Olathe Photographer Joseph Harold snapped this shot of last year’s sweet corn harvest. This years corn will arrive later thanks to wet weather.

 MONTROSE–(May 15)  The sweet corn variety that put Montrose County on the map, Olathe Sweet, will once again draw hungry crowds to Olathe and the entire region on Saturday, August 3.  However, though the Olathe Sweet Corn festival has become known over the years for featuring big, national acts along with the hot buttered ears, this year’s festival—the 22^nd–will be smaller, fresher and more local.

“We’re getting back to our roots—that’s the theme for this year’s event,” festival organizer Bobbi Sale said. “It’s really a make or break year. We are focusing more on local food, local everything—and we will have fun, interactive games. So come on out!”

For locals, the Sweet Corn Festival is a chance to catch up with friends and neighbors, and have a great time. For visitors, the festival offers a small taste, not only of crisp, fresh, sweet local corn, but of the Western Colorado lifestyle that inspires travelers worldwide.

“We can share how we live in Olathe year-round with people who don’t,” Sale said. “And we’ll have an old-fashioned street dance, with Cabin Fever!”

All entertainment will in fact be local this year, she said, and everything will wind down before dark.

“This year’s festival will be scaled way back, no big sound and light system,” she said. “As the economy gets better, we can go back to what we were doing.”

And while the festival’s mainstay—the beloved Olathe Sweet Sweet Corn, should be plentiful by festival time, the harvest will be a little late this year, Olathe grower John Harold said.

“Along with the spring moisture we got cool weather,” Harold said. “It’s a pretty good trade-off-we have a lot of corn, and it should be ready about mid-July.”

Montrose is also the home of corn scientist Dave MacKenzie, whose popular “Mirai” corn

has attained a global following as the go-to “dessert” corn.   Now, MacKenzie has found an even sweeter corn—tentatively nicknamed “Brix 20,”– that contains between 19 and 20 percent sugar.

“The taste impact is huge,” MacKenzie said, adding, “Our corn is really moving overseas—we could become the dominant variety in the Ukraine.”

Here in Montrose, Mirai is not always easy to come by; although he has grown his own product and partnered in a roadside stand in years past, MacKenzie is now focused entirely on producing seeds for home gardeners and others.

“We’re growing seeds in Idaho right now, we’re growing some seeds in Montrose, and we’re looking to grow seeds in Turkey,” he said. “Weather has been so unpredictable in seed-growing areas that we have had to diversify.”

Here in Montrose, those who do not grow their own can just stop by the Lobby Grille at Montrose Memorial Hospital during sweet corn season for a taste of Mirai, MacKenzie said.

“(Chef) Mike Krull has it grown, and incorporates it into the locally-grown foods movement; he really makes it available,” MacKenzie said.

“This is the fourth year in a row we have used it,” said Krull, who has built what was once just a hospital cafeteria into a food-lover’s destination, rated among the top ten Montrose eateries on the Trip Advisor web site. “The quality is excellent; we use it raw, frozen and roasted.  We use it in corn bread, and in salads. Every year, we are excited to have it come in.”

Today, Linda Gann is working to present information about Colorado’s new health insurance exchange which opens in October.

By Caitlin Switzer MONTROSE—(May 15)  Fortune favors the fearless. It is a phrase Linda Gann shares with her presentation audiences, and uses to remind herself of the importance of her work.

After all, she could be playing tennis. Only recently retired after years of managing communications for the Montrose County Re-1J School District, Gann has instead taken on an even more challenging role. As Western Slope Outreach Coordinator for Connect for Health Colorado, a non-profit funded through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Gann spends her days traveling throughout the region, presenting real information about the changes that citizens can expect as the Act takes effect.

“What I am trying to do is just simplify a very complicated, large program,” Gann said. “Here in Colorado we are moving forward; this is our story, and our plan.”

When the Affordable Care Act was signed into law, Colorado already had a plan that had been initiated in 2006, when state lawmakers saw health care costs spiraling out of control. Despite a fiscally conservative governor and its status as the healthiest state in the U.S., Colorado’s costs for health insurance at that time were the nation’s 13^th highest.

In response, 27 commissioners across the state were appointed and charged with creating recommendations and curbing escalating health care costs, Gann said.

“They came up with a report in 2008, ten months before the presidential election,” Gann said. “Their key finding was that coverage is key; the document they created was a vision for change, a roadmap for health care reform.”

And despite the controversial nature of the subject, 24 of the 27 state commissioners signed the recommendations, she said, which included findings that individuals are responsible for their own health and wellness, and that eligibility for insurance should be expanded with health care plans that cover everyone.

“The plan was shelved,” Gann said. “But several years later, there was an opportunity to fund Colorado’s plan. At the national level, after a very heated and divisive discussion, we passed the Affordable Care Act.”

