Jan Verhoeff Paints John Martin Reservoir
Posted By admin on November 13, 2011
West from the Dam - Gold Light by Jan Verhoeff
Stop by to view…
Hasty, Colorado
News about Hasty, Caddoa & John Martin Reservoir
Sunrise, Sunset
Posted By danielle on November 13, 2011
The beauty of Hasty, Colorado can be seen through its sunrises and sunsets.
Sunrise south of Hasty near John Martin Dam
Sunrise through Union Valley Cemetery, south of Hasty
Pre-Sunrise, South of Hasty
Sunrise Over Hasty Lake, south of Hasty
Sunset Over John Martin Dam
Sunset west of Hasty across Rd. JJ
Sunset West of Hasty
Sunset west of Hasty
Several close, Christian friends of mine are struggling with some extra heavy, life stressors this month. I dedicate this post to them and wish them more sunrises than sunsets this month. Though we share different spiritual beliefs, I send them the beautiful sentiments of this song:
Photos by Danielle Simone
Colorado Author Speaks at Lamar Library
Posted By danielle on October 30, 2011
Teague Bohlen, author of The Pull of the Earth, spoke at Lamar Public Library Wednesday, October 26th. His first presentation from 10 to 2 PM dealt with writing techniques, similar to what he teaches his students at the University of Colorado, Denver campus as Assistant Professor of Creative Writing. During his evening visit, he read the first chapter from his book and answered questions.
One of his topics included a general method for putting together a book.
- -Outline, chronologically
- -List a chapter breakdown
- -Create detailed character profiles of about 3 to 5 pages including primary and secondary characters
- -Create short scenes as they come to you without regard for the narrative order
His audience participated in several writing exercises including practice with defining characters, putting them in place and dealing with conflict.
Mr. Bohlen also had the audience write a family story and then trade it to the person in the next seat. This exercise brought out the difficulty a writer can experience with characterization when he or she is emotionally connected to the characters.
Mr. Bohlen’s book, The Pull of the Earth, won the Colorado Book Award for Fiction in 2006. The story moves quickly, pulling the reader deep into the intrigue and emotions of the plot.
Mr. Bohlen also visited McClave School and Lamar Community College during his southeast Colorado speaking tour.
This workshop, one of many similar educational ones around the state by Colorado authors is sponsored by Colorado Humanities is an independent nonprofit and grant-making organization. They are affiliated with The National Endowment for the Humanities, an independent federal agency. Tim Hernandez, program coordinator, spoke to the group, explaining their mission to ‘explore ideas and appreciate diverse cultural heritage by supporting humanities-based research, education and discussion. They provide opportunities and tools for Colorado K-12 educators to enhance classroom teaching, and to share their teaching experience with others.’
One of their upcoming programs, Water 2012, will deal with the local watershed issues. Groups are forming and will allow opportunity for students throughout the state to better connect and understand the Colorado water system, issues and its importance to the state as a community.
For further information, contact Tim Hernandez, 303.894.7951 X19, at 7935 East Prentice Avenue, Suite 450, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, or at tzhernandez@coloradohumanities.org.
Baldwin Ranch History by R.B. Beckner
Posted By danielle on October 30, 2011
We received a lengthy, informative comment from a”Hasty reader”. Thought we would post it so everyone could benefit on some local Hasty history.
A bit of approximate Hasty history for you: My tenuous and unlikely connection to Hasty began in 1963 when I came to work on the H-Bar-Box (Baldwin) ranch with my cousin, Bruce Beckner, who was the Baldwin’s grandson. Adelbert and Dale Baldwin homesteaded their property about 100 years ago. Dale Baldwin was a schoolteacher who, I believe, homesteaded her own property. Then she married Del Baldwin, and they combined their holdings. When I worked at their ranch, they owned a sizable piece of the bottom land a few miles east of Hasty on the south side of US 50, which still had the original native prairie grass growing on it. They harvested that grass in the summer and baled it for winter feed, and they also used that land for winter pasture.
I understand that they had owned several sections of land in the vicinity of that parcel that were acquired by the federal government to be part of the John Martin Reservoir. In addition, the Baldwins had substantial holdings north of US 50 in the adjacent to the Ft. Lyon irrigation canal. That also was where the house, corrals and outbuildings were. You could reach their house by taking the gravel road that ran from Hasty due north to the bitter end, then jogging right just before the canal.
