“Top of the mornin’ to ya” as we enjoy the lingering remnants of St. Patrick’s Day.
I won’t be trying to write the entire column with an Irish brogue – even if I could, which I sincerely doubt. But Tuesday Literary Club gave me an early start with its annual St. Patrick’s Day party March 10, so I was in the mood for a whole week.
They’ve got the green and shamrock part down, with tablecloths, shamrock-decorated votive candle holders and shamrock-garland decorations galore. More than one attendee had a green and/or glittering top hat, but Suzanne Zerbe took the cake – or the cookie, in this case – with her mini-green top hat with leprechaun ears on a headband. (If you want to check it out and you’re reading this in print, check out Neighbors online, where there’s a photo of her.) Words do not suffice.
The meal, of course, centered on corned beef – really good corned beef – and cabbage, with lots of sides courtesy of members. And the aforementioned cookies for a bit of sweet afterward.
This club is like the House of Representatives in one way – thankfully, a good way, and everyone gets along beautifully, so no partisanship here – in that it has its own Ways and Means Committee, which reviews nonprofits to be supported from the annual Christmas and St. Paddy’s Day fundraisers. It’s not something nonprofits can apply for, and it’s not a steady source of income for any nonprofit – just a way to make the community better one gift at a time.
At Christmas, members brought Christmas ornaments and gifts to auction for the Garden Project of Southwest Colorado. For St. Patrick’s Day, in an event perfect for readers, members and guests bring in favorite books to auction. For some reason, this year was a little quieter than previous years, and while they raised some good money, I don’t think it was quite up to previous years I’ve attended. Could it be that e-readers are taking their toll?
I will take personal responsibility for some of it. I usually try to take a couple of big bags of mysteries and thrillers, but I fell down on the job and forgot to spend some of the previous weekend sorting through bookcases. (Yes, I live in 600 square feet and have six overflowing bookcases. Who needs furniture when you’re surrounded by books?)
However much was raised, La Plata County Search & Rescue will appreciate it. I had to laugh when Sue Griffith, who sits on the Ways and Means Committee, had put together a posterboard as a way to describe what they do. And it was my column when I wrote about Search & Rescue after their pancake breakfast at Snowdown. (As I approach my 15th anniversary of writing Neighbors, it’s gratifying to know I can still occasionally inspire people to act!)
Let’s just say I get a different view of La Plata County Search & Rescue than most people, because I listen to rescues on the scanner at work. The number of people who head out in dreadful weather – all volunteers, mind you – to help someone who is lost or injured is awe-inspiring. Listening to Butch Knowlton plan how to allocate his resources, which can include people on horseback, snowmobiles or ATVs, a helicopter or Civil Air Patrol, hikers, bikers or rock or ice climbers, makes me think of a small version of D-Day.
If we can help them buy equipment that will keep them safe and make their task easier, it seems to me the least we can do.
You may not have had the opportunity to enjoy the laughs and hospitality of Tuesday Literary Club’s St. Patrick’s Day Party, but you can still send a donation to La Plata Search and Rescue, P.O. Box 1885, Durango, CO 81301; or via PayPal at www.laplatasar.org.
Oh, and there’s one other thing you can do. Whether you’re heading out to go backcountry skiing or just planning to go for a day hike into our new Hermosa Creek Special Management Area, do not leave town without a Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue Card, which is only $3 annually or $12 for five years. It reimburses search and rescue teams for expenses, and if there’s any money left in the fund at the end of the year, it provides some funding for training, which they do all year long.
The list of vendors includes pretty much every outdoor recreation merchant and is online at https://dola.colorado.gov/sar/vendors; or, if you’re going there anyway, you can buy your CORSAR card on the website, too.
C’mon, no excuses. It couldn’t be any easier or more affordable.
HHH
Still dreaming of pints of Guinness for their birthdays – while some people make do with green beer, I saw a statistic that 13 million pints were consumed on St. Patrick’s Day – are Judy Johnson, Andrew Webb, Christopher Blevins, Joan Sippy, Valerie Schwiderski, Guyneth Zimmerman, Becca Schaldach, Meredith Rolfe, Pat Boots, Missy Rodey, Kelly McCrea, Maria Root, Dennis Rolfe, Julia Gallagher, Vi Kessell, Ardis Ellingson, David Tabar, Greg Winter, Josh Magyar, Lynn Mitzlaff, Naomi Verow, Ellen Patterson, Christine Rachlin, Mary Shaw, David Farmer and Jim Richardson.
HHH
Last summer, I had so much fun serving as mistress of ceremonies at the Civic Winds summer concert, so I’m very sorry to have to miss their winter concert Wednesday night. (Soup for the Soul is a long-standing commitment for Neighbors, and the schedules conflict.)
But that doesn’t mean you can’t go and enjoy some band music played by our talented friends and neighbors at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. Tickets are $10/adults and $5/students.
The performance features a side-by-side performance with students from Southwest Colorado high schools, so it’s a chance to see up-and-coming musicians, too.
Music director and conductor Mark Walter has created a diverse program that includes “Marche Indienne” by Adolph Sellnick and “Four Scottish Dances” by Malcolm Arnold. And if you’re still thinking fondly of the Emerald Isle, the concert also will include an “Irish Tune from the County Derry” by Percy Grainger. I’m feeling the call to dance a jig or two even as I write.
HHH
One of my favorite people is coming up on her 90th birthday, and her daughter, Jane Mercer, says what she would most like is cards from friends. I’m talking about Bette Hart, and her birthday is March 28. Mail cards to 1206 North Mildred Road, Cortez, CO 81321. I’m doing this early, because since our mail goes to Albuquerque first, who knows how long it will take to go the 50 or so miles to Cortez!
HHH
Enjoying a ride on a bicycle built for two for their anniversaries are Roy and Suzy Horvath, Paul and Jigger Staby and Roger and Rena Cole.
HHH
Here’s how to reach me: neighbors@durangoherald.com; phone 375-4584; mail items to the Herald; or drop them off at the front desk. Please include contact names and phone numbers for all items. Follow me on Twitter @Ann_Neighbors.
I am happy to consider photos for Neighbors, but they must be high-quality, high-resolution photos (at least 1 MB of memory) and include no more than three to five people. I need to know who’s who, left to right, and who to credit with the photo. Candid photos are better than posed, and photos should be submitted as .jpg or .tif attachments.
