Cover Story2

Cripple Creek Ice Festival Returns For 2016 Every year when the weather gets cold and the snow piles up, the amount of events in the area seems to decrease. Many towns in Colorado have recently began to take advantage of the cold weather and host ice festivals. One of the most famous ice festivals is hosted in Breckenridge. Every year ice festivals are a chance for artists to come out and carve brilliant sculptures out of giant chunks of ice. The last few years the ice festival in Cripple Creek has been gaining a lot of traction. Recently, this has been the one time of in the slow winter season that the streets of Cripple Creek are packed. Not only is the main strip of the town crowded, all restau-rants are on an hour plus wait! The event is geared at attracting entire families to get out and enjoy the day dur-ing the cold and boring month of Febru-ary. The ice sculptors always design a nice ice slide that children can slide down on. Usually there is a maze made of ice or some sort of sculpture made with caves and areas kids can walk into. There are

always street vendors and special casino deals planned for the two weekends the City of Cripple Creek hosts the festival. This year the festival is scheduled for February 13-15 and 20-21. Every year the festival has a certain theme that all of the artists are to incorporate into their sculptures. Themes of the past years have included a Mythological Wonderland, Story Time, Under the Sea, a Military Salute Carved in Ice, a Rocky Mountain Wonderland, and a Medieval theme. This year’s theme is “The Old West, so saddle up for the time of your life.” This year’s theme is planned to show sculptures that portray the events of the time frame that changed America. So mark these two weekends on your calendar folks, take the day and escape to the mountains to see how the skilled ice sculptors portray the old west with a chainsaw and a huge block of ice!

~ By Trevor Phipps

Artists working on ice sculptures during Cripple Creek Ice Festival 2015. Photo By CR Chambers

The crowd of spectators during Cripple Creek Ice Festival 2015. Photo By CR Chambers

The stores are sporting pink and red, hearts everywhere the eye can see, and that chubby flying baby ready to shoot you with his love dart. Ads are brimming with Jewelry sales, husbands and boyfriends alike are pressured to plan the perfect weekend. That special time of year where everyone takes a moment and celebrates love. You know the thing that makes the world go round… Valentine’s day wasn’t always as we know it. Actually its origins are rather mys-terious. Historians traced the origin of Valentine’s Day to ancient Roman Empire. It is said that in the Rome of ancient times people observed a holiday on February 14th to honor Juno - the Queen of Roman Gods and Goddesses. The Romans also regarded Juno as the Goddess of Women and Marriage. On the following day, February 15th began the fertility festival called ‘Feast of Lupercalia’. The festival of Lupercalia was celebrated to honor the Gods Lupercus and Faunus - the Roman God of Agriculture besides the legendary

founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus. An interesting custom was followed in the Feast of Lupercalia to bring together young boys and girls who otherwise were strictly separated. On the eve of the festival names of young Roman girls were written on a slip of paper and placed into jars. Each young man drew out a girl’s name from the jar and was paired with the girl for the duration of Lupercalia. Sometime pairing lasted for a year until next year’s celebration. Quite often, the couple would fall in love with each other and later marry. The custom lasted for a long time until people felt that the custom was un-Christian and that mates should be chosen by sight, not luck…according to stvalentine’sday.org. Yes that is a real website. Now Wikipedia, the source of all real knowledge says, “A popular hagiographi-cal account of Saint Valentine of Rome states that he was imprisoned for per-forming weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering

to Christians, who were persecuted under the Roman Empire. According to legend, during his imprisonment, he healed the daughter of his jailer, Asterius. An embel-lishment to this story states that before his execution he wrote her a letter signed “Your Valentine” as a farewell.” How ro-mantic…right?One day a year, we dedicate to telling those that we love, that we love them. While this is a lovely idea, I challenge you to use it as a mere stepping stone, vow to spend one day a month, then one day a week, until every day your loved one not only knows they are loved, but feels it. Write your own love story.

~ Josephine Shields

Local Opinion

Word Search

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Q: Why did the cookie go to the hospital?A: Because he felt crummyQ: Why did Johnny throw the clock out of the window?A: Because he wanted to see time fly!Q: What did one hat say to another?A: You stay here, I’ll go on a headQ: What did the elder chimney say to the younger chimney?A: You’re too young to smoke!Q. What did the lawyer name his daughter?A. SueQ. What did the cat say after eating two robins lying in the sun?A. I just love baskin’ robins.

