Colorado Expression Magazine - Fall 2024

Exploring the Emerald Isle Mountain-Inspired

LEADING LADIES

WOMEN WHO INSPIRE

From left: FloraJane DiRienzo, Joyce Tsai, Barbara Brooks and Janice Sinden. These ladies are equal parts powerful and poised.

ANN BONFOEY TAYLOR

Always the style maven, Ann Bonfoey Taylor was a multisport athlete and fashion icon for the ages.

Photo Jenny Marvin

Photo Toni Frissell

8

SHOT IN THE DARK

Notable galas, events and fundraisers

ON THE DOCKET

Events and happenings around Colorado

PUBLIC PERSONA

Auctioneer Halie Behr

CAUSE WORTHY

Children’s Diabetes Foundation, Peppers Senior Dog Sanctuary, Volunteers of America Colorado

INTERIOR STYLE

Decorating with meaningful mementos

SIP & SAVOR

Pint-sized chefs, and food and beverage rock stars

FASHION

Inspired by nature, fall’s fnest fashion

GETAWAYS

Locally-sourced Ireland

GREAT ESCAPES

Of the grid in Antarctica

Story by Rebecca Gart

Photo Jenny Marvin, JM Visual Art

TOP: Cozy fall fashions. LEFT: On top at the bottom of the world.

Photo Kevin Austin

Photo Chad Chisholm

A WiesnerMedia Publication

Group Publisher ELIZABETH HAMILTON ehamilton@coloradoexpression.com

Managing Editor HILLARY LOCKE MUJICA hillary@coloradoexpression.com

Operations Director LISA BUSCIETTA lisa@coloradoexpression.com

Design/Production HANNAH ROGERS

Photography JENSEN SUTTA, PAMELA CRESS, CAITLIN ROTH, JENNY MARVIN, JM VISUAL ART, CHAD CHISHOLM

Events and Partnership Coordinator/Digital/Social Media JOSIE CISNEROS jcisneros@chlml.com

Production Manager DAWN PAUL dpaul@chlml.com

Contributing Writers

CAREN AUSTIN, LISA BUSCIETTA, CHAD CHISHOLM, REBECCA GART, ANNA JENSEN, RICHA MITCHELL, HILLARY LOCKE MUJICA, CYNTHIA PASQUALE, IRENE RAWLINGS

Sales sales@coloradoexpression.com

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Inquiries and Submissions info@coloradoexpression.com

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TRAILBLAZERS AND VISIONARIES

Our fall issue is always one that leaves me inspired by recognizing the influential women dedicated to bettering our community.

What I find so wonderful is that there are noteworthy women in every sector of our beautiful state, which makes our job of narrowing down the list a challenge. You will be energized by learning about the ladies we have featured this year. Not only are they all making a difference in their leadership roles, but they also are trailblazers in their own right.

We also pay tribute to a true grande dame, Ann Bonfoey Taylor. She was part of the U.S. Olympic team for downhill skiing; flew planes in World War II; played tennis at Wimbledon; was a Vogue model; started her own ski apparel company; and was a well-accomplished equestrian as well as mother to six children. There really wasn’t anything Taylor couldn’t do! We are so honored to share her story; we hope you are as inspired by her life as we are.

If you are looking for something to do this fall, check out our schedule of events which include many cause-worthy nonprofit galas and fundraisers which are sure to fill up your calendar quickly. Finally, we’ve been globe-trotting our way through Ireland and the Antarctic to bring you stories of off-the-beaten path vacations that are sure to make your bucket list.

Beyond the fall issue, our website, coloradoexpression.com, is chock-full of unique stories, such as one on the Women’s Bank of Denver, which was founded in 1978.

I salute all the women in my life who are making a difference in Colorado and beyond. Here’s to raising the bar even higher!

Elizabeth

ELIZABETH HAMILTON Group Publisher

Colorado Expression , Colorado Homes & Lifestyles , Mountain Living

Photo Jensen Sutta

Theatre of Dreams Gala

Central City Opera held its annual Theatre of Dreams Gala on April 5 at the Cable Center at the University of Denver. The evening featured a performance by CCO soprano Sara Gartland and paid tribute to honorees Judy and Newell Grant.

1 CCO artistic director Alison Moritz, president and CEO Scott Finlay, and managing director Margaret Williams 2 Gala chair Natela Manunts and honoree Newell Grant

Associate director of marketing and communications Erin Osovets and secretary Christina Dinegar

Pam Wiegand and board of directors co-chair Sonny Wiegand

Mark Soane, Sarah Rockwell, Tom McGonagle and gala

member Anne McGonagle

Claire Antoszewski, honoree Newell Grant and Caroline Waddell

Soprano Sara Gartland and CCO president and CEO Scott Finlay

Katie and Taylor Grassby

Colonel Travis Ruhl and Cesar Orozco

Penfield and Paulette Tate

Photos Caitlin Roth

Diamonds in the Ruff

Freedom Service Dogs of America (FSD) held its 12th annual Diamonds in the Ruff event on April 25 at The Hangar Club in Denver. Guests embraced the Disco Infurno theme and brought their platform shoes and groovy dance moves. Proceeds from the event help FSD continue to transform lives by partnering veterans, first responders with PTSD, and children with autism with customtrained assistance dogs.

Photos Pamela Cress

1 Stacey Kisluk, Kirk Barrell and FSD president and CEO Chris Nelson 2 Cameron Sisbarro, Noel Wickwar (board) and William Foy (board)

Kristen Deevy (board), emcee Chris Parente and Diane Johnson

Michelle Search, board chair, Zack Phillips and Jan Search

Colette Nix, Christine Fox and Eurie Han

Lisa and Josh Reel

Tammy Garrett and Chris Boyer with Noodle the dog

Board member Lani Kessler, her mom, Gilda Kaplan, Michael Kessler and Molly Pilch

Angela and John DellaSalle (board member)

Pints and Pinots

The Kiwanis Club of Southeast Metro Denver held its third annual Pints and Pinots for Youth Suicide Prevention on May 1 at the AMG Dome in Greenwood Village. The proceeds benefit Second Wind Fund, a nonprofit organization that connects at-risk youth, including low-income and those who are underinsured, to licensed therapists for mental health treatment.

Photos Pamela Cress

1 Paul Reich, executive director of Second Wind Fund, with Kiwanis SEMD president Gail Coombs and past president Mel Schupp

SWF co-founder

Marjorie Laird and board member Heather Pacheco

David Rich, Michael Cates and Blake Windeler

Celia Kulbe and Vanessa Hebert

Lucy Buck, Lizzy Coombs and Jack Buck

Diana Dowling, emcee

Schupp and Darlene Poplawski

Women with Hattitude

DCPA held its whimsical celebration, Women with Hattitude, on May 2 at the Seawell Ballroom. Guests enjoyed lunch, a tribute to accomplished women in the performing arts, and the annual hat parade with prizes awarded for the best hats. Proceeds benefit the Women’s Voices Fund established to commission, develop and produce new plays by women.

Photos Pamela Cress

1 Event chair Jennifer Dechtman and president and CEO Janice Sinden 2 Carol Hamer, Christine Ekman and Jamie Clements, VP of development 3 Monica Cody, Jody Lopez and April Jones (a top sponsor)

Kim Beckman, Cynthia Garcia Williams and Mackenzie Carignan

Gwendolyn Walker-Gaal and Natalie Oliver-Atherton

Adrienne Ruston Fitzgibbons, center, a top sponsor, with her daughters Erinn Corson and Kimi Brown

Denise Snyder and Lara Svedin

Shea Bax and Jen Sax

Lynnette Morrison (a top sponsor) and Susan Baird

Andrea Ackerman and Megan Stewart, development events manager

Executive Luncheon: Recipe for Success

The 2024 JFS Executive Luncheon was held on May 8 at the Hyatt Regency Convention Center. Guests enjoyed lunch, and the presentation of the Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck Community Leadership Award to Temple Emanuel followed by a moderated conversation with lifestyle guru Martha Stewart. Proceeds benefit JFS and its many programs and services to improve the lives of anyone in need.

Photos Pamela Cress

Moderator Corby Kummer, event chair Marlin Barad and Ed Barad

David Feiner (executive board member), Lauren Perlmutter and Essie Perlmutter

Leanna Harris (executive board member), Jessica Zeidman (JFS chief advancement officer) and Karyn Huberman

JFS president and CEO Linda Foster and Bill Foster

Leslie Beckoff, Kelsey Goldberg and Jessica Shaoul

Joan Thielen and Jenny Herren of JFS

Board chair Aaron Hyatt and Niah Hyatt

Patti Levine, Elise Barish and Meg Lemon

Heidi Wald and Dr. Gilad Gordon (board secretary)

Opera Colorado

Opera Colorado celebrated 41 years of world-class opera in Denver at the 2024 Opera Colorado Gala La Belle Epoque Moderne on May 11 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Guests enjoyed a lovely evening with a special performance by soprano Sharleen Joynt. Proceeds from the evening support Opera Colorado’s education and community engagement programs.

Photos Pamela Cress

1 Paulette Rhyne, Don Braden and Ellie Caulkins 2 General and artistic director Greg Carpenter, CFO Tom Kirkpatrick and Jennifer Colgan, director of marketing and communications

Event chairs Dr. Kristin Freestone, Major Dino Maniatis and their girls, Angelina and Kristina

Wendy and Ari Pelto (music director)

Anuradha, Mani and Dr. Prem Subramanian (board secretary)

Nicole Frankel, Sameed Afghani and Karen Sumner

Board president Chip Horne and Jan Kennaugh

Board chair Richard Koseff and Diana Bersohn

Presenting sponsors Ken and Donna Barrow

Cynthia and Dr. Larry Chan (board VP)

A Taste of Camp

Roundup River Ranch held its annual Taste of Camp event on May 16 at The Cable Center at DU. Dr. Keith Weisz, pediatric emergency medicine physician at Children’s Hospital Colorado, was presented with the 2024 Superhero Award. Proceeds from this event go toward creating free programs to serve thousands of children living with cancer and other life-altering conditions.

Photos Caitlin Roth

1 Superhero Award recipient Dr. Keith Weisz, Seriousfun Children’s Network ambassador Clea Newman Soderlund and president emeritus Ruth Johnson

Board member Carla Dore, Kasey Auer and Eileen Frydenlund

Nicole Bansbach and Sara Hirsch

Gina and Jim Lorenzen

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DAM Uncorked

The Denver Art Museum held its annual Uncorked event on June 7. Guests enjoyed an array of elevated wine tastings, a seated dinner with wine pairings, silent auction and a starry nightcap in the Kemper Courtyard. Proceeds benefit the programs of the Denver Art Museum.

1 Sara and Charlie Pappas 2 Megan and Mariner Kemper (event co-chair) 3 Christoph Heinrich, DAM director, with Sarah Anschutz, event cochair 4 Armen and Jameela Khadiwala 5 Court O’Brien, Liz Richards and Amanda Precourt 6 Maryfrances Hummel, Ramey Caulkins and Libby Anschutz 7 Tamara and Damani Leech 8 Sam and Victoria Phares 9 Jonathan Saiz and Dr. Dean Prina 10 Trenton Paskero and Katya Lopez

Photos Pamela Cress

Cherry Creek Arts Festival Opening Night

The kickoff for the Cherry Creek Arts Festival was held on July 3. Party-goers got an exclusive sneak peek at the 2024 juried artists and enjoyed a night of crowd-free shopping up and down Detroit Street, live entertainment, hors d’oeuvres and drinks. It was a great evening to launch the 33rd annual Cherry Creek Arts Festival.

