1992-1993 - Crestone Eagle

The Crestone Eagle • March, 2009 • Page 23
Do you believe in quinkydinks?
How I found Crestone
(or somehow The Crestone
Eagle found me)
by Matthew Crowley
“Do you believe in quinkydinks?”
my old friend Bob Fish liked to ask.
“Quinkydinks?” was the common reply. “Yeah you know … quinkydinks
(coincidences).” My own answer?
Well no, actually I don’t. I don’t
know exactly what they are and I
certainly don’t have a better name
for them than that, but sometimes I
think of them as perhaps simply being strange little signposts along our
Matthew Crowley
way, telling us we’re heading in the
right direction.
Almost everyone’s got a story
on how they arrived here in this
“community at the end of the road.”
Many of us like to ask and hear
those tales. Mine is “I followed an
Indian, who followed a bird down T
road.” But before I followed that Indian, there was a strange little unexplained quinkydink. It came up at a
recent road side, drive by, roll down
the window chat with Kizzen and Janet, shortly before the big 20th anniversary Eagle bash, and I promised
to write it down in commemoration.
In early 2001, I had (in direct
answer to a prayer) dropped (or been
kicked) out of the corporate world I
had been living in for more than a
decade. I had thought I’d “take a few
months off ” before looking for a job.
It became three years. I traveled far
and wide without much thought to
where I’d land. During that time I
came into contact with a man named
Ross. The connection to Ross was via
my brother and A Course in Miracles,
which I had studied for about 5 years
at that time.
Ross was an unusual man and
I might describe him as one of the
very few people I have come into
contact with, that I can’t say for sure
wasn’t an enlightened being. He
had no patience for the unimportant
and wound up literally disappearing
a few years later. A pile of clothes
found on a beach, a note in his car, a
body never found. Suicide?
Ascension? Who knows. But that’s
another story.
This tale of quinkydink is simply this. He had a subscription (in
New Haven, Connecticut) to The
Crestone Eagle (as all enlightened beings would). For reasons unknown,
he seemingly rather randomly handed an edition to my brother Paul one
day without saying why or what he
should do with it. Paul had never
heard of Crestone. For (the same?)
reasons unknown, some random
time later Paul gives the aforementioned copy of the Eagle to me, who
had almost (but not quite) never
heard of Crestone. It just so happens
(here’s the quinkydink) that it contains a short sidebar article about
a man named Paul Tohlakai a Dine
(Navaho) man and his wife Caroline,
moving to Crestone.
Now this is all a much longer
story, but suffice it to say I knew
this Indian (he’s the one who followed the bird some years earlier).
We had met in an Inipi (sweat
lodge) ceremony in Massachusetts
(of course). I would visit his family’s
ancestral land with my own father,
be adopted by his mother and complete a commitment as a Sundance
supporter on that land, but that all
came later. I had some vague recollection of hearing he was moving to
some little town in Colorado at the
time of seeing this article. I really
didn’t think much of it at the time,
although it seemed a little strange,
like a story or a song that I couldn’t
quite remember.
I gave that Indian a ride home
(to Crestone) a year or two later after
my 3rd year of Sundance. A year after that, I was running out of money,
needed a job and was longing for a
home after 3 years of travels. As illogical as it was to move to Crestone
when one needs a job, the idea just
would not leave my mind. Crestone
became associated with “home,” and
logic or no logic, here I am.
As many of you know, I did indeed find a job, or more accurately a
job found me. But that’s yet another
story (a wrong phone number! or not).
So a large debt of gratitude to Kizzen
and the many, many people, who for
2 decades have made The Crestone
Eagle what it is—many things; but
for me, at perhaps a crucial moment,
a “signpost along my way.” Do you
believe in quinkydinks?
(Do you have a Crestone Eagle
story to tell? Please share it with us
for our year-long 20th celebration.
[email protected])
Goin’ to the Dogs (April 1991)
by William
‘Buck’ Winters
Been
enjoyin’
s p r i n g - time lately—that gusty,
dusty weather where some days all a
man’s got to be thankful for is that it
ain’t mosquito season yet. I strolled
on down to the Desert Sage one
mornin’ for a loaf of bread and some
of baker Steve’s sour cream coffee
cake, and came upon the desert sage
himself, Ol’ Ken Kucin, in a somewhat reflective mood. He told me
that he was thinkin’ of doing some
landscaping around the restaurant,
but wasn’t quite sure how he was
going to handle an area south of the
entrance, due to it’s bein’ Ol’ Beezel’s
favorite sleepin’ spot.
