Three Wire Winter Oral History and Magazine Collections

Between 1976 and 1988 Steamboat Springs High School students captured the oral histories of prominent Routt County citizens and published them in a magazine titled Three Wire Winter. Twenty-four issues went to press before the program ended and the collection was deeded to the Tread of Pioneers Museum. In 2015, the Bud Werner Memorial Library and the Tread of Pioneers Museum partnered to feature Three Wire Winter and its wealth of oral history interviews, magazine articles, photos and other documents through this digital archive.

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: Issue #12, Fall 1980 - Three Wire Winter Collection; The 12th issue of Three Wire Winter includes Claudius & Jon Banks, Earl Bedell, Jeff Davis, Gary Crawford, Chris McNeil, Doc Utterback, Frank & Winton Brophy, and Ann Rich, as well as featured articles on the Tread of Pioneers Museum and Winter Carnival. Table of Contents "Old homes, old names, and old splendors." Tread of Pioneers Museum Winter Carnival Spectacle - Steamboat's Lighted Man: Jon & Claudius Banks "Buckle up your belt and make the best of it!" Earl Bedell The Sky's the Limit: Jeff Davis, Gary Crawford, & Chris McNeil "I came to Steamboat, a babe in arms, on a four-horse stage." Doc Utterback Vista Verde: The Green View: Frank & Winton Brophy "I accept challenges and enjoy them." Anne Rich Letter from the Editor and the poem "The Land of Pretend" by Frances Wheeler.

: Issue #13, Winter 1980 - Three Wire Winter Collection; The 13th issue collection of Three Wire Winter includes oral histories from Mary Calhoun, Billy Kidd, Michael Blackett, David Bedell, Glenn Werner, Paul Stettner Sr., Gordy Wren and Rudi Schnackenberg. The magazine features Mary Calhoun, Billy Kidd, Michael Blackett, Jack Schwan, Jan McNeal, Dave Wallace, David Bedell, Glenn Werner, Paul Stettner Sr., Gordy Wren, Rudi Schnackenberg, Bob Krear, and a feature article on the 10th Mountain Division. Table of Contents Mary Calhoun: "When you like to Write, that's just the best thing in the world to do." Steamboat; Sun, Snow, and Billy Kidd "No Guts - No Glory!" David Bedell: The Indian Rocks Glenn Werner: "We got along all right with a lot of work and a little energy." Paul Stettner: "Anything I could get my hands on I could climb." The Tenth Mountain Division: Gordy Wren, Bob Krear, Rudi Schnackenberg 87th Best By Far Letter from Staff Assorted photos and a poem by Jake Schwan

: Issue #14, Spring 1981 - Three Wire Winter Collection; The 14th issue of Three Wire Winter includes Ruth & Heinz Shirr, Wayne & Helen Light, Doc Utterback, Ted Cordova, Shorty Hamidy, J.C. Trujillo, Pete Gorrell and Winston Spangler with a featured article on the McGregor Mine. Table of Contents "We lived each particular moment the way it came." Ruth & Heinz Shirr Wayne and Helen Light Remember Doc Utterback: Part Two "All I ever wanted to be was a cowboy!" Ted Cordova "Don't let him quit that store it's part of his life." Shorty Hamidy Getting Tough with the Tough: J.C. Trujillo McGregor, Only Memories Left "Saddlery used to be a very secretive trade." Pete Gorrell "I've always had a good horse and it was my way of life." Winston Spangler Letter from the Editor

: Issue #15, Winter 1982 - Three Wire Winter Collection; The 15th issue of Three Wire Winter includes Chuck & Jan Harrington, Eleanor Bliss, Margaret Rossi, Bill Hall, Si Lockhart, Dr. Earl Smith, Gertrude & Walt Webber, Keith Selbe, and Ardys Brookshire as well as a featured article on Stephens College/Perry Mansfield. Table of Contents Stephens College/Perry Mansfield "The best thing about the good old days is that they are gone!" Margaret Rossi Orienteering: an Interview with Bill Hall "I have a fondness for the old days, but I wouldn't ever want to go back!" Si Lockhart, Part Two "I have always been closer to animals than people!" Dr. Earl Smith Spreading Christmas Joy: Gertrude & Walt Webber "I'm going to stay for the main event." Keith Selbe "Well, that line has been disconnected." Telephone History with Ardys Brookshire. Letter from the Editor Correspondence and a poem by Margaret Rossi

: Issue #16, Spring 1982 - Three Wire Winter Collection; The 16th issue of Three Wire Winter includes Marcellus Merrill, Floyd Montgomery, Richard H. Gilbert, Gertrude Campbell, George Tolles, Sven Wiik, and Dude Todd, as well as featured articles on dowsing, and on the history of Brooklyn and law enforcement. Table of Contents Marcellus Merrill: "How Steamboat was in those early days." Floyd Montgomery: "In my book, the trophy hunter is a real sportsman." "They would serve you beer, whiskey, anything you wanted, even 'not nice' girls." Law Enforcement History: Reflections from Dude Todd Sven Wiik: A Sports Pioneer George Tolles: Dowsing is a God Given Privilege Richard Gilbert: "I just served my country and held on." Gertrude Campbell: "Keep it short and sweet." Poem "Past Generation" by Anna Bowie May

: Issue #17, Fall 1983 - Three Wire Winter Collection; The 17th issue of Three Wire Winter includes Gloria Gossard, Elisabeth Schnackenberg, Roy Stuble, Jim Hicks, Gene and Maxine Flaharty, Richard Soash and feature articles on the Steamboat Ski area and the Pine Grove Restaurant. Table of Contents 1961 Ski Steamboat Gloria Gossard: "Steamboat is a town of vitality and youth! I think it's great!" Elisabeth Schnackenberg: "I always have a song in my heart." Roy Struble: "I had to keep my mouth shut and do the best I could." Jim Hicks: "In twenty years, we'll think these days were really great." Gene and Maxine Flaharty: "Boy they worked ya, they didn't wnat no sitting around!" Richard Soash: "This is probably the most exciting time that anyone could live in." The Pine Grove: "The type of restaurant you'd like to find."

