The Mountain Mail

Dr. Temple Grandin, author and advocate for autism spectrum disorder and animal behavior, is coming to Salida Aug. 7 for a day of presentations hosted by Achieve Inc. Grandin has written more than 20 books on both autism spectrum disorder and animal behavior. She also consults on livestock handling equipment design and animal welfare, according to her website, templegrandin.com. Grandin will appear at a private event at 9 a.m. Aug.

Salida Mountain Trails will host a grand opening and ribbon cutting for the redesigned Salida Bike Park at 10 a.m. July 31. The bike park is at the base of Tenderfoot Mountain, near the Frontside Trailhead. The bike park has been completely renovated this summer after SMT hired Santa Fe-based Rocket Ramps to improve flow and progression using prefabricated features, including progressive jump lines and skills features, according to a press release sent by Jon Terbush, executive director, July 20.

While most teenagers spend their free time playing sports, hanging out with friends or catching up on sleep, one group is doing something a little different. The Chaffee Outdoor Service Association (COSA) is a group of teenagers who volunteer with outdoor service projects. Since February, they have completed nine different service projects, including trail maintenance, graffiti removal, overgrown vegetation removal and other outdoor projects.

The Chaffee County Department of Human Services is conducting a school supplies drive, asking the community to donate supplies or money to help families obtain supplies before school starts. Supplies can be dropped off at Walmart in Salida, Arkansas Valley Christian Mission in Buena Vista and the Salida and BV DHS offices, a DHS email stated.

Fourteen miles in four-wheel drive over ruts, potholes and bedrock – the road seems much rougher than I recall from the last time, several years ago. I yearn for the filling-rattling simplicity offered by mere washboards. Finally I reach my destination and establish camp, then sit shaded from the late afternoon sun in the lee of the camper. For the next couple of hours I soak up the solitude, watching and listening as the shadows lengthen across the mountains.

Craig Galler of Nathrop, a cherished husband, father, grandfather and friend, passed away on June 29, 2026, at the age of 71. Born on Feb. 1, 1955, in Washington, D.C., Craig's life was a testament to kindness, love and dedication, leaving a lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to know him. Craig was the beloved son of Jill Kidwell and the late Jerry Galler. He is survived by his devoted wife, Sheila, with whom he shared 24 beautiful years of marriage.

Paul Duncan, 88, a longtime Salida resident, passed away on June 28, 2026, at a care facility in Loveland. Paul spent his early life in Indianapolis. While in junior high, his parents relocated to Houston, Texas, for his father’s job. After graduating from Spring Branch High School in 1955, Paul was a lifeguard and began working for Houston Light & Power. Still close with many of his high school buddies, his good friend Thomas had a sister named Sally. Sally was friends with Cynthia Hewett.

Feeling that you belong is sometimes subtle. When you have it, you feel accepted, connected and valued as part of the group – you don’t necessarily think about why you feel good. This subtle feeling of holding a sense of belonging is quite possibly the most powerful driver in personal and community health. On the flip side, when you don’t feel that you belong, you almost always feel it, sometimes so strongly that it can lead to hopelessness.

Salida resident Elizabeth Wilson recently released her memoir, “Lonely Girl: An Unexpected Love Story.” Wilson is originally from Augusta, Georgia, and moved to Salida in August 2021. The story provides a view into Wilson’s search for community amid major life transitions. Much of the story takes place in Salida, following Wilson’s path of self-discovery with events such as career changes, moving locations, motherhood and divorce, while exploring themes of belonging, identity and connection.

Dear Editor: I’ve noticed a disturbing trend in The Mountain Mail’s obituaries. Not about the dead people personally, who all seem like decent folks. And not about the ones who died young, which is always a tragedy. But it does concern age, though. Half of the dearly departed seem to be younger than me. (For the record, I’m 76.) In the past, I can recall looking at the obituaries – the times I bothered to pay attention – and virtually all of them were about people older than me. Usually much older.