MyDenver - Belcaro & Bonnie Brae: February 2026

MyDenver

BELCARO & BONNIE BRAE

AGING IN PLACE WITH A LITTLE HELP A NEW CHAPTER FOR THE EUGENE FIELD BRANCH LIBRARY

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wJUST FOR YOU

WELCOME TO THE premiere issue of MyDenver, Belcaro & Bonnie Brae! As we savor the newness of 2026, I can’t think of a better time to launch a magazine made just for you. Your stories. Your friends and neighbors. Your events. Your community. I’ve adored Bonnie Brae, Belcaro, and the surrounding Denver neighborhoods for about 12 years. My kids have gone to school here. I’ve cooled down at Bonnie Brae Ice Cream on summer afternoons, marveled at the beautiful historic homes and built true friendships with community members. I have watched these neighborhoods evolve with new businesses opening, longtime institutions

adapting, and families putting down roots. These areas have captured me because of the people who live here and the care they put into their community.

Now I get to help showcase these special areas with a magazine made for your neighborhood, by your community. Whether you’re drawn to neighborhood history, local personalities, or the stories that make these blocks feel like home, you’ll find it here.

This magazine only works if it’s truly yours, which is where you come in. Are you a writer with a story to tell or a photographer who loves capturing what makes our neighborhoods special? Do you know someone whose story deserves to be told? Let us know!

In this first issue, you’ll meet Denver author Cynthia Swanson and discover how A Little Help is supporting our seniors. You’ll also find a nostalgic Q&A session with Bonnie Brae Conoco owner Ken Wilson.

I invite you to make this magazine yours in 2026 and beyond with content that’s meaningful to you. Together, let’s make MyDenver the place where our community sees itself reflected on every page. Thanks for reading, and here’s to a beautiful year ahead.

Seth Davis Editor, MyDenver seth.davis@wainscotmedia.com

BELCARO & BONNIE BRAE EDITION

Publisher Sawyer Matz

sawyer.matz@wainscotmedia.com

Editor Seth Davis

seth.davis@wainscotmedia.com

Writer Ashley Arigoni Jenna Galletti

Photographer Maithili Anantpur

WAINSCOT MEDIA

Chairman Carroll V. Dowden

President and CEO

Mark Dowden

SVP, Group Publisher

Thomas Flannery

VP, Content Strategy Maria Regan

VP, Director of Digital Media Nigel Edelshain

Creative Director Kijoo Kim

Associate Editor Sophia Carlisle

Advertising Services Director Jacquelynn Fischer

Operations Director

Catherine Rosario

Production Designer

Chris Ferrante

Print Production Manager Fern Meshulam

Circulation Manager

Kathy Wenzler

Advertising Production Associate Griff Dowden

MyDenver magazine is published by Wainscot Media. Serving residents of Bonnie Brae and Belcaro, the magazine is distributed monthly via U.S. mail. Articles and advertisements contained herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers. Copyright 2026 by Wainscot Media LLC. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent.

We’re more than a hospital. More than a doctor. More than a treatment. We’re a community. Your neighbor. Your champion. We’re Denver Health.

We’re with you for life’s journey. We offer Emergency and Urgent Care, Primary Care and health care in more than 130 medical specialties.

Community CALENDAR

As winter fades and spring nears, Denver’s calendar fills with celebration and community. From Beatles tributes and beer festivals to St. Patrick’s festivities and garden planning, find your next adventure.

BY SETH DAVIS

THROUGH FEBRUARY 22

Water for Elephants

This gorgeously imaginative Broadway musical brings the beloved novel to life with stunning visuals and sweeping romance. Set during the Great Depression, follow a young veterinarian who joins a traveling circus. A spectacular theatrical experience. Buell Theatre, 1101 13th St., Denver. Visit www.denvercenter. org for tickets.

FEBRUARY 21

Mile High Wine & Chocolate Festival

Explore over 20 craft and world-class wines paired with premium chocolates at this tasting celebration. Sample exceptional wines, indulge in artisanal chocolate creations and enjoy live DJ beats. Proceeds benefit Bear Necessities, supporting pediatric cancer research. Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, Littleton. Visit www.eventbrite.com to register.

FEBRUARY 28

Candlelight: Tribute to The Beatles

Experience the timeless music of The Beatles performed by a live string quartet in an intimate, candlelit setting. From “Hey Jude” and “Let It Be” to “Yesterday” and “Come Together,” relive the Fab Four through elegant arrangements. The atmospheric venue creates a transcendent evening of iconic melodies. Trinity United Methodist Church, 1820 Broadway, Denver. Visit www.feverup. com to book tickets.

