Roaring Fork, CO May 2023

GREAT FLOOR PLAN!

SILT Spacious Living/Dining/Kitchen open floor plan on the main with a powder room, laundry room and a fourth bedroom (or use it as an office). Upstairs find three bedrooms, including the primary, two bathrooms and the bonus of a cozy loft. Unfinished Basement is just shy of 1,000 sq. ft. and plumbed for an additional bathroom.

$545,000 • 4 BED • 2.5 BATH • WEB# RF178781

TURNKEY IN CASTLE VALLEY

NEW CASTLE Don’t miss this three bed, two bath home in Castle Valley Ranch. This one floor, lovingly maintained home features new flooring and a manicured lawn. Move right in to this vacant, turnkey house and enjoy easy living here in lovely New Castle.

$625,000 • 3 BED • 2 BATH • WEB# RF178518

Jon Harman 281.620.9815

jharman@masonmorse.com

LUXURIOUS ASPEN GLEN TOWNHOME

CARBONDALE Don’t worry about a thing in this Aspen Glen home. The prestigious gated Aspen Glen community awaits with this turnkey, updated townhome. This end unit townhome sits next to a quiet park, so you can enjoy the finer things in life in this amazing golf course community while the HOA takes care of all the yard maintenance. Time to go play golf!

$1,350,000 • 3 BED • 2.5 BATH • WEB# RF178542

Jon Harman 281.620.9815

jharman@masonmorse.com

Ingrid Wussow 970.404.5105 ingrid@masonmorse.com

THE HOMESTEAD AT ROARING FORK

CARBONDALE Nestled in the heart of the valley, ideal fishing retreat or family compound. Four acres, historical home, guest quarters, ponds, stream, extensive water rights, adjacent to open space.

$3,400,000 • 7 BED • 5 BATH • 4.01 ACRES • WEB# RF178379

CAPTIVATING VIEW LOT

CARBONDALE Panoramic views of Sopris Mountain and the Elk Mountain Range. This gently sloping south facing lot overlooks the Sopris Mesa conservation easement which is approximately 80 acres. Soils tests, Survey along with all tap fees already paid make this an easy way to get started in Designing and Building your Dream Home.

$750,000 • 2.69 ACRES • WEB# RF176887

BREATHTAKING VIEW

CARBONDALE Unobstructed views of Mt Sopris from this fantastic four bedroom, four and one half-bathroom home. Great open floor plan with vaulted ceilings letting in an abundance of natural light. Covered patio overlooking the 9th fairway. Lots of upgrades, including newer roof, windows, flooring and paint. The lower level is the perfect family game room and has a non-conforming bedroom with a ¾ bathroom. Ample storage. Enjoy an easy walk to the Crystal River, miles of biking and walking paths, and all amenities offered at River Valley Ranch. Walkable to downtown Carbondale’s restaurants, parks, theater and shopping.

$1,925,000 • 4 BED • 4.5 BATH • WEB# RF178668

Patty Brendlinger 970.379.5484 pbrendlinger@masonmorse.com

Brian Hipona 970.618.5447 bhip@masonmorse.com

Nancy Emerson 970.366.1194 nemerson@masonmorse.com

To the women in our lives who make a difference!

I don’t know about you, but I love any opportunity to recognize the women in my life who just make life richer and more beautiful. Our sisters, mothers, daughters, aunts, and best friends are some of the most influential women in our lives.

And of course, with Mother’s Day this month, all eyes are on moms. And it’s not just biological mothers, but the mother figures in our lives who have made an indelible impact on us. It’s the family members, teachers, friends, and neighbors doing awesome things in our communities, pouring into our lives—making themselves unforgettable and irreplaceable.

While it’s always important to shop local and support our area businesses, this month is the perfect time to patronize businesses owned by women in our communities. That’s one of my favorite parts of this role—connecting with and championing the best of the best when it comes women.

They are movers and shakers, builders and makers. They are both seen and unseen. Their silent service blesses those who are under their care. Their attention to detail shows us something about beauty that can’t be seen or understood any other way.

I hope you’ll take a few minutes to send a text, make a phone call or get your kids on a video call with the women in your life who deserve recognition. It only takes a minute to brighten someone’s day and remind them how much you love them.

