Meadows Monday
A monthly news update from Elk Meadows HOA,
Ridgway, Colorado
May 3, 2021
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Cinco de Mayo is an annual celebration held on May 5. The date is observed to commemorate the Mexican Army's victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla, on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza.
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Our heartfelt condolences to Jeri Anderson, whose husband Bob, passed away recently. Bob and Jeri had a vacation home in Elk Meadows for many years and had many friends here. Our hearts and prayers go out to Jeri and her family as they get through this difficult time.
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Potholes are a sign of spring! Every spring, just like the Robins, the Pot-Holes return. As annoying as they are, they do force drivers to slow down which has been more successful than any other solution we have tried. Once the potholes are gone, people start driving too fast again which is dangerous and creates washboards in the road. The road was graded last Friday and will be again. The roads are smoother, but dustier. An application of Mag chloride will be applied in the future on Aspen Drive only to help reduce the dust. Please drive slowly on all roads to protect children, walkers, pets, wildlife and reduce dust. Be considerate of those who live close to the roads who receive a constant wave of dust into their homes. |
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We have signs to install. Does anyone have a post-hole digger? If the necessary equipment is unavailable to install the signs, the Board will arrange to have them installed professionally. If you have equipment and would like to help, please contact emhoa.secretary@gmail.com.
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Our Elk Meadows sign needs sprucing up! The white lettering and evergreens have faded over the years and it needs some love. If inspired, please contact emhoa.secretary@gmail.com.
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Please report and damage done by the snow-plow to emhoa.secretary@gmail.com. |
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BOARD MEETING & ANNUAL MEETING |
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THE NEXT BOARD MEETING IS MAY 20, 2021 at 6:30.
Join Zoom Meeting at https://zoom.us/j/7918901769
ANNUAL MEETING IS SATURDAY, JULY 10,2021
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The EMBOD consists of four members due to Sebastian Wicklein resigning due to work conflicts. Current members are Maggie Guscott, Stephanie Kissner, Eddie Kemper and Kimberley Stagg. Please consider being on the Board and learning more about Elk Meadows. A Board member does not need to be a full-time resident in Elk Meadows to be on the Board, just willing to take the time to help. |
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I have never quite seen a more dismal landscape than Elk Meadows in April. Is this normal? Or is this just COVID kind of kicking in. Its dreary and quiet on the mountain. Silly Sally hasn’t heard from anyone at all. Come on Folks, I can’t just write about ME. So, I’ve decided to write about dogs. Have you noticed an abundance of dogs? We’ve got a plethora of big dogs, with the biggest that I know of being Elsa . Do you know Elsa? She is the most soulful eyed, brindle Dane you can imagine, and she will come down her driveway to say hello. Of course, I hope you are over five feet tall, or she is likely to be a bit formidable when she comes bounding down her drive. So, Elsa is not a problem because she trots right back up her driveway once she’s said hello. n the big dog category, we also have to include Luna, whose full name I am told is Lunatic, and dear Neavae. Is Neavae's name really Heaven backwards? But I digress. These wonderful dogs are never without someone in the Krois family to keep them from harm. Thank you Deidra, who runs a tight ship over on Aspenglow!
Next in the big dog category are Sterling and Samson who are often in their pen and love to bark at passersby. Ben and Rebekeh are the owners of these two large dogs who do a wonderful job of guarding their fenced area. Now that the snow is gone it’s amazing to see all the stuff in people’s yards. I had no idea all that dog paraphernalia was under the snow, igloos, and pallets, and all kinds of cool things to entertain the dogs.
However, the most abundant breed that we see walking are those happy medium sized Australian Shepherds. I think Rena and Jim Hayford started it all with Hot Rod, and then Kate came along and now we have Sophie as well. What delightful pups. All are well tended by their owners. Rick has Kate, the Hayfords are Hot Rod’s pals and Kim Stagg is the proud momma of Sophie. I’d love to include your pooch next time if you are too shy to talk about yourself. So let me know who you have living with you. vpetrie@sbcglobal.net.
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WATER SYSTEM REPORT FOR APRIL 2021 |
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All pumps, filters and electronic systems are functioning normally. The average daily usage is 19,000 gallons. The average daily spring flow is 17,000 gallons. The hill tank is 100% full. Luckily, a leak was detected that is being fixed. Please check your water usage at the end of the month to discover if you have a leak. Water is precious in the entire southwest. Please use it wisely.
Water usage is reported at the end of every month on the Elk Meadows website at Elkmeadowshoa.org > Owners > Water Report. Go to the column that says Usage x 10, move the decimal one place to the right and that is the number of gallons used for the month.
