Local Woman Guesses Correct Time for Burro Race
Boom Days Committee Member Barb Brink presents Carrie Casias with an $800 check for guessing the winning Burro’s time.
Leadville native Carrie Casias guessed the correct winning time for the Burro Race and collected her $800 winnings from Boom Days Committee Member Barb Brink. When asked what she planned on doing with the windfall, Carrie stated “Pay Rent! Well, at least get ahead on rent.”
And how did she pick her numbers – 3:42:52.4? Birthdays? Anniversaries? “Just guessed!”
Congratulations, Carrie! You deserve it!
Boom Days Sports Results
Zack & Jack Win International Pack Burro Race
Winners George Zack and his Burro Jack head to the top of Mosquito Pass at the International Pack Burro Race in Leadville. Photo: Brandon Fuller.
In a Finish Line announcement that sounds more nursery rhyme than burro race, George Zack and his Burro Jack took first place in Leadville’s International Pack Burro Race on Sunday, August 5. Zack & Jack came across the finish line at 3 hours 42 minutes 52 seconds and 4 tenths (3:42:52.4), nearly 20 minutes ahead of the second place finishers, Hal Walter and Laredo at 4:01:33.
The Women’s Division of the International Pack Burro Race saw 12 teams cross the Finish Line.
In the women’s race, it was Diane Vander Hoven with Stash who were first welcomed home by the cheering crowds. Their winning time was 2:32:42:43, nearly 25 minutes ahead of competitor Mary Kuester at 2:57:14:03. 
Racers and Burros head up Mosquito Pass: Git Your Ass Up The Pass! Photo by Brandon Fuller
Boom Days Softball Tournament Hits a Home Run!
The Boom Days Softball Tournament saw 18 teams at bat over the weekend.
The Boom Days Softball Tournament saw the Jordanellis of Brighton/Ft. Lupton take the top prize on Sunday, August 4. Second place went to Styx of Eagle County. Rounding out the top three was Tony’s Kids also from Eagle.
Tournament organizer James Gerbitz said that 18 teams participated this year, with about 5 teams from Leadville.
And it was an injury-free weekend!
Vonnie’s Voice Racers at Start Line for a Good Cause
Funds Raised to Educate & Legislate to Protect Victims of Stalking
Runners Take Their Mark at the 2nd Annual Vonnie’s Voice 5k Walk/Run.
The 2nd Annual Vonnie’s Voice 5k Walk/Run saw 112 racers at the start line on Saturday August 4, with just as many choosing to “sleep in” for the cause and donate instead. Leadvillite Karl Remsen took first place again this year with a time of 16:38. The top woman was Mandy Scott with a time of 26:13.
The 5k race is the primary fundraiser for Vonnie’s Voice, a non-profit whose primary objective is to raise awareness about stalking and support stalking victims’ rights through strengthening legislation. Now in its second year, the committee has made a great deal of progress towards its goals.
Miss Vonnie’s Family shows their support – We Are Family!
Here is a list of its progress to date.
- The Vonnie’s Voice Committee’s primary objective is to strengthen the current stalking laws in Colorado so that no other person or family has to experience such a horrible crime. The Committee has made tremendous progress on this goal through HB12-1114. The measure passed unanimously through both assemblies of the Colorado Legislature in ONE MONTH! The legislation now waits for Gov. John Hickenlooper’s signature, after which it will be known as Vonnie’s Law.
- Vonnie’s Voice Scholarship. In May 2012, the committee awarded its first scholarships. Two $1,500 scholarships have been created in Vonnie’s memory and were presented to two (2) graduating seniors at Lake County High School Class Day this May.
- Winter Coats for Students. The Kindergarteners at Pitts Elementary School – where Vonnie taught for over 20 years – stayed warm and cozy this winter with donations of coats, pants, hats gloves – everything kids need to protect them from Leadville’s cold! The Committee also extended that donation to the little ones at Morning Star Child Care Center.
- Family Crisis Center. A donation in Vonnie’s name was made to the new (almost finished) Leadville Family-Crisis Center being constructed by the Advocates of Lake County to protect victims of violence. The children’s playroom will be named in Vonnie’s memory.
- Local Programs. Additional funds were also dispersed to Trick-or-Treat Street and the Tree of Sharing.
BACKGROUND: The genesis of Vonnie’s Law is a terrible tragedy that occurred in Leadville, Colo. on July 7, 2010 when Yvonne “Vonnie” Flores was brutally murdered in her own driveway by a man who lived next door to her and had been stalking her for five years. Vonnie had filed a restraining order, yet continually lived in fear, worried about her safety. Nothing was done to protect her. Vonnie was a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and educator. For most in the Leadville community, Yvonne Flores was known as Miss Vonnie, a kindergarten teacher at Pitts Elementary for over 20 years. For kids growing up in this small mountain community, everyone knew Miss Vonnie. But today, many school children – the kids of some of her students – will know Miss Vonnie as the scholarship named in her honor, or the beautiful custom bench that sits in the corner of the playground of the school where she used to teach. And now, future generations will know the law, Vonnie’s Law, named in her honor to protect other victims of stalking. For more information or to donate: Vonnie’s Voice, P.O. Box 1986, Leadville, CO 80461 or log on to: http://www.VonniesVoice.org.