Cheers to the women in your life who make your life shine a little brighter,

May 2023

PUBLISHER

Mel Miles | mel.miles@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Mary Abel | Mary.abel@citylifestyle.com

PHOTO EDITOR

Kaleigh Gibb | Kaleigh@wonderstruckphoto.com

STAFF WRITER

Callie Miller | Callie.Miller@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Kristin Miller, Glenna Hope

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Hanna Postova

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

AD DESIGNER Mary Albers

LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee

MEL MILES, PUBLISHER

@ROARINGFORKCITYLIFESTYLE

Photography: Sam Mcnamara

business monthly

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Barrel into Spring

Enjoy a weekend of wine tastings across the Grand Valley! This self-guided tour features seven wineries and includes barrel tastings and food pairings from chefs, caterers, and restauranteurs. Participants who have their passports stamped at all seven locations before the weekend is over will be entered into a drawing for a free case of Colorado wine!

Attendees will pick up their tasting glass, Barrel Into Spring Passport, and event wristband at their preassigned starting location. winecolorado.org

2023 Garfield County Humanitarian awardees honored

The 33rd annual Garfield County Humanitarian Awards took place at on April 3 at the Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs. Dr. Greg Feinsinger (Lifetime Dedication Award), Lanny Grant (Humble Hero Award), Kelly Keeffe (Pioneer Award), and Soira Ceja (Spirit of Service Award) were honored for their efforts to make Garfield County the wonderful place it is to live.

Lori Brumbaugh, Cristina Gair, Maureen Kerr, Tiffany Lindenberg, and Betty Lucas rounded out the 2023 nominees.

Youth Art Expo: Puppets, Masks and Storytelling

On April 29, the Aspen Arts Museum hosted the Youth Art Expo: PuppetsPancakes-Pajamas Opening Celebration for a day-long exhibition opening and party that celebrated the creations of more than 1,000 exhibiting K–12 artists from 13 schools across the greater Roaring Fork Valley, Colorado.

The Youth Art Expo features two museum floors of narrative objects created by students and video documentation of their creative process. Organized in collaboration with Poncili Creación (founded 2012, Puerto Rico) and MAPS (founded 2017, New York).

Photography Kelsey Knight

Photography Dr. Greg FeinsingerLifetime Dedication Award recipient

Photography Aspen Art Museum/Creación, courtesy the Artists

Junior Volunteer Program Returns to Smiling Goat Ranch

Returning for 2023, Smiling Goat Ranch's  junior volunteer program provides an opportunity for youth ages 11-14 to connect with peers and develop leadership skills while helping care for animals and working on projects around the ranch. This drop-in group is open to youth with and without neuropsychiatric diagnoses and will be offered Wednesday afternoons throughout spring and summer. Space is limited and registration is required. Email kaylee@smilinggoatranch.com for more information.

iCanBike

Mark your calendar for June 19– 23, 2023, and help spread the word for this amazing camp at Glenwood Recreation Center Ice Rink. Brought to the community by The City of Glenwood Springs Parks and Recreation and Challenge Aspen, this camp is for adults and children with cognitive and development disabilities who want to learn how to ride a two-wheeled bicycle without training wheels. To register: bit.ly/icanregistration and for more information: Lanie Fabijanic@cogs.us

Colorado Women Flyfishers - Karen Williams Memorial Scholarship

Colorado Women Flyfishers is currently raising funds for a scholarship exclusively for women enrolled in the fly-fishing guide certification program at Colorado Mountain College.

The  Karen Williams Memorial Scholarship is named in memory of long-time member of the Colorado Women Flyfishers—Karen Williams. In 2020 Karen was diagnosed with Stage 3 lung cancer, which took her life quickly.  To learn more and if you’re interested in donating to the scholarship fund: coloradomtn.edu/ news/cwf-fly-fishing-guide-scholarships/

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/RoaringFork

Photography Smiling Goat Ranch

Photography Challenge Aspen

local experiences

The

places and things to do in our area.

Grab your gal pals and get your soak on with one of the many reasons to live in the Valley. Hot Springs bloom like flowers around here and its a great place to relax and renew.

Our Picks for The Gal Pals

YAMPAH VAPOR CAVES & SPA: The natural underground hot mineral water steam baths have cave temperatures that average 110–112 degrees F, allowing repeated visits of 10-12 minutes.