Photos Pamela Cress

1 Jesus and Kaylee Salazar 2 John Byers and Matt Keeney 3 Artist Kenneth Kudulis from Chattanooga, Tenn. 4 Casey Cortese, board chair Jeff Pfeifer and executive director Tara Brickell 5 Esther Lee Leach, Bryant Palmer and MacKenzie Davis

Upcoming Events & Happenings

Written By Hillary Locke Mujica & Lisa Buscietta

8-11 AUG.

9-11 AUG.

Kids Adventure Games

Vail Valley

With a healthy dose of friendly competition and a deep appreciation for the great outdoors, kids ages 6-14 will be empowered to tackle obstacles, make new friends and embrace critical thinking, plus use teamwork and learn sportsmanship at these unique kids-only adventure games. With the picturesque surroundings of the Vail Valley, kids gain the confdence and perseverance to take on any challenge. kidsadventuregames.com

Sculpture in the Park

Benson Sculpture Garden, Loveland

Explore art, interact with creative minds, and discover captivating sculptures at the largest outdoor juried sculpture show and sale in the United States. sculptureinthepark.org

16-17 AUG.

Enjoy a sweet celebration of all things peach, including picturesque orchard dinners, agricultural tours, live music at the Peach Jam stage and culinary demonstrations incorporating the perfect Palisade peach. paslisadecoc.com

17 AUG.

Tails of Hope

Stockyards Event Center, National Western Complex

Join the Denver Dumb Friends League at its new annual gala, Tails of Hope. You will enjoy catered food and cocktails, a silent auction and paddle raise, and live entertainment—all while supporting animals in need across Colorado. Come for the tail wags, stay for the warm fuzzies of giving back. ddf.org

Photo courtesy of Kids Adventure Games

Photo courtesy of Palisade Peach Festival

Photo courtesy of Sculpture in the Park

- 23 AUG. SEPT.

Colorado State Fair & Rodeo 2

Pueblo

Since 1872, the 11-day state fair has ofered parades, live music, rodeos, a carnival, livestock, horse shows, 4H Club competitions and hundreds of vendors selling everything from Indian tacos to handcrafed jewelry. coloradostatefair.com

Fête des Fleurs

6 - 8 SEPT.

Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival

Estes Park

Enjoy an elegant black-tie evening, where vibrant forals set the stage for cocktails, dinner, live music and dancing amid beautiful gardens and in the Freyer-Newman Center. Contributions raised support the gardens’ core outreach programs. botanicgardens.org 23

24 AUG.

Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St.

Concours d’Elegance

Centennial Airport

Te longest-standing concours event in the Western U.S. brings together one-of-a-kind vintage vehicles, one-of assembly automobiles, custom private jets and vintage aircraf. Proceeds beneft the Morgan Adams Foundation, a nonproft dedicated to improving the quality of life and survival rates of children diagnosed with pediatric brain tumors and other rare cancers. morganadamsconcours.org

4-7 SEPT.

Denver Food & Wine Festival

Tivoli Quad, Auraria Campus

Tis extravagant, multi-day culinary festival celebrates everything delicious to eat and drink and benefts the Colorado Restaurant Foundation, which provides education, skills and fnancial support to those who work in Denver restaurants. denverfoodandwine.com

Known as Scotfest, this three-day celebration features large bagpipe marching bands, such as the Estes Park International Tattoo, one of the largest and longest established military music displays in the United States. Highlights include live music, regional food, jousting tournaments, Highland dance, local merchants and Scotch whiskey-tasting seminars. scotfest.com

6 SEPT.

Birthday Bash

Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus

Tis year’s theme, Adventure Awaits, is inspired by backyard expeditions and starry skies, muddy shoes, secret clubhouses with your best friends, and all the things that fll childhood with wonder and joy. Enjoy tasty bites from some of Denver’s top caterers, an open bar and auctions. Ten get ready to dance the night away. mychildsmuseum.org

Photo courtesy of Children’s Museum Denver

Photo courtesy of Denver Botanic Gardens

Flock Party

Denver Zoo

Don’t miss the opportunity to shake a tailfeather during this movable feast with live music, animal experiences, craf cocktails and artisan eats—all in the company of real party animals! Proceeds beneft the Denver Zoo and support its wildlife conservation work in Colorado and worldwide.

denverzoo.org

Urban Nights Sneaker Ball

Seawell Ballroom

Mark your calendars for Urban Peak’s gala fundraiser, a celebration of fashion, music and philanthropy supporting Urban Peak’s mission to provide a full continuum of services for youths experiencing homelessness. Te evening includes cocktails, dinner, a showcase of sneaker art, a live auction and music. urbanpeak.org

Castle Rock Artfest

Downtown Castle Rock

Tis esteemed community art festival highlights the talents of more than 110 exhibitors displaying a wide range of work, from life-size sculptures to photography and jewelry, plus live music and gourmet food trucks.

castlerock.org

Photo courtesy of the Denver Zoo

Fill A Plate For Hunger

ReelWorks Denver

Fill a Plate for Hunger promises a taste of home and a glimpse into the lives of those positively impacted by We Don’t Waste’s food access, environmental and nutrition education eforts. Guests will enjoy a fun cocktail hour, a multi-course dinner led by Occasions Catering and Troy Guard, and live and silent auctions.

wedontwaste.org

Rock the Bay

Pelican Bay at Cherry Creek

19 SEPT.

12 SEPT. 19

Break out your captains’ hats and nautical fare and head to the beachside yacht rock concert at the 5280 AIR Society’s end-of-summer soiree. Enjoy dancing, handcrafed cocktails, savory food, a live auction and sof-rock hits of the 1970s and ’80s from Yachty Got Back! All proceeds beneft National Jewish Health’s Morgridge Academy for chronically ill children.

nationaljewish.org

Melanoma Research Foundation Gala

Infnity Park Event Center, Glendale

Aimed at strengthening the community and providing missioncritical funding to help end melanoma, the MRF Denver Gala honors clinician-scientists and corporate leaders who promote awareness and prevention and recognize courageous melanoma patients and advocates with cocktails, a silent auction and live paddle raises to fund melanoma research grants.

melanoma.org

Gather ‘Round Gala

ReelWorks Denver

Te signature fundraising event for Denver Urban Gardens brings the community together to help further its mission of providing access, skills and resources to grow healthy food in the community and regenerate urban green spaces, as well as honors the work of its partners. Enjoy dinner from the award-winning team at Te Easy Vegan, get down on the dance foor with a DJ and bid on unique silent auction items and once-in-a-lifetime live auction experiences. Money raised from the event will further the mission and increase DUG’s reach in the community.

dug.org

Photo courtesy of We Don’t Waste

Photo courtesy of MRF Denver Gala

Photo courtesy of Denver Urban Gardens

27-28 SEPT.

26-28 SEPT.

Fall Plant & Bulb Sale

Denver Botanic Gardens

Just because summer is coming to an end doesn’t mean your gardening season has to! Get a jump-start on your spring garden at the gardens’ York Street location. Browse a huge variety of bulbs, houseplants, succulents and plants grown right at the gardens as well as seed mixes curated specifcally for Colorado’s climate.

botanicgardens.org

Telluride Autumn Classic

Telluride

With the San Juans’ autumn foliage as the background, enthusiasts come together to celebrate automobiles, motorcycles, aircraf and more. Vintage and exotic vehicles and high-end restorations will get your motor running. Add in live music, a vibrant art scene and delectable bites for a weekend flled with fun.

tellurideautumnclassic.com

28 SEPT.

Omni Interlocken Hotel

Butterfy Pavilion invites you to attend a gala that includes a magical stroll through the Monarch Menagerie with 400 live monarch butterfies. Enjoy a Champagne welcome, cocktail reception, silent and live auctions, seated dinner and dancing. Proceeds from the ball beneft Butterfy Pavilion’s global invertebrate research, conservation and education.

butterfies.org

Photo courtesy of Denver Botanic Gardens

Photo courtesy of Telluride Autumn Classic

Photo courtesy of Butterfly Pavilion

28-29 SEPT.

Estes Park Elk Fest

Bond Park, Estes Park

A Colorado must! Tis fall festival celebrating the annual elk rut includes a mountain man rendezvous, Native American music and dancing, a bugling contest, elk seminars and exhibits, as well as food and craf vendors.

estes-park.com

Steamboat Food & Wine Festival

Steamboat Springs

Rooted in collaboration, this festival pairs admired chefs with renowned winemakers to create a culinary fusion that explains each ingredient and explores the nuances of favors from feld to fork and vine to glass. steamboatfoodandwine.com 3-6

Rev The Runway

Mercedes Benz of Denver

Glamor hits the runway at this year’s fashion show to beneft the care and research of lung, heart, immune and related diseases at National Jewish Health. Te evening includes handcrafed cocktails, bites from Denver’s top restaurants, a DJ and style-driven auction with couture delivered straight from London, Paris and Milan. nationaljewish.org

Photo courtesy of Estes Park Elk Fest

Photo courtesy of Rev the Runway

Photo courtesy of Steamboat Food & Wine Festival

Guests will enjoy cocktails, silent and live auctions, dinner, exciting entertainment, and musical performances! From its inception in 1978, this event has raised over $115 million dollars towards patient care and finding a cure for diabetes The star-studded evening will include Jay Leno as Host, David Foster as Music Director, George Schlatter as Producer, Clive Davis and Quincy Jones as Music Chairmen and more than 800 community supporters

PADDLE RAISE

Anyone who’s ever been to a fundraiser knows that at some point during the event, you will be asked to donate money. But there’s a big diference between just getting out your checkbook and being at an event with leading beneft auctioneer Halie Behr. It’s a whole new ballgame with Behr behind the mic, and local nonprofts know she’s just the ticket to help reach and even surpass their fundraising goals. We caught up with Behr and learned about what makes her approach to auctioneering so efective.

What made you go into auctioneering?

I was born and raised in Iowa, and my great-uncle owned the World Wide College of Auctioneering, which held classes several times a year in Clear Lake, Iowa. My grandpa persuaded my sister and me to attend the summer auction school session in 2010, where we learned the traditional auction chant, studied the diferent facets of the industry, made lifelong friends and even sold real items to the general public as we were nearing graduation. I fell in love with the auction method, and it felt so natural to me. It just clicked!

Was it hard to break into such a male-dominated industry?

It’s never deterred me, but it is defnitely much harder to break into the male-dominated car auction industry than it is fundraising auctions. I work in both, so acclimating is key. I have been extremely fortunate to have male mentors coach me to be tough, focused and to let my skill do the talking. A

wise saying reads, “Insecurities are loud and confdence is quiet.” One of those mentors, World Livestock Auctioneer champion Terry Elson, gave me my frst shot on the auction block selling cars when no one else would even look my way. His belief in me helped me to focus on my abilities to forge ahead with my career.

