Current and former members of the Fremont County Heritage Commission are honored by the Fremont County Commissioners. From left are Carol McNew, Peggy Sorenson, Paula Peterson, Mary Chamberlain, Commissioner Mike Stiehl, Millie Wintz, Margaret Storm Stiles, Commissioner Debbie Bell, Sherry Johns, Commissioner Ed Norden and Jon Stone.
Members of the Fremont County Heritage Commission were honored Dec. 13 for their hard work throughout the past year to celebrate the county’s Sesquicentennial.
Current and past members of the FCHC received official certificates and recognition from the Fremont County Commissioners during the regular session. Current members of the FCHC Carol McNew, Peggy Sorenson, Paula Peterson, Mary Chamberlain, Margaret Storm Stiles and Millie Wintz attended the meeting along with former members Sherry Johns and Jon Stone. Member Kay Ellison was unable to attend.
Fremont County Commissioner Debbie Bell recognized and discussed the creativity and effort that have gone into organizing various events to celebrate the county’s 150th anniversary. The group offered two different open house celebrations at the Administration Building. In addition, they integrated the anniversary into other celebrations throughout the county during the year and were honored as Grand Marshals of the Music and Blossom Festival Parade in May.
Members also coordinated “Spirits of the Past,” a group of local residents – including most FCHC members – who selected one famous or notorious past resident of Fremont County to impersonate. Each then studied that character, dressed appropriately in costume and personified the historical figure during various community-wide activities. They provided wonderful publicity during the Sesquicentennial, handing out informational brochures and their booklet, “150 Things to Do and See in Fremont County,” to residents and visitors alike. The program was widely acclaimed and received wonderful feedback from the public. The FCHC will continue its Sesquicentennial celebration into 2012, as well.
The Fremont County Commissioners currently are accepting applications to fill two vacant positions on the Heritage Commission to fulfill the Penrose and “Tourism” seats. Anyone interested in serving on the board and either living in Penrose or working in the tourism industry may submit a letter of interest to the BOCC, 615 Macon Ave., Room 106, Cañon City, CO 81212. The positions will remain open until filled.