thedenverpost--2020-10-31--Ask Amy: Readers respond to saving old letters

Dear Readers : “ Upset Daughter ” wrote to me , saying that her 90-year-old mother had old letters from her father that she was considering shredding .
Upset and her sister wanted their mother to let them read the letters , and they asked my opinion .
I made a case for sharing and preserving these letters , written while their father was in the Navy .
Some readers interpreted my enthusiasm over preserving old letters as an exhortation that Upset should pressure her mother .
Absolutely not .
These letters belong to the recipient and their disposition should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received many responses , and today ’ s column is devoted to them .
Dear Amy : My father served in the Navy in WWII .
He passed away in 1985 , my mother in 1999 .
When she knew her time was nearing , she handed me a box of airmail letters , written by both during that time .
There were cutouts in the letters , as they were censored for security purposes , and they also contained references to the musical artists and movies of the time , and just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then !
What a treasure to have , and to know of the love they once had for each other , ( but never seemed to display when my brothers and I were growing up ) .
It gave me peace to know that they really did love each other at one time .
Dear Amy : I came across my parents ’ love letters while cleaning out their home .
My dad served during World War II , then often traveled the country looking for work , all this time corresponding with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 70 years .
I never read all of them , and didn ’ t want to .
They weren ’ t all sweet and rosy .
There were miscarriages , extreme financial hardships , and family turmoil .
These letters were personal , private correspondences between my parents .
When my parents passed , they were both cremated and buried in the same vault , along with their love letters .
It was the perfect ending .
Dear Amy : Maybe “ Upset Daughter ’ s ” mom considers these letters too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I and my husband of 45 years have saved nearly three years of correspondence from the years prior to our moving in together .
Even though I haven ’ t read them in ages , I know some are “ racy , ” and all are very personal !
Though it might be interesting to read the love letters of a gay couple from that time period , I ’ m not sure I want my nieces and nephews reading these emotionally intimate letters .
Dear Amy : My parents are long since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possessions are treasures that my mom saved .
One is a poem she wrote while dad was overseas during WWII .
It wasn ’ t racy , but it did mention “ sex , ” which is probably the only time my sweet mom ( mother of six ) uttered the word .
The other is my dad ’ s pocket diary .
It had a picture of my mom and the kids — a few names of his comrades — and a note saying he had his orders for home , thanking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in !
My other prized possession is a book compiled by a second cousin containing hundreds of letters written by my great-great-grandfather to his beloved wife as he struggled with life as a stretcher bearer and medic with the Ohio 34th Regiment during the Civil War !
He wrote her almost daily with things sometimes trivial , often dire , complete with accountings of where they were at the time and who his commanding officers were .
Some letters dutifully paid homage to those lives lost that day .
Nearly ALL of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appropriately became the book ’ s title : “ In Love and Fidelity.
” Dear Amy : My mother wrote to my father every day , except one — the day my sister was born — while he served in the Pacific during World War II .
He burned them all , along with every one of the many he wrote — after she died when I was 16 .
It still hurts .
Dear Amy : When my mom died last year , I found two letters she had written to my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aircraft carrier off the coast of Vietnam in 1967 .
I was a baby , not yet walking at the time .
Those letters gave me a glimpse into her life over 50 years before , and I found them to be a great treasure .
Save the letters !

Dear Readers: “Upset Daughter” wrote to me, saying that her 90-year-old mother had old letters from her father that she was considering shredding.
Upset and her sister wanted their mother to let them read the letters, and they asked my opinion. I made a case for sharing and preserving these letters, written while their father was in the Navy.
Some readers interpreted my enthusiasm over preserving old letters as an exhortation that Upset should pressure her mother. Absolutely not. These letters belong to the recipient and their disposition should be completely up to her.
I received many responses, and today’s column is devoted to them.
Dear Amy: My father served in the Navy in WWII. He passed away in 1985, my mother in 1999. When she knew her time was nearing, she handed me a box of airmail letters, written by both during that time.
There were cutouts in the letters, as they were censored for security purposes, and they also contained references to the musical artists and movies of the time, and just how “swell” things were back then!
What a treasure to have, and to know of the love they once had for each other, (but never seemed to display when my brothers and I were growing up).
It gave me peace to know that they really did love each other at one time.
— Grateful
Dear Amy: I came across my parents’ love letters while cleaning out their home. My dad served during World War II, then often traveled the country looking for work, all this time corresponding with Mom.
My mother treasured these letters for 70 years.
I never read all of them, and didn’t want to. They weren’t all sweet and rosy.
There were miscarriages, extreme financial hardships, and family turmoil.
These letters were personal, private correspondences between my parents.
When my parents passed, they were both cremated and buried in the same vault, along with their love letters. It was the perfect ending.
Dear Amy: Maybe “Upset Daughter’s” mom considers these letters too personal for someone else to read.
I and my husband of 45 years have saved nearly three years of correspondence from the years prior to our moving in together.
Even though I haven’t read them in ages, I know some are “racy,” and all are very personal!
Though it might be interesting to read the love letters of a gay couple from that time period, I’m not sure I want my nieces and nephews reading these emotionally intimate letters.
Dear Amy: My parents are long since gone, and two of my dearest possessions are treasures that my mom saved.
One is a poem she wrote while dad was overseas during WWII. It wasn’t racy, but it did mention “sex,” which is probably the only time my sweet mom (mother of six) uttered the word.
The other is my dad’s pocket diary. It had a picture of my mom and the kids — a few names of his comrades — and a note saying he had his orders for home, thanking a God he had almost stopped believing in!
My other prized possession is a book compiled by a second cousin containing hundreds of letters written by my great-great-grandfather to his beloved wife as he struggled with life as a stretcher bearer and medic with the Ohio 34th Regiment during the Civil War!
He wrote her almost daily with things sometimes trivial, often dire, complete with accountings of where they were at the time and who his commanding officers were. Some letters dutifully paid homage to those lives lost that day.
Nearly ALL of them signed with the same closing, which appropriately became the book’s title: “In Love and Fidelity.”
— George Sprecher
Dear Amy: My mother wrote to my father every day, except one — the day my sister was born — while he served in the Pacific during World War II.
He burned them all, along with every one of the many he wrote — after she died when I was 16. It still hurts.
I hope “Upset’s” mother will save those letters.
— Still Sad Son, Alexandria, Virginia
Dear Amy: When my mom died last year, I found two letters she had written to my dad, when he was on an aircraft carrier off the coast of Vietnam in 1967.
I was a baby, not yet walking at the time. Those letters gave me a glimpse into her life over 50 years before, and I found them to be a great treasure. Save the letters!
— J. English
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)


thedenverpost--2020-10-31--Class 4A No. 2 Palmer Ridge builds momentum, crushes No. 7 Montrose

MONUMENT — Palmer Ridge scored two touchdowns in 24 seconds to begin the second half and finished with 28 third-quarter points in rallying to hand No .
7 Montrose its first loss , 42-20 , Friday night at Don Breese Stadium .
The second-ranked Bears , who trailed 14-0 after the first quarter and 14-7 at halftime , recovered an onside kick to begin the third quarter , leading to a quick touchdown .
Then on the ensuing kickoff , they recovered another kickoff in the flat approximately 20 yards downfield and struck for another quick TD Those two scores @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from sophomore backup quarterback Jimmy Thomas , completed Palmer Ridge ’ s four-touchdown surge as the Bears ( 4-0 ) remained unbeaten on the season .
Thomas filled in for Colorado State-bound star quarterback Luke McAllister for one play , after McAllister was injured while throwing the ball away to avoid a sack in his end zone .
The 6-foot-5 McAllister got hot as the weather cooled , finishing 18-of-25 passing for 297 yards and three touchdowns .
He threw two interceptions in the first half — both on deep balls .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I ’ m also extremely proud of my backup quarterback .
Jimmy went in there , threw an absolute dime , 97-yard touchdown .
Couldn ’ t be more happy for him .
Couldn ’ t be more proud .
Once we got it figured out , we were rolling , they couldn ’ t stop us , ” McAllister said .
McAllister was 7-of-12 passing for 143 yards in the first half .
But his two deep passes were intercepted by Eli Evans , the latter with seven seconds left in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Montrose ’ s 43-yard line .
The Indians ( 3-1 ) led 14-0 after the first quarter on 6- and 3-yard runs by junior Austin Griffin .
The Bears cut their deficit in half when Kaden Dudley scored on a 2-yard run in the second quarter .
“ Doesn ’ t always go your way , ” Montrose coach Brett Mertens said .
“ I thought the first onside kick we had a chance at .
The second one , it wasn ’ t even close … That definitely swung the momentum in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t afford that at that time .
“ We needed the ball and have a decent drive .
Once they got the momentum , they ’ re tough to stop when they get rolling .
That ’ s the key — the first half we didn ’ t give a lot of momentum .
We kind of controlled the game.
” M — A. Griffin 6 run ( Green kick ) .
M — A. Griffin 3 run ( Green kick ) .
PR — Dudley 2 run ( Pollreisz kick ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Pollreisz kick ) .
PR — Robinson 30 pass from McAllister ( Pollreisz kick ) .
PR — Jones 97 pass from Thomas ( kick failed ) .
PR — Robinson 15 run ( Twesme from McAllister 2-point conversion ) .
M — B. Griffin 46 run ( kick blocked ) .
PR — Jones 20 pass from McAllister ( Pollreisz kick ) .