You always seem to be smiling and radiating positive energy. Is that part of being an auctioneer, or just part of being you?

I think most auctioneers are gregarious and charismatic. It’s in our nature to entertain, create enthusiasm and be excellent storytellers. I love what I do and am passionate about helping raise funds for worthy causes. How could I not smile at the work I get the opportunity to be a part of? It’s so fulflling and empowering. We have so much to be thankful for, so why not lead with that in a world of complainers; maybe we can fip the script.

What have been some challenges you’ve faced as an auctioneer? Tere have been many tribulations, but joining the auction profession at just 15 years old was a major test. I needed time to mature and grow—not many wanted to hire a young auctioneer, so I spent my teenage years learning from mentors and gaining experience to overcome the age barrier. Being a young female in a male-dominated industry, the number of times I have heard, “You are the auctioneer? But you aren’t an old guy with a cowboy hat,” is unreal. I’m not always taken as seriously, but I didn’t let that stop me. Perfecting my chant

Story Hillary Locke Mujica Photos courtesy of Halie Behr

was also a big challenge. I’ve spent tens of thousands of hours practicing the traditional auctioneer outcry. It’s important to have a strong, rhythmic chant that folks like to listen to that builds enthusiasm and creates excitement. It’s taken over a decade to craf my auction chant—it’s always a work in progress, actually.

Tell us about an event that stands out as a big accomplishment for you. Not necessarily the one you raised the most money at, but one that was meaningful to you and has made a lasting impact on you. I believe in the mission of every nonproft organization and school I work with. Tere are magical moments at every event, but working as the auctioneer at National Jewish Health’s annual Rev the Runway event in Denver with the talented Clem Connolly in 2019 skyrocketed my career. It led to other major health care and arts organizations becoming future clients, like Saint John’s Program for Change. I toured their nonproft, which provides transitional housing and various services to homeless women and children who need help getting back on their feet. One of the participants, a mother of three named Kizzy, led the tour and shared her goals. Te next year at the annual event, Kizzy told me she was of the streets, living in her own apartment and working for the state. It warmed my heart to see that the contributions from the events directly benefted her.

At the inaugural event for the OneGoat organization, we honored a fallen frefghter and sold a $100 bill in his honor for over $1,000,and we raised close to $100,000, which helped secure the future of the organization. And I cried and cried afer listening to the incredible speakers at the Special Forces Foundation—I felt that my role was even more important to help raise funds for these worthy causes afer hearing them.

How do you see auctions evolving?

Technology plays a big role with auctions today. We can reach a global audience now with the use of AI and simulcast capabilities. Te traditional auctioneer is and will always be essential as people crave a human connection, but technology will work hand-in-hand as our partner. Auctions are also the best way to establish fair-market value for the goods, property and items we are selling. It’s the only method in the world that establishes fair-market value through open and competitive bidding using enthusiasm and a sense of urgency.

What advice do you have to young women who might want to follow in your footsteps?

Never make it about the money, and don’t chase that dollar—it will come and fall into place if you’re doing what you love and making an impact on those around you. In whatever you’re doing, make sure you lead with a servant’s heart. Also, realize how important relationship building is. I look at most, if not all, of my clients as my friends. Build those relationships with others—you never know what it might lead to.

What are your goals for the next year?

Every year, I create a list of goals to achieve to help me grow as a person, do better and challenge myself. I would love to conduct an auction outside of the U.S. in the next year, and I would love to raise over $50 million for our charity partners to help fulfll their mission and goals. I don’t know if this will happen next year, but I would love to win another world title in the auction feld, this time with my sister and fellow partner of Behr Benefts, Rylie Behr. I’d like to give back more, volunteer more of my time with the clients I am serving, and continue in maximizing their fundraising eforts. I am also celebrating the big 3-0 this October and will be in Iceland to see the Northern Lights with my nearest and dearest. Another goal is to create more down time to recharge my energy. I love snugling with my cats Jager, Floki and Bonnie, reading a book or watching a reality show. I love this life and look at every day as a gif from God. It all goes by too fast, so I want to make the most of the time I have here. •

coloradoexpression.com/haliebehr

haliebehr.com

OPPOSITE: Halie Behr of Behr Productions knows how to engage the crowds at a recent fundraiser. TOP: Behr’s vibrant personality makes her a sought-after auctioneer, raising funds for local nonprofits.

KATHLEEN ECK

brings her experience and expertise to her clients

Kathleen Eck brings her experience and expertise as an attorney, board chair, community leader and real estate broker to her clients. A broker for Slifer Smith & Frampton for the past 24 years, Kathleen’s life arc of experience, paired with a passion for living in the Vail Valley, makes for a winning combination for her clients.

Kathleen is a multi-generation Colorado native whose roots in Vail date to the 1960s. Spending weekends and holidays at her family’s Vail home, she is one of a handful of valley real estate pros who has personally seen the incredible transformation from a small mountain ski community to a world-class resort and vibrant year-round community.

Kathleen’s professional and personal background ofers her clients a distinctive blend of executive professionalism, insider’s knowledge of the market, community culture and incomparable service … a winning combination from a true Vail local.

Kathleen was honored to have made the 2024 Real Trends list, ranking in the top 1.5% out of the 1.5 million agents across the nation. She is also proud to share that Slifer Smith & Frampton ranked No. 4 among brokerages based in Colorado by volume and in the top 100 in the United States.

Kathleen and her husband, the valley’s long time and beloved physician, Dr. Jack Eck, live in the Lake Creek Valley.

ANGELA S. LIEURANCE

ngela ieurance has raised ore than illion for nonpro ts over her three-decade career, and she’s not slowing down. She’s now director of the Honoring the Legacy capital campaign that’s raising $150 million for the ational estern tock ho ’s redevelop ent under the leadership of her long-time mentor, Pete Coors. She’s also coaching others in the art and science of fundraising through her own company, Relentless Pursuits, which she founded in 2014.

ngela previousl served as vice president for develop ent and arketing for the niversit of olorado ospital and then chief of staf for the ealth s ste he created the niversit of olorado ospital oundation and launched a capital ca paign to e pand the niversit of Colorado Cancer Center along the way.

ngela began her career in develop ent at her al a ater the niversit of isconsin rising to ca paign coordinator for the universit ’s rst ever capital ca paign before oving on to ore senior roles at ndiana niversit chool of a and ton rook niversit ealth ciences enter

ANGELA S. LIEURANCE

Capital campaign director | National Western Stock Show u boldt t enver

has raised i i s f r r fts ver her three-decade career

MICHELLE GRUBER

ensures customers experience frst-c ass a i

Banking runs in Michelle Gruber’s blood. Her father, Jay Davidson, founded First American State Bank where Michelle currently works as vice president. As a key member of the leadership team at FASB, Michelle is responsible for ensuring that custo ers e perience rst class banking he serves as an advisor to the bank’s board of directors while overseeing all market ing communications, community outreach and philanthropic work. She is also responsible for generating new business, including personal and business accounts.

Michelle earned her degree in business from the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado’s Boulder campus. She began her career in the insurance industry in 2008. Taking the valuable lessons she learned, she joined First American State Bank as an assistant vice president in 2013.

One big driver for Michelle is her passion for children’s charities. This began early in her career when she volunteered to help with Volunteers of America Colorado’s Meals on Wheels. She has continued to support VOA, and in she founded he illage o rive to bene t area kids around the holidays. In acknowledgment of her work, she was presented with the National Philanthropy Day Award from VOA Colorado in 2020 and was named a 7News Everyday Hero by Colorado’s KMGH-TV in 2023.

MICHELLE

GRUBER Vice president, marketing

303-694-6464

mgruber@fasbank.com fasbank.com

ANGELIQUE SALAZAR

rooted in relationships, community, and a passion for creating opportunities

ngeli ue ala ar a pro inent gure in enver’s business and philanthropic circles e bodies entrepreneurial pro ess and a co it ent to co unit he is the o ner and founder of uck og one of the largest and ost coveted dog da care facilities in enver ngeli ue is also a principal at entral treet apital nc and she oversees diverse invest ents alongside her fa il focusing on the real estate and health care sectors he ala ar a il oundation founded b her parents also underscores their dedication to education and housing support for enver’s underserved co unities ngeli ue’s success is rooted in relationships co unit and a passion for creating opportunities

e ond business she cherishes fa il ti e and advocates for giving back e bod ing her other’s advice to set goals ork hard drea big and re e ber to give back ngeli ue ala ar epito i es a blend of entrepreneurial spirit fa ilial values and altruistic co it ent shaping enver’s econo ic and social landscape

CLUB ULD - U LUCKY DOG, DAYCARE AND BOARDING

720-328-8179

lub dogda care co lati t enver

irst da is free for ne clients n the a to

JENNY MARVIN

passionate about creating content that helps people accomplish their business goals

Jenny Marvin, owner and lead creator of JM Visual Art, is dedicated to crafting content that drives business success and helps clients achieve their goals. “We love creating powerful photo and video content for growing brands through headshots, lifestyle images, and promotional videos,” says Marvin.

“At JM Visual Art, we guide clients through every step, ensuring they feel their marketing strategies come to life and feel empowered through the process. We pride ourselves on providing comprehensive photo and video services and love that when our clients feel successful, we are also successful. By partnering closely with clients, we bring their vision and marketing strategies to life, resulting in powerful and engaging content.”

ne da e’re l ing lifest le content for a clothing brand the ne t we’re photographing headshots for an investment company. The variety keeps our ork e citing and fresh arvin adds

n o ing hat ou do can ake or break the client e perience and the JM Visual Art team is deeply thankful for the opportunity to serve our co unit through creative and arketing e pertise

TERRI GARBARINI

Terri Garbarini, the matriarch behind the uber successful boutique Garbarini, is a Denver icon. Since 1985, Garbarini has been the go-to place for the best dressed in Cherry Creek North. What you probably don’t know about her is that she is also a producer on Oh Canada, starring Richard Gere and Uma Thurman, which just had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival.

Back here in Denver, Garbarini is getting ready to move into its new location at 320 N. Fillmore St., not far from the current location in the Cherry Creek North neighborhood. “It will be my best store yet,” says Terri. “We’ve really been re ning our clothing i ith an under the radar uropean fashion brands, such as BA&SH, Essentiel Antwerp, Rebecca Vallance, Tara Jarmon, Ganni, Twinset, Pinko, Liviana Conti, and so many more. Also great American brands and lots of denim!”

er vie on oving for ard feel e tre el fortunate at this stage of my life. My business continues to be fun and successful. It has allowed me to build my dream home which was featured in your sister magazine Colorado Homes and Lifestyles as Home of the Year in 2022.”

GARBARINI

239 Detroit St., Denver 80206

720-465-2328

info@garbarinishop.com

the icon behind the boutique Garbarini in Cherry Creek North

Shining a light on nonpro ts making an impact

Children’s Diabetes Foundation | Pepper’s Senior Dog Sanctuary | Volunteers of America, Colorado

A BEACON OF HOPE

Story Hillary Locke Mujica Photos courtesy of Children’s Diabetes Foundation

In the heart of Denver, a light shines brightly for children and families grappling with the challenges of type 1 diabetes. Children’s Diabetes Foundation (CDF) is a beacon of hope and support for those afected by the disease. Established in 1977, the foundation has brought resilience, compassion and unwavering dedication to improving the lives of those with diabetes.