~Source: quickfunnyjokes.com

Jokes Sudoku

Cripple Creek Ice Festival Returns For 2016 A Little Valentine’s Day History

Artists working on ice sculptures during Cripple Creek Ice Festival 2015. Photo By CR Chambers

“Valentine’s day wasn’t always as we know it. Actually its origins are

rather mysterious.”

Local NewsMoose Is Loose Fest Kicks Off

The Moose arrives in Woodland Park for Moose Is Loose 2015. Photo By CR Chambers

It is that time of year again, where the famous moose of the Woodland Park Moose Is Loose Fest strides into town. On February 13, 2016 at 9:30 a.m., the moose makes his first official appearance at Tweeds Fine Furnishings. During the moose’s official entrance into town and the Moose Is Loose Fest official kickoff party, Tweeds Fine Furnishings holds a special sale. During this sale, the store gives special, very generous discounts on all of their merchandise. People have been known to come from all across the country to enjoy the special discounts Tweeds offer on this day. The Moose Is Loose Fest is an infamous sales festival developed to generate local business during the slow winter month of February. The event lasts a total of sixteen days this year and has a variety of special things planned for 2016. The moose is scheduled to make many appearances in a variety of businesses in town during the three weekends the event runs. On the website woodlandparkchamber.com, they list the major things happening during the sales festival and say this about the event, “Come out and join the crowds of shopper for the Moose Is Loose Fest from Saturday, FEB 13th until Monday, FEB 29th. The Fest integrates many ac-tivities and highlights of our town. Adventurers are excited to explore the community through the Moose Tracks Pass, eager to drop off their entries for a chance to win the $500 shopping spree. Kids enjoy the coloring and essay contests, bringing our youngest community members into the festivi-ties. Moose sightings have become a local favorite past time and this year, many will wait with anticipation for our new-est Fest experience –“Weekend Rallies.” Numerous participating shops and businesses provide ample reasons to explore every square inch of our amaz-ing town. During the Fest participants receive giveaways, promotional items, sales, specials, unique offers, prize draw-ings and Moose themed merchandise. If you are in the right place at the right time you might even see a few Mooseca-pades! The 2016 Moose is Loose Fest will follow the Moose as he rallies for votes on The Campaign Trail. His platform will be to promote all things great about Woodland Park!Moose is Loose Fest - Kick Off Rally! Saturday, FEB 13th, 9:30am at Tweeds Fine FurnishingsSee the Moose make his grand entrance!Moose swag bags filled with goodies (limited quantity)Sweet treats available inside TweedsPhotos taken with The Moose, in his very own Photo Voting Booth! Join us in celebration of the City’s 125th Anniversary at the community bon fire at Woodland Station, behind Bergstrom Park at 5:00pmGold Stash Rally - THE TRAIL OF GOLD to Participating Gold Hill Businesses! Saturday, FEB 20th, 10 am at Gold Hill Square North (in front of Gold Hill Theatres)The Moose will arrive with his entourage of Moosekeeters, a huge crowd pleaser!He will hand out gifts and then send everyone on a Moose Hunt for Gold coins hidden in the Hills!The Gold Hill coins are redeemable at Gold Hill Movie The-atre (with ticket purchase) and will be good at concessions for a multi combo pack ($7.00 value)The Finale Rally Takes Center Stage! Saturday February 27th, 11 am at the Ute Pass Cultural CenterYou are invited to join in as City Diplomats’ read the Moose is Loose Proclamation and then let the festivities com-mence!We will celebrate the City’s 125th Anniversary with “A Toast to The Town!” Commemorative toasting glasses to enjoy complimentary sparkling bubbly and the Moose will

provide sweet treats for everyone. You will find the Moose sipping bubbly and indulging on delicious treats as he listens to stories of days gone by, performed by the Ute Pass Historical Society. Stroll down memory lane at History Park and let the days of yesterday sweep you away as a personal guide escorts you down Main Street, sharing stories and telling tales of our town. Local businesses will welcome you with a warm smile and happy that you stopped by. This year as a part of the city’s 125th anniversary celebra-tion, the city is hosting a special bonfire on the day of the Moose Is Loose Fest kickoff day (February 13) from 5:00 pm. - 7:00 p.m. This is the first year that a bonfire has been included in the city’s Moose Is Loose festivities. The com-munity bonfire party will be held at Woodland Station right in downtown Woodland Park just off of Highway 24 behind Bergstrom Park. Make sure to make it out and celebrate with everyone next to a warm and gorgeous giant fire! And keep posted to learn about the other events the town has scheduled to celebrate its special 125th birthday because rumor has it there will be a different event for every month this year to celebrate WP’s quasquicentennial.

