Resolution stories, anyone?

The Enterprise would like to hear from readers with stories about resolutions that worked out. Did you ever have a resolution that you maintained and consequently changed your life? We want to hear your story and possibly publish it in the Enterprise.

If you would like to share your story, please contact Derek Franz at dfranz@eaglevalleyenterprise.com or 328-6656 ext. 6, or Pam Boyd at pboyd@eaglevalleyenterprise.com or 328-6656 ext. 4. Be sure to include your name and contact information.

VanGoey headed to Florida

From the first time Eagle Valley senior Kelsey VanGoey touched a volleyball at the age of 11 in a Western Eagle County Metropolitan Recreation District volleyball skills camp, she knew this would be her sport.

And last week, VanGoey signed her National Letter of Intent to play volleyball at Indian River State College in Florida on a full-ride scholarship.

“Ever since I was in fifth grade, I dreamed of one day playing college volleyball. That was my goal,” said VanGoey, who has played club volleyball six to seven months out of the year.

In addition, she's been a part of Eagle Valley volleyball's recent success, as the Devils captured three league titles, two district crowns and berth in the 2010 state tournament during the last four years.

Club volleyball has led VanGoey to compete with Denver teams the past three years. Traveling to Denver multiple times a week for practices and on Sundays for tournaments was a sacrifice.

This rigorous club schedule gave Kelsey the opportunity to travel to St. Louis, Minneapolis, Omaha, Neb., Orlando, Fla., Reno, Nev., and Indianapolis for club volleyball and have the opportunity to be seen by college recruiters.

“My target college was pretty specific,” VanGoey said. “I am going to be a pediatric dental hygienist, which is a very specific area of study and the other important feature is that it had to be in a warm place.”

November found Kelsey in Florida, visiting five schools with dental-hygienist facilities and volleyball teams.

“I knew right away that Indian River State was a great fit,” said VanGoey. “The campus is beautiful, state-of-the-art and the team is hard-core.”

WECMRD offers roller derby in Edwards

The WECMRD Field House in Edwards is now offering a Roller Derby program for adults 18 and older who want to learn the sport of Roller Derby.

Practices are held on Monday and Friday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. and consist of skating drills, strength training, rules review and scrimmage. No previous Roller Derby experience is needed, and the cost for a seven-week session is $75 for twice a week or $50 for once a week. There are also opportunities available for non-skating and skating officials who want to get involved and learn the sport of roller derby.

Practices are run by coaches Don Juan Noche and Zen Blaster. The WECMRD 10th Mountain Roller Dolls play by the rules of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association, which is the governing body for the sport of women's flat track roller derby.

“I love how derby makes me feel. I feel energetic, fit, relaxed and it is quality time with a great group of women. I look forward to every practice and it is the one thing that will always make my day,” says Brutal Brit, who has been skating with the 10th Mountain Rollers since the league started in June of last year.

In addition to training and playing in bouts the 10th Mountain Roller Dolls also believe in giving back to the community. Their first bout was a fund-raiser for the Round Up River Ranch. On Saturday, Jan. 28, they will have a bout with a food drive for the local Salvation Army — which comes at a critical time of year for the Vail Valley Salvation Army, as the seasonal holiday work and extra hours are cut and the donations from the holiday season dwindle.

For more information, contact Sheryl Staten at 328-5277 or stop by the WECMRD Field House at 450 Miller Ranch Road or visit www.wecmrd.org.

Tractor art

New to the art scene but already a strong and unique voice: this January's artist of the month at Red Canyon Cafe is John Gitchell.

One element of the small collection at the Red Canyon is an iconization of a rather pragmatic article — the farm tractor. A re-purposing of discarded bits of infrastructure and machinery creates the rest of the display.

Gitchell himself works diligently within local government to improve energy efficiency around the area. Both his artistic work and his day job reflect a blend of idealism and an appreciation for the practical. Each of the pieces on display has a story. Gitchell will be discussing his work on Saturday, Jan. 21, beginning at 2 p.m. at the Red Canyon Café. John's work will be shown for the rest of January.

The Red Canyon Cafe is located at 128 Broadway in Eagle and is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Denver Nuggets Skills Challenge

Local hoopsters ages 7 to 14 years can test their skills at the Western Eagle County Metropolitan Recreation District-sponsored Denver Nuggets Skills Challenge on Sunday, Jan. 15.

The event tests shooting, passing and dribbling skills. The age cutoff for participants is April 30, 2012. The top boy and top girl in each division will advance to sectional competition.

Registration will begin at 1 p.m. at the Eagle Valley Middle School gym and the actual competition will begin around 1:30 p.m. Cost is free. For additional information, call WECMRD at 328-5277.

Valentine's Day dinner theater

Just in time for Valentines Day, the Porchlight Players' dinner theater production of “I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change” is returning to the Brush Creek Pavilion Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 10-12.

If you have ever been in love, or know someone who has, you are sure to find plenty to relate to in this hilarious, touching look at “everything you have ever secretly thought about dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives and in-laws, but were afraid to admit.”

Get ready for an evening of laughter celebrating the thrill of romantic victory and the agony of love's defeats. Parental guidance is suggested because the production does include some adult language and content.

The cost is $45 per person and includes dinner, dessert and coffee bar, three drink tickets (beer, wine and soft drinks) plus the show. Tickets are available now at www.porchlightplayers.com. All shows sold out last year, so get your tickets early.

Colorado Rapids Winter Clinics

The Colorado Rapids professional soccer organization will conduct a pair of winter clinics at the WECMRD Field House in Edwards.

The first is planned Saturday, Jan. 28, and the second is planned Saturday, Feb. 25. Both clinics will run from noon to 2 p.m. and are for players ages 9 to 13 years old.

The clinics will be presented by the Colorado Rapids technical coaching staff. Participants should bring a pair of cleats and indoor shoes. Cost is $50 per player. The clinics are limited to 40 participants and interested players are urged to register early at www.wecmrd.org.

For more information, contact soccer coordinator Lucas Rivera by phone at (970) 766-5555, by fax at (970) 777-8889 or by e-mail: lrivera@wecmrd.org.