⚰️ Mysterious Origins of Manitou Springs' Coffin Races!

Issue #005 | Oct 13, 2023

Author

Sandy Zuniga
13 Oct • Estimated Reading Time: 14 minutes

Inside COS Town Tidings Issue #005

🤣 Today’s Chuckle

⛅ Colorado Springs Weather

⚰️ Mysterious Origins of Manitou Springs' Coffin Races! 

❄️🔥 Cold Temperatures Pose Unexpected Risks in Southern Colorado

✨ Fueling Growth: Expansion Adds 400 Jobs to Colorado Springs!

📆 Upcoming Events

🌬️ Breathing for Altitude: Unlock the Power of Mindful Breathing

🥘 Recipe of the Week: Yummy Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

❓ How did we do on this issue?

❓ Why did the skeleton go to the party alone?

🤣 Because he had NO BODY to go with him! 🤣

Our hope is that we made you smile today…pass it on.

⚠*High Winds Until noon today

⚰️ The Mysterious Origins of Manitou Springs' Coffin Races!

Mark your calendars for the Emma Crawford Coffin Races in Manitou Springs. It's a one-of-a-kind event that combines history, creativity, and a dash of quirkiness. You won't want to miss it!

Did you know that every year in Manitou Springs, something truly unique and fascinating takes place?

It's time for the Emma Crawford Coffin Races, where a whole bunch of "Emma Crawfords" hop back into their coffins and race through the streets of Manitou Springs!

Curious to know the back story??!! Well back in 1889, a young musician named Emma Crawford moved to Manitou Springs from Massachusetts in search of a cure for her tuberculosis. She believed that the mineral springs and fresh mountain air could help her fight the disease. Mystified by the beauty of the area, Emma was determined that when her time was over on this earth, she wanted to be buried on top of Red Mountain, so one day, she climbed to the summit and made her wish.

Tragically, Emma passed away from her illness in December 1891. It took 12 pallbearers, working in shifts, to carry her coffin to the top of the 7,200-foot peak for her final resting place. But little did they know that four decades later, two powerful storms would send her coffin racing back down the mountain!

To honor Emma's story, Manitou Springs organizes the Emma Crawford Coffin Races every year. Teams of five, consisting of four "pallbearers" and an "Emma Crawford" as either a passenger or driver, race their wheeled coffins up a 585-foot course. It's a sight to behold!

If you're planning to attend the races, make sure to arrive early to secure a prime viewing spot. You can park for free at 1675 Garden of the Gods Rd, Citizens Service Center, or Colorado Technical University, and catch the $5 round-trip shuttles that run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on race day.

If you prefer cycling, bring your bike to Pike Ride's free bike valet at Memorial Park, located at 502 Manitou Ave.

Or ride-sharing services drop-off and pick-up location is at 484 Manitou Ave.

If you can't make it to the races, don't worry! You can still catch all the excitement through the live stream and keep track of the leaderboard at coffinraces.com. 

❄️🔥 Cold Temperatures Pose Unexpected Risks in Southern Colorado

Close up of an aspen filed forest with clouds and fog rolling in over it.

With dropping temperatures today, Southern Colorado is bracing for its first hard freeze of the season. While many may assume that cold weather reduces the risk of wildfires, the truth is quite the opposite. In areas with tall weeds and grasses, the combination of freezing temperatures and dry vegetation can lead to quick-spreading fires that catch people off guard.

A firefighter from Colorado Springs emphasizes that even though it's cold, fires can still ignite and rapidly spread. There have been numerous instances of fast-moving grass wildfires occurring during late fall and winter in Southern Colorado. Roadways pose a particular risk, where sparks or discarded cigarette butts can easily ignite fires. Homeless camps are also a concern, as unattended fires can quickly get out of control.

It's not just outdoor fires that pose a risk during the cold season. Inside homes, the use of fireplaces and furnaces increases, which can lead to unintended fire hazards. It’s advisable that everyone revisit their personal fire prevention plans as the temperature drops. Ensuring that smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order is a simple yet crucial step for safety.

Let's stay vigilant and prioritize fire safety during the cold months. By taking necessary precautions, we can mitigate the risks associated with freezing temperatures and keep our communities safe.

✨ Fueling Growth: Expansion Adds 400 Jobs to Colorado Springs!

Brainstorming over paper

Exciting news for the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC! The organization celebrated its annual gala and honored the recipients of the Trailblazers of Economic Development Award. Additionally, their Titans of Economic Development Campaign reached a significant milestone of $3 million. Infinity Systems Engineering also made a major announcement, revealing a substantial expansion in Colorado Springs that will bring 400 new jobs to the region.

