Winemakers arrive in time to raise funds for Dance Theatre

Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Mar 24, 2002 by Diane Wengler

A snowstorm March 8 delayed the arrival of all six guest winemakers until just moments before people arrived at the Broadmoor International Center for the Grand Tasting and Silent Auction.

Because of the storm, the plane carrying Mike Etzel of Beaux Freres, Ken Wright of Ken Wright Cellars, Craig Broadley of Broadley Vineyards, Steve Doerner of Cristom Vineyards, Harry Peterson-Nedry of Chehalem and Sam Tannahill of Archery Summit was delayed several hours.

The winemakers arrived in the nick of time for the Oregon Pinot Extravaganza at the 11th Annual Wine Festival, which raised $135,000 for Colorado Springs Dance Theatre.

"We were mortified when the plane was delayed but just decided we'll just roll with it," said Dance Theatre marketing director Celeste Blakely.

But the crowd of 600 people carried on happily thanks to the wine distributors, who already had begun pouring and serving the 200 wines accompanied by food from premier local restaurants and caterers.

The wine tasting continued at Trattoria de Angelo and Primitivo the next day as the guest winemakers conducted a variety of educational seminars for the novice wine drinker as well as the expert connoisseur.

The festival concluded with the sold-out Gourmet Winemaker Dinner & Live Auction that night for 140 guests at the Garden of the Gods Club.

The club's chef, Michael McGeeney, prepared a five-course dinner of pan-seared Hudson Valley foie gras, ahi tuna, crispy duck, black truffle-rubbed beef tenderloin and mini pastries and cheeses paired with wines from guest winemakers.

Master of ceremonies Jim Little of Coaltrain Wine and Liquor recognized longtime Dance Theatre supporters Harry and Ene Thomsen for their many donations of rare wine over the years.

Host Fritz Hatton, Christie's principal wine auctioneer (and a Napa Valley resident), led bidding on wine, champagne and getaway packages during the black-tie-optional event.

Among the successful bidders were Mari Martinez for an Oregon wine country trip; John Street and Mary Beasley, the Broadmoor homes progressive dinner; Gunnar and Brenda Heuberger, the wine-tasting party; The Cliff House's Jim Morley, a 1959 vintage bottle of Chateau Latour and two collections of Ridge Zinfandels.

Sponsoring a $500 Esther Geoffrey Young Dancer Scholarship for young area dancers competing April 20 at Colorado College were Andrew and Joan Pollock, Dr. Patrick and Kris Faricy, Albert and Sherry Odell, Jamie Maxwell of Maxwell Wine Company of Denver, William and Sally Tantau of Napa Valley, and Dr. Elliot and Cynthia Cohn.

Enjoying the wines and food were co-chairwomen Cynthia Cohn and Emilie Simon, Warren and Elizabeth Youngquist, Paul and Michelle York, Jeb Magruder, Lee and Michelle Wolf, Dr. Ken and Kathleen Gamblin, Dr. Mark and Ann Hazuka, Dr. Robert and Sue Foerster, Dr. Monte Golditch, Russ Wiley, Bill and Lori Kurtz, Dennis and Sandy Weber, John and Mary Jackson, Peggy and Stuart McKinlay, and Buck Blessing.

UNITED WAY CELEBRATES: Paper-filled "coolers" were dumped on "coach" Jerry Smith during the Pikes Peak United Way's Campaign Celebration on March 12 at the Broadmoor West Rocky Mountain Ballroom.

Smith, former CEO of Western Forge, began his duties as volunteer campaign chairman of the 2001 community campaign by visiting all 42 partner agencies so he could better represent them when he was on the campaign trail, the United Way's Tim Walsworth said of the chapter's Volunteer of the Year.

"He then made well over 100 campaign talks, speaking to small groups of just a few to groups of several hundred. Jerry is well- respected in our community from his days as president of Western Forge. He used his business connections to open new doors for Pikes Peak United Way.

"Despite everything that has occurred in the past six months, Jerry led the campaign $100,000 past its ($4.65 million) goal. United Way was lucky to have his leadership and expertise."

Diane Price, president and CEO of Colorado Springs Child Nursery Centers, and Merv Bennett, president of YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region, were hosts for the event, which honored the late Dusty Loo.

Loo, represented by his children James Loo and Susan Pattee, began the campaign year as co-chairman of the Alexis De Tocqueville Society, a group of donors giving $10,000 or more annually. By the end of the campaign, the group had grown from 19 to 32 donors.

Audience members did the wave as key campaign volunteers were introduced. The top honor, the Spirit of Caring award, went to El Paso Corp., Western Pipelines.

Other awards were presented to Velcon Filters, Woodford Manufacturing and Agilent Technologies for the Greatest Number of Leaders in Giving to Campaign (individuals giving $1,000 or more).

Sparks Willson Borges Brandt & Johnson PC, JE Dunn Construction and El Paso Corp., Western Pipelines were honored for the Greatest Percent Increase in Campaign.

The Highest Percentage of Participation was awarded to Kaiser Permanente, Chamber of Commerce, CHINS-UP, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Urban League, Workout Ltd., Energy Resource Center, Pikes Peak Community Action Agency, Consumer Credit Counseling, Pikes Peak Partnership, High Valley Group, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Intermountain Mortgage, Women's Resource Agency, Boys and Girls Club, Allegory Marketing/Bing Promotional Products, Center for Hearing, Speech and Language, LULAC National Education Service Center, Pikes Peak Center on Deafness, Silver Key Senior Services, and Community Partnership for Child Development.