school graduation, John earned an engineering degree from Steven’s University and went to work for GE in Cincinnati, Ohio. He spent a good portion of his life working at GE, which he talked about fondly.
He was married and he had three daughters. After a divorce, John moved to Wetmore, CO, with the idea of starting a vineyard. He ended up joining a group of about 20 people to start the Fremont
County Crusader, which he worked at for about 10 years.
John was very patriotic and was a member of the Fremont County Republicans, Royal Gorge Tea Party, Cañon City Rotary, Cañon City Noon Lions, Florence Elks Lodge No. 611, Sons of American Legion Post 13, and many other organizations. He worked tirelessly as a
precinct captain for numerous candidates during election time.
John enjoyed talking about his experiences with GE and his
father’s heroism during World War II.
John was able to travel all over the world with his job. He also enjoyed sailing, riding his motorcycle, camping, fishing and taking photographs at the Florence Farmers Market, Blossom Festival, Florence Pioneer Day and many other events for the newspaper.
When John’s health declined, he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, to live with his daughter, Meredith and son-in-law, Jared Morris.
John is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, grandchildren and great- grandchildren, a brother, James, and three sisters.
The family has planned to hold a memorial at a later date in Ohio. Those who would like to send cards and/or donations may do so to Meredith and Jared Morris, 4179 Stonecreek Way, Cincinnati, Ohio 45241.
The Celebration of Life service will be from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, June 29th, at “The Venue at Oak Creek”, at 800 N. Frazier in Florence. Finger food to follow.
This is the former milking barn at Camerlo Dairy in Florence. Turn north at the light on the west side of Florence.
June 14 Custer County Kids Council’s Family Fun Day
Press Release
Custer County Kids Council’s 6th Annual Family Fun Day is SATURDAY JUNE 14th, 2025, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Memorial Park. There will be a bounce house, FREE food, LIVE music, face painting, balloon art, raffles, and over 25 local agency booths! It is sure to be a FUN and FREE event for all ages.
We are looking for volunteers to help make this event possible. If you are interested please contact Laurie at cckckids@gmail.com or call 719-783-2074.
CCKC works across the community to support young children and families to ensure bright futures. We all have a role to play in preparing our kids for a healthy and successful future.
Celebrate U.S. Flag Day With Us
Celebrate U.S. Flag Day With Us
Saturday June 14
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
by George Gramlich
Saturday will be a beautiful day to celebrate the day our country recognized June 14 as National Flag Day. With all the negative events around the country we need to display our respect for our country and our flag and this Saturday is the day to do it. That can be done by showing up at the Sentinel (601 Main St., Westcliffe) this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and bringing an American or patriotic flag for you to display.
We will be assembling on the spacious front lawn of the Sentinel to display our flags to our fellow citizens. Bring your kids, family and friends and lawn chairs if you want to sit.
Show our neighbors, our visitors and the rest of the country what a patriotic county looks like!
Feel free to enjoy your 2nd Amendment rights for without them, we would have no Flag Day.
God Bless Custer County and God Bless America!
Westcliffe Town Meetings Grants, Lawsuits, Workforce Housing, Dark Skies/SJO
Westcliffe Town Meetings: Hedberg Lawsuits Settlement, Grant Funded Water/Sewer to Move Forward on Town Lots for Workforce Housing, Dark Skies/ SJO Requests Improvements, Board of Trustees Searching for a new Attorney
by Laura Vass
During the Westcliffe Board of Trustees April 15 meeting, the trustees went into executive session to discuss settling the two lawsuits by Jordan Hedberg concerning open meeting violations and executive sessions which he wanted the records/recordings to. The trustees settled the two lawsuits by releasing the recordings requested and paying $6,000 for Hedberg’s lawyer fees.
The town attorney, Clay Buchner, remarked that “there will always be the Hedbergs of the world that file lawsuits for gain.”
During the April meeting the Board voted to allow the Farmer’s market to use Jesse Park this year but it looks like, from press releases from the Market, that the location will remain north of Jesse Park. We shall see.
The Board also voted on the Contract for the town lawyer. However, the town put out an RFP after a special meeting on the 30th of May, in search of municipal attorney. Clay, who accepted a position with the 11th District Attorney’s Office months ago, and represents other municipalities as well, will stay on in his capacity as the town does its search.
With County Commissioner Canda point-ing out that the county had dropped $40K into the pockets of Round Mountain to help with the sludge removal project, Westcliffe’s board agreed to put in $10K.
