Snakes?

We all know about snakes.

Theyre sneaky and scary and
slithery. They give us the creeps,
make our hearts palpitate and
trigger our ight-or-ght instincts.
They are not to be trusted, these
fork-tongued, sharp-fanged,
wriggling-on-their-belly reptiles.
They are evil incarnate. They are
the enemy.
Snakes?
We hate em.
But we shouldnt.
Truth is, snakes even the
venomous kinds are our friends.
Check that: Snakes are more than
our friends; theyre our protectors.
Everything in nature has a job,
says Darcy Mount, who was a
ranger at Lake Pueblo State Park
for six years before moving to
Cheyenne Mountain State Park
this month. Snakes keep rodents
in check. Theres a saying among
herpetologists (those who study
reptiles and amphibians): If you
wiped out all the snakes in an area,
within six months youd be knee-
deep in rodents. Youd be literally
kicking them out of the way.
Moreover, says Mount, there are
no diseases that are passed from
snakes to people but the same
cannot be said of rodents. Think
hantavirus, plague and other ea-
borne diseases carried by mice,
rats, prairie dogs and other furry
varmints.
A snake in your house is noth-
ing compared to a mouse in your
house, says Mount.
OK. Fair enough. Granted, snakes
play an important role in our natu-
ral ecosystem by functioning as a
free, quiet, ultra-efective pest-con-
trol service. But do they have to be
so doggone silent and stealthy and
startling? Well, yes. Its the way
theyre built and move and its
part of why humans have a natural
aversion to them.
Some people fear what they
dont know and dont understand,
Mount says. They dont have legs.
They dont have eyelids so its
easy to perceive that theyre star-
ing at you.
I nd the science of snakes
fascinating. Theyre a big tube of
muscle. They can move an entire
mouse through their mouth with
no hands, no fork. Theyre amaz-
Sure, they can be creepy but snakes dont deserve status as Public Enemy No. 1
BY SCOTT SMITH
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN
E
WWW.CHIEFTAIN.COM SUNDAY, JUNE 29, 2014
Life
A whopping 15 species of
snakes (only two of which
are venomous) live in
Pueblo County, according to
Amphibians and Reptiles in
Colorado, a eld guide by
Geofrey A. Hammerson.
But just because we rank
as Snake Central, thanks in
part to our varied terrain
and ecosystems and relative
abundance of wide-open
spaces, dont expect to
see snakes on every street
corner.
Indeed, most Pueblo
County residents snake
sightings are fairly limited.
Oh, you might see some
garter snakes down by the
Arkansas River or Fountain
Creek or in your backyard
garden, and you might run
across the odd prairie rattle-
snake in the rough at Walk-
ing Stick Golf Course or
while walking or riding the
trails in Lake Pueblo State
Park, but for the most part,
if you see a snake around
here, its probably going to
be one of our Big Two: bull-
snake or coachwhip.
Those two species are
more visible for a number
of reasons: Theyre large;
theyre active during the
daytime; and, unlike most
of their serpentine cousins,
theyre not shy.
Bullsnakes have by far
the highest population
statewide, says Darcy
Mount, a former park
ranger at Lake Pueblo State
Park. And theyre voracious
eaters, so youre more likely
to see one in action.
Pueblo Countys nest: bullsnakes and coachwhips
Common name:
GLOSSY SNAKE
Scientic name: Arizona elegans
Appearance: 26 to 70 inches; resembles gopher and
Great Plains rat snakes with brown and tan blotched pat-
terns, but scales are smooth rather than keeled.
Best places to see one: Dry, open sandy areas and can-
yon bottoms.
Misc.: Highly secretive; rare in Pueblo County.
Venomous? No
THE SNAKES OF PUEBLO COUNTY
Pueblo County is home to 15 species of snakes, according to the maps in Amphibians and Reptiles
in Colorado, a eld guide by Geofrey A. Hammerson. Heres a quick look at all of them:
Common name:
RACER
Scientic name: Coluber constrictor
Appearance: 34 to 77 inches; large, slender, agile and
fast; locally, most likely to be brown or olive colored but
may be other colors, including blue.
Best places to see one: Prairie grasslands, sandhills,
open riparian woodlands, foothill shrublands and canyons.
