Volume 53, Issue No. 6
A Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. Publication
Winged Tree Statue To Be Removed
June 2014
Owners Hope ‘Nino’ Will Be Reborn in New Home or Church By Cara DeGette The iconic tree statue at 23rd and Grape Street, carved into what many passersby conclude is an angel, providing shelter to flickers, squirrels and bees for nearly 16 years, is dying. And, its owners, Peg and Keith Meagher want to give plenty of notice to residents to come and say their farewells to the carving they call Nino. In 1998, the Meaghers learned the 60-year old tree in front of their home at 2324 Grape St. was the victim of Dutch elm disease. It was the second elm tree they lost to the disease, and Peg Meagher says she couldn’t bear the idea of simply chopping it down and having it hauled away. She had been inspired by a 25-foot high tree sculpture in the shape of an angel, standing nearby at 23rd and Ash Street. The owners of that tree sculpture – called Angelita de la Noche – referred the Meaghers to Arvada wood sculptor David Mitchell. The artist uses chainsaws and other tools to transform tree trunks into works of art. Mitchell initially said he couldn’t do the carving. When Dutch elm hits, there is only a short window of opportunity to create a statue, or lose the tree entirely to the disease. His wife was pregnant, and he didn’t have time, he said. But, Meagher pressed on, and the artist eventually agreed to the project. A frequent visitor to El Santuario de Chimayo in New Mexico, Meagher was inspired by its legend of Santo Nino, the manifestation of Jesus as a child ministering to the sick, the poor and imprisoned. “The folklore is that the people of the village bring little shoes to Nino because he wears out his shoes walking the road taking care of pris-
Park Hill Neighbors: Mark Your Calendars Walking Through the Gardens
Join us on Saturday, June 14, for the Garden Tour showcasing 12 stunning Park Hill gardens, from 10 a.m. through 4 p.m. PAGE 5
Annual 4th of July Parade
Celebrate Independence Day in Park Hill. More than 40 groups have signed up for the parade, and there is still time to register. The parade kicks off at 1:30 p.m. and marches right through the heart of Park Hill. PAGE 9
We’ve Got a Date
This year’s Park Hill Home Tour & Street Fair is set for Sunday, Sept. 28 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. PAGE 10
until the flicker family, currently nesting in one of the wings, has their babies and moves on. But the plan is that the Swingle Lawn, Tree & Landscape Care company will remove Nino whole around mid-to-late June. She will be stored until a new owner steps forward. “Nino has been a carving of life, a tribute to children, and a source of joy to those who view her, no matter what your beliefs,” Meagher says. “Nothing lasts forever … a lesson in life for sure.”
From top left, clockwise, Nino with Violet; the tree statue with purple flowers, Keith and Peg Meagher. Credits: Photo of the Meaghers and the flicker by Cara DeGette; Nino photos courtesy of the Meaghers
Ashley Elementary Revisited The Promise of a New School, One Year In
Denver Public Schools administrators borhood school. Philip Garvin, a community had big plans for Ashley Elementary since member who has provided financial support at least the spring of 2012, when it proposed and has been actively involved in the school the school undergo a “strategic intervention.” for 18 years, as well as Beverly Haddon, CEO In the spring of 2013, DPS announced that of the Stapleton Foundation, also stepped up it was bringing in to support Ashley and its communew leadership nity. to the school, at On May 9, 2013, Alyssa Whitethe corner of head-Bust, DPS Chief of InnovaLynn Kalinauskas Montview BouGPHC Education Chair tion and Reform, informed the levard and SyraAshley community that a group cuse Street just east of Park Hill. Ashley was of parents and teachers, along with a new placed in turnaround status, effectively putprincipal, would be allowed to develop and ting the entire staff on notice, because of the submit a strategic plan that would outline school’s low performance. their own new vision for their school. “The Though the principal was fired, the disonly plan that will be considered is the one trict’s plans were stymied by an overwhelmwe conceive of collectively,” she said. ing turnout of vocal parents advocating for The hope and excitement at Ashley was their children, their teachers and their neighpalpable. Soccer Fans Ready For The Beautiful Game
Page 17
Rise in Ride Sharing Raises Questions About Safety, Equity
Page 7
Inside This Issue
schools Update
Page 6
June 2014
oners and little children,” she says. The sculpture was completed by Christmas, 1998, at a cost of $2,200. Though the winged creature turned out to be a female form, the Meaghers call her Nino. She is holding a child that is an image of Mitchell’s then-young daughter, Violet. “I told David I would plant purple flowers at the Nino’s feet in honor of Violet,“ Meagher says. “David told me not to plant flowers, as the water leaches into the old stump and the statue would rot. “ Nonetheless, the following spring, purple flowers began growing around the tree, Meagher says, courtesy of birds dropping the seeds of asters and morning glories at the base. Over the years the statue has had its share of human visitors as well, including at least one busload of tourists. An abundance of healthy babies have been born to women on the block. And every year, the artist returns to sand, mend and revarnish Nino. But this year, the Meaghers got the diagnosis that Nino has rotted to the point that she is at risk of toppling over. Knowing that the Angelita de la Noche sculpture at 23rd and Ash toppled during a snowstorm five years ago, the Meaghers have decided to remove Nino before a similar fate occurs, and donate her to a church or person interested in giving her a new home. “Nino is dying little by little,” Meagher reports. “The flickers have come and made a nest in her armpit. We concreted up that hole, and sure enough the flickers came this year and made a hole in Violet’s knee. Violet now needs a knee replacement. The squirrels have come to reside in the knee hole. The bees live in Violet’s throat … or are they wasps?” No final date for removal has been set as of press time, as the Meaghers want to wait
In the summer, during his interview for the principal position, Zach Rahn told the teachers he would be creating an innovation school with the existing staff. “A school is more than one leader, it’s a team,” he said.
A new leader
Rahn came to Denver as a Teach for America fellow, and later graduated in 2009 with an MA in curriculum and instruction from the University of Colorado at Denver. He was assistant principal at the Cole Arts & Science Academy and, most recently participated in a leadership program spearheaded by the DPS Office of School Reform and Innovation that trains its residents by embedding them in charter schools.
Dr. Margot Explores The Mystery Of Cats
continued on page 13
Next GPHC Meeting Thursday, June 5 at 6:30 p.m. 2823 Fairfax St., Denver
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