Birding, Book Signings, and Billboard Magazine

May 9, 2024

The choir director for the Montezuma-Cortez High School is taking ten of her Chamber Choir students to perform at Carnegie Hall with the New England Symphonic Ensemble on June 1st. The choir now has a GoFundMe page where anyone can donate to offset some of the trip costs. Ute Mountain Mesa Verde Birding Festival, hosted by the Cortez Cultural Center, is back for its 17th year May 15th through the 19th. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Cortez Public Library is hosting a free, mindfulness class on May 15th at 5 p.m. Laurie Dameron, a recipient of the Billboard Magazine award, will be performing at the Parque De Vida Amphitheater in Cortez on Friday, May 17th from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The Mancos Public Library and Cortez Public Library are hosting book signings and author talks this month featuring Carol Bylsma, author of A Chicken of Independent Means, and Jim Duke, author of Dances with Donkeys. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by TruWest Auto and Blondie’s Trophy Room.

Learn More...

Montezuma-Cortez High School - https://www.cortez.k12.co.us/our-schools/mchs

Ute Mountain Mesa Verde Birding Festival - https://birdingfestival.cortezculturalcenter.org/?doing_wp_cron=1714680496.7108089923858642578125

Cortez Cultural Center - https://cortezculturalcenter.org/

Cortez Public Library - https://www.cortezco.gov/761/Library

Mancos Public Library - https://mancoslibrary.org/

Carnegie Hall - https://www.carnegiehall.org/

New England Symphonic Ensemble - https://nesensemble.com/

Link to choir’s GoFundMe page - https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-support-our-choir-students-to-perform-in-nyc

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TruWest Auto - https://www.truwestautooutlet.com/

Bondie’s Trophy Room - https://www.facebook.com/Blondiestrophyroom/

Read the Full Transcript

10 Montezuma Cortez High School students have the honor of performing at Carnegie Hall. The Ute Mountain Mesa Verde Birding Festival is back this May. Local libraries are hosting book signings, author talks, and other events. You are watching the local news Roundup, brought to you by True West Auto and Blondies Trophy room. I'm Connor Shrieve. 10 choir students from Montezuma Cortez High School are fundraising for an upcoming trip to New York City. Marla Sitton, choir director for the Montezuma Cortez High School is taking 10 of her chamber choir students to perform at Carnegie Hall with the New England Symphonic Ensemble on June 1st. In addition to other fundraising, the choir now has a GoFundMe page, where anyone can donate to offset some of the trip costs. Ute Mountain Mesa Verde Birding Festival, hosted by the Cortez Cultural Center, is back for its 17th year, May 15th through 19th, featuring tour guides, guest lectures, and exploring a variety of birding hotspots. This year's keynote speaker, Tiffany Kirsten, will be presenting on women's safety outdoors and the personal growth she experienced while traveling and identifying over 700 species of birds. Visit the Birding Festival's website for registration information. The Cortez Cultural Center will also be featuring an avian art exhibit throughout the month of May with artwork for sale. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Cortez Public Library is hosting a free mindfulness class. The class will be taught by Marni Ren, an accredited, certified mindfulness educator on Wednesday, May 15th from five to 6:00 PM. Laurie Dameron, a recipient of the Billboard Magazine Award will be performing at the Parque De Vida Amphitheater in Cortez on Friday, May 17th from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. Dameron is a singer, songwriter and guitarist with Wind Chime Productions. The performance is hosted by the Cortez Public Library. The Mancos and Cortez public libraries are hosting book signings this month. First, Carol Bylsma, author of, "A Chicken of Independent Means and Other Companion Animals I Have Known," will be doing a book signing and author talk at the Mancos Public Library on May 18th, along with a signing at the Cortez Public Library on May 23rd. Next, Jim Duke, author of, "Dances with Donkeys: The Memoir of a Half-Ass Cowboy," will be doing a book signing and author talk at the Mancos Public Library on May 25th. Learn more about these and other stories online at montezumalocal.news. Thanks for watching this edition of the Local News Roundup. I'm Connor Shrieve.