IRON MOUNTAIN HOT SPRINGS: Situated alongside the beautiful Colorado River with 16 geothermal soaking pools, guests experience a pure soaking experience—the way nature intended.

PENNY HOT SPRINGS, CARBONDALE: Penny Hot Springs is situated on the banks of the Crystal River at the mouth of of the Narrows, a short drive south from Carbondale.

CONUNDRUM HOT SPRINGS, ASPEN: This spring is at the end of a 9-mile climb from a trailhead near Aspen in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Recreation Area. Reservations required.

SOUTH CANYON HOT SPRINGS, GLENWOOD SPRINGS: Just on the other side of Glenwood Springs, the South Canyon Hot Springs is at the end of an easy quarter-mile walk.

Want to recommend a local experience?

Yampah Vapor Caves & Spa

Great Girls' Getaways Ideas

Celebrate life with your inner circle of friends and create lifelong memories

ARTICLE BY GLENNA HOPE

Girls’ trips are good for the soul. Coming into midlife, I know one thing for sure: Girls’ trips are good for your mental health, happiness and enrich your life . VeryWell Minds states friends do a lot more than give you a shoulder to cry on; they also have a positive impact on your health. Some research even says friendships are just as important to your well-being as eating right and exercising.

That’s why each year my closest friends and I plan an excursion away together. It is something we look forward to all year and spend a ton of time discussing and planning. It’s a celebration to us. A trip with the girls can be as glamorous or low key as you like. Over the years and depending on what stage of life we were in, it always lead us to design the perfect kind of trip for that year.

My list of suggestions comes from years and years of girls’ trips, and this list is of my absolute favorites. I’ve included places to relax, explore, hike, regroup and reflect, hang or shop. Remember, at the end of the day it’s about spending time with the women who

lift you up and you can celebrate life to the fullest with. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your partners in crime and get your travel on!

Lake Tahoe, Nevada

We live in the Valley for a reason, so it’s no secret that getting out of town and heading to Lake Tahoe in the summer still allows you to do all your favorite activities in another beautiful part of the country. We rent a house by the lake so we can cook and get our chat on in the comfort of the same home.

Sunbathe on the beach, rent a boat for some water skiing, or check out one of the fishing charters to help you reel in one of the big fish. Rent a kayak and explore the waters or get in a great workout on a standup paddle board.

When you’re not enjoying the water, soak in the views from the top of a mountain. Hiking and mountain biking are both extremely popular activities in Lake Tahoe, and there are trails for ladies who work out at every level.

TOP: Lake Tahoe, Nevada

RIGHT: Jackson, Wyoming

LEFT: Winery in Fredericksburg, Texas

Fredericksburg, Texas

Fredericksburg was named as one of “13 Perfect Fall Girlfriend Getaways to Start Planning Immediately” by Southern Living . If you and your gal pals love wine, this place is a must. Spend the day exploring Texas Wine Country. With more than 50 wineries and tasting rooms, you are sure to find your favorite.

I can’t say enough about the downtown area and the plethora of photo opportunities. The place feels like a little fairytale town. Shop ‘til you drop! Block after beautiful block you will find fun, trendy boutiques, shops, and galleries offering a wide variety of unique treasures.

Jackson, Wyoming

Love is an understatement when I talk about Jackson. The local scene was out of this world and we ladies didn’t have to buy any new outfits to fit in like we lived here. We heard of a great in-town hotel called the Anvil Hotel. The converted motel is full of modern interpretations of cowboy culture and the wild west, from custom brass beds to moccasin-style slippers tucked next to each bedside table, and a lobby area with afternoon cocktails and meet and greets with other guests was super fun. A must stop is the Persephone Bakery. We went every day if that says anything at all. I almost asked my husband to just send the kids and my things because I wasn’t coming home.

TOP: Otto's, 316 E Austin St, Fredericksburg, Texas BOTTOM: Cowboy Bar, Jackson Wyoming

Asheville, North Carolina

First, my friends and I read WILD. Enough said. The main character’s journey through the Appalachian Mountains intrigued us with wanting to learn more about this mountain range in comparison to living in our beloved Rocky Mountains. This town was vibrant with some of the best BBQ at Buxton Hall, art district, and American Literature history. Don’t miss downtown for a day, The Biltmore Estates, and, if you have time, squeeze a day trip over to Weaverville and, of course, do a nice hike on the Appalachian Mountains.