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Bears have been seen in Ouray. A neighborly reminder to keep trash cans in a shed or garage and if that is not possible, chain it to a pole or tree. Bears will drag trash cans away and try to open them. To replace a Bruin trash can costs approximately $300.00 and at the time of this announcement, Bruin is currently out of bear proof trash cans. It is best to put trash and recyclables out Friday morning rather than Thursday evening to avoid attracting bears during the night. Lock all outside vehicles and remove all temptations such as food, air fresheners, gum, mints, food wrappers, empty drink containers, or anything that would attract a bear. When leaving home lock doors and close windows. Please remind your guests that bears, mountain lions, lynx, and bobcats have been observed in Elk Meadows.
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IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO PROTECT THE TREES |
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Protect your Douglas Fir trees with MCH bubbles, order now!
Email/text Diane Thompson, who has some extras in her freezer, if you'd like to buy some of hers. $4.00 each
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The Blue Lakes hiking and camping areas are being overused and need our protection. The Ridgway-Ouray Community Council (ROCC) has organized a “Save the Blues” campaign. ROCC is recruiting local volunteers to educate locals and visitors about hiking and camping stewardship. To join this effort to "Save the Blues" please email Diane Thompson at dianet7@yahoo.com.
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Our neighbor, Sally Jo Ocasio, has had a tragic year to say the least. In December, she moved her shop, The Vault, across the street to 540 Clinton Street. Shortly after moving in and days before Christmas, the building caught fire and Sally Jo’s inventory was lost.
The happy news is that The Vault will be opening in a new location! The Vault opens on Friday, May 14th at 380 Sherman Street.
Congratulations and best wishes Sally Jo from your Elk Meadows neighbors!
The Vault opens on Friday, May 14th, hours are Mon– Sat 10:30 to 5:30 and Sunday 12:00 to 5:00.
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The next Meadows Monday will be June 7, 2021. |
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COVID-19 LATEST UPDATES
Thank you Scott Layton for doing the latest research As of April 15, 2021.
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- Colorado is now in its fourth coronavirus wave. Hospitalizations are at their highest level since Feb. 19, and cases have risen sharply in the recent weeks. Colorado has had three consecutive weeks of rising numbers of new COVID-19 cases (from 1,169 new cases per day to 1,665).
- This wave is driven by more contagious variants, which have become dominant among cases. The UK variant constitutes about 45% of the new cases; another 20% of the cases are from the California variant. Colorado has identified 12 cases of the Brazil variant (this variant was found in Denver, Arapahoe, Boulder, and Broomfield counties). All these variants are more transmissible and could cause more severe illness.
- More than 80% of Colorado residents 70 years and older have been fully vaccinated. Good progress has been made on those 50-70. However, individuals 18 to 50 years are most susceptible right now because only a fraction of that population has been fully vaccinated.
- Vaccines has been shown to be less effective against some COVID-19 variants, but only by a small factor. They can still prevent severe illness and death. Note that the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines aren’t fully effective until two weeks after the second dose is administered. At that time, your body’s immune response (antibodies) has reached its highest point.
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The state’s “dial system” is being phased out, and counties are now responsible to impose restrictions (the state continues to regulate large indoor gathering places). Colorado University researchers have evaluated this strategy, recommending waiting another month before ending the dial system: https://coloradosph.cuanschutz.edu/docs/librariesprovider151/default-document-library/2021-04-07-colo-modeling-report.pdf?sfvrsn=235a76ba_0
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For COVID-19 Updates for Ouray County, visit the Ouray County website: https://ouraycountyco.gov/396/Coronavirus-COVID-19-Updates-and-Resourc
- Going forward (what to do) -
- Continue to wear masks in public places:
As of April 7th, Ouray county issued a face covering order:
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Continue social distancing:
Remember this is a respiratory virus which is predominantly spread by airborne particles when individuals are in close contact. Avoid (at least) large public gatherings.
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Get vaccinated as soon as possible:
Beginning April 2nd, all Colorado residents 16 and older are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. The more individuals who are full vaccinated, the safer it is for all of us.
- Be of good cheer and continue to exercise vigilence:
As expected we are all tired of “pandemic fatigue". But the COVID-19 vaccines are powerful new tools in our efforts to protect everyone. Booster vaccines are already in development, and they are designed to “boost” the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines. Now is not the time to relax our guard.
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STAY SAFE AND STAY WELL!!
And remember Help your Neighbors and Friends and even New Neighbors you may not know yet!!
Check on them to see if they need errands run and may not feel well enough to do it themselves.
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If you have some Elk Meadows pictures you would like to
see in MM please send them
to me at ElkMeadows.Kristi@yahoo.com
None of the pictures in our database are labeled as to who provided them. Please feel free to let me know if I use one of your pictures and you want credit for it and I will credit you the following week. If not, then I THANK YOU in advance for providing pictures for all of us to enjoy.
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