Upload
khangminh22
View
5
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
1
The Antero Digest
A Community Newsletter for Mesa Antero Property Owners No 5 July 2020
Be Bear Aware Avoid A Bear Visit In recent months throughout Mesa Antero bears have been
spotted at all times of day - morning noon and night A review of
the Mesa Antero Facebook page shows more than a dozen
instances of bear sightings One big guy even went into a neigh-
borrsquos open door and helped himself to some apples from a bag on
the counter before leaving He was likely attracted by the hum-
mingbird feeders in the yard It was daytime and the residents
thought it was too early for a bear to be active Clearly bears are
not only nocturnal Please be aware when you go outside Bears
will move on if they do not find a source of food And recently we
seem to have fewer bear sightings so keep up the good work by
denying the bears some tasty treats
PLEASE
bull Remove all food sources - no hummingbird feeders and no
birdseed feeders remove outdoor pet food
bull Put out your garbage as late as possible on the morning of
garbage pick up
bull Purchase a bear proof garbage can if the bear is getting into
your garbage
bull Clean up your grills picnic tables outdoor garbage cans etc
bull Keep your windows and doors closed and locked on your first
floor when you are not actively there
Click on the links below to learn more about living with bears
bull Bearproofing your home
bull Be Bear Aware
Learn About Chaffe Chips July 15 Chaffee County has included Mesa Antero in their chipping plans
this fall Mark your calendars for September 11-13 if you have
limbs trees etc you want chipped at no cost to you A virtual
meeting to familiarize Mesa Antero landowners with Chaffee
Chips has been scheduled for Wednesday July 15 from 6-7 pm
Plan to join the Zoom Meeting by clicking on the link below
Please note the password below as it will be needed to access the
meeting
Zoom meeting link httpsus02webzoomusj88062230828
pwd=TklsTEJxSElTeXpvM2hvV1djSjZFQT09
Meeting ID 880 6223 0828
Password 873581
New on the Mesa Antero Website Check out these new postings on the Mesa Antero website bull MAPOA Bowen Ditch Company Presentation
bull MAWA Geologic Presentation
bull Living with Bears
Table of Contents
Virtual Community Gatheringshelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2
Community Activitieshelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip4
Neighbors to the Rescuehelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip8
Wildfire Evacuationhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip12
Wildfire Mitigation amp Mothshelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip13
Brownrsquos Creek Alliancehelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip14
FYI amp Announcementshelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip16
Neighbor Newshelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip17
Marketing Mesa Anterohelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip18
Try a New Recipe Pagehelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip21
The Wrap Uphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip22
Mary Gontero
snapped this
beautiful sunset
on July 1 The
photo was taken
from Deer Trail
Catch up on previous editions of
The Antero Digest at MesaAnteroorg
2
Virtual Community Gatherings Happy Ladies Meet Via Zoom in April
With the prohibition of large gatherings and in concern for
everyonersquos safety Happy Ladies opted to meet via Zoom in April
For the most part the technology worked ok It was a great way
to stay in touch
Participants included Jennifer Barker Sue Armijo Peggy Finkowski
Sheila Prior Linda Rak Joanie Barbier Janet Brockman Joyce
Peryam Brenda Dempsey Risa Jenkins Nancy Tafoya Mary
Gontero as well as a few dogs and cats
Happy Ladies May Meet in July
No doubt many of the neighborhood ladies miss their Happy Ladies
friends It would be nice to get everyone together again but with
Covid still a threat it is better safe than sorry so Happy Ladies will
not be meeting in June
If Covid19 cases continue to decline organizers are tentatively
planning for a gathering in July It would be hosted at Jennifer
Barkerrsquos where multiple outdoor areas will provide for social
distancing Beverlyn Pepper and Brenda Dempsey will co-host
Details will be forthcoming once plans are confirmed
Photo by Joyce Peryam
Need to track down someone in Mesa Antero Find them in the Mesa Antero Directory by clicking here
Please pick up your dogrsquos poo when out and about
Your neighbors appreciate
it
The posted speed limit in the Mesa is 35 MPH However most of the time thatrsquos really too fast For everyonersquos safety ndash yours other drivers bikers walkers and four legged friends ndash please slow down and be safe
Questions about Happy Ladies Contact Jennifer Barker at MrsJenniferLBarkergmailcom
3
Virtual Gatherings continued MAPOA Board Met Virtually in April
The MAPOA Board met on April 21 via Zoom Highlights of their
discussion follow
bull Chaffee County Fire Update - Chief Bertram of Chaffee County
Fire County Rescue provided an overview of the fire district and
restrictions put in place due to Covid He asked that residents
call the Sheriffrsquos non-emergency number to report campfires or
other illegal burning
bull Wildfire Mitigation Guide ndash Quinn McLeod provided an
overview of the guide he drafted to assist residents in their
wildfire mitigation efforts
bull COVID-19 ndash Discussed current restrictions and impact on
upcoming events
bull New Neighbors - Reviewed virtual welcome bag and discussed
how to best keep track of ownership changes and new
neighbors
bull MesaAnteroUnited Project ndash Expressed appreciation to Sue
Ann Hum for sharing this idea and making our beautiful
rainbow sign
bull Food Drive ndashJoyce Peryam is collecting donations for The
Grainery Food Pantry She and Jan Toniazzo are transporting
food to the Grainery each Monday amp Friday
bull Picnic Assignments ndash Solicited volunteers to coordinate summer
picnics (NOTE Picnics have since been cancelled)
bull Weed Control ndash Discussed the need for a new weed control
coordinator
bull Front 38 Canada Thistle Project ndash The thistle in the front 38
needs to be removed Craig Galler and Sheila Prior to explore
options
bull Annual Membership Meeting ndash Reviewed activities from the
member meeting held in January and discussed improvements
for the next meeting
bull Volunteer of the Year Award ndash Discussed process for
nominating the 2020 Volunteer of the Year
bull Mailbox Area Maintenance - Ed Biederbeck will contact Miles
Construction Company when appropriate They will fix the
road and clean out the ditch behind the mailboxes
bull Online Directory - Wendell Day is updating the Online Directory
to include the ability to see all properties by lot number the
Happy Ladies Calendar and a link to the Mesa Antero Resource
Guide
bull Tree Limbs Hanging Over Tabeguache ndash The cottonwood trees
at the corner of Tabeguache and Panorama have been cut and
trimmed Bristlecone completed the work for less than their
bid
bull Stew Brown Park Maintenance ndash Discussed removal of dead
trees and branches
bull Financials ndash The budget includes $7923 in operating costs
$15353 in savings for a total of $23276
bull MAPOA Statistics ndash MAPOA currently contains 275 lots 195
homes 69 vacant lots and 10 lots under construction In 2019
there were 267 members In 2020 there are 247
bull Recreation Study - Discussed Envision Chaffe County and
Recreation in Balance who are looking at outdoor recreation in
Chaffee County to ensure public lands are not damaged
bull Next Meeting ndash The next Board meeting was scheduled for
Tuesday June 23
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY Weed Coordinator Needed
We are looking for a volunteer to help out neighbors by
providing guidance on weeds identify native weeds that can
stay and those that need to be removed
To learn more or to volunteer please contact Mary Gontero
Snapped these beauties
enjoying dianthus and
clover in our garden
yard
4
Community Activities Fence Repairs Completed Thanks Volunteers
by Jim Finkowski
As with everyones activities this spring Mesa Antero fence repairs
required extra planning due to the Covid 19 virus Fortunately
damage to the fence was
minimal this past winter I
believe this was due to the
extra effort we have put in
over the past few years to
upgrade the perimeter
fence However the
section along Broken
Bough which has not had
much done to it for some
time was in need of some
significant improvement
which was our focus this
spring
The work began with one or two volunteers preparing the fence to
create an opportunity to maintain social distancing when the larger
group showed up for a scheduled work day Cory Van Doozer new
to the Mesa helped clear the fence line of brush and down
trees Chris Elzey here on spring break with his wife Karen when
the stay at home orders were issued helped repair two forest
access gates and became an expert in fence repair not the type of
experience normally
required of a professor
at their home in
Washington DC
And my daughters
friend Andrew who
normally lives in Denver
helped out for several
days while they were
riding out the virus here
in Nathrop
All of the preparation
led us to have two
successful group work
days (thanks to Bill Schiller Dave Kuhn Jerry Cunningham Wendell
Day and Ron Rak) while being able to maintain a safe personal
distance The result of our efforts was that nearly 34 of a mile of
fence was repaired and upgraded The entire fence line from
Adobe Circle to Broken Bough which Mesa Antero volunteers
maintain is currently in really good condition Unfortunately the
grass always seems to be greener on the other side of the fence at
least to the cattle so fence repair will continue to be a source of
FUN for anyone that wants to help out
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY Fence Repair Coordinator Needed
Jim Finkowski has been a hands-on volunteer solo
worker and fence repair coordinator for over six (6)
years now He has done a terrific job and we are
extremely appreciative of his efforts Jim is planning
to step aside next year so he can focus his energies on
other activities
Thanks to Jim and his volunteer crew the fence is in
great shape right now and should not need a lot of
effort to keep the cattle out of the Mesa If you are
interested in taking over coordinating the fence
maintenance activities please contact Jim Finkowski
or MAPOA President Mary Gontero
Photos by Peggy Finkowski
5
Community Activities conrsquot
Mailbox Area Paved The area in front of the
mailboxes was paved on
Wednesday May 27th Now we
have a nice even pavement
from the roadway to the
mailboxes
Stew Brown Park Clean-Up Underway
SBPark Coordinator Chuck Washer and his wife Denise have been
working to clean up the park by removing dead branches and trees
They had some help from Quinn McLeod Jim Harsh Craig Galler
and Sheila Prior Chuck and
Denise have also put a fresh
coat of varnish on several of
the tables in the park
The park is looking spiffy Thanks
to all who helped
Road Work in Mesa Antero
Chaffee County has recently graded roads and removed dirt from
ditches in Mesa Antero Ed Biederbeck estimates the county spent
over $100000 on Mesa Antero roads
Specifically Chaffee County Road amp Bridge has
bull added road base to Elk Run Tabeguache Ouray and Panorama
bull put down magnesium chloride on roads to reduce dust
bull repaired chip amp seal damage from their road grader
bull cleaned out ditches
Thanks Chaffee County
Thistle Removal Started Stopped to be Continued
You may recall a lovely patch of pink flowers in the Front 38 field
last year Unfortunately those lovely flowers are produced by
Canada Thistle an invasive
weed and it has to go
Front 38 Maintenance
Volunteers Craig Galler and
Sheila Prior with help from
Mary Gontero and Wendell
Day went out on a recent
Saturday to see if digging the
immature plants would
result in their demise
Unfortunately we learned
that digging wonrsquot work so
reached out to the weed
expert at the county Long story short the most effective way to rid
the field of Canada Thistle is to treat it with a safe spray that will kill
80 to 100 of the Thistle in a single treatment We are contracting
with the County to provide the treatment The spraying has not
yet been scheduled but is expected to take place late summer or
early fall at the pre-blooming stage
Jan Azzopardi took this picture of a double rainbow from their
back deck on Tabeguache
6
Mesa Antero Scheduled for Chaffee Chips Chaffee County has included Mesa Antero in their chipping plans
this fall Mark your calendars for September 11-13 if you have
limbs trees etc you want to have chipped Your slash will be
removed at no cost to you Start now and create your slash pile
(See directives in How to Make the Perfect Pile)
For mitigating guidelines for your property use the extremely
helpful Wildfire Mitigation Guide that Quinn Macleod wrote for our
community It is posted on the Mesa Antero web page
After reviewing the Guide if you still have questions about what to
remove to create a more defensible space around your home
contact Quinn McLeod at (303) 810-5739
Help us help you by following a few rules in preparing for chipping in
September
bull include trees tree branches small logs and brush cut away
from root mass
bull no logsbranches with a diameter greater than 6 inches
bull no logsbranches longer than 10 feet
bull no construction building or other manmade materials
bull no lumber fence posts or signs
bull no roots root wads stumps or anything that grows below the
soil
bull no materials that contain dirt sand gravel or rocks
bull no materials that contain metal (nails screws fencing) string
or other manndashmade materials
bull no herbaceous material (leaves weeds bushes)
How to Make the PERFECT Pile
bull piles should be no bigger than 5 feet high x 10 feet deep x 7
feet long with cut ends facing the road
bull no ldquoratsrdquo nests
bull piles should be placed within 5 feet of roadway or driveway
but not in drainage ditches piles should not impede traffic
bull piles must be accessible with adequate turnaround space for a
trucktrailer
bull limit piles to six (6) per property
bull stack firewood separately from branches so it can be collected
for heat
Your wood piles must be out by 800 am on the first morning of
the event
To learn more about Chaffee County Chips click here
Fire Mitigation Matters
Defensible space is the natural and landscaped area around your
home that has been modified to reduce wildfire hazard By creating
a defensible zone your home and property are less vulnerable and
the chance of spreading wildfire is greatly reduced
Community Activities conrsquot
Share Your Mitigation Efforts
If yoursquove taken steps to mitigate fire risk on your property please
send pictures of what yoursquove done to Mary Gontero We plan to
use them as examples for our community and post them on the
Mesa Antero website Thank you
June Rogersrsquo dog
Scooter keeps an
eye out for deer
and other critters
on the road
June says Scooter
is a great traveling
companion who
accompanies her
on any day trip
7
What I Did on My Covid Vacation
Neighbors were asked to send pictures andor share information
about what theyrsquove been up to during the stay at home period
brought about as a result of Covid-19 A few folks were kind
enough to share
How Wersquore Spending Our Time
Nancy Bowsher and Andrith Davis said ldquoWe are going through all
our old photos amp weeding them out--makes us feel good Working
out reading jigsaw puzzles amp trimming brushes We keep busy
with our birds--filling the feeder for chickadees nuthatches jays
squirrels amp keeping the hummingbird feeder filled amp clean And our
Christmas tree greets us every morning amp says Good Night every
eveningrdquo Nancy added that ldquo Even though we arent square
dancing Andrith stays up on her round dance cueing Check out
round dancing on Youtube--its also called choreographed ballroom
dancing Life is goodrdquo
Community Activities conrsquot
Sue Ann Hum and her dog Hornsby
were looking for a change of pace for
their walk so they went over to the
gated trailhead on Tabeguache turn
Sue Ann was feeling creative and
made some games for all neighbors to
play untogether during social distanc-
ing
1 Fill Our Heart - Find a pine cone
heart outline and toss a pine cone in-
side
2 Tic-Tac-Toe (Natrsquol Forest edition) -
Xrsquos made with two crossed sticks a big
pine cone can be the Orsquos
3 Built a Tipi Help build a teepee
Connie and Ed Biederbeck
decorated and masked a rock in
their yard
Craig and I put a metal bird sculp-
ture ndash complete with the requisite
mask ndash next to the driveway
The crows in front of
Janet and Lorin
Fullmerrsquos home are
now donning masks
Michelle and Cory Van Doozer deco-rated their house number sign with brightly colored flowers
(13580 Deer Trail)
Wendy Skean put this bicycling kitty
by her driveway entrance The
wheels will spin in the wind
(12519 Ouray)
8
Mesa Antero Seamstresses Make Masks
Seamstresses in Mesa Antero pulled out excess material scrounged
up elastic and rope and put their scissors and sewing machines to
work to make masks to help protect friends family members
health care workers and strangers from the COVID-19 Virus
Connie Biederbeck made
masks for a nephew - a CNA
at a nursing home in Grand
Junction ndash and his co-workers
She made masks for a friendrsquos
daughter who works at the
VA in Denver She also made
masks for the cardiology clinic
at the hospital
Joanie Barbier has sewn
more than 150 masks
Recipients include a nursing
home in Massachusetts
Helping Hand Native
American children in
Churchhill Manitoba friends
family and anyone else who
wanted one Joaniersquos still happy to make masks If you need a
mask email your request to her at jbar4004gmailcom
Sheila Prior made about 80
masks for friends family Heart
of the Rockies Regional Hospital
and a PT clinic in BV Sheila is
also willing to make additional
masks should anyone be in need
Email her at
spriorkohloutlookcom
Kathy Roach made two dozen masks for friends and family
here in New York and California
Hunter and Dillon Build Birdfeeders for Those In Need
The Roberts brothers - Hunter (11) and Dillon (10) - started a
fundraiser after the start of the
Covid virus to help people in
need and at the same time to
help support local restaurants
The kids built picnic table bird
feeders out of donated
materials They sold them to
neighbors ndash by asking for a
voluntary donation - and used
the proceeds to buy gift cards
from local restaurants They
then donated the gift cards -
$850 worth - to the Chaffee
County Covid-19 Disaster Fund
which helps those in need Way
to go boys
Neighbors to the Rescue
Hunter and Dillon are shown with
one of the picnic table bird feeders
they built to support those in need
Jackson - Chuck and jan Azzopardirsquos German Shorthair Pointer - is
captured here checking out whatrsquos happening in the woods below
9
Residents Participate in Weekly Food Drive
Jan Toniazzo and Joyce Peryam made their first of many weekly
donated food deliveries to The Grainery food bank on March 26
and have been going strong ever since The ladies report that the
volunteers at The Grainery truly appreciate the kindness and
generosity shown by the folks of Mesa Antero
Food collections continue because the need for food assistance
continues If you can help support families in need there are two
ways you can do so You can drop off canned and dry goods in the
wooden box next to Joyce Peryamrsquos driveway at 13030 Deer Trail
(CR261D) They are in need of all canned goods especially canned
wieners soup and beans rice and dried pasta Or you can mail a
monetary donation to The Grainery 1348 E Street Buena Vista
Thanks Joyce and Jan for coordinating collection and deliveries and
thanks to Mesa Antero residents for giving Joyce and Jan something
to do And most importantly thanks everyone for helping families in
need
Donations Drop Off Update You may note that the red drop off box is no longer by the roadside
in front of Joycersquos house Unfortunately the Mesa Antero bear has
made his way to lower Deer Trail and took out the Perrymanrsquos
bluebird house and new chicks While he didnrsquot mess with the food
drive red box the gals have had to rethink the way food donations
are collected from now on
You can still drop off your donated canned goods but are asked to
now bring them Joycersquos front door Please text Joyce to make sure
she is home to receive the food (her number is in the directory)
For the time being residents are asked to please limit donations to
canned goods ONLY Please NO pasta cereal crackers or glass
plastic jars
To the Rescue continued
Pictured here are some of the many donations made by residents of Mesa
Antero in recent months Joyce Perryman (left) and Jan Tonazzio (right) are
delivering donated goods to The Grainery each week
10
Mesa Antero Golfers Support Food Bank
by Dan Downing
Irsquom part of a group of about 16 guys who regularly plays golf in
Salida Several are current or former Mesa Antero residents
including Tom Parkes Roger Miller and Rick Davidoff Our group
doesnrsquot have an official name We play a game called ldquoSwindlerdquo so
at least as Facebook goes we call ourselves the ldquoSalida Summer
Swindle Grouprdquo We play on Tuesdays Thursdays and Saturdays
and in the spirit of friendly competition we each ante up $20 to
play
We begin playing each year as soon as the weather permits usually
in March which this year was just about the time the Covid-19
pandemic started getting serious The golf course was allowed to
remain open but with proper social distancing and restrictions on
touching things
In the past we determined who won and who lost on day of play
With winners buying drinks at the 19th hole When the virus hit
we didnt want to continue passing around scorecards and cash any
more than we absolutely had to We wanted to keep things
interesting and competitive by keeping the money in play So I
came up with a creative idea Instead of playing as teams wersquod
play as individuals and pay our losses into a kitty which would
benefit the Food Bank at the Presbyterian Church Like many
theyrsquod been hit hard as a result of the economic downturn All of
the guys eagerly signed on
Enthusiasm for the new ldquoQuotardquo game has been amazing Most
guys end up owing the kitty two or three dollars at the end of
the game It doesnt add up all that quickly but it does indeed add
up The guys soon began chipping in a little extra as did the
winners who owed nothing Then out of town guys who hadnt
returned to their homes here and hadnrsquot started playing with us
started chipping in Then other golfers started chipping in By the
first of April we were able to contribute a little over $1000 to the
Food Bank
We recently returned to our normal $20 Swindle game With one
difference All of the guys wanted to continue donating proceeds to
the Food Bank So thatrsquos what wersquore doing Since March 31st we
have contributed more than $2700 to the Food Bank The guys are
having a blast playing golf together and doing some good for the
community as well
To the Rescue continued
Early in the season the guys tee off from hole 1 at the Salida Golf Course
A few of the guys From left to right Dan Downing Tom Bevington
Kent Cookson Gus Argys Jerry Donner Tim Hinkle Bruce Davidson
and Darrell Sampson
Dan Downing is shown
presenting golf game
proceeds to Rev Tom
Abbott pastor of First
Presbyterian Church
for the churchrsquos food
bank The Swindle
Group has been do-
nating golf proceeds to
the food bank since
March 31and has do-
nated more than
$2700 to date
11
Mesa Antero Artists Support Ark Valleyrsquos Good Pet
Bad Art Fund Raiser
Ark Valley Humane Society held a fund raiser earlier this year called
ldquoGood Pet Bad Portraitrdquo Individuals provided a photo of their pet
along with a monetary donation Artists in the community as
young as five (5) volunteered to draw or paint a pet and then send
it to the owner At least three (3) Mesa Antero artists participated
in the charity event
To The Rescue continued
Sue Ann Hum painted two pets
The first a cat Mrs Buggles-
worth aka Bug aka Buggs
And the other a dog Charles
Craig Galler painted a
cat named Ozzy
Wendy Skean drew two dogsmdash
Goosebumps and Huckleberry
She said about her
participation Pretty sure I
lived up to the Bad part Still
I had fun participating in it ldquo
12
Be Informed Be Prepared Be Ready for Fire Quinn Macleod Mesa Anterorsquos volunteer Fire Prevention Volunteer
Coordinator recently spoke with Chaffee County Emergency
Manager Richard Atkins and wanted to pass on some crucial
information
The county uses two systems to notify the public in times of an
emergency - Everbridge and a national system sponsored by FEMA
bull Everbridge allows for detailed messages that the county can
send out Including re-population information so residents
know when to come back home
bull The FEMA system uses technology like an Amber Alert So
everyone with a cell phone powered by a specific tower will get
emergency notifications So even short-term renters in MA will
receive an evacuation notification
BOTTOM LINE MESA ANTERO PROPERTY OWNERS STILL NEED
TO SIGN UP WITH EVERBRIDGE SO PLEASE SIGN UP
After some discussion it was determined that when it is necessary
to evacuate the subdivision due to an emergency most people will
evacuate the way they enter So given the low population of Mesa
Antero a somewhat orderly evacuation will occur The reality will
likely be quite different
Learn more about the Homeowner
Evacuation Plan at httpswwwfemagov
media-library-data1409003859391-
0e8ad1ed42c129f11fbc23d008d1ee85
how_to_prepare_wildfire_033014_508pdf
Be prepared always
Prepare a kit that includes things you will need while evacuated
The duration of an evacuation can last from hours to days The kit
can consist of either a written list of things to assemble at the time
of evacuation or items that are already assembled and pre-
positioned Some things to consider including in your kit include
bull medications and other medical supplies such as diabetic or
COPD item an extra oxygen cylinder
bull important documents hard drives computers
bull photo albums
bull pets and their supplies
Think about and determine
bull Where you will meet up with other members of your home or
family The cell towers will be busy so where might you meet
your family members if you cant talk to them Walmart
Safeway City Market LaGrees
bull Identify who you want to call to let them know you are safely
evacuated Think about who might report you missing if you
dont call them
bull Where will you stay during the evacuation Will you take your
camper or camping gear Can you stay with friends living out
of the area
Prepare your home to receive the wildfire
bull Turn on outside lights and lights in every room to make the
house more visible in heavy smoke
bull Close all windows vents doors and fireplace screens This will
help reduce drafts in the home and will reduce radiant heat
bull Disconnect automatic garage door openers so doors can be
opened by hand if power is lost
bull Move flammable furniture including outdoor furniture into
the center of the home away from windows and sliding glass
doors Remove flammable curtains and window treatments
bull Connect garden hoses Shut off propane gas from the source
and move BBQ grill propane and other fuels away from the
house
bull Follow any additional guidance provided by local authorities
When driving away from a fire
bull Roll up windows and close air vents (car amp camper) because
smoke from a fire can irritate your eyes and respiratory
system
bull Drive slowly with your headlights on because smoke can
reduce visibility
bull Watch for other vehicles pedestrians and fleeing animals
bull Avoid driving through heavy smoke if possible
Wildfire Evacuation
13
Wildfire Mitigation Guide Released
The recently published Wildfire Mitigation Guide should enable
every property owner in Mesa Antero to make some modifications
to lessen the negative effects from a wildfire Even if you donrsquot have
a structure on your property these actions will help to achieve
positive results from a wildfire Fire is a natural part of the eco
system so reducing ground litter and killing some weak trees
bushes overall is good plus the nitrogen release is naturersquos fertilizer
for the grasses
Itrsquos dry
This Spring has developed into a very dry one If you have some
mitigation projects in mind it would be good to start soon
The forest and Campers
The good news is that our surrounding forests have been managed
(thinned and controlled burns) to protect our community from
wildfires The dispersed campers with their camp fires is a ignition
risk but manageable If you notice someone burning illegally itrsquos
safest for you to call the Sheriff via 911 (immediately tell them itrsquos a
ldquonon-emergencyrdquo so they can talk to you on a different line) If you
come upon an abandoned campfire pull it apart and call the sheriff
so they can fully extinguish and document
Lastly I do have some more information to add to the guide in the
future but wanted to get the bulk of it out now
Irsquom always available to answer questions andor come by
Quinn Macleod
qmacleod61gmailcom
3038105739
The Wildfire Mitigation Guide is post on MesaAnteroorg for easy
access
Help Yourself Get A Reflective House Number Sign
Did you know that reflective house number signs are crucial to help
fire fighters or emergency personnel find you quickly The
reflective green and white signs are available from the Chaffee
County Fire District main office in BV for the bargain price of just
$10
Fire experts have advised that - especially in a neighborhood like
ours - having clearly visible reflective signs are crucial to their timely
arrival at a fire or emergency The signs should be double sided
and posted near the road so they can be clearly seen from both
directions
Moth Infestation a Real Nuisance You have no doubt been annoyed by the recent infestation of
moths The Miller moths start out as caterpillars that develop on
Coloradorsquos eastern plains and in Kansas and Nebraska In the spring
they migrate west to feast on the nectar of flowers
This year wersquove seen more
moths than previous springs
because weather conditions
last year were favorable for
caterpillar development It
isnrsquot extraordinary as Colorado
has seen this many in other
years preceded by mild winters While other moth species might
like to eat your wool sweaters these do not They just eat pollen
make your house dusty and die Unless yoursquore particularly allergic
to moth scales miller moths wonrsquot do a thing besides annoy you
Miller moths are a very important food source for birds bears and
other critters A single bear can eat up to 10000 miller moths a
day which helps them get fat for the winter The mothrsquos
abdomens besides housing ldquogutsrdquo also store a lot of fat that they
stock up for the long autumn trip back to the plains They hide
under rocks in the mountains during the day Thatrsquos where bears
find them flipping over stones and grabbing a quick bite
The good news is they wonrsquot stick around forever Warm nights will
speed up their migration They are usually gone by the fall
Wildfire Mitigation amp Moths
Did you know Charles Nachtrieb I was the founder
of the town of Nathrop Colorado Early
settlers could not pronounce the German
name of Nachtrieb easily so the name of
the hamlet was Americanized to Nathrop
The original site of Nathrop was about one
and one half miles north of the present
townsite and served as a stagecoach station between Bales
station near Cleora and Leadville
14
Alliance Formed to Help Preserve Brownrsquos Creek Volunteers Needed
By Chuck Azzopardi
If you have spent time in the Browns Creek Recreation Area over
the last few years you may have noticed a dramatically increasing
number of hikers and campers And also an increase in the size and
number of dispersed campsites A number of residents of Mesa
Antero have expressed concern for a potentially catastrophic
wildfire initiated from an illegal campfire in the Browns Creek
Recreation Area In response to these developments a new group -
Browns Creek Alliance - is being formed to ensure the Browns Creek
Recreation Area is not loved to death
Many in Chaffe County realize that our valley ldquohas been foundrdquo
We can expect growth and development to occur over the next
couple of decades Envision Chaffee County was a formed in 2016
to provide guidance on the future growth and development of
Chaffee County It has since become a catalyst for community
actions such as the Browns Creek Alliance Recreation in Balance is
a program led by Envision the Greater Arkansas River Nature
Association (GARNA) and the Salida Ranger District that is creating a
community-driven plan to maintain healthy public lands quality
user experiences and the economic benefits of recreation tourism
Browns Creek Recreation Area is one of the more popular places for
outdoor recreation in Chaffee County Visitation to the Browns
Creek Recreation Area is increasing and is expected to continue on
an upward trend for the foreseeable future Our San Isabelle
National Forest Service Ranger District has recognized that Browns
Creek Recreation
Area could use
some TLC Giving
their current
budget
constraints they
are actively
encouraging
volunteer groups including Browns Creek Alliance to provide
assistance in ensuring that public lands in our area do get the
tender loving care they deserve
So given a significant growth in locals and visitors how can we
Browns Creek Alliance as a volunteer organization have a positive
impact on the long-term sustainability of Browns Creek Recreation
Area
To achieve our mission of supporting a sustainable management of
the Browns Creek Recreation Area the Browns Creek Alliance is
focusing on gathering data on visitation and its impact on public
resources The Alliance is providing education to encourage visitors
to our area to be respectful and responsible of our public resources
other visitors and residents while enjoying the Browns Creek
Recreation Area We shall also evaluate public resources
particularly dispersed campsites to determine if we can improve
their long-term sustainability
Luckily we have a successful model of how we can accomplish our
objectives right here in Chaffee County Friends of Four Mile has
years of successful experience ensuring that the Four Mile
Recreation Area is sustainable for the long-term
Friends of Four Mile has developed signage and brochures to
educate visitors They have also used buck amp rail fencing to ensure
dispersed campsites are of an appropriate long-term sustainable
size and location While some cost and efforts are necessary to
develop and implement these solutions they have been shown to
be effective
The first task for the Browns Creek Alliance is to gather data so that
we and other agencies including Recreation in Balance and the San
Isabelle National Force Ranger District can quantify the increase in
Brownrsquos Creek Alliance
Browns Creek Alliance Mission Statement
The Browns Creek Alliance is a volunteer
group The group believes in supporting a
sustainable management of the public lands
in the Browns Creek amp Raspberry Gulch areas
of the San Isabel National Forest
15
visitation as well as the measurable impact that the increasing
volume of visitors are having on our public resources
Being able to measure visitation and its impact is critical if we are to
develop and implement the best ways to ensure long-term
sustainability of our public resources This data may also be utilized
to gauge the success of our efforts as we strive to improve long-
term sustainability of Browns Creek Recreation Area
For our first task The Browns Creek Alliance similar to Friends of
Four Mile is implementing a vehicle count on the three busiest
holidays of the year - Memorial Day Fourth of July and Labor Day
Volunteers will document the number of vehicles including
recreational vehicles in Browns Creek Recreation Area on each
holiday This data shall be shared with agencies - including the
Forest Service -to determine if the number of visitors is within the
capacity of Browns Creek Recreation Area This data will also
determine whether or not visitation continues to grow and if so by
how much
The Browns Creek Alliance sees our second task as encouraging
visitors to be responsible and respectful while enjoying Browns
Creek Recreation Area If visitors understand proper outdoor
recreation amp dispersed camping etiquette they are much more
inclined to be responsible and respectful visitors and users of our
public resources Responsible and respectful campers in particular
are less inclined to have illegal fires We believe that to achieve this
second objective signage at the kiosks in the Browns Creek
Recreation Area needs to be updated and improved Brochures
containing information displayed on the new improved kiosks may
also be printed and distributed by volunteers
A sandwich billboard sign was recently erected at the entrance to
Browns Creek Recreation Area to advise visitors that a fire ban is in
place and campfires are not currently permitted Mesa Antero
Property Ownersrsquo Association voted to provide funding for this new
signage
A third task is to pursue surveying and ranking of dispersed
campsites in the area Once dispersed campsites have been ranked
for sustainability poor campsites may be removed or reconfigured
while high ranking popular campsites may be hardened or
improved As an example buck amp rail fencing may be used to
establish campsite boundaries at select dispersed campsites
Recently the Forest Service has begun implementing buck and rail
fencing at select campsites in Browns Creek Recreation Area Other
improvements are being considered in our arearsquos outdoor
recreational areas Browns Creek Alliance is already in discussions
with the Forest Service and others as to how we can evaluate and
improve dispersed campsites in our area One consideration is
moving toward designated dispersed camping to better control
campsites in the area
Finally Browns Creek Alliance intends to be a sounding board for
locals and visitors as to how Browns Creek Recreation Area can be
improved in a sustainable manner for the benefit of all To do so
we need your input We also need boots on the ground to secure
funding and assist in the implementation of the tasks detailed in
this article We have received a favorable response from many
Mesa Antero residents regarding our plans and efforts thus far
Anyone that wishes to be involved ndash by providing input andor
actual ldquoboots on the groundrdquo is invited to contact Quinn McLeod or
Chuck Azzopardi directly Contact Quinn at (303)810-5739 or
qMacLeod61gmailcom I can be reached by phone at (719)221-
6444 or by email at JanChuckBobbigmailcom
Brownrsquos Creek Alliance conrsquot
The United States Forest
Service (USFS) has placed a
large temporary No Camp-
fires sign at the entrance to
the Browns Creek area on
272 It is almost impossible
for anyone visiting the area
to not know there are
campfire restrictions
If you see someone with a
campfire please DO NOT
approach the fire burners
but call the sheriffrsquos office at
719-539-2596 to report the
campfire
16
Summer Picnics Cancelled
In an effort to keep community members safe from the possible
spread of Covid-19 summer picnics (Memorial Day Fourth of July
and Labor Day) at Stew Brown Park have been cancelled Additional
picnics may be scheduled when COVID-19 is no longer a threat
Reservations Required to Use Stew Brown Park
Residents are always welcome to enjoy Stew Brown Park However
with social distancing restrictions in place and because of concern
for our neighbors there is now a limit on the size of groups who can
gather in Stew Brown Park Groups of 10 or fewer are welcome to
use and reserve the park Reservations should be made in advance
by emailing President Mary Gontero at mapoa99gmailcom
Residents are asked NOT to use picnic tables or MAPOA supplies
and to bring their own chairs As always trash should be removed
Please note there is not a restroom in the park
No doubt we all look forward to the day we can once again gather
for our picnics after a vaccine or treatment is available Until then
letrsquos be safe and limit gatherings to 10 or fewer for the health and
safety of our community members
Chaffee County Community Foundation Emergency
Response Fund (ERF)
The ERF campaign is seeking donors who can help the fund attain a
level of resources commensurate with the local need as well as
eligible recipients who can seek financial assistance According to
the Chaffee Office of Housing well over 5000 Chaffee employees
have been or will be directly impacted by COVID-19-related
business closures Many of those may not be eligible for current
state or federal assistance The ERF is designed to meet the needs
of those individuals and families yet generous and ongoing
community support is needed CCCF is asking community
members who are able to contribute to do so either online or via
check made out to CCCF with ldquoERFrdquo in the memo line More
information or to donate go to wwwchaffeecommunityorg
erf Checks can be mailed to PO Box 492 Buena Vista CO 81211
Rachele Vierthaler recently moved to Mesa Antero from Buena
Vista Rachele sits on the Board of Directors for Chaffee County
Community Foundation and is happy to answer your questions
Email Rachele at rvierthalerchaffeecommunityorg
The Bears are Back
Numerous neighbors have reported seeing a bear in Mesa Antero
Studies show that often the first reward a bear gets for exploring
human places is a big meal of tasty nutritious seeds (a natural food
for bears) Letting your bird feeders turn into bear feeders teaches
bears that coming close to people and homes looking for food is a
good idea For bears that can end up being a deadly lesson
Mesa Antero residents are encouraged to NOT feed the birds during
the months when bears are active Instead use water features
plant-ings nest boxes and flowers to attract birds Use bird feeders
only when bears are hibernating
If you donrsquot want to stop feeding birds hang your feeders at least
10 feet off the ground and 10 feet away from anything bears can
climb Keep the area underneath feeders clean and free of bird
seed and hulls or switch to a hulled bird seed with no waste Never
store bird seed outside under your deck or in a garage or shed a
bear could break into A 50-pound bag of bird seed has over 87000
caloriesmdasha reward for the bear that is well worth the effort of
breaking in
Interesting sites on bearshellip
httpscpwstatecousbears
Living with Bears
httpsjourneynorthorgtmspringBearYearhtml
FYI amp Announcements
Craig and I went
camping in Leadville
last week Our
African Grey Joey
went along and
enjoyed her view from
a tree perch She
loves traveling with
us I imagine she
enjoys the change of
scenery
17
New Neighbors
We are delighted to welcome two new totally adorable neighbors
to Mesa Antero
Jasper recently joined the Risa and David Jenkins family He is a
Welsh Springer Spaniel and is shown here with big brother Riley (16
months) The brothers are getting along famously Mom and Dad
are wishing for accelerated potty training as theyrsquore both a bit sleep
deprived
Neighbor News
Cutty is the newest
member of the Robin
and Chris Covert
family Hersquos a German
Shephard Golden
Retriever Poodle Mix
Cutty is settling in
nicely in his new home
No surprise but Mom
and Dad here are also
hoping for quick potty
training and less
chewing of random
stuff
A kind thoughtful and
unknown soul sent
these beautiful flowers
to me anonymously
earlier this week The
card reads ldquoHerersquos a
hug for yourdquo I do not
know who sent them
but I sure am enjoying
both the lovely flowers
and the very kind
gesture of the person
who sent them Genie
Malone and Denise
Washer also received a
lovely jar of anonymous flowers Thanks to the mystery sender
from all of us It surely did bring a smile to our face and make
our day And continues to do so each time we look at them
Harper Powell -an apparent wildlife magnetmdashhas seen two moose a bear and a
coyote in recent weeks She snapped a picture of what she believes is the baby of
the two moose shersquos seen between Broken Bough and Sawmill Look closely you
can see the baby moose in the trees How cool is that
18
Marketing Mesa Antero Mesa Antero Original Sales Brochure While cleaning out an old desk recently Patsy Torian found several
copies of the original sales and marketing brochure for Mesa Antero
She thought her neighbors would find it interesting and provided a
copy for the newsletter
Please note the home pictured on the next page What it looks like
today with all of the trees is amazing
19
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
20
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
21
Aunt Mabelrsquos Coffee Cake
provided by Kathy Roach
2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour
frac14 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup butter softened
1 cup sour cream
1thinspfrac12 cups white sugar
3 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
frac12 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 frac12 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons butter melted
Preheat oven to 375 F Lightly grease a 9x13 pan
Mix together the flour baking powder and salt set aside
In a large bowl cream the butter until light and fluffy Gradually
beat in sour cream Then beat in sugar Beat in the eggs one at a
time Then stir in the vanilla
By hand fold in the flour mixture mixing just until incorporated
Spread batter into prepared pan
To make the Pecan Topping In a medium bowl mix together brown
sugar pecans and cinnamon Stir in melted butter until crumbly
Sprinkle over cake batter in pan
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a
toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean
Balsamic Vinegar Dressing
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
3 Tbsp balsamic or other favorite vinegar
5 Tbsp olive oil
14 tsp salt
14 tsp pepper
Bacon Cabbage and Noodles
I found this recipe on Pinterest Its easy quick and very tasty
2 C egg noodles
34 lb bacon diced
34 medium head of cabbage sliced
14 tsp salt
pepper to taste
Cook noodles according to package directions Meanwhile in a
large skillet cook bacon pieces over medium heat until crisp Using
a slotted spoon remove to paper towels to drain Remove all but 3
Tbsp of drippings
Add cabbage to drippings Cover and cook on low for 20 minutes or
until cabbage is tender stirring occasionally Add bacon and
noodles to cooked cabbage Stir serve and enjoy
Chicken Legs with Maple-Sriracha Glaze
Recipe originally created by grill master Steven Raichlen
Chicken Prep
12 large chicken drumsticks
1 Tbsp coarse salt
1 Tbsp freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp hot red pepper flakes
1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Place drumsticks in bowl sprinkle with above ingredients stirring to
coat well
Maple Sriracha Glaze
6 Tbsp unsalted butter
5 Tbsp pure maple syrup
14 cup sriracha or more to taste
3 Tbsp Scotch whiskey
Melt butter in saucepan over high heat stir in maple syrup
sriracha and whisky Boil until mixture is syrupy 3-5 minutes
Grill chicken legs over charcoal fire until cooked through
Try a New Recipe Page
22
DEAR NEIGHBORS amp FRIENDS
This is Ann Johnson and I am taking another opportunity to say a
very big amp loud THANK YOU to many neighbors amp friends who
visited me in the hospital sent cards and even did a meal train
(people bringing dinner every night for two weeks) It was truly
AMAZING amp HEART WARMING There arent enough words to
express my gratitude (not to mention shock) I am truly humbled
and honored amp I THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY
HEART
Ann Johnson
Dear Reader
Happy summer to you Didnrsquot we arenrsquot we having a beautiful
spring summer Irsquom never sure when summer starts here Itrsquos July
8 and Irsquom sitting outside at our picnic table in my flannel jammes
putting the final touches on the newsletter Itrsquos 110+ in the Phoenix
Valleymdashwhere we moved frommdashand I couldnt be happier to be
here
I mean donrsquot you love living in a place where some days you look at
the sky and it looks fake it is so picture perfect Donrsquot you love
living in a place where you can step outside and pick a mason jar full
of wildflowers for your dining room table A place where you go
outside at night and you can see every star in the Milky Way
Where neighbors calls you to see if you need anything from Costco
or City Market or Wal Mart when they go to town Where you see
rainbows often doubles on a regular basis Where a friend comes
to your aid at a moments notice with jumper cables or whatever
else you might need I could go on I could spend hours looking at
the clouds hurrying by on their way to somewhere unknown
watching the ripples of the water in Brownrsquos creek and the
shimmer of the aspens and cottonwoods in the breeze
The one thing I could do without however are the Miller moths
They are a supreme nuisance Each morning we take the hand vac
and suck up at least a dozen dead moths that have crawled out of
their hiding places at some point during the night Each eve we do
the same thing with the live ones who are attracted to the light for
reasons still a mystery to scientists Experts say they will be gone by
fall Ugh
Thanks to those who continue to provide stories and ideas for the
newsletter Your input truly makes the newsletter worth reading I
encourage YOU to be a contributor to the newsletter Send
pictures or stories of things yoursquore involved with like Danrsquos story on
the good deeds of his golf group If yoursquore a new neighbor send
information about yourself where you came from etc as a way to
informally introduce yourself to the neighborhood You get the
idea Snap write and send away
I look forward to the day we can all get together again in person for
friendship and fellowship Until then stay safe
Sheila
The Wrap Up
Risa Jenkins is constantly
taking spectacular
pictures of the mountains
from her and Davidrsquos
home on Deer Trail
She took these three - the
first two morning
rainbows the last a
spectacular sunset - just
this week
2
Virtual Community Gatherings Happy Ladies Meet Via Zoom in April
With the prohibition of large gatherings and in concern for
everyonersquos safety Happy Ladies opted to meet via Zoom in April
For the most part the technology worked ok It was a great way
to stay in touch
Participants included Jennifer Barker Sue Armijo Peggy Finkowski
Sheila Prior Linda Rak Joanie Barbier Janet Brockman Joyce
Peryam Brenda Dempsey Risa Jenkins Nancy Tafoya Mary
Gontero as well as a few dogs and cats
Happy Ladies May Meet in July
No doubt many of the neighborhood ladies miss their Happy Ladies
friends It would be nice to get everyone together again but with
Covid still a threat it is better safe than sorry so Happy Ladies will
not be meeting in June
If Covid19 cases continue to decline organizers are tentatively
planning for a gathering in July It would be hosted at Jennifer
Barkerrsquos where multiple outdoor areas will provide for social
distancing Beverlyn Pepper and Brenda Dempsey will co-host
Details will be forthcoming once plans are confirmed
Photo by Joyce Peryam
Need to track down someone in Mesa Antero Find them in the Mesa Antero Directory by clicking here
Please pick up your dogrsquos poo when out and about
Your neighbors appreciate
it
The posted speed limit in the Mesa is 35 MPH However most of the time thatrsquos really too fast For everyonersquos safety ndash yours other drivers bikers walkers and four legged friends ndash please slow down and be safe
Questions about Happy Ladies Contact Jennifer Barker at MrsJenniferLBarkergmailcom
3
Virtual Gatherings continued MAPOA Board Met Virtually in April
The MAPOA Board met on April 21 via Zoom Highlights of their
discussion follow
bull Chaffee County Fire Update - Chief Bertram of Chaffee County
Fire County Rescue provided an overview of the fire district and
restrictions put in place due to Covid He asked that residents
call the Sheriffrsquos non-emergency number to report campfires or
other illegal burning
bull Wildfire Mitigation Guide ndash Quinn McLeod provided an
overview of the guide he drafted to assist residents in their
wildfire mitigation efforts
bull COVID-19 ndash Discussed current restrictions and impact on
upcoming events
bull New Neighbors - Reviewed virtual welcome bag and discussed
how to best keep track of ownership changes and new
neighbors
bull MesaAnteroUnited Project ndash Expressed appreciation to Sue
Ann Hum for sharing this idea and making our beautiful
rainbow sign
bull Food Drive ndashJoyce Peryam is collecting donations for The
Grainery Food Pantry She and Jan Toniazzo are transporting
food to the Grainery each Monday amp Friday
bull Picnic Assignments ndash Solicited volunteers to coordinate summer
picnics (NOTE Picnics have since been cancelled)
bull Weed Control ndash Discussed the need for a new weed control
coordinator
bull Front 38 Canada Thistle Project ndash The thistle in the front 38
needs to be removed Craig Galler and Sheila Prior to explore
options
bull Annual Membership Meeting ndash Reviewed activities from the
member meeting held in January and discussed improvements
for the next meeting
bull Volunteer of the Year Award ndash Discussed process for
nominating the 2020 Volunteer of the Year
bull Mailbox Area Maintenance - Ed Biederbeck will contact Miles
Construction Company when appropriate They will fix the
road and clean out the ditch behind the mailboxes
bull Online Directory - Wendell Day is updating the Online Directory
to include the ability to see all properties by lot number the
Happy Ladies Calendar and a link to the Mesa Antero Resource
Guide
bull Tree Limbs Hanging Over Tabeguache ndash The cottonwood trees
at the corner of Tabeguache and Panorama have been cut and
trimmed Bristlecone completed the work for less than their
bid
bull Stew Brown Park Maintenance ndash Discussed removal of dead
trees and branches
bull Financials ndash The budget includes $7923 in operating costs
$15353 in savings for a total of $23276
bull MAPOA Statistics ndash MAPOA currently contains 275 lots 195
homes 69 vacant lots and 10 lots under construction In 2019
there were 267 members In 2020 there are 247
bull Recreation Study - Discussed Envision Chaffe County and
Recreation in Balance who are looking at outdoor recreation in
Chaffee County to ensure public lands are not damaged
bull Next Meeting ndash The next Board meeting was scheduled for
Tuesday June 23
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY Weed Coordinator Needed
We are looking for a volunteer to help out neighbors by
providing guidance on weeds identify native weeds that can
stay and those that need to be removed
To learn more or to volunteer please contact Mary Gontero
Snapped these beauties
enjoying dianthus and
clover in our garden
yard
4
Community Activities Fence Repairs Completed Thanks Volunteers
by Jim Finkowski
As with everyones activities this spring Mesa Antero fence repairs
required extra planning due to the Covid 19 virus Fortunately
damage to the fence was
minimal this past winter I
believe this was due to the
extra effort we have put in
over the past few years to
upgrade the perimeter
fence However the
section along Broken
Bough which has not had
much done to it for some
time was in need of some
significant improvement
which was our focus this
spring
The work began with one or two volunteers preparing the fence to
create an opportunity to maintain social distancing when the larger
group showed up for a scheduled work day Cory Van Doozer new
to the Mesa helped clear the fence line of brush and down
trees Chris Elzey here on spring break with his wife Karen when
the stay at home orders were issued helped repair two forest
access gates and became an expert in fence repair not the type of
experience normally
required of a professor
at their home in
Washington DC
And my daughters
friend Andrew who
normally lives in Denver
helped out for several
days while they were
riding out the virus here
in Nathrop
All of the preparation
led us to have two
successful group work
days (thanks to Bill Schiller Dave Kuhn Jerry Cunningham Wendell
Day and Ron Rak) while being able to maintain a safe personal
distance The result of our efforts was that nearly 34 of a mile of
fence was repaired and upgraded The entire fence line from
Adobe Circle to Broken Bough which Mesa Antero volunteers
maintain is currently in really good condition Unfortunately the
grass always seems to be greener on the other side of the fence at
least to the cattle so fence repair will continue to be a source of
FUN for anyone that wants to help out
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY Fence Repair Coordinator Needed
Jim Finkowski has been a hands-on volunteer solo
worker and fence repair coordinator for over six (6)
years now He has done a terrific job and we are
extremely appreciative of his efforts Jim is planning
to step aside next year so he can focus his energies on
other activities
Thanks to Jim and his volunteer crew the fence is in
great shape right now and should not need a lot of
effort to keep the cattle out of the Mesa If you are
interested in taking over coordinating the fence
maintenance activities please contact Jim Finkowski
or MAPOA President Mary Gontero
Photos by Peggy Finkowski
5
Community Activities conrsquot
Mailbox Area Paved The area in front of the
mailboxes was paved on
Wednesday May 27th Now we
have a nice even pavement
from the roadway to the
mailboxes
Stew Brown Park Clean-Up Underway
SBPark Coordinator Chuck Washer and his wife Denise have been
working to clean up the park by removing dead branches and trees
They had some help from Quinn McLeod Jim Harsh Craig Galler
and Sheila Prior Chuck and
Denise have also put a fresh
coat of varnish on several of
the tables in the park
The park is looking spiffy Thanks
to all who helped
Road Work in Mesa Antero
Chaffee County has recently graded roads and removed dirt from
ditches in Mesa Antero Ed Biederbeck estimates the county spent
over $100000 on Mesa Antero roads
Specifically Chaffee County Road amp Bridge has
bull added road base to Elk Run Tabeguache Ouray and Panorama
bull put down magnesium chloride on roads to reduce dust
bull repaired chip amp seal damage from their road grader
bull cleaned out ditches
Thanks Chaffee County
Thistle Removal Started Stopped to be Continued
You may recall a lovely patch of pink flowers in the Front 38 field
last year Unfortunately those lovely flowers are produced by
Canada Thistle an invasive
weed and it has to go
Front 38 Maintenance
Volunteers Craig Galler and
Sheila Prior with help from
Mary Gontero and Wendell
Day went out on a recent
Saturday to see if digging the
immature plants would
result in their demise
Unfortunately we learned
that digging wonrsquot work so
reached out to the weed
expert at the county Long story short the most effective way to rid
the field of Canada Thistle is to treat it with a safe spray that will kill
80 to 100 of the Thistle in a single treatment We are contracting
with the County to provide the treatment The spraying has not
yet been scheduled but is expected to take place late summer or
early fall at the pre-blooming stage
Jan Azzopardi took this picture of a double rainbow from their
back deck on Tabeguache
6
Mesa Antero Scheduled for Chaffee Chips Chaffee County has included Mesa Antero in their chipping plans
this fall Mark your calendars for September 11-13 if you have
limbs trees etc you want to have chipped Your slash will be
removed at no cost to you Start now and create your slash pile
(See directives in How to Make the Perfect Pile)
For mitigating guidelines for your property use the extremely
helpful Wildfire Mitigation Guide that Quinn Macleod wrote for our
community It is posted on the Mesa Antero web page
After reviewing the Guide if you still have questions about what to
remove to create a more defensible space around your home
contact Quinn McLeod at (303) 810-5739
Help us help you by following a few rules in preparing for chipping in
September
bull include trees tree branches small logs and brush cut away
from root mass
bull no logsbranches with a diameter greater than 6 inches
bull no logsbranches longer than 10 feet
bull no construction building or other manmade materials
bull no lumber fence posts or signs
bull no roots root wads stumps or anything that grows below the
soil
bull no materials that contain dirt sand gravel or rocks
bull no materials that contain metal (nails screws fencing) string
or other manndashmade materials
bull no herbaceous material (leaves weeds bushes)
How to Make the PERFECT Pile
bull piles should be no bigger than 5 feet high x 10 feet deep x 7
feet long with cut ends facing the road
bull no ldquoratsrdquo nests
bull piles should be placed within 5 feet of roadway or driveway
but not in drainage ditches piles should not impede traffic
bull piles must be accessible with adequate turnaround space for a
trucktrailer
bull limit piles to six (6) per property
bull stack firewood separately from branches so it can be collected
for heat
Your wood piles must be out by 800 am on the first morning of
the event
To learn more about Chaffee County Chips click here
Fire Mitigation Matters
Defensible space is the natural and landscaped area around your
home that has been modified to reduce wildfire hazard By creating
a defensible zone your home and property are less vulnerable and
the chance of spreading wildfire is greatly reduced
Community Activities conrsquot
Share Your Mitigation Efforts
If yoursquove taken steps to mitigate fire risk on your property please
send pictures of what yoursquove done to Mary Gontero We plan to
use them as examples for our community and post them on the
Mesa Antero website Thank you
June Rogersrsquo dog
Scooter keeps an
eye out for deer
and other critters
on the road
June says Scooter
is a great traveling
companion who
accompanies her
on any day trip
7
What I Did on My Covid Vacation
Neighbors were asked to send pictures andor share information
about what theyrsquove been up to during the stay at home period
brought about as a result of Covid-19 A few folks were kind
enough to share
How Wersquore Spending Our Time
Nancy Bowsher and Andrith Davis said ldquoWe are going through all
our old photos amp weeding them out--makes us feel good Working
out reading jigsaw puzzles amp trimming brushes We keep busy
with our birds--filling the feeder for chickadees nuthatches jays
squirrels amp keeping the hummingbird feeder filled amp clean And our
Christmas tree greets us every morning amp says Good Night every
eveningrdquo Nancy added that ldquo Even though we arent square
dancing Andrith stays up on her round dance cueing Check out
round dancing on Youtube--its also called choreographed ballroom
dancing Life is goodrdquo
Community Activities conrsquot
Sue Ann Hum and her dog Hornsby
were looking for a change of pace for
their walk so they went over to the
gated trailhead on Tabeguache turn
Sue Ann was feeling creative and
made some games for all neighbors to
play untogether during social distanc-
ing
1 Fill Our Heart - Find a pine cone
heart outline and toss a pine cone in-
side
2 Tic-Tac-Toe (Natrsquol Forest edition) -
Xrsquos made with two crossed sticks a big
pine cone can be the Orsquos
3 Built a Tipi Help build a teepee
Connie and Ed Biederbeck
decorated and masked a rock in
their yard
Craig and I put a metal bird sculp-
ture ndash complete with the requisite
mask ndash next to the driveway
The crows in front of
Janet and Lorin
Fullmerrsquos home are
now donning masks
Michelle and Cory Van Doozer deco-rated their house number sign with brightly colored flowers
(13580 Deer Trail)
Wendy Skean put this bicycling kitty
by her driveway entrance The
wheels will spin in the wind
(12519 Ouray)
8
Mesa Antero Seamstresses Make Masks
Seamstresses in Mesa Antero pulled out excess material scrounged
up elastic and rope and put their scissors and sewing machines to
work to make masks to help protect friends family members
health care workers and strangers from the COVID-19 Virus
Connie Biederbeck made
masks for a nephew - a CNA
at a nursing home in Grand
Junction ndash and his co-workers
She made masks for a friendrsquos
daughter who works at the
VA in Denver She also made
masks for the cardiology clinic
at the hospital
Joanie Barbier has sewn
more than 150 masks
Recipients include a nursing
home in Massachusetts
Helping Hand Native
American children in
Churchhill Manitoba friends
family and anyone else who
wanted one Joaniersquos still happy to make masks If you need a
mask email your request to her at jbar4004gmailcom
Sheila Prior made about 80
masks for friends family Heart
of the Rockies Regional Hospital
and a PT clinic in BV Sheila is
also willing to make additional
masks should anyone be in need
Email her at
spriorkohloutlookcom
Kathy Roach made two dozen masks for friends and family
here in New York and California
Hunter and Dillon Build Birdfeeders for Those In Need
The Roberts brothers - Hunter (11) and Dillon (10) - started a
fundraiser after the start of the
Covid virus to help people in
need and at the same time to
help support local restaurants
The kids built picnic table bird
feeders out of donated
materials They sold them to
neighbors ndash by asking for a
voluntary donation - and used
the proceeds to buy gift cards
from local restaurants They
then donated the gift cards -
$850 worth - to the Chaffee
County Covid-19 Disaster Fund
which helps those in need Way
to go boys
Neighbors to the Rescue
Hunter and Dillon are shown with
one of the picnic table bird feeders
they built to support those in need
Jackson - Chuck and jan Azzopardirsquos German Shorthair Pointer - is
captured here checking out whatrsquos happening in the woods below
9
Residents Participate in Weekly Food Drive
Jan Toniazzo and Joyce Peryam made their first of many weekly
donated food deliveries to The Grainery food bank on March 26
and have been going strong ever since The ladies report that the
volunteers at The Grainery truly appreciate the kindness and
generosity shown by the folks of Mesa Antero
Food collections continue because the need for food assistance
continues If you can help support families in need there are two
ways you can do so You can drop off canned and dry goods in the
wooden box next to Joyce Peryamrsquos driveway at 13030 Deer Trail
(CR261D) They are in need of all canned goods especially canned
wieners soup and beans rice and dried pasta Or you can mail a
monetary donation to The Grainery 1348 E Street Buena Vista
Thanks Joyce and Jan for coordinating collection and deliveries and
thanks to Mesa Antero residents for giving Joyce and Jan something
to do And most importantly thanks everyone for helping families in
need
Donations Drop Off Update You may note that the red drop off box is no longer by the roadside
in front of Joycersquos house Unfortunately the Mesa Antero bear has
made his way to lower Deer Trail and took out the Perrymanrsquos
bluebird house and new chicks While he didnrsquot mess with the food
drive red box the gals have had to rethink the way food donations
are collected from now on
You can still drop off your donated canned goods but are asked to
now bring them Joycersquos front door Please text Joyce to make sure
she is home to receive the food (her number is in the directory)
For the time being residents are asked to please limit donations to
canned goods ONLY Please NO pasta cereal crackers or glass
plastic jars
To the Rescue continued
Pictured here are some of the many donations made by residents of Mesa
Antero in recent months Joyce Perryman (left) and Jan Tonazzio (right) are
delivering donated goods to The Grainery each week
10