CDF started when philanthropists Marvin and Barbara Davis’ daughter, Dana, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at a young age, plunging their family into the complicated world of blood sugar monitoring, insulin injections and constant vigilance. Determined to make a difference, the couple founded CDF to support research, provide patient care and ofer education about diabetes. Teir goal was simple yet profound: to ensure that no child or family would face diabetes alone.

“In its early years, the foundation focused on funding cutting-edge research,” shares Dana Davis, now executive director of CDF. “Once the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes (BDC) at the University of

Colorado came together, CDF began to transform the landscape of diabetes care and research as one of the largest programs specializing in type 1 diabetes research and care in the world.” Together, the foundation and the center worked tirelessly to discover new treatments, improve patient outcomes and move closer to a cure.

Te relentless pursuit of a cure has always been central to CDF’s mission. Over the years, the foundation has funded groundbreaking research projects that have led to signifcant advancements in diabetes treatment. From the development of continuous glucose monitors to the closed loop system, CDF’s contributions have revolutionized diabetes care. Its support has enabled scientists and doctors to explore new frontiers, bringing hope to millions of families worldwide and even focusing on prevention of type 1 diabetes.

Additionally, CDF has established comprehensive educational programs, understanding that managing diabetes extends beyond medical treatment. “Tese initiatives aim to empower children and their

Shining a light on nonpro ts making an impact

families with knowledge and tools to navigate daily life with diabetes,” says Davis. “Workshops, seminars, support groups and online resources become the lifelines for families, ofering both practical advice and emotional support that families wouldn’t have otherwise.”

One of the cornerstones of CDF is its vibrant community. Te Brass Ring Luncheon and Fashion Show is an example of that community strength. It is put on by Te Guild, a volunteer membership group from CDF and the Barbara Davis Center that ofers a sense of belonging, fulfllment and camaraderie. Davis explains, “Type 1 diabetes afects the entire family and impacts schools and communities, so being a part of Te Guild and supporting their eforts strengthens these bonds so children and their families know they are not alone.”

Additionally, the Carousel of Hope Ball, which will take place on Oct. 5 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, draws celebrities, philanthropists and medical professionals together in a united front against diabetes. Tese galas not only raise signifcant funds but also heighten awareness about the challenges faced by children with diabetes.

Tere are many other ways to show your support. Diabetes Awareness Month in November is packed with local events. Additionally, from November to January at the Cherry Creek Holiday Market, the Giving

Machines Program (courtesy of Light the World Giving Machines) allows guests to purchase items such as blood glucose meters and emergency medication for dangerous low blood sugar. A card representing your gif drops into a bin on the screen so you can watch the donations pile up. “We are so excited about that because 100 percent of donations go directly to CDF. It’s a very tangible way to give and to get the entire family involved, too,” adds Davis.

Today, CDF stands as a testament to what can be achieved through vision, dedication and community. It remains a leader in diabetes research, care and education, continuously adapting to meet the needs of children and families. As the foundation looks to the future, it carries forward the legacy of its founders, the dedication of its supporters, and the hopes of countless children. Together, they continue to write a story of possibility, one where everyone with diabetes can thrive and live life to the fullest. •

OPPOSITE: A group of young ladies with type 1 are all smiles at the Children’s Diabetes Foundation. LEFT: Dana and Barbara Davis at a recent Carousel of Hope Ball. RIGHT: Showing off her glucose monitor, a young lady flexes her muscles.

Shining a light on nonpro ts making an impact

A TRUE SANCTUARY

Story Hillary Locke Mujica

Nestled into the scenic landscape of Roxborough Park is a 50acre oasis that allows dogs to live out their days with peace and love. Pepper’s Senior Dog Sanctuary (PSDS) is dedicated to ensuring elderly dogs have a home with everything from veterinary care to therapeutic programs, engaging activities and, of course, plenty of snugles.

Founded in 2019 (doors opened in 2023) by three devoted animal advocates—Justin Klemer, his mother, Mary Leprino, and Leigh Sullivan—the sanctuary is named in honor of Pepper, a senior Pomeranian that signifcantly impacted their lives, especially Leprino’s. Pepper was adopted when he was around 7 years old and became Leprino’s loyal companion. Tis bond inspired the trio to create a sanctuary dedicated to providing lifelong care for senior and special-needs dogs, honoring the pup who stole their hearts.

PSDS is crucial because it provides a permanent home for senior dogs that might otherwise face euthanasia or neglect. “Elderly dogs ofen have a harder time fnding new homes, and PSDS ensures they receive proper medical care, nutrition and companionship for the rest of their lives,” shares Leprino. By focusing on the well-being and quality of life for these senior dogs, sanctuary stafers raise awareness about the value and joy of caring for older pets, encouraging a compassionate approach to animal rescue.

“Senior dog populations are largely overlooked,” says Klemer. “Many times they need a lot of care—and that can be expensive, which many people can’t aford or just don’t want to deal with, so they surrender them to shelters.” Tis is why PSDS seeks out medically compromised, unadoptable dogs from shelters, ensuring their last days are their best days.

Te sanctuary features comprehensive facilities, including luxury individual dog suites, a large common area, a year-round indoor dog park and specialized health and wellness spaces. It’s basically the poshest retirement home in Colorado for four-leged friends.

PSDS currently homes up to 50 senior dogs, with the youngest being about 7 years. “Te age of the dog is not a limiting factor. It’s more about taking the burden of of shelters and lowering the euthanasia rate for dogs that still have a lot of love to give and need a loving home,” Klemer says. “Many times, these dogs have had a hard life up until this point, and we are there to show them some compassion, to know that we care and love them.” It’s a two-way street though. Yes, PSDS ofers a unique and comprehensive continuum of care, including medical treatments,

Photos courtesy of Pepper’s Senior Dog Sanctuary

TOP: These soulful eyes are full of love. BOTTOM: A lovable lady enjoying her time in the sun. OPPOSITE: The state-of-the-art facility at Pepper’s Senior Dog Sanctuary.

Shining a light on nonpro ts making an impact

hydrotherapy and hospice care for these pups, but these four-leged angels bring joy and love to so many people as well. “Special-needs groups, senior centers and transition students all come to interact with the dogs, and it’s this type of therapy that ofers companionship and unconditional love,” Leprino shares. “Seniors come and read to the dogs, and the dogs love it as much as the seniors do. It’s so heartwarming to see.”

In a perfect world, there would be no need for Pepper’s Sanctuary, but the burden it lessens for overpopulated shelters is making a diference for all dogs. In fact, the ASPCA estimates that approximately 370,000 dogs entering U.S. shelters each year are euthanized. Sadly, many dogs are prematurely or unnecessarily euthanized due to advanced age, special medical needs, testing heartworm-positive or having a disability.

Support from donations and volunteers is crucial to PSDS’s mission, and those lucky enough to have snaged a ticket to the sold-out Raise the Ruf—the sanctuary’s largest fundraising event of the year, at Mission Ballroom in Denver on Aug. 29—will enjoy photo opportunities with senior dogs, live and silent auctions and a seated dinner. Proceeds from the event help fund programs helping at-risk senior dogs that are providing animal-assisted learning opportunities to underserved adults with disabilities, neurological disorders and/or learning diferences. •

PEPPER’S SENIOR DOG SANCTUARY psds.org

Stories of Triumph

At Volunteers of America Colorado, we help women break the cycle of domestic violence, homelessness, hunger, and helplessness through programs and services such as:

Irving Street Women’s Shelter

Southwest Safehouse

Theodora Family Hotel

Sinton’s Sanctuary

To support women in creating their own story of triumph, reach out for more information OR make an impactful donation today!

Shining a light on nonpro ts making an impact

EMPOWERING WOMEN THROUGH ACTS OF KINDNESS

Founded in 1896, Volunteers of America (VOA) is a faith-based nonproft with programs in 46 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Serving more than 1.5 million people annually, including over 100,000 in Colorado, VOA is dedicated to helping those in need by providing housing and emergency shelters, hunger and nutrition services, and various other community support programs. VOA’s work touches the mind, body and heart of those it serves by integrating compassion into highly efective programs and services that build and strengthen communities.

Trough more than 50 distinct human service programs, VOA Colorado measures its success by the positive changes in the lives of individuals and communities it serves. For example, the women-focused programs at VOA Colorado help single moms, women escaping domestic violence, female veterans, and women experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. Tese programs are among the shining lights that guide VOA Colorado.

VOA has always championed and advocated for women, starting with its 1896 founding by Maud Ballington Booth. Maud was a fearless, forward-thinking and passionate woman driven by an innate sense of fairness and a belief in the dignity of all individuals, says Faustine Curry, vice president of VOA Colorado. “She was a pioneer and a leader in the social welfare revolution, and we carry her commitment with us every day. Her spirit guides every one of our programs.”

Case in point: the vast services VOA Colorado ofer women. “We have some of the state’s most comprehensive relief services and programs for women, including the Irving Street Women’s Residence, which aims to

provide a respite for chronically mentally ill women from a cycle of hopelessness,” says Curry. Te residence provides job assistance and a focus on family reunifcation.

Another residence, the Teodora Family Hotel, is currently being constructed to house up to 60 families and veterans experiencing homelessness. “If we can keep a family unit together, the success rate of the family exiting homelessness increases exponentially,” Curry says.

In addition, the Women Veteran Services Programs serve female veterans and their children with supportive housing, case management and resources. Te goal is to transition the family into a permanent housing facility.

In Southwest Colorado, the Durango Safehouse supports victims of domestic violence and intolerance. Women, children and families come through the doors seeking shelter and acceptance. “Our role is to provide a safe haven for those without a safe home and to ofer the tools and support needed to recover from trauma and start anew,” Curry says. Additionally, the Durango Community Shelter has served families and individuals experiencing homelessness since 1991, providing over 9,000 nights of safe shelter annually to 500 individuals, 40 percent of whom are women and children.

Te Green Willow Project is a rapid rehousing program for homeless survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. Once clients are safely housed, they are provided with basic home necessities like toiletries, cleaning supplies and kitchen items.

“We are dedicated to supporting and empowering women through a range of compassionate and transformative services, safe havens and essential

TOP: The comprehensive relief services available through VOA Colorado help keep families together. OPPOSITE: Supporting women and their families with housing, mental health services, educational programs and more, the holistic approach at VOA Colorado is empowering women.

Story Hillary Locke Mujica

Photos courtesy of VOA Colorado

Shining

resources,” Curry says.. “Our holistic approach ensures that women receive not only immediate assistance but also the tools and guidance necessary for long-term success and independence.”

Trough educational programs, job training and personalized support, VOA Colorado inspires women to rebuild their lives, fostering resilience and empowering them to achieve their fullest potential. For example, SheLeads is a group of successful, accomplished, smart, fearless and pioneering women who work to uplif women in need in the Denver community. Tey help make connections that transform lives for long-term change. Trough these initiatives, and many others, VOA Colorado not only addresses immediate needs but also fosters empowerment by equipping women with the skills and resources necessary for self-sufciency and success.

