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AROUND TOWN: Zoo supporters hop to the rescue at ball
If Froggie went a courtin' in Colorado Springs, it might just scare the croak right out of him.
Hippety-hopping downtown, Froggie would confront a bigger-than-big - whoa, he heard they were extinct - Panamanian Golden Frog covering two floors on a corner of Chase Bank at Pikes Peak Avenue and Tejon Street.
And he had thought the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was a heart-stopper on May 16 when there were smaller froggies - real, stuffed toys, on bow ties and cummerbunds and in paintings - everywhere.
More than 200 humans in black-tie finery were on hand for the annual Zoo Ball festivities, and to learn about endangered amphibians as well. More than $162,000 was raised.
Zoo President/CEO Bob Chastain is in the forefront of the fight to save amphibian species being threatened with extinction by pollution, habitat loss and a deadly chytrid fungus. Six supporters bought trips with Chastain to Panama to see firsthand the Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project.
Zoo Ball day had dawned bright and sunny but turned cold and wind-whipped by midafternoon, forcing a last-minute move of early outdoor events indoors to the Primate House and turning the zoo's Sean Anglum a little more gray-haired. Cocktail hour was shared with orangutans and gorillas. When several nattily dressed young men made silly faces through the glass at the fearsome silverback gorilla, Rafiki played their game by rushing the windows and scattering the humans. Then he sat back contentedly.
Attendees hopped aboard the zoo trams headed for the Lodge at Moose Lake, where neon green and bright orange jungle and frog colors, combined with cricket chirps, set the theme. A humorous menu included Dragon Tongue Beans, Barramundi Fish Tacos, Tenderloin with Mango Coulis, Peruvian Potatoes and Key Lime Cheesecake with Chocolate Frog and Gummy Flies.
Alan Manley (formerly of Primitivo fame) donated his wine expertise for a selection to go along with dinner, as well as providing several prime live-auction groupings of wines.
Ron Johnson of presenting sponsor Central Bancorp purchased several of Chastain's Panama trips. Brad Baker bought a trip for his wife and her friends to the set of "Two and a Half Men" and sponsor Sally Veitch gets to name the zoo's newest giraffe, due this month.
Working on the event committee with head Jamie Kratt were Sheree Ahrendsen, Annette Brinker, Yvonne Conrad, Jenny Craddock, Tamarinde Doane, Alex Dumas, Ann Giambalvo, Sally Hybl, Lynn Janeczek, Todd Langfield, Tess Loo, Jacqueline Lundquist, Erin Myers, Kelley Parker, Monica Peloso, Denise Sheridan, Emilie Simon, Jenny Thatcher and Carrie Trookman.
Among those enjoying the evening at the zoo were Tomas and Nancy Dawson, Bob and Pattie Smith, Leslie and Parry Thomas, Tom and Susan Pattee, Vinai and Barbara Thummalapally, Ken Keene and Judy Chilsen, Lindsey and Mark Nigon, Chris and Daylene Forseth, Bill and Jane Corrigan, Debbie and Ken Bailey, Ashley Fritz, Sean Young and Michelle Groscost.
Other zoo news: On April 28, the zoo was filled with 720 guests who were treated to a special day. Tied to attendance at the zoo's annual holiday Winter WildLand, the partnership between the zoo, Community Partnership for Child Development and Head Start invited 300 Head Start families. More than 22,000 had visited the zoo during the holiday event. Head Start families created treats for the animals, including boxes filled with elephant dung for the lions to tear apart. Children were challenged to bring plastic bags for recycling and gave an astonished zoo staff 30,000.
One of the most touching art shows and auctions is the Alzheimer's Association Memories in the Making. Held May 21 at Norris-Penrose Event Center, the 11th annual event featured a juried show of art by those with memory loss and other dementia. Emcee Adam Atchison of KOAA called the auction/gala, which drew 235 people, one of most touching events he is involved with.
The evening's spirited bidding by families, staffs of care facilities and supporters helped raise $55,000 for the association's work. There were also palettes donated by professional artists, as well as paintings paired with those by the featured artists.
Chosen for the auction were works by Joyce Gordon, Irma Borgen, Bernice Brister, Ruth Stolaroff, Bea Maestas, Rosalie Collins, Bob Parson, Mamie Clark, Mary Edith Moe, Vivian Blum, Pat Everett, Allen Ludlam, Anna Deal, Dale Dewitt, Mildred Schneller, Vivian Lorenz, Barbara Worhle, Audra Shoemaker, Bill Merser, Linnie Wayland and Kathryn Aldridge.