Mesa Antero Golfers Support Food Bank
by Dan Downing
Irsquom part of a group of about 16 guys who regularly plays golf in
Salida Several are current or former Mesa Antero residents
including Tom Parkes Roger Miller and Rick Davidoff Our group
doesnrsquot have an official name We play a game called ldquoSwindlerdquo so
at least as Facebook goes we call ourselves the ldquoSalida Summer
Swindle Grouprdquo We play on Tuesdays Thursdays and Saturdays
and in the spirit of friendly competition we each ante up $20 to
play
We begin playing each year as soon as the weather permits usually
in March which this year was just about the time the Covid-19
pandemic started getting serious The golf course was allowed to
remain open but with proper social distancing and restrictions on
touching things
In the past we determined who won and who lost on day of play
With winners buying drinks at the 19th hole When the virus hit
we didnt want to continue passing around scorecards and cash any
more than we absolutely had to We wanted to keep things
interesting and competitive by keeping the money in play So I
came up with a creative idea Instead of playing as teams wersquod
play as individuals and pay our losses into a kitty which would
benefit the Food Bank at the Presbyterian Church Like many
theyrsquod been hit hard as a result of the economic downturn All of
the guys eagerly signed on
Enthusiasm for the new ldquoQuotardquo game has been amazing Most
guys end up owing the kitty two or three dollars at the end of
the game It doesnt add up all that quickly but it does indeed add
up The guys soon began chipping in a little extra as did the
winners who owed nothing Then out of town guys who hadnt
returned to their homes here and hadnrsquot started playing with us
started chipping in Then other golfers started chipping in By the
first of April we were able to contribute a little over $1000 to the
Food Bank
We recently returned to our normal $20 Swindle game With one
difference All of the guys wanted to continue donating proceeds to
the Food Bank So thatrsquos what wersquore doing Since March 31st we
have contributed more than $2700 to the Food Bank The guys are
having a blast playing golf together and doing some good for the
community as well
To the Rescue continued
Early in the season the guys tee off from hole 1 at the Salida Golf Course
A few of the guys From left to right Dan Downing Tom Bevington
Kent Cookson Gus Argys Jerry Donner Tim Hinkle Bruce Davidson
and Darrell Sampson
Dan Downing is shown
presenting golf game
proceeds to Rev Tom
Abbott pastor of First
Presbyterian Church
for the churchrsquos food
bank The Swindle
Group has been do-
nating golf proceeds to
the food bank since
March 31and has do-
nated more than
$2700 to date
11
Mesa Antero Artists Support Ark Valleyrsquos Good Pet
Bad Art Fund Raiser
Ark Valley Humane Society held a fund raiser earlier this year called
ldquoGood Pet Bad Portraitrdquo Individuals provided a photo of their pet
along with a monetary donation Artists in the community as
young as five (5) volunteered to draw or paint a pet and then send
it to the owner At least three (3) Mesa Antero artists participated
in the charity event
To The Rescue continued
Sue Ann Hum painted two pets
The first a cat Mrs Buggles-
worth aka Bug aka Buggs
And the other a dog Charles
Craig Galler painted a
cat named Ozzy
Wendy Skean drew two dogsmdash
Goosebumps and Huckleberry
She said about her
participation Pretty sure I
lived up to the Bad part Still
I had fun participating in it ldquo
12
Be Informed Be Prepared Be Ready for Fire Quinn Macleod Mesa Anterorsquos volunteer Fire Prevention Volunteer
Coordinator recently spoke with Chaffee County Emergency
Manager Richard Atkins and wanted to pass on some crucial
information
The county uses two systems to notify the public in times of an
emergency - Everbridge and a national system sponsored by FEMA
bull Everbridge allows for detailed messages that the county can
send out Including re-population information so residents
know when to come back home
bull The FEMA system uses technology like an Amber Alert So
everyone with a cell phone powered by a specific tower will get
emergency notifications So even short-term renters in MA will
receive an evacuation notification
BOTTOM LINE MESA ANTERO PROPERTY OWNERS STILL NEED
TO SIGN UP WITH EVERBRIDGE SO PLEASE SIGN UP
After some discussion it was determined that when it is necessary
to evacuate the subdivision due to an emergency most people will
evacuate the way they enter So given the low population of Mesa
Antero a somewhat orderly evacuation will occur The reality will
likely be quite different
Learn more about the Homeowner
Evacuation Plan at httpswwwfemagov
media-library-data1409003859391-
0e8ad1ed42c129f11fbc23d008d1ee85
how_to_prepare_wildfire_033014_508pdf
Be prepared always
Prepare a kit that includes things you will need while evacuated
The duration of an evacuation can last from hours to days The kit
can consist of either a written list of things to assemble at the time
of evacuation or items that are already assembled and pre-
positioned Some things to consider including in your kit include
bull medications and other medical supplies such as diabetic or
COPD item an extra oxygen cylinder
bull important documents hard drives computers
bull photo albums
bull pets and their supplies
Think about and determine
bull Where you will meet up with other members of your home or
family The cell towers will be busy so where might you meet
your family members if you cant talk to them Walmart
Safeway City Market LaGrees
bull Identify who you want to call to let them know you are safely
evacuated Think about who might report you missing if you
dont call them
bull Where will you stay during the evacuation Will you take your
camper or camping gear Can you stay with friends living out
of the area
Prepare your home to receive the wildfire
bull Turn on outside lights and lights in every room to make the
house more visible in heavy smoke
bull Close all windows vents doors and fireplace screens This will
help reduce drafts in the home and will reduce radiant heat
bull Disconnect automatic garage door openers so doors can be
opened by hand if power is lost
bull Move flammable furniture including outdoor furniture into
the center of the home away from windows and sliding glass
doors Remove flammable curtains and window treatments
bull Connect garden hoses Shut off propane gas from the source
and move BBQ grill propane and other fuels away from the
house
bull Follow any additional guidance provided by local authorities
When driving away from a fire
bull Roll up windows and close air vents (car amp camper) because
smoke from a fire can irritate your eyes and respiratory
system
bull Drive slowly with your headlights on because smoke can
reduce visibility
bull Watch for other vehicles pedestrians and fleeing animals
bull Avoid driving through heavy smoke if possible
Wildfire Evacuation
13
Wildfire Mitigation Guide Released
The recently published Wildfire Mitigation Guide should enable
every property owner in Mesa Antero to make some modifications
to lessen the negative effects from a wildfire Even if you donrsquot have
a structure on your property these actions will help to achieve
positive results from a wildfire Fire is a natural part of the eco
system so reducing ground litter and killing some weak trees
bushes overall is good plus the nitrogen release is naturersquos fertilizer
for the grasses
Itrsquos dry
This Spring has developed into a very dry one If you have some
mitigation projects in mind it would be good to start soon
The forest and Campers
The good news is that our surrounding forests have been managed
(thinned and controlled burns) to protect our community from
wildfires The dispersed campers with their camp fires is a ignition
risk but manageable If you notice someone burning illegally itrsquos
safest for you to call the Sheriff via 911 (immediately tell them itrsquos a
ldquonon-emergencyrdquo so they can talk to you on a different line) If you
come upon an abandoned campfire pull it apart and call the sheriff
so they can fully extinguish and document
Lastly I do have some more information to add to the guide in the
future but wanted to get the bulk of it out now
Irsquom always available to answer questions andor come by
Quinn Macleod
qmacleod61gmailcom
3038105739
The Wildfire Mitigation Guide is post on MesaAnteroorg for easy
access
Help Yourself Get A Reflective House Number Sign
Did you know that reflective house number signs are crucial to help
fire fighters or emergency personnel find you quickly The
reflective green and white signs are available from the Chaffee
County Fire District main office in BV for the bargain price of just
$10
Fire experts have advised that - especially in a neighborhood like
ours - having clearly visible reflective signs are crucial to their timely
arrival at a fire or emergency The signs should be double sided
and posted near the road so they can be clearly seen from both
directions
Moth Infestation a Real Nuisance You have no doubt been annoyed by the recent infestation of
moths The Miller moths start out as caterpillars that develop on
Coloradorsquos eastern plains and in Kansas and Nebraska In the spring
they migrate west to feast on the nectar of flowers
This year wersquove seen more
moths than previous springs
because weather conditions
last year were favorable for
caterpillar development It
isnrsquot extraordinary as Colorado
has seen this many in other
years preceded by mild winters While other moth species might
like to eat your wool sweaters these do not They just eat pollen
make your house dusty and die Unless yoursquore particularly allergic
to moth scales miller moths wonrsquot do a thing besides annoy you
Miller moths are a very important food source for birds bears and
other critters A single bear can eat up to 10000 miller moths a
day which helps them get fat for the winter The mothrsquos
abdomens besides housing ldquogutsrdquo also store a lot of fat that they
stock up for the long autumn trip back to the plains They hide
under rocks in the mountains during the day Thatrsquos where bears
find them flipping over stones and grabbing a quick bite
The good news is they wonrsquot stick around forever Warm nights will
speed up their migration They are usually gone by the fall
Wildfire Mitigation amp Moths
Did you know Charles Nachtrieb I was the founder
of the town of Nathrop Colorado Early
settlers could not pronounce the German
name of Nachtrieb easily so the name of
the hamlet was Americanized to Nathrop
The original site of Nathrop was about one
and one half miles north of the present
townsite and served as a stagecoach station between Bales
station near Cleora and Leadville
14
Alliance Formed to Help Preserve Brownrsquos Creek Volunteers Needed
By Chuck Azzopardi
If you have spent time in the Browns Creek Recreation Area over
the last few years you may have noticed a dramatically increasing
number of hikers and campers And also an increase in the size and
number of dispersed campsites A number of residents of Mesa
Antero have expressed concern for a potentially catastrophic
wildfire initiated from an illegal campfire in the Browns Creek
Recreation Area In response to these developments a new group -
Browns Creek Alliance - is being formed to ensure the Browns Creek
Recreation Area is not loved to death
Many in Chaffe County realize that our valley ldquohas been foundrdquo
We can expect growth and development to occur over the next
couple of decades Envision Chaffee County was a formed in 2016
to provide guidance on the future growth and development of
Chaffee County It has since become a catalyst for community
actions such as the Browns Creek Alliance Recreation in Balance is
a program led by Envision the Greater Arkansas River Nature
Association (GARNA) and the Salida Ranger District that is creating a
community-driven plan to maintain healthy public lands quality
user experiences and the economic benefits of recreation tourism
Browns Creek Recreation Area is one of the more popular places for
outdoor recreation in Chaffee County Visitation to the Browns
Creek Recreation Area is increasing and is expected to continue on
an upward trend for the foreseeable future Our San Isabelle
National Forest Service Ranger District has recognized that Browns
Creek Recreation
Area could use
some TLC Giving
their current
budget
constraints they
are actively
encouraging
volunteer groups including Browns Creek Alliance to provide
assistance in ensuring that public lands in our area do get the
tender loving care they deserve
So given a significant growth in locals and visitors how can we
Browns Creek Alliance as a volunteer organization have a positive
impact on the long-term sustainability of Browns Creek Recreation
Area
To achieve our mission of supporting a sustainable management of
the Browns Creek Recreation Area the Browns Creek Alliance is
focusing on gathering data on visitation and its impact on public
resources The Alliance is providing education to encourage visitors
to our area to be respectful and responsible of our public resources
other visitors and residents while enjoying the Browns Creek
Recreation Area We shall also evaluate public resources
particularly dispersed campsites to determine if we can improve
their long-term sustainability
Luckily we have a successful model of how we can accomplish our
objectives right here in Chaffee County Friends of Four Mile has
years of successful experience ensuring that the Four Mile
Recreation Area is sustainable for the long-term
Friends of Four Mile has developed signage and brochures to
educate visitors They have also used buck amp rail fencing to ensure
dispersed campsites are of an appropriate long-term sustainable
size and location While some cost and efforts are necessary to
develop and implement these solutions they have been shown to
be effective
The first task for the Browns Creek Alliance is to gather data so that
we and other agencies including Recreation in Balance and the San
Isabelle National Force Ranger District can quantify the increase in
Brownrsquos Creek Alliance
Browns Creek Alliance Mission Statement
The Browns Creek Alliance is a volunteer
group The group believes in supporting a
sustainable management of the public lands
in the Browns Creek amp Raspberry Gulch areas
of the San Isabel National Forest
15
visitation as well as the measurable impact that the increasing
volume of visitors are having on our public resources
Being able to measure visitation and its impact is critical if we are to
develop and implement the best ways to ensure long-term
sustainability of our public resources This data may also be utilized
to gauge the success of our efforts as we strive to improve long-
term sustainability of Browns Creek Recreation Area
For our first task The Browns Creek Alliance similar to Friends of
Four Mile is implementing a vehicle count on the three busiest
holidays of the year - Memorial Day Fourth of July and Labor Day
Volunteers will document the number of vehicles including
recreational vehicles in Browns Creek Recreation Area on each
holiday This data shall be shared with agencies - including the
Forest Service -to determine if the number of visitors is within the
capacity of Browns Creek Recreation Area This data will also
determine whether or not visitation continues to grow and if so by
how much
The Browns Creek Alliance sees our second task as encouraging
visitors to be responsible and respectful while enjoying Browns
Creek Recreation Area If visitors understand proper outdoor
recreation amp dispersed camping etiquette they are much more
inclined to be responsible and respectful visitors and users of our
public resources Responsible and respectful campers in particular
are less inclined to have illegal fires We believe that to achieve this
second objective signage at the kiosks in the Browns Creek
Recreation Area needs to be updated and improved Brochures
containing information displayed on the new improved kiosks may
also be printed and distributed by volunteers
A sandwich billboard sign was recently erected at the entrance to
Browns Creek Recreation Area to advise visitors that a fire ban is in
place and campfires are not currently permitted Mesa Antero
Property Ownersrsquo Association voted to provide funding for this new
signage
A third task is to pursue surveying and ranking of dispersed
campsites in the area Once dispersed campsites have been ranked
for sustainability poor campsites may be removed or reconfigured
while high ranking popular campsites may be hardened or
improved As an example buck amp rail fencing may be used to
establish campsite boundaries at select dispersed campsites
Recently the Forest Service has begun implementing buck and rail
fencing at select campsites in Browns Creek Recreation Area Other
improvements are being considered in our arearsquos outdoor
recreational areas Browns Creek Alliance is already in discussions
with the Forest Service and others as to how we can evaluate and
improve dispersed campsites in our area One consideration is
moving toward designated dispersed camping to better control
campsites in the area
Finally Browns Creek Alliance intends to be a sounding board for
locals and visitors as to how Browns Creek Recreation Area can be
improved in a sustainable manner for the benefit of all To do so
we need your input We also need boots on the ground to secure
funding and assist in the implementation of the tasks detailed in
this article We have received a favorable response from many
Mesa Antero residents regarding our plans and efforts thus far
Anyone that wishes to be involved ndash by providing input andor
actual ldquoboots on the groundrdquo is invited to contact Quinn McLeod or
Chuck Azzopardi directly Contact Quinn at (303)810-5739 or
qMacLeod61gmailcom I can be reached by phone at (719)221-
6444 or by email at JanChuckBobbigmailcom
Brownrsquos Creek Alliance conrsquot
The United States Forest
Service (USFS) has placed a
large temporary No Camp-
fires sign at the entrance to
the Browns Creek area on
272 It is almost impossible
for anyone visiting the area
to not know there are
campfire restrictions
If you see someone with a
campfire please DO NOT
approach the fire burners
but call the sheriffrsquos office at
719-539-2596 to report the
campfire
16
Summer Picnics Cancelled
In an effort to keep community members safe from the possible
spread of Covid-19 summer picnics (Memorial Day Fourth of July
and Labor Day) at Stew Brown Park have been cancelled Additional
picnics may be scheduled when COVID-19 is no longer a threat
Reservations Required to Use Stew Brown Park
Residents are always welcome to enjoy Stew Brown Park However
with social distancing restrictions in place and because of concern
for our neighbors there is now a limit on the size of groups who can
gather in Stew Brown Park Groups of 10 or fewer are welcome to
use and reserve the park Reservations should be made in advance
by emailing President Mary Gontero at mapoa99gmailcom
Residents are asked NOT to use picnic tables or MAPOA supplies
and to bring their own chairs As always trash should be removed
Please note there is not a restroom in the park
No doubt we all look forward to the day we can once again gather
for our picnics after a vaccine or treatment is available Until then
letrsquos be safe and limit gatherings to 10 or fewer for the health and
safety of our community members
Chaffee County Community Foundation Emergency
Response Fund (ERF)
The ERF campaign is seeking donors who can help the fund attain a
level of resources commensurate with the local need as well as
eligible recipients who can seek financial assistance According to
the Chaffee Office of Housing well over 5000 Chaffee employees
have been or will be directly impacted by COVID-19-related
business closures Many of those may not be eligible for current
state or federal assistance The ERF is designed to meet the needs
of those individuals and families yet generous and ongoing
community support is needed CCCF is asking community
members who are able to contribute to do so either online or via
check made out to CCCF with ldquoERFrdquo in the memo line More
information or to donate go to wwwchaffeecommunityorg
erf Checks can be mailed to PO Box 492 Buena Vista CO 81211
Rachele Vierthaler recently moved to Mesa Antero from Buena
Vista Rachele sits on the Board of Directors for Chaffee County
Community Foundation and is happy to answer your questions
Email Rachele at rvierthalerchaffeecommunityorg
The Bears are Back
Numerous neighbors have reported seeing a bear in Mesa Antero
Studies show that often the first reward a bear gets for exploring
human places is a big meal of tasty nutritious seeds (a natural food
for bears) Letting your bird feeders turn into bear feeders teaches
bears that coming close to people and homes looking for food is a
good idea For bears that can end up being a deadly lesson
Mesa Antero residents are encouraged to NOT feed the birds during
the months when bears are active Instead use water features
plant-ings nest boxes and flowers to attract birds Use bird feeders
only when bears are hibernating
If you donrsquot want to stop feeding birds hang your feeders at least
10 feet off the ground and 10 feet away from anything bears can
climb Keep the area underneath feeders clean and free of bird
seed and hulls or switch to a hulled bird seed with no waste Never
store bird seed outside under your deck or in a garage or shed a
bear could break into A 50-pound bag of bird seed has over 87000
caloriesmdasha reward for the bear that is well worth the effort of
breaking in
Interesting sites on bearshellip
httpscpwstatecousbears
Living with Bears
httpsjourneynorthorgtmspringBearYearhtml
FYI amp Announcements
Craig and I went
camping in Leadville
last week Our
African Grey Joey
went along and
enjoyed her view from
a tree perch She
loves traveling with
us I imagine she
enjoys the change of
scenery
17
New Neighbors
We are delighted to welcome two new totally adorable neighbors
to Mesa Antero
Jasper recently joined the Risa and David Jenkins family He is a
Welsh Springer Spaniel and is shown here with big brother Riley (16
months) The brothers are getting along famously Mom and Dad
are wishing for accelerated potty training as theyrsquore both a bit sleep
deprived
Neighbor News
Cutty is the newest
member of the Robin
and Chris Covert
family Hersquos a German
Shephard Golden
Retriever Poodle Mix
Cutty is settling in
nicely in his new home
No surprise but Mom
and Dad here are also
hoping for quick potty
training and less
chewing of random
stuff
A kind thoughtful and
unknown soul sent
these beautiful flowers
to me anonymously
earlier this week The
card reads ldquoHerersquos a
hug for yourdquo I do not
know who sent them
but I sure am enjoying
both the lovely flowers
and the very kind
gesture of the person
who sent them Genie
Malone and Denise
Washer also received a
lovely jar of anonymous flowers Thanks to the mystery sender
from all of us It surely did bring a smile to our face and make
our day And continues to do so each time we look at them
Harper Powell -an apparent wildlife magnetmdashhas seen two moose a bear and a
coyote in recent weeks She snapped a picture of what she believes is the baby of
the two moose shersquos seen between Broken Bough and Sawmill Look closely you
can see the baby moose in the trees How cool is that
18
Marketing Mesa Antero Mesa Antero Original Sales Brochure While cleaning out an old desk recently Patsy Torian found several
copies of the original sales and marketing brochure for Mesa Antero
She thought her neighbors would find it interesting and provided a
copy for the newsletter
Please note the home pictured on the next page What it looks like
today with all of the trees is amazing
19
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
20
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
21
Aunt Mabelrsquos Coffee Cake
provided by Kathy Roach
2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour
frac14 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup butter softened
1 cup sour cream
1thinspfrac12 cups white sugar
3 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
frac12 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 frac12 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons butter melted
Preheat oven to 375 F Lightly grease a 9x13 pan
Mix together the flour baking powder and salt set aside
In a large bowl cream the butter until light and fluffy Gradually
beat in sour cream Then beat in sugar Beat in the eggs one at a
time Then stir in the vanilla
By hand fold in the flour mixture mixing just until incorporated
Spread batter into prepared pan
To make the Pecan Topping In a medium bowl mix together brown
sugar pecans and cinnamon Stir in melted butter until crumbly
Sprinkle over cake batter in pan
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a
toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean
Balsamic Vinegar Dressing
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
3 Tbsp balsamic or other favorite vinegar
5 Tbsp olive oil
14 tsp salt
14 tsp pepper
Bacon Cabbage and Noodles
I found this recipe on Pinterest Its easy quick and very tasty
2 C egg noodles
34 lb bacon diced
34 medium head of cabbage sliced
14 tsp salt
pepper to taste
Cook noodles according to package directions Meanwhile in a
large skillet cook bacon pieces over medium heat until crisp Using
a slotted spoon remove to paper towels to drain Remove all but 3
Tbsp of drippings
Add cabbage to drippings Cover and cook on low for 20 minutes or
until cabbage is tender stirring occasionally Add bacon and
noodles to cooked cabbage Stir serve and enjoy
Chicken Legs with Maple-Sriracha Glaze
Recipe originally created by grill master Steven Raichlen
Chicken Prep
12 large chicken drumsticks
1 Tbsp coarse salt
1 Tbsp freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp hot red pepper flakes
1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Place drumsticks in bowl sprinkle with above ingredients stirring to
coat well
Maple Sriracha Glaze
6 Tbsp unsalted butter
5 Tbsp pure maple syrup
14 cup sriracha or more to taste
3 Tbsp Scotch whiskey
Melt butter in saucepan over high heat stir in maple syrup
sriracha and whisky Boil until mixture is syrupy 3-5 minutes
Grill chicken legs over charcoal fire until cooked through
Try a New Recipe Page
22
DEAR NEIGHBORS amp FRIENDS
This is Ann Johnson and I am taking another opportunity to say a
very big amp loud THANK YOU to many neighbors amp friends who
visited me in the hospital sent cards and even did a meal train
(people bringing dinner every night for two weeks) It was truly
AMAZING amp HEART WARMING There arent enough words to
express my gratitude (not to mention shock) I am truly humbled
and honored amp I THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY
HEART
Ann Johnson
Dear Reader
Happy summer to you Didnrsquot we arenrsquot we having a beautiful
spring summer Irsquom never sure when summer starts here Itrsquos July
8 and Irsquom sitting outside at our picnic table in my flannel jammes
putting the final touches on the newsletter Itrsquos 110+ in the Phoenix
Valleymdashwhere we moved frommdashand I couldnt be happier to be
here
I mean donrsquot you love living in a place where some days you look at
the sky and it looks fake it is so picture perfect Donrsquot you love
living in a place where you can step outside and pick a mason jar full
of wildflowers for your dining room table A place where you go
outside at night and you can see every star in the Milky Way
Where neighbors calls you to see if you need anything from Costco
or City Market or Wal Mart when they go to town Where you see
rainbows often doubles on a regular basis Where a friend comes
to your aid at a moments notice with jumper cables or whatever
else you might need I could go on I could spend hours looking at
the clouds hurrying by on their way to somewhere unknown
watching the ripples of the water in Brownrsquos creek and the
shimmer of the aspens and cottonwoods in the breeze
The one thing I could do without however are the Miller moths
They are a supreme nuisance Each morning we take the hand vac
and suck up at least a dozen dead moths that have crawled out of
their hiding places at some point during the night Each eve we do
the same thing with the live ones who are attracted to the light for
reasons still a mystery to scientists Experts say they will be gone by
fall Ugh
Thanks to those who continue to provide stories and ideas for the
newsletter Your input truly makes the newsletter worth reading I
encourage YOU to be a contributor to the newsletter Send
pictures or stories of things yoursquore involved with like Danrsquos story on
the good deeds of his golf group If yoursquore a new neighbor send
information about yourself where you came from etc as a way to
informally introduce yourself to the neighborhood You get the
idea Snap write and send away
I look forward to the day we can all get together again in person for
friendship and fellowship Until then stay safe
Sheila
The Wrap Up
Risa Jenkins is constantly
taking spectacular
pictures of the mountains
from her and Davidrsquos
home on Deer Trail
She took these three - the
first two morning
rainbows the last a
spectacular sunset - just
this week
3
Virtual Gatherings continued MAPOA Board Met Virtually in April
The MAPOA Board met on April 21 via Zoom Highlights of their
discussion follow
bull Chaffee County Fire Update - Chief Bertram of Chaffee County
Fire County Rescue provided an overview of the fire district and
restrictions put in place due to Covid He asked that residents
call the Sheriffrsquos non-emergency number to report campfires or
other illegal burning
bull Wildfire Mitigation Guide ndash Quinn McLeod provided an
overview of the guide he drafted to assist residents in their
wildfire mitigation efforts
bull COVID-19 ndash Discussed current restrictions and impact on
upcoming events
bull New Neighbors - Reviewed virtual welcome bag and discussed
how to best keep track of ownership changes and new
neighbors
bull MesaAnteroUnited Project ndash Expressed appreciation to Sue
Ann Hum for sharing this idea and making our beautiful
rainbow sign
bull Food Drive ndashJoyce Peryam is collecting donations for The
Grainery Food Pantry She and Jan Toniazzo are transporting
food to the Grainery each Monday amp Friday
bull Picnic Assignments ndash Solicited volunteers to coordinate summer
picnics (NOTE Picnics have since been cancelled)
bull Weed Control ndash Discussed the need for a new weed control
coordinator
bull Front 38 Canada Thistle Project ndash The thistle in the front 38
needs to be removed Craig Galler and Sheila Prior to explore
options
bull Annual Membership Meeting ndash Reviewed activities from the
member meeting held in January and discussed improvements
for the next meeting
bull Volunteer of the Year Award ndash Discussed process for
nominating the 2020 Volunteer of the Year
bull Mailbox Area Maintenance - Ed Biederbeck will contact Miles
Construction Company when appropriate They will fix the
road and clean out the ditch behind the mailboxes
bull Online Directory - Wendell Day is updating the Online Directory
to include the ability to see all properties by lot number the
Happy Ladies Calendar and a link to the Mesa Antero Resource
Guide
bull Tree Limbs Hanging Over Tabeguache ndash The cottonwood trees
at the corner of Tabeguache and Panorama have been cut and
trimmed Bristlecone completed the work for less than their
bid
bull Stew Brown Park Maintenance ndash Discussed removal of dead
trees and branches
bull Financials ndash The budget includes $7923 in operating costs
$15353 in savings for a total of $23276
bull MAPOA Statistics ndash MAPOA currently contains 275 lots 195
homes 69 vacant lots and 10 lots under construction In 2019
there were 267 members In 2020 there are 247
bull Recreation Study - Discussed Envision Chaffe County and
Recreation in Balance who are looking at outdoor recreation in
Chaffee County to ensure public lands are not damaged
bull Next Meeting ndash The next Board meeting was scheduled for
Tuesday June 23
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY Weed Coordinator Needed
We are looking for a volunteer to help out neighbors by
providing guidance on weeds identify native weeds that can
stay and those that need to be removed
To learn more or to volunteer please contact Mary Gontero
Snapped these beauties
enjoying dianthus and
clover in our garden
yard
4
Community Activities Fence Repairs Completed Thanks Volunteers
by Jim Finkowski
As with everyones activities this spring Mesa Antero fence repairs
required extra planning due to the Covid 19 virus Fortunately
damage to the fence was
minimal this past winter I
believe this was due to the
extra effort we have put in
over the past few years to
upgrade the perimeter
fence However the
section along Broken
Bough which has not had
much done to it for some
time was in need of some
significant improvement
which was our focus this
spring
The work began with one or two volunteers preparing the fence to
create an opportunity to maintain social distancing when the larger
group showed up for a scheduled work day Cory Van Doozer new
to the Mesa helped clear the fence line of brush and down
trees Chris Elzey here on spring break with his wife Karen when
the stay at home orders were issued helped repair two forest
access gates and became an expert in fence repair not the type of
experience normally
required of a professor
at their home in
Washington DC
And my daughters
friend Andrew who
normally lives in Denver
helped out for several
days while they were
riding out the virus here
in Nathrop
All of the preparation
led us to have two
successful group work
days (thanks to Bill Schiller Dave Kuhn Jerry Cunningham Wendell
Day and Ron Rak) while being able to maintain a safe personal
distance The result of our efforts was that nearly 34 of a mile of
fence was repaired and upgraded The entire fence line from
Adobe Circle to Broken Bough which Mesa Antero volunteers
maintain is currently in really good condition Unfortunately the
grass always seems to be greener on the other side of the fence at
least to the cattle so fence repair will continue to be a source of
FUN for anyone that wants to help out
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY Fence Repair Coordinator Needed
Jim Finkowski has been a hands-on volunteer solo
worker and fence repair coordinator for over six (6)
years now He has done a terrific job and we are
extremely appreciative of his efforts Jim is planning
to step aside next year so he can focus his energies on
other activities
Thanks to Jim and his volunteer crew the fence is in
great shape right now and should not need a lot of
effort to keep the cattle out of the Mesa If you are
interested in taking over coordinating the fence
maintenance activities please contact Jim Finkowski
or MAPOA President Mary Gontero
Photos by Peggy Finkowski
5
Community Activities conrsquot
Mailbox Area Paved The area in front of the
mailboxes was paved on
Wednesday May 27th Now we
have a nice even pavement
from the roadway to the
mailboxes
Stew Brown Park Clean-Up Underway
SBPark Coordinator Chuck Washer and his wife Denise have been
working to clean up the park by removing dead branches and trees
They had some help from Quinn McLeod Jim Harsh Craig Galler
and Sheila Prior Chuck and
Denise have also put a fresh
coat of varnish on several of
the tables in the park
The park is looking spiffy Thanks
to all who helped
Road Work in Mesa Antero
Chaffee County has recently graded roads and removed dirt from
ditches in Mesa Antero Ed Biederbeck estimates the county spent
over $100000 on Mesa Antero roads
Specifically Chaffee County Road amp Bridge has
bull added road base to Elk Run Tabeguache Ouray and Panorama
bull put down magnesium chloride on roads to reduce dust
bull repaired chip amp seal damage from their road grader
bull cleaned out ditches
Thanks Chaffee County
Thistle Removal Started Stopped to be Continued
You may recall a lovely patch of pink flowers in the Front 38 field
last year Unfortunately those lovely flowers are produced by
Canada Thistle an invasive
weed and it has to go
Front 38 Maintenance
Volunteers Craig Galler and
Sheila Prior with help from
Mary Gontero and Wendell
Day went out on a recent
Saturday to see if digging the
immature plants would
result in their demise
Unfortunately we learned
that digging wonrsquot work so
reached out to the weed
expert at the county Long story short the most effective way to rid
the field of Canada Thistle is to treat it with a safe spray that will kill
80 to 100 of the Thistle in a single treatment We are contracting
with the County to provide the treatment The spraying has not
yet been scheduled but is expected to take place late summer or
early fall at the pre-blooming stage
Jan Azzopardi took this picture of a double rainbow from their
back deck on Tabeguache
6
Mesa Antero Scheduled for Chaffee Chips Chaffee County has included Mesa Antero in their chipping plans
this fall Mark your calendars for September 11-13 if you have
limbs trees etc you want to have chipped Your slash will be
removed at no cost to you Start now and create your slash pile
(See directives in How to Make the Perfect Pile)
For mitigating guidelines for your property use the extremely
helpful Wildfire Mitigation Guide that Quinn Macleod wrote for our
community It is posted on the Mesa Antero web page
After reviewing the Guide if you still have questions about what to
remove to create a more defensible space around your home
contact Quinn McLeod at (303) 810-5739
Help us help you by following a few rules in preparing for chipping in
September
bull include trees tree branches small logs and brush cut away
from root mass
bull no logsbranches with a diameter greater than 6 inches
bull no logsbranches longer than 10 feet
bull no construction building or other manmade materials
bull no lumber fence posts or signs
bull no roots root wads stumps or anything that grows below the
soil
bull no materials that contain dirt sand gravel or rocks
bull no materials that contain metal (nails screws fencing) string
or other manndashmade materials
bull no herbaceous material (leaves weeds bushes)
How to Make the PERFECT Pile
bull piles should be no bigger than 5 feet high x 10 feet deep x 7
feet long with cut ends facing the road
bull no ldquoratsrdquo nests
bull piles should be placed within 5 feet of roadway or driveway
but not in drainage ditches piles should not impede traffic
bull piles must be accessible with adequate turnaround space for a
trucktrailer
bull limit piles to six (6) per property
bull stack firewood separately from branches so it can be collected
for heat
Your wood piles must be out by 800 am on the first morning of
the event
To learn more about Chaffee County Chips click here
Fire Mitigation Matters
Defensible space is the natural and landscaped area around your
home that has been modified to reduce wildfire hazard By creating
a defensible zone your home and property are less vulnerable and
the chance of spreading wildfire is greatly reduced
Community Activities conrsquot
Share Your Mitigation Efforts
If yoursquove taken steps to mitigate fire risk on your property please
send pictures of what yoursquove done to Mary Gontero We plan to
use them as examples for our community and post them on the
Mesa Antero website Thank you
June Rogersrsquo dog
Scooter keeps an
eye out for deer
and other critters
on the road
June says Scooter
is a great traveling
companion who
accompanies her
on any day trip
7
What I Did on My Covid Vacation
Neighbors were asked to send pictures andor share information
about what theyrsquove been up to during the stay at home period
brought about as a result of Covid-19 A few folks were kind
enough to share
How Wersquore Spending Our Time
Nancy Bowsher and Andrith Davis said ldquoWe are going through all
our old photos amp weeding them out--makes us feel good Working
out reading jigsaw puzzles amp trimming brushes We keep busy
with our birds--filling the feeder for chickadees nuthatches jays
squirrels amp keeping the hummingbird feeder filled amp clean And our
Christmas tree greets us every morning amp says Good Night every
eveningrdquo Nancy added that ldquo Even though we arent square
dancing Andrith stays up on her round dance cueing Check out
round dancing on Youtube--its also called choreographed ballroom
dancing Life is goodrdquo
Community Activities conrsquot
Sue Ann Hum and her dog Hornsby
were looking for a change of pace for
their walk so they went over to the
gated trailhead on Tabeguache turn
Sue Ann was feeling creative and
made some games for all neighbors to
play untogether during social distanc-
ing
1 Fill Our Heart - Find a pine cone
heart outline and toss a pine cone in-
side
2 Tic-Tac-Toe (Natrsquol Forest edition) -
Xrsquos made with two crossed sticks a big
pine cone can be the Orsquos
3 Built a Tipi Help build a teepee
Connie and Ed Biederbeck
decorated and masked a rock in
their yard
Craig and I put a metal bird sculp-
ture ndash complete with the requisite
mask ndash next to the driveway
The crows in front of
Janet and Lorin
Fullmerrsquos home are
now donning masks
Michelle and Cory Van Doozer deco-rated their house number sign with brightly colored flowers
(13580 Deer Trail)
Wendy Skean put this bicycling kitty
by her driveway entrance The
wheels will spin in the wind
(12519 Ouray)
8
Mesa Antero Seamstresses Make Masks
Seamstresses in Mesa Antero pulled out excess material scrounged
up elastic and rope and put their scissors and sewing machines to
work to make masks to help protect friends family members
health care workers and strangers from the COVID-19 Virus
Connie Biederbeck made
masks for a nephew - a CNA
at a nursing home in Grand
Junction ndash and his co-workers
She made masks for a friendrsquos
daughter who works at the
VA in Denver She also made
masks for the cardiology clinic
at the hospital
Joanie Barbier has sewn
more than 150 masks
Recipients include a nursing
home in Massachusetts
Helping Hand Native
American children in
Churchhill Manitoba friends
family and anyone else who
wanted one Joaniersquos still happy to make masks If you need a
mask email your request to her at jbar4004gmailcom
Sheila Prior made about 80
masks for friends family Heart
of the Rockies Regional Hospital
and a PT clinic in BV Sheila is
also willing to make additional
masks should anyone be in need
Email her at
spriorkohloutlookcom
Kathy Roach made two dozen masks for friends and family
here in New York and California
Hunter and Dillon Build Birdfeeders for Those In Need
The Roberts brothers - Hunter (11) and Dillon (10) - started a
fundraiser after the start of the
Covid virus to help people in
need and at the same time to
help support local restaurants
The kids built picnic table bird
feeders out of donated
materials They sold them to
neighbors ndash by asking for a
voluntary donation - and used
the proceeds to buy gift cards
from local restaurants They
then donated the gift cards -
$850 worth - to the Chaffee
County Covid-19 Disaster Fund
which helps those in need Way
to go boys
Neighbors to the Rescue
Hunter and Dillon are shown with
one of the picnic table bird feeders
they built to support those in need
Jackson - Chuck and jan Azzopardirsquos German Shorthair Pointer - is
captured here checking out whatrsquos happening in the woods below
9
Residents Participate in Weekly Food Drive
Jan Toniazzo and Joyce Peryam made their first of many weekly
donated food deliveries to The Grainery food bank on March 26
and have been going strong ever since The ladies report that the
volunteers at The Grainery truly appreciate the kindness and
generosity shown by the folks of Mesa Antero
Food collections continue because the need for food assistance
continues If you can help support families in need there are two
ways you can do so You can drop off canned and dry goods in the
wooden box next to Joyce Peryamrsquos driveway at 13030 Deer Trail
(CR261D) They are in need of all canned goods especially canned
wieners soup and beans rice and dried pasta Or you can mail a
monetary donation to The Grainery 1348 E Street Buena Vista
Thanks Joyce and Jan for coordinating collection and deliveries and
thanks to Mesa Antero residents for giving Joyce and Jan something
to do And most importantly thanks everyone for helping families in
need
Donations Drop Off Update You may note that the red drop off box is no longer by the roadside
in front of Joycersquos house Unfortunately the Mesa Antero bear has
made his way to lower Deer Trail and took out the Perrymanrsquos
bluebird house and new chicks While he didnrsquot mess with the food
drive red box the gals have had to rethink the way food donations
are collected from now on
You can still drop off your donated canned goods but are asked to
now bring them Joycersquos front door Please text Joyce to make sure
she is home to receive the food (her number is in the directory)
For the time being residents are asked to please limit donations to
canned goods ONLY Please NO pasta cereal crackers or glass
plastic jars
To the Rescue continued
Pictured here are some of the many donations made by residents of Mesa
Antero in recent months Joyce Perryman (left) and Jan Tonazzio (right) are
delivering donated goods to The Grainery each week
10
Mesa Antero Golfers Support Food Bank
by Dan Downing
Irsquom part of a group of about 16 guys who regularly plays golf in
Salida Several are current or former Mesa Antero residents
including Tom Parkes Roger Miller and Rick Davidoff Our group
doesnrsquot have an official name We play a game called ldquoSwindlerdquo so
at least as Facebook goes we call ourselves the ldquoSalida Summer
Swindle Grouprdquo We play on Tuesdays Thursdays and Saturdays
and in the spirit of friendly competition we each ante up $20 to
play
We begin playing each year as soon as the weather permits usually
in March which this year was just about the time the Covid-19
pandemic started getting serious The golf course was allowed to
remain open but with proper social distancing and restrictions on
touching things
In the past we determined who won and who lost on day of play
With winners buying drinks at the 19th hole When the virus hit
we didnt want to continue passing around scorecards and cash any
more than we absolutely had to We wanted to keep things
interesting and competitive by keeping the money in play So I
came up with a creative idea Instead of playing as teams wersquod
play as individuals and pay our losses into a kitty which would
benefit the Food Bank at the Presbyterian Church Like many
theyrsquod been hit hard as a result of the economic downturn All of
the guys eagerly signed on
Enthusiasm for the new ldquoQuotardquo game has been amazing Most
guys end up owing the kitty two or three dollars at the end of
the game It doesnt add up all that quickly but it does indeed add
up The guys soon began chipping in a little extra as did the
winners who owed nothing Then out of town guys who hadnt
returned to their homes here and hadnrsquot started playing with us
started chipping in Then other golfers started chipping in By the
first of April we were able to contribute a little over $1000 to the
Food Bank
We recently returned to our normal $20 Swindle game With one
difference All of the guys wanted to continue donating proceeds to
the Food Bank So thatrsquos what wersquore doing Since March 31st we
have contributed more than $2700 to the Food Bank The guys are
having a blast playing golf together and doing some good for the
community as well
To the Rescue continued
Early in the season the guys tee off from hole 1 at the Salida Golf Course
A few of the guys From left to right Dan Downing Tom Bevington
Kent Cookson Gus Argys Jerry Donner Tim Hinkle Bruce Davidson
and Darrell Sampson
Dan Downing is shown
presenting golf game
proceeds to Rev Tom
Abbott pastor of First
Presbyterian Church
for the churchrsquos food
bank The Swindle
Group has been do-
nating golf proceeds to
the food bank since
March 31and has do-
nated more than
$2700 to date
11
Mesa Antero Artists Support Ark Valleyrsquos Good Pet
Bad Art Fund Raiser
Ark Valley Humane Society held a fund raiser earlier this year called
ldquoGood Pet Bad Portraitrdquo Individuals provided a photo of their pet
along with a monetary donation Artists in the community as
young as five (5) volunteered to draw or paint a pet and then send
it to the owner At least three (3) Mesa Antero artists participated
in the charity event
To The Rescue continued
Sue Ann Hum painted two pets
The first a cat Mrs Buggles-
worth aka Bug aka Buggs
And the other a dog Charles
Craig Galler painted a
cat named Ozzy
Wendy Skean drew two dogsmdash
Goosebumps and Huckleberry
She said about her
participation Pretty sure I
lived up to the Bad part Still
I had fun participating in it ldquo
12
Be Informed Be Prepared Be Ready for Fire Quinn Macleod Mesa Anterorsquos volunteer Fire Prevention Volunteer
Coordinator recently spoke with Chaffee County Emergency
Manager Richard Atkins and wanted to pass on some crucial
information
The county uses two systems to notify the public in times of an
emergency - Everbridge and a national system sponsored by FEMA
bull Everbridge allows for detailed messages that the county can
send out Including re-population information so residents
know when to come back home
bull The FEMA system uses technology like an Amber Alert So
everyone with a cell phone powered by a specific tower will get
emergency notifications So even short-term renters in MA will
receive an evacuation notification
BOTTOM LINE MESA ANTERO PROPERTY OWNERS STILL NEED
TO SIGN UP WITH EVERBRIDGE SO PLEASE SIGN UP
After some discussion it was determined that when it is necessary
to evacuate the subdivision due to an emergency most people will
evacuate the way they enter So given the low population of Mesa
Antero a somewhat orderly evacuation will occur The reality will
likely be quite different
Learn more about the Homeowner
Evacuation Plan at httpswwwfemagov
media-library-data1409003859391-
0e8ad1ed42c129f11fbc23d008d1ee85
how_to_prepare_wildfire_033014_508pdf
Be prepared always
Prepare a kit that includes things you will need while evacuated
The duration of an evacuation can last from hours to days The kit
can consist of either a written list of things to assemble at the time
of evacuation or items that are already assembled and pre-
positioned Some things to consider including in your kit include
bull medications and other medical supplies such as diabetic or
COPD item an extra oxygen cylinder
bull important documents hard drives computers
bull photo albums
bull pets and their supplies
Think about and determine
bull Where you will meet up with other members of your home or
family The cell towers will be busy so where might you meet
your family members if you cant talk to them Walmart
Safeway City Market LaGrees
bull Identify who you want to call to let them know you are safely
evacuated Think about who might report you missing if you
dont call them
bull Where will you stay during the evacuation Will you take your
camper or camping gear Can you stay with friends living out
of the area
Prepare your home to receive the wildfire
bull Turn on outside lights and lights in every room to make the
house more visible in heavy smoke
bull Close all windows vents doors and fireplace screens This will
help reduce drafts in the home and will reduce radiant heat
bull Disconnect automatic garage door openers so doors can be
opened by hand if power is lost
bull Move flammable furniture including outdoor furniture into
the center of the home away from windows and sliding glass
doors Remove flammable curtains and window treatments
bull Connect garden hoses Shut off propane gas from the source
and move BBQ grill propane and other fuels away from the
house
bull Follow any additional guidance provided by local authorities
When driving away from a fire
bull Roll up windows and close air vents (car amp camper) because
smoke from a fire can irritate your eyes and respiratory
system
bull Drive slowly with your headlights on because smoke can
reduce visibility
bull Watch for other vehicles pedestrians and fleeing animals
bull Avoid driving through heavy smoke if possible
Wildfire Evacuation
13
Wildfire Mitigation Guide Released
The recently published Wildfire Mitigation Guide should enable
every property owner in Mesa Antero to make some modifications
to lessen the negative effects from a wildfire Even if you donrsquot have
a structure on your property these actions will help to achieve
positive results from a wildfire Fire is a natural part of the eco
system so reducing ground litter and killing some weak trees
bushes overall is good plus the nitrogen release is naturersquos fertilizer
for the grasses
Itrsquos dry
This Spring has developed into a very dry one If you have some
mitigation projects in mind it would be good to start soon
The forest and Campers
The good news is that our surrounding forests have been managed
(thinned and controlled burns) to protect our community from
wildfires The dispersed campers with their camp fires is a ignition
risk but manageable If you notice someone burning illegally itrsquos
safest for you to call the Sheriff via 911 (immediately tell them itrsquos a
ldquonon-emergencyrdquo so they can talk to you on a different line) If you
come upon an abandoned campfire pull it apart and call the sheriff
so they can fully extinguish and document
Lastly I do have some more information to add to the guide in the
future but wanted to get the bulk of it out now
Irsquom always available to answer questions andor come by
Quinn Macleod
qmacleod61gmailcom
3038105739
The Wildfire Mitigation Guide is post on MesaAnteroorg for easy
access
Help Yourself Get A Reflective House Number Sign
Did you know that reflective house number signs are crucial to help
fire fighters or emergency personnel find you quickly The
reflective green and white signs are available from the Chaffee
County Fire District main office in BV for the bargain price of just
$10
Fire experts have advised that - especially in a neighborhood like
ours - having clearly visible reflective signs are crucial to their timely
arrival at a fire or emergency The signs should be double sided
and posted near the road so they can be clearly seen from both
directions
Moth Infestation a Real Nuisance You have no doubt been annoyed by the recent infestation of
moths The Miller moths start out as caterpillars that develop on
Coloradorsquos eastern plains and in Kansas and Nebraska In the spring
they migrate west to feast on the nectar of flowers
This year wersquove seen more
moths than previous springs
because weather conditions
last year were favorable for
caterpillar development It
isnrsquot extraordinary as Colorado
has seen this many in other
years preceded by mild winters While other moth species might
like to eat your wool sweaters these do not They just eat pollen
make your house dusty and die Unless yoursquore particularly allergic
to moth scales miller moths wonrsquot do a thing besides annoy you
Miller moths are a very important food source for birds bears and
other critters A single bear can eat up to 10000 miller moths a
day which helps them get fat for the winter The mothrsquos
abdomens besides housing ldquogutsrdquo also store a lot of fat that they
stock up for the long autumn trip back to the plains They hide
under rocks in the mountains during the day Thatrsquos where bears
find them flipping over stones and grabbing a quick bite
The good news is they wonrsquot stick around forever Warm nights will
speed up their migration They are usually gone by the fall
Wildfire Mitigation amp Moths
Did you know Charles Nachtrieb I was the founder
of the town of Nathrop Colorado Early
settlers could not pronounce the German
name of Nachtrieb easily so the name of
the hamlet was Americanized to Nathrop
The original site of Nathrop was about one
and one half miles north of the present
townsite and served as a stagecoach station between Bales
station near Cleora and Leadville
14
Alliance Formed to Help Preserve Brownrsquos Creek Volunteers Needed
By Chuck Azzopardi
If you have spent time in the Browns Creek Recreation Area over
the last few years you may have noticed a dramatically increasing
number of hikers and campers And also an increase in the size and
number of dispersed campsites A number of residents of Mesa
Antero have expressed concern for a potentially catastrophic
wildfire initiated from an illegal campfire in the Browns Creek
Recreation Area In response to these developments a new group -
Browns Creek Alliance - is being formed to ensure the Browns Creek
Recreation Area is not loved to death
Many in Chaffe County realize that our valley ldquohas been foundrdquo
We can expect growth and development to occur over the next
couple of decades Envision Chaffee County was a formed in 2016
to provide guidance on the future growth and development of
Chaffee County It has since become a catalyst for community
actions such as the Browns Creek Alliance Recreation in Balance is
a program led by Envision the Greater Arkansas River Nature
Association (GARNA) and the Salida Ranger District that is creating a
community-driven plan to maintain healthy public lands quality
user experiences and the economic benefits of recreation tourism
Browns Creek Recreation Area is one of the more popular places for
outdoor recreation in Chaffee County Visitation to the Browns
Creek Recreation Area is increasing and is expected to continue on
an upward trend for the foreseeable future Our San Isabelle
National Forest Service Ranger District has recognized that Browns
Creek Recreation
Area could use
some TLC Giving
their current
budget
constraints they
are actively
encouraging
volunteer groups including Browns Creek Alliance to provide
assistance in ensuring that public lands in our area do get the
tender loving care they deserve
So given a significant growth in locals and visitors how can we
Browns Creek Alliance as a volunteer organization have a positive
impact on the long-term sustainability of Browns Creek Recreation
Area
To achieve our mission of supporting a sustainable management of
the Browns Creek Recreation Area the Browns Creek Alliance is
focusing on gathering data on visitation and its impact on public
resources The Alliance is providing education to encourage visitors
to our area to be respectful and responsible of our public resources
other visitors and residents while enjoying the Browns Creek
Recreation Area We shall also evaluate public resources
particularly dispersed campsites to determine if we can improve
their long-term sustainability
Luckily we have a successful model of how we can accomplish our
objectives right here in Chaffee County Friends of Four Mile has
years of successful experience ensuring that the Four Mile
Recreation Area is sustainable for the long-term
Friends of Four Mile has developed signage and brochures to
educate visitors They have also used buck amp rail fencing to ensure
dispersed campsites are of an appropriate long-term sustainable
size and location While some cost and efforts are necessary to
develop and implement these solutions they have been shown to
be effective
The first task for the Browns Creek Alliance is to gather data so that
we and other agencies including Recreation in Balance and the San
Isabelle National Force Ranger District can quantify the increase in
Brownrsquos Creek Alliance
Browns Creek Alliance Mission Statement
The Browns Creek Alliance is a volunteer
group The group believes in supporting a
sustainable management of the public lands
in the Browns Creek amp Raspberry Gulch areas
of the San Isabel National Forest
15
visitation as well as the measurable impact that the increasing
volume of visitors are having on our public resources
Being able to measure visitation and its impact is critical if we are to
develop and implement the best ways to ensure long-term
sustainability of our public resources This data may also be utilized
to gauge the success of our efforts as we strive to improve long-
term sustainability of Browns Creek Recreation Area
For our first task The Browns Creek Alliance similar to Friends of
Four Mile is implementing a vehicle count on the three busiest
holidays of the year - Memorial Day Fourth of July and Labor Day
Volunteers will document the number of vehicles including
recreational vehicles in Browns Creek Recreation Area on each
holiday This data shall be shared with agencies - including the
Forest Service -to determine if the number of visitors is within the
capacity of Browns Creek Recreation Area This data will also
determine whether or not visitation continues to grow and if so by
how much
The Browns Creek Alliance sees our second task as encouraging
visitors to be responsible and respectful while enjoying Browns
Creek Recreation Area If visitors understand proper outdoor
recreation amp dispersed camping etiquette they are much more
inclined to be responsible and respectful visitors and users of our
public resources Responsible and respectful campers in particular
are less inclined to have illegal fires We believe that to achieve this
second objective signage at the kiosks in the Browns Creek
Recreation Area needs to be updated and improved Brochures
containing information displayed on the new improved kiosks may
also be printed and distributed by volunteers
A sandwich billboard sign was recently erected at the entrance to
Browns Creek Recreation Area to advise visitors that a fire ban is in
place and campfires are not currently permitted Mesa Antero
Property Ownersrsquo Association voted to provide funding for this new
signage
A third task is to pursue surveying and ranking of dispersed
campsites in the area Once dispersed campsites have been ranked
for sustainability poor campsites may be removed or reconfigured
while high ranking popular campsites may be hardened or
improved As an example buck amp rail fencing may be used to
establish campsite boundaries at select dispersed campsites
Recently the Forest Service has begun implementing buck and rail
fencing at select campsites in Browns Creek Recreation Area Other
improvements are being considered in our arearsquos outdoor
recreational areas Browns Creek Alliance is already in discussions
with the Forest Service and others as to how we can evaluate and
improve dispersed campsites in our area One consideration is
moving toward designated dispersed camping to better control
campsites in the area
Finally Browns Creek Alliance intends to be a sounding board for
locals and visitors as to how Browns Creek Recreation Area can be
improved in a sustainable manner for the benefit of all To do so
we need your input We also need boots on the ground to secure
funding and assist in the implementation of the tasks detailed in
this article We have received a favorable response from many
Mesa Antero residents regarding our plans and efforts thus far
Anyone that wishes to be involved ndash by providing input andor
actual ldquoboots on the groundrdquo is invited to contact Quinn McLeod or
Chuck Azzopardi directly Contact Quinn at (303)810-5739 or
qMacLeod61gmailcom I can be reached by phone at (719)221-
6444 or by email at JanChuckBobbigmailcom
Brownrsquos Creek Alliance conrsquot
The United States Forest
Service (USFS) has placed a
large temporary No Camp-
fires sign at the entrance to
the Browns Creek area on
272 It is almost impossible
for anyone visiting the area
to not know there are
campfire restrictions
If you see someone with a
campfire please DO NOT
approach the fire burners
but call the sheriffrsquos office at
719-539-2596 to report the
campfire
16
Summer Picnics Cancelled
In an effort to keep community members safe from the possible
spread of Covid-19 summer picnics (Memorial Day Fourth of July
and Labor Day) at Stew Brown Park have been cancelled Additional
picnics may be scheduled when COVID-19 is no longer a threat
Reservations Required to Use Stew Brown Park
Residents are always welcome to enjoy Stew Brown Park However
with social distancing restrictions in place and because of concern
for our neighbors there is now a limit on the size of groups who can
gather in Stew Brown Park Groups of 10 or fewer are welcome to
use and reserve the park Reservations should be made in advance
by emailing President Mary Gontero at mapoa99gmailcom
Residents are asked NOT to use picnic tables or MAPOA supplies
and to bring their own chairs As always trash should be removed
Please note there is not a restroom in the park
No doubt we all look forward to the day we can once again gather
for our picnics after a vaccine or treatment is available Until then
letrsquos be safe and limit gatherings to 10 or fewer for the health and
safety of our community members
Chaffee County Community Foundation Emergency
Response Fund (ERF)
The ERF campaign is seeking donors who can help the fund attain a
level of resources commensurate with the local need as well as
eligible recipients who can seek financial assistance According to
the Chaffee Office of Housing well over 5000 Chaffee employees
have been or will be directly impacted by COVID-19-related
business closures Many of those may not be eligible for current
state or federal assistance The ERF is designed to meet the needs
of those individuals and families yet generous and ongoing
community support is needed CCCF is asking community
members who are able to contribute to do so either online or via
check made out to CCCF with ldquoERFrdquo in the memo line More
information or to donate go to wwwchaffeecommunityorg
erf Checks can be mailed to PO Box 492 Buena Vista CO 81211
Rachele Vierthaler recently moved to Mesa Antero from Buena
Vista Rachele sits on the Board of Directors for Chaffee County
Community Foundation and is happy to answer your questions
Email Rachele at rvierthalerchaffeecommunityorg
The Bears are Back
Numerous neighbors have reported seeing a bear in Mesa Antero
Studies show that often the first reward a bear gets for exploring
human places is a big meal of tasty nutritious seeds (a natural food
for bears) Letting your bird feeders turn into bear feeders teaches
bears that coming close to people and homes looking for food is a
good idea For bears that can end up being a deadly lesson
Mesa Antero residents are encouraged to NOT feed the birds during
the months when bears are active Instead use water features
plant-ings nest boxes and flowers to attract birds Use bird feeders
only when bears are hibernating
If you donrsquot want to stop feeding birds hang your feeders at least
10 feet off the ground and 10 feet away from anything bears can
climb Keep the area underneath feeders clean and free of bird
seed and hulls or switch to a hulled bird seed with no waste Never
store bird seed outside under your deck or in a garage or shed a
bear could break into A 50-pound bag of bird seed has over 87000
caloriesmdasha reward for the bear that is well worth the effort of
breaking in
Interesting sites on bearshellip
httpscpwstatecousbears
Living with Bears
httpsjourneynorthorgtmspringBearYearhtml
FYI amp Announcements
Craig and I went
camping in Leadville
last week Our
African Grey Joey
went along and
enjoyed her view from
a tree perch She
loves traveling with
us I imagine she
enjoys the change of
scenery
17
New Neighbors
We are delighted to welcome two new totally adorable neighbors
to Mesa Antero
Jasper recently joined the Risa and David Jenkins family He is a
Welsh Springer Spaniel and is shown here with big brother Riley (16
months) The brothers are getting along famously Mom and Dad
are wishing for accelerated potty training as theyrsquore both a bit sleep
deprived
Neighbor News
Cutty is the newest
member of the Robin
and Chris Covert
family Hersquos a German
Shephard Golden
Retriever Poodle Mix
Cutty is settling in
