June has arrived, and people are out in droves — both residents, visitors and tourists. More people, more cars, more bicycles, more kids in the street — all probable reasons that June is National Safety Month. So, to be in sync with that observance, summer safety is a theme of the NFH this month.
Jon Huang, who covers the Falcon Fire Protection District, interviewed firefighters, a paramedic, a search and rescue expert and a Colorado district wildlife manager — the people who witness the consequences of people who ignore safe practices when engaged in outdoor activity. Check out Jon’s article, “Summer safety in the great outdoors,” on Pg. 6.
Also this month, El Paso County Public Health provides information on how to avoid sunburns, dehydration, sunburns, pesky bugs, extreme heat and more.
Aaron Berscheid, from Colorado Parks and Wildlife and our monthly columnist, reminds us that we need to be aware of the wandering bears and what we should do to avoid getting a visit from one.
Speaking of safety, two business owners in Falcon experienced the dark side of the retail industry — attempted robberies. Don Cronkhite is the owner of Prairie Jewelry — one of the first retail businesses in Falcon. Don was also one of the NFH’s first advertisers. So, it was sad to hear that thieves broke a window to get into his store a couple of weeks ago; their actual target was KTM Arms, which is next door to Don’s. Luckily, the bad guys didn’t get any goods and no one was hurt. See the story on this page.
Back to June: June 19 is Juneteenth, which marks the end of slavery. Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when 250,000 slaves in the state of Texas, which became the last holdout for slavery during the final days of the Civil War, were declared free by the U.S. Army. If you want to read more facts about Juneteenth, check out this website: https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/10-facts-juneteenth. It’s an easy read. (June 19 is also National Martini Day.)
Congratulations to all the graduating seniors in D 49 and to all the college graduates as well. We want to especially recognize our graphic designer and layout guru who, as I write this, is on an outdoor adventure trip in the Carolinas with his family, celebrating his twin boys graduation from Colorado University, Boulder. Dean started with the NFH when the boys were just 7 years old. And now Hayden and Shane Maury are off the payroll, well, maybe — or eventually. Anyway, congrats and good luck, Hayden and Shane. Time goes so darn fast! It was fun watching them grow up!
Our July issue isn’t out until July 6 so be sure to check out the advertisement on Pg. 7 for information on Falcon Freedom Days, which is always a popular community event. And safety first when it comes to fireworks.
Of course, June 16 is Father’s Day. Read all about its history on Pg. And Happy Father’s Day to my husband, my dad, my brother-in-law, my sons-in-law and every other dad out there.
June 20 is the first day of summer! June is also National Candy Month. June 7 is National Chocolate Ice Cream Day and National Doughnut Day. What’s not to love about June. Have a good one!
See you in July,
Michelle
