Record crowd registers for Fruita's annual Sweet Heart Race

The starting line

With a record number of runners, Fruita's annual Sweet Heart Run started in front of the new Fruita Community Center. Winners of the event will be posted.

And they are off..

The first runner in...

Ben Hauschuz was the second runner in...

And more followed

Runners enjoyed after-race  treats.

Four delicious cakes baked by Camilla of Camilla's Cafe
were a treat for everyone who came to the center.

This youngster is getting an early start in racing.

February 12 marked the day Fruita's Community Center held its grand opening.

After a tie of 1268 votes for, and 1268 votes against, a hand count was called for upon the third attempt to pass the bond issue for the building of a Community Center. With many holding their breaths, the hand count was tallied with 118 votes for the community center and construction began. Four hundred and fifteen days later, the center was a reality. FCI had beat the deadline by seven days. 

According to Parks and recreation Director, Ture Nycum, 2500 passholders are now members, and this in 19 days of operation.
Fred Smith, President of the Mesa County Library Association, reminded the crowd that Fruita's new library was the first new library built in Mesa County since the year 1901, 110 years ago.

The crowd gathered as the dedication of the Community Center got underway.

Mary Caywood who donated many hours writing grants  for the center
stands with Karen Leonhart who continued Tom Dodd's work as she gave
so much effort and time to raise funds for the six lane swimming pool.

MCLA board President Dr. Fred
Smith welcomed the crowd
as he described the
wonderful achievement
of having a new library for
Fruita's Community.

Fruita Mayor Ken Henry welcomed
the crowd to the celebration.

Yvonne Peterson proudly
displayed the 2 cents
taped to the buttons worn to
help in fundraising,
complete with two
pennies taped there.

Ellen Roberts wore the outfit
she had created just for this
occasion to remember the
thousands of cans collected by
the Seniors to help finance
the new Center.

Fruita City Council gathered for the
dedication.

Reed, Palisade Mayor Roger Granat and Fruita
Councilman, Mel Mulder wait for the
dedication to begin.

The Caywood sisters attended the
special gathering. They represent the many
children who will now be able to enjoy
the Center.

Visitors watch from the run/walk track
as everyone gathers for the
dedication.

Community members gathered as the ribbon to be cut was unwound. Everyone
was given a special scissors with which to cut their own segment of ribbon
to celebrate the fact that Fruita has a Community Center now.

Mesa State President, Tim Foster watches
as former Rep. Tillie Bishop shakes the hand
of Palisade's new mayor, Roger Granat

Part of a collection of buttons created by the Penny Posse, used
to promote fund raisers for six lanes in the Center's new swimming
pool. 

Albert Reed, Mayor Roger Granat and Fruita
Councilman, Mel Mulder await the ribbon cutting.

Parks and Rec Director Ture Nycum
recognized many individuals responsible
for working so hard to make the Center
dream a reality.

Sculpture dedicated to seniors at Fruita Community Center.

Wearing a hat made of some of the flattened cans the seniors collected and sold to raise money for a senior center, Ellen Roberts smiles broadly. She punched holes in hundreds of cans after they had been washed and flattened. Then she crocheted the cans into hats and vests for the seniors who worked so hard to raise these funds. She even made herself a
skirt to complete her own outfit. Job well done!

Senior citizens watch as Jeff Bates talks about the sculpture he created for
the Community Center to honor the work of the seniors in raising over $90,000
for the center.

Looking to the future is
the theme of the sculpture.

The seniors unveiled the sculpture.

The plaque sums up
the effort of Fruita's
Senior Citizens.

Local artist, Jeff Bates, created the
sculpture which will house
a time capsule which will
hold items pertinent to the
center.

New community center is completed and doors opened, in Fruita, Colorado.

After three attempts to get a Community Center plan passed
by the community,, the new building is complete.

