HAIGLER HOSTS INTERNATIONAL VISITORS

     Did you see the “Welcome SIEC International Friends Reunion” signs below the “Welcome to Haigler” signs on the east and west side of Haigler this past week?  Did you see the tent and balloons set up in the Carlock gardens?  Did you wonder what event was now happening in Haigler?

     Haigler and LaNeta and Stan Carlock were hosts to international visitors from England, Germany, Finland, Scotland, Denmark, and Texas.  All individuals were colleagues of LaNeta’s for many years when she was involved with international work through an organization called SIEC (Society International Economic Congress).  LaNeta represented the USA on the Board of Directors; others represented their individual countries on the Board.  Membership included representation from 30 countries.  It had been 5-10 years since most of the group had last met.  All came to Haigler for “the Haigler experience.”  Housing accommodations were at the Haigler White House, the Lodge, and the Freehling/Putnam homes.  In attendance were Janet Elliott, England; Ingrid Rose, Germany; Ritva and Risto Rautio and grandson Jerry Rautio, Finland; Andrew Moore, Scotland; Erik and Hanne Lange, Denmark; and Dorothy Dent, Texas.  In addition to Stan and LaNeta Carlock; Charlie and Myrna Mulligan, Galena Webster, Gary and Lorene Putnam, and Percy and Barbara Harris also participated in many of the activities.

     The “Haigler experience” included Charlie Mulligan’s homemade pizza served under the Carlock tent; breakfast at the Haigler Country Café; Sage Hill Vineyard and Winery hosted by Hal and Carol Walker;  country fried chicken, Nebraska barbecued beef; homemade icecream by LaNeta’s sister, Galena Webster; Rock Creek Lake, walking the streets of Haigler; star gazing; country drives to Texas Trail Canyon, Kansas, and Nebraska Sandhills; Haigler Country Schoolhouse Museum, Haigler Cornerstone Museum; United Methodist Church services and piano concert by Donald Newman of Imperial, NE; and sing-a-longs.

     LaNeta and her sister Myrna Mulligan had driven to Denver on Friday, August 3 to caravan the group to Haigler in two SUV vehicles.  On Tuesday morning following breakfast, everyone departed Haigler for “the Estes Park experience” and Rocky Mountains of Colorado.  All enjoyed the drive through the Big Thompson Canyon.  Lodging at the YMCA of the Rockies provided a wonderful location for all the activities planned in Estes Park.  These included meeting cowboy singer Brad Fitch, attending the Rocky Mountain Opry Variety Show, picnic lunch at Endo Valley, hiking at Lily’s Lake, stopping at Mary’s Lake Lodge, visiting the Stanley Hotel, driving Trail Ridge Road;  and a farewell dinner at Nicky’s Steakhouse beside the Fall River, listening to piano music by Gerry Valero.

 

     On Friday and Saturday, August 10 and 11, guests departed from Denver International Airport.  Interesting comments like, “ We will never ask again what you do in Haigler,” We cannot believe all the things that go on in such a small village as Haigler—and in Dundy County,”  “The friendliness of the people and the community way of doing things is unbelievable,”  “We are all world travelers, but never have we experienced anything like this past week.”    “The Haigler experience—and the Estes Park experience will long be remembered.”

A visit to Sage Hill Vinyards

A drive through the sand hills north of parks to the Sage Hill Vineyard.

A visit to the Cornerstone Museum

A stop at the District 67 Schoolhouse.

An inspection of the Haigler Jail.

Janet Elliott, England; Ingrid Rose, Germany; Ritva and Risto Rautio and grandson Jerry Rautio, Finland; Andrew Moore, Scotland; Erik and Hanne Lange, Denmark; and Dorothy Dent, Texas, Stan and LaNeta Carlock