Volume 51, Issue No. 8
A Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. Publication
September 2012
Park Hill Home Tour & Street Fair 34th Annual Park Hill Home Tour Has Something for Everyone By Robyn Fishman GPHC Board, At-Large Representative “I want THIS one!” Heather Lenox said as she set foot in her Cherry Street bungalow, after looking at 30 other houses. Similarly, Renee McMichael declared, “This is IT,” as soon as she saw the unique fireplace in her Colorado Boulevard home. If there’s one consistent theme of this year’s Greater Park Hill Home Tour on Sunday, September 23, it’s that each of the participating homeowners feel their homes suit them perfectly. Seven Park Hill neighbors have graciously opened their warm, personalized homes for the 2012 tour. This year’s tour has something to intrigue everyone, from newly renovated homes to those with historically maintained details. Liz and Don Rutledge never imagined they’d one day live in the house they watched being built from their previous home across Elm street. Liz posted its home-for-sale flyer in her office and looked at it daily for two years, until they had an opportunity to make an offer from afar while temporarily living in Australia. Now’s your chance to see what they loved about their house: the quality finishes, the family-friendly kitchen and the home theatre. Nina and Mark Kuhl and Janis and Tom Cella have both extensively remodeled their respective homes into customized, modern living spaces. Each couple served as their own contractors, turning humble original properties into showpieces that reflect their personal style and suit their families’ needs. There are plenty of ideas on display here for fans of modern homes or those with remodeling aspirations. Dorothy and Gary Crow-Willard are participating in the Home Tour as a way to give back to the Park Hill community for standing up for diversity, and to support the GPHC Food Pantry for neighbors in need. Come see their historic 1908 Tudor, which includes a unique treehouse bordered with tree trunks carved into totem poles that feature personalized images such as
This Park Hill home, at 1980 Bellaire, is just one of the seven beauties you can tour during the 34th annual Park Hill Home Tour on September 23. The artistic renderings are the work of Park Hill-based architect Marc Applebaum, who presents the owners of Home Tour homes with the framed originals that depict their properties.
Dorothy playing violin and Gary singing opera. Gary says they built their master bedroom window seat after seeing a similar one on a previous Home Tour. What ideas will you glean from this year’s tour? Earth-friendly clay walls, a terraced garden, or turning a stairwell window into a child’s reading nook? Have you ever wondered how you could incorporate
a chicken coop in your yard or a kid-centered playscape in your basement? Come find your inspiration while celebrating some of the best living spaces our diverse neighborhood has to offer. For information about the Park Hill Street Fair, see pg. 2. For descriptions of homes in the Park Hill Home Tour, see pg. 4.
Park Hill Home Tour & Street Fair Event Information Date: September 23, 2012, from 11a - 5p, rain, snow or shine. Overview: This year’s tour features seven lovely homes that represent the diversity of architecture in our unique community. The homes range in age from 1908 to 2004, and include updated original homes, homes with additions and new construction. Come and see how it all works together and learn more about this delightful urban community, our history and our future, while getting decorating ideas, meeting contractors and mingling with neighbors. Tickets: Advance tickets are available after September 1st at $13/ adult. Buy advance tickets online at greaterparkhill.org or at any area King Soopers, the Park Hill Cooperative Bookstore, the Park Hill Branch Library or the GPHC office. Tour day tickets can be purchased at any of the featured homes (see p. 4 for addresses). Tour day prices are $15/ adult, $8/senior and $5/child. Street Fair: Held on Forest Parkway between 19th and Montview. Sample tasty delights from Park Hill and other local food vendors, and
enjoy music by resident musicians. Local artisans, authors and composers will be on hand to tempt you with their wares, works and songs. Be sure to check out the Silent Auction for an opportunity to get a great gift or gift certificate and, remember, all proceeds benefit Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. Market yourself! There’s still time to get a booth at the street fair. For $125, you can reach an audience of approximately 2,000 people. For more information, contact street fair coordinator Kate Sultan at krsultan@comast.net or 303-333-1025. Donate to the Silent Auction: The Silent Auction team is in procurement mode. Gift certificates, spa baskets, cosmetics, consulting and personal training are all in demand. To donate, contact Susan Barden at macdougaldog@msn.com or Paula Wales at pkwales@gmail.com. Volunteer! Over 100 volunteers pitch in to make the home tour a success. If you’d like to pitch in, contact Larry Sondgeroth at larrysoldmyhome@aol.com or Kim Tighe at kimberlytighe@msn.com.