PROJECT TO EXTINGUISH CORLEY MINE COAL FIRE BEGINS!
The Project to Extinguish the Coal Mine Fire Began May 19th.
CORLEY No. 6 MINE COAL FIRE MITIGATION PROJECT HAS BEGUN
The Corley Coal Mine, located just SW of Florence, produced coal from the 1920s-1990s. The Colorado Department of Reclamation, Mining & Safety said the fire began because of spontaneous combustion and has been burning now for over 20 years. The mitigation project to extinguish the fire will last until September.
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At Royal Gorge Region News, our mission is to deliver authentic rural American news that truly reflects the spirit of Fremont County, Colorado. We are dedicated to informing our community about local happenings, events, and highlights that matter most to our citizens.
DiNardo's Cider mill & Farm market HONORED STATEWIDE
DiNardo’s Cider Mill & Farm Market has been a mainstay in the community for decades,
known for many things, but mostly his cider.
Albert DiNardo began making cider when he was only 12
years old, along with his twin brother, Mario.
That was over 83 years ago, right here in Fremont County.
PICTURED ABOVE, Heidi Willard & albert dinardo, all rights r
"History COLORADO" confirms that dinardo's cider mill & farm market is the oldest business
The story of DiNardo's Cider began when he and his brother picked cherries for a neighbor.
“When we finished picking, he didn’t pay us money,” said 95-year-old Albert,
“he gave us the cherries. We took the cherries home and daddy says, ‘what you got there?’ and we said ‘we’ve got cherries. He didn’t give us money,’ and daddy didn’t feel too sharp about that.”
Albert’s father, Ubaldo DiNardo, an Italian immigrant, asked the young brothers what they were going to do with the cherries to keep them from spoiling. “We told Daddy, ‘we’re going to make juice out of them’, Albert added, and that’s the beginning of cherry cider, the brothers lifelong business together and the treasured cider.”
From there, Albert learned to make cherry cider by himself. After school, and every weekend, Albert went to work in the orchards, picking fruit, and making cider, while Mario tended to sales at the business, and so it
was for decades, until Mario’s death in 2017.
While in school, the twins did not really participate in outside school activities or sports, though they loved totap dance, performing in Florence, Cañon City, Rockvale and Pueblo, with theater groups and at special events. The twins later learned to ballroom dance, but when they were younger, it was usually school and work, “Before cider, they had to help in the garden because Ubaldo had a huge garden,” Heidi added, “they did everything by hand.” But hard work came natural, “Dad and Mother wanted us to work,” Albert said.
Albert and Mario attended the Holy Cross Abbey, where they graduated in 1949. They continued to support the school and community with donations of funds over the years, including considerable contributions, “Mario and Albert paid for the patio (at the Abbey),” Heidi added with a proud smile.
The store offers 11 flavors of DiNardo’s which includes: cherry, apple, blueberry, grape, boysenberry, black raspberry, red raspberry and blackberry, as well as a variety of combination cider blends. But the best seller is
cherry, “Cherry has always been the best seller,” said Albert, "always."
With the cider business booming, the DiNardos began to purchase fruit in addition to their own harvests from the Western Slope to keep up with the demand. Word traveled fast about DiNardo’s delicious ciders and attracted people from all over, as it still does.
Some of Albert’s favorite memories are visiting with the numerous film stars and celebrities that have visited their store and purchased the cider, chat for a bit. John Wayne, Jane Fonda, Sam Elliott, Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, James Arnett, Katherine Hepburn, Robert Redford, “there’s more, but I can’t remember all of them,” Albert said smiling, “Jane Fonda would come in every morning when she was making that movie,” Albert said, talking about, “Our Souls At Night” a film with Robert Redford that was shot in Florence in 2017.
His favorite, and Heidi’s, was John Wayne, “John Wayne was very, very nice,” Heidi said, “he ended up staying at one of well-known rancher Franklin Nash’s homes in Cañon City when he was filming a movie.”
NEAT FACT!
Not may people know, or remember,
that before that the stretch of US Highway 50 was called “River Street”
before Albert and Mario worked to
get it officially changed to the now, very well-known, “Royal Gorge Boulevard”.
Albert said, “We got a really nice letter
from the Mayor."
Heidi added, "We still have that letter."
DiNardo’s Cider Mill and Farm Market is located at 1400 Royal Gorge Boulevard
in Cañon City, and will celebrate its 84th birthday in "official" business this June.
Albert will celebrate his 96th birthday in May.
The store telephone is (719) 275-2727.
LOCAL LEADERS SPEAK TO THE COMMUNITY, ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY
Fremont county commissioner, district 3, dwayne mcfall
Commissioner Dwayne McFall is a member of the National Association of Counties (NACo)
Public Lands Steering Committee and Western Interstate Region (WIR).
The Western Interstate Region is affiliated with the National Association of Counties and is
dedicated to the promotion of Western interests within NACo. These interests include public
land issues (use and conservation), community stability and economic development, and the
promotion of the traditional Western way of life. Its membership consists of fifteen Western
states (Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, Montana,
Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, North Dakota and South Dakota) with membership
funded through the individual state associations.
Currently the 2nd Vice President of WIR, McFall works with Commissioners and Supervisors
from the 15 Western States to ensure counties receive funds for the public land within their
counties that remit no property tax. Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) and Secure Rural Schools
(SRS) are paid to counties according to the percentage of public lands within the county.
