Steamboat Pilot & Today

AAA helps motorist determine cost of trips

AAA Colorado is making it easier for motorists to estimate gasoline costs for cross-country car trips.

To determine the total cost of gasoline needed to complete a long-distance trip, motorists can visit AAA's www.fuelcostcalculator.com. The site updates regional gas prices across the nation daily, and can aid motorists in planning long distance road trips based on the make, model and year of the vehicle they choose to drive.

As of Thursday, AAA estimated the cost of driving a 2004 Pontiac Grand Am from Denver to Los Angeles and back at $162.78.

Orton's Vt. Country Store shares profits

Rutland, Vt.

The Vermont Country Store, owned by the family of Steamboat Springs resident Lyman Orton, has announced it is sharing the wealth with its employees again.

The Rutland Herald reported this month that Vermont Country Store is giving employees a cash bonus of 14 percent and additional profit sharing awards of 6 percent of 2004 earnings.

The announcement marks the 25th consecutive year the retail and mail order catalog business has funded profit sharing, and the 12th year that annual bonuses also have been awarded. The two awards total almost $2.5 million.

CEO William Shouldice said that 2004 started well but slowed after the summer season.

Fuller joins Alpenglow Properties Inc.

Steamboat Springs

Alpenglow Properties Inc. is proud to announce that Carol Fuller has joined the company as a broker associate. For the past 20 years, Fuller has had the opportunity to renovate homes. She has been a licensed real estate broker for more than two years. She and her husband, Jim Fuller, own Fuller Construction. Fuller can be reached at 879-5771.