PARKER
BY Lindsay Barlow
COMING EVENTS
Yuletide Bazaar
November 9 | 18700 E. Plaza Drive | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, Grandma Claus, Buddy the Elf, over 100+ crafters, crafts, food and holiday gifts, a face painter, and a bake sale! This is the 18th annual Yuletide Bazaar. Since they are a nonprofit organization, all of their profits go to helping the community with small grants and scholarships.
Turkey Day 5K FUN Run/Walk
November 28 | 17301 E. Lincoln Ave | 8:00 am
Celebrate Thanksgiving Day with family and friends while getting a workout. Space is limited; register early! This family-friendly community event is a laid-back trot with friends and neighbors. Registered participants will receive a commemorative beanie, souvenir race bib, and hot cocoa, cider or coffee. This event is not officially timed.
Mayor’s Holiday Lighting
November 29 | 10795 Victorian Dr. | 5:30 pm
Downtown comes alive for the holidays! Gather around the Town Tree and join the Mayor and the Parker Chorale in a Sing-Along to Silent Night and the count down to the Town Tree and Grand Park Lighting. Once the park is lit up, it’s time for the fun to begin. Take in the sights and listen to the holiday sounds while enjoying tasty food.
Live Nativity
December 13-14 | 7160 Bayou Gulch Road | 5:30 - 8:30 pm
Come experience the world during the first Christmas! Take a step back in time without ever leaving your car. There will be live characters and animals portraying the scenes and story of the birth of our Savior. This event is free and open to the public. Bring your friends! If you have animals and want to be included, contact contribute@tuellers.com.
Join our monthly email list to receive the latest magazine issue: email contribute@tuellers.com
PHOTOS: TOWN OF PARKER
AROUND TOWN
Halloween Home Decorating Contest
Congratulations to the 2024 Halloween Home Decorating winners! The community decorated front porches, yards, window, doors, patios and balconies. View the entry map of the 41 homes in this year's Halloween Home Decorating Contest at ParkerCO.gov/ DecoratingContest. You may view the gallery on their Facebook page.
Flexential Breaks Ground
The new Parker data center is located just one mile from the Flexential Englewood facility. The newest build includes 22.5 MW and 249,000 sq. ft. and sits on 17 acres powered by Core Electric. This purpose-built data center will provide high density colocation and be liquid cooled-ready.
Election
Votes have been coming in for the Election held on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, to elect a Mayor and three (3) Councilmembers. This was a mail ballot election and was coordinated with Douglas County Elections. Ballots were mailed out starting Oct. 11, 2024 and drop boxes have been busy If you havent already voted, get out and be heard.
Parker Heating & Air
Serving the Parker community for over 22 years, Parker Heating & Air held a Rebrand Launch Party for their new rebranding look. They unveiled the new look and celebrated with live demonstrations, food, door prizes, raffles and even a dog adoption opportunity. Owners Rick and Laurey York were joined by local leaders and residents for the festivities.
PHOTOS: TOWN OF PARKER
Bull Grills
Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Ballet is a holiday must for many people around the world. And for one local dance studio, Colorado School of Dance in Parker, this time-honored tradition is especially meaningful for their dancers, families, and their community.
Take A Bow
Executive Producer and Studio Owner, Lisa Tuska, beams with pride every time you mention “The Nutcracker of Parker," especially this year with the show celebrating its 20th Anniversary! "Families are always looking for both quality and value when it comes to going out for the holidays together. Being able to attend a Nutcracker Ballet in your own neighborhood with a ticket price that will allow the entire family to attend, is what we love about our show," Tuska says. And with regard to the time and energy that goes into this show every year, Tuska says it’s totally worth it. "Watching my students have an unforgettable performance opportunity as well as my teachers being able to choreograph and produce this magic, is what makes everything come full circle for me. I am also so thankful for our audiences. We love them and appreciate their support each year!"
