S E A R C H
SOUTHAURORA SOUTH AURORA’S PREMIER MONTHLY COMMUNITY MAGAZINE SINCE 2009
CELEBRATE AMERICA Our July Features
POSTAL PATRON 12760 Stroh Ranch Way, Suite 202 Parker, CO 80134 303-805-9455
Magazine
South Aurora
ECRWSS Denver, CO
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Experience South Aurora Our Readers’ Favorite Apple Pie Recipes Welcome to the Colorado Horse Park Tips to Become a Grill Master Get Dirty at the MS Muckfest PLUS much more
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JULY 2017
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S E A R C H
SOUTHAURORA JULY 2017
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Experience South Aurora To-do, local, where in town? 6 Tips to Become a Grill Master Make your grilling rock Our Readers’ Best Apple Pie Recipes Get your taste buds ready Welcome to the Colorado Horse Park Family fun at the Horse Park The Bookends The Vanishing Year Local Author Spotlight Two great books from local authors MS Muckfest Get dirty and make a difference
TABLE OF CONTENTS
WIN A NEW CHARCOAL GRILL
It’s summer, which means time to grill some awesome food. If you don’t own your own grill, then here is your chance to win one. If you do, well then who doesn’t need another one... just in case. To enter all you have to do is enter our monthly scavenger hunt contest. Visit southauroramagazine.com for details!
South Aurora
Magazine JULY 2017
VOLUME 9 ISSUE 7 PUBLISHER MIKE WAID
mike.waid@waidpublishing.com 303-805-9455 xt 700
SALES DIRECTOR KAYCE ARTHUR
kayce@waidpublishing.com 303-805-9455 xt 706
EDITORIAL TIFFANY GRIZZLE
tiffany@waidpublishing.com
GRAPHIC DESIGN JAMESON HAMSMITH
jameson@waidpublishing.com
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Search South Aurora Magazine is published 12 times per year by Waid Publishing (www. WaidPublishing.com), a division of Mike Waid & Associates, Inc. (www.MikeWaid. com), 12760 Stroh Ranch Way, Suite 202, Parker, CO 80134, 303-805-9455. Search South Aurora Magazine is available online at www.SouthAuroraMagazine.com. Search South Aurora Magazines is a trademark of Waid Publishing. All rights reserved. The views, opinions and/or statements made or expressed by individuals and/or entities, are not necessarily reflective of the views and opinions of Waid Publishing. No part of this publication may be reproduced without explicit permission from Search South Aurora Magazine. Copyright 2017 Search South Aurora Magazine - All rights Reserved.
EXPERIENCESOUTHAURORA FOOD TRUCK RODEO
FOOD TRUCK
Rodeo
Summer is a great time to get out and try something new, so instead of brown-bagging it to work all the time, circle upcoming dates for the Food Truck Rodeo and let your taste buds go on a wild ride!
This month on July 7th, next month on August 4th and then continuing September 1st, October 13th and November 3rd, the Food Truck Rodeo will be sure to WOW your taste buds each time.
Each month, Aurora’s best vendors are ready to serve up something special at the Aurora Municipal Center Great Lawn. From 11:00am2:00pm, put lunch on cruise control and let the specialty trucks do the work! You can even hop on the RTD R-Line and get dropped off just a short walk away from the Food Truck Rodeo.
For more information, go to auroragov.org.
MAJOR ORGANIZERS A veteran and woman-owned company, Major Organizers has “liberated more than 1,000 households from clutter and chaos” since its inception in 2006. Angela Cody-Rouget, Major Organizers founder, was featured on a vetreprenuer-themed episode of “Shark Tank” just last year. After a distinguished stretch of service, Angela, dubbed “Major Mom” by her husband after their first child was born, made the decision to honorably discharge from the military to be with her family full time. She quickly realized how hectic life with a baby and a toddler was and saw the frenzied pace her and other moms where keeping. These families were her inspiration to start her organization company, which she ran as a solo operation for three years but her vision was to grow her company to be of service to busy families and provide rewarding careers to those interested in serving families. After bringing on her partner, Mandy Pinkston, in 2009, the Major Mom Training
Academy opened and trained apprentices through academy classes. Currently, there are 32 wonderful “Liberators” (Professional Organizers) in Arizona and Colorado. These organizers are highly skilled, well trained and ready to help you achieve a sustainable system in your home. Major Mom Organizers want to help families experience the joy of living and working in organized and beautifully arranged environments. Service packages include their no-judgment guarantee, an in-home estimate, a customized action and space plan. They will also teach you the Major Mom Method of hands-on organizing with a fun and efficient “Liberator” as well as a clutter clearing donation drop off. Most importantly, they use their proven systems to get the job done quickly, make it fun and help their client’s goals become a reality. For information on services or career opportunities with Major Organizers, go to majororganizers.com or call 866.693.6996
A MONTHLY SCAVENGER HUNT FIND & WIN!!!
