Spoke+Blossom Magazine | Winter 2019-20 | Issue #10

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A D V E N T U R E

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W E S T E R N

C O L O R A D O

OUTDOOR FIREPITS 16 RECIPES FOR WINTER WARMERS 20 ROMP SKIS 48 ICE KARTING 57 MOUNTAIN TOWN MUSEUMS 68

WINTER 2019-20 / ISSUE 10

CO N T what’s up in the west + what’s in season

lifestyle

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VOICES OF WESTERN COLORADO Locals weigh in on Celebrate

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WHAT’S UP IN THE WEST Grand Valley Gives Day

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WHAT’S UP IN THE WEST Evolve Wines: An Art + Science Passion Project Palisade High School Fish Hatchery

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BLOSSOM Don’t Treat Your Soil Like Dirt

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HOME + GARDEN Fire Pit Sanctuaries

18

DRINK Sparkling Winter Citrus Punch

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EAT Winter Warmers: Hearty Stews

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BOOK+BEVERAGE Arches Enemy by Scott Graham Hot Chocolate by Enstrom Candies

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OUR FAVORITE INSTAGRAMS

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STYLE Lonewolf Collective

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MAKER Local Love at Hartmann Farmhouse

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ART Fun at Spun: Palisade Yarn Shop Offers “Unwind” Gatherings Theatre Aspen Breaks Into Winter WinterWonderGrass Music + Brew Festival

35 36 40

FOOD Career Center Culinary Arts Program

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FOOD COLUMN #thenewwest by Josh Niernberg

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WELLNESS + FITNESS How to Make Kombucha

E N TS adventure

features + events

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SPOKE Gear for the Season

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I’D RATHER DANCE Old-Time Contra Dances

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SPOKE Gear Profile: Romp Skis

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MOUNTAIN TOWN MUSEUMS Something for Everyone

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SPOKE Athlete Profile: Andrew James

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JUSTICE LEAGUE OF HOPE Local Superheros Save the Day

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GRAND OUTDOORS Colorado Outdoors Program: Montrose

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EVENTS Winter Events in Colorado

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ETIQUETTE The Not-Quite-Right Guide

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FAMILY Ski Weekends on the Cheap

WHO WE ARE Q+A with Angela Padalecki Executive Director, Grand Junction Regional Airport

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FAMILY Aspen Ice Karting: Pop-Up Ice Kart Rentals

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TAKE A HIKE Grand Junction Classic: Mica Mine Trail

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STAY + PLAY Palisade Gets an Upgrade

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GETAWAY Red Mountain Alpine Lodge SPOKE+BLOSSOM

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PUBLISHER’S LETTER

CELEBRATE Colder temperatures and darker days don’t have to define the energy of winter. In western Colorado, these months can often be paired with blue skies and crisp air, a rigorous cross-country ski or cozy hours nestled by the fire.

It’s certainly a good season to remember to celebrate. Meaningful traditions and festive gatherings bring together friends, families and entire communities, and even as abundant schedules and holiday to-dos can make for a whole lot of “busy,” this time of year can really be heartwarming in so many ways.

As you sit to enjoy this issue of Spoke+Blossom, acknowledge all of the talented writers, photographers, editors and designers who made their creative marks on these pages, along with all the great businesses who support this publication and make it possible for us to print it.

At S+B, we celebrate storytelling — the people, the places, the journeys, the recipes. From this issue, indulge in all the kitchen inspiration. Cat Mayer has contributed some delicious dishes to make, along with her beautiful photos, while Jayme Henderson whips up a craft cocktail, and editorial manager Lexi Reich writes on how to make your own kombucha.

We get outside with Nordic athlete Andrew James, a backcountry getaway to Red Mountain Alpine Lodge, more affordable ski weekends, and ice karting in Basalt. We explore a couple of the exciting businesses that have opened up in Palisade this year: Spoke and Vine Motel and Pêche. Restaurant.

From S+B editorial intern Jenna Kretchman, this season gets a little brighter as we read about the Justice League of Hope, a group of people who cosplay as superheroes and other characters and visit children in hospitals.

This winter, take time to pause, to reflect and to be grateful. Spend hours preparing meals and even more time enjoying them. Get outside as much as possible, move your body and breathe deeply.

Smile more, spread the cheer, and don’t forget to celebrate.

Founder Robin Brown Publisher 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 Jenna Kretschman + Naomi Allen Contributors Naomi Allen Rose Marie Binger Trent Bona Eric Coulter Jayme Henderson Jimmy Hummert David James Shenna Jean Jenna Kretschman Dylan Langille Kristen Lummis Mike Lyons Cat Mayer Cam McLeod Josh Niernberg Kane Scheidegger Ben Smith Sharon Sullivan Rick Svenson Caitlin Rose Ward Steven Waters Melanie Wiseman

Cover Photograph

Red Mountain Alpine Lodge, Courtesy Brandon Huttenlocher

Kim Fuller

Spoke+Blossom Magazine Jaunt Media Collective 2077 North Frontage Road / 103A Vail, CO 81657

Publisher + Co-Owner

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contributors

JOSH NIERNBERG Josh is a Colorado native who has called the Grand Valley home since 2007 with his wife, Jodi, and their two boys. Downtown Grand Junction’s Bin 707 Foodbar, Tacoparty and Dinnerparty are designed to showcase and promote the area.

SHENNA JEAN Based in Aspen, Shenna is a vision advisor, launch leader and content creator.

Shenna completed her 200 YTT with C-Yoga in Chicago in 2012 and travels to teach Vision & Goal yoga workshops. Shenna enjoys live music and being outdooors.

ROSE MARIE BINGER Rose Marie has lived in Grand Junction for almost all of her 29 years and is in love with the Grand Valley she calls home. She spends her time enjoying local patios, reading, cooking and working on her podcast Babes.Books.

Brews with her friend Emilie Stickley.

Catch Rose Marie at Out West Books.

KRISTEN LUMMIS Kristen is a freelance writer focused on skiing and outdoor adventure.

In addition to producing her awardwinning website, braveskimom.com, Kristin writes for FIS (International Ski Federation), Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month and Colorado magazines including Aspen Sojourner.

MELANIE WISEMAN Originally from Wisconsin, Melanie considers Colorado home after living here for 32 years. She takes advantage of all the amazing outdoor and cultural activities in our area, and loves writing about the people who make our community so special.

SHARON SULLIVAN Sharon Sullivan is a Grand Junctionbased freelance writer and editor.

She enjoys finding and telling stories about interesting people and events in Colorado, Utah and Arizona. When she’s not working, you might find her hiking western Colorado’s public lands, or, perhaps backpacking in Grand Canyon — the place that brought her out West.

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

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Holiday Gift Guide ‘T

is the season for gift giving, and here we’ve highlighted some great options from Colorado

companies. Treat your friends and family to some local love this year!

Treating the Mind, Body and Soul, Body Therapeutics offers an experience found nowhere else in Colorado’s Grand Valley.

GIFT CARD SEASON IS HERE! Mention this ad and receive $5 off your gift card purchase. (Value must be $50 or over.)

Body’s diverse treatment options allow guests to either customize their long term approach to health and wellness or indulge in an ultimate spa experience. Head from a relaxing oxygen lounge with chamomile infusion to a meditative float pool, a rejuvenating Halo (salt) therapy session and a luxurious and detoxing eucalyptus

BODY THERAPEUTICS

Massage – Float – Sauna – Spa – Acupuncture Exclusive distributer of high quality CBD products from Wyatt’s Apothecary

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wood infrared sauna or ozone steam sauna.

With over 250 years of combined experience, each

of the massage therapists at Body Therapeutics has received training in different schools all over the country,

Floataway Center of Excellence for Western Colorado

giving Body well-rounded knowledge and a diverse

BodyTMM.com / 970.644.5255

approach to bodywork. These experts have the perfect

Redlands Marketplace, 2500 Broadway Unit E, Grand Junction

massage style to fit every body!

holiday gift guide

Enstrom Traditional Almond Toffee 1-pound box - $25.40 Enstrom’s Almond Toffee is handcrafted in small batches using California almonds, sweet cream butter and cane sugar, covered in a layer of premium chocolate and dusted with finely ground almonds.

Find Traditional Almond Toffee and Gourmet Confections at enstrom.com.

Mercy CBD Salve 4oz - $210 / 1oz - $60 Give the gift of athletic recovery!

Curious about hemp and CBD? Try Colorado Hemp Solutions for yourself, or surprise your friends and family with natural and effective pain relief straight from the farm. Use coupon code S&B2019 for 10% off at coloradohempsolutions.com.

Aspen Inspired Ceramics

By MusicalMud Studios “True growth happens from the inside out.” This is artist and yoga instructor Lori A. T. Raper’s life motto and method for stretching clay to create aspen bark textures, as unique as the trees that inspire them. musicalmud.com

Wise Bar $59.99 per 10-pack The Original CBD-Infused Health Bar. Organic, top-shelf nuts and dried fruit, vapor distilled CBD, compostable packaging.

W- Artists eat Wise Bar W- Climbers eat Wise Bar W- Road Trip Takers eat Wise Bar W- Skiers eat Wise Bar WCity Folk eat Wise Bar W- Country Folk eat Wise Bar W- Yogis eat Wise Bar W- Desk Eaters eat Wise Bar W- Grandmas eat Wise Bar WAnteaters eat Wise Bar W- Puppies want to eat wise bar (but we don’t let them). wise-bar.com

Eye of Rae Ring $2995

By Cooley Designs Thinking of popping the big question this holiday season? The Eye of Rae engagement ring is just the answer. This unique ring is made of 14k white and yellow gold with a beautiful marquee diamond as the eye and accented by nine channelset Ceylon sapphires. There’s only one answer she can give you, so call or stop by John Cooley’s studio on Main Street in Grand Junction to see what’s coming off his bench.

970.250.3137 | @cooleydesigns on Instagram or Facebook

Colorado Cocktail Cookbook

By Chad Chisholm $24.99 The Colorado Cocktail Cookbook includes recipes from around the state of Colorado, 58 in all from Aspen to Denver, Colorado Springs to Ft. Collins. Whether you’re looking to try your hand at crafting a favorite cocktail with step-bystep instructions, or where to find a delicious concoction at a local haunt, Colorado Cocktail Cookbook has sweet and savory recipes galore. seechadwrite.com

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

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voices of western colorado

CELEBRATE We asked these Western Slope locals to weigh in on this topic.

Compiled by Jenna Kretschman

SARAH SHRADER

JESSICA WASHKOWIAK

JEFF STEELE

“For me, the word celebrate means

“When we hear the word celebrate

“In our current culture of political

being grateful for where we live.

as organic farmers, we think about

tribalism, social media outrage

We choose to live in the Grand

cooking good food with family

and ever-increasing racial divides,

Valley because of the unsurpassed

and friends. During the summer

we often forget that we are dealing

access to recreation on public

months, we like to freeze and

with real people with real feelings

lands. Each season means a new

preserve as much as possible to

and real opinions. We focus so

focus for our family; in the spring,

enjoy through the holidays. My

much on what makes others

we enjoy sunrise runs on local trails

mom made pies every holiday

different from us that we forget to

and look forward to the Grand

season and we brought them to

celebrate the things that make us

Junction Off Road. Summers are

our teachers and friends. Those

the same. We all love our children

spent in the high country, climbing

memories in the kitchen are so

and our families. We all enjoy a

14ers, floating the river and

special. Now that we grow our

good meal with close friends. We

camping with friends. Fall brings

own apples and peaches, I make

all want a better world, fewer

hunting season, rock climbing

those pies during the holidays.

financial worries and justice for

and high school mountain bike

Eating a warm, fresh fruit pie and

the innocent. If we took even half

races. Ski season consumes our

enjoying the fruits of our labor

the time we spend complaining

weekends in the winter with our

on a cold winter’s night is a well-

about our differences and spent

local treasures at Powderhorn and

deserved celebration. We all know

it celebrating our commonalities,

the incredible Nordic trails on the

the day-to-day grind can get you in

we could heal our social wounds

Grand Mesa. We are so lucky to

a funk, but when you take time to

nearly overnight. We could have

grow our business and our family

cook for the ones you care about,

productive conversations. We

in this incredible place. There is no

even just a simple fruit pie, the

could compromise. We could

better way to celebrate being alive

grind is much easier. For us on the

open our minds to the ideas of

than spending time outside with

farm, our slowest time is during

others, begin to understand their

our friends and family.”

the holidays. We enjoy having

perspectives and maybe, just

this time to spend celebrating and

maybe, we could all just get along.”

Sarah Shrader is the co-owner and founder of Bonsai Design in Grand Junction. Photo by Cat Mayer

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carrying on family traditions.”

Jessica and Scott Washkowiak own Field to Fork Farm in Palisade.

Jeff Steele is a graphic artist, print broker and local musician.

what's up in the west

GRAND VALLEY GIVES DAY Words by Jenna Kretschman | Photo courtesy Grand Valley Gives

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t’s the season for giving, and Grand Valley

This year, participating local nonprofits

Gives Day is making it easy to support local

include organizations for education, veterans,

nonprofits this holiday season.

public media, shelter pets, the homeless,

children, arts, health, local lands and more.

Grand Valley Gives Day is part of a statewide

movement to celebrate and increase local

“It’s really a wide spectrum across the

philanthropy through online giving. For a 24-hour

board. It’s animal service organizations, lots

period on December 10, community members

of organizations that are helping and working

are encouraged to donate to local nonprofits of

with kids, feeding kids, shelters — everything

their choice through ColoradoGives.org. The goal

from Kids Aid to the organizations that are

is to raise as much money as possible for local

impacting housing, like Habitat for Humanity.

nonprofits in the 24-hour span. This year, 39 local

There are health organizations like HopeWest

groups are participating in the Grand Valley.

and Marillac, environmental organizations like

“Colorado Gives Day is the state-wide

Colorado Canyons Association, and veteran-

organized effort for donors to be able to give

serving organizations like Operation Revamp,”

to any Colorado nonprofit that is registered on

Gillespie says. “If you can think of a nonprofit

the Colorado Gives Day site. The Grand Valley

sector in the valley, it’s probably represented as

Gives Coalition is a group of nonprofits here

part of Grand Valley Gives.”

in Mesa County that have organized together

in order to promote Colorado Gives Day as

organizations on December 10.

a collaboration,” says Tedi Gillespie, grants

and community outreach director at Western

opportunity. It’s at year-end; it’s during the

Colorado Community Foundation.

giving season. Local nonprofits are going to

The valley’s online donation drive began in

benefit directly, and it’s an easy way to give,”

2012 as part of Colorado Gives Day, which was

Gillespie says. “You can go on the website and

created by the Community First Foundation

pick any number of organizations and make

through FirstBank. Since then, the movement

your donation right there.

has grown into a yearly holiday of giving in the

valley. ColoradoGives.org is the official online

Day are tax deductible and go directly to local

donation website, and all donations made

nonprofits. Donations can be scheduled in

through the site will be boosted by the Colorado

advance or made on December 10 through

Gives Day $1.5 Million Incentive Fund and count

ColoradoGives.org. Follow Grand Valley Gives on

toward prizes for nonprofits.