Misc.: Primarily terrestrial, but can climb shrubs and
small trees; holds head high while hunting; despite its sci-
entic name, its not a constrictor.
Venomous? No
Common name:
WESTERN HOGNOSE SNAKE
Scientic name: Heterodon nasicus
Appearance: 16-36 inches; upturned, spade-like snout;
stout body with broad neck; can be tan, brown, gray or
yellow-gray, with dark blotches and side spots.
Best places to see one: Prairie grasslands, sandy ood-
plains and near streams, ponds and irrigation ditches.
Misc.: Noted for its elaborate defense mechanisms,
which include trying to mimic rattlesnake behavior by at-
tening its head and striking (usually with mouth closed)
while hissing or snorting, and feigning death when handled
(including opping on its back when placed right-side up).
Venomous? No
Common name:
NIGHT SNAKE
Scientic name: Hypsiglena torquata
Appearance: 12 to 26 inches; small and slender; beige,
yellow or gray with numerous gray or brown blotches on
back and side.
Best places to see one: Rocky slopes and canyons with
sparse vegetation.
Misc.: Nocturnal and secretive; ground-dweller.
Venomous? No
Common name:
COACHWHIP
Scientic name: Masticophis agellum
Appearance: 36 to 102 inches; large, athletic and fast;
color in Pueblo County ranges from light pink to dark red.
Best places to see one: Dry, open land, including short-
grass prairie, rocky blufs, canyon slopes and pinon-juniper
woodlands.
Misc.: Often incorrectly called red racer, because of its
quickness and color; its not a racer. Great climber, tends to
be pugnacious and will strike if it feels threatened. Spends
much of the day on the move, even in the heat of day. Will
eat other snakes, including rattlers.
Venomous? No
Common name:
BULLSNAKE
Scientic name: Pituophis catenifer
Appearance: 48 to 100 inches; large and powerfully
built, with small neck; light-colored with brown, black or
reddish-brown blotches on sides and back.
Best places to see one: Dry woodlands, open brush-
land, prairies and elds.
Misc.: When confronted, may mimic rattlesnake behav-
ior, attening head, hissing and vibrating its tail before
lunging at a perceived threat. Others are remarkably docile
and allow themselves to be handled. Excellent rodent eat-
ers, kill by constriction.
Venomous? No
More snakes of Pueblo County
PAGE 2E
COURTESY PHOTOS/JOE FARAH/REPTILESOFCOLORADO.COM
SEE SNAKES, 2E
SEE BULLSNAKES, 3E
The Pueblo Chieftain Pueblo, Colorado Sunday, June 29, 2014 Page 2E
Common name:
PLAINS BLACK-HEADED SNAKE
Scientic name: Tantilla nigriceps
Appearance: 7 to 15 inches; light brown or tan
body with dark cap on head.
Best places to see one: Grasslands, foothills
and rocky or moist canyons.
Misc.: Very small and nocturnal and tends to
hide under surface litter; favorite prey includes
spiders, centipedes and millipedes.
Venomous? No
Common name:
GREAT PLAINS RAT SNAKE
Scientic name: Elaphe guttata
Appearance: 34 to 101 inches; light gray with
numerous dark-edged blotches.
Best places to see one: River valleys, canyon
bottoms, grassland, lowland riparian zones, usu-
ally close to a permanent or intermittent stream;
common in semi-agricultural and rural residential
areas.
Misc.: Good climber; efective hunter of ro-
dents; will climb trees in search of birds and eggs.
Venomous? No
Common name:
BLACKNECK GARTER SNAKE
Scientic name: Thamnophis cyrtopsis
Appearance: 16 to 43 inches; gray head with
black marks where neck meets head, dark back
with yellow stripe.
Best places to see one: Near permanent or
intermittent streams, springs and lakes.
Misc.: Opportunistic feeder both on land and in
water; swims on water surface rather than below;
preferred prey includes tadpoles, frogs and toads.
Venomous? No
Common name:
WESTERN TERRESTRIAL
GARTER SNAKE
Scientic name: Thamnophis elegans
Appearance: 18 to 42 inches; darker body with
pale stripes on side of body, brighter dorsal stripe.
Best places to see one: Any terrestrial or wet-
land habitats.
Misc.: Primarily active during the day; often
takes to water when disturbed; will eat everything
from grasshoppers and lizards to earthworms and
frogs.
Venomous? No
Common name:
PLAINS GARTER SNAKE
Scientic name: Thamnophis radix
