It was a rollback to the ’50s as Lutheran Family Service be-bopped into their 21st annual Innkeeper Dinner at the Colorado Springs Hotel Elegante’ on Tuesday. Poodle skirts and saddle shoes abounded as supporters of this valuable community organization gathered for a great buffet dinner, silent and live auction and entertainment by The Dinettes.
KKTV’s Jen Lennon returned as the jovial emcee for the evening and President and CEO Jim Barclay thanked attendees for their support and commitment. Auctioneer Shelly St John expertly navigated through the Heads or Tails game and other auction offerings.
As an example of a success story that recently occurred, KPC Respite Center’s Traci Hearne stood on stage with client Malcolm, who wholeheartedly thanked the program for helping him out when his family was greatly in need. Sometimes a string of bad luck can be devastating, but LFS is there to help and rescue.
Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains is a faith based, non-profit human service agency helping children and families during their most challenging times. They have been committed to serving all people, regardless of race, religion, gender or age since 1948. They offer assistance in:
Adoption and Pregnancy Counseling;
Older Adult & Caregiver Services;
Foster Care;
Prevention Services;
Refugee & Asylee Programs;
Disaster Response
LFS’s Jane Pope Meehan, left, with Peggy Byrd (committee member)
Committee member Sandie Trowbridge, left, and Jill Archer from LFS
Roger Bawek, left, Sandie Trowbridge and Dave Fundarek
“Elvis” and Travis Nolen
LFS President and CEO Jim Barclay, left, with Dr. Marshall and Charleen Hinckley
Arlene Avischious, left, and Kathy Steinke
Traci Hearne, left, Jennifer Ross, Malcolm Malone and Shelly St John
Rosemary Anderson (committee), le, and Sharon Oleszek
Silent auction items were great
Phyllis Luebke, left, and Linda Parobek (committee)
Dick Petersen, left, chats with Jim Rothwell
Priscilla Hill (committee) and James Horan
Joe Dixon and BG Daryl Hauck admire the ’55 Mercury Montclair
BG Daryl Hauck and his dad James Hauck
Ken Rogers, left, Gerald Oleszek and Carole Snead
Sally Meitz, left, and Joni Hamick
Jim and Debbie Kent with Dean Arnold
Corey and Wendy Miller
Bill Worsham and Pastor Joshua Hansen (board member)
Charleen and Dr. Marshall Hinckley
Bryan and Sherry Scott, left, Elvis, Carol Schmitz
Melody Logan, left, Eileen and Andy Ballas and Russ Logan
Sally Warrington chats with Jim Barclay
Wayne Hjelmstad and Gene Warrington
Emmett and Katherine Cruson
Pastor Dan Holt, left, and William Ayen (board)
Guests peruse the silent auction
Committee member Kathy Fundarek takes photos of friends
Nancy Gast and her son -in-law, Travis Hearne
Committee members Sandy Harkins, left, Gini Simonson and Joyce Neighbors greeted guests
Jim and Gini Simonson
Sandra Pike and John Merrill
Members of St Luke’s Lutheran congregation
Lois Peel and Elvis
Bob and Rita Wiley, left, with Traci Hearne
Greg Gast and Pastor Joshua Hansen look at auction offerings
Bob and Rita Wiley with Elvis
Donna Fahrenkrug, left, Stephanie Bawek and Judith Ray
Bob and Susan Curtis, left, and Terry and Judy Snow
Jim Simonson chats with Paul Rochette
This 1960 Cadillac sold for $4800 new, and is worth upwards of $75,000 now.
Ridin’ in style in the 1960 Cadillac
Jerry Harkins chats with Barbara Firestine
Rhett and Shelly Rodewald, left, with Laurie Garcia, Kevin Pratt and Jill Archer
Danette Goldhammer of LFS helps to organize guest check-in and auction
Jane Pope Meehan, left, with Floyd Preston, Kate Kelsay and Tomika Preston
Marcia Hanscom, left, Betty Tuma and Lannette Abbey, aka “Trixie, Pixie and Maude”
Bill Worsham chats with Lyman Kaiser
Karen amd Mike Matkin
Stylishly dressed Don Trowbridge
Norm Peterson, left, Karen and Glenn Frank, Elvis and Lynn Peterson
Dick Utzke, left, Jim Barclay and Roger Bawek
Howie and Barbara Firestine on the dance floor
Jim and Gini Simonson cut a rug
“Friends” committee members
Jen Lennon returned as emcee
Lois and Milford Prothe
Richard Meehan and Jane Pope Meehan
guests stand to be recognized
President and CEO Jim Barclay thanked everyone for coming
Jim Barclay told the crowd about some LFS accomplishments this year
Shelly St John starts the auction
“Sold!” says Shelly St John
Shelly St John and Jen Lennon during the program
Jane Pope Meehan plays “heads or tails”
“heads or tails” finalists
Erik Hjelmstad wins the “heads or tails” game
Semi-finalist Lois Peel congratulates winner Erik Hjelmstad
Shelly St John holds a coveted Peyton Manning-autographed helmet
KPC Respite Center’s Traci Hearne and Malcolm tell their story
Becky Miller Updike, VP, Child & Family Services; Kate Delsay, VP, Finance; Jane Pope Meehan, VP, Resource Development; James Horan, VP, Refugee and Community Services
Sponsors:
Chubby Checker: First Lutheran Church; The Twist: Bob McGrath Construction, Jennings & Jan Larson, St Luke's Lutheran Church; Poodle Skirt: Ray & Arlene Avischious, Lyman & Carolyn Kaiser, Gene & Sally Warrington, Stockmen's Bank, GE Johnson, ENT Federal CU, Bethel Lutheran Church, Black Forest Lutheran Church; Saddle Shoe: Norm & Lynn Peterson, Terry & Judy Hjelkrem, Dick & Sue Currey, Salinda Kuzma, Jerry & Sandy Harkins, Bill Ayen, Donna Skovgaard, Classic Homes, Vantage Homes, Kohls, Mulliken, Berg & Jolivet PC, Ascension Lutheran Church, Trinity Lutheran Church, Redeemer Lutheran Church
Auctioneer:
Auction Divas, Shelly St John
Menu:
Buffet with mixed green salad, mashed potatoes, green beans, macaroni and cheese, meat loaf, fried chicken, rolls, home-baked pies for dessert
Attire:
'50s casual
Ticket Prices:
$65
Event Committee:
Lannette Abby, Rosemary Anderson, Peggy Byrd, Ann Ericksen, Kathy Fundarek, Gary Gabrielson, Karen Hansen, Sandy Harkins, Priscilla Hill, Carolyn Kaiser, Diana Keys, Cheryl Mahon, Joyce Neighbors, Patti Olsen, Linda Parobek, Betsy Plante, Linda Samuelson, Gini Simonson, Donna Skovgaard, Sandie Trowbridge, Jody Wilbur, Elaine Zick
Board of Directors:
Chair: Keith LaShier; Secretary: Alana Hankins; Vice-Chair Finance: Karl Berg; Vice-Chair Resource Development: Rev. Doug Hill; Vice-Chair Board Development: Katherine Cruson; Vice-Chair Program Services: Rev. Pat Holman; Rev. Scott Abel; Dr. Bill Ayen; Doug Eisenbrandt; Bruce Fear; Todd Laurie; Scott Nixon; Debbie Payne; Pedro Quinones; Tom Siegle; Karen Spies; Ex Officio: Rev. Allen Anderson; Rev. James Gonia; James Barclay