Spring Valley Property Owners & Recreational Corporation
We will be stocking the lakes on July 9th between 8am and 9am if the kids want to try and pick out the fish they want to catch.
Registration starts on July 16th at 8:00 am and the Derby runs from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. By clicking on the link below, the Rules will open in a new window. Please print the Rules and share them with invited guests.
More information to come!
The Annual Kids Fishing Derby held July 17, 2010 was a huge success. A record number of kids were registered 100, yep that’s right 100 kids and of course their families were there too. The weather was perfect; sunny and not much wind. Mother Nature even cooperated the week before the derby and since there wasn’t much rain, the water at Potty Pond was clear and the fish were hungry. Early on the morning of the Derby, volunteers arrived to help with the set-up and man their assigned stations. We are so fortunate to have the volunteers to help, it makes the burden of Derby much lighter for the organizers, thank-you. For the third straight year Phantom Canyon Brewing Company supplied our lunch; please make an effort to support the restaurant (2 East Pikes Peak Ave, Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, 635-2800). A huge thank-you to Scott Coulter (King of the Grill) and Robin Hubbard (making it all happen girl) for all of your hard work, support of the Derby and making our bellies happy. Ramping up to the Derby, many donations were received for raffle prizes, monetary gifts to purchase items and hand crafted items for the raffle as well. Spring Valley neighbors beat the pavement and hit up area businesses for gift certificates and donations too. Between the registration dues collected and the raffle ticket sales, $1500.00 was raised. All of that money goes back into the Derby fund to support next year’s Derby. Thanks for supporting the Derby.
Roni Gordon
Derby winners:
Name: Age: Fish:
Kenton Kenley 4 1 lb, 12 oz, 16.75”
Emily Biberry 5 2 lb, 11 oz, 18.5”
Cody Bess 11 2 lb, 13 oz, 18.75”
Kayla Nocon 9 5 lb, 13 oz, 24”
Andrew Bybee 16 1 lb, 15 oz, 16.5”
Taylor Bybee 14 1 lb, 10 oz, 15.5”
As the sun was just starting to creep over Rampart Range and most Spring Valley Neighbors were still snug in their beds the Pavilion and Potty Pond were filled with activity. Like ants on an anthill, volunteers were scurrying about to set-up for the 18th Annual Kid’s Fishing Derby. A few “early birds” arrived to stake their claim on the best spots to catch “the big one.” Doughnuts and ice were delivered by Amy Battin, since she just wanted to help out and return the favor to the neighbors that supported her family during their recent house fire. The sound of hammers and staple guns rang out through the cool morning air as John Schneider, Scott Findlay, Shane Wildeman, Greg Smith and John Fite set-up the various booths and signage. Meanwhile Sam Mathews and Judy Findlay, along with Scott Coulter and Robin Hubbard, were working their magic to prepare the pavilion for the “out of this world” lunch brought to us by Phantom Canyon Brewing Company. The rumble of the “Mountain Limo” was heard as Mick and Mary Gunn arrived with their van loaded with all of the raffle prizes. They proceeded to set up the raffle booth and Mick did his vocal exercises preparing to be on the megaphone all day raffling prizes and making announcements. The Division of Wildlife Volunteers pulled in with their “Bear Aware” and “Living with Wildlife” educational materials and pelts, to teach us about being good neighbors to the wildlife. Deb Schneider and Georgia Curie met an enthusiastic mob waving five dollar bills at the registration table. The gals happily took money, registered kids for the derby and in the Kid’s drawing, passed out goodie bags and reminded parents of the rules. Rick Skiles of Wild West Taxidermy set up the fish measuring and weighing station and expressed his admiration of the new fish measurer made by Shaun Gordon.
Just before the start of the Derby , Sam Mathews got on the megaphone (despite her stage fright) and thanked all of the volunteers, Amanda “the can lady” Vrtis, Glenn “mow-master” Schwester, and all of the previously mentioned folks that helped so much. And then the fishing started—you were cheatin’ death walking behind those kids casting out to catch the big one. There were 72 kids registered for the derby. Five Golden Trout were caught and prizes awarded.
The winners for the 2009 Derby are as follows:
Name: Age: Length: Weight:
Kenton Kenley 3 17” 2 lb 4 oz
Aaron Camacho 8 21” 3 lb, 14oz
Thomas Brady 15 16” ?
Lacey Chisman 6 17.5” 2 lb 8 oz
Cailyn Hoag 9 22.75” ?
Samantha Forman 13 17.5” 2 lb 9 oz
As the derby wound down, the volunteers continued to step-up: many stayed to break down booths and signage, haul trash, and clean up Potty pond and the pavilion. It is events like this that make me proud to be member of this community and call this neighborhood home. Thank you to each and every one of you for all that you did to make this derby possible. See ya next year!
Roni Gordon
(photos by Marilyn Burton)
This year’s clean up day was a great success. We had a terrific turnout of volunteers. We would like to thank everyone who participated in the many tasks we had. From the cooks who worked hard to serve a great pancake breakfast to the folks who picked up trash around our community, as well as those who stained the tables and benches. A special thanks to those that did all of the above.
Thanks to Shaun and Roni Gordon for buying the materials and providing the tools and muscle to prep all the tables and benches for staining.
Thanks again to all of our residents who took time to help keep Spring Valley beautiful and a great place to live.
Your Improvements Committee Chair
Sam Mathews
(Photos by Sam Mathews)
