Eddie Bracken and Chuck Lidderdale spent the afternoon cooking up great brats.  Later the setup crew moved tables and chairs while Dan and Diane Hagmaier manned the kitchen. Trish Dudding hung spider webs and black netting over the Spook Room where she told her wonderful scary stories to wide-eyed kid after they stuck their hands into bags of eyeballs, brains, guts, and real liver.  Soon the whole building was full as over 125 people enjoyed chatting and eating and listening to Joel Theriault’s band (the Sagebrush Wranglers).  Judges marked ballots as they tasted all the contestants’ desserts and checked out the carved pumpkins.  Scout leaders, Pat McDivitt and Catherine Beiswenger, and Jimmy McDivitt did their part of roasting wieners and marshmallows for the kids.  A big thanks to Eddie and Chuck, Jace and Marie Turner, Mike and Mary Moore, Joan Bracken, Diane and Hank Hoover, and all those who helped with set-up, kitchen duty, and clean up.  This was a fun community effort!  And thanks to all who provided all the yummy desserts!

Thanks to everyone for making this a great community event!

On November 14, 2009 at 7PM the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center will be at the Black Forest Community Club along with an Ambassador Wolf to give a presentation regarding the status of wolves and their program to rescue animals. This is the second time they have been to the club and it is always educational and great fun. This is a good opportunity to have your picture taken with a wolf.

Come early and enjoy sloppy Joes, chips, drinks, etc. offered by the youth group from the Black Forest Community Church who are raising money for their mission.

Treelighting and Santa and Mrs. Claus arrival by fire truck Friday, December 4 at 7pm.  Enjoy a few Christmas carols around the tree on the corner of Black Forest and Shoup Roads before the lights are turned on by the current Keepers of the Keys, Joan and Eddie Bracken.  After the arrival of Santa, everyone can retire to the warmth of the building and enjoy some Christmas spirit with music and singing and cookies.  All children will have a chance to tell Santa all while Mrs. Claus helps with the candy canes.

CLUB CHRISTMAS POTLUCK:  Mark your calendars for Saturday, Dec. 12, 6pm.  Bring a dish to share and some non-perishable food items for the BFCC Christmas Food Baskets.

At the September 24, 2009 BFCC Board and Officers meeting, the Board approved nomination of Don Pellien, Dorothie Munson Ingram and Ruth Ann Steele as "Lifetime" members of the Club.  Here is the Club Bylaws language defining the criteria for Lifetime membership:

Don has contributed significantly to the betterment of both the Club and the community with his time and resources.  For several years, he has voluntarily cleared the Club's parking areas of snow throughout the winter seasons. This not only helps the Club, but it also helps the Community with access to the facility for various programs such as the Santa arrival festivities. He has also provided free professional shuttle service at the Black Forest Festival for the past several years.  That has grown to be a very popular service to the community and this year's Festival shuttle service provided over 700 people trips to the community.

Dorothie's service to the Club and the Black Forest community spans many years of dedicated service through her efforts starting up and sustaining the Black Forest volunteer fire service and the first EMT in the Forest. Her store’s phone was essential to calling volunteers to respond to emergencies.

Ruth Ann Steele has also been nominated for this honor.  Possibly the best-known person in the Forest, Ruth Ann is active in so many areas.  She plays the piano at the Black Forest Community Church; gives piano lessons; originated and works the Slash/Mulch Program; Chair of EPC Noxious Weed Committee; leads the Christmas carols for the annual Treelighting/Children’s Christmas Party sponsored by the BFCC; Forest Chorus Director; Master Gardener.  She participates in the annual bird count and is responsible for building and installing dozens of blue birdhouses around the area, thus the name, The Bluebird Lady.

During the January 21, 2010 Club elections, members will be asked to vote approval of these three Lifetime membership nominations

Remember to pay your dues for 2010.  Annual dues are $15 per family. Elections will be January, 2010.  Consider this your notice that everyone needs to send in their dues (unless you have paid next year in advance) before the end of 2009.  New members who paid after August 1 are paid up through 2010.  Dues must be paid before the end of the year in order to be able to vote in January elections.

INTERESTS SURVEY

In an effort to get an organized list of people and their interests in the BFCC, we ask that all members fill out this survey and return it to with your renewal check to:

The Black Forest Community Club Newsletter is a publication of the Black Forest Community Club, a non-profit, social club organized around a theme of community service. Subscriptions are included exclusively with club membership. Membership is open to all adult residents of Black Forest. Annual dues are $15 per family. For membership information write to the following address or visit our website.