Their son, Francis Baldwin, a decorated WW2 Veteran (Silver Star), was running the ranch when I came in 1963. Del Baldwin died of a stroke that summer; I think he was about 80. In addition to a son, the Baldwins had two daughters, Margaret and Mary Dale. Mary Dale is my cousin Bruce’s mother; her husband was my dad’s brother. Francis Baldwin never married; and, for a time, my cousin, Bruce, was planning to take over the ranch. Sadly, Mrs. Baldwin eventually required expensive nursing care, not covered by insurance, which Francis had to pay for by mortgaging the property. Francis, literally “bet the farm” on cattle prices one year and lost. So, the ranch was foreclosed on; and, after paying off the debt, Francis used the remainder of the proceeds to buy a semi tractor-trailer combination and hauled cattle for a living until he was too old to do so. He spent his last days with his sister Mary Dale and my uncle in Kremmling and passed away probably 10 years ago. Mary Dale still lives in Kremmling, just down the street from her oldest daughter; and I believe Margaret Baldwin still lives in the greater Denver area. I saw both of them when my uncle died in 2009.
So, that’s how a boy who grew up in Washington, DC (and who still lives and works there) came to be in Hasty, Colorado at the age of 14 and spend the summer as a rookie ranch hand. There’s proof of this unlikely story: either that summer (1963) or the next one (when I also came), my cousin, Francis Baldwin and I had our picture on the front page of the Lamar Tri-State Daily news. The reporter was doing a story on coyotes, and he interviewed Francis. I guess he was intrigued by the presence of an Eastern kid . . . and by the fact that my cousin and I have the same name and are about the same age. So, he took our picture in front of a tractor, with my cousin and I looking very “cowboy” in our jeans, jean shirts and straw Stetsons . . . and Francis in a pair of overalls and a baseball cap (because he had been doing some welding).
The last time I visited Hasty was in 1970 . . . Mrs. Baldwin was still alive then and still fixing meals for her son Francis and the hired hands. For what it’s worth, you all have grown since then! I recall, at the time, that the road sign said the population was 90.
I was privileged to know these people . . . true pioneers. You can see the ruts made by wagons on the Santa Fe trail, running through their property, heading west.
Thank you so much, Mr. Beckner, for your detailed and interesting piece of Hasty history. Your words are a nice addition to this website and a good support for the surrounding ranchers in our area. We appreciate your visit; please don’t be a stranger.
Hasty Trails: Nature prevails
Posted By danielle on October 10, 2011
“I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes.”
~e.e. cummings
Here in Hasty Colorado, Nature’s beauty surrounds our southeast Colorado area every day.. and Nature rules a bit stronger than elsewhere. The sun is hotter, the winds are harsher and more frequent, the temperatures have farther ranges than most. Sunrises and sunsets tend to be more vivid and colorful than other places.
John Martin Dam shadows the south end of Hasty with its large pool of dark-blue waters for all to see, admire and play in and around.
Fall is here, leaves are falling, nights bring brisker temperatures to bear (and my ‘pretties’ are laying less eggs!) Well, not EVERYTHING is perfect!
Sunrises and sunsets these past few days seem particularly more stunning than usual. And even though I hear that Denver received its first snowfall this weekend, we here on the southeast plains of Hasty, still bask under 70 and 80 degree temps.
Nature may be a ‘bit more expressive’ in Hasty, but at 3000 plus feet above sea level, we are free from Tsunamis and have not felt a real earthquake in forever.
We count our blessings, as Nature prevails, in Hasty, Colorado.
Local Author Writes New E-book
Posted By danielle on September 25, 2011
Jan Verhoeff, author, internet marketing expert and grandmother, originally from the Lamar area, has released a new e-book. Burning Embers, a reality-based story, grips you from the introductory paragraph through the last line. The title, Burning Embers, suggestive of a romantic bent, is anything but. “Burning Embers of fading sun glowed orange in the western sky…” Ms. Verhoeff takes this title from a peace-filled sunset to a fear-gripping metaphor in the depth of the plot.
