ALAMOSA — In his book “A Tale of Two Colonies: Dutch Calvinists and Southern States Saints in the San Luis Valley”, author Bill Heersink chronicles the histories of these two groups.  

The opening of his book probably best describes its content.  

“Imagine the San Luis Valley 150 years ago. Alamosa not yet on the map. The largest towns are Conejos, San Luis, Saguache and Del Norte. 5,000,000 acres waiting to be populated and cultivated. 

“Two devout religious groups take up the challenge with grand visions: Dutch Calvinists with projections to double the valley’s population and Latter-Day Saints with prophecies to fill the valley to overflowing. Their origins, obstacles and outcomes are narrated with a multitude of too-good-to-be-true stories.” 

Heersink will be in the following locations in the San Luis Valley over the 4th of July weekend for a book signing, starting on July 3 with an appearance at the San Luis Valley Museum at 401 Hunt Avenue in Alamosa from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. The next day, July 4, Heersink will be at the Narrow Gauge Bookstore in Alamosa, 602 Main Street from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., right after the parade. Heersink will also be at the Alamosa High School Reunion for classes from the 1960s on July 4 and 5 at 4:30 p.m. On July 5, Heersink will be at the Sanford Historical Museum at 778 Main Street in Sanford at 1:00 p.m. and then, at 3:00 p.m. at the Jack Dempsey Museum at 412 Main Street in Manassa. 

Author Bill Heersink grew up in the San Luis Valley and graduated from Alamosa High School. For the past fifty years, he has lived in Ogden, Utah, serving as a parish pastor, theology professor and refugee resettlement volunteer. Presently he keeps busy gardening and writing.