Wetmore-Hardscrabble Genealogical & Historical Society

WHG&HS October Meeting, October 13

Happy October!  Weather is fantastic, isn't it?

This Saturday will be our monthly meeting of the Society at the History Center.

We will have an update on the Homestead Tour from Dr. Hamilton and his committee along with remarks on the Walking/Riding Tour of the old Wetmore buildings and homes.  An update regarding the Cookbook will be given by Dave Alexander.  The hayride will be discussed by Peggy Martin.

The application for the Rosenstock Award through the Denver Westerners has been submitted by Jeff Broome.  We were early with our submittal to him; Jeff gave full packets to each member of their Committee, including Tom Noel who is known throughout the state as "Dr. Colorado" for his historic knowledge.

Bill Howell will have information on Ft. LeDuc.  Jane Carpenter has been working on the painting of the Post Office.  Do you know who LeRoy R. Hafen is?  Have you heard of The Colorado Women's Hall of Fame?  Do you know some of the women who have been inducted?

Jeannie and three other Board members met with Conrad and Nancy Rehberg from Kentucky, and their daughter Sarah from Denver, on September 28th.  We'll have a brief report on that conversation. 

Member Kathy West is having both of her knees replaced today at St. Mary Corwin Hospital.  Peggy Martin's daughter, Jamie, will be one of the nurses in the operating room, so we know Kathy will be in good hands.  Many blessings for a successful surgery and recuperation.

See you Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Society meeting room behind the Post Office.

Margaret

WHG&HS September Meeting, September 8th

Happy Labor Day! I hope everyone has enjoyed a safe three-day weekend.

Our monthly meeting will be this coming Saturday, September 8, 10 a.m., at the History Center behind the Post Office in Wetmore.

See you all on Saturday! Margaret.

Tour of the Hamilton Ranch at Babcock Hole, Wetmore

Dr. and Mrs. Robert Hamilton had guests numbering that lucky number "15" after the WHGHS potluck Saturday past at their Babcock Hole ranch.  The guests were treated to an interior "look see" of the former Wolverton home (also known as the Lafayette Wilcox homestead) and viewed the awesome, rugged mountains that surround it.  Speaking for one and all, thank you for your gracious, interesting tour!

Hamilton Garden

Rocking Chairs on the Porch

Saddle Mules

Duck Pond

Texas Longhorns, View from the front porch

Vintage Cowboy Boot Collection

Wetmore Recipe Share Pot Luck

On Saturday, August 11, 27 members of the Wetmore-Hardscrabble Genealogical and Historical Society gathered at the Wetmore Community Center for a delicious pot luck lunch.

President Margaret Storm says,
"I would like to thank all who participated in the "Old Timey Recipe Potluck" on Saturday, August the 11th.  We had bison stew, bison green chili, and bbq brisket as the meat dishes plus the salads, vegetables and desserts courtesy of the recipes from our grandmothers, great-grandmothers, mothers and aunts in the Wetmore area.  It was fun, laughter and too much food!  You made the potluck a tremendous success!"

These recipes will be included in a recipe booklet soon to be for sale as a fundraiser for the Society.  More details will be provided in the near future!

The main dishes included:

 Buffalo Pot Roast from Breece/Snow (prepared by Dave and Seth Alexander and Joan Hamilton. The buffalo meat was generously provided by Dr. Robert and Joan Hamilton.)

 

Buffalo Green Chili  prepared by Joan Hamilton

Side dishes included:

Cucumber Salad recipe from Watson, prepared by Margaret Storm

 

Vegetable Salad from Allie Watson, prepared by Carole Custer

 

Corn Pudding from Dunsmoor, prepared by Hobson

 

Baked Zucchini from Watson, prepared by Jane Carpenter and Bill Howell

 

Wetmore Beans from Porter/Culpin, prepared by Jeannie Culpin

 

Ice Box Rolls from Watson, prepared by Dave and Anne Hayward

Desserts!

Devil's Food Cake from Watson, prepared by Margaret Storm

 

Breece Cream Pie from Breece, prepared by Peggy Martin

 

Sour Cream Cookies from Lamelia Taylor, prepared by Sandra Cox

 

 

 

 

Potluck Saturday, August 11

Dear Members, This is a reminder that our August meeting is a potluck using the recipes from the mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers, aunts from the Wetmore area. It will be held at the Wetmore Community Center at 10 a.m. for a short meeting and the set-up for the potluck. Yum, the food will be scrumptious!

Dave has figured 25-26 people attending the potluck.  He feels we might want to double our recipes to make sure we have enough food.  If it doesn't create a hardship on you, I would appreciate you doing so.