~ By Trevor Phipps

The Moose arrives in Woodland Park for Moose Is Loose 2015 during Tweeds big sale. Photo By CR Chambers

The Moose arrives in Woodland Park for Moose Is Loose 2015 and poses for photos. Photo By CR Chambers

“The Moose Is Loose Fest is an infamous

sales festival developed to generate local busi-ness during the slow winter month of Feb-ruary. The event lasts a total of sixteen days

this year and has a va-riety of special things

planned for 2016.”

Meet A Local Hero 5

Photo Of The Week

Leroy Bunker

Now Hiring Leroy Bunker and his service dog volunteering at Adult Day Break. Photo By Alyssa Baker Leroy Bunker and his service dog volunteering at Adult Day Break. Photo By Alyssa Baker

Leroy Bunker adopted his service dog, Gin-ger when she was only 6 weeks old. Within months, they were going to dog training classes together. 6 years later and Ginger is one of the most polite, gentle, and trained creatures you’ll ever meet. Hence why Leroy has such a jam packed schedule, touring all over Colorado. Leroy and Ginger work together with children, college students, troubled youth, and the elderly: truly all walks of life. The elderly are especially fond of the dy-namic duo; Day Break hosts the pair weekly and the seniors love the occasion!

Leroy and Ginger were nominated and selected as the Volunteer of the year. Allow Woodland Park to celebrate their service through the community. We thank you for your years of positivity, encouragement, and therapy. The award ceremony to celebrate our beloved service volunteers was this past Tuesday and you better believe his Day Break fan club was there to cheer him on!

~ By Alyssa Baker For More Articles Visit www.spacelyss.wordpress.com

Goofy attendants of the 2016 Sweet Heart’s Ball at the Shining Mountain Golf Club. Photo By CR Chambers

Leroy Bunker and his service dog. Photo By Alyssa Baker

“Leroy Bunker adopted his service dog, Ginger when she was only 6 weeks old. Within months, they were going to dog training

classes together.”

The Moose arrives in Woodland Park for Moose Is Loose 2015 during Tweeds big sale. Photo By CR Chambers

The Moose arrives in Woodland Park for Moose Is Loose 2015 and poses for photos. Photo By CR Chambers

Leroy Bunker and his service dog volunteering at Adult Day Break. Photo By Alyssa Baker

Strange News‘Tis The Season For Love

StaffPresident: Chris Peterson Vice President: Josephine ShieldsPublisher: Trevor PhippsAssistant To The Publisher: Jenn DossPhotography: CR ChambersAdvertising/ Writer: Alyssa Baker Writer: Kate MadduxAdvertising/ Writer: Lynn Phipps Writer: Patrick BeahenAdvertising: Janet Estrada

Published By News Of Woodland Park, LLC 1730 Navajo Trail, Woodland Park, CO 80863

ClassifiedsEmployment

Cuteicles Nails is now hiring a nail technician that can do manicures and pedicures. Call 687-9445

News Of Woodland Park is now hiring part time sales positions e-mail your resume to editor@nowp.co

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from

Gold Hill Wine & Liquor

Gold Hill South Shopping Center797 Gold Hill South • 719-687-9149

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Wine and Beer Tastings Every Friday 4-6PM

Free Food and Music.

February represents the last Winter month prior to the Earth tilting into a Spring Equinox, as well as the short-est month in our modern calendar. After a day when a Pennsylvanian groundhog determines when the sun will melt our frozen hearts which may be calloused from the deepest winter months, one is encouraged to soften up a bit and snuggle up to a partner or loved one on February 14th . Valentine ’s Day is advertised to be a day full of love and romance for many Americans. Celebrations can be as simple as a night at home, up to extravagant getaways complete with five star accommodations. With the pletho-ra of businesses competing for your attention on February 14th, it can be difficult to decide which steak dinner by candlelight is right for you and your special someone. If you and your Woodland Park sweetie are trying to save money this Valentines Day and not quite ready to

