Villager Newspaper - Salt on the Rim

By Glory Weisberg

Sandy Weigand and Nancy Koontz. Photos by Glory Weisberg.

Ah “summertime and the living is easy,” a song said and it was true July 31 when the Kempe Foundation Alliance held its annual Salt on the Rim party at the estate of Mike and Peggy Shanahan.

A whopping success, with 650 guests, shuttle parking at the St. Mary’s Academy parking lot was full before the first hour ended. The annual Mexican theme party enlisted food from Brio, Garcia’s, Gourmet Fine Catering, Jing, Mezcal, Oak Tavern, Pappadeaux, Piatti, Ted’s Montana Grill, The Food Guy, The Porker, Zink and Kitchen+Bar. It seemed as though one was outdoing the other with high quality dishes topped off with Pinkberry frozen yogurt and The Melting Pot that laid out chocolate fondue. It was all washed down with margaritas from Lime, Breckenridge Brewery beer, Schweiger Vineyards wine and Vuka energy drinks.

Steve Edmonds, Marsha Temple and Louise Richardson

A rousing success such as this doesn’t just happen, it’s coddled and worked on relentlessly by volunteers. No single person was named chairman, but Nancy Koontz, Ryta Sondergard, Marsha Temple and Sandy Weigand made up the executive committee, probably foregoing siestas to perfect the party. New Alliance President Sandee Walling meandered through the estate, enjoying the gentle breezes outside the tent.

Supporters said goodbye to Kempe President/CEO Jesse Wolff, who has accepted a position with Goodwill of Denver.

Barely settled in and already a local star, Tim Tebow’s jersey was a hot auction item.

What had the previous night’s struggle against a downpour became a sunset so elegant that guests climbed up to the mansion’s top floor balcony to take in the breathtaking view. Others settled in poolside or swayed the time away to a live but loud band.

The Kempe Foundation Alliance is the fundraising arm of the center on the Anschutz Medical Center that works to prevent and treat child abuse and neglect. The mission was in mind with many silent auction items for children, others for décor, garden and office themes and an autographed Broncos jersey with the name of the newest quarterback, Tim Tebow, offered with a starting bid of $350. Edie Marks made the first offer. Paul Borillo emceed the program that, of course, featured a live auction.

Among volunteers and supporters were Gail and George Johnson, Steve Edmonds, Deb Smith, Maureen Leif, Peter Bryant, Andy Boian, Miriam Abreu, Louise Richardson, Helen and Warren Hanks, Carla McElroy, Vivian and Bonnie Guzofsky, Joe and Pam Ignat, Virginia Bray, Julie and Dr. John Kucera, Lisa and Dr. Lynn Taussig, Drs. Bonita and Stan Carson, Jay and Kristina Davidson, Trish Hood, Jan and Gil Hammond, Cathy and Dr. Jordan Klein, Caroline Karlin, Stacy Ohlsson and Bradley Joseph.