Kurt Neuswanger took this photo of a sunrise from his backyard on Orchard Mesa. It was taken at 6:05 a.m. Aug. 20 “looking east toward Grand Mesa. The smoky haze created the special effects: no filters, no digital enhancement,” Neuswanger wrote.

On the behalf of Chuck Wagner, Garry Brewer presented a check for $163,000 to Western Colorado Shrine Club members on Aug. 11 at the annual Shrine circus appreciation dinner. Wagner, a long time Grand Valley resident, died earlier this year and left his home to the Shriner hospitals. Wagner, “was amazed that the hospitals had never charged a ‘Shriner kid’ or their family for medical services,” wrote Brewer, a representative of Wagner’s estate who sent in this photo. Realtor Michael Burkhard assisted in the sale of Wagner’s home. Pictured from left are: David Van Dyke, president of the Western Colorado Shrine Club; Mark McGarry Noble, holding a photo of Wagner; Brewer; and Ted Herman, first vice president of the club.

Tammy Schler, director of the Sweet Adelines International Grand Mesa Chorus, directs the chorus singing “One Fine Day” at the Symphony Under the Stars concert at Lincoln Park in August. Sue Chapman sent in this photo.

Morgan and Madison Strychalski of Grand Junction are pictured among the teens who traveled to Atlanta in July to attend Adopteen Camp. There were 80 teens from around the country at the camp, all adopted from China. This photo was taken by Kim Strychalski at the Georgia Aquarium.

Cheyenne Bell of Grand Junction poses for this photo taken at Lake Powell in September by her mother, Kathy Bell.

Greta David took this LTR Devo Cycling Team photo on the podium for winning the 2012 Mountain States Cup Series Championship in Telluride in August. The local team is sponsored by the LTR Sports and trains on the Tabeguache, Kokopelli and 18 Road trails. The team has raced in Crested Butte, Telluride and Winter Park, according to Wayne David, who sent in this photo and information.

Kayla Bensley and Kaitlin Duran were chosen as NDA All American at the NDA Elite Camp at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley earlier this year. Kaitlin also won the Leadership Award and Kayla won Top gun Leaps and Jumps.

The Fruita Monument High School Poms team were rated superior for their team dance at the NDA Elite Camp at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley earlier this year. The team got a gold plaque, a silver in the team leader dance, the Spirit Trophy and a bid for the national competition with an Excellent rating on its home routine. The team members are Kaitlin Duran, Kayla Bensley, Ashley Vincent, Peyton Whalen, Kaci Copeland, Darrion Folkers, Makenzy Swim, Kaley Kreidler Ashlee Cook, Katie Merola, Tamera Newland, Tayler Duncan, Randi Tuell, Monica Burdett, Jaelyn Bensley, Alexis Amelang, Taylor Dickerson, Ellery Laiche, Melanie Ligon, Annie Hinton, Madison Lowe and Brooke Jones.

Henade and Kaacha Harrington’s dad took this photo of the siblings while on a hike up Angel’s Landing during a visit to Zion National Park.

These young men from the Grand Valley posed for a photo after their final show at the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps semi-finals at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Pictured from left are Gabe Gallegos, Cameron Honnen and Alex Cowen of Grand Junction High School and Chris Bock of Colorado Mesa University. Katie Bock took this photo.

Carson Kerr, 9, won the 10 and younger age group at the Rubik’s Cube US Nationals on Aug. 3–5 in Las Vegas. Carson had a five solve average of 36.87 and his fastest solve was 28.77 seconds. His parents, Kevin and Lorie, took these photos and sent them in.

Adel Scholtz took this photo of her granddaughter Natalie Haslam, who with her mom had found this little hummingbird that had fallen out of its nest. They returned the little bird to its nest that day and each day that followed, since the mommy bird was still feeding it. “I was lucky one day to take a picture when Natalie had this little bird in her hand,” Scholtz said.