And Lisa is not the only one beaming about this upcoming production. "It is an honor for me to bring this classic holiday ballet tradition to the people of the town of Parker. We present the most fun and entertaining Nutcracker in town, with the liveliest choreography performed by highly skilled and well-rounded dancers. It's a true joy for dancers and audiences alike," says Elizabeth Moore (Ballet Director, Choreographer & Mrs. Staulbaum in the show).
Buzz around the Nutcracker of Parker starts in August when auditions open, not only for the students of CSD but the community members as well. “Seeing the transformation from auditions to the performance story that unfolds on stage is truly magical,” says 12-year veteran Amanda Williams (Youth Ballet Company Director & Choreographer for the show). In fact, CSD has multiple families who perform together (kids and parents) in a show one night and then sit in the audience the next. For Colorado School of Dance, this literally is a family affair both on stage and off.
And when it comes to production value, this is not just your average performance. From the costumes, to the lighting, to the Christmas tree that grows on the stage...even the programs are glossy and professional. This local production delivers the quality of a big city show to your very own neighborhood. But the most special parts of this whole show are the kids and what they accomplish. “I’ve seen the show 15 years in a row and I still get excited to watch it every year,” says Jen (Mom of 3 CSD dancers). “No matter how many times I have seen this ballet, I am always amazed at the talent and stage presence of each individual dancer, no matter their age. CSD has really gotten it right when it comes to giving these kids the tools to perform in a confident and beautiful way.”
LOCAL HERO
Colonel Curtis D. Dale
Half a Century Late, Colonel Dale is Twice Decorated for Vietnam Warzone Service
We congratulate Colonel Curist Dale on his sevice and receiving these longawaited awards. On this Veteran's Day, we thank and celebrate him, and so many others, who have selflessly served our country.
Eighty-five year old, Col Curtis D. Dale, PhD, USAF (Ret) of Parker was decorated with the Bronze Star Medal and Legion of Merit, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster, from 50 and 36 years ago, respectively. In Oct '72 at DaNang AB, Vietnam, his commander said, “Curt, I’m recommending you for the Bronze Star Medal for ground work you did here.” He’d already received the Distinguished Flying Cross and 9 Air Medals for combat and aerial actions, but the BSM was rare for fliers. The war soon ended in Feb, 1973. Dale left on the next to last Freedom Bird from DaNang. The US pullout was predictably chaotic, administratively, with vast loss of decoration recommendations, awards, and performance reports. Also, disgruntled, envious personnel sometimes downgraded/falsified and “lost” such documents. The BSM was never awarded; Dale never forgot that it’d been written. Proving it seemed impossible for half a century.
Now, half a century later, that wrong was righted. The ceremony was at the French Creek Building of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Parker. President Ronald Jason Standifird, South Parker Stake, presided; Bishop Kelly Keicher, Ponderosa Ward, conducted. Major General Steve Best, US Army (Retired), presided in the presentation and pinned on Curt's decorations. Leiutenant Colonel Pete Darnall, USAF (Ret), Dale's son-in-law, was Adjutant and MC. District Deputy Director, Mr. D. J. Beckwith spoke and extended congratulations. Dale noted that Beckwith was key to keeping the process on track throughout. In his remarks, Col. Dale declared, “Without the Congressman’s perseverance, I would never have received these.”
The BSM means more to Dale than a mere medal; it recalls people he was chief of. He instructed Capt. Art Bollinger in his combat aircrew duties, flying the EC47 “Marauder” in Electronic Warfare. Bollinger also worked for Dale in these ground duties. As the Paris Accord Ceasefire came, only EC-47s continued flying. Bollinger and his crew, callsign Baron 52, were killed by a SAM. There were no longer B-52s, F-4 Phantoms or Navy carrier fighters to attack the North Vietnamese Army which kept shooting. Dale’s research finds it was the last US aircraft shot down in the war.