In the May 20 regular meeting, a few agenda items were tabled: The IT Report and Consideration to rezone a lot in Shadow Ridge subdivision from commercial to single-family residential, the latter of which must be open for discussion for one month. His request for rezoning started late March, so this was a surprise. Both will be on the agenda for June.
The Board discussed and voted on candidates for the Planning Commission opening, deciding on Brian Clince (Antler Liquor and Motel) for the position and the other two applicants, Leslie Parkes and Nadine Petersen, would be alternates.
Next was an update on the workforce housing. The Board did get the grant for infrastructure (water tap and sewer) to the property the town owns and has purposed for workforce housing. They’ll need to take bids on that soon. The grant for obtaining an economic assessment was also awarded to the towns and county and Community Attributes, Inc. has been commissioned to do the assessment. They were scheduled to come on the big snow day in May and will be up to meeting business folks and join in some focus groups June 2 -3.
An update from Barry Keene, who is part of the county’s Workforce Housing Committee, was next. He said that Charles Bogle had gifted them the non-profits, Custer County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) and a sister non-profit, which gives them a non-profit with longstanding to set up a Housing Authority which in turn can be a clearing house for grants, loans and managing housing projects later. (Neither the county nor the towns of Westcliffe and Silver Cliff want to be in the business of managing rental units etc.) The CCEDC would need a Board, an office, personnel and other set up. No plans or deadlines were given for this, but Keene said he’d have something together by week’s end. He also wanted the towns and the county to put up some money to go with an 80/20 grant he’s looking at to set up that Housing Authority. Mayor Wenke suggested a workshop (scheduled for May 30) to get more information on this.
Erick Messick, local Vice President of Dark Skies, was there to approach the board about improvements. Apparently, the Smokey Jack Observatory (SJO) at The Bluff is on property that the town owns and the town is responsible for some improvements. They would like to put some more seating in which would require some dirt moving. They also are concerned about visitors using the drainage area (which is full of rock) as a pathway—which might be a good way to get injured, especially at night. Methods were discussed for blocking it off in a way that Dark Skies can still use the drainage area to drive a truck in and out when they have activities to set up.
This lead to a few questions. Mayor Wenke wanted to know who would be paying for improvements/changes. A discussion ensued about the property transfer agreement from the Land Conservancy several years back and who is responsible for improvements and if there was any money left from that transfer agreement. At one point Mayor Wenke suggested Dark Skies charge for their activities, which have always been free. The Board agreed that they need to research the documents on the transfer by the next meeting to determine responsibility for costs, etc.
This went from discussion of safety to the issue of the area not being very ADA compliant and the question of whether, as part of the city’s Bluff Park, it has to be ADA. The town lawyer was asked about it and he said ADA compliance is very complicated, and he didn’t want to speak to the issue without looking at the area and investigating it further.
In Public Comments, someone complained about the Saddle Club having their ‘non-compliant with Dark Skies ordinance’ lights on. Board member Mr. Jagow, who is president of Dark Skies, did say that it’s a problem and wondered if the town could lose its Dark Skies Designation.
Mayor Wenke said it was his understanding that they can have the lights on in the Arena/parking lot for 11 days a year which is enough to cover the Rodeo/4-H week and the gymkhana events. They are supposed to get a special use permit each time, however. This discussion, not on the agenda, could not go anywhere for
this meeting.
The Board set up a special meeting for the morning of May 30, to consider putting out an RFP for a town attorney. They did agree and issued the RFP announcement to be published. There was mention but not actions on Mr. Wenke and Mr Fulton meeting with Round Mountain and DOLA to figure out the Engineering needs for the infrastructure grant before creating an RFP for that. Mr. Wenke said he would like to get the sewer/water put in before a fall freeze.
Beckwith Ranch Spring Roundup Saturday, June 7th
Beckwith Ranch Spring Roundup
Saturday, June 7th
Press Release
The Friends of Beckwith Ranch, Inc. announces the 4th Annual Beckwith Ranch Spring Roundup at the historic Beckwith Ranch near Westcliffe, Colorado Saturday, June 7th, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In honor of this most significant event in the ranching life, Beckwith Ranch is having an extravaganza designed to entertain the entire family.
Meet members of the Beckwith Family portrayed by the Beckwith Docents hosting activities all around the old Beckwith headquarters. The mansion will be open for tours and presentations. And a Silent Auction featuring very nice items will be offered in the Ballroom of the Mansion.