Colorado is one of just 16 states that has created its own health insurance exchange under the ACA, she noted.

“Our state applied for a planning grant, so in 2011, we applied for and received funding,” she said. “We will open the marketplace here in October; carriers will have a variety of plans and consumers can shop—there will be no denials.

“And when insurance companies compete for your dollars, you win.”

Gann has presented information about the insurance exchange, which opens in October, across the region since February. Although she is currently the only representative on the Western Slope, she expects to see “more boots on the ground” soon. Federal funding for the program will continue through the implementation phase and year one, and by 2015, Colorado’s program is expected to sustain itself.

“This is not a government program, although there is legislative oversight,” Gann said. “There is no funding for abortion, and there won’t be. This system will not replace the current market, or brokers. We are making a huge investment now, but in a few years all markets will be in place, and we will be able to compare which models work best—this will no longer be theoretical.”

Expect a few bumps along the road, as those involved work the kinks out of the system, she said.

“Colorado’s exchange will work like a farm market, and any insurer can sell,” she said. “There is so much to learn, but we should be proud of our effort.”

Gann, who includes a history of health care in America as part of her presentation, came to the work with the perspective of a consumer; she and husband David have operated small agricultural businesses over the years, and tried to purchase health care for their own workers years ago. The Ganns were astounded to learn that when it came to obtaining coverage, good health was less of a factor than the purchasing power of large groups. With 75 percent of insured Americans receiving health care through their employers, and Coloradoans spending on average 20 percent of their income on health care, she knows how badly change is needed.

“The birth of my first child cost just $600 in 1976,” Gann said. “Today costs are so astronomical that many people are priced out of the market.”

After Congress passed the Emergency Medical Treatment Act  in 1986, costs really began to skyrocket, she said, with many of the associated charges passed on to the insured.

“There was no reimbursement provision in that act,” Gann said, noting that the Federal government is funding the launch of the Affordable Care Act. “We have all been paying for the uninsured (under the current system), many of whom have access to health care only through the emergency room—which is the most expensive option. There is no prevention and wellness care—and yet we know that many diseases are much easier to treat in the early stages.”

Gann will speak at the Heidi’s Deli Forum on May 22, she said, and those who have questions about the new system should plan to attend. Anyone who would like to schedule a presentation for other groups is encouraged to call her at 970-417-7119. A web site with information is also live, at http://www.connectforhealthco.com.

“There will be a tax credit available for Coloradoans,’ she said, “and our market is the only place to access those advanced tax credits. This is a free market web site, and the 800,000 uninsured Colorado residents will now be one big group. The big need right now is to get as many Coloradoans insured as possible, to bring down the spiraling costs. In October, you will be able to shop, and coverage begins Jan. 1. Then we will see if Colorado has come up with a plan that is part of the solution.”

The program now lists 10 essential benefits, and offers a series of “tiers” based on co-pay and deductible amounts.

“The next few months are so important, as we work to get good, real information out to the people,” Gann said. “Hopefully, through education we can move forward. And it will be interesting to see if Coloradoans take personal responsibility for their health.

“I am not intimidated by hostile groups,” Gann said. “And I believe it is important to honor people where they are coming from, and approach this subject through our own history. Once we are through the first evolution, I can go back to playing tennis with my kids and grandkids.”

GET FIT FOR FUN!  By Caitlin Switzer REGIONAL— (May 15) In some communities, a single summer event can be cause for celebration. In Western Colorado, the menu of summertime fun is typically so full that just choosing an “entrée” can take days. This June is no exception—from the Tribute to Western Movies Day at Museum of the Mountain West on June 8 and the Welcome Home Montrose No Barriers Week June 11-17, to the Ridgway Heritage Days and Ranch Rodeo June 15-16, to the Habitat for Humanity “Rollin’ on a River” celebration June 22, locals and visitors will enjoy four weeks of high-energy fun, Colorado style.

If you love history and the Old West, turn back the clock and head over to Museum of the Mountain West, located at Highway 50 and Miami Road, on June 8. The Museum has been holding its signature “Tribute to Western Movies Day” event for four years, drawing guests from all over the world in search of the elusive essence of the Wild, Old West. This year’s theme will be Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, with speaker Bill Betenson, Cassidy’s great-grand-nephew and author of Butch Cassidy: My Uncle-A Family Portrait (High Plains Press, 2012). The tribute will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a host of dedicated volunteers bringing history to life. Expect gunfights, demonstrations of skills such as blacksmithing, candlemaking, rug and barrel making, spinning, music and meals from the “old days,” and plenty of folks dressed in period costumes strolling around.