As Dale successfully prepared his VA Disability Compensation Claims, his records unexpectedly revealed full evidence and fate of that long-ago nomination. Maj. Gen. Bill Hoover, Wing Commander and endorser, now a keen age 90, strongly supported Dale’s appeal in a powerful letter to the US Aiir Force.
Rep. Ken Buck, CO 4th Congressional District, placed a Letter of Congressional Interest in the appeal to the Air Force Personnel Center and Secretary of the Air Force Decoration Review Board. That appeal got lost. Rep. Buck included a second such letter in a resubmission. Finally, reaching the Pentagon, the Congressman was told it'd take another year. Rep. Buck sent a third Letter of Congressional Interest: Dale jokingly surmises it read, “Hey, he’s 84 years old. I don’t want to pin it on his tombstone.” Whatever it said, it was quickly and unanimously approved in April 22.
Colonel Dale flew for 13 years including 3 1/2 years on the edge of space (70,000 feet) flying the WB57F "Longwings" in spacesuits. He flew WC-135B, WB47E, and WB-57C “Shortwings,” doing atmospheric sampling for nuclear debris in all four. In the year at DaNang, he flew 124 EC-47 Electronic Warfare Missions. In two earlier combat tours, he flew 29 WB-47 combat reconnaissance missions supporting the B-52s "Arclight" bombing missions. Finished his flying in the EC135 CINCPAC Airborne Command Post for three and ½ years out of Hawaii. Dale was a Crew Commander in both the Atlas D & E ICBMs (three and ½ years) and Minuteman III ICBM (three and ½ years) at FE Warren AFB, WY. He commanded both Clear AFS, AK, and PAVE PAWS, Beale AFB, CA, both ICBM Early Warning and Space Track bases. Then he was Area Com. of AAFES Philippines and Thailand, Clark AB, PI.
Working with Rep. Buck and his dedicated staff, Dale's second Legion of Merit came to light, an even higher decoration written two months after Dale retired, was mailed, but never recorded or presented. It recognized both his 27 year AF career and final assignment to Vandenberg AFB, CA, as Special Assistant for Space Shuttle Operations, Western Test Range.
After medals presentations, members of the Dale family shared fond memories of their Dad/PaPa Curt and Mom/Nana Pat who have seven children, 12 grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren.
Thanksgiving Day brings visions of turkey, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, and stuffing. We work in the kitchen for hours and enlist help with all the traditional dishes. The beautiful table, spilling over with a delicious spread, is definitely the main attraction. Let us also think about what else the day includes. Spending time with loved ones and showing gratitude are special parts of the holiday. Families and friends take the opportunity to count their blessings and spread the love on this warm and cozy day.
To occupy the slower evening hours, or over the holiday weekend, try adding some fun and purposeful activities to your get-togethers. These could become new traditions that will build meaningful memories with each gathering. Here are some ideas:
Crafts & Games - Keep kids busy while waiting for the turkey by providing some turkey crafts or a “What I’m Thankful For” coloring page to inspire their creativity and gratitude. Also, pull together a Thanksgiving bingo or corn hole game to involve the whole group.
Keep a Record - Use the chance when you have a captive audience to fill in the family tree facts, collect family memories, or collect a written or video update on each person. Afterward, take the opportunity while your crew is gathered to get some photos taken.
Gratitude Projects - Create a Gratitude Tree on a poster and have each individual decorate a leaf to add to the tree. Write down cherished blessings on the leaves. This tree is a visual reminder of togetherness and gratitude. Then, enlist the many hands to tie a quilt to give away or sign up for a service project to give back to someone else in the community.
We have so much for which to be grateful. Happy Thanksgiving 2024!
HOLIDAYLIGHTING
Each November, Downtown Parker becomes its own Rockwell painting, with enormous trees forming a canopy of twinkling lights in O’Brien Park and up and down Mainstreet. The season starts with the traditional Mayor’s Tree Lighting event. Friday, November 29th, join Mayor Jeff Toborg, the Parker Chorale, performers from The Nutcracker of Parker and, of course, Mr. and Mrs. Claus, for a magical evening marking the start of Parker’s Hometown Holiday Season.