Facebook for more information. :

The goal is to raise at least $220,000 for local “Give where you live! This is just a great

All donations made for Grand Valley Gives

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

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what's up in the west

PALISADE HIGH SCHOOL FISH HATCHERY Words by Naomi Allen | Photos by Cat Mayer

P

alisade High School is home to one of the

back into the river. Palisade High School broke

most unique student-led programs in the

ground on the hatchery in April, and students

Grand Valley: the Palisade High School Fish

are currently preparing the hatchery for fish.

Hatchery, the second in the world of its kind.

Situated on the Colorado River, Palisade High

at the school are razorback suckers. These fish

School is the perfect location to raise local fish.

clean the river’s floor, making the environment

The first endangered species being raised

healthier for other organisms. After being hunted in the 1940s, the dwindling razorback population was not self-sufficient and could not continue to fulfill their role in maintaining the ecosystem.

The Palisade High School Fish Hatchery will

be raising and releasing at least 400 razorback suckers into the Colorado River in the coming months. The hatchery receives funding for fish and tanks from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, but all additional funds are raised by students or Palisade High School junior Jack Perrin is president of the school’s fish hatchery project.

donated by community organizations.

Students care for fish, run social media, write

The hatchery partners with the Colorado

grants and spread awareness about endangered

Parks and Wildlife Association to raise

fish. Students who volunteer learn about

endangered species of fish native to the Colorado

environmental conservation, river ecosystems

River with the goal of eventually releasing them

and the effect of humans on the Colorado River. :

EVOLVE WINES: AN ART + SCIENCE PASSION PROJECT Words + Photos by Hannah Odneal

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fter earning degrees in marketing

began a real art and science project: his specialty

and winemaking from his hometown

line of Evolve Wines. It’s a deliberate, complete

university in Adelaide and working in Australia,

and total deviation from his typical mass

New Zealand and France, Corey Norsworthy was

production schedule and the manipulation and

burned out. He went to Colorado for the very

fining practices it requires.

first time to “be a ski bum” and take a break,

having no idea that local wine — and the future

“find the best grapes the Grand Valley has to offer

of his career making it — would be there too.

and be minimalist in the approach to winemaking

to really showcase the fruit,” he says.

Norsworthy has kept consistently delicious

Norsworthy’s inspiration for the line is to

wine flowing for locals and tourists at several

Developing close partnerships with farmers

client wineries in Palisade, Colorado, for the vast

is the first key step in the Evolve Wines process,

majority of his 20-plus year career. In 2016, he

as the day-to-day farming practices affect the

eventual wine flavor and quality just as much as

challenge, and I like challenges. Wine is never a

the age, location, orientation and yield per acre

recipe — it’s not beer-making or cheese-making;

of the vines.

you have to be on your toes. With every year

Norsworthy

whose

comes a different structure of grape to work

methods and principles align with his vision.

with,” Norsworthy says. “I’ve stayed in the Grand

“For example, I want to work with a farmer who

Valley because of this community, and being part

is not just spraying because it’s time to spray. I

of it is something special.”

want us to see what’s actually going on in the

vineyard and keep that to a minimum. Even if it’s

Mourvedre and 2017 SMV (Syrah, Mourvedre,

organic, it affects the flavor,” Norsworthy says.

Viognier blend) available in very limited

He visits the vineyards frequently throughout

quantities. Visit evolvewines.co to order and to

the growing season, so he knows what to expect

learn more about upcoming tasting events with

come harvest time.

the winemaker. :

seeks

out

growers

Evolve Wines has 2016 Tempranillo, 2017

Then, he’s careful not to over-aggressively

crush. “I’m not trying to get every single ounce of juice to make wine out of the grape. There’s certain bitterness and oils from the seeds. They change the structure of the wine, and I don’t want that. I’m fine with a lower extraction level and better quality,” Norsworthy says. Without excessive sulfur, fining agents or filtering, his wine ferments and ages in barrel and bottle as naturally as possible. The result is a complex, refined and delicious salute to the farmers’ hard work in the vineyards — and it is so worth the wait.

Norsworthy’s love for his home in the Grand

Valley and passion for his work are inextricably linked. “Making wine here, it’s a weather-related

Corey and Serena Norsworthy

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

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blossom

DON’T TREAT YOUR SOIL LIKE DIRT Words by Melanie Wiseman

I

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an Burke is a grown man who still loves to play

reducing the need for water, chemicals and

in the dirt. Through his business, Dark Matter

fertilizers.

Organics, Burke is committed to educating

gardeners, farmers and communities about

called regenerative agriculture,” says Burke.

“There is a cultural shift going on now

the very complex system going on beneath the

“An emerging science that deals with the soil

surface. His holistic approach allows organic,

environment in the root zone.”

transitional and conventional growers to achieve

dramatically higher yields while drastically

the creatures and microbiota within the soil

The “living food web” feeds and sustains

environment, such as bacteria, fungi, protozoa,

Plants are basically feeding themselves through

nematodes, microarthropods and archaea,

a very complex relationship — sending signals

creating vital soil balance resistant to pathogens.

through the roots to bacteria and fungi, then to

the microbes.

“People glaze over when I talk about this,”

says Burke. “In layman’s terms, if you feed your

soil, the healthy soil will feed your plants, and

complexity, because we don’t speak plant!”

you will have healthier plants and better food

says Burke. “But it doesn’t have to be that

for your body. It’s that simple.”

complicated.”

According to Burke, half of traditional salt

“It can be challenging to understand the

He challenges people to question: who is

fertilizer is taken up by the plant and the other

applying fertilizer at night to old growth forests

half makes its way to the Colorado River. He feels

or even a beautiful climax forest on top of the

we can do better. For obvious reasons, chemical

Grand Mesa? The food for these super-productive

companies are not supportive of what they call

systems are being manufactured underground.

“citizen science” or “observational science.”

Basically, when people get involved, we mess

with the natural system.

“I spend a lot of time looking under a

microscope counting microbes in living soil

samples to determine soil health,” says Burke.

valley’s landscape,” says Burke. “It’s going to take

“We have over 100 years of degrading the

“In one gram of healthy soil, you could have

time to reintroduce diversity and health back

300,000 individual bacteria all doing their work.

into the system.”

It’s amazing.”

The key to regenerative agriculture is to

amendments that feed the microbes — the

understand that the microbes are creating air

building blocks of good soil health. Burke works

and water space in the soil and basically tilling

with small, diversified vegetable farms, sports

it, resulting in a rich and diverse ecosystem.

turf, grass and pasture growers, orchards and

Dark Matter Organics offers nine soil

The act of being in nature is the art of living.

Come sit for a spell.

755 26 Rd Grand Junction CO 81506 970-242-7766 bookcliffgardens.com

Soil microbiology is the study of microorganisms in soil, their functions and how they affect soil properties.

vineyards. The largest growth in his business

suppress weeds, provide a home for beneficial

has been the explosion of hemp farms in

insects and pollinators, reducing the need for

the valley.

pesticides and chemicals.”

Burke is also an advocate for cover cropping,

Diverse cover crops produce air space and

between rows of field crops.

insulation during the cold months, continuing

“Always keeping some living roots in the

the soil-building and decomposition process.

ground is important, because it’s the habitat

Oxygen and water are both plentiful in the

where the food for your soil lives,” says Burke.

winter, when microbes are their busiest. :

“You’ll decrease erosion, increase water holding,

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This applies for the winter months as well.

always keeping some living roots in the ground

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home + garden

FIRE PIT SANCTUARIES

CREATE YOUR OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE Words by Melanie Wiseman

T

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he best room in the house isn’t in the house

to get comfortable inside as it gets colder. There

at all, according to fire pit manufacturer

is something cozy about a fire pit — they draw

Fire Gear Outdoors. Imagine the possibilities of

you outside, and it makes having people over

enhancing your basic landscaping needs with an

more of a special event.”

outdoor fire pit living space to relax, entertain

and create memories.

home, Andreya and husband, Mike, brought

When moving from a condo to their new

“They’re a statement piece, gorgeous and

their portable cauldron fire pit with them. They

fun,” says Keenen Ross, a sales associate for

enjoy times with their two young sons, gathering

Brickyard Masonry and Landscape Supply. “Fire

and burning sticks from the yard and making

pits have become so popular that many builders

s’mores. Huge believers in the magic of fire

are automatically installing them.”

pits, the Krieves also added two more “adult

gathering spaces” centered around fire pits to

Beyond its sentiment and functional

gathering place, the outdoor fire pit has become

their backyard.

a crucial design anchor for the outside of the

home, according to the American Institute of

bowls to fire tables, fire pits are strong, weather-

Architects. Fire pits can extend the livability and

resistant and long-lasting. Outdoor fire pits are

comfort of an outdoor space. Many potential

available in a plethora of styles, designs and

buyers are fascinated by homes with this outdoor

materials to fit and enhance any landscape

feature as both a lighting source and functional

surrounding.

piece of art.

pit to your specifications,” says Ross.

Fire pits are crowd-pleasers. It’s a fact that

From basic to elaborate, kits to custom, fire

“The Brickyard can basically build any fire

people love to gather around fire, whether

Lava rock media or “jewelry” accents such

it’s the inviting hypnotic dancing flames, the

as broken, beaded or reflective colored glass of

warmth, the charm, the evening glow or being

your choice can surround and set off the fire’s

with nature. Fire pits encourage togetherness

brilliance. Or for more of a campfire feel, a

and the exchange of stories between family and

variety of log sets are available. Stone, fire glass,

friends, or a welcome retreat from daily stress —

stock or custom brick in a myriad of colors can

just you and a good book.

be shaped into circular, square, rectangular or

Fire pits work in small or large spaces, can

linear fire pits just to name a few. Most often,

add value to your home, are available at all price

they are designed to disguise any fuel source

points, help keep bugs away, can be used to cook

presence.

over, and possibly best of all, can be used year-

round. Their advantages are countless.

gas or wood. Ignition systems vary from a key

“I needed more fire in my life,” says Andreya

valve and lighter or match, to a manual spark

Krieves, resident of Grand Junction. “It’s so easy

ignition, and for the most pampered owner —

Fuel sources include propane, natural

remote Bluetooth starters are now available.

Accessories include timers, safety valves, vent kits, windshields and covers.

“If you’re thinking about a fire pit, you can

always start with a modest investment in a woodburning cauldron and move up from there,” says Ross.

Families spend huge sums on indoor

computer, phone and TV entertainment. It’s time to modernize and expand your home outdoors by adding a distinctive, unique fire pit. Come together and experience the greatest light show

Fire Pit Safety Tips • Fire pits should be at least 10 feet from your home or other structures.

• Don’t place a fire pit under a tree or overhang.

• Don’t put a wood-burning fire pit on a deck.

A gas fire pit won’t send out dangerous sparks, making it the safer choice.

• Educate children about fire safety.

• Keep a water source or fire extinguisher nearby whenever you light up the fire pit.

in the comfort of your backyard. :

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

17

drink

SPARKLING WINTER CITRUS PUNCH Words + Photos by Jayme Henderson

SPARKLING WINTER CITRUS PUNCH MAKES 18 TO 20 SERVINGS

FOR THE THYME SYRUP 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup water 3 to 4 sprigs of thyme

FOR THE ICE MOLD 2 to 3 clementines (or other seasonal citrus), sliced 12 whole star anise pods 5 to 6 sprigs of thyme or sage leaves Water for the ice mold

FOR THE PUNCH 24 ounces (roughly a 750-mL bottle)

dry white wine, like Chardonnay 12 ounces citrus vodka 24 ounces fresh tangerine juice

(or other seasonal citrus juice) 6 ounces thyme simple syrup 3 ounces fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 12 ounces soda water or dry,

sparkling wine, to taste 10 to 12 fresh thyme springs, for garnish 3 to 4 clementines (or other seasonal citrus) Ice for the individual cocktail glasses

For the punch: 1. I n a large pitcher or punch bowl, combine the white wine, citrus vodka, clementine or tangerine juice, thyme syrup, lemon juice and vanilla extract. Stir until incorporated and chill in the refrigerator until you’re ready to enjoy. You can even make this portion of the cocktail a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator; just give the mixture a good stir before serving.

2. W hen you’re ready to serve the punch, fill your pitcher or punch bowl with the chilled cocktail mixture and top with the desired amount of either soda water or dry, sparkling wine. Give the mixture a stir and taste for balance, adding a little more bubbles, if desired. Carefully add the ice mold.

3. P rep individual cocktail glasses with decorative ice, top with punch, and garnish with a sprig of fresh thyme.

NOTES • Prepare the ice mold the night before to ensure thorough freezing, using a bundt pan or a freezer-safe Pyrex bowl, like I did here.

Definitely make sure your ice mold fits inside your punch bowl!

For the thyme simple syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, water and thyme. Bring to a slow boil over medium heat, allowing the sugar to dissolve. Remove from heat, let steep for at least 10 minutes, discard solids, and let cool completely.

18

• Chill the punch ingredients to avoid diluting the recipe and melting the ice mold too quickly. Just wait to add the seltzer or sparkling wine until you’re ready to serve.

T

he winter season calls for celebrations, and a big bowl or

pitcher of punch is an eye-catching necessity at any holiday party. Punch is easy to prepare in advance and allows for self-service bartending when you’re otherwise occupied in the kitchen — or when you’d rather spend more time with your guests than sling cocktails behind the bar.

This sparkling, citrus punch is

lively, herbaceous and balanced.