MONUMENT — Palmer Ridge scored two touchdowns in 24 seconds to begin the second half and finished with 28 third-quarter points in rallying to hand No. 7 Montrose its first loss, 42-20, Friday night.
The second-ranked Bears, who trailed 14-0 after the first quarter and 14-7 at halftime, recovered an onside kick to begin the third quarter, leading to a quick touchdown. Then on the ensuing kickoff, they recovered another kickoff in the flat approximately 20 yards downfield and struck for another quick TD
Those two scores, coupled with a 97-yard passing touchdown from sophomore backup quarterback Jimmy Thomas, completed Palmer Ridge’s four-touchdown surge as the Bears (4-0) remained unbeaten on the season. Thomas filled in for Colorado State-bound star quarterback Luke McAllister for one play, after McAllister was injured while throwing the ball away to avoid a sack in his end zone.
The 6-foot-5 McAllister got hot as the weather cooled, finishing 18-of-25 passing for 297 yards and three touchdowns. He threw two interceptions in the first half — both on deep balls.
“Once we got it rolling — unstoppable. I’m also extremely proud of my backup quarterback. Jimmy went in there, threw an absolute dime, 97-yard touchdown. Couldn’t be more happy for him. Couldn’t be more proud. Once we got it figured out, we were rolling, they couldn’t stop us,” McAllister said.
McAllister was 7-of-12 passing for 143 yards in the first half. But his two deep passes were intercepted by Eli Evans, the latter with seven seconds left in the second quarter and Palmer Ridge at Montrose’s 43-yard line.
The Indians (3-1) led 14-0 after the first quarter on 6- and 3-yard runs by junior Austin Griffin. The Bears cut their deficit in half when Kaden Dudley scored on a 2-yard run in the second quarter.
“Doesn’t always go your way,” Montrose coach Brett Mertens said. “I thought the first onside kick we had a chance at. The second one, it wasn’t even close … That definitely swung the momentum in their favor and we probably couldn’t afford that at that time.
“We needed the ball and have a decent drive. Once they got the momentum, they’re tough to stop when they get rolling. That’s the key — the first half we didn’t give a lot of momentum. We kind of controlled the game.”
Montrose 14 0 6 0 — 20
Palmer Ridge 0 7 28 7 — 42
M — A. Griffin 6 run (Green kick). M — A. Griffin 3 run (Green kick). PR — Dudley 2 run (Pollreisz kick). PR — Costanzo 14 pass from McAllister (Pollreisz kick). PR — Robinson 30 pass from McAllister (Pollreisz kick). PR — Jones 97 pass from Thomas (kick failed). PR — Robinson 15 run (Twesme from McAllister 2-point conversion). M — B. Griffin 46 run (kick blocked). PR — Jones 20 pass from McAllister (Pollreisz kick).


thedenverpost--2020-11-01--Keeler:  Mel Tucker is the luckiest man of 2020. But CU Buffs fans are going to have to learn to let

Keeler:  Mel Tucker is the luckiest man of 2020. But CU Buffs fans are going to have to learn to let him go.

Come on , karma .
It ’ s 2020 .
You really gon na do us like that ?
“ The worst thing that could happen , ” Don Bechter , a CU alum and Buffs booster offered Saturday , “ is that at Michigan State , Mel does a really good job there , and CU continues to struggle .
“ Then it ’ ll be harder for people to let go .
That ’ s why I ’ m hoping for that karma scenario … that he does become just a blip in ( Buffs ) history .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s results down the road , they ’ ll be looking at the Bill McCartney Era , the Karl Dorrell Era , and they ’ re like , ‘ Who is this Tucker guy ?
’ And they just move on.
” Hard for Buffs fans to move on after that one .
We ’ ve seen this movie before , haven ’ t we ?
Midnight Mel , riding into a new town and immediately slaying the biggest dragon on the dance card .
Word of advice for Jim Harbaugh : Beat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of advice for Spartans fans : Once shuttle service resumes off of Cloud 9 , be careful not to get too attached .
Word of advice for Buffs faithful : Let him go .
It ’ s hard , we know .
It sure as heck ain ’ t fair .
The only more tired cliché for a new hire than “ Golly , he/she sure won his/her first news conference ” is the valedictory “ Gosh , he/she sure left this place better than he/she found it.
” Sure , he left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one transitional and one estimable .
He left you with some killer selfies after that Cornhuskers catharsis at Folsom Field .
He left Ralphie V a winner .
Sort of .
He also left his CU players , coaches , staff , peers , bosses , and fans in the mother of all lurches .
He jumped from the cab car of a moving train , forcing Karl Dorrell to parachute in , Tom Cruise style , in order to grab the controls .
Tucker got the national wonks cackling at the Front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buffs as a stepping-stone program — Memphis with mountains — and the Pac-12 as a Mickey Mouse league .
Even if only the latter has a shred of truth , it left a scar .
“ I definitely , at least temporarily , will be a fan of anyone playing Michigan State , ” Bechter cracked .
“ I wouldn ’ t quite put ( the Spartans ) up on par with Nebraska .
But I think they ’ re up there for me , for at least a year.
” On par @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if they played , that would be the one game where I would even root for Nebraska , ” Harrington cracked .
“ I mean , think about it .
Wouldn ’ t that be perfect if Nebraska went and beat Michigan State ?
It would be poetic justice.
” Come on , karma .
You owe us .
Before COVID-19 and Pick-Your-Wildfire , Tucker was Colorado ’ s No .
1 heel for 2020 .
Life intervened , and we ’ ve got bigger problems everywhere now .
But Buffs boosters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set the tone for a year they ’ ll always remember .
For all the wrong reasons .
It ’ s gotten so strange over the last seven months that Bechter and Harrington can almost laugh about the night of Feb. 11 .
The evening Tucker kissed babies and shook hands with CU boosters at the Denver Country Club , only to bail on the Buffs job to fly to Michigan State a scant few hours later .
“ Oh my gosh , ” Becher sighed .
“ That seems like two years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supper , as Harrington jokingly called it , cost the CU alums roughly $ 1,700 .
Harrington figured Mel could afford to pick up the tab after the Spartans doubled his salary , so he sent him the bill .
Then , over the last 30 weeks , he sent it four more times .
To work and personal emails .
“ Probably once every month and a half , ” he said .
“ I ’ m hoping he sees them , ” Harrington continued .
“ He has to be laughing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interesting way of treating you , ” Harrington stressed .
“ If you treat people correctly , then you get treated correctly .
If he doesn ’ t do well , he ’ ll get what he ’ s due .
”

Midnight Mel Tucker 27, Michigan 24.
Come on, karma. It’s 2020. You really gonna do us like that?
“The worst thing that could happen,” Don Bechter, a CU alum and Buffs booster offered Saturday, “is that at Michigan State, Mel does a really good job there, and CU continues to struggle.
“Then it’ll be harder for people to let go. That’s why I’m hoping for that karma scenario … that he does become just a blip in (Buffs) history. That when people look at CU’s results down the road, they’ll be looking at the Bill McCartney Era, the Karl Dorrell Era, and they’re like, ‘Who is this Tucker guy?’ And they just move on.”
Midnight Mel 27, Michigan 24.
Hard for Buffs fans to move on after that one.
“Man,” chuckled Tim Harrington, CU Class of ’81. “Man, that guy.”
We’ve seen this movie before, haven’t we? Midnight Mel, riding into a new town and immediately slaying the biggest dragon on the dance card.
A year ago, Big Red.
On Saturday, Big Blue.
Word of advice for Jim Harbaugh: Beat Ohio State. Or else.
Word of advice for Spartans fans: Once shuttle service resumes off of Cloud 9, be careful not to get too attached.
Word of advice for Buffs faithful: Let him go.
It’s hard, we know. It sure as heck ain’t fair. The only more tired cliché for a new hire than “Golly, he/she sure won his/her first news conference” is the valedictory “Gosh, he/she sure left this place better than he/she found it.”
Midnight Mel didn’t.
Sure, he left the spoils of two recruiting cycles, one transitional and one estimable. He left you with some killer selfies after that Cornhuskers catharsis at Folsom Field. He left Ralphie V a winner. Sort of.
He also left his CU players, coaches, staff, peers, bosses, and fans in the mother of all lurches. He jumped from the cab car of a moving train, forcing Karl Dorrell to parachute in, Tom Cruise style, in order to grab the controls.
Tucker got the national wonks cackling at the Front Range’s expense, labeling the Buffs as a stepping-stone program — Memphis with mountains — and the Pac-12 as a Mickey Mouse league.
Even if only the latter has a shred of truth, it left a scar.
“I definitely, at least temporarily, will be a fan of anyone playing Michigan State,” Bechter cracked. “I wouldn’t quite put (the Spartans) up on par with Nebraska. But I think they’re up there for me, for at least a year.”
On par with the Huskers?
“You know, if they played, that would be the one game where I would even root for Nebraska,” Harrington cracked. “I mean, think about it. Wouldn’t that be perfect if Nebraska went and beat Michigan State? It would be poetic justice.”
Come on, karma. You owe us.
Before COVID-19 and Pick-Your-Wildfire, Tucker was Colorado’s No. 1 heel for 2020. Life intervened, and we’ve got bigger problems everywhere now. But Buffs boosters haven’t forgotten the cat who set the tone for a year they’ll always remember. For all the wrong reasons.
It’s gotten so strange over the last seven months that Bechter and Harrington can almost laugh about the night of Feb. 11. The evening Tucker kissed babies and shook hands with CU boosters at the Denver Country Club, only to bail on the Buffs job to fly to Michigan State a scant few hours later.
“Oh my gosh,” Becher sighed. “That seems like two years ago, at least.”
The Last Supper, as Harrington jokingly called it, cost the CU alums roughly $1,700. Harrington figured Mel could afford to pick up the tab after the Spartans doubled his salary, so he sent him the bill. Then, over the last 30 weeks, he sent it four more times. To work and personal emails.
“Probably once every month and a half,” he said.
Tucker hasn’t replied.
“I’m hoping he sees them,” Harrington continued. “He has to be laughing about it.”
Especially this week.
“Karma has an interesting way of treating you,” Harrington stressed. “If you treat people correctly, then you get treated correctly. If he doesn’t do well, he’ll get what he’s due.”
Midnight Mel 27, Michigan 24.
Man, that guy.


thedenverpost--2020-11-01--Road to 270: Biden has options, Trump walks narrow path

