LET’S START 2023 WITH LOVE! PHOTO BY RACHEL KOBI, AGE 8[/caption]

Today, I wanted to be out talking to people in person. But, alas, twas not meant to be. On Tuesday, I sit in front of this machine, making design happen and working on newspaper stuff. This happens for anywhere from 12 to 18 hours (yes, every week). So as much as I’d love to be out there, I am stuck here. So instead I threw a post on Facebook. It said, “With the idea of adding a “man on the street” article, I wonder if you’d help me (since I’m at home behind my keyboard, instead of out there today). I’d like to print this, so don’t respond if you don’t want to be in print (it will include your Facebook name). The questions: What was your favorite memory of life in the Peak to Peak in 2022? And, what are you looking forward to in 2023?”

Here is what my friends and neighbors had to share!

Jeff Waynik

Jeff and Susan’s Very Nice 10th Anniversary comes to mind (also because Doug got my bass all fixed up ). As for 2023 I look forward to a local art / music festival or two.

Greg Waltrip

Seriously, so many great memories over the years living up here. I’ve tried moving away a few times and end up moving back because of the climate here, and I love the people up here and the local culture. It’s just special to me. It’s changing, as all things do, but I still can’t imagine myself anywhere else.

Well, there was this one time that we ate a tourist. Hahahaaaaa

Cynthia Bakke

“This year was a hoary netherworld in multitudes of ways for so many people. Favorite memory/memories? 4th of July is always a blast in the mountain communities and the skies have been impressively dramatic in shape and hue as to be quite memorable. I’m looking forward to a more chill year ahead on many fronts and I hope for less consumer price-gouging from inflation impacting the working classes so direly. Boring, but I’ll take it after 2022.”

Margie DeFord Yansura

Is it ok to have a few favorite memories? I enjoyed hosting our friends and family who visited our mountain home in Ned. It was fun to show them our town, hike locales such as the Long Lake Trail at Brainard, attend church services and activities with us at Nederland Community Presbyterian Church and eat at our local favorite spots. Another highlight was a Mexican-themed progressive dinner we did with a group of friends. Every summer in Ned is wonderful. In 2023 I look forward to getting even more involved in the community helping others and more fun adventures with friends and family.

Mike Hermann

As I read this, what came to me was this past Thursday’s Jewish soulfood potluck at Very Nice Brewing...it was a warm and heartfelt evening that reminded me yet again why our little mountain community is so special, and why I love living here!

Eric Abramson

2022 brought a major change for the better at Nederland Fire Department!

Peter James

Decent Bagel, FDMD, return to pre-Covid “Normalcy”

Anastasia Kierst

Fall mushroom hunting! We found tons of porcini and I even found my first chanterelle patch. I’m looking forward to exploring more in 2023.

Lise Friisbaastad

Helping locals in my own community with Real Estate transactions! And, finally marrying my partner of 12 years, Dean DeRizzo !

Jill Dreves

In June, Wild Bear Nature Center invited three Native American tribes for a ceremony to bless and acknowledge that the 3,000 acres of Mud Lake and Caribou Ranch Open Spaces, including the land where the nature center will be built, is on the traditional and unceded homelands of the Arapaho, Ute, and Cheyenne peoples. Wild Bear broke ground for the new net zero nature center in July, 2022. Looking forward to 2023 when Wild Bear will lay the foundation and complete framing the nature center! One year from now there will be a building with a full crew inside working on the build out of the net zero facility. Photo credit: James DeWalt

Keziah Dirrim

I move here around July and its saved my life. The people here gave me a sense of community and support. Something i find difficult anywhere else

Rana Silver

My fav memory was how GCSD and local law enforcement came together to keep our kids safe at the beginning of this school year. It doubles as my worst memory. In 2023: not discussing. I just hope it’s a good one.

Terri Jacobson Miller

The views of the changing seasons from my front window in Missouri Lakes 2 is incredible all year long.

Tony Thorpe

Being involved with kids soccer.. I coached in the Peak To Peak League for Gilpin. I also refereed some of the middle school games for the Gilpin school. Refereeing is not easy. One thing in particular stands out and it was when one of the Gilpin girls received the ball from the throw-in, she dribbled the ball past the defense and scored. The coach of the other team wouldn’t stop screaming at me saying that she was offside. I stopped the game, went over to him and explained that you cannot be offside from a throw-in and if you do not pass the ball to an offside player then there is no offside. I suppose that’s my way of doing things and I didn’t want the game to continue until he fully understood and stopped yelling at me!

Leza Morosini Spencer

No one specific favorite memory, but so grateful I got to meet so many kind, friendly, giving, caring, funny, thought-provoking, and just plain decent new people, that luckily I can now also call friends. Hoping 2023 brings only positive changes in general.