KSJDs Summerfest two weekends ago was an opportunity for area residents to get together and share a good time.
Now Heart and Soul Cortez will continue the tradition with a series of block parties in various neighborhoods, all of them designed to bring neighbors together for family fun, friendship, food and a focus on the future of Cortez.
The season kicks off today at 3 p.m. on the Southwest Memorial Hospital Lawn. That block party will include activities designed to promote good health. Upcoming parties will be held at a Cortez church, the Calkins School building, and Montezuma-Cortez High School. Each will have different activities. Theres no charge. Attendees can come and go, although theyll want to stay!
A lot goes into shaping a communitys vision of a vibrant future, and then a whole lot more goes into fulfilling that vision, but getting to know one another is a very good start.
Modern Americans are busy people. They may work long hours to earn a living. Their children may be involved in sports and other extracurricular school activities, in church youth groups, in scouting or 4-H or other organizations. Lawns need to be mowed, laundry needs to be done, groceries need to be bought, Broncos games are televised. People tend to socialize with friends with whom they have the most in common, a preference which makes perfect sense but which doesnt facilitate learning about the rest of the community.
Cortez and Montezuma County have diverse populations, but almost all share a common goal: the desire to live in a place thats safe, where adults can earn a good living, where students can receive a solid education, where high-quality health care is accessible and affordable, and so on.
Heart and Souls block parties will provide a low-key setting for important conversations about our love of Cortez and our dreams for Cortez. A good time will be had by all. Plan to attend and be a part of the vision.