Appearance: 20 to 40 inches; bright orange
or yellow back stripe, cream/yellow side stripes,
black spots on side.
Best places to see one: wet meadows, boggy
areas, parks, prairie, along edges of lakes and
streams.
Misc.: This is the most likely snake to nd in
your backyard; eats amphibians, earthworms and
grasshoppers.
Venomous? No
Common name:
MILK SNAKE
Scientic name: Lampropeltis triangulum
Appearance: 14 to 78 inches; alternating black,
white/cream and red/orange bands around body.
Best places to see one: Wide range of habitats,
from shortgrass prairie and canyons to ponderosa
pine stands and pinon-juniper woodlands.
Misc.: Rare in Pueblo County but more preva-
lent in the lower Arkansas River Valley; eats liz-
ards, snakes, birds, small mammals and eggs.
Venomous? No
Common name:
SMOOTH GREEN SNAKE
Scientic name: Liochlorophis vernalis
Appearance: 14 to 26 inches; bright grass-green
with tapered tail; small.
Best places to see one: In lush growth of
vegetation along mountain and foothill streams;
meadows next to riparian lands.
Misc.: Can be seen in Pueblo Mountain Park;
color provides excellent camouage as it hunts for
insects in grass and bushes; active during the day.
Venomous? No
Common name:
WESTERN RATTLESNAKE
(prairie subspecies)
Scientic name: Crotalus viridis
Appearance: 16 to 64 inches; brown with
darker brown splotches down back, horny rattles/
buttons on tail; head much broader than neck.
Best places to see one: Plains grassland, rocky
canyons, semi-desert shrubland, prairie dog colo-
nies, pinon-juniper woodland, montane woodland
basically anywhere that isnt perennially wet or
above 9,500 feet in elevation. Especially fond of
south-facing, rocky slopes.
Misc.: Terrestrial; not overtly aggressive but
can be strongly defensive; if an intruder approach-
es quickly, often will coil and rattle and prepare to
strike; excellent rodent-killers; bite dangerous to
humans.
Venomous? Yes
Common name:
MASSASAUGA
Scientic name: Sistrurus catenatus
Appearance: 18 to 39 inches; much smaller than
its prairie rattlesnake cousin; unlike other rattlers,
has nine large scales on top of head; brown with
blotches on back; head broader than neck.
Best places to see one: Desert grassland,
sagebrush prairie; found locally only in Pueblo
Countys far northeast corner; more common the
farther southeast you go.
Misc.: Not aggressive; its rattle is much quieter
than the prairie rattlers.
Venomous? Yes
Sources: Amphib-
ians and Reptiles in
Colorado, by Geofrey
A. Hammerson; Quick
Key to Amphibians and
Reptiles of Colorado,
by Colorado Parks and
Wildlife; National Audu-
bon Society Field Guide
to North American Rep-
tiles and Amphibians;
reptilesofcolorado.com.
Compiled by
Scott Smith
THE SNAKES OF PUEBLO COUNTY
SNAKES/from page 1E ______________________________
ing. And I appreciate
them because of the fact
that they are so under-
appreciated.
Keystone species
Of course, being under-
appreciated is one thing.
Being Public Enemy No.
1 is another. There are
more than a few people
who believe that the only
good snake is a dead
snake and thats a
shame, says herpetology
hobbyist Joe Farah.
Snakes are a key-
stone species in the food
chain, says Farah, a geo-
physicist who lives near
Castle Rock and spends
much of his free time
photographing the states
reptiles (see his work
at reptilesofcolorado.com
and in this section).
Theyre a very impor-
tant food source for a lot
of animals and they con-
trol certain pest issues,
especially in agricultural
areas.
But unless its a rattle-
snake threatening your
child, pet or livestock,
theres no good reason
to kill a snake. And even
with rattlesnakes, if pos-
sible, you can call some-
one who might capture it
and relocate it.
Dont pick it up
Naturally, the fear of
being bitten by a rat-
tler plays a major role
in knee-jerk, anti-snake
sentiment.
You cant downplay
the venom thing even
as a snake lover, I dont
want to be bitten by a
rattlesnake, Mount says.
And thats why you
need to treat them with
respect.
The No. 1 group of
people who get bit-
ten by rattlesnakes are
males ages 17 to 25 who
have been drinking. And
the No. 1 bite location?
Hands. In Pueblo County,
