In 2005 when Todd Foster, Mark Foster, and Kirk Syme bought Royal Gorge, the largest cross-country ski area on the North American continent at 4000 acres, their plans to develop the area around our Serene Lakes cabin met with extreme anger from the community. Patrick and Emily took the over-development to heart and did their part to raise money to aid the fight against Foster and Syme. Emily had single-handedly raised $24 in a day with her driveway lemonade stand the year before and knew she could do better if a portion of the profits went to the Serene Lakes Property Owner’s Association (SLPOA). She was right. By adding the words, “All proceeds go to save Donner Summit funds,” to their sign, the pair of youths brought in $51.11 for the fight and earned themselves a full-page spot on the back of the association newsletter.

“I made a choice,” the newsletter quoted Emily, “I could keep the money myself to buy toys or I could give the money to help save Donner Summit. I love nature, so I decided to give every single penny.”

See also “4th of July 2007 Photos!” for a great shot of the community kids in green shirts of solidarity against the development, “Foster/Syme Protest, Burma-Shave-Style” (my short video helping the propaganda), and “Map: Foster and Syme to Plant trees!” (the map I made of the proposed development.

Click the photo(s) here to see a larger version.