“It will be fun and interesting,” said Museum of the Mountain West board member Carolyn Bellavance. “It’s a great chance to learn more about Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and what really happened to them.”

Admission will be just $10 for adults and $5 for school-aged children, with a special $25 group rate for immediate families. In addition to the festivities, visitors can enjoy the museum’s collection of 25 historic buildings and more than 500,000 original relics.

Over the week of June 11-17, Montrose welcomes some very special guests to town—30 medically-retired U.S. service members will arrive in town to take part in the first annual Welcome Home Montrose No Barriers Week. They will take part in activities that include kayaking, horseback riding, rafting, fishing, hiking, golf and archery as well as photography, treasure hunting with metal detectors and even hot air ballooning and panning for gold, and experience for themselves the diverse culture of the Uncompahgre Valley. These warriors will be able to access art, music and massage therapies, and each day will begin and conclude at the Warrior Resource Center at Park Avenue and Main Street. This is the community’s chance to assess where gaps exist in veterans’ services, and demonstrate the rich diversity of resources available to our nation’s veterans.

The project is being coordinated by Tim Kenney of Montrose, a wounded veteran himself.

“We are bringing wounded soldiers here to give them another chance to heal,” Kenney said. “As a community, we can get behind this, and help these guys get their lives back.”

To find out how you can be involved, call the Warrior Resource Center at 970-765-2210. Welcome Home Montrose-Warrior Resource Center is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.

Over the weekend of June 15-16, it’s Ridgway’s turn to roll back the years, with its first-ever Heritage Days and Ranch Rodeo at the Ouray County Fairgrounds in Ridgway. The weekend will kick off with a non-motorized parade that is expected to include at least one camel. Ridgway Area Chamber of Commerce Administrator Gale Ingram, who is organizing the events, said that the rodeo will include ten teams of competitors. In addition to the ranch rodeo, there are plenty of activities for the entire family, including a mini-gymkhana, barrel racing and a mounted shooting exhibition on Saturday afternoon followed by a 4H sponsored “Meet the Animals” event and a tent dance in Hartwell Park Saturday night.

On Sunday, a day in the park (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) complete with a children’s section, blacksmith demos, music, poetry, Ute Indian hoop dancing and drum performances and a cowboy gathering, begins with a pancake breakfast and Church in the Park from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Although the event itself is new, Heritage Days and Ranch Rodeo reflects the community’s origins and the ranching heritage that makes Ridgway unique and appealing to travelers, Ingram said.

“For a first time event, the support we have received has been truly amazing,” Ingram said. To learn more, contact the Ridgway Area Chamber of Commerce at 970-626-5181.

On June 22, it’s back to Montrose for the “Rollin’ on the River” roller derby benefit for Habitat for Humanity from 1 to 4 p.m. in Baldridge Park. Although this will be the sixth time Montrose has welcomed the roller derby on behalf of Habitat, it is the first time the popular event has been held at the community’s outdoor skating rink.

“We are so excited about this year’s event!” Montrose Habitat Executive Director Colleen Burke said in a news release. “Along with the Roller Derby we will have a brew fest, featuring local brewers and local food vendors–and as always, the funds raised will go toward building new Habitat homes in our community.”

The Riddled Raven Coffee House is open in Sampler Square! Photo by Sarah Berndt.

LOWER MONTROSE– (May 15)   There are not very many things, if any, that I like more than coffee, and there is nothing I dislike more than not having coffee when I wake up. I wish I could say that my body fueled itself, energized on its own, but I would be lying. I don’t think it is all about the caffeine, but partly about the comfort of the warm goodness to help you plan out your morning. You know the old saying? Do what you love, well I fu… freaking love coffee.

You know when you have had a few drinks and sometimes crazy ideas come to you? But then you wake up the next morning and you realize that your idea might not be practical, sensible, or even possible. We woke up and didn’t stop… we were going to open a coffee shop. With help from the Downtown Development Authority, Summit West Property Management, family, and friends this long awaited dream has become real-life. We presently own The Riddled Raven but wanted the opportunity to grow a little further, so we are keeping the name and moving 35 1/2 feet to the north. We want to create a place for locals to be in a friendly and comfortable environment, and travelers to find a unique place to add to their visit to Montrose. We also saw the opportunity to be the only coffee shop on the ever-changing West Main.

With the loan from the Downtown Development Authority we were able to renovate, putting in new floors and lighting fixtures among other things. With support from Mike and Derek from Summit West Property Management we qualified for the loan to do all the renovating, with a very low interest rate. Without this we wouldn’t have had this opportunity, so I want to take the time here to thank everyone who was involved.

