Some Things Never Change

Sledding down Pennsylvania St., Denver, Colorado ~ 1910

Winter Fun, Mountain-Style

Relaxing After the Holiday

Grazing Reindeer

 

~ If you haven’t gotten your 2012 Firefighter Calendar yet, it’s not too late! You can purchase them at The Big Chili. 100% of the proceeds from every calendar sold through the end of the year goes to our local fire departments.

National Western Stock Show

Stock Show Parade

Did you know the National Western Stock Show is in its 106th year? The NWSS is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides college and graduate level scholarships in agriculture and medicine for practice in rural areas.

Come out and enjoy more than 15,000 head of horses, cattle, sheep, swine, goats, llamas, alpacas, bison, yak, poultry and rabbits, along with over 350 vendors. The 16‐day show hosts one of the world’s richest regular season professional rodeos, largest horse show and Colorado’s largest tradeshow.  The National Western Stock Show is noted for hosting the world’s only carload and pen cattle show, held in the historic Denver Union Stockyards.

In addition, the National Western hosts 42 ticketed performances in the Stadium Arena, Denver Coliseum and National Western Events Center. Among these are two Mexican Rodeo Extravaganzas, three PBR Denver Chute‐Outs, 23 PRCA Rodeos, the Martin Luther King, Jr. African‐American Heritage Rodeo, the Gambler’s Choice Open Jumping Stake, two Wild West Shows, the RAM Invitational Freestyle Reining, the Grand Prix show jumping, two SuperDogs shows, two performances of An Evening of Dancing Horses® and four National Western Draft Horse and Mule Shows.

This year’s event runs from January 7th through January 22nd. Check here for event schedule and ticket information.

~ ~ If you haven’t gotten your 2012 Firefighter Calendar yet, it’s not too late! You can purchase them at The Big Chili. 100% of the proceeds from every calendar sold through the end of the year goes to our local fire departments.

Skating

It starts today. Come on out to Evergreen Lake.

Christmas Firehouse

Christmas villages are very quaint. You know what I’m talking about – the little Christmas towns some of us set up in our bay window, with little buildings, little trees, little people. The more detail, the better. It adds to the charm to have vehicles, or a dog, or an ice rink with real skaters. When the village is lit, it’s truly beautiful. But it really isn’t complete without a firehouse – arguably the most important building in any small town. If you’re trying to think of the perfect gift for the one who painstakingly sets up the little village in your home, consider this.

 

If you haven’t gotten your 2012 Firefighter Calendar yet, it’s not too late! You can purchase them at The Big Chili. 100% of the proceeds from every calendar sold through the end of the year goes to our local fire departments.

Relaxation

The man who doesn’t relax and hoot a few hoots voluntarily, now and then, is in great danger of hooting hoots and standing on his head for the edification of the pathologist and trained nurse, a little later on.  ~Elbert Hubbard

Relax

Mountain Firefighter Challenge

The Mountain Firefighter Challenge – 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Freedom

Freedom Harley-Davidson is part of our community of sponsors for The Big Chili Cook-Off. They will have a booth on September 11th, so be sure to look for them  and their bikes. If you’ve ever dreamed of owing a hog, now is your chance to get a photo with one for your dream board! They will also have Miss Harley (who is a local girl) at their booth.  If you’re not familiar with this company, you can check them out here. Thank you, Freedom Harley-Davidson! It’s because of our sponsors that The Big Chili comes together.

Proven Character

In December, 2008, firefighter Brian Kopp was snowmobiling with his friend and his friend’s son. As they were enjoying the great Colorado mountains, and each other’s company, the worst-case scenario began to unfold. They were caught in an avalanche. As the wall of snow raced toward them, Brian actually reached safety but quickly realized the boy with them had not. And so he did what came naturally to him – he turned around and went back.

This epitomizes the character of a firefighter – they turn around, and go back. As a country, we witnessed this very thing during the September 11 attacks, as approximately 250 firefighters laid down their lives helping others. Many of those ran into certain death, hoping they might save someone else with their sacrifice. As we watched it unfold, with shock and horror, we couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride at this tremendous act of bravery.

The bravery of a firefighter is not limited to the job. The story of Brian demonstrates that. In many respects, the story that was written on that day in 2008 is a horrible tragedy. Brian Kopp laid down his life for the son of his friend. The boy he was trying to save died with him; but as Brian’s wife told a local news station, ”I think the end of his story tells who he was. He died doing what he loved, trying to save someone, trying to help someone else.”

I cannot help the thought that flits through my mind as I remember these events. If ever I am faced with a life and death situation, I hope I display this kind of moral courage. I hope that I experience no hesitation. I hope that when tested, my character is of this kind: the character of one who turns around, and goes back.