Food + Beverage

A Christmas Old Fashioned

Connor’s Mobile Pub Gets Party-Goers into the Holiday Spirits Article by Jennifer Mason | Photography by Kaitlin Connor Plink-plockity! Ice cubes tumble into the cup. They are anointed with brown liquor and a spritz of fizzy water. Lastly, the cubes are crowned with a decorative twist of citrus rind. Kaitlin Connor, owner and founder of Connor’s Mobile Pub, winks as she serves up the festive cocktail. “I’m really good at mixing drinks. It clicks for me,” she confides. Before opening the...

Arts + Culture

Creativity and Camaraderie: How Art Revitalized a Community

Celebrate and create with Dancing Spirit Center for the Arts! Article by Kalista Peña | Photography by Andy Wingerd Without fail, without doubt, a strong community can heal a broken heart. Kasey Correia knows this first-hand, and witnesses it each morning when she steps into Dancing Spirit Center of the Arts. Dancing Spirit is a cultural hub that celebrates art, resilience, and creativity. Offering the gift of community, belonging, and creative expression, vital tools used to overcome past...

Entertainment

Holiday High Note

How the San Juan Symphony Bestows the Many Gifts of Music to the Remote Four Corners Region Article by Jennifer Mason | Photography by Ascent Digital and Drew Semel at Illuminarts The curtains part. Ballerinas pirouette and jeté across the stage. The orchestra fades in with sighing violins and whispering flutes. Gradually all the instruments pool in until they crescendo with the trumpet’s calling, TAH TEE-TEE-TEE-TEE TAH-TEE TAH-TUM. The “Nutcracker” ballet has begun!   “It’s almost one of...

Education

Winter Book Round-Up!

Give the gift of a great book! Shop at one of our many local bookstores. Article by Kalista Peña For this roundup, I visited Second Story Books and White Rabbit Books & Curiosities, asking the employees what they enjoyed reading during the chilly months. I also stopped by the Durango Public Library and spoke with a couple librarians receiving great recommendations for children and adults.   A book enthusiast at Second Story Books recommends Kristin Hannah, noting, "Though she’s not a cozy...

Local Services

Give Where You Live

Southwest Colorado Gives Day Connects You to Local Causes You Love Article by Rachel Rosenthal What do you love most about Southwest Colorado? From picturesque mountains to the plethora of endorphin-boosting activities that wait just outside your door, there is much to adore about this sacred corner of the planet. But, behind all the beautiful things that make our home so easy to love are the people and organizations who give it life. Southwest Colorado nonprofits are a vibrant tapestry of...

Food + Beverage

Red Velvet Cheesecake

A Show-Stopping Dessert for Special Occasions Article by Sari Suzanne | Photography by Candace Cross Cheesecake 3 lb cream cheese soft 2 C. sugar 1 c. sour cream 2 TBS Vanilla paste 6 eggs ½ tsp salt 1 c. cocoa powder 10 drops organic red     Red Velvet Cheese Cake Makes 1 Deep Dish Cheese Cake Special Equipment: 8 inch Spring Form Pan Cook Time: 30-40 minutes Ingredients FOR THE CRUST 4 cups finely crushed rice crispies (Use a Cuisinart with blade) 2 cup finely ground...

Home + Design

Blooming Beauties: Crafting Your Perfect Centerpiece

A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Stunning Floral Arrangements for Any Occasion Article by Natalie McLain | Photography by Andy Wingerd Materials Needed: Fresh Flowers : sunflowers, dahlias, roses, mums Foliage : eucalyptus, magnolia, or fall leaves Seasonal Accents : small pumpkins, gourds, berries, pinecones Chicken Wire A Vase or Shallow Bowl Pruning Shears or Scissors Step 1: Choose and Prepare Your Container Select a vase, shallow bowl, or rustic wooden box. Make...

Local Services

Empowering Lives Through Inclusive Support

Empowering Families: How Community Connections Transforms Lives Through Advocacy and Lifelong Support Article by Theresa Blake Graven | Photography by Hannah and Lynn Martens Since its founding in 1985, Community Connections has been a beacon of support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Southwest Colorado. Serving five counties, the organization has spent 39 years offering vital care coordination and case management services to individuals and their...

Education

House and Home

New Owners at Gable House Balance Comfort with Elegance and the Environment with the History Article by Jennifer Mason | Photography by Renee Cornue Studio Elders, aunts and uncles trickle through the front door, escaping the wintry morning. The air is so cold it nips like a crotchety lap dog. Warm drinks circulate. Stories and laughter mingle. Platter after platter colonizes the dining table with a glistening, steaming feast. Jolly holiday gatherings form the bulk of Tracie Trotter’s...

Life + Culture

Inspiring the Leaders of Tomorrow

FLC's Director of Belonging: A community connector and student supporter. Article by Kalista Peña | Photography by Kelly Miranda In this position, Kate Suazo hopes to create a culture that emphasizes authenticity, kindness, and love. Further rallying and binding Fort Lewis College together as the community navigates new spaces and paves the way for a more inclusive future. As Director of Belonging, she wants to “institutionalize the expectation that each student, staff, and faculty member...