there are also reports of
gardeners and landscap-
ers being bitten every
year.
Mount says there are
multiple ways to distin-
guish rattlesnakes from
their nonvenomous
brethren (rattles on the
tail, shape of head, etc.),
but she advises a simple
rule of practice: Dont
handle them.
Theres no reason to
pick up a snake in the
wild, she says. Leave it
on the ground. Enjoy it
its a biological wonder.
Youre always safe if you
dont pick it up.
Ingrained fear
Although some people
actually sufer from full-
blown ophidiophobia (an
irrational fear or aver-
sion to snakes), most of
us are merely doing what
comes naturally for homo
sapiens: Were wary of
creatures that might kill
us.
Says John Gallagher,
program director at the
Nature and Raptor Cen-
ter of Pueblo, Snakes are
just one of those things
that nightmares are made
of.
I think the roots (of
snake fear) go back to
the Old World, back to
Africa and the Middle
East, where there were
always a lot of dangerous
snakes, Farah says. And
then that made its way
into creation theories and
religions and the Bible,
where the snake is associ-
ated with the devil.
Says Dave Van Manen,
founder of Mountain Park
Environmental Center
in Beulah, Its like were
hard-wired to be afraid of
snakes and we have to
educate ourselves to get
past that.
Changing times?
The times may be a-
changin, though. Those
in the nature education
business are seeing a
change in attitudes about
snakes among the young-
er generations.
Youre much more
likely to hear a kid say,
Oh, cool snake! or Dont
kill that snake, where
their parents would be
more likely to scream and
run away and say, Kill
that thing, says Gallagh-
er. The younger people
dont freak out as much.
Its all a matter of con-
sciousness raising, says
Farah.
Attitudes can change
and are changing, he
says. You see things like
rattlesnake roundups get-
ting shut down more
people are appalled when
they nd out about them.
I love snakes theyll
always be a personal
favorite of mine. Theyre
just so successful, so di-
verse, so unique. Theres
nothing else like em.
scotts@chieftain.com
COURTESY PHOTOS/JOE FARAH/REPTILESOFCOLORADO.COM
40% OFF All
La-Z-Boy Recliners!
Take 40% OFF any genuine La-Z-Boy Recliner in
stock or special order. Includes all leather and
fabric styles as well as all power and lift models.
Literally hundreds to choose from!
FREE DELIVERY!
FREE FINANCING for 1 full year!
Reg.
$648.00
$388
O
n
ly
a
t B
e
n
fa
ttis
!
Reg.
$780.00
$468
Reg.
$998.00
$599
Reg.
$838.00
$499
29th Street
H
w
y 50 W
est
2
9
th
S
tre
e
t
Interstate 25
I-25 Frontage Rd.
Dillon Drive Dillon Drive
Access to
Frontage Rd.
4-Way
Lighted
Intersection
U
n
iversity B
lvd
. (H
w
y 47)
M
el Harm
on Dr.
Pueblo Mall
Benfattis
3110 N. FREEWAY
PHONE 542-0175
www.benfattis.com
CALL TOLL-FREE 1-800-542-0175
B
enfatti
F U R N I T U R E
MDB
The Pueblo Chieftain Pueblo, Colorado Sunday, June 29, 2014 Page 3E
BULLSNAKES/from page 1E __________________________________________
A lot of other snakes
are stealthier or faster . . .
Bullsnakes dont mind
crossing the road in front
of you.
Bullsnakes also rank
atop the list of snakes
most likely to be killed
after being mistaken for
a rattlesnake. The non-
venomous bullsnakes
are somewhat similar in
color and markings and
also will mimic a rattlers
behavior when threat-
ened: coiled body, at-
tened head, erce hissing
and even vibrating its
tail in a pile of leaves,
the better to sound like
its fearsome cousin. Bad
move.
Mimicking the behav-
ior of a rattlesnake is a
good strategy if a raccoon
wants to eat you, Mount
says. But if a person sees
that behavior, theyre
going to assume youre
venomous and, whack,
there goes your head.
Joe Farah, who travels
extensively throughout
the state seeking snakes
to photograph, says
theres a common misper-
ception about bullsnakes.
You always hear peo-
ple saying that bullsnakes
eat rattlesnakes, but thats
not true they just eat
mammals and birds, he
says. But if you see a
bullsnake, theres a good
chance there are rattle-
snakes in the area, too,
since they eat the same
things.
Farah says when he
thinks of Pueblo County,
he thinks of coachwhips.
Pueblo is where they
start showing up, and