Members of the Kiwanis Club of Grand Junction donated 75 pints of blood to commemorate the club’s 75th anniversary in 2012. These are the members who contributed. Pictured in the top row from left are Annette Abeyta, Marilee Langfitt, Bob Burger, LeAnn Zetmeir, Pete Jouflas and Lynne Sorlye. In the bottom row are Beverly Troester, Kristin Winn, Scott Hayduk and Lee Kreidler. This photo was sent in by Mike Moran.

Several Palisade boys played in the Four Corners Junior Championship golf tournament on July 27–28 at Conquistador Golf Course in Cortez. Kyler Smith, second from left, took first place in the boys 16–18 division with a two-day score of 149. Skyler Miller, right, came in second in the same division and his two-day score was 170. Also pictured are James LeDonne and Bo Ward.

Griff and Lynn Weaver took this photo in June at Cascade Falls near Olathe. Pictured are their son Stephen Weaver from Berthoud, holding his daughter, Frances, and Brennan, Carley Carley Griffin and Abigail Weaver from Fallon, Nevada. The family spent the day at various parks, had a picnic and ice cream and finished the afternoon with a softball game. It was a “joyous” time with our grandchildren,” the Weavers wrote in their submission.

U.S. Army Spc. Christopher Whiseant left for Afghanistan in September 2011 just as he found his wife, Missy, was pregnant. He arrived home May 27, 2012, missing his daughter’s birth on May 14, 2012. Chris’ mom, Janice Whiseant sent in this photo of Chris holding Isabella “Bella” for the first time. Chris is a combat medic and is stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, wrote Janice in this emailed submissi

Grace Hotsenpiller and her “friend” sit for a photo in Cedaredge. “Grace is the apple of her Grandma’s eye,” wrote Grandma Kathy Wilcox in her submission. Grace is the daughter of Kaye and Dan Hotsenpiller of Montrose.

Emily Djokic submitted this photo of musicians from Central High School’s band program on the Colorado Ambassadors of Music European Tour in Zermatt, Switzerland, near the Matterhorn, on June 30. In the top row from left are Jimmy Prescott, Ryan Tatum, Anthony Gray, Shawn Argo, Connor Boyles and Blake Keller. In the bottom row are Taelor Blakesley, Zach Childress, Djokic and Cassidy Ammerman.

Papa Ron and dogs Misty and Blu take in a Fruita South Park Wash Little League game in May.

Nancy Bradburn of Montrose sent in this photo of her hibiscus plant with 34 large blossoms.

Ken and Sandy Nelson sent in this photo of their grandson Hayden Meek, 5, with local artist Kimberly Wilhelm during Colorado Lavender Festival in Palisade in July. Kimberly was painting at “Sprigs and Sprouts,” and helped Hayden with his painting.

Barbara Compton submitted this photo from the July 24 opening night for the Americans for Prosperity office. Pictured are, front, J.D. Key, Chairman for the office, and “Citizens for Liberty” from left Charles Bangs, Sylvia Morrison, Gladyce Nielsen, Sue Benjamin, Mesa County Republican Women president Linda Gregory, and Compton.

This is Peter Coble, the grandson of Marilyn Moll of Paonia. Laura Coble took this photo.

Paul Currie-Mills submitted this photo of a rainbow over Eagle Spire on Colorado National Monument. The photo was taken the morning of June 31.

Karen Dunbar took this photo of Grand Junction Rockies’ mascot Corky the Coyote rooting for the home team at Suplizo Field on July 31.

A mother kestrel brings a meal to her young ones. “It was about 2 months from the time the kestrels chose the nesting box until five baby kestrels left the nest,” wrote Sharon Jungert, who sent in this photo.

The Orchard Mesa Little League team was the girls’ state champion team.

Anne Selbe received her 75-year member pin earlier this year from the Order of Eastern Star. Debra Knott submitted this photo.

The Grand Junction Soccer Club’s “Freedom” girls soccer team had a car wash to raise funds to go to the Air Force Academy soccer tournament. Team manager Sarah Wedekin sent in this photo.