Color me mortified with egg on my face.
First, I was under the impression the Florida Aspen Club had ceased functioning, when, in fact, it’s going strong. That’s a big goof for the person on the nonprofit beat.
Then the club generously invited me to its Thanksgiving meeting and fundraiser, I carefully wrote down the directions and then ... spaced it out. Yikes!
Many thanks to President Loraine Sufficool, who graciously served as my correspondent for the story despite my dimwittedness.
The club was founded in the 1950s and serves the Bayfield area philanthropically speaking. It’s known for its largesse in that community at Christmas time, making sure everyone has a good holiday, as well as creating baby baskets for families at Mercy Regional Medical Center.
I guess you could say they are small but mighty.
The meeting I missed Nov. 18 included a silent auction and big Thanksgiving dinner at the home of Loretta McLeod. (I may not have gotten to enjoy it, but I saw some enticing photos.)
This silent auction features the talents of members, including everything from home- canned items to jackets. The hand-quilted table runners were particularly popular.
There was a grand turnout, including Patty Martin, Michelle Barrett, Sherry Gerholt, Peggy Treadwell, Ann Peck, Doris Andrew, Candy Gerber, Sandra Doblash, Debra Baker, Rosemary Reese, Anne Rudolph, Carol Shablo, Kathy Motter, Karen Baxter, Kristi Dula, Kay Phelps, Lexie Bauer, Carol McWilliams – my colleague from the Pine River Times – Jenni Tencza, Peggy Jenkins and Terry Miller. But not, unfortunately, me.
I’m including all the names so that if you’re interested in joining, you will find someone you know on the list.
This group clearly does good things for their community and has fun doing it.
HHH
Some galoshes might be a good gift for these birthday celebrants, because it looks like precipitation is coming our way – Russ Smith, Patricia Mikelson, Melodie San Miguel, Arthur Kunkel, Antony Kuo, Emily Lavengood, Danny Pierce, Bev Dittmer, Carter House, Dell Manners, Kyle Branson, Eve Gilmore, Don Cornutt, Leighton Beach, Alice Robinson and Katie Cunnion.
Special greetings go to Linda Mack Berven, who will be spending a lot of her birthday week preparing for the Durango Choral Society’s annual holiday concert at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College.
HHH
Bids will be accepted until 8 p.m. today in the Boys and Girls Club of La Plata County’s online auction. If you want to (mostly) buy local and support a good cause, while saving gas and the hassles of shopping during the holidays, this is the answer to your dilemma.
(And since The Denver Post reported Monday that the cost of the gifts in the “Twelve Days of Christmas” now tops $116,000, I guarantee you’ll get something way more affordable than that.)
Visit www.bgclaplata.org and click on Bid for Kids Online Auction.
HHH
When Local First started selling its Be Local Coupon Book, I thought, “That’s nice,” picked one up, got some great deals and didn’t think much more about it. But as the organization debuts its seventh annual iteration of the book, it’s clear it has taken on a life of its own. About 75 or so involved business leaders and friends showed up for its launch party Nov. 19 at the Durango Welcome Center.
Trails 2000 was a special guest with a table giving a sneak preview of its new publication, a trail guide celebrating its 25 years of its many contributions to our community.
Autumn Cameron brought her original cover art for the book and immediately sold a framed print to one of Durango’s newest businesses, Durango Craft Spirits. Photographer Scott Smith brought his now-famous (it’s also featured in the book) wheelbarrow and filled it with local beer.
This year’s book has the theme “farming as a metaphor for investing in your local community” with a tribute to local farmer Jim Dyer.
Local restaurants donated an array of finger foods including bison corn dogs from the Ore House, at least eight kinds of sushi from Eolus, wings from Cuckoo’s Chicken House and wraps from Raider Ridge Café.
Local First Executive Director Kristi Streiffert said, “the crowd toasted another year of living local” with wine from Four Leaves Winery and beer from Ska Brewing Co., and the Brew Pub and Kitchen.
The coupon books are $18 and are available at about 16 local businesses, including Animas Trading Co., Durango Coffee Co., Kroeger’s Ace Hardware, Maria’s Bookshop, Nature’s Oasis, Pine Needle Mountaineering and PJ’s Gourmet Market. Keep your eyes peeled and snag one (or more) when you see it, because this usually sells out pretty quickly.
I’d better get mine before this runs!
HHH
There’s a reason The Durango Herald has professional photographers, and the proof is in the fact that yours truly cannot be trusted to come back with the money shot on my cellphone.
I was delighted to attend Harry Jarrell’s 99th birthday party Friday – one of several – at Tamarin Square but not so delighted when I saw how backlit he was in my shots. Ah, well.
The secret to long life? “Head for 98, and then live another year,” he said.
His granddaughter, Kelsey Partridge-Lancaster, said he attributed making 90 to “eating bacon and eggs every day.”
Jarrell’s daughter Linda Partridge lives just upstairs from him, and Partridge-Lancaster, her husband, Brandon Lancaster, and their children, Derek Lancaster, 8, and Deana Lancaster, 12, all were on hand to enjoy the cake and ice cream. One of his best buddies, Ernie Shock, and his wife, Ruth, also joined the full house for the festivities.
Jarrell has lived in Durango for 36 years, including two decades at the gliderport, where if someone was on the tractor mowing the runway, odds were, “There’s Harry.” He also was a member of the Colorado Mounted Rangers for 30 years, and for many of those, he was the oldest member of the local chapter.
Originally, he was planning to spend his birthday at the Ore House for their famous deal of the percentage of your years off the bill. (When Arvo Matis turned 102, he got a free dinner plus $2.) But on second thought, Jarrell decided to go to CJ’s Diner, where he joins a group for coffee every Wednesday.
What’s he going to order? “Hash browns, eggs over easy, bacon and wheat toast,” he said, the breakfast of nonagenarians.
Born on Nov. 29, 1915, Jarrell spent part of the Depression working for the Civilian Conservation Corps. He and his late wife, Dorothy, were married for 74 and a half years. In addition to Partridge, they had another daughter and son, both of whom live in Farmington. All told, the Jarrell family tree includes five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
And his granddaughter figured out he has lived through 17 presidents. The first one he voted for was Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Now that’s a long life.
Here’s how to reach me: neighbors@durangoherald.com; phone 375-4584; mail items to the Herald; or drop them off at the front desk. Please include contact names and phone numbers for all items. Follow me on Twitter @Ann_Neighbors.
