Youth not always wasted on the young

Cole Peck is 26 years young. He has a Master’s Degree in Music from UNR and is scheduled to complete a Masters in Education. His plan is to be a teacher. Cole also spends time keeping our yard in tip top condition and this summer he and his sweetheart, Ema Aynedter, made two 4,000 mile round trips to Montana. Cole has more irons in the fire than a rancher at branding time.

Cole is determined to stay connected to his Grand Mother Nancy who lives in Montana. Nancy was raised in Glacier National Park and knows enough stories for two life times. Cole’s family have worked in and cared for the park for over a hundred years.

Coles dad, Brian’s (a prominent Gardnerville/Minden Veterinarian) grandfather, Asa Powell became a park ranger in Glacier National Park in 1912, just two years after the park opened. Cole doesn’t know when they immigrated to the United States but they were Norwegian.

Cole’s mom Holly is a descendent of the Casagranda family who immigrated from the Trentino-Alto Adige region in northern Italy and settled near Brow’s Gultch in 1870. Under the Land Ordinance of 1875, the Casagranda family was allotted a 500-acre parcel of land that was to be used for farming or ranching; they chose ranching. Cole says, “They traveled across the ocean not knowing what the future held for them. As their descendent, I know that anything I want to do is possible with hard work and determination as my ancestors persevered in some of the most rugged land in this nation.” Keep in mind that Cole isn’t yet thirty. Not only is he on the right track career-wise but he and Ema have found time this summer to see half a dozen concerts, seen the new Tom Hanks, “Elvis” movie, and invited Orllyene and me to a family picnic with Holly and Brian and their family and Ema’s family.

I have great regard for Cole. These are some of his thoughts he wrote from Montana last week. “I visited Glacier National Park for the first time yesterday and felt an overwhelming sense of pride knowing that my family had worked in, and cared for the park over 100years ago. To me, America’s lands are a representation of the people who live in them. American people are rugged and tough, yet beautiful and inspiring. We flow from different places much like streams that flow into rivers that spread across this nation. Whether you are a descendent of the native peoples of this land, or a newly immigrated person who is just starting your families’ history here, we are all apart of this nation and it’s ornate, rich history.

Not bad, for a guy not yet thirty years old. Cole is close to his Maker with a solid work ethic. He does part time jobs in his intended profession(music) and outside jobs to cover expenses. Orllyene and I are blessed to have Cole in our lives.

Ron Walker can be reached at walkover@gmx.com