Would you like to win a grill? To win simply look through the magnifying glass and guess correctly where in South Aurora this is. We will randomly draw a winner from all correct entries! Enter online at SouthAuroraMagazine. com and visit us on facebook for clues! GOOD LUCK!
LAST MONTH’S HUNT ANSWER
Last month’s clue is this month’s day-cation spot! The buoys pictured in June’s issue sat at the shore of the Aurora Reservoir.
Now open for swimming for the summer, the reservoir allows you to bike, boat, kayak and paddle board your summer days away. Bike, boat and shelter rentals are available and picnic shelters can be reserved online (go to auroragov.org) Life jackets are required and are free with your boat rental. In July, the park opens at 5:00am and visitors are asked to exit before 9:30pm.
LAST MONTH’S HUNT ANSWER
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6thatTIPS will help you become a
GRILL
MASTER
Chimney Starter
Skip the toxic charcoal lighter fluid and go with a chimney starter. They are super easy to use and won’t have any of that offensive odor. Simply crumple up some old paper, stuff it in the bottom of the chimney, fill it with charcoal and light the paper. That’s it. After about 15 minutes or so the coals will be ready to rock. Spread them in an even layer in the bottom of your grill.
Get Handsy
Not sure if your grill is hot enough? No worries, that’s why you have a hand. Carefully hold your open palm about 5-6 inches above the grill rack. If you can’t stand the heat for more than 2 seconds then your temp is considered high. 5 seconds of heat and you are in the medium range. If you can keep your hand over for 10 seconds then you are experiencing low heat. Most of all be smart, don’t burn yourself because you can’t cook if you can’t use your hand.
It’s time to kick up your grill game and our six easy tips can help you do just that. So what are you waiting for, Let’s Keep It Clean Once your grill is nice and hot, clean it. get the grill fired up, invite over some Use a long handled wired brush made for grills to clean off gunk and debris friends and cook up some grub!
from your previous meal. When the grill is hot it is easier to clean, so get to it.
Oil It Up
Keeping your grill clean and “seasoned” is imperative. Once it is clean and hot make sure you oil it up before placing your food. Simply take a folded up paper towel and soak it in vegetable oil. Grab it with tongs and rub it back and forth over your grill rack. This will help keep your food from sticking to the rack.
Embrace the Basket
Vegetables and small food can be a real bummer. Don’t get frustrated with them… instead use a grill basket. These miracle workers will save you lots of time and frustration. Just give them a once over with vegetable oil or non-stick spray before each use to keep the sticking to a minimum.
