A number of mushers and their sled dogs participated in the Grand Mesa Challenge sled dog races on Jan. 28. Serena DeCastro sent in these photos.

A number of mushers and their sled dogs participated in the Grand Mesa Challenge sled dog races on Jan. 28. Serena DeCastro sent in these photos.

A number of mushers and their sled dogs participated in the Grand Mesa Challenge sled dog races on Jan. 28. Serena DeCastro sent in these photos.

Partners of Mesa County received a $1,000 donation from Powderhorn Mountain Resort in January.

Powderhorn Mountain Resort made a $1,000 donation to Colorado Discover Ability in January. Jim Cox took this photo.

Trent Heiden of Grand Junction paused for a photo near Independence Monument during a bike ride over Colorado National Monument during a rainstorm. Heiden’s stepfather, Mike Moran, took this photo.

Haley Shipp, 16, shot her first deer on Jan. 9, 2012, while hunting with her dad, Dan Shipp. Regina Shipp, Haley’s grandma, sent in this photo.

The Motorcycle Trail Riding Association members installed trail restrictors on the Uncompahgre National Forest. Pictured are Monte Potter, James Solomon, Tom Barnabic, Steve Martin, Paul Thielsen, Charlie Sweet and Millard Atkins. Julie Thielsen took this photo and Solomon sent it in.

The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests’ Gunnison Ranger District hosted the Junior Snow Ranger Program during National Skier Safety Week at Crested Butte Mountain Resort on Jan. 21. The program is geared toward fourth- and fifth-graders and “encourages youth to enjoy various winter activities; provides education on winter ecology; and emphasizes the importance of safety while recreating,” according to a news release.

Smokey Bear took a stroll through the base area of Crested Butte Mountain Resort to visit with kids and adults.

The Gunnison Ranger District had a booth at the base area of Crested Butte Mountain Resort with children’s activities “that allowed them to learn about wildlife as well as identify trees that are native to the area,” a news release said.

Janet Grant, a certified nurse midwife with Mesa Midwives, holds Charlie Scheib two months after attending his birth. Grant was attending “BellyTalks: Creating Your Ultimate Birth” hosted by BirthSmart on Jan. 28 at The Art Center and featuring Charlie’s mother, Kelly Scheib as a guest speaker. Cristine Strickland took this photo which was sent in by Leah Pabst, executive director of BirthSmart. Information about BirthSmart events can be found at http://www.BithSmart.org.

Actor Antonio Banderas and Chris Jefferson from Grand Junction were in teams that skied against each other in a December fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club. Jefferson is on the Paralympic Development Team and Banderas wished Jefferson good luck a he works to stay on the team and compete in the Paralympics in Sochi Russia in 2013. Jefferson continues to raising funds and donations may be sent to Challenged Athletes/Operation Rebound, 9591 Waples St. San Diego, CA 92121. This photo was submitted by Susan Capps.

The Mount Garfield Daughters of the American Revolution donated $1,000 on Dec. 22 for the restoration of Handy Chapel. Pictured at center is Josephine Dickey, who has spearheaded the restoration drive. Teri Dunn sent in this photo.

Sgt. Sean Dearden with the Military Police Dog Handler Unit had his photo taken with former President Jimmy Carter while working with the Secret Service to provide security in Plains, Ga. Dearden is a 2004 Grand Junction High School graduate. Dearden’s mother, Cindy Dearden, sent in this photo.

Shawn Kaleel, left, and Lesli McBride, recently transplanted Texas, learn to enjoy the Colorado outdoors while at Skyway on Grand Mesa on Jan. 16. Debra Beeson took this photo and Mike McBride sent it in.

The Colorado Mesa University Nordic ski team poses of a photo after day two of the CMU Invitational.

Donna Fullerton took this photo of Mary Hertert on a Rock Hounding Hike in the Bookcliffs with the Western Slope Adventurers.

The Mesa County Sheriff’s Passe has collected more than 30,000 pounds of food for the Holiday Food Drive over the years, according to posse member George Decker, who sent in this photo. Pictured are posse members Dennis Carnes and Judy and Gary Crowner.

Donations totalling $22,030 were made to local, national and international organizations featured at the 2011 Alternative Christmas Fair organized by Grand Valley Peace & Justice. “The organizations that will receive assistance and the peoples’ lives that will be touched because of the kind generosity of people here in the Grand Valley is un-measureable,” a news release said.

Donations totalling $22,030 were made to local, national and international organizations featured at the 2011 Alternative Christmas Fair organized by Grand Valley Peace & Justice. “The organizations that will receive assistance and the peoples’ lives that will be touched because of the kind generosity of people here in the Grand Valley is un-measureable,” a news release said.

Mesa County Partners’ board of directors and staff are part of the “I’m In” campaign, in which each board member will recruit three people to become a Partners youth mentor or an investor of at least $250 in Partners. Pictured are Betty Fulton, Mary Di’Amico, Bill Rockwood, Tammie Rupe, Lois McClure, Ben VanHoose, Will Hays, Merle Reiners, Victor Bellavia, Tim Leon, Bess Wynn, LeAnn Zetmeir, Joe Higgins, Tammy Anderson, Jeff Schuster and Joseph Breman.

Burr, who is afraid of thunder, tried to take refuge in the refrigerator opened by Marjorie Bain. Wayne Bain took this photo.

Members of the P.E.O. Chapter HU recently spent some time with P.E.O. Scholar Award winner Ann Hermundstad, who will get her doctorate in June from the University of California, Santa Barbara. The award is for students pursuing a doctorate degree. Pictured are Jo Ann Malone, Mary Clare Williams, Joann Smith, Janet Mattivi, Joanne Graham, Ann Hermundstad, Sara Hermundstad, Marsha Howery and Jean Allmaras.

Deana Pietro of Grand Junction graduated from the Colorado Institute for Municipal Clerks on July 15. Pictured are Deb Forbes, director of finance/city clerk of Sterling; Nancy Varra, city clerk of Louisville; Laura Bauer, city clerk of Commerce City; Brenda Madison, with the city of Centennial, and Pietro, center.

Madison (Maddie) Gross tries to relax and let her troubles face away in this photo taken by her mother Bobbie Gross in Idaho. Grandma Judy Gross sent in this photo.

Wes D’Aponti hands a contribution to Brooklyn Martinez on behalf of the Knights of Columbus, No. 14006.

Calvin Davis of Fruita stands by his Christmas village, which he sets up for friends and neighbors to drop by and see. Davis’ friends Jerry and Kathie Lindsay submitted this photo.

This photo of cousins and best friends Kate and Grey was submitted by grandparents Dick and Barb Conkle.

Barb Goffin of Crawford was the winner of the S&B Quilters raffle quilt for 2011. This photo of Goffin, shown with her husband Gene, was taken at the Quilt Patch in Hotchkiss. Nancy Phillips took this photo.