Nearby, local bands and musicians will be playing great songs appropriate for a Ranching Roundup celebration. Shelby and Daniel Brown will be providing wagon rides from the ranch to the old Beckwith Whistle Stop and back. Bill Morgan is bringing his beautiful American Miniature horse and may provide lucky kids a ride on his miniature sulky. Enjoy Blacksmith demos by Ken Butler in our newly restored blacksmith shop.
Hungry for great cowboy cuisine? For lunch, experience an authentic Chuck Wagon meal with Rocky Mountain Soda, soft drinks and beer.
Visit Velma’s Playhouse, our Family Fun Center, where families can help their little cowboy or cowgirl build a custom stick horse to race in the Beckwith Derby. And they can learn calf roping and play games from the 1890s. Or get removable tattoos. Authentic American Stories will be presented by Joyce Gregor and the kids (and adults) can participate in Terra Raye’s Native American song and drum activity.
In honor of Smokey Jack, former owner of Beckwith Ranch, the Dark Skies Organization she founded will have telescopes set up to safely view the sun and feature the Planet Quest kid’s exhibit to learn about the Solar System.
Local antique car enthusiasts will be showing off their incredible collections. Local vendors will have booths set up to offer unique handmade products. And Lisa Gurian will be there to present Equine Assisted Learning demos.
And the event marks the opening of the Beckwith Gift Shop featuring great gifts and souvenirs, many made locally by
our talented and artistic artisans, artists and authors.
Don’t miss this exciting and fun event and help Friends of Beckwith Ranch raise money to preserve The Historic Beckwith Ranch.
The Historic Beckwith Ranch is located 6 miles north of Westcliffe on Highway 69 N. Admission is only $10/adults, $2/kids under 12
Visit our website for more information: www.BeckwithRanch.com
BOCC: Dramatic P&Z Showdown: Vogelsong Folds, Carsten Skates
BOCC: Dramatic P&Z Showdown:
Vogelsong Folds, Carsten Skates
by George Gramlich, News and Commentary
The May 28, 2025 regular meeting of the Custer County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) started at 9 a.m. at the All Aboard Westcliffe Meeting Room in downtown Westcliffe. All three Commissioners were present: Chair Bill Canda and members Lucas Epp and Paul Vogelsong.
In Commissioner Items, of note was Canda talking about donations to several county offices/departments the highlight being five used police car donated to the Sheriff’s Office. Canda, again, asked the audience to refrain from asking questions during Public Comments and to only make comments. (The constant questions from the audience, the vast majority of which are totally a waste of time and only come from one or two people, were slowing down the meetings a lot and getting the Agenda Items off of the subject. Even with that admonition, the main person who constantly asked questions kept doing it during the meeting and Canda let him do it. Please make it stop….)
In New Business, the first Item was Accounts Payable. The two-week total was $191k and it was ok’d.
Next was a request for applying for a “Rebate Grant” from the Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) by the Recycling crew. It was ok’d.
The proposed Weed Management Plan and Implementation Plan was presented for approval by Vogelsong. Apparently, the money to fund this statutory required effort is drying up as Epp said we had better plan for funding in 2026. The plan passed.
Bob Smith from Human Resources then gave an update on the quest to replace CTSI as the County’s insurer. Smith said there were two insurance areas: medical (including eye and dental) and Worker’s Compensation. (Also, liability which CTSI has and the Commissioners have not been too happy about how CTSI has been handling some claims). Smith interviewed several insurance brokers to search for the insurance and recommended two:
Acrisure for medical and Network Insurance Services for Workman’s Comp (WC). The Commissioners agreed with his selection.
Next up was a Personnel Matter concerning Planning & Zoning’s Director, Dorothy Carsten. (Last week, at the BOCC meeting, the Commissioners went into Executive Session (ES) and after that passed a motion putting Carsten on paid administrative until this meeting. Carsten had a choice on how to run this issue at this meeting: she could ask for it to be handled in private in an ES or have it discussed openly in the BOCC meeting. She chose the latter.) County Attorney Dan Slater reviewed the issue and warned Carsten she was waiving her right to confidentiality regarding her personal information. Carsten agreed to that.