Take It Easy and Give It a Rest Once your meat is done, give it some time to rest. Place your culinary creation on a platter and tent it with foil for 5 to 10 minutes. This will allow the meat time to distribute all those yummy juices evenly. 5
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OUR READERS’
BEST APPLE
PIE RECIPES
Few things are as “American” as home baked apple pie. The smell of a pie baking, with a hint of cinnamon in the air, brings so many memories flashing through our minds. We reached out to our readers to find their
MINI DULCE DE LECHE APPLE PIE EMPANADAS Yields 1 Dozen Empanadas 4 Peeled, Cored, Diced Apples (I used Granny Smith & Fuji) 2 Tablespoon Lemon Juice 1/4 Cup Water 2-3 Tablespoons of Cornstarch 1 Teaspoon of Cinnamon A Dash of Nutmeg 1 Package Refrigerated Pie Crusts 11 ouces Dulce De Leche (store bought or homemade) 1 Egg Lightly Beaten Granulated Sugar 4 Inch Circle Shaped Cutter 1. Dice apples and toss with lemon juice in large bowl. 2. Combine cornstarch, cinnamon and nutmeg, whisk and set aside. 3. Put diced apples in a 2 quart size saucepan with water. Heat stove to medium high, cover and cook for 8 minutes. Apple pieces will be tender. 4. Add Dulce de Leche reserving just a little to use as drizzle topping and add cornstarch, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir till well incorporated and heat for about 2 minutes. Remove from heat set aside. 5. Preheat oven to 425° Use Non-stick pan, lining the pan with parchment paper is optional. 6. Lightly flour a counter and unroll pie crust and slightly roll out. 7. Cut out 6 rounds with circle shaped cutter and repeat previous step 6 and 7 for second pie crust. 8. Place pie crust rounds on pan and fill each round on one side by the tablespoon of apple pie filling leaving room to be able to seal the empanada. 9. Brush lightly beaten egg wash around inner edges of each empanada. Fold over and seal each empanada crimping the round sided edge with a fork. Brush each empanada with the remaining egg wash and generously sprinkle them with granulated sugar. 10. Place the pan with the empanadas in the over and heat for 12-14 minutes. Let cool 5-10 minutes. 11. Drizzle Dulce De Leche over top of empanadas. Enjoy!
favorite recipes for apple SO SIMPLE pie goodness. Here are APPLE PIE our four choices for best apple pie.
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7 C Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and sliced 1 C sugar, 1 t cinnamon Mix all together Place filling in premade or homemade pie crust. Add about 5-6 pats of butter to top. Cover with another crust, tuck in edges. Decorate top if you want, but vent at least 3 places. Bake 425 for 15 minutes, 350 for 30 more. Enjoy warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, or cold!
CARAMEL APPLE PIE Pie: 1/2 cup sugar 3 tablespoons flour 2 teaspoons cinnamon 5 large apples, thinly sliced and peeled Topping: 1 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup flour 1/2 cup quick oats 1/2 cup butter, softened 1/4 cup chopped pecans 1/2 cup caramel ice cream topping Line 9” pie pan with basic single crust. In large mixing bowl, stir together the pie mixture, making sure to coat all apples. Transfer to pie plate. For topping, stir together sugar, flour and oats. Cut in butter until it has coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over apples and bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes. As soon as you take it out of the oven, drizzle caramel sauce - it may be easier to drizzle if warmed up in microwave. Then sprinkle nuts on top.
KYLE’S WHITE GLOVE SPECIAL GRANNY SMITH BACON APPLE PIE 1 9” pie shell, unbaked 3/4 C light brown sugar, packed 2 T cornstarch 1 t ground Cinnamon 1/2 t ground Nutmeg 1/2 t ground Allspice 1/4 t ground Clove 6 C peeled, sliced Granny Smith apples 6-8 slices smoked bacon Preheat oven to 350 In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients and toss/mix thoroughly. Add sliced apples and toss to evenly coat/distribute. Use bacon to form a “lattice” top; over/under weaving the strips to cover pie. Trim edges of bacon to fit, leaving enough extra to “crimp” the ends into the pie shell. Cover loosely with foil and bake one hour. Remove foil, continue baking for 15-20 minutes or until bacon is browned and begins to crisp. (Not too crispy – need to be able to cut to serve) Allow pie to rest roughly one hour before serving.
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Welcome to the
Colorado Horse Park Nestled in the southeast side of Parker is a destination that may have evaded your attention; until now. The Colorado Horse Park is a one-of-a-kind destination for equestrian enthusiasts, amateur riders and horse lovers alike. Over the last year, the Colorado Horse Park has undergone numerous renovations and restorations, making it one of the leading equestrian centers in the west; committed to safe, quality competitions. Home to numerous equestrian events including top hunter/ jumper, dressage and eventing competitions throughout the spring, summer and fall, CHP also serves as a boarding facility for over 100 horses. The summer season started off with the Dressage in the Rockies in May, followed by the Eventing in the Rockies Series in early June and continues with the Summer in the Rockies Series. Every Saturday through July 23rd, Colorado Horse Park will host the phenomenal Grand Prix competition, which is open to the public, with the gates opening at 4:00pm. Incredible competition is accompanied by vendor fairs, charity showcases, food truck villages and more! In addition to the main events, CHP’s Ride & Learn Series gives riders a chance to learn the sport from the very best. World class trainers constructively critique and educate participants as they assist them in fine tuning their technique. Space in the Ride & Learn series is limited, more information and registration for this instruction can be found on the website under the Ride & Learn tab.
