All the News About Denver’s Best Residential Community Since 1960 • Volume 60, Issue No. 12 • December 2021
Reflections on 2021 This Year Of Recovery Has Been One Wild Ride By Cara DeGette GPHN Editor
The year started off with big hopes. A new president who would take the COVID-19 epidemic seriously, a vaccine roll-out that would get the world spinning on kilter again, and allow us all to return to our regular routines. The Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol proved a shocking reality check for many Americans. Ongoing resistance to getting the shot has proven frustrating to public health officials, and have led to yet another scary surge in the circulating virus. But in many ways, the year that is drawing to a close was filled with victories small and large — including the return to inperson learning, in-person events and inperson living. Here’s a look back.
The crowds started heading to the high country, but with the pandemic in high season, some locals weren’t as keen to strap on the skis just yet. A community survey of 788 Colorado skiers found nearly onethird were considering sitting out the 2021 winter.
In a GPHN exclusive, Park Hill Librarian Tara Bannon Williamson described the many ways that public libraries have evolved during the pandemic, including curbside service, virtual programming and improved technology. And, yes, they still have books. Photo by Alicya Tebo
Deborah Baker, owner of Park Hill Yoga. Photo by Tina Haggling
January The year 2020 left many of us feeling a little … bloated. Blame it on closed gyms and, well, lots of snacks, but one thing was certain: Many Park Hillians freely admitted the need to lose their COVID-19 — pounds, that is. Local fitness gurus dished out advice for jump-starting solid workouts to make their New Year’s resolutions a reality. Many of them are also owners of local gyms and fitness centers, and shared their
stories of how they coped during a year when their businesses were closed. The following is sound advice for any time of the year: — Do Burpees, Lunges and Push-ups — Just Keep Moving — Breathe, Move, Walk — Be Kind To Yourself
Working it at Anytime Fitness. Photo courtesy of Mike Jenulis
Early season view from Keystone’s North Peak Gondola on Nov. 28. Photo by Reid Neureiter
February
Columnist Penfield Tate, describing the year 2020 as one of the worst we could have imagined, bids it good riddance. He highlights a list of incoming President Joe Biden’s cabinet and staff, including Deb Haaland, the first Indigenous person appointed Secretary of the Interior, Michael Regan, the first African American to run the Environmental Protection Agency and Janet Yellen, the first woman to serve as Secretary of the Treasury.
In recent years Park Hill’s annual parade to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. has grown to include hundreds of kindergarten, first and second grade students from all four neighborhood schools. The young students gather in Turtle Park and march to Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church at Montview and Dahlia, where the civil rights leader spoke in 1964. There, on the
Inside This Issue
spilling the beans
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Finding Treasure On Colfax
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The cover of the 2022 Park Hill Garden Walk calendar.
fertilize, mulch, watering tips and so on to create and maintain a beautiful garden (most gardeners quickly realize their work is not done at the end of the summer.) The calendars are $20, and they measure 12” X 24” when open. Proceeds support the Greater Park Hill Community mission (The Registered Neighborhood Association is a volunteer-based registered neighborhood organization that promotes the character and vibrancy of Park Hill through its resources, information and advocacy, all while preserving the quality of life and the history of the neighborhood through community participation.) The calendars are available at these local area retailers: Ace on the Fax (7100 E. Colfax Ave.), Cake Crumbs Bakery and Café (2216 Kearney St.), Spinelli’s Market (4621 E. 23rd Ave.), Oneida Park Dental Studio (6920 E. 23rd Ave.) and the Park Hill Community Bookstore (4620 E. 23rd. Ave.) You can also purchase them online at
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calendar/fundraiser was such a success they decided to make a tradition of it. The calendar is created specifically for Colorado Front Range gardeners and includes monthly gardening tips and reminders. You’ll know when to plant, prune,
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From right to left, owner Suzi Chierchie, owner’s best friend Sheila Schlegel and employee Jordan Clay on grand opening day of Park Hill Treasures. Photo by Cara DeGette
A Year Of Gardens
Filled with gorgeous photos of gardens featured in this year’s Park Hill Garden Walk, the 2022 Park Hill Garden Walk calendar is on the shelves at several local retailers and also available for purchase online. The volunteers who make the Garden Walk happen every June were inspired to make a calendar in time for the holidays last year, after the 2020 live event was cancelled due to the pandemic. The 12-month
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Park Hillians Kate Hakala, Suzi Chierchie, and Emily Henke-Groves have teamed up to open a multi-vendor retail mall, Park Hill Treasures, in the former bank at 6035 E. Colfax Ave. Their vision is to feature vendors and artists who are focused on sustainable, repurposed and eco-friendly wares that are regional to the Rockies. Around 70 unique Denver and Colorado based vendors are expected to fill the space, including crafters, artisans, local packaged foods and other treasures. “I was looking for a space like this to resell a number of things I had collected over the years and I couldn’t find a location with booth space anywhere in the area,” says Hakala, who is also a Park Hill dentist. In a press release, Henke-Groves, the general manager of Park Hill Treasures, describes the space as “like taking a mini vacation or a walk through the past. I have met so many talented people putting this concept together.” The space celebrated its grand opening the weekend after Thanksgiving. Holiday business hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week. The phone number is 720-701-2644.
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Upcoming GPHC Meetings Community meetings are conducted virtually on the first Thursday of each month. The next meeting is Jan. 6 at 6:30 p.m. There is no meeting in December. Link to attend at greaterparkhill.org/ join-us/community-meetings/