then you see more the
farther east you go, he
says. Theyre the fastest
snake in North America,
the longest snake in Colo-
rado, theyre sometimes
bright pink theyre just
one of my favorite snakes.
Youll see them during
the day theyre not as
secretive as other snakes.
And they eat tons of ro-
dents and they will eat
rattlesnakes.
They also tend to be
misidentied by many
people, who call them red
racers because of their
red-pink coloring and
swiftness. Theyre not
racers; theyre coach-
whips.
And although theyre
nonvenomous, they are
not to be tried with.
If you pick one up,
theyll denitely bite
you, Farah says.
Says John Gallagher,
program director at the
Nature and Raptor Cen-
ter of Pueblo: Theyre
the most aggressive
snakes we have. You
might be minding your
own business and they
might come right at you,
just because.
Scott Smith
Lets talk about satu-
rated fats.
There has been plenty
of hoopla lately about
this topic in the press.
A recent story in Time
magazine featured a
huge picture of a butter
stick on the cover and
the headline: Scientists
labeled fat the enemy.
Why they were wrong.
Recent books and a
highly publicized study
are being interpreted as
saying fatty foods are
not bad for the heart.
In fact, author Nina
Teicholz, has written a
book titled The Big Fat
Surprise: Why Butter,
Meat, and Cheese Be-
long in a Healthy Diet.
Unfortunately, these
publications could
cause a lot of damage
and are a move back-
ward in keeping Ameri-
cans healthy. If some-
thing looks too good to
be true, it probably is.
The medical profession
has not misled us for
years in terms of heart
health and the risks of
fats.
So what happened?
Saturated fat con-
sumption dropped by
11 percent since the
1970s, but consump-
tion of carbohydrates
increased by 25 percent.
After recommenda-
tions came out on the
importance of cutting
down on saturated fats
for heart health, many
people replaced foods
high in saturated fats
with carbs.
Carbs include starch-
es and sugars and are
in beans and apples,
as well as pretzels and
soda. Rened carbs are
in white bread, pasta
and sugary baked goods.
In order to sell these
products, manufactur-
ers labeled junk food
products as low-fat,
but hidden was all the
added sugar and corn
syrup. Corn syrup is in
almost everything now.
All of this has led to
an increase in calorie
intake. People also
traded saturated fats
for dangerous trans fats
after manufacturers use
of partially hydroge-
nated vegetable oils in
processed foods started
in the late 1980s.
My recommendation
is to go with cred-
ible, expert opinion
and recognized medi-
cal standards of care
and nutrition; dont be
swayed by what you
see on TV or read in
magazines. There is
still a lot to learn about
saturated fats, but the
key is to focus on foods
and not just individual
nutrients.
In order to be healthy
and live a long life:
Be physically active
most days of the week.
Eat more sh (es-
pecially fatty sh like
salmon) and chicken.
Eat vegetables,
fruit and low-fat dairy
products.
Eat reasonable
amounts of whole
grains and fewer rened
carbs.
Drink primarily
water.
In terms of fats,
avoid saturated and
trans fats and eat more
monounsaturated fatty
acids (olive and canola
oil, avocados, and nuts)
and omega-3 and -6
polyunsaturated fatty
acids. Omega-3s are in
sh, walnuts, axseed
and canola oil. Omega-
6s are in many vegeta-
ble oils.
If you want a good
diet with evidence be-
hind it, try the Mediter-
ranean or the DASH
diet; ask your doctor.
Following a healthy diet
doesnt mean you can-
not have an occasional
soda, dessert, ham-
burger or ice cream;
just remember the word
occasionally!
Dr. Christine Nevin-
Woods, director of the
Pueblo City-County
Health Department, has
both a medical degree
and a masters degree in
public health and pre-
ventive medicine.
Dont be fooled by hype
about saturated fats
CHRIS NEVIN-WOODS
Public Health
CLASSES
For more information, call
the telephone number listed
with the notice.
HEALTH and WELLNESS
A hepatitis C support group
meets from 6 to 7:30 p.m. the
third Monday of each month
at Robert Hoag Rawlings
Public Library, 100 E. Abrien-
do Ave., in the second-oor
study room. 719-440-0025.

