In our February issue, we featured a People on the plains article by Erin Wheeler. The person she interviewed for the article was Phyllis Anderson. In 1975, she became one of the original firefighters for the Falcon Volunteer Fire Department (now the Falcon Fire Protection District). Phyllis spent 15 years as a firefighter and then took a hiatus to care for her mother. She eventually went back to the fire department and worked another four years.
One of our team members and a long-time Falcon resident, Kathy Hare, knows Phyllis Anderson. Kathy said when she read the story, she “loved” learning about Phyllis’s childhood. “She is such a wonderful person, and it is nice residents get to read about her contributions to the community,” Kathy said.
Kathy told another story to me about Phyllis. About 20 years ago, Kathy told Phyllis that she had a collection of old, silk handkerchiefs, and she didn’t know what to do with them. “She told me to bring them over to her place,” Kathy said. “After seeing them, she said she could make them into a ‘queen-size’ quilt for me. No charge, I only paid for the quilting material. Who has the talent, kindness or time to do that anymore?” Not many people. It takes a special person to take on that kind of project at no cost. If you didn’t get to read the article about Phyllis, visit our website at https://newfalconherald.com — and search for Phyllis Anderson.
Phyllis certainly paved the way for many women, so she deserves recognition as we celebrate Women’s History Month in March. This year’s theme is “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.” The best way for us to continue to pave the way and inspire generations to come is to be a great example and a mentor when possible to the girls of today.
We will also celebrate St. Patrick’s Day March 17. On Saturday, March 15, there is a parade in Colorado Springs that starts on the corner of Tejon St. and E. St. Vrain and continues south on Tejon St. to Vermijo. The parade is great, and everyone can be full on Irish for a day.
The weather has been strange. Punxsutawney Phil did see his shadow in February so we will have six more weeks of winter. As I write this, the temperatures are supposed to be in the 50s this next week, but it’s Colorado so never bet on the weather.
It’s also World Wildlife Day on March 3, and this year’s theme is Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet.
About animals, please read on Pg. 1 and Pg. 9 about Pyrescue shutting down their shelter for homeless and unwanted Pyrenees and other Pyrenees mixed dogs unless someone comes forward to rescue the rescue and the owners, who have to give up their sanctuary because it’s time to retire. There are lots of dogs up for adoption, too, so if you are thinking about getting a dog, please consider a rescue dog. Great Pyrenees and the mixed Pyrenees are wonderful dogs.
Finally, don’t forget to change your clocks on March 9 — it’s spring forward, the start of Daylight Saving Time. It usually takes me a week to adjust; the politicians in our lives keep saying they are going to do away with either standard time or daylight time but that’s been in the works forever — kind of like term limits.
They say that spring will be here on Thursday, March 20. But it’s too close to April Fool’s Day so better keep the boots on hand.
See you in April!
Michelle