TOP: Biltmore Estates, Asheville, North Carolina

RIGHT: Buxton Hall BBQ in Asheville, North Carolina

LEFT: Biltmore Estates, Asheville, North Carolina

Sedona, Arizona

One year all of us were focused on our spiritual journeys as well as one of my friend’s family member’s tragic death; she needed to be surrounded by her friends in a peaceful and healing place. Sedona is widely known as one of the most spiritual places in the country. As  Visit Sedona explains, Sedona has developed a worldwide reputation as a place of enlightenment. This is home to a large community that

promotes a variety of alternative healing and spiritual practices. There are wellness shops and boutiques scattered through the town. In addition, many of Sedona’s spas offer Native American-inspired treatments using indigenous materials like red rock clay and local plants. Anyone on a journey of self-discovery can find out more from expert practitioners through the Sedona Metaphysical Spiritual Association at sedonaspiritual.com .

LEFT: Sedona, Arizona

RIGHT: Cathedral Rock, Sedona, Arizona

Akumal Riviera Maya, Mexico

We have our favorite resort, and yes, it’s Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya. But truthfully, I’ve heard amazing things about other resorts in the area. We loved the all-inclusive vibe and we never fell short of activities to do— from excursions to Cenotes and snorkeling to tequila tastings and glorious spa treatments. Every night they had some adult-themed activity and we really enjoyed that it was an 18-and-up resort. It was beautiful anywhere on property and felt like the ultimate escape that’s just a quick flight from the states.

TOP: Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya BOTTOM: Cenote, Akumal Rivera, Mexico

Nashville, Tennessee

Fun? You don’t need to look for fun here. It finds you! My friends and I found an adorable Airbnb and wouldn’t do it any other way. We were celebrating a few of our big birthdays and this was the town to do it in. There are endless brunch spots, cafes, bars, and so many great areas to shop and explore. We loved Biscuit Love and I felt like I brought home a few extra pounds to prove it. Don’t miss Music Row. Nashville has such deep musical roots. So much so that entire blocks of record label offices, radio stations, and recording studios have been named Music Row. The nightlife is never ending, with live music at every turn and people ready to help you celebrate whatever occasion you are there for.

TOP: The Graduate, Nashville, Tennessee BOTTOM: Nashville, Tennessee

SELF CARE AT HOME

Our step-by-step DYI to the perfect healing detox bath

// Ingredients

• 2 cups Epson salts

• 1/4 cup baking soda

• 1/4 cup coarse sea salt

• 8–10 drops lemon or lime essential oil

• 8–10 drops lemongrass essential oil

• Rinsed and chopped lemongrass stalks

• 1–2 thinly sliced lime (into wheels)

• hot water (for a bath)

// Step One: Make your bath salt detox mixture

In a medium bowl, mix the salt and baking soda until well blended. Stir for 1–2 minutes to properly mix the essential oils into this homemade bath salts recipe. The citrus scent is vibrant and invigorating. You can store the salts and add the fresh lemongrass and lime after you fill up your bathtub.

// Step Two: Make sure you are properly hydrated

A detoxing bath is supposed to be intense, drawing out all sorts of impurities from your body. Making sure you’re well hydrated beforehand will help prevent any unintentional damage to your body during the process. It is recommended to drink 1 full glass of room temperature water before your bath.

ARTICLE BY GLENNA HOPE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY HANNA POSTOVA

// Ingredients // Step One

// Step Three: Dry brush your skin

Your skin is the largest organ and the first line of defense from chemicals and bacteria. By helping your body shed dead layers of skin, you are also removing these harmful agents. Dry brushing also speeds up your lymphatic system's ability to eliminate waste. Use a dry brush with a long handle so you can reach all areas of your body. When choosing a brush, pick one that feels nice on your skin. Dry brushing should not be painful.

// Step Four: Fill up the bath with water and add your detox mixture

Fill up the tub as much as you can, with the water as hot as you can stand it. This will help the bath be most effective in drawing out toxins. Of course, use common sense when it comes to the temperature of the water. Go with the temperature that feels most appropriate for you and your skin. Keep in mind, part of the goal of a

detox bath is to sweat. You want water that will be warm enough to aid in the sweating process. While the tub fills with water, add your detox mixture.

