T H E
H U B
O F
A D V E N T U R E
EVERYTHING FOR WEDDINGS 14 PURIFYING WITH PLANTS 25 LULU CREPE 28 US MEN’S RAFT TEAM 46 KITTEN SEASON 64
SPRING 2020 / ISSUE 11
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W E S T E R N
C O L O R A D O
JOE KUSUMOTO PHOTOGRAPHY
Empowering young women through mountain biking to create brighter futures and build stronger communities.
thecycleeffect.org “Our program strives to show that any young woman,
STARTING THIS SPRING, The Cycle Effect will
especially a Latina, can thrive on and off the bike given
be expanding their Girls Mountain Bike Program to offer
the right opportunities. We have seen it time and again in
year-round programming to participants in Mesa County.
Eagle and Summit Counties and now we are excited to create the same opportunities in Mesa County. We couldn’t be happier to work with the Colorado Health Foundation and Mesa County.” — Brett Donelson, executive director of The Cycle Effect.
The Cycle Effect focuses on three primary goal areas: physical wellness, community impact and mentorship — and building brighter futures. By providing an opportunity for underserved young women to be engaged in regular, healthy programs that help build their self-esteem and promote overall wellness, girls are more likely to be healthier, stay engaged in school and set goals that will support their future.
THE CYCLE EFFECT: GOALS • Provide an outlet and activity for high school and middle school aged young women to keep them engaged and interested in school and school related activities. • Teach life skills such as goal setting, overcoming obstacles, time management, healthy decision-making, the importance of physical fitness and nutrition and outdoor stewardship. • Instill a higher level of self-confidence and sense of belonging. • Provide avenues for success that may not have been available. • Play a role in ensuring that our girls successfully complete high school and move on to higher education.
In 2019, The Cycle Effect worked with 165 young women across Eagle and Summit Counties, 70 percent of which identified as low income and 62 percent identified as Latina. By expanding programming to Mesa County, The Cycle Effect will be able to have a direct impact on well over 200 young lives and further strengthen equity across the state. Upon expansion, The Cycle Effect will be reaching out to new funding partners to expand the fundraising efforts and continue to build a bright future.
100%
of The Cycle Effect program graduates have successfully completed high school and gone on to college, 75% being first generation in their family to attend.
CO N T what’s up in the west + what’s in season
lifestyle
26 8
VOICES OF WESTERN COLORADO Locals weigh in on Collaboration
9
WHAT’S UP IN THE WEST Roaring Fork Vally Designated Gold-Level Ride Center
10-11
WHAT’S UP IN THE WEST Monumenta Beer Works The Palisade Livery Saloon: A Classic Makeover
12-13
WHAT’S IN SEASON Field to Fork Farm Reap an Early Harvest: Start Seeds Indoors
14-17
BLOSSOM – WEDDINGS Brianna Cote + Jason Fields Wedding Kim Fuller + Bobby L’Heureux Wedding
18-21 22
SPECIAL WEDDING SECTION Wedding Vendors DRINK Rosé Two Ways
24-25
HOME + GARDEN Spring Energy Reset Purifying with Plants
26-28
EAT Springtime Eats LULU Crêpe + Kiln Coffee Bar
34 29
BOOK+BEVERAGE Amor Fati by Jack Mueller Bloody Mary by Highlands Distillery
30
MAKER Plant Magic at Uprooted Apothecary & Spa
32
ART Cooley Designs
34
MUSIC Campout for the Cause
36
FOOD Slow Food Culture at Ghost Rock Farm
38
FOOD COLUMN Q+A with Josh Niernberg
40
WELLNESS + FITNESS Fun + Collaborative Fitness
E N TS adventure
features + events
48
64
42
SPOKE Gear for the Season
60
CONFRONTATION In Colorado’s Farm-to-Table Capital
44
SPOKE Mayfly Outdoors
64
46
SPOKE 9-Ball Watermen – U.S. Men’s Rafting
IT’S KITTEN SEASON Roice-Hurst Humane Society’s Foster Care Program
66
OUR FAVORITE INSTAGRAMS
48
GRAND OUTDOORS Children + The Outdoors
68
50
FAMILY Backpacking 101
LEITNER-POMA OF AMERICA Calling Grand Junction Home for Nearly 50 Years
72
52
TAKE A HIKE McDonald Creek Canyon
COLORADO HEMP SOLUTIONS 2020 Farmers Summit
75
EVENTS
54
STAY + PLAY Cohabit Podtel
80
WHO WE ARE Q+A with Lori + Troy Raper
56
GETAWAY Mancos, CO: Where Art Meets Agriculture
SPOKE+BLOSSOM
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PUBLISHER’S LETTER