To bring people who want to support women together, VOA Colorado ofers Women Empowering Women events throughout the year. Tese gatherings feature engaging activities for all ages and are crafed to foster community spirit, increase awareness, and raise funds for the essential services that VOA Colorado provides throughout our state. Details about upcoming events as well as information on other ways to get involved are available on the VOA Colorado website. •

VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA voacolorado.org

The Johnson Depression Center (JDC) is dedicated to improving lives through exceptional care, innovative research, and community education. Our annual luncheon is a heartwarming gathering and our largest fundraiser. Proceeds helps us provide over 15,000 clinical visits annually and offer vital training and education to over 60,000 individuals.

We’re thrilled to announce that Brendan Hunt, beloved as Coach Beard from Ted Lasso, will be our guest speaker. Join us for an afternoon filled with inspiration, support, and community!

Powerful WOMEN IN DENVER

As part of Colorado Expressions’ annual Women’s Issue, we talked to four female leaders who hold occupations that give them authority, influence and responsibility in the arts, business and non-profit communities in Colorado. These powerhouse women are making a real and definitive impact, with a common goal of making the world a better place. We asked these executives how they are faring in a male-dominated world, how they are changing the landscape, and what advice they would impart to other women in the workplace. »

Story Rebecca Gart

Photos Jenny Marvin, JM Visual Art

Women with a vision: Barbara Brooks, Janice Sinden, FloraJane DiRienzo and Joyce Tsai.

FLORAJANE DIRIENZO

curious • strategic • passionate

As executive director of Biennial of the Americas, DiRienzo is responsible for bringing together Colorado leaders through travel and experience in hopes of expanding our state’s global presence. It also allows her to have a whole lot of fun. “I have the best job in the world,” she says. “It’s amazing to discover destinations, to be curious about our borders, and to showcase these places to people in a way they don’t expect or imagine,” she says.

Her past jobs at the DCPA, Whole Foods and Te Wildlife Experience gave DiRienzo the background and skills to fully embrace her position, which she began in 2020. In addition to leading an annual delegation of 100 Colorado leaders to various destinations in the Americas, DiRienzo heads up a biannual, large-format festival in downtown Denver with more than 250 mayors from the Western Hemisphere. “It’s a huge honor to be this deeply connected to the local community, build partnerships and broaden their experiences around the world,” she says. “I would love to see Denver talked about as a truly international city that is deeply inclusive and curious about the world.”

DiRiezno says she feels supported as a woman in power in Denver because most or all of her peers are women. “We’re taking over, to be honest,” she says with a laugh. Her words of advice to working women is to identify mentors and leaders who are inspirational, and to follow their lead and direction. And, she adds, “Put in the work!”

JOYCE TSAI

open • analytical • eloquent

Growing up in St. Louis, Joyce Tsai had plenty of free access to museums, but she says she never felt welcome. “I didn’t speak English, and I didn’t know how to behave in an art museum,” says Tsai, who immigrated to the United States from Taiwan at the age of 7. Today, however, as executive director of the Clyford Still Museum, Tsai has the unique opportunity to open the doors of the museum to our entire community, regardless of age, language or fnancial capacity. “Our instructions and staf are bilingual, and we are investing heavily in childhood education and family programming,” she explains. “We want everyone to respond to the art without bagage or how they think they should behave. It’s a fun way of empowering people.”

Afer working as an art historian, professor and museum curator at the Stanley Museum of Art at the University of Iowa, Tsai found her way to Colorado three years ago to accept her new position. “I set the vision and strategic direction of the Clyford Still Museum. I’m helping to illuminate and bring visibility to this extraordinary collection, while inviting as many diferent communities as possible to come and draw strength from this resource,” she says.

Tsai says she feels invigorated as a woman in power in the Denver art community, adding that she is completely supported by her peers and colleagues through collaboration and productive relationships. “Everyone is open and willing to share their perspectives and experiences,” she says. “It’s unusual for a city to have such civic pride in a vibrant cultural sector.”

Her advice to other women: “Be open in a new situation and do a lot of listening — not only to your mentors, but to your colleagues as well. Be ready to be surprised by new perspectives,” she imparts. “Go into the world cultivating genuine relationships of openness and support, and you will reap what you sow.”

JANICE SINDEN

firm • compassionate • joyful

DCPA executive director Janice Sinden strongly believes in earning your seat at the table. As the only female CEO in Colorado’s SCFD (Science & Cultural Facilities District) Tier 1 cultural organizations, Sinden says she is humbled. Yet she hopes that she is there not because she’s a woman, but because she is capable, competent and has proven herself many times over in the workplace. “Women’s leadership can mean being an ‘only’ — but I am so honored to represent my female community.”

Te seeds of public service were planted early for Sinden, as she worked her way through civic duty as Mayor Michael Hancock’s chief of staf, executive director of Colorado Concern, and a staf member for Sen. Wayne Allard. She currently serves on a variety of boards, including VISIT Denver, Denver Preschool Program, and University of Northern Colorado. Sinden has been recognized consistently as a distinguished woman in both the business and nonproft communities, such as the Colorado Women's Foundation, Girl Scouts of Colorado as a Woman of Distinction, and by the University of Northern Colorado Department of Political Science and International Afairs.

With an engaged and talented team behind her at the DCPA, Sinden, a fourth-generation Coloradan, has found a foothold in bringing transformative live theater to Colorado in every aspect. She is dedicated to fnding ways to making the DCPA accessible in the broadest sense, to those with disabilities, age diferences and fnancial diferences. “I love that we are building a pipeline of theatergoers from 3 years old to 103,” she says. Sinden is responsible for the organization’s business sustainability, but she is also fortunate to get to see 60 shows per year, a defnite perk of her job, which she has held since 2016.

BARBARA BROOKS

• giving • humorous

Barbara Brooks thought she was doing pretty well in the business world, with a successful career in marketing, broadcast sales and mixed-use industries—until she lost her job age 51 and realized that ageism is, in fact, a very real thing. “I was hard-pressed to be hired even with my career accomplishments,” she remembers. “Recognizing it wasn't a ‘me' issue but a ‘we’ crisis for women in their mid-40s and on, I decided to pursue the idea of creating a company focused on helping women elevate their careers and start new businesses.”

Today, Brooks is a trailblazer devoted to championing women in the second half of life’s journey, hoping to change the narrative by reframing what aging means today. Trough her company, Second Act, she is dedicated to the professional and personal development for women in their 40s and 50s and beyond. “I want to collaborate with others to stomp out ageist beliefs and the outdated stereotypes we live under today,” she says. “My hope for Second Act is to emerge as a national leader and sisterhood of advocacy and support and inspiration.”

Brooks is also a community leader, inspirational speaker and entrepreneur. She is fercely committed to helping women navigate and fourish by taking a positive approach to growing older, inclusivity and empowerment. To other older working women, she advises to “crisis-proof” your career by continually up-skilling, networking and understanding your personal brand value. “Lastly,” she says, “we should be allies and support each other in the workplace, in our lives and everywhere. We’re in it together.” •

coloradoexpression.com/2024womenofpower

Rebecca Gart is a freelance writer in Denver. Her daughter is on her way to becoming a Powerful Woman in Washington D.C., and she couldn’t be prouder.

ANN BONFOEY TAYLOR

Story Anna Jensen

Photos Toni Frissell

Grande dame. Te phrase conjures women of distinction, elegance and grace. Women “of a certain age.” Women who are intelligent, accomplished, charming. Colorado’s own Ann Bonfoey Taylor had all of that, but what made her a truly grand grande dame has far more to do with the fabric of her being than any clothes she ever wore.

Born in Pennsylvania in 1910, Ann was raised in Quincy, Ill. Tere, her father had a little airstrip carved out of a cornfeld where Ann learned to fy along with her brothers.

Ann attended boarding school in upstate New York. Shortly afer graduation, she was encouraged to marry Princeton undergrad James Cooke, and produced two children in short succession. Te couple relocated to Vermont, where Ann mothered her children while also modeling in New York City and maintaining a national tennis ranking that took her all the way to Wimbledon. Ever the athlete, she eventually took a fancy to the new sport of downhill skiing

Teaching herself to ski, she progressed quickly. Her penchant for navigating a notoriously tricky run at Mount Mansfeld in Vermont earned her the moniker “Nose Dive Annie,” and her talent and dedication was rewarded with a spot as an alternate on the 1940 U.S. Ski Team.

Soon, however, the war dashed her competitive hopes, as the Olympic games were canceled. Shortly thereafer, she learned her husband was cheating on her with a teammate. Tey divorced, and she bravely faced the mountain of judgment familiar to single mothers of that era. “I then had to decide what on earth I was going to do with my life,” Ann recalled. She was very much alone, with an ex who had “no intention of taking care of me properly,” she said. Her family fortune had been misspent by her father and grandfather. “Te only thing I knew a little bit about was aviation. I knew I liked planes.” »

Model, ski apparel designer, and U.S. Ski Team member

Ann Bonfoey Taylor poses for Town and Country magazine in November 1965. (Retrieved from the Library of Congress)

Determined to provide for her two young children, Ann sold a piece of jewelry to pay for fight lessons and enrolled as an aviation student at the University of Vermont in 1941. She earned her spot among an elite group of 25 women to hold commercial fight instructor licenses at the time, so was snapped up by the U.S. Army to train Air Corps cadets. For the next few years of the war, she would travel six days a week between a rented barn-cum-house in Stowe, Vt., where her children lived with a maid, and her training grounds at the Burlington Airport.

Even during wartime, Ann was a triumph in style. She earned her frst full page in Harper’s Bazaar in 1943, posing next to an open-cockpit plane, her expression joyful and hopeful as she stands with seemingly adoring male students. Later, she would share that her road to becoming a pilot—a woman operating very much in a man’s world—was neither easy nor welcoming.

Afer the war ended, Ann’s interest in fashion led her to a new career as the frst female to become a skiwear designer in the U.S. Her eye-catching ski attire had already been turning heads, so she launched Ann Cooke Skiwear out of her barn. Ingeniously creative, Ann loved to use military and ethnic garb (a Scottish sporran as a statement-making fanny pack, or an Arabian headscarf acting as a balaclava); the single mother never failed to make a splash. Her bold visit to the ofce of Harper’s Bazaar editor Diana Vreeland, wool sweater samples in tow, resulted in the photo shoot of her dreams. In January 1946, Ann had six pages in the magazine, herself the cover star, wrapped in one of her own signature knits. Her designs graced mannequins from Saks Fifh Avenue to Bonwit Teller. Te company was later sold to Lord & Taylor, proving that she had not only found editorial and critical success, but against all odds also attained commercial success.

Just when Ann’s business seemed to be peaking, into her boutique in Stowe, walked a tall and handsome Texas oilman, Vernon “Moose” Taylor, in search of a good pair of ski pants. “I thought he was delicious,” she would later gush. She surreptitiously gathered some girlfriends and followed him to Mont-Tremblant Ski Resort in Canada, orchestrating an “accidental” meeting. Little did she know the zipper of the pants that he purchased had failed at breakfast that morning. Moose admonished that they were the most appalling clothes he’d ever bought. Ann invited him to have a drink that evening. Afer a whirlwind courtship, the two married.