It reminds me of holidays growing up in Central Florida, where the winter citrus is varied and abundant this time of year. Get creative with this recipe and look for Cara Cara oranges, tangerines or clementines for the juice component. Winter is the perfect time to try other in-season varieties and go beyond the basic orange. :

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

19

eat

WINTER WARMERS Words + Photos by Cat Mayer

Shorter winter days find us shuffling through front doors at sunset in western Colorado, often leaving skis and snowshoes in our wake. These meat stews are sure to warm cold toes and hearts this season.

HEARTY SAUSAGE + BARLEY STEW 20

HEARTY SAUSAGE + BARLEY STEW SERVES 6-8

A

one-pot stew on Christmas Eve is my family’s holiday tradition. I use locally

harvested elk or German pork sausage for this recipe, but any grass-fed animal sausage will do. Vegetarians can substitute another can of garbanzo beans for the sausage. This stew tastes best eaten under a cozy blanket by a crackling fire with loved ones.

1 Tbsp sunflower or canola oil 1 yellow onion, chopped 1 pound locally harvested sausage 3 cloves garlic, chopped 1 tsp dried oregano 2 quarts beef or vegetable broth 1 cup uncooked barley 2 large carrots, chopped 2 stalks celery, chopped 1 zucchini, chopped 1 (15 oz.) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes with juice 1 (15 oz.) can garbanzo beans, drained 2-3 bay leaves

1/4 tsp ground black pepper 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste A handful of fresh leafy greens, chopped (kale, spinach or chard work well here)

1. I n a soup pot over medium heat, cook the onion in the oil until it softens. Add the garlic and oregano; stir for another minute until fragrant.

2. A dd the sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Once the sausage is nearly cooked through, pour in the broth, barley, carrots, celery, zucchini, tomatoes, garbanzo beans, bay leaves, salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer, and cook covered for two to three hours, adding water as needed to keep the stew from getting dry.

3. J ust before serving, stir in chopped greens until just wilted. Serve with your favorite green salad, cornbread and local honey.

BISON + VEGGIE STEW SERVES 6-8

G

rass-fed

meats,

including

wild

game,

provide us humans with healthier fats and

a wider variety of vitamins and antioxidants compared to meat from animals raised on grain, corn or in feedlots. Bison can be hunted in some western states, and grass-fed bison is available in most health food and specialty markets.

2 Tbsp bacon fat or ghee 1 lb bison, cubed stew meat 1 Tbsp sunflower or canola oil 1 yellow onion, chopped 3 cloves garlic, chopped 1/2 tsp dried thyme 1/2 tsp rosemary 2 large carrots, chopped 2 stalks celery, chopped 8 small potatoes, halved 2 quarts beef broth 1 cup red wine, optional 1/2 cup tomato paste 2-3 bay leaves 1/2 tsp ground black pepper 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste Parsley, chopped for serving

1. R inse and dry the stew meat with paper towels. Season it with salt and pepper. Toss the bacon fat or ghee and meat into the pot.

Cook over medium heat until seared, about five minutes total. Remove the meat.

2. I n the same pot over medium heat, cook the onion in the oil until it softens. Add the garlic, thyme, rosemary, carrots, celery and potatoes; stir for another minute until fragrant. Add the meat, broth, tomato paste, bay leaves and pepper. (You can add the wine here if using.) Stir to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer, and cook covered for two to three hours, adding water as needed to keep the stew from getting dry.

3. J ust before serving, top with freshly chopped parsley. Serve with a bright green salad, and a baguette with butter or olive oil. :

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

21

BISON + VEGGIE STEW

22

Big Firm Competence, Small Firm Attention

Bringing accounting into the modern era.

OUR TEAM OVER 40 YEARS COMBINED EXPERIENCE

Stephen A. Stranger

Gina B. Tallman

Janet M. Lautz

521 Rood Avenue / Suite A • Grand Junction, CO 81501 Office 970.241.1116 • FB/GinaTallmanCPA • stlagj.com

book + beverage

Words + Photo by Rose Marie Binger

As an added benefit, the well-known hero of Moab,

Edward Abbey, is mentioned several times throughout the story. Abbey is a known conservationist, and there is an underlying theme in the book that we need to fight for our national parks. The educational value of hearing about Abbey’s writing through this lens adds an extra element that makes solving the mystery seem that much more important. It also creates a tender feeling toward Arches National Park as its own character and a feeling that we need to continue on with Bender and Abbey’s mission to fight for the outdoor lands we know and love.

Graham’s story is included in the “National Park

Mysteries,” a series that includes Chuck and his family as they travel through several national parks and fight their way through sticky situations along their travels.

Arches Enemy is book five in the series, but the books can be read out of order if coloring outside the lines is for you.

THE BOOK

THE BEVERAGE

ARCHES ENEMY

ENSTROM HOT CHOCOLATE

BY SCOTT GRAHAM

O

ne of the best parts about winter in western

Enstrom Candies is more than qualified to

Colorado is that there’s opportunity to stay

supply the hot beverage needed for this cozy mystery.

just as active as we do in the summer; there are still

Enstrom’s website tells us that the history of the

plenty of ways to go outside and enjoy the beauty

company started back 100 years ago in 1919 when

of the outdoors. But there’s something about cozy

the founder of the company, Chester Enstrom, started

mystery novels that just feels right in the winter. It’s

working for an ice cream shop and fell in love with the

enlightening to curl up with a hot drink and a blanket

sweets business.

and just read when there is a chill in the air.

Now they have their main location in the heart

So if you find yourself curled up this winter,

of Grand Junction’s downtown area. Not only do they

wherever it may be, give the novel Arches Enemy a try.

supply the Grand Valley with a wealth of candies and

Written by Durango resident Scott Graham, it takes

toffee, but they also serve ice cream, coffee and hot

place in Moab in the beginning of winter. The main

chocolate. Their rich and decadent hot chocolate is

character, Chuck Bender, finds himself in the middle

made in-house with nothing but crushed chocolate

of several mysterious deaths that take place while he

and milk. They also make homemade whipped cream

is working in this beloved national park.

to pair with their delicious concoctions. A 12-ounce

This novel includes not only a fast-paced puzzle

cup with espresso whipped cream will definitely hit

of a story, but also wonderful details of Durango and

the spot and comes highly recommended. Take a

Moab. There’s an added thrill brought in reading a

moment to enjoy a taste, whether it’s for a downtown

mystery novel that takes place in a setting so familiar

stroll or to pair with a delightful new read. :

and close to home.

24

T

he fourth-generation-owned family business

OUR FAVORITE INSTAGRAM PAGES

GRAND VALLEY CHRISTMAS CRAWL @gvchristmascrawl

The Grand Valley Christmas Crawl is an annual event in Palisade hosted by local artists and artisans who open up their homes for a day to sell their products. This page promotes more than just the day itself — it also features handmade, local products for sale and posts designed to spark inspiration to shop local.

OURAY ICE PARK @ourayicepark

For those who are more adventurous, this man-made ice climbing venue, Ouray Ice Park, is a dream come true. Even if you’re not the type to climb a wall of ice with ice axes and spiky boots, it’s still fun watching others do it on this page!

HORIZON MAGAZINE @cmuhorizon

SPOKE AND VINE MOTEL @spokeandvine

Horizon Magazine is Colorado Mesa University’s fully student-run magazine, which is published semesterly.

Keep up with CMU events and stories, support campus media and stay engaged with the Grand Valley’s newest up-and-coming writers, photographers and designers.

We just had to include Spoke and Vine Motel in this section — they share half our name! This clean, dog-friendly motel in the heart of Palisade is a short bike ride away from some of the best wineries and breweries in the valley. Book your next getaway and enjoy the motel’s modern yet cozy atmosphere.

RIDGWAY ADVENTURE SPORTS @ridgwayadventuresports

CRESTED BUTTE FAT BIKE WORLDS @cbfatbikeworlds

This local business is a one-stop shop for almost any outdoor adventure. Ridgway Adventure Sports is a full-service bike shop and backcountry ski shop.

Their Instagram page features Ridgway’s perfect views and reliable gear.

Do you have what it takes to be Crested Butte’s next Fat Bike World Champion? Bust out your Halloween costume again and compete in this annual winter bike race. In the meantime, enjoy the hilarious yet intense photos of last year’s event on their Instagram page.

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

25

26

style

FASHION THAT LASTS FOREVER

LONEWOLF COLLECTIVE Words by Lexi Reich | Photos by Caitlin Rose Ward

I

ncorporating zero waste with slow fashion

collective beyond jewelry, offering slow fashion

is crucial to our future, according to Caitlin

clothes and home goods, and making it a unisex

Rose Ward, 28, founder and owner of Lonewolf

brand so it’s inclusive for everyone. She has

Collective in Crested Butte.

also contemplated offering low-waste lifestyle

products in the future because of how passionate

“We’ve gotten into a routine with fast

fashion buying the newest items we can,” she

she is about the movement.

says, commenting on how environmentally-

destructive the nation’s fashion industry has

reusable bags — she uses recycled cotton t-shirts

become. “They don’t last and end up in the

as business cards! In her everyday life, she

landfills because it’s not quality.”

works to cut back on plastic woven into so many

aspects of society.

Ward opened Lonewolf Collective in 2013,

All of her packaging is recyclable and with

a web-based minimalist brand that currently

sells handmade jewelry, to help be a part of

moved to Crested Butte about seven years ago

Originally from Saint Louis, Missouri, Ward

the solution. Her jewelry is handcrafted in her

to be closer to her preferred terrain — the

Crested Butte studio and made of locally-sourced,

mountains. In Saint Louis she worked for a

high-quality materials. It’s edgy, classical and

fashion photographer and a street artist for a

ethical from start to finish.

few years.

It’s a woman-run show. Each piece takes

“Art has always been my release,” she says.

Ward anywhere from a half hour to four hours to

While working in the fashion industry, she

make, and she has part-time help from a woman

realized she wanted to work on functional and

who interned for the collective. All pieces are

sustainable art forms. She took a metalsmithing

guaranteed free repairs if needed.

course on a whim and says she fell in love with

“I feel like we’ve grown away from the days

the material. She thought gem stones were

when things were handmade and you knew who

beautiful when naturally found and wanted to

was making it, knew it was going to last and didn’t

find a way to showcase them.

have to worry about filling up landfill with cheap

clothes and jewelry and shoes,” she explains. “I

town of Crested Butte with her fiancé and

try to make pieces that are sustainable so you

two dogs, she continues to use the inspiration

can wear them with items you already own.”

surrounding her to create the pieces you’ll find

at Lonewolf Collective. :

Lonewolf Collective is going back to the

Following her move to the lush mountain

roots, aiming to make goods that can be passed on for generations. Ward hopes to grow the

lonewolfcollective.com

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

27

maker

LOCAL LOVE AT

HARTMANN FARMHOUSE Words by Kristen Lummis | Photos courtesy Hartmann Farmhouse

I

t’s a breezy September afternoon and Dara

Hartmann is getting ready for Christmas.

with her husband David.

Earlier in the day, eight boxes of ornaments

arrived, and walking into her yellow clapboard

I bought him ‘Beekeeping for Dummies’ for

farmhouse on the Redlands, I see her elbow deep

Christmas,” explains Hartmann. Soon, the

in packing paper.

Hartmanns had two hives. And just a few months

later, Dara was trying to figure out what to do

Hartmann is the proprietor of Hartmann

“Dave was interested in beekeeping, so

Farmhouse, an eclectic emporium of sustainable,

with a ball of raw beeswax.

handcrafted body products, local jewelry and

crafts, baby goods, clothing, shoes and more.

she refined the wax and made lip balm. Along the

way, she also found a new career and passion.

A chemical engineer by training and

Falling back on her experience as a chemist,

profession, Hartmann opened her shop in

October 2018, three years after “retiring” to

she shares. “I knew I wasn’t done working, and

spend more time with her three children.

I wanted to do something that really interested

me. When I pulled out my test tube rack to work

Hartmann’s transition from scientist to

retail entrepreneur began with bees.

“At that time, I was struggling with my ‘why,’”

with the wax, it clicked. Chemistry is my thing.”

Honey Bee Pollen Soap from Hartmann Farmhouse, made of wax and honey from the owner’s family hives.

28

Or rather, it began as a laugh about bees

Espresso Soap, one of Hartmann’s unique, natural, handcrafted soaps, dusted with coffee grounds from her daily coffee!

Pina Colada Soap. Hartmann offers “soapmaking parties” to groups up to 12 students. All materials provided to make your own fragrant, colorful masterpiece.

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

29

The Lavender Bath Bomb is one of five available flavors of this crowd-favorite body product.

The bees kept producing, and Hartmann

says Hartmann, acknowledging that minimizing

kept looking for new ways to use wax and honey

foreign manufacturers has been harder than she

from the family hives. Soaps were a natural

anticipated.

next step, followed by bath bombs, lotion bars,

shampoo bars and more.

Farmhouse is a back room showcasing a rainbow

Flip through the calendar a few more

of formal dresses, suitable for prom, galas and

months, and Hartmann’s hobby creating body

weddings. These dresses, some of which are new,

products has expanded into a retail business,

but most of which are slightly used, are bought

complete with an on-site beehive.

locally from students and women wishing to

give their gowns a new life.

“There is a little bit of pride in keeping bees,

One of the most unique aspects of Hartmann

knowing that you’re helping the environment of

your immediate neighborhood and community,”

another way in which Hartmann emphasizes

explains Dave Hartmann. “Honeybees, in fact

local connections.

most pollinators, have been in decline in North

America. Our family is happy to be a part of

expand her coffee and bakery offerings (yes, she

the solution to keep our natural surroundings

has those, too!), as well as position Hartmann

healthy and thriving.

Farmhouse as a community center where people

will come, relax, chat and enjoy the view of the

After one year, Hartmann Farmhouse

Available for rent or purchase, this is

Looking into the future, Hartmann hopes to

has become so much more than its original

Book Cliffs from her patio.

conception as “A Bubble & Bee Boutique.”

“Time is the thing I’m looking for.” :

In addition to her soap and body products,

“I have tons of ideas,” laughs Hartmann.

Hartmann stocks her shop with goods to tempt every age and taste, all the while focusing on local and sustainable products.

“The hierarchy of what I have in the store

is local, then Colorado, and then U.S.-made,”

30

Hartmann Farmhouse is located across from the Redlands roundabout. They are open Tuesday through Saturday, with online offerings at thehartmannhouse.com.

