Lian Canty, a former client of mine invited me to be a contributor for her book titled, the Alphabet Menagerie. As part of Lian’s “Tree People” illustrations, this project was a collection of stories, vignettes, and poems written by writers and poets from Western Colorado area. As a contributor, this was an opportunity to demonstrate to my students the various aspects of writing using literary elements, creative concept imagery, and the limitless nature of expressive literature. I created prose using the specific letters, I and Q. Initially, I found this to be more challenging than expected. My objective was to maintain an alliterative flavor while evoking well woven imagery. The results were positive! I enjoyed the creative exercise, and I could share this with my students as an inspiration and resource for their writing projects.

A couple of years into my tenure working at the Adaptive Sports Center, I began to teach adaptive skiing in Scotland, Austria, Italy and France. In 2005, the ASC was trying to figure out how to fund an adaptive ski program in Argentina, and it dawned on me that an extreme take on townie bike riding around the town of Crested Butte for 24 hours would be a novel way to attract outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and abilities to participate in funding this program. The Bridges of the Butte 24 Hour Townie Tour was thus brought to life, and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Adaptive Sports Center of Crested Butte. This event has been sponsored by local and international agencies. This fundraising tradition continues to this day!

This local tradition of celebrating the harvest and paying homage to various aspects of local natural wonder, Vinotok began using altars to pay tribute to local legends, jesters, magistrates and other mythic representatives. It occurred to me that our community would be so very hollow without the consideration of the pets and furry companions that accompany us on our journeys through this life. Without their Loyalty, our experience would be in vain. Upon the passing of my trusty Redbone Coonhound Ruby, I committed myself to build an altar to help community members heal from the loss of their best of best friends. This altar evokes both tears of loss and tears of joy!