COLLABORATION As I started thinking about the significance of collaboration, a phrase came quickly to mind: “teamwork makes the dream work.” Spoke+Blossom comes to you from the heart of this practice. A small handful of dedicated individuals work on Spoke+Blossom to make it relevant and inspiring, always, and we pass the passion along to you, our readers, to enjoy in a way that personally resonates. We collaborate with people, businesses and happenings every day, using print pages and digital platforms to share stories and to elevate the promotion of what’s being crafted now, tomorrow, this season, this year and into the future. Amidst a culture that deeply leans on digital distraction and surface communication, tangible connection is what creates collaboration that is founded in meaning and authenticity — two pillars that undeniably hold up the foundation of communities large and small. Spoke+Blossom is committed to digging a little deeper than the status quo of modern media, uncovering what so often has yet to see light. This issue, we are honored to be working with The Cycle Effect, a nonprofit organization that empowers young women through mountain biking to create brighter futures and build stronger communities. Starting this spring, The Cycle Effect will be expanding their girls mountain bike program to offer year-round programming to participants in Mesa County. Founder Brett Donelson and his team know what it means to support community, and it all starts with creating unity, supporting a team, and always working in the space of possibility and collaboration. Also special to this spring issue is the first Special Wedding Section to ever be featured in Spoke+Blossom. Like every event, weddings are all about coming together to create a magical experience. We are thrilled to capture some of that magic in these pages and to share it with you. So dig in and enjoy every ounce of storytelling this spring, from delicious recipes and rescued kittens, to family backpacking and on-water adventure. May this issue be a reminder that working together and supporting one another is always what makes the dreams work.
Founder Robin Brown Publishers Kim Fuller + Bobby L’Heureux Editor-In-Chief Kim Fuller Editorial Manager Lexi Reich Art Director Kitty Nicholason Staff Photographer Cat Mayer Advertising Hannah Odneal + Bobby L’Heureux Interns Hector Salas, Lauren Farrauto + Naomi Allen Contributors Naomi Allen Rose Marie Binger Lisa Blake Andy Bowen Lauren Farrauto Cassandra May Fortman Stephanie Griggs Jayme Henderson Abram Herman Hayden Hogoboom Justin Jolley Jenna Kretschman Kristin Lummis Cat Mayer Oliver Mayer Kimberly Nicoletti Hannah Odneal Katherine Peach Robbie Prechtl Lexi Reich Kaylan Robinson Hector Salas Carrington Schaeffer Carl Scofield Lydia Stern Sharon Sullivan Jeremy Swanson Melanie Wiseman Cover Photograph Emily Klarer Spoke+Blossom Magazine Jaunt Media Collective 2077 North Frontage Road / 103A Vail, CO 81657
Kim Fuller
Publisher + Co-Owner
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contributors
ABRAM HERMAN Abram serves on the board of Friends of Youth and Nature (FOYAN), an organization dedicated to providing opportunities for youth and families to get outside (friendsofyouthandnature. org). He is an avid climber, skier, mountain biker and lover of the outdoors.
KIMBERLY NICOLETTI Kimberly is an awardwinning freelance journalist and writing coach. She has taught yoga, Nia, Zumba and tai chi, and earned a master’s degree in Somatic Psychology and Dance Therapy from Naropa University. She loves traveling and outdoor adventures.
KATHERINE PEACH Aspen-based freelance writer Katherine has been published in multiple travel, wellness and lifestyle publications, including pieces covering biodynamic wineries, far-flung yoga destinations and microbreweries in Southern California. You can find her eating and drinking her way across the state and at katherinepeach.com.
SHARON SULLIVAN Sharon is a Grand Junction-based freelance writer and editor. She enjoys hiking, backpacking, knitting and attending many of the free, outdoor music concerts in western Colorado.
OLIVER MAYER Oliver is a 4th grader who enjoys cooking, doing magic tricks and riding his bike.
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LAUREN FARRAUTO A lifelong, avid reader and writer, Lauren has always loved the power of the written word. As an intern for Spoke+Blossom and CO YOGA + Life Magazine, her dream of creating her own story is finally a reality. When she’s not curled up with a good book, Lauren can be found adventuring in the Colorado wilderness.
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