Lijah Sampson

140 Years Ago - Salida Weekly Mail, Oct. 1, 1886: The Longfellow mine, near Salida, is making quite a showing of good ore, lead and silver, better than it has done at any time since its first discovery.

A fundraiser for the women of Nepal held Oct. 2 at A Church raised about $3,500 from a textile sale to support those affected by floods in Nepal and Tibet.

Salida High School junior Jesse Hawley holds his scholarship certificate from the Chaffee Outdoor Service Association Oct. 1, an organization he has given 35 hours of outdoor volunteer service to in the last eight months. Hawley, the organization's vice president, will continue his service going into his senior year, when he will become president. (Courtesy photo)

When I was a child, I remember imagining heaven as a huge vat of green Jell-o. I couldn’t imagine anything better than an immense pool of the sweet, gelatinous stuff – you could swim in its coolness and eat it at the same time.

Rickii Leewaye, front, is an apprentice at the Vault Salon under guidance of her mom and salon owner, Tisha Leewaye, behind her. As a student, her rates are approximately half of Tisha’s. (Photo by Lijah Sampson)

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Salida Police Officers arrested James Baker, 79, of Poncha Springs, on charges of careless driving and driving under the influence after his car crashed at the intersection of Eighth and H streets in Salida near Longfellow Elementary School Oct. 20.

Salida poet Roseanna Frenchette reads from her newly published book of poems, "Joie de Vivre," at Benjamin's Bookshop Oct. 3, with fellow author Gregory Seth Harris next to her. The book contains poetic prose spanning decades, symbolizing embracing the vibrancy of life, she said. (Photo by Lijah Sampson)

T. S. Eliot wrote about being “distracted from distraction by distraction.” I wrote this poem sitting in a coffee shop, realizing that my mind had been everywhere but in the place where I was – when I was finally able to look up from my distractions and be present to my surroundings, my whole heart changed. Maybe you’ve had this experience, too.

Board members of Ice Rink for Chaffee County present the last wall piece of the seasonal rink to the public at High Side! Bar & Grill for a party to celebrate its reintroduction and new refrigeration system Oct. 22. From left, John Manning, Jon Fritz and Chris Miller. (Photo by Lijah Sampson)