News
Community
5 years ago — Week of Dec. 28, 2006
Eagle County's government access television station — ecoTV — made its debut. The station featured televised Eagle County Commissioners hearings and community features.After a “disappointing but not devastating” election where voters turned down a $15 million bond issue to build and expand facilities, the Eagle Valley Library District was re-evaluating its building plans. The future of the Gypsum Public Library was particularly uncertain because the library space was leased from the town of Gypsum, which had indicated it needed the library area at town hall for municipal operations.
The Twelfth Night bonfire was again planned Jan. 6 at Eagle Town Park and local residents were asked to bring their discarded Christmas trees to the park for the event.
Keddie Brooke Taylor of Gypsum and Brett Heicher graduated from the University of Colorado. Brandon Witt of Eagle graduated from Colorado State University.
10 years ago — Week of Dec. 27, 2001
Eagle County Sheriff's deputies broke up a party that involved alcohol and more than 100 minors. Local officials noted that teen drinking was a growing problem.The Eagle Town Park outdoor ice rink was a hopping place for kids enjoying their Christmas vacation. Thanks to a group called the Zamboni Brothers, the rink was in top shape.
Among the winners in the Gypsum Holiday Lighting Contest were Randall and Linda Marner, Jeff Wolf, Chuck Coe, Joe and Debbie Schwan, Rex Bossow and Robert Mayne. George Hudspeth won an award for the most patriotic display.
Eagle Valley High school wrestlers Wes Griffith, Ismael Hermosillo and Lars Lueders were leading the Devils squad in take-downs.
EVHS music students Simone Schoepf, Tom Coppens, Jesse O'Brien and Keddie Taylor had an opportunity to play with the Dallas Brass and the U.S. Air Force Galaxy Band during a concert at the Vilar Center in Beaver Creek.
20 years ago — Week of Jan. 2, 1992
Thanks to the combined efforts of Eagle County, Western Eagle County Metropolitan Recreation District, the Greater Eagle Fire Department and a host of volunteers, an ice rink was set up at the county fairgrounds. A contraption christened the “downvalley Zamboni” — which consisted of a 300-gallon water tank on the back of a pickup with a sprinkler bar to dip water — was put into use at the rink.The home of Bob and Shirley Shelton won first-place honors in the Town of Eagle Christmas Lighting Contest.
The community bid a fond farewell to Marvin and Eva Hornbaker. The couple were longtime residents and owners of Rueben's Restaurant in Eagle. The Hornbakers were honored during a ceremony at the Eagle County Building.
Alvaro Flores was named Outstanding Student of the Month by First Bank of Eagle County.
30 years ago — Week of Dec. 31, 1981
A record snowfall of 28 inches was recorded during a 24-hour period on Vail Mountain. A $6.5 million justice center, a $3.6 million senior citizens housing project and a $12.7 million county airport expansion were the top three public works projects planned by Eagle County with proceeds collected from its new 1 percent sales tax. The tax was slated to go into effect Jan. 1.
There was a growing controversy between developers and the Colorado Game and Fish Department concerning projects proposed at Eby Creek Mesa and along Brush Creek. Wildlife managers argued these are were critical winter range for mule deer.
Eagle County Assessor Ella Bindley graduated from a five-day tax law seminar held at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
40 years ago — Week of Dec. 30, 1971
“Vail, the resort that is 10 years young” was the theme for the resort's upcoming anniversary party. The event was planned Jan 23-29 with parachute jumps, fireworks “and a colorful calendar of events and exhibitions that will turn the normally staid resort to a weeklong winter carnival.”The town of Eagle announced it was accepting applications for a police patrolman. Interested candidates were instructed to contact Eagle Mayor Harry Long.
“Christmas 1971 was probably one the wettest Christmases this county has seen for a long time,” the Enterprise noted. “This year, what snow we had gave way to rain, with the result that the ground was a muddy, sodden mess.”
The featured movie at the Eagle Theater was “Love Story,” starring Ryan O'Neal and Ali McGraw.
50 years ago — Week of Dec. 29, 1961
Roger W. Babson's official forecast for 1962 stated, “There will be neither a nuclear war nor total disarmament. Considerable progress may be made toward a ban on atomic weapons.”The Eagle Lions Club planned the annual “burning of the greens” party, but because of a scheduling conflict, the event was planned Jan. 4 instead of Jan. 6, or Twelfth Night. Skaters were invited to gather at the rink at Eagle Town Park for the bonfire with the Lions providing coffee and hot chocolate.
June Bertroch and Janet Walcher both broke their arms while playing outside on a Saturday afternoon in Gypsum. June was sledding, Janet was skating. “The two girls were taken to the Glenwood Hospital by their mothers in the same car.”
The featured movie at the Eagle Theater was “Gidget Goes Hawaiian.”
60 years ago — Week of Dec. 27, 1951
The Craig Pender residence was selected by “a team of Glenwood judges” as the first-place winner in the Eagle Chamber of Commerce Christmas Lighting contest. The Roy Long residence earned second place and the Jack Bridges residence earned third place. The March of Dimes fund drive was slated to begin two weeks early in 1952 because of the surge of local polio cases.
The Rev. James D. Strickland, along with his wife and three young children, moved to Eagle and was slated to lead the First Baptist Church congregation.
The Eagle High School Alumni planned a homecoming and New Year's Eve party at the Diamond J Lounge. The party was set to begin with a smorgasbord at 7 p.m. followed by a dance at 9:30 p.m. featuring Sundberg's Orchestra.
70 years ago — Week of Dec. 26, 1941
With the United States entry into World War II, residents of Eagle County formed a Council of Defense. Judge William Luby was elected as the council's chairman. Each community in the county planned to establish special committees for firefighting and first aid.The American Legion Eagle River Valley Post No. 150 held “one of the largest meetings it had ever had Sunday in the interest of national defense.” The post planned to organize a scrap metal drive to aid the war effort.
Eagle County Assessor George W. Watson reported the assessed valuation of Eagle County was $10.2 million. (For comparison, the 2010 county valuation was $3.9 billion.)
Dorris Johnson was named Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of Eagle.