The horses aren’t the only ones with fantastic accommodations at Colorado Horse Park. You can book your own, private event at CHP. The Banquet Hall and Grand Prix Ballroom boast amazing floor to ceiling windows providing spectacular views to the west, north and south. The staircase positioned in the center of the room, makes for a perfect divider separating spaces for tables and chairs and space for dancing. The Coors Family Arena Patio Area includes a large span of grassy berm and pavement with intermittent covered pavilions making it an ideal location for BBQs, outdoor movies, picnics or other gatherings. The Central Park Pavilion is a covered, open-air pavilion located in the southwest section of the property, overlooking the show grounds. Centrally located and equipped with a stage, a bar and plenty of room for family and friends, it’s the perfect place for a gathering. Go to the website to contact the Events team for more information on the options for your event. Don’t balk at the opportunity to mix the thrill of competition with the majesty of these amazing animals and their talented riders this summer. Make plans for a family night out unlike any other at the Colorado Horse Park! Colorado Horse Park is located at 7522 South Pinery Drive. For more information go to www.coloradohorsepark.com.
Looking for a fun, family outing to cap off your weekends? Check out The Colorado Horse Park and experience top equestrian competition throughout the summer! The 2017 Summer In The Rockies Series features seven weeks of family-friendly activities and events! Entertainment begins at 4:00 p.m. before the Saturday evening grand prix competition, with the first horse and rider combination beginning at 6:00 p.m. Saturday Night Grand Prix Schedule: • July 1 - $60,000 Horseware® Ireland Grand Prix • July 8 - $70,000 Ariat® Grand Prix & Mayor’s Cup • July 15 - $80,000 Front Range Kubota Grand Prix • July 22 - $100,000 Adequan® Grand Prix 9
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THEBOOKENDS
with Pam & Becky
The Vanishing Year By Kate Moretti
Zoe Whittaker appears to be the star in her own Cinderella story. She went from sharing a small apartment and shopping at thrift stores to a sleek Tribeca penthouse and designer clothes. Henry Whittaker, a Wall Street tycoon swept her off her feet and brought her into his world. Now, Zoe is separated from her previous life (and friends) by miles, as well as circumstances. But, Zoe’s secrets are coming back to haunt her. Five years ago, Zoe ran from her previous life and created a new life in a new place. Now, the danger that caused her to flee is close and she must decide who she can trust as secrets are revealed.
PAM I found this story as I browsed the new fiction section of our library. It sounded like an interesting and suspenseful tale! We meet Zoe as she is heading an elite event for a philanthropic organization in the city. Right away, we find that she does not feel a part of this life and is nervous about her past. Becky, what were your first impressions about Zoe? BECKY I quickly liked this character. She was easy to connect to
and I enjoyed how her story is revealed. She is currently living what appears to be a perfect life. We quickly see that maybe everything isn’t as beautiful as it first appears. Do you like the pace of this story and the style of writing?
PAM The story gets moving quickly and we begin to see troubles in Zoe’s life. I did like the writing style and the way the author reveals pieces of the mystery, but keeps the reader guessing how pieces fit together until the end. Zoe feels grateful for her new lifestyle, but we begin to see that she has very little freedom. Did you feel she was more accepting of this because she had gone through such hard times growing up and was comforted by the offered security? BECKY I suppose that her past could have played a part in the
seduction of this wealthy lifestyle. However, I think it’s more likely that she was slowly seduced, and controlled by Henry. I think that it was easy to put her guard down and enjoy all the pleasures that her new lifestyle provided without realizing the isolation that came with his love. She didn’t see that her cash allowance or the watchful eye of Henry was a prison. What did you think of Henry when we are first introduced to him? Did you think he was her knight in shining armor?