The third attempt was the charmed attempt as voters passed the bond issue for a community center. Even the third time had its problem when the public's vote came out tied. The vote was challenged and after a hand count, the center was approved by a  100 plus votes.
Thanks to Tom Dodd, who spearheaded "The Penny Posse," a group who went out and did all they could to encourage people to vote for the center, the third attempt to pass the bond issue was finally successful. Then, thanks to Karen Leonhart, the Dolphins, and so many others who spent time and energy to raise money for six lanes in the indoor pool, the extra money was raised to make the pool 6 lanes Mary Caywood helped with her grant writing. Finding that the move to build only three lanes was afoot, Leonhart and others involved in bringing in added funds, attended a City council to make their case known.  It was at this time that, after listening to Leonhart and group's information, Council declined to approve three lanes as presented by the City Manager and the Rec Director, and they ended up approving  two more lanes resulting in a five lane pool. Perhaps, due to plans already in place for three lanes, adjustments were made at the cost of deck space, negating any chance of hosting swim meets for added revenue. A masters swim group probably won't happen either. Money raised for the sixth lane apparently went elsewhere.
The seniors had been dreaming of a senior center for years as they collected cans and saved the money which, after nearly 10 years, added to over 90,000 dollars. They now have the use of a shared kitchen, small rec room and room open to them for dinners and special events.

In any case, Fruita Community is proud of the new center. Everyone hopes it will be an asset to all.
Fruita also benefits from the foresight of the Library District who approached the City to "share in the construction of a common wall which joined the new library to the center, thus saving construction money for both entities.
The library held its open house on February 2. This beautiful and most useful library is an incredibly positive addition to the city housing additional space for a children's reading area, adult and family reading space, much more room for additional shelving and books, added computers and much more. In fact it is the first new library to be built in Mesa County in 110 years according to the Library Administration. You don't want to miss visiting this wonderful addition to Fruita.
The big opening for the Community Center is scheduled for February 12, 2011. The Sweetheart run and a health expo will also be held that same day. There will be more photos posted for that event. See you there.

The indoor pool sports a "walking river" good for therapy.

Jeff Bates' sculpture honors the senior citizens who worked hard for this dream.

The old, outdoor pool has been remodeled and will

 be appreciated this summer.

The front desk is a busy place.

A bike and workout room just waits for action.
Here you will find 16 brand new top of the line
bikes for spinniing.

Bates' sculpture uses 50 gallon drums to remember all the cans the seniors collected to raise nearly $100,000.

A large shallow area makes it safe for toddlers.

A meeting room holds 90 person max.

The walking track surrounds the half sized gym.

Lifeguards will be busy.

You will find a gym full of brand new,
state of the arch workout equipment located upstairs.
.

The day care maxes out at 14.

Downstairs is found a space for small gatherings with a couch,
vending machines and new tv for movies.

This is another view of the walking track on the second floor.

Book Signing takes place at Fruita's, Open Page Book Store.

There is a new book for sale, one which will be of much interest to the Fruita Community. The title is simple,  FRUITA. Taking many hours and days of work, Steve and Denise Hight of Fruita, sought out photos that depicted the rich heritage of the area. They were able to glean some 250 photos for the book, using the history room which has been maintained by Yvonne Peterson with whatever help she could get. Other photos were loaned by individual families whose history goes back to the early days of this community. The Hights spent hours and hours verifying material, locating names and places, and making sure all information was pertinent and correct.

Arcadia Publishing Company has published numerous such books about small towns throughout the states. Usually the books are mainly composed of photos with captions that explain the history of the contents. This special book will bring hours of conversation to your household as well as make great gifts for those you know have ties to this history.
You may buy a copy at Open Pages and at Aspen Street Coffee.  There will be other locations at which you may find the book.
This book can be bought in Fruita at Aspen Street Computers, The Fruita Co-op, All Around Feed & Farmacy, Judy's Family Restaurant, The Hot Tomato Café, Dinosaur Journey, and Walgreen's. 

In Grand Junction the book is available  at Grand Valley Books, the Museum Of Western Colorado, Walgreen's, Barnes & Noble, and Hastings.

Steve and Denise Hight held the first book signing for their newly published book, FRUITA.

Customers who bought the book noted photos of their relatives taken back circa 1900.

Books were available for purchase at the book store located on Aspen Avenue.

City Market Bakery Staff decorated a cake in honor of the occasion. The cover of the book was the design placed on top of the cake.