Barbara Lawlor

Coal Creek Canyon

Walking into the annual Coal Creek Canyon Improvement Association Expo on Saturday afternoon, one was greeted by a huge pumpkin stuck with sticks and marshmallows on the ends. Children were invited to pull out the stick and put the marshmallow over the candle inside the pumpkin. When melted, the sticky gooey slightly browned marshmallow was squeezed between a Hershey's chocolate square and graham crackers.

Who would have guessed that one could roast marshmallows indoors, inside a pumpkin?

The Expo was a smorgasbord of Halloween candy, baked goods, cream puffs, deep fried mozzarella appetizers, meatballs and chili and apple cider and lemonade, as well as wine for the adults.

It didn't just taste good though. The Expo was filled with Coal Creek Canyon agencies' presentations, information and a chance to win a great door prize. A local church handed out Bibles. Local watercolor artist and teacher, Kathy Bremers, sold her works and that of her students at wonderful prices.

The new Coal Creek Canyon Fire Chief, Garrett Ball, met canyon residents and talked to them about their local fire department, a welcome change from meeting them at the scene of an accident or a fire.

Eldora Mountain Resort had information about their rates and packages for children’s and family lessons.

Barbara David, wife of Leonard David, represented her husband who wasn't feeling well, but who will soon be well known as the local who inspired the National Geographic mini-series that begins in November. David is an award-winning science journalist who lives in Coal Creek Canyon, in unincorporated Boulder County, and who is the author of "Mars—Our future on the Red Planet." The publication will be released on October 25th and will be followed on November 13th by the debut of a six-week mini-series, "Mars," produced by academy award winners Ron Howard and Brian Grazer.

Members of the Coal Creek Canyon Sky Watchers had David's book on display as well as a telescope. The group is a about two years old. Its meetings focus on astronomy and space exploration and usually include telescope viewing. Children are welcomed.

Local well-known planetary scientists, aerospace engineers and astronomy education specialists share their knowledge and enthusiasm and offer star parties. Sky Watchers is sponsored by the CCC Park and Recreation District Board.

Coal Creek Canyon Cares handed out brochures listing area resources and how to find assistance in just about all areas of mountain living.

The CCCIA Expo was a fun, informative and tasty way to spend a perfect fall afternoon.