Author: krisbhatti

Bunce School

The historic Bunce School, located within easy walking distance of the Kelley House, will be open for docent-led tours on Aug. 6, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during Hilltop Guild’s annual Bazaar. This one-room school was built in 1888 and restored by Guild members in 1996. 

Bunce School

Come visit the Historic Bunce School within walking distance from the Kelley House OPEN  Saturday September 4, 2021 and Saturday September 25, 2021 between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. 
This hand-hewn log school building was built in 1888 and operated as the only school serving the areas now known as Raymond, Riverside, Heathermeade, Peaceful Valley and it sounds like a few students came from the Jamestown area, too.  There was a school in Allenspark at the time, so those residents went to Allenspark.   The school operated until about 1940 when the districts were consolidated and students began attending  Allenspark or Lyons schools. 
The school also lent its’ name to the Bunce School Road which connects the Peaceful Valley area to the school and pre-dates the current Hwy 7 location.
After the schools merged, the building was used for various functions including fire station and offices, lending library, poker nights for fire fighters, square dances (one-square), voting location, Hilltop Guild meeting place, and  summer residence.   After about 1960 it fell into disrepair and was not used much, but was still owned by the Fire Department.   In the early 1990’s the Hilltop Guild became very interested in preserving and restoring the building.   It was eventually deeded over to the Hilltop Guild and re-joined the Kelley House property from earlier days.  During that decade, Guild men and women worked diligently to restore the building.   The old porch was removed and replaced.  Several foundation logs needed to be replaced and were hand hewn into squared logs for this purpose.   The Historically Registered building required authentic renovation – and got it. 
In the last twenty years or so, Guild and community members have donated antique school desks and other items from the era of the schools’ operation.  Under the loving care of Darlene Thompson, who has a long history with the building, the interior has become a kind of museum.   The Hilltop Guild enjoys sharing this treasure with our neighbors and guests during the summer months.   
Please bring your family and friends (and especially the kids) for a visit and a short scavenger hunt for relics of that era. Ride your donkey or pony over if you have one as the early students were known to do. We do maintain an operational outhouse, too. 
Visit free of charge – donations welcome to maintain the building.

2021 Scholarships

Six young women awarded 2021 Hilltop Guild scholarships 
The Hilltop Guild in Allenspark is an organization of women that supports the sale of hobbies and handicrafts, used to support scholarships and community organizations. The Guild’s major fundraiser is the first Saturday in August. 
This year, six young women — three from Estes Park High School and three from Lyons High School — received scholarships. 
Ellie Bergsten from Estes Park High was awarded the Joan Rogers Memorial Scholarship.  Ellie will be attending
Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota.  Ellie has enrolled in Heritage and Museum Studies with the goal of 
working in a museum.

Jennifer Kinch from Estes Park High was awarded a Hilltop Guild Scholarship.  She will be attending Colorado
School of Mines located in Golden, Colorado. Jennifer will study environmental or chemical engineering.
She wants to help solve the problems caused by plastic pollution and also deal with expanding renewable energy sources.

Rachel Calvin from Estes Park High was awarded the Betty Fulton Memorial Scholarship. She will be attending
Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas.  Rachel’s field of study is interior design. Her goal is to design spaces
that are welcoming and open to all who enter.

Sierra Andresen from Lyons High School was awarded the Marjorie McCulloch Memorial Scholarship.  She will
be attending Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. Sierra plans to earn a degree in zoology with a
goal of later attending veterinary school to become a veterinarian surgeon.

Avery Joy from Lyons High School was awarded the Gerald Halsey Memorial Scholarship.  She will be attending
the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming. Her major will be Business Administration and Entrepreneurship.
She plans to start a nonprofit with her mom that will give students a chance to work with professionals, which will in turn
help the students to set goals for their future.

Tala Moe from Lyons High School was awarded a Hilltop Guild Scholarship. Tala will be attending Northeastern
Junior College located in Sterling, Colorado.  She will study art and business.  Her long-term plan includes
transferring to a four-year college in Colorado with a goal of becoming an art therapist or an art teacher.

Members of the Hilltop Guild Philanthropic Committee include, from left, Barbara Coles, Donna Squyres, and Carol Halsey.

Fall Festival and Classes

The Hilltop Guild’s Fall Festival — the last event of an exciting season – will be held on Saturday, Sept. 25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kelley House off Highway 7.The Kelley House is located between Nederland and Estes Park at 18720 Highway 7 or Peak-to-Peak Highway.
The Fall Festival will feature a rummage sale including glassware, china, antique plates, kitchenware and many handmade items crafted by our weavers and quilters. A chili lunch also will be sold.
Stop in and see what this association of Allenspark area residents is all about. You will get a warm welcome!

Additionally, the Guild is offering a selection of classes this September and October open to the public, led by Guild members.
A “plarn” workshop will be held Sept. 15 at 10 a.m. What is plarn? It is plastic yarn that can be woven into bags, totes and purses. Bring clean plastic bags if you have them and Donna Squyres will show you how to make plarn.
An embroidery class held over two Wednesdays on Sept. 22 and Sept. 29 also will be held at the Kelley House at 10 a.m. An $8 materials fee will cover a tea towel, silks, a hoop and everything you will need to get started. Space is limited so sign up soon by phoning the Guild and leaving a message at (303) 747- 2001. Leading the classes will be Judee Snell and Diana Boulter.
On Oct. 6 at 10 a.m. a class on how to make colorful woven shoe laces will be taught by Diane Turechek.