Residents who love the Ute Pass area have launched a new nonprofit named Building Ute Pass Community. The group aims to unite people through meaningful cultural, social and historical events.
The group of seven women has ideas on ways to strengthen the communities of Cascade, Chipita Park and Green Mountain Falls through collaborations between individuals, partners and businesses to support their goals.
Although Building Ute Pass Community will focus on the 86th Annual Bronc Day (July 27, 2024) as its first project, it is committed to initiating other events and opportunities to create a safer and more connected community for all.
“We want the Ute Pass (communities) to act more together because none of us do well alone,” Lisa Bonwell said. She mentioned possibilities such as a winter soup supper.
“We’re going to make our community safer, we’re going to know our neighbors. We want to achieve unity where everybody thrives, where we know each other and we’re safer because of it.”
For information, or to get involved as a volunteer, sponsor, donor or partner, email BuildingUtePassCommunity@gmail.com or visit broncdayfestival.org/about-us.
Cody Rilo loves doing “fun stuff” with the fryer at Fern’s.
Fern’s Diner + Drinkery is a vegan diner nestled in a forest at the base of a mountain.
Fern herself, Cody Rilo’s first foster dog, was rescued from a puppy mill and memorialized in stained class as the face of Fern’s Diner + Drinkery.
A vegan Valentine’s alternative
What does it mean to be vegan? At Fern’s Diner + Drinkery in Cascade, being vegan is a principled lifestyle, a religion of sorts.
The diner’s website states, “We will provide a harmonious space to eat, drink and share our experiences. We will embrace happiness, nature and comfort in our food, drink, service and environment.”
Not many eateries have such a principled and comprehensive approach. At Fern’s, co-owners Cody Rilo and partner Tyler Schiedel want to “lure you in with our looks and warm your soul with our hospitality. We are soft on the outside and bold on the inside.”
Fern’s is a vision of a classic diner, complete with booths and counter stools. It’s a place where Tater-Tots, BBQ burgers and buttermilk pancakes become vegan fare, and where diner classics are made with plants instead of animals.
It’s also a place that serves mouth-watering cocktails with names like Lavender Fields, Mountain Mary and Green Mountain Falls Strawberry Gin. Fern’s also has a wide assortment of beers, including non-alcoholic, and serves gluten-free alcohol as well as wines.
Who is Fern, you ask? Rilo’s first foster dog was just the beginning — she rescues dogs from places like puppy mills when she’s not cooking or creating vegan delights.
Rilo and Schiedel also own the Burrowing Owl in Colorado Springs.
“Burrowing Owl is 100 percent organic and non-GMO. At Fern’s, it’s kind of like a fun little playground for us. We have the fryer, and we get to do fun stuff,” Rilo said.
On Wednesday, Feb. 14, Fern’s will offer special Valentine’s Day fare alongside the regular menu. You’ll have a chance to decorate sugar, oatmeal or gluten-free cookies with a variety of toppings.
Couples and singles are welcome to snack on vegan cheese boards including dried fruit, candied nuts, chocolate, crackers, pickled veggies and hummus, accompanied by glitzy sparkling wine or your drink of choice.
Extended hours that day will be 9 a.m.-8 p.m., with breakfast all day and a full bar. Make your reservation for cookie decorating (by the afternoon of Tuesday, Feb. 13) by calling 719-424-7667.
Regular hours are 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays and 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Fern’s is at 4645 Fountain Ave., Cascade. Information: fernsdiner.com.
Superskate at the lake
The Green Mountain Falls Parks, Recreation and Trails Committee is excited to invite the community out for Superskate at the Lake. The free event takes place noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, on Gazebo Lake in the center of town.
There’ll be fun for the whole family, with ice skating, broom hockey and ice fishing, along with a warming station, hot cocoa and a food truck.
Jesse Stroope, PRT chair and visionary behind the event, said, “Our winter lake is an underutilized town asset, which invites unique opportunities within the Ute Pass for skating, ice fishing and broom hockey. I am proud to pull together a community event to celebrate our town lake and the winter opportunities it provides.”
Bring skates and brooms and wear warm layers for an afternoon of fun.
Ute Pass Library Bring Your Own Book Club
The book club will meet 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at Ute Pass Library, 8010 Severy Ave. in Cascade. This month’s theme is “Referred by a Friend.” Come ready to discuss a close friend’s favorite book.
The Bring Your Own Book Club meets monthly at Ute Pass Library on select Saturdays. Each month, a different genre is chosen; book club members choose which book they read and then share their thoughts with the group.
New members are always welcome. Email Kate Lawrie at klawrie@ppld.org or call 719-531-6333.