// Step Five: Soak for 20 to 40 minutes

You will notice yourself start sweating after just a few minutes in your detox bath. This is your body expelling toxins. If you start to feel too hot during your soak, add cool water to the tub until you are comfortable.

// Step Six: Get out of bath slowly and dry off

After the recommended time, exit your bath carefully. Sometimes you can be lightheaded after a detox. Continue to drink water to flush out your system and let your body rest and recover. After the bath, brush your skin down again using sweeping strokes aimed toward your heart. This can further aid with the release of toxins.

// Step Two // Step Five

Summit to Success

Women Co-Founders of Adventum Colorado

Stephanie Coe and Kristin Miller celebrate outdoor adventure, hiking and Colorado’s highest peak

ARTICLE BY GLENNA HOPE & KRISTIN MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY BY PROVIDED BY ADVENTUM COLORADO

Hiking enthusiasts are encouraged to celebrate their love of outdoor adventure with thoughtfully designed apparel from new Colorado-based small business,  Adventum Colorado. The name Adventum , which is Latin for “adventure,” is the perfect fit for this small, locally owned business that evolved from the ideas and conversations among friends who discovered a mutual passion for hiking Colorado’s scenic trails.

Co- Owner Kristin Miller explains, “I hiked my first fourteener with my dad in 2009. It was Pikes Peak and I’ve personally been hooked on climbing fourteeners ever since. In 2017, we (my dad, myself and my husband) formed a small team of hikers to climb Mt. Belford as part of a fundraising initiative for Multiple Summits for Multiple Sclerosis (MS4MS), which benefits and raises awareness for the Rocky

Mountain MS Center. My friend Stephanie and her husband joined us on that team. They also got hooked on hiking 14ers and started hiking more of them with us each summer.”

After successfully summiting several of Colorado’s esteemed “fourteeners” (mountain peaks that rise to an elevation of at least 14,000 feet) together, the group, proud of their achievements, began brainstorming ways in which to celebrate their successful mountain summits and the idea for Adventum Colorado was born. The founders began designing patches that could be affixed to popular trucker hats—each patch bearing the outline of various fourteener summits along with the name and elevation of each respective mountain, so hikers can wear their successful summits with pride. Those in the local hiking community know the difficulty

CONTINUED >

and challenges involved in making it to the summit of a 14,000-foot mountaintop, and as a way to commemorate this personal triumph, Adventum Colorado offers stylish, high-quality trucker hats emblazoned with custom-designed patches representing most of the fourteeners around the state.

“Anyone who has made it to the summit of one of Colorado’s impressive 14,000-foot mountains knows the feeling of exhilaration from such an accomplishment,” explains co-owner Stephanie Coe. “We feel that this achievement should be celebrated…whether you are a newcomer to the fourteener community or a seasoned mountain climber.”

While the company’s original idea was to provide the hats with patch designs representing Colorado’s highest peaks, they also offer thick, durable, vinyl die-cut stickers showcasing the fourteeners around the state. Each sticker is scratch-proof and weatherproof against water and sunlight—perfect for a water bottle, laptop, lunchbox, snowboard, helmet, bicycle, skateboard, kayak or anywhere you want to display your love of Colorado’s mountains. The fourteeners hats and stickers are part of the company’s “Summa (or Summit) Collection.” Recognizing that not everyone is interested in climbing fourteeners, Adventum Colorado also designed a “Colorado Collection” with designs such as  Hike Colorado,  Explore More and  Take A Hike, appealing to hikers and outdoor adventurists who simply relish opportunities to explore Colorado’s spectacular Rocky Mountains.

“Although climbing fourteeners can become quite an addiction for some, we recognize that not everyone has an interest, so we created our Colorado Collection that celebrates hiking all trails throughout this beautiful state,” says Coe. “Colorado is full of outdoor adventurers and explorers—for many of us, it’s why we live here or visit Colorado. Anyone can grab a t-shirt, hoodie, hat or other souvenir that represents their fondness for Colorado, but we wanted to create something special and unique for those who love hiking the endless number of trails throughout this incredible state and for those who simply love being outdoors and exploring Colorado.”

The hats retail online for $34 and stickers range in price from $3.99–$5.99. Both can be purchased at  adventumcolorado.com . What better way to celebrate your love of hiking and adventuring in Colorado, as well as your mountain summits, than with a commemorative hat, patch or sticker?