Pueblo GIG, a branch of the

national Gluten Intolerance
Group, meets at 6 p.m. the
fourth Monday of each month
at Fellowship of the Rock-
ies, 3892 W. Northern Ave.
The group is for people with
celiac disease, gluten intoler-
ance/sensitivity, dermatitis
herpetiformis and anyone
trying to live gluten-free.
Teresa Steinle, 250-2615.

A traumatic brain injury

support group meets at 6
p.m. the second Wednesday
of the month in the Colum-
bine Room of the Parkview
Medical Center North Annex,
400 W. 17th St. 584-4677.

St. Mary-Corwin Medical

Center offers a total joint
class from 3 to 5 p.m. on the
second and fourth Wednes-
days of the month in the Joint
Replacement Center therapy
room on the fourth oor.
557-5138.

Pueblo Vision Support

Group, led by the Center for
Disabilities, meets from 10
a.m. to noon the rst Thurs-
day of each month and from
1 to 3 p.m. the third Thursday
at SRDA, 230 N. Union Ave.
Anyone living with a visual
impairment/disability is wel-
come. Deb Nelson or Becky
Talbert, 546-1271.

Pueblo Coffee Group, for

all people with a disability,
meets from 9 to 11 a.m. the
second Wednesday of each
month at Burger King, 1860
Vinewood Lane.

The Multiple Sclerosis

Alliance of Southern Colo-
rado hosts an MS support
group the second and fourth
Thursdays of each month at
the Lamb Branch Library, 2525
S. Pueblo Blvd. 248-1377 or
719-633-4603.

A stroke support group

meets from 11 a.m. to noon
on the third Wednesday of
each month in the YMCA
campus community room,
3200 E. Spaulding Ave. 584-
4677.

More information about

the American Sleep Apnea
Associations support group
AWAKE (alert, well and keep-
ing energetic) is available by
calling the St. Mary-Corwin
Medical Center sleep lab,
560-5473.

The Other Able class is a

support group of encourage-
ment, physical activity, hu-
mor and fun. Ross Campbell,
569-7081, or Chuck Couch-
man, 583-8498.

ACPC Womens Clinic,

500 Colorado Ave., offers
pregnancy testing with lim-
ited ultrasound testing and
limited STI testing and treat-
ment, prenatal and childbirth
classes; free and condential.
Appointments 544-9312, more
info at acpcwc.org.

ACPC Life Services, 500 Col-

orado Ave., offers parenting
classes for teens and adults
and loss recovery groups that
cover sexual abuse, abortion
and other painful life experi-
ences, all free and con-
dential. It also offers baby
showers, diapers and baby
clothing up to 12 months as
an incentive for participation.
Appointments 544-9312, more
info at acpcpueblo.org/life-
services.

The family planning clinic

at the Pueblo City-County
Health Department provides
birth-control methods and
preventive health-care servic-
es, including Pap tests, breast
self-examination, nutrition
counseling and STD testing
and treatment. Appointments
583-4380.

Planned Parenthood of
Pueblo offers affordable
pregnancy testing at its clinic
at 955 U.S. 50 West. 545-0246.

Parenting classes and play

groups are offered by the
Pueblo Nurturing Parenting
Program. Classes include a
light meal, and child care is
provided. 586-8634 or 586-
8623.

The Birth Place at St. Mary-

Corwin Medical Center offers
childbirth classes for preg-
nant women, and dads and
siblings. Class list, registra-
tion 557-4357.

A La Leche League breast-

feeding support group meets
at 6:30 p.m. the second
Thursday of each month at
Barkman Branch Library, 1300
Jerry Murphy Road. 252-2290.

The American Cancer

Society can be contacted at
800-227-2345.