TAMPA , Fla. — President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden each has a path to the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the White House .
Biden ’ s is appreciably wider .
The former vice president is competitive in all the battleground states Trump carried in 2016 and has put a handful of traditional Republican states , including Georgia and Arizona , in play .
That has Trump scrambling to defend a wide swath of territory and putting the incumbent ’ s hopes for reelection on two of the most populous swing states , Florida and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely roads to victory : Biden can win an electoral majority most simply by carrying the three states where Trump stunned Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016 : Michigan , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin .
Those states were carried by Democrats for decades before 2016 .
They would give Biden 279 electoral votes , as long as he wins all the other states in Clinton ’ s column .
Under this scenario , Biden would not need to win any other states Trump won in 2016 .
The three northern industrial states have been Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He spent almost $ 150 million — 30 % of his total national ad spending since June — in the three , according to Kantar/CMAG ’ s review for The Associated Press .
The fiercest struggle among the three is in Pennsylvania .
Biden has had a slight advantage in most polls , while some suggest Trump remains within striking distance .
Biden , who was born in Scranton , claims some favorite-son status in the state .
Trump ’ s hopes have been boosted by Biden ’ s recent call for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has said he would not ban fracking .
If Biden loses Pennsylvania , it would require him to find 11 electoral votes elsewhere .
Once reliably Republican Arizona , offering exactly 11 , and North Carolina , with 15 , are states Trump won four years ago that are well within Biden ’ s reach .
Democrats are particularly bullish about Arizona , last carried by a Democrat in 1996 .
Trump won the state in 2016 by 3.5 percentage points , the smallest margin in 20 years , and this year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ astronaut Mark Kelly , is running a strong race .
The Arizona alternative supposes , as most of Biden ’ s paths do , that he also wins Nevada , last carried by a Republican in 2004 .
Trump has campaigned in the state , though Democrats say they are comfortable with their prospects there .
The race for North Carolina appears tighter , but there is recent precedent for a Democrat carrying the state .
In 2008 , Barack Obama was the first Democrat to take it in 32 years .
Although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as did Clinton in 2016 , waves of college-educated newcomers are swelling its booming suburbs , a boost to Biden ’ s chances .
There ’ s another scenario for Biden : a more comfortable Electoral College victory .
Should Biden win Michigan , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin , and either Arizona and North Carolina , he would capture at least 290 electoral votes .
He ’ s also competing for Ohio , which Trump won by 8 percentage points in 2016 ; Iowa , which Trump won by nearly 10 percentage points ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 percentage points .
Victories in those states would boost Biden ’ s electoral total above 300 .
Biden made two stops in Georgia this past this week and on Friday had his first fall campaign visit to Iowa .
He ’ s spent almost $ 5 million but hasn ’ t visited Iowa since the state ’ s caucuses in February .
Biden has campaigned lightly in Ohio but has spent almost $ 7 million in advertising .
Surveys and operatives in both parties said the two states were very close heading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Oh , and remember Florida ?
The perennial battleground offers 29 electoral votes and is , per usual , exceedingly close .
There ’ s one more big prize on the table : Texas .
Democrats have been eyeing the state for years , but this is the first year in decades where it may really be within reach for the party .
The state ’ s new battleground status highlights not just Trump ’ s struggles in the suburbs , which are booming outside Texas ’ major cities , but also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a diverse electorate .
“ Biden has more of an opportunity to win by a larger electoral number than Trump does , ” said Republican pollster Glen Bolger , who is surveying in several battleground states but not for Trump ’ s campaign .
“ It doesn ’ t mean Trump can ’ t win.
” Trump almost certainly can not reach 270 electoral votes without carrying Florida , where polls show a tight race .
Some have suggested a slight Biden advantage .
Trump ’ s rally Thursday in Florida was his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month , underscoring why Florida is so important to his reelection .
He plans to return before Tuesday ’ s election .
His stop Thursday was in swing-voting Hillsborough County , where Clinton beat him by about 41,000 votes .
Hillsborough is next to — and shares a media market with — Pinellas County , the most populous county in the state to flip from Democratic in 2012 to Republican in 2016 .
Trump won some counties in the surrounding area by more than 60 % of the vote , and his campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ score with first-time and less regular voters in these places .
Trump planned to accompany first lady Melania Trump when she votes Tuesday near Palm Beach County .
The Trumps moved their residence from reliably Democratic New York to Florida last year .
Even if Trump nets Florida and holds battlegrounds he won in the South and Southwest , he would still be short of 270 electoral votes .
The president is wagering much on Pennsylvania as the best chance of moving within striking distance of that threshold .
After a trio of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four more in the state on Saturday .
He ’ s been making stops across Pennsylvania , from counties outside Philadelphia , the largest metro area , to the rural northwest corner of the state .
Among his upcoming stops : Bucks County .
It was once Philadelphia ’ s most GOP-heavy suburb but has been trending Democratic and is an example of the obstacles Trump is facing .
He lost the county by less than 2 percentage points in 2016 and has seen his standing in the suburbs steadily erode since then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters was recharged after Biden , during their Oct. 22 debate , called for phasing out fossil fuels .
That created an opportunity for Trump in a state with a robust natural gas industry .
“ Biden ’ s plan to abolish the entire U.S. oil industry — you saw that ?
” Trump noted at a rally last week in Lansing , Michigan , recalling Biden ’ s call for phasing renewable fuels in and fossil fuels out over time .
“ Will cripple our nation and send us into an absolute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ T THE BEST Even if Trump wins Florida and Pennsylvania , he would still be short of the magic number if he can ’ t carry most of the states he won in 2016 .
He could nose ahead in Ohio , long one of his strongest states , but would still need to cobble together a series of states he won in 2016 , such as Iowa , and some he lost narrowly and continues to trail .
That more complicated path would include flipping Minnesota , Nevada and New Hampshire .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ logic for an incumbent to lose in places won four years ago and win in places lost back then .
Grasping for every vote he can , Trump has even campaigned in Maine and Nebraska , where electoral votes are awarded by congressional district and to the overall state winner .
A week ago , Trump was in Levant , Maine , near the hub of the state ’ s GOP leaning north , Bangor , hoping to hold the single electoral vote in its 2nd District , and in Omaha , Nebraska @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that metropolitan district ’ s single vote .

TAMPA, Fla. — President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden each has a path to the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the White House. Biden’s is appreciably wider.
The former vice president is competitive in all the battleground states Trump carried in 2016 and has put a handful of traditional Republican states, including Georgia and Arizona, in play. That has Trump scrambling to defend a wide swath of territory and putting the incumbent’s hopes for reelection on two of the most populous swing states, Florida and Pennsylvania.
A look at the most likely roads to victory:
BIDEN
TRUE NORTH
Biden can win an electoral majority most simply by carrying the three states where Trump stunned Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016: Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Those states were carried by Democrats for decades before 2016. They would give Biden 279 electoral votes, as long as he wins all the other states in Clinton’s column. Under this scenario, Biden would not need to win any other states Trump won in 2016.
The three northern industrial states have been Biden’s sharpest target for advertising dollars. He spent almost $150 million — 30% of his total national ad spending since June — in the three, according to Kantar/CMAG’s review for The Associated Press.
The fiercest struggle among the three is in Pennsylvania. Biden has had a slight advantage in most polls, while some suggest Trump remains within striking distance. Biden, who was born in Scranton, claims some favorite-son status in the state. Trump’s hopes have been boosted by Biden’s recent call for phasing out fossil fuels, though Biden has said he would not ban fracking.
___
SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST
If Biden loses Pennsylvania, it would require him to find 11 electoral votes elsewhere.
Once reliably Republican Arizona, offering exactly 11, and North Carolina, with 15, are states Trump won four years ago that are well within Biden’s reach.
Democrats are particularly bullish about Arizona, last carried by a Democrat in 1996. Trump won the state in 2016 by 3.5 percentage points, the smallest margin in 20 years, and this year, the Democrats’ Senate candidate, former astronaut Mark Kelly, is running a strong race.
The Arizona alternative supposes, as most of Biden’s paths do, that he also wins Nevada, last carried by a Republican in 2004. Trump has campaigned in the state, though Democrats say they are comfortable with their prospects there.
The race for North Carolina appears tighter, but there is recent precedent for a Democrat carrying the state. In 2008, Barack Obama was the first Democrat to take it in 32 years. Although he narrowly lost there in 2012, as did Clinton in 2016, waves of college-educated newcomers are swelling its booming suburbs, a boost to Biden’s chances.
THE REST IS EXTRA
There’s another scenario for Biden: a more comfortable Electoral College victory.
Should Biden win Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, and either Arizona and North Carolina, he would capture at least 290 electoral votes.
He’s also competing for Ohio, which Trump won by 8 percentage points in 2016; Iowa, which Trump won by nearly 10 percentage points; and Georgia, which Trump carried by 5 percentage points. Victories in those states would boost Biden’s electoral total above 300.
Biden made two stops in Georgia this past this week and on Friday had his first fall campaign visit to Iowa. He’s spent almost $5 million but hasn’t visited Iowa since the state’s caucuses in February. Biden has campaigned lightly in Ohio but has spent almost $7 million in advertising. Surveys and operatives in both parties said the two states were very close heading into the campaign’s final weekend.
Oh, and remember Florida? The perennial battleground offers 29 electoral votes and is, per usual, exceedingly close.
There’s one more big prize on the table: Texas. Democrats have been eyeing the state for years, but this is the first year in decades where it may really be within reach for the party.
The state’s new battleground status highlights not just Trump’s struggles in the suburbs, which are booming outside Texas’ major cities, but also his weaknesses in nearly every state with a diverse electorate.
“Biden has more of an opportunity to win by a larger electoral number than Trump does,” said Republican pollster Glen Bolger, who is surveying in several battleground states but not for Trump’s campaign. “It doesn’t mean Trump can’t win.”
___
TRUMP
FLORIDA OR BUST
Trump almost certainly cannot reach 270 electoral votes without carrying Florida, where polls show a tight race. Some have suggested a slight Biden advantage.
Trump’s rally Thursday in Florida was his third campaign trip to the state this month, underscoring why Florida is so important to his reelection. He plans to return before Tuesday’s election.
His stop Thursday was in swing-voting Hillsborough County, where Clinton beat him by about 41,000 votes. Hillsborough is next to — and shares a media market with — Pinellas County, the most populous county in the state to flip from Democratic in 2012 to Republican in 2016.
Trump won some counties in the surrounding area by more than 60% of the vote, and his campaign hopes it can further run up the score with first-time and less regular voters in these places.
Trump planned to accompany first lady Melania Trump when she votes Tuesday near Palm Beach County. The Trumps moved their residence from reliably Democratic New York to Florida last year.
___
PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE
Even if Trump nets Florida and holds battlegrounds he won in the South and Southwest, he would still be short of 270 electoral votes.
The president is wagering much on Pennsylvania as the best chance of moving within striking distance of that threshold. After a trio of rallies this past week, Trump held four more in the state on Saturday.
He’s been making stops across Pennsylvania, from counties outside Philadelphia, the largest metro area, to the rural northwest corner of the state.
Among his upcoming stops: Bucks County. It was once Philadelphia’s most GOP-heavy suburb but has been trending Democratic and is an example of the obstacles Trump is facing. He lost the county by less than 2 percentage points in 2016 and has seen his standing in the suburbs steadily erode since then.
Trump’s argument to Pennsylvania voters was recharged after Biden, during their Oct. 22 debate, called for phasing out fossil fuels. That created an opportunity for Trump in a state with a robust natural gas industry.
“Biden’s plan to abolish the entire U.S. oil industry — you saw that?” Trump noted at a rally last week in Lansing, Michigan, recalling Biden’s call for phasing renewable fuels in and fossil fuels out over time. “Will cripple our nation and send us into an absolute deep depression.”
___
THE REST ISN’T THE BEST
Even if Trump wins Florida and Pennsylvania, he would still be short of the magic number if he can’t carry most of the states he won in 2016.
He could nose ahead in Ohio, long one of his strongest states, but would still need to cobble together a series of states he won in 2016, such as Iowa, and some he lost narrowly and continues to trail.
That more complicated path would include flipping Minnesota, Nevada and New Hampshire. That, however, would defy political logic for an incumbent to lose in places won four years ago and win in places lost back then.
Grasping for every vote he can, Trump has even campaigned in Maine and Nebraska, where electoral votes are awarded by congressional district and to the overall state winner. A week ago, Trump was in Levant, Maine, near the hub of the state’s GOP leaning north, Bangor, hoping to hold the single electoral vote in its 2nd District, and in Omaha, Nebraska, on Tuesday, hoping to hold that metropolitan district’s single vote.
___
Beaumont reported from Des Moines, Iowa.