Ready to look for a new home?

Your perfect home awaits.

Welcome home.

@ROBINS NEST ANTIQUES AND TREASURES

(970)250-3137

AnnaRickenbach.com • 970.260.8362 • #AnnaSellsGJ

art

FUN AT SPUN

PALISADE YARN SHOP OFFERS

“UNWIND” GATHERINGS Words + Photos by Sharon Sullivan

O

32

n a sunny September morning, a dozen or

so women gather at a home overlooking

40-year-old owner who resided there when

The shop is charming, like its youngish

the Colorado River in Palisade for conversation,

it was a studio apartment. Then, one day, her

to snack on fruit salad and homemade biscotti,

landlords, who live in the grand Victorian house

and to knit. Each person is there with a project —

next door, sent their son over to do repairs. The

a shawl, scarf, socks or other garment — to work

two immediately began hanging out, playing

on. It’s an “Unwind” session — a free weekly

guitar and writing songs. The next summer, they

gathering sponsored by Spun, a fiber studio and

married. Now Cayenna Hanna lives in the main

yarn shop in historic downtown Palisade at 237

house with her husband Joe, their three children

S. Bower Ave.

and her in-laws.

Hanna opened Spun in November 2017

Out-of-town visitors are welcome to Unwind,

during Palisade’s annual Art and Chocolate

too. At Jane Scribner’s house in September, Cindy

Walk. The tiny shop is packed with a selection of

Pickett of Boulder happened to be in town for a

fine yarns, as well as hand-dyed skeins, natural

bike tour through Palisade’s vineyard country.

fibers for spinning and an array of notions.

Hanna told her about the Unwind gathering

“I like to get natural fibers, fine yarns,

after Pickett visited the shop. Because she was

specialty yarns for special projects,” Hanna

planning to also ride the Tour of the Moon — a

says. “I like to work with Colorado growers.” She

cycling tour across Colorado National Monument

carries alpaca and wool yarns from ranches in

— on Saturday, she came to Unwind on Friday.

Craig, Mesa and Palisade.

Like sweets in a candy store, a shelf with 34

open, beginners can bring their questions and

glass gallon jars are each filled with a different

get help learning how to “cast-on” or unknit

colored, 100-percent cotton loops for making

a problem. For more in-depth instruction,

potholders. (She sells the potholder loom kits,

a variety of instructors teach classes at the

too.) “Kids like to pick out their favorite colors,”

shop. Kids learn to make “crazy scarves” in

Hanna says.

multiple colors during a three-lesson session.

The sessions are hosted all over the valley.

Adult classes include knitting socks, mittens or

In September, Unwind sessions — which

fingerless gloves, and weaving. In September,

happen 10 a.m. to noon — were often hosted

Hanna taught folks how to weave placemats out

at someone’s home. The free weekly gatherings

of recycled silk saris.

have also taken place at the shop. In October,

knitters gathered at the Palisade Library, and in

volunteers at Mt. Garfield Middle School where

November and December they are slated to meet

she teaches a knitting class one day a week in

at the Palisade Community Center.

an afterschool program. She teaches fiber arts

At Unwind sessions, and on days the shop is

Dedicated to keeping the craft alive, Hanna

a Tradition of Trust

DeeDee INVESTING BUYING SELLING

dh@mbgj.com

970 243 3376

Spun owner Cayenna Hanna offers classes for kids and adults, including knitting socks, mittens, fingerless gloves and “crazy scarves.”

34

at Palisade High School’s Club Create during the

off the holiday season. Spun is open Thursday

lunch hour.

through Sunday during the summer.

Spun winter hours are Fridays and

Join the Spun club for $30 a year, and you’ll

Saturdays, noon to 6 p.m., although she opens

receive 10 percent off purchases, one free knit

daily for one week between Thanksgiving and

class, and you’ll be entered in a drawing each

the first weekend in December to help kick

month for a free skein of yarn. It’s fun at Spun! :

THEATRE ASPEN BREAKS INTO WINTER Words by Kim Fuller | Photo by Mike Lyons

T

heatre Aspen is traditionally a summer-

ensemble and solo performances around the

only theatre company, but this winter they

piano, brimming with holiday cheer. The venues

are producing a holiday cabaret, along with their

change with each performance but are always

annual gala in February.

accompanied with a pre-show dinner. These

not-to-be-missed events are sure to be a highlight

The company’s mission is to produce world-

class entertainment and arts programming in

of a holiday in Aspen.

an engaging and personal way. Theatre Aspen’s professional productions feature the best of

THEATRE ASPEN 2020 GALA

Broadway talent, as well as local performers,

The annual Theatre Aspen Winter Gala will be

offering musicals, plays, new work and

held February 22, 2020 at the Hotel Jerome in

family-friendly shows.

downtown Aspen. The evening will include a

silent auction, live auction and a very special

Here’s a closer look at the winter lineup.

Broadway performance, all accompanied by

THEATRE ASPEN 2019 HOLIDAY CABARET

dinner and drinks. It’s a great way to celebrate

For the first time ever, following a successful

entertainment and decadence. :

Theatre Aspen while enjoying a night filled with

expanded summer lineup, the Theatre Aspen Cabaret returns this winter for a very special holiday rendition. This multi-part engagement

For more information, and to purchase tickets, visit theatreaspen.org.

of specially-created evenings will feature

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

35

music

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO | FEBRUARY 21-23, 2020

WinterWonderGrass MUSIC + BREW FESTIVAL Words by Kim Fuller | Photos courtesy WinterWonderGrass Festival by Dylan Langille

36

W

interWonderGrass combines the allure of the mountain lifestyle and the true harmony of nature and weaves

it through the musical experience. Calling all adventure

seekers, music lovers, whiskey drinkers, bluegrass dancers, powder skiers, craft beer connoisseurs and outdoor enthusiasts, WinterWonderGrass is a fun and entertaining gathering for all who come to enjoy. Head to Steamboat this February 21-23, 2020.

Billy Strings, Colorado, 2019 SPOKE+BLOSSOM

37

Sustainability is at the forefront of this annual

environmental initiatives, and she pushes us each

Colorado bluegrass gathering, and founder

year to walk the talk.”

Scotty Stoughton has made sure the ethos holds

true for the other WinterWonderGrass events

definitely not disappoint, from Greensky

in Squaw, California (March 27-29, 2020) and

Bluegrass, Billy Strings and Margo Price as

Stratton, Vermont (April 10-11, 2020).

headliners along with greats that include

Keller & The Keels, Molly Tuttle and Pickin’

“Growing up surfing and skiing, luckily,

The lineup for Steamboat this year will

I have always had a deep reverence for the

on the Dead.

health of our planet,” shares Stoughton. “Seeing

ocean pollution, mismanaged waste and garbage

everyone — the event is comprised of huge,

situations on my travels made me want to become

decorated, heated tents, an outside main stage,

a leader in this space. When given the opportunity

a kids zone, VIP lounge, coffee bar, local food

through WinterWonderGrass, we would

trucks, access to some of the most iconic skiing

implement extensive environmental measures in

in the U.S. and daily craft beer sampling. Not to

our little universe. Since day one, my entire team

mention all the sustainability efforts that keep

has been working to become the leaders, not only

the gathering as conscious as it is fun, year after

with the management of our consumption but in

year. :

This weekend really has something for

spreading information. Fortunately, we linked up year one in Tahoe with Marina McCoy, who has built a business around innovative and bold

Fans in the snow, Colorado, 2019

38

winterwondergrass.com

Lil Smokies, Colorado, 2019

Sustainability is at the forefront of this annual Colorado bluegrass gathering, and the ethos holds true for the other WinterWonderGrass events.

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

39

food

CAREER CENTER

CULINARY ARTS PROGRAM Words by Naomi Allen | Photo courtesy Career Center Culinary Arts

T

he culinary arts program at school district

Located at the D51 Career Center, this

51 is a unique experience-based technical

student-run

restaurant

gives

students

the

training program for high school students

opportunity to practice food preparation in

interested in a career in culinary arts. Thirty

an educational setting, while also gaining real

students are currently enrolled in the two classes

culinary experience. The advanced course

that the program provides: the first-year class

gives students hands-on experience with food

and the advanced class. First-year students learn

preparation and customer service via the Fresh

basic culinary skills like identifying ingredients,

Side Cafe. Students take orders and prepare

reading recipes and preparing meals. They earn

food for the restaurant and its catering service.

their food card through the program, making

Students also clean and maintain the kitchen.

them eligible to work in a restaurant.

The cafe is open to the public for lunch, and features a reasonably priced, extensive menu developed by the students. Students also earn their district required math, science and elective credits through the program.

The culinary arts program focuses on making

its students employable and competent in their desired field. The curriculum is designed to give students applicable experience that will help them further their studies into a career. According to Christina Horn, culinary arts instructor for the program, “Culinary arts students walk into college with a strong understanding of food safety and the workings of a commercial kitchen and restaurant. All students at the Career Center have the opportunity to study and test for a National Career Readiness Certificate that is recognized by over 600 local employers.”

In addition to culinary skills, students are

given the tools to apply for jobs. Horn says,

The culinary arts program provides what a traditional high school experience cannot: hands-on, almost 100 percent project-based learning.

The center partners with local restaurants and businesses like Bin 707, Cafe Sol, Harry’s peaches and Chez Lena to provide realistic industry standard experiences for students.

40

“By the completion of one year, culinary arts

The Career Center’s team won the top prize in

students have a working resume and cover

the 2019 competition, gaining scholarships to

letter, are prepared for a job interview, know

the school and culinary tools for the winning

basic knife skills and cooking methods, and have

students.

had the opportunity to earn a Food Handler Card

from the Mesa County Health Department. Fresh

traditional high school experience cannot: hands-

Side Cafe also caters, so students have had the

on, almost 100 percent project-based learning.

opportunity to learn catering. Advanced students

The center partners with local restaurants and

are trained in ServSafe and have designed a

businesses like Bin 707, Cafe Sol, Harry’s peaches

small culinary business from writing a business

and Chez Lena to provide realistic industry

plan to menu development to marketing to food

standard experiences for students. The center

costing to human resources.”

also has guest speakers from the Mesa County

“We work hard to prepare students for the

Chamber of Commerce, Sysco Intermountain,

real world, including stress management and

the Mesa County Workforce Center and other

relationship building skills in our curriculum.

organizations to educate students on careers in

Our campus is founded on four Ps: professional,

the culinary arts. The program prepares students

polite, prepared and productive; teachers and

for college and careers through realistic,

staff model the four Ps daily and students learn

practical learning that provides a unique way

how to carry those skills into the workplace and

for students to learn about culinary arts. :

The culinary arts program provides what a

life,” Horn adds.

Students also have the opportunity to

compete in the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts’ cooking competition in Boulder.

Creating a communal space where local, whole, seasonal ingredients are used to craft good food that harmonizes with planet & community.

0056 Edwards Village Boulevard 970.446.6830

•

•

Unit 120, Edwards CO 81632

hello@hoveyandharrison.com

•

www.hoveyandharrison.com

food column

#T HE N EW W EST

REDEFINING REGIONAL CUISINE Words by Josh Niernberg | Photo by Steven Waters

S

42

omehow, another season has come and

types of growth. This year, I couldn’t be more

gone. The farms are closed for the winter.

excited to share that we weren’t the only ones

The orchards and vineyards are dormant and

to feel this way. The James Beard Foundation

our agritourism has dwindled compared to what

has created an entirely new region within the

it was a few short months ago. On the flip side,

United States, the newly-named “Mountain

the mountain biking has been incredible and I

Region,” which includes Colorado, Wyoming,

can’t wait for the upcoming winter to have the

Idaho, Montana and Utah. That means that the

opportunity to chase storms all over the state

agriculture and cuisine that define our way of

for the deepest powder. This cycle is so much

life are both different and unique enough to be

more than just our way of life — this cycle is

recognized as its own entity.

unique. Our collective version of this cycle is

what makes our region so special. Agritourism

our food systems and promted artisan producers

and outdoor recreation may not be the most

to use local ingredients grown from first-

lucrative industries in western Colorado, but

generation farmers on small farms. Designer

they arguably do the most to both create and

beef has taken off and “land management” now

inform our culture.

means pasture-raised proteins and organic

One of the major motivations for me as

certifications. This is all new. Colorado has

a chef is to create a sense of place within our

become an international tourism destination.

restaurants. We have always sourced local and

And while our state capital may have more

have explored dishes and menu options allowing

restaurants per capita and a more robust

us to use ingredients that are representative of

restaurant scene than all but a couple other

where we live in the world. That conversation

cities in America, I think it’s safe to say that

is a really tricky one. I have come to realize

family-owned Mexican restaurants in the San

that our culinary history doesn’t run very deep.

Luis Valley or Salt Lake City have just as much

Not that it’s shallow, more so that it’s young

regional influence as does a popular “must stop”

comparatively. Our traditions, seeds, cultural

on Denver’s Larimer Square. Because of that, we

inspiration and background as a state are only

are able to see regional differences in similar

a few generations old. I have argued that the

cuisines and restaurants in our mountain region.

traditions we are all building today will have a

We may even be able to finally put the great

greater impact on “Colorado Cuisine” than any

“green chile debate” to bed as even the James

other time in the last 200 years.

Beard Foundation believes Colorado green chile

is special enough to not even be considered

A year ago I wrote about the James Beard

The recession that started in 2008 changed

Awards and how we all have the ability to change

“Southwestern.”

the culinary landscape by drawing attention

to what is happening here — not only all over

the attributes of local ingredients, regional

Colorado, but more so in remote parts of the state

cuisine, our food movements and the state of the

and our surrounding regions seeing the same

industry in the pages of Spoke+Blossom. The goal

I wax poetic (at the drop of a hat) about

is to flip the script of the negative connotations

is validation that the work we are all doing is

that western Colorado has been subject to for so

both significant and the beginning of something

long, showcasing just how special a place we are

new. We are creating tradition and cuisine to be

all so lucky to be a part of.

proud of and to perpetuate. The best way to do

I will be the first to say we have a unique

so is to weigh in; please take a moment to go to

set of challenges here, but I wouldn’t trade it

the website (jamesbeard.secure-platform.com)

for anywhere else. The more I travel and study

and nominate a chef or restaurant you believe

food and restaurants, the more I see just how

deserves a James Beard Award. :

unique we are. The James Beard redistricting

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

43

wellness + fitness

HOW TO MAKE KOMBUCHA Words + Photos by Lexi Reich

Becca Schepps making kombucha in her Longmont facility.