Now, anyone who’s lived here
for any amount of time knows Ol’
Beezel. As a matter of fact, lots of
folks just passin’ through have also
made his acquaintance. Ol’ Beezel’s
a friendly type, always ready to wag
his tail and escort visitors or residents
around town—and he’s been the unofficial “meeter and greeter” at the
Desert Sage for some time now, so I
can appreciate Ken’s concern for his
well-bein’.
Anyhow, it got me thinkin’ about
some of our local dogs-about-town—
like Jackson, whose main function
seems to be slowin’ down traffic around
the general store, by stretchin’ out in
the middle of the street and simply
refusin’ to budge, whether it’s a mere
car or an 18 wheeler bearin’ down on
him. I guess he’s smart enough not
to try this trick at night—him bein’ a
black dog and all, and hence invisible
in the dark except for the reflection
from his eyes.
Then there’s Tasha, an aging white (usually) powder-puff of a
Samoyed whose chief claim to fame is
her uncanny ability to imitate a baby
harp-seal, a talent she uses to mooch
food from anyone not hardhearted
enough to be able to resist her pitiful gaze, and her rather plumpish silhouette leads me to believe she’s not
refused often.
I gotta say, there’s something reassurin’ about livin’ in a town where
ya know everybody, and their kids—
and also what their dog’s name and
favorite brand of dog food is. It’s kinda
similar to knowin’ that the UPS man
knows where to find you even when
you’re not at home. Here’s hopin’
things don’t change anytime soon!
Congratulations to
The Crestone Eagle
on 20 years of
excellence!
From the Baca Grande POA
Board of Directors & Staff
DESSERT FIRST
410 8TH STREET
* Catering for Holiday Parties, Special Occasions & Meetings
* NATURAL & ORGANIC GROCERIES
OPEN MONDAY - SATURDAY
Page 24 • The Crestone Eagle • March, 2009
www.crestoneeagle.com
Crestone Eagle
20 years in
review—
Jan. 1992 - June 1993
edited by Diane Bairstow
January 1992:
May 1992:
Formal groundbreaking took
place on April 22 for Colorado College’s new student housing.
Artist in Residence: Mary
Johnson, photographer.
Alternative homes featured:
Harriet Johns used railroad cars;
Jacobi/Canaly “free-form ferrouscement organic structure;” Wallis/
Brooks stone castle with towers.
Jeri McAndrews took 3rd
place in Denver’s Women’s Press
Club poetry competition.
Hal Reinhart was awarded a
10 year service award by National
Weather Service for Crestone/Baca
The Reluctant Egg—Chris Canaly.
March 1992
Nothing but “hard news,” see
other articles.
February 1992:
Feb 22: Crestone’s first Cabin
Fever Talent Review!
Melanie and John Pleasant
announced plans to open the Roadkill Café.
Artist in Residence: Diane
Skye, singer/songwriter.
March 1992:
Death:
Karen Marstrand
Christiansen.
Community Arts Center was
being planned.
April 1992:
Paula Brooke and David Nicholas offered “mythological” classes
and workshops.
Chaos: A new literary magazine put out by Paula Brooke, Harriet Johns, Christina Nealson, David Nicholas, Whitney Strong, and
Margot Williams announced itself
by seeking submissions.
Dr. Norma Milanovich held a
community meeting March 30 to
discuss plans to build a pink granite pyramid with a 500 sq. ft. base
and 450’ height. There were a few
objections.
Artist in Residence: Peggy
Godfrey, poet.
Pat Caverly, publisher of the Native
Monthly Reader. November 1992
weather station.
June 1992:
Crestone/Baca
Community
Arts Center presented Summer
Program: With Karen Bailey at the
helm, fun activities were planned
even without a building.
J.D. Marston won the Ansel
Adams Award for Conservation
Photography.
Baca Fire Dept. volunteers spend a Saturday training and maintaining equipment;
Bobby Troutman, Tim Brenner, Christine Canaly, Tom Wallis, Mark Jacobi, and Mary
Goodnight. May 1993
stone, stayed an extra day because
of community spirit.
August 1992:
3rd annual Energy Fair.
Death: Michael James Holmer, son of James Holmer and Patricia Brandt Stoops.
Ken and Lynda Kucin take
over the Bistro and rename it the
Desert Sage.
Artist in Residence; Angela
Manno, mixed media.
Manitou deeded land previously given to the RedSun Institute
to the Ta Sina Tokaheye organization. Pat Caverly, of the Red Sun
Institute, graciously withdrew her
claim rather than be “placed in a
position of fighting a brother.”
September 1992:
Death: Glen Lee Jr.
Savitri House “Solar School”
attracted international students
during July & Aug.
3rd Global Village Network
Conference held at Savitri House.
Wedding: Mary Gannett &
Don Crowell.
Record pinon harvest.
