Congratulations and thank you to Durango Botanical Society for bringing the Four Corners Horticulture Conference to the region. I have never known so many “horticulture greats” to be together in one place. We’re thankful for the two days of presentations by David Salman of Santa Fe; Pat Hayward of Fort Collins with Phytologic; Mike Bone and Mike Kintgen of the Denver Botanic Garden; and cacti, succulent, orchid and conifer experts from near and far who covered all things horticultural. The featured presenters are experts in their fields, and those fortunate enough to hear them learned about useful and awe-inspiring ideas for gardening the current environment. There was even a boutique held for plant and book sales, plus tours of the beautiful demonstration garden and new crevice garden were offered at Durango Public Library.
Durango Botanical Society went above and beyond to present a well-run conference with something for everyone.
It was definitely worth my time to attend, and the Botanical Society should be congratulated and supported for their world-class experience.
Veronica Zanon
4CORE thanks all who participated in and supported the two programs, HomeH20 and Refuel, this spring. Special thanks to the 120 residents who attended the HomeH2O program, DIY build-a-rain-barrel workshops and the rain-barrel group-purchase event. Thank you to Ska Brewing Co. for donating recycled rain barrels for the workshops and Nissan of Durango and North America for joining 4CORE in the group purchase that allowed 30 new, all-electric vehicles to be provided at considerable savings. Rebates, tax credits and the Colorado Energy Office refuel program made these purchases possible.
Thank you, also, to Mercy Regional Medical Center for pursuing the charge-ahead grants and allowing for charging stations to be installed. Other sponsors of HomeH2O included the Colorado Water Conservation Board, La Plata County, Ska Brewing Co., Garden Project of Southwest Colorado, Growing Partners of Southwest Colorado and Rain Water Solutions. Thank you all.
4CORE
Thank you for announcing the chili supper and cook-off event June 11. It was held on a perfect, clear-weather day, with seating outside and in the events center at Lake Vallecito. We are thankful for the attendance received and believe the coverage by The Durango Herald contributed to the event’s success.
Mike Dwinnell’s “anti-gringo elk chili” won first place, chef Jamie of the Lake House Restaurant won second place with a cream-based red-and-green-chili combo and third place went to Manette Swan-Furman’s white bean turkey green chili. We thank chefs and diners who made the chili supper a fun and successful event and for benefiting the July Vallecito Lake fireworks display.
Diane Barron
San Juan Basin Public Health thanks those who contributed to the success of the Suicide Prevention Community Summit on May 11. More than 700 community members attended the brief suicide intervention training, breakout sessions, resource fair and feedback gallery. Feedback from the event will be used to plan a community-wide response to suicide prevention.
Many thanks to Dr. Susan Becker, the keynote speaker who led the brief suicide intervention training; session facilitators Jarrod Hindman, Sean Evans, Jen Stucka, Kate Niles, Sarah St. John, Brenda Mayne and Brittany Brumfield; Dale Garland and event volunteers from Durango High School student council; Durango School District 9-R, Miller Middle School principal Cito Nune and incoming principal Vicky Trousdale; and the numerous organizations that provided information and resources.
Liane Jollon, executive director, and staff
On behalf of the Southwest Pickleball Association and tournament participants, we thank Durango Parks and Recreation, Chris Clements and Durango Community Recreation Center interns and staff for a fabulous weekend of competition and social gathering inspired by pickleball. The event was well organized and attended, and everyone had a good time.
Southwest Pickleball Association
The family of Kevin, Cody and Rocky Abeyta would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the community for the kind, comforting words. The love and wonderful stories about Kevin has brought so much comfort to our family. Thanks to the first responders from Red Cross, the people who wrote letters to the editor, Coors and all who helped. Kevin was kind, sweet and, most of all, generous. He will be missed by all who knew him. God bless every one of you, from the bottom of our hearts.
Vangie Montoya
Know Your Dough, a local nonprofit that provides financial literacy for youth and young adults, would like to thank everyone who attended and supported the third annual guest bartender event.
A huge thank you to John and Chris at the Red Snapper, and Jasper Welch and Sarah Tescher for their bartender skills. We had a rousing good time, and raised $3,600 for local youth programs.
Allison Anderson, KYD executive director