thedenverpost--2020-11-01--Kiszla: The Mile High magic is gone for Broncos in wretched 2020, which has now also ruined the fun

Kiszla: The Mile High magic is gone for Broncos in wretched 2020, which has now also ruined the fun of home-field advantage.

If 5280 is no advantage to Denver , the Broncos might as well play their home games in Scottsbluff , Neb.
, or Nome , Alaska .
Rain , sleet or snow can ’ t stop Broncomaniacs from rattling the stadium John Elway built with Rocky Mountain thunder .
But the nasty coronavirus has prevented the team from putting more than 5,700 fans in Empower Field at Mile High , where the Broncos have forgotten how to win this season .
In 2020 , is there any home-field advantage in the NFL ?
“ Absolutely not , ” Broncos quarterback @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fact that you have to travel and you might be a little tired.
” Know what ’ s really wearisome ?
The Broncos are 0-3 at home this season .
Remember when Denver was one of the toughest places in the league to play ?
Not now .
Back in the day , when linebacker Randy Gradishar rocked the house and foot-stomping Broncomaniacs turned the metal stands of old Mile High into a big bass drum , home-field advantage was worth a field goal .
At least .
But the stadium Denver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which goes a long way in explaining why the Chargers and rookie quarterback Justin Herbert will arrive Sunday as three-point favorites on Denver ’ s home turf .
“ I wouldn ’ t say there ’ s too much of a home-field advantage anywhere in the league right now , ” Lock said .
Since 1970 , the thin air of playing games 5,280 feet above sea level combined with that crazy South Stands passion gave the Broncos a home-field advantage measurable on the scoreboard .
During 77 home games basically regarded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the visitors favored by more than a point , the team wearing orange and blue fashioned an impressive record of 47-26-4 , emerging victorious more than 60 percent of the time .
The influence of Denver ’ s 12th man was no fluke .
Five decades qualifies as a trend .
The pandemic , however , is threatening to erase the traditional value of the home field that was already on the wane throughout the league .
The home team ’ s record last season was a rather unimpressive 132-123-1 , the lowest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 32 teams in 2002 .
And for those inclined to wager : The home team covered the spread a mere 43.7 % of the time in 2019 , according to ESPN ’ s database .
Video killed the radio star , and technology might ultimately be the demise of home-field advantage .
Quarterbacks have headsets in their helmets and fans often have noses stuck in cellphones .
I used to believe the formula for the Broncos making the playoffs was to go at least 6-2 at home and .500 on the road @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t compute for any NFL team in 2020 .
“ I don ’ t know what the numbers are around the league or how it looks … I do think the usual home-field advantage is still there a little bit , but it ’ s dissipated some with no fans or very limited fans , ” said Broncos coach Vic Fangio , whose team has won two of three games on the road .
“ All three of our road games , I believe , there were no fans .
You can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stadium rooting for the home team , it is different .
I ’ ll be curious to see at the end of the season if the home-and-away stats have been altered.
” With the gosh-awful New York Jets , Atlanta , Detroit and Minnesota joining the Broncos in winless misery at home as this crazy season approaches the halfway point , the record of home teams throughout the league is 53-52-1 .
Football without fans is like a party without friends .
It might still be football , but it feels hollow .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ home to Tennessee , Tampa Bay and Kansas City , which all appear to be playoff bound .
But this young team misses its Broncomaniacs .
Big time .
“ There ’ s no noise anywhere you go play , ” Lock said .
Nobody enjoys riding the emotional wave of the home crowd more than Lock .
If you ask me , his coolest moment of 2019 was rapping as “ Put On ” by Young Jeezy blared over the stadium sound system during a victory over the Raiders .
Contrast that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ silence in the same stadium when Lock through a pick-six to Kansas City safety Daniel Sorensen during the second quarter of a 43-16 loss to the Chiefs last Sunday .
Although they tried , 5,700 fans couldn ’ t make enough noise to pick up Lock .
“ I know we had people in our stands , and they were loud for the number that could be in there , ” Lock said .
“ But it ’ s obviously not loud enough to really affect a game and get the true Mile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come in here.
” This Denver team needs all the help and any edge it can get .
But at home against Herbert , a rookie quarterback who 5,700 fans won ’ t be able to rattle ?
I ’ m afraid the Broncos will be pretty much on their own .
If 2020 has taught us anything , it ’ s self-reliance .

If 5280 is no advantage to Denver, the Broncos might as well play their home games in Scottsbluff, Neb., or Nome, Alaska.
Rain, sleet or snow can’t stop Broncomaniacs from rattling the stadium John Elway built with Rocky Mountain thunder. But the nasty coronavirus has prevented the team from putting more than 5,700 fans in Empower Field at Mile High, where the Broncos have forgotten how to win this season.
In 2020, is there any home-field advantage in the NFL?
“Absolutely not,” Broncos quarterback Drew Lock replied, “except for the fact that you have to travel and you might be a little tired.”
Know what’s really wearisome? The Broncos are 0-3 at home this season. Remember when Denver was one of the toughest places in the league to play? Not now.
Back in the day, when linebacker Randy Gradishar rocked the house and foot-stomping Broncomaniacs turned the metal stands of old Mile High into a big bass drum, home-field advantage was worth a field goal. At least. But the stadium Denver now calls home has become neutral ground, which goes a long way in explaining why the Chargers and rookie quarterback Justin Herbert will arrive Sunday as three-point favorites on Denver’s home turf.
That ain’t right.
“I wouldn’t say there’s too much of a home-field advantage anywhere in the league right now,” Lock said.
Since 1970, the thin air of playing games 5,280 feet above sea level combined with that crazy South Stands passion gave the Broncos a home-field advantage measurable on the scoreboard. During 77 home games basically regarded as toss-ups, with neither Denver nor the visitors favored by more than a point, the team wearing orange and blue fashioned an impressive record of 47-26-4, emerging victorious more than 60 percent of the time.
The influence of Denver’s 12th man was no fluke. Five decades qualifies as a trend.
The pandemic, however, is threatening to erase the traditional value of the home field that was already on the wane throughout the league. The home team’s record last season was a rather unimpressive 132-123-1, the lowest it had been since the NFL expanded to 32 teams in 2002. And for those inclined to wager: The home team covered the spread a mere 43.7% of the time in 2019, according to ESPN’s database.
Video killed the radio star, and technology might ultimately be the demise of home-field advantage. Quarterbacks have headsets in their helmets and fans often have noses stuck in cellphones.
I used to believe the formula for the Broncos making the playoffs was to go at least 6-2 at home and .500 on the road. But maybe that old math doesn’t compute for any NFL team in 2020.
“I don’t know what the numbers are around the league or how it looks … I do think the usual home-field advantage is still there a little bit, but it’s dissipated some with no fans or very limited fans,” said Broncos coach Vic Fangio, whose team has won two of three games on the road.
“All three of our road games, I believe, there were no fans. You can tell the difference. Without a sold-out stadium rooting for the home team, it is different. I’ll be curious to see at the end of the season if the home-and-away stats have been altered.”
With the gosh-awful New York Jets, Atlanta, Detroit and Minnesota joining the Broncos in winless misery at home as this crazy season approaches the halfway point, the record of home teams throughout the league is 53-52-1.
Football without fans is like a party without friends. It might still be football, but it feels hollow. Yes, the Broncos have lost at home to Tennessee, Tampa Bay and Kansas City, which all appear to be playoff bound. But this young team misses its Broncomaniacs. Big time.
“There’s no noise anywhere you go play,” Lock said.
Nobody enjoys riding the emotional wave of the home crowd more than Lock. If you ask me, his coolest moment of 2019 was rapping as “Put On” by Young Jeezy blared over the stadium sound system during a victory over the Raiders.
Contrast that unbridled moment of joy with the dead silence in the same stadium when Lock through a pick-six to Kansas City safety Daniel Sorensen during the second quarter of a 43-16 loss to the Chiefs last Sunday. Although they tried, 5,700 fans couldn’t make enough noise to pick up Lock.
“I know we had people in our stands, and they were loud for the number that could be in there,” Lock said. “But it’s obviously not loud enough to really affect a game and get the true Mile High experience for the teams that get to come in here.”
This Denver team needs all the help and any edge it can get.
But at home against Herbert, a rookie quarterback who 5,700 fans won’t be able to rattle? I’m afraid the Broncos will be pretty much on their own.
If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s self-reliance.


thedenverpost--2020-10-31--Full containment of CalWood Fire delayed to Nov. 9, Boulder County officials predict

Boulder County officials had hoped to see the CalWood Fire reach full containment this weekend , but in an update today , they said that date has been pushed back to Nov. 9 .
The CalWood Fire saw no new growth Friday night , despite increased winds , according to an InciWeb update posted today .
Officials said Wednesday they expected the fire to be fully contained today .
A flight was scheduled today to identify heat areas within the fire , the update said .
“ Firefighters will use that information to continue to mop up isolated hot spots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using aircraft as needed , ” the update read .
“ Yesterday firefighters were successful in mopping up most of the heat on the south and east portions of the fire.
” The CalWood Fire is 76 % contained .
The fire began burning Oct. 17 , about three miles northwest of Jamestown .
So far , it has scorched 10,106 acres , and the cause has not yet been determined .
The post update warned that people may see some smoke today .
A helicopter would work to cool any hot spots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where the blaze is not yet contained .
“ Watch out for firefighters and fire equipment that will be working around the fire area and along Highway 7 , ” the post read .
“ Please help us keep our firefighters safe by slowing down and using extra caution when driving near the fire area.
” Click markers for details , use buttons to change what wildfires are shown .
Map data is automatically updated by government agencies and could lag real-time events .
Incident types are numbered 1-5 — a type @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wildfire affecting people and critical infrastructure , a type 5 incident is a small wildfire with few personnel involved .
Find more information about incident types at the bottom of this page .

