LADY DIGGERS SETTING RECORDS BY APRIL LEWIS

LADY DIGGERS SETTING RECORDS BY APRIL LEWIS - First published in Clear Creek Courant on February 1, 2006

At the beginning of the season, Clear Creek girls basketball coach Robert Dennis must have made a note to himself that Clear Creek Lady Diggers
had several records to break.

So far this season, the girls have accomplished many of those, including:
1. The most games won in a season since the 2003-04 season. This season the team won 7 of 13 games. The Golddiggers deafeated Class 3A Metropolitan League opponent Platte Canyon 71-31 on Thursday and lost to Peak to Peak 36-35 on Saturday. The 2003-04 team won just six games.

2. The most games won consecutively since the 2002-03 season. Clear Creek won five-straight (all non-conference games) earlier this season.

3. The most Metro League conference games won in a season since the 2003-04 season.This season there have been two conference wins, tying the 2003-04 mark.

4. Bring a team back from a 1-19 record last year.

After Coach Dennis was making his list and checking it twice, this year's team must have done the same thing, by mapping out their course to have a winning season, all of the players have achieved personal bests.

Senior Danielle Lewis played in the 2003-04 season as a sophomore in six games, but didn't net any balls that season. She didn't play at all in the 2004-05 season, but this year has played in 14 games with 44 points scored. Danielle is co-captain of the team and has an upbeat attitude.

Her sister, freshman Missy Lewis, is a tall, accurate player who may have not have many points (just three), but she has a lot of potential as an up-and-coming basketball player. Both have achieved personal bests.

Starter senior Katie Liesveld played in the 2003-04 season as a sophomore in 10 games, but only had three points that season She started in the 2004-05 season as a junior and played in 15 games but went out due to injury late in the season. As a senior, she has played in 10 games with a 64-point total. She is co-captain of the team, and shows herself as a leader.

Her sophomore sister, Kori, a starter in last two seasons, hurt herself in the second game of the season, and won't be returning this season. Kori was the second leading scorer and rebounder on the team the 2004-05 season with 63 points and 78 rebounds.

Junior starter Elisse Headrick made 33 points for the 2003-04 season and had 48 rebounds. She averaged 3.0 points per game as a freshman. Although the team didn't do well in the 2004-05 season, Headrick was still a standout, having had been nominated as honorable mention player in the Metro League. She scored 144 points and had 73 rebounds and averaged 7.2 points per game.

In the 2005-06 season, she has 59 free throws, 15 3-pointers, 172 points and 103 rebounds so far this season and fluctuates between 11 and 13 points per game. Her career high was when she scored 20 against Kent Denver this season, although the team lost 57-42.

Starter junior Sam Reeves comes into the tough Metro League from Genoa-Hugo, which is a 1A school. She has already scored 107 points this season, and has made 8 3-pointers. She also has 82 rebounds.

Reeves fits in nicely with the team, and has made a difference both offensively and defensively, along with her sister, Nicole, a freshman, wjo is taller and provides back-up support at the post position. Sam has established herself in a leadership position as point guard and continues to achieve personal bests.

Sophomore starter Abby Miskolci, who most recently had an article written up about her in the Rocky Mountain News, is a fire starter who was born with only one hand. Although she is only about 5'3", she is quick, can block, steal, rebound, and can make 2-point, 3-point and free throw shots with ease. Last year she played in 13 games and 59 points with 10 3-point shots made.

This season she has scored 158 points with 22 3-point shots made. In the West Grand game, she made 5-of-11 3 point shots and finished with a career-high 20 points. She tied that mark against Platte Canyon. Her scoring average is 11.6 per game.

Sophomore Daniella Buss is one of three key reserves on the team. She is small, quick and smart. Last season she had 25 points and 28 rebounds. This season she has 39 points and 34 rebounds.

Sophomore Piper McGlaughlin plays hard and unforgiving. She is out on the court to get that ball, assist the other players and sometimes makes the points herself. Players on the team call her a "beast" because she can bench press more than 100 pounds.

Last season, she scored 16 points and had 10 rebounds in a total of 12 games. This season, she has scored six points and has rebounded four in a total of 5 games so far. If you are looking for someone with conviction, put Piper on the court.