nicely in his new home
No surprise but Mom
and Dad here are also
hoping for quick potty
training and less
chewing of random
stuff
A kind thoughtful and
unknown soul sent
these beautiful flowers
to me anonymously
earlier this week The
card reads ldquoHerersquos a
hug for yourdquo I do not
know who sent them
but I sure am enjoying
both the lovely flowers
and the very kind
gesture of the person
who sent them Genie
Malone and Denise
Washer also received a
lovely jar of anonymous flowers Thanks to the mystery sender
from all of us It surely did bring a smile to our face and make
our day And continues to do so each time we look at them
Harper Powell -an apparent wildlife magnetmdashhas seen two moose a bear and a
coyote in recent weeks She snapped a picture of what she believes is the baby of
the two moose shersquos seen between Broken Bough and Sawmill Look closely you
can see the baby moose in the trees How cool is that
18
Marketing Mesa Antero Mesa Antero Original Sales Brochure While cleaning out an old desk recently Patsy Torian found several
copies of the original sales and marketing brochure for Mesa Antero
She thought her neighbors would find it interesting and provided a
copy for the newsletter
Please note the home pictured on the next page What it looks like
today with all of the trees is amazing
19
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
20
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
21
Aunt Mabelrsquos Coffee Cake
provided by Kathy Roach
2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour
frac14 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup butter softened
1 cup sour cream
1thinspfrac12 cups white sugar
3 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
frac12 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 frac12 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons butter melted
Preheat oven to 375 F Lightly grease a 9x13 pan
Mix together the flour baking powder and salt set aside
In a large bowl cream the butter until light and fluffy Gradually
beat in sour cream Then beat in sugar Beat in the eggs one at a
time Then stir in the vanilla
By hand fold in the flour mixture mixing just until incorporated
Spread batter into prepared pan
To make the Pecan Topping In a medium bowl mix together brown
sugar pecans and cinnamon Stir in melted butter until crumbly
Sprinkle over cake batter in pan
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a
toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean
Balsamic Vinegar Dressing
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
3 Tbsp balsamic or other favorite vinegar
5 Tbsp olive oil
14 tsp salt
14 tsp pepper
Bacon Cabbage and Noodles
I found this recipe on Pinterest Its easy quick and very tasty
2 C egg noodles
34 lb bacon diced
34 medium head of cabbage sliced
14 tsp salt
pepper to taste
Cook noodles according to package directions Meanwhile in a
large skillet cook bacon pieces over medium heat until crisp Using
a slotted spoon remove to paper towels to drain Remove all but 3
Tbsp of drippings
Add cabbage to drippings Cover and cook on low for 20 minutes or
until cabbage is tender stirring occasionally Add bacon and
noodles to cooked cabbage Stir serve and enjoy
Chicken Legs with Maple-Sriracha Glaze
Recipe originally created by grill master Steven Raichlen
Chicken Prep
12 large chicken drumsticks
1 Tbsp coarse salt
1 Tbsp freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp hot red pepper flakes
1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Place drumsticks in bowl sprinkle with above ingredients stirring to
coat well
Maple Sriracha Glaze
6 Tbsp unsalted butter
5 Tbsp pure maple syrup
14 cup sriracha or more to taste
3 Tbsp Scotch whiskey
Melt butter in saucepan over high heat stir in maple syrup
sriracha and whisky Boil until mixture is syrupy 3-5 minutes
Grill chicken legs over charcoal fire until cooked through
Try a New Recipe Page
22
DEAR NEIGHBORS amp FRIENDS
This is Ann Johnson and I am taking another opportunity to say a
very big amp loud THANK YOU to many neighbors amp friends who
visited me in the hospital sent cards and even did a meal train
(people bringing dinner every night for two weeks) It was truly
AMAZING amp HEART WARMING There arent enough words to
express my gratitude (not to mention shock) I am truly humbled
and honored amp I THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY
HEART
Ann Johnson
Dear Reader
Happy summer to you Didnrsquot we arenrsquot we having a beautiful
spring summer Irsquom never sure when summer starts here Itrsquos July
8 and Irsquom sitting outside at our picnic table in my flannel jammes
putting the final touches on the newsletter Itrsquos 110+ in the Phoenix
Valleymdashwhere we moved frommdashand I couldnt be happier to be
here
I mean donrsquot you love living in a place where some days you look at
the sky and it looks fake it is so picture perfect Donrsquot you love
living in a place where you can step outside and pick a mason jar full
of wildflowers for your dining room table A place where you go
outside at night and you can see every star in the Milky Way
Where neighbors calls you to see if you need anything from Costco
or City Market or Wal Mart when they go to town Where you see
rainbows often doubles on a regular basis Where a friend comes
to your aid at a moments notice with jumper cables or whatever
else you might need I could go on I could spend hours looking at
the clouds hurrying by on their way to somewhere unknown
watching the ripples of the water in Brownrsquos creek and the
shimmer of the aspens and cottonwoods in the breeze
The one thing I could do without however are the Miller moths
They are a supreme nuisance Each morning we take the hand vac
and suck up at least a dozen dead moths that have crawled out of
their hiding places at some point during the night Each eve we do
the same thing with the live ones who are attracted to the light for
reasons still a mystery to scientists Experts say they will be gone by
fall Ugh
Thanks to those who continue to provide stories and ideas for the
newsletter Your input truly makes the newsletter worth reading I
encourage YOU to be a contributor to the newsletter Send
pictures or stories of things yoursquore involved with like Danrsquos story on
the good deeds of his golf group If yoursquore a new neighbor send
information about yourself where you came from etc as a way to
informally introduce yourself to the neighborhood You get the
idea Snap write and send away
I look forward to the day we can all get together again in person for
friendship and fellowship Until then stay safe
Sheila
The Wrap Up
Risa Jenkins is constantly
taking spectacular
pictures of the mountains
from her and Davidrsquos
home on Deer Trail
She took these three - the
first two morning
rainbows the last a
spectacular sunset - just
this week
4
Community Activities Fence Repairs Completed Thanks Volunteers
by Jim Finkowski
As with everyones activities this spring Mesa Antero fence repairs
required extra planning due to the Covid 19 virus Fortunately
damage to the fence was
minimal this past winter I
believe this was due to the
extra effort we have put in
over the past few years to
upgrade the perimeter
fence However the
section along Broken
Bough which has not had
much done to it for some
time was in need of some
significant improvement
which was our focus this
spring
The work began with one or two volunteers preparing the fence to
create an opportunity to maintain social distancing when the larger
group showed up for a scheduled work day Cory Van Doozer new
to the Mesa helped clear the fence line of brush and down
trees Chris Elzey here on spring break with his wife Karen when
the stay at home orders were issued helped repair two forest
access gates and became an expert in fence repair not the type of
experience normally
required of a professor
at their home in
Washington DC
And my daughters
friend Andrew who
normally lives in Denver
helped out for several
days while they were
riding out the virus here
in Nathrop
All of the preparation
led us to have two
successful group work
days (thanks to Bill Schiller Dave Kuhn Jerry Cunningham Wendell
Day and Ron Rak) while being able to maintain a safe personal
distance The result of our efforts was that nearly 34 of a mile of
fence was repaired and upgraded The entire fence line from
Adobe Circle to Broken Bough which Mesa Antero volunteers
maintain is currently in really good condition Unfortunately the
grass always seems to be greener on the other side of the fence at
least to the cattle so fence repair will continue to be a source of
FUN for anyone that wants to help out
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY Fence Repair Coordinator Needed
Jim Finkowski has been a hands-on volunteer solo
worker and fence repair coordinator for over six (6)
years now He has done a terrific job and we are
extremely appreciative of his efforts Jim is planning
to step aside next year so he can focus his energies on
other activities
Thanks to Jim and his volunteer crew the fence is in
great shape right now and should not need a lot of
effort to keep the cattle out of the Mesa If you are
interested in taking over coordinating the fence
maintenance activities please contact Jim Finkowski
or MAPOA President Mary Gontero
Photos by Peggy Finkowski
5
Community Activities conrsquot
Mailbox Area Paved The area in front of the
mailboxes was paved on
Wednesday May 27th Now we
have a nice even pavement
from the roadway to the
mailboxes
Stew Brown Park Clean-Up Underway
SBPark Coordinator Chuck Washer and his wife Denise have been
working to clean up the park by removing dead branches and trees
They had some help from Quinn McLeod Jim Harsh Craig Galler
and Sheila Prior Chuck and
Denise have also put a fresh
coat of varnish on several of
the tables in the park
The park is looking spiffy Thanks
to all who helped
Road Work in Mesa Antero
Chaffee County has recently graded roads and removed dirt from
ditches in Mesa Antero Ed Biederbeck estimates the county spent
over $100000 on Mesa Antero roads
Specifically Chaffee County Road amp Bridge has
bull added road base to Elk Run Tabeguache Ouray and Panorama
bull put down magnesium chloride on roads to reduce dust
bull repaired chip amp seal damage from their road grader
bull cleaned out ditches
Thanks Chaffee County
Thistle Removal Started Stopped to be Continued
You may recall a lovely patch of pink flowers in the Front 38 field
last year Unfortunately those lovely flowers are produced by
Canada Thistle an invasive
weed and it has to go
Front 38 Maintenance
Volunteers Craig Galler and
Sheila Prior with help from
Mary Gontero and Wendell
Day went out on a recent
Saturday to see if digging the
immature plants would
result in their demise
Unfortunately we learned
that digging wonrsquot work so
reached out to the weed
expert at the county Long story short the most effective way to rid
the field of Canada Thistle is to treat it with a safe spray that will kill
80 to 100 of the Thistle in a single treatment We are contracting
with the County to provide the treatment The spraying has not
yet been scheduled but is expected to take place late summer or
early fall at the pre-blooming stage
Jan Azzopardi took this picture of a double rainbow from their
back deck on Tabeguache
6
Mesa Antero Scheduled for Chaffee Chips Chaffee County has included Mesa Antero in their chipping plans
this fall Mark your calendars for September 11-13 if you have
limbs trees etc you want to have chipped Your slash will be
removed at no cost to you Start now and create your slash pile
(See directives in How to Make the Perfect Pile)
For mitigating guidelines for your property use the extremely
helpful Wildfire Mitigation Guide that Quinn Macleod wrote for our
community It is posted on the Mesa Antero web page
After reviewing the Guide if you still have questions about what to
remove to create a more defensible space around your home
contact Quinn McLeod at (303) 810-5739
Help us help you by following a few rules in preparing for chipping in
September
bull include trees tree branches small logs and brush cut away
from root mass
bull no logsbranches with a diameter greater than 6 inches
bull no logsbranches longer than 10 feet
bull no construction building or other manmade materials
bull no lumber fence posts or signs
bull no roots root wads stumps or anything that grows below the
soil
bull no materials that contain dirt sand gravel or rocks
bull no materials that contain metal (nails screws fencing) string
or other manndashmade materials
bull no herbaceous material (leaves weeds bushes)
How to Make the PERFECT Pile
bull piles should be no bigger than 5 feet high x 10 feet deep x 7
feet long with cut ends facing the road
bull no ldquoratsrdquo nests
bull piles should be placed within 5 feet of roadway or driveway
but not in drainage ditches piles should not impede traffic
bull piles must be accessible with adequate turnaround space for a
trucktrailer
bull limit piles to six (6) per property
bull stack firewood separately from branches so it can be collected
for heat
Your wood piles must be out by 800 am on the first morning of
the event
To learn more about Chaffee County Chips click here
Fire Mitigation Matters
Defensible space is the natural and landscaped area around your
home that has been modified to reduce wildfire hazard By creating
a defensible zone your home and property are less vulnerable and
the chance of spreading wildfire is greatly reduced
Community Activities conrsquot
Share Your Mitigation Efforts
If yoursquove taken steps to mitigate fire risk on your property please
send pictures of what yoursquove done to Mary Gontero We plan to
use them as examples for our community and post them on the
Mesa Antero website Thank you
June Rogersrsquo dog
Scooter keeps an
eye out for deer
and other critters
on the road
June says Scooter
is a great traveling
companion who
accompanies her
on any day trip
7
What I Did on My Covid Vacation
Neighbors were asked to send pictures andor share information
about what theyrsquove been up to during the stay at home period
brought about as a result of Covid-19 A few folks were kind
enough to share
How Wersquore Spending Our Time
Nancy Bowsher and Andrith Davis said ldquoWe are going through all
our old photos amp weeding them out--makes us feel good Working
out reading jigsaw puzzles amp trimming brushes We keep busy
with our birds--filling the feeder for chickadees nuthatches jays
squirrels amp keeping the hummingbird feeder filled amp clean And our
Christmas tree greets us every morning amp says Good Night every
eveningrdquo Nancy added that ldquo Even though we arent square
dancing Andrith stays up on her round dance cueing Check out
round dancing on Youtube--its also called choreographed ballroom
dancing Life is goodrdquo
Community Activities conrsquot
Sue Ann Hum and her dog Hornsby
were looking for a change of pace for
their walk so they went over to the
gated trailhead on Tabeguache turn
Sue Ann was feeling creative and
made some games for all neighbors to
play untogether during social distanc-
ing
1 Fill Our Heart - Find a pine cone
heart outline and toss a pine cone in-
side
2 Tic-Tac-Toe (Natrsquol Forest edition) -
Xrsquos made with two crossed sticks a big
pine cone can be the Orsquos
3 Built a Tipi Help build a teepee
Connie and Ed Biederbeck
decorated and masked a rock in
their yard
Craig and I put a metal bird sculp-
ture ndash complete with the requisite
mask ndash next to the driveway
The crows in front of
Janet and Lorin
Fullmerrsquos home are
now donning masks
Michelle and Cory Van Doozer deco-rated their house number sign with brightly colored flowers
(13580 Deer Trail)
Wendy Skean put this bicycling kitty
by her driveway entrance The
wheels will spin in the wind
(12519 Ouray)
8
Mesa Antero Seamstresses Make Masks
Seamstresses in Mesa Antero pulled out excess material scrounged
up elastic and rope and put their scissors and sewing machines to
work to make masks to help protect friends family members
health care workers and strangers from the COVID-19 Virus
Connie Biederbeck made
masks for a nephew - a CNA
at a nursing home in Grand
Junction ndash and his co-workers
She made masks for a friendrsquos
daughter who works at the
VA in Denver She also made
masks for the cardiology clinic
at the hospital
Joanie Barbier has sewn
more than 150 masks
Recipients include a nursing
home in Massachusetts
Helping Hand Native
American children in
Churchhill Manitoba friends
family and anyone else who
wanted one Joaniersquos still happy to make masks If you need a
mask email your request to her at jbar4004gmailcom
Sheila Prior made about 80
masks for friends family Heart
of the Rockies Regional Hospital
and a PT clinic in BV Sheila is
also willing to make additional
masks should anyone be in need
Email her at
spriorkohloutlookcom
Kathy Roach made two dozen masks for friends and family
here in New York and California
Hunter and Dillon Build Birdfeeders for Those In Need
The Roberts brothers - Hunter (11) and Dillon (10) - started a
fundraiser after the start of the
Covid virus to help people in
need and at the same time to
help support local restaurants
The kids built picnic table bird
feeders out of donated
materials They sold them to
neighbors ndash by asking for a
voluntary donation - and used
the proceeds to buy gift cards
from local restaurants They
then donated the gift cards -
$850 worth - to the Chaffee
County Covid-19 Disaster Fund
which helps those in need Way
to go boys
Neighbors to the Rescue
Hunter and Dillon are shown with
one of the picnic table bird feeders
they built to support those in need
Jackson - Chuck and jan Azzopardirsquos German Shorthair Pointer - is
captured here checking out whatrsquos happening in the woods below
9
Residents Participate in Weekly Food Drive
Jan Toniazzo and Joyce Peryam made their first of many weekly
donated food deliveries to The Grainery food bank on March 26
and have been going strong ever since The ladies report that the
volunteers at The Grainery truly appreciate the kindness and
generosity shown by the folks of Mesa Antero
Food collections continue because the need for food assistance
continues If you can help support families in need there are two
ways you can do so You can drop off canned and dry goods in the
wooden box next to Joyce Peryamrsquos driveway at 13030 Deer Trail
(CR261D) They are in need of all canned goods especially canned
wieners soup and beans rice and dried pasta Or you can mail a
monetary donation to The Grainery 1348 E Street Buena Vista
Thanks Joyce and Jan for coordinating collection and deliveries and
thanks to Mesa Antero residents for giving Joyce and Jan something
to do And most importantly thanks everyone for helping families in
need
Donations Drop Off Update You may note that the red drop off box is no longer by the roadside
in front of Joycersquos house Unfortunately the Mesa Antero bear has
made his way to lower Deer Trail and took out the Perrymanrsquos
bluebird house and new chicks While he didnrsquot mess with the food
drive red box the gals have had to rethink the way food donations
are collected from now on
You can still drop off your donated canned goods but are asked to
now bring them Joycersquos front door Please text Joyce to make sure
she is home to receive the food (her number is in the directory)
For the time being residents are asked to please limit donations to
canned goods ONLY Please NO pasta cereal crackers or glass
plastic jars
To the Rescue continued
Pictured here are some of the many donations made by residents of Mesa
Antero in recent months Joyce Perryman (left) and Jan Tonazzio (right) are
delivering donated goods to The Grainery each week
10
Mesa Antero Golfers Support Food Bank
by Dan Downing
Irsquom part of a group of about 16 guys who regularly plays golf in
Salida Several are current or former Mesa Antero residents
including Tom Parkes Roger Miller and Rick Davidoff Our group
doesnrsquot have an official name We play a game called ldquoSwindlerdquo so
at least as Facebook goes we call ourselves the ldquoSalida Summer
Swindle Grouprdquo We play on Tuesdays Thursdays and Saturdays
and in the spirit of friendly competition we each ante up $20 to
play
We begin playing each year as soon as the weather permits usually
in March which this year was just about the time the Covid-19
pandemic started getting serious The golf course was allowed to
remain open but with proper social distancing and restrictions on
touching things
In the past we determined who won and who lost on day of play
With winners buying drinks at the 19th hole When the virus hit
we didnt want to continue passing around scorecards and cash any
more than we absolutely had to We wanted to keep things
interesting and competitive by keeping the money in play So I
came up with a creative idea Instead of playing as teams wersquod
play as individuals and pay our losses into a kitty which would
benefit the Food Bank at the Presbyterian Church Like many
theyrsquod been hit hard as a result of the economic downturn All of
the guys eagerly signed on
Enthusiasm for the new ldquoQuotardquo game has been amazing Most
guys end up owing the kitty two or three dollars at the end of
the game It doesnt add up all that quickly but it does indeed add
up The guys soon began chipping in a little extra as did the
winners who owed nothing Then out of town guys who hadnt
returned to their homes here and hadnrsquot started playing with us
started chipping in Then other golfers started chipping in By the
first of April we were able to contribute a little over $1000 to the
Food Bank
We recently returned to our normal $20 Swindle game With one
difference All of the guys wanted to continue donating proceeds to
the Food Bank So thatrsquos what wersquore doing Since March 31st we
have contributed more than $2700 to the Food Bank The guys are
having a blast playing golf together and doing some good for the
community as well
To the Rescue continued
Early in the season the guys tee off from hole 1 at the Salida Golf Course
A few of the guys From left to right Dan Downing Tom Bevington
Kent Cookson Gus Argys Jerry Donner Tim Hinkle Bruce Davidson
and Darrell Sampson
Dan Downing is shown
presenting golf game
proceeds to Rev Tom
Abbott pastor of First
Presbyterian Church
for the churchrsquos food
bank The Swindle
Group has been do-
nating golf proceeds to
the food bank since
March 31and has do-
nated more than
$2700 to date
11
Mesa Antero Artists Support Ark Valleyrsquos Good Pet
Bad Art Fund Raiser
Ark Valley Humane Society held a fund raiser earlier this year called
ldquoGood Pet Bad Portraitrdquo Individuals provided a photo of their pet
along with a monetary donation Artists in the community as
young as five (5) volunteered to draw or paint a pet and then send
it to the owner At least three (3) Mesa Antero artists participated
in the charity event
To The Rescue continued
Sue Ann Hum painted two pets
The first a cat Mrs Buggles-
worth aka Bug aka Buggs
And the other a dog Charles
Craig Galler painted a
cat named Ozzy
Wendy Skean drew two dogsmdash
Goosebumps and Huckleberry
She said about her
participation Pretty sure I
lived up to the Bad part Still
I had fun participating in it ldquo
12
Be Informed Be Prepared Be Ready for Fire Quinn Macleod Mesa Anterorsquos volunteer Fire Prevention Volunteer
Coordinator recently spoke with Chaffee County Emergency
Manager Richard Atkins and wanted to pass on some crucial
information
The county uses two systems to notify the public in times of an
emergency - Everbridge and a national system sponsored by FEMA
bull Everbridge allows for detailed messages that the county can
send out Including re-population information so residents
know when to come back home
bull The FEMA system uses technology like an Amber Alert So
everyone with a cell phone powered by a specific tower will get
emergency notifications So even short-term renters in MA will
receive an evacuation notification
BOTTOM LINE MESA ANTERO PROPERTY OWNERS STILL NEED
TO SIGN UP WITH EVERBRIDGE SO PLEASE SIGN UP
After some discussion it was determined that when it is necessary
to evacuate the subdivision due to an emergency most people will
evacuate the way they enter So given the low population of Mesa
Antero a somewhat orderly evacuation will occur The reality will
likely be quite different
Learn more about the Homeowner
Evacuation Plan at httpswwwfemagov
media-library-data1409003859391-
0e8ad1ed42c129f11fbc23d008d1ee85
how_to_prepare_wildfire_033014_508pdf
Be prepared always
Prepare a kit that includes things you will need while evacuated
The duration of an evacuation can last from hours to days The kit
can consist of either a written list of things to assemble at the time
of evacuation or items that are already assembled and pre-
positioned Some things to consider including in your kit include
bull medications and other medical supplies such as diabetic or
COPD item an extra oxygen cylinder
bull important documents hard drives computers
bull photo albums
bull pets and their supplies
Think about and determine
bull Where you will meet up with other members of your home or
family The cell towers will be busy so where might you meet
your family members if you cant talk to them Walmart
Safeway City Market LaGrees
bull Identify who you want to call to let them know you are safely
evacuated Think about who might report you missing if you
dont call them
bull Where will you stay during the evacuation Will you take your
camper or camping gear Can you stay with friends living out
of the area
Prepare your home to receive the wildfire
bull Turn on outside lights and lights in every room to make the
house more visible in heavy smoke
bull Close all windows vents doors and fireplace screens This will
help reduce drafts in the home and will reduce radiant heat
bull Disconnect automatic garage door openers so doors can be
opened by hand if power is lost
bull Move flammable furniture including outdoor furniture into
the center of the home away from windows and sliding glass
doors Remove flammable curtains and window treatments
bull Connect garden hoses Shut off propane gas from the source
and move BBQ grill propane and other fuels away from the
house
bull Follow any additional guidance provided by local authorities
When driving away from a fire
bull Roll up windows and close air vents (car amp camper) because
smoke from a fire can irritate your eyes and respiratory
system
bull Drive slowly with your headlights on because smoke can
reduce visibility
bull Watch for other vehicles pedestrians and fleeing animals
bull Avoid driving through heavy smoke if possible
Wildfire Evacuation
13
Wildfire Mitigation Guide Released
The recently published Wildfire Mitigation Guide should enable
every property owner in Mesa Antero to make some modifications
to lessen the negative effects from a wildfire Even if you donrsquot have
a structure on your property these actions will help to achieve
positive results from a wildfire Fire is a natural part of the eco
system so reducing ground litter and killing some weak trees
bushes overall is good plus the nitrogen release is naturersquos fertilizer
for the grasses
Itrsquos dry
This Spring has developed into a very dry one If you have some
mitigation projects in mind it would be good to start soon
The forest and Campers
The good news is that our surrounding forests have been managed
(thinned and controlled burns) to protect our community from
wildfires The dispersed campers with their camp fires is a ignition
risk but manageable If you notice someone burning illegally itrsquos
safest for you to call the Sheriff via 911 (immediately tell them itrsquos a
ldquonon-emergencyrdquo so they can talk to you on a different line) If you
come upon an abandoned campfire pull it apart and call the sheriff
so they can fully extinguish and document
Lastly I do have some more information to add to the guide in the
future but wanted to get the bulk of it out now
Irsquom always available to answer questions andor come by
Quinn Macleod
qmacleod61gmailcom
3038105739
The Wildfire Mitigation Guide is post on MesaAnteroorg for easy
access
Help Yourself Get A Reflective House Number Sign
Did you know that reflective house number signs are crucial to help
fire fighters or emergency personnel find you quickly The
reflective green and white signs are available from the Chaffee
County Fire District main office in BV for the bargain price of just
$10
Fire experts have advised that - especially in a neighborhood like
ours - having clearly visible reflective signs are crucial to their timely
arrival at a fire or emergency The signs should be double sided
and posted near the road so they can be clearly seen from both
directions
Moth Infestation a Real Nuisance You have no doubt been annoyed by the recent infestation of
moths The Miller moths start out as caterpillars that develop on
Coloradorsquos eastern plains and in Kansas and Nebraska In the spring
they migrate west to feast on the nectar of flowers
This year wersquove seen more
moths than previous springs
because weather conditions
last year were favorable for
caterpillar development It
isnrsquot extraordinary as Colorado
has seen this many in other
years preceded by mild winters While other moth species might
like to eat your wool sweaters these do not They just eat pollen
make your house dusty and die Unless yoursquore particularly allergic
to moth scales miller moths wonrsquot do a thing besides annoy you
Miller moths are a very important food source for birds bears and
other critters A single bear can eat up to 10000 miller moths a
day which helps them get fat for the winter The mothrsquos
abdomens besides housing ldquogutsrdquo also store a lot of fat that they
stock up for the long autumn trip back to the plains They hide
under rocks in the mountains during the day Thatrsquos where bears
find them flipping over stones and grabbing a quick bite
The good news is they wonrsquot stick around forever Warm nights will
speed up their migration They are usually gone by the fall
Wildfire Mitigation amp Moths
Did you know Charles Nachtrieb I was the founder
of the town of Nathrop Colorado Early
settlers could not pronounce the German
name of Nachtrieb easily so the name of
the hamlet was Americanized to Nathrop
The original site of Nathrop was about one
and one half miles north of the present
townsite and served as a stagecoach station between Bales
station near Cleora and Leadville
14
Alliance Formed to Help Preserve Brownrsquos Creek Volunteers Needed
By Chuck Azzopardi
If you have spent time in the Browns Creek Recreation Area over
the last few years you may have noticed a dramatically increasing
number of hikers and campers And also an increase in the size and
number of dispersed campsites A number of residents of Mesa
Antero have expressed concern for a potentially catastrophic
wildfire initiated from an illegal campfire in the Browns Creek
Recreation Area In response to these developments a new group -
Browns Creek Alliance - is being formed to ensure the Browns Creek
Recreation Area is not loved to death
Many in Chaffe County realize that our valley ldquohas been foundrdquo
We can expect growth and development to occur over the next
couple of decades Envision Chaffee County was a formed in 2016
to provide guidance on the future growth and development of
Chaffee County It has since become a catalyst for community
actions such as the Browns Creek Alliance Recreation in Balance is
a program led by Envision the Greater Arkansas River Nature
Association (GARNA) and the Salida Ranger District that is creating a
community-driven plan to maintain healthy public lands quality
user experiences and the economic benefits of recreation tourism
Browns Creek Recreation Area is one of the more popular places for
outdoor recreation in Chaffee County Visitation to the Browns
Creek Recreation Area is increasing and is expected to continue on
an upward trend for the foreseeable future Our San Isabelle
National Forest Service Ranger District has recognized that Browns
Creek Recreation
Area could use
some TLC Giving
their current
budget
constraints they
are actively
encouraging
volunteer groups including Browns Creek Alliance to provide
assistance in ensuring that public lands in our area do get the
tender loving care they deserve
So given a significant growth in locals and visitors how can we
Browns Creek Alliance as a volunteer organization have a positive
impact on the long-term sustainability of Browns Creek Recreation
Area
To achieve our mission of supporting a sustainable management of
the Browns Creek Recreation Area the Browns Creek Alliance is
focusing on gathering data on visitation and its impact on public
resources The Alliance is providing education to encourage visitors
to our area to be respectful and responsible of our public resources
other visitors and residents while enjoying the Browns Creek
Recreation Area We shall also evaluate public resources
particularly dispersed campsites to determine if we can improve
their long-term sustainability
Luckily we have a successful model of how we can accomplish our
objectives right here in Chaffee County Friends of Four Mile has
years of successful experience ensuring that the Four Mile
Recreation Area is sustainable for the long-term
Friends of Four Mile has developed signage and brochures to
educate visitors They have also used buck amp rail fencing to ensure
dispersed campsites are of an appropriate long-term sustainable
size and location While some cost and efforts are necessary to
develop and implement these solutions they have been shown to
be effective
The first task for the Browns Creek Alliance is to gather data so that
we and other agencies including Recreation in Balance and the San
Isabelle National Force Ranger District can quantify the increase in
Brownrsquos Creek Alliance
Browns Creek Alliance Mission Statement
The Browns Creek Alliance is a volunteer
group The group believes in supporting a
sustainable management of the public lands
in the Browns Creek amp Raspberry Gulch areas
of the San Isabel National Forest
15
visitation as well as the measurable impact that the increasing
volume of visitors are having on our public resources
Being able to measure visitation and its impact is critical if we are to
develop and implement the best ways to ensure long-term
sustainability of our public resources This data may also be utilized
to gauge the success of our efforts as we strive to improve long-
term sustainability of Browns Creek Recreation Area
For our first task The Browns Creek Alliance similar to Friends of
Four Mile is implementing a vehicle count on the three busiest
holidays of the year - Memorial Day Fourth of July and Labor Day
Volunteers will document the number of vehicles including
recreational vehicles in Browns Creek Recreation Area on each
holiday This data shall be shared with agencies - including the
Forest Service -to determine if the number of visitors is within the
capacity of Browns Creek Recreation Area This data will also
determine whether or not visitation continues to grow and if so by
how much
The Browns Creek Alliance sees our second task as encouraging
visitors to be responsible and respectful while enjoying Browns
Creek Recreation Area If visitors understand proper outdoor
recreation amp dispersed camping etiquette they are much more
inclined to be responsible and respectful visitors and users of our
public resources Responsible and respectful campers in particular
are less inclined to have illegal fires We believe that to achieve this
second objective signage at the kiosks in the Browns Creek
Recreation Area needs to be updated and improved Brochures
containing information displayed on the new improved kiosks may
also be printed and distributed by volunteers
A sandwich billboard sign was recently erected at the entrance to
Browns Creek Recreation Area to advise visitors that a fire ban is in
place and campfires are not currently permitted Mesa Antero
Property Ownersrsquo Association voted to provide funding for this new
signage
A third task is to pursue surveying and ranking of dispersed
campsites in the area Once dispersed campsites have been ranked
for sustainability poor campsites may be removed or reconfigured
while high ranking popular campsites may be hardened or
improved As an example buck amp rail fencing may be used to
establish campsite boundaries at select dispersed campsites
Recently the Forest Service has begun implementing buck and rail
fencing at select campsites in Browns Creek Recreation Area Other
improvements are being considered in our arearsquos outdoor
recreational areas Browns Creek Alliance is already in discussions
with the Forest Service and others as to how we can evaluate and
improve dispersed campsites in our area One consideration is
moving toward designated dispersed camping to better control
campsites in the area
Finally Browns Creek Alliance intends to be a sounding board for
locals and visitors as to how Browns Creek Recreation Area can be
improved in a sustainable manner for the benefit of all To do so
we need your input We also need boots on the ground to secure
funding and assist in the implementation of the tasks detailed in
this article We have received a favorable response from many
Mesa Antero residents regarding our plans and efforts thus far
Anyone that wishes to be involved ndash by providing input andor
actual ldquoboots on the groundrdquo is invited to contact Quinn McLeod or
Chuck Azzopardi directly Contact Quinn at (303)810-5739 or
qMacLeod61gmailcom I can be reached by phone at (719)221-
6444 or by email at JanChuckBobbigmailcom
Brownrsquos Creek Alliance conrsquot
The United States Forest
Service (USFS) has placed a
large temporary No Camp-
fires sign at the entrance to
the Browns Creek area on
272 It is almost impossible
for anyone visiting the area
to not know there are
campfire restrictions
If you see someone with a
campfire please DO NOT
approach the fire burners
but call the sheriffrsquos office at
719-539-2596 to report the
campfire
16
Summer Picnics Cancelled
In an effort to keep community members safe from the possible
spread of Covid-19 summer picnics (Memorial Day Fourth of July
and Labor Day) at Stew Brown Park have been cancelled Additional
picnics may be scheduled when COVID-19 is no longer a threat
Reservations Required to Use Stew Brown Park
Residents are always welcome to enjoy Stew Brown Park However
with social distancing restrictions in place and because of concern
for our neighbors there is now a limit on the size of groups who can
gather in Stew Brown Park Groups of 10 or fewer are welcome to
use and reserve the park Reservations should be made in advance
by emailing President Mary Gontero at mapoa99gmailcom
Residents are asked NOT to use picnic tables or MAPOA supplies
and to bring their own chairs As always trash should be removed
Please note there is not a restroom in the park
No doubt we all look forward to the day we can once again gather
for our picnics after a vaccine or treatment is available Until then
letrsquos be safe and limit gatherings to 10 or fewer for the health and
safety of our community members
Chaffee County Community Foundation Emergency
Response Fund (ERF)
The ERF campaign is seeking donors who can help the fund attain a
level of resources commensurate with the local need as well as
eligible recipients who can seek financial assistance According to
the Chaffee Office of Housing well over 5000 Chaffee employees
have been or will be directly impacted by COVID-19-related
business closures Many of those may not be eligible for current
state or federal assistance The ERF is designed to meet the needs
of those individuals and families yet generous and ongoing
community support is needed CCCF is asking community
members who are able to contribute to do so either online or via
check made out to CCCF with ldquoERFrdquo in the memo line More
information or to donate go to wwwchaffeecommunityorg
erf Checks can be mailed to PO Box 492 Buena Vista CO 81211
Rachele Vierthaler recently moved to Mesa Antero from Buena
Vista Rachele sits on the Board of Directors for Chaffee County
Community Foundation and is happy to answer your questions
Email Rachele at rvierthalerchaffeecommunityorg
The Bears are Back
Numerous neighbors have reported seeing a bear in Mesa Antero
Studies show that often the first reward a bear gets for exploring
human places is a big meal of tasty nutritious seeds (a natural food
for bears) Letting your bird feeders turn into bear feeders teaches
bears that coming close to people and homes looking for food is a
good idea For bears that can end up being a deadly lesson
Mesa Antero residents are encouraged to NOT feed the birds during
the months when bears are active Instead use water features
plant-ings nest boxes and flowers to attract birds Use bird feeders
only when bears are hibernating
If you donrsquot want to stop feeding birds hang your feeders at least
10 feet off the ground and 10 feet away from anything bears can
climb Keep the area underneath feeders clean and free of bird
seed and hulls or switch to a hulled bird seed with no waste Never
store bird seed outside under your deck or in a garage or shed a
bear could break into A 50-pound bag of bird seed has over 87000
caloriesmdasha reward for the bear that is well worth the effort of
breaking in
Interesting sites on bearshellip
httpscpwstatecousbears
Living with Bears
httpsjourneynorthorgtmspringBearYearhtml
FYI amp Announcements
Craig and I went
camping in Leadville
last week Our
African Grey Joey
went along and
enjoyed her view from
a tree perch She
loves traveling with
us I imagine she
enjoys the change of
scenery
17
New Neighbors
We are delighted to welcome two new totally adorable neighbors
to Mesa Antero
Jasper recently joined the Risa and David Jenkins family He is a
Welsh Springer Spaniel and is shown here with big brother Riley (16
months) The brothers are getting along famously Mom and Dad
are wishing for accelerated potty training as theyrsquore both a bit sleep
deprived
Neighbor News
Cutty is the newest
member of the Robin
and Chris Covert
family Hersquos a German
Shephard Golden
Retriever Poodle Mix
Cutty is settling in
nicely in his new home
No surprise but Mom
and Dad here are also
hoping for quick potty
training and less
chewing of random
stuff
A kind thoughtful and
unknown soul sent
these beautiful flowers
to me anonymously
earlier this week The
card reads ldquoHerersquos a
hug for yourdquo I do not
know who sent them
but I sure am enjoying
both the lovely flowers
and the very kind
gesture of the person
who sent them Genie
Malone and Denise
Washer also received a
lovely jar of anonymous flowers Thanks to the mystery sender
from all of us It surely did bring a smile to our face and make
our day And continues to do so each time we look at them
Harper Powell -an apparent wildlife magnetmdashhas seen two moose a bear and a
coyote in recent weeks She snapped a picture of what she believes is the baby of
the two moose shersquos seen between Broken Bough and Sawmill Look closely you
can see the baby moose in the trees How cool is that
18
Marketing Mesa Antero Mesa Antero Original Sales Brochure While cleaning out an old desk recently Patsy Torian found several
copies of the original sales and marketing brochure for Mesa Antero
She thought her neighbors would find it interesting and provided a
copy for the newsletter
Please note the home pictured on the next page What it looks like
today with all of the trees is amazing
19
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
20
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
21
Aunt Mabelrsquos Coffee Cake
provided by Kathy Roach
2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour
frac14 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup butter softened
1 cup sour cream
1thinspfrac12 cups white sugar
3 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
frac12 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 frac12 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons butter melted
Preheat oven to 375 F Lightly grease a 9x13 pan
Mix together the flour baking powder and salt set aside
In a large bowl cream the butter until light and fluffy Gradually
beat in sour cream Then beat in sugar Beat in the eggs one at a
time Then stir in the vanilla
By hand fold in the flour mixture mixing just until incorporated
Spread batter into prepared pan
To make the Pecan Topping In a medium bowl mix together brown
sugar pecans and cinnamon Stir in melted butter until crumbly
Sprinkle over cake batter in pan
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a
toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean
Balsamic Vinegar Dressing
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
3 Tbsp balsamic or other favorite vinegar
5 Tbsp olive oil
14 tsp salt
14 tsp pepper
Bacon Cabbage and Noodles
I found this recipe on Pinterest Its easy quick and very tasty
2 C egg noodles
34 lb bacon diced
34 medium head of cabbage sliced
14 tsp salt
pepper to taste
Cook noodles according to package directions Meanwhile in a
large skillet cook bacon pieces over medium heat until crisp Using
a slotted spoon remove to paper towels to drain Remove all but 3
Tbsp of drippings
Add cabbage to drippings Cover and cook on low for 20 minutes or
until cabbage is tender stirring occasionally Add bacon and
noodles to cooked cabbage Stir serve and enjoy
Chicken Legs with Maple-Sriracha Glaze
Recipe originally created by grill master Steven Raichlen
Chicken Prep
12 large chicken drumsticks
1 Tbsp coarse salt
1 Tbsp freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp hot red pepper flakes
1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Place drumsticks in bowl sprinkle with above ingredients stirring to
coat well
Maple Sriracha Glaze
6 Tbsp unsalted butter
5 Tbsp pure maple syrup
14 cup sriracha or more to taste
3 Tbsp Scotch whiskey
Melt butter in saucepan over high heat stir in maple syrup
sriracha and whisky Boil until mixture is syrupy 3-5 minutes
Grill chicken legs over charcoal fire until cooked through
Try a New Recipe Page
22
DEAR NEIGHBORS amp FRIENDS
This is Ann Johnson and I am taking another opportunity to say a
very big amp loud THANK YOU to many neighbors amp friends who
visited me in the hospital sent cards and even did a meal train
(people bringing dinner every night for two weeks) It was truly
AMAZING amp HEART WARMING There arent enough words to
express my gratitude (not to mention shock) I am truly humbled
and honored amp I THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY
HEART
Ann Johnson
Dear Reader
Happy summer to you Didnrsquot we arenrsquot we having a beautiful
spring summer Irsquom never sure when summer starts here Itrsquos July
8 and Irsquom sitting outside at our picnic table in my flannel jammes
putting the final touches on the newsletter Itrsquos 110+ in the Phoenix
Valleymdashwhere we moved frommdashand I couldnt be happier to be
here
I mean donrsquot you love living in a place where some days you look at
the sky and it looks fake it is so picture perfect Donrsquot you love
living in a place where you can step outside and pick a mason jar full
of wildflowers for your dining room table A place where you go
outside at night and you can see every star in the Milky Way
Where neighbors calls you to see if you need anything from Costco
or City Market or Wal Mart when they go to town Where you see
rainbows often doubles on a regular basis Where a friend comes
to your aid at a moments notice with jumper cables or whatever
else you might need I could go on I could spend hours looking at
the clouds hurrying by on their way to somewhere unknown
watching the ripples of the water in Brownrsquos creek and the
shimmer of the aspens and cottonwoods in the breeze
The one thing I could do without however are the Miller moths
They are a supreme nuisance Each morning we take the hand vac
and suck up at least a dozen dead moths that have crawled out of
their hiding places at some point during the night Each eve we do
the same thing with the live ones who are attracted to the light for
reasons still a mystery to scientists Experts say they will be gone by
fall Ugh
Thanks to those who continue to provide stories and ideas for the
newsletter Your input truly makes the newsletter worth reading I
encourage YOU to be a contributor to the newsletter Send
pictures or stories of things yoursquore involved with like Danrsquos story on
the good deeds of his golf group If yoursquore a new neighbor send
information about yourself where you came from etc as a way to
informally introduce yourself to the neighborhood You get the
idea Snap write and send away
I look forward to the day we can all get together again in person for
friendship and fellowship Until then stay safe
Sheila
The Wrap Up
Risa Jenkins is constantly
taking spectacular
pictures of the mountains
from her and Davidrsquos
home on Deer Trail
She took these three - the
first two morning
rainbows the last a
spectacular sunset - just
this week
5
Community Activities conrsquot
Mailbox Area Paved The area in front of the
mailboxes was paved on
Wednesday May 27th Now we
have a nice even pavement
from the roadway to the
mailboxes
Stew Brown Park Clean-Up Underway
SBPark Coordinator Chuck Washer and his wife Denise have been
working to clean up the park by removing dead branches and trees
They had some help from Quinn McLeod Jim Harsh Craig Galler
and Sheila Prior Chuck and
Denise have also put a fresh
coat of varnish on several of
the tables in the park
The park is looking spiffy Thanks
to all who helped
Road Work in Mesa Antero
Chaffee County has recently graded roads and removed dirt from
ditches in Mesa Antero Ed Biederbeck estimates the county spent
over $100000 on Mesa Antero roads
Specifically Chaffee County Road amp Bridge has
bull added road base to Elk Run Tabeguache Ouray and Panorama
bull put down magnesium chloride on roads to reduce dust
bull repaired chip amp seal damage from their road grader
bull cleaned out ditches
Thanks Chaffee County
Thistle Removal Started Stopped to be Continued
You may recall a lovely patch of pink flowers in the Front 38 field
last year Unfortunately those lovely flowers are produced by
Canada Thistle an invasive
weed and it has to go
Front 38 Maintenance
Volunteers Craig Galler and
Sheila Prior with help from
Mary Gontero and Wendell
Day went out on a recent
Saturday to see if digging the
immature plants would
result in their demise
Unfortunately we learned
that digging wonrsquot work so
reached out to the weed
expert at the county Long story short the most effective way to rid
the field of Canada Thistle is to treat it with a safe spray that will kill
80 to 100 of the Thistle in a single treatment We are contracting
with the County to provide the treatment The spraying has not
yet been scheduled but is expected to take place late summer or
early fall at the pre-blooming stage
Jan Azzopardi took this picture of a double rainbow from their
back deck on Tabeguache
6
Mesa Antero Scheduled for Chaffee Chips Chaffee County has included Mesa Antero in their chipping plans
this fall Mark your calendars for September 11-13 if you have
limbs trees etc you want to have chipped Your slash will be
removed at no cost to you Start now and create your slash pile
(See directives in How to Make the Perfect Pile)
For mitigating guidelines for your property use the extremely
helpful Wildfire Mitigation Guide that Quinn Macleod wrote for our
community It is posted on the Mesa Antero web page
After reviewing the Guide if you still have questions about what to
remove to create a more defensible space around your home
contact Quinn McLeod at (303) 810-5739
Help us help you by following a few rules in preparing for chipping in
September
bull include trees tree branches small logs and brush cut away
from root mass
bull no logsbranches with a diameter greater than 6 inches
bull no logsbranches longer than 10 feet
bull no construction building or other manmade materials
bull no lumber fence posts or signs
bull no roots root wads stumps or anything that grows below the
soil
bull no materials that contain dirt sand gravel or rocks
bull no materials that contain metal (nails screws fencing) string
or other manndashmade materials
bull no herbaceous material (leaves weeds bushes)
How to Make the PERFECT Pile
bull piles should be no bigger than 5 feet high x 10 feet deep x 7
feet long with cut ends facing the road
bull no ldquoratsrdquo nests
bull piles should be placed within 5 feet of roadway or driveway
but not in drainage ditches piles should not impede traffic
bull piles must be accessible with adequate turnaround space for a
trucktrailer
bull limit piles to six (6) per property
bull stack firewood separately from branches so it can be collected
for heat
Your wood piles must be out by 800 am on the first morning of
the event
To learn more about Chaffee County Chips click here
Fire Mitigation Matters
Defensible space is the natural and landscaped area around your
home that has been modified to reduce wildfire hazard By creating
a defensible zone your home and property are less vulnerable and
the chance of spreading wildfire is greatly reduced
Community Activities conrsquot
Share Your Mitigation Efforts
If yoursquove taken steps to mitigate fire risk on your property please
send pictures of what yoursquove done to Mary Gontero We plan to
use them as examples for our community and post them on the
Mesa Antero website Thank you
June Rogersrsquo dog
Scooter keeps an
eye out for deer
and other critters
on the road
June says Scooter
is a great traveling
companion who
accompanies her
on any day trip
7
What I Did on My Covid Vacation
Neighbors were asked to send pictures andor share information
about what theyrsquove been up to during the stay at home period
brought about as a result of Covid-19 A few folks were kind
enough to share
How Wersquore Spending Our Time
Nancy Bowsher and Andrith Davis said ldquoWe are going through all
our old photos amp weeding them out--makes us feel good Working
out reading jigsaw puzzles amp trimming brushes We keep busy
with our birds--filling the feeder for chickadees nuthatches jays
squirrels amp keeping the hummingbird feeder filled amp clean And our
Christmas tree greets us every morning amp says Good Night every
eveningrdquo Nancy added that ldquo Even though we arent square
dancing Andrith stays up on her round dance cueing Check out
round dancing on Youtube--its also called choreographed ballroom
dancing Life is goodrdquo
Community Activities conrsquot
Sue Ann Hum and her dog Hornsby
were looking for a change of pace for
their walk so they went over to the
gated trailhead on Tabeguache turn
Sue Ann was feeling creative and
made some games for all neighbors to
play untogether during social distanc-
ing
1 Fill Our Heart - Find a pine cone
heart outline and toss a pine cone in-
side
2 Tic-Tac-Toe (Natrsquol Forest edition) -
Xrsquos made with two crossed sticks a big
pine cone can be the Orsquos
3 Built a Tipi Help build a teepee
Connie and Ed Biederbeck
decorated and masked a rock in
their yard
Craig and I put a metal bird sculp-
ture ndash complete with the requisite
mask ndash next to the driveway
The crows in front of
Janet and Lorin
Fullmerrsquos home are
now donning masks
Michelle and Cory Van Doozer deco-rated their house number sign with brightly colored flowers
(13580 Deer Trail)
Wendy Skean put this bicycling kitty
by her driveway entrance The
wheels will spin in the wind
(12519 Ouray)
8
Mesa Antero Seamstresses Make Masks
Seamstresses in Mesa Antero pulled out excess material scrounged
up elastic and rope and put their scissors and sewing machines to
work to make masks to help protect friends family members
health care workers and strangers from the COVID-19 Virus
Connie Biederbeck made
masks for a nephew - a CNA
at a nursing home in Grand
Junction ndash and his co-workers
She made masks for a friendrsquos
daughter who works at the
VA in Denver She also made
masks for the cardiology clinic
at the hospital
Joanie Barbier has sewn
more than 150 masks
Recipients include a nursing
home in Massachusetts
Helping Hand Native
American children in
Churchhill Manitoba friends
family and anyone else who
wanted one Joaniersquos still happy to make masks If you need a
mask email your request to her at jbar4004gmailcom
Sheila Prior made about 80
masks for friends family Heart
of the Rockies Regional Hospital
and a PT clinic in BV Sheila is
also willing to make additional
masks should anyone be in need
Email her at
spriorkohloutlookcom
Kathy Roach made two dozen masks for friends and family
here in New York and California
Hunter and Dillon Build Birdfeeders for Those In Need
The Roberts brothers - Hunter (11) and Dillon (10) - started a
fundraiser after the start of the
Covid virus to help people in
need and at the same time to
help support local restaurants
The kids built picnic table bird
feeders out of donated
materials They sold them to
neighbors ndash by asking for a
voluntary donation - and used
the proceeds to buy gift cards
from local restaurants They
then donated the gift cards -
$850 worth - to the Chaffee
County Covid-19 Disaster Fund
which helps those in need Way
to go boys
Neighbors to the Rescue
Hunter and Dillon are shown with
one of the picnic table bird feeders
they built to support those in need
Jackson - Chuck and jan Azzopardirsquos German Shorthair Pointer - is
captured here checking out whatrsquos happening in the woods below
9
Residents Participate in Weekly Food Drive
Jan Toniazzo and Joyce Peryam made their first of many weekly
donated food deliveries to The Grainery food bank on March 26
and have been going strong ever since The ladies report that the
volunteers at The Grainery truly appreciate the kindness and
generosity shown by the folks of Mesa Antero
Food collections continue because the need for food assistance
continues If you can help support families in need there are two
ways you can do so You can drop off canned and dry goods in the
wooden box next to Joyce Peryamrsquos driveway at 13030 Deer Trail
(CR261D) They are in need of all canned goods especially canned
wieners soup and beans rice and dried pasta Or you can mail a
monetary donation to The Grainery 1348 E Street Buena Vista
Thanks Joyce and Jan for coordinating collection and deliveries and
thanks to Mesa Antero residents for giving Joyce and Jan something
to do And most importantly thanks everyone for helping families in
need
Donations Drop Off Update You may note that the red drop off box is no longer by the roadside
in front of Joycersquos house Unfortunately the Mesa Antero bear has
made his way to lower Deer Trail and took out the Perrymanrsquos
bluebird house and new chicks While he didnrsquot mess with the food
drive red box the gals have had to rethink the way food donations
are collected from now on
You can still drop off your donated canned goods but are asked to
now bring them Joycersquos front door Please text Joyce to make sure
she is home to receive the food (her number is in the directory)
For the time being residents are asked to please limit donations to
canned goods ONLY Please NO pasta cereal crackers or glass
plastic jars
To the Rescue continued
Pictured here are some of the many donations made by residents of Mesa
Antero in recent months Joyce Perryman (left) and Jan Tonazzio (right) are
delivering donated goods to The Grainery each week
10
Mesa Antero Golfers Support Food Bank
by Dan Downing
Irsquom part of a group of about 16 guys who regularly plays golf in
Salida Several are current or former Mesa Antero residents
including Tom Parkes Roger Miller and Rick Davidoff Our group
doesnrsquot have an official name We play a game called ldquoSwindlerdquo so
at least as Facebook goes we call ourselves the ldquoSalida Summer
Swindle Grouprdquo We play on Tuesdays Thursdays and Saturdays
and in the spirit of friendly competition we each ante up $20 to
play
We begin playing each year as soon as the weather permits usually
in March which this year was just about the time the Covid-19
pandemic started getting serious The golf course was allowed to
remain open but with proper social distancing and restrictions on
touching things
In the past we determined who won and who lost on day of play
With winners buying drinks at the 19th hole When the virus hit
we didnt want to continue passing around scorecards and cash any
more than we absolutely had to We wanted to keep things
interesting and competitive by keeping the money in play So I
came up with a creative idea Instead of playing as teams wersquod
play as individuals and pay our losses into a kitty which would
benefit the Food Bank at the Presbyterian Church Like many
theyrsquod been hit hard as a result of the economic downturn All of
the guys eagerly signed on
Enthusiasm for the new ldquoQuotardquo game has been amazing Most
guys end up owing the kitty two or three dollars at the end of
the game It doesnt add up all that quickly but it does indeed add
up The guys soon began chipping in a little extra as did the
winners who owed nothing Then out of town guys who hadnt
returned to their homes here and hadnrsquot started playing with us
started chipping in Then other golfers started chipping in By the
first of April we were able to contribute a little over $1000 to the
Food Bank
We recently returned to our normal $20 Swindle game With one
difference All of the guys wanted to continue donating proceeds to
the Food Bank So thatrsquos what wersquore doing Since March 31st we
have contributed more than $2700 to the Food Bank The guys are
having a blast playing golf together and doing some good for the
community as well
To the Rescue continued
Early in the season the guys tee off from hole 1 at the Salida Golf Course
A few of the guys From left to right Dan Downing Tom Bevington
Kent Cookson Gus Argys Jerry Donner Tim Hinkle Bruce Davidson
and Darrell Sampson
Dan Downing is shown
presenting golf game
proceeds to Rev Tom
Abbott pastor of First
Presbyterian Church
for the churchrsquos food
bank The Swindle
Group has been do-
nating golf proceeds to
the food bank since
March 31and has do-
nated more than
$2700 to date
11
Mesa Antero Artists Support Ark Valleyrsquos Good Pet
Bad Art Fund Raiser
Ark Valley Humane Society held a fund raiser earlier this year called
ldquoGood Pet Bad Portraitrdquo Individuals provided a photo of their pet
along with a monetary donation Artists in the community as
young as five (5) volunteered to draw or paint a pet and then send
it to the owner At least three (3) Mesa Antero artists participated
in the charity event
To The Rescue continued
Sue Ann Hum painted two pets
The first a cat Mrs Buggles-
worth aka Bug aka Buggs
And the other a dog Charles
Craig Galler painted a
cat named Ozzy
Wendy Skean drew two dogsmdash
Goosebumps and Huckleberry
She said about her
participation Pretty sure I
lived up to the Bad part Still
I had fun participating in it ldquo
12
Be Informed Be Prepared Be Ready for Fire Quinn Macleod Mesa Anterorsquos volunteer Fire Prevention Volunteer
Coordinator recently spoke with Chaffee County Emergency
Manager Richard Atkins and wanted to pass on some crucial
information
The county uses two systems to notify the public in times of an
emergency - Everbridge and a national system sponsored by FEMA
bull Everbridge allows for detailed messages that the county can
send out Including re-population information so residents
know when to come back home
bull The FEMA system uses technology like an Amber Alert So
everyone with a cell phone powered by a specific tower will get
emergency notifications So even short-term renters in MA will
receive an evacuation notification
BOTTOM LINE MESA ANTERO PROPERTY OWNERS STILL NEED
TO SIGN UP WITH EVERBRIDGE SO PLEASE SIGN UP
After some discussion it was determined that when it is necessary
to evacuate the subdivision due to an emergency most people will
evacuate the way they enter So given the low population of Mesa
Antero a somewhat orderly evacuation will occur The reality will
likely be quite different
Learn more about the Homeowner
Evacuation Plan at httpswwwfemagov
media-library-data1409003859391-
0e8ad1ed42c129f11fbc23d008d1ee85
how_to_prepare_wildfire_033014_508pdf
Be prepared always
Prepare a kit that includes things you will need while evacuated
The duration of an evacuation can last from hours to days The kit
can consist of either a written list of things to assemble at the time
of evacuation or items that are already assembled and pre-
positioned Some things to consider including in your kit include
bull medications and other medical supplies such as diabetic or
COPD item an extra oxygen cylinder
bull important documents hard drives computers
bull photo albums
bull pets and their supplies
Think about and determine
bull Where you will meet up with other members of your home or
family The cell towers will be busy so where might you meet
your family members if you cant talk to them Walmart
Safeway City Market LaGrees
bull Identify who you want to call to let them know you are safely
evacuated Think about who might report you missing if you
dont call them
bull Where will you stay during the evacuation Will you take your
camper or camping gear Can you stay with friends living out
of the area
Prepare your home to receive the wildfire
bull Turn on outside lights and lights in every room to make the
house more visible in heavy smoke
bull Close all windows vents doors and fireplace screens This will
help reduce drafts in the home and will reduce radiant heat
bull Disconnect automatic garage door openers so doors can be
opened by hand if power is lost
bull Move flammable furniture including outdoor furniture into
the center of the home away from windows and sliding glass
doors Remove flammable curtains and window treatments
bull Connect garden hoses Shut off propane gas from the source
and move BBQ grill propane and other fuels away from the
house
bull Follow any additional guidance provided by local authorities
When driving away from a fire
bull Roll up windows and close air vents (car amp camper) because
smoke from a fire can irritate your eyes and respiratory
system
bull Drive slowly with your headlights on because smoke can
reduce visibility
bull Watch for other vehicles pedestrians and fleeing animals
bull Avoid driving through heavy smoke if possible
Wildfire Evacuation
13
Wildfire Mitigation Guide Released
The recently published Wildfire Mitigation Guide should enable
every property owner in Mesa Antero to make some modifications
to lessen the negative effects from a wildfire Even if you donrsquot have
a structure on your property these actions will help to achieve
positive results from a wildfire Fire is a natural part of the eco
system so reducing ground litter and killing some weak trees
bushes overall is good plus the nitrogen release is naturersquos fertilizer
for the grasses
Itrsquos dry
This Spring has developed into a very dry one If you have some
mitigation projects in mind it would be good to start soon
The forest and Campers
The good news is that our surrounding forests have been managed
(thinned and controlled burns) to protect our community from
wildfires The dispersed campers with their camp fires is a ignition
risk but manageable If you notice someone burning illegally itrsquos
safest for you to call the Sheriff via 911 (immediately tell them itrsquos a
ldquonon-emergencyrdquo so they can talk to you on a different line) If you
come upon an abandoned campfire pull it apart and call the sheriff
so they can fully extinguish and document
Lastly I do have some more information to add to the guide in the
future but wanted to get the bulk of it out now
Irsquom always available to answer questions andor come by
Quinn Macleod
qmacleod61gmailcom
3038105739
The Wildfire Mitigation Guide is post on MesaAnteroorg for easy
access
Help Yourself Get A Reflective House Number Sign