The holiday spirit will spread through the crowd as the event kicks off with the Parker Chorale leading a “Silent Night” sing-along, followed by the countdown to the lighting of the Town tree and park. Once the lights come on you can stroll paths through the park to take in the festive ice sculptures, meet some favorite holiday characters with stories and activities to enjoy, maybe spot the “Elf in the Tree” through the twinkling lights, or take pictures with Elsa and Olaf!
Adding to the evening will be caroling by local high school choirs as well as a performance from the beloved Nutcracker of Parker. Treats from local food vendors will be available as well. Complete the experience with another holiday favorite, carriage rides through town.
And don't forget to visit the Parker Ice Trail at Discovery Park. Even if you don’t skate, head over to Discovery Park to enjoy the sights and sounds of the holidays.
Enjoy all there is to experience during Parker’s Hometown Holiday Weekend: the Mayor’s Tree Lighting and Parker’s own Ice Trail at Discovery Park. Be sure to mark your calendar for the upcoming Holiday Carriage Parade on December 7th!
Activites will include the Holiday ice sculpture displays stationed throughout the park. Returning this year....the community has the chance to decide what our amazing ice sculpture vendor will create during his live ice carving demonstration! Keep an eye on the Town's Facebook page (@TownofParkerCO) to vote for your favorite and then come to the event to see if your favorite won!
Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be in Town for the evening!
THEGIVINGCOOKIE Beginnings
Katie Pearce Founder
The pungent smell in this place was different than anything I’d ever experienced and, although I was starting to get used to it, I still had to resist the urge to cover my nose. I watched the group of young boys in the muddy, unpaved street use a Coke can as a soccer ball, as I slipped into the back seat of the RAV4 SUV we had spent so much time in this past week. I was ready to go home, but I knew that I would be changed forever by the things I’d experienced in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. The orphans I had met would always have a place in my heart. The men and women who had dedicated their lives to helping these children would forever have a place of honor in my mind. The sights and smells and sounds of poverty would urge me forward in my efforts.
This was where our foster daughter had spent a large portion of her time after fleeing the Democratic Republic of Congo. Before she boarded the plane on Christmas Eve several years ago, very sick and pregnant, she lived in a dilapidated, corrugated tin house, just like the ones that passed through my view as we drove away from the slums. I felt relief that she and her sweet little baby were now safe in the United States going to school, learning, and working, never to smell this scent again.
We stopped at an intersection and a big bus rolled up beside us. I looked up from my backseat window and saw a little face in one of its windows. I could only see her big, dark-brown eyes peering through the glass, but they looked sad and empty. I gave her the biggest smile I could muster and tried to say in my smile that she was beautiful and that even in this hard place, there was hope and somehow, everything
would be alright. I wished I could feel confident that it was true. My smile caught her eye and, as the bus rolled away, I saw her eyes turn up, and I hoped that she was smiling back.
My smile didn’t change anything for that little girl’s future, but a chance for education can. Every child we met in Nairobi had a dream. A dream to become a teacher, a pilot, a nurse. They all knew that education was the key to realizing these aspirations, but many were too keenly aware that this kind of education was out of their grasp and would never be a part of their life journey. There are millions of children around the world that share their despair. I desperately wanted to find a way to give them a chance to achieve their aspirations. How could I help young people find a path to succeed? How could I turn the resources and abilities I’ve been given into hope for others? After reflecting on these questions, the idea of The Giving Cookie was born.
The Giving Cookie is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that brings hope to children by funding schools in impoverished areas. But don’t be fooled by our nonprofit status or our humble beginnings. We have some seriously delicious cookies!