Sophomore Hannah Popp does anything to rebound or block the ball from the other team. She is becoming a smart player, knowing where the ball is, and going after it. This season she has scored five points and grabbed 21 rebounds.

Allie Burrell is a freshman with big shoes to fill. Her brother, Chaz, is a top-ranked player in the state for points per game for the season. She is learning the ropes at home and on the Lady Diggers' court. She has contributed five points and five rebounds so far this season
in a total of 6 games. Willing to learn and the get job done.

Clear Creek Golddiggers Basketball 2005-2006

BETH MILLER MEMORIAL SERVICE WAS WELL ATTENDED BY APRIL DIERKING

BETH MILLER MEMORIAL SERVICE WAS WELL ATTENDED BY APRIL DIERKING - First published in Mountain Messenger on August 25, 1995

She walks on the clouds now, Lynn Miller-Granger said of her sister, Beth Miller, who disappeared 12 years ago.

A memorial service for Beth was held on August 16, 1995, at 11 o'clock in the morning, at St. Paul's Catholic Church, where Beth used to attend.Her immediate family, other family members and numerous friends paid tribute to the Idaho Springs girl who vanished on August 16, 1983 when she was 14 years old.

Father Michael Kerrigan and Father John Grabrian officiated the service, and special guest George V. Weidler sang at the service.

Miller-Granger praised Weidler for his work with Find the Children. His song "Who'll Find the Children?," is the official theme song for the organization.

Beth's mother, Irene Miller-Taylor, said that just because there has been a death certificate issued, she can't be 100% sure that Beth is dead.

She said that one way or another, she would like to know, for closure of her 12 year ordeal. Beth was remembered as a quiet girl who loved helping people.

It was also said that she will always remain young in everyone's mind.

Miller-Granger said that God must have wanted her with him because she remembered several times when Beth was near death in her short life. She told everyone of a time when Beth almost drowned in a lake and the time that Beth choked on a piece of birthday cake, years later.

Miller-Granger also said that a lot of good came out of the memorial service, because her whole family was able to come together and remember what a special person Beth was.

At the end of the service a painted glass window was dedicated to Beth's memory, it read, "Let the children come to me. For theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Weidler then sang, "You'll Never Walk Alone."

A PIECE OF HISTORY REVEALED BY APRIL DIERKING

A PIECE OF HISTORY REVEALED BY APRIL DIERKING - First published on February 7, 2001 in Clear Creek Courant

In the Jan. 31 edition of the Courant, Einar Jensen published "The future of our past..."

My Grandmother Josephine Tavenner's house was one of the houses featured in his story.

1204 Colorado Blvd. in Idaho Springs, Colorado

E. M. Wiley built the house at 1204 Colorado Blvd. in 1897. The first occupants were Sam and Augusta Smith in 1901.

The house hasn't changed much from the outside since then. A wrought iron fence surrounds the front yard and front yard steps that the picture in the article fails to show.

My grandparents, George and Josephine Tavenner bought the house from Lawrence D. and Fern Stone in 1970. Previous owners include George and Carol B. Patterson, who owned the house before the Stones.

I was six years old when I first stepped into the large five-bedroom home. My fondest memories are of being with my grandmother in that house. My sister, Shannon and I used to sing into a tape recorder in the kitchen. My grandmother has kept all of the tapes that we made.

Streamers hang in the attic from some party long before my grandparents bought the century-old house. The wallpaper in the dining room is original. The chandeliers that compliment the main floor are original, as is the lead-glass window next to the interior staircase.

My children enjoy the same pleasures about the house that I grew up with. I believe they even spend more time in the house than I ever did.

Every summer my grandmother lines the front steps with petunias. My children and I help her buy, plant, and sometimes water the blooming flowers.

All of us in our family realize what a piece of history the grand house is. We hope that a hundred years from now, the future owners will realize
it is as well.

TIVOLI-DENVER HOLDS UNUSUAL HISTORY BY APRIL DIERKING

TIVOLI-DENVER HOLDS UNUSUAL HISTORY BY APRIL DIERKING - First published in The Metropolitan on February 7, 1992

On the National Register of Historic Places since 1973, the Tivoli-Denver has had a most unusual history.

A listing in the Register ensures that the building and its major brewing machinery are protected and cannot be destroyed. This means that as it is converted into the student union, the building's unique character cannot be altered.