MARCH 1

That Dam Run

13.1/10K/5K

Join the RunDenver Series for a scenic race along Cherry Creek Dam Road. Choose your distance— half marathon, 10K or 5K—and finish strong with medals and perks. Perfect for all fitness levels. Cherry Creek Dam Road, Greenwood Village. Visit www.rundenverseries.com to register.

MARCH 1

Dropkick Murphys

Celtic punk legends

Dropkick Murphys bring high-energy Irish rock to Denver with anthemic songs and infectious stage presence. This St. Patrick’s season warmup features the band’s greatest hits and electric crowd engagement. Mission Ballroom, 4242 Wynkoop St., Denver. Visit www.missionballroom.com for tickets.

MARCH 2

Denver Polar Plunge & 5K

Take the leap at Wash Park for Special Olympics Colorado’s signature fundraiser combining courage and community. Brave souls plunge into frigid waters while supporters run a scenic 5K through the neighborhood. All proceeds support Special Olympics athletes. Washington Park, 701 S. Franklin St., Denver. Visit www.specialolympicsco. org to register.

MARCH 6 to 15

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Colorado Ballet transforms Shakespeare’s beloved comedy into a vibrant masterpiece with stunning choreography and enchanting designs. This magical tale of love and mischief captivates audiences with graceful dancers and imaginative storytelling. Perfect for theater lovers and families. The Elaine Wolf Theatre, 1585 South Platte River Dr., Denver. Visit www. coloradoballet.org for tickets.

MARCH

6 to 15

Denver Restaurant Week

Celebrate Denver’s culinary excellence as over 150 restaurants offer specially curated menus at fixed prices. Explore neighborhoods, try new cuisines and discover favorite dining spots from casual to fine dining. An incredible opportunity for food lovers. Citywide, Denver. Visit www.denverrestaurantweek.com for participating restaurants.

MARCH

7

Mile High Beer Festival

Sample exceptional craft beers from over 40 Colorado breweries at this celebration of local brewing excellence. Meet brewmasters, learn about the craft, enjoy live music and food truck offerings in a vibrant atmosphere. Denargo Market, 1910 Little Raven St., Denver. Visit www. milehighbeerfest.com for tickets.

MARCH

7

Planning Your Garden Workshop

Spring is the perfect time to plan your garden with guidance from Denver Urban Gardens experts. Learn about soil preparation, seed selection, seasonal planting, and sustainable practices to create a thriving garden. Ideal for all skill levels. Posner Center for International Development, 1031 33rd St., Denver. Visit www.dug.org for details and registration.

MARCH

7

Bryan Callen at Comedy Works

Stand-up comedian Bryan Callen brings sharp wit and relatable humor to Denver’s premier comedy venue. Known for versatile comedy spanning observational humor and character work, Callen keeps audiences laughing throughout his highenergy set. Comedy Works Downtown, 1226 15th St., Denver. Visit www.comedyworks.com for tickets.

MARCH

7 to 9

Jurassic Quest

Kids and families dive into an immersive dinosaur adventure featuring life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, fossil excavation, games and educational activities. Walk through prehistoric landscapes, discover facts about ancient species and experience hands-on learning. An adventure for young explorers. Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St., Denver. Visit www.jurassicquest. com for tickets.

MARCH 8

Runnin’ of the Green 7K

Celebrate St. Patrick’s spirit with the RunDenver Series’ festive 7K through Wash Park featuring community camaraderie and neighborhood pride. Wear green, enjoy the scenic park route and cross the finish line alongside thousands of local runners. Washington Park, 701 S. Franklin St., Denver. Visit www. rundenverseries.com to register.

MARCH 14

Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Denver’s iconic St. Patrick’s Day Parade marches down downtown streets with floats, marching bands and cultural organizations celebrating Irish heritage. Thousands of residents gather to enjoy festive atmosphere and community spirit. A beloved Denver tradition. Downtown Denver (parade route along 17th Avenue). Visit www. denverstpatricksdayparade.com for details.

THROUGH MARCH 22

Denver Botanic Gardens: Agave Exhibition

Explore the architectural beauty and diversity of agave plants from around the world in this specialized exhibition. Learn about these droughttolerant succulents, their ecological importance and landscape uses. Perfect for plant enthusiasts and gardeners. Denver Botanic Gardens, 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver. Visit www.botanicgardens.org for hours and admission.

Making Life Count

LotusGroup Advisors helps clients build financial foundations to pursue passions and live an inspired life.

BY RICHARD LALIBERTE

FROM THE BEGINNING, LotusGroup Advisors aimed to be different. The financial services firm wouldn’t base its business on name recognition, specific strategies, or particular instruments.

“We start with understanding who clients are as human beings,” says Managing Partner and Founder Raphael Martorello. “What makes you tick, what your hot buttons are, and what you think is important in life. Then we build financial plans and choose investment strategies that fit you personally.”