The story reveals a young mother, Kate, with two baby girls, driving in an unreliable vehicle on a dark night in the middle of the country. Finishing out a vending route, with collection monies in her possession, she quickly realizes she is being followed by two men. Ms. Verhoeff’s ability to engage the reader’s emotions will keep you turning pages with a rapid heartbeat.
“The headlights chased shadows. Darkness enveloped the vehicle driving into the night. No lights…anywhere…”
Through miles of country back roads connected only by tiny towns that are few and far between, Ms. Verhoeff blends strength of character, determination and bravery through her fear-filled young protagonist. “Thin reflections of mist closed in on her…Streetlights encased in the fog seemed to dim perceptibly, and she shivered.”
Once you’ve read this thrilling tale, night driving may take on a new and dangerous shadow.
Burning Embers, an excerpt from a larger book, is a must-read for anyone who enjoys the thrill of a well-written story.
Though Ms. Verhoeff has moved ‘north’, her heart is still partly steeped in southeast Colorado. She keeps an informative website on the Lamar area and treats us with tasty fare of southeast Colorado on her SECO Recipes site. Take a peek and leave a comment; she’d enjoy posting your favorite recipe on her site.
If your online business needs a productive website or even just an update to increase traffic and income, contact Ms. Verhoeff at her web studio site for excellent, professional and reasonably priced website design and assistance.
To purchase this e-book, click here.
John Martin Dam – Water Levels Dropping
Posted By admin on July 22, 2011
Visited John Martin Dam recently, showing off the neighborhood to Denver Residents and noticed the extreme drop in water level on the reservoir located on the eastern edge of Colorado. Looks like Kansas may be drying up the lakes this summer, though I continue to wonder how that could be with the high levels of run-off from the mountains.
Daily Reports indicate the water level is dropping at a fairly normal rate, considering the drought, and the holding water in Pueblo Reservoir. I’ve seen the reservoir lower this past week than I’d seen it in many years, not a sight I like to see in the area.
Wild life seems to share my opinion however, since the number of vulture circling above the Dam appeared overly abundant, waiting for life below the dam to die out, leaving them plenty of opportunity for food. The sight was amazing, even knowing that some poor animal had given his everything to feed those vultures!
The advantage of having lower water levels in the reservoir is the vast array of rocks available for climbing down near the water’s edge. Most of these rocks are covered by water, when the water levels are higher. Hiking around the water’s edge reveals a vast number of NEW adventures, from swampy cat tail shallows to catfish jumping nearer the surface.
The benefit of shallow water, is easier to catch catfish, and I’ve been told by local fishermen that they’re catching plenty along the north shores where the water stays warmer. Pike seem easier to catch out about 100 yards from shore in the shallows along the river.
Local History; recently…
Posted By danielle on June 20, 2011
Wikipedia defines history as…”The study of past events, particularly in human affairs.” So this short excerpt on a local, recently published writer, finds a place here, today.
Oris George from Lamar, recently published a book recalling – in his own, unique flavor of humor and depth, nostalgic recollections of his everyday life in the 40′s and 50′s. Interesting to me, how everyday life…is always profound and sometimes more memorable than the larger, more empty world events sometimes making front page news.
An example of this import, from Oris‘s new book, fills a corner of my heart. It’s about an older woman, poor in dollars while rich in spirit and caring for displaced and hungry animals. Though I do not follow a christian philosophy, a vacation bible school quote from my antiquity, comes to mind as relevant to Oris‘s story, Faded Blue Bonnet; “..whatever you do to the least of my brethren..” As a believer in Nature and all her power and wisdom, to me - brethren includes all living things.
“In the fall of 1945 when I turned twelve, draft horses and mules were being slaughtered by the thousands…..Anna existed on a very limited income. Her little farm, about half of it in pasture, could not support many mules. She went to work in town cleaning houses to earn extra money to buy feed……Time moved on. Anna collected more mules…”
My heart cries every time I read this particular story. I’ll leave the tearful ending to your privacy.
Oris George writes with passion and energy! You become a bystander in the chicken yard; you ride next to him in the wagon as he takes his injured passenger for help in A Man by the Side of the Road; you share his joy as he rides to town on a Saturday night with Henry.