The federal government has long recognized and accepted that federal land holdings are a burden
on local governments, and that funding is necessary for local governments to provide the types of
services needed to access and use those lands.
County governments have a critical role in policy development, planning, and management of
federal land through the coordination process mandated by federal law (16 U.S.C. 1604 (a) and
43 U.S.C. 1712 (b)).
McFall believes that fair, equitable payments to counties, including revenue sharing from all
forms of economic production, are necessary for federal agencies to meet their obligations as
land managers.
Fremont County has 46.4 percent federal lands equating to 455,300 acres.
Fremont County still must provide essential services for its residents and those who visit these
lands yearly. These services include road and bridge maintenance, law enforcement, and more.
We must lobby Congress yearly to authorize PILT payments to the tune of approximately $1.4
million.
SRS has not been authorized since 2023; Fremont County receives $122,000. Most of the SRS
funds are directed to the schools and roads. We are working closely with Congress to get SRS re-
authorized as quickly as possible.
Commissioner McFall is working hard for the residents of Fremont County, not only on the local
and state level, but also on the federal level as well, and he will continue to advocate for our fair
share.
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR FREMONT COUNTY, COLORADO
ROYAL GORGE WHITEWATER FESTIVAL IS JULY 18 - 19, 2025
The 16th Annual Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival (RGWF) features whitewater competitions and land-based recreation events to celebrate the whitewater season on the Arkansas River. Enjoy summer flows in a fantastic whitewater setting in historic Cañon City, Colorado. Held in the refurbished and family-friendly Centennial Park, the Whitewater Festival pairs boats, bands, and beer for a weekend of fun-filled (and whitewater-fueled) events. It's the biggest party of the summer in Cañon City and one not to be missed! Proceeds of this event benefit the Cañon City community. All are welcome to register for events or to watch the fun unfold!
THE 101st FREMONT COUNTY FAIR & RODEO IS SCHEDULED FOR JULY
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The schedule for this year's Fremont County Fair & Rodeo has been announced and plans are once again being made for an incredible annual, local event!
Don't forget - the entire Fremont County community is invited to participate in "Open Fair", with ribbons and small cash prizes for winners.
The over a century fair has seen many transitions in its years, with the biggest likely being the relocation of the county fair to Pathfinder Regional Park, where there now sits an event center, with offices for CSU Extension Offices, as well as staff for the facilities and the brand new, open air pavilion that boasts wonderful agricultural and animal activities for local 4-H clubs, FFA and more. The pavilion is the center of activity during Buyer's Day, with thousands of dollars being raised every year by the local kids selling their market livestock.
For more information, visit the Fremont County Fair & Rodeo website here.
CPRA RODEO BACK AT FAIR
This will be the third year that the annual Fremont County Fair & Rodeo will host CPRA events!
After its first year with the fair in 2023, The Fremont County Fair & Rodeo was named "Best New CRPA Rodeo".
Slated for CPRA action on Friday, August 1st and Saturday, August 2nd. Don't miss out on Colorado Pro Rodeo Association at the Fremont County Fair & Rodeo!
WHAT HAPPENED ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY
RGRN - where history meets community
What Happened On This Day in History – May 19
Historical Events
- 1536 – Anne Boleyn Executed
Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII of England and mother of Queen Elizabeth I, was executed at the Tower of London on charges of adultery, incest, and treason.
- 1588 – Spanish Armada Sets Sail
The Spanish Armada departed from Lisbon under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia, beginning one of history’s most famous naval campaigns against England.
- 1802 – Napoleon Bonaparte Creates the Légion d'honneur
Napoleon established the Légion d'honneur, France’s highest order of merit, to recognize military and civil achievements.
- 1935 – T.E. Lawrence Dies
British archaeologist and army officer T.E. Lawrence, known as "Lawrence of Arabia," died six days after a motorcycle crash in Dorset, England.
- 1962 – Marilyn Monroe Sings “Happy Birthday” to JFK
Actress Marilyn Monroe famously sang “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy during a Madison Square Garden fundraiser, just days before his actual birthday.
- 1991 – Croatia Votes for Independence
Croatian citizens voted overwhelmingly in favor of independence from Yugoslavia in a national referendum.
🎉 Notable Birthdays
- 1744 – Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
Queen consort of King George III of the United Kingdom.
- 1861 – John Glover Roberts Sr.
(Father of current Chief Justice John Roberts; while notable by relation, not widely commemorated on this date.)
- 1890 – Ho Chi Minh
Vietnamese revolutionary leader and founder of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam).
- 1897 – Frank Luke Jr.
American World War I fighter ace, known as the "Arizona Balloon Buster."
- 1925 – Malcolm X
Influential African American Muslim minister and civil rights activist.
- 1930 – Lorraine Hansberry
American playwright and activist, best known for A Raisin in the Sun.
- 1941 – Nora Ephron
American screenwriter, director, and author, known for films like When Harry Met Sally... and Sleepless in Seattle.
- 1945 – Pete Townshend
English rock musician, guitarist and principal songwriter for The Who.
- 1970 – Nicole Brown Simpson
American woman whose 1994 murder (alongside Ron Goldman) led to the infamous trial of O.J. Simpson.
- 1979 – Andrea Pirlo
Italian footballer known for his skill and vision as a midfielder.
Royal Gorge Region News - Where history meets community.
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