Boulder County officials had hoped to see the CalWood Fire reach full containment this weekend, but in an update today, they said that date has been pushed back to Nov. 9.
The CalWood Fire saw no new growth Friday night, despite increased winds, according to an InciWeb update posted today. Officials said Wednesday they expected the fire to be fully contained today.
A flight was scheduled today to identify heat areas within the fire, the update said.
“Firefighters will use that information to continue to mop up isolated hot spots and work to further secure fire lines using aircraft as needed,” the update read. “Yesterday firefighters were successful in mopping up most of the heat on the south and east portions of the fire.”
The CalWood Fire is 76% contained. The fire began burning Oct. 17, about three miles northwest of Jamestown. So far, it has scorched 10,106 acres, and the cause has not yet been determined. The post update warned that people may see some smoke today. A helicopter would work to cool any hot spots on the north side of the fire, where the blaze is not yet contained.
“Watch out for firefighters and fire equipment that will be working around the fire area and along Highway 7,” the post read. “Please help us keep our firefighters safe by slowing down and using extra caution when driving near the fire area.”
Wildfire map
Click markers for details, use buttons to change what wildfires are shown. Map data is automatically updated by government agencies and could lag real-time events. Incident types are numbered 1-5 — a type 1 incident is a large, complex wildfire affecting people and critical infrastructure, a type 5 incident is a small wildfire with few personnel involved. Find more information about incident types at the bottom of this page.


thedenverpost--2020-10-31--Clemson coach: QB Lawrence will not start vs. Notre Dame

CLEMSON , S.C. — Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence will not play for the top-ranked Tigers at No .
4 Notre @ @ @ @ @ positive for COVID-19 .
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said Lawrence would miss his second straight @ @ @ @ @ .
Swinney was informed Thursday of Lawrence ’ s test and ACC protocol requires at @ @ @ @ @ , plus medical testing post-isolation .
Freshman backup DJ Uiagalelei will make his second college @ @ @ @ @ The Tigers beat Boston College 34-28 on Saturday without Lawrence .
The Tigers had their @ @ @ @ @ on Friday .
Swinney said before the game Lawrence was in good spirits and doing @ @ @ @ @ Lawrence spoke to the team that day via Zoom .

CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence will not play for the top-ranked Tigers at No. 4 Notre Dame next week after testing positive for COVID-19.
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said Lawrence would miss his second straight week because of the virus. Swinney was informed Thursday of Lawrence’s test and ACC protocol requires at least a 10-day isolation period, plus medical testing post-isolation.
Freshman backup DJ Uiagalelei will make his second college start with Lawrence sidelined. The Tigers beat Boston College 34-28 on Saturday without Lawrence.
The Tigers had their latest round of coronavirus testing on Friday.
Swinney said before the game Lawrence was in good spirits and doing well. The coach said Lawrence spoke to the team that day via Zoom.


thedenverpost--2020-10-31--Chambers: NHL should ban Toradol or limit consumption of the pain-masking drug

Two days after former Avalanche forward Colin Wilson published a story in The Players ’ Tribune about how his untreated obsessive-compulsive disorder ( OCD ) led to an NHL career that included drug-and-alcohol abuse , a friend sent me a link to a mini-documentary from TSN , dubbed “ The Problem of Pain ” in the NHL .
The month-old video supported everything Wilson wrote about , and quite frankly , it can make an old-school hockey guy like me reevaluate the sport ’ s universal stance on playing through pain — or masking pain — with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kyle Quincey and Denver-based NHL agent Kurt Overhardt of KO Sports Inc. are two key sources in the TSN piece , and both say the league and its teams have a problem with how they treat players — whether they are injured or not .
Quincey said he took team-provided Toradol injections or pills every day in the latter part of his 10-year NHL career , which included three seasons ( 2009-12 ) in Colorado , where he is now retired .
Toradol is used to treat short-term injuries , and experts say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than five days .
“ Religiously .
Every day .
There ’ s no way I could get through a season without that , ” Quincey said of Toradol in the TSN piece .
“ If you took a Toradol , it would mask all the pain .
It did not matter how banged up you were and it never messed with your head .
So you could focus , play a game , but literally run through a wall and not feel it .
How good I felt on that drug — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t get hurt.
” And now ?
Quincey suffers from anxiety and depression , and the way he used to prepare on gameday is how he prepares for every day .
He turned 35 in August .
“ My fear is that 40 and 50 might feel like 60 and 70 and the scariest part is the pain I don ’ t feel , which is my head … and the stuff that ’ s coming down the road that I don ’ t already know about yet , ” Quincey said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you play in the league the more jaded you become and the more your eyes are open to the business side of it .
You have to look out for yourself , your long-term health .
There are times and places for Toradol .
There ’ s times and places for inflams ( inflammatories ) .
But when the trainer or the doctor says this is what ( you should take ) just educate yourself .
Just why ?
What is this going to do for me ?
What ’ s the downside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of second opinions , and although a young player might get punished for asking for one , his agent must help lead that charge .
“ I spend a huge majority of the percentage of my time helping players get second opinions , ” said Overhardt , who usually identifies the best doctor in that particular field and compares that to what the team doctor says .
Overhardt is the agent for Ryan Kesler , who hasn ’ t played in the NHL since March 2019 because of hip problems and Crohn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ associated with the long-term use of Toradol .
“ Players can lie about this , but every single player in that locker room is on a pain killer — anything that can help limit your pain and your discomfort and get you on the ice and play , ” Kesler told TSN .
Quincey and his wife , Rachel , are building their dream home in Cherry Hills while raising their two young sons , Stone and Axl , the latter of whom is recovering from brain cancer treatment .
Kyle is coaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a good resource for any family with a professional-bound player .
“ You ’ re a prospect .
Then you ’ re a project .
Then you ’ re a suspect , ” Quincey said .
“ You see the younger kids coming up to try to take your job .
So you ’ re going to do what it takes .
”

Two days after former Avalanche forward Colin Wilson published a story in The Players’ Tribune about how his untreated obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) led to an NHL career that included drug-and-alcohol abuse, a friend sent me a link to a mini-documentary from TSN, dubbed “The Problem of Pain” in the NHL.
Shocking.
The month-old video supported everything Wilson wrote about, and quite frankly, it can make an old-school hockey guy like me reevaluate the sport’s universal stance on playing through pain — or masking pain — with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Toradol.
Former Avalanche defenseman Kyle Quincey and Denver-based NHL agent Kurt Overhardt of KO Sports Inc. are two key sources in the TSN piece, and both say the league and its teams have a problem with how they treat players — whether they are injured or not. Quincey said he took team-provided Toradol injections or pills every day in the latter part of his 10-year NHL career, which included three seasons (2009-12) in Colorado, where he is now retired.
Toradol is used to treat short-term injuries, and experts say it should not be taken for more than five days.
“Religiously. Every day. There’s no way I could get through a season without that,” Quincey said of Toradol in the TSN piece. “If you took a Toradol, it would mask all the pain. It did not matter how banged up you were and it never messed with your head. So you could focus, play a game, but literally run through a wall and not feel it. How good I felt on that drug — I felt like Superman. I couldn’t get hurt.”
And now? Quincey suffers from anxiety and depression, and the way he used to prepare on gameday is how he prepares for every day. He turned 35 in August.
“My fear is that 40 and 50 might feel like 60 and 70 and the scariest part is the pain I don’t feel, which is my head … and the stuff that’s coming down the road that I don’t already know about yet,” Quincey said.
He added: “The longer you play in the league the more jaded you become and the more your eyes are open to the business side of it. You have to look out for yourself, your long-term health. There are times and places for Toradol. There’s times and places for inflams (inflammatories). But when the trainer or the doctor says this is what (you should take) just educate yourself. Just why? What is this going to do for me? What’s the downside?”
Quincey and Overhardt are proponents of second opinions, and although a young player might get punished for asking for one, his agent must help lead that charge.
“I spend a huge majority of the percentage of my time helping players get second opinions,” said Overhardt, who usually identifies the best doctor in that particular field and compares that to what the team doctor says.
Overhardt is the agent for Ryan Kesler, who hasn’t played in the NHL since March 2019 because of hip problems and Crohn’s Disease and colitis, the latter associated with the long-term use of Toradol.
“Players can lie about this, but every single player in that locker room is on a pain killer — anything that can help limit your pain and your discomfort and get you on the ice and play,” Kesler told TSN.
Quincey and his wife, Rachel, are building their dream home in Cherry Hills while raising their two young sons, Stone and Axl, the latter of whom is recovering from brain cancer treatment. Kyle is coaching hockey for the triple-A Colorado Thunderbirds and is a good resource for any family with a professional-bound player.
“You’re a prospect. Then you’re a project. Then you’re a suspect,” Quincey said. “You see the younger kids coming up to try to take your job. So you’re going to do what it takes.”
Drugs shouldn’t be an every-day option.


thedenverpost--2020-10-31--Fanny Starr, Colorado’s oldest living Holocaust survivor, dies at 98