CUPCAKE SUPERSTAR TALKS LIFE, FEAR AND FEEDING THE SOUL

There’s an ancient Chinese proverb that reads, “When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills.” It lands in my mind as Gina “Gigi” Butler and I are burrowed at a corner table in her cozy, French farmhouse-inspired eatery in Brentwood.

“I feel like I’m on the precipice of something big,” says Butler, a celebrated entrepreneur who grew her onewoman brand, Gigi’s Cupcakes, into a culinary empire with an astonishing 120 locations in less than eight years.

A passionate advocate for fearless entrepreneurship, last fall, within months of putting her final signature swirls on her famous cupcake masterpieces, Butler swung open the doors of her latest endeavor, Pies by Gigi, which has since been rebranded as Gigi’s Kitchen, nestled at 330 Franklin Road. Upon entrance, patrons are greeted by a stylish pink neon sign that reads: “Love is homemade.”

But Butler’s life hasn’t always gleamed with notoriety. An Oklahoma native who transplanted to Nashville in pursuit of country music stardom, she wandered into the culinary realm on an unremarkable Labor Day weekend in 2007. While hovered over a toilet inside of an A-list singer’s home, her phone buzzed with a call from her brother who’d just visited a trendy bakery in New York City.

“He told me he’d spent two hours standing in line for a cupcake that didn’t impress him at all. Then he said, ‘Why don’t you open up your own shop in Nashville?’ It sounded like a crazy idea at first, until it didn’t,” says Butler.

Mopping floors by day and singing by night, she’d devoted a decade to her chart-topping aspirations. But, instead of traipsing along red carpets with Leann Rimes, she was emptying her trash bins.

She recalls the moment the vision clicked into focus–when she turned away from the soapy toilet water and toward her

reflection in the bathroom mirror. Baking, while not her original dream, was a skill she’d inherited and adored.

“I can still see those pink cleaning gloves I was wearing. I looked myself in the eye and decided to just go for it. Two years before, I’d cried my eyes out because I was realizing my music dream was dead, so I thought I may as well try something else,” says Butler.

Two days later, at the dawn of a recession, she pulled into the parking lot of her bank, praying for a business loan.

Four denials later, and more than a few sympathetic glances from clients and friends, Butler scraped together $100,000 in cash advances on her credit cards to cover the necessary expenses. With $33 to her name, she tied herself into her apron and opened the shop in February 2008.

Miraculously, on the afternoon of the opening, a line of customers trickled out of the store and into the parking lot. And, in the weeks that followed, Butler watched in amazement as the “crazy idea” took on a life of its own.

Soon after, franchises began crawling from the woodwork at a head-turning rate. Butler appeared on Undercover Boss and was featured in top media sources like Forbes and Business Insider. It was an absolute whirlwind of success.

As franchise growth further exploded, Butler realized her schedule was unmanageable. “I was exhausted. As a single mom, I was shuffling my daughter onto planes for store openings every week. That’s when I made the hard decision to sell to the venture capital company in Texas,” says Butler.

She opted to stay on in operations at her original store, located in Nashville’s Midtown, but to her disheartenment, the new owners’ decisions swiftly turned the brand sour.

ARTICLE BY LACEY JOHNSON

“I told them specific things not to do, but they did them anyway. It was disastrous, and I was then chastised for actions I hadn’t taken. Those were very dark years,” says Butler.

Still, she charged forward. Butler authored her first book, The Secret Ingredient: Recipes for Success in Business and Life, and wowed an audience with her wisdom from the TedX stage. She claims every challenge fed her spoonfuls of resilience.

“A lot of people see me as the cupcake lady. They don’t know about the heartaches and setbacks I’ve experienced. But I want to be an example of courage, and of how to see fear and failure as nothing more than blocks. They might be mountains, but there’s always a way to go around the mountain. Or climb it,” she says.

As cupcake sales continued to tumble, Butler closed her original store in February 2020, exactly 12 years after having turned on the lights.

“Selling my last store felt like a loss of identity. And while I was trying to find my way through it, Covid hit,” says Butler.

While people all over the world were being shoved into isolation and long-successful businesses were barring their doors and windows, a disoriented Butler decided to pivot in the most thoughtful of ways.

“I was watching television when I heard a reporter say, ‘If you’re a designer, stop making clothes. We need masks!’ I thought, ‘Well, I can’t sew, but I can cook.”