My wife Sarah had worked with coffee in the past and knows all the fancy lingo; as for me I’m the new guy. Typically if I see a menu at a coffee shop I get confused, order an Americano, put five on it and don’t ask questions when I am surprised at the change I get back. But over the past few weeks I’ve been feeding from the heart of the business, the espresso machine, learning to respect it and its ways. We made sure to stick with a simple drink menu but with enough to satisfy even some of the sticklers out there. Our house blend coffee is a nice mix of organic Sumatra and African beans, tested and approved by some of Montrose’s finest people.

It’s all fun and games until we had to start working on the food menu. We thought about what people liked, and came to the conclusion that we needed to mix it up with some healthy food items evenly balanced with some binge-eating sandwiches. And I had always swore that if I had a place that served food I would treat breakfast with the respect it deserves and have it available all day. There is no time frame for eggs and bacon. On the menu you will find paninis, wraps, breakfast sandwiches, waffles, and yes, even some greens.

Parking is plentiful at the front and back, and we will provide you with free stair exercises. As with any new adventure it will take a few weeks to really get everything dialed in, observe the needs of the Montrose masses and always look for ways to improve the business. As of now we are starting with fewer hours, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. We can only hope for enough business to extend these hours and be open more.

We are at 8 S. Grand, overlooking West Main, open and ready to caffeinate the population, as well as getting the opportunity to meet more locals. Give us a call at 970-275-3265. You can also text in your order to have it ready when you arrive.

Part of the area on T Road in Southern Montrose County where a gravel pit is proposed to be developed. Several residents are fighting the proposed operation.
Photo by Barton Glasser

  “It was a quiet, dead end road, south of town,” she said. “I had it made! I came here from Copper Mountain, and this was the lifestyle that I wanted. I have 1.17 acres, and I have an organic garden on half of it. I grow a lot of what I use in my catering business, and almost all of what we eat here. I have chickens.”

“I never imagined in my wildest dreams that this would happen.”

What has happened in an application for a 250-acre gravel pit, just 1,200 feet from Wheeler’s front door. If the pit is ultimately approved, production is expected to be around 104,000 tons annually, with an operational life span of 105 years. Twenty-four ton trucks loaded with gravel would roll in and out daily along a portion of T-Road with direct access to Highway 550.

“It’s a monster,” said Wheeler, who has attended meetings and contacted local officials to make her concerns about the gravel pit application known. “I feel like they listen to me, but then they tell me it doesn’t matter, that this is the way we have always done it—that these kinds of operations are allowed on agricultural land  in Montrose County.

“But this doesn’t belong here.”

A special use hearing with regard to the pit has been continued until May 23, to allow planning commissioners time to address remaining concerns. According to an April 25 report by Montrose County Planning and Development Director Steve White to the Montrose County Planning Commission, a number of neighbors have written letters of concern with regard to the project. White notes also that approval is contingent on the Applicant’s providing a mitigation plan that would address the Gunnison Sage Grouse Critical Habitat, as Montrose County has entered in a Memorandum of Understanding with other counties to address the Gunnison Sage Grouse Critical Habitat areas.

The pit under consideration is owned by Zane Lutrell’s Rocky Mountain Aggregate and Construction, LLC, which is located on acreage owned by the Lazy K Bar Land and Cattle Company. To gain approval, the owners would also have to meet Colorado Department of Highways’ standards for access to Highway 550, and a number of other conditions as listed in the Planning and Development Director’s report.

Whether or not Montrose County ultimately approves a 250-acre gravel pit on Moonlight Mesa, the issue is not a new one. Delta County Commissioners have denied two recent applications for gravel pit operations on California Mesa and in Crawford because of opposition by neighboring landowners, but approved a specific development application for the Cook gravel pit on 25 Mesa Road, which would supply gravel for the county’s own uses—a move that Delta County Independent Reporter Hank Lohmeyer called “the County Government’s competition with local private enterprise.”

Gravel is a natural resource cheaply obtained, and essential to growth. According to the most recent sand and gravel mineral commodity summary prepared by the United States Geological Survey (Jan. 2013), Colorado is the seventh largest producer of sand and gravel in the U.S. Nationwide, the industry is worth about $6.4 billion, with about 6,500 operations in 50 states. Construction sand and gravel is used in concrete aggregates and road base and stabilization, among other construction uses. The Commodity Summary also notes that “Growth in housing starts in 2012 is increasing demand for construction sand and gravel in many states.”

A large amount of sand and gravel is needed to build and maintain highways, as well as communities, said Steve Whitehurst, a project manager and estimator for Skip Huston Construction in Montrose, a company that has been operating locally for 30 years. Up-front costs to develop a Gravel pit are usually very high, he noted, and can run into the millions.

“Transportation is really important,” Whitehurst said. “The pit needs to be as close to the projects as possible, because the cost of trucking is prohibitive.

