NONPROFITS AROUND TOWN: Dance Theatre, Telmossé charity team up
A local tradition has a new look.
Starting in 1992, The Colorado Springs Dance Theatre started producing a huge, annual wine festival that became a highlight on the social calendar. After a break of several years, “The Original Wine Festival” returned in 2007, raising funds for local dance events.
This year marked something completely new, a partnership between the Dance Theatre and the Bob Telmossé Foundation, which benefits the area’s 28-year-old Christmas giveaway started by the popular businessman who died in 2006.
The inaugural event, with more wine samples than ever and a variety of gourmet taste treats from area chefs, drew more than 200 to the grounds of the Colorado Springs School on a sunny July 24.
The groups will share at least $15,000.
Patricia Herminjard, expecting a tiny dancer any day, teamed with Telmossé’s widow, Carol Reinert, to welcome guests and invite them to the busy silent auction tables.
“Let’s raise a glass to the perpetuation of the finer things in life — wine, food and the generosity of our community!” the evening’s program invited.
Serving on the festival committee from both groups were Melissa Bernal, Patti Boles, Beth Carlson, Michelle Chan, Maureen Christopher, Theresa Fitts, Mike Lopez, Nancy McCollum and Tom Zurenko.
Scott Long, of Tejon Street Wine Shoppe, was the evening’s wine adviser and — at his own table, assisted by fiancée Gretchen Morant — poured a light summer rosé, a New Zealand sauvignon blanc and a hearty merlot.
Minicupcakes from A Piece of Cake and delicious passion fruit desserts from Garden of the Gods Gourmet topped off entree samples from Alpine Chef Catering, Biaggi’s, Blue Sage Catering, Jake and Telly’s, Little Nepal, Nosh, Pizzeria Rustica and The Warehouse.
An appropriately named Chris Wine served as event photographer.
Sharing laughter at a table were Teri Lucero, Margie Harrop and Susan Garman.
Sisters Denise Zastoupil (“I’m younger”) and Bobbie Jacobs (“I’m cuter”) toasted each other. Jane Young and Tom Kittelsen visited with friends.
Mike Lopez gave a wave when he was announced as the man who sprang Bob Telmossé from the hospital to attend his last Christmas giveaway. Mike and wife Nadia confessed they also spirited “Bob and his dialysis equipment” away for “our bucket list” road trips to Yellowstone and Jackson Hole. “Wonderful memories, and Bob had so much fun,” Nadia said.
As the evening drew to a close, Quinn and Karen Capen and Michelle Chen joined other volunteers taking down clusters of balloon grapes and purple bows.
ERA Shields drawing
Little did ERA Shields Real Estate suspect how special its 46th $10,000 drawing would be. The program encourages Realtors to bring buyers to ERA Shields listings.
At The Warehouse, broker/owner Bill Hurt drew the name of John Clemente, who said he and his wife, Leslie, would donate it to Care and Share Food Bank.
The couple had decided before arriving that if they won, they would donate it all in honor of Leslie’s mother, Carolyn Egerman, who had died that morning.
SAVE THE DATES
Camp Conservatory for Women, to raise scholarships to Colorado Springs Conservatory for students in Head Start, Urban League, Harrison D-2 and Colorado Springs D-11, overnight retreat, Sept. 10-11, Cheyenne Mountain Resort, $250, coloradospringsconservatory.org; followed by Conservatory Carnivale for men and women, 6-9 p.m. Sept. 11, $125.