Moritz Sigi, a German-born immigrant, opened his "Colorado Brewery" at 10th and Larimer Streets in 1864. Six years later, Sigi's Hall was added to the site.

While riding through the streets of Denver, Sigi died when his coach overturned.

After Sigi's death, Max Melscheimer purchased the brewery and renamed it the "Milwaukee Brewery." Melscheimer's most significant contribution to the site was the Turnhalle Opera House. Completed in 1882, it was used for musicals, plays, lectures and other cultural events.

A gymnastics team, the Turnvereins, also performed at the opera house.

The giant copper kettles just north of the Turnhalle were added in 1890. The tops of these kettles can be seen from the fourth floor windows.

The days of the "Milwaukee Brewery" ended with Melscheimer's death in 1900, and that event began what we now call the Tivoli.

Shortly before Melscheimer died, businessman John Good foreclosed on the property. He renamed the site "Tivoli" after a famous amusement park in Copenhagen. He was fascinated by the name, which when read backwards states, "I lov it."

In 1901, Good's Tivoli Brewery merged with the Union Brewery to become "Tivoli-Union Brewery."

During prohibition, the brewery survived by making a cereal beverage called Dash which contained only a small amount of alcohol.

In 1969 the brewery closed due to a combination of competition from Coors and a labor strike three years earlier that lasted six weeks and cost the brewery $750,000.

During the early 1970s the property became part of an urban renewal project which created the Auraria Campus. In 1985, Trizec Corporation Ltd. leased the building and converted it into a shopping and entertainment facility. They added a brick walkway, spiral staircase, courtyards and an atrium to blend the brewery into a retail complex.

Students on the Auraria campus purchased that lease in 1991 so that the facility could become a student union.

While there are not many books written about the Tivoli, interested visitors can use a walking tour map, which is available from the second-floor information booth.

AURARIA VICTORIAN HISTORY AT HOME ON NINTH STREET BY APRIL DIERKING

AURARIA VICTORIAN HISTORY AT HOME ON NINTH STREET BY APRIL DIERKING - First published in The Metropolitan on February 28, 1992

They were farmers from Georgia and immigrants from Ireland and Germany, building a town along the southwest bank of Cherry Creek in 1858.

The town was Auraria, named by William Green Russell after his hometown in Georgia.

"Testimonials from Cherry Creek described Auraria as 'surrounded by rich gold mines,'" Stephen J. Leonard, chair of the history department at MSCD,
quoted in his and Thomas J. Noel's book Denver: Mining Camp to Metropolis.

A bitter rivalry between Auraria and Denver began when Denver started to prosper and grow. Before the Colorado Territory was created, the two towns ended their feud by consolidating.

On a moonlit night, April 6, 1860, a ceremony was held on Larimer Street bridge to end the "separate existence of Auraria," which in turn became Denver's first permanent settlement, as stated in Leonard and Noel's book.

The first settlers in the area, which is now called the Ninth Street Historic Park, located on the Auraria Campus, were middle-class working families.

After the turn-of-the-century, Jewish and Mexican-American families moved into the area.

The fourteen structures located on Ninth Street were built between 1872 and 1906.

Rosemary Fetter, publications coordinator for the Auraria Higher Education Center, said restoration of the houses included authentic Victorian colors on the exterior and remodeling some of the interior of several houses for a cost of $900,000.

Fetter, who has a vast knowledge of the Auraria Campus, said that the restoration of almost every structure was done "accurately to the period" of the houses.

Historic Denver Inc. wanted to save the structures and successfully raised the money to do so.

Since 1974, the Ninth Street Historic Park has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Other Auraria Campus structures on the register are the Tivoli Union Brewery (1890), the Emmanuel Chapel (1876 -- the oldest standing church in Denver -- and St. Elizabeth's Church (1896).

While St. Cajetan's Church (1926) is a notable piece of architectural history, it is not on the register.

The Mercantile (1906), last of the houses to be restored, was completed in the early 1970s.

The Golda Meir house was moved to the campus from several different locations. Its final resting place, a few doors away from St. Cajetan's, came in September 1988.

In 1969, voters passed a $6 million bond to build the Auraria Higher Education Center. Three institutions of higher learning went up on the 171 acres of land called Auraria.

The historic houses on Ninth Street are now being used by all three schools as office space for a variety of services.