M

44

ortal Kombucha started as a joke. Owner

and founder Becca Schepps was working

barely cooked,” Schepps shared. Yet she and

“I didn’t know how to make kombucha; I

as the creative director for an advertising

her husband found themselves in their kitchen

company in Boulder, and one particular project

attempting to make the product shortly after.

on kombucha packaging caught her attention —

She responded to people that orders wouldn’t be

one of its ingredients was “purified love.” Schepps

ready for three weeks — the time in which she

laughed and decided that day she was going to

was hoping to learn the craft and whip up a batch.

make a fake brand of “aggressive” kombucha.

She even created a website and Instagram for

Kombucha found its way into mainstream

her new idea. People loved the content she was

grocery chains. Today, Mortal Kombucha is in

creating, and many inquired on how to actually

every Whole Foods in the Rocky Mountains.

purchase the spunky tea beverage Schepps was

I picked mine up from Lucky’s Market in

posting about. The joke got real. Fast.

Boulder!

Six months later, in August 2017, Mortal

When asked to describe kombucha to

someone who has never heard of it before, Schepps said, “They’ll probably hate it.”

It’s a slightly vinegary tea, specifically

a fermented carbonated beverage (Schepps recommends not smelling it before you drink it). So why even drink it? It has incredible properties for gut health. It also offers sustained energy without the crash of traditional caffeine.

Personally, I adore the bubbly taste, especially when meshed with fun flavors. The most popular one at Mortal Kombucha is “Black Sage,” composed of blackberry, sage and ginger. The packaging is colorful and bright. “It’s like a soda that’s good for you,” she explains.

Schepps shared with Spoke + Blossom how

she makes her kombucha. She thinks it’s fun to make at home, as that’s how she started off, but now that she has a proper facility in Longmont, she recommends purchasing your kombucha as an easy way to ensure the bacteria is controlled in a safe and clean environment.

WHAT YOU NEED 1 gallon glass jar 1 cup of boiled tea (black works best;

don’t use decaffeinated). Use about six

to eight single tea bags to ensure the tea

is the strength of a gallon.

200g sugar 2 cups unsweetened, unflavored kombucha Tightly woven cloth (not as porous

as a cheese cloth) Rubber band Thermometer Scoby

NOTE The scoby (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast), known as the “mother,” is a thick and rubbery film; it is what houses the bacteria and transforms the tea into a fizzy kombucha drink.

It’s like the coral reef of the bacteria and yeast world. You can grow your own with tea, sugar and pre-made kombucha, or you can purchase a kombucha starter culture from companies like Kombucha Brooklyn (where Schepps got her first starter kit).

TO MAKE KOMBUCHA 1. B ring 14 cups of water to boil.

2. R emove from heat and add sugar.

3. A dd the tea and allow it to steep while water cools.

4. W ith clean hands, remove scoby and place on a plate.

5. P our tea and unflavored starter kombucha into the clean jar.

6. G ently add scoby to jar.

7. C over with cloth and secure with rubber band.

8. S tore at room temperature for one to three weeks. Thermometer should say the mixture is around 78 degrees (the hotter it is, the sourer the kombucha; if making in the winter, a heating pad may be useful).

9. O nce complete (a light fermentation and a slightly vinegary taste), remove scoby and run beverage through a strainer. Add flavors and let it sit for a second fermentation for another three to seven days.

10. Enjoy! : mortalkombucha.com

spoke

GET OUTSIDE!

GEAR FOR THE SEASON Compiled by Kim Fuller

Zeal Optics Portal XL This goggles offers a photo chromatic lens options, so you don’t have to change out lenses when the light shifts. Helmet compatible and anti-fog, the Portal XL gives skiers and riders style and 100-percent UV protection. $159-$279 zealoptics.com FITS Light Ski BrewSki Sock

Gregory Targhee 26

With ski season upon

Ski Touring Pack

us, what’s better than

This compact and capable pack is ideal for dawn patrols, short day tours and lift-accessed gated terrain.

It’s dual-layered with a padded bottom for extra durability, and the sternum strap has an integrated safety whistle. $169.95 gregorypacks.com

comfort on your feet Headsweats Pom Pom Beanie Stay warm this winter with a vintage look. The “Wild” beanie from Headsweats is great for cold days when you need warmth and really want that retro look. Made of Eventure acrylic knit, the hat is medium weight and can be worn on the trails outside or inside chillin’ with friends. $25 headsweats.com

46

in the spirit of après ski? The FITS Light Ski BrewSki has a highperformance, over-thecalf style that features cushioning in the toe box, shin and heel, perfect for the skier looking for extra padding in all of the perfect places. $24.99 fitssock.com

Rumpl x Loki Dog Bed (AT LEFT) This dog bed is made for adventure,

featuring a stuffable blanket and a highly packable self-inflating air mattress that zips inside. The dog bed system is also reversible, with sherpa fleece for dogs that like a cozier and softer experience. Additionally, this item is machine washable and is available in two sizes for small and large dogs. $179-$299 rumpl.com

Atlas Protein Bars Fuel up your adventure with these delicious and keto-friendly protein bars, made with highquality real food ingredients. Try the Chocolate Cacao with 15 grams of protein, 2 grams of sugar and 5 grams of net carbs. $29.90/box | $2.99/bar atlasbars.com

Ridge Merino Crowley Compression Tights Keep running outside this winter with these

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technically savvy yet super-soft Merino wool tights. The construction pairs a soft and odorreducing Merino wool base with a highly durable synthetic exterior. The tights are designed for running or long-distance hiking, with a pocket to stash your phone or a snack.

They also perform well at the gym, during yoga and moving around town. $119.95 ridgemerino.com

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spoke

GEAR PROFILE

ROMP SKIS CRESTED BUTTE, COLORADO Words by Kim Fuller | Photos by Trent Bona

COURTESY ROMP SKIS

W

hen

brothers

Caleb

and

Morgan

Weinberg built a pair of skis in Morgan’s

garage in 2009, they weren’t planning on starting a business. Both lifelong skiers from northern New Hampshire with a background in the construction industry, they originally made eight pairs of skis with the construction tools they already owned.

“We were just building skis for fun,” shares

Caleb at their shop in Crested Butte this past September. “Everyone who we gave a pair to try loved them, and we got such good feedback that we decided to go for it and start a business.”

They wanted the name of their new business

to be a single syllable — one that would resonate with their relationship to skiing.

“We wanted it to kind of describe who we

were a little bit, and we did a lot of brainstorming, a lot of pages of words written down, and we found a definition for ‘romp’ that said ‘to play boisterously,’” Caleb explains. “We kinda liked that, so that’s what we went with.”

48

Now celebrating their 10th winter as

Romp Skis, the Weinberg brothers specialize in creating custom skis, designed to perform in the exact way needed by the user and to maximize his or her skills.

Romp makes up to about five skis per day,

about 400 skis per year, and sells directly to consumers. The process starts with a phone call (or even better, an in-person meeting in Crested Butte) with Caleb, where the customization process begins.

“We have all these different shapes, meaning

the outline of the ski, and different lengths, so we do an interview with you about your skiing,

talk about what you’re going to use them for, if you have one pair of skis or four pairs, what kind of skier you are, what terrain you ski, what your aspirations are — if you want to get better at one thing or another, we can try and help with that,” he says. “And then we pick a shape and a length, and from that shape and a length we customize the camber, the rocker, the flex and you get to choose any one of these graphics. There isn’t a particular graphic associated with a particular model. We also do custom graphics.”

A pair of custom skis from Romp starts at

$1,050, which as Caleb pointed out, is in line with a high-end European ski.

“And you can get a custom product for the

same price,” he says. “You will feel the difference.

When skis are made custom to you, it’s like you get on them and you just feel how they’re perfect for you.”

Romp Skis are made on a first come first

serve basis. In-season wait times are usually three to six weeks. rompskis.com :

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

49

spoke

ATHLETE PROFILE

ANDREW JAMES NORDIC SKIER + BIATHLON OLYMPIC HOPEFUL Words by Melanie Wiseman | Photos by David James

A

50

ndrew James, 25, is an extreme athlete who

Mountain Conference of the U.S. Collegiate Ski

enjoys endurance sports that test the limits.

and Snowboard Association.

And when the limits aren’t high enough, he raises

the bar. Such is the case with this international

skiing,” says James. “Judging your perceived

skate skiing competitor who now has his sights

effort, making your opponent work for you while

on the biathlon — a marriage of skate skiing and

drafting, conserving energy and keeping a poker

marksmanship.

face, because you never want the opponent to

see how tired you are. There’s a lot of psychology

As a young man, James competed in a variety

“I took a lot of strategy from cycling into

of District 51 high school sports including track

involved.”

and cross-country running. He advanced to the

Colorado Mesa University cycling team for three

this past March when he was chosen, based

years. James then joined the cross-country ski

on national rankings, to represent the United

team for four years (overlapping with cycling for

States in Krasnoyarsk, Russia at the 29th Winter

one year), participating as a member of the Rocky

World Collegiate Nationals. The 12-member U.S.

His skate ski racing career with CMU peaked

skate skiing team was part of an international

training for this December’s biathlon national

competition including 58 countries, 11 sports,

team trials in Vermont.

3,000 athletes and 5,000 volunteers.

In addition to the continuation of more than

“One of my most memorable moments was

25 hours per week of intensive strength, speed,

leading the entire U.S. team of 200 athletes in the

cardio and balance training for skate skiing,

opening ceremony procession right behind the

marksmanship adds the need for muscle memory

flag,” says James. “Another was 3,000 athletes

and shooting with accuracy under pressure.

with big appetites racing to be first in line at

the cafeteria!”

the pain!” James laughs.

James found the three races he competed in

“You need to learn how to suffer and enjoy Holding his breath to simulate being in a

“a humbling experience.” An unfortunate spill,

race and interval sessions increasing the physical

sliding ten feet on his face and a broken binding

stress on his body helps him improve tolerance.

five minutes into the 30-kilometer race proved he

had what it takes to be a great athlete.

biathlete and to focus on doing my personal best,”

says James. “I am grateful for family and coaches

“I fixed the binding and said to myself, ‘I’ve

“My ultimate goal is to be an Olympic

come 9,000 miles for this race, and I’m not going

who have always believed in me.”

to stop,’” says James. “I continued to race two

hours on my own without any support.”

events which bring a wide array of cultures and

His overall takeaway is, “There is always

countries together who are working toward

more training to be done.” That being said, Russia

common goals while recognizing the sacrifices

was really only the beginning of his story.

made by athletes.

In July, James moved to Soldier Hollow in

James sings praises for international

“To be a good athlete, you need perseverance,”

Utah, the site of the national team cross-country

says James. “Never giving up can translate to

training center and the Salt Lake City 2002

everyday life — you can give in to an obstacle or

Olympics. Here, he began a dedicated regiment,

go around it.” :

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

51

grand outdoors

COLORADO OUTDOORS PROJECT: MONTROSE

T

he Colorado Outdoors Project, which opened

David Dragoo, president of Colorado Outdoors.

earlier this year in Montrose, includes

“The development will draw new expertise to

river restoration and high-end commercial,

this growing city and make a lasting impact on

residential and industrial development.

the region.”

The community-minded development is

In addition to economic growth, the City

approved as an official Opportunity Zone by the

of Montrose will benefit from large-scale

U.S. Department of Treasury, hoping to draw

conservation efforts driven by the Colorado

manufacturers, outdoor and active lifestyle

Outdoors development project. In December

brands and outdoor enthusiasts to relocate their

2018, Mayfly, a fellow Montrose-based

businesses to northern Montrose.

manufacturing company, along with Colorado

The project consists of 164 acres of

Outdoors, donated over $800,000 in property

high-end commercial, residential and industrial

back to the community, covering nearly 1.5 miles

development land. With tenants ranging from

of riverfront land and encompassing nearly

start-ups to mature enterprises, Colorado Outdoors

1.8 million square feet of wildlife and fishing

brings together the synergies of being together,

habitat.

working and operating in close proximity.

More

ColoradoOutdoors.CO. :

“Montrose is an exciting location for

business and commercial enterprise,” said

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grand outdoors

GUIDE TO OUTDOOR ETIQUETTE Disclaimer: the views and opinions expressed by our etiquette expert do not reflect the views of S+B staff. In fact, in most cases, we probably would advise doing the opposite of what is recommended here.

My fit friends always ask me to hike with them, but I have much less endurance and feel bad asking to take so many breaks. How do I find balance between my fitness level and theirs?

Ugh, fit people can be so annoying with their snarky, “I’m gonna run an easy 10 miles today.” Even worse is when you’re huffing and puffing away trying not to puke, and they drone on and on about, “I gotta get my 48,952 steps in today.” Alright, so here is the dirty little secret — it’s in your head.

As a person with above-average fitness, and looks, I enjoy being with any level of rider or runner.

It is about who you are with, not where or how fast. Do what you enjoy; that is why you get outside.

Don’t worry about your friends.

They will come along to be with you and enjoy your company.

Then if they want to, they can go run the 96,345 steps they need to reach their goal. Also, remember your fit friends are cold all winter.

good citizen of the trails. I use the roads to drive, but I don’t volunteer to clean them. I do “volunteer” to pay my taxes, which helps, I guess.

What’s the best course of action when encountering a wild animal?

I always hike with my wife and two small children. The key is I then only have to outrun one of them — see what I’m sayin’ here? My wife, on the other hand, just starts talking to the animal about the kids’ day at school, and usually the animal kills itself (except for skunks, as they apparently like being talked to).

Other more constructive thoughts would be to make yourself as big and noisy as possible and slowly back away facing the animal. The best advice would be to check the Division of Wildlife’s website on how to handle encounters with different animals and what to do should the situation escalate.

(Seriously though, you need one person you can outrun … always).

I love to hike. Since I’m using public trails, am I responsible for volunteering to clean up and restore the land I use?

What do I do when someone cuts me in line when I’m waiting to get on a ski lift?

No, but it certainly would be nice.

You can do your part in several ways. For instance, if you see some trash, pick it up, or you can donate to groups that do volunteer for trail maintenance.

