DID YOU KNOW?
Annie the Railroad Dog
Annie, a stray collie mix, was adopted by railroad workers in Fort Collins in 1934. During the 1930s and 1940s, she was an unofficial ambassador for Fort Collins, greeting passengers at the train depot. Annie is now a local legend and has a bronze statue in her memory that greets visitors at the Fort Collins Main Library. Her grave on Mason Street is a historical landmark.
Each August, the Friends of the Library celebrates Annie the Railroad Dog’s birthday with the Annie Walk in Library Park. This year the walk will be Aug. 26. Dogs and their owners begin at Annie’s statue in front of the library, and walk to her former home at the historical railroad station on Mason Street. After the walk, there is a dog carnival at Library Park. Proceeds from the event are used to purchase children’s books and materials, and proceeds from a pancake breakfast sponsored by the Lions Club before the walk are used to buy large-print and audio books for the visually impaired.
Source: City of Fort Collins Library (http://fcgov.com/library/)
REGIONAL NOTES
AURORA
Water-program volunteers sought
The Aurora Water Department is looking for volunteers for its new Water Smart Neighborhood Program.
Volunteer leaders will serve as experts in their neighborhoods, distributing information and conservation devices to interested neighbors. In addition, leaders will receive e-mails and will be invited to attend informational meetings to learn about Aurora’s water supply and projects, water-saving appliances and irrigation equipment rebates, and upcoming water-saving events.
For more information, contact Susan Bilo at 303-739-7381.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
Columbine memorial start slated
Groundbreaking for a permanent memorial to those killed and wounded in the Columbine High School tragedy will be held on April 29. The memorial will be built next to Rebel Hill, which is west of the school in Clement Park.
The Columbine Memorial Committee has scaled back the permanent memorial because of slow fundraising. The original plan cost $2.5 million, with the new version costing $1.5 million. So far, just over $1 million has been raised.
The community is planning several fundraising events, including donating proceeds from a community day at the high school from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 29, having businesses and schools sell paper columbines for $1 during April, and the Columbine Memorial Golf Tournament on May 8.
For more information, visit www.columbinememorial.org. Memorial fund contributions may be sent to Columbine Memorial Fund, c/o Foothills Foundation, P.O. Box 621788, Littleton, CO 80162.
AURORA
Author Singleton to discuss book
Local author Elyse Singleton will discuss and read from her book “This Side of the Sky” at 8 p.m. Thursday at Community College of Aurora, 16000 E. CentreTech Parkway, Building C, Room 207.
The book is the featured selection for Aurora’s new year-long program, The Power of One.
For more information, call 303-739-6617 or go to www.auroragov.org/thepowerofone.