“Gravel is a sensitive issue,” he said. “We work for a lot of government entities, and we use and buy a lot of it to do what we do. The engineers who design projects require it. We all want it and need it, but nobody wants a gravel pit in their back yard—we like a tranquil, undisturbed environment.

“It’s a hard thing, and every community has this issue because of the high cost of transportation.”

Many view the proposed gravel pit on Moonlight Mesa as a benefit to the community, said Montrose County Planning and Development Director Steve White.

“It’s a catch-22,” White said. “Gravel is a resource, and we know where it is available in the county. Every pit will have issues—traffic, noise, dust. But it is mined where it is economically viable; we look at whether it works in a location, and what mitigating factors are needed to make it work. On this mesa, it will be difficult to see the operation.”

The planning commission will continue to look at mitigation factors at the May 23 planning commission hearing, he said, noting that a fairly large neighborhood near the pit will be less impacted than the homes on T-Road, and that the pit applicants must also work out highway access issues with CDOT.

“The state highway is the only way out, so CDOT will require improvements for safety,” White said. “There are always neighborhood concerns, even outside of town like this. But gravel is going to come from somewhere, and it’s not coming from Ouray. There are water rights on the property; they can use the canal for dust control, and pipe water in for the concrete plant.

“Overall, it’s a pretty good plan, and this county is supportive of resource development,” he said. “Like the hydro plant east of town—we were also supportive of that.”

A successful entrepreneur herself, Janice Wheeler said that she does see both sides of the issue.

“I get it, but it’s frustrating,” she said. “We are in drought–is this really the proper use for all that water? The county is helping one family, but 300 families will be affected negatively.

“I am in business, so I do understand,” she added. “But the smell of my chocolate chip cookies baking does not bother people the way the dust and noise from all those trucks will.”

Historic Photo of the Hartman Brothers Building from the collection of the Montrose County Historical Society.

By Liesl Greathouse -(May 15)  Today as you drive down Main Street in Montrose, you will pass the Hartman Brothers building at 531 E. Main Street.  You would not know it by looking at it, but the Hartman Brothers building has been an important part of the automobile industry in Montrose.

In 1893, the Hartman family moved from a farm near Saguache to a farm south of Montrose with their three sons Ed, Joe, and Sid.  Joe and Sid Hartman began working on and building farm equipment and machinery.  In 1904 the brothers formed Hartman Brothers, becoming one of the first to service automobiles in town.  In 1908, Hartman Brothers also became the first Ford agency in Western Colorado.

Due to their expanding business, they constructed the Hartman Brothers building in 1912 at a cost of $20,000.  It housed the Hartman Brothers automobile dealership and repair garage.  In 1915, the company became the second dealer in Willard batteries in the country, eventually becoming the largest Willard battery dealer west of the Mississippi.  They also became the first Goodyear Tire distributor in Montrose.

In 1915 they switched from selling Ford cars to become an agent for Dodge Brothers Motor Cars for Montrose, Delta, Ouray and San Miguel counties.  They also sold Cadillac, Buick, Chevrolet, Chalmers, Studebaker, and Graham vehicles.

By 1916 the building included a garage with a capacity of 60 cars.  In 1928 an office, showroom, and drive-through filling station were added.  The Hartmans were distributors for Sinclair Petroleum from 1922 until 1976.

Finally, in 1977, the building was remodeled, the service station closed, and the building refaced to what it looks like today.

Even though for decades the Hartmans operated one of the largest auto dealerships on the Western Slope, today it is Hartman Brothers Oxygen Medical Equipment, a medical store and oxygen supply outlet.  Hartman descendants have continued to own the building, celebrating their business centennial in 2004.

Even though it has gone through numerous building alterations and business pursuits, the Hartman Brothers building continues to stand as a Montrose institution today and hopefully for years to come.

Research gathered from Take A Closer Look: A Walking Tour Guide of Montrose, by Cathleen M. Norman and Marilyn S. Cox, and Historic Buildings Survey, Montrose, Colorado 1999.

This historic building will soon house The Main Street Ice Cream Bar. Owner Kellie Hartman has purchased an antique soda fountain, and plans to open in May.

MONTROSE—(May 1) The days are getting warmer, and Downtown Montrose just got a little bit cooler! Gelato (22 flavors!) arrives this month at Adam and Yesenia Duncan’s A+Y Gallery ( 513 East Main St.), with the first cup to be auctioned off at 11 a.m. on May 18, in support of the Valley Food Partnership’s school gardens program.  And by month’s end, expect the debut of the Main Street Ice Cream Bar in the space formerly occupied by Big head BBQ (345 East Main)—complete with an antique soda fountain.

“The time is right,” said owner Kellie Hartman, who also owns and operates the great Harvest Bread Company at 347 East Main with husband Kevin. “I have memories of my grandparents taking me to a soda fountain—we don’t have that here anymore! So it feels like a dream come true to find this one.”

