As you are reading this, Mancos is preparing for Grand Summers Night tonight.
Stores will be open, The Painted Turtle will have game boards set up for lots of fun, country singer Lynn Lewis will be playing and singing on Grand Avenue, the Artisans of Mancos studio and the Absolute Bakery on Main Street will have exciting entertainment outside, and all will have snacks and liquid refreshment. Art and his popular horse Avatar will be on hand for fun and free wagon rides, courtesy of the Mancos Chamber of Commerce. And The Absolute will present live art by Ben Fisher, with music and refreshments, from 5-8 p.m. Main and Grand”.
Come down for a relaxing visit in Mancos and enjoy all that we have to offer.
It’s a niddy noddy!
I had no idea how many of you knew what a niddy noddy was – lots of weavers around. Three sizes of niddy noddys were used to wind newly spun yarn into skeins for easier handling. Cherie Pitman operates a weaving store across from Fahrenheit coffee shop at 145 Grand Ave., in the Mancos Homes real estate house. Visit her shop tonight and she’ll let you play in warm soapy water while making felt beads. And check out the niddy-noddys while you’re there.
The Mancos Historical Society finally had their yard sale with no rain! Lots of attendees, lots of sales, and plans for a museum is on its way! Thanks to all who contributed, all who worked, and a special thanks to all who came by and purchased! We hope you enjoyed it.
A group of 21 cowboys visited Mancos last Thursday. It was the Rim to Rivers Riders, a splinter group of businessmen from the Roundup Riders of the Rockies who have been active for the last 50 years. They ride each year to a different area to explore and find new trails. After exploring McElmo Canyon, they came to Mancos to visit the Goodnight Gallery, enjoy a light lunch and meet with Veryl Goodnight, the internationally known sculptor, who made a sculpture for their 50th anniversary, and Kelly Chilcott, who displays a large collection of native art at the gallery. The organizer, of the group, Ken Carpenter, was born in this area and lived with his family at Mesa Verde National Park, where his father worked, and he had known Kelly Chilcott’s mother, who had operated a trading post in Arizona. It was almost like old home week. Curious about their camping facilities, I asked who did the cooking. ”We have had the same cook for the last 25 years. He cooks in a Dutch oven and on a grill, and we wouldn’t go without him. That is also true for the little mule who carries all the liquid refreshment; water, soft drinks and an occasional beer.” They all laughingly agreed. A very happy, friendly group of real, well almost, cowboys.
In 2010, I was walking down Grand, and saw a group of kids and adults around a table. Someone said they were collecting money for fellow student Alicia Helmer, who needed an operation to remove a tumor on her brain. Alicia was on the cross-country team, and her team had just finished a race to help. Many of us contributed. She had her surgery, and it was announced she was OK. I kept track of Alicia through her mother, who kept me updated on her health. There were the usual medical exams and worries, but the girl continued running as usual. She graduated from Mancos High School and went off to the Colorado School of Mines. She graduated this May with a degree in electrical engineering.