PAM I had a bad feeling about him from the beginning. There was always an edge to him or a condescending comment aimed at Zoe. When we come into the story, we are already seeing some issues in the relationship. When do you think she began to realize that it wasn’t all perfect? BECKY I like how this character was developed but there was
a bit of a disconnect for me regarding how trusting she was in this relationship. Zoe had a challenging childhood so I found her immediate dependence on Henry to be unlikely. I would have expected her to be more scrappy and guarded instead of blindly
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being lead by this man. However, she began to question her marriage when she accidentally sees Henry while he is working out with a beautiful woman. He is an expert at manipulating the situation but she began to start putting the puzzle together after that. Along with the marriage came a seriously devoted housekeeper, Penny. She is in charge of everything in the home from decorating to selecting dinner. Did you like the development of this character that was cold with Zoe but intensely involved in all aspects of this home?
PAM The development of this character certainly added to the unease and feeling that something was not right in Zoe’s home. The coldness that Zoe received from Penny and the brush off from Henry when she tried to discuss the situation helped to make Zoe feel isolated. Adding to her isolation is the distance that has been created between her and her friends. Zoe was working at a flower shop when she met Henry and was very close friends with one of her coworkers. She hasn’t seen any of her friends in quite some time and begins to try and connect with the friends that she left behind when she married Henry. They are reluctant to accept her after her abandonment of them. How did you feel about these three characters? BECKY Those relationships were realistically portrayed as she
delt with friends that felt abandoned. Zoe had to deal with hurt and betrayal as she mended those relationships. It also gave us a glimpse into Zoe’s past as she reconnects to her old lifestyle. There is more to this story but we are avoiding a few topics so we don’t give too much away. Do you think that a book club would have interesting discussion or is this more of a book to read on a beach vacation?
PAM I think there are some deeper topics that would drive a book club discussion around this story. I know I had some questions that would be fun to discuss in greater detail! We will go in a completely different direction with our next book: The One-in-a-Million Boy by Monica Wood. Join us as we discuss a 104 year old woman, Ona, and the boy that reignited her interest in life.
LOCALAUTHORSPOTLIGHT A PERFECT AMERICA By Peter Meredith
Phil Tarsus is a dreadful instrument of State Justice. He is an Inquisitor, a man who makes his living rooting out and executing those people who have been charged with treason. Guilt or innocence mean little to him – he has his quotas to fill after all. Yet when he unwittingly stumbles upon a secret involving someone high up in the new American government, he becomes a target himself. Unfortunately for Phil there’s nowhere to run that the government can’t find him. In the year 2122, in the perfect state of America, the government owns everything: from the shoes you wear, to the apple you eat, to your next door neighbor. Under these conditions Phil can trust no one, but the man he is next slated to murder. This book is available for purchase on Amazon.com
PILGRIM WHEELS
REFLECTIONS OF A CYCLIST CROSSING AMERICA By Neil Hanson
A splendid story of journey, discovery, and place. In 2011, at 57 years old, Neil Hanson began a 3400-mile cross-country bicycle journey, exploring an America that can only be discovered on winding backroads from the saddle of a bicycle. More than just a travelogue of a bike ride across the country, Hanson’s delightful and beautifully written story takes the reader on a journey that is engaging and insightful, often hilarious, sometimes poignant, and always inspiring. It’s a must-read adventure that will stir your soul. If you enjoy this book be sure to check out Pilgrim Spokes (Book Two) - The Journey Continues… Cycling East Across America as well! A captivating adventure reflected in beautiful prose. Pilgrim Spokes weaves a story around the eastern half of Hanson’s cross country bicycle journey, continuing the saga begun in his award-winning previous book, Pilgrim Wheels. About the Author Neil Hanson is a lifelong cyclist. Originally from Kansas, he currently lives in Colorado. His eclectic career path has included jobs ranging from carpenter to high-level executive. His first book, Peace at the Edge of Uncertainty, was published in 2010. This book is available for purchase on Amazon.com
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DIA
ME FACE
: GAME CREDIT PHOTO
K C U M , D U E M H T R O F N U Y L I &F M A F E L O H W
GET MUDDY, GET MUCKY BE AWESOME! Nows the time! Call up some friends and family and ask them to get “muddy” with you. Not only will you have the time of your life getting dirty and playing on some of the coolest obstacles around, you will also be helping finding a cure for MS...which is a totally awesome thing to do. Don’t wait, it’s time to get dirty! WHEN: Saturday, July 15, 2017 WHERE: Salisbury North 9200 Motsenbocker Road Parker, CO 80134 REGISTER ONLINE: Muckfestms.com 13
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