By Mac Neely
The second Mancos Valley Brewfest in Cottonwood Park was a huge success – more people, more music, more fun! Thanks to our Mancos Brewing Co. and also Riff Raff Brewing Co., Guy Drew Vineyards, and the 20 other sponsors.
The funds raised during the Brewfest will go to support Mancos Valley Resources, Mancos FoodShare and the Mancos Pay It Forward fund. The music was great. Thanks to all the sponsors, and all of you who went to enjoy yourselves.
How about the Summer Olympics and Michael Phelps? Twenty-eight medals, and 23 of them, gold! What an achievement! He will be missed, maybe – he sounded pretty sure he was going to tackle another job. Whatever he does, we won’t forget Michael Phelps. The young ones coming up are to be applauded too – it takes a lot of work to get in shape for the Olympics. Congratulations to all!
Exciting news in Mancos! Jamie Bade, director of the Goodnight Gallery, is engaged! During a romantic proposal in the mountains, Jamie said “Yes” to Jake Strand, a rancher from Missouri.
No wedding plans as yet. Go in and congratulate her.
School of the West has announced plans for the class “Beginning Blacksmithing,” with instructor Steve Williams.
This class is not just for men. Women are also invited, and from what I hear, they learn a lot. Steve is a relaxed, fun guy, but also a serious teacher – there’s not much room for playing around with that welding torch!
So far, the classes scheduled for September are horsemanship with A.J Costern, and Shibori dyeing with Shar Short. One of the students said the class gave her a much greater appreciation for fabrics.
The Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce has reinvented the old “welcome wagon” idea. Lois McAliney (Dee) has put together some buckets containing items that will help start up a household – Jello, salt water taffy, a candle, columbine flower seeds, a wooden spoon, bean soup mix, bird seeds, pot holders made by Esther Cook, pens and keychains from our (Dolores) Mancos State bank. The buckets are given to newcomers as a welcoming gift. Dee said she hopes they will help to reinforce our motto of “Where the West Still Lives.” She had fun putting them together. Thank you, Dee.
Have you ever wondered about the origins of salt water taffy? It seems that a store that sold taffy was once inundated with a huge storm, and salt water poured in from the ocean, smothering everything, including their taffy. A little girl asked to have some. The taste was so much better than plain taffy that the grocer kept all the salt water taffy, and that was the beginning! Like that story? Maybe it’s true.