The important thing is to be a

Shoot ‘em.

Oops, the keyboard got stuck before I could finish the sentence. Shoot ‘em a dirty look is what I was typing. I don’t know here, you could just calmly say, “Excuse me, we were next,” but

personally, since I’m more of a fleer by nature and well into my 40s (don’t look a day over 26 for the single ladies). That’s just not the battle I’m taking up anymore.

So what? You get to the top of the mountain 10 seconds later.

I’ve never skied or snowboarded before. What’s your advice on how to get started?

No joking here; look into Powderhorn’s Learn to Ski and Snowboard program. It is free and the best deal in Colorado! My wife did it last year, and before I knew it, we were skiing top to bottom in her first year! God, I hope they don’t do a learn-to-golf program.

How do I handle beginner snowboarders who get in the way? I understand everyone has to learn at some point, but it’s a lot less fun when I’m trying to dodge people who don’t know what they’re doing yet. Any advice?

You seem like you have a pretty level head on this. Sure, at the main lifts or trail merges it will be crowded, but if beginners bother you that much, pick trails where they are most likely not to be. If you see a beginner on a tough trail, make sure they are alright, then laugh as you glide away. :

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

53

family

SKI WEEKENDS ON THE CHEAP Words by Kristen Lummis

When it comes to skiing and snowboarding, Colorado’s Western Slope is the center of the universe.

COURTESY POWDERHORN MOUNTAIN RESORT

D

epending upon where you live, you can

up 1,605 skiable acres with a vertical drop of

easily be skiing within 30 to 60 minutes (or

2,209 feet in the beautiful San Juan Mountains,

less!) of leaving your home. Extend your drive

Purgatory has 101 trails generously divided

time by a few hours and you’ve got all of Colorado,

among abilities.

and most of Utah and New Mexico, from which

to choose.

pass, which includes skiing at nearby Hesperus

This wealth of choice provides easy access to

(CO), Pajarito (NM) and Sipapu (NM), among

some of the most famous — and pricey — resorts

others. And the deals aren’t just for kids. Book a

in the world. But we also have access to some

spring break visit for March and score lift tickets

of the best values in skiing every single winter

starting at $49, including a $10 gift card for dining

weekend.

and après, and $19 rentals and lessons.

54

Kids 10 and under ski free with a Power Kids

DETAILS: While slope-side lodging can set

COLORADO GETAWAYS

you back at least $300 per night, if you stay in

Purgatory Resort is a “best value for families” ski

Durango, you’ll pay about half this amount and

resort on Trip Advisor for good reason. Serving

be near Hesperus for night skiing.

Ski Sunlight is blessed with a fantastic location

Four’dable Quad Packs — four fully-transferable

south of Glenwood Springs. Book a Ski, Swim,

lift tickets with no blackout dates.

Stay! package and get your lodging, ski passes

and hot springs pool access for one price. For total

this winter, Powderhorn has new tiny homes

relaxation, park your car and use the free hotel

clustered at the resort base. Bring groceries and

shuttle service to the mountain.

cook in the tiny kitchen or enjoy pizza by the fire

in the Powderhorn Pub.

Currently in the midst of a three-phase

DETAILS: If you want to stay slope-side

upgrade, advanced skiers will enjoy this season’s East Ridge expansion, in addition to Sunlight’s 680

LONG WEEKENDS

acres of skiable terrain and 2,010 vertical drop.

Santa Fe, New Mexico is a year-round destination

DETAILS: Sunlight’s packages are booked online

offering museums, gourmet dining, culture

and give you a choice of lodging. If you just want to

and more. During winter, when prices drop

ski and swim, check out the Soak & Slope four-pack:

significantly, Santa Fe becomes an affordable, if

four lift tickets and four hot springs passes at either

unlikely, ski town.

Iron Mountain or Glenwood Hot Springs.

Proudly

independent,

family-owned

Ski

Santa Fe is a high-altitude resort in the Southern Ready to try skiing or snowboarding, but aren’t

Rockies offering light, dry snow that lasts for days.

sure where to start? Choose Powderhorn

Ski Santa Fe is known for its ski and snowboard

Mountain Resort for its excellent terrain and free

school, diverse terrain, glade skiing and big views.

“learn-to” lessons for those who are completely

new to snowsports. Offered on weekends, “never-

city’s unique blend of Native, Latino and Anglo

ever” guests ages 8 and up can take up to three

culture. Stay at Hotel Santa Fe, a Native American-

free morning or afternoon lessons during the

owned and operated property within an easy walk

winter, including lift tickets and rentals.

of the Plaza. Save on lift tickets with an advance-

purchase Peak Plus card or transferrable Six Pack

Other ways to save at this 1,600-acre ski

resort with 1,600 vertical feet include Mission:

DETAILS: Stay in Santa Fe to experience the

of Fun. COURTESY SNOWBASIN RESORT / CAM MCLEOD

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

55

trips, this year a smart Utah pick is Snowbasin Resort, near Ogden.

With 3,000 skiable acres and 3,000 vertical feet, Snowbasin

hosted the 2002 Winter Olympic men’s and women’s downhill races. The infrastructure at Snowbasin rivals the terrain — it’s simply amazing — with two gondolas, a tram, high-speed lifts and beautiful day lodges.

DETAILS: Snowbasin is on the Epic Pass for 2019-2020,

so if you have an Epic Pass, your lift tickets are free. If not, purchase online in advance for the best deals. Stay in Ogden, just 30 minutes by car or shuttle for the best value in lodging, as well as restaurants, shopping, galleries and more along historic 25th Street. :

New Look|Same Great Mountain Visit powderhorn.com

COURTESY PURGATORY / SCOTT D W SMITH

COURTESY SKI SANTA FE / D SILVER PHOTOGRAPHY

While Salt Lake City has long been a go-to for “bargain” ski

family

POP-UP ICE KART RENTALS AT KODIAK SKI LAKE

ASPEN ICE KARTING Words by Shenna Jean | Photo by Jimmy Hummert

W

hen you put go-karts with studded tires

Channel your inner Ricky Bobby as you hit

on a frozen lake and the checkered flag

speeds up to 45 to 50 mph. Full-face helmets, glove

goes down, it’s about as close as most can get to

and goggles are provided, and it’s recommended

living out a Mario Kart fantasy. Thanks to Aspen

to wear last season’s ski outfit in case you come

Ice Karting, a pop-up ice kart rental facility, this

across some chain lube, or don’t love the smell of

is something you can actually experience from

gasoline lingering. Rates are $40 for 10 minutes,

Christmas to late February, weather permitting.

$75 for 20 minutes or take it to the next level and

rent the track out for $1,000 per hour to have

Located on Kodiak Ski Lake in the Roaring

Fork Valley off of Highway 82, this winter activity

private access to all five karts. :

is a must-do for adrenaline junkies looking for something new. It’s hard not to squeal with glee as you drift around corners and narrowly miss snowbanks in a high-pursuit chase of your worthy opponent.

Tips for the helpers on ice are always appreciated. For more information and to book your ride, visit aspenicekarting.com.

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

57

take a hike

A GRAND JUNCTION CLASSIC

MICA MINE TRAIL Words + Photos by Melanie Wiseman

L

ess than eight miles south of downtown

in Ladder Canyon, where it’s a gentle, winding

Grand Junction lies a favorite locals’ hike.

journey following the Ladder Creek stream bed,

At 2.6 miles round trip, the Mica Mine Trail

dry most of the year except spring and early

offers ease, accessibility and year-round beauty.

summer. The trail is lined with willows, oak

It provided the perfect “altitude adjustment”

brush, wild roses, sagebrush and at least seven

destination for our visiting flat-lander, Wisconsin

varieties of trees. Spring and summer offer an

relatives right after their plane landed.

abundance of wild flowers.

Up until 20 years ago, off-highway vehicles

(OHVs) shared the Mica Mine Trail, which was

the dramatic red rock sculptures and towering

often dangerous due to the narrowness and

Wingate cliffs. After 1.3 miles, the canyon

popularity of the canyon. Today, the trail has

narrows once again as you approach the historic

undergone vast improvements and is limited to

mica and quartz mine. Mica, a shiny, layered

hiking, with world class jeep trails such as Billings

silicate mineral, is found as tiny scales in granite,

Canyon and mountain bike opportunities on the

other rocks or as crystals. It is used as a thermal

Tabeguache Trail nearby.

or electrical insulator. The mine is inactive, but

The Mica Mine and Rough Canyon trails

the seemingly endless supply of mica and quartz

share the same trailhead and are well-marked as

frequently makes it home in pockets by curious

you leave the BLM Bangs Canyon Management

explorers of all ages.

staging area off Little Park Road. The biggest

challenge for the inexperienced hiker is a

leash as the trail can be active with children and

“staircase” cut through an entrada sandstone cliff

the foliage and canyon curves keep your line

at the trail’s beginning. Kids love the clambering,

of sight short. When you’ve finished your mine

and all ages can endure the short descent with a

discovery, head back to the trailhead via the

walking stick or helpful hand.

same gradual path.

The only fork in the trail is at the bottom

of the cut where you hang a right. You’re now

58

Stop occasionally and look around or miss

Dogs are welcome, although best kept on a

As another option, continue past the mine to

a waterfall area and switchback trail leading to

the upper Ladder Canyon section. After the short

left on Monument Road. After a short distance

climb, the trail once again becomes an easy trek,

and before the canal, turn left on to D Road which

bar the lack of trail markings. Enjoy the additional

soon takes a sharp right and becomes Rosevale

traversing, views and turn around at your leisure.

Road. Take a right turn on Little Park Road. The

BLM Bangs Canyon Management parking area

To get to the trailhead from downtown,

travel west on Broadway/Highway 340 taking a

will be on your left after 5.5 miles. :

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

59

stay + play

NEW MOTEL + NEW RESTAURANT

PALISADE GETS AN UPGRADE Words by Kim Fuller

SPOKE AND VINE COURTESY PHOTO

A

fter an extensive six-month renovation

bones, thoughtful design, sustainable features,

of what was once the Mesa View Motel in

and clean, comfortable rooms. This is NOT your

Palisade, Spoke and Vine Motel opened in the

grandpa’s motel.”

spring of 2019 and is offering guests and the

local community much more than just a place

distance to great wineries and restaurants, and

to sleep.

right on the biking and driving route known as

the Palisade Fruit & Wine Byway.

And as if the timing couldn’t be more

The motel’s location is ideal — walking

perfectly aligned, a fresh and impressive dining

Spoke and Vine has a Colorado modern

addition has also recently opened in Palisade:

aesthetic, is dog-friendly and presents a lot of

Pêche. Restaurant.

inviting details, notably the great sips of local

For those looking to enjoy all the fruits of

wine and craft coffee offered upon arrival,

this quaint community in new and inspiring

along with an impressive breakfast spread each

ways, now is the time to plan a visit.

morning with Palisade peaches (when in season) and pastries.

60

SPOKE AND VINE MOTEL

As Spoke and Vine puts it on their website, it’s

moved to Palisade from Steamboat, Colorado,

a “freshly reinvented motel with old-yet-sturdy

and their hospitality paired with all the

Owners Jeff Snook and Jody Corey recently

PECHE. RESTAURANT / KIM FULLER

thoughtful touches on the property make this a

As western Colorado continues to evolve,

really special stay.

it’s exciting to experience communities like

“This is exactly what we look for when

Palisade welcome businesses that emerge from

we travel, so of course we modeled it after

the authentic purpose of passionate individuals.

what we like in the hopes that there are like-

minded people,” Snook shares. “And there are,

businesses so they can stay a while and thrive. :

Now, it’s our turn to support these small

obviously. We just designed this the way we like to travel, and we treat people the way we want to be treated.”

Snook and Corey provide a concierge-style

experience for guests, and they were why we knew to go to Pêche.

PÊCHE. RESTAURANT We were impressed from our first round of oysters, and the awe didn’t stop until our last bite of peach sorbet. We actually enjoyed our meal there so much that we didn’t want it to wind down, so went for a second entree order before surrendering to a sweet finale.

Chef-owner Matthew Chasseur and his

wife Ashley Fees Chasseur, owner and general manager, have truly created a Grand Valley gem. It will be a joy to see how the restaurant’s creative and innovative menu will constantly inspire palates of all those who visit.

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

61

getaway

COURTESY RED MOUNTAIN ALPINE LODGE

RED MOUNTAIN ALPINE LODGE Words by Lexi Reich

A

62

custom-timber frame lodge in the midst of

take guests on inspiring trips into the mountains

the San Juan Mountains filled with heated

to widen their outlooks on life, all while feeling

floors, warm showers and hearty chef-prepared

supported, safe and taken care of.

meals, steps away from lush backcountry skiing

and ice climbing galore — what could be better

most idyllic views in the Mountain West, and

for a mountain lover or an alpine enthusiast?

once you approach this hidden gem right off

Driving up Highway 550 offers some of the

This winter, a stay at the Red Mountain

the road, it feels like you’ve entered a sacred

Alpine Lodge in Ouray, Colorado, is the perfect

opening. A wooden deck wraps around the

way to seamlessly experience all the San Juan

lodge front and houses a fireplace facing views

Mountains have to offer.

of striking peaks — an ideal spot to sip some of

Co-owners Nate Disser and Mark Luppenlatz

the complimentary coffee and tea offered inside.

opened the lodge’s doors on the Winter Solstice

During the warmer months, there’s a luxurious

in 2018, serving as an expansion of their guiding

yoga deck in the back.

company, San Juan Mountain Guides (SJMG),

which they’ve run together since 2012. It’s a

out into the wilderness, in my view, is one of

family-run operation: Nate’s wife Keeton is the

the most important things you can do with your

SJMG office manager and Mark’s wife Andrea

time off,” shares Disser. “And we take care of all

is the lodge manager. Together their vision is to

the details.”

