STORIES

Hi, As you know, we were very fortunate to have so many people in our lives to help guide us along the path of growing up with some sense of values and integrity. There were many I'm sure, but here are some, that come to mind and I think we should acknowledge them. Be sure and check out the new "Tell us about Someone !!" page for a few contrubutions.

Cam Shablo

Seems as though Mr. Faoro commissioned Joe Terry, Mickey Lucero, and Cam Shablo, to provide the school Christmas tree. As you recall, it was displayed in the hallway up the steps at the entrance to the school.
As Joe tells the story, we used Frank Shablo's truck, and headed up to Long's canyon to find the perfect tree. After searching the woods, one was found that was large enough to fit in the state capitol. After looking it over we began cutting it down. Not wanting to carry or drag the tree for a long distance we decided to get the truck as close as possible. As the tree toppled it came crashing on to the cab of the truck, leaving the top concave. Joe said, there was no problem, as you could pop it back out from the inside. That being accomplished we were on the way back to the school. Little did we know, as we drove back, the tree being so large, the tip was hanging over the back end of the pickup dragging on the ground. Upon completing our destination we discovered that one side was completely bare of needles!
As you recall one of Mr. Faoro's favorite sayings was "Cussit Guys". Well, that was precisley his first reaction, after seeing the disaster. Of course we did patch up the one side, and all was well for Santa.

Cam Shablo

Everything was transacted on the honor system. So many of the kids used his place, "SPOOKS INN", as a hangout, especially as we got into the teen-age years. He, as many of the people in Sopris, had more confidence in the neighborhood kids than they had in themselves. That's what was so great about Sopris, and all the people living there. I can't think of one person, who took advantage of him. If they took anything--It was taken care of.

Cam Shablo

Who owned the first Television set in Sopris? I think it was Angelo Brunelli. I can remember how everyone was so intrigued, just looking at the snow and some undistinguished characters that showed up. Angelo was determined to get a good reception and had us moving antennas all over the place. Angelo was very influential in getting the remote box installed in Sopris. Soon we were all watching programs from Pueblo and Colorado Springs.

Cam Shablo

Do you remember when, we had the only movie theater in town. Of course it was the Brunelli Theater. It was only another place to keep the kids in line. It couldn't have been for profit, because as you recall how many free bags of popcorn we had. The only place where you could get movie, popcorn and pop for l5 cents.
Do you remember the number of series that were shown every week. Wagon Train, The Durango Kid, Hopalong Cassidy, and The Lone Ranger. What fun we all had every weekend.

Who's the leader of the band? Seems a few of the rowdy group were up the their old ways at disrupting study hall. Mrs McGinn asked us to depart to the hall, where the band instruments were kept. Doc Leonetti decided that maybe we should have a little jam session, and we began playing. Not for long, because we were soon on the way to see Mr. McGinn.. I don't know who had the brain storm, but when we got there we began asking Mr. Mc Guinn how the World Series was coming along and then back on the way to class.

Next day, of course the Mc Ginns had figured out what we were up to---We were put on detention for the week.

(Joe Terry, Doc Leonetti, Doc Sanchez, Mickey Lucero, and Cam Shablo)

Joe Terry, Mickey Lucero, and Cam Shablo, decided it was time for a "chicken cookout", but where were they to get the chickens? Perfino's , was the designated target, and off they went. Snow on the ground, and the best layer hens in the coop, the boys were on the way. Soon, the chickens were dead and the boys were on the way to the old Sopris Camp site.
Little did they know-----Frank Shablo and a neighbor were out on the porch having their daily chew of tobacco. Frank says to the neighbor. "What's going on at Perfino's". Frank then proceeds to get his binoculars. Of course they found out exactly what the problem was. Billy Brunelli and Alfred Shablo just happened by at that time, and were soon on the way to the site, never mentioning Frank was on to us. They asked if they could share our cook out. If not they would fink on us. Of course we let them in to our confidence and food.
When we arrived back to the house---Frank asked us to go for a ride with him.. You guessed it. We were on the way to Perfino''s to tell him what we were up to.

We had planned a fishing trip to Blue Lakes in the mountains near Monument Lake. We were to do some fishing and camping with the group, which included Mike Butero and Joe Santistevan. Well, many things happened on that trip. After having a nice breakfast upon arrival at the lake, we were going to clean our mess gear and then go fishing for the day. Cam Shablo, thinking because his father was an assistant scout master, did not have to follow the rules, and put his mess gear back into the truck with sticky syrup and all. Of course he was caught and was not able to go fishing with the group.

That night everyone was settled in for the night. Mike Butero was paired with his tent buddy and everything was well. About an hour into the night there was a constant cry from Mike’s tent. Seems he was missing his mother and wanted to go home. After consoling Mike for awhile, Mr. Lucero, the scout master, decided he should sleep in the command tent. This lasted just a short while and Mike was crying again. All of a sudden there was a loud bang from outside the tent. Joe Santistevan, taking matters into his own hands, smacked mike over the head with his mess gear and all was well.

I'm sure you all remember the days when we would hitch a ride on the back of "Daniel's" horse and wagon. Sure enough, we would clomp along at about a mile an hour with him shouting at us to get off!
I believe he lived right on the west side of the swinging bridge. (That's another story.) Do you remember Daniel's last name. I heard it was Gonzales or Sanchez. But no one seems to know for sure. HELP!! Thanks to Al & Carol Shablo, Daniel's last name was "Lopez", Al's Great Grandfather.

Now here's one that will generate a lot of "tall tales"! Who was the BEST Bocci ball player in Sopris? I can hear it now! Here's a few that I've heard of: Rocco DeAngelis, Father Heller, Shory Incitti, Corky Incitti, Paul Butero, Joe Martorano, Albert Macchietto.........and on and on! Let's hear some stories.

Who loaded all the straw in the Primero bus during one of our rival basketball games! I think I know who but I'm not telling! Care to "put the finger" on someone?

Now here's a TALL TALE. Do you recall the story of the devil appearing in the Frontier Tavern? Yes sir....One night a stranger was sitting at the poker table. Someone dropped a card and saw "hooves" on this guy! As he shouted the weird dude just up and took off. (Some say he disappeared!)

In the mid 1950's Tommy Aragon and "Chinaman" Joe Santistevan had a Pepsi drinking contest at Spooks place. The challenge was to see who could down the most Pepsis. The one who gave up would be deemed the loser! One of the fellas downed 24! The other quit at 23!
Who was the winner? None other than Tommy!

This one is hard to believe BUT TRUE. When Joe Incitti was about 14 years old he actually rode a deer! Yup, right in front of the Sopris gym. It was lunch hour when we noticed a small doe trapped between the gym and the row of cars. Joe ran across the street, and cornered the deer. He then grabbed the doe by the ears and jumped on! Of course, you might hear that he rode it all the way to Piedmont, but actually he only stayed on for about 10 seconds! Hey, long enough to vie for a win in a deer rodeo, eh?

Be sure and visit Joe at his pub ("JUJOS") . It's located just down from the post office in Trinidad. He'll verify the story!

Here's one not many have heard about! When Vic Macchietto Jr. and Frank "Camel" Shablo were about 12 years old or so, they co-built a neat push-around Hot Rod (Remember those?). That very afternoon they got into a real fight and argued over who owned the Hot Rod. Well, you got it.... They cut it in half! Not real sure who got the front or the rear half though. Have to ask them!!