If you don't have a recipe yet, please let me know so that one can be sent to you.

The Society is furnishing plates, silverware, napkins, cups, tea, lemonade, condiments and ice.

A special note for those traveling to Wetmore via Florence. The bridge at mile marker 5 is out of commission. You will have to turn left at the golf course/home area and travel on the dirt road that is County Road 19 to Wetmore. It is about 5 miles longer and takes 30 minutes from Florence instead of the normal 15. Be care of the potholes.

Thanks and see you on Saturday,

Margaret and Dave

Spirits of the Past Booklet Sales to Benefit Fremont County Heritage Commission

Spirits of the Past celebrate Fremont County's Sesquicentennial Anniversary, November 1, 2011

 

Available Now: Spirits of the Past, Compiled by Linda Carlson, PH.D. and Margaret Stiles Storm.  This 55 page booklet, complete with area photographs, highlights the biographies of the early pioneers of Fremont County and the founders of Canon City. It is available for $10.00 and proceeds go to the Spirits of the Past program of the Fremont County Heritage Commission.

Please e mail Margaret Stiles Storm to make a purchase

Mission of the Spirits of the Past: To have volunteers portray prominent citizens and visitors to early day Fremont County both by researching the person so that it is based on fact and then to dress in the time period was the vision.  It was a magnificent way to increase the awareness of the county's 150th anniversary and to tell the stories of the county heritage left to those of us who followed.  The "Spirits of the Past" was approved and brought under the umbrella of the Fremont County Heritage Commission who authorize the activities, programs and written materials.

Numerous requests from residents and visitors for reference material on the stories of those portrayed prompted the writing of the booklet.

The Fremont Historical Society would like to welcome anyone interested in participating in the Spirits of the Past program.  Please visit the Fremont County Heritage Commission for contact information.

 

Westcliffe to Celebrate 125 Years!

Westcliffe will be 125 years old on July 30th!

Celebrations having been on going since May 26 starting with the Memorial Day weekend parade and will conclude with a full day of activities on July 28.

Click Here to view Westcliffe Quasquicentennital Happenings July 28th

Click Here to view more Westcliffe Quasquicentennital Information

History of Westcliffe

Westcliffe was incorporated in July 1887 and is named for Westcliffe on-the-Sea in England, the birthplace of Dr. William A. Bell.

Dr. William A. Bell owned the ranch that the original town of Westcliffe is platted on and began to sell his subdivided lots after convincing the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad to extend its rail line to his property in 1881.

Today, Westcliffe is the county seat. Call the Westcliffe town hall at 783-2282 for more information.

 

WHG&HS Annual Meeting July 14

Dear Members,

4th of July has come and gone, but we need to celebrate America, and those who defend her, every day of the year!  Thank the Lord that we've received some moisture and pray for more.

Saturday, July 14th, is our meeting date for the month of July.  It is the annual meeting for the state of our affairs.  We have no election of officers this year.  We will make plans for the August 11th potluck where Dave Alexander and son will prepare a meat dish(es) from the recipes submitted.  Everyone else will need to bring a side dish to share, preferably one from the past.  Discussion on the balance will take place at the meeting.

See you this coming Saturday at 10 a.m. in our History Center located behind the Post Office.

Margaret and your Board of Directors

WHG&HS Meeting Reminder-June 16

Hi Everyone! Just wanted to remind everyone that our June meeting is Saturday, June 16th, which is the third Saturday of the month.

We have our annual meeting in July; but no elections this year. Just state of the Society information. August will be the potluck and recipe tasting. We'll have an update on the "recipes" (Dave?) and status to see who has been working on their women for the book. Also a couple of bookkeeping items that need decisions.

It was good to see P.O. Abbott at the tour in Pueblo along with Bill and Dick! It is an interesting museum, bright and clean, with good exhibits.

See you June 16th, Margaret and the Board

Wetmore Area Recipe Book-Please Share Your Family Recipes

Dear Members,

We remind you that the collection of the recipes from our great-grandmothers, grandmothers, and mothers who were from the early day Wetmore/Hardscrabble area is still a project on which we are working.  If you have friends whose relatives lived during this time period in the Wetmore area, you can submit their recipes for them too.  Just follow our procedure for the recipes AND include the following for your submittals:  include a picture of the woman and a short biography of her so that they also can be included.

Submit to Dave Alexander at [email protected] or to me, Margaret Storm, at [email protected] 

Late summer or early fall, we will have a luncheon featuring a few of the recipes for the membership.  Dave and his son, Seth, have volunteered to cook a couple of the more unusual ones and we will fill-in with potluck items.  More later on this...

Thank you and early submittal is appreciated!

Margaret