Did you know that reflective house number signs are crucial to help
fire fighters or emergency personnel find you quickly The
reflective green and white signs are available from the Chaffee
County Fire District main office in BV for the bargain price of just
$10
Fire experts have advised that - especially in a neighborhood like
ours - having clearly visible reflective signs are crucial to their timely
arrival at a fire or emergency The signs should be double sided
and posted near the road so they can be clearly seen from both
directions
Moth Infestation a Real Nuisance You have no doubt been annoyed by the recent infestation of
moths The Miller moths start out as caterpillars that develop on
Coloradorsquos eastern plains and in Kansas and Nebraska In the spring
they migrate west to feast on the nectar of flowers
This year wersquove seen more
moths than previous springs
because weather conditions
last year were favorable for
caterpillar development It
isnrsquot extraordinary as Colorado
has seen this many in other
years preceded by mild winters While other moth species might
like to eat your wool sweaters these do not They just eat pollen
make your house dusty and die Unless yoursquore particularly allergic
to moth scales miller moths wonrsquot do a thing besides annoy you
Miller moths are a very important food source for birds bears and
other critters A single bear can eat up to 10000 miller moths a
day which helps them get fat for the winter The mothrsquos
abdomens besides housing ldquogutsrdquo also store a lot of fat that they
stock up for the long autumn trip back to the plains They hide
under rocks in the mountains during the day Thatrsquos where bears
find them flipping over stones and grabbing a quick bite
The good news is they wonrsquot stick around forever Warm nights will
speed up their migration They are usually gone by the fall
Wildfire Mitigation amp Moths
Did you know Charles Nachtrieb I was the founder
of the town of Nathrop Colorado Early
settlers could not pronounce the German
name of Nachtrieb easily so the name of
the hamlet was Americanized to Nathrop
The original site of Nathrop was about one
and one half miles north of the present
townsite and served as a stagecoach station between Bales
station near Cleora and Leadville
14
Alliance Formed to Help Preserve Brownrsquos Creek Volunteers Needed
By Chuck Azzopardi
If you have spent time in the Browns Creek Recreation Area over
the last few years you may have noticed a dramatically increasing
number of hikers and campers And also an increase in the size and
number of dispersed campsites A number of residents of Mesa
Antero have expressed concern for a potentially catastrophic
wildfire initiated from an illegal campfire in the Browns Creek
Recreation Area In response to these developments a new group -
Browns Creek Alliance - is being formed to ensure the Browns Creek
Recreation Area is not loved to death
Many in Chaffe County realize that our valley ldquohas been foundrdquo
We can expect growth and development to occur over the next
couple of decades Envision Chaffee County was a formed in 2016
to provide guidance on the future growth and development of
Chaffee County It has since become a catalyst for community
actions such as the Browns Creek Alliance Recreation in Balance is
a program led by Envision the Greater Arkansas River Nature
Association (GARNA) and the Salida Ranger District that is creating a
community-driven plan to maintain healthy public lands quality
user experiences and the economic benefits of recreation tourism
Browns Creek Recreation Area is one of the more popular places for
outdoor recreation in Chaffee County Visitation to the Browns
Creek Recreation Area is increasing and is expected to continue on
an upward trend for the foreseeable future Our San Isabelle
National Forest Service Ranger District has recognized that Browns
Creek Recreation
Area could use
some TLC Giving
their current
budget
constraints they
are actively
encouraging
volunteer groups including Browns Creek Alliance to provide
assistance in ensuring that public lands in our area do get the
tender loving care they deserve
So given a significant growth in locals and visitors how can we
Browns Creek Alliance as a volunteer organization have a positive
impact on the long-term sustainability of Browns Creek Recreation
Area
To achieve our mission of supporting a sustainable management of
the Browns Creek Recreation Area the Browns Creek Alliance is
focusing on gathering data on visitation and its impact on public
resources The Alliance is providing education to encourage visitors
to our area to be respectful and responsible of our public resources
other visitors and residents while enjoying the Browns Creek
Recreation Area We shall also evaluate public resources
particularly dispersed campsites to determine if we can improve
their long-term sustainability
Luckily we have a successful model of how we can accomplish our
objectives right here in Chaffee County Friends of Four Mile has
years of successful experience ensuring that the Four Mile
Recreation Area is sustainable for the long-term
Friends of Four Mile has developed signage and brochures to
educate visitors They have also used buck amp rail fencing to ensure
dispersed campsites are of an appropriate long-term sustainable
size and location While some cost and efforts are necessary to
develop and implement these solutions they have been shown to
be effective
The first task for the Browns Creek Alliance is to gather data so that
we and other agencies including Recreation in Balance and the San
Isabelle National Force Ranger District can quantify the increase in
Brownrsquos Creek Alliance
Browns Creek Alliance Mission Statement
The Browns Creek Alliance is a volunteer
group The group believes in supporting a
sustainable management of the public lands
in the Browns Creek amp Raspberry Gulch areas
of the San Isabel National Forest
15
visitation as well as the measurable impact that the increasing
volume of visitors are having on our public resources
Being able to measure visitation and its impact is critical if we are to
develop and implement the best ways to ensure long-term
sustainability of our public resources This data may also be utilized
to gauge the success of our efforts as we strive to improve long-
term sustainability of Browns Creek Recreation Area
For our first task The Browns Creek Alliance similar to Friends of
Four Mile is implementing a vehicle count on the three busiest
holidays of the year - Memorial Day Fourth of July and Labor Day
Volunteers will document the number of vehicles including
recreational vehicles in Browns Creek Recreation Area on each
holiday This data shall be shared with agencies - including the
Forest Service -to determine if the number of visitors is within the
capacity of Browns Creek Recreation Area This data will also
determine whether or not visitation continues to grow and if so by
how much
The Browns Creek Alliance sees our second task as encouraging
visitors to be responsible and respectful while enjoying Browns
Creek Recreation Area If visitors understand proper outdoor
recreation amp dispersed camping etiquette they are much more
inclined to be responsible and respectful visitors and users of our
public resources Responsible and respectful campers in particular
are less inclined to have illegal fires We believe that to achieve this
second objective signage at the kiosks in the Browns Creek
Recreation Area needs to be updated and improved Brochures
containing information displayed on the new improved kiosks may
also be printed and distributed by volunteers
A sandwich billboard sign was recently erected at the entrance to
Browns Creek Recreation Area to advise visitors that a fire ban is in
place and campfires are not currently permitted Mesa Antero
Property Ownersrsquo Association voted to provide funding for this new
signage
A third task is to pursue surveying and ranking of dispersed
campsites in the area Once dispersed campsites have been ranked
for sustainability poor campsites may be removed or reconfigured
while high ranking popular campsites may be hardened or
improved As an example buck amp rail fencing may be used to
establish campsite boundaries at select dispersed campsites
Recently the Forest Service has begun implementing buck and rail
fencing at select campsites in Browns Creek Recreation Area Other
improvements are being considered in our arearsquos outdoor
recreational areas Browns Creek Alliance is already in discussions
with the Forest Service and others as to how we can evaluate and
improve dispersed campsites in our area One consideration is
moving toward designated dispersed camping to better control
campsites in the area
Finally Browns Creek Alliance intends to be a sounding board for
locals and visitors as to how Browns Creek Recreation Area can be
improved in a sustainable manner for the benefit of all To do so
we need your input We also need boots on the ground to secure
funding and assist in the implementation of the tasks detailed in
this article We have received a favorable response from many
Mesa Antero residents regarding our plans and efforts thus far
Anyone that wishes to be involved ndash by providing input andor
actual ldquoboots on the groundrdquo is invited to contact Quinn McLeod or
Chuck Azzopardi directly Contact Quinn at (303)810-5739 or
qMacLeod61gmailcom I can be reached by phone at (719)221-
6444 or by email at JanChuckBobbigmailcom
Brownrsquos Creek Alliance conrsquot
The United States Forest
Service (USFS) has placed a
large temporary No Camp-
fires sign at the entrance to
the Browns Creek area on
272 It is almost impossible
for anyone visiting the area
to not know there are
campfire restrictions
If you see someone with a
campfire please DO NOT
approach the fire burners
but call the sheriffrsquos office at
719-539-2596 to report the
campfire
16
Summer Picnics Cancelled
In an effort to keep community members safe from the possible
spread of Covid-19 summer picnics (Memorial Day Fourth of July
and Labor Day) at Stew Brown Park have been cancelled Additional
picnics may be scheduled when COVID-19 is no longer a threat
Reservations Required to Use Stew Brown Park
Residents are always welcome to enjoy Stew Brown Park However
with social distancing restrictions in place and because of concern
for our neighbors there is now a limit on the size of groups who can
gather in Stew Brown Park Groups of 10 or fewer are welcome to
use and reserve the park Reservations should be made in advance
by emailing President Mary Gontero at mapoa99gmailcom
Residents are asked NOT to use picnic tables or MAPOA supplies
and to bring their own chairs As always trash should be removed
Please note there is not a restroom in the park
No doubt we all look forward to the day we can once again gather
for our picnics after a vaccine or treatment is available Until then
letrsquos be safe and limit gatherings to 10 or fewer for the health and
safety of our community members
Chaffee County Community Foundation Emergency
Response Fund (ERF)
The ERF campaign is seeking donors who can help the fund attain a
level of resources commensurate with the local need as well as
eligible recipients who can seek financial assistance According to
the Chaffee Office of Housing well over 5000 Chaffee employees
have been or will be directly impacted by COVID-19-related
business closures Many of those may not be eligible for current
state or federal assistance The ERF is designed to meet the needs
of those individuals and families yet generous and ongoing
community support is needed CCCF is asking community
members who are able to contribute to do so either online or via
check made out to CCCF with ldquoERFrdquo in the memo line More
information or to donate go to wwwchaffeecommunityorg
erf Checks can be mailed to PO Box 492 Buena Vista CO 81211
Rachele Vierthaler recently moved to Mesa Antero from Buena
Vista Rachele sits on the Board of Directors for Chaffee County
Community Foundation and is happy to answer your questions
Email Rachele at rvierthalerchaffeecommunityorg
The Bears are Back
Numerous neighbors have reported seeing a bear in Mesa Antero
Studies show that often the first reward a bear gets for exploring
human places is a big meal of tasty nutritious seeds (a natural food
for bears) Letting your bird feeders turn into bear feeders teaches
bears that coming close to people and homes looking for food is a
good idea For bears that can end up being a deadly lesson
Mesa Antero residents are encouraged to NOT feed the birds during
the months when bears are active Instead use water features
plant-ings nest boxes and flowers to attract birds Use bird feeders
only when bears are hibernating
If you donrsquot want to stop feeding birds hang your feeders at least
10 feet off the ground and 10 feet away from anything bears can
climb Keep the area underneath feeders clean and free of bird
seed and hulls or switch to a hulled bird seed with no waste Never
store bird seed outside under your deck or in a garage or shed a
bear could break into A 50-pound bag of bird seed has over 87000
caloriesmdasha reward for the bear that is well worth the effort of
breaking in
Interesting sites on bearshellip
httpscpwstatecousbears
Living with Bears
httpsjourneynorthorgtmspringBearYearhtml
FYI amp Announcements
Craig and I went
camping in Leadville
last week Our
African Grey Joey
went along and
enjoyed her view from
a tree perch She
loves traveling with
us I imagine she
enjoys the change of
scenery
17
New Neighbors
We are delighted to welcome two new totally adorable neighbors
to Mesa Antero
Jasper recently joined the Risa and David Jenkins family He is a
Welsh Springer Spaniel and is shown here with big brother Riley (16
months) The brothers are getting along famously Mom and Dad
are wishing for accelerated potty training as theyrsquore both a bit sleep
deprived
Neighbor News
Cutty is the newest
member of the Robin
and Chris Covert
family Hersquos a German
Shephard Golden
Retriever Poodle Mix
Cutty is settling in
nicely in his new home
No surprise but Mom
and Dad here are also
hoping for quick potty
training and less
chewing of random
stuff
A kind thoughtful and
unknown soul sent
these beautiful flowers
to me anonymously
earlier this week The
card reads ldquoHerersquos a
hug for yourdquo I do not
know who sent them
but I sure am enjoying
both the lovely flowers
and the very kind
gesture of the person
who sent them Genie
Malone and Denise
Washer also received a
lovely jar of anonymous flowers Thanks to the mystery sender
from all of us It surely did bring a smile to our face and make
our day And continues to do so each time we look at them
Harper Powell -an apparent wildlife magnetmdashhas seen two moose a bear and a
coyote in recent weeks She snapped a picture of what she believes is the baby of
the two moose shersquos seen between Broken Bough and Sawmill Look closely you
can see the baby moose in the trees How cool is that
18
Marketing Mesa Antero Mesa Antero Original Sales Brochure While cleaning out an old desk recently Patsy Torian found several
copies of the original sales and marketing brochure for Mesa Antero
She thought her neighbors would find it interesting and provided a
copy for the newsletter
Please note the home pictured on the next page What it looks like
today with all of the trees is amazing
19
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
20
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
21
Aunt Mabelrsquos Coffee Cake
provided by Kathy Roach
2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour
frac14 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup butter softened
1 cup sour cream
1thinspfrac12 cups white sugar
3 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
frac12 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 frac12 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons butter melted
Preheat oven to 375 F Lightly grease a 9x13 pan
Mix together the flour baking powder and salt set aside
In a large bowl cream the butter until light and fluffy Gradually
beat in sour cream Then beat in sugar Beat in the eggs one at a
time Then stir in the vanilla
By hand fold in the flour mixture mixing just until incorporated
Spread batter into prepared pan
To make the Pecan Topping In a medium bowl mix together brown
sugar pecans and cinnamon Stir in melted butter until crumbly
Sprinkle over cake batter in pan
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a
toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean
Balsamic Vinegar Dressing
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
3 Tbsp balsamic or other favorite vinegar
5 Tbsp olive oil
14 tsp salt
14 tsp pepper
Bacon Cabbage and Noodles
I found this recipe on Pinterest Its easy quick and very tasty
2 C egg noodles
34 lb bacon diced
34 medium head of cabbage sliced
14 tsp salt
pepper to taste
Cook noodles according to package directions Meanwhile in a
large skillet cook bacon pieces over medium heat until crisp Using
a slotted spoon remove to paper towels to drain Remove all but 3
Tbsp of drippings
Add cabbage to drippings Cover and cook on low for 20 minutes or
until cabbage is tender stirring occasionally Add bacon and
noodles to cooked cabbage Stir serve and enjoy
Chicken Legs with Maple-Sriracha Glaze
Recipe originally created by grill master Steven Raichlen
Chicken Prep
12 large chicken drumsticks
1 Tbsp coarse salt
1 Tbsp freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp hot red pepper flakes
1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Place drumsticks in bowl sprinkle with above ingredients stirring to
coat well
Maple Sriracha Glaze
6 Tbsp unsalted butter
5 Tbsp pure maple syrup
14 cup sriracha or more to taste
3 Tbsp Scotch whiskey
Melt butter in saucepan over high heat stir in maple syrup
sriracha and whisky Boil until mixture is syrupy 3-5 minutes
Grill chicken legs over charcoal fire until cooked through
Try a New Recipe Page
22
DEAR NEIGHBORS amp FRIENDS
This is Ann Johnson and I am taking another opportunity to say a
very big amp loud THANK YOU to many neighbors amp friends who
visited me in the hospital sent cards and even did a meal train
(people bringing dinner every night for two weeks) It was truly
AMAZING amp HEART WARMING There arent enough words to
express my gratitude (not to mention shock) I am truly humbled
and honored amp I THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY
HEART
Ann Johnson
Dear Reader
Happy summer to you Didnrsquot we arenrsquot we having a beautiful
spring summer Irsquom never sure when summer starts here Itrsquos July
8 and Irsquom sitting outside at our picnic table in my flannel jammes
putting the final touches on the newsletter Itrsquos 110+ in the Phoenix
Valleymdashwhere we moved frommdashand I couldnt be happier to be
here
I mean donrsquot you love living in a place where some days you look at
the sky and it looks fake it is so picture perfect Donrsquot you love
living in a place where you can step outside and pick a mason jar full
of wildflowers for your dining room table A place where you go
outside at night and you can see every star in the Milky Way
Where neighbors calls you to see if you need anything from Costco
or City Market or Wal Mart when they go to town Where you see
rainbows often doubles on a regular basis Where a friend comes
to your aid at a moments notice with jumper cables or whatever
else you might need I could go on I could spend hours looking at
the clouds hurrying by on their way to somewhere unknown
watching the ripples of the water in Brownrsquos creek and the
shimmer of the aspens and cottonwoods in the breeze
The one thing I could do without however are the Miller moths
They are a supreme nuisance Each morning we take the hand vac
and suck up at least a dozen dead moths that have crawled out of
their hiding places at some point during the night Each eve we do
the same thing with the live ones who are attracted to the light for
reasons still a mystery to scientists Experts say they will be gone by
fall Ugh
Thanks to those who continue to provide stories and ideas for the
newsletter Your input truly makes the newsletter worth reading I
encourage YOU to be a contributor to the newsletter Send
pictures or stories of things yoursquore involved with like Danrsquos story on
the good deeds of his golf group If yoursquore a new neighbor send
information about yourself where you came from etc as a way to
informally introduce yourself to the neighborhood You get the
idea Snap write and send away
I look forward to the day we can all get together again in person for
friendship and fellowship Until then stay safe
Sheila
The Wrap Up
Risa Jenkins is constantly
taking spectacular
pictures of the mountains
from her and Davidrsquos
home on Deer Trail
She took these three - the
first two morning
rainbows the last a
spectacular sunset - just
this week
6
Mesa Antero Scheduled for Chaffee Chips Chaffee County has included Mesa Antero in their chipping plans
this fall Mark your calendars for September 11-13 if you have
limbs trees etc you want to have chipped Your slash will be
removed at no cost to you Start now and create your slash pile
(See directives in How to Make the Perfect Pile)
For mitigating guidelines for your property use the extremely
helpful Wildfire Mitigation Guide that Quinn Macleod wrote for our
community It is posted on the Mesa Antero web page
After reviewing the Guide if you still have questions about what to
remove to create a more defensible space around your home
contact Quinn McLeod at (303) 810-5739
Help us help you by following a few rules in preparing for chipping in
September
bull include trees tree branches small logs and brush cut away
from root mass
bull no logsbranches with a diameter greater than 6 inches
bull no logsbranches longer than 10 feet
bull no construction building or other manmade materials
bull no lumber fence posts or signs
bull no roots root wads stumps or anything that grows below the
soil
bull no materials that contain dirt sand gravel or rocks
bull no materials that contain metal (nails screws fencing) string
or other manndashmade materials
bull no herbaceous material (leaves weeds bushes)
How to Make the PERFECT Pile
bull piles should be no bigger than 5 feet high x 10 feet deep x 7
feet long with cut ends facing the road
bull no ldquoratsrdquo nests
bull piles should be placed within 5 feet of roadway or driveway
but not in drainage ditches piles should not impede traffic
bull piles must be accessible with adequate turnaround space for a
trucktrailer
bull limit piles to six (6) per property
bull stack firewood separately from branches so it can be collected
for heat
Your wood piles must be out by 800 am on the first morning of
the event
To learn more about Chaffee County Chips click here
Fire Mitigation Matters
Defensible space is the natural and landscaped area around your
home that has been modified to reduce wildfire hazard By creating
a defensible zone your home and property are less vulnerable and
the chance of spreading wildfire is greatly reduced
Community Activities conrsquot
Share Your Mitigation Efforts
If yoursquove taken steps to mitigate fire risk on your property please
send pictures of what yoursquove done to Mary Gontero We plan to
use them as examples for our community and post them on the
Mesa Antero website Thank you
June Rogersrsquo dog
Scooter keeps an
eye out for deer
and other critters
on the road
June says Scooter
is a great traveling
companion who
accompanies her
on any day trip
7
What I Did on My Covid Vacation
Neighbors were asked to send pictures andor share information
about what theyrsquove been up to during the stay at home period
brought about as a result of Covid-19 A few folks were kind
enough to share
How Wersquore Spending Our Time
Nancy Bowsher and Andrith Davis said ldquoWe are going through all
our old photos amp weeding them out--makes us feel good Working
out reading jigsaw puzzles amp trimming brushes We keep busy
with our birds--filling the feeder for chickadees nuthatches jays
squirrels amp keeping the hummingbird feeder filled amp clean And our
Christmas tree greets us every morning amp says Good Night every
eveningrdquo Nancy added that ldquo Even though we arent square
dancing Andrith stays up on her round dance cueing Check out
round dancing on Youtube--its also called choreographed ballroom
dancing Life is goodrdquo
Community Activities conrsquot
Sue Ann Hum and her dog Hornsby
were looking for a change of pace for
their walk so they went over to the
gated trailhead on Tabeguache turn
Sue Ann was feeling creative and
made some games for all neighbors to
play untogether during social distanc-
ing
1 Fill Our Heart - Find a pine cone
heart outline and toss a pine cone in-
side
2 Tic-Tac-Toe (Natrsquol Forest edition) -
Xrsquos made with two crossed sticks a big
pine cone can be the Orsquos
3 Built a Tipi Help build a teepee
Connie and Ed Biederbeck
decorated and masked a rock in
their yard
Craig and I put a metal bird sculp-
ture ndash complete with the requisite
mask ndash next to the driveway
The crows in front of
Janet and Lorin
Fullmerrsquos home are
now donning masks
Michelle and Cory Van Doozer deco-rated their house number sign with brightly colored flowers
(13580 Deer Trail)
Wendy Skean put this bicycling kitty
by her driveway entrance The
wheels will spin in the wind
(12519 Ouray)
8
Mesa Antero Seamstresses Make Masks
Seamstresses in Mesa Antero pulled out excess material scrounged
up elastic and rope and put their scissors and sewing machines to
work to make masks to help protect friends family members
health care workers and strangers from the COVID-19 Virus
Connie Biederbeck made
masks for a nephew - a CNA
at a nursing home in Grand
Junction ndash and his co-workers
She made masks for a friendrsquos
daughter who works at the
VA in Denver She also made
masks for the cardiology clinic
at the hospital
Joanie Barbier has sewn
more than 150 masks
Recipients include a nursing
home in Massachusetts
Helping Hand Native
American children in
Churchhill Manitoba friends
family and anyone else who
wanted one Joaniersquos still happy to make masks If you need a
mask email your request to her at jbar4004gmailcom
Sheila Prior made about 80
masks for friends family Heart
of the Rockies Regional Hospital
and a PT clinic in BV Sheila is
also willing to make additional
masks should anyone be in need
Email her at
spriorkohloutlookcom
Kathy Roach made two dozen masks for friends and family
here in New York and California
Hunter and Dillon Build Birdfeeders for Those In Need
The Roberts brothers - Hunter (11) and Dillon (10) - started a
fundraiser after the start of the
Covid virus to help people in
need and at the same time to
help support local restaurants
The kids built picnic table bird
feeders out of donated
materials They sold them to
neighbors ndash by asking for a
voluntary donation - and used
the proceeds to buy gift cards
from local restaurants They
then donated the gift cards -
$850 worth - to the Chaffee
County Covid-19 Disaster Fund
which helps those in need Way
to go boys
Neighbors to the Rescue
Hunter and Dillon are shown with
one of the picnic table bird feeders
they built to support those in need
Jackson - Chuck and jan Azzopardirsquos German Shorthair Pointer - is
captured here checking out whatrsquos happening in the woods below
9
Residents Participate in Weekly Food Drive
Jan Toniazzo and Joyce Peryam made their first of many weekly
donated food deliveries to The Grainery food bank on March 26
and have been going strong ever since The ladies report that the
volunteers at The Grainery truly appreciate the kindness and
generosity shown by the folks of Mesa Antero
Food collections continue because the need for food assistance
continues If you can help support families in need there are two
ways you can do so You can drop off canned and dry goods in the
wooden box next to Joyce Peryamrsquos driveway at 13030 Deer Trail
(CR261D) They are in need of all canned goods especially canned
wieners soup and beans rice and dried pasta Or you can mail a
monetary donation to The Grainery 1348 E Street Buena Vista
Thanks Joyce and Jan for coordinating collection and deliveries and
thanks to Mesa Antero residents for giving Joyce and Jan something
to do And most importantly thanks everyone for helping families in
need
Donations Drop Off Update You may note that the red drop off box is no longer by the roadside
in front of Joycersquos house Unfortunately the Mesa Antero bear has
made his way to lower Deer Trail and took out the Perrymanrsquos
bluebird house and new chicks While he didnrsquot mess with the food
drive red box the gals have had to rethink the way food donations
are collected from now on
You can still drop off your donated canned goods but are asked to
now bring them Joycersquos front door Please text Joyce to make sure
she is home to receive the food (her number is in the directory)
For the time being residents are asked to please limit donations to
canned goods ONLY Please NO pasta cereal crackers or glass
plastic jars
To the Rescue continued
Pictured here are some of the many donations made by residents of Mesa
Antero in recent months Joyce Perryman (left) and Jan Tonazzio (right) are
delivering donated goods to The Grainery each week
10
Mesa Antero Golfers Support Food Bank
by Dan Downing
Irsquom part of a group of about 16 guys who regularly plays golf in
Salida Several are current or former Mesa Antero residents
including Tom Parkes Roger Miller and Rick Davidoff Our group
doesnrsquot have an official name We play a game called ldquoSwindlerdquo so
at least as Facebook goes we call ourselves the ldquoSalida Summer
Swindle Grouprdquo We play on Tuesdays Thursdays and Saturdays
and in the spirit of friendly competition we each ante up $20 to
play
We begin playing each year as soon as the weather permits usually
in March which this year was just about the time the Covid-19
pandemic started getting serious The golf course was allowed to
remain open but with proper social distancing and restrictions on
touching things
In the past we determined who won and who lost on day of play
With winners buying drinks at the 19th hole When the virus hit
we didnt want to continue passing around scorecards and cash any
more than we absolutely had to We wanted to keep things
interesting and competitive by keeping the money in play So I
came up with a creative idea Instead of playing as teams wersquod
play as individuals and pay our losses into a kitty which would
benefit the Food Bank at the Presbyterian Church Like many
theyrsquod been hit hard as a result of the economic downturn All of
the guys eagerly signed on
Enthusiasm for the new ldquoQuotardquo game has been amazing Most
guys end up owing the kitty two or three dollars at the end of
the game It doesnt add up all that quickly but it does indeed add
up The guys soon began chipping in a little extra as did the
winners who owed nothing Then out of town guys who hadnt
returned to their homes here and hadnrsquot started playing with us
started chipping in Then other golfers started chipping in By the
first of April we were able to contribute a little over $1000 to the
Food Bank
We recently returned to our normal $20 Swindle game With one
difference All of the guys wanted to continue donating proceeds to
the Food Bank So thatrsquos what wersquore doing Since March 31st we
have contributed more than $2700 to the Food Bank The guys are
having a blast playing golf together and doing some good for the
community as well
To the Rescue continued
Early in the season the guys tee off from hole 1 at the Salida Golf Course
A few of the guys From left to right Dan Downing Tom Bevington
Kent Cookson Gus Argys Jerry Donner Tim Hinkle Bruce Davidson
and Darrell Sampson
Dan Downing is shown
presenting golf game
proceeds to Rev Tom
Abbott pastor of First
Presbyterian Church
for the churchrsquos food
bank The Swindle
Group has been do-
nating golf proceeds to
the food bank since
March 31and has do-
nated more than
$2700 to date
11
Mesa Antero Artists Support Ark Valleyrsquos Good Pet
Bad Art Fund Raiser
Ark Valley Humane Society held a fund raiser earlier this year called
ldquoGood Pet Bad Portraitrdquo Individuals provided a photo of their pet
along with a monetary donation Artists in the community as
young as five (5) volunteered to draw or paint a pet and then send
it to the owner At least three (3) Mesa Antero artists participated
in the charity event
To The Rescue continued
Sue Ann Hum painted two pets
The first a cat Mrs Buggles-
worth aka Bug aka Buggs
And the other a dog Charles
Craig Galler painted a
cat named Ozzy
Wendy Skean drew two dogsmdash
Goosebumps and Huckleberry
She said about her
participation Pretty sure I
lived up to the Bad part Still
I had fun participating in it ldquo
12
Be Informed Be Prepared Be Ready for Fire Quinn Macleod Mesa Anterorsquos volunteer Fire Prevention Volunteer
Coordinator recently spoke with Chaffee County Emergency
Manager Richard Atkins and wanted to pass on some crucial
information
The county uses two systems to notify the public in times of an
emergency - Everbridge and a national system sponsored by FEMA
bull Everbridge allows for detailed messages that the county can
send out Including re-population information so residents
know when to come back home
bull The FEMA system uses technology like an Amber Alert So
everyone with a cell phone powered by a specific tower will get
emergency notifications So even short-term renters in MA will
receive an evacuation notification
BOTTOM LINE MESA ANTERO PROPERTY OWNERS STILL NEED
TO SIGN UP WITH EVERBRIDGE SO PLEASE SIGN UP
After some discussion it was determined that when it is necessary
to evacuate the subdivision due to an emergency most people will
evacuate the way they enter So given the low population of Mesa
Antero a somewhat orderly evacuation will occur The reality will
likely be quite different
Learn more about the Homeowner
Evacuation Plan at httpswwwfemagov
media-library-data1409003859391-
0e8ad1ed42c129f11fbc23d008d1ee85
how_to_prepare_wildfire_033014_508pdf
Be prepared always
Prepare a kit that includes things you will need while evacuated
The duration of an evacuation can last from hours to days The kit
can consist of either a written list of things to assemble at the time
of evacuation or items that are already assembled and pre-
positioned Some things to consider including in your kit include
bull medications and other medical supplies such as diabetic or
COPD item an extra oxygen cylinder
bull important documents hard drives computers
bull photo albums
bull pets and their supplies
Think about and determine
bull Where you will meet up with other members of your home or
family The cell towers will be busy so where might you meet
your family members if you cant talk to them Walmart
Safeway City Market LaGrees
bull Identify who you want to call to let them know you are safely
evacuated Think about who might report you missing if you
dont call them
bull Where will you stay during the evacuation Will you take your
camper or camping gear Can you stay with friends living out
of the area
Prepare your home to receive the wildfire
bull Turn on outside lights and lights in every room to make the
house more visible in heavy smoke
bull Close all windows vents doors and fireplace screens This will
help reduce drafts in the home and will reduce radiant heat
bull Disconnect automatic garage door openers so doors can be
opened by hand if power is lost
bull Move flammable furniture including outdoor furniture into
the center of the home away from windows and sliding glass
doors Remove flammable curtains and window treatments
bull Connect garden hoses Shut off propane gas from the source
and move BBQ grill propane and other fuels away from the
house
bull Follow any additional guidance provided by local authorities
When driving away from a fire
bull Roll up windows and close air vents (car amp camper) because
smoke from a fire can irritate your eyes and respiratory
system
bull Drive slowly with your headlights on because smoke can
reduce visibility
bull Watch for other vehicles pedestrians and fleeing animals
bull Avoid driving through heavy smoke if possible
Wildfire Evacuation
13
Wildfire Mitigation Guide Released
The recently published Wildfire Mitigation Guide should enable
every property owner in Mesa Antero to make some modifications
to lessen the negative effects from a wildfire Even if you donrsquot have
a structure on your property these actions will help to achieve
positive results from a wildfire Fire is a natural part of the eco
system so reducing ground litter and killing some weak trees
bushes overall is good plus the nitrogen release is naturersquos fertilizer
for the grasses
Itrsquos dry
This Spring has developed into a very dry one If you have some
mitigation projects in mind it would be good to start soon
The forest and Campers
The good news is that our surrounding forests have been managed
(thinned and controlled burns) to protect our community from
wildfires The dispersed campers with their camp fires is a ignition
risk but manageable If you notice someone burning illegally itrsquos
safest for you to call the Sheriff via 911 (immediately tell them itrsquos a
ldquonon-emergencyrdquo so they can talk to you on a different line) If you
come upon an abandoned campfire pull it apart and call the sheriff
so they can fully extinguish and document
Lastly I do have some more information to add to the guide in the
future but wanted to get the bulk of it out now
Irsquom always available to answer questions andor come by
Quinn Macleod
qmacleod61gmailcom
3038105739
The Wildfire Mitigation Guide is post on MesaAnteroorg for easy
access
Help Yourself Get A Reflective House Number Sign
Did you know that reflective house number signs are crucial to help
fire fighters or emergency personnel find you quickly The
reflective green and white signs are available from the Chaffee
County Fire District main office in BV for the bargain price of just
$10
Fire experts have advised that - especially in a neighborhood like
ours - having clearly visible reflective signs are crucial to their timely
arrival at a fire or emergency The signs should be double sided
and posted near the road so they can be clearly seen from both
directions
Moth Infestation a Real Nuisance You have no doubt been annoyed by the recent infestation of
moths The Miller moths start out as caterpillars that develop on
Coloradorsquos eastern plains and in Kansas and Nebraska In the spring
they migrate west to feast on the nectar of flowers
This year wersquove seen more
moths than previous springs
because weather conditions
last year were favorable for
caterpillar development It
isnrsquot extraordinary as Colorado
has seen this many in other
years preceded by mild winters While other moth species might
like to eat your wool sweaters these do not They just eat pollen
make your house dusty and die Unless yoursquore particularly allergic
to moth scales miller moths wonrsquot do a thing besides annoy you
Miller moths are a very important food source for birds bears and
other critters A single bear can eat up to 10000 miller moths a
day which helps them get fat for the winter The mothrsquos
abdomens besides housing ldquogutsrdquo also store a lot of fat that they
stock up for the long autumn trip back to the plains They hide
under rocks in the mountains during the day Thatrsquos where bears
find them flipping over stones and grabbing a quick bite
The good news is they wonrsquot stick around forever Warm nights will
speed up their migration They are usually gone by the fall
Wildfire Mitigation amp Moths
Did you know Charles Nachtrieb I was the founder
of the town of Nathrop Colorado Early
settlers could not pronounce the German
name of Nachtrieb easily so the name of
the hamlet was Americanized to Nathrop
The original site of Nathrop was about one
and one half miles north of the present
townsite and served as a stagecoach station between Bales
station near Cleora and Leadville
14
Alliance Formed to Help Preserve Brownrsquos Creek Volunteers Needed
By Chuck Azzopardi
If you have spent time in the Browns Creek Recreation Area over
the last few years you may have noticed a dramatically increasing
number of hikers and campers And also an increase in the size and
number of dispersed campsites A number of residents of Mesa
Antero have expressed concern for a potentially catastrophic
wildfire initiated from an illegal campfire in the Browns Creek
Recreation Area In response to these developments a new group -
Browns Creek Alliance - is being formed to ensure the Browns Creek
Recreation Area is not loved to death
Many in Chaffe County realize that our valley ldquohas been foundrdquo
We can expect growth and development to occur over the next
couple of decades Envision Chaffee County was a formed in 2016
to provide guidance on the future growth and development of
Chaffee County It has since become a catalyst for community
actions such as the Browns Creek Alliance Recreation in Balance is
a program led by Envision the Greater Arkansas River Nature
Association (GARNA) and the Salida Ranger District that is creating a
community-driven plan to maintain healthy public lands quality
user experiences and the economic benefits of recreation tourism
Browns Creek Recreation Area is one of the more popular places for
outdoor recreation in Chaffee County Visitation to the Browns
Creek Recreation Area is increasing and is expected to continue on
an upward trend for the foreseeable future Our San Isabelle
National Forest Service Ranger District has recognized that Browns
Creek Recreation
Area could use
some TLC Giving
their current
budget
constraints they
are actively
encouraging
volunteer groups including Browns Creek Alliance to provide
assistance in ensuring that public lands in our area do get the
tender loving care they deserve
So given a significant growth in locals and visitors how can we
Browns Creek Alliance as a volunteer organization have a positive
impact on the long-term sustainability of Browns Creek Recreation
Area
To achieve our mission of supporting a sustainable management of
the Browns Creek Recreation Area the Browns Creek Alliance is
focusing on gathering data on visitation and its impact on public
resources The Alliance is providing education to encourage visitors
to our area to be respectful and responsible of our public resources
other visitors and residents while enjoying the Browns Creek
Recreation Area We shall also evaluate public resources
particularly dispersed campsites to determine if we can improve
their long-term sustainability
Luckily we have a successful model of how we can accomplish our
objectives right here in Chaffee County Friends of Four Mile has
years of successful experience ensuring that the Four Mile
Recreation Area is sustainable for the long-term
Friends of Four Mile has developed signage and brochures to
educate visitors They have also used buck amp rail fencing to ensure
dispersed campsites are of an appropriate long-term sustainable
size and location While some cost and efforts are necessary to
develop and implement these solutions they have been shown to
be effective
The first task for the Browns Creek Alliance is to gather data so that
we and other agencies including Recreation in Balance and the San
Isabelle National Force Ranger District can quantify the increase in
Brownrsquos Creek Alliance
Browns Creek Alliance Mission Statement
The Browns Creek Alliance is a volunteer
group The group believes in supporting a
sustainable management of the public lands
in the Browns Creek amp Raspberry Gulch areas
of the San Isabel National Forest
15
visitation as well as the measurable impact that the increasing
volume of visitors are having on our public resources
Being able to measure visitation and its impact is critical if we are to
develop and implement the best ways to ensure long-term
sustainability of our public resources This data may also be utilized
to gauge the success of our efforts as we strive to improve long-
term sustainability of Browns Creek Recreation Area
For our first task The Browns Creek Alliance similar to Friends of
Four Mile is implementing a vehicle count on the three busiest
holidays of the year - Memorial Day Fourth of July and Labor Day
Volunteers will document the number of vehicles including
recreational vehicles in Browns Creek Recreation Area on each
holiday This data shall be shared with agencies - including the
Forest Service -to determine if the number of visitors is within the
capacity of Browns Creek Recreation Area This data will also
determine whether or not visitation continues to grow and if so by
how much
The Browns Creek Alliance sees our second task as encouraging
visitors to be responsible and respectful while enjoying Browns
Creek Recreation Area If visitors understand proper outdoor
recreation amp dispersed camping etiquette they are much more
inclined to be responsible and respectful visitors and users of our
public resources Responsible and respectful campers in particular
are less inclined to have illegal fires We believe that to achieve this
second objective signage at the kiosks in the Browns Creek
Recreation Area needs to be updated and improved Brochures
containing information displayed on the new improved kiosks may
also be printed and distributed by volunteers
A sandwich billboard sign was recently erected at the entrance to
Browns Creek Recreation Area to advise visitors that a fire ban is in
place and campfires are not currently permitted Mesa Antero
Property Ownersrsquo Association voted to provide funding for this new
signage
A third task is to pursue surveying and ranking of dispersed
campsites in the area Once dispersed campsites have been ranked
for sustainability poor campsites may be removed or reconfigured
while high ranking popular campsites may be hardened or
improved As an example buck amp rail fencing may be used to
establish campsite boundaries at select dispersed campsites
Recently the Forest Service has begun implementing buck and rail
fencing at select campsites in Browns Creek Recreation Area Other
improvements are being considered in our arearsquos outdoor
recreational areas Browns Creek Alliance is already in discussions
with the Forest Service and others as to how we can evaluate and
improve dispersed campsites in our area One consideration is
moving toward designated dispersed camping to better control
campsites in the area
Finally Browns Creek Alliance intends to be a sounding board for
locals and visitors as to how Browns Creek Recreation Area can be
improved in a sustainable manner for the benefit of all To do so
we need your input We also need boots on the ground to secure
funding and assist in the implementation of the tasks detailed in
this article We have received a favorable response from many
Mesa Antero residents regarding our plans and efforts thus far
Anyone that wishes to be involved ndash by providing input andor
actual ldquoboots on the groundrdquo is invited to contact Quinn McLeod or
Chuck Azzopardi directly Contact Quinn at (303)810-5739 or
qMacLeod61gmailcom I can be reached by phone at (719)221-
6444 or by email at JanChuckBobbigmailcom
Brownrsquos Creek Alliance conrsquot
The United States Forest
Service (USFS) has placed a
large temporary No Camp-
fires sign at the entrance to
the Browns Creek area on
272 It is almost impossible
for anyone visiting the area
to not know there are
campfire restrictions
If you see someone with a
campfire please DO NOT
approach the fire burners
but call the sheriffrsquos office at
719-539-2596 to report the
campfire
16
Summer Picnics Cancelled
In an effort to keep community members safe from the possible
spread of Covid-19 summer picnics (Memorial Day Fourth of July
and Labor Day) at Stew Brown Park have been cancelled Additional
picnics may be scheduled when COVID-19 is no longer a threat
Reservations Required to Use Stew Brown Park
Residents are always welcome to enjoy Stew Brown Park However
with social distancing restrictions in place and because of concern
for our neighbors there is now a limit on the size of groups who can
gather in Stew Brown Park Groups of 10 or fewer are welcome to
use and reserve the park Reservations should be made in advance
by emailing President Mary Gontero at mapoa99gmailcom
Residents are asked NOT to use picnic tables or MAPOA supplies
and to bring their own chairs As always trash should be removed
Please note there is not a restroom in the park
No doubt we all look forward to the day we can once again gather
for our picnics after a vaccine or treatment is available Until then
letrsquos be safe and limit gatherings to 10 or fewer for the health and
safety of our community members
Chaffee County Community Foundation Emergency
Response Fund (ERF)
The ERF campaign is seeking donors who can help the fund attain a
level of resources commensurate with the local need as well as
eligible recipients who can seek financial assistance According to
the Chaffee Office of Housing well over 5000 Chaffee employees
have been or will be directly impacted by COVID-19-related
business closures Many of those may not be eligible for current
state or federal assistance The ERF is designed to meet the needs
of those individuals and families yet generous and ongoing
community support is needed CCCF is asking community
members who are able to contribute to do so either online or via
check made out to CCCF with ldquoERFrdquo in the memo line More
information or to donate go to wwwchaffeecommunityorg
erf Checks can be mailed to PO Box 492 Buena Vista CO 81211
Rachele Vierthaler recently moved to Mesa Antero from Buena
Vista Rachele sits on the Board of Directors for Chaffee County
Community Foundation and is happy to answer your questions
Email Rachele at rvierthalerchaffeecommunityorg
The Bears are Back
Numerous neighbors have reported seeing a bear in Mesa Antero
Studies show that often the first reward a bear gets for exploring
human places is a big meal of tasty nutritious seeds (a natural food
for bears) Letting your bird feeders turn into bear feeders teaches
bears that coming close to people and homes looking for food is a
good idea For bears that can end up being a deadly lesson
Mesa Antero residents are encouraged to NOT feed the birds during
the months when bears are active Instead use water features
plant-ings nest boxes and flowers to attract birds Use bird feeders
only when bears are hibernating
If you donrsquot want to stop feeding birds hang your feeders at least
10 feet off the ground and 10 feet away from anything bears can
climb Keep the area underneath feeders clean and free of bird
seed and hulls or switch to a hulled bird seed with no waste Never
store bird seed outside under your deck or in a garage or shed a
bear could break into A 50-pound bag of bird seed has over 87000
caloriesmdasha reward for the bear that is well worth the effort of
breaking in
Interesting sites on bearshellip
httpscpwstatecousbears
Living with Bears
httpsjourneynorthorgtmspringBearYearhtml
FYI amp Announcements
Craig and I went
camping in Leadville
last week Our
African Grey Joey
went along and
enjoyed her view from
a tree perch She
loves traveling with
us I imagine she
enjoys the change of
scenery
17
New Neighbors
We are delighted to welcome two new totally adorable neighbors
to Mesa Antero
Jasper recently joined the Risa and David Jenkins family He is a
Welsh Springer Spaniel and is shown here with big brother Riley (16
months) The brothers are getting along famously Mom and Dad
are wishing for accelerated potty training as theyrsquore both a bit sleep
deprived
Neighbor News
Cutty is the newest
member of the Robin
and Chris Covert
family Hersquos a German
Shephard Golden
Retriever Poodle Mix
Cutty is settling in
nicely in his new home
No surprise but Mom
and Dad here are also
hoping for quick potty
training and less
chewing of random
stuff
A kind thoughtful and
unknown soul sent
these beautiful flowers
to me anonymously
earlier this week The
card reads ldquoHerersquos a
hug for yourdquo I do not
know who sent them
but I sure am enjoying
both the lovely flowers
and the very kind
gesture of the person
who sent them Genie
Malone and Denise
Washer also received a
lovely jar of anonymous flowers Thanks to the mystery sender
from all of us It surely did bring a smile to our face and make
our day And continues to do so each time we look at them
Harper Powell -an apparent wildlife magnetmdashhas seen two moose a bear and a
coyote in recent weeks She snapped a picture of what she believes is the baby of
the two moose shersquos seen between Broken Bough and Sawmill Look closely you
can see the baby moose in the trees How cool is that
18
Marketing Mesa Antero Mesa Antero Original Sales Brochure While cleaning out an old desk recently Patsy Torian found several
copies of the original sales and marketing brochure for Mesa Antero
She thought her neighbors would find it interesting and provided a
copy for the newsletter
Please note the home pictured on the next page What it looks like
today with all of the trees is amazing
19
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
20
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
21
Aunt Mabelrsquos Coffee Cake
provided by Kathy Roach
2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour
frac14 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup butter softened
1 cup sour cream
1thinspfrac12 cups white sugar
3 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
frac12 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 frac12 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons butter melted
Preheat oven to 375 F Lightly grease a 9x13 pan
Mix together the flour baking powder and salt set aside
In a large bowl cream the butter until light and fluffy Gradually
beat in sour cream Then beat in sugar Beat in the eggs one at a
time Then stir in the vanilla
By hand fold in the flour mixture mixing just until incorporated
Spread batter into prepared pan
To make the Pecan Topping In a medium bowl mix together brown
sugar pecans and cinnamon Stir in melted butter until crumbly
Sprinkle over cake batter in pan
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a
toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean
Balsamic Vinegar Dressing
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
3 Tbsp balsamic or other favorite vinegar
5 Tbsp olive oil
14 tsp salt
14 tsp pepper
Bacon Cabbage and Noodles
I found this recipe on Pinterest Its easy quick and very tasty
2 C egg noodles
34 lb bacon diced
34 medium head of cabbage sliced
14 tsp salt
pepper to taste
Cook noodles according to package directions Meanwhile in a
large skillet cook bacon pieces over medium heat until crisp Using
a slotted spoon remove to paper towels to drain Remove all but 3
Tbsp of drippings
Add cabbage to drippings Cover and cook on low for 20 minutes or
until cabbage is tender stirring occasionally Add bacon and
noodles to cooked cabbage Stir serve and enjoy
Chicken Legs with Maple-Sriracha Glaze
Recipe originally created by grill master Steven Raichlen
Chicken Prep
12 large chicken drumsticks
1 Tbsp coarse salt
1 Tbsp freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp hot red pepper flakes
1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Place drumsticks in bowl sprinkle with above ingredients stirring to
coat well
Maple Sriracha Glaze
6 Tbsp unsalted butter
5 Tbsp pure maple syrup
14 cup sriracha or more to taste
3 Tbsp Scotch whiskey
Melt butter in saucepan over high heat stir in maple syrup
sriracha and whisky Boil until mixture is syrupy 3-5 minutes
Grill chicken legs over charcoal fire until cooked through
Try a New Recipe Page
22
DEAR NEIGHBORS amp FRIENDS
This is Ann Johnson and I am taking another opportunity to say a
very big amp loud THANK YOU to many neighbors amp friends who
visited me in the hospital sent cards and even did a meal train
(people bringing dinner every night for two weeks) It was truly
AMAZING amp HEART WARMING There arent enough words to
express my gratitude (not to mention shock) I am truly humbled
and honored amp I THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY
HEART
Ann Johnson
Dear Reader
Happy summer to you Didnrsquot we arenrsquot we having a beautiful
spring summer Irsquom never sure when summer starts here Itrsquos July
8 and Irsquom sitting outside at our picnic table in my flannel jammes
putting the final touches on the newsletter Itrsquos 110+ in the Phoenix
Valleymdashwhere we moved frommdashand I couldnt be happier to be
here
I mean donrsquot you love living in a place where some days you look at
the sky and it looks fake it is so picture perfect Donrsquot you love
living in a place where you can step outside and pick a mason jar full
of wildflowers for your dining room table A place where you go
outside at night and you can see every star in the Milky Way
Where neighbors calls you to see if you need anything from Costco
or City Market or Wal Mart when they go to town Where you see
rainbows often doubles on a regular basis Where a friend comes
to your aid at a moments notice with jumper cables or whatever
else you might need I could go on I could spend hours looking at
the clouds hurrying by on their way to somewhere unknown
watching the ripples of the water in Brownrsquos creek and the
shimmer of the aspens and cottonwoods in the breeze
The one thing I could do without however are the Miller moths
They are a supreme nuisance Each morning we take the hand vac
and suck up at least a dozen dead moths that have crawled out of
their hiding places at some point during the night Each eve we do
the same thing with the live ones who are attracted to the light for
reasons still a mystery to scientists Experts say they will be gone by
fall Ugh
Thanks to those who continue to provide stories and ideas for the
newsletter Your input truly makes the newsletter worth reading I
encourage YOU to be a contributor to the newsletter Send
pictures or stories of things yoursquore involved with like Danrsquos story on
the good deeds of his golf group If yoursquore a new neighbor send
information about yourself where you came from etc as a way to
informally introduce yourself to the neighborhood You get the
idea Snap write and send away
I look forward to the day we can all get together again in person for
friendship and fellowship Until then stay safe
Sheila
The Wrap Up
Risa Jenkins is constantly
taking spectacular
pictures of the mountains
from her and Davidrsquos
home on Deer Trail
She took these three - the
first two morning
rainbows the last a
spectacular sunset - just
this week
7
What I Did on My Covid Vacation
Neighbors were asked to send pictures andor share information
about what theyrsquove been up to during the stay at home period
brought about as a result of Covid-19 A few folks were kind
enough to share
How Wersquore Spending Our Time
Nancy Bowsher and Andrith Davis said ldquoWe are going through all
our old photos amp weeding them out--makes us feel good Working
out reading jigsaw puzzles amp trimming brushes We keep busy
with our birds--filling the feeder for chickadees nuthatches jays
squirrels amp keeping the hummingbird feeder filled amp clean And our
Christmas tree greets us every morning amp says Good Night every
eveningrdquo Nancy added that ldquo Even though we arent square
dancing Andrith stays up on her round dance cueing Check out
round dancing on Youtube--its also called choreographed ballroom
dancing Life is goodrdquo
Community Activities conrsquot
Sue Ann Hum and her dog Hornsby
were looking for a change of pace for
their walk so they went over to the
gated trailhead on Tabeguache turn
Sue Ann was feeling creative and
made some games for all neighbors to
play untogether during social distanc-
ing
1 Fill Our Heart - Find a pine cone
heart outline and toss a pine cone in-
side
2 Tic-Tac-Toe (Natrsquol Forest edition) -
Xrsquos made with two crossed sticks a big
pine cone can be the Orsquos
3 Built a Tipi Help build a teepee
Connie and Ed Biederbeck
decorated and masked a rock in
their yard
Craig and I put a metal bird sculp-
ture ndash complete with the requisite
mask ndash next to the driveway
The crows in front of
Janet and Lorin
Fullmerrsquos home are
now donning masks
Michelle and Cory Van Doozer deco-rated their house number sign with brightly colored flowers
(13580 Deer Trail)
Wendy Skean put this bicycling kitty
by her driveway entrance The
wheels will spin in the wind
(12519 Ouray)
8
Mesa Antero Seamstresses Make Masks
Seamstresses in Mesa Antero pulled out excess material scrounged
up elastic and rope and put their scissors and sewing machines to
work to make masks to help protect friends family members
health care workers and strangers from the COVID-19 Virus
Connie Biederbeck made
masks for a nephew - a CNA
at a nursing home in Grand
Junction ndash and his co-workers
She made masks for a friendrsquos
daughter who works at the
VA in Denver She also made
masks for the cardiology clinic
at the hospital
Joanie Barbier has sewn
more than 150 masks
Recipients include a nursing
home in Massachusetts
Helping Hand Native
American children in
Churchhill Manitoba friends
family and anyone else who
wanted one Joaniersquos still happy to make masks If you need a
mask email your request to her at jbar4004gmailcom
Sheila Prior made about 80
masks for friends family Heart
of the Rockies Regional Hospital
and a PT clinic in BV Sheila is
also willing to make additional
masks should anyone be in need
Email her at
spriorkohloutlookcom
Kathy Roach made two dozen masks for friends and family
here in New York and California
Hunter and Dillon Build Birdfeeders for Those In Need
The Roberts brothers - Hunter (11) and Dillon (10) - started a
fundraiser after the start of the
Covid virus to help people in
need and at the same time to
help support local restaurants
The kids built picnic table bird
feeders out of donated
materials They sold them to
neighbors ndash by asking for a
voluntary donation - and used
the proceeds to buy gift cards
from local restaurants They
then donated the gift cards -
$850 worth - to the Chaffee
County Covid-19 Disaster Fund
which helps those in need Way
to go boys
Neighbors to the Rescue
Hunter and Dillon are shown with
one of the picnic table bird feeders
they built to support those in need
Jackson - Chuck and jan Azzopardirsquos German Shorthair Pointer - is
captured here checking out whatrsquos happening in the woods below
9
Residents Participate in Weekly Food Drive
Jan Toniazzo and Joyce Peryam made their first of many weekly
donated food deliveries to The Grainery food bank on March 26
and have been going strong ever since The ladies report that the
volunteers at The Grainery truly appreciate the kindness and
generosity shown by the folks of Mesa Antero
Food collections continue because the need for food assistance
continues If you can help support families in need there are two
ways you can do so You can drop off canned and dry goods in the
wooden box next to Joyce Peryamrsquos driveway at 13030 Deer Trail
(CR261D) They are in need of all canned goods especially canned
wieners soup and beans rice and dried pasta Or you can mail a
monetary donation to The Grainery 1348 E Street Buena Vista
Thanks Joyce and Jan for coordinating collection and deliveries and
thanks to Mesa Antero residents for giving Joyce and Jan something
to do And most importantly thanks everyone for helping families in
need
Donations Drop Off Update You may note that the red drop off box is no longer by the roadside
in front of Joycersquos house Unfortunately the Mesa Antero bear has
made his way to lower Deer Trail and took out the Perrymanrsquos
bluebird house and new chicks While he didnrsquot mess with the food
drive red box the gals have had to rethink the way food donations
are collected from now on
You can still drop off your donated canned goods but are asked to
now bring them Joycersquos front door Please text Joyce to make sure
she is home to receive the food (her number is in the directory)
For the time being residents are asked to please limit donations to
canned goods ONLY Please NO pasta cereal crackers or glass
plastic jars
To the Rescue continued
Pictured here are some of the many donations made by residents of Mesa
Antero in recent months Joyce Perryman (left) and Jan Tonazzio (right) are
delivering donated goods to The Grainery each week
10
Mesa Antero Golfers Support Food Bank
by Dan Downing
Irsquom part of a group of about 16 guys who regularly plays golf in
Salida Several are current or former Mesa Antero residents
including Tom Parkes Roger Miller and Rick Davidoff Our group
doesnrsquot have an official name We play a game called ldquoSwindlerdquo so
at least as Facebook goes we call ourselves the ldquoSalida Summer
Swindle Grouprdquo We play on Tuesdays Thursdays and Saturdays
and in the spirit of friendly competition we each ante up $20 to
play
We begin playing each year as soon as the weather permits usually
in March which this year was just about the time the Covid-19
pandemic started getting serious The golf course was allowed to
remain open but with proper social distancing and restrictions on
touching things
In the past we determined who won and who lost on day of play
With winners buying drinks at the 19th hole When the virus hit
we didnt want to continue passing around scorecards and cash any
more than we absolutely had to We wanted to keep things
interesting and competitive by keeping the money in play So I
came up with a creative idea Instead of playing as teams wersquod
play as individuals and pay our losses into a kitty which would
benefit the Food Bank at the Presbyterian Church Like many
theyrsquod been hit hard as a result of the economic downturn All of
the guys eagerly signed on
Enthusiasm for the new ldquoQuotardquo game has been amazing Most
guys end up owing the kitty two or three dollars at the end of
the game It doesnt add up all that quickly but it does indeed add
up The guys soon began chipping in a little extra as did the
winners who owed nothing Then out of town guys who hadnt
returned to their homes here and hadnrsquot started playing with us
started chipping in Then other golfers started chipping in By the
first of April we were able to contribute a little over $1000 to the
Food Bank
We recently returned to our normal $20 Swindle game With one
difference All of the guys wanted to continue donating proceeds to
the Food Bank So thatrsquos what wersquore doing Since March 31st we
have contributed more than $2700 to the Food Bank The guys are
having a blast playing golf together and doing some good for the
community as well
To the Rescue continued
Early in the season the guys tee off from hole 1 at the Salida Golf Course
A few of the guys From left to right Dan Downing Tom Bevington
Kent Cookson Gus Argys Jerry Donner Tim Hinkle Bruce Davidson
and Darrell Sampson
Dan Downing is shown
presenting golf game
proceeds to Rev Tom
Abbott pastor of First
Presbyterian Church
for the churchrsquos food
bank The Swindle
Group has been do-
nating golf proceeds to
the food bank since
March 31and has do-
nated more than
$2700 to date
11
Mesa Antero Artists Support Ark Valleyrsquos Good Pet
Bad Art Fund Raiser
Ark Valley Humane Society held a fund raiser earlier this year called
ldquoGood Pet Bad Portraitrdquo Individuals provided a photo of their pet
along with a monetary donation Artists in the community as
young as five (5) volunteered to draw or paint a pet and then send
it to the owner At least three (3) Mesa Antero artists participated
in the charity event
To The Rescue continued
Sue Ann Hum painted two pets
The first a cat Mrs Buggles-
worth aka Bug aka Buggs
And the other a dog Charles
Craig Galler painted a
cat named Ozzy
Wendy Skean drew two dogsmdash
Goosebumps and Huckleberry
She said about her
participation Pretty sure I
lived up to the Bad part Still