Mother Teresa once said, "We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop." At The Giving Cookie we understand that what we do is just a drop, but by joining together as a community, our individual drops can combine to make a difference. We are all volunteers—no one is being paid. Every cent that isn’t spent for the ingredients in the cookies that we deliver goes directly into our school fund. We are so eager to bring hope through education to these children that need it so desperately.
We “cookie” to bring hope and to shape a brighter future. We'd love to have you combine your drop with ours and help us make a difference.
HERE'S HOW IT WORKS
Go to www.thegivingcookie.com. Check out our amazing cookie boxes and find out when we’ll be delivering to your area.
Place an order that corresponds with the delivery date in your city.
On cookie day, the cookies are made fresh and delivered right to your front porch!
Each season offers a new variety box with mouthwatering gourmet cookies. Or keep it simple with Kate’s Chocolate Chipper box! Our cookies are shareable-sized, so the whole family can enjoy. They make beautiful gifts for friends and family in your area!
If you don’t like cookies (heaven help you) or would just like to donate to help us reach our goal to build a school in Mali, it is easy to donate on our website: www.thegivingcookie.com/ donate
Let’s combine our “drops”! Making a difference never tasted so good. www.thegivingcookie.com
HUMANITARIAN
(noun) \ hyü-, ma-nǝ'ter-ē-ǝn \
A person actively engaged in promoting human welfare and social reforms; one who has concern for helping to improve the welfare and happiness of people.
This is a special time of year to kick off the holiday season when so many turn their thoughts to remember what is most important. It is an honored tradition for us to take a look at our lives and give thanks for what we have. We count our blessings of family, friendship, faith, home, work, food, community and so much more. I love how this act of giving thanks often leads us to also want to give and share with those around us. This season is filled with opportunities to look outside of ourselves and our circumstances to help others. Service opportunities are abundant and our hearts seem more open to this focus. What a blessing this is for both those that give and those that receive help.
Our school district is an example of this phenomenon. Each graduate of the Douglas County School district is asked to fulfill 20 hours of community service in order to graduate. I love how this teaches our young people from early on how meaningful and important it is to look outside of themselves and spend time in service. On the DCSD website it talks about how this helps students to learn selflessness and fosters personal growth. As students help others, they gain character and experience for themselves as well.
In this issue we want to take a look at some of the other humanitarian efforts in our area that reach both near and far. As we live in a community of large abundance, it is refreshing to see individuals and groups who want to and work toward helping those who are in need. Thanks for giving!
Unlock
Your
Potential at Douglas County School District
Where Excellence Meets Opportunity
As the #1 rated school district in the Denver Metro area, we’re not just educating students — we’re shaping futures.
Why Choose DCSD?
• Unparalleled Opportunities: As Colorado’s thirdlargest district, we offer a vast array of programs to ignite every passion and nurture every talent.
• Personalized Learning: Even in our largest schools, your child will thrive in tight-knit communities where they’re truly known.
• Character Building: Our 20-hour community service requirement ensures graduates are not just academically prepared, but socially responsible.
• Proven Success: We consistently send wellequipped, well-rounded students to top colleges, rewarding careers, and honorable military service.
Join a community dedicated to helping your child discover their unique talents and reach their full potential.
Douglas County School District: Where Every Student Matters, Every Dream is Possible
Learn more at www.dcsdk12.org/castlerock www.dcsdk12.org/parker
I have been a client of Kat’s for many years and wouldn’t dream of going anywhere else. She always treats me like a queen and makes my visit the most wonderful part of my day! Her knowledge of hair care and advice is always spot-on! She knows my hair and exactly
it needs.
~ Susan
Kat is the BEST!!!!! She always makes my hair to look it’s best. And she makes me feel good about myself because of her bubbly personality!
~ Marcia
Cindy does a fantastic job with cuts & color! If you’re looking for someone that truly knows how to color hair, you must book an appointment with her. She’s the only person I’ve gone to that doesn’t end up giving me highlights that look yellow or golden. She’s amazing!
~ Michelle