Auraria has been a constant in Denver's history, bringing gold mines, prairies and hopes the the "oldest permanent settlement in the city," Fetter said.

THE MERCANTILE ANCHORS HISTORIC NINTH STREET PARK BY APRIL DIERKING

THE MERCANTILE ANCHORS HISTORIC NINTH STREET PARK BY APRIL DIERKING - First published in The Metropolitan on March 6, 1992

Anchoring historic Ninth Street Park with its solid red brick walls and ornate interior wood trim, 906 Curtis stands as a monument to American commercial architecture.

Built in 1906 by architect F. C. Eberly, the building was the corner grocery store where Albert B. Groussman and his wife, Belle, lived and worked. It continues serving residents today as The Mercantile restaurant.

"Two of the hallmarks of American commercial architecture, the detail of brick work and its red coloration, are found at 906 Curtis," a walking
tour map of Ninth Street Historic Park says.

The Groussmans were the first occupants of the building, but not the last. The Olona family lived in the house during the early '50s.

Looking back at it now, Peggy Olona said in an interview with Sara Milmoe, a CCD honors program student, "I wonder how a family of seven or eight,
with my parents, lived there?"

In describing the Groussman house, Olona said there were about four bedrooms, and a couple of them had "great big" closets.

"It was a comical-looking closet that went from the living room into a bedroom," she said, describing one closet.

It has been said that the foundation is made of earthquake-proof sandstone.

Today, The Mercantile basement has an espresso bar and seating. On the main floor is the kitchen and cashier stands. The second floor has seating and restrooms.

Another place to sit, eat or just talk is the court, a patio located just behind the building.

WESTMINSTER CLUB HOSTS DANCE SHOW BY APRIL DIERKING

WESTMINSTER CLUB HOSTS DANCE SHOW BY APRIL DIERKING - First published in The Front Page on March 14, 1991

Rap-Pop-Soul-George Michael-INXS-Mariah Carey. Rok TV has it all. including a 90s look for an age-old format.

Rok TV is the newest dance show for the Denver area. Filmed every Wednesday night at Club L.A., right here in Westminster at 88th and Wadsworth, Rok TV is Denver's answer to hot, happenin', body-movin' good times.

The show, produced by KUSA, a Denver affiliate of ABC, and produced by Gannett Producations, is broadcast on channel 9 Saturdays at 11 a.m. and at 11:35 p.m.

Scott Patrick, 9News entertainment reporter, and Christelle, host the show, with enthusiasm and pizzazz.

Kimberly Allen, the show's associate producer, said, "Scott doesn't just show up and read his lines, he has quite a bit of input." Jim Sullivan, the owner of Club L.A., and 9News' Jim Berger, are the show's executive producers, and according to Patrick, both have been very helpful from the start.

Rok TV's format is a CHR (contemporary hit radio) style, which most pop radio stations use.

The show keeps up with the latest hits, using Billboard Magazine's ratings.
Only V.I.P (very important people) pass holders are admitted into filming, and getting a V.I.P. pass could be harder than a Super Bowl ticket.

Allen said that all the dancers on the show auditioned before the show went into production. She hopes that after the last taping, in April 1991, the show's producers will audition more dancers, so that other dancers will get a chance to be on the program.

Gone are the days of the typical male-female duo, any combination of the sexes are what's happening today. The average age of the dancers are 19 and 20-year-olds.

The show uses video and studio recordings simultaniously, and future shows might be airing live bands on the program.

Patrick is very enthusiastic about Rok TV, and he especially likes the "look", and the open-space of the dance floor. Both Patrick and Allen hope the show will be into syndication.

The Club L.A. location was chosen for its "non-alcoholic environment for young adults," according to the club's television advertisement.

HALLWAY SCULPTURES HINDER DISABLED-STUDENT ACCESS BY APRIL DIERKING

HALLWAY SCULPTURES HINDER DISABLED-STUDENT ACCESS BY APRIL DIERKING - First published in The Metropolitan on March 27, 1992

The Auraria Campus, for the most part, is accessible to disabled students, according to the manager of the AHEC Office of Disability Services.

Melanie Tem said that accessibility to Auraria buildings isn't too bad. She sees a problem with art sculpture in the Arts building corridors, not with door and ramp accessibility.