The following cancer-relat-

ed support groups, classes
and services are offered at St.
Mary-Corwin Medical Center:
Us Too, for men with
prostate cancer or a recur-
rence and their families, 4:30-
5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday
of each month, Healing Arts
Room of Dorcy Cancer Center,
557-5889.
ABC (After Breast Can-
cer), for women who have
had breast cancer, 12:15-1:30
p.m. every Thursday, Healing
Arts Room of Dorcy Cancer
Center, 557-5510.
CanCERvive, a cancer
support group, 557-5423.
Dorcy Centers Healing
Arts Program, classes to help
people while and after they
have cancer, open to the pub-
lic, free for cancer survivors
and their families. For a cur-
rent class list or to be put on
the mailing list, call 557-3738
or go to dorcycancercenter.
org/survivorship.
Free wigs, hats and other
items are available for cancer
patients at the American Can-
cer Societys wig salon at St.
Mary-Corwin. 557-4944.
MENTAL HEALTH
The Alzheimers Associa-
tion caregiver support group
meets from 7 to 8 p.m. the
second Tuesday of each
month at the Pueblo West Li-
brary, 289 Joe Martinez Blvd.
Other Alzheimers caregiv-
er support groups meetings
are: 10-11 a.m. on the second
Wednesday of the month,
and noon-1 p.m. on the fourth
Friday of the month, both at
the Alzheimers Association
ofce, 4104 Outlook Blvd.,
Building B; and 1-2 p.m. on
the third Wednesday of the
month at NeighborWorks,
1241 E. Routt Ave. Groups
are led by trained volunteer
facilitators. Call 544-5720 to
reserve a place.

Family and Friends Friday

meets from 1 to 3 p.m. the
rst Friday of each month at
the Colorado Mental Health
Institute at Pueblo Museum,
just inside the hospital
grounds at 13th and Francisco
streets. Anyone with a men-
tally ill loved one is welcome
to attend and ask questions
of staff members. Marcella
Lopez-Hardy, 719-288-3594, or
Dawn Tripp, 546-4324.

Family and Friends sup-

port group meets from 1 to 3
p.m. the third Friday of each
month at the Colorado Men-
tal Health Institute at Pueblo
Museum, 13th and Francisco
streets. The group is open
to anyone in the community
who has a family member
or friend who has a mental
illness. Marcella Lopez-Hardy,
288-3594.

Friendly Harbor Drop In

Center, 417 W. 12th St., of-
fers these classes/support
groups each week: bipolar
support group, schizophren-
ics anonymous, depression
support group, philosophy
corner, communication build-
ing skills, DTR, open mike
and recreational activities.
545-2564.

Pueblo Suicide Prevention

Center is recruiting volun-
teers for the 24-hour crisis
hotline. Volunteers can work
from home and the training
is provided at no charge.
Volunteers must have a tele-
phone, computer and access
to the Internet. Applications
564-6642.

An Afrmations support
group meets at 1 p.m. the
third Saturday of each month
in the Bret Kelly Room of
Robert Hoag Rawlings Public
Library, 100 E. Abriendo Ave.
The group helps people
replace old habits with new,
more productive ones and
teaches how to make and
use positive afrmations. Ra-
mona Lombard, 583-2732, or
ramonalombard@me.com.

The Pueblo Vet Center, 1515

Fortino Blvd., Suite 130, offers
individual and group therapy
for combat veterans, well-
ness discussions for Iraq/Af-
ghanistan veterans, question-
answer forums on VA claims/
benets, and relationship
workshops for veterans and/
or families. 583-4058.

Sangre de Cristo Hospice

sponsors a mens support
group for those who are
grieving the loss of their wife,
child or mother, which meets
at 9:30 a.m. each Wednesday
at 300 W. Abriendo Ave. 542-
0032.

First Church of the Naza-

rene sponsors a divorce-care
support group and a grief-
share support group. 564-
3209.

Compassionate Friends, a
support group for bereaved
parents and siblings, meets
at 7 p.m. the second Monday
of each month in the fellow-
ship hall at Central Christian
Church, 1902 N. Hudson Ave.
545-2762.

The Center for Grieving and

Loss, 300 W. Abriendo Ave.,
offers classes and support
groups. Bereavement Ser-
vices, 296-6200.

Sangre de Cristo Hospice

offers free, age-appropriate
bereavement classes to
people who have experienced
a loss through death. 542-
0032, ext. 160.

Heartbeat is a support
group for people who have
lost loved ones through sui-
cide. 564-6642.
SUPPORT
P-Flag (Parents and Friends
of Lesbians and Gays),
546-1555, meets the second
Sunday of each month at 2
p.m. at the First Unitarian
Society, 110 S. La Crosse Ave.
Write to P.O. Box 1184, Pueblo
CO 81002-1184.