I had fun participating in it ldquo
12
Be Informed Be Prepared Be Ready for Fire Quinn Macleod Mesa Anterorsquos volunteer Fire Prevention Volunteer
Coordinator recently spoke with Chaffee County Emergency
Manager Richard Atkins and wanted to pass on some crucial
information
The county uses two systems to notify the public in times of an
emergency - Everbridge and a national system sponsored by FEMA
bull Everbridge allows for detailed messages that the county can
send out Including re-population information so residents
know when to come back home
bull The FEMA system uses technology like an Amber Alert So
everyone with a cell phone powered by a specific tower will get
emergency notifications So even short-term renters in MA will
receive an evacuation notification
BOTTOM LINE MESA ANTERO PROPERTY OWNERS STILL NEED
TO SIGN UP WITH EVERBRIDGE SO PLEASE SIGN UP
After some discussion it was determined that when it is necessary
to evacuate the subdivision due to an emergency most people will
evacuate the way they enter So given the low population of Mesa
Antero a somewhat orderly evacuation will occur The reality will
likely be quite different
Learn more about the Homeowner
Evacuation Plan at httpswwwfemagov
media-library-data1409003859391-
0e8ad1ed42c129f11fbc23d008d1ee85
how_to_prepare_wildfire_033014_508pdf
Be prepared always
Prepare a kit that includes things you will need while evacuated
The duration of an evacuation can last from hours to days The kit
can consist of either a written list of things to assemble at the time
of evacuation or items that are already assembled and pre-
positioned Some things to consider including in your kit include
bull medications and other medical supplies such as diabetic or
COPD item an extra oxygen cylinder
bull important documents hard drives computers
bull photo albums
bull pets and their supplies
Think about and determine
bull Where you will meet up with other members of your home or
family The cell towers will be busy so where might you meet
your family members if you cant talk to them Walmart
Safeway City Market LaGrees
bull Identify who you want to call to let them know you are safely
evacuated Think about who might report you missing if you
dont call them
bull Where will you stay during the evacuation Will you take your
camper or camping gear Can you stay with friends living out
of the area
Prepare your home to receive the wildfire
bull Turn on outside lights and lights in every room to make the
house more visible in heavy smoke
bull Close all windows vents doors and fireplace screens This will
help reduce drafts in the home and will reduce radiant heat
bull Disconnect automatic garage door openers so doors can be
opened by hand if power is lost
bull Move flammable furniture including outdoor furniture into
the center of the home away from windows and sliding glass
doors Remove flammable curtains and window treatments
bull Connect garden hoses Shut off propane gas from the source
and move BBQ grill propane and other fuels away from the
house
bull Follow any additional guidance provided by local authorities
When driving away from a fire
bull Roll up windows and close air vents (car amp camper) because
smoke from a fire can irritate your eyes and respiratory
system
bull Drive slowly with your headlights on because smoke can
reduce visibility
bull Watch for other vehicles pedestrians and fleeing animals
bull Avoid driving through heavy smoke if possible
Wildfire Evacuation
13
Wildfire Mitigation Guide Released
The recently published Wildfire Mitigation Guide should enable
every property owner in Mesa Antero to make some modifications
to lessen the negative effects from a wildfire Even if you donrsquot have
a structure on your property these actions will help to achieve
positive results from a wildfire Fire is a natural part of the eco
system so reducing ground litter and killing some weak trees
bushes overall is good plus the nitrogen release is naturersquos fertilizer
for the grasses
Itrsquos dry
This Spring has developed into a very dry one If you have some
mitigation projects in mind it would be good to start soon
The forest and Campers
The good news is that our surrounding forests have been managed
(thinned and controlled burns) to protect our community from
wildfires The dispersed campers with their camp fires is a ignition
risk but manageable If you notice someone burning illegally itrsquos
safest for you to call the Sheriff via 911 (immediately tell them itrsquos a
ldquonon-emergencyrdquo so they can talk to you on a different line) If you
come upon an abandoned campfire pull it apart and call the sheriff
so they can fully extinguish and document
Lastly I do have some more information to add to the guide in the
future but wanted to get the bulk of it out now
Irsquom always available to answer questions andor come by
Quinn Macleod
qmacleod61gmailcom
3038105739
The Wildfire Mitigation Guide is post on MesaAnteroorg for easy
access
Help Yourself Get A Reflective House Number Sign
Did you know that reflective house number signs are crucial to help
fire fighters or emergency personnel find you quickly The
reflective green and white signs are available from the Chaffee
County Fire District main office in BV for the bargain price of just
$10
Fire experts have advised that - especially in a neighborhood like
ours - having clearly visible reflective signs are crucial to their timely
arrival at a fire or emergency The signs should be double sided
and posted near the road so they can be clearly seen from both
directions
Moth Infestation a Real Nuisance You have no doubt been annoyed by the recent infestation of
moths The Miller moths start out as caterpillars that develop on
Coloradorsquos eastern plains and in Kansas and Nebraska In the spring
they migrate west to feast on the nectar of flowers
This year wersquove seen more
moths than previous springs
because weather conditions
last year were favorable for
caterpillar development It
isnrsquot extraordinary as Colorado
has seen this many in other
years preceded by mild winters While other moth species might
like to eat your wool sweaters these do not They just eat pollen
make your house dusty and die Unless yoursquore particularly allergic
to moth scales miller moths wonrsquot do a thing besides annoy you
Miller moths are a very important food source for birds bears and
other critters A single bear can eat up to 10000 miller moths a
day which helps them get fat for the winter The mothrsquos
abdomens besides housing ldquogutsrdquo also store a lot of fat that they
stock up for the long autumn trip back to the plains They hide
under rocks in the mountains during the day Thatrsquos where bears
find them flipping over stones and grabbing a quick bite
The good news is they wonrsquot stick around forever Warm nights will
speed up their migration They are usually gone by the fall
Wildfire Mitigation amp Moths
Did you know Charles Nachtrieb I was the founder
of the town of Nathrop Colorado Early
settlers could not pronounce the German
name of Nachtrieb easily so the name of
the hamlet was Americanized to Nathrop
The original site of Nathrop was about one
and one half miles north of the present
townsite and served as a stagecoach station between Bales
station near Cleora and Leadville
14
Alliance Formed to Help Preserve Brownrsquos Creek Volunteers Needed
By Chuck Azzopardi
If you have spent time in the Browns Creek Recreation Area over
the last few years you may have noticed a dramatically increasing
number of hikers and campers And also an increase in the size and
number of dispersed campsites A number of residents of Mesa
Antero have expressed concern for a potentially catastrophic
wildfire initiated from an illegal campfire in the Browns Creek
Recreation Area In response to these developments a new group -
Browns Creek Alliance - is being formed to ensure the Browns Creek
Recreation Area is not loved to death
Many in Chaffe County realize that our valley ldquohas been foundrdquo
We can expect growth and development to occur over the next
couple of decades Envision Chaffee County was a formed in 2016
to provide guidance on the future growth and development of
Chaffee County It has since become a catalyst for community
actions such as the Browns Creek Alliance Recreation in Balance is
a program led by Envision the Greater Arkansas River Nature
Association (GARNA) and the Salida Ranger District that is creating a
community-driven plan to maintain healthy public lands quality
user experiences and the economic benefits of recreation tourism
Browns Creek Recreation Area is one of the more popular places for
outdoor recreation in Chaffee County Visitation to the Browns
Creek Recreation Area is increasing and is expected to continue on
an upward trend for the foreseeable future Our San Isabelle
National Forest Service Ranger District has recognized that Browns
Creek Recreation
Area could use
some TLC Giving
their current
budget
constraints they
are actively
encouraging
volunteer groups including Browns Creek Alliance to provide
assistance in ensuring that public lands in our area do get the
tender loving care they deserve
So given a significant growth in locals and visitors how can we
Browns Creek Alliance as a volunteer organization have a positive
impact on the long-term sustainability of Browns Creek Recreation
Area
To achieve our mission of supporting a sustainable management of
the Browns Creek Recreation Area the Browns Creek Alliance is
focusing on gathering data on visitation and its impact on public
resources The Alliance is providing education to encourage visitors
to our area to be respectful and responsible of our public resources
other visitors and residents while enjoying the Browns Creek
Recreation Area We shall also evaluate public resources
particularly dispersed campsites to determine if we can improve
their long-term sustainability
Luckily we have a successful model of how we can accomplish our
objectives right here in Chaffee County Friends of Four Mile has
years of successful experience ensuring that the Four Mile
Recreation Area is sustainable for the long-term
Friends of Four Mile has developed signage and brochures to
educate visitors They have also used buck amp rail fencing to ensure
dispersed campsites are of an appropriate long-term sustainable
size and location While some cost and efforts are necessary to
develop and implement these solutions they have been shown to
be effective
The first task for the Browns Creek Alliance is to gather data so that
we and other agencies including Recreation in Balance and the San
Isabelle National Force Ranger District can quantify the increase in
Brownrsquos Creek Alliance
Browns Creek Alliance Mission Statement
The Browns Creek Alliance is a volunteer
group The group believes in supporting a
sustainable management of the public lands
in the Browns Creek amp Raspberry Gulch areas
of the San Isabel National Forest
15
visitation as well as the measurable impact that the increasing
volume of visitors are having on our public resources
Being able to measure visitation and its impact is critical if we are to
develop and implement the best ways to ensure long-term
sustainability of our public resources This data may also be utilized
to gauge the success of our efforts as we strive to improve long-
term sustainability of Browns Creek Recreation Area
For our first task The Browns Creek Alliance similar to Friends of
Four Mile is implementing a vehicle count on the three busiest
holidays of the year - Memorial Day Fourth of July and Labor Day
Volunteers will document the number of vehicles including
recreational vehicles in Browns Creek Recreation Area on each
holiday This data shall be shared with agencies - including the
Forest Service -to determine if the number of visitors is within the
capacity of Browns Creek Recreation Area This data will also
determine whether or not visitation continues to grow and if so by
how much
The Browns Creek Alliance sees our second task as encouraging
visitors to be responsible and respectful while enjoying Browns
Creek Recreation Area If visitors understand proper outdoor
recreation amp dispersed camping etiquette they are much more
inclined to be responsible and respectful visitors and users of our
public resources Responsible and respectful campers in particular
are less inclined to have illegal fires We believe that to achieve this
second objective signage at the kiosks in the Browns Creek
Recreation Area needs to be updated and improved Brochures
containing information displayed on the new improved kiosks may
also be printed and distributed by volunteers
A sandwich billboard sign was recently erected at the entrance to
Browns Creek Recreation Area to advise visitors that a fire ban is in
place and campfires are not currently permitted Mesa Antero
Property Ownersrsquo Association voted to provide funding for this new
signage
A third task is to pursue surveying and ranking of dispersed
campsites in the area Once dispersed campsites have been ranked
for sustainability poor campsites may be removed or reconfigured
while high ranking popular campsites may be hardened or
improved As an example buck amp rail fencing may be used to
establish campsite boundaries at select dispersed campsites
Recently the Forest Service has begun implementing buck and rail
fencing at select campsites in Browns Creek Recreation Area Other
improvements are being considered in our arearsquos outdoor
recreational areas Browns Creek Alliance is already in discussions
with the Forest Service and others as to how we can evaluate and
improve dispersed campsites in our area One consideration is
moving toward designated dispersed camping to better control
campsites in the area
Finally Browns Creek Alliance intends to be a sounding board for
locals and visitors as to how Browns Creek Recreation Area can be
improved in a sustainable manner for the benefit of all To do so
we need your input We also need boots on the ground to secure
funding and assist in the implementation of the tasks detailed in
this article We have received a favorable response from many
Mesa Antero residents regarding our plans and efforts thus far
Anyone that wishes to be involved ndash by providing input andor
actual ldquoboots on the groundrdquo is invited to contact Quinn McLeod or
Chuck Azzopardi directly Contact Quinn at (303)810-5739 or
qMacLeod61gmailcom I can be reached by phone at (719)221-
6444 or by email at JanChuckBobbigmailcom
Brownrsquos Creek Alliance conrsquot
The United States Forest
Service (USFS) has placed a
large temporary No Camp-
fires sign at the entrance to
the Browns Creek area on
272 It is almost impossible
for anyone visiting the area
to not know there are
campfire restrictions
If you see someone with a
campfire please DO NOT
approach the fire burners
but call the sheriffrsquos office at
719-539-2596 to report the
campfire
16
Summer Picnics Cancelled
In an effort to keep community members safe from the possible
spread of Covid-19 summer picnics (Memorial Day Fourth of July
and Labor Day) at Stew Brown Park have been cancelled Additional
picnics may be scheduled when COVID-19 is no longer a threat
Reservations Required to Use Stew Brown Park
Residents are always welcome to enjoy Stew Brown Park However
with social distancing restrictions in place and because of concern
for our neighbors there is now a limit on the size of groups who can
gather in Stew Brown Park Groups of 10 or fewer are welcome to
use and reserve the park Reservations should be made in advance
by emailing President Mary Gontero at mapoa99gmailcom
Residents are asked NOT to use picnic tables or MAPOA supplies
and to bring their own chairs As always trash should be removed
Please note there is not a restroom in the park
No doubt we all look forward to the day we can once again gather
for our picnics after a vaccine or treatment is available Until then
letrsquos be safe and limit gatherings to 10 or fewer for the health and
safety of our community members
Chaffee County Community Foundation Emergency
Response Fund (ERF)
The ERF campaign is seeking donors who can help the fund attain a
level of resources commensurate with the local need as well as
eligible recipients who can seek financial assistance According to
the Chaffee Office of Housing well over 5000 Chaffee employees
have been or will be directly impacted by COVID-19-related
business closures Many of those may not be eligible for current
state or federal assistance The ERF is designed to meet the needs
of those individuals and families yet generous and ongoing
community support is needed CCCF is asking community
members who are able to contribute to do so either online or via
check made out to CCCF with ldquoERFrdquo in the memo line More
information or to donate go to wwwchaffeecommunityorg
erf Checks can be mailed to PO Box 492 Buena Vista CO 81211
Rachele Vierthaler recently moved to Mesa Antero from Buena
Vista Rachele sits on the Board of Directors for Chaffee County
Community Foundation and is happy to answer your questions
Email Rachele at rvierthalerchaffeecommunityorg
The Bears are Back
Numerous neighbors have reported seeing a bear in Mesa Antero
Studies show that often the first reward a bear gets for exploring
human places is a big meal of tasty nutritious seeds (a natural food
for bears) Letting your bird feeders turn into bear feeders teaches
bears that coming close to people and homes looking for food is a
good idea For bears that can end up being a deadly lesson
Mesa Antero residents are encouraged to NOT feed the birds during
the months when bears are active Instead use water features
plant-ings nest boxes and flowers to attract birds Use bird feeders
only when bears are hibernating
If you donrsquot want to stop feeding birds hang your feeders at least
10 feet off the ground and 10 feet away from anything bears can
climb Keep the area underneath feeders clean and free of bird
seed and hulls or switch to a hulled bird seed with no waste Never
store bird seed outside under your deck or in a garage or shed a
bear could break into A 50-pound bag of bird seed has over 87000
caloriesmdasha reward for the bear that is well worth the effort of
breaking in
Interesting sites on bearshellip
httpscpwstatecousbears
Living with Bears
httpsjourneynorthorgtmspringBearYearhtml
FYI amp Announcements
Craig and I went
camping in Leadville
last week Our
African Grey Joey
went along and
enjoyed her view from
a tree perch She
loves traveling with
us I imagine she
enjoys the change of
scenery
17
New Neighbors
We are delighted to welcome two new totally adorable neighbors
to Mesa Antero
Jasper recently joined the Risa and David Jenkins family He is a
Welsh Springer Spaniel and is shown here with big brother Riley (16
months) The brothers are getting along famously Mom and Dad
are wishing for accelerated potty training as theyrsquore both a bit sleep
deprived
Neighbor News
Cutty is the newest
member of the Robin
and Chris Covert
family Hersquos a German
Shephard Golden
Retriever Poodle Mix
Cutty is settling in
nicely in his new home
No surprise but Mom
and Dad here are also
hoping for quick potty
training and less
chewing of random
stuff
A kind thoughtful and
unknown soul sent
these beautiful flowers
to me anonymously
earlier this week The
card reads ldquoHerersquos a
hug for yourdquo I do not
know who sent them
but I sure am enjoying
both the lovely flowers
and the very kind
gesture of the person
who sent them Genie
Malone and Denise
Washer also received a
lovely jar of anonymous flowers Thanks to the mystery sender
from all of us It surely did bring a smile to our face and make
our day And continues to do so each time we look at them
Harper Powell -an apparent wildlife magnetmdashhas seen two moose a bear and a
coyote in recent weeks She snapped a picture of what she believes is the baby of
the two moose shersquos seen between Broken Bough and Sawmill Look closely you
can see the baby moose in the trees How cool is that
18
Marketing Mesa Antero Mesa Antero Original Sales Brochure While cleaning out an old desk recently Patsy Torian found several
copies of the original sales and marketing brochure for Mesa Antero
She thought her neighbors would find it interesting and provided a
copy for the newsletter
Please note the home pictured on the next page What it looks like
today with all of the trees is amazing
19
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
20
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
21
Aunt Mabelrsquos Coffee Cake
provided by Kathy Roach
2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour
frac14 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup butter softened
1 cup sour cream
1thinspfrac12 cups white sugar
3 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
frac12 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 frac12 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons butter melted
Preheat oven to 375 F Lightly grease a 9x13 pan
Mix together the flour baking powder and salt set aside
In a large bowl cream the butter until light and fluffy Gradually
beat in sour cream Then beat in sugar Beat in the eggs one at a
time Then stir in the vanilla
By hand fold in the flour mixture mixing just until incorporated
Spread batter into prepared pan
To make the Pecan Topping In a medium bowl mix together brown
sugar pecans and cinnamon Stir in melted butter until crumbly
Sprinkle over cake batter in pan
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a
toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean
Balsamic Vinegar Dressing
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
3 Tbsp balsamic or other favorite vinegar
5 Tbsp olive oil
14 tsp salt
14 tsp pepper
Bacon Cabbage and Noodles
I found this recipe on Pinterest Its easy quick and very tasty
2 C egg noodles
34 lb bacon diced
34 medium head of cabbage sliced
14 tsp salt
pepper to taste
Cook noodles according to package directions Meanwhile in a
large skillet cook bacon pieces over medium heat until crisp Using
a slotted spoon remove to paper towels to drain Remove all but 3
Tbsp of drippings
Add cabbage to drippings Cover and cook on low for 20 minutes or
until cabbage is tender stirring occasionally Add bacon and
noodles to cooked cabbage Stir serve and enjoy
Chicken Legs with Maple-Sriracha Glaze
Recipe originally created by grill master Steven Raichlen
Chicken Prep
12 large chicken drumsticks
1 Tbsp coarse salt
1 Tbsp freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp hot red pepper flakes
1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Place drumsticks in bowl sprinkle with above ingredients stirring to
coat well
Maple Sriracha Glaze
6 Tbsp unsalted butter
5 Tbsp pure maple syrup
14 cup sriracha or more to taste
3 Tbsp Scotch whiskey
Melt butter in saucepan over high heat stir in maple syrup
sriracha and whisky Boil until mixture is syrupy 3-5 minutes
Grill chicken legs over charcoal fire until cooked through
Try a New Recipe Page
22
DEAR NEIGHBORS amp FRIENDS
This is Ann Johnson and I am taking another opportunity to say a
very big amp loud THANK YOU to many neighbors amp friends who
visited me in the hospital sent cards and even did a meal train
(people bringing dinner every night for two weeks) It was truly
AMAZING amp HEART WARMING There arent enough words to
express my gratitude (not to mention shock) I am truly humbled
and honored amp I THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY
HEART
Ann Johnson
Dear Reader
Happy summer to you Didnrsquot we arenrsquot we having a beautiful
spring summer Irsquom never sure when summer starts here Itrsquos July
8 and Irsquom sitting outside at our picnic table in my flannel jammes
putting the final touches on the newsletter Itrsquos 110+ in the Phoenix
Valleymdashwhere we moved frommdashand I couldnt be happier to be
here
I mean donrsquot you love living in a place where some days you look at
the sky and it looks fake it is so picture perfect Donrsquot you love
living in a place where you can step outside and pick a mason jar full
of wildflowers for your dining room table A place where you go
outside at night and you can see every star in the Milky Way
Where neighbors calls you to see if you need anything from Costco
or City Market or Wal Mart when they go to town Where you see
rainbows often doubles on a regular basis Where a friend comes
to your aid at a moments notice with jumper cables or whatever
else you might need I could go on I could spend hours looking at
the clouds hurrying by on their way to somewhere unknown
watching the ripples of the water in Brownrsquos creek and the
shimmer of the aspens and cottonwoods in the breeze
The one thing I could do without however are the Miller moths
They are a supreme nuisance Each morning we take the hand vac
and suck up at least a dozen dead moths that have crawled out of
their hiding places at some point during the night Each eve we do
the same thing with the live ones who are attracted to the light for
reasons still a mystery to scientists Experts say they will be gone by
fall Ugh
Thanks to those who continue to provide stories and ideas for the
newsletter Your input truly makes the newsletter worth reading I
encourage YOU to be a contributor to the newsletter Send
pictures or stories of things yoursquore involved with like Danrsquos story on
the good deeds of his golf group If yoursquore a new neighbor send
information about yourself where you came from etc as a way to
informally introduce yourself to the neighborhood You get the
idea Snap write and send away
I look forward to the day we can all get together again in person for
friendship and fellowship Until then stay safe
Sheila
The Wrap Up
Risa Jenkins is constantly
taking spectacular
pictures of the mountains
from her and Davidrsquos
home on Deer Trail
She took these three - the
first two morning
rainbows the last a
spectacular sunset - just
this week
8
Mesa Antero Seamstresses Make Masks
Seamstresses in Mesa Antero pulled out excess material scrounged
up elastic and rope and put their scissors and sewing machines to
work to make masks to help protect friends family members
health care workers and strangers from the COVID-19 Virus
Connie Biederbeck made
masks for a nephew - a CNA
at a nursing home in Grand
Junction ndash and his co-workers
She made masks for a friendrsquos
daughter who works at the
VA in Denver She also made
masks for the cardiology clinic
at the hospital
Joanie Barbier has sewn
more than 150 masks
Recipients include a nursing
home in Massachusetts
Helping Hand Native
American children in
Churchhill Manitoba friends
family and anyone else who
wanted one Joaniersquos still happy to make masks If you need a
mask email your request to her at jbar4004gmailcom
Sheila Prior made about 80
masks for friends family Heart
of the Rockies Regional Hospital
and a PT clinic in BV Sheila is
also willing to make additional
masks should anyone be in need
Email her at
spriorkohloutlookcom
Kathy Roach made two dozen masks for friends and family
here in New York and California
Hunter and Dillon Build Birdfeeders for Those In Need
The Roberts brothers - Hunter (11) and Dillon (10) - started a
fundraiser after the start of the
Covid virus to help people in
need and at the same time to
help support local restaurants
The kids built picnic table bird
feeders out of donated
materials They sold them to
neighbors ndash by asking for a
voluntary donation - and used
the proceeds to buy gift cards
from local restaurants They
then donated the gift cards -
$850 worth - to the Chaffee
County Covid-19 Disaster Fund
which helps those in need Way
to go boys
Neighbors to the Rescue
Hunter and Dillon are shown with
one of the picnic table bird feeders
they built to support those in need
Jackson - Chuck and jan Azzopardirsquos German Shorthair Pointer - is
captured here checking out whatrsquos happening in the woods below
9
Residents Participate in Weekly Food Drive
Jan Toniazzo and Joyce Peryam made their first of many weekly
donated food deliveries to The Grainery food bank on March 26
and have been going strong ever since The ladies report that the
volunteers at The Grainery truly appreciate the kindness and
generosity shown by the folks of Mesa Antero
Food collections continue because the need for food assistance
continues If you can help support families in need there are two
ways you can do so You can drop off canned and dry goods in the
wooden box next to Joyce Peryamrsquos driveway at 13030 Deer Trail
(CR261D) They are in need of all canned goods especially canned
wieners soup and beans rice and dried pasta Or you can mail a
monetary donation to The Grainery 1348 E Street Buena Vista
Thanks Joyce and Jan for coordinating collection and deliveries and
thanks to Mesa Antero residents for giving Joyce and Jan something
to do And most importantly thanks everyone for helping families in
need
Donations Drop Off Update You may note that the red drop off box is no longer by the roadside
in front of Joycersquos house Unfortunately the Mesa Antero bear has
made his way to lower Deer Trail and took out the Perrymanrsquos
bluebird house and new chicks While he didnrsquot mess with the food
drive red box the gals have had to rethink the way food donations
are collected from now on
You can still drop off your donated canned goods but are asked to
now bring them Joycersquos front door Please text Joyce to make sure
she is home to receive the food (her number is in the directory)
For the time being residents are asked to please limit donations to
canned goods ONLY Please NO pasta cereal crackers or glass
plastic jars
To the Rescue continued
Pictured here are some of the many donations made by residents of Mesa
Antero in recent months Joyce Perryman (left) and Jan Tonazzio (right) are
delivering donated goods to The Grainery each week
10
Mesa Antero Golfers Support Food Bank
by Dan Downing
Irsquom part of a group of about 16 guys who regularly plays golf in
Salida Several are current or former Mesa Antero residents
including Tom Parkes Roger Miller and Rick Davidoff Our group
doesnrsquot have an official name We play a game called ldquoSwindlerdquo so
at least as Facebook goes we call ourselves the ldquoSalida Summer
Swindle Grouprdquo We play on Tuesdays Thursdays and Saturdays
and in the spirit of friendly competition we each ante up $20 to
play
We begin playing each year as soon as the weather permits usually
in March which this year was just about the time the Covid-19
pandemic started getting serious The golf course was allowed to
remain open but with proper social distancing and restrictions on
touching things
In the past we determined who won and who lost on day of play
With winners buying drinks at the 19th hole When the virus hit
we didnt want to continue passing around scorecards and cash any
more than we absolutely had to We wanted to keep things
interesting and competitive by keeping the money in play So I
came up with a creative idea Instead of playing as teams wersquod
play as individuals and pay our losses into a kitty which would
benefit the Food Bank at the Presbyterian Church Like many
theyrsquod been hit hard as a result of the economic downturn All of
the guys eagerly signed on
Enthusiasm for the new ldquoQuotardquo game has been amazing Most
guys end up owing the kitty two or three dollars at the end of
the game It doesnt add up all that quickly but it does indeed add
up The guys soon began chipping in a little extra as did the
winners who owed nothing Then out of town guys who hadnt
returned to their homes here and hadnrsquot started playing with us
started chipping in Then other golfers started chipping in By the
first of April we were able to contribute a little over $1000 to the
Food Bank
We recently returned to our normal $20 Swindle game With one
difference All of the guys wanted to continue donating proceeds to
the Food Bank So thatrsquos what wersquore doing Since March 31st we
have contributed more than $2700 to the Food Bank The guys are
having a blast playing golf together and doing some good for the
community as well
To the Rescue continued
Early in the season the guys tee off from hole 1 at the Salida Golf Course
A few of the guys From left to right Dan Downing Tom Bevington
Kent Cookson Gus Argys Jerry Donner Tim Hinkle Bruce Davidson
and Darrell Sampson
Dan Downing is shown
presenting golf game
proceeds to Rev Tom
Abbott pastor of First
Presbyterian Church
for the churchrsquos food
bank The Swindle
Group has been do-
nating golf proceeds to
the food bank since
March 31and has do-
nated more than
$2700 to date
11
Mesa Antero Artists Support Ark Valleyrsquos Good Pet
Bad Art Fund Raiser
Ark Valley Humane Society held a fund raiser earlier this year called
ldquoGood Pet Bad Portraitrdquo Individuals provided a photo of their pet
along with a monetary donation Artists in the community as
young as five (5) volunteered to draw or paint a pet and then send
it to the owner At least three (3) Mesa Antero artists participated
in the charity event
To The Rescue continued
Sue Ann Hum painted two pets
The first a cat Mrs Buggles-
worth aka Bug aka Buggs
And the other a dog Charles
Craig Galler painted a
cat named Ozzy
Wendy Skean drew two dogsmdash
Goosebumps and Huckleberry
She said about her
participation Pretty sure I
lived up to the Bad part Still
I had fun participating in it ldquo
12
Be Informed Be Prepared Be Ready for Fire Quinn Macleod Mesa Anterorsquos volunteer Fire Prevention Volunteer
Coordinator recently spoke with Chaffee County Emergency
Manager Richard Atkins and wanted to pass on some crucial
information
The county uses two systems to notify the public in times of an
emergency - Everbridge and a national system sponsored by FEMA
bull Everbridge allows for detailed messages that the county can
send out Including re-population information so residents
know when to come back home
bull The FEMA system uses technology like an Amber Alert So
everyone with a cell phone powered by a specific tower will get
emergency notifications So even short-term renters in MA will
receive an evacuation notification
BOTTOM LINE MESA ANTERO PROPERTY OWNERS STILL NEED
TO SIGN UP WITH EVERBRIDGE SO PLEASE SIGN UP
After some discussion it was determined that when it is necessary
to evacuate the subdivision due to an emergency most people will
evacuate the way they enter So given the low population of Mesa
Antero a somewhat orderly evacuation will occur The reality will
likely be quite different
Learn more about the Homeowner
Evacuation Plan at httpswwwfemagov
media-library-data1409003859391-
0e8ad1ed42c129f11fbc23d008d1ee85
how_to_prepare_wildfire_033014_508pdf
Be prepared always
Prepare a kit that includes things you will need while evacuated
The duration of an evacuation can last from hours to days The kit
can consist of either a written list of things to assemble at the time
of evacuation or items that are already assembled and pre-
positioned Some things to consider including in your kit include
bull medications and other medical supplies such as diabetic or
COPD item an extra oxygen cylinder
bull important documents hard drives computers
bull photo albums
bull pets and their supplies
Think about and determine
bull Where you will meet up with other members of your home or
family The cell towers will be busy so where might you meet
your family members if you cant talk to them Walmart
Safeway City Market LaGrees
bull Identify who you want to call to let them know you are safely
evacuated Think about who might report you missing if you
dont call them
bull Where will you stay during the evacuation Will you take your
camper or camping gear Can you stay with friends living out
of the area
Prepare your home to receive the wildfire
bull Turn on outside lights and lights in every room to make the
house more visible in heavy smoke
bull Close all windows vents doors and fireplace screens This will
help reduce drafts in the home and will reduce radiant heat
bull Disconnect automatic garage door openers so doors can be
opened by hand if power is lost
bull Move flammable furniture including outdoor furniture into
the center of the home away from windows and sliding glass
doors Remove flammable curtains and window treatments
bull Connect garden hoses Shut off propane gas from the source
and move BBQ grill propane and other fuels away from the
house
bull Follow any additional guidance provided by local authorities
When driving away from a fire
bull Roll up windows and close air vents (car amp camper) because
smoke from a fire can irritate your eyes and respiratory
system
bull Drive slowly with your headlights on because smoke can
reduce visibility
bull Watch for other vehicles pedestrians and fleeing animals
bull Avoid driving through heavy smoke if possible
Wildfire Evacuation
13
Wildfire Mitigation Guide Released
The recently published Wildfire Mitigation Guide should enable
every property owner in Mesa Antero to make some modifications
to lessen the negative effects from a wildfire Even if you donrsquot have
a structure on your property these actions will help to achieve
positive results from a wildfire Fire is a natural part of the eco
system so reducing ground litter and killing some weak trees
bushes overall is good plus the nitrogen release is naturersquos fertilizer
for the grasses
Itrsquos dry
This Spring has developed into a very dry one If you have some
mitigation projects in mind it would be good to start soon
The forest and Campers
The good news is that our surrounding forests have been managed
(thinned and controlled burns) to protect our community from
wildfires The dispersed campers with their camp fires is a ignition
risk but manageable If you notice someone burning illegally itrsquos
safest for you to call the Sheriff via 911 (immediately tell them itrsquos a
ldquonon-emergencyrdquo so they can talk to you on a different line) If you
come upon an abandoned campfire pull it apart and call the sheriff
so they can fully extinguish and document
Lastly I do have some more information to add to the guide in the
future but wanted to get the bulk of it out now
Irsquom always available to answer questions andor come by
Quinn Macleod
qmacleod61gmailcom
3038105739
The Wildfire Mitigation Guide is post on MesaAnteroorg for easy
access
Help Yourself Get A Reflective House Number Sign
Did you know that reflective house number signs are crucial to help
fire fighters or emergency personnel find you quickly The
reflective green and white signs are available from the Chaffee
County Fire District main office in BV for the bargain price of just
$10
Fire experts have advised that - especially in a neighborhood like
ours - having clearly visible reflective signs are crucial to their timely
arrival at a fire or emergency The signs should be double sided
and posted near the road so they can be clearly seen from both
directions
Moth Infestation a Real Nuisance You have no doubt been annoyed by the recent infestation of
moths The Miller moths start out as caterpillars that develop on
Coloradorsquos eastern plains and in Kansas and Nebraska In the spring
they migrate west to feast on the nectar of flowers
This year wersquove seen more
moths than previous springs
because weather conditions
last year were favorable for
caterpillar development It
isnrsquot extraordinary as Colorado
has seen this many in other
years preceded by mild winters While other moth species might
like to eat your wool sweaters these do not They just eat pollen
make your house dusty and die Unless yoursquore particularly allergic
to moth scales miller moths wonrsquot do a thing besides annoy you
Miller moths are a very important food source for birds bears and
other critters A single bear can eat up to 10000 miller moths a
day which helps them get fat for the winter The mothrsquos
abdomens besides housing ldquogutsrdquo also store a lot of fat that they
stock up for the long autumn trip back to the plains They hide
under rocks in the mountains during the day Thatrsquos where bears
find them flipping over stones and grabbing a quick bite
The good news is they wonrsquot stick around forever Warm nights will
speed up their migration They are usually gone by the fall
Wildfire Mitigation amp Moths
Did you know Charles Nachtrieb I was the founder
of the town of Nathrop Colorado Early
settlers could not pronounce the German
name of Nachtrieb easily so the name of
the hamlet was Americanized to Nathrop
The original site of Nathrop was about one
and one half miles north of the present
townsite and served as a stagecoach station between Bales
station near Cleora and Leadville
14
Alliance Formed to Help Preserve Brownrsquos Creek Volunteers Needed
By Chuck Azzopardi
If you have spent time in the Browns Creek Recreation Area over
the last few years you may have noticed a dramatically increasing
number of hikers and campers And also an increase in the size and
number of dispersed campsites A number of residents of Mesa
Antero have expressed concern for a potentially catastrophic
wildfire initiated from an illegal campfire in the Browns Creek
Recreation Area In response to these developments a new group -
Browns Creek Alliance - is being formed to ensure the Browns Creek
Recreation Area is not loved to death
Many in Chaffe County realize that our valley ldquohas been foundrdquo
We can expect growth and development to occur over the next
couple of decades Envision Chaffee County was a formed in 2016
to provide guidance on the future growth and development of
Chaffee County It has since become a catalyst for community
actions such as the Browns Creek Alliance Recreation in Balance is
a program led by Envision the Greater Arkansas River Nature
Association (GARNA) and the Salida Ranger District that is creating a
community-driven plan to maintain healthy public lands quality
user experiences and the economic benefits of recreation tourism
Browns Creek Recreation Area is one of the more popular places for
outdoor recreation in Chaffee County Visitation to the Browns
Creek Recreation Area is increasing and is expected to continue on
an upward trend for the foreseeable future Our San Isabelle
National Forest Service Ranger District has recognized that Browns
Creek Recreation
Area could use
some TLC Giving
their current
budget
constraints they
are actively
encouraging
volunteer groups including Browns Creek Alliance to provide
assistance in ensuring that public lands in our area do get the
tender loving care they deserve
So given a significant growth in locals and visitors how can we
Browns Creek Alliance as a volunteer organization have a positive
impact on the long-term sustainability of Browns Creek Recreation
Area
To achieve our mission of supporting a sustainable management of
the Browns Creek Recreation Area the Browns Creek Alliance is
focusing on gathering data on visitation and its impact on public
resources The Alliance is providing education to encourage visitors
to our area to be respectful and responsible of our public resources
other visitors and residents while enjoying the Browns Creek
Recreation Area We shall also evaluate public resources
particularly dispersed campsites to determine if we can improve
their long-term sustainability
Luckily we have a successful model of how we can accomplish our
objectives right here in Chaffee County Friends of Four Mile has
years of successful experience ensuring that the Four Mile
Recreation Area is sustainable for the long-term
Friends of Four Mile has developed signage and brochures to
educate visitors They have also used buck amp rail fencing to ensure
dispersed campsites are of an appropriate long-term sustainable
size and location While some cost and efforts are necessary to
develop and implement these solutions they have been shown to
be effective
The first task for the Browns Creek Alliance is to gather data so that
we and other agencies including Recreation in Balance and the San
Isabelle National Force Ranger District can quantify the increase in
Brownrsquos Creek Alliance
Browns Creek Alliance Mission Statement
The Browns Creek Alliance is a volunteer
group The group believes in supporting a
sustainable management of the public lands
in the Browns Creek amp Raspberry Gulch areas
of the San Isabel National Forest
15
visitation as well as the measurable impact that the increasing
volume of visitors are having on our public resources
Being able to measure visitation and its impact is critical if we are to
develop and implement the best ways to ensure long-term
sustainability of our public resources This data may also be utilized
to gauge the success of our efforts as we strive to improve long-
term sustainability of Browns Creek Recreation Area
For our first task The Browns Creek Alliance similar to Friends of
Four Mile is implementing a vehicle count on the three busiest
holidays of the year - Memorial Day Fourth of July and Labor Day
Volunteers will document the number of vehicles including
recreational vehicles in Browns Creek Recreation Area on each
holiday This data shall be shared with agencies - including the
Forest Service -to determine if the number of visitors is within the
capacity of Browns Creek Recreation Area This data will also
determine whether or not visitation continues to grow and if so by
how much
The Browns Creek Alliance sees our second task as encouraging
visitors to be responsible and respectful while enjoying Browns
Creek Recreation Area If visitors understand proper outdoor
recreation amp dispersed camping etiquette they are much more
inclined to be responsible and respectful visitors and users of our
public resources Responsible and respectful campers in particular
are less inclined to have illegal fires We believe that to achieve this
second objective signage at the kiosks in the Browns Creek
Recreation Area needs to be updated and improved Brochures
containing information displayed on the new improved kiosks may
also be printed and distributed by volunteers
A sandwich billboard sign was recently erected at the entrance to
Browns Creek Recreation Area to advise visitors that a fire ban is in
place and campfires are not currently permitted Mesa Antero
Property Ownersrsquo Association voted to provide funding for this new
signage
A third task is to pursue surveying and ranking of dispersed
campsites in the area Once dispersed campsites have been ranked
for sustainability poor campsites may be removed or reconfigured
while high ranking popular campsites may be hardened or
improved As an example buck amp rail fencing may be used to
establish campsite boundaries at select dispersed campsites
Recently the Forest Service has begun implementing buck and rail
fencing at select campsites in Browns Creek Recreation Area Other
improvements are being considered in our arearsquos outdoor
recreational areas Browns Creek Alliance is already in discussions
with the Forest Service and others as to how we can evaluate and
improve dispersed campsites in our area One consideration is
moving toward designated dispersed camping to better control
campsites in the area
Finally Browns Creek Alliance intends to be a sounding board for
locals and visitors as to how Browns Creek Recreation Area can be
improved in a sustainable manner for the benefit of all To do so
we need your input We also need boots on the ground to secure
funding and assist in the implementation of the tasks detailed in
this article We have received a favorable response from many
Mesa Antero residents regarding our plans and efforts thus far
Anyone that wishes to be involved ndash by providing input andor
actual ldquoboots on the groundrdquo is invited to contact Quinn McLeod or
Chuck Azzopardi directly Contact Quinn at (303)810-5739 or
qMacLeod61gmailcom I can be reached by phone at (719)221-
6444 or by email at JanChuckBobbigmailcom
Brownrsquos Creek Alliance conrsquot
The United States Forest
Service (USFS) has placed a
large temporary No Camp-
fires sign at the entrance to
the Browns Creek area on
272 It is almost impossible
for anyone visiting the area
to not know there are
campfire restrictions
If you see someone with a
campfire please DO NOT
approach the fire burners
but call the sheriffrsquos office at
719-539-2596 to report the
campfire
16
Summer Picnics Cancelled
In an effort to keep community members safe from the possible
spread of Covid-19 summer picnics (Memorial Day Fourth of July
and Labor Day) at Stew Brown Park have been cancelled Additional
picnics may be scheduled when COVID-19 is no longer a threat
Reservations Required to Use Stew Brown Park
Residents are always welcome to enjoy Stew Brown Park However
with social distancing restrictions in place and because of concern
for our neighbors there is now a limit on the size of groups who can
gather in Stew Brown Park Groups of 10 or fewer are welcome to
use and reserve the park Reservations should be made in advance
by emailing President Mary Gontero at mapoa99gmailcom
Residents are asked NOT to use picnic tables or MAPOA supplies
and to bring their own chairs As always trash should be removed
Please note there is not a restroom in the park
No doubt we all look forward to the day we can once again gather
for our picnics after a vaccine or treatment is available Until then
letrsquos be safe and limit gatherings to 10 or fewer for the health and
safety of our community members
Chaffee County Community Foundation Emergency
Response Fund (ERF)
The ERF campaign is seeking donors who can help the fund attain a
level of resources commensurate with the local need as well as
eligible recipients who can seek financial assistance According to
the Chaffee Office of Housing well over 5000 Chaffee employees
have been or will be directly impacted by COVID-19-related
business closures Many of those may not be eligible for current
state or federal assistance The ERF is designed to meet the needs
of those individuals and families yet generous and ongoing
community support is needed CCCF is asking community
members who are able to contribute to do so either online or via
check made out to CCCF with ldquoERFrdquo in the memo line More
information or to donate go to wwwchaffeecommunityorg
erf Checks can be mailed to PO Box 492 Buena Vista CO 81211
Rachele Vierthaler recently moved to Mesa Antero from Buena
Vista Rachele sits on the Board of Directors for Chaffee County
Community Foundation and is happy to answer your questions
Email Rachele at rvierthalerchaffeecommunityorg
The Bears are Back
Numerous neighbors have reported seeing a bear in Mesa Antero
Studies show that often the first reward a bear gets for exploring
human places is a big meal of tasty nutritious seeds (a natural food
for bears) Letting your bird feeders turn into bear feeders teaches
bears that coming close to people and homes looking for food is a
good idea For bears that can end up being a deadly lesson
Mesa Antero residents are encouraged to NOT feed the birds during
the months when bears are active Instead use water features
plant-ings nest boxes and flowers to attract birds Use bird feeders
only when bears are hibernating
If you donrsquot want to stop feeding birds hang your feeders at least
10 feet off the ground and 10 feet away from anything bears can
climb Keep the area underneath feeders clean and free of bird
seed and hulls or switch to a hulled bird seed with no waste Never
store bird seed outside under your deck or in a garage or shed a
bear could break into A 50-pound bag of bird seed has over 87000
caloriesmdasha reward for the bear that is well worth the effort of
breaking in
Interesting sites on bearshellip
httpscpwstatecousbears
Living with Bears
httpsjourneynorthorgtmspringBearYearhtml
FYI amp Announcements
Craig and I went
camping in Leadville
last week Our
African Grey Joey
went along and
enjoyed her view from
a tree perch She
loves traveling with
us I imagine she
enjoys the change of
scenery
17
New Neighbors
We are delighted to welcome two new totally adorable neighbors
to Mesa Antero
Jasper recently joined the Risa and David Jenkins family He is a
Welsh Springer Spaniel and is shown here with big brother Riley (16
months) The brothers are getting along famously Mom and Dad
are wishing for accelerated potty training as theyrsquore both a bit sleep
deprived
Neighbor News
Cutty is the newest
member of the Robin
and Chris Covert
family Hersquos a German
Shephard Golden
Retriever Poodle Mix
Cutty is settling in
nicely in his new home
No surprise but Mom
and Dad here are also
hoping for quick potty
training and less
chewing of random
stuff
A kind thoughtful and
unknown soul sent
these beautiful flowers
to me anonymously
earlier this week The
card reads ldquoHerersquos a
hug for yourdquo I do not
know who sent them
but I sure am enjoying
both the lovely flowers
and the very kind
gesture of the person
who sent them Genie
Malone and Denise
Washer also received a
lovely jar of anonymous flowers Thanks to the mystery sender
from all of us It surely did bring a smile to our face and make
our day And continues to do so each time we look at them
Harper Powell -an apparent wildlife magnetmdashhas seen two moose a bear and a
coyote in recent weeks She snapped a picture of what she believes is the baby of
the two moose shersquos seen between Broken Bough and Sawmill Look closely you
can see the baby moose in the trees How cool is that
18
Marketing Mesa Antero Mesa Antero Original Sales Brochure While cleaning out an old desk recently Patsy Torian found several
copies of the original sales and marketing brochure for Mesa Antero
She thought her neighbors would find it interesting and provided a
copy for the newsletter
Please note the home pictured on the next page What it looks like
today with all of the trees is amazing
19
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
20
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
21
Aunt Mabelrsquos Coffee Cake
provided by Kathy Roach
2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour
frac14 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup butter softened
1 cup sour cream
1thinspfrac12 cups white sugar
3 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
frac12 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 frac12 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons butter melted
Preheat oven to 375 F Lightly grease a 9x13 pan
Mix together the flour baking powder and salt set aside
In a large bowl cream the butter until light and fluffy Gradually
beat in sour cream Then beat in sugar Beat in the eggs one at a
time Then stir in the vanilla
By hand fold in the flour mixture mixing just until incorporated
Spread batter into prepared pan
To make the Pecan Topping In a medium bowl mix together brown
sugar pecans and cinnamon Stir in melted butter until crumbly
Sprinkle over cake batter in pan
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a
toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean
Balsamic Vinegar Dressing
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
3 Tbsp balsamic or other favorite vinegar
5 Tbsp olive oil
14 tsp salt
14 tsp pepper
Bacon Cabbage and Noodles
I found this recipe on Pinterest Its easy quick and very tasty
2 C egg noodles
34 lb bacon diced
34 medium head of cabbage sliced
14 tsp salt
pepper to taste
Cook noodles according to package directions Meanwhile in a
large skillet cook bacon pieces over medium heat until crisp Using
a slotted spoon remove to paper towels to drain Remove all but 3
Tbsp of drippings
Add cabbage to drippings Cover and cook on low for 20 minutes or
until cabbage is tender stirring occasionally Add bacon and
noodles to cooked cabbage Stir serve and enjoy
Chicken Legs with Maple-Sriracha Glaze
Recipe originally created by grill master Steven Raichlen
Chicken Prep
12 large chicken drumsticks
1 Tbsp coarse salt
1 Tbsp freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp hot red pepper flakes
1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Place drumsticks in bowl sprinkle with above ingredients stirring to
coat well
Maple Sriracha Glaze
6 Tbsp unsalted butter
5 Tbsp pure maple syrup
14 cup sriracha or more to taste
3 Tbsp Scotch whiskey
Melt butter in saucepan over high heat stir in maple syrup
sriracha and whisky Boil until mixture is syrupy 3-5 minutes
Grill chicken legs over charcoal fire until cooked through
Try a New Recipe Page
22
DEAR NEIGHBORS amp FRIENDS
This is Ann Johnson and I am taking another opportunity to say a
very big amp loud THANK YOU to many neighbors amp friends who
visited me in the hospital sent cards and even did a meal train
(people bringing dinner every night for two weeks) It was truly
AMAZING amp HEART WARMING There arent enough words to
express my gratitude (not to mention shock) I am truly humbled
and honored amp I THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY
HEART
Ann Johnson
Dear Reader
Happy summer to you Didnrsquot we arenrsquot we having a beautiful
spring summer Irsquom never sure when summer starts here Itrsquos July
8 and Irsquom sitting outside at our picnic table in my flannel jammes
putting the final touches on the newsletter Itrsquos 110+ in the Phoenix
Valleymdashwhere we moved frommdashand I couldnt be happier to be
here
I mean donrsquot you love living in a place where some days you look at
the sky and it looks fake it is so picture perfect Donrsquot you love
living in a place where you can step outside and pick a mason jar full
of wildflowers for your dining room table A place where you go
outside at night and you can see every star in the Milky Way
Where neighbors calls you to see if you need anything from Costco
or City Market or Wal Mart when they go to town Where you see
rainbows often doubles on a regular basis Where a friend comes
to your aid at a moments notice with jumper cables or whatever
else you might need I could go on I could spend hours looking at
the clouds hurrying by on their way to somewhere unknown
watching the ripples of the water in Brownrsquos creek and the
shimmer of the aspens and cottonwoods in the breeze
The one thing I could do without however are the Miller moths
They are a supreme nuisance Each morning we take the hand vac
and suck up at least a dozen dead moths that have crawled out of
their hiding places at some point during the night Each eve we do
the same thing with the live ones who are attracted to the light for
reasons still a mystery to scientists Experts say they will be gone by
fall Ugh
Thanks to those who continue to provide stories and ideas for the
newsletter Your input truly makes the newsletter worth reading I
encourage YOU to be a contributor to the newsletter Send
pictures or stories of things yoursquore involved with like Danrsquos story on
the good deeds of his golf group If yoursquore a new neighbor send
information about yourself where you came from etc as a way to
informally introduce yourself to the neighborhood You get the
idea Snap write and send away
I look forward to the day we can all get together again in person for
friendship and fellowship Until then stay safe
Sheila
The Wrap Up
Risa Jenkins is constantly
taking spectacular
pictures of the mountains
from her and Davidrsquos
home on Deer Trail
She took these three - the
first two morning
rainbows the last a
spectacular sunset - just
this week
9
Residents Participate in Weekly Food Drive
Jan Toniazzo and Joyce Peryam made their first of many weekly
donated food deliveries to The Grainery food bank on March 26
and have been going strong ever since The ladies report that the
volunteers at The Grainery truly appreciate the kindness and
generosity shown by the folks of Mesa Antero
Food collections continue because the need for food assistance
continues If you can help support families in need there are two
ways you can do so You can drop off canned and dry goods in the
wooden box next to Joyce Peryamrsquos driveway at 13030 Deer Trail
(CR261D) They are in need of all canned goods especially canned
wieners soup and beans rice and dried pasta Or you can mail a
monetary donation to The Grainery 1348 E Street Buena Vista
Thanks Joyce and Jan for coordinating collection and deliveries and
thanks to Mesa Antero residents for giving Joyce and Jan something
to do And most importantly thanks everyone for helping families in
need
Donations Drop Off Update You may note that the red drop off box is no longer by the roadside
in front of Joycersquos house Unfortunately the Mesa Antero bear has
made his way to lower Deer Trail and took out the Perrymanrsquos
bluebird house and new chicks While he didnrsquot mess with the food
drive red box the gals have had to rethink the way food donations
are collected from now on
You can still drop off your donated canned goods but are asked to
now bring them Joycersquos front door Please text Joyce to make sure
she is home to receive the food (her number is in the directory)
For the time being residents are asked to please limit donations to
canned goods ONLY Please NO pasta cereal crackers or glass
plastic jars
To the Rescue continued
Pictured here are some of the many donations made by residents of Mesa
Antero in recent months Joyce Perryman (left) and Jan Tonazzio (right) are
delivering donated goods to The Grainery each week
10
Mesa Antero Golfers Support Food Bank
by Dan Downing
Irsquom part of a group of about 16 guys who regularly plays golf in
Salida Several are current or former Mesa Antero residents
including Tom Parkes Roger Miller and Rick Davidoff Our group
doesnrsquot have an official name We play a game called ldquoSwindlerdquo so
at least as Facebook goes we call ourselves the ldquoSalida Summer
Swindle Grouprdquo We play on Tuesdays Thursdays and Saturdays
and in the spirit of friendly competition we each ante up $20 to
play
We begin playing each year as soon as the weather permits usually
in March which this year was just about the time the Covid-19
pandemic started getting serious The golf course was allowed to
remain open but with proper social distancing and restrictions on
touching things
In the past we determined who won and who lost on day of play
With winners buying drinks at the 19th hole When the virus hit
we didnt want to continue passing around scorecards and cash any
more than we absolutely had to We wanted to keep things
interesting and competitive by keeping the money in play So I
came up with a creative idea Instead of playing as teams wersquod
play as individuals and pay our losses into a kitty which would
benefit the Food Bank at the Presbyterian Church Like many
theyrsquod been hit hard as a result of the economic downturn All of
the guys eagerly signed on
Enthusiasm for the new ldquoQuotardquo game has been amazing Most
guys end up owing the kitty two or three dollars at the end of
the game It doesnt add up all that quickly but it does indeed add
up The guys soon began chipping in a little extra as did the
winners who owed nothing Then out of town guys who hadnt
returned to their homes here and hadnrsquot started playing with us
started chipping in Then other golfers started chipping in By the
first of April we were able to contribute a little over $1000 to the
Food Bank
We recently returned to our normal $20 Swindle game With one
difference All of the guys wanted to continue donating proceeds to
the Food Bank So thatrsquos what wersquore doing Since March 31st we
have contributed more than $2700 to the Food Bank The guys are
having a blast playing golf together and doing some good for the
community as well
To the Rescue continued
Early in the season the guys tee off from hole 1 at the Salida Golf Course
A few of the guys From left to right Dan Downing Tom Bevington
Kent Cookson Gus Argys Jerry Donner Tim Hinkle Bruce Davidson
and Darrell Sampson
Dan Downing is shown
presenting golf game
proceeds to Rev Tom
Abbott pastor of First
Presbyterian Church
for the churchrsquos food
bank The Swindle
Group has been do-
nating golf proceeds to
the food bank since
March 31and has do-
nated more than
$2700 to date
11
Mesa Antero Artists Support Ark Valleyrsquos Good Pet
Bad Art Fund Raiser
Ark Valley Humane Society held a fund raiser earlier this year called
ldquoGood Pet Bad Portraitrdquo Individuals provided a photo of their pet
along with a monetary donation Artists in the community as
young as five (5) volunteered to draw or paint a pet and then send
it to the owner At least three (3) Mesa Antero artists participated
in the charity event
To The Rescue continued
Sue Ann Hum painted two pets
The first a cat Mrs Buggles-
worth aka Bug aka Buggs
And the other a dog Charles
Craig Galler painted a
cat named Ozzy
Wendy Skean drew two dogsmdash
Goosebumps and Huckleberry
She said about her
participation Pretty sure I
lived up to the Bad part Still
I had fun participating in it ldquo
12
Be Informed Be Prepared Be Ready for Fire Quinn Macleod Mesa Anterorsquos volunteer Fire Prevention Volunteer
Coordinator recently spoke with Chaffee County Emergency
Manager Richard Atkins and wanted to pass on some crucial
information
The county uses two systems to notify the public in times of an
emergency - Everbridge and a national system sponsored by FEMA
bull Everbridge allows for detailed messages that the county can
send out Including re-population information so residents
know when to come back home
bull The FEMA system uses technology like an Amber Alert So
everyone with a cell phone powered by a specific tower will get
emergency notifications So even short-term renters in MA will
receive an evacuation notification
BOTTOM LINE MESA ANTERO PROPERTY OWNERS STILL NEED
TO SIGN UP WITH EVERBRIDGE SO PLEASE SIGN UP
After some discussion it was determined that when it is necessary
to evacuate the subdivision due to an emergency most people will
evacuate the way they enter So given the low population of Mesa
Antero a somewhat orderly evacuation will occur The reality will
likely be quite different
Learn more about the Homeowner
Evacuation Plan at httpswwwfemagov
media-library-data1409003859391-
0e8ad1ed42c129f11fbc23d008d1ee85
how_to_prepare_wildfire_033014_508pdf
Be prepared always
Prepare a kit that includes things you will need while evacuated
The duration of an evacuation can last from hours to days The kit
can consist of either a written list of things to assemble at the time
of evacuation or items that are already assembled and pre-
positioned Some things to consider including in your kit include
bull medications and other medical supplies such as diabetic or
COPD item an extra oxygen cylinder
bull important documents hard drives computers
bull photo albums
bull pets and their supplies
Think about and determine
bull Where you will meet up with other members of your home or
family The cell towers will be busy so where might you meet
your family members if you cant talk to them Walmart
Safeway City Market LaGrees
bull Identify who you want to call to let them know you are safely
evacuated Think about who might report you missing if you
dont call them
bull Where will you stay during the evacuation Will you take your
camper or camping gear Can you stay with friends living out
of the area
Prepare your home to receive the wildfire
bull Turn on outside lights and lights in every room to make the
house more visible in heavy smoke
bull Close all windows vents doors and fireplace screens This will
help reduce drafts in the home and will reduce radiant heat
bull Disconnect automatic garage door openers so doors can be
opened by hand if power is lost
bull Move flammable furniture including outdoor furniture into
the center of the home away from windows and sliding glass
doors Remove flammable curtains and window treatments
bull Connect garden hoses Shut off propane gas from the source
and move BBQ grill propane and other fuels away from the
house
bull Follow any additional guidance provided by local authorities
When driving away from a fire
bull Roll up windows and close air vents (car amp camper) because
smoke from a fire can irritate your eyes and respiratory
system
bull Drive slowly with your headlights on because smoke can
reduce visibility
bull Watch for other vehicles pedestrians and fleeing animals