October 1992:
Sacred Run, 2nd group of Native American runners, rerouted
their itinerary to stop in Crestone
as a result of meeting with Pat
Caverly.
Colorado College dedicated
new Baca Lodge Oct. 17 providing
teaching and lodging space for students.
Marriage: Art Troiel and Sally Sloban
Creed de Avanzar was named
“The Roadkill Breakfast Club Talk
Show Host” by Buck Winters
Town icon Moola made her de-
but. Jon Worden built her for Curt’s
50th birthday, Art Troiel (Mooola)
and Brooke & Monique Piatt (Ima
Cow) named her by winning “Name
that Cow” contest.
Death: Harry F. Riggenback.
POA dues held at $90.
November 1992:
Straw
bale
construction
‘A Change is Gonna Come’ danced by
Karen Bailey—incredibly powerful. April
1993
gained public attention as a result
of several housing starts.
First annual Christmas Bazaar at the Desert Sage.
December 1992:
Mostly just hard news, see
sidebars.
January 1993:
Kizzen took a vacation.
February 1993:
Death: Bob Speicher.
Harold Reinhart. May 1992
Buck calls him ‘the Road Kill Breakfast
Club Talk Show Host.’ Creed de Avanzar
in his ‘only in Crestone’ polka-dotted
spandex Chef outfit. October 1992
Death: JoAnn Irwin.
Ken Dessain began writing
The Wizard of Ohm column.
July 1992:
Architectural Anomalies reported: Modified Domes by Roy
Gould’s and Savitri House.
Birth: Sawyer Fritz: Parents
Tom and Julie Fritz.
40th Wedding Anniversary:
Bob and Sue Lamm.
Peace & Dignity (Native
American) runners camped in Cre-
Kim & Dad Frank Snider clear some of the Crestone streets with their jeep ‘snowplow’
in March. Thanks too, to John Hayes for helping dig us out. April 1992
The Crestone Eagle • March, 2009 • Page 25
In the news: 1992 & ‘93
“Citizens for SLV Water”
was nominated for “Take Pride in
America Award.”
Christopher O’Brien began
writing his column on the Mysterious Valley.
Moola began her wanderings,
showing up mysteriously at NVRI
The Crestone Store’s mascot Moola Ima
Cow mysteriously showed up one morning at Saguache County Commissioner
Robert Philleo’s NVRI office. It is not
known if she strayed, wandered, or—a
very serious offense around here—was
rustled. Robert says Moola just showed
up looking thin & hungry—Curt denies
that claim. She’s now been returned
to her proper ‘pasture.” (no parts were
missing). February 1993
Rock Ridgeway’s converted
school bus went out of control at
N. Crestone Creek crossing, landed
on its side and lost its axle. Rock
broke his big toe.
POA raised cost of building
permit from $20 to $200
March 1993:
Joyce Weis and Carlos Silva
bought the Inn at the Baca and renamed it the White Eagle Village.
Bobby Troutman got the starring role in Salida’s production of
The King and I.
April 1993:
Police cars descended on Crestone seeking two men who had escaped arrest in Alamosa by assaulting a police officer. They had been
seen at Crestone Store, but were
later apprehended in Alamosa.
Norma Milanovich held another pyramid project meeting.
130 people attended, many had
objections.
Star Trek put out a casting
call for extras for a segment of “The
Next Generation” to be filmed at
Great Sand Dunes. It was very exciting for a while, but Kizzen wrote
the article and, well, it was April!
May 1993:
Perestroika Café opened, proprietors: Susan Havlina, Hye Shim
(Sarah) Se Nim; Hariett Johns
June 1993:
Crestone/Baca
population
began to boom with increased
building applications and real estate sales. A “Newcomer’s Club”
started having monthly meetings
at the Sage, and rental property
was scarce.
POA opened its meetings to
the public.
Artist in residence: Awish
Baechtle, weavings.
Birth: Joshua Patrick, born to
Kiffani & John Bragassa.
Cattle mutilations were on
the rise with 60 reported for the
country and 9 in the Valley.
Operation Redeye
Proposed air battles lead to
public resistance
edited by Diane Bairstow
Dec. 4, 1991: OSA (Open Space Alliance) held a meeting at the Moffat gym with Major Bruce Collins and Leon Campbell of COANG (Colorado
Air National Guard) and panelists representing the interests of Valley residents. Kate Steichen facilitated. 230 concerned citizens attended. During
the 4 hour forum, panelists and residents expressed a determination to
“not only stop Redeye, but also to stop the current flyover practices.”
Jan. 1992: COANG responded to our public outcry and raised the altitude of its flights and temporarily banned all non-Colorado flights. On Jan
3, a meeting was held in Salida with Gov. Romer. He agreed to ask the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Local Affairs to investigate
our complaints, and COANG representatives agreed to ask their superiors
for a full Environmental Impact Statement.