Every Friday for the past 35 years , Fanny Starr would give out food to individuals experiencing homelessness in Denver .
The ritual served as her pre-Sabbath mitzvah — an act of kindness that stemmed from decades-old trauma during the Holocaust that she vowed to keep in her memory until her last breath .
“ When she was in the ( concentration ) camps , she knew what hunger and starvation were , ” Starr ’ s daughter , Helen , said .
“ She made a pact : ‘ I will not allow anyone to starve or be hungry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took her last breath in her Denver home .
At 98 , she was Colorado ’ s oldest living Holocaust survivor .
This year she helped pass a bill in the legislature to require Holocaust and genocide education in schools so younger generations could continue a refrain passed down by Jewish families for the past 75 years : “ Never again.
” “ One of the things she always said was , ‘ I pray that we are not forgotten , ' ” Helen Starr said Saturday .
“ She wouldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say ‘ my 6 million fellow brothers and sisters . '
” Gov .
Jared Polis , who signed Starr ’ s Holocaust education into law with the survivor by his side , said in a statement Saturday that “ the world has lost a giant.
” “ Fanny visited schools for decades to tell her story and the stories of the countless lives and families destroyed , and the generations that never came to be , ” the governor said .
“ Fanny implored us all to keep showing up , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our world .
Marlon and I send our deepest condolences to Fanny ’ s family.
” On Oct. 2 , the day before Starr suffered a stroke , Helen Starr received a letter informing her that she was selected as one of 15 committee members to help sculpt the Holocaust and genocide curriculum that will be taught to middle and high school students throughout the state .
“ It ’ s a beautiful honor , and a testament to everything my parents taught me , ” Helen Starr said .
Before the bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Starr spoke at length with The Denver Post about her upbringing in Poland — how the Nazis showed up at her home in 1939 and shot her dog , telling Starr and her parents and siblings to pack small bags before being shipped to the Łódź Ghetto .
Starr ended up in Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen before the concentration camp was liberated in 1945 .
“ I wore just a striped shirt .
A long one , like a gown , ” Starr told The Post in January .
“ This was our clothes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole group gripped each other .
We cried and screamed.
” Nearly all of Starr ’ s family was murdered during the Holocaust .
After coming to America , Starr spent her life making sure no one would forget the Nazis ’ atrocities .
She and her husband , Zase , helped build a Holocaust memorial on the grounds of Hillel Academy , a Jewish day school in Denver .
Starr spoke to college students and legislators , telling her story to anyone would listen .
Even after suffering the stroke , Helen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make up sign language to get her feelings heard .
“ I ’ d say ‘ I love you , ’ and she ’ d take her hand and point to her heart and then point to me , ” Helen Starr said , her voice quavering .
“ That ’ s the tenacity this woman had .
She never gave up one ounce all the way until her last breath.
” A GoFundMe account has been set up by Starr ’ s family to help pay for medical costs and continue her @ @ @

Every Friday for the past 35 years, Fanny Starr would give out food to individuals experiencing homelessness in Denver.
The ritual served as her pre-Sabbath mitzvah — an act of kindness that stemmed from decades-old trauma during the Holocaust that she vowed to keep in her memory until her last breath.
“When she was in the (concentration) camps, she knew what hunger and starvation were,” Starr’s daughter, Helen, said. “She made a pact: ‘I will not allow anyone to starve or be hungry.'”
On Friday, Starr took her last breath in her Denver home. At 98, she was Colorado’s oldest living Holocaust survivor. This year she helped pass a bill in the legislature to require Holocaust and genocide education in schools so younger generations could continue a refrain passed down by Jewish families for the past 75 years: “Never again.”
“One of the things she always said was, ‘I pray that we are not forgotten,'” Helen Starr said Saturday. “She wouldn’t just say ‘me.’ She would say ‘my 6 million fellow brothers and sisters.'”
Gov. Jared Polis, who signed Starr’s Holocaust education into law with the survivor by his side, said in a statement Saturday that “the world has lost a giant.”
“Fanny visited schools for decades to tell her story and the stories of the countless lives and families destroyed, and the generations that never came to be,” the governor said. “Fanny implored us all to keep showing up, to keep giving back and to keep repairing our world. Marlon and I send our deepest condolences to Fanny’s family.”
Starr is survived by her daughters Helen Starr and Hilda Kass, and son-in-law, Irwin Kass. Starr’s husband, Zesa, died in 1998 and her son, Morris, passed away in 2009.
On Oct. 2, the day before Starr suffered a stroke, Helen Starr received a letter informing her that she was selected as one of 15 committee members to help sculpt the Holocaust and genocide curriculum that will be taught to middle and high school students throughout the state.
“It’s a beautiful honor, and a testament to everything my parents taught me,” Helen Starr said.
Before the bill’s introduction in January, Fanny Starr spoke at length with The Denver Post about her upbringing in Poland — how the Nazis showed up at her home in 1939 and shot her dog, telling Starr and her parents and siblings to pack small bags before being shipped to the Łódź Ghetto.
Starr ended up in Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen before the concentration camp was liberated in 1945.
“I wore just a striped shirt. A long one, like a gown,” Starr told The Post in January. “This was our clothes in winter, bitter cold. The whole group gripped each other. We cried and screamed.”
Nearly all of Starr’s family was murdered during the Holocaust.
After coming to America, Starr spent her life making sure no one would forget the Nazis’ atrocities.
She and her husband helped build a Holocaust memorial on the grounds of Hillel Academy, a Jewish day school in Denver. Starr spoke to college students and legislators, telling her story to anyone would listen.
Even after suffering the stroke, Helen said her mother would mouth words or make up sign language to get her feelings heard.
“I’d say ‘I love you,’ and she’d take her hand and point to her heart and then point to me,” Helen Starr said, her voice quavering. “That’s the tenacity this woman had. She never gave up one ounce all the way until her last breath.”
A GoFundMe account has been set up by Starr’s family to help pay for medical costs and continue her philanthropic legacy.


thedenverpost--2020-10-31--Have a ghoulish time this Halloween with family friendly and scary activities

The COVID-19 pandemic may have changed plans to celebrate Halloween , there are many activities for families and those who @ @ @ @ @ two to enjoy .
Take a look at what you can do to have a @ @ @ @ @ There is a full moon out tonight .
See how rare this event is ( @ @ @ @ @ werewolves ) .
For the kids , check out these events for the younger crowd @ @ @ @ @ option .
Try out unconventional haunted houses in the age of social distancing .
Hop @ @ @ @ @ a drive-thru experience .
And if the idea of anything involving vampires , witches and @ @ @ @ @ , why not hunt for a pumpkin full of warts to admire .
Many corn @ @ @ @ @ wrapping up the fall fun today , so go outside as the weather calls for @ @ @ @ @

The COVID-19 pandemic may have changed plans to celebrate Halloween, there are many activities for families and those who like a good scare or two to enjoy. Take a look at what you can do to have a safe and fun time:
There is a full moon out tonight. See how rare this event is (just be mindful of the werewolves).
For the kids, check out these events for the younger crowd if trick-or-treating is not an option.
Try out unconventional haunted houses in the age of social distancing. Hop into your car and enjoy a drive-thru experience.
And if the idea of anything involving vampires, witches and ghosts is not for you, why not hunt for a pumpkin full of warts to admire. Many corn mazes and pumpkin patches are wrapping up the fall fun today, so go outside as the weather calls for sunny and breezy conditions.


thedenverpost--2020-10-31--Phillip Lindsay, Tim Patrick questionable for Broncos’ Week 8 game against Chargers

Entering Sunday ’ s must-win game against the Chargers , the status of a couple of the Broncos ’ main offensive catalysts is still in question .
Broncos coach Vic Fangio said running back Phillip Lindsay , who suffered a concussion in last week ’ s blowout loss to Kansas City , still has to complete one more test with the independent concussion protocol in order to be cleared for Sunday .
The tea leaves indicate Lindsay is trending toward playing .
“ We ’ ll find out on Phillip later ( on Saturday ) , ” Fangio said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything ( on Saturday ) .
” After missing three games with a toe injury earlier this season , Lindsay suffered the concussion late in the first half last week , when he took a hard shot near the head by Chiefs safety Daniel Sorenson .
Having rushed for 79 yards at that point , the 26-year-old was on pace for his second 100-yard game in three games played this year , after scampering for 101 yards in a Week 6 win in New England .
Meanwhile , the Broncos also might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the team with 354 receiving yards but did not practice this week due to a hamstring injury .
“ We won ’ t know on Tim until ( Sunday ) , ” Fangio said .
“ We may work him before the game , but he ’ s definitely questionable.
” Patrick ’ s absence would mean more weight on the shoulders of rookie wideouts Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler , as the Broncos are also without Diontae Spencer ( will miss his second straight game with a shoulder injury ) on top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knee injury in Week 2 .
Reshuffled O-line .
With starting right guard Graham Glasgow on the Reserve/COVID-19 list , fellow offensive linemen Demar Dotson and Austin Schlottmann were in self-isolation this week — and were estimated as non-participants for Friday ’ s practice that was pushed to Saturday due to Glasgow ’ s positive test .
But both Dotson and Schlottmann were at practice Saturday , which is good news for a unit that already lost one starter to a season-ending injury in Elijah Wilkinson .
On Sunday against Los Angeles , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he ’ s done since Wilkinson went down in Week 3 ) and Schlottmann at right guard in place of Glasgow .
“ They ’ re both cleared to go , which is a credit to them and the entire operation here , ” Fangio said .
“ They were cleared because we ’ ve been under these ( intensive ) protocols , and we ’ ve chosen voluntarily to be under those intensive protocols.
” Schlottmann played 32 snaps in Denver ’ s Week 6 win in New England in place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he made four starts at right guard last year after spending his rookie season in 2018 on the practice squad .
“ We feel good about Schlottmann , ” Fangio said .
“ He ’ ll do a good job.
” Cox gets the call .
With Andrew Beck placed on injured reserve Saturday with a hamstring injury , Jeremy Cox was promoted to the 53-man roster .
Cox will fill the fullback role in Beck ’ s absence .
Cox , who had twice previously been elevated to the active roster on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practice squad , has used up that eligibility .
Now , if he gets sent back to the practice squad again , per NFL rules the Broncos will have to expose him to waivers .
“ He ’ s a good , young player who has potential , ” Fangio said .
“ Obviously he ’ s had to be thrown into the fire here with not much work… There isn ’ t a lot of time he ’ s been in there in live situations .
But we like his potential and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m anxious to see him play.
” Cox was initially signed by the Broncos to a futures contract on Dec. 31 , 2019 , after entering the NFL out of Old Dominion as a college free agent with the Chargers earlier in that year .
Los Angeles eventually waived him before the season started .
Other injury updates , roster moves .
Outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu ( quad ) and tight end Jake Butt ( hamstring ) were limited in practice all week and are questionable for Sunday .
In addition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also activated inside linebacker Austin Calitro from injured reserve and elevated offensive lineman Patrick Morris from the practice squad for Sunday ’ s game .
Plus , wideout Fred Brown was elevated as a COVID-19 replacement for Glasgow this week , and he is now on the roster for Sunday ’ s game .

