THE freshness of spring continues through the week with mild temps and the possibility of a bit more moisture. In the meantime we take a look at a basketball team for the ages and present our 100th episode of The Valley Pod. Read on:
1. ‘A team that won’t be beat, can’t be beat’
For us, the 1939 Alamosa High state championship team is a personal journey of discovery. Our dad was Carmel E. Lopez, and growing up we heard the stories of this glorious team. They were a team for the ages, never to be forgotten, from a period when the world was calling for their attention but the game of basketball held them in their youth. Andy Lavier, the principal at Alamosa High, has long wanted to learn more about each of the team members and their fates after their legendary run to Alamosa’s first-ever state championship. This one is for Principal Lavier. Here’s the full story.
2. The Valley Pod 100
Adams State Interim President David Tandberg was guest 100 on The Valley Pod, entertaining us with stories from his initial seven months on campus. He told us he couldn’t talk about whether he is a candidate for the permanent appointment as president due to confidentiality agreements, and that was fine with us. We enjoyed having him in the studio as we celebrated 100 episodes of The Valley Pod. Take a listen. The Valley Pod streams on-demand here and wherever you get your podcasts.
3. Redrawing city council wards
The city of Alamosa has been busy working with a committee of volunteers to redraw city council wards. It’s a process necessary following the 2020 Census and the growth the city experienced over a decade. The city council will begin to take up the work of the committee in April. Meanwhile, in a separate process, the Alamosa County Board of Commissioners will have a public hearing at its meeting Wednesday, March 22, on a proposed commissioner redistricting.
4. ‘Frontiers in History: People, Places, Ideas’
The Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area asked students who participated and competed in the most recent Regional History Fair to present projects that reflected the San Luis Valley as a Frontier in History. The result was a broad array of historical topics that ultimately netted scholarships to these seven students: Laila Martinez, Durae Naranjo and Avery Hostetter (pictured), and Leah Smith, Parker Mitchell, Jeana Dunn and Alaysha Silva. Each received a SdCNHA scholarship for 2023 that will help further their education. Here’s more on the winners and their winning projects.
5. ‘We Love Our National Park’ celebrations return in April
No question the Great Sand Dunes National Park is the single biggest driver of tourism into the San Luis Valley. Visit Alamosa and Great Sand Dunes staff will celebrate with “We Love Our National Park” month in April. The upcoming campaign marks the return of this community-wide celebration. Restaurants, retail shops and attractions throughout Alamosa County will once again show their love to the Great Sand Dunes National Park with themed specials, drinks, meals, desserts, displays, and special events during April to mark the month-long celebration. The Outdoor Citizen podcast with Marty Jones will have more on the festivities planned for April in an episode that streams this coming week. Watch for it.
TOP PHOTO: Hikers at Great Sand Dunes National Park, by Madeleine Ahlborn
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