5 years ago

Week of Dec. 14, 2006

The Gypsum Recreation Center celebrated its grand opening by awarding a number of door prizes. Trista Evans of Gypsum won a 10-visit punch pass and Addie Lengel of Gypsum won a free birthday party.

The home of Dennis and Patty Gibbons on Bull Run won first place in the Eagle Valley Chamber of Commerce holiday lighting contest.

The town of Eagle announced that seasonal closures on the Eagle Ranch open space would go into effect on Dec. 15 and remain in place until April 15.

The Eagle Christian Community Church planned to open its doors by celebrating a Christmas candlelight service. The new congregation planned to hold services at Gypsum Town Hall and was led by pastors Al and Paulette Kiersawsky.

10 years ago

Week of Dec. 13, 2001

The Eagle Town Board voted, 5-2, to approve the concept plan for Red Mountain Ranch. The project proposed east of town called for 300 multi-family residential units and up to 450,000 square feet of retail and commercial space.

An estimated 1,500 people turned out for the Christmas on Broadway parade in downtown Eagle.

A tanker trailer rolled in Glenwood Canyon, shutting down the highway for 14 hours. People who commuted to work from outside the county, including teachers, deputies and wallboard plant employees, were unable to get to their jobs.

20 years ago

Week of Dec. 19, 1991

Issues involving the Eagle County Regional Airport seldom generated like-minded local responses, but both the people who supported increased flights at the facility and the people who were concerned about airport noise and impacts were united in their opposition to a proposal to close the Eagle Flight Service station.

The holiday schedule for Glenwood Canyon construction traffic stops was announced. Work was slated to stop at noon on Christmas Eve and remain shut down on Christmas Day. The pilot car program was in place the rest of the days leading up to the holiday and traffic delays of up to 30 minutes were anticipated.

The Scott Hamilton New Year's Party ice show was planned at the Dobson Arena in Vail Jan. 2 and 3. The list of scheduled performers included Hamilton, Rosalynn Sumner, and Peter and Kitty Carruthers.

Eagle Valley Middle School eighth-grader Mike Willey won the school's geography bee competition.

Cody Noha asked for a “bow and three arrows” in his letter to Santa.

30 years ago

Week of Dec. 17, 1981

Gypsum officials learned that the 1 percent real estate transfer tax the community approved in 1979 could be illegal. Gypsum was a statutory town, which derived its municipal bylaws from the Colorado State Legislature and those rules did not contain express authority to impose a real estate transfer tax.

Ken Norman was elected president of the Eagle Valley Chamber of Commerce. Loren Chambers was tabbed as vice president and Ross Bolt, Don Ballenger, Cheryl Bailey, Terri Argubright and Keith Stewart were elected to the board of directors.

The Eagle Methodist Church completed three fund-raisers and donated $733.93 to battle world hunger.

A new business named Home Cinema opened in Eagle, advertising “We have everything you need to show these movies on your TV!” The business offered a listing of its extensive collection of 75 movies available for rental.

40 years ago

Week of Dec. 16, 1971

Santa Claus was planning his annual visit to the Eagle County Airport. The Eagle Lions Club organized the Santa party. “His manner of arrival is a bit uncertain, depending on the weather. If it is too stormy for his plane to land ... Santa will be brought to the field by sled, snowmobile, truck or whatever.”

The Eagle Valley High School ski team developed a practice course east of Eagle. “It's an attractive place for winter sports, too attractive,” reported the Enterprise. “Will snowmobilers, sledders and the like please keep off the trails. This type of use is ruining the runs for skiers.”

A news release from the Colorado Health Department reported that Eagle County lead the state in the number of immunized children. Nearly 96 percent of the county's children were immunized against polio, diphtheria, tetanus and measles.

Denver Police were using a new radar gun device to spot speeding motorists and the speed guns were manufactured by Minturn-based company CMI Inc. Denver Police had purchased 12 of the speed guns at a cost of $892 each.

50 years ago

Week of Dec. 14, 1961

Delmar Spooner was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison for the killing of Eagle County Undersheriff John Clark and Colorado State Lt. Hiram Short. Spooner plead not guilty by reason of insanity during his trial, which was moved to Craig.

Pete Dodo, a cattleman and rancher from the upper Eagle River Valley, bested Brush Creek rancher Fred Rule by one vote to become chairman for the Eagle County Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Committee.

Tom Lewis, a longtime Eagle businessman, died at the age of 89. Lewis and his wife Ella opened the H.W. Lewis Store in town back in 1915.

Mrs. Joe Chockie of Sweetwater won a state contest soliciting new ideas for using leather. She suggested gluing layers of leather together to fashion dominoes, poker chips and more.

60 years ago

Week of Dec. 13, 1951

The Lions Club Children's Christmas Party was planned Dec. 22 with Santa slated to arrive by airplane at the county air strip. Following Santa's visit, local kids were invited to a free matinee at the Eagle Theater.

Eagle High School won an eight-point basketball victory over Eagle County High School.

EHS also won the county speech contest held in Minturn. Beverly Mullen won the Dr. Randall Award for her extemporaneous speech and Jo Ann Buchholz won first place for her dramatic reading.

The EHS Alumni group planned a New Year's Eve dance at the Eagle Gym, with music by Sundberg's Orchestra.

70 years ago

Week of Dec. 12, 1941

“Japan makes dastardly attack on United States — Country goes to war” was the front-page headline. “War, grim, bloody, heathen-inspired war is upon the people of the United States,” The Enterprise reported. The newspaper front page included the text of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's war message, which included the famous phrase, “Yesterday, Dec. 7, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy.”

Republican Robert Rockwell of Paonia won the special election to replace the late U.S. Rep. Edward Taylor. However, Eagle County voters favored Rockwell's Democratic opponent Frank Delaney in the contest, with 622 votes compared to 427 votes for Rockwell.

Eagle County's American Red Cross drive reported strong support and raised $1,405.45. The county chairman reported 751 individual donors contributed.