flip the bill for an evening at the Swiss Chalet, or Fusion Japan, consider this more budget friendly approach to the romantic holiday. For the ninth year in a row, Waffle House is offering a candle lit Valentine’s Day dinner. Waffle House will be rolling out the red table clothes, setting out roses and lighting candles for each table at over 140 locations around the country, including two in Colorado. Coloradans can call ahead for their reservation and take their darling to enjoy a menu including, bacon, sausage, eggs, waffles, hash browns, and a even special T-bone steak on Valentine ’s Day. A true test of love is the willingness to share one’s bacon.More information and details on making a reservation for Valentine’s Day can be found at http://www.wafflehouse.com/valentine

~ By Kate Maddux

Business Of The WeekCurves

Curves is the place to go if you’re looking for not only a judgement free zone but a support system as well. The atmosphere is nothing less than energetic, excited and chatty each morning when 6 am rolls around. Working out to a guided video as a team paired with an optional

eating program is something you can’t get everywhere – unless you are paying buku bucks! Jan Wilson, owner of Curves in Woodland Park, is offering a free month this year in honor of the Moose is Loose Fest. Stop by and meet her friendly personality and staff. February isn’t too

late to start the road to a healthier lifestyle and an even better version of yourself. Doors are open 6-12 and 4-8.

~ By Alyssa Baker For More Articles Visit www.spacelyss.wordpress.com

Americorps Continues Helping Local Non-Profits The AmeriCorps NCCC Sun 3 team got a lot accom-plished for the community this past week! Sun 3 finished painting a house they are working on in Cripple Creek with Habitat for Humanity. The next step in the process is installing flooring in the house, which they have already begun. As part of Sun 3 was in Cripple Creek, the rest of the team was in Sherwood Forest installing windows and clearing snow at their work sites. On Monday, the team broke off into two groups to con-tinue to help the community by volunteering on their day off. Half were at Dayspring Christian Fellowship Church setting up for a bayou themed gathering to be hosted at the church. They recycle wooden pallets and downed

Aspen trees by turning them into a walk way throughout the church. The rest of Sun 3 volunteered at Little Chapel Food Pantry, where they passed out boxes of food to 260 families.”It’s great to have the AmeriCorps NCCC Team helping us distribute food for the families. It makes all the difference in the world.” -Little Chapel Food Pantry Volunteer

~ By Ian Day“On Monday, the team broke off into two

groups to continue to help the community by volunteering on their day off.”

The rest of Sun 3 volunteered at Little Chapel Food Pantry, where they passed out boxes of food to 260 families. Photo By Ian Day

Grannie’s Corner

Thursday, February 117:00p.m.-8:00 p.m. Tae Kwon Do Adult & KidParks and Recreation Classroom 204 W. South Ave. 687-522511:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Mat Pilates Parks and Recreation Classroom 204 W. South Ave. Parks and Rec 687-522510:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Excel I Woodland Park Public Library 687-9281x1026:00 p.m Live Music Featuring Cary Carpen-ter Woodland Country Lodge 888-687-4466Faith Lutheran Preschool and we are having a free spaghetti dinner and dessert auction 373- 9531

Friday, February 125:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Wine and Beer tasting with live music Gold Hill Liquors6:00 p.m Live Music Featuring Howie Wood-land Country Lodge 888-687-4466Post your event e-mail newsofwoodland-park@gmail.comLike Us On Facebook: Facebook.com/News-OfWoodlandPark

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Saturday, February 131:30 p.m. Sweets & Cocoa Afternoon Sleigh/Wagon Ride at M Lazy C Ranch 748-33984:30 p.m. Dinner Sleigh/Wagon Ride at M Lazy C Ranch 748-33989:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.Family Dog Training CSCS 687-52259:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Woodland Park Winter Farmers Market Ute Pass Cultural Center 689 3133Moose Is Loose Fest 2016 KicksOff!!!10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Free Winter Day Fun Florissant Punlic Library9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Great Backyard Bird Count Florissant Fossil Beds

Sunday, February 141:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. Hikes for Your Health Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument 748-3253 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Great Backyard Bird Count Mueller State Park