Human Resources Director Bob Smith was up first to state the allegations of misconduct. Smith said there were two (although he alluded to other “performance issues” about Carsten): The first issue was that Carsten violated the County Employee Handbook rule about being absent from work for three days or more without notifying her supervisor (who is Vogelsong). The second is that Carsten was open carrying a handgun at two instances when she was doing inspections in the field. The Handbook says employees can carry a handgun but it must be concealed at all times. Smith said it was also an assumption that an employee who conceals carry has a valid concealed carry permit…..
See the 06/06/2025 issue
Obituary: Sangre de Cristo Seminary CoFounder Dwight Fullerton Zeller
September 13, 1929 –
May 30, 2025
Dwight Fullerton Zeller, of Westcliffe, a devoted servant of God, departed this life peacefully Friday, May 30, 2025, to be with his Lord and Savior. His legacy is rich in accomplishments, service to others, and ministry of the Word for more than 75 years. He was a man with a massive personality, a great mind, a tireless work ethic, and perpetual wit.
Born in Monmouth, Illinois, in 1929, to Frederick and Bertha Zeller, Dwight’s father was a minister and Army chaplain, while his mother ran the household and taught school. He and his older brother, Paul, were lifelong friends and collaborators, serving together in ministry. After graduating from Bob Jones College, Dwight and Paul preached at churches in western Kansas and eastern Colorado, establishing deep friendships that lasted a lifetime.
In the early 1950s, Dwight and Paul founded Horn Creek Camp, a Christian youth and family camp near Westcliffe, in the Sangre de Cristo mountains. Dwight then served for 20 years as a Navy Chaplain, sending home funds early on to help launch the camp while Paul stayed behind to run it. Dwight’s final Navy tour was as Chaplain at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, at the end of which he began teaching full-time at the Reformed Episcopal Seminary in Philadelphia.
In 1976, Dwight founded Sangre de Cristo Seminary, in rural Westcliffe, which started as a summer school and became a full-time seminary in 1979. Focused on the practical application of Biblical exegesis and the study of Biblical languages, Dwight and his wife, Lois, worked side-by-side, teaching and serving students, building the seminary facilities, per-forming maintenance, and preparing men and women for ministry. Dwight often reflected on attending a Billy Sunday revival as a youth, where the tent floors were covered in sawdust—an inspiration for the wood-chip flooring in the seminary chapel.
He stepped down from the seminary presidency in 2000 but continued teaching classes, including Old Testament Hebrew, until the fall of 2024, when he became ill.
Unable to sit still, Dwight pursued a multitude of hobbies with an impressive tenacity: playing the accordion; building wooden clocks; crafting wood pens, herb grinders, and ice cream scoops; setting gems into jewelry; machine knitting woolen socks;
experimenting with optometry eye testing machines; creating hundreds of Greek New Testaments; and so many more. Humble and hardworking, he insisted on doing maintenance and work around his property until his final months–cleaning out the chimneys, plowing roads, and inventing a way to move pellet bags for his stove. He was a master of grammatical rules; could discuss names, dates, and key issues of centuries of British monarchs; enjoyed studying genealogy; sang at the top of his lungs; laughed loudly and often (many times at himself); and loved visits from his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and his many friends and neighbors.
Dwight met his wife Lois in 1954, and their courtship was mostly done via letter correspondence as Dwight was stationed overseas. They married in October 1956. They lived overseas and stateside until his retirement in 1974 and were the proud parents of eight children.
He loved Lois immensely, and they enjoyed many overseas adventures, including their much-loved trips to Northern Ireland for many years where he served as a temporary pastor for months at a time. In their later years, after dinner, they would read the Bible out loud, pray, and play games like dominoes, triominoes, Quiddler, and Scrabble—sometimes adjusting the rules just to help the other person win.
A lifelong learner and passionate reader, Dwight earned several formal degrees: Bachelor of Art, Bob Jones University; Bachelor of Divinity, Cumberland Presbyterian Theological Seminary; Master of Divinity, Memphis Theological Seminary; Master of Theology, Chicago Graduate School of Theology; and Doctor of Ministry, The Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Survived by his wife, Lois; children Joel Zeller, Andrew (Beth Ann) Zeller, Rebecca (Don) Vanderlinden, Lydia (Bruce Stewart) Zeller, Jerry Zeller, William Zeller, Daniel Zeller; 21 grandchildren; and 36 great grandchildren. He was preceded in his death by his brother Paul and his youngest son, Paul.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Sangre de Cristo Seminary.