Ann closed her fashion business to move to Texas, but shortly thereafer the couple relocated to Denver, settling into their Burnham Hoyt-designed (Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Central Public Library) European manor to raise their brood, which soon included four more children. Ann was the resolute hostess, and much like her friends Nan Kempner and C.Z. Guest on the East Coast, she hosted royalty, dignitaries and social luminaries regularly at their Lakewood estate. Notably, England's Prince Philip, Gerald Ford, Gregory Peck, Henry Kissinger and Truman Capote all dined around her table.

Ann became a serious equestrian at this time, employing a riding instructor to work with her fve days a week. She and Moose rode daily and were not only members of the intrepid Arapahoe Hunt in Colorado but also hunted regularly in Virginia and England. As a late-blossoming rider, Ann impressively mastered the art of riding sidesaddle, but she was just as comfortable in a Western saddle on their Montana ranch.

Soon, the sporty Colorado couple were heavily involved in the new ski town of Vail—investing money and a great deal of efort to put the town on the map. Tey erected a fabulous French manor at the base of Bear Tree Run. It quickly became the center of Vail society, with beguiling Ann at the helm.

It was then that Ann began to view fashion as a collector. She and Moose traveled yearly to Paris, where she developed deep and lasting relationships with the greatest designers of the era: Charles James, Cristobal Balenciaga, Madame Gres, James Galanos, Mariano Fortuny and Hubert de Givenchy. “Her closets were vast and immaculate,” says granddaughter Ashley Campbell Taylor. Her cedar-lined treasure troves housed the decade’s fnest haute couture as well as equestrian, skiing and hunting attire that Ann designed with houses such as Hermes.

Ann, at age 55, became a media and fashion darling: In 1965, Life magazine ran a photo essay titled An Inventive Skier’s Worldly Wardrobe. In 1967, Harper’s Bazaar named her “One of the 100 Great Beauties of the World.” Vogue published a story on her “wit and dash,” and Town & Country printed “Te 101 Hats of Mrs. Vernon Taylor.”

Ann’s attention-getting accessories—the Mongolian fur parkas produced in a rainbow of colors, military hats and paraphernalia galore—certainly turned heads. Although she didn’t shy from sartorial drama, a closer examination of her style reveals it to be very studied and refned. For day, ofen her clothing was restricted to a neutral color palette—grays, browns, navy blue, loden green. For evening, she collected sumptuous silk ballgowns, cocktail sets and chic pantsuits with dramatic overcoats. Te tanned blonde favored jewel tones and intense colors for evening, but also sophisticated celadon, grayed lavender and robin’s-eg blue.

She was enamored with architecturally challenging pieces and the perfection of cutting and draping so masterfully exemplifed in the work of her friends James and Madame Gres. She valued an exceptional cut and ft over any adornment or embellishment, says fashion curator Dennita Sewell and Ann’s daughter-in-law Michelle Taylor in Sewell’s book chronicling Ann’s fashion collection, Fashion Independent: Te Original Style of Ann Bonfoey Taylor

Ann also clearly loved a good set of dramatic eyelashes. She would never be caught in red nail polish or lipstick—pink was de rigueur. Her hair was always coifed, and she had a love of statement jewelry, especially cufs. She dressed for the occasion, and clearly had fun doing so.

She and Moose spent more than 60 years happily married, with their family and vast array of friends throughout the world, riding horses and skiing well into their golden years.

Afer her death at 97, 60 of Ann’s ensembles were gifed to the Phoenix Museum of Art. Art and Antiques Magazine named the donation one of the top 100 museum gifs of 2008. Te ensuing exhibition of the collection, which also traveled to the Georgia Museum of Art, ofered up Bonfoey Taylor as a true grand dame and one of the great style icons of our time. •

coloradoexpression.com/annbonfoeytaylor

Anna Jensen is an international journalist and stylist who grew up in Colorado. Coming from an equestrian family, most days she’s still horsing around with her young daughter. Follow along @annajensenfashionstylist on Instagram.

OPPOSITE: Always the fashion maven, Ann Bonfoey Taylor in a light blue gown adorned with fur arm cuffs for Vogue magazine in May 1967. (Retrieved from the Library of Congress) RIGHT: In December 1964, Bonfoey Taylor wore a flouncy skirt while skiing in Vail. (Retrieved from the Library of Congress)

Story Richa Mitchell

Photos

Kristen Hatgi Sink

A DENVER TREASURE

A globetrotting Denver business owner outfits her stunning home with one-of-akind décor from around the world

Traveling the world in search of unique, eclectic goods is a passion of Anuschka Pashel, owner of Bloom by Anuschka in Cherry Creek. Te adventurous model-turned-business-owner travels to exotic locales including India, Peru, Morocco and Europe in search of fne furniture, fabrics, pillows and jewelry that she can ofer to her Denver-based clients in her stylish studio. “I love working with vendors from all over the world, and bringing their hand-crafed goods to our shop,” says Pashel.

A love of fowers and all things beautiful started at an early age for Pashel. As a child growing up in a small town in Germany, she would pick bright and colorful fowers to present to her mother. Afer traveling the world as a Ford fashion model, Pashel settled in Denver and opened her frst fower shop in 2011. Te business grew, and Bloom by Anuschka now ofers expertly curated goods and home accents to its ever-growing list of clients.

“We have a large selection of fowers, jewelry and home décor, including our own candle line,” she says.

Pashel expertly incorporates the treasures she collects abroad into her personal home décor. Pieces found at bazaars and shops in Central Mexico, India and Turkey can be found throughout her beautiful home. Among her favorite pieces are a carved black marble table with brass inlay from India and colorful pillows and textiles from Uzbekistan. “We also have beaded African chairs and head crowns,” she says. “Also, ceramic dishes from Northern Africa and rare antiques from France and the Czech Republic.”

Pashel is an expert at pushing design limits and blending vintage with modern pieces to create unique, elevated living spaces that resonate with ageless beauty. “We encourage mixing vintage and modern pieces,” she says.

“Many people have old family heirlooms, and a modern piece can give those classic pieces a new life.”

Te world traveler loves spending time at her stylish home with her family, which includes three sons and three grandchildren. Joyous family gatherings take place in Pashel’s favorite rooms, her bright, open kitchen and family room, which house many of her treasured pieces. A 12-foot Belgium dining table welcomes guests for formal dinner parties, which sits next to a formal living room, complete with freplace. Although she loves to host, Pashel’s happiest place is being in her garden by the pool where she fnds peace and tranquility in the natural setting. “Our home is eclectic and holds a large collection of vintage and modern pieces from around the globe,” she says. “I love thrifing and collecting vintage pieces from all corners of the world and adding them to my home décor.” •

OPPOSITE: Fine furniture and unique rugs can be found on the Bloom website. TOP: Pashel visits bazaars and shops throughout the world in search of unique hand-crafted goods. BOTTOM: A love of fresh flowers inspired Pashel to open Bloom by Anuschka in 2011.

BLOOM BY ANUSCHKA

3170 E. Second Ave. Cherry Creek 720-941-2862

bloomdenver.com

coloradoexpression.com/anuschkapashel

Richa Mitchell is a freelance writer in Denver.

“BON APPÉTIT! IT’S TIME TO EAT!”

Story Cynthia Pasquale

Cooking with children in schools can promote the lifetime skill of healthy cooking starting at a young age. However, youths who lack healthy cooking knowledge may rely on packaged foods or prepared foods containing questionable nutritional value.

Not only do kids develop healthier eating habits, they also feel a sense of accomplishment that can boost self-esteem and help them become more self-sufcient, according to recent research published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Layla Haider, age 5, learned the expression “Bon appétit! It’s time to eat!” while attending Little Kitchen Academy cooking classes. She may not fully realize it, but she learned more than a catchy phrase. Following classes, she reminds her family about proper food safety preparation, for instance, and table manners.

Layla took her frst class in June 2023 when the academy—LKA for short—opened a franchise in Denver.

During each three-hour class, participants practice cooking skills while developing confdence and a sense of independence in the

TOP: CEO, founder and foodgeek-in-chief Erin Fletter of Sticky Fingers Cooking takes a hands-on approach with her chefs-in-training when teaching proper knife techniques. BOTTOM LEFT: Hand pies are a favorite dish at Sticky Fingers Cooking. BOTTOM RIGHT: Making zucchini noodles takes focus and concentration at Little Kitchen Academy.

kitchen and beyond, says Marci Levine, LKA director. Food literacy is heavily stressed and illustrated with the help of the academy’s hydroponic garden.

LKA hosts up to 10 youths per class, which are organized according to age: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 and teens. Te Montessori-inspired academy focuses on “following the child,” says Levine, paying attention to their interests and needs.

Sarah Haider enrolled her daughter in classes because she wanted Layla to be around other children while enjoying one of her favorite activities. “Te classes have helped her grow on a social-emotional level, pay attention to tasks for longer periods of time, and develop new favor profles. … I think it really boosts her confdence and self-esteem to see that she has fully prepared meals that her entire family—and sometimes guests—rave about,” she says.

New recipes each week emphasize seasonal and local ingredients and are adjusted for each age group. For black bean tacos, as an example, the younger group might make pico de gallo but use pre-made tortillas.»

LITTLE KITCHEN ACADEMY

4064 E. Eighth Place

Denver 80220 littlekitchenacademy.com

STICKY FINGERS COOKING

PO Box 12492

Denver 80212

stickyfingerscooking.com

303-648-4078

Photo courtesy of Little Kitchen Academy

Photo courtesy of Sticky Fingers Cooking

Photo courtesy of Sticky Fingers Cooking

Tey work on knife skills, taste diferent ingredients, and talk about creating a healthy meal. Te 6- to 8-year-olds build on the base lesson, making guacamole and adding more spices or diferent peppers to the dish. Te 9-12 age group takes the recipe a bit further, making the tortillas, while the teens might be challenged to fnd a way to shape tortillas without a rolling pin.

For teens, “we focus more on independence—being able to cook for themselves and things like budgeting,” says Levine.

Classes cost $109 each but are discounted when purchased in bulk. Camps are held during summer and holiday breaks.

Sticky Fingers Cooking, in contrast, brings classes to the kids. Te program emphasizes cooking skills, safety in the kitchen, nutrition and the value of fresh ingredients.

Classes mostly are taught as enrichment learning in schools, but also through Boys and Girls Clubs and other organizations, and in locations such as libraries or private homes. Instructors bring in all the kitchen equipment needed.

“We’re a relatively unique model,” says Kimberly Douglas, COO. “We can set up programming anywhere there are kids.”

With more than 1,000 recipes in Sticky Fingers’ repertoire, the company caters to children aged 4 to 18, with skills taught and recipes adjusted according to age.

OTHER CLASSES IN THE AREA FOR KIDS AND TEENS

UNCORKED KITCHEN

8171 S. Chester St. Centennial 720-907-3838

uncorkedkitchen.com

THE COOKING STUDIO

123 N. College Ave., Suite 130 Fort Collins 80524 970-999-5179

the-cooking-studio.com

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

The Teaching Kitchen 2121 Children’s Museum Drive Denver 80211 303-433-7444

mychildsmuseum.org

Chefs-in-training at Little Kitchen Academy know the importance of a clean and tidy work station.

“In the preschool class, if we are making vegetable pot pies, the kids might be into shaping the dough while middle-schoolers might be more into slicing and dicing the vegetables,” says Douglas.