Hartman got the fountain itself from the former owner of Comet Drug in Delta, who had reportedly purchased it complete from Bill Heddles himself when the Rexall Drug closed years ago.

“We’re getting everything—the bar stools, the mirror, the coke stickers,” she said. “We’ll be doing phosphate sodas and traditional fountain drinks—and we hope to be open by the end of May.”

A few blocks over at A+Y Gallery, Yesenia Duncan believes that adding gelato to the Main Street mix will encourage people to come Downtown when it’s time for a treat.

“We’re just hoping to increase foot traffic Downtown, and ice cream always does that,” Duncan said. “And gelato is an elegant option for the gallery.”

The Duncans are remodeling the back portion of the gallery to accommodate the ice cream bar, and have hired three part-time staffers. Adam is creating several bistro tables, with dry erase tops for families with kids, Yesenia said.

“Not all of our friends and family can shop in the gallery, but gelato is something everyone can afford,” she said. “It adds to the experience, and makes the area more of a destination.”

Gelato will be made by Gelato Junction of Grand Junction, from locally sourced ingredients, she added.

“Lavender is a pretty awesome flavor, and we will have others—things like coconut, lemon-basil, mascarpone, pistachio. There is even chocolate-cayenne, and one called Donatella, with hazelnut and chocolate.”

Gelato will be gluten-free, but packed with fun—and Duncan said she is not worried about crowds of happy children coming to the Gallery.

“We’ll just hang the art a little higher so sticky fingers can’t touch it,” she said.

The Montrose Food and Wine Festival has raised more than $450,00 for local kids’ causes since 2004. Courtesy Photo

By Liesl Greathouse

 (May 1) Wine and food enthusiasts of Montrose will celebrate a decade of great taste this month, at the Tenth Annual Montrose Wine and Food Festival on May 10 and 11 at the Montrose Pavilion.

Lynette Bean is one of the main organizers of the event, as well as serving on the board of directors.  The event is the brainchild of her husband, Gary Bean, and other wine consumers.  “When we moved to Montrose we wanted something here to do with wine,” Lynette explained.

The end plan was to combine their love of wine with a heart for helping local children’s charities.  They ended up organizing the first Montrose Food and Wine Festival in 2004, originally even giving out tickets in order to entice people to come.  The first year turned out to be a great success, raising more money for charities than they had ever imagined.

Over the years, the event has expanded to include two days of wine tasting with auctions.  Since 2004, the event has raised $450,000 for local charities, while still making it a fun event.  It is now one of the largest fundraisers of the year for Montrose.

The event will kick off on the 10^th with the Private Reserve Wine Dinner at the Pavilion for the event’s sponsors.  Board members always do something special for it.

Following that will be Disco Night, where the public can dance the night away to the beats of DJ Poem.  It will be 10 p.m.-12 p.m. at the Pavilion.

Starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday will be a special feature this year, a Beer Seminar, featuring local and craft beers.  People will learn about how the glass that a person drinks from is the key to elevating all facets of the drinking experience.  Attendees will go home with a beautiful Spiegelau Beer Connoisseur 4-piece set to keep.  Seating is limited, so anyone who is interested is urged to get a ticket soon.

Saturday’s Grand Tasting on the Lawn will be 2 p.m.-5 p.m. and will feature music by Zolopht and the Destroyers.  With over 300 wines and at least ten local restaurants serving delicious food, people will also be able to enjoy a silent auction and the Montrose Botanical Gardens Spring plant sale.  “This is our second year at the Pavilion and people love it,” Lynette said.  “People love being able to enjoy the lawn, the sunshine and the flowers.”

Also occurring at the Pavilion on Saturday will be the start and finish of the 10th Annual Mission to Ride, presented by the Montrose Fire Fighters Assoc.

The Festival has benefitted many different local children’s charities over the years.  This year it is just focusing on befitting two local charities, the Black Canyon Boys & Girls Club and Voices for Children (CASA).  “Before we have benefited Partners, Shoes for Kids, Backpacks for Kids, and others,” Lynette said.  “This year we really wanted to be able to have an impact on a charity, instead of just giving a little bit to a variety of charities.”

The two charities chosen hold a special place in the organizers’ hearts.  “We really care about kids,” Lynette explained.  “The Black Canyon Boys & Girls Club has so many good programs for kids that raise self esteem and education.  CASA really helps abused kids.  There are too many abused kids out there today.”

The Festival is always in need of volunteers to help out in a variety of ways.  Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Karen Tuttle at 249-0337.

