UTE PASS NEWS July 4th
Treasure hunt with a purpose: Red Cloud's annual yard sale July 3-6
The Red Cloud Foundation is hosting their annual summer yard sale this weekend in Green Mountain Falls. Now in its 13th year, the event is a cornerstone of support for local addiction recovery.
Donations of gently used items (no large furniture, mattresses, TVs or baby equipment) are welcome. This is more than just a way to clear out your closets - it's a way to support a safe space where people struggling with addiction can find refuge and meet others who understand their challenges.
All proceeds from the sale go to the Red Cloud Serenity Club, a place that offers connection, community, and healing for both local residents and seasonal visitors who are on the road of sobriety. The club is open to 12-step groups of all kinds, with 14 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings each week and additional groups using the space regularly.
Red Cloud also hosts events like the First Saturday Speaker and Potluck Night - a lively and heartfelt evening that blends community, recovery, and comfort food. The night begins at 6 p.m. with a potluck dinner. Randy Lewis of the Red Cloud Foundation describes the evening as a "Battle of the Chefs," with participating cooks vying to serve up the tastiest casserole. Supper is followed by an inspiring speaker at 7 p.m. who shares their journey on the road to recovery.
The Red Cloud Serenity Club has room to expand and hopes to host additional meetings by offering space for other 12-step programs. Red Cloud already supports a men's meeting and is looking to accommodate a women's group. The organization would also like to see an Al Anon group that offers support to family and friends of people who struggle with addiction.
Alcoholics Anonymous meetings address the physical, mental, and spiritual distress of addiction by helping people to stop drinking, think clearly, and tap into a power greater than themselves. Anyone seeking recovery support is encouraged to attend one of Red Cloud's open meetings held daily at noon and 6 p.m., even if you've never been to a meeting before. "We were all newcomers once," says Lewis. "We all went to a first meeting and were terrified."
The Foundation is working toward the goal of owning the building outright and is exploring grants and other funding opportunities to secure its future. In the meantime, the annual yard sale remains a crucial lifeline for maintaining operations. "We love our building," says Red Cloud representative Karen Roberts. "Without this yard sale, we couldn't operate."
Yard sale shoppers come from all over hoping to find treasures to take home. "People tell us they plan their vacations around it," says Lewis. "They pay what they can, making every transaction a gesture of goodwill."
The Red Cloud Yard Sale runs from July 3 to 6 at the Red Cloud Serenity Club (10040 Ute Pass Trail Ave., Green Mountain Falls). For more information, to donate items, or to volunteer, visit RedCloudFoundation.org or call Karen at 719-510-5000.
Marigreen Pines tour offers rare peek into historic estate July 19-20
History lovers and curious minds will soon have an opportunity to step back in time on July 19 and 20 on a tour of Marigreen Pines, only open to the public every three years. Built in 1923 by Thomas Cusack, the "Billboard King of Chicago," Marigreen Pines was a dream home nestled in the hills near Cascade, and today serves as the Holy Cross Novitiate.
Cusack, an Irish immigrant and self-made millionaire, constructed Marigreen Pines as a tribute to his beloved second wife, Mary Greene. The extent of the estate is over 200 acres of forested hills above Cascade.
The mansion, adorned with European furnishings and Italian craftsmanship, became a cherished summer retreat for the Cusack family until 1978, when Anne Cusack Johnson and her family gifted it to the Congregation of Holy Cross. Honoring her wishes, the estate is opened to the public for tours every three years through the Ute Pass Historical Society (UPHS).
Due to limited parking at the Novitiate, guests begin their experience at Joyland Church in Green Mountain Falls, where a brief video introduces the estate's rich past before shuttles transport visitors to the property. The full experience lasts about 2 hours and 45 minutes. Attendees should arrive at least five minutes before their scheduled time.
Tickets can be purchased online at UtePassHS.org, or at the UPHS Gift Shop in Woodland Park (231 East Henrietta Ave.) open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