Within days of creating a menu and announcing on Instagram and her website that she’d be offering both home deliveries and scheduled pickups at a Whole Foods location, orders were spilling into her inbox.

From sunrise to sundown, Butler ambled about her kitchen, measuring and mixing, doling out pans of delectable

lemon bars and savory chicken pot pies. Perhaps providing the spirit of home for those who needed home more than ever, but weren’t able to be there.

Having long fantasized about opening a pie shop, months later, when a realtor friend informed her of an available space, she leapt at the opportunity.

“I said, ‘Yes, I’m ready!’ I knew it was a risky thing to do during a pandemic, but I also knew that love and comfort were what the world was starving for most. And those are key ingredients that get tossed into all of my recipes,” says Butler.

Less than a year later, Gigi’s Kitchen is attracting comfort food aficionados like bees to honey. Some come for the biscuits, freshly-brewed coffee and hearty quiches, and others wander in for her amazing pies–from whipped peanut butter to Boston cream. There are also take-andbake casseroles that make it easy for busy families to enjoy home-cooked dinners. And the shop boasts complimentary WiFi, which Butler hopes will support aspiring entrepreneurs on their quests.

But, despite being a household name, Butler swears her tenacious work ethic isn’t for glory. Rather, she’s driven by an insatiable desire to give birth to new and delicious things that might enhance the world–not despite the trials of life, but because of them.

“I don’t want to be on a porch when I’m 80 years old, thinking, ‘Why didn’t I just go for that?’ No matter what happens to me, I’ll never stop dreaming up ways to share my purpose,” she says. “I want to be a forerunner for comfort food, offering love to hearts and feeding bellies, because I can’t imagine a better use of my earthly time.”

“I want to be an example of courage, and of how to see fear and failure as nothing more than blocks. They might be mountains, but there’s always a way to go around the mountain. Or climb it.”

events

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

Blood Drive

CARBONDALE RECREATION CENTER | 10:30 AM

The Vitalant Bloodmobile will be parked on Colorado Avenue, outside the Carbondale Recretion Center, the first Wednesday of the month throughout 2023, from 10:30am-3pm. Participants must pre-register and bring a photo ID. Ages 16 and up welcome. For more information, or help registering, changing, or canceling appointments, please contact Jessi at jessi@chrisklugfoundation.org.

Mayfaire

WALDORF SCHOOL ON THE ROARING FORK | 10:00 AM

A family celebration of Spring. This is a free event for the community. This will be a fun-filled day with Flower Crowns, a Maypole Dance, spring crafts, live music and plenty of great food, sweets and drinks!

WindWalkers & RFVHC Kentucky Derby Party

SPRINGS CREEK RANCH, CARBONDALE | 2:00 PM

Enjoy a fun afternoon with some delicious bites, refreshing drinks and a wonderful social atmosphere as we experience the Kentucky Derby live at Spring Creeks Ranch! We encourage everyone to dress up and participate in our fun contests at this fundraiser for a chance to win some amazing prizes! All proceeds benefit WindWalkers & the RFV Horse Council. To purchase tickets: windwalkers.org

Kid’s Bike Rodeo

CARBONDALE RECREATION CENTER | 4:00 PM

Bring your bike and helmet and give our bike obstacle course a try! This is a fun way for kids to learn basic bike safety and the “rules of the road” while navigating a fun obstacle course. Prizes will be awarded, and there will be a local bike mechanic on hand to show kids how to keep their bikes in tip-top shape.

Silent Movie Festival May Night

PARACHUTE BRANCH LIBRARY | 6:30 PM

FREE DATE NIGHT ALERT! Take a step back in time! Adults are invited for a night to watch a full feature silent movie. You’ll listen to a brief talk about the history of silent movies, followed by a screening. On May 18, the feature is “Nosferatu,” the original vampire silent movie. Light refreshments will be provided.

The Annual Plant Sale

COLORADO ROCKY MOUNTAIN SCHOOL | 9:00 AM

The Annual Plant Sale is back - get your garden growing!

Tomatoes

• Herbs

• Veggies

• Annual Flowers

• Perennials

• Seed Potatoes

• Onion Plants & More! Payment via Venmo (preferred), Cash, Check, or Credit Card

All garden starts are organically grown and are well suited to the Roaring Fork Valley climate.

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