It was a delight and surprise to be selected Citizen of the Year by the Durango Chamber of Commerce. My thanks go out to Jack Lewellyn, Rita Simon, the members of the Chamber and so many more.
The Durango Herald had a wonderful photo and a nice story about my award, however they forgot to mention a key person in the speech I gave, regarding the beginnings of Snowdown.
In the fall of 1978, I was married to Terry Fiedler and we collaborated with John Murrah to create the event one Sunday afternoon over beer and Broncos. Both Terry and I worked very hard to get that event off the ground in January 1979, and for many years after. True credit, though, goes to Terry Fiedler, the Snowdown Board of Directors and the hundreds of volunteers who make this four day celebration the premier winter festival in Colorado.
Terry became known as “Mr. Snowdown” for his long time guidance, dedication and contributions to the event. He currently lives in a care facility for Alzheimer’s near his sister and daughter. At this year’s Snowdown, we will be raising funds to help cover some of his care expenses.
You can bid on a wonderful collection of Snowdown memorabilia on display in the Durango Welcome Center window at the corner of 8th St. and Main Ave. Also, keep an eye out for the Snowdown “Cigarette Girls” at various events throughout the weekend. They will be selling candy cigarettes, chewing gum cigars, chocolates and red carnations. All the money will go to help Terry.
True to the theme, Snowdown will continue “Forty Years of Fun” when it kicks off in Durango on Wed., Jan. 31. Get your hats, t-shirts and schedules at Magpie’s Newsstand, or visit snowdown.org for more details. Most of all get out, participate in the events and love Durango!
We are all lucky to live in one of the greatest small towns in America. Celebrate!
Thank you,
Linda Mannix
Durango