Clarence Melvin Lange Obituary
Clarence Melvin Lange passed away in Pueblo, CO, surrounded by family on December 3, 2024 at the age of 78. Clarence was born to August and Ellen (Nelson) Lange on July 31, 1946. He had 2 brothers Marvin Lange of Westcliffe, and Charles Lange of Cañon City. He grew up in Westcliffe, CO, and graduated from Custer County High School in 1965. He enjoyed playing basketball, wood shop, and farming. Most of all he loved fishing, playing cribbage, bowling, watching sports and westerns on TV, and spending time with family.
In 1967, Clarence made the choice to serve his country and enlisted in the Unites States Army and served overseas in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged in February 1973. Clarence married Susan (Borges) in 1972 and had 4 children. After leaving the military, Clarence moved his family to Cañon City area for 19 years and worked for a number of years for Merlinos Belvedere making cider and truck driving and for Western Forge out of Colorado Springs, CO, making tools.
Clarence divorced in 1995 and never remarried.
After his divorce, He later moved to Pueblo and lived with his children. He also worked for Furr’s Cafeteria, Park East, and Mi Ranchito out of Pueblo as a Dishwasher until he retired in 2018 due to health concerns. During his retirement years, he enjoyed spending time with friends and family doing the things he loved best; fishing, watching sports, and spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Clarence was a deeply beloved son, father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend. He was survived by his three daughters Tracy (Paul) Allen, Jennifer (Evart) Crook, and Melody Lange, three sister in laws, Dorothy Sanchez of Sunset, Utah, Cindy Echols of Tyler, Texas, and Sharon Lange of Cañon City, CO. Grandchildren Robert and Tanisha Allen, Courtney (Dathan) Gall, James and Joanne Crook, Travis (Luna) Rutter, Melissa (Jonathan) Lee, Alexia (Cole) Peters, and Steven Peters and 15 grandchildren. He was preceded to heaven by his parents, both brothers, son Brandon Lange and one grandson, Wyatt Lange.
Graveside services to be held at Lutheran Cemetery in Westcliffe, Colorado, on Friday, June 20, 2025, at 1 p.m. A memorial
celebration will be held in Pueblo on June 21, 2025, at noon.
Please see Holt Funeral Home website or contact Tracy Allen at 719-778-1336 for details. We invite you all to share your pictures and memories. It is our wish that we laugh and reminisce and smile together at this time. Any flowers or cards can be sent to daughter Tracy at 2714 Holmes St., Pueblo, CO 81005.
SDCEA Announces New CEO
SDCEA Announces New CEO
Press Release
Sangre de Cristo Electric Association announces Jon Beyer as its new Chief Executive Officer, set to officially begin his tenure on July 7th. Beyer will succeed CEO Gary Kelly, who previously announced he will retire from the
position this summer.
“This marks an exciting new chapter for our organization as we continue our
mission to provide safe, reliable, and affordable services to our valued members,” Board Chair Sandra Attebery said.
Beyer brings 29 years of experience working with electric cooperatives, includ-ing Tri-State Generation and Transmission, SDCEA’s wholesale power supplier; and with San Isabel Electric Association, based in Pueblo West. He currently serves as Vice President of Energy and Member Services at Dakota Electric Association in Farmington, MN.
“I am honored to be joining SDCEA and look forward to working with the dedicated team of employees. Together we will continue the cooperative’s success in providing safe, reliable and affordable
energy with a focus on enhancing the member experience,” Beyer said.
Familiar with the area, Beyer is excited to return to Colorado, where he and wife Jennifer previously lived for 24 years. “We are excited to make Buena Vista and the surrounding area our home,” he said.
Following discussions with the board, Beyer expressed confidence in the cooperative’s vision for the future — including its lasting partnership with Tri-State as an energy services and wholesale power supplier, and the development of future SDCEA products and programs.
“The Board of Directors and I are aligned in our commitment to providing best-in-class service and reliability to the member-owners of SDCEA. The changes occurring in the electric industry will not stop and will require us to continually evaluate how we serve the membership. We will be proactive in our approach and work to exceed our members’ expectations in the years to come,” Beyer said.
Beyer plans to attend and meet members at SDCEA’s annual meeting on June 19th at Buena Vista High School, which is open to all members (account holders) of the cooperative. Meeting registration begins at 9 a.m. A light breakfast will be provided, and staff will be available to visit with members and answer any questions about the cooperative. The business meeting is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.
“SDCEA is proud to serve as a trusted partner with our members. With Jon at the helm, we are ready to move into a future that prioritizes innovation and reliability for those we serve,” Attebery said.