Take a moment and think about the place you live in. What are important aspects in people’s lives? What makes people want to pull together in their community? This pull to unite in a community is called a sense of community. A sense of community is a very important aspect of life. (I encourage you to get the Jackson County Star to read the “inside” of this essay. Editor Note) North Park gives me a connection and a meaning to life. In school, we start building connection

Whether that turns you off or on, please finish reading this post! The word patriot may bring to mind a number of things... maybe you're a fan of a team. Maybe the site of the red, white and blue fill you with pride and brings tears to your eyes when you hear the National Anthem. Maybe being a patriot makes you march or rally for a cause. Whatever it may be. I have something in common with those people that live in this area we call North Park that makes me a patriot of anot

I grew up in a place that was sixty miles from the nearest stop light. Forget about chain grocery store or fast food restaurants. The only franchises we had in the area were gas stations. Conoco. Standard. We had cafes that featured big red, semi-translucent cups, greasy burgers, and due to the cost of shipping produce into the area, our idea of salad was the piece of lettuce that clung to the cheese of a cheeseburger deluxe. Waitresses that called you “Hon.” Police officers

It was practically demolished when the state created the Colorado State Park. Luckily, the recreation hall was saved and continues to entertain people today. One special event it hosts is the Gould Ski Scramble and Snow Shoe Stomp. Posters decorate the walls commemorating the earliest Ski Scrambles dating back to 1985. They also tell a history on the purchase of the building, and offer a memorial to Ann Ewy. Ewy was one of the founders of the Ski Scramble and designed the fi

North Park has always held a special place in my life since I was a teenager who spent summers here baling hay with a high school friend on their family ranch. At that time I was introduced to the ranching community and the fabulous natural wonders here. My wife and I returned later in our careers. At that time I found the most important asset here in North Park. That treasure is the people of the Park. I also found that those folks raised some pretty outstanding kids. We are

The other day while on a walk I sensed I was being watched. I scanned the hillside to find the source. Many folks would say this is paranoia but the theory of morphic resonance, the idea that there are telepathic interconnections that stem from collective memories, is something I believe in. The source was a Golden Eagle sitting high on a dead tree. I have released many Eagles as a wildlife rehabilitator and so called out as I often do to birds, fox and raccoon, "are you one

The last safe place on the planet. That’s my home town, Walden, Colorado. I’m not the only one who feels that way. Some of those who were raised here and moved away are gradually moving back. Recently, a woman who lived less than a mile from where Jessica Ridgeway was murdered brought her family back to Walden. She felt her seven-year-old daughter would have a better chance up here. I moved back fourteen years ago, not because of the dangers of big city living but because it

The Jackson County Star has been serving the North Park area since 1913. Weekly I will post In The News featuring headlines you can read about in the Jackson County Star. Enjoy entertaining editorials by Editor & Chief, Matt Shuler. Also gain fishing knowledge in the Fishing Report about water conditions. Other weekly features include the sports section, announcements, Jackson County Chronicles, JCCOA News and the classifieds. THIS week headlines include: "Schmidt Heade

North Park is known to raise successful kids. It’s our school and community “gorilla approach” of investing in our youth. Harvard graduates, state leaders, jet setters and entrepreneurs. The newest young adult to join this status of success is our highlight on our first BUSINESS SHOWCASE. Kahla Redman, daughter of Ronnie and Christine Redman and graduate of NPHS in 2015 is the newest business owner on Main Street, Walden, USA. Cross Hairz Full Service Salon is located at