Lynette enjoys the social aspect of both drinking wine and the Festival.  “After winter is done and spring suddenly comes, we finally get to go out and see people again,” she said.  “I enjoy the Saturday Festival itself.  After nine months of planning I finally get to have fun with good music, good food and good wine.”

The Festival has increased attendance every year, drawing in many people from outside the Montrose area.  Most comments from participants have been positive, with last year seeing the most positive comments because of the new location.  The Festival continues to grow and improve every year.

To sum up the goal of the Festival, its’ website says it best: “We decided that the beauty and uniqueness of this group of people is we come together for two reasons and two reasons only‑to taste extraordinary wine at a spirited, friendly and warm event and in the process raise money to give away to worthy programs in our community.

“Simply put, we believe in this community and so do our sponsors… we’re here to do the right thing.”

Tickets for the public are $10 for Disco Night, $30 for the Beer Seminar, and $50 for the Grand Tasting.  Tickets can be purchased online at montrosewineandfood.com, at the Montrose Pavilion or at the door.  For more information, call 901‑9993.

MONTROSE—(May 1) Step onto Al Galbaugh’s bus, and become part of a family. One of the original drivers for the All Points Transit City Bus Service, Galbaugh knows where many of his passengers are going before they even get on.

“We have regulars, lots of pass riders. I’ve gotten to know a lot of people, and they know me,” Galbaugh said. “We have a good rapport–they’re good people.”

A native of Denver, Galbaugh has spent his life on the road, learning to drive early and helping his father in the family trucking business. He eventually became transportation manager for a large trucking firm.

“We had five tractor trailer rigs, and we ran to California and back,” he recalls. “I’ve had lots of experience.”

Tommi Vaughn, who has a monthly bus pass, rides the Blue Route bus to and from work each day.

“Al is the greatest driver in the world!” Vaughn said. “He gets me back and forth every day, and he is a very safe driver. I tell the other people where I work that they should ride the bus too. I was born and raised here, and I think the city bus is the greatest thing in Montrose.”

Mother of three Emily Steel shares that sense of appreciation. Steel rides the bus into town from a rural neighborhood, and calls the service “a lifesaver.”

“We only one have one car,” Steel said, “and two teens! I am texting my daughter right now to let her know it’s a free day on the bus.”

A new resident, Oscar, rides the bus to work and takes his bike along.

“I’m from Phoenix,” he said. “We moved here two months ago, but my wife is from here. Now, she looks up at the mountains, and she tears up. I make fun of her for that, but I do agree. I like riding on the bus, and seeing the fields, and the goats and cows.”

Behind the wheel, Galbaugh keeps up a steady stream of conversation, announcing the stops and making small talk with riders. Despite making seven trips through the congested Spring Creek construction zone every day, his temperament remains sunny.

“They’re getting to know me here,” he laughs, waving at a flagger as he passes by. “We’re on time!”

In addition to its city bus service in Montrose, All Points Transit operates a Dial-A-Ride service for seniors and people with disabilities, provides an Olathe Shuttle Service, and offers regional transportation on a monthly basis. City busses run between 6:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. To learn more about All Points Transit and how you can help, call Sarah Curtis at 970-249-6204 or scurtis@allpointstransit.org.

Has Montrose Become A Pizza Paradise, Photo By Liesl Greathouse

By Liesl Greathouse

MONTROSE- (May 1) -Montrose seems to be becoming the pizza capitol of the Uncompaghre Valley.  With a variety of pizza styles from fast food to handmade, anyone can find a pizza to fit their taste buds.  Here are just four of the many options for people, focusing on the handmade and oven-fired styles of pizza.

DeAngelo’s Pizza has been owned and operated by James Wilkinson and his partner Lisa Moore since 2004.  James originally worked as the manager of the restaurant under the previous owner, but decided to buy it when the owner put it up for sale.  DeAngelo’s offers pizzas, calzones, salads, sandwiches and other Italian fare, whether people want to dine-in or carry out.

At DeAngelo’s, they make their own dough, bread, sauce and other ingredients.  “We don’t grow the tomatoes, but we still make everything from scratch,” James said.  “It tastes better, costs less, and people like it better if you make things by hand.”

The signature pizza at DeAngelo’s is the DeAngelo’s Special, made with Canadian Bacon, pepperoni, Italian Sausage, beef, mushroom, black olive, onion, green pepper and extra cheese.  “It has everything but the kitchen sink,” James explained.  For people who like a lot of pizza toppings, any of the specialty pizzas are a good pick.

James’ favorite part of his business is being able to create something.  “The most exciting part for me is the satisfaction of taking flour, water and salt, turning them into dough, then turning that dough into a pizza and putting that pizza in the oven,” he explained.  “I get more satisfaction from that over just handing a person something from a can or box.”

