Joyce Vopat (Leadville, CO) after high school (’60-72) she worked a couple of Sears stores then Latrobe Steel. Bored and slowly dying at Latrobe, she was at her wits end and very unhappy. In 1972 her parents moved to Orland, Florida. To get away from all of the excitement, she took a vacation and went down there to help them with their move. While down there, she applied for a  job at the Orland Sentinel newspaper. Passed the typing test and was hired on the spot and given 2 weeks to move there and start the job . . so she moved! She worked at the paper for 27 years until 1999 when she retired. From 1999-2003 she was tired of being alone in Florida and wanted to be near family. Her sister had moved to Leadville, Colorado and married a Judge. In 2003, she moved there into a Historical Bank Building converted into apartments.

This one is for Betty, she wanted it told .  “In 2006, I woke up, looked out my window to scan the area and greet the day.  Noticed one of the dumpsters below and saw 2 legs.  Called 911 and said; don’t know if I’m looking at a mannequin, someone sleeping, or someone dead . . they checked and it was a DEAD BODY!!!  I was questioned by the police, watched them process the crime scene and remove the body. (Turned out to be a suicide) So I’ve had my 15 minutes of fame”