Rifle girl takes third in national competition

Randi Lenard of Rifle took third place in the national Red Robin competition in which she competed in early December in Denver. “Red Robin was amazing and treated us like royalty,” said her mother, Debbie Lenard. “Randi had a great experience working with the Red Robin chefs to perfect her burger and presentations for the judges.” Randi also enjoyed wearing the personalized chef's coat, being in front of the cameras and judges, the interviews and everything else that was involved in the event. Randi won a $75 Visa gift card, a subscription to Kids Cooking, $140 in Red Robin cards, an 8GB iPod, a personally engraved trophy and a prize bag from Red Robin. You can see a picture of Randi Lenard with her burger in her chef's attire by going on to the Red Robin website. Debbie and Randi would like to thank everyone in the area who voted for Randi's burger and for supporting her. She plans to enter again next year and is already concocting ideas.

New Castle Lions make donation to LIFT-UP

The New Castle Lions Club proudly presented Betty Arthur, New Castle's LIFT-UP coordinator, with a check for $100 on Dec. 1. The check was presented during the club's monthly meeting and the funds were raised recently when a local shop owner donated the funds in exchange for door hangers being hung in the community to advertise the shop. The New Castle Lions just celebrated their 10th anniversary and they meet the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 a.m. at Oz art studio, 331 W. Main St. For more information, go to www.newcastlelions.org.

Welcome, Peyton

Brie Robinson and Yanu Valentine, of El Jebel, are proud to announce the birth of Peyton Arayah-Dawn Valentine. Peyton was born on Oct. 24, 2009, at 1:58 a.m., weighing 5 pounds, 13 ounces, and she was 19 inches long.

Peyton has two siblings, Gabriella, 6, and Lyvia, 4. Grandparents are Paul and George Valentine of Carbondale, and Nikki Brown of Silt.

Mollenkamps welcome Jaidyn

Matthew and Geni Mollenkamp of Rifle are the proud parents of a new baby girl.

Jaidyn Faye Mollenkamp was born at Valley View Hospital on Nov. 6, 2009. She was 6 pounds, 11 ounces, and was 211⁄2 inches long at birth.

Proud grandparents are: Scott and Dorothy Hutchison of Rifle; Cheyl Burt (Mike Smith) of Silt; and Roger (Pam) Mollenkamp of Colorado Springs.

Jaidyn's arrival has been anxiously anticipated by her bigger brother Gage, 8, and other family members who can't wait to begin spoiling her.