Treat yourself to some heartfelt, country memories and read Along the Backroads of Yesterday by Oris George.
Southeast Colorado History
Posted By danielle on May 21, 2011
This Hasty site welcomes any one who has history to share which relates to Hasty and John Martin Dam.
Our first contributor, Karen Fulcomer, graciously shared her article below with a family portrait of her grandfather and his connection to our immediate area.
Several points took my eye;
- “…was known in the area as the gentleman who hauled the first load of dirt for the Caddoa Dam project (later changed to John Martin Dam) in 1939.”
- “The family home was a large stone house…quarried the stone himself,…”
- “He often took in homeless children traveling into the area by train.”
- “…death at age 88…”
-I see and cross John Martin Dam several times a week; I wrote a column in The Local Buzz for a year about the dam (The Stilling Basin); it is a solid part of my life here in Hasty. Yet to see Ms. Fulcomer’s statement about her grandfather moving the first load of dirt - in 1939, gives me a slap of reality. There WAS a time when – instead of the dam, only the sturdy Arkansas River banks guided the slowly bound mountain waters downstream through the Hasty/Caddoa area.
-And how many of us would have the inclination, energy or ability in our modern day of quick fixes, instant gratification and easy living, to “quarry” our own house? An amazing feat to my way of thinking!
-The homeless children statement spurred me to some research on this subject. I’ve not verified this information yet with Ms. Fulcomer, as to whether or not her grandfather’s adopted children actually came from an orphan train per se, but I learned of the Orphan Train events of the early 19th century. They were a sometimes sad – sometimes fortuitous event for the children involved; an interesting piece of western history.
-”…death at age 88…” John T. Greenwood lived a long life; it included much hard work, the giving of many kindnesses, community involvement and generosity. These endearing and genuinely human attributes make all of our lives easier, and make our small world…a better place to live.
Thank you Ms. Fulcomer, for your interesting and enlightening historical contribution to our small community, here in Hasty, Colorado.
A special thank you to Colleen Piatt, owner of Valley Grocery in Hasty, for connecting me with Ms. Fulcomer. Ms. Piatt is a pillar in our small community; her generous efforts and hard work help to make our annual Hasty Days a roaring success. Her store saves us much gas while in pursuit of our daily necessities since our 2 larger shopping towns are at least 20 minutes away. Thank you, Colleen.
Let us know if you have any history that relates to our Hasty area. Please feel free to contact me at
daniellesimoneO@gmail.com (that’s a zero after my name).
As always, Nature prevails.
A Piece of Hasty History
Posted By danielle on May 21, 2011
John T. Greenwood of Hasty and McClave, Colorado
by Karen Porterfield Fulcomer
John T. Greenwood of Hasty and McClave, Colorado, was known in the area as the gentleman who hauled the first load of dirt for the Caddoa Dam project (John Martin Reservoir) in 1939. Family members often spoke of John’s notoriety on the dam’s construction.
John and his first wife, Ollie May Sligar, raised four children: Harold, Leon, Noal, and Margie. The family home was a large stone house at the intersection of Hwy. 50 and Hwy. 196 (McClave Road) on the north side of Highway 50. J T (as he was known) quarried the stone himself, before actually building his family home. He also built an identical home on the south side of Highway 50 about a mile west of his house. Neither home is standing now. Later in his life, J T and his wife lived in Hasty.
Before working on the Caddoa Dam project, J.T. Greenwood operated a threshing business along with a gas station and tourist cabins on the same property with his home. Ollie May cooked meals for the farm workers her husband employed in the threshing business. One knew when shaking hands with J T, that he was a man accustomed to hard work, because of his strong, large hands even at the time of his death at age 88 years in 1974. Several years after Ollie May’s death in 1943, J T married Sada Corell.
John was a devout Christian who lived and practiced his beliefs. He often took in homeless children traveling into the area by train. He raised four orphan children, after learning they had no place to stay when they arrived in Las Animas on a train. The children were: Jimmy, Sam, Freda, and Leola.
Harold, Leon, Noel and Margie all graduated from the McClave school system. J T’s daughter, Margie Porterfield (Vinson), told stories many times about the Greenwood children riding the family donkey to school in McClave.
John T. Greenwood was a true gentleman who was a well-respected citizen of this area.