Sticky Fingers Cooking was founded in 2011 by local entrepreneur/restaurateur and cookbook author Erin Fletter. Since then, more than 125,000 students in schools have experienced classes and camps. Te concept was franchised in 2022.

“We’re teaching them about where their food comes from,” says Douglas, “but also about trying new foods. We work with picky eaters who are on a steady diet of chicken nugets and hot dogs.”

In classes, students make pad Tai or calzones, and the kids decide what they are comfortable with eating, says Douglas. “When they don’t have their parents with them, they try a lot more foods than they ordinarily would.”

Stafers ofen hear from parents who say, “I can’t believe my kid tried … .”

Online classes and books also are available. Te Sticky Fingers website includes class-tested recipes adjusted for home cooking, relevant and fun information about ingredients and culture, and a wonderful smattering of food jokes. •

Cynthia Pasquale is a Denver writer. coloradoexpression.com/kidsinthekitchen

Photo courtesy of Little Kitchen Academy

FOOTLOOSE AND GLUTEN-FREE

Two women are shaking up the food and beverage industry

If you’ve ever tried to fnd a good-tasting gluten-free entrée or beer, it’s not always an easy task. “Cardboard,” “tasteless” and “bland” are just a few of the adjectives that come to mind. But two women who saw an opportunity to grow and enhance the gluten-free market are taking the world by storm.

Jennifer Peters, founder and CEO of Just BE Kitchen restaurants, and Karen Hertz of Holidaily Brewing Company share their thoughts on breaking the mold.

JUST BE KITCHEN

Born and raised in Orlando, Fla., Peters spent most of her professional career climbing the corporate ladder in various tech and professional frms as a head of marketing and a director/partner of a market research frm. Outside of work, Peters was a competitive athlete who was fanatic about nutrition for high performance.

To enhance her training, Peters saw a nutritionist who taught her the importance of an anti-infammatory diet and the deep impact that food has on athletic performance. She became obsessed with whole-foods eating—but when it came to eating out, she found the options lackluster and bland. She felt there was a gap in the market for fast, more afordable foods that were also nutritious.

With this in mind, Peters went back to school and earned an MBA at the Kellog School of Management at Northwestern University. During a class project, she started working on what would later become Just BE Kitchen. “My professor loved the idea and introduced me to the former CEO of Burger King, who became a mentor and helped get the initial makings of Just BE of the ground,” says Peters.

In contrast to the many restaurants that ofer a few allergen-free menu items, Peters wanted to create a menu beyond salads, acai bowls and large

portion protein options. Her menu is free of gluten, refned sugars, soy, corn, peanuts and seed oils. However, it is full of ooey, gooey, craveable, stick-to-your-ribs kind of meals that just so happen to be anti-infammatory and allergen-free.

Because Colorado is a mecca for health nuts with uber-active lifestyles, Peters set her sights on the Centennial State to open the frst Just BE Kitchen. “Since I was new to the restaurant scene, I had a ton of pushback from banks and landlords. In fact, I was denied by more than 50 possible landlords, and even denied bank loans because I wasn’t married, and was told it was just too risky,” shares Peters.

Peters decided to test her kitchen-made products at local farmers markets and gyms. “Te response I got was super positive, which gave me the confdence to really push for what I wanted and fnd a landlord willing to rent to me.” She opened her frst restaurant in 2017 in Denver’s LoHi neighborhood, followed by a second in the Denver Tech Center in 2022 and a third in Boulder in 2023.

Just BE Kitchen’s list of impressive superlatives includes being the frst 100 percent paleo restaurant in Colorado, the frst Whole30-approved restaurant in Colorado, and the only 100 percent paleo restaurant to be featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Menu items include French Toast Sliders made with almond four and toasted coconut; the all-day Fulflled Burrito, with Just BE Kitchen’s house-made, gluten-free tortilla, cheddar wiz and choice of chile; Food Network-featured Chicken and Dumplings; Mixed Vegetable Curry; and Shepherd’s Pie with slow-roasted brisket and sweet potato whip.

Peters is a staunch supporter of women taking the lead in the food and beverage industry. “Although leadership in the industry is very male dominated, more females are stepping into these roles, which is great because women tend to be more adaptive to the diferent personalities and needs of team members, and also ofer excellent communication and organizational

Photo courtesy of Holidaily Brewing Company

Story Hillary Locke Mujica

skills,” says Peters. “As more females open businesses in the industry, it may also attract more female workers to join what is a really creative, fun and fast-changing environment. Getting both masculine and feminine energy as part of the creative process is really powerful and creates great balance.”

justbekitchen.com

HOLIDAILY BREWING COMPANY

As a Colorado native, Karen Hertz knows that a cold beer goes hand-inhand with the laid-back lifestyle of the Centennial State. Whether skiing, hiking, fy-fshing, watching the Rockies or just hanging out with friends, chances are someone is enjoying a beer from one of the 400-plus craf breweries in the state. But as Hertz knows, having a gluten allergy can hinder that Colorado pastime.

“I have always loved beer, but afer being diagnosed with melanoma and thyroid cancer in my 30s, part of my treatment required a gluten-free diet, which meant no more beloved beer,” says Hertz. Sticking to her new diet was a challenge given her frequent attendance at sporting events and social gatherings, where options for quality gluten-free beer were limited.

Although other gluten-free beers were on the market, they fell short for Hertz. Tat was the motivation she needed to put her entrepreneurial spirit (and her MBA) to work and create a gluten-free beer that actually tasted like a delicious craf beer. “I fgured there had to be others out there wanting to have a safe, delicious gluten-free beer option, so I just kept trying new recipes until I landed on one I felt would be well-received.”

Hertz founded Holidaily Brewing Company in 2016 with one taproom in Golden. She started with three beers on tap, three days a week, and expanded to 10 beers, seven days a week, by the end of her frst year. Beyond the tap room, she was self-distributing out of her car to local retail accounts throughout Denver.

Having worked in the beer industry, Hertz had knowledge of the business side but knew that being a woman in a predominantly male-dominated industry could have its strugles. “I think there can be a lot of fear, selfdoubt and negativity around being a female in the beer industry, but I actually chose to look at it diferently. I saw it as an advantage, and still do,” states Hertz. “People remember the confdent woman in the room. It leaves a lasting impression, and I love that.” Hertz also believes that when other women see a woman in leadership doing the thing they might be afraid to do, it takes away some of the doubts and fears about stepping into leadership rolls.

No stranger to sweat equity and perseverance, Hertz has had many learning experiences along the way. “If you are going to be an entrepreneur in any industry, you had better get comfortable with taking risks and failing,” she says. “Not every decision we make works, but we can always adjust and redirect.” Since 2015, Holidaily has grown more than 1,121 percent, and its production brewery is the largest dedicated gluten-free brewery in the U.S.

Holidaily Brewing Company now has a second tap room at the Landmark in Greenwood Village, in partnership with Just BE Kitchen. “Tey have carried our products in their Denver location for years, so when we were looking for a food partner in our DTC location, they were the frst people we reached out to,” Hertz says. With a similar consumer base, it is a match made in gluten-free heaven. “Plus, we love that fact we are both women-owned businesses—it really is so empowering to be a part of that.”

Focused on growing the nine markets it distributes to (recently adding the Pacifc Northwest), Holidaily Brewing Company is dedicated to providing an amazing gluten-free experience for every customer and is poised to grow with the increased demand. Says Hertz: “We have some exciting innovations coming in the next year; I cannot wait!”

holidailybrewing.com

coloradoexpression.com/gluten-freegoodies

FROM LEFT: Holidaily Brewing Company offers a selection of stouts, ales, IPAs, blondes and Belgian wheat gluten-free beers. Cravable dishes from Just BE Kitchen use local allergy-free ingredients. The president and CEO of Just BE Kitchen, Jennifer Peters, is all smiles. A dream come true for Karen Hertz, founder and chief brewista of Holidaily Brewing Company.

Photo courtesy of Just BE Kitchen Photo courtesy of Holidaily Brewing Company

Photo courtesy of Just BE Kitchen

LIKE A PRO LAYERING

Mastering the Art of Fall Outfits

Story and Photos Chad Chisholm

Art Direction Jani Duncan Smith

Talent Austyne Pittman, Kevin McDevitt

Agency Donna Baldwin

Makeup Erroll Perkins

Hair Darrel DeWitt

Fall is always a fantastic season for fashion. It’s a time to break out the layers, scarves, fufy fabrics and handsome hats. Whether going cozy and comfortable or contrasting and contrary, fall fashion has a little something for everyone.

Practical and polished daywear is a staple of fall fashion—stylish pieces that can be dressed up or down and are at home in a boardroom or running errands. Trench coats are an excellent way to add a real sophistication over an outft, with bold statement pieces of jewelry to fnish of the look. Mixing and matching vintage pieces with new designer accessories is a whimsical way to freshen one’s style. Cozy Pendleton jackets are also a great way to layer up a look.

Alternatively, one piece can change the entire impression of an ensemble. Take, for instance, the St. John white fringe sweater over the St. John dark indigo jean and J Crew cashmere sweater (on page 63). Te entire look changes when the fringe sweater is swapped for the St. John plaid print coat. »

LEFT: On her: Sanctuary Pant, Gizmos Sweater, Monet Blue Flapper Necklace, Akris Cream & Black Pullover. On him: North Country Portuguese Flannel, HILTL D’Cade Denium, Brax Olive Vest. RIGHT: Pendleton Brooklyn Wool Coat, Paige Brown Leather Pants, Favorite Daughter Black Turtleneck, Vintage Estate Piece Turquoise Squash Blossom Necklace.

WHERE TO SHOP

224

stjohnknits.com DAN

218 Steele St. Denver 80206

dansharpluxuryouterwear.com

1717 Tremont Place Denver 80202

mensclothingdenver.com PENDLETON

2650 Walnut St. Denver 80205 pendleton-usa.com NORDSTROM

2810 E. First Ave. Denver 80206 nordstrom.com

OPPOSITE: On her: Dan Sharp Cape, Rag & Bone Lilith T Neck Maxi Dress, Vintage Valentino Garavani Ruby and Crystal Necklace. On him: Jack Victor Cadillac Crew Neck Sweater, Hugo Boss Jacket, Paige Pant, Peter Millar Belt, Gucci G-Timeless Iconic Black and Steel Bee Watch.

BOTTOM: On him: Jacket Silverado Leather Dark Brown Crawford, Cutter & Buck Chelan, Brax Style Cadiz Straight Fit Jean, Georg Roth Blue Sweater. On her: St John White Fringe Wool Pancho, J Crew Cashmere Sweater, St John Indigo Jean, Vintage Chanel Gold Chain and Pendant.

For guys, pufy jackets and vests have never gone out of style and are a great way to accent a fall look and accommodate Colorado weather. Or, to fashionably level up, opt for a Pendleton lodge shirt and a Timber Cruiser jacket. Lucchese boots go pretty much with all things Colorado, from leisure to galas in the Rocky Mountains; they are a staple of many men’s wardrobes. Smart sport coats can dress up a look easily, and corduroy is making a defnitive comeback.