Over the past 20 months, the Chamber & EDC has unveiled 16 economic development projects, attracting over $2 billion in capital investment. Some notable projects include the Entegris Manufacturing Center of Excellence, Meyer Burger's solar cell production facility, and Microchip's $880 million manufacturing facility expansion. The latest expansion by Infinity Systems Engineering represents a $14.7 million investment and will focus on incorporating artificial intelligence and machine learning into their systems engineering services for the Department of Defense. This expansion is expected to create 459 jobs with an average annual wage of $120,000.

Chamber & EDC President and CEO, Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer, acknowledges the positive momentum generated by these developments. The growth in defense, aerospace, cybersecurity, software development, and advanced manufacturing industries creates a cluster effect, attracting more talent, research and development funding, and supply chain opportunities. This ecosystem of good paying jobs benefits the entire community, fueling construction, retail, and education sectors. The Chamber & EDC strives for a balanced approach, promoting economic diversity to mitigate risks associated with dependence on a single sector.

These exciting developments not only contribute to the local economy but also foster a vibrant community that thrives in various sectors.

Upcoming COS Area Events

Have an upcoming event you want us to share?

Breathing for Altitude: 🌬️ Unlock the Power of Mindful Breathing

Enhance your high-altitude experience with mindful breathing techniques that support your body's adaptation to the challenges of Colorado Springs.

Deep breathing exercises can improve oxygen intake, promote relaxation, and aid in acclimation.

Note: As you work through any of the techniques, if you feel light headed or dizzy, stop and breath normally until the feeling subsides. Then try again. The more you work through the techniques, the stronger your oxygen intake will naturally become.

Consider incorporating the following techniques into your daily routine:

  1. Diaphragmatic Breathing: Sit or lie down in a comfortable position. Place one hand on your abdomen and the other on your chest. Breathe in deeply through your nose, allowing your abdomen to rise as you fill your lungs with air. Exhale slowly through your mouth, feeling your abdomen lower. Focus on the sensation of your breath and repeat for several minutes.

  2. Alternate Nostril Breathing: Sit in a comfortable position with your spine straight. Use your right thumb to close your right nostril and inhale deeply through your left nostril. Close your left nostril with your right ring finger, and exhale through your right nostril. Inhale through your right nostril, close it with your thumb, and exhale through your left nostril. Continue this pattern, focusing on the flow of breath and maintaining a steady rhythm.

  3. Box Breathing: Visualize a box shape in your mind. Inhale deeply for a count of four, imagining moving up one side of the box. Hold your breath for a count of four, visualizing moving across the top of the box. Exhale slowly for a count of four, envisioning moving down the other side of the box. Hold your breath for a count of four, completing the box. Repeat this pattern for several cycles.

**Information in this newsletter is NOT meant to diagnose or treat any condition nor is it medical advise. Please consult your physician before making any changes to your current lifestyle.

Yummy Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

Author: CookieAndKate.com

Creamy pumpkin mac and cheese will warm you up on cool fall evenings. This easy autumnal pasta recipe comes together in one pot and tastes incredible. Recipe yields 8 servings (quite a lot!) and leftovers are great.

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin spice blend*

  • 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder

  • 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder

  • 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)

  • 1 pound short-cut pasta (pipe regate, macaroni noodles, casarecce, cavatelli, fusilli)

  • 5 cups water

  • 1 teaspoon fine salt, to taste

  • 4 ounces cream cheese, cubed

  • 8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese

  • ½ cup (2 ounces) finely grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Melt the butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the pumpkin spice, garlic and onion powders and cook for 2 to 4 minutes, stirring often, until the butter is very fragrant and you see many little brown flecks in the pan. Stir in the pumpkin and let it cook for a minute, while stirring.

  2. Pour in the pasta, water and salt. Cover the pot and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, remove the lid and set the timer for 8 minutes.

  3. Cook, stirring often (more often as the time goes on), until the timer goes off. Do not drain the water. Stir in the cream cheese. Cook until the cream cheese has melted and the pasta is al dente (careful when you taste, it’s quite hot), about 4 to 5 more minutes. Turn down the heat as necessary to avoid scorching but maintain a steady simmer.

  4. Reduce the heat to low. Add the cheddar and Parmesan, and stir until the mixture is melted and creamy. Remove the pot from the heat.

  5. Season with salt, to taste (I usually add ¼ teaspoon or more). Serve the pasta in bowls with extra Parmesan grated on top, if desired. Leftovers keep well, covered and refrigerated, for up to 5 days (or freezes relatively well for up to 3 months).

NOTES

  • *PUMPKIN SPICE AMOUNTS: To make just enough pumpkin spice for this recipe, use ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, and a little pinch of allspice or cloves.

  • MAKE IT GLUTEN FREE: Gluten-free pastas vary widely. Choose a spiral-shaped gluten-free brown rice pasta, such as fusilli, over other pasta types (my tester was pleased with Jovial brand). Stir gently and don’t cook the pasta any longer than necessary or it may start to lose its shape.

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