Growing Community, Culture, and Climate-Adapted Crops

Pueblo Seed & Food Co. is a family-run organic farm and seed enterprise rooted in deep stewardship of land, seed, and community. Established in 1996 and now operating on irrigated acreage near Cortez, Colorado, the company grows a wide diversity of certified organic crops—open-pollinated seeds, chile peppers, varietal garlic, vegetables, legumes, and heritage grains—selling them as seeds, fresh produce, and handcrafted foods through their Seed & Bakehouse retail space. Their mission centers on renewing and strengthening community resilience by stewarding healthy seeds and food, guided by regenerative, biodynamic, and conservation farming traditions that honor both plant genetics and human stories. As winter approaches, Farm Direct Seed & Food Co. invites its community to celebrate the Winter Solstice Fundraiser on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at their downtown Cortez Bakehouse. This festive gathering not only marks the seasonal turning point with music, hands-on milling and baking, and holiday shopping, but also serves as a kickoff to their exciting new initiative—the Pueblo Seed & Grain Hub, developed in partnership with the Onward! Foundation to expand regional capacity for drought-tolerant grain and legume production. Join in the spirit of the season with whole grain cookies, community, and support for food and seed security in the Southwest. By Paige Sparks. This story is sponsored by Choice Building Supply and The LOR Foundation.

The Dolores Public Library Hosts Christmas Crafts and Competitions

The Dolores Public Library invites community members to craft, compete, and enjoy holiday festivities. Join LB Productions for a cozy night of holiday cheer at its Christmas choir concert and community sing-along. And the Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado opened applications for the Meaningful Opportunity through Learning and Advancement Scholarship. Watch to learn more! By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Big O Tires and Blondie's Trophy Room.

Festival of Wreaths and Silent Auction Begins Nov. 28

The Festival of Wreaths and online silent auction begins Sunday, Nov. 28. The Cortez Parks and Recreation Department seeks community input in a new semi-annual survey. Watch for details! And Thanksgiving Day is the top reported day for home cooking fires. Learn how you can stay safe this holiday season with tips from the National Fire Protection Association. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Hospice of Montezuma and Keesee Motors.

Nearly 5,000 Montezuma Residents Lose SNAP Benefits

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, lost federal funding starting on Saturday, November 1st. Learn how Montezuma County may be affected. Local libraries join forces to host a holiday diaper drive. And HomeToGo named 19 Colorado Ski areas on its top-70 list of best ski resorts for visitor value. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Blondie's Trophy Room and Big O Tires.

Durango Has Work Ahead as International Mountain-Bike Championships Host

In 1990, the Union Cycliste Initernational held the inaugural world mountain bike championships in Durango. In 2030, the world's best mountain bike riders will once again return to Purgatory for the UCI World Championships 40 years after the inaugural event. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Dunkin Donuts and Crystal Mart.

Cortez Library and Wildfire Adapted Partnership Receive Grants

The LOR Foundation awarded a grant to the Cortez Public Library to support new technology and youth STEM programs. The City of Cortez seeks community comments on the 2026 proposed budget and applicants to fill board vacancies. And the Wildfire Adapted Partnership will receive more than $2 million from the United States Forest Service. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Distil Beer Wine and Spirits and Home2Suites.

An Evening of Costumes and Community Celebration

The zombies are coming! Find out who won business and citizen of the year at the Dolores Chamber of Commerce’s zombie-themed banquet. Registration is open for the Cortez Police Department Fall Citizens Academy. And the Hospice of Montezuma will host two free seminars this month. Watch for details! By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by LOR Foundation and Choice Building Supply.

SWCO United Way Expands Mission as “Team Up”

As a fund-raising organization, United Way has a powerful reputation and international name recognition. So why would the United Way of Southwest Colorado sever ties with a philanthropic behemoth to become Team Up? President and Chief Executive Officer Lynn Urban explains, and donors like the change. By Deborah Uroda. This story is sponsored by Crystal Mart Durango and Fort Lewis College Center for Innovation.