By Gary Wamsley
Berthoud Recorder

It has been another busy week in Berthoud. The repaving of Bunyan Avenue from First Street to the railroad tracks went smoothly. The project improved the westbound approach to the track crossing so that it no longer functions as a speed bump. That is probably a good effect as that route will probably become an often-used alternate route as soon as the digging starts at the roundabout.

The weekend was full of activity. Saturday was a nice weather day, a bit cool as befits a fall day, but pleasantly sunny. I stopped by the heirloom plant sale at the McCarty-Fickel Home and ended up buying some yellow and white iris that Shar had admired. I like iris, they are very hardy and grow even if you forget to water them.

In the afternoon I went to the Chamber’s Barley Days affair in the park. I didn’t see any barley, perhaps it was all in the beer garden. This was a nicely done event, and I enjoyed the music while I had a barbeque sandwich and my first ever funnel cake. There were even activities for the kids — they were having a good time exploding balloons at the Grand Rental Station booth and playing in the inflatable houses.

My Sunday started a early with a visit to the Berthoud Gun Club to photograph members of the championship 4-H trap shooting team. When coach Mel Green discovered that I had never fired a shotgun, he was insistent that I needed to try. After watching how well the teenagers shot, I was apprehensive about embarrassing myself, but Mel would not give in. He told me it was not unusual for a beginner to hit zero to three targets out of 25 shots. I thought I could match that, so off we went. He did allow me stand a little ahead of the usual firing line and he let me use his beautiful 12 gauge over and under shotgun. After a bit of instruction I called “pull” and missed my first shot. After a few shots I was hitting about half the targets. It was very enjoyable, but I stopped short of shooting all 25 shells because my shoulder was beginning to ache. This was an interesting experience.
 
As I left the gun club it began to rain, and I wasn’t sure the Berthoud Historical Society School Days/Golden Rule Days re-enactment event could take place. I got to Fickel Park the actors were there, and many umbrellas were in evidence. The show went on with most of the sets moved under the trees and fortunately, the rain let up for the hour that it took to visit all five presentations. As usual, the performers did an excellent job of entertaining and informing as we learned about the early country schools, some of which are still being used as area homes.

November and December will bring the BAHA Wine Tasting and Christmas in Berthoud, and then we can settle in for the winter.

Until then, I’ll see you around Town.