A number of students have expressed concerns over some of the art sculpture, saying that they block the hallway so that students in wheelchairs can't get around the sculpture.

Tem said that she's afraid that if blind students wanted to walk along the corridor wall, they couldn't because some sculptures are blocking the pathway.

She also had a concern over a sculpture that is no longer being displayed, and in which one student wrote a concern to a display calling itself "Dangerous Art."

The display was made up of broken glass and loose coins. Some sharp edges of glass stuck out and the student was concerned that a blind student night be in danger of getting hurt.

"For the most part, accessibility is pretty good," said Bret Hardesty, a senior majoring in broadcast communications, quadriplegic since birth.

Hardesty said that he uses the campus mini-van and that students and professors are willing to help, but adds that he's pretty self-reliant.

Hardesty and Tem agree that possibly the inaccessible buildings on campus are on Ninth Street. Although Hardesty has never had to use any service offered on Ninth Street, he said he could just imagine having a hard time entering on the the buildings.

Tem said that it's "not going to be enough to say that the buildings are historic and leave it like that." She said she hopes that in the future something can be done to make the historic buildings accessible to disabled students without compromising the historic value of the buildings.

The American with Disabilities Act, which went into effect Jan. 26, will help in the future development of disabled accessibility to newly constructed buildings, not only in higher education buildings, but in all public buildings, such as restaurants.

MSCD Disability Services, located in Arts 177, helps students in four major areas: academics, which include recorded text books, books with Braille and other learning tools; personal counseling for students; advocacy, including negotiating any problems that students might have with other students or faculty; and education in-services for the academic department.

SEASONS BY APRIL ALGIEN

SEASONS BY APRIL ALGIEN - First published in The Prospector/Front Range Journal on October 31, 1979

High above the cerulean sky,
the iris rainbow subsists,
and creamy clouds gather in patterns,
wiping away the sun.

Towering above the mauve mountain,
the big horns romp and play,
and shamrock landscapes turn amber,
bringing the autumn season.

Down below the refreshing meadow,
the lazy butterflies flutter,
and crystal lakes freeze in winter,
waiting for the sign of spring.

PASSAGES OF TIME BY APRIL ALGIEN

PASSAGES OF TIME BY APRIL ALGIEN - First published in The Prospector/Front Range Journal on December 19, 1979

As I walk through each passing day
I keep my head up high
awaiting for that whisper of silence
to give a solid reply.

As I wait for love's many passions
I anticipate the pleasures
forgetting life's many worries
to all the right measures.

As I listen for a soft-spoken voice
I make it a point to follow
dreaming that it will all come true
to believe until tomorrow.

As I carry on through life alone
I wonder what went wrong
blinding myself with false hope
to stay in the place I most belong.

As I sing in a silent tone
I see things bright and gay
searching for a life all my own
to eliminate evil in the way.

As I search for a new tomorrow
I wake with mighty power
remembering the moment together
to hold all 'til the last hour.

As I weep upon my pillow
I wipe my eyes to dry
concentrating on what went on
to have the chance to die.

BUTTERFLY BY APRIL ALGIEN

BUTTERFLY BY APRIL ALGIEN

the lace of the butterfly

is a handmade article

of talent and ability.

her elegancy captures my

heart in one single instance.

the velvet touch of miracles

woven within herself

travel to the meadows.

she compliments the meadows

with life and brilliance.

the butterfly,

she is a symbol of

everlasting harmony.

MOTHER BY APRIL ALGIEN

MOTHER BY APRIL ALGIEN

wise and caring

as a mother can be

she is strong as a

current, and as

calm as the sea.

a mother is a sturdy shelter

she always has a

helping hand to give

and is always the

protector.

I love my mother,

for she is what

life is for

she is the meaning of

 love

and in my heart

she will always

endure.

A MIRROR ON THE WATER BY APRIL ALGIEN

A MIRROR ON THE WATER BY APRIL ALGIEN

the land along the shore of the lake

reflects on the water,

like islands.

on the lake shines the glass,

 that fell out of the sky.

drops of gold are glued on the lake.

drops of oil become a band of rainbows.

the water freezes,

CRACKLE!

it breaks and turns liquid again.

black sky, gold stars,

a moonlit night on the water.

I can see Venus,

there it is in the marshes,

it's flowing out to eternity.