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!WWW.NOWP.CO

Wednesday, February 1711:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Body Sculpt Parks and Recreation classroom 687-52253:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Sun Style Taiji 97 Form Parks and Recreation classroom 687-5225 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Hikes for Your Health Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument 748-32536:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m Live Music Featuring Cari Dell Woodland Country Lodge 9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. AARP Smart Driver Course Woodland Park Public Library 687-9281x103

Thursday, February 187:00p.m.-8:00 p.m. Tae Kwon Do Adult & KidParks and Recreation Classroom 204 W. South Ave. 687-522511:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Mat Pilates Parks and Recreation Classroom 204 W. South Ave. Parks and Rec 687-52256:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m Live Music Featuring Oakley Woodland Country Lodge

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Tuesday, February 1611:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Mat Pilates Parks and Recreation Classroom 204 W. South Ave. Parks and Rec 687-52257:00p.m.-8:00 p.m. Tae Kwon Do Adult & KidParks and Recreation Classroom 204 W. South Ave. 687-52255:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Chamber Business After Hours Park State Bank 687-9885

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Monday, February 1511:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Body Sculpt Parks and Recreation classroom 687-5225

Happy President’s Day!

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Friday, February 195:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Wine and Beer tasting with live music Gold Hill Liquors7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Taste of the Grape Ute Pass Cultural Center 214-533-33636:00 p.m Live Music Featuring Mark Edens Woodland Country Lodge 888-687-4466

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Saturday, February 201:30 p.m. Sweets & Cocoa Afternoon Sleigh/Wagon Ride at M Lazy C Ranch 748-33984:30 p.m. Dinner Sleigh/Wagon Ride at M Lazy C Ranch 748-33989:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.Family Dog Training CSCS 687-52257:00 p.m Karaoke Featuring Brent Woodland Country Lodge 888-687-4466

Sunday, February 211:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. Hikes for Your Health Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument 748-3253 2:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. Wildlife Management in the Pikes Peak Region Florissant Library 748-8259

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Monday, February 2211:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Body Sculpt Parks and Recreation classroom 687-52255:30- 6:30 p.m. Namaste Yoga Parks and Recreation classroom 687-522510:15 a.m.-11:15 a.m. Funky Fairy Tales Parks and Recreation classroom 687-52259:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Stories Alive! Parks and Recreation classroom 687-5225

Valentine’s Day Recipes

Things To Do

Strange News 7

Ingredients 16 ounces milk chocolate chips 2 tablespoons shortening 1 pound fresh strawberries with leavesDirections1. In a double boiler, melt the chocolate and shortening, stirring occasionally until smooth. Holding them by the toothpicks, dip the strawberries into the chocolate mixture.2. Insert toothpicks into the tops of the straw-berries.3. Turn the strawberries upside down and insert the toothpick into styrofoam for the chocolate to cool.

Ingredients20 fresh strawberries 1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, soft-ened 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts 1 1/2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugarDirections1.Dice two strawberries and set aside. Cut the stems off of each of the remaining strawberries, forming a base for strawber-ries to stand on. Starting at the pointed ends and cutting most of the way, but not completely through the stem end, slice each strawberry into four wedges.2. Beat the cream cheese until fluffy; stir in the diced strawberries, walnuts, and powdered sugar. Spoon or pipe about a teaspoon of mix into each strawberry.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries Valentine Night Strawberries

Maple SalmonIngredients1/4 cup maple syrup 2 tablespoons soy sauce 1 clove garlic, minced 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 pound salmonDirections1. In a small bowl, mix the maple syrup, soy sauce, garlic, garlic salt, and pepper.2. Place salmon in a shallow glass baking dish, and coat with the maple syrup mixture. Cover the dish, and marinate salmon in the refrigerator 30 minutes, turning once.3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F4. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven, and bake salmon uncovered 20 min-utes, or until easily flaked with a fork.

Shrimp ScampiIngredients1 (8 ounce) package angel hair pasta 1/2 cup butter 4 cloves minced garlic 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined 1 cup dry white wine 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsleyDirections1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Stir in pasta and return pot to boil. Cook until al dente. Drain well.2. Melt butter in a large saucepan over me-dium heat. Stir in garlic and shrimp. Cook, stirring constantly, for 3 to 5 minutes.3. Stir in wine and pepper. Bring to a boil and cook for 30 seconds while stirring constantly.4. Mix shrimp with drained pasta in a serving bowl. Sprinkle with cheese and parsley. Serve immediately.

Happy Valentine’s Day Teller County!!!