bull Avoid driving through heavy smoke if possible
Wildfire Evacuation
13
Wildfire Mitigation Guide Released
The recently published Wildfire Mitigation Guide should enable
every property owner in Mesa Antero to make some modifications
to lessen the negative effects from a wildfire Even if you donrsquot have
a structure on your property these actions will help to achieve
positive results from a wildfire Fire is a natural part of the eco
system so reducing ground litter and killing some weak trees
bushes overall is good plus the nitrogen release is naturersquos fertilizer
for the grasses
Itrsquos dry
This Spring has developed into a very dry one If you have some
mitigation projects in mind it would be good to start soon
The forest and Campers
The good news is that our surrounding forests have been managed
(thinned and controlled burns) to protect our community from
wildfires The dispersed campers with their camp fires is a ignition
risk but manageable If you notice someone burning illegally itrsquos
safest for you to call the Sheriff via 911 (immediately tell them itrsquos a
ldquonon-emergencyrdquo so they can talk to you on a different line) If you
come upon an abandoned campfire pull it apart and call the sheriff
so they can fully extinguish and document
Lastly I do have some more information to add to the guide in the
future but wanted to get the bulk of it out now
Irsquom always available to answer questions andor come by
Quinn Macleod
qmacleod61gmailcom
3038105739
The Wildfire Mitigation Guide is post on MesaAnteroorg for easy
access
Help Yourself Get A Reflective House Number Sign
Did you know that reflective house number signs are crucial to help
fire fighters or emergency personnel find you quickly The
reflective green and white signs are available from the Chaffee
County Fire District main office in BV for the bargain price of just
$10
Fire experts have advised that - especially in a neighborhood like
ours - having clearly visible reflective signs are crucial to their timely
arrival at a fire or emergency The signs should be double sided
and posted near the road so they can be clearly seen from both
directions
Moth Infestation a Real Nuisance You have no doubt been annoyed by the recent infestation of
moths The Miller moths start out as caterpillars that develop on
Coloradorsquos eastern plains and in Kansas and Nebraska In the spring
they migrate west to feast on the nectar of flowers
This year wersquove seen more
moths than previous springs
because weather conditions
last year were favorable for
caterpillar development It
isnrsquot extraordinary as Colorado
has seen this many in other
years preceded by mild winters While other moth species might
like to eat your wool sweaters these do not They just eat pollen
make your house dusty and die Unless yoursquore particularly allergic
to moth scales miller moths wonrsquot do a thing besides annoy you
Miller moths are a very important food source for birds bears and
other critters A single bear can eat up to 10000 miller moths a
day which helps them get fat for the winter The mothrsquos
abdomens besides housing ldquogutsrdquo also store a lot of fat that they
stock up for the long autumn trip back to the plains They hide
under rocks in the mountains during the day Thatrsquos where bears
find them flipping over stones and grabbing a quick bite
The good news is they wonrsquot stick around forever Warm nights will
speed up their migration They are usually gone by the fall
Wildfire Mitigation amp Moths
Did you know Charles Nachtrieb I was the founder
of the town of Nathrop Colorado Early
settlers could not pronounce the German
name of Nachtrieb easily so the name of
the hamlet was Americanized to Nathrop
The original site of Nathrop was about one
and one half miles north of the present
townsite and served as a stagecoach station between Bales
station near Cleora and Leadville
14
Alliance Formed to Help Preserve Brownrsquos Creek Volunteers Needed
By Chuck Azzopardi
If you have spent time in the Browns Creek Recreation Area over
the last few years you may have noticed a dramatically increasing
number of hikers and campers And also an increase in the size and
number of dispersed campsites A number of residents of Mesa
Antero have expressed concern for a potentially catastrophic
wildfire initiated from an illegal campfire in the Browns Creek
Recreation Area In response to these developments a new group -
Browns Creek Alliance - is being formed to ensure the Browns Creek
Recreation Area is not loved to death
Many in Chaffe County realize that our valley ldquohas been foundrdquo
We can expect growth and development to occur over the next
couple of decades Envision Chaffee County was a formed in 2016
to provide guidance on the future growth and development of
Chaffee County It has since become a catalyst for community
actions such as the Browns Creek Alliance Recreation in Balance is
a program led by Envision the Greater Arkansas River Nature
Association (GARNA) and the Salida Ranger District that is creating a
community-driven plan to maintain healthy public lands quality
user experiences and the economic benefits of recreation tourism
Browns Creek Recreation Area is one of the more popular places for
outdoor recreation in Chaffee County Visitation to the Browns
Creek Recreation Area is increasing and is expected to continue on
an upward trend for the foreseeable future Our San Isabelle
National Forest Service Ranger District has recognized that Browns
Creek Recreation
Area could use
some TLC Giving
their current
budget
constraints they
are actively
encouraging
volunteer groups including Browns Creek Alliance to provide
assistance in ensuring that public lands in our area do get the
tender loving care they deserve
So given a significant growth in locals and visitors how can we
Browns Creek Alliance as a volunteer organization have a positive
impact on the long-term sustainability of Browns Creek Recreation
Area
To achieve our mission of supporting a sustainable management of
the Browns Creek Recreation Area the Browns Creek Alliance is
focusing on gathering data on visitation and its impact on public
resources The Alliance is providing education to encourage visitors
to our area to be respectful and responsible of our public resources
other visitors and residents while enjoying the Browns Creek
Recreation Area We shall also evaluate public resources
particularly dispersed campsites to determine if we can improve
their long-term sustainability
Luckily we have a successful model of how we can accomplish our
objectives right here in Chaffee County Friends of Four Mile has
years of successful experience ensuring that the Four Mile
Recreation Area is sustainable for the long-term
Friends of Four Mile has developed signage and brochures to
educate visitors They have also used buck amp rail fencing to ensure
dispersed campsites are of an appropriate long-term sustainable
size and location While some cost and efforts are necessary to
develop and implement these solutions they have been shown to
be effective
The first task for the Browns Creek Alliance is to gather data so that
we and other agencies including Recreation in Balance and the San
Isabelle National Force Ranger District can quantify the increase in
Brownrsquos Creek Alliance
Browns Creek Alliance Mission Statement
The Browns Creek Alliance is a volunteer
group The group believes in supporting a
sustainable management of the public lands
in the Browns Creek amp Raspberry Gulch areas
of the San Isabel National Forest
15
visitation as well as the measurable impact that the increasing
volume of visitors are having on our public resources
Being able to measure visitation and its impact is critical if we are to
develop and implement the best ways to ensure long-term
sustainability of our public resources This data may also be utilized
to gauge the success of our efforts as we strive to improve long-
term sustainability of Browns Creek Recreation Area
For our first task The Browns Creek Alliance similar to Friends of
Four Mile is implementing a vehicle count on the three busiest
holidays of the year - Memorial Day Fourth of July and Labor Day
Volunteers will document the number of vehicles including
recreational vehicles in Browns Creek Recreation Area on each
holiday This data shall be shared with agencies - including the
Forest Service -to determine if the number of visitors is within the
capacity of Browns Creek Recreation Area This data will also
determine whether or not visitation continues to grow and if so by
how much
The Browns Creek Alliance sees our second task as encouraging
visitors to be responsible and respectful while enjoying Browns
Creek Recreation Area If visitors understand proper outdoor
recreation amp dispersed camping etiquette they are much more
inclined to be responsible and respectful visitors and users of our
public resources Responsible and respectful campers in particular
are less inclined to have illegal fires We believe that to achieve this
second objective signage at the kiosks in the Browns Creek
Recreation Area needs to be updated and improved Brochures
containing information displayed on the new improved kiosks may
also be printed and distributed by volunteers
A sandwich billboard sign was recently erected at the entrance to
Browns Creek Recreation Area to advise visitors that a fire ban is in
place and campfires are not currently permitted Mesa Antero
Property Ownersrsquo Association voted to provide funding for this new
signage
A third task is to pursue surveying and ranking of dispersed
campsites in the area Once dispersed campsites have been ranked
for sustainability poor campsites may be removed or reconfigured
while high ranking popular campsites may be hardened or
improved As an example buck amp rail fencing may be used to
establish campsite boundaries at select dispersed campsites
Recently the Forest Service has begun implementing buck and rail
fencing at select campsites in Browns Creek Recreation Area Other
improvements are being considered in our arearsquos outdoor
recreational areas Browns Creek Alliance is already in discussions
with the Forest Service and others as to how we can evaluate and
improve dispersed campsites in our area One consideration is
moving toward designated dispersed camping to better control
campsites in the area
Finally Browns Creek Alliance intends to be a sounding board for
locals and visitors as to how Browns Creek Recreation Area can be
improved in a sustainable manner for the benefit of all To do so
we need your input We also need boots on the ground to secure
funding and assist in the implementation of the tasks detailed in
this article We have received a favorable response from many
Mesa Antero residents regarding our plans and efforts thus far
Anyone that wishes to be involved ndash by providing input andor
actual ldquoboots on the groundrdquo is invited to contact Quinn McLeod or
Chuck Azzopardi directly Contact Quinn at (303)810-5739 or
qMacLeod61gmailcom I can be reached by phone at (719)221-
6444 or by email at JanChuckBobbigmailcom
Brownrsquos Creek Alliance conrsquot
The United States Forest
Service (USFS) has placed a
large temporary No Camp-
fires sign at the entrance to
the Browns Creek area on
272 It is almost impossible
for anyone visiting the area
to not know there are
campfire restrictions
If you see someone with a
campfire please DO NOT
approach the fire burners
but call the sheriffrsquos office at
719-539-2596 to report the
campfire
16
Summer Picnics Cancelled
In an effort to keep community members safe from the possible
spread of Covid-19 summer picnics (Memorial Day Fourth of July
and Labor Day) at Stew Brown Park have been cancelled Additional
picnics may be scheduled when COVID-19 is no longer a threat
Reservations Required to Use Stew Brown Park
Residents are always welcome to enjoy Stew Brown Park However
with social distancing restrictions in place and because of concern
for our neighbors there is now a limit on the size of groups who can
gather in Stew Brown Park Groups of 10 or fewer are welcome to
use and reserve the park Reservations should be made in advance
by emailing President Mary Gontero at mapoa99gmailcom
Residents are asked NOT to use picnic tables or MAPOA supplies
and to bring their own chairs As always trash should be removed
Please note there is not a restroom in the park
No doubt we all look forward to the day we can once again gather
for our picnics after a vaccine or treatment is available Until then
letrsquos be safe and limit gatherings to 10 or fewer for the health and
safety of our community members
Chaffee County Community Foundation Emergency
Response Fund (ERF)
The ERF campaign is seeking donors who can help the fund attain a
level of resources commensurate with the local need as well as
eligible recipients who can seek financial assistance According to
the Chaffee Office of Housing well over 5000 Chaffee employees
have been or will be directly impacted by COVID-19-related
business closures Many of those may not be eligible for current
state or federal assistance The ERF is designed to meet the needs
of those individuals and families yet generous and ongoing
community support is needed CCCF is asking community
members who are able to contribute to do so either online or via
check made out to CCCF with ldquoERFrdquo in the memo line More
information or to donate go to wwwchaffeecommunityorg
erf Checks can be mailed to PO Box 492 Buena Vista CO 81211
Rachele Vierthaler recently moved to Mesa Antero from Buena
Vista Rachele sits on the Board of Directors for Chaffee County
Community Foundation and is happy to answer your questions
Email Rachele at rvierthalerchaffeecommunityorg
The Bears are Back
Numerous neighbors have reported seeing a bear in Mesa Antero
Studies show that often the first reward a bear gets for exploring
human places is a big meal of tasty nutritious seeds (a natural food
for bears) Letting your bird feeders turn into bear feeders teaches
bears that coming close to people and homes looking for food is a
good idea For bears that can end up being a deadly lesson
Mesa Antero residents are encouraged to NOT feed the birds during
the months when bears are active Instead use water features
plant-ings nest boxes and flowers to attract birds Use bird feeders
only when bears are hibernating
If you donrsquot want to stop feeding birds hang your feeders at least
10 feet off the ground and 10 feet away from anything bears can
climb Keep the area underneath feeders clean and free of bird
seed and hulls or switch to a hulled bird seed with no waste Never
store bird seed outside under your deck or in a garage or shed a
bear could break into A 50-pound bag of bird seed has over 87000
caloriesmdasha reward for the bear that is well worth the effort of
breaking in
Interesting sites on bearshellip
httpscpwstatecousbears
Living with Bears
httpsjourneynorthorgtmspringBearYearhtml
FYI amp Announcements
Craig and I went
camping in Leadville
last week Our
African Grey Joey
went along and
enjoyed her view from
a tree perch She
loves traveling with
us I imagine she
enjoys the change of
scenery
17
New Neighbors
We are delighted to welcome two new totally adorable neighbors
to Mesa Antero
Jasper recently joined the Risa and David Jenkins family He is a
Welsh Springer Spaniel and is shown here with big brother Riley (16
months) The brothers are getting along famously Mom and Dad
are wishing for accelerated potty training as theyrsquore both a bit sleep
deprived
Neighbor News
Cutty is the newest
member of the Robin
and Chris Covert
family Hersquos a German
Shephard Golden
Retriever Poodle Mix
Cutty is settling in
nicely in his new home
No surprise but Mom
and Dad here are also
hoping for quick potty
training and less
chewing of random
stuff
A kind thoughtful and
unknown soul sent
these beautiful flowers
to me anonymously
earlier this week The
card reads ldquoHerersquos a
hug for yourdquo I do not
know who sent them
but I sure am enjoying
both the lovely flowers
and the very kind
gesture of the person
who sent them Genie
Malone and Denise
Washer also received a
lovely jar of anonymous flowers Thanks to the mystery sender
from all of us It surely did bring a smile to our face and make
our day And continues to do so each time we look at them
Harper Powell -an apparent wildlife magnetmdashhas seen two moose a bear and a
coyote in recent weeks She snapped a picture of what she believes is the baby of
the two moose shersquos seen between Broken Bough and Sawmill Look closely you
can see the baby moose in the trees How cool is that
18
Marketing Mesa Antero Mesa Antero Original Sales Brochure While cleaning out an old desk recently Patsy Torian found several
copies of the original sales and marketing brochure for Mesa Antero
She thought her neighbors would find it interesting and provided a
copy for the newsletter
Please note the home pictured on the next page What it looks like
today with all of the trees is amazing
19
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
20
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
21
Aunt Mabelrsquos Coffee Cake
provided by Kathy Roach
2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour
frac14 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup butter softened
1 cup sour cream
1thinspfrac12 cups white sugar
3 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
frac12 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 frac12 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons butter melted
Preheat oven to 375 F Lightly grease a 9x13 pan
Mix together the flour baking powder and salt set aside
In a large bowl cream the butter until light and fluffy Gradually
beat in sour cream Then beat in sugar Beat in the eggs one at a
time Then stir in the vanilla
By hand fold in the flour mixture mixing just until incorporated
Spread batter into prepared pan
To make the Pecan Topping In a medium bowl mix together brown
sugar pecans and cinnamon Stir in melted butter until crumbly
Sprinkle over cake batter in pan
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a
toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean
Balsamic Vinegar Dressing
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
3 Tbsp balsamic or other favorite vinegar
5 Tbsp olive oil
14 tsp salt
14 tsp pepper
Bacon Cabbage and Noodles
I found this recipe on Pinterest Its easy quick and very tasty
2 C egg noodles
34 lb bacon diced
34 medium head of cabbage sliced
14 tsp salt
pepper to taste
Cook noodles according to package directions Meanwhile in a
large skillet cook bacon pieces over medium heat until crisp Using
a slotted spoon remove to paper towels to drain Remove all but 3
Tbsp of drippings
Add cabbage to drippings Cover and cook on low for 20 minutes or
until cabbage is tender stirring occasionally Add bacon and
noodles to cooked cabbage Stir serve and enjoy
Chicken Legs with Maple-Sriracha Glaze
Recipe originally created by grill master Steven Raichlen
Chicken Prep
12 large chicken drumsticks
1 Tbsp coarse salt
1 Tbsp freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp hot red pepper flakes
1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Place drumsticks in bowl sprinkle with above ingredients stirring to
coat well
Maple Sriracha Glaze
6 Tbsp unsalted butter
5 Tbsp pure maple syrup
14 cup sriracha or more to taste
3 Tbsp Scotch whiskey
Melt butter in saucepan over high heat stir in maple syrup
sriracha and whisky Boil until mixture is syrupy 3-5 minutes
Grill chicken legs over charcoal fire until cooked through
Try a New Recipe Page
22
DEAR NEIGHBORS amp FRIENDS
This is Ann Johnson and I am taking another opportunity to say a
very big amp loud THANK YOU to many neighbors amp friends who
visited me in the hospital sent cards and even did a meal train
(people bringing dinner every night for two weeks) It was truly
AMAZING amp HEART WARMING There arent enough words to
express my gratitude (not to mention shock) I am truly humbled
and honored amp I THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY
HEART
Ann Johnson
Dear Reader
Happy summer to you Didnrsquot we arenrsquot we having a beautiful
spring summer Irsquom never sure when summer starts here Itrsquos July
8 and Irsquom sitting outside at our picnic table in my flannel jammes
putting the final touches on the newsletter Itrsquos 110+ in the Phoenix
Valleymdashwhere we moved frommdashand I couldnt be happier to be
here
I mean donrsquot you love living in a place where some days you look at
the sky and it looks fake it is so picture perfect Donrsquot you love
living in a place where you can step outside and pick a mason jar full
of wildflowers for your dining room table A place where you go
outside at night and you can see every star in the Milky Way
Where neighbors calls you to see if you need anything from Costco
or City Market or Wal Mart when they go to town Where you see
rainbows often doubles on a regular basis Where a friend comes
to your aid at a moments notice with jumper cables or whatever
else you might need I could go on I could spend hours looking at
the clouds hurrying by on their way to somewhere unknown
watching the ripples of the water in Brownrsquos creek and the
shimmer of the aspens and cottonwoods in the breeze
The one thing I could do without however are the Miller moths
They are a supreme nuisance Each morning we take the hand vac
and suck up at least a dozen dead moths that have crawled out of
their hiding places at some point during the night Each eve we do
the same thing with the live ones who are attracted to the light for
reasons still a mystery to scientists Experts say they will be gone by
fall Ugh
Thanks to those who continue to provide stories and ideas for the
newsletter Your input truly makes the newsletter worth reading I
encourage YOU to be a contributor to the newsletter Send
pictures or stories of things yoursquore involved with like Danrsquos story on
the good deeds of his golf group If yoursquore a new neighbor send
information about yourself where you came from etc as a way to
informally introduce yourself to the neighborhood You get the
idea Snap write and send away
I look forward to the day we can all get together again in person for
friendship and fellowship Until then stay safe
Sheila
The Wrap Up
Risa Jenkins is constantly
taking spectacular
pictures of the mountains
from her and Davidrsquos
home on Deer Trail
She took these three - the
first two morning
rainbows the last a
spectacular sunset - just
this week
10
Mesa Antero Golfers Support Food Bank
by Dan Downing
Irsquom part of a group of about 16 guys who regularly plays golf in
Salida Several are current or former Mesa Antero residents
including Tom Parkes Roger Miller and Rick Davidoff Our group
doesnrsquot have an official name We play a game called ldquoSwindlerdquo so
at least as Facebook goes we call ourselves the ldquoSalida Summer
Swindle Grouprdquo We play on Tuesdays Thursdays and Saturdays
and in the spirit of friendly competition we each ante up $20 to
play
We begin playing each year as soon as the weather permits usually
in March which this year was just about the time the Covid-19
pandemic started getting serious The golf course was allowed to
remain open but with proper social distancing and restrictions on
touching things
In the past we determined who won and who lost on day of play
With winners buying drinks at the 19th hole When the virus hit
we didnt want to continue passing around scorecards and cash any
more than we absolutely had to We wanted to keep things
interesting and competitive by keeping the money in play So I
came up with a creative idea Instead of playing as teams wersquod
play as individuals and pay our losses into a kitty which would
benefit the Food Bank at the Presbyterian Church Like many
theyrsquod been hit hard as a result of the economic downturn All of
the guys eagerly signed on
Enthusiasm for the new ldquoQuotardquo game has been amazing Most
guys end up owing the kitty two or three dollars at the end of
the game It doesnt add up all that quickly but it does indeed add
up The guys soon began chipping in a little extra as did the
winners who owed nothing Then out of town guys who hadnt
returned to their homes here and hadnrsquot started playing with us
started chipping in Then other golfers started chipping in By the
first of April we were able to contribute a little over $1000 to the
Food Bank
We recently returned to our normal $20 Swindle game With one
difference All of the guys wanted to continue donating proceeds to
the Food Bank So thatrsquos what wersquore doing Since March 31st we
have contributed more than $2700 to the Food Bank The guys are
having a blast playing golf together and doing some good for the
community as well
To the Rescue continued
Early in the season the guys tee off from hole 1 at the Salida Golf Course
A few of the guys From left to right Dan Downing Tom Bevington
Kent Cookson Gus Argys Jerry Donner Tim Hinkle Bruce Davidson
and Darrell Sampson
Dan Downing is shown
presenting golf game
proceeds to Rev Tom
Abbott pastor of First
Presbyterian Church
for the churchrsquos food
bank The Swindle
Group has been do-
nating golf proceeds to
the food bank since
March 31and has do-
nated more than
$2700 to date
11
Mesa Antero Artists Support Ark Valleyrsquos Good Pet
Bad Art Fund Raiser
Ark Valley Humane Society held a fund raiser earlier this year called
ldquoGood Pet Bad Portraitrdquo Individuals provided a photo of their pet
along with a monetary donation Artists in the community as
young as five (5) volunteered to draw or paint a pet and then send
it to the owner At least three (3) Mesa Antero artists participated
in the charity event
To The Rescue continued
Sue Ann Hum painted two pets
The first a cat Mrs Buggles-
worth aka Bug aka Buggs
And the other a dog Charles
Craig Galler painted a
cat named Ozzy
Wendy Skean drew two dogsmdash
Goosebumps and Huckleberry
She said about her
participation Pretty sure I
lived up to the Bad part Still
I had fun participating in it ldquo
12
Be Informed Be Prepared Be Ready for Fire Quinn Macleod Mesa Anterorsquos volunteer Fire Prevention Volunteer
Coordinator recently spoke with Chaffee County Emergency
Manager Richard Atkins and wanted to pass on some crucial
information
The county uses two systems to notify the public in times of an
emergency - Everbridge and a national system sponsored by FEMA
bull Everbridge allows for detailed messages that the county can
send out Including re-population information so residents
know when to come back home
bull The FEMA system uses technology like an Amber Alert So
everyone with a cell phone powered by a specific tower will get
emergency notifications So even short-term renters in MA will
receive an evacuation notification
BOTTOM LINE MESA ANTERO PROPERTY OWNERS STILL NEED
TO SIGN UP WITH EVERBRIDGE SO PLEASE SIGN UP
After some discussion it was determined that when it is necessary
to evacuate the subdivision due to an emergency most people will
evacuate the way they enter So given the low population of Mesa
Antero a somewhat orderly evacuation will occur The reality will
likely be quite different
Learn more about the Homeowner
Evacuation Plan at httpswwwfemagov
media-library-data1409003859391-
0e8ad1ed42c129f11fbc23d008d1ee85
how_to_prepare_wildfire_033014_508pdf
Be prepared always
Prepare a kit that includes things you will need while evacuated
The duration of an evacuation can last from hours to days The kit
can consist of either a written list of things to assemble at the time
of evacuation or items that are already assembled and pre-
positioned Some things to consider including in your kit include
bull medications and other medical supplies such as diabetic or
COPD item an extra oxygen cylinder
bull important documents hard drives computers
bull photo albums
bull pets and their supplies
Think about and determine
bull Where you will meet up with other members of your home or
family The cell towers will be busy so where might you meet
your family members if you cant talk to them Walmart
Safeway City Market LaGrees
bull Identify who you want to call to let them know you are safely
evacuated Think about who might report you missing if you
dont call them
bull Where will you stay during the evacuation Will you take your
camper or camping gear Can you stay with friends living out
of the area
Prepare your home to receive the wildfire
bull Turn on outside lights and lights in every room to make the
house more visible in heavy smoke
bull Close all windows vents doors and fireplace screens This will
help reduce drafts in the home and will reduce radiant heat
bull Disconnect automatic garage door openers so doors can be
opened by hand if power is lost
bull Move flammable furniture including outdoor furniture into
the center of the home away from windows and sliding glass
doors Remove flammable curtains and window treatments
bull Connect garden hoses Shut off propane gas from the source
and move BBQ grill propane and other fuels away from the
house
bull Follow any additional guidance provided by local authorities
When driving away from a fire
bull Roll up windows and close air vents (car amp camper) because
smoke from a fire can irritate your eyes and respiratory
system
bull Drive slowly with your headlights on because smoke can
reduce visibility
bull Watch for other vehicles pedestrians and fleeing animals
bull Avoid driving through heavy smoke if possible
Wildfire Evacuation
13
Wildfire Mitigation Guide Released
The recently published Wildfire Mitigation Guide should enable
every property owner in Mesa Antero to make some modifications
to lessen the negative effects from a wildfire Even if you donrsquot have
a structure on your property these actions will help to achieve
positive results from a wildfire Fire is a natural part of the eco
system so reducing ground litter and killing some weak trees
bushes overall is good plus the nitrogen release is naturersquos fertilizer
for the grasses
Itrsquos dry
This Spring has developed into a very dry one If you have some
mitigation projects in mind it would be good to start soon
The forest and Campers
The good news is that our surrounding forests have been managed
(thinned and controlled burns) to protect our community from
wildfires The dispersed campers with their camp fires is a ignition
risk but manageable If you notice someone burning illegally itrsquos
safest for you to call the Sheriff via 911 (immediately tell them itrsquos a
ldquonon-emergencyrdquo so they can talk to you on a different line) If you
come upon an abandoned campfire pull it apart and call the sheriff
so they can fully extinguish and document
Lastly I do have some more information to add to the guide in the
future but wanted to get the bulk of it out now
Irsquom always available to answer questions andor come by
Quinn Macleod
qmacleod61gmailcom
3038105739
The Wildfire Mitigation Guide is post on MesaAnteroorg for easy
access
Help Yourself Get A Reflective House Number Sign
Did you know that reflective house number signs are crucial to help
fire fighters or emergency personnel find you quickly The
reflective green and white signs are available from the Chaffee
County Fire District main office in BV for the bargain price of just
$10
Fire experts have advised that - especially in a neighborhood like
ours - having clearly visible reflective signs are crucial to their timely
arrival at a fire or emergency The signs should be double sided
and posted near the road so they can be clearly seen from both
directions
Moth Infestation a Real Nuisance You have no doubt been annoyed by the recent infestation of
moths The Miller moths start out as caterpillars that develop on
Coloradorsquos eastern plains and in Kansas and Nebraska In the spring
they migrate west to feast on the nectar of flowers
This year wersquove seen more
moths than previous springs
because weather conditions
last year were favorable for
caterpillar development It
isnrsquot extraordinary as Colorado
has seen this many in other
years preceded by mild winters While other moth species might
like to eat your wool sweaters these do not They just eat pollen
make your house dusty and die Unless yoursquore particularly allergic
to moth scales miller moths wonrsquot do a thing besides annoy you
Miller moths are a very important food source for birds bears and
other critters A single bear can eat up to 10000 miller moths a
day which helps them get fat for the winter The mothrsquos
abdomens besides housing ldquogutsrdquo also store a lot of fat that they
stock up for the long autumn trip back to the plains They hide
under rocks in the mountains during the day Thatrsquos where bears
find them flipping over stones and grabbing a quick bite
The good news is they wonrsquot stick around forever Warm nights will
speed up their migration They are usually gone by the fall
Wildfire Mitigation amp Moths
Did you know Charles Nachtrieb I was the founder
of the town of Nathrop Colorado Early
settlers could not pronounce the German
name of Nachtrieb easily so the name of
the hamlet was Americanized to Nathrop
The original site of Nathrop was about one
and one half miles north of the present
townsite and served as a stagecoach station between Bales
station near Cleora and Leadville
14
Alliance Formed to Help Preserve Brownrsquos Creek Volunteers Needed
By Chuck Azzopardi
If you have spent time in the Browns Creek Recreation Area over
the last few years you may have noticed a dramatically increasing
number of hikers and campers And also an increase in the size and
number of dispersed campsites A number of residents of Mesa
Antero have expressed concern for a potentially catastrophic
wildfire initiated from an illegal campfire in the Browns Creek
Recreation Area In response to these developments a new group -
Browns Creek Alliance - is being formed to ensure the Browns Creek
Recreation Area is not loved to death
Many in Chaffe County realize that our valley ldquohas been foundrdquo
We can expect growth and development to occur over the next
couple of decades Envision Chaffee County was a formed in 2016
to provide guidance on the future growth and development of
Chaffee County It has since become a catalyst for community
actions such as the Browns Creek Alliance Recreation in Balance is
a program led by Envision the Greater Arkansas River Nature
Association (GARNA) and the Salida Ranger District that is creating a
community-driven plan to maintain healthy public lands quality
user experiences and the economic benefits of recreation tourism
Browns Creek Recreation Area is one of the more popular places for
outdoor recreation in Chaffee County Visitation to the Browns
Creek Recreation Area is increasing and is expected to continue on
an upward trend for the foreseeable future Our San Isabelle
National Forest Service Ranger District has recognized that Browns
Creek Recreation
Area could use
some TLC Giving
their current
budget
constraints they
are actively
encouraging
volunteer groups including Browns Creek Alliance to provide
assistance in ensuring that public lands in our area do get the
tender loving care they deserve
So given a significant growth in locals and visitors how can we
Browns Creek Alliance as a volunteer organization have a positive
impact on the long-term sustainability of Browns Creek Recreation
Area
To achieve our mission of supporting a sustainable management of
the Browns Creek Recreation Area the Browns Creek Alliance is
focusing on gathering data on visitation and its impact on public
resources The Alliance is providing education to encourage visitors
to our area to be respectful and responsible of our public resources
other visitors and residents while enjoying the Browns Creek
Recreation Area We shall also evaluate public resources
particularly dispersed campsites to determine if we can improve
their long-term sustainability
Luckily we have a successful model of how we can accomplish our
objectives right here in Chaffee County Friends of Four Mile has
years of successful experience ensuring that the Four Mile
Recreation Area is sustainable for the long-term
Friends of Four Mile has developed signage and brochures to
educate visitors They have also used buck amp rail fencing to ensure
dispersed campsites are of an appropriate long-term sustainable
size and location While some cost and efforts are necessary to
develop and implement these solutions they have been shown to
be effective
The first task for the Browns Creek Alliance is to gather data so that
we and other agencies including Recreation in Balance and the San
Isabelle National Force Ranger District can quantify the increase in
Brownrsquos Creek Alliance
Browns Creek Alliance Mission Statement
The Browns Creek Alliance is a volunteer
group The group believes in supporting a
sustainable management of the public lands
in the Browns Creek amp Raspberry Gulch areas
of the San Isabel National Forest
15
visitation as well as the measurable impact that the increasing
volume of visitors are having on our public resources
Being able to measure visitation and its impact is critical if we are to
develop and implement the best ways to ensure long-term
sustainability of our public resources This data may also be utilized
to gauge the success of our efforts as we strive to improve long-
term sustainability of Browns Creek Recreation Area
For our first task The Browns Creek Alliance similar to Friends of
Four Mile is implementing a vehicle count on the three busiest
holidays of the year - Memorial Day Fourth of July and Labor Day
Volunteers will document the number of vehicles including
recreational vehicles in Browns Creek Recreation Area on each
holiday This data shall be shared with agencies - including the
Forest Service -to determine if the number of visitors is within the
capacity of Browns Creek Recreation Area This data will also
determine whether or not visitation continues to grow and if so by
how much
The Browns Creek Alliance sees our second task as encouraging
visitors to be responsible and respectful while enjoying Browns
Creek Recreation Area If visitors understand proper outdoor
recreation amp dispersed camping etiquette they are much more
inclined to be responsible and respectful visitors and users of our
public resources Responsible and respectful campers in particular
are less inclined to have illegal fires We believe that to achieve this
second objective signage at the kiosks in the Browns Creek
Recreation Area needs to be updated and improved Brochures
containing information displayed on the new improved kiosks may
also be printed and distributed by volunteers
A sandwich billboard sign was recently erected at the entrance to
Browns Creek Recreation Area to advise visitors that a fire ban is in
place and campfires are not currently permitted Mesa Antero
Property Ownersrsquo Association voted to provide funding for this new
signage
A third task is to pursue surveying and ranking of dispersed
campsites in the area Once dispersed campsites have been ranked
for sustainability poor campsites may be removed or reconfigured
while high ranking popular campsites may be hardened or
improved As an example buck amp rail fencing may be used to
establish campsite boundaries at select dispersed campsites
Recently the Forest Service has begun implementing buck and rail
fencing at select campsites in Browns Creek Recreation Area Other
improvements are being considered in our arearsquos outdoor
recreational areas Browns Creek Alliance is already in discussions
with the Forest Service and others as to how we can evaluate and
improve dispersed campsites in our area One consideration is
moving toward designated dispersed camping to better control
campsites in the area
Finally Browns Creek Alliance intends to be a sounding board for
locals and visitors as to how Browns Creek Recreation Area can be
improved in a sustainable manner for the benefit of all To do so
we need your input We also need boots on the ground to secure
funding and assist in the implementation of the tasks detailed in
this article We have received a favorable response from many
Mesa Antero residents regarding our plans and efforts thus far
Anyone that wishes to be involved ndash by providing input andor
actual ldquoboots on the groundrdquo is invited to contact Quinn McLeod or
Chuck Azzopardi directly Contact Quinn at (303)810-5739 or
qMacLeod61gmailcom I can be reached by phone at (719)221-
6444 or by email at JanChuckBobbigmailcom
Brownrsquos Creek Alliance conrsquot
The United States Forest
Service (USFS) has placed a
large temporary No Camp-
fires sign at the entrance to
the Browns Creek area on
272 It is almost impossible
for anyone visiting the area
to not know there are
campfire restrictions
If you see someone with a
campfire please DO NOT
approach the fire burners
but call the sheriffrsquos office at
719-539-2596 to report the
campfire
16
Summer Picnics Cancelled
In an effort to keep community members safe from the possible
spread of Covid-19 summer picnics (Memorial Day Fourth of July
and Labor Day) at Stew Brown Park have been cancelled Additional
picnics may be scheduled when COVID-19 is no longer a threat
Reservations Required to Use Stew Brown Park
Residents are always welcome to enjoy Stew Brown Park However
with social distancing restrictions in place and because of concern
for our neighbors there is now a limit on the size of groups who can
gather in Stew Brown Park Groups of 10 or fewer are welcome to
use and reserve the park Reservations should be made in advance
by emailing President Mary Gontero at mapoa99gmailcom
Residents are asked NOT to use picnic tables or MAPOA supplies
and to bring their own chairs As always trash should be removed
Please note there is not a restroom in the park
No doubt we all look forward to the day we can once again gather
for our picnics after a vaccine or treatment is available Until then
letrsquos be safe and limit gatherings to 10 or fewer for the health and
safety of our community members
Chaffee County Community Foundation Emergency
Response Fund (ERF)
The ERF campaign is seeking donors who can help the fund attain a
level of resources commensurate with the local need as well as
eligible recipients who can seek financial assistance According to
the Chaffee Office of Housing well over 5000 Chaffee employees
have been or will be directly impacted by COVID-19-related
business closures Many of those may not be eligible for current
state or federal assistance The ERF is designed to meet the needs
of those individuals and families yet generous and ongoing
community support is needed CCCF is asking community
members who are able to contribute to do so either online or via
check made out to CCCF with ldquoERFrdquo in the memo line More
information or to donate go to wwwchaffeecommunityorg
erf Checks can be mailed to PO Box 492 Buena Vista CO 81211
Rachele Vierthaler recently moved to Mesa Antero from Buena
Vista Rachele sits on the Board of Directors for Chaffee County
Community Foundation and is happy to answer your questions
Email Rachele at rvierthalerchaffeecommunityorg
The Bears are Back
Numerous neighbors have reported seeing a bear in Mesa Antero
Studies show that often the first reward a bear gets for exploring
human places is a big meal of tasty nutritious seeds (a natural food
for bears) Letting your bird feeders turn into bear feeders teaches
bears that coming close to people and homes looking for food is a
good idea For bears that can end up being a deadly lesson
Mesa Antero residents are encouraged to NOT feed the birds during
the months when bears are active Instead use water features
plant-ings nest boxes and flowers to attract birds Use bird feeders
only when bears are hibernating
If you donrsquot want to stop feeding birds hang your feeders at least
10 feet off the ground and 10 feet away from anything bears can
climb Keep the area underneath feeders clean and free of bird
seed and hulls or switch to a hulled bird seed with no waste Never
store bird seed outside under your deck or in a garage or shed a
bear could break into A 50-pound bag of bird seed has over 87000
caloriesmdasha reward for the bear that is well worth the effort of
breaking in
Interesting sites on bearshellip
httpscpwstatecousbears
Living with Bears
httpsjourneynorthorgtmspringBearYearhtml
FYI amp Announcements
Craig and I went
camping in Leadville
last week Our
African Grey Joey
went along and
enjoyed her view from
a tree perch She
loves traveling with
us I imagine she
enjoys the change of
scenery
17
New Neighbors
We are delighted to welcome two new totally adorable neighbors
to Mesa Antero
Jasper recently joined the Risa and David Jenkins family He is a
Welsh Springer Spaniel and is shown here with big brother Riley (16
months) The brothers are getting along famously Mom and Dad
are wishing for accelerated potty training as theyrsquore both a bit sleep
deprived
Neighbor News
Cutty is the newest
member of the Robin
and Chris Covert
family Hersquos a German
Shephard Golden
Retriever Poodle Mix
Cutty is settling in
nicely in his new home
No surprise but Mom
and Dad here are also
hoping for quick potty
training and less
chewing of random
stuff
A kind thoughtful and
unknown soul sent
these beautiful flowers
to me anonymously
earlier this week The
card reads ldquoHerersquos a
hug for yourdquo I do not
know who sent them
but I sure am enjoying
both the lovely flowers
and the very kind
gesture of the person
who sent them Genie
Malone and Denise
Washer also received a
lovely jar of anonymous flowers Thanks to the mystery sender
from all of us It surely did bring a smile to our face and make
our day And continues to do so each time we look at them
Harper Powell -an apparent wildlife magnetmdashhas seen two moose a bear and a
coyote in recent weeks She snapped a picture of what she believes is the baby of
the two moose shersquos seen between Broken Bough and Sawmill Look closely you
can see the baby moose in the trees How cool is that
18
Marketing Mesa Antero Mesa Antero Original Sales Brochure While cleaning out an old desk recently Patsy Torian found several
copies of the original sales and marketing brochure for Mesa Antero
She thought her neighbors would find it interesting and provided a
copy for the newsletter
Please note the home pictured on the next page What it looks like
today with all of the trees is amazing
19
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
20
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
21
Aunt Mabelrsquos Coffee Cake
provided by Kathy Roach
2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour
frac14 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup butter softened
1 cup sour cream
1thinspfrac12 cups white sugar
3 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
frac12 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 frac12 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons butter melted
Preheat oven to 375 F Lightly grease a 9x13 pan
Mix together the flour baking powder and salt set aside
In a large bowl cream the butter until light and fluffy Gradually
beat in sour cream Then beat in sugar Beat in the eggs one at a
time Then stir in the vanilla
By hand fold in the flour mixture mixing just until incorporated
Spread batter into prepared pan
To make the Pecan Topping In a medium bowl mix together brown
sugar pecans and cinnamon Stir in melted butter until crumbly
Sprinkle over cake batter in pan
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a
toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean
Balsamic Vinegar Dressing
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
3 Tbsp balsamic or other favorite vinegar
5 Tbsp olive oil
14 tsp salt
14 tsp pepper
Bacon Cabbage and Noodles
I found this recipe on Pinterest Its easy quick and very tasty
2 C egg noodles
34 lb bacon diced
34 medium head of cabbage sliced
14 tsp salt
pepper to taste
Cook noodles according to package directions Meanwhile in a
large skillet cook bacon pieces over medium heat until crisp Using
a slotted spoon remove to paper towels to drain Remove all but 3
Tbsp of drippings
Add cabbage to drippings Cover and cook on low for 20 minutes or
until cabbage is tender stirring occasionally Add bacon and
noodles to cooked cabbage Stir serve and enjoy
Chicken Legs with Maple-Sriracha Glaze
Recipe originally created by grill master Steven Raichlen
Chicken Prep
12 large chicken drumsticks
1 Tbsp coarse salt
1 Tbsp freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp hot red pepper flakes
1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Place drumsticks in bowl sprinkle with above ingredients stirring to
coat well
Maple Sriracha Glaze
6 Tbsp unsalted butter
5 Tbsp pure maple syrup
14 cup sriracha or more to taste
3 Tbsp Scotch whiskey
Melt butter in saucepan over high heat stir in maple syrup
sriracha and whisky Boil until mixture is syrupy 3-5 minutes
Grill chicken legs over charcoal fire until cooked through
Try a New Recipe Page
22
DEAR NEIGHBORS amp FRIENDS
This is Ann Johnson and I am taking another opportunity to say a
very big amp loud THANK YOU to many neighbors amp friends who
visited me in the hospital sent cards and even did a meal train
(people bringing dinner every night for two weeks) It was truly
AMAZING amp HEART WARMING There arent enough words to
express my gratitude (not to mention shock) I am truly humbled
and honored amp I THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY
HEART
Ann Johnson
Dear Reader
Happy summer to you Didnrsquot we arenrsquot we having a beautiful
spring summer Irsquom never sure when summer starts here Itrsquos July
8 and Irsquom sitting outside at our picnic table in my flannel jammes
putting the final touches on the newsletter Itrsquos 110+ in the Phoenix
Valleymdashwhere we moved frommdashand I couldnt be happier to be
here
I mean donrsquot you love living in a place where some days you look at
the sky and it looks fake it is so picture perfect Donrsquot you love
living in a place where you can step outside and pick a mason jar full
of wildflowers for your dining room table A place where you go
outside at night and you can see every star in the Milky Way
Where neighbors calls you to see if you need anything from Costco
or City Market or Wal Mart when they go to town Where you see
rainbows often doubles on a regular basis Where a friend comes
to your aid at a moments notice with jumper cables or whatever
else you might need I could go on I could spend hours looking at
the clouds hurrying by on their way to somewhere unknown
watching the ripples of the water in Brownrsquos creek and the
shimmer of the aspens and cottonwoods in the breeze
The one thing I could do without however are the Miller moths
They are a supreme nuisance Each morning we take the hand vac
and suck up at least a dozen dead moths that have crawled out of
their hiding places at some point during the night Each eve we do
the same thing with the live ones who are attracted to the light for
reasons still a mystery to scientists Experts say they will be gone by
fall Ugh
Thanks to those who continue to provide stories and ideas for the
newsletter Your input truly makes the newsletter worth reading I
encourage YOU to be a contributor to the newsletter Send
pictures or stories of things yoursquore involved with like Danrsquos story on
the good deeds of his golf group If yoursquore a new neighbor send
information about yourself where you came from etc as a way to
informally introduce yourself to the neighborhood You get the
idea Snap write and send away
I look forward to the day we can all get together again in person for
friendship and fellowship Until then stay safe
Sheila
The Wrap Up
Risa Jenkins is constantly
taking spectacular
pictures of the mountains
from her and Davidrsquos
home on Deer Trail
She took these three - the
first two morning
rainbows the last a
spectacular sunset - just
this week
11
Mesa Antero Artists Support Ark Valleyrsquos Good Pet
Bad Art Fund Raiser
Ark Valley Humane Society held a fund raiser earlier this year called
ldquoGood Pet Bad Portraitrdquo Individuals provided a photo of their pet
along with a monetary donation Artists in the community as
young as five (5) volunteered to draw or paint a pet and then send
it to the owner At least three (3) Mesa Antero artists participated
in the charity event
To The Rescue continued
Sue Ann Hum painted two pets
The first a cat Mrs Buggles-
worth aka Bug aka Buggs
And the other a dog Charles
Craig Galler painted a
cat named Ozzy
Wendy Skean drew two dogsmdash
Goosebumps and Huckleberry
She said about her
participation Pretty sure I
lived up to the Bad part Still
I had fun participating in it ldquo
12
Be Informed Be Prepared Be Ready for Fire Quinn Macleod Mesa Anterorsquos volunteer Fire Prevention Volunteer
Coordinator recently spoke with Chaffee County Emergency
Manager Richard Atkins and wanted to pass on some crucial
information
The county uses two systems to notify the public in times of an
emergency - Everbridge and a national system sponsored by FEMA
bull Everbridge allows for detailed messages that the county can
send out Including re-population information so residents
know when to come back home
bull The FEMA system uses technology like an Amber Alert So
everyone with a cell phone powered by a specific tower will get
emergency notifications So even short-term renters in MA will
receive an evacuation notification
BOTTOM LINE MESA ANTERO PROPERTY OWNERS STILL NEED
TO SIGN UP WITH EVERBRIDGE SO PLEASE SIGN UP
After some discussion it was determined that when it is necessary
to evacuate the subdivision due to an emergency most people will
evacuate the way they enter So given the low population of Mesa
Antero a somewhat orderly evacuation will occur The reality will
likely be quite different
Learn more about the Homeowner
Evacuation Plan at httpswwwfemagov
media-library-data1409003859391-
0e8ad1ed42c129f11fbc23d008d1ee85
how_to_prepare_wildfire_033014_508pdf
Be prepared always
Prepare a kit that includes things you will need while evacuated
The duration of an evacuation can last from hours to days The kit
can consist of either a written list of things to assemble at the time
of evacuation or items that are already assembled and pre-
positioned Some things to consider including in your kit include
bull medications and other medical supplies such as diabetic or
COPD item an extra oxygen cylinder
bull important documents hard drives computers
bull photo albums
bull pets and their supplies
Think about and determine
bull Where you will meet up with other members of your home or
family The cell towers will be busy so where might you meet
your family members if you cant talk to them Walmart
Safeway City Market LaGrees
bull Identify who you want to call to let them know you are safely
evacuated Think about who might report you missing if you
dont call them
bull Where will you stay during the evacuation Will you take your
camper or camping gear Can you stay with friends living out
of the area
Prepare your home to receive the wildfire
bull Turn on outside lights and lights in every room to make the
house more visible in heavy smoke
bull Close all windows vents doors and fireplace screens This will
help reduce drafts in the home and will reduce radiant heat
bull Disconnect automatic garage door openers so doors can be
opened by hand if power is lost
bull Move flammable furniture including outdoor furniture into
the center of the home away from windows and sliding glass
doors Remove flammable curtains and window treatments
bull Connect garden hoses Shut off propane gas from the source
and move BBQ grill propane and other fuels away from the
house
bull Follow any additional guidance provided by local authorities
When driving away from a fire
bull Roll up windows and close air vents (car amp camper) because
smoke from a fire can irritate your eyes and respiratory
system
bull Drive slowly with your headlights on because smoke can
reduce visibility
bull Watch for other vehicles pedestrians and fleeing animals
bull Avoid driving through heavy smoke if possible
Wildfire Evacuation
13
Wildfire Mitigation Guide Released
The recently published Wildfire Mitigation Guide should enable
every property owner in Mesa Antero to make some modifications
to lessen the negative effects from a wildfire Even if you donrsquot have
a structure on your property these actions will help to achieve
positive results from a wildfire Fire is a natural part of the eco
system so reducing ground litter and killing some weak trees
bushes overall is good plus the nitrogen release is naturersquos fertilizer
for the grasses
Itrsquos dry
This Spring has developed into a very dry one If you have some
mitigation projects in mind it would be good to start soon
The forest and Campers
The good news is that our surrounding forests have been managed
(thinned and controlled burns) to protect our community from
wildfires The dispersed campers with their camp fires is a ignition
risk but manageable If you notice someone burning illegally itrsquos
safest for you to call the Sheriff via 911 (immediately tell them itrsquos a
ldquonon-emergencyrdquo so they can talk to you on a different line) If you
come upon an abandoned campfire pull it apart and call the sheriff
so they can fully extinguish and document
Lastly I do have some more information to add to the guide in the
future but wanted to get the bulk of it out now
Irsquom always available to answer questions andor come by
Quinn Macleod
qmacleod61gmailcom
3038105739
The Wildfire Mitigation Guide is post on MesaAnteroorg for easy
access
Help Yourself Get A Reflective House Number Sign
Did you know that reflective house number signs are crucial to help
fire fighters or emergency personnel find you quickly The
reflective green and white signs are available from the Chaffee
County Fire District main office in BV for the bargain price of just
$10
Fire experts have advised that - especially in a neighborhood like
ours - having clearly visible reflective signs are crucial to their timely
arrival at a fire or emergency The signs should be double sided
and posted near the road so they can be clearly seen from both
directions
Moth Infestation a Real Nuisance You have no doubt been annoyed by the recent infestation of
moths The Miller moths start out as caterpillars that develop on
Coloradorsquos eastern plains and in Kansas and Nebraska In the spring
they migrate west to feast on the nectar of flowers
This year wersquove seen more
moths than previous springs
because weather conditions
last year were favorable for
caterpillar development It
isnrsquot extraordinary as Colorado
has seen this many in other
years preceded by mild winters While other moth species might
like to eat your wool sweaters these do not They just eat pollen
make your house dusty and die Unless yoursquore particularly allergic
to moth scales miller moths wonrsquot do a thing besides annoy you
Miller moths are a very important food source for birds bears and
other critters A single bear can eat up to 10000 miller moths a
day which helps them get fat for the winter The mothrsquos
abdomens besides housing ldquogutsrdquo also store a lot of fat that they
stock up for the long autumn trip back to the plains They hide
under rocks in the mountains during the day Thatrsquos where bears
find them flipping over stones and grabbing a quick bite
The good news is they wonrsquot stick around forever Warm nights will
speed up their migration They are usually gone by the fall
Wildfire Mitigation amp Moths
Did you know Charles Nachtrieb I was the founder
of the town of Nathrop Colorado Early
settlers could not pronounce the German
name of Nachtrieb easily so the name of
the hamlet was Americanized to Nathrop
The original site of Nathrop was about one
and one half miles north of the present
townsite and served as a stagecoach station between Bales
station near Cleora and Leadville
14
Alliance Formed to Help Preserve Brownrsquos Creek Volunteers Needed
By Chuck Azzopardi
If you have spent time in the Browns Creek Recreation Area over
the last few years you may have noticed a dramatically increasing
number of hikers and campers And also an increase in the size and
number of dispersed campsites A number of residents of Mesa
Antero have expressed concern for a potentially catastrophic
wildfire initiated from an illegal campfire in the Browns Creek
Recreation Area In response to these developments a new group -
Browns Creek Alliance - is being formed to ensure the Browns Creek
Recreation Area is not loved to death
Many in Chaffe County realize that our valley ldquohas been foundrdquo
We can expect growth and development to occur over the next
couple of decades Envision Chaffee County was a formed in 2016
to provide guidance on the future growth and development of
Chaffee County It has since become a catalyst for community
actions such as the Browns Creek Alliance Recreation in Balance is
a program led by Envision the Greater Arkansas River Nature
Association (GARNA) and the Salida Ranger District that is creating a
community-driven plan to maintain healthy public lands quality
user experiences and the economic benefits of recreation tourism
Browns Creek Recreation Area is one of the more popular places for
outdoor recreation in Chaffee County Visitation to the Browns
Creek Recreation Area is increasing and is expected to continue on
an upward trend for the foreseeable future Our San Isabelle
National Forest Service Ranger District has recognized that Browns
Creek Recreation
Area could use
some TLC Giving
their current
budget
constraints they
are actively
encouraging
volunteer groups including Browns Creek Alliance to provide
assistance in ensuring that public lands in our area do get the
tender loving care they deserve
So given a significant growth in locals and visitors how can we
Browns Creek Alliance as a volunteer organization have a positive
impact on the long-term sustainability of Browns Creek Recreation
Area
To achieve our mission of supporting a sustainable management of
the Browns Creek Recreation Area the Browns Creek Alliance is
focusing on gathering data on visitation and its impact on public
resources The Alliance is providing education to encourage visitors
to our area to be respectful and responsible of our public resources
other visitors and residents while enjoying the Browns Creek
Recreation Area We shall also evaluate public resources
particularly dispersed campsites to determine if we can improve
their long-term sustainability
Luckily we have a successful model of how we can accomplish our
objectives right here in Chaffee County Friends of Four Mile has
years of successful experience ensuring that the Four Mile
Recreation Area is sustainable for the long-term
Friends of Four Mile has developed signage and brochures to
educate visitors They have also used buck amp rail fencing to ensure
dispersed campsites are of an appropriate long-term sustainable
size and location While some cost and efforts are necessary to
develop and implement these solutions they have been shown to
be effective
The first task for the Browns Creek Alliance is to gather data so that
we and other agencies including Recreation in Balance and the San
Isabelle National Force Ranger District can quantify the increase in
Brownrsquos Creek Alliance
Browns Creek Alliance Mission Statement
The Browns Creek Alliance is a volunteer
group The group believes in supporting a
sustainable management of the public lands
in the Browns Creek amp Raspberry Gulch areas
of the San Isabel National Forest
15
visitation as well as the measurable impact that the increasing
volume of visitors are having on our public resources
Being able to measure visitation and its impact is critical if we are to
develop and implement the best ways to ensure long-term
sustainability of our public resources This data may also be utilized
to gauge the success of our efforts as we strive to improve long-
term sustainability of Browns Creek Recreation Area
For our first task The Browns Creek Alliance similar to Friends of
Four Mile is implementing a vehicle count on the three busiest
holidays of the year - Memorial Day Fourth of July and Labor Day
Volunteers will document the number of vehicles including
recreational vehicles in Browns Creek Recreation Area on each
holiday This data shall be shared with agencies - including the
Forest Service -to determine if the number of visitors is within the
capacity of Browns Creek Recreation Area This data will also
determine whether or not visitation continues to grow and if so by
how much
The Browns Creek Alliance sees our second task as encouraging
visitors to be responsible and respectful while enjoying Browns
Creek Recreation Area If visitors understand proper outdoor
recreation amp dispersed camping etiquette they are much more
inclined to be responsible and respectful visitors and users of our
public resources Responsible and respectful campers in particular
are less inclined to have illegal fires We believe that to achieve this
second objective signage at the kiosks in the Browns Creek
Recreation Area needs to be updated and improved Brochures
containing information displayed on the new improved kiosks may
also be printed and distributed by volunteers
A sandwich billboard sign was recently erected at the entrance to
Browns Creek Recreation Area to advise visitors that a fire ban is in
place and campfires are not currently permitted Mesa Antero
Property Ownersrsquo Association voted to provide funding for this new
signage
A third task is to pursue surveying and ranking of dispersed
campsites in the area Once dispersed campsites have been ranked
for sustainability poor campsites may be removed or reconfigured
while high ranking popular campsites may be hardened or
improved As an example buck amp rail fencing may be used to
establish campsite boundaries at select dispersed campsites
Recently the Forest Service has begun implementing buck and rail
fencing at select campsites in Browns Creek Recreation Area Other
improvements are being considered in our arearsquos outdoor
recreational areas Browns Creek Alliance is already in discussions
with the Forest Service and others as to how we can evaluate and
improve dispersed campsites in our area One consideration is
moving toward designated dispersed camping to better control
campsites in the area
Finally Browns Creek Alliance intends to be a sounding board for
locals and visitors as to how Browns Creek Recreation Area can be
improved in a sustainable manner for the benefit of all To do so
we need your input We also need boots on the ground to secure
funding and assist in the implementation of the tasks detailed in
this article We have received a favorable response from many
Mesa Antero residents regarding our plans and efforts thus far
Anyone that wishes to be involved ndash by providing input andor
actual ldquoboots on the groundrdquo is invited to contact Quinn McLeod or
Chuck Azzopardi directly Contact Quinn at (303)810-5739 or
qMacLeod61gmailcom I can be reached by phone at (719)221-
6444 or by email at JanChuckBobbigmailcom
Brownrsquos Creek Alliance conrsquot
The United States Forest
Service (USFS) has placed a
large temporary No Camp-
fires sign at the entrance to
the Browns Creek area on
272 It is almost impossible
for anyone visiting the area
to not know there are
campfire restrictions
If you see someone with a
campfire please DO NOT
approach the fire burners
but call the sheriffrsquos office at
719-539-2596 to report the
campfire
16
Summer Picnics Cancelled
In an effort to keep community members safe from the possible
spread of Covid-19 summer picnics (Memorial Day Fourth of July
and Labor Day) at Stew Brown Park have been cancelled Additional
picnics may be scheduled when COVID-19 is no longer a threat
Reservations Required to Use Stew Brown Park
Residents are always welcome to enjoy Stew Brown Park However
with social distancing restrictions in place and because of concern
for our neighbors there is now a limit on the size of groups who can