Started 22 years ago in a home office with a single client, LotusGroup now occupies its custom-designed building in the South Gaylord Street Business District and manages approximately a half billion dollars for more than 500 clients and investors, as of December 31, 2025.

“We’re a boutique firm, and each advisor has a limited number of clients so we can make sure we’re doing everything we can for each one,” says Partner and Senior Advisor Nick Pirnack.

MyDenver sat down with Martorello and Pirnack to learn more about their tailored approach and how it supports clients’ financial decision-making.

What do clients experience when visiting you?

Martorello: We work—and a lot of us live— in the community we serve, so we’re readily accessible. Our building is professional yet warm. We can gather in our “living room” lobby, meet in a conference room or come visit you in person. It’s all about your preferences, not ours.

Pirnack: We want clients to feel like they’re visiting a good friend’s house, which helps them feel comfortable talking with us.

How does personally understanding clients help them?

Pirnack: Learning about your relationship with money, your personal goals in life, how you want your kids to think of money, or even your financial memories and frustrations helps us be better advisors. For example, if your parents lost their home, and you hate debt, the typical financial industry answers may not be best for you.

Martorello: Our logo features upwardfacing lotus leaves that represent support and stability. The flame above represents pursuing what you’re passionate about in life. We strive to help clients feel financially comfortable so they can go after what’s important to them.

Who are your clients?

Martorello: They reflect our neighborhood and include executives, business owners, healthcare professionals, and retirees. A client might be a business leader building a team to achieve a vision. Or a client might be a career-oriented person balancing their time with also being a good parent and spouse. We’re taking important financial responsibilities off their plates to give them space to breathe, dream, and live meaningful lives.

What distinguishes your services?

Pirnack: In addition to the warmth of our crew, we have in-house public and private investment teams that put together customized portfolios. With highly trained and experienced managers performing these specialized roles, advisors can spend all their time directly servicing clients.

Martorello: We offer professional investment strategies that historically have been available primarily to ultrahigh-net-worth investors, delivered warmly and locally right in your neighborhood.

Richard Laliberte is an award-winning journalist specializing in healthcare, interior design, and financial services.

Finding His Station in Life

Ken Wilson reflects on his family’s 83-year legacy running Bonnie Brae Conoco, one of Denver’s last full-service gas stations.

INTERVIEW WITH KEN WILSON

When did Bonnie Brae Conoco open, and what was the neighborhood like back then?

We opened in 1942, so we’ve been here for an awful long time. When I started working here in 1978, there were four service stations just on this block. The coffee shop across the street used to be a Phillips 66. There was a Texaco right next door to us, and that building is gone now. Service stations like this are really part of our history and culture. It’s just changed so much.

What are some of your favorite memories about growing up around the station?

It was really great to work here with my dad and my uncle, just to be around them all the time. Getting to know the customers has always been one of our favorite things about a business like this. There are families where I helped their grandparents and their parents, and now I’m helping the kids.

What core business principles did your dad and uncle instill in you?

I think it was just really that you had to work very hard and we were always very honest. It’s pretty simple: You just treat people the way that you want to be treated.

You’re one of the last remaining full-service gas stations in the area. What’s kept you committed to that?

People come in all the time surprised that we have full-serve gas, and they tell us how cool that is. Full service is a family tradition. Regular customers don’t want us to shut it down. They tell me all the time, “Ken, you can’t ever retire. What am I going to do?”

It’s just our personality. We’re an old-fashioned service station, and it feels like an old-fashioned service station should have the option of somebody coming out and pumping your gas. How many places can you go get gas and, if

you don’t know how to open your hood or get your gas flap open, somebody will come outside and help you?

What are you most proud of about running Bonnie Brae Conoco?

We’re proud of the job that we do for our customers and we’re proud of all the young men that we’ve helped to become men and learn how to work. We taught them how to be mechanics, or we just taught them how to grow up and be men. We taught them a work ethic. We’re proud of how long we’ve been here and the legacy we’ve built. This business doesn’t work unless you’re willing to put forth a lot of effort.

BIG IMPACT Little Help,

A Little Help allows Denver seniors to age in place and builds unexpected friendships along the way.

BY SETH DAVIS

OON WEDNESDAY MORNINGS, Susie Schultz spends time with her friend Carol. They have lunch together on their birthdays and drive to the Denver Botanic Gardens to see holiday lights. Five years ago, they were strangers. Carol responded during COVID when volunteer organization A Little Help asked members to reach out to isolated seniors. The organization connected them, and now Carol is a treasured

part of Schultz’s life through the simple act of showing up.