Even though James did not originally start DeAngelo’s, he still wants to make it the best restaurant it can be.  He said, “I want it to be identified with Montrose as a local business that has been here a long time, and will continue to be here a long time.”

DeAngelo’s Pizza is located at 221 Colorado Ave. Suite A and is open Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-8 p.m., and Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

For something with an Italian flare at a reasonable price, Creekside Restaurant (at Cobble Creek) serves some of the best wood-fired pizzas, pasta, steaks, sandwiches, burgers, and seafood.  Drake Pulliam is the executive chef, in charge of making sure everything works.  “It is just a little eclectic restaurant at a golf course with a wide variety of foods,” he explained.

Drake owned Drake’s Restaurant in Ridgway for 13 years before closing it.  Eventually he decided he was ready to go back to cooking, and having grown up in Montrose, getting a job close to home seemed the perfect fit.

The pizzas at Creekside are made with ingredients imported from Italy, plus as much local produce as is available.  “There is nothing better than farm-to-plate,” Drake explained.  “I’m not looking for the ultimate best ingredients, but I like to get things from where they were produced.”

Creekside’s most popular pizzas are The Works (made with Italian sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, mozzarella, onions, bell peppers, kalamata olives and tomato sauce) and the Margherita (made with mozzarella, tomatoes, pesto and basil).  “People like meat and a little bit of everything,” Drake said about The Works.  “And people like the Margherita for the beauty of its flavor, especially its fresh tomatoes.  Sometimes just a few ingredients make something better rather than a lot.”

For people avoiding gluten, gluten free crusts and pastas are available and sauces can be made gluten-free if requested.

Drake does not have a specific favorite part in his work.  “I just love being in the restaurant business,” he said.  “It has its ups and downs, but I like the business as a whole.  I love cooking, the smell of gas in the kitchen, the sizzle of a pan, and happy customers.”

Creekside Restaurant is located at 697 Cobble Dr. and is open Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

When looking for some good, homemade Italian fare, the Fire House offers it all in a family-friendly environment.

Owner May Epling has worked in the restaurant industry for a long time.  After finally retiring, nine months later she was bored out of her mind.  Knowing that she needed to stay busy and be around people, the idea for the Fire House was born.

The Fire House offers traditional southern Italian food, with some American options as well.  All the bread is homemade, and everything is made in house.  The pizzas are made in the restaurant’s best asset, its wood fired oven.

The most popular pizza is The Valve, which is made with goat cheese, tomato, artichoke hearts and an olive oil base.  Another popular pizza is The Hawaiian, made with pineapple and a variety of meats, including sausage, and Canadian bacon.

Gluten-free noodles and pizza crusts are available.  The soups and the basic red and white pizza sauces can be made gluten free if requested.

May’s favorite part of her work is the people.  “I love people,” she said.  “My employees are like family, and we all work well together.  They make me like to come to work every day.”

May said that the main goals for the Fire House are, “To make it big, to make it fun and to just do well.”

The Fire House is located at 1136 E. Main St. and is open Tuesday-Saturday 7 p.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m.-10 a.m. for brunch and 7 p.m.-10 p.m. for dinner.

Soon, a new addition to Montrose will be the Colorado Boy Pizzeria, owned by Tom & Sandy Hennessy.

Tom has 40 years of experience in the restaurant industry.  He and his wife have opened several restaurants over the years, including the Colorado Boy Pub and Brewery in Ridgway.

The Pizzeria in Montrose will offer Neapolitan-style thin crust, 12 inch pizzas, baked in an open flame oven that bakes at 800° F.  “People will come up to the counter, pay, get a tab, get their drinks, and within seven minutes will have their food,” Tom explained.  “Everything will be made from scratch and people will be able to sit at the counter and watch the food being made.”

All the food items, including the pizzas, salads and pastas, will be under $10.  “It will all be inexpensive, very fast and very good,” Tom said.  “Almost like fast food for adults.”

As many ingredients as possible will be bought locally, while the flour will come from Italy and the tomatoes from Naples.

Based on the Colorado Boy in Ridgway, their most popular pizza may be the Rustica, made with garlic, olive oil, mozzarella, artichoke hearts, roasted pepper, capicollo ham, and Gorgonzola cheese.

There will be a gluten-free pizza crust option, as well as gluten free beer available.

Tom’s goal for Colorado Boy Pizzeria is to just be the humble downtown pizzeria.  “I want it to be around for 20 years, to become a town institution,” he said.  “I know that we will have to do a good job so we can earn people’s trust and support.”

Colorado Boy Pizzeria’s grand opening will be Memorial Day and will be located at 320 E. Main Street.

If you ever have a craving for a fresh slice of handmade pizza, Montrose has some of the best selection of restaurants around.  Just don’t go overboard with the Parmesan cheese.