June 1992: “The Military Land Reform and Reassessment Act” was
being considered by two House committees. If passed, it would regulate
government decisions concerning lands placed under the control of military agencies and the effects on the environment on those decisions. This
could stop Redeye.
Our struggle went national with an article in the N.Y. Times, and
crews from CBS and NBC news conducted interviews in the area.
July 1992: Because of the “number and pitch of citizens objections,
the National Guard Bureau (NGB) in Washington decided to do an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) possibly delaying the project for 18
months. Also in an unprecedented effort to mollify Valley residents, the
COANG agreed to install a toll-free number for reporting illegal flyovers
(however, it was later reported they didn’t answer the calls and denied accountability when they did).
Governor Romer came to Moffat to hear the concerns of Valley residents. 150 citizens attended.
Nov, 1992: COANG withdrew Redeye proposal and replaced it with
the “Colorado Air Space Initiative.”
Feb 1993: Pentagon report entitled “Roles, Missions and Functions of
the Armed Forces” recommended “eliminating or drastically reducing” Air
National Guard units.
June 23 & 24, 1993: Date set for the release of Air National Guard’s
(ANG) Description of Proposed Actions and Alternatives (DOPAA). Stay
tuned for the continuing saga.
A big welcome to Ken & Lynda Kucin who are opening up The Desert Sage Restaurant at the Baca Grande. August 1992
Challenger Gold begins mineral
exploration of Baca ranch & subdivision
Another watch dog group formed
edited by Diane Bairstow
May 1993: Challenger Gold (now known as Lexam Explorations)
began “mapping for water and gold” on the Baca Ranch and the subdivision. Previously, the company had drilled 30 core samples and found an
oil deposit within 500’ which was not “economically exploitable.” Rumors ran rife as to whether or not AWDI recently purchased Challenger
Gold, but no confirmation had been made.
June 1993: David Nicholas took flight to discover the extent of
Challenger activity. He discovered a road had been bulldozed out of two
hills by Deadman’s Creek leading to a mine shaft, and another road going up Sand Creek which was greatly obscured by trees. State officials
said the activity was exploratory and thus confidential.
“Goldwatch” formed to monitor mining activity.
AWDI vs. SLV
Water war continues—Victory!
edited by Diane Bairstow
Nov. 21, 1991: AWDI requested a summary judgment against
Judge Ogburn’s ruling that they
pay the Objectors’ court costs.
Dec. 13, 1991: a sealed Affidavit filed with the Court supposedly
“absolutely and irrefutably” corroborated AWDI’s stand on the issue.
March 25, 1992: AWDI filed
its Notice of Appeal in Division 3
Water Court on 10 separate counts
of court error and prejudice. With
In the news: 1992
property tax
issue a victory!
State changes
tax code as
a result of our
efforts
edited by
Diane Bairstow
Jan. 28 & 30, 1992: Denver:
Favorable tax regulations were approved to lower tax assessments
for the Baca Grande development.
However, a bill 92-101 was put
forth in the Senate that could reverse our hard-won gains.
Oct. 4, 1992: County won tax
assessment case at State hearing.
State Board of Equalization voted
to amend the tax code and keep
the rate stable. Senate Bill 101
was heard before the Local Affairs Committee. Our side won.
The State Auditor was fired.
over 6,000 pages of testimony transcript, the case could take 2 years.
May 29, 1992:
Victory!
Judge Ogburn ruled that AWDI
pay legal costs in the amount of
$2,709,881.70.
Oct. 1992: The CO Supreme
Court agreed to hear AWDI’s case.
Dec. 1992: George H. W. Bush
signed an omnibus water bill which
prohibited exporting water from the
SLV unless the Secretary of the US
Dept of the Interior determined the
project would not “injure” the water rights of the Great Sand Dunes
National Monument, the Bureau of
Reclamation’s Closed Basin Project,
and the Alamosa or Monte Vista
Wildlife refuges. This added another hurdle for AWDI to overcome.
Jan. 14, 1993: AWDI’s attorneys filed a motion to withdraw as
counsel due to non payment of fees.
Redistricting subplot:
July 1992: The reapportion
commission voted to keep the Valley whole. It had been speculated
that AWDI was behind the attempt
to split the Valley in order to help
their case.
Stockmen’s Water Company—another water grab!
May 30, 1992: Gary Boyce
presented his ideas for a new water
marketing company. His plan, presented at Moffat School, differed
from AWDI’s in that it would not
call for deep well drilling (a possible
damage to the aquifer), but would
use surface water. It also opened
the door to ranchers to sell or lease
their water and let their fields go
back to natural grass.