gather in Stew Brown Park Groups of 10 or fewer are welcome to
use and reserve the park Reservations should be made in advance
by emailing President Mary Gontero at mapoa99gmailcom
Residents are asked NOT to use picnic tables or MAPOA supplies
and to bring their own chairs As always trash should be removed
Please note there is not a restroom in the park
No doubt we all look forward to the day we can once again gather
for our picnics after a vaccine or treatment is available Until then
letrsquos be safe and limit gatherings to 10 or fewer for the health and
safety of our community members
Chaffee County Community Foundation Emergency
Response Fund (ERF)
The ERF campaign is seeking donors who can help the fund attain a
level of resources commensurate with the local need as well as
eligible recipients who can seek financial assistance According to
the Chaffee Office of Housing well over 5000 Chaffee employees
have been or will be directly impacted by COVID-19-related
business closures Many of those may not be eligible for current
state or federal assistance The ERF is designed to meet the needs
of those individuals and families yet generous and ongoing
community support is needed CCCF is asking community
members who are able to contribute to do so either online or via
check made out to CCCF with ldquoERFrdquo in the memo line More
information or to donate go to wwwchaffeecommunityorg
erf Checks can be mailed to PO Box 492 Buena Vista CO 81211
Rachele Vierthaler recently moved to Mesa Antero from Buena
Vista Rachele sits on the Board of Directors for Chaffee County
Community Foundation and is happy to answer your questions
Email Rachele at rvierthalerchaffeecommunityorg
The Bears are Back
Numerous neighbors have reported seeing a bear in Mesa Antero
Studies show that often the first reward a bear gets for exploring
human places is a big meal of tasty nutritious seeds (a natural food
for bears) Letting your bird feeders turn into bear feeders teaches
bears that coming close to people and homes looking for food is a
good idea For bears that can end up being a deadly lesson
Mesa Antero residents are encouraged to NOT feed the birds during
the months when bears are active Instead use water features
plant-ings nest boxes and flowers to attract birds Use bird feeders
only when bears are hibernating
If you donrsquot want to stop feeding birds hang your feeders at least
10 feet off the ground and 10 feet away from anything bears can
climb Keep the area underneath feeders clean and free of bird
seed and hulls or switch to a hulled bird seed with no waste Never
store bird seed outside under your deck or in a garage or shed a
bear could break into A 50-pound bag of bird seed has over 87000
caloriesmdasha reward for the bear that is well worth the effort of
breaking in
Interesting sites on bearshellip
httpscpwstatecousbears
Living with Bears
httpsjourneynorthorgtmspringBearYearhtml
FYI amp Announcements
Craig and I went
camping in Leadville
last week Our
African Grey Joey
went along and
enjoyed her view from
a tree perch She
loves traveling with
us I imagine she
enjoys the change of
scenery
17
New Neighbors
We are delighted to welcome two new totally adorable neighbors
to Mesa Antero
Jasper recently joined the Risa and David Jenkins family He is a
Welsh Springer Spaniel and is shown here with big brother Riley (16
months) The brothers are getting along famously Mom and Dad
are wishing for accelerated potty training as theyrsquore both a bit sleep
deprived
Neighbor News
Cutty is the newest
member of the Robin
and Chris Covert
family Hersquos a German
Shephard Golden
Retriever Poodle Mix
Cutty is settling in
nicely in his new home
No surprise but Mom
and Dad here are also
hoping for quick potty
training and less
chewing of random
stuff
A kind thoughtful and
unknown soul sent
these beautiful flowers
to me anonymously
earlier this week The
card reads ldquoHerersquos a
hug for yourdquo I do not
know who sent them
but I sure am enjoying
both the lovely flowers
and the very kind
gesture of the person
who sent them Genie
Malone and Denise
Washer also received a
lovely jar of anonymous flowers Thanks to the mystery sender
from all of us It surely did bring a smile to our face and make
our day And continues to do so each time we look at them
Harper Powell -an apparent wildlife magnetmdashhas seen two moose a bear and a
coyote in recent weeks She snapped a picture of what she believes is the baby of
the two moose shersquos seen between Broken Bough and Sawmill Look closely you
can see the baby moose in the trees How cool is that
18
Marketing Mesa Antero Mesa Antero Original Sales Brochure While cleaning out an old desk recently Patsy Torian found several
copies of the original sales and marketing brochure for Mesa Antero
She thought her neighbors would find it interesting and provided a
copy for the newsletter
Please note the home pictured on the next page What it looks like
today with all of the trees is amazing
19
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
20
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
21
Aunt Mabelrsquos Coffee Cake
provided by Kathy Roach
2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour
frac14 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup butter softened
1 cup sour cream
1thinspfrac12 cups white sugar
3 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
frac12 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 frac12 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons butter melted
Preheat oven to 375 F Lightly grease a 9x13 pan
Mix together the flour baking powder and salt set aside
In a large bowl cream the butter until light and fluffy Gradually
beat in sour cream Then beat in sugar Beat in the eggs one at a
time Then stir in the vanilla
By hand fold in the flour mixture mixing just until incorporated
Spread batter into prepared pan
To make the Pecan Topping In a medium bowl mix together brown
sugar pecans and cinnamon Stir in melted butter until crumbly
Sprinkle over cake batter in pan
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a
toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean
Balsamic Vinegar Dressing
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
3 Tbsp balsamic or other favorite vinegar
5 Tbsp olive oil
14 tsp salt
14 tsp pepper
Bacon Cabbage and Noodles
I found this recipe on Pinterest Its easy quick and very tasty
2 C egg noodles
34 lb bacon diced
34 medium head of cabbage sliced
14 tsp salt
pepper to taste
Cook noodles according to package directions Meanwhile in a
large skillet cook bacon pieces over medium heat until crisp Using
a slotted spoon remove to paper towels to drain Remove all but 3
Tbsp of drippings
Add cabbage to drippings Cover and cook on low for 20 minutes or
until cabbage is tender stirring occasionally Add bacon and
noodles to cooked cabbage Stir serve and enjoy
Chicken Legs with Maple-Sriracha Glaze
Recipe originally created by grill master Steven Raichlen
Chicken Prep
12 large chicken drumsticks
1 Tbsp coarse salt
1 Tbsp freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp hot red pepper flakes
1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Place drumsticks in bowl sprinkle with above ingredients stirring to
coat well
Maple Sriracha Glaze
6 Tbsp unsalted butter
5 Tbsp pure maple syrup
14 cup sriracha or more to taste
3 Tbsp Scotch whiskey
Melt butter in saucepan over high heat stir in maple syrup
sriracha and whisky Boil until mixture is syrupy 3-5 minutes
Grill chicken legs over charcoal fire until cooked through
Try a New Recipe Page
22
DEAR NEIGHBORS amp FRIENDS
This is Ann Johnson and I am taking another opportunity to say a
very big amp loud THANK YOU to many neighbors amp friends who
visited me in the hospital sent cards and even did a meal train
(people bringing dinner every night for two weeks) It was truly
AMAZING amp HEART WARMING There arent enough words to
express my gratitude (not to mention shock) I am truly humbled
and honored amp I THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY
HEART
Ann Johnson
Dear Reader
Happy summer to you Didnrsquot we arenrsquot we having a beautiful
spring summer Irsquom never sure when summer starts here Itrsquos July
8 and Irsquom sitting outside at our picnic table in my flannel jammes
putting the final touches on the newsletter Itrsquos 110+ in the Phoenix
Valleymdashwhere we moved frommdashand I couldnt be happier to be
here
I mean donrsquot you love living in a place where some days you look at
the sky and it looks fake it is so picture perfect Donrsquot you love
living in a place where you can step outside and pick a mason jar full
of wildflowers for your dining room table A place where you go
outside at night and you can see every star in the Milky Way
Where neighbors calls you to see if you need anything from Costco
or City Market or Wal Mart when they go to town Where you see
rainbows often doubles on a regular basis Where a friend comes
to your aid at a moments notice with jumper cables or whatever
else you might need I could go on I could spend hours looking at
the clouds hurrying by on their way to somewhere unknown
watching the ripples of the water in Brownrsquos creek and the
shimmer of the aspens and cottonwoods in the breeze
The one thing I could do without however are the Miller moths
They are a supreme nuisance Each morning we take the hand vac
and suck up at least a dozen dead moths that have crawled out of
their hiding places at some point during the night Each eve we do
the same thing with the live ones who are attracted to the light for
reasons still a mystery to scientists Experts say they will be gone by
fall Ugh
Thanks to those who continue to provide stories and ideas for the
newsletter Your input truly makes the newsletter worth reading I
encourage YOU to be a contributor to the newsletter Send
pictures or stories of things yoursquore involved with like Danrsquos story on
the good deeds of his golf group If yoursquore a new neighbor send
information about yourself where you came from etc as a way to
informally introduce yourself to the neighborhood You get the
idea Snap write and send away
I look forward to the day we can all get together again in person for
friendship and fellowship Until then stay safe
Sheila
The Wrap Up
Risa Jenkins is constantly
taking spectacular
pictures of the mountains
from her and Davidrsquos
home on Deer Trail
She took these three - the
first two morning
rainbows the last a
spectacular sunset - just
this week
12
Be Informed Be Prepared Be Ready for Fire Quinn Macleod Mesa Anterorsquos volunteer Fire Prevention Volunteer
Coordinator recently spoke with Chaffee County Emergency
Manager Richard Atkins and wanted to pass on some crucial
information
The county uses two systems to notify the public in times of an
emergency - Everbridge and a national system sponsored by FEMA
bull Everbridge allows for detailed messages that the county can
send out Including re-population information so residents
know when to come back home
bull The FEMA system uses technology like an Amber Alert So
everyone with a cell phone powered by a specific tower will get
emergency notifications So even short-term renters in MA will
receive an evacuation notification
BOTTOM LINE MESA ANTERO PROPERTY OWNERS STILL NEED
TO SIGN UP WITH EVERBRIDGE SO PLEASE SIGN UP
After some discussion it was determined that when it is necessary
to evacuate the subdivision due to an emergency most people will
evacuate the way they enter So given the low population of Mesa
Antero a somewhat orderly evacuation will occur The reality will
likely be quite different
Learn more about the Homeowner
Evacuation Plan at httpswwwfemagov
media-library-data1409003859391-
0e8ad1ed42c129f11fbc23d008d1ee85
how_to_prepare_wildfire_033014_508pdf
Be prepared always
Prepare a kit that includes things you will need while evacuated
The duration of an evacuation can last from hours to days The kit
can consist of either a written list of things to assemble at the time
of evacuation or items that are already assembled and pre-
positioned Some things to consider including in your kit include
bull medications and other medical supplies such as diabetic or
COPD item an extra oxygen cylinder
bull important documents hard drives computers
bull photo albums
bull pets and their supplies
Think about and determine
bull Where you will meet up with other members of your home or
family The cell towers will be busy so where might you meet
your family members if you cant talk to them Walmart
Safeway City Market LaGrees
bull Identify who you want to call to let them know you are safely
evacuated Think about who might report you missing if you
dont call them
bull Where will you stay during the evacuation Will you take your
camper or camping gear Can you stay with friends living out
of the area
Prepare your home to receive the wildfire
bull Turn on outside lights and lights in every room to make the
house more visible in heavy smoke
bull Close all windows vents doors and fireplace screens This will
help reduce drafts in the home and will reduce radiant heat
bull Disconnect automatic garage door openers so doors can be
opened by hand if power is lost
bull Move flammable furniture including outdoor furniture into
the center of the home away from windows and sliding glass
doors Remove flammable curtains and window treatments
bull Connect garden hoses Shut off propane gas from the source
and move BBQ grill propane and other fuels away from the
house
bull Follow any additional guidance provided by local authorities
When driving away from a fire
bull Roll up windows and close air vents (car amp camper) because
smoke from a fire can irritate your eyes and respiratory
system
bull Drive slowly with your headlights on because smoke can
reduce visibility
bull Watch for other vehicles pedestrians and fleeing animals
bull Avoid driving through heavy smoke if possible
Wildfire Evacuation
13
Wildfire Mitigation Guide Released
The recently published Wildfire Mitigation Guide should enable
every property owner in Mesa Antero to make some modifications
to lessen the negative effects from a wildfire Even if you donrsquot have
a structure on your property these actions will help to achieve
positive results from a wildfire Fire is a natural part of the eco
system so reducing ground litter and killing some weak trees
bushes overall is good plus the nitrogen release is naturersquos fertilizer
for the grasses
Itrsquos dry
This Spring has developed into a very dry one If you have some
mitigation projects in mind it would be good to start soon
The forest and Campers
The good news is that our surrounding forests have been managed
(thinned and controlled burns) to protect our community from
wildfires The dispersed campers with their camp fires is a ignition
risk but manageable If you notice someone burning illegally itrsquos
safest for you to call the Sheriff via 911 (immediately tell them itrsquos a
ldquonon-emergencyrdquo so they can talk to you on a different line) If you
come upon an abandoned campfire pull it apart and call the sheriff
so they can fully extinguish and document
Lastly I do have some more information to add to the guide in the
future but wanted to get the bulk of it out now
Irsquom always available to answer questions andor come by
Quinn Macleod
qmacleod61gmailcom
3038105739
The Wildfire Mitigation Guide is post on MesaAnteroorg for easy
access
Help Yourself Get A Reflective House Number Sign
Did you know that reflective house number signs are crucial to help
fire fighters or emergency personnel find you quickly The
reflective green and white signs are available from the Chaffee
County Fire District main office in BV for the bargain price of just
$10
Fire experts have advised that - especially in a neighborhood like
ours - having clearly visible reflective signs are crucial to their timely
arrival at a fire or emergency The signs should be double sided
and posted near the road so they can be clearly seen from both
directions
Moth Infestation a Real Nuisance You have no doubt been annoyed by the recent infestation of
moths The Miller moths start out as caterpillars that develop on
Coloradorsquos eastern plains and in Kansas and Nebraska In the spring
they migrate west to feast on the nectar of flowers
This year wersquove seen more
moths than previous springs
because weather conditions
last year were favorable for
caterpillar development It
isnrsquot extraordinary as Colorado
has seen this many in other
years preceded by mild winters While other moth species might
like to eat your wool sweaters these do not They just eat pollen
make your house dusty and die Unless yoursquore particularly allergic
to moth scales miller moths wonrsquot do a thing besides annoy you
Miller moths are a very important food source for birds bears and
other critters A single bear can eat up to 10000 miller moths a
day which helps them get fat for the winter The mothrsquos
abdomens besides housing ldquogutsrdquo also store a lot of fat that they
stock up for the long autumn trip back to the plains They hide
under rocks in the mountains during the day Thatrsquos where bears
find them flipping over stones and grabbing a quick bite
The good news is they wonrsquot stick around forever Warm nights will
speed up their migration They are usually gone by the fall
Wildfire Mitigation amp Moths
Did you know Charles Nachtrieb I was the founder
of the town of Nathrop Colorado Early
settlers could not pronounce the German
name of Nachtrieb easily so the name of
the hamlet was Americanized to Nathrop
The original site of Nathrop was about one
and one half miles north of the present
townsite and served as a stagecoach station between Bales
station near Cleora and Leadville
14
Alliance Formed to Help Preserve Brownrsquos Creek Volunteers Needed
By Chuck Azzopardi
If you have spent time in the Browns Creek Recreation Area over
the last few years you may have noticed a dramatically increasing
number of hikers and campers And also an increase in the size and
number of dispersed campsites A number of residents of Mesa
Antero have expressed concern for a potentially catastrophic
wildfire initiated from an illegal campfire in the Browns Creek
Recreation Area In response to these developments a new group -
Browns Creek Alliance - is being formed to ensure the Browns Creek
Recreation Area is not loved to death
Many in Chaffe County realize that our valley ldquohas been foundrdquo
We can expect growth and development to occur over the next
couple of decades Envision Chaffee County was a formed in 2016
to provide guidance on the future growth and development of
Chaffee County It has since become a catalyst for community
actions such as the Browns Creek Alliance Recreation in Balance is
a program led by Envision the Greater Arkansas River Nature
Association (GARNA) and the Salida Ranger District that is creating a
community-driven plan to maintain healthy public lands quality
user experiences and the economic benefits of recreation tourism
Browns Creek Recreation Area is one of the more popular places for
outdoor recreation in Chaffee County Visitation to the Browns
Creek Recreation Area is increasing and is expected to continue on
an upward trend for the foreseeable future Our San Isabelle
National Forest Service Ranger District has recognized that Browns
Creek Recreation
Area could use
some TLC Giving
their current
budget
constraints they
are actively
encouraging
volunteer groups including Browns Creek Alliance to provide
assistance in ensuring that public lands in our area do get the
tender loving care they deserve
So given a significant growth in locals and visitors how can we
Browns Creek Alliance as a volunteer organization have a positive
impact on the long-term sustainability of Browns Creek Recreation
Area
To achieve our mission of supporting a sustainable management of
the Browns Creek Recreation Area the Browns Creek Alliance is
focusing on gathering data on visitation and its impact on public
resources The Alliance is providing education to encourage visitors
to our area to be respectful and responsible of our public resources
other visitors and residents while enjoying the Browns Creek
Recreation Area We shall also evaluate public resources
particularly dispersed campsites to determine if we can improve
their long-term sustainability
Luckily we have a successful model of how we can accomplish our
objectives right here in Chaffee County Friends of Four Mile has
years of successful experience ensuring that the Four Mile
Recreation Area is sustainable for the long-term
Friends of Four Mile has developed signage and brochures to
educate visitors They have also used buck amp rail fencing to ensure
dispersed campsites are of an appropriate long-term sustainable
size and location While some cost and efforts are necessary to
develop and implement these solutions they have been shown to
be effective
The first task for the Browns Creek Alliance is to gather data so that
we and other agencies including Recreation in Balance and the San
Isabelle National Force Ranger District can quantify the increase in
Brownrsquos Creek Alliance
Browns Creek Alliance Mission Statement
The Browns Creek Alliance is a volunteer
group The group believes in supporting a
sustainable management of the public lands
in the Browns Creek amp Raspberry Gulch areas
of the San Isabel National Forest
15
visitation as well as the measurable impact that the increasing
volume of visitors are having on our public resources
Being able to measure visitation and its impact is critical if we are to
develop and implement the best ways to ensure long-term
sustainability of our public resources This data may also be utilized
to gauge the success of our efforts as we strive to improve long-
term sustainability of Browns Creek Recreation Area
For our first task The Browns Creek Alliance similar to Friends of
Four Mile is implementing a vehicle count on the three busiest
holidays of the year - Memorial Day Fourth of July and Labor Day
Volunteers will document the number of vehicles including
recreational vehicles in Browns Creek Recreation Area on each
holiday This data shall be shared with agencies - including the
Forest Service -to determine if the number of visitors is within the
capacity of Browns Creek Recreation Area This data will also
determine whether or not visitation continues to grow and if so by
how much
The Browns Creek Alliance sees our second task as encouraging
visitors to be responsible and respectful while enjoying Browns
Creek Recreation Area If visitors understand proper outdoor
recreation amp dispersed camping etiquette they are much more
inclined to be responsible and respectful visitors and users of our
public resources Responsible and respectful campers in particular
are less inclined to have illegal fires We believe that to achieve this
second objective signage at the kiosks in the Browns Creek
Recreation Area needs to be updated and improved Brochures
containing information displayed on the new improved kiosks may
also be printed and distributed by volunteers
A sandwich billboard sign was recently erected at the entrance to
Browns Creek Recreation Area to advise visitors that a fire ban is in
place and campfires are not currently permitted Mesa Antero
Property Ownersrsquo Association voted to provide funding for this new
signage
A third task is to pursue surveying and ranking of dispersed
campsites in the area Once dispersed campsites have been ranked
for sustainability poor campsites may be removed or reconfigured
while high ranking popular campsites may be hardened or
improved As an example buck amp rail fencing may be used to
establish campsite boundaries at select dispersed campsites
Recently the Forest Service has begun implementing buck and rail
fencing at select campsites in Browns Creek Recreation Area Other
improvements are being considered in our arearsquos outdoor
recreational areas Browns Creek Alliance is already in discussions
with the Forest Service and others as to how we can evaluate and
improve dispersed campsites in our area One consideration is
moving toward designated dispersed camping to better control
campsites in the area
Finally Browns Creek Alliance intends to be a sounding board for
locals and visitors as to how Browns Creek Recreation Area can be
improved in a sustainable manner for the benefit of all To do so
we need your input We also need boots on the ground to secure
funding and assist in the implementation of the tasks detailed in
this article We have received a favorable response from many
Mesa Antero residents regarding our plans and efforts thus far
Anyone that wishes to be involved ndash by providing input andor
actual ldquoboots on the groundrdquo is invited to contact Quinn McLeod or
Chuck Azzopardi directly Contact Quinn at (303)810-5739 or
qMacLeod61gmailcom I can be reached by phone at (719)221-
6444 or by email at JanChuckBobbigmailcom
Brownrsquos Creek Alliance conrsquot
The United States Forest
Service (USFS) has placed a
large temporary No Camp-
fires sign at the entrance to
the Browns Creek area on
272 It is almost impossible
for anyone visiting the area
to not know there are
campfire restrictions
If you see someone with a
campfire please DO NOT
approach the fire burners
but call the sheriffrsquos office at
719-539-2596 to report the
campfire
16
Summer Picnics Cancelled
In an effort to keep community members safe from the possible
spread of Covid-19 summer picnics (Memorial Day Fourth of July
and Labor Day) at Stew Brown Park have been cancelled Additional
picnics may be scheduled when COVID-19 is no longer a threat
Reservations Required to Use Stew Brown Park
Residents are always welcome to enjoy Stew Brown Park However
with social distancing restrictions in place and because of concern
for our neighbors there is now a limit on the size of groups who can
gather in Stew Brown Park Groups of 10 or fewer are welcome to
use and reserve the park Reservations should be made in advance
by emailing President Mary Gontero at mapoa99gmailcom
Residents are asked NOT to use picnic tables or MAPOA supplies
and to bring their own chairs As always trash should be removed
Please note there is not a restroom in the park
No doubt we all look forward to the day we can once again gather
for our picnics after a vaccine or treatment is available Until then
letrsquos be safe and limit gatherings to 10 or fewer for the health and
safety of our community members
Chaffee County Community Foundation Emergency
Response Fund (ERF)
The ERF campaign is seeking donors who can help the fund attain a
level of resources commensurate with the local need as well as
eligible recipients who can seek financial assistance According to
the Chaffee Office of Housing well over 5000 Chaffee employees
have been or will be directly impacted by COVID-19-related
business closures Many of those may not be eligible for current
state or federal assistance The ERF is designed to meet the needs
of those individuals and families yet generous and ongoing
community support is needed CCCF is asking community
members who are able to contribute to do so either online or via
check made out to CCCF with ldquoERFrdquo in the memo line More
information or to donate go to wwwchaffeecommunityorg
erf Checks can be mailed to PO Box 492 Buena Vista CO 81211
Rachele Vierthaler recently moved to Mesa Antero from Buena
Vista Rachele sits on the Board of Directors for Chaffee County
Community Foundation and is happy to answer your questions
Email Rachele at rvierthalerchaffeecommunityorg
The Bears are Back
Numerous neighbors have reported seeing a bear in Mesa Antero
Studies show that often the first reward a bear gets for exploring
human places is a big meal of tasty nutritious seeds (a natural food
for bears) Letting your bird feeders turn into bear feeders teaches
bears that coming close to people and homes looking for food is a
good idea For bears that can end up being a deadly lesson
Mesa Antero residents are encouraged to NOT feed the birds during
the months when bears are active Instead use water features
plant-ings nest boxes and flowers to attract birds Use bird feeders
only when bears are hibernating
If you donrsquot want to stop feeding birds hang your feeders at least
10 feet off the ground and 10 feet away from anything bears can
climb Keep the area underneath feeders clean and free of bird
seed and hulls or switch to a hulled bird seed with no waste Never
store bird seed outside under your deck or in a garage or shed a
bear could break into A 50-pound bag of bird seed has over 87000
caloriesmdasha reward for the bear that is well worth the effort of
breaking in
Interesting sites on bearshellip
httpscpwstatecousbears
Living with Bears
httpsjourneynorthorgtmspringBearYearhtml
FYI amp Announcements
Craig and I went
camping in Leadville
last week Our
African Grey Joey
went along and
enjoyed her view from
a tree perch She
loves traveling with
us I imagine she
enjoys the change of
scenery
17
New Neighbors
We are delighted to welcome two new totally adorable neighbors
to Mesa Antero
Jasper recently joined the Risa and David Jenkins family He is a
Welsh Springer Spaniel and is shown here with big brother Riley (16
months) The brothers are getting along famously Mom and Dad
are wishing for accelerated potty training as theyrsquore both a bit sleep
deprived
Neighbor News
Cutty is the newest
member of the Robin
and Chris Covert
family Hersquos a German
Shephard Golden
Retriever Poodle Mix
Cutty is settling in
nicely in his new home
No surprise but Mom
and Dad here are also
hoping for quick potty
training and less
chewing of random
stuff
A kind thoughtful and
unknown soul sent
these beautiful flowers
to me anonymously
earlier this week The
card reads ldquoHerersquos a
hug for yourdquo I do not
know who sent them
but I sure am enjoying
both the lovely flowers
and the very kind
gesture of the person
who sent them Genie
Malone and Denise
Washer also received a
lovely jar of anonymous flowers Thanks to the mystery sender
from all of us It surely did bring a smile to our face and make
our day And continues to do so each time we look at them
Harper Powell -an apparent wildlife magnetmdashhas seen two moose a bear and a
coyote in recent weeks She snapped a picture of what she believes is the baby of
the two moose shersquos seen between Broken Bough and Sawmill Look closely you
can see the baby moose in the trees How cool is that
18
Marketing Mesa Antero Mesa Antero Original Sales Brochure While cleaning out an old desk recently Patsy Torian found several
copies of the original sales and marketing brochure for Mesa Antero
She thought her neighbors would find it interesting and provided a
copy for the newsletter
Please note the home pictured on the next page What it looks like
today with all of the trees is amazing
19
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
20
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
21
Aunt Mabelrsquos Coffee Cake
provided by Kathy Roach
2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour
frac14 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup butter softened
1 cup sour cream
1thinspfrac12 cups white sugar
3 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
frac12 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 frac12 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons butter melted
Preheat oven to 375 F Lightly grease a 9x13 pan
Mix together the flour baking powder and salt set aside
In a large bowl cream the butter until light and fluffy Gradually
beat in sour cream Then beat in sugar Beat in the eggs one at a
time Then stir in the vanilla
By hand fold in the flour mixture mixing just until incorporated
Spread batter into prepared pan
To make the Pecan Topping In a medium bowl mix together brown
sugar pecans and cinnamon Stir in melted butter until crumbly
Sprinkle over cake batter in pan
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a
toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean
Balsamic Vinegar Dressing
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
3 Tbsp balsamic or other favorite vinegar
5 Tbsp olive oil
14 tsp salt
14 tsp pepper
Bacon Cabbage and Noodles
I found this recipe on Pinterest Its easy quick and very tasty
2 C egg noodles
34 lb bacon diced
34 medium head of cabbage sliced
14 tsp salt
pepper to taste
Cook noodles according to package directions Meanwhile in a
large skillet cook bacon pieces over medium heat until crisp Using
a slotted spoon remove to paper towels to drain Remove all but 3
Tbsp of drippings
Add cabbage to drippings Cover and cook on low for 20 minutes or
until cabbage is tender stirring occasionally Add bacon and
noodles to cooked cabbage Stir serve and enjoy
Chicken Legs with Maple-Sriracha Glaze
Recipe originally created by grill master Steven Raichlen
Chicken Prep
12 large chicken drumsticks
1 Tbsp coarse salt
1 Tbsp freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp hot red pepper flakes
1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Place drumsticks in bowl sprinkle with above ingredients stirring to
coat well
Maple Sriracha Glaze
6 Tbsp unsalted butter
5 Tbsp pure maple syrup
14 cup sriracha or more to taste
3 Tbsp Scotch whiskey
Melt butter in saucepan over high heat stir in maple syrup
sriracha and whisky Boil until mixture is syrupy 3-5 minutes
Grill chicken legs over charcoal fire until cooked through
Try a New Recipe Page
22
DEAR NEIGHBORS amp FRIENDS
This is Ann Johnson and I am taking another opportunity to say a
very big amp loud THANK YOU to many neighbors amp friends who
visited me in the hospital sent cards and even did a meal train
(people bringing dinner every night for two weeks) It was truly
AMAZING amp HEART WARMING There arent enough words to
express my gratitude (not to mention shock) I am truly humbled
and honored amp I THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY
HEART
Ann Johnson
Dear Reader
Happy summer to you Didnrsquot we arenrsquot we having a beautiful
spring summer Irsquom never sure when summer starts here Itrsquos July
8 and Irsquom sitting outside at our picnic table in my flannel jammes
putting the final touches on the newsletter Itrsquos 110+ in the Phoenix
Valleymdashwhere we moved frommdashand I couldnt be happier to be
here
I mean donrsquot you love living in a place where some days you look at
the sky and it looks fake it is so picture perfect Donrsquot you love
living in a place where you can step outside and pick a mason jar full
of wildflowers for your dining room table A place where you go
outside at night and you can see every star in the Milky Way
Where neighbors calls you to see if you need anything from Costco
or City Market or Wal Mart when they go to town Where you see
rainbows often doubles on a regular basis Where a friend comes
to your aid at a moments notice with jumper cables or whatever
else you might need I could go on I could spend hours looking at
the clouds hurrying by on their way to somewhere unknown
watching the ripples of the water in Brownrsquos creek and the
shimmer of the aspens and cottonwoods in the breeze
The one thing I could do without however are the Miller moths
They are a supreme nuisance Each morning we take the hand vac
and suck up at least a dozen dead moths that have crawled out of
their hiding places at some point during the night Each eve we do
the same thing with the live ones who are attracted to the light for
reasons still a mystery to scientists Experts say they will be gone by
fall Ugh
Thanks to those who continue to provide stories and ideas for the
newsletter Your input truly makes the newsletter worth reading I
encourage YOU to be a contributor to the newsletter Send
pictures or stories of things yoursquore involved with like Danrsquos story on
the good deeds of his golf group If yoursquore a new neighbor send
information about yourself where you came from etc as a way to
informally introduce yourself to the neighborhood You get the
idea Snap write and send away
I look forward to the day we can all get together again in person for
friendship and fellowship Until then stay safe
Sheila
The Wrap Up
Risa Jenkins is constantly
taking spectacular
pictures of the mountains
from her and Davidrsquos
home on Deer Trail
She took these three - the
first two morning
rainbows the last a
spectacular sunset - just
this week
13
Wildfire Mitigation Guide Released
The recently published Wildfire Mitigation Guide should enable
every property owner in Mesa Antero to make some modifications
to lessen the negative effects from a wildfire Even if you donrsquot have
a structure on your property these actions will help to achieve
positive results from a wildfire Fire is a natural part of the eco
system so reducing ground litter and killing some weak trees
bushes overall is good plus the nitrogen release is naturersquos fertilizer
for the grasses
Itrsquos dry
This Spring has developed into a very dry one If you have some
mitigation projects in mind it would be good to start soon
The forest and Campers
The good news is that our surrounding forests have been managed
(thinned and controlled burns) to protect our community from
wildfires The dispersed campers with their camp fires is a ignition
risk but manageable If you notice someone burning illegally itrsquos
safest for you to call the Sheriff via 911 (immediately tell them itrsquos a
ldquonon-emergencyrdquo so they can talk to you on a different line) If you
come upon an abandoned campfire pull it apart and call the sheriff
so they can fully extinguish and document
Lastly I do have some more information to add to the guide in the
future but wanted to get the bulk of it out now
Irsquom always available to answer questions andor come by
Quinn Macleod
qmacleod61gmailcom
3038105739
The Wildfire Mitigation Guide is post on MesaAnteroorg for easy
access
Help Yourself Get A Reflective House Number Sign
Did you know that reflective house number signs are crucial to help
fire fighters or emergency personnel find you quickly The
reflective green and white signs are available from the Chaffee
County Fire District main office in BV for the bargain price of just
$10
Fire experts have advised that - especially in a neighborhood like
ours - having clearly visible reflective signs are crucial to their timely
arrival at a fire or emergency The signs should be double sided
and posted near the road so they can be clearly seen from both
directions
Moth Infestation a Real Nuisance You have no doubt been annoyed by the recent infestation of
moths The Miller moths start out as caterpillars that develop on
Coloradorsquos eastern plains and in Kansas and Nebraska In the spring
they migrate west to feast on the nectar of flowers
This year wersquove seen more
moths than previous springs
because weather conditions
last year were favorable for
caterpillar development It
isnrsquot extraordinary as Colorado
has seen this many in other
years preceded by mild winters While other moth species might
like to eat your wool sweaters these do not They just eat pollen
make your house dusty and die Unless yoursquore particularly allergic
to moth scales miller moths wonrsquot do a thing besides annoy you
Miller moths are a very important food source for birds bears and
other critters A single bear can eat up to 10000 miller moths a
day which helps them get fat for the winter The mothrsquos
abdomens besides housing ldquogutsrdquo also store a lot of fat that they
stock up for the long autumn trip back to the plains They hide
under rocks in the mountains during the day Thatrsquos where bears
find them flipping over stones and grabbing a quick bite
The good news is they wonrsquot stick around forever Warm nights will
speed up their migration They are usually gone by the fall
Wildfire Mitigation amp Moths
Did you know Charles Nachtrieb I was the founder
of the town of Nathrop Colorado Early
settlers could not pronounce the German
name of Nachtrieb easily so the name of
the hamlet was Americanized to Nathrop
The original site of Nathrop was about one
and one half miles north of the present
townsite and served as a stagecoach station between Bales
station near Cleora and Leadville
14
Alliance Formed to Help Preserve Brownrsquos Creek Volunteers Needed
By Chuck Azzopardi
If you have spent time in the Browns Creek Recreation Area over
the last few years you may have noticed a dramatically increasing
number of hikers and campers And also an increase in the size and
number of dispersed campsites A number of residents of Mesa
Antero have expressed concern for a potentially catastrophic
wildfire initiated from an illegal campfire in the Browns Creek
Recreation Area In response to these developments a new group -
Browns Creek Alliance - is being formed to ensure the Browns Creek
Recreation Area is not loved to death
Many in Chaffe County realize that our valley ldquohas been foundrdquo
We can expect growth and development to occur over the next
couple of decades Envision Chaffee County was a formed in 2016
to provide guidance on the future growth and development of
Chaffee County It has since become a catalyst for community
actions such as the Browns Creek Alliance Recreation in Balance is
a program led by Envision the Greater Arkansas River Nature
Association (GARNA) and the Salida Ranger District that is creating a
community-driven plan to maintain healthy public lands quality
user experiences and the economic benefits of recreation tourism
Browns Creek Recreation Area is one of the more popular places for
outdoor recreation in Chaffee County Visitation to the Browns
Creek Recreation Area is increasing and is expected to continue on
an upward trend for the foreseeable future Our San Isabelle
National Forest Service Ranger District has recognized that Browns
Creek Recreation
Area could use
some TLC Giving
their current
budget
constraints they
are actively
encouraging
volunteer groups including Browns Creek Alliance to provide
assistance in ensuring that public lands in our area do get the
tender loving care they deserve
So given a significant growth in locals and visitors how can we
Browns Creek Alliance as a volunteer organization have a positive
impact on the long-term sustainability of Browns Creek Recreation
Area
To achieve our mission of supporting a sustainable management of
the Browns Creek Recreation Area the Browns Creek Alliance is
focusing on gathering data on visitation and its impact on public
resources The Alliance is providing education to encourage visitors
to our area to be respectful and responsible of our public resources
other visitors and residents while enjoying the Browns Creek
Recreation Area We shall also evaluate public resources
particularly dispersed campsites to determine if we can improve
their long-term sustainability
Luckily we have a successful model of how we can accomplish our
objectives right here in Chaffee County Friends of Four Mile has
years of successful experience ensuring that the Four Mile
Recreation Area is sustainable for the long-term
Friends of Four Mile has developed signage and brochures to
educate visitors They have also used buck amp rail fencing to ensure
dispersed campsites are of an appropriate long-term sustainable
size and location While some cost and efforts are necessary to
develop and implement these solutions they have been shown to
be effective
The first task for the Browns Creek Alliance is to gather data so that
we and other agencies including Recreation in Balance and the San
Isabelle National Force Ranger District can quantify the increase in
Brownrsquos Creek Alliance
Browns Creek Alliance Mission Statement
The Browns Creek Alliance is a volunteer
group The group believes in supporting a
sustainable management of the public lands
in the Browns Creek amp Raspberry Gulch areas
of the San Isabel National Forest
15
visitation as well as the measurable impact that the increasing
volume of visitors are having on our public resources
Being able to measure visitation and its impact is critical if we are to
develop and implement the best ways to ensure long-term
sustainability of our public resources This data may also be utilized
to gauge the success of our efforts as we strive to improve long-
term sustainability of Browns Creek Recreation Area
For our first task The Browns Creek Alliance similar to Friends of
Four Mile is implementing a vehicle count on the three busiest
holidays of the year - Memorial Day Fourth of July and Labor Day
Volunteers will document the number of vehicles including
recreational vehicles in Browns Creek Recreation Area on each
holiday This data shall be shared with agencies - including the
Forest Service -to determine if the number of visitors is within the
capacity of Browns Creek Recreation Area This data will also
determine whether or not visitation continues to grow and if so by
how much
The Browns Creek Alliance sees our second task as encouraging
visitors to be responsible and respectful while enjoying Browns
Creek Recreation Area If visitors understand proper outdoor
recreation amp dispersed camping etiquette they are much more
inclined to be responsible and respectful visitors and users of our
public resources Responsible and respectful campers in particular
are less inclined to have illegal fires We believe that to achieve this
second objective signage at the kiosks in the Browns Creek
Recreation Area needs to be updated and improved Brochures
containing information displayed on the new improved kiosks may
also be printed and distributed by volunteers
A sandwich billboard sign was recently erected at the entrance to
Browns Creek Recreation Area to advise visitors that a fire ban is in
place and campfires are not currently permitted Mesa Antero
Property Ownersrsquo Association voted to provide funding for this new
signage
A third task is to pursue surveying and ranking of dispersed
campsites in the area Once dispersed campsites have been ranked
for sustainability poor campsites may be removed or reconfigured
while high ranking popular campsites may be hardened or
improved As an example buck amp rail fencing may be used to
establish campsite boundaries at select dispersed campsites
Recently the Forest Service has begun implementing buck and rail
fencing at select campsites in Browns Creek Recreation Area Other
improvements are being considered in our arearsquos outdoor
recreational areas Browns Creek Alliance is already in discussions
with the Forest Service and others as to how we can evaluate and
improve dispersed campsites in our area One consideration is
moving toward designated dispersed camping to better control
campsites in the area
Finally Browns Creek Alliance intends to be a sounding board for
locals and visitors as to how Browns Creek Recreation Area can be
improved in a sustainable manner for the benefit of all To do so
we need your input We also need boots on the ground to secure
funding and assist in the implementation of the tasks detailed in
this article We have received a favorable response from many
Mesa Antero residents regarding our plans and efforts thus far
Anyone that wishes to be involved ndash by providing input andor
actual ldquoboots on the groundrdquo is invited to contact Quinn McLeod or
Chuck Azzopardi directly Contact Quinn at (303)810-5739 or
qMacLeod61gmailcom I can be reached by phone at (719)221-
6444 or by email at JanChuckBobbigmailcom
Brownrsquos Creek Alliance conrsquot
The United States Forest
Service (USFS) has placed a
large temporary No Camp-
fires sign at the entrance to
the Browns Creek area on
272 It is almost impossible
for anyone visiting the area
to not know there are
campfire restrictions
If you see someone with a
campfire please DO NOT
approach the fire burners
but call the sheriffrsquos office at
719-539-2596 to report the
campfire
16
Summer Picnics Cancelled
In an effort to keep community members safe from the possible
spread of Covid-19 summer picnics (Memorial Day Fourth of July
and Labor Day) at Stew Brown Park have been cancelled Additional
picnics may be scheduled when COVID-19 is no longer a threat
Reservations Required to Use Stew Brown Park
Residents are always welcome to enjoy Stew Brown Park However
with social distancing restrictions in place and because of concern
for our neighbors there is now a limit on the size of groups who can
gather in Stew Brown Park Groups of 10 or fewer are welcome to
use and reserve the park Reservations should be made in advance
by emailing President Mary Gontero at mapoa99gmailcom
Residents are asked NOT to use picnic tables or MAPOA supplies
and to bring their own chairs As always trash should be removed
Please note there is not a restroom in the park
No doubt we all look forward to the day we can once again gather
for our picnics after a vaccine or treatment is available Until then
letrsquos be safe and limit gatherings to 10 or fewer for the health and
safety of our community members
Chaffee County Community Foundation Emergency
Response Fund (ERF)
The ERF campaign is seeking donors who can help the fund attain a
level of resources commensurate with the local need as well as
eligible recipients who can seek financial assistance According to
the Chaffee Office of Housing well over 5000 Chaffee employees
have been or will be directly impacted by COVID-19-related
business closures Many of those may not be eligible for current
state or federal assistance The ERF is designed to meet the needs
of those individuals and families yet generous and ongoing
community support is needed CCCF is asking community
members who are able to contribute to do so either online or via
check made out to CCCF with ldquoERFrdquo in the memo line More
information or to donate go to wwwchaffeecommunityorg
erf Checks can be mailed to PO Box 492 Buena Vista CO 81211
Rachele Vierthaler recently moved to Mesa Antero from Buena
Vista Rachele sits on the Board of Directors for Chaffee County
Community Foundation and is happy to answer your questions
Email Rachele at rvierthalerchaffeecommunityorg
The Bears are Back
Numerous neighbors have reported seeing a bear in Mesa Antero
Studies show that often the first reward a bear gets for exploring
human places is a big meal of tasty nutritious seeds (a natural food
for bears) Letting your bird feeders turn into bear feeders teaches
bears that coming close to people and homes looking for food is a
good idea For bears that can end up being a deadly lesson
Mesa Antero residents are encouraged to NOT feed the birds during
the months when bears are active Instead use water features
plant-ings nest boxes and flowers to attract birds Use bird feeders
only when bears are hibernating
If you donrsquot want to stop feeding birds hang your feeders at least
10 feet off the ground and 10 feet away from anything bears can
climb Keep the area underneath feeders clean and free of bird
seed and hulls or switch to a hulled bird seed with no waste Never
store bird seed outside under your deck or in a garage or shed a
bear could break into A 50-pound bag of bird seed has over 87000
caloriesmdasha reward for the bear that is well worth the effort of
breaking in
Interesting sites on bearshellip
httpscpwstatecousbears
Living with Bears
httpsjourneynorthorgtmspringBearYearhtml
FYI amp Announcements
Craig and I went
camping in Leadville
last week Our
African Grey Joey
went along and
enjoyed her view from
a tree perch She
loves traveling with
us I imagine she
enjoys the change of
scenery
17
New Neighbors
We are delighted to welcome two new totally adorable neighbors
to Mesa Antero
Jasper recently joined the Risa and David Jenkins family He is a
Welsh Springer Spaniel and is shown here with big brother Riley (16
months) The brothers are getting along famously Mom and Dad
are wishing for accelerated potty training as theyrsquore both a bit sleep
deprived
Neighbor News
Cutty is the newest
member of the Robin
and Chris Covert
family Hersquos a German
Shephard Golden
Retriever Poodle Mix
Cutty is settling in
nicely in his new home
No surprise but Mom
and Dad here are also
hoping for quick potty
training and less
chewing of random
stuff
A kind thoughtful and
unknown soul sent
these beautiful flowers
to me anonymously
earlier this week The
card reads ldquoHerersquos a
hug for yourdquo I do not
know who sent them
but I sure am enjoying
both the lovely flowers
and the very kind
gesture of the person
who sent them Genie
Malone and Denise
Washer also received a
lovely jar of anonymous flowers Thanks to the mystery sender
from all of us It surely did bring a smile to our face and make
our day And continues to do so each time we look at them
Harper Powell -an apparent wildlife magnetmdashhas seen two moose a bear and a
coyote in recent weeks She snapped a picture of what she believes is the baby of
the two moose shersquos seen between Broken Bough and Sawmill Look closely you
can see the baby moose in the trees How cool is that
18
Marketing Mesa Antero Mesa Antero Original Sales Brochure While cleaning out an old desk recently Patsy Torian found several
copies of the original sales and marketing brochure for Mesa Antero
She thought her neighbors would find it interesting and provided a
copy for the newsletter
Please note the home pictured on the next page What it looks like
today with all of the trees is amazing
19
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
20
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
21
Aunt Mabelrsquos Coffee Cake
provided by Kathy Roach
2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour
frac14 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup butter softened
1 cup sour cream
1thinspfrac12 cups white sugar
3 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
frac12 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 frac12 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons butter melted
Preheat oven to 375 F Lightly grease a 9x13 pan
Mix together the flour baking powder and salt set aside
In a large bowl cream the butter until light and fluffy Gradually
beat in sour cream Then beat in sugar Beat in the eggs one at a
time Then stir in the vanilla
By hand fold in the flour mixture mixing just until incorporated
Spread batter into prepared pan
To make the Pecan Topping In a medium bowl mix together brown
sugar pecans and cinnamon Stir in melted butter until crumbly
Sprinkle over cake batter in pan
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a
toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean
Balsamic Vinegar Dressing
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
3 Tbsp balsamic or other favorite vinegar
5 Tbsp olive oil
14 tsp salt
14 tsp pepper
Bacon Cabbage and Noodles
I found this recipe on Pinterest Its easy quick and very tasty
2 C egg noodles
34 lb bacon diced
34 medium head of cabbage sliced
14 tsp salt
pepper to taste
Cook noodles according to package directions Meanwhile in a
large skillet cook bacon pieces over medium heat until crisp Using
a slotted spoon remove to paper towels to drain Remove all but 3
Tbsp of drippings
Add cabbage to drippings Cover and cook on low for 20 minutes or
until cabbage is tender stirring occasionally Add bacon and
noodles to cooked cabbage Stir serve and enjoy
Chicken Legs with Maple-Sriracha Glaze
Recipe originally created by grill master Steven Raichlen
Chicken Prep
12 large chicken drumsticks
1 Tbsp coarse salt
1 Tbsp freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp hot red pepper flakes
1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Place drumsticks in bowl sprinkle with above ingredients stirring to
coat well
Maple Sriracha Glaze
6 Tbsp unsalted butter
5 Tbsp pure maple syrup
14 cup sriracha or more to taste
3 Tbsp Scotch whiskey
Melt butter in saucepan over high heat stir in maple syrup
sriracha and whisky Boil until mixture is syrupy 3-5 minutes
Grill chicken legs over charcoal fire until cooked through
Try a New Recipe Page
22
DEAR NEIGHBORS amp FRIENDS
This is Ann Johnson and I am taking another opportunity to say a
very big amp loud THANK YOU to many neighbors amp friends who
visited me in the hospital sent cards and even did a meal train
(people bringing dinner every night for two weeks) It was truly
AMAZING amp HEART WARMING There arent enough words to
express my gratitude (not to mention shock) I am truly humbled
and honored amp I THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY
HEART
Ann Johnson
Dear Reader
Happy summer to you Didnrsquot we arenrsquot we having a beautiful
spring summer Irsquom never sure when summer starts here Itrsquos July
8 and Irsquom sitting outside at our picnic table in my flannel jammes
putting the final touches on the newsletter Itrsquos 110+ in the Phoenix
Valleymdashwhere we moved frommdashand I couldnt be happier to be
here
I mean donrsquot you love living in a place where some days you look at
the sky and it looks fake it is so picture perfect Donrsquot you love
living in a place where you can step outside and pick a mason jar full
of wildflowers for your dining room table A place where you go
outside at night and you can see every star in the Milky Way
Where neighbors calls you to see if you need anything from Costco
or City Market or Wal Mart when they go to town Where you see
rainbows often doubles on a regular basis Where a friend comes
to your aid at a moments notice with jumper cables or whatever
else you might need I could go on I could spend hours looking at
the clouds hurrying by on their way to somewhere unknown
watching the ripples of the water in Brownrsquos creek and the
shimmer of the aspens and cottonwoods in the breeze
The one thing I could do without however are the Miller moths
They are a supreme nuisance Each morning we take the hand vac
and suck up at least a dozen dead moths that have crawled out of
their hiding places at some point during the night Each eve we do
the same thing with the live ones who are attracted to the light for
reasons still a mystery to scientists Experts say they will be gone by
fall Ugh
Thanks to those who continue to provide stories and ideas for the
newsletter Your input truly makes the newsletter worth reading I
encourage YOU to be a contributor to the newsletter Send
pictures or stories of things yoursquore involved with like Danrsquos story on
the good deeds of his golf group If yoursquore a new neighbor send
information about yourself where you came from etc as a way to
informally introduce yourself to the neighborhood You get the
idea Snap write and send away
I look forward to the day we can all get together again in person for
friendship and fellowship Until then stay safe
Sheila
The Wrap Up
Risa Jenkins is constantly
taking spectacular
pictures of the mountains
from her and Davidrsquos
home on Deer Trail
She took these three - the
first two morning
rainbows the last a
spectacular sunset - just
this week
14
Alliance Formed to Help Preserve Brownrsquos Creek Volunteers Needed
By Chuck Azzopardi
If you have spent time in the Browns Creek Recreation Area over
the last few years you may have noticed a dramatically increasing
number of hikers and campers And also an increase in the size and
number of dispersed campsites A number of residents of Mesa
Antero have expressed concern for a potentially catastrophic
wildfire initiated from an illegal campfire in the Browns Creek
Recreation Area In response to these developments a new group -
Browns Creek Alliance - is being formed to ensure the Browns Creek
Recreation Area is not loved to death
Many in Chaffe County realize that our valley ldquohas been foundrdquo
We can expect growth and development to occur over the next
couple of decades Envision Chaffee County was a formed in 2016
to provide guidance on the future growth and development of
Chaffee County It has since become a catalyst for community
actions such as the Browns Creek Alliance Recreation in Balance is
a program led by Envision the Greater Arkansas River Nature
Association (GARNA) and the Salida Ranger District that is creating a
community-driven plan to maintain healthy public lands quality
user experiences and the economic benefits of recreation tourism
Browns Creek Recreation Area is one of the more popular places for
outdoor recreation in Chaffee County Visitation to the Browns
Creek Recreation Area is increasing and is expected to continue on
an upward trend for the foreseeable future Our San Isabelle
National Forest Service Ranger District has recognized that Browns
Creek Recreation
Area could use
some TLC Giving
their current
budget
constraints they
are actively
encouraging
volunteer groups including Browns Creek Alliance to provide
assistance in ensuring that public lands in our area do get the
tender loving care they deserve
So given a significant growth in locals and visitors how can we
Browns Creek Alliance as a volunteer organization have a positive
impact on the long-term sustainability of Browns Creek Recreation
Area
To achieve our mission of supporting a sustainable management of
the Browns Creek Recreation Area the Browns Creek Alliance is
focusing on gathering data on visitation and its impact on public
resources The Alliance is providing education to encourage visitors
to our area to be respectful and responsible of our public resources
other visitors and residents while enjoying the Browns Creek
Recreation Area We shall also evaluate public resources
particularly dispersed campsites to determine if we can improve
their long-term sustainability
Luckily we have a successful model of how we can accomplish our
objectives right here in Chaffee County Friends of Four Mile has
years of successful experience ensuring that the Four Mile
Recreation Area is sustainable for the long-term
Friends of Four Mile has developed signage and brochures to
educate visitors They have also used buck amp rail fencing to ensure
dispersed campsites are of an appropriate long-term sustainable
size and location While some cost and efforts are necessary to
develop and implement these solutions they have been shown to
be effective
The first task for the Browns Creek Alliance is to gather data so that
we and other agencies including Recreation in Balance and the San
Isabelle National Force Ranger District can quantify the increase in
Brownrsquos Creek Alliance
Browns Creek Alliance Mission Statement
The Browns Creek Alliance is a volunteer
group The group believes in supporting a
sustainable management of the public lands
in the Browns Creek amp Raspberry Gulch areas
of the San Isabel National Forest
15
visitation as well as the measurable impact that the increasing
volume of visitors are having on our public resources
Being able to measure visitation and its impact is critical if we are to
develop and implement the best ways to ensure long-term
sustainability of our public resources This data may also be utilized
to gauge the success of our efforts as we strive to improve long-
term sustainability of Browns Creek Recreation Area
For our first task The Browns Creek Alliance similar to Friends of
Four Mile is implementing a vehicle count on the three busiest
holidays of the year - Memorial Day Fourth of July and Labor Day
Volunteers will document the number of vehicles including
recreational vehicles in Browns Creek Recreation Area on each
holiday This data shall be shared with agencies - including the
Forest Service -to determine if the number of visitors is within the
capacity of Browns Creek Recreation Area This data will also
determine whether or not visitation continues to grow and if so by
how much
The Browns Creek Alliance sees our second task as encouraging
visitors to be responsible and respectful while enjoying Browns
Creek Recreation Area If visitors understand proper outdoor
recreation amp dispersed camping etiquette they are much more
inclined to be responsible and respectful visitors and users of our
public resources Responsible and respectful campers in particular
are less inclined to have illegal fires We believe that to achieve this
second objective signage at the kiosks in the Browns Creek
Recreation Area needs to be updated and improved Brochures
containing information displayed on the new improved kiosks may
also be printed and distributed by volunteers
A sandwich billboard sign was recently erected at the entrance to
Browns Creek Recreation Area to advise visitors that a fire ban is in
place and campfires are not currently permitted Mesa Antero
Property Ownersrsquo Association voted to provide funding for this new
signage
A third task is to pursue surveying and ranking of dispersed
campsites in the area Once dispersed campsites have been ranked
for sustainability poor campsites may be removed or reconfigured
while high ranking popular campsites may be hardened or
improved As an example buck amp rail fencing may be used to
establish campsite boundaries at select dispersed campsites
Recently the Forest Service has begun implementing buck and rail
fencing at select campsites in Browns Creek Recreation Area Other
improvements are being considered in our arearsquos outdoor
recreational areas Browns Creek Alliance is already in discussions
with the Forest Service and others as to how we can evaluate and
improve dispersed campsites in our area One consideration is
moving toward designated dispersed camping to better control
campsites in the area
Finally Browns Creek Alliance intends to be a sounding board for
locals and visitors as to how Browns Creek Recreation Area can be
improved in a sustainable manner for the benefit of all To do so
we need your input We also need boots on the ground to secure
funding and assist in the implementation of the tasks detailed in
this article We have received a favorable response from many
Mesa Antero residents regarding our plans and efforts thus far
Anyone that wishes to be involved ndash by providing input andor
actual ldquoboots on the groundrdquo is invited to contact Quinn McLeod or
Chuck Azzopardi directly Contact Quinn at (303)810-5739 or
qMacLeod61gmailcom I can be reached by phone at (719)221-
6444 or by email at JanChuckBobbigmailcom
Brownrsquos Creek Alliance conrsquot
The United States Forest
Service (USFS) has placed a
large temporary No Camp-
fires sign at the entrance to
the Browns Creek area on
272 It is almost impossible
for anyone visiting the area
to not know there are
campfire restrictions
If you see someone with a
campfire please DO NOT
approach the fire burners
but call the sheriffrsquos office at
719-539-2596 to report the
campfire
16
Summer Picnics Cancelled
In an effort to keep community members safe from the possible
spread of Covid-19 summer picnics (Memorial Day Fourth of July
and Labor Day) at Stew Brown Park have been cancelled Additional
picnics may be scheduled when COVID-19 is no longer a threat
Reservations Required to Use Stew Brown Park
Residents are always welcome to enjoy Stew Brown Park However
with social distancing restrictions in place and because of concern
for our neighbors there is now a limit on the size of groups who can
gather in Stew Brown Park Groups of 10 or fewer are welcome to
use and reserve the park Reservations should be made in advance
by emailing President Mary Gontero at mapoa99gmailcom
Residents are asked NOT to use picnic tables or MAPOA supplies
and to bring their own chairs As always trash should be removed
Please note there is not a restroom in the park
No doubt we all look forward to the day we can once again gather
for our picnics after a vaccine or treatment is available Until then
letrsquos be safe and limit gatherings to 10 or fewer for the health and
safety of our community members
Chaffee County Community Foundation Emergency
Response Fund (ERF)
The ERF campaign is seeking donors who can help the fund attain a
level of resources commensurate with the local need as well as
eligible recipients who can seek financial assistance According to
the Chaffee Office of Housing well over 5000 Chaffee employees
have been or will be directly impacted by COVID-19-related
business closures Many of those may not be eligible for current