“Connecting into the mountains and getting

The San Juan Mountains are known for

itself was so cozy and charming. The staff pay

their complex terrain and varying snowpack

attention to so many details and are truly there to

— an adventure out there is no easy feat.

take care of you,” says Jessica Waclawski, who co-

But Disser says their goal was to make this

hosted a retreat at the space with S+B editor-in-

experience accessible to everyone. The SJMG

chief, Kim Fuller, last summer. “I’m not kidding

offer equipment rentals and expertise from their

when I tell people the San Juan Mountain Guides

highly qualified guides. All you need to bring are

are the best out there. I’m not used to hiking with

your clothes, and they’ve got the rest.

a guide, but since climbing Mount Sneffels with

them this summer, I now want a guide on every

“We’re all about embracing the skiing culture

vibe. It’s cool, but it’s also safe,” Disser says.

experience. It takes the stress off. And the guides

are such down-to-earth,

Guests are not limited to just the terrain

outside the lodge; when you embark on an

amazing people.”

adventure with the SJMG, the whole mountain

range is at your disposal. Simply put, when you

are returning this March

sign up for a three-day ski trip, you get three full

to host another retreat of

days of skiing, unlike other traditional winter

connection and movement

hut trips that clock in the travel time to actually

at the lodge.

get to the hut. The SJMG also offer avalanche

courses on top of the multitude of outdoor trips

the Red Mountain Alpine Lodge, plentiful food

they currently take guests on.

(all diets accommodated) and a memory foam

mattress awaits you after a long day exploring

“Red Mountain Alpine Lodge blew me away.

I knew it was a special location but the lodge

Waclawski and Fuller

Check out of a list of their offerings and bookings at redmountainalpinelodge.com and mtnguides.net.

It truly simplifies logistics for people. At

the lush San Juan Mountain wilderness. :

KANE SCHEIDEGGER

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

63

feature

OLD-FASHIONED CONTRA DANCES STILL SERENADE DOWNTOWN GRAND JUNCTION

I’D RATHER DANCE Words by Sharon Sullivan

W

64

hen Fifth Reel performs in downtown

Classically-trained

Grand Junction, dancers twirl, stomp

Michael and Ron Young co-founded Fifth Reel

piano

player

Connie

and move to similar steps and music that our

and the Grand Junction Traditional Dance

founding fathers and mothers enjoyed 200

Society 20 years ago after Michael performed

years ago. Smiles and laughter fill the Margery

for a contra dance in Albuquerque. She fell in

Ballroom, located at 523 ½ Main St., when the

love with the music — which has Irish, Scottish

old-time music band performs for contra dances

and English roots.

held during the autumn, winter and spring.

“It changed my life; I wanted to play that

lesson that Young teaches before the dance

kind of music after that,” Michael says. And,

officially starts.

she wanted to bring contra dancing to the

Grand Valley.

specifically to host and perform contra dances in

It’s not necessary to come with a partner or

the Grand Valley. When he’s not performing the

have experience. Contra is a social dance where

role of caller, Young plays the bodhran, an Irish

couples form and are encouraged to switch

drum. Fifth Reel also includes two retired Grand

partners throughout the evening. Dancers make

Junction symphony musicians — clarinet player

two long, parallel lines, with pairs facing each

Mick Wilson and fiddler Norm Ashley. Michael

other. Each twosome progresses up and down

plays keyboards.

the line, dancing with every other couple in

the line.

all ages in the community,” Young says. Colorado

Caller Ron Young teaches the first dance

Mesa University students often attend, as well as

of the evening by walking dancers through

dancers from around the region — New Castle,

the steps a couple of times. “Then we do it to

Cedaredge, Montrose, Delta and even Moab, Utah.

the music — a slower tempo to start,” he says.

Eventually, Young stops calling and it’s just the

a contra dance. More than one romance has

band with dancers following the music. Newbies

blossomed on the dance floor since contra

can also come early for the half-hour beginner

dances started happening in the Grand Valley.

Michael and Young co-founded Fifth Reel

“It’s a great way to interact with people of

You never know who you might meet at

Denae Nesbit, 28, had been attending contra

RICK SVENSON

dances for four and a half years when she met her future husband Carl at a dance two years ago.

When they married a year later, they invited Fifth Reel to perform at the reception. “Most people at our wedding had never contra danced before; it made for a memorable wedding,” she says.

Catherine Eicher of Grand Junction has

attended local contra dances regularly for the past 18 years. Growing up in a religion that prohibited dancing, she says she was persuaded by a friend to give contra dancing a try. “If I can understand the steps, anyone can,” she says. “I couldn’t believe how much fun it is. After a few times, you can relax and just do it. It’s a sort of meditation. The caller backs off. There’s a kind of magic that settles over the whole group.”

Many, like Eicher, who’s 75, come solo. “I’ve

lost my shyness about asking people to dance,” she says. “I’m going there just to have fun, and I do. It’s one of my joys of living here in Grand Junction. I thank Connie over and over for founding it and keeping it going.”

Though the rowdier American contra dance

remains Fifth Reel’s focus, the Grand Junction Traditional Dance Society has expanded to also include international folk and English country dances, where the emphasis is on “grace and elegance, and less on stomping and swinging,”

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

65

BOTH PHOTOS BY BEN SMITH

Michael says. A waltz is also occasionally thrown

“We felt like we were acting,” Eicher said. “I

into the mix. It’s all good exercise, she says.

discovered I liked acting.”

English Country Dances sometimes spur

For the International Folk Dances — the next

people to make costumes — apparel typical of

one is scheduled for December 14 — the band

the era. After attending her first English country

has learned songs from Israel, Croatia, Bulgaria,

dance, Eicher decided to sew a dress and added

French Canada, Ireland, Bolivia and China.

gloves and a headpiece with flowers. A friend

“We’re having so much fun with this,” Michael

hired someone to make herself a dress, too.

says. A world map is pinned to a wall in the ballroom, with pins marking countries whose music the band has performed. “We will keep adding to it,” Michael says.

While children younger than 10 would

find most of the dances challenging, a family dance scheduled for January 6 at 5 p.m. is perfect for families with youngsters. Parents are encouraged to bring their younger children to these events.

Contra dancing is

extremely popular in

For a schedule of dances in 2020, visit fifthreelmusicanddance.com.

New England, where it originated in the United States, and is also common in the Pacific Northwest and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Eicher, who plays piano, has been asked to

sit in with the band on occasion — although, these days, she declines. “I’d rather dance,” she says. :

66

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COURTESY ASPEN ART MUSEUM / DEREK SKALKO

68

feature

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

MOUNTAIN TOWN MUSEUMS Words by Kristen Lummis

G

reat museums tell compelling stories,

wrapping visitors into their worlds and

sheathed in woven wood, the distinctive museum

immersing them in the broad topics of history,

isn’t large. It features just six galleries, a black

art, culture and science. When a museum is done

box theater, a gift shop and a rooftop cafe and

well, visitors emerge with lasting links to the

deck. But it is important as the only accredited

information and the experience.

art museum on Colorado’s Western Slope.

While you may think that only cities have

Housed in an airy, multi-story building

The Aspen Art Museum does not have a

great museums, Colorado’s mountain towns

permanent collection. Exhibits rotate frequently

offer four institutions that are leaders in their

and incorporate a diverse range of media and taste.

fields, with influence ranging from local to

international.

that captures your attention, come back again.

“If you don’t see or experience something

There is always something new to see or do,”

ASPEN ART MUSEUM > Aspen

encourages Jeff Murcko, AAM communications

Even if you don’t think of yourself as an “art

director.

museum person,” the Aspen Art Museum (AAM)

is worth your time.

the arts, AAM plays an important community

In addition to providing on-site exposure to

With no admission charge (thanks to a gift

role, collaborating with regional school districts

from John and Amy Phelan), there is no barrier

and nonprofits to bring art to populations that

to experiencing contemporary art in Aspen.

otherwise might not have access.

COURTESY ASPEN ART MUSEUM STUDIO DUBUISSON

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

69

ERIC COULTER / BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

While casual visitors may not feel the impact

Native American consultants assist with

of the AAM’s outreach, all will feel welcome

research and interpretation, providing authentic

and free to explore their reactions to art in a

knowledge and voices to the exhibits, which

distinctly relaxing way.

include a full-scale pit house and a timeline of

artifacts showing evidence of migration, trade

Take in one gallery or all six, but don’t miss

the rooftop deck.

routes and crops. Hands-on exhibits include

Or as Murcko puts it, “Come to the museum.

weaving on a Pueblo-style loom, grinding cord

Enjoy the view. Experience something beautiful,

and touching artifacts such as bone drills, stone

enriching and free.”

points, pottery and the like. Behind-the-scenes curation tours are also available.

CANYON OF THE ANCIENTS VISITOR CENTER AND MUSEUM > Dolores

Canyon of the Ancients is a vast national

and a picnic area.

monument in southwestern Colorado, a region

of human population for over 10,000 years.

tour the Monument’s larger, more remote sites,

the museum also stands alone as an enriching

The Visitors Center and Museum in Dolores

is a focal point for national and international

Outside the museum, there is a paved, half-

mile trail to Escalante Pueblo, dating from the mid-1100s, as well as gardens of native plants A perfect first stop before you set out to

survey of human history, close to home.

researchers and archaeologists. It is also a must-

of those who came before us.

COLORADO SNOWSPORTS MUSEUM AND HALL OF FAME > Vail

see for anyone, of any age, who is interested in archaeology, history, culture and the mysteries

70

Created from millions of artifacts excavated

When the Colorado Snowsports Museum was

between 1978 and 1983, exhibits are hands-on,

created in 1976, the founders wanted a central

interactive and stunningly beautiful.

location, so they chose Vail.

has the “most comprehensive 10th Mountain Division artifact collection on display in Colorado,” according to Jen Mason, the current director.

“Every item in the museum is significant

to the history of snowsports,” Mason explains.

“Every item has a story to tell.”

NATIONAL MINING HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM > Leadville During the 19th century, Leadville was the epicenter of Colorado mining. Today, Leadville remains a mining community and home to the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum.

Federally

chartered

since

1988,

the

museum’s focus is national, honoring the history of mining in every region of the country from 1776 to the present. But history isn’t the only as

focus. Equally important is the institution’s

a repository of maps, photos, ski gear, 10th

aim to help visitors understand how mining

Mountain Division ephemera and more,

and minerals are essential to contemporary

displayed in a style that former director Susie

daily living.

Tjossem called “grammy’s attic.”

Recognizing the need for an upgrade, $2.6

mining,” explains curator Myles Gallagher.

million was raised, and in June 2018, a newly

“From cars to computers to toilets, to fertilizer

configured, highly digitized and more compelling

and farm vehicles, mining impacts our

museum reopened.

entire society.”

To

Originally,

the

museum

functioned

Interested in old ski maps and photos? What

“Our entire quality of life depends on

learn

more

about

the

importance

used to be a painstaking search through files is

of mining, one exhibit, called The Magic of

now a simple digital query on a large interactive

Minerals, engages visitors in a cross-section

table. Search for current resorts and find maps

of a typical residence, pointing out the myriad

dating back to their founding. Search for lost

products made possible by mining.

resorts and discover the many ski areas that

defined even the smallest Colorado communities.

museum has an important gem and mineral

Housed in a grand Victorian school, the

Interested in skis, snowboards, boots and

collection, including samples on loan from

other equipment? Check out the decades of

the Smithsonian. Walk-through hard rock

gear on display, ranging from the late 1800s

and coal mines give visitors a taste of working

to the present day. Another display, 100 Years

underground, while rotating art exhibits are

of Ski Fashion, started as a temporary exhibit

often featured.

but is now one of the museum’s most popular

attractions.

celebrate and tell the story of mining, not as

something of the past, but as something that

In addition to providing a history of

recreational snowsports, the museum also

All told, 25,000 square feet of exhibits

matters to each of us every day. :

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

71

72

feature

LOCAL SUPERHEROS SAVE THE DAY

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF HOPE Words by Jenna Kretschman | Photos courtesy Justice League of Hope

A

group of local superheroes is saving the

DeLeon grew up idolizing Superman. When

day for families in need this Christmas.

he met his now-wife, Jeanie, the couple dubbed

The Justice League of Hope provides toys and

themselves Superman and Wonder Woman

financial help for families living in poverty

from the beginning. When the two tied the

during the holidays. The league’s mission is to

knot in marriage, they did it in their superhero

create “unbreakable smiles” by dressing up as

costumes at their superhero-themed wedding.

superheroes and visiting children in hospitals

A few months later, they wore those same

and at birthday parties, as well as sponsoring

costumes to the 2018 Mesa County Libraries

families at Christmas time.

Comic Con, where they discovered Justice League

“Justice League of Hope is a group of

of Hope for the first time and knew they had to

individuals who never really grew up and

get involved. They reached out to the group’s

still enjoy dressing up like superheroes, but

founder, Dave Brock, and the rest is history.

we do it for a good cause,” says Chris DeLeon,

president of Justice League of Hope. “What the

came early this year thanks to the Justice League

Justice League of Hope does is provide this nice,

of Hope. Most of the time, families helped by the

awesome, superhero Christmas for the children

group receive their gifts just a few days before

and give them presents that they otherwise

Christmas. But for this family, the clock was

wouldn’t be able to get. But for the parents, we

ticking toward homelessness. A single mother

give them hope as well. We look at what the

who supports not only her own children, but also

parents’ needs are so they can be taken care

her sister and her children, was facing eviction

of, too. That includes food for their kitchens,

after falling behind on bills. She confided this to a

utility help, if that’s what they need — anything

coworker who reached out to the league for help.

that can stop them from becoming homeless or

having a utility shut off.” DeLeon dresses up as

kids would have gotten really cool toys, but it

Superman and occasionally Batman, depending

wouldn’t have changed the fact that they would

on the season.

have been on the streets. So, when we found out

For one family in Grand Junction, Christmas

“If we’d waited until Christmas, sure, the

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

73

Superheros on Main Street, Downtown Grand Junction

74

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that she was going to be evicted, we stepped in

smiles,’ and it’s perfect. When you see that

and gave her $900, making sure that she was

child’s eyes light up when they see you, they’re

going to have a home and so these children could

not seeing some guy dressed up as Superman,

continue to have a roof over their head. She just

because they haven’t become cynical yet. They’re

broke down in tears. She didn’t think that there

still young and full of imagination and wonder.

was any hope. Since then, it’s been wonderful for

And to them, Superman just walks through the

her, because just giving her that reset allowed

door specifically to see them, and I don’t even

her to actually catch up on things. By Christmas

know if there’s proper words for how it moves

time, we’re able to also give some cool toys to the

me just to see their eyes and to see their smiles

kids, and we know those kids are going home

— to know that just for that moment, they’re just

into a warm, safe environment,” DeLeon says.

immersed in this world of fantasy and joy. And to

That family is just one of the families given

be able to be a part of that is extremely humbling

a hand up by the league this holiday season. The

and extremely moving. When we’re able to have

group plans to provide up to $1,000 of hope for

that experience with the children, I can’t think of

at least 15 families this Christmas.

anything better than that,” DeLeon says.

