This January looks and feels like a genuine Colorado winter. The recent snowfall and howling winds are clear indicators of why many of our friends and neighbors dutifully pack their bags for Arizona this time of year. I say, let’s bundle up in our warm clothing, breathe in the crisp air and have fun in the snow. I’m looking forward to checking out the inaugural Indian Hills Winterfest at the end of the month, which sounds like it could be a great diversion with a lot of personality!

CAE Exhibit Showcases the Artistic Expressions of Teens

Center for the Arts Evergreen’s (CAE) third annual teen exhibition, Subject Matters, focuses on the young artists’ sources of inspiration, be it a loved one, an adventure in nature, a favorite memory, or a vision of the future.

The show features the original artwork of students ages 13-17. Their creations will be on display until February 11 at CAE, 31880 Rocky Village Drive in Bergen Park. Admission to the teen show is free. Presenting sponsors are Bruce Anderson State Farm Insurance Agency and Lynn Westfall of RE/MAX Alliance. For more information on the exhibition and other events on the CAE calendar, go to evergreenarts.org

In 2022, the CAE Teen Show went on the road for a yearlong showcase throughout the Denver metro area with stops at Children’s Hospital of Colorado and the Ralph L. Carr Justice Center in Denver. CAE strives to foster a positive, creative environment in which young and emerging artists realize their full potential as creative individuals. The Center provides quality art instruction, exhibitions, and events in addition to featuring local and nationally acclaimed artists in both curated and juried shows.

Indian Hills January 28 Fest Pokes Fun at Old Man Winter

Designed to combat cabin fever and add some whimsy to winter, the Indian Hills Improvement Association is hosting a Winterfest on Saturday, January 28 from noon – 4 pm at Arrowhead Park located at the intersection of Parmalee Gulch Road and Isoleta Road.

The afternoon will feature Mountain “Man” games open to everyone, a Youth Arts Show inside Grace Hills Community Church, a Kids Zone, food trucks, a silent auction, a bonfire, and live, hill-a-billy honky tonk music by the Gnarbellys. Attendees can participate in some fun and quirky activities including gourd bowling, snowshoe races, a tug of war competition, an egg toss, and a polar plunge. Proceeds will benefit the Indian Hills Improvement Association and the Indian Hills Fire Rescue.

Event sponsors include Spirit Bear Realty, Peak Mountain Maintenance, Artiodactyla, Geneva Glen Camp, Eudaimonia, and Bruce Anderson Farmers Insurance Agency. Meeting Sanctuary, Grace Hills Community Church, Day Plumbing and Heating and Big R are also event supporters along with Kittredge Animal Clinic, Kittredge Auto Rebuilders, Kittredge Market, Flicker & Finch Salon, and special assistance from the Evergreen Park & Recreation District. Visit the Indian Hills Improvement Association on Facebook for more details.

Mountain Foothills Rotary Ice Melt Contest Underway for Charitable Causes

The INSPIRE program, Evergreen Christian Outreach, Crutches4Africa and charities supported by the Mountain Foothills Rotary (MFR) Foundation will all be beneficiaries of the proceeds from the annual MFR Ice Melt Contest, which is officially underway. Rotarians, with the assistance of the Evergreen Park & Recreation District team, placed the ice melt barrel and cradle on the iced over Evergreen Lake just last week.

Individuals can participate in the Ice Melt Contest by purchasing tickets and entering the date and time when they believe the barrel will fall through the ice.

First place prize for the most accurate guess is $1,000, second place $500, third place $250, and fourth place is $125. Entries are due by midnight on March 17, 2023.

Tickets are one for $3, two for $5, five for $10, 11 for $20 and 67 for $100. You can buy tickets locally at EChO Resale, the Evergreen Chamber of Commerce, Buchanan and Wulf Recreation Centers, Evergreen National Bank, EverBean, Evergreen Commercial Group and Java Groove. Rotarians will be selling tickets in person most weekends outside Walmart, King Soopers and Evergreen Discount Liquors.

A fun contest activity this year is the chance to win three entry tickets by having your photograph taken with “I.C. Elk,” a stuffed animal that will be making several stops around town. If you find I.C., snap a selfie with him, tag the location you’re visiting and be the first to send it to [email protected]. You could receive three free contest tickets.

Tickets, additional contest details and information on sponsorship opportunities are available at EvergreenIceMelt.com.