state or federal assistance The ERF is designed to meet the needs
of those individuals and families yet generous and ongoing
community support is needed CCCF is asking community
members who are able to contribute to do so either online or via
check made out to CCCF with ldquoERFrdquo in the memo line More
information or to donate go to wwwchaffeecommunityorg
erf Checks can be mailed to PO Box 492 Buena Vista CO 81211
Rachele Vierthaler recently moved to Mesa Antero from Buena
Vista Rachele sits on the Board of Directors for Chaffee County
Community Foundation and is happy to answer your questions
Email Rachele at rvierthalerchaffeecommunityorg
The Bears are Back
Numerous neighbors have reported seeing a bear in Mesa Antero
Studies show that often the first reward a bear gets for exploring
human places is a big meal of tasty nutritious seeds (a natural food
for bears) Letting your bird feeders turn into bear feeders teaches
bears that coming close to people and homes looking for food is a
good idea For bears that can end up being a deadly lesson
Mesa Antero residents are encouraged to NOT feed the birds during
the months when bears are active Instead use water features
plant-ings nest boxes and flowers to attract birds Use bird feeders
only when bears are hibernating
If you donrsquot want to stop feeding birds hang your feeders at least
10 feet off the ground and 10 feet away from anything bears can
climb Keep the area underneath feeders clean and free of bird
seed and hulls or switch to a hulled bird seed with no waste Never
store bird seed outside under your deck or in a garage or shed a
bear could break into A 50-pound bag of bird seed has over 87000
caloriesmdasha reward for the bear that is well worth the effort of
breaking in
Interesting sites on bearshellip
httpscpwstatecousbears
Living with Bears
httpsjourneynorthorgtmspringBearYearhtml
FYI amp Announcements
Craig and I went
camping in Leadville
last week Our
African Grey Joey
went along and
enjoyed her view from
a tree perch She
loves traveling with
us I imagine she
enjoys the change of
scenery
17
New Neighbors
We are delighted to welcome two new totally adorable neighbors
to Mesa Antero
Jasper recently joined the Risa and David Jenkins family He is a
Welsh Springer Spaniel and is shown here with big brother Riley (16
months) The brothers are getting along famously Mom and Dad
are wishing for accelerated potty training as theyrsquore both a bit sleep
deprived
Neighbor News
Cutty is the newest
member of the Robin
and Chris Covert
family Hersquos a German
Shephard Golden
Retriever Poodle Mix
Cutty is settling in
nicely in his new home
No surprise but Mom
and Dad here are also
hoping for quick potty
training and less
chewing of random
stuff
A kind thoughtful and
unknown soul sent
these beautiful flowers
to me anonymously
earlier this week The
card reads ldquoHerersquos a
hug for yourdquo I do not
know who sent them
but I sure am enjoying
both the lovely flowers
and the very kind
gesture of the person
who sent them Genie
Malone and Denise
Washer also received a
lovely jar of anonymous flowers Thanks to the mystery sender
from all of us It surely did bring a smile to our face and make
our day And continues to do so each time we look at them
Harper Powell -an apparent wildlife magnetmdashhas seen two moose a bear and a
coyote in recent weeks She snapped a picture of what she believes is the baby of
the two moose shersquos seen between Broken Bough and Sawmill Look closely you
can see the baby moose in the trees How cool is that
18
Marketing Mesa Antero Mesa Antero Original Sales Brochure While cleaning out an old desk recently Patsy Torian found several
copies of the original sales and marketing brochure for Mesa Antero
She thought her neighbors would find it interesting and provided a
copy for the newsletter
Please note the home pictured on the next page What it looks like
today with all of the trees is amazing
19
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
20
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
21
Aunt Mabelrsquos Coffee Cake
provided by Kathy Roach
2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour
frac14 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup butter softened
1 cup sour cream
1thinspfrac12 cups white sugar
3 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
frac12 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 frac12 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons butter melted
Preheat oven to 375 F Lightly grease a 9x13 pan
Mix together the flour baking powder and salt set aside
In a large bowl cream the butter until light and fluffy Gradually
beat in sour cream Then beat in sugar Beat in the eggs one at a
time Then stir in the vanilla
By hand fold in the flour mixture mixing just until incorporated
Spread batter into prepared pan
To make the Pecan Topping In a medium bowl mix together brown
sugar pecans and cinnamon Stir in melted butter until crumbly
Sprinkle over cake batter in pan
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a
toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean
Balsamic Vinegar Dressing
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
3 Tbsp balsamic or other favorite vinegar
5 Tbsp olive oil
14 tsp salt
14 tsp pepper
Bacon Cabbage and Noodles
I found this recipe on Pinterest Its easy quick and very tasty
2 C egg noodles
34 lb bacon diced
34 medium head of cabbage sliced
14 tsp salt
pepper to taste
Cook noodles according to package directions Meanwhile in a
large skillet cook bacon pieces over medium heat until crisp Using
a slotted spoon remove to paper towels to drain Remove all but 3
Tbsp of drippings
Add cabbage to drippings Cover and cook on low for 20 minutes or
until cabbage is tender stirring occasionally Add bacon and
noodles to cooked cabbage Stir serve and enjoy
Chicken Legs with Maple-Sriracha Glaze
Recipe originally created by grill master Steven Raichlen
Chicken Prep
12 large chicken drumsticks
1 Tbsp coarse salt
1 Tbsp freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp hot red pepper flakes
1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Place drumsticks in bowl sprinkle with above ingredients stirring to
coat well
Maple Sriracha Glaze
6 Tbsp unsalted butter
5 Tbsp pure maple syrup
14 cup sriracha or more to taste
3 Tbsp Scotch whiskey
Melt butter in saucepan over high heat stir in maple syrup
sriracha and whisky Boil until mixture is syrupy 3-5 minutes
Grill chicken legs over charcoal fire until cooked through
Try a New Recipe Page
22
DEAR NEIGHBORS amp FRIENDS
This is Ann Johnson and I am taking another opportunity to say a
very big amp loud THANK YOU to many neighbors amp friends who
visited me in the hospital sent cards and even did a meal train
(people bringing dinner every night for two weeks) It was truly
AMAZING amp HEART WARMING There arent enough words to
express my gratitude (not to mention shock) I am truly humbled
and honored amp I THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY
HEART
Ann Johnson
Dear Reader
Happy summer to you Didnrsquot we arenrsquot we having a beautiful
spring summer Irsquom never sure when summer starts here Itrsquos July
8 and Irsquom sitting outside at our picnic table in my flannel jammes
putting the final touches on the newsletter Itrsquos 110+ in the Phoenix
Valleymdashwhere we moved frommdashand I couldnt be happier to be
here
I mean donrsquot you love living in a place where some days you look at
the sky and it looks fake it is so picture perfect Donrsquot you love
living in a place where you can step outside and pick a mason jar full
of wildflowers for your dining room table A place where you go
outside at night and you can see every star in the Milky Way
Where neighbors calls you to see if you need anything from Costco
or City Market or Wal Mart when they go to town Where you see
rainbows often doubles on a regular basis Where a friend comes
to your aid at a moments notice with jumper cables or whatever
else you might need I could go on I could spend hours looking at
the clouds hurrying by on their way to somewhere unknown
watching the ripples of the water in Brownrsquos creek and the
shimmer of the aspens and cottonwoods in the breeze
The one thing I could do without however are the Miller moths
They are a supreme nuisance Each morning we take the hand vac
and suck up at least a dozen dead moths that have crawled out of
their hiding places at some point during the night Each eve we do
the same thing with the live ones who are attracted to the light for
reasons still a mystery to scientists Experts say they will be gone by
fall Ugh
Thanks to those who continue to provide stories and ideas for the
newsletter Your input truly makes the newsletter worth reading I
encourage YOU to be a contributor to the newsletter Send
pictures or stories of things yoursquore involved with like Danrsquos story on
the good deeds of his golf group If yoursquore a new neighbor send
information about yourself where you came from etc as a way to
informally introduce yourself to the neighborhood You get the
idea Snap write and send away
I look forward to the day we can all get together again in person for
friendship and fellowship Until then stay safe
Sheila
The Wrap Up
Risa Jenkins is constantly
taking spectacular
pictures of the mountains
from her and Davidrsquos
home on Deer Trail
She took these three - the
first two morning
rainbows the last a
spectacular sunset - just
this week
15
visitation as well as the measurable impact that the increasing
volume of visitors are having on our public resources
Being able to measure visitation and its impact is critical if we are to
develop and implement the best ways to ensure long-term
sustainability of our public resources This data may also be utilized
to gauge the success of our efforts as we strive to improve long-
term sustainability of Browns Creek Recreation Area
For our first task The Browns Creek Alliance similar to Friends of
Four Mile is implementing a vehicle count on the three busiest
holidays of the year - Memorial Day Fourth of July and Labor Day
Volunteers will document the number of vehicles including
recreational vehicles in Browns Creek Recreation Area on each
holiday This data shall be shared with agencies - including the
Forest Service -to determine if the number of visitors is within the
capacity of Browns Creek Recreation Area This data will also
determine whether or not visitation continues to grow and if so by
how much
The Browns Creek Alliance sees our second task as encouraging
visitors to be responsible and respectful while enjoying Browns
Creek Recreation Area If visitors understand proper outdoor
recreation amp dispersed camping etiquette they are much more
inclined to be responsible and respectful visitors and users of our
public resources Responsible and respectful campers in particular
are less inclined to have illegal fires We believe that to achieve this
second objective signage at the kiosks in the Browns Creek
Recreation Area needs to be updated and improved Brochures
containing information displayed on the new improved kiosks may
also be printed and distributed by volunteers
A sandwich billboard sign was recently erected at the entrance to
Browns Creek Recreation Area to advise visitors that a fire ban is in
place and campfires are not currently permitted Mesa Antero
Property Ownersrsquo Association voted to provide funding for this new
signage
A third task is to pursue surveying and ranking of dispersed
campsites in the area Once dispersed campsites have been ranked
for sustainability poor campsites may be removed or reconfigured
while high ranking popular campsites may be hardened or
improved As an example buck amp rail fencing may be used to
establish campsite boundaries at select dispersed campsites
Recently the Forest Service has begun implementing buck and rail
fencing at select campsites in Browns Creek Recreation Area Other
improvements are being considered in our arearsquos outdoor
recreational areas Browns Creek Alliance is already in discussions
with the Forest Service and others as to how we can evaluate and
improve dispersed campsites in our area One consideration is
moving toward designated dispersed camping to better control
campsites in the area
Finally Browns Creek Alliance intends to be a sounding board for
locals and visitors as to how Browns Creek Recreation Area can be
improved in a sustainable manner for the benefit of all To do so
we need your input We also need boots on the ground to secure
funding and assist in the implementation of the tasks detailed in
this article We have received a favorable response from many
Mesa Antero residents regarding our plans and efforts thus far
Anyone that wishes to be involved ndash by providing input andor
actual ldquoboots on the groundrdquo is invited to contact Quinn McLeod or
Chuck Azzopardi directly Contact Quinn at (303)810-5739 or
qMacLeod61gmailcom I can be reached by phone at (719)221-
6444 or by email at JanChuckBobbigmailcom
Brownrsquos Creek Alliance conrsquot
The United States Forest
Service (USFS) has placed a
large temporary No Camp-
fires sign at the entrance to
the Browns Creek area on
272 It is almost impossible
for anyone visiting the area
to not know there are
campfire restrictions
If you see someone with a
campfire please DO NOT
approach the fire burners
but call the sheriffrsquos office at
719-539-2596 to report the
campfire
16
Summer Picnics Cancelled
In an effort to keep community members safe from the possible
spread of Covid-19 summer picnics (Memorial Day Fourth of July
and Labor Day) at Stew Brown Park have been cancelled Additional
picnics may be scheduled when COVID-19 is no longer a threat
Reservations Required to Use Stew Brown Park
Residents are always welcome to enjoy Stew Brown Park However
with social distancing restrictions in place and because of concern
for our neighbors there is now a limit on the size of groups who can
gather in Stew Brown Park Groups of 10 or fewer are welcome to
use and reserve the park Reservations should be made in advance
by emailing President Mary Gontero at mapoa99gmailcom
Residents are asked NOT to use picnic tables or MAPOA supplies
and to bring their own chairs As always trash should be removed
Please note there is not a restroom in the park
No doubt we all look forward to the day we can once again gather
for our picnics after a vaccine or treatment is available Until then
letrsquos be safe and limit gatherings to 10 or fewer for the health and
safety of our community members
Chaffee County Community Foundation Emergency
Response Fund (ERF)
The ERF campaign is seeking donors who can help the fund attain a
level of resources commensurate with the local need as well as
eligible recipients who can seek financial assistance According to
the Chaffee Office of Housing well over 5000 Chaffee employees
have been or will be directly impacted by COVID-19-related
business closures Many of those may not be eligible for current
state or federal assistance The ERF is designed to meet the needs
of those individuals and families yet generous and ongoing
community support is needed CCCF is asking community
members who are able to contribute to do so either online or via
check made out to CCCF with ldquoERFrdquo in the memo line More
information or to donate go to wwwchaffeecommunityorg
erf Checks can be mailed to PO Box 492 Buena Vista CO 81211
Rachele Vierthaler recently moved to Mesa Antero from Buena
Vista Rachele sits on the Board of Directors for Chaffee County
Community Foundation and is happy to answer your questions
Email Rachele at rvierthalerchaffeecommunityorg
The Bears are Back
Numerous neighbors have reported seeing a bear in Mesa Antero
Studies show that often the first reward a bear gets for exploring
human places is a big meal of tasty nutritious seeds (a natural food
for bears) Letting your bird feeders turn into bear feeders teaches
bears that coming close to people and homes looking for food is a
good idea For bears that can end up being a deadly lesson
Mesa Antero residents are encouraged to NOT feed the birds during
the months when bears are active Instead use water features
plant-ings nest boxes and flowers to attract birds Use bird feeders
only when bears are hibernating
If you donrsquot want to stop feeding birds hang your feeders at least
10 feet off the ground and 10 feet away from anything bears can
climb Keep the area underneath feeders clean and free of bird
seed and hulls or switch to a hulled bird seed with no waste Never
store bird seed outside under your deck or in a garage or shed a
bear could break into A 50-pound bag of bird seed has over 87000
caloriesmdasha reward for the bear that is well worth the effort of
breaking in
Interesting sites on bearshellip
httpscpwstatecousbears
Living with Bears
httpsjourneynorthorgtmspringBearYearhtml
FYI amp Announcements
Craig and I went
camping in Leadville
last week Our
African Grey Joey
went along and
enjoyed her view from
a tree perch She
loves traveling with
us I imagine she
enjoys the change of
scenery
17
New Neighbors
We are delighted to welcome two new totally adorable neighbors
to Mesa Antero
Jasper recently joined the Risa and David Jenkins family He is a
Welsh Springer Spaniel and is shown here with big brother Riley (16
months) The brothers are getting along famously Mom and Dad
are wishing for accelerated potty training as theyrsquore both a bit sleep
deprived
Neighbor News
Cutty is the newest
member of the Robin
and Chris Covert
family Hersquos a German
Shephard Golden
Retriever Poodle Mix
Cutty is settling in
nicely in his new home
No surprise but Mom
and Dad here are also
hoping for quick potty
training and less
chewing of random
stuff
A kind thoughtful and
unknown soul sent
these beautiful flowers
to me anonymously
earlier this week The
card reads ldquoHerersquos a
hug for yourdquo I do not
know who sent them
but I sure am enjoying
both the lovely flowers
and the very kind
gesture of the person
who sent them Genie
Malone and Denise
Washer also received a
lovely jar of anonymous flowers Thanks to the mystery sender
from all of us It surely did bring a smile to our face and make
our day And continues to do so each time we look at them
Harper Powell -an apparent wildlife magnetmdashhas seen two moose a bear and a
coyote in recent weeks She snapped a picture of what she believes is the baby of
the two moose shersquos seen between Broken Bough and Sawmill Look closely you
can see the baby moose in the trees How cool is that
18
Marketing Mesa Antero Mesa Antero Original Sales Brochure While cleaning out an old desk recently Patsy Torian found several
copies of the original sales and marketing brochure for Mesa Antero
She thought her neighbors would find it interesting and provided a
copy for the newsletter
Please note the home pictured on the next page What it looks like
today with all of the trees is amazing
19
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
20
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
21
Aunt Mabelrsquos Coffee Cake
provided by Kathy Roach
2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour
frac14 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup butter softened
1 cup sour cream
1thinspfrac12 cups white sugar
3 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
frac12 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 frac12 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons butter melted
Preheat oven to 375 F Lightly grease a 9x13 pan
Mix together the flour baking powder and salt set aside
In a large bowl cream the butter until light and fluffy Gradually
beat in sour cream Then beat in sugar Beat in the eggs one at a
time Then stir in the vanilla
By hand fold in the flour mixture mixing just until incorporated
Spread batter into prepared pan
To make the Pecan Topping In a medium bowl mix together brown
sugar pecans and cinnamon Stir in melted butter until crumbly
Sprinkle over cake batter in pan
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a
toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean
Balsamic Vinegar Dressing
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
3 Tbsp balsamic or other favorite vinegar
5 Tbsp olive oil
14 tsp salt
14 tsp pepper
Bacon Cabbage and Noodles
I found this recipe on Pinterest Its easy quick and very tasty
2 C egg noodles
34 lb bacon diced
34 medium head of cabbage sliced
14 tsp salt
pepper to taste
Cook noodles according to package directions Meanwhile in a
large skillet cook bacon pieces over medium heat until crisp Using
a slotted spoon remove to paper towels to drain Remove all but 3
Tbsp of drippings
Add cabbage to drippings Cover and cook on low for 20 minutes or
until cabbage is tender stirring occasionally Add bacon and
noodles to cooked cabbage Stir serve and enjoy
Chicken Legs with Maple-Sriracha Glaze
Recipe originally created by grill master Steven Raichlen
Chicken Prep
12 large chicken drumsticks
1 Tbsp coarse salt
1 Tbsp freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp hot red pepper flakes
1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Place drumsticks in bowl sprinkle with above ingredients stirring to
coat well
Maple Sriracha Glaze
6 Tbsp unsalted butter
5 Tbsp pure maple syrup
14 cup sriracha or more to taste
3 Tbsp Scotch whiskey
Melt butter in saucepan over high heat stir in maple syrup
sriracha and whisky Boil until mixture is syrupy 3-5 minutes
Grill chicken legs over charcoal fire until cooked through
Try a New Recipe Page
22
DEAR NEIGHBORS amp FRIENDS
This is Ann Johnson and I am taking another opportunity to say a
very big amp loud THANK YOU to many neighbors amp friends who
visited me in the hospital sent cards and even did a meal train
(people bringing dinner every night for two weeks) It was truly
AMAZING amp HEART WARMING There arent enough words to
express my gratitude (not to mention shock) I am truly humbled
and honored amp I THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY
HEART
Ann Johnson
Dear Reader
Happy summer to you Didnrsquot we arenrsquot we having a beautiful
spring summer Irsquom never sure when summer starts here Itrsquos July
8 and Irsquom sitting outside at our picnic table in my flannel jammes
putting the final touches on the newsletter Itrsquos 110+ in the Phoenix
Valleymdashwhere we moved frommdashand I couldnt be happier to be
here
I mean donrsquot you love living in a place where some days you look at
the sky and it looks fake it is so picture perfect Donrsquot you love
living in a place where you can step outside and pick a mason jar full
of wildflowers for your dining room table A place where you go
outside at night and you can see every star in the Milky Way
Where neighbors calls you to see if you need anything from Costco
or City Market or Wal Mart when they go to town Where you see
rainbows often doubles on a regular basis Where a friend comes
to your aid at a moments notice with jumper cables or whatever
else you might need I could go on I could spend hours looking at
the clouds hurrying by on their way to somewhere unknown
watching the ripples of the water in Brownrsquos creek and the
shimmer of the aspens and cottonwoods in the breeze
The one thing I could do without however are the Miller moths
They are a supreme nuisance Each morning we take the hand vac
and suck up at least a dozen dead moths that have crawled out of
their hiding places at some point during the night Each eve we do
the same thing with the live ones who are attracted to the light for
reasons still a mystery to scientists Experts say they will be gone by
fall Ugh
Thanks to those who continue to provide stories and ideas for the
newsletter Your input truly makes the newsletter worth reading I
encourage YOU to be a contributor to the newsletter Send
pictures or stories of things yoursquore involved with like Danrsquos story on
the good deeds of his golf group If yoursquore a new neighbor send
information about yourself where you came from etc as a way to
informally introduce yourself to the neighborhood You get the
idea Snap write and send away
I look forward to the day we can all get together again in person for
friendship and fellowship Until then stay safe
Sheila
The Wrap Up
Risa Jenkins is constantly
taking spectacular
pictures of the mountains
from her and Davidrsquos
home on Deer Trail
She took these three - the
first two morning
rainbows the last a
spectacular sunset - just
this week
16
Summer Picnics Cancelled
In an effort to keep community members safe from the possible
spread of Covid-19 summer picnics (Memorial Day Fourth of July
and Labor Day) at Stew Brown Park have been cancelled Additional
picnics may be scheduled when COVID-19 is no longer a threat
Reservations Required to Use Stew Brown Park
Residents are always welcome to enjoy Stew Brown Park However
with social distancing restrictions in place and because of concern
for our neighbors there is now a limit on the size of groups who can
gather in Stew Brown Park Groups of 10 or fewer are welcome to
use and reserve the park Reservations should be made in advance
by emailing President Mary Gontero at mapoa99gmailcom
Residents are asked NOT to use picnic tables or MAPOA supplies
and to bring their own chairs As always trash should be removed
Please note there is not a restroom in the park
No doubt we all look forward to the day we can once again gather
for our picnics after a vaccine or treatment is available Until then
letrsquos be safe and limit gatherings to 10 or fewer for the health and
safety of our community members
Chaffee County Community Foundation Emergency
Response Fund (ERF)
The ERF campaign is seeking donors who can help the fund attain a
level of resources commensurate with the local need as well as
eligible recipients who can seek financial assistance According to
the Chaffee Office of Housing well over 5000 Chaffee employees
have been or will be directly impacted by COVID-19-related
business closures Many of those may not be eligible for current
state or federal assistance The ERF is designed to meet the needs
of those individuals and families yet generous and ongoing
community support is needed CCCF is asking community
members who are able to contribute to do so either online or via
check made out to CCCF with ldquoERFrdquo in the memo line More
information or to donate go to wwwchaffeecommunityorg
erf Checks can be mailed to PO Box 492 Buena Vista CO 81211
Rachele Vierthaler recently moved to Mesa Antero from Buena
Vista Rachele sits on the Board of Directors for Chaffee County
Community Foundation and is happy to answer your questions
Email Rachele at rvierthalerchaffeecommunityorg
The Bears are Back
Numerous neighbors have reported seeing a bear in Mesa Antero
Studies show that often the first reward a bear gets for exploring
human places is a big meal of tasty nutritious seeds (a natural food
for bears) Letting your bird feeders turn into bear feeders teaches
bears that coming close to people and homes looking for food is a
good idea For bears that can end up being a deadly lesson
Mesa Antero residents are encouraged to NOT feed the birds during
the months when bears are active Instead use water features
plant-ings nest boxes and flowers to attract birds Use bird feeders
only when bears are hibernating
If you donrsquot want to stop feeding birds hang your feeders at least
10 feet off the ground and 10 feet away from anything bears can
climb Keep the area underneath feeders clean and free of bird
seed and hulls or switch to a hulled bird seed with no waste Never
store bird seed outside under your deck or in a garage or shed a
bear could break into A 50-pound bag of bird seed has over 87000
caloriesmdasha reward for the bear that is well worth the effort of
breaking in
Interesting sites on bearshellip
httpscpwstatecousbears
Living with Bears
httpsjourneynorthorgtmspringBearYearhtml
FYI amp Announcements
Craig and I went
camping in Leadville
last week Our
African Grey Joey
went along and
enjoyed her view from
a tree perch She
loves traveling with
us I imagine she
enjoys the change of
scenery
17
New Neighbors
We are delighted to welcome two new totally adorable neighbors
to Mesa Antero
Jasper recently joined the Risa and David Jenkins family He is a
Welsh Springer Spaniel and is shown here with big brother Riley (16
months) The brothers are getting along famously Mom and Dad
are wishing for accelerated potty training as theyrsquore both a bit sleep
deprived
Neighbor News
Cutty is the newest
member of the Robin
and Chris Covert
family Hersquos a German
Shephard Golden
Retriever Poodle Mix
Cutty is settling in
nicely in his new home
No surprise but Mom
and Dad here are also
hoping for quick potty
training and less
chewing of random
stuff
A kind thoughtful and
unknown soul sent
these beautiful flowers
to me anonymously
earlier this week The
card reads ldquoHerersquos a
hug for yourdquo I do not
know who sent them
but I sure am enjoying
both the lovely flowers
and the very kind
gesture of the person
who sent them Genie
Malone and Denise
Washer also received a
lovely jar of anonymous flowers Thanks to the mystery sender
from all of us It surely did bring a smile to our face and make
our day And continues to do so each time we look at them
Harper Powell -an apparent wildlife magnetmdashhas seen two moose a bear and a
coyote in recent weeks She snapped a picture of what she believes is the baby of
the two moose shersquos seen between Broken Bough and Sawmill Look closely you
can see the baby moose in the trees How cool is that
18
Marketing Mesa Antero Mesa Antero Original Sales Brochure While cleaning out an old desk recently Patsy Torian found several
copies of the original sales and marketing brochure for Mesa Antero
She thought her neighbors would find it interesting and provided a
copy for the newsletter
Please note the home pictured on the next page What it looks like
today with all of the trees is amazing
19
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
20
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
21
Aunt Mabelrsquos Coffee Cake
provided by Kathy Roach
2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour
frac14 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup butter softened
1 cup sour cream
1thinspfrac12 cups white sugar
3 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
frac12 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 frac12 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons butter melted
Preheat oven to 375 F Lightly grease a 9x13 pan
Mix together the flour baking powder and salt set aside
In a large bowl cream the butter until light and fluffy Gradually
beat in sour cream Then beat in sugar Beat in the eggs one at a
time Then stir in the vanilla
By hand fold in the flour mixture mixing just until incorporated
Spread batter into prepared pan
To make the Pecan Topping In a medium bowl mix together brown
sugar pecans and cinnamon Stir in melted butter until crumbly
Sprinkle over cake batter in pan
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a
toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean
Balsamic Vinegar Dressing
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
3 Tbsp balsamic or other favorite vinegar
5 Tbsp olive oil
14 tsp salt
14 tsp pepper
Bacon Cabbage and Noodles
I found this recipe on Pinterest Its easy quick and very tasty
2 C egg noodles
34 lb bacon diced
34 medium head of cabbage sliced
14 tsp salt
pepper to taste
Cook noodles according to package directions Meanwhile in a
large skillet cook bacon pieces over medium heat until crisp Using
a slotted spoon remove to paper towels to drain Remove all but 3
Tbsp of drippings
Add cabbage to drippings Cover and cook on low for 20 minutes or
until cabbage is tender stirring occasionally Add bacon and
noodles to cooked cabbage Stir serve and enjoy
Chicken Legs with Maple-Sriracha Glaze
Recipe originally created by grill master Steven Raichlen
Chicken Prep
12 large chicken drumsticks
1 Tbsp coarse salt
1 Tbsp freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp hot red pepper flakes
1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Place drumsticks in bowl sprinkle with above ingredients stirring to
coat well
Maple Sriracha Glaze
6 Tbsp unsalted butter
5 Tbsp pure maple syrup
14 cup sriracha or more to taste
3 Tbsp Scotch whiskey
Melt butter in saucepan over high heat stir in maple syrup
sriracha and whisky Boil until mixture is syrupy 3-5 minutes
Grill chicken legs over charcoal fire until cooked through
Try a New Recipe Page
22
DEAR NEIGHBORS amp FRIENDS
This is Ann Johnson and I am taking another opportunity to say a
very big amp loud THANK YOU to many neighbors amp friends who
visited me in the hospital sent cards and even did a meal train
(people bringing dinner every night for two weeks) It was truly
AMAZING amp HEART WARMING There arent enough words to
express my gratitude (not to mention shock) I am truly humbled
and honored amp I THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY
HEART
Ann Johnson
Dear Reader
Happy summer to you Didnrsquot we arenrsquot we having a beautiful
spring summer Irsquom never sure when summer starts here Itrsquos July
8 and Irsquom sitting outside at our picnic table in my flannel jammes
putting the final touches on the newsletter Itrsquos 110+ in the Phoenix
Valleymdashwhere we moved frommdashand I couldnt be happier to be
here
I mean donrsquot you love living in a place where some days you look at
the sky and it looks fake it is so picture perfect Donrsquot you love
living in a place where you can step outside and pick a mason jar full
of wildflowers for your dining room table A place where you go
outside at night and you can see every star in the Milky Way
Where neighbors calls you to see if you need anything from Costco
or City Market or Wal Mart when they go to town Where you see
rainbows often doubles on a regular basis Where a friend comes
to your aid at a moments notice with jumper cables or whatever
else you might need I could go on I could spend hours looking at
the clouds hurrying by on their way to somewhere unknown
watching the ripples of the water in Brownrsquos creek and the
shimmer of the aspens and cottonwoods in the breeze
The one thing I could do without however are the Miller moths
They are a supreme nuisance Each morning we take the hand vac
and suck up at least a dozen dead moths that have crawled out of
their hiding places at some point during the night Each eve we do
the same thing with the live ones who are attracted to the light for
reasons still a mystery to scientists Experts say they will be gone by
fall Ugh
Thanks to those who continue to provide stories and ideas for the
newsletter Your input truly makes the newsletter worth reading I
encourage YOU to be a contributor to the newsletter Send
pictures or stories of things yoursquore involved with like Danrsquos story on
the good deeds of his golf group If yoursquore a new neighbor send
information about yourself where you came from etc as a way to
informally introduce yourself to the neighborhood You get the
idea Snap write and send away
I look forward to the day we can all get together again in person for
friendship and fellowship Until then stay safe
Sheila
The Wrap Up
Risa Jenkins is constantly
taking spectacular
pictures of the mountains
from her and Davidrsquos
home on Deer Trail
She took these three - the
first two morning
rainbows the last a
spectacular sunset - just
this week
17
New Neighbors
We are delighted to welcome two new totally adorable neighbors
to Mesa Antero
Jasper recently joined the Risa and David Jenkins family He is a
Welsh Springer Spaniel and is shown here with big brother Riley (16
months) The brothers are getting along famously Mom and Dad
are wishing for accelerated potty training as theyrsquore both a bit sleep
deprived
Neighbor News
Cutty is the newest
member of the Robin
and Chris Covert
family Hersquos a German
Shephard Golden
Retriever Poodle Mix
Cutty is settling in
nicely in his new home
No surprise but Mom
and Dad here are also
hoping for quick potty
training and less
chewing of random
stuff
A kind thoughtful and
unknown soul sent
these beautiful flowers
to me anonymously
earlier this week The
card reads ldquoHerersquos a
hug for yourdquo I do not
know who sent them
but I sure am enjoying
both the lovely flowers
and the very kind
gesture of the person
who sent them Genie
Malone and Denise
Washer also received a
lovely jar of anonymous flowers Thanks to the mystery sender
from all of us It surely did bring a smile to our face and make
our day And continues to do so each time we look at them
Harper Powell -an apparent wildlife magnetmdashhas seen two moose a bear and a
coyote in recent weeks She snapped a picture of what she believes is the baby of
the two moose shersquos seen between Broken Bough and Sawmill Look closely you
can see the baby moose in the trees How cool is that
18
Marketing Mesa Antero Mesa Antero Original Sales Brochure While cleaning out an old desk recently Patsy Torian found several
copies of the original sales and marketing brochure for Mesa Antero
She thought her neighbors would find it interesting and provided a
copy for the newsletter
Please note the home pictured on the next page What it looks like
today with all of the trees is amazing
19
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
20
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
21
Aunt Mabelrsquos Coffee Cake
provided by Kathy Roach
2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour
frac14 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup butter softened
1 cup sour cream
1thinspfrac12 cups white sugar
3 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
frac12 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 frac12 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons butter melted
Preheat oven to 375 F Lightly grease a 9x13 pan
Mix together the flour baking powder and salt set aside
In a large bowl cream the butter until light and fluffy Gradually
beat in sour cream Then beat in sugar Beat in the eggs one at a
time Then stir in the vanilla
By hand fold in the flour mixture mixing just until incorporated
Spread batter into prepared pan
To make the Pecan Topping In a medium bowl mix together brown
sugar pecans and cinnamon Stir in melted butter until crumbly
Sprinkle over cake batter in pan
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a
toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean
Balsamic Vinegar Dressing
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
3 Tbsp balsamic or other favorite vinegar
5 Tbsp olive oil
14 tsp salt
14 tsp pepper
Bacon Cabbage and Noodles
I found this recipe on Pinterest Its easy quick and very tasty
2 C egg noodles
34 lb bacon diced
34 medium head of cabbage sliced
14 tsp salt
pepper to taste
Cook noodles according to package directions Meanwhile in a
large skillet cook bacon pieces over medium heat until crisp Using
a slotted spoon remove to paper towels to drain Remove all but 3
Tbsp of drippings
Add cabbage to drippings Cover and cook on low for 20 minutes or
until cabbage is tender stirring occasionally Add bacon and
noodles to cooked cabbage Stir serve and enjoy
Chicken Legs with Maple-Sriracha Glaze
Recipe originally created by grill master Steven Raichlen
Chicken Prep
12 large chicken drumsticks
1 Tbsp coarse salt
1 Tbsp freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp hot red pepper flakes
1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Place drumsticks in bowl sprinkle with above ingredients stirring to
coat well
Maple Sriracha Glaze
6 Tbsp unsalted butter
5 Tbsp pure maple syrup
14 cup sriracha or more to taste
3 Tbsp Scotch whiskey
Melt butter in saucepan over high heat stir in maple syrup
sriracha and whisky Boil until mixture is syrupy 3-5 minutes
Grill chicken legs over charcoal fire until cooked through
Try a New Recipe Page
22
DEAR NEIGHBORS amp FRIENDS
This is Ann Johnson and I am taking another opportunity to say a
very big amp loud THANK YOU to many neighbors amp friends who
visited me in the hospital sent cards and even did a meal train
(people bringing dinner every night for two weeks) It was truly
AMAZING amp HEART WARMING There arent enough words to
express my gratitude (not to mention shock) I am truly humbled
and honored amp I THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY
HEART
Ann Johnson
Dear Reader
Happy summer to you Didnrsquot we arenrsquot we having a beautiful
spring summer Irsquom never sure when summer starts here Itrsquos July
8 and Irsquom sitting outside at our picnic table in my flannel jammes
putting the final touches on the newsletter Itrsquos 110+ in the Phoenix
Valleymdashwhere we moved frommdashand I couldnt be happier to be
here
I mean donrsquot you love living in a place where some days you look at
the sky and it looks fake it is so picture perfect Donrsquot you love
living in a place where you can step outside and pick a mason jar full
of wildflowers for your dining room table A place where you go
outside at night and you can see every star in the Milky Way
Where neighbors calls you to see if you need anything from Costco
or City Market or Wal Mart when they go to town Where you see
rainbows often doubles on a regular basis Where a friend comes
to your aid at a moments notice with jumper cables or whatever
else you might need I could go on I could spend hours looking at
the clouds hurrying by on their way to somewhere unknown
watching the ripples of the water in Brownrsquos creek and the
shimmer of the aspens and cottonwoods in the breeze
The one thing I could do without however are the Miller moths
They are a supreme nuisance Each morning we take the hand vac
and suck up at least a dozen dead moths that have crawled out of
their hiding places at some point during the night Each eve we do
the same thing with the live ones who are attracted to the light for
reasons still a mystery to scientists Experts say they will be gone by
fall Ugh
Thanks to those who continue to provide stories and ideas for the
newsletter Your input truly makes the newsletter worth reading I
encourage YOU to be a contributor to the newsletter Send
pictures or stories of things yoursquore involved with like Danrsquos story on
the good deeds of his golf group If yoursquore a new neighbor send
information about yourself where you came from etc as a way to
informally introduce yourself to the neighborhood You get the
idea Snap write and send away
I look forward to the day we can all get together again in person for
friendship and fellowship Until then stay safe
Sheila
The Wrap Up
Risa Jenkins is constantly
taking spectacular
pictures of the mountains
from her and Davidrsquos
home on Deer Trail
She took these three - the
first two morning
rainbows the last a
spectacular sunset - just
this week
18
Marketing Mesa Antero Mesa Antero Original Sales Brochure While cleaning out an old desk recently Patsy Torian found several
copies of the original sales and marketing brochure for Mesa Antero
She thought her neighbors would find it interesting and provided a
copy for the newsletter
Please note the home pictured on the next page What it looks like
today with all of the trees is amazing
19
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
20
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
21
Aunt Mabelrsquos Coffee Cake
provided by Kathy Roach
2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour
frac14 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup butter softened
1 cup sour cream
1thinspfrac12 cups white sugar
3 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
frac12 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 frac12 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons butter melted
Preheat oven to 375 F Lightly grease a 9x13 pan
Mix together the flour baking powder and salt set aside
In a large bowl cream the butter until light and fluffy Gradually
beat in sour cream Then beat in sugar Beat in the eggs one at a
time Then stir in the vanilla
By hand fold in the flour mixture mixing just until incorporated
Spread batter into prepared pan
To make the Pecan Topping In a medium bowl mix together brown
sugar pecans and cinnamon Stir in melted butter until crumbly
Sprinkle over cake batter in pan
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a
toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean
Balsamic Vinegar Dressing
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
3 Tbsp balsamic or other favorite vinegar
5 Tbsp olive oil
14 tsp salt
14 tsp pepper
Bacon Cabbage and Noodles
I found this recipe on Pinterest Its easy quick and very tasty
2 C egg noodles
34 lb bacon diced
34 medium head of cabbage sliced
14 tsp salt
pepper to taste
Cook noodles according to package directions Meanwhile in a
large skillet cook bacon pieces over medium heat until crisp Using
a slotted spoon remove to paper towels to drain Remove all but 3
Tbsp of drippings
Add cabbage to drippings Cover and cook on low for 20 minutes or
until cabbage is tender stirring occasionally Add bacon and
noodles to cooked cabbage Stir serve and enjoy
Chicken Legs with Maple-Sriracha Glaze
Recipe originally created by grill master Steven Raichlen
Chicken Prep
12 large chicken drumsticks
1 Tbsp coarse salt
1 Tbsp freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp hot red pepper flakes
1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Place drumsticks in bowl sprinkle with above ingredients stirring to
coat well
Maple Sriracha Glaze
6 Tbsp unsalted butter
5 Tbsp pure maple syrup
14 cup sriracha or more to taste
3 Tbsp Scotch whiskey
Melt butter in saucepan over high heat stir in maple syrup
sriracha and whisky Boil until mixture is syrupy 3-5 minutes
Grill chicken legs over charcoal fire until cooked through
Try a New Recipe Page
22
DEAR NEIGHBORS amp FRIENDS
This is Ann Johnson and I am taking another opportunity to say a
very big amp loud THANK YOU to many neighbors amp friends who
visited me in the hospital sent cards and even did a meal train
(people bringing dinner every night for two weeks) It was truly
AMAZING amp HEART WARMING There arent enough words to
express my gratitude (not to mention shock) I am truly humbled
and honored amp I THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY
HEART
Ann Johnson
Dear Reader
Happy summer to you Didnrsquot we arenrsquot we having a beautiful
spring summer Irsquom never sure when summer starts here Itrsquos July
8 and Irsquom sitting outside at our picnic table in my flannel jammes
putting the final touches on the newsletter Itrsquos 110+ in the Phoenix
Valleymdashwhere we moved frommdashand I couldnt be happier to be
here
I mean donrsquot you love living in a place where some days you look at
the sky and it looks fake it is so picture perfect Donrsquot you love
living in a place where you can step outside and pick a mason jar full
of wildflowers for your dining room table A place where you go
outside at night and you can see every star in the Milky Way
Where neighbors calls you to see if you need anything from Costco
or City Market or Wal Mart when they go to town Where you see
rainbows often doubles on a regular basis Where a friend comes
to your aid at a moments notice with jumper cables or whatever
else you might need I could go on I could spend hours looking at
the clouds hurrying by on their way to somewhere unknown
watching the ripples of the water in Brownrsquos creek and the
shimmer of the aspens and cottonwoods in the breeze
The one thing I could do without however are the Miller moths
They are a supreme nuisance Each morning we take the hand vac
and suck up at least a dozen dead moths that have crawled out of
their hiding places at some point during the night Each eve we do
the same thing with the live ones who are attracted to the light for
reasons still a mystery to scientists Experts say they will be gone by
fall Ugh
Thanks to those who continue to provide stories and ideas for the
newsletter Your input truly makes the newsletter worth reading I
encourage YOU to be a contributor to the newsletter Send
pictures or stories of things yoursquore involved with like Danrsquos story on
the good deeds of his golf group If yoursquore a new neighbor send
information about yourself where you came from etc as a way to
informally introduce yourself to the neighborhood You get the
idea Snap write and send away
I look forward to the day we can all get together again in person for
friendship and fellowship Until then stay safe
Sheila
The Wrap Up
Risa Jenkins is constantly
taking spectacular
pictures of the mountains
from her and Davidrsquos
home on Deer Trail
She took these three - the
first two morning
rainbows the last a
spectacular sunset - just
this week
19
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
20
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
21
Aunt Mabelrsquos Coffee Cake
provided by Kathy Roach
2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour
frac14 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup butter softened
1 cup sour cream
1thinspfrac12 cups white sugar
3 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
frac12 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 frac12 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons butter melted
Preheat oven to 375 F Lightly grease a 9x13 pan
Mix together the flour baking powder and salt set aside
In a large bowl cream the butter until light and fluffy Gradually
beat in sour cream Then beat in sugar Beat in the eggs one at a
time Then stir in the vanilla
By hand fold in the flour mixture mixing just until incorporated
Spread batter into prepared pan
To make the Pecan Topping In a medium bowl mix together brown
sugar pecans and cinnamon Stir in melted butter until crumbly
Sprinkle over cake batter in pan
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a
toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean
Balsamic Vinegar Dressing
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
3 Tbsp balsamic or other favorite vinegar
5 Tbsp olive oil
14 tsp salt
14 tsp pepper
Bacon Cabbage and Noodles
I found this recipe on Pinterest Its easy quick and very tasty
2 C egg noodles
34 lb bacon diced
34 medium head of cabbage sliced
14 tsp salt
pepper to taste
Cook noodles according to package directions Meanwhile in a
large skillet cook bacon pieces over medium heat until crisp Using
a slotted spoon remove to paper towels to drain Remove all but 3
Tbsp of drippings
Add cabbage to drippings Cover and cook on low for 20 minutes or
until cabbage is tender stirring occasionally Add bacon and
noodles to cooked cabbage Stir serve and enjoy
Chicken Legs with Maple-Sriracha Glaze
Recipe originally created by grill master Steven Raichlen
Chicken Prep
12 large chicken drumsticks
1 Tbsp coarse salt
1 Tbsp freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp hot red pepper flakes
1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Place drumsticks in bowl sprinkle with above ingredients stirring to
coat well
Maple Sriracha Glaze
6 Tbsp unsalted butter
5 Tbsp pure maple syrup
14 cup sriracha or more to taste
3 Tbsp Scotch whiskey
Melt butter in saucepan over high heat stir in maple syrup
sriracha and whisky Boil until mixture is syrupy 3-5 minutes
Grill chicken legs over charcoal fire until cooked through
Try a New Recipe Page
22
DEAR NEIGHBORS amp FRIENDS
This is Ann Johnson and I am taking another opportunity to say a
very big amp loud THANK YOU to many neighbors amp friends who
visited me in the hospital sent cards and even did a meal train
(people bringing dinner every night for two weeks) It was truly
AMAZING amp HEART WARMING There arent enough words to
express my gratitude (not to mention shock) I am truly humbled
and honored amp I THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY
HEART
Ann Johnson
Dear Reader
Happy summer to you Didnrsquot we arenrsquot we having a beautiful
spring summer Irsquom never sure when summer starts here Itrsquos July
8 and Irsquom sitting outside at our picnic table in my flannel jammes
putting the final touches on the newsletter Itrsquos 110+ in the Phoenix
Valleymdashwhere we moved frommdashand I couldnt be happier to be
here
I mean donrsquot you love living in a place where some days you look at
the sky and it looks fake it is so picture perfect Donrsquot you love
living in a place where you can step outside and pick a mason jar full
of wildflowers for your dining room table A place where you go
outside at night and you can see every star in the Milky Way
Where neighbors calls you to see if you need anything from Costco
or City Market or Wal Mart when they go to town Where you see
rainbows often doubles on a regular basis Where a friend comes
to your aid at a moments notice with jumper cables or whatever
else you might need I could go on I could spend hours looking at
the clouds hurrying by on their way to somewhere unknown
watching the ripples of the water in Brownrsquos creek and the
shimmer of the aspens and cottonwoods in the breeze
The one thing I could do without however are the Miller moths
They are a supreme nuisance Each morning we take the hand vac
and suck up at least a dozen dead moths that have crawled out of
their hiding places at some point during the night Each eve we do
the same thing with the live ones who are attracted to the light for
reasons still a mystery to scientists Experts say they will be gone by
fall Ugh
Thanks to those who continue to provide stories and ideas for the
newsletter Your input truly makes the newsletter worth reading I
encourage YOU to be a contributor to the newsletter Send
pictures or stories of things yoursquore involved with like Danrsquos story on
the good deeds of his golf group If yoursquore a new neighbor send
information about yourself where you came from etc as a way to
informally introduce yourself to the neighborhood You get the
idea Snap write and send away
I look forward to the day we can all get together again in person for
friendship and fellowship Until then stay safe
Sheila
The Wrap Up
Risa Jenkins is constantly
taking spectacular
pictures of the mountains
from her and Davidrsquos
home on Deer Trail
She took these three - the
first two morning
rainbows the last a
spectacular sunset - just
this week
20
Marketing Mesa Antero conrsquot
21
Aunt Mabelrsquos Coffee Cake
provided by Kathy Roach
2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour
frac14 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup butter softened
1 cup sour cream
1thinspfrac12 cups white sugar
3 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
frac12 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 frac12 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons butter melted
Preheat oven to 375 F Lightly grease a 9x13 pan
Mix together the flour baking powder and salt set aside
In a large bowl cream the butter until light and fluffy Gradually
beat in sour cream Then beat in sugar Beat in the eggs one at a
time Then stir in the vanilla
By hand fold in the flour mixture mixing just until incorporated
Spread batter into prepared pan
To make the Pecan Topping In a medium bowl mix together brown
sugar pecans and cinnamon Stir in melted butter until crumbly
Sprinkle over cake batter in pan
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a
toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean
Balsamic Vinegar Dressing
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
3 Tbsp balsamic or other favorite vinegar
5 Tbsp olive oil
14 tsp salt
14 tsp pepper
Bacon Cabbage and Noodles
I found this recipe on Pinterest Its easy quick and very tasty
2 C egg noodles
34 lb bacon diced
34 medium head of cabbage sliced
14 tsp salt
pepper to taste
Cook noodles according to package directions Meanwhile in a
large skillet cook bacon pieces over medium heat until crisp Using
a slotted spoon remove to paper towels to drain Remove all but 3
Tbsp of drippings
Add cabbage to drippings Cover and cook on low for 20 minutes or
until cabbage is tender stirring occasionally Add bacon and
noodles to cooked cabbage Stir serve and enjoy
Chicken Legs with Maple-Sriracha Glaze
Recipe originally created by grill master Steven Raichlen
Chicken Prep
12 large chicken drumsticks
1 Tbsp coarse salt
1 Tbsp freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp hot red pepper flakes
1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Place drumsticks in bowl sprinkle with above ingredients stirring to
coat well
Maple Sriracha Glaze
6 Tbsp unsalted butter
5 Tbsp pure maple syrup
14 cup sriracha or more to taste
3 Tbsp Scotch whiskey
Melt butter in saucepan over high heat stir in maple syrup
sriracha and whisky Boil until mixture is syrupy 3-5 minutes
Grill chicken legs over charcoal fire until cooked through
Try a New Recipe Page
22
DEAR NEIGHBORS amp FRIENDS
This is Ann Johnson and I am taking another opportunity to say a
very big amp loud THANK YOU to many neighbors amp friends who
visited me in the hospital sent cards and even did a meal train
(people bringing dinner every night for two weeks) It was truly
AMAZING amp HEART WARMING There arent enough words to
express my gratitude (not to mention shock) I am truly humbled
and honored amp I THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY
HEART
Ann Johnson
Dear Reader
Happy summer to you Didnrsquot we arenrsquot we having a beautiful
spring summer Irsquom never sure when summer starts here Itrsquos July
8 and Irsquom sitting outside at our picnic table in my flannel jammes
putting the final touches on the newsletter Itrsquos 110+ in the Phoenix
Valleymdashwhere we moved frommdashand I couldnt be happier to be
here
I mean donrsquot you love living in a place where some days you look at
the sky and it looks fake it is so picture perfect Donrsquot you love
living in a place where you can step outside and pick a mason jar full
of wildflowers for your dining room table A place where you go
outside at night and you can see every star in the Milky Way
Where neighbors calls you to see if you need anything from Costco
or City Market or Wal Mart when they go to town Where you see
rainbows often doubles on a regular basis Where a friend comes
to your aid at a moments notice with jumper cables or whatever
else you might need I could go on I could spend hours looking at
the clouds hurrying by on their way to somewhere unknown
watching the ripples of the water in Brownrsquos creek and the
shimmer of the aspens and cottonwoods in the breeze
The one thing I could do without however are the Miller moths
They are a supreme nuisance Each morning we take the hand vac
and suck up at least a dozen dead moths that have crawled out of
their hiding places at some point during the night Each eve we do
the same thing with the live ones who are attracted to the light for
reasons still a mystery to scientists Experts say they will be gone by
fall Ugh
Thanks to those who continue to provide stories and ideas for the
newsletter Your input truly makes the newsletter worth reading I
encourage YOU to be a contributor to the newsletter Send
pictures or stories of things yoursquore involved with like Danrsquos story on
the good deeds of his golf group If yoursquore a new neighbor send
information about yourself where you came from etc as a way to
informally introduce yourself to the neighborhood You get the
idea Snap write and send away
I look forward to the day we can all get together again in person for
friendship and fellowship Until then stay safe
Sheila
The Wrap Up
Risa Jenkins is constantly
taking spectacular
pictures of the mountains
from her and Davidrsquos
home on Deer Trail
She took these three - the
first two morning
rainbows the last a
spectacular sunset - just
this week
21
Aunt Mabelrsquos Coffee Cake
provided by Kathy Roach
2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour
frac14 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup butter softened
1 cup sour cream
1thinspfrac12 cups white sugar
3 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
frac12 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 frac12 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons butter melted
Preheat oven to 375 F Lightly grease a 9x13 pan
Mix together the flour baking powder and salt set aside
In a large bowl cream the butter until light and fluffy Gradually
beat in sour cream Then beat in sugar Beat in the eggs one at a
time Then stir in the vanilla
By hand fold in the flour mixture mixing just until incorporated
Spread batter into prepared pan
To make the Pecan Topping In a medium bowl mix together brown
sugar pecans and cinnamon Stir in melted butter until crumbly
Sprinkle over cake batter in pan
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a
toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean
Balsamic Vinegar Dressing
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
3 Tbsp balsamic or other favorite vinegar
5 Tbsp olive oil
14 tsp salt
14 tsp pepper
Bacon Cabbage and Noodles
I found this recipe on Pinterest Its easy quick and very tasty
2 C egg noodles
34 lb bacon diced
34 medium head of cabbage sliced
14 tsp salt
pepper to taste
Cook noodles according to package directions Meanwhile in a
large skillet cook bacon pieces over medium heat until crisp Using
a slotted spoon remove to paper towels to drain Remove all but 3
Tbsp of drippings
Add cabbage to drippings Cover and cook on low for 20 minutes or
until cabbage is tender stirring occasionally Add bacon and
noodles to cooked cabbage Stir serve and enjoy
Chicken Legs with Maple-Sriracha Glaze
Recipe originally created by grill master Steven Raichlen
Chicken Prep
12 large chicken drumsticks
1 Tbsp coarse salt
1 Tbsp freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp hot red pepper flakes
1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Place drumsticks in bowl sprinkle with above ingredients stirring to
coat well
Maple Sriracha Glaze
6 Tbsp unsalted butter
5 Tbsp pure maple syrup
14 cup sriracha or more to taste
3 Tbsp Scotch whiskey
Melt butter in saucepan over high heat stir in maple syrup
sriracha and whisky Boil until mixture is syrupy 3-5 minutes
Grill chicken legs over charcoal fire until cooked through
Try a New Recipe Page
22
DEAR NEIGHBORS amp FRIENDS
This is Ann Johnson and I am taking another opportunity to say a
very big amp loud THANK YOU to many neighbors amp friends who
visited me in the hospital sent cards and even did a meal train
(people bringing dinner every night for two weeks) It was truly
AMAZING amp HEART WARMING There arent enough words to
express my gratitude (not to mention shock) I am truly humbled
and honored amp I THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY
HEART
Ann Johnson
Dear Reader
Happy summer to you Didnrsquot we arenrsquot we having a beautiful
spring summer Irsquom never sure when summer starts here Itrsquos July
8 and Irsquom sitting outside at our picnic table in my flannel jammes
putting the final touches on the newsletter Itrsquos 110+ in the Phoenix
Valleymdashwhere we moved frommdashand I couldnt be happier to be
here
I mean donrsquot you love living in a place where some days you look at
the sky and it looks fake it is so picture perfect Donrsquot you love
living in a place where you can step outside and pick a mason jar full
of wildflowers for your dining room table A place where you go
outside at night and you can see every star in the Milky Way
Where neighbors calls you to see if you need anything from Costco
or City Market or Wal Mart when they go to town Where you see
rainbows often doubles on a regular basis Where a friend comes
to your aid at a moments notice with jumper cables or whatever
else you might need I could go on I could spend hours looking at
the clouds hurrying by on their way to somewhere unknown
watching the ripples of the water in Brownrsquos creek and the
shimmer of the aspens and cottonwoods in the breeze
The one thing I could do without however are the Miller moths
They are a supreme nuisance Each morning we take the hand vac
and suck up at least a dozen dead moths that have crawled out of
their hiding places at some point during the night Each eve we do
the same thing with the live ones who are attracted to the light for
reasons still a mystery to scientists Experts say they will be gone by
fall Ugh
Thanks to those who continue to provide stories and ideas for the
newsletter Your input truly makes the newsletter worth reading I
encourage YOU to be a contributor to the newsletter Send
pictures or stories of things yoursquore involved with like Danrsquos story on
the good deeds of his golf group If yoursquore a new neighbor send
information about yourself where you came from etc as a way to
informally introduce yourself to the neighborhood You get the
idea Snap write and send away
I look forward to the day we can all get together again in person for
friendship and fellowship Until then stay safe
Sheila
The Wrap Up
Risa Jenkins is constantly
taking spectacular
pictures of the mountains
from her and Davidrsquos
home on Deer Trail
She took these three - the
first two morning
rainbows the last a
spectacular sunset - just
this week
22
DEAR NEIGHBORS amp FRIENDS
This is Ann Johnson and I am taking another opportunity to say a
very big amp loud THANK YOU to many neighbors amp friends who
visited me in the hospital sent cards and even did a meal train
(people bringing dinner every night for two weeks) It was truly
AMAZING amp HEART WARMING There arent enough words to
express my gratitude (not to mention shock) I am truly humbled
and honored amp I THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY
HEART
Ann Johnson
Dear Reader
Happy summer to you Didnrsquot we arenrsquot we having a beautiful
spring summer Irsquom never sure when summer starts here Itrsquos July
8 and Irsquom sitting outside at our picnic table in my flannel jammes
putting the final touches on the newsletter Itrsquos 110+ in the Phoenix
Valleymdashwhere we moved frommdashand I couldnt be happier to be
here
I mean donrsquot you love living in a place where some days you look at
the sky and it looks fake it is so picture perfect Donrsquot you love
living in a place where you can step outside and pick a mason jar full
of wildflowers for your dining room table A place where you go
outside at night and you can see every star in the Milky Way
Where neighbors calls you to see if you need anything from Costco
or City Market or Wal Mart when they go to town Where you see
rainbows often doubles on a regular basis Where a friend comes
to your aid at a moments notice with jumper cables or whatever
else you might need I could go on I could spend hours looking at
the clouds hurrying by on their way to somewhere unknown
watching the ripples of the water in Brownrsquos creek and the
shimmer of the aspens and cottonwoods in the breeze
The one thing I could do without however are the Miller moths
They are a supreme nuisance Each morning we take the hand vac
and suck up at least a dozen dead moths that have crawled out of
their hiding places at some point during the night Each eve we do
the same thing with the live ones who are attracted to the light for
reasons still a mystery to scientists Experts say they will be gone by
fall Ugh
Thanks to those who continue to provide stories and ideas for the
newsletter Your input truly makes the newsletter worth reading I
encourage YOU to be a contributor to the newsletter Send
pictures or stories of things yoursquore involved with like Danrsquos story on
the good deeds of his golf group If yoursquore a new neighbor send
information about yourself where you came from etc as a way to
informally introduce yourself to the neighborhood You get the
idea Snap write and send away
I look forward to the day we can all get together again in person for
friendship and fellowship Until then stay safe
Sheila
The Wrap Up
Risa Jenkins is constantly
taking spectacular
pictures of the mountains
from her and Davidrsquos
home on Deer Trail
She took these three - the
first two morning
rainbows the last a
spectacular sunset - just
this week