Entering Sunday’s must-win game against the Chargers, the status of a couple of the Broncos’ main offensive catalysts is still in question.
Broncos coach Vic Fangio said running back Phillip Lindsay, who suffered a concussion in last week’s blowout loss to Kansas City, still has to complete one more test with the independent concussion protocol in order to be cleared for Sunday. The tea leaves indicate Lindsay is trending toward playing.
“We’ll find out on Phillip later (on Saturday),” Fangio said. “He was a full participant in everything (on Saturday).”
After missing three games with a toe injury earlier this season, Lindsay suffered the concussion late in the first half last week, when he took a hard shot near the head by Chiefs safety Daniel Sorenson. Having rushed for 79 yards at that point, the 26-year-old was on pace for his second 100-yard game in three games played this year, after scampering for 101 yards in a Week 6 win in New England.
Meanwhile, the Broncos also might be without wideout Tim Patrick, who leads the team with 354 receiving yards but did not practice this week due to a hamstring injury.
“We won’t know on Tim until (Sunday),” Fangio said. “We may work him before the game, but he’s definitely questionable.”
Patrick’s absence would mean more weight on the shoulders of rookie wideouts Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler, as the Broncos are also without Diontae Spencer (will miss his second straight game with a shoulder injury) on top of losing Courtland Sutton to a season-ending knee injury in Week 2.
Reshuffled O-line. With starting right guard Graham Glasgow on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, fellow offensive linemen Demar Dotson and Austin Schlottmann were in self-isolation this week — and were estimated as non-participants for Friday’s practice that was pushed to Saturday due to Glasgow’s positive test.
But both Dotson and Schlottmann were at practice Saturday, which is good news for a unit that already lost one starter to a season-ending injury in Elijah Wilkinson. On Sunday against Los Angeles, Dotson will start at right tackle (as he’s done since Wilkinson went down in Week 3) and Schlottmann at right guard in place of Glasgow.
“They’re both cleared to go, which is a credit to them and the entire operation here,” Fangio said. “They were cleared because we’ve been under these (intensive) protocols, and we’ve chosen voluntarily to be under those intensive protocols.”
Schlottmann played 32 snaps in Denver’s Week 6 win in New England in place of an injured Dalton Risner, and he made four starts at right guard last year after spending his rookie season in 2018 on the practice squad.
“We feel good about Schlottmann,” Fangio said. “He’ll do a good job.”
Cox gets the call. With Andrew Beck placed on injured reserve Saturday with a hamstring injury, Jeremy Cox was promoted to the 53-man roster. Cox will fill the fullback role in Beck’s absence.
Cox, who had twice previously been elevated to the active roster on game day only to return to the practice squad, has used up that eligibility. Now, if he gets sent back to the practice squad again, per NFL rules the Broncos will have to expose him to waivers.
“He’s a good, young player who has potential,” Fangio said. “Obviously he’s had to be thrown into the fire here with not much work… There isn’t a lot of time he’s been in there in live situations. But we like his potential and where he’s at, and I’m anxious to see him play.”
Cox was initially signed by the Broncos to a futures contract on Dec. 31, 2019, after entering the NFL out of Old Dominion as a college free agent with the Chargers earlier in that year. Los Angeles eventually waived him before the season started.
Other injury updates, roster moves. Outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu (quad) and tight end Jake Butt (hamstring) were limited in practice all week and are questionable for Sunday.
In addition to the Cox promotion, the Broncos also activated inside linebacker Austin Calitro from injured reserve and elevated offensive lineman Patrick Morris from the practice squad for Sunday’s game.
Plus, wideout Fred Brown was elevated as a COVID-19 replacement for Glasgow this week, and he is now on the roster for Sunday’s game.


thedenverpost--2020-10-31--Colorado wildfires update: Snow continues to melt over Cameron Peak, East Troublesome fire, but no n

Colorado wildfires update: Snow continues to melt over Cameron Peak, East Troublesome fire, but no new growth expected

The snow is slowly melting over the two largest wildfires in Colorado history , but last weekend ’ s storm continues to dampen fire growth and allow crews to increase containment .
The East Troublesome fire is burning 193,774 acres , nearly 303 square miles , with 37 % containment as of Saturday morning .
The fire , which has burned through large swaths of Grand County and into Rocky Mountain National Park , has remained stable this week after the area received nearly a foot of snow on Sunday and into Monday .
Warmer , sunny conditions melted most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ edge of the fire .
Areas with unburned fuels are still active , officials said in a news release Saturday , but the fire is not growing , “ nor is it expected to in the near future.
” Those areas still burning , however , will produce more visible smoke Saturday .
The melting snow will allow fire crews on Saturday to work on containment in the National Park near Bear Lake Road , officials said .
The snow has also stifled growth on the Cameron Peak fire , which is burning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 64 % containment .
A cold front moved into the area early Saturday , bringing winds up to 50 mph — but unlike previous gusty conditions which fueled rapid fire growth , the lower temperatures , higher relative humidity and wetter fuels make the winds far less severe .
The winds will also accelerate drying , which will allow firefighters to access the areas still burning , officials said in a news release .
Click markers for details , use buttons to change what wildfires are shown .
Map data is automatically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real-time events .
Incident types are numbered 1-5 — a type 1 incident is a large , complex wildfire affecting people and critical infrastructure , a type 5 incident is a small wildfire with few personnel involved .
Find more information about incident types at the bottom of this page .

The snow is slowly melting over the two largest wildfires in Colorado history, but last weekend’s storm continues to dampen fire growth and allow crews to increase containment.
The East Troublesome fire is burning 193,774 acres, nearly 303 square miles, with 37% containment as of Saturday morning. The fire, which has burned through large swaths of Grand County and into Rocky Mountain National Park, has remained stable this week after the area received nearly a foot of snow on Sunday and into Monday.
Warmer, sunny conditions melted most of the snow Friday on the southern edge of the fire. Areas with unburned fuels are still active, officials said in a news release Saturday, but the fire is not growing, “nor is it expected to in the near future.” Those areas still burning, however, will produce more visible smoke Saturday.
The melting snow will allow fire crews on Saturday to work on containment in the National Park near Bear Lake Road, officials said.
The snow has also stifled growth on the Cameron Peak fire, which is burning 208,663 acres, 326 square miles, with 64% containment.
A cold front moved into the area early Saturday, bringing winds up to 50 mph — but unlike previous gusty conditions which fueled rapid fire growth, the lower temperatures, higher relative humidity and wetter fuels make the winds far less severe. The winds will also accelerate drying, which will allow firefighters to access the areas still burning, officials said in a news release.
Wildfire map
Click markers for details, use buttons to change what wildfires are shown. Map data is automatically updated by government agencies and could lag real-time events. Incident types are numbered 1-5 — a type 1 incident is a large, complex wildfire affecting people and critical infrastructure, a type 5 incident is a small wildfire with few personnel involved. Find more information about incident types at the bottom of this page.


thedenverpost--2020-11-01--More Coloradans are dying from Alzheimer’s disease during pandemic as social isolation takes its tol

More Coloradans are dying from Alzheimer’s disease during pandemic as social isolation takes its toll