: Issue #18, Winter 1984 - Three Wire Winter Collection; The 18th issue of Three Wire Winter includes Del Scott, Carol Finnoff, Bob Gilbert, Aldis Klumker, Rob Sherwood, Bud Johnson, and Frank Meek. Table of Contents Poem "A Wireless Winter" by Stacey, Libby & Tanna Brock Del Scott: "I came back to Steamboat and worked as a teller." Carol Finnoff: "That was great, good fun!" Bob Gilbert: "You want to be satisfied with your own work." Aldis Klumker: "I've probably had over one-hundred jobs in my life..." Rob Sherwood: The How's and Why's of Ski Tuning. Bud Johnsen: "I think the basics of Steamboat haven't changed; there are still awfully nice people." Frank Meek: Trout are Beautiful and Precious Resources

: Issue #19, Spring 1984 - Three Wire Winter Collection; The 19th issue of Three Wire Winter magazine includes Zella Mae Williams, Vern Grecco, Pete Wither, Richard Soash as well as feature articles on the Fat Chance Antique Shop, arrowhead hunting, the Hayden Speedway and hot air ballooning. Table of Contents Zella Mae Williams: "Get your children to love you and then you will get something out of them." Vern Greco: "I am happy working in a business I love." Can skiing really be a job? It's been Pete Wither's for 22 years. Take a Chance with 'Fat Chance' Arrowheads: Jim Barnhill "Checkered Flag" The History of Hayden Speedway Richard Soash - Part 2: "I longed to run for political office and be elected." Joe August: Ballooning - It will give you a rise. Poem by Kalli Sanders and a Letter from the Editor Three Wire Winter Newsletter Insert

: Issue #20, Spring 1985 - Three Wire Winter Collection; The 20th issue of Three Wire Winter Magazine includes Albert Hitchens, Roger Butler, John Fetcher, Hazel Henson, Art Maijala, and feature articles on the railroad, snowmobiling, Steamboat Vintage Auto Race and Yampa Valley Electric. Table of Contents Albert Hitchens: "Well, look at this damn old dirt farmer." "Everything seemed to center around the railroad." Kenny Nachtman: Snowmobiling The Vintage Auto Race: "They're just out there for fun." "Let there be light." Roger Butler: The Youngest Old Man in the Company John Fetcher: An Inspiration for our Time Hazel Henson: "Here I am still going strong." Art Maijala: "We always loved the woods and worked in them." Poem: The Old Sawmill by Debbie Girton & Jayne Hill

: Issue #21, Winter 1986 - Three Wire Winter Collection; The 21st issue of Three Wire Winter Magazine includes Hazel Nelson, Randy Large, Sam Haslem and Lou Wyman, as well as feature articles on Texas Longhorns and bow hunting. Table of Contents Hazel Nelson: "Everybody congregated at our house." Randy Large, Better Known as the Banjo Man Texas Longhorns Lonny Vanatta: Great Adventures in Bow Hunting Sam Haslem: "I enjoy helping people." Lou Wyman: Elk Ranching, It's More Than Just Hunting Poem by Joli Porter

: Issue #22, Fall 1986 - Three Wire Winter Collection; The 22nd issue of Three Wire Winter includes Jay Muhme, Delmar Coyner, Mike Middleton, Ty Zabel, Jerry and Rusty Nay, Elaine Gay, Roger Jensen, Ross Kelly, and Wendy Decker, as well as feature articles on the Volunteer Fire Department and the City Police. Table of Contents "They call us volunteers but we're really professionals." Ty Zabel: Hunting the Ultimate Game Animal Jerry & Rusty Nay: "I don't think any of us expect to get rich." Elaine Gay: "I guess just being a rancher's wife was enough for me." Our Role in the Community - City Police Wendy Decker: "I like working with animals, it's a type of art."

: Issue #23, Winter 1987 - Three Wire Winter Collection; The 23rd issue of Three Wire Winter includes a dedication to the memory of Dorothy Wither, interviews with Jim "Moose" Barrows, Dave Whittlesey, Stan Whittemore, Eleanor Bliss, Janet DeGroff, Lorraine Arkind, Lloyd Monger, Mike Barry, Jupiter and Barbara Jones, and feature articles on The Arts and Humanities Center, Quilting, Dr. Frederick Willett, the Chief Theater, and the Steamboat Powder Cats. Table of Contents Jim "Moose" Barrows: "Every kid has dreams -- my dreams were the Olympics." Dave Whittlesey and the High Wire Ranch Steamboat's Old Depot: The Arts and Humanities Center Happiness is Quilting: Jane DeGroff and Lorraine Arkind The Country Doctor: Dr. Frederick Willett Lloyd Monger: "I've done my share of the work ever since I can remember." It was the Largest Theater in Northwest Colorado, the Chief Theater Steamboat Powder Cats: They came from all over to ski with us.

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