The Center of Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College continues its summer lecture series based on the theme “A Year in the Life of the West.”
The presentation, “(1836) The Searchers: The Movie, the Novel and the Real Parker Family,” will feature guest speaker Paul Dittmer at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, in the Center’s Lyceum Room.
Dittmer’s presentation will focus on Glenn Frankel’s book The Searchers: The Making of an American Legend. Frankel won a Pulitzer Prize while reporting for The Washington Post. The 1956 film “The Searchers ” starring John Wayne and directed by John Ford, is an adaptation of the real-life story based on the 1836 abduction of Texas settlers by the Comanche tribe, including 9-year-old Cynthia Ann Parker. Twenty-four years later, Cynthia Ann was re-captured by her own family. She was unwilling, but nevertheless forced to return to the family.
A screening of the film will follow the lecture. This lecture and film screening is free to the public. Parking on campus is free during summer months.
In the midst of the dry, hot weather, the U.S. Forest Service is pre-positioning additional firefighting resources in Southwest Colorado.
Three single-engine air tankers and an air attack plane have been ordered for the Durango Air Tanker Base, and a helitack crew was requested for the Archuleta County Airport. Seven additional fire engines, three fire-prevention patrols, and miscellaneous supervisory overhead resources will also be pre-positioned at the San Juan National Forest’s three ranger districts in Bayfield, Dolores and Pagosa Springs.
Other federal agency resources include a Bureau of Land Management helitack crew stationed out of the Montezuma County Airport, and the Mesa Verde National Park Type 3 helicopter and helitack crew at the Old Fort Lewis Campus south of Hesperus.
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in Durango is running a Fudge for Troops promotion through July to benefit Blue Star Mothers of Durango.
Beginning July 1, customers who purchase 1 pound of fudge in-store or online at www.rmcf.com will have their purchase matched by RMCF. The company will then donate 1 pound of fudge to Blue Star Mothers to be added to care packages sent to active duty, veteran or military families. During the month of July, you can also write a thank-you letter to troops and veterans, and RMCF will include the letters with the fudge donations.
For additional information about the event, call 259-1408 or visit: facebook.com/rmcfdurango. Questions may be directed to Kelsey Smith, at co.Durango00001@rmcf.com.
Herald Staff