From chic daywear to elegant evening attire, fall is the ultimate season for fashionable expression. •

coloradoexpression.com/fallfashion

Chad Chisholm is a Denver-based freelance photographer and writer who travels the globe seeking the beauty in this world. Follow him on Instagram @chadchisholmphoto.

HIDDEN

IRELAND

It’s always a good idea to visit Ireland. It has world-class golf, a rich literary tradition, a spirited pub scene (Dublin alone has more than 700 pubs) and castles you can stay in. A recently launched Aer Lingus nonstop flight from Denver to Dublin makes getting there easy.

Story Irene Rawlings

Photo

WHERE TO STAY

Te Shelbourne on St. Stephen’s Green in Dublin has hosted presidents, princes and other notable-quotables. Five-star service. Top-hatted doormen. Award-winning afernoon tea. theshelbourne.com

A more contemporary option: the Anantara Marker in Dublin’s newly redeveloped Docklands. Reserve a table for Poetry & Places Tea, which celebrates Ireland’s literary heritage. anantara.com

Out in the country, stay at Cashel Palace Hotel, a handsome Palladian manor at the foot of 12th-century Rock of Cashel. Dine in Michelin-starred Bishop’s Buttery. cashelpalacehotel.ie

For old-fashioned romance, choose Mount Juliet Estate, a wisteria-covered 18th-century manor with a Michelin-starred restaurant (Lady Helen) in a Wedgewood-pretty dining room. Play the Jack Nicklaus-designed parkland golf course. mountjuliet.ie

A tiny, 18th-century village rescued by Ryanair airline's founder, Clif at Lyons has light-flled, fre-warmed stone cottages with canopied four-poster beds. clifatlyons.ie

For highly vetted country house hotels, consult Ireland’s Blue Book at irelands-blue-book.ie

For unique self-catering stays in lighthouses, castles and other historic properties administered by the Irish Landmark Trust, check out irishlandmark.com »

OPPOSITE: Irish Landmark Trust offers many unique properties for vacation rental. They range from thatched cottages to stately homes to lighthouses. TOP: Sleek and modern, the Anantara Marker Hotel overlooks the waterfront on Grand Canal Square in the heart of Dublin’s newly hip Docklands. BOTTOM: The classically decorated drawing room in 300-year-old Cashel Palace Hotel features floor-to ceiling artworks. The hotel’s owners are involved in thoroughbred racing and the hotel has a comprehensive equestrian program.

Photo courtesy of Anantara Marker Hotel

Photo courtesy of Ireland's Blue Book

WHERE TO EAT

Ireland has 20 restaurants with Michelin stars and six that have been awarded a Bib Gourmand. Must-visit: Dublin City’s two-star restaurants: Chapter One (chapteronerestaurant.com) and Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud (restaurantpatrickguilbaud.ie). Ten jump in your car and drive southwest to County Cork, where you can order the four-course tasting menu at 18-seat Chestnut in the village of Ballydehob (restaurantchestnutwestcork.ie). In historic Kinsale, the culinary capital of Ireland, reserve a table at one-star Bastion. Or grab a seat at the bar for drinks, snacks and a well-curated list of bubbly (bastionkinsale.com). Don’t miss Fishy Fishy (right on the harbor), Te Bulman (fresh local lobster and crab), and Finns' Farmcut, owned by John and Julie Finn (seafood from west Cork trawlers and pasture-raised meat from from Chef John Finn’s parent’s farm. kinsalegoodfoodcircle.ie

OTHER FOOD-AND-DRINK EXPERIENCES

Wild Honey Inn, Ireland’s only Michelin-star pub, has tweedy furniture, a menu that changes daily, and 14 en suite, country-chic guest rooms near the Burren and the Clifs of Moher. wildhoneyinn.com

Make chocolate trufes, foraged salads or brown bread at Ballymaloe Cookery School with Darina Allen, the Julia Child of Ireland. ballymaloecookeryschool.ie

Sip an Irish Cofee at the Foynes Flying Boat Museum, birthplace of that legendary libation. Here’s the story: Afer fying through nasty weather, a transatlantic fight landed at Foynes (Ireland’s bigest airport from 1933 to 1945). Te bartender made the passengers a drink “to take of the chill.” Te rest is history.

In Northern Ireland, download a map of the Spirits Trail, a guide to 14 distillery experiences, including a two-hour Make Your Own Gin experience at the Belfast Artisan Gin School.

Te Giant’s Causeway (the result of an ancient volcanic eruption) is a geological wonder, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is located just a few miles from Bushmills Distillery. Sign up for Whiskey on the Rocks—a walk with a naturalist, followed by a tasting of rare-cask Bushmills single malts. discovernorthernireland.com

BREAKING 80 … OR MAYBE NOT

Some say that golf was born in Ireland, and that can’t be too far from the truth. Tere are more than 300 courses on an island roughly the size of South Carolina. Ardent golfers will want to play the iconic Portmarnock and Royal County Down. Some lesser-knowns are worth the detour. Dooks (majestic views of Dingle Bay and the brooding McGillycuddy’s Reeks mountains) is not championship but an authentic links experience. dooks.com

Photo courtesy of Tourism Ireland

Te Island is famed for its rolling fairways, dramatic sand dunes and fast greens. theislandgolfclub.com

Ardglass Golf Club in Northern Ireland has views of the water from every hole, and a Norman castle as its clubhouse. ardglassgolfclub.com

ONLY IN IRELAND

Hop on an eight-minute (weather-dependent) fight from Connemara Regional Airport or take the 45-minute passenger ferry to Inis Meáin in the Aran Islands. Towering clifs, deserted beaches, prehistoric ring forts and a thatched pub with traditional fddle music and gin distilled with dillisk (a locally foraged seaweed) await. Shop the Inis Meáin Knitting Company for locally made Irish fsherman sweaters, reinterpreted in cashmere, merino and linen. inismeain.com

Go beyond the wall at the Game of Trones Studio Tour (where most of the show’s Northern Ireland-based flming took place) in Linen Mill Studios, in a converted 1900s linen mill near Belfast in Northern Ireland. gameofhronesstudiotour.com

Take a glassblowing class at internationally recognized Jerpoint Glass Studio, located in a small town near Kilkenny. jerpointglass.com

Visit the sixth-generation family-run Cushendale Woolen Mills, with its fully traceable, hand-dyed Irish wool and vintage machinery. Scarves, throws and knitting yarn are for sale in the shop. cushendale.ie

Stop at Nicholas Mosse Pottery (in an old mill on the River Nore and still hydro-powered) for a workshop tour and tea. Mosse’s cousin has a mill across the river that grinds four for the café’s bread. nicholasmosse.com

GOOD TO KNOW

Aer Lingus ofers nonstop fights from Denver to Dublin that take approximately nine hours. aerlingus.com

For more information, visit Tourism Ireland (ireland.com) and Tourism Northern Ireland. discovernorthernireland.com • coloradoexpression.com/hiddenireland

Irene Rawlings writes about art, travel, food and interiors for Wall Street Journal's Of Duty, Te Saturday Evening Post, Mountain Living, Hemispheres and other infight magazines. She lives in Colorado with her photographer husband and two rescue dogs.

OPPOSITE: Northern Ireland’s Ardglass Golf Club offers stunning views of the Irish Sea; the opening five holes are routed across the edge of the cliff tops. TOP LEFT: The dining room at family run Finns' Farmcut in Kinsale, where the menu changes daily. Don’t skip the Baked Alaska. BOTTOM LEFT: By the pier on gorgeous Summercove Bay, The Bulman has great views across to the picturesque town of Kinsale. The interior décor reflects the area’s nautical heritage. TOP RIGHT: One of the narrow winding streets in the coastal town of Kinsale, a designated Irish Heritage Town.

Photo courtesy of Tourism Ireland

Photo courtesy of Tourism Ireland

Photo courtesy of Tourism Ireland

ICED

Incredible ice sculptures formed by nature in Portal Point Antarctica.

Story Caren Austin Photos Kevin Austin

OVER

Haveyou ever watched a travel show of a remote place that looked so beautiful that you wondered to yourself, “Is this even real?”

Antarctica is such a place.

While getting there isn’t easy, the journey is worth it.

We booked a trip on Atlas Ocean Voyages to Antarctica, out of Buenos Aires, Argentina—a fabulous place to spend a few days prior to leaving for Ushuaia, at the southernmost tip of South America, where the ship embarks.

Atlas has two ships that explore Antarctica from October through March: the World Traveller and Te World Navigator. Tey each carry only 200 passengers and about 98 crew members. including an onboard expedition team comprised of oceanographers, ornithologists and other science and nature experts.

Te Atlas Ocean Voyages ships are small but luxurious, and the staf will make sure you are always attended to.

Te frst two days out of Ushuaia are taken up crossing the Drake Passage, one of the roughest bodies of water in the world. I’s an adventure, but as people on board said of “Te Drake Shake,” “You have to go through the bad to get to the incredible here.”

Te South Shetland Islands, 75 miles of the coast of Antarctica, are the beginning of your exploration of the region. If you are lucky, whales and penguins will welcome you. Passengers have described initially seeing land here for the frst time as life-changing; many are driven to tears.

Once in Antarctica, your landings are “captain’s choice,” based on weather conditions. Te goal is to have two landings per day via Zodiac boats, but if that proves impossible, Atlas provides small boats to cruise around in, without landing, which can prove to be just as enjoyable and informative.

Tere are only 100 people from the ship allowed on land at a time in Antarctica to preserve the landscape and wildlife. It is a sacred place of immense beauty and must be protected and preserved for future generations.

Te wildlife in Antarctica includes many species of birds that you most likely have never seen before, such as the Skua, pink-faced Sheathbill and the Antarctic Tern. Humpback whales are present and, if you are quick, you can get the classic “whale tail” photo. Seals can be spotted lazily sleeping on glaciers, and waddling penguins will greet you at most every landing.»

Tere are possible stops at old whaling stations and volcanoes, and—weather permitting—a landing on the seventh continent, which is a memory you will never forget.

Te Polar Plunge is a bucket list item for many voyagers. Smile for the camera and get a picture that will take braging rights to a new level. Not many people can say they jumped into the Antarctic Ocean!

Other excursions include kayaking, camping overnight on the Antarctic Peninsula, and 12-course gourmet dinners with the ship’s chef.

Once back onboard your ship, relax at the spa, heated pool or hot tub, or work out in the gym. However, most everyone will spend any free time using the provided binoculars looking for wildlife. »

TOP: The Atlas World Traveller as seen from shore in Antarctica. OPPOSITE: Kayaking among icebergs gives a whole new perspective.

As with most cruises, breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style as the Zodiac landings are spaced throughout the day. A seated dinner is served every night. There are different theme nights in the lounge. It’s a place for everyone to get together after excursions and trade stories—even if it’s to talk about sights that left you speechless.

Check atlasoceanvoyages.com for prices and more details. t

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TOP LEFT: A mother Gentoo penguin and her newborn in Neko Harbour, on the continent of Antarctica. TOP RIGHT: There’s no better place to polar plunge than off the boat in Antarctica. BOTTOM: A Southern Giant Petrel runs across the water before taking flight. It's just one of the many bird species you will encounter in Antarctica.

Caren Austin is a writer for several Colorado magazines. She lives in Evergreen with her husband and two dogs.