The Silverthorne Pulse

On a typical day, flashing red and blue lights heading toward your home is not exactly a welcomed sight. But during the COVID-19 stay at home order, Summit Fire & EMS has helped roughly 20 Summit County residents celebrate their birthdays with a drive-by parade of fire trucks and ambulances flashing their lights, giving birthday wishes over the PA system, and when possible teaming up with local law enforcement vehicles for an even flashier show. “A lot of people deal with us on their worst day ever,” said Steve Lipsher, …

When our country is in crisis, members of the National Guard are “always ready, always there.” Even during the COVID-19 pandemic when they are facing the same anxiety, fears and family needs that the rest of us are, the National Guard’s citizen soldiers are called to step away from their daily lives and businesses to serve the community.  For Silverthorne eye doc Jessica Hegewald, owner of Blue River Vision, this calling to serve in the National Guard is a privilege. “I chose health care and the National Guard for the …

It’s a tough time to be in the restaurant business. But for Silverthorne restaurant owners Tim Applegate and Ben Reil, that’s not holding them back from donating meals to frontline workers during this pandemic.  As owners of Silverthorne’s Sauce on the Blue, Tim and his wife Deb have been hard at work behind the scenes to cook and deliver delicious Italian dinners for the Silverthorne Police Department each day. “We’re not looking for anything from it,” said Tim. “We just recognize how fortunate we are to have such a wonderful …

During an unprecedented time filled with so much uncertainty, one thing is for sure: Silverthorne’s got heart. There are heartwarming stories about businesses, nonprofits and people helping people in extraordinary ways – from FIRC’s 1,997 meals served weekly to the hundreds of donors who have stepped up to support the Summit Foundation community cares fund, our community is brimming with generosity.  But this neighborly love isn’t anything new to Silverthorne. Let’s take a look back at the stories of three local heroes we shared last year. #1 Jim Buckler helps …

A connection to Summit County and beyond The Blue River Trail in Silverthorne is a favorite among residents and visitors alike. Providing an accessible rec path for all to enjoy, the Blue River Trail connects Silverthorne to the rest of the rec paths in Summit County, making it easy and fun to bike from Silverthorne to Dillon, Frisco and beyond. For the past 15 years, stewards of the Blue River Trail in Silverthorne have been helping clean and maintain the trail for all to enjoy through the Town’s Adopt a …

John Longhill and the Blue River Horse Center Over the past 35 years, John Longhill estimates that he has worked with 15,000 kids through his horse programs, starting in Georgia before moving to Colorado and opening the Blue River Horse Center. Serving as executive director since 2008, John works hard helping horses, children and adults.    Located just north of the town of Silverthorne, the Blue River Horse Center has a twofold purpose: to help decrease the number of unwanted horses in Colorado and to provide an educational experience for …

Nothing says cozy community like curling up with a warm beverage and a good book — and Red Buffalo Coffee & Tea wants to make sure everyone in Silverthorne can do just that.  Red Buffalo, located at 358 Blue River Parkway and backing onto the Blue River, has played an active role in the Silverthorne community since the café opened in 2010. All summer, Red Buffalo hosts Storytime on the Go on the back patio, with a librarian from the Silverthorne-Summit County North Branch Library bringing books to share with …

You might know Bob Lau as a top-notch financial advisor with his own financial services business (Summit Wealth Advisors). Or you might know him from his coaching days at the Silverthorne Elementary where he coached both of his kids, Abbey and Jake in various sports. Perhaps you know him from his days as a guide for Copper Mountain’s Over the Hill Gang. Or maybe you’ve seen Bob enjoying breakfast at Mountain Lyon Cafe or grabbing a bottle of something tasty from Chris at Locals Liquors. Any way you slice it, …

There’s something in the water. Or maybe it’s the fresh air, the tranquility and the simple art of conversation. Whatever the source, veterans young and old, from all branches of the U.S. military, have had transformative experiences of engagement, reflection and healing after participating in Project Healing Waters, a national fly fishing program that serves disabled military service personnel and veterans. Volunteers in hundreds of communities nationwide participate, and Silverthorne is proud to be one of them.  Jim Buckler, owner of Cutthroat Anglers, alongside other local volunteer guides, has been …

Sometimes it’s difficult to know if you’ve made a difference. And sometimes it takes a long time to see the fruits of your labor. Those adages don’t hold true for volunteers with Summit County’s Mountain Mentors, a 30-year-old program that helps local youth. For more than a year, Silverthorne resident and mentor Linda Hrycaj has watched her 8-year-old mentee blossom and grow as they ride horses, volunteer at the animal shelter, cook meals and attend Mountain Mentor group events together. “This is a tremendous opportunity to connect with kids,” Linda …