Bart Bartholomew noticed the changes in his wife soon after the coronavirus pandemic began .
One day , Dot , who was diagnosed with dementia more than a decade ago , stopped responding to his jokes .
“ She knew it was me , but she just looked at me real strange , ” Bart , 72 , recalled .
“ No more smiles .
No more bright eyes.
” He had cared for Dot , 72 , at home for years after her diagnosis , believing that each day was a blessing after she survived longer than doctors predicted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed more medical care , and so , Bart moved her first into an assisted-living facility , then a skilled-nursing home in Loveland .
The pandemic arrived in the middle of those moves , and soon he was no longer able to visit her twice a day as he had before .
State health officials had ordered such facilities to restrict visitors as part of their efforts to protect those most vulnerable to the new disease sweeping the state .
The next time Bart saw his wife was on April 26 .
Dot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are dying from Alzheimer ’ s disease during the coronavirus pandemic , and the recent rise in new cases and hospitalizations has doctors worried that a “ third wave ” in this state will cut people off from the care they need and make those living in long-term care facilities even more isolated .
“ We will start to see more of these deaths occurring with more hospitalizations and more people in the ICU , ” said Dr. Zachary Macchi , an instructor in the University of Colorado School of Medicine ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more of those patients are going to be those who are in living facilities and are at risk.
” At least 1,053 people died from Alzheimer ’ s disease in Colorado during the first six months of the pandemic , which is up 26 % from the 3-year-average for the same period , according to data from the state Department of Public Health and Environment .
The increase of Alzheimer ’ s deaths comes as total fatalities have soared 20 % between March and August .
Dot Bartholomew is one of an estimated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period , a toll that extends beyond those who have died directly from COVID-19 .
Some of the Alzheimer ’ s deaths might be COVID-19 cases that were missed early in the pandemic when testing was limited .
But they also highlight the toll social isolation has taken on part of the state ’ s most vulnerable residents , according to medical experts .
“ A lot of caregivers have noticed sharp declines in their loved ones ’ cognitive abilities and ability to take care of themselves , ” Macchi said .
Their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when Bart , who served in the U.S. Navy , was on leave from Vietnam following his father ’ s heart attack .
He was visiting his mother in Burlington when he decided to “ cruise Main ” with friends .
They drove up and down a street with only one traffic light , honking and waiving at others also cruising down the road .
Dot sat at the wheel of one of those cars , while her younger sister was in the passenger seat .
The sisters had driven into town from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order to meet them , Bart drove over and slid into the backseat of their car .
The couple exchanged addresses so they could write one another .
They only went on one more date before getting engaged and marrying in June 1969 .
They were married for 50 years and had two daughters .
“ Our destinies were bound to meet and we did , ” Bart said .
Doctors diagnosed Dot with dementia more than a decade ago .
There is no cure for Alzheimer ’ s disease or dementia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at slowing the disease ’ s progression .
Doctors expected Dot , who was 60 at the time , to only live another six to eight years after her diagnosis .
Instead , she survived almost 13 years .
Bart moved Dot into an assisted-living facility that provides memory care in February , but then realized she needed a skilled-nursing home to get the level of care she needed .
She moved to the second facility in mid-April , a month into the pandemic .
“ After eight years went by , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Bart said , adding , “ When I got her in the assisted living , I saw her declining more .
I didn ’ t put two and two together.
” Doctors said that since the start of the pandemic patients with Alzheimer ’ s or dementia are experiencing more confusion and sleeping more often — symptoms that they attribute to increased stress and loss of socialization .
Alzheimer ’ s and dementia often progress slowly over a period of years , but if a person ’ s brain is stressed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will have a harder time bouncing back than someone without a cognitive disorder , said Dr. Samantha Holden , medical director of the CU School of Medicine ’ s Neurobehavior and Memory Disorders Clinic .
During the pandemic , people with dementia are not only experiencing stress , but their routines have changed , their caregivers are also struggling , and many people are unable to participate in activities that stimulate the brain .
It is especially difficult for those in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities because the strict social-distancing measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also leaving patients isolated .
State public health officials have eased visitor restrictions at nursing homes and long-term care facilities in recent months .
But the facilities , which have been hit hard by the spread of COVID-19 , are once again experiencing a rise in outbreaks following more transmission of the disease in the community .
Physicians said they are concerned that the growing number of cases will cause them to revert back to telemedicine because it will no longer be safe to bring higher-risk patients with Alzheimer ’ s or dementia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also raise the risk of other medical issues rising in patients .
As the overall death toll has increased in Colorado , there also have been more deaths from heart disease and other illnesses — which is partly attributed to residents putting off health care because of concerns of contracting the virus .
“ It ’ s a very difficult balance to strike , ” Holden said .
Those with dementia and Alzheimer ’ s are at a higher risk of complications , including death , from COVID-19 , in large part because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 2,200 people who had COVID-19 at the time of their death in Colorado , almost 53 % of them were 80 or older , according to the state health department .
“ For those older adults it ’ s still not worth the risk , ” Holden said .
“ If one side of the balance is death , what comes close to outweighing that ?
I don ’ t think there is anything more precious than human life.
” To help those with Alzheimer ’ s and dementia , Holden recommends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside as safely as possible .
It can help those who live in long-term care facilities to have photographs of loved ones and familiar belongings with them .
Chatting with loved ones via video can also help , although sometimes it can be “ disorienting ” for those with Alzheimer ’ s or dementia , Holden said .
Bart tried to connect with Dot through video calls .
But she just looked at the phone screen , with a distant stare .
“ I think she was just tired of not being able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and all of those things , ” he said .
Soon after she moved into the nursing home — and only a month into the pandemic — Bart received a call to come to the nursing home to say goodbye .
He didn ’ t know it then , but Dot ’ s kidneys were failing .
His daughter wasn ’ t allowed inside with her mother so she watched through the window .
Inside , Bart kneeled by Dot ’ s bed and held her hand .
He stayed with her until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get health news sent straight to your inbox .

Bart Bartholomew noticed the changes in his wife soon after the coronavirus pandemic began.
One day, Dot, who was diagnosed with dementia more than a decade ago, stopped responding to his jokes.
What is Alzheimer’s disease? Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that slowly degrades a person’s memory and thinking skills. It can make it difficult to keep up with bills and even cause delusions and paranoia.
Alzheimer’s Association Colorado: alz.org/co. Call the helpline at 800-272-3900 for free, 24-hour help.
Alzheimer’s Foundation of America: alzfdn.org. Call the helpline at 866-232-8484 for free help from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Saturdays and Sundays.
University of Colorado Alzheimer’s and Cognition Center: medschool.cuanschutz.edu/alzheimers
Dementia Friendly Denver: dementiafriendlydenver.org.
“She knew it was me, but she just looked at me real strange,” Bart, 72, recalled. “No more smiles. No more bright eyes.”
He had cared for Dot, 72, at home for years after her diagnosis, believing that each day was a blessing after she survived longer than doctors predicted. But by late 2019, Dot needed more medical care, and so, Bart moved her first into an assisted-living facility, then a skilled-nursing home in Loveland.
The pandemic arrived in the middle of those moves, and soon he was no longer able to visit her twice a day as he had before. State health officials had ordered such facilities to restrict visitors as part of their efforts to protect those most vulnerable to the new disease sweeping the state.
The next time Bart saw his wife was on April 26. Dot died that same day.
More Coloradans are dying from Alzheimer’s disease during the coronavirus pandemic, and the recent rise in new cases and hospitalizations has doctors worried that a “third wave” in this state will cut people off from the care they need and make those living in long-term care facilities even more isolated.
“We will start to see more of these deaths occurring with more hospitalizations and more people in the ICU,” said Dr. Zachary Macchi, an instructor in the University of Colorado School of Medicine’s Department of Neurology. “Ultimately, more of those patients are going to be those who are in living facilities and are at risk.”
At least 1,053 people died from Alzheimer’s disease in Colorado during the first six months of the pandemic, which is up 26% from the 3-year-average for the same period, according to data from the state Department of Public Health and Environment.
The increase of Alzheimer’s deaths comes as total fatalities have soared 20% between March and August. Dot Bartholomew is one of an estimated 22,723 Coloradans to have died during that period, a toll that extends beyond those who have died directly from COVID-19.
Some of the Alzheimer’s deaths might be COVID-19 cases that were missed early in the pandemic when testing was limited. But they also highlight the toll social isolation has taken on part of the state’s most vulnerable residents, according to medical experts.
“A lot of caregivers have noticed sharp declines in their loved ones’ cognitive abilities and ability to take care of themselves,” Macchi said.
“Our destinies were bound to meet”
Their whirlwind romance began one night in 1967 when Bart, who served in the U.S. Navy, was on leave from Vietnam following his father’s heart attack.
He was visiting his mother in Burlington when he decided to “cruise Main” with friends. They drove up and down a street with only one traffic light, honking and waiving at others also cruising down the road.
Dot sat at the wheel of one of those cars, while her younger sister was in the passenger seat. The sisters had driven into town from neighboring Kansas that night, and in order to meet them, Bart drove over and slid into the backseat of their car.
The couple exchanged addresses so they could write one another. They only went on one more date before getting engaged and marrying in June 1969. They were married for 50 years and had two daughters.
“Our destinies were bound to meet and we did,” Bart said.
Doctors diagnosed Dot with dementia more than a decade ago. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, so doctors gave her a medication aimed at slowing the disease’s progression.
Doctors expected Dot, who was 60 at the time, to only live another six to eight years after her diagnosis. Instead, she survived almost 13 years.
Bart moved Dot into an assisted-living facility that provides memory care in February, but then realized she needed a skilled-nursing home to get the level of care she needed. She moved to the second facility in mid-April, a month into the pandemic.
“After eight years went by, I just gave it as a blessing,” Bart said, adding, “When I got her in the assisted living, I saw her declining more. I didn’t put two and two together.”
Impact of social isolation
Doctors said that since the start of the pandemic patients with Alzheimer’s or dementia are experiencing more confusion and sleeping more often — symptoms that they attribute to increased stress and loss of socialization.
Alzheimer’s and dementia often progress slowly over a period of years, but if a person’s brain is stressed, they can experience “dips” and will have a harder time bouncing back than someone without a cognitive disorder, said Dr. Samantha Holden, medical director of the CU School of Medicine’s Neurobehavior and Memory Disorders Clinic.
During the pandemic, people with dementia are not only experiencing stress, but their routines have changed, their caregivers are also struggling, and many people are unable to participate in activities that stimulate the brain.
It is especially difficult for those in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities because the strict social-distancing measures meant to protect patients from COVID-19 are also leaving patients isolated.
State public health officials have eased visitor restrictions at nursing homes and long-term care facilities in recent months. But the facilities, which have been hit hard by the spread of COVID-19, are once again experiencing a rise in outbreaks following more transmission of the disease in the community.
Physicians said they are concerned that the growing number of cases will cause them to revert back to telemedicine because it will no longer be safe to bring higher-risk patients with Alzheimer’s or dementia into clinics.
But doing this can also raise the risk of other medical issues rising in patients. As the overall death toll has increased in Colorado, there also have been more deaths from heart disease and other illnesses — which is partly attributed to residents putting off health care because of concerns of contracting the virus.
“It’s a very difficult balance to strike,” Holden said.
Those with dementia and Alzheimer’s are at a higher risk of complications, including death, from COVID-19, in large part because of their age. Of the more than 2,200 people who had COVID-19 at the time of their death in Colorado, almost 53% of them were 80 or older, according to the state health department.
“For those older adults it’s still not worth the risk,” Holden said. “If one side of the balance is death, what comes close to outweighing that? I don’t think there is anything more precious than human life.”
To help those with Alzheimer’s and dementia, Holden recommends having a routine, exercising and getting outside as safely as possible.
It can help those who live in long-term care facilities to have photographs of loved ones and familiar belongings with them. Chatting with loved ones via video can also help, although sometimes it can be “disorienting” for those with Alzheimer’s or dementia, Holden said.
Saying goodbye
Bart tried to connect with Dot through video calls. But she just looked at the phone screen, with a distant stare.
“I think she was just tired of not being able to see me, talk to me and all of those things,” he said.
Soon after she moved into the nursing home — and only a month into the pandemic — Bart received a call to come to the nursing home to say goodbye. He didn’t know it then, but Dot’s kidneys were failing.
His daughter wasn’t allowed inside with her mother so she watched through the window.
Inside, Bart kneeled by Dot’s bed and held her hand.
He stayed with her until she died.
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