GLBTS Youth of Pueblo,

Outfront Youth Group for gay,
lesbian, bisexual, trans-
gendered, questioning and
straight/gay-friendly teens
and young adults. 564-4004.

Southern Colorado Equality

Alliance is an organization
that aims to promote under-
standing and dispel myths
about gay, lesbian, bisexual
and transgendered people
through visibility, education
and outreach. 564-4004.

Southern Colorado AIDS

Project (S-CAP) can be con-
tacted at 719-578-9092.
RECOVERY
Reformers Unanimous, a
Christ-centered addiction
program, meets from 7 to
9 p.m. each Friday at 2901
ONeal Ave. 240-1524.

Alcoholics Anonymous
holds meetings every week at
locations throughout Pueblo.
The 24-hour AA phone line is
546-1173.
Other 12-step groups that
hold regular meetings are
Back Door Narcotics Anony-
mous, 543-7965; the Positive
Connection, 612 W. 10th St.,
549-0664; Young Peoples AA,
542-6347; Al-Anon, 7 p.m.,
421 E. Spaulding Ave., Pueblo
West, 547-9589; AA Jaywalk-
ers Men, 7 p.m. Sunday, 421
E. Spaulding Ave., 547-9589.
Daily AA and NA, and Alateen
meetings at the Alano Club,
542-6347.
Narconon information, 800-
556-8885.
Al-Anon and Alateen meet-
ings, 564-0200.
Information for the
classes and support
groups column may be
emailed to life@chieftain.
com.
Compiled by
Mary Jean Porter
,
Tom and Karin Hill celebrated their 50th wedding an-
niversary on June 27th. Tom was stationed with the U.S.
Army in Wuerzburg, Germany when they met. A year later,
June 27, 1964 they were united in marriage at St. Peter and
Paul Catholic Church in Rimpar, Germany. This is Karins
hometown church and it dates back to the 13th century. All
of Karins large family, her friends and many of Toms Army
buddies and their wives were in attendance. They gave a
typical large German reception. Tom and Karins honey-
moon took them to the beautiful mountains of the Berchtes-
gaden area in the Bavarian Alps.
They have one daughter, the Rev. Mary Ann Hill of St. Dun-
stan Episcopal church, Tulsa, OK. Marry Ann will be cel-
ebrating with them. Pueblo is where they have made their
home twenty years ago. They love their retirement, and are
enjoying all of what Pueblo and Colorado have to ofer.
Their anniversary celebration took place in Crested Butte,
with their daughter and some friends. It is one of their
favorite places in the mountains which they love.
Tom, Karin and Mary Ann are thankful for their happy
years together.
Tom and Karin Hill
1964- 2014
.., ,
.., ,
Mr. and Mrs. Scroggins
On June 18, 1964, in Denver, Colo., at the home of Sandras parents,
surrounded by friends and family, Michael Conard Scroggins and
Sandra Yvonne Spencer were united in marriage. Celebrating 50 years
of marriage, Mike and Sandy enjoyed a celebration with their children,
Wade (Joyce) Scroggins, Dina Benton, Lesley Armstrong (Steve), seven
grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, along with their closest friends.
They have touched so many lives and we are so very blessed to be able
to celebrate with them on such an amazing day. We love you so very
much and look forward to celebrating many more years together!
,
Pullaro
1964-2014
Tony and Mary Pullaro celebrated their 50th wedding
anniversary. They were married June 20, 1964, at St.
Francis Church in Pueblo. They have two children and four
grandsons, with whom they celebrated.

We love you, Mom and Dad!
,
Joe and Joan Martinelli
1974-2014
Joe and Joan Martinelli of Pueblo celebrated their 40th wedding
anniversary on June 21 at the Mozart. They were married June 22, 1974, at
St. Mary Catholic Church.
To share your special occasion:
Celebration announcements appear every Sunday and must be
submitted by Tuesday prior to publication at 10 a.m. Drop of the informa-
tion or mail it to 825 W. Sixth St., Pueblo, CO 81003; email it to cassm@
chieftain.com; or ll out an online form at chieftain.com.
For the best results, photos should be head-and-shoulder shots (from the
bust up). Other full-length photos can be cropped and enlarged, but that
might diminish the quality of the photo.