“We have a list of families; we’re going to be

The Justice League of Hope is fully funded

doing some amazing things,” DeLeon says. “This

by community donations. Donate by reaching

year, we’re really trying to step in and provide a

out to the Justice League of Hope GJ Facebook

lot of help for these families.”

page or follow the page to learn about upcoming

donation drive events. :

“The best part of doing this is the smiles on

children’s faces. Our catchphrase is ‘unbreakable

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

75

events

GET OUT THERE!

IT’S COLORADO ... THERE’S ALWAYS SOMETHING GOING ON DECEMBER Kitten Yoga at Roice-Hurst Humane Society Grand Junction, CO December 6 What could make yoga even more fun and relaxing? Kittens! Don’t miss Roice-Hurst Humane Society’s gentle flow yoga class in their kitten room, taught by certified yoga instructor Matt Angleman.

Classes are open to the public for a $10 donation. rhhumanesociety.org

Olde Fashioned Christmas Palisade, CO December 6-7 Experience the full Christmas experience at Palisade’s Olde Fashioned Christmas weekend. The whole town will be decorated for the holiday and inviting shoppers to finish their Christmas shopping at vendor booths and local shops.

Don’t miss the parade, carriage rides, soup samples, gingerbread creations, a silent auction, Santa Claus and more. palisadecoc.com/ olde-fashioned-christmas

Telluride Fire Festival Telluride, CO December 6-8 Turn up the heat this winter at the Telluride Fire Festival, an event inspired by Burning Man that celebrates community, art and fire. Attend interactive workshops on handstands, dragon staff, unicycling, belly dancing and

76

more. On the second night of the festival, attend the Fire Ball and be entranced by fire dancers and aerial silk performers. telluridefirefestival.org

Breakfast with Santa at Dinosaur Journey Fruita, CO December 7 Enjoy a hot breakfast at the Dinosaur Journey Museum with Santa Claus and dinosaurs! Learn about prehistoric creatures and let the kiddos tell Santa what they’d like to see under the tree this year. museumofwesternco.com/event/ breakfast-with-santa-2019

Candy Cane Hunt Grand Junction, CO December 7 Kick off the holidays with your little one and hunt for candy canes at Lincoln Park! There will be crafts, cookies, cocoa, a puppet show and a photo booth with Frosty the Snowman! The event begins at 10 a.m. and the candy cane hunt kicks off at 11 a.m. activekids.com/grand-junction-co

Christmas Crawl Palisade, CO December 7 Support local artists and artisans in Palisade by getting your holiday shopping finished at the Palisade Christmas Crawl! Local vendors and businesses will have a variety of art, gifts and food for purchase.

The event is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 723 35 8/10 Rd. instagram.com/gvchristmascrawl

Gingerbread Contest and Showcase Palisade, CO December 7 Compete in the Gingerbread and Cookie Decorating Contest presented by Hilltop and Community Hospital! Enter your creation into the contest in the morning and stay for judging in the afternoon. All visiting kiddos will receive a giant cookie to decorate! palisadecoc.com/ gingerbread-contest

Parade of Lights (Grand Junction) Grand Junction, CO December 7 Don’t miss the biggest parade of the year in Downtown Grand Junction!

From 5 to 7 p.m., embrace the holiday spirit and watch hundreds of lit-up floats parade down Main Street spreading Christmas cheer.

This year’s parade theme is Comic Book Christmas. downtowngj.org/signature-events/ paradeoflights

Parade of Lights (Montrose) Montrose, CO December 7 Celebrate the holidays at the Montrose Parade of Lights on historic Main Street. Beginning at 5:30 p.m., watch this year’s floats illuminate the street. This year’s theme is A Very Vintage Christmas. cityofmontrose.org/621/ holiday-events

It's the M Wonder ost of th ful time e

Year!

CELEBRATE THE SEASON DOWNTOWN Join us this holiday season for festivities, shopping, entertainment, horse-drawn carriage rides, visits from Santa + Mrs Claus, and so much more!

SHOP SMALL SATURDAY

PARADE OF LIGHTS

SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

NOV 30

DEC 7

DEC 13

Bank of Colorado

DOWNTOWNGJ.ORG

Christmas Train Show

Santa Cause Run

Grand Junction, CO December 7, 8, 14, 15, 21

Grand Junction, CO December 14

Cross Orchards Historic Site Can’t get enough of The Polar Express? Get in the holiday spirit and visit the Grand Valley Model Railroad Club’s annual Christmas Train Show, featuring model trains, real trains and a ride-on train. Visit with Santa Claus and sip hot apple cider at Cross Orchards Historic Site.

This event will take place several times throughout December. museumofwesternco.com

No, that is not a typo! Santa Cause Run at Las Colonias Park Amphitheater is a holiday 5K run or walk to help fund inclusive playground equipment. The first 300 participants will receive a Santa suit to wear during the race! gjcity.org/residents/ parks-recreation/special-events/ santa-cause-run

Vail Snow Days

Grand Junction, CO December 14

Vail, CO December 12-15 Brace the cold and reward yourself with free concerts by Modest Mouse and The Head and the Heart at Ford Park, in-town and onmountain early season specials, a bonfire, an expo village and more at the four-day festival in the snow! vailsnowdays.com

Craft and Vendor Fair Grand Junction, CO December 14 Join the Career Center at their holiday bazaar! Purchase gifts for the whole family from more than 40 local vendors. Bring the little ones to take photos with Santa Claus and make gingerbread houses! The event has free admission and will be from 9 to 3 p.m. at 2935 North Ave. cc.d51schools.org/news/what_s_ new/holiday_bazaar

Fruita Parade of Lights and Tree Lighting

Ugly Sweater and Cookie Exchange Painting Party Fat Cat Pottery is hosting this festive, fun holiday event in downtown Grand Junction. Wear your favorite holiday sweater and bring cookies to share, along with the recipe! Paint a project of your choice and enjoy snacks and door prizes. The event is $10 plus the price of pottery. fatcatpotterygj.com/event/ ugly-sweater-cookie-exchangepainting-party

The Nutcracker at Robinson Theatre Grand Junction, CO December 20-22 Enjoy a holiday classic, The Nutcracker, presented by Absolute Dance at Robinson Theatre in the Colorado Mesa University Moss Performing Arts Center. Watch special guest ballerinas perform alongside local dancers. Tickets are available online. absolutedancegj.com/nutcracker

Fruita, CO December 14

Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade

Embrace the Christmas spirit at Fruita’s Parade of Lights and Tree Lighting! The parade begins at 5:30 p.m. and the tree lighting at 6:30 p.m. This year’s parade theme is Holiday Traditions. fruitachamber.org/ fruita-hometown-christmas

Telluride, CO December 24

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This is a favorite holiday tradition in Telluride for both locals and visitors. Watch from town as skiers and snowboarders cruise down Coonskin and Telluride Trail with torchlights on Christmas

Eve, lighting up the side of the mountain. The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. telluride.com/festivals-and-events/ christmas-eve-torchlight-parade

New Year’s Eve Sleepover for 3rd-6th Graders Grand Junction, CO December 31 Drop off your kids at the Eureka McConnell Science Museum at Colorado Mesa University for a New Year’s Eve sleepover before heading out to your own New Year’s Eve parties! Kids will spend a night at the museum where they will learn about science, have a pizza dinner and black light dance party, watch a movie and celebrate the new year. Register online. eurekasciencemuseum.org

New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade and Fireworks Telluride, CO December 31 If you missed the torchlight parade on Christmas Eve, don’t worry. It’s happening again on New Year’s Eve, but this time, there’s fireworks!

Skiers and snowboarders will coast down the mountain on Coonskin and Telluride Trail carrying blazing torches, followed by a firework show. telluride.com/festivals-and-events/ new-years-eve-torchlight-parade

JANUARY Bangs Canyon Trail Run 30K/60K Grand Junction, CO January 4 This self-supported trail run over the rough terrain of Bangs Canyon will keep runners challenged.

Designed to be run in cold, lessthan-ideal conditions, the race beings in two waves – 7:30 a.m. for those doing the 60K race or those who are slower runners, and 8:30 a.m. for normal 30K runners. mesamonumentstriders.com

Montrose Farmers’ Winter Market Montrose, CO January 4 Kick off the new year at the Montrose Farmers’ Holiday Market and support local artists and artisans from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 421 S. 1st St. in the Centennial Meeting Room. The market occurs every Saturday, so if you can’t make it to this one, try again next week! montrosefarmersmarket.weebly. com/calendar-of-events

Ouray Ice Expedition Ouray, CO January 5-11 Spend a week-long getaway in Ouray with the Mountain Ascent Association ice climbing the world-famous Ouray Ice Park.

Participants will stay in a rental just minutes from the ice park with a group of other climbers.

Experience and registration is required, so check out their website for more information. mountainascent.org/event-3074400

Grand Junction Rockestra Grand Junction, CO January 18 Rock out with the GJ Rockestra for a good cause! The Rockestra is a symphonic rock & roll orchestral experience, playing music from the 50s to the present. Proceeds will help fund the CMU Music Department’s scholarship fund.

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. at Robinson Theater inside the Moss Performing Arts Center at Colorado Mesa University. coloradomesa.edu/arts/music/ rockestra.html

Ouray Ice Festival Ouray, CO January 23-26 Don’t miss the 25th annual Ouray Ice Festival! Spend a chilly few days in the hub of Colorado ice climbing.

There will be vendors, gear demos,

interactive and educational climbing clinics for every skill level, contests, presentations, music, food, dancing, a silent auction and more. ourayicepark.com/ouray-ice-festival

Borealis Fat Bike World Championships Crested Butte, CO January 24-26 Head over to Crested Butte for your chance to become the next Fat Bike World Champion! This annual race welcomes all skill levels. There will be free bike demos, a vendor village, fat bike polo, live music, awards, a group ride and free beer!

Register online. crestedbuttemountainbike. com/borealis-fat-bike-worldchampionships

Wedding of a Lifetime Bridal Show Grand Junction, CO January 27 Engaged? Meet with a variety of wedding professionals, from florists, bakers and caterers to DJs, venues and more, at the Wedding of a Lifetime Bridal Show at Two Rivers Convention Center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. tworiversconvention.com/events/ wedding-lifetime

FEBRUARY

Owl Creek Chase Ski Race Snowmass & Aspen, CO February 9 Ski in the Owl Creek Chase, a challenging, scenic ski race from Snowmass to Aspen along the Owl Creek Trail. The 21K classic race begins at 9 a.m. and the 21K skate race begins at 9:30 a.m. aspenspecialevents.com/owl-creekchase

Lions Club Parade and Carnival Grand Junction, CO February 15 Have some fun for a good cause at the Grand Junction Lions Club Parade and Carnival in downtown Grand Junction. The parade will kick off at 1 p.m. on Main Street and the carnival will begin at 5 p.m. at Two Rivers Convention Center. downtowngj.org/events/lions-clubparade-carnival

Annual Telluride Gay Ski Week Telluride, CO February 22-29 Explore the excellent skiing and active nightlife of Telluride during Gay Ski Week! Enjoy a jam-packed week full of skiing, meetups, parties, live music, drag, karaoke, a fashion show and much more. telluridegayski.com :

Lake City Ice Festival Lake City, CO February 8 Spend a wintery day on the ice at the Lake City Ice Park during the Lake City Ice Festival! Play hockey on the town ice rink or spend the day ice climbing at the ice park.

Explore approximately 15 routes with 60- to 100-foot pitches with mixed grades WI 3 to 5. All ages and skill levels are welcome to come enjoy the ice! lakecity.com

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

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who we are

Q+A ON “BALANCE” WITH

ANGLELA PADALECKI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GRAND JUNCTION REGIONAL AIRPORT

By Naomi Allen | Photo courtesy Angela Padalecki

Spoke+Blossom: What tools/strategies do you implement to create a sense of “balance” in your day-to-day life?

made the week before,

Angela Padalecki: First, I get eight hours of

the weeks ahead. This

sleep nearly every night. For me, adequate sleep

promotes a culture

is the most important step to feeling energetic,

of collaboration

being productive and avoiding burnout. My

and accountability,

husband and I have children and we own a farm.

including being

There is always something to do at home, but

accountable to having

we don’t let the work get in the way of our sleep.

balance in life.

ask for help and set expectations about

Prioritizing adequate sleep means everyone goes to bed on time, even if we got home late from something interesting on TV that night.

S+B: What challenges do you face in maintaining balance and how do you overcome them?

AP: I tend to be externally motivated and it is

gymnastics, the laundry isn’t all done or there’s Second, I keep a well-organized online

calendar that covers all of my work and personal

hard for me to tell people no — whether it’s a

obligations and plans. I spend the first 30

friend who wants to get together, a colleague

minutes of every week planning. I start with the

who wants my help with something they’re

top priorities for my work and personal life and

working on or my daughter who wants me to

ensure proper time is scheduled for those items.

pick her up from the bus instead of walk home.

I pay particular attention to what progress needs

As things pop up, they have the potential to

to be made on work matters and what I need

derail my week and the work I have planned.

to accomplish versus delegate. Next, I schedule

There are some things that pop up that warrant

my workouts. Last, I reschedule anything

rearranging my schedule, but often I overvalue

that no longer fits. Every week starts with a

the significance of matters that involve other

calendar that reflects what I’m committed to

people and commit time I don’t have to give.

accomplishing for the week; I know it’s realistic,

This can leave me working late into the night

and I know it’s far from “everything.”

or missing out on things that are important to

me but don’t directly affect other people, like

I promote balance within our airport team

in several ways. First, we have clearly defined

exercising. Keeping my schedule well-planned

goals and expectations that focus on the long-

and looking at it before I commit to something

term success of the airport. This ensures we’re in

gives me a moment to think about what I’m

alignment about what is most important. Second,

giving up if I say yes to the random unplanned

we have a leadership meeting every Monday

engagement. Thinking about the tradeoff

morning and I have one-on-one meetings with

empowers me to say no more often, but this is

each member of my team on Monday afternoons.

still an area where I struggle. :

This allows time for us to check in on progress

80

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