This week we could possibly realize just what it would be like in paradise up here if only we could receive some much-needed moisture — especially in the agricultural area in west Dolores county! No precipitation since the farmers planted some five or six weeks ago. In Town here, we find it difficult to keep our gardens and greenery on our property from dying because of the winds that we’ve been experiencing this spring and early summer.
We see familiar faces returning for the summer and it is a special time when we begin to see lights go on in the long-timers homes — a nice, warm glow! Claude Enfield of Oklahoma and Rico, Rachel and Joe Carnahan-Kreutzer, and Mike Curran have returned. Kenny Jahnke is back, after two years or so, with some historical treasures that his parents, Daisy and Orval, had kept for some of Rico’s historical past. Now that we have a fine museum, there is a proper place for these items! Hopefully, the Rico Museum will be open in a couple of weeks. Our staff consists of some summer friends and, therefore, we will open as soon as possible.
Mike Curran, President of our Rico Historical Society, is already busy with installing a new wrought-iron fence down at the Rio Grande Southern water tank down below depot hill. Mike Lesem is helping Mike — he is Mike’s right-hand man!
Loren and Sharon Van Deusen are firmly ensconced, as usual, down at Priest Gulch. Sharon is one of those “Baer’s” who have a long-time history up here. Cheryl and Dr. Scott Livesay have been up already from Waco, Texas and will be returning soon. Carole Rychtarik, another young old-timer, is back from Tucson and working to schedule the 4th of July week Craft Faire, etc.
Speaking of Carole, she is asking that anyone that is interested in being part of the Craft Faire the week of July 4th, please contact her regarding the schedule and other details as soon as possible at 967-2595.
Because our Independence Day is in the middle of the week this year, we may seem a bit haphazard with the schedule of events, but this is the best that we can do:
Rico Women’s Craft Faire at elementary school: June 30—July 1 and July 4—July 7 and 8.
Parade/fireworks: Wednesday, July 4 at 11 a.m. and fireworks (if permitted by the state) will begin at dusk.
Rico Women’s Club Worldwide Famous Bake Sale at the fire house Saturday, July 7 at 10 a.m. sharp!
Old-Timer’s Reunion and Barbecue Picnic hosted by the Fire Department will be on Sunday, July 8 beginning at 11 a.m. down at the ball park, as usual for the last umpteen years! Bring a dish to share or whatever, and your own flatwear and plate if you don’t like paper and plastic. Maybe bring a card table and chairs in case the available ones are taken. And — bring your catcher’s mitt because our ball games are famous. Our fire members do a fabulous deep pit barbecue with beef, turkeys and who knows what else!
There will be a couple of raffles by the Women’s Club circulating around Town for you to gamble on with wonderful prizes and the drawing will be at the Old-Timer’s gathering.
Marlene Hazen has lived in Rico for two decades. An active member of the community, she participates in organizations such as the Rico Women’s Club and Rico Historical Society.