At 91, Schultz has lived in her Stokes-Belcaro neighborhood house since 1968, where she raised three children and watched the block transform over decades. She has lived a full life in this area, and she knows what she wants right now: to stay in her home. And A Little Help has become a reliable ally allowing her to do exactly that.

Opposite page: Students from Colorado Academy provide Chuck and Jeanine Fisher with yard work and companionship.

Right: Students from South High School’s football team with A Little Help member and Korean War veteran Frank Pohs.

Bottom: Metro Denver Director Jake Dresden talks with A Little Help member Ellie at a summer picnic.

LOCAL ROOTS

A Little Help started in 2005, born from the simple idea of neighbors helping neighbors age in place.

“We serve all sorts of older adults, but primarily our goal is to keep people in their homes,” A Little Help’s Metro Denver Director Jake Dresden explains. “Bonnie Brae and Belcaro is obviously a very residential area. It’s a place where we thrive.”

What’s changing is the demographic shift. As gentrification has touched these neighborhoods over the last decade or two, fewer older adults are aging in place than before. But for those who are still there—people like Schultz—the presence of A Little Help makes all the difference between staying and leaving.

For Dresden, the on-demand neighborly care is what matters. Not the tasks themselves, though volunteers certainly handle plenty such as raking leaves, shoveling snow and fixing cabinet doors. Dresden and his wife had volunteered for years before he joined the staff five and a half years ago. What struck him most was how those small acts opened doors to genuine friendships that enriched everyone involved.

“I wouldn’t have met older neighbors in Wash Park,” Dresden says. “I probably would have just walked past their houses. But A Little Help allowed me to go to their houses and rake their leaves or help them with technology or get them groceries, then allowed me to become close friends with them.”

BEYOND THE TASKS

A Little Help serves over 3,000 older adults in the Denver-metro area and Northern Colorado, with nearly 3,000 background-checked volunteers. Factoring in one-time corporate volunteers and service events, that number jumps to over 5,000.

Jonathan Bryant, a volunteer for five years, works in senior care and spent years watching aging services from the vendor side. But he felt disconnected from the real impact. One Saturday morning, he found A Little Help while searching for volunteer opportunities and called on Monday. The first person he helped was Schultz.

“I was there to fix a cabinet door,” Bryant recalls. “Then I realized there

was a simple faucet drip I could fix at the same time.”

But what mattered more was what happened after. Bryant took extra time to sit and talk, because he knows from professional experience that loneliness carries a health cost comparable to smoking two packs of cigarettes a day.

Bryant noticed that Schultz struggled to track her monthly bills, so he built her a spreadsheet and returned month after month to update it. He also fixed her computer problems, taped down rugs to prevent trips, and washed windows. Then his son Owen started coming along. At first reluctant about rising early on Saturday mornings, Owen soon looked forward to the visits and would walk Schultz’s 12-pound

Opposite, from left: Volunteers Karina and Stefan from Tazikis help member Betty with window washing. Jonathan Bryant rakes leaves during a Service Saturday event.

Shih Tzu, Tiger, while his dad and Schultz chatted. Schultz describes the pair simply: “They couldn’t be nicer.”

Having people like Bryant to help gives her peace of mind, she explains, because she knows the people entering her home are trustworthy.

When asked what he gets out of volunteering, Bryant admits he almost feels selfish because he gains so much from it.

“To me, it’s the health and spiritual benefits that come from actually getting out and making those connections because it is so rewarding,” Bryant says. “I can’t think of a single occasion where volunteering with A Little Help hasn’t been the highlight of my day.”

GIVING BACK

A Little Help doesn’t assign people to tasks or mandate monthly commitments. Instead, volunteers log into a portal, browse nearby requests and choose what appeals to them. The flexibility matters because Denver’s volunteer market is saturated with opportunities. But the deeper draw is what Dresden calls the “meaningful connection.” Once a volunteer goes to someone’s home and listens to their story, the dynamic shifts. It’s no longer service; it’s friendship.

“Volunteering has proven to be extremely beneficial for your mental and physical health and your wellbeing,” Dresden says. “That’s what keeps people coming back. They were able to pitch in, they were able to do something our older adults maybe couldn’t do themselves. But in the process, they met somebody and learned their story.”

Schultz could hire service providers to handle the tasks she needs—window washing, transportation, yard work, even technical support. But she knows that those services wouldn’t come with A Little Help’s personal touch. She has needed windows washed so she could see her garden, rugs taped down to

prevent trips, mattresses flipped and computer problems solved. Volunteers who happened to be electricians even fixed her electrical issues and refused payment. The difference shows most clearly when she considers other options.

“Some of these Lyft and Uber drivers are grumpy,” Schultz says. “The volunteers with A Little Help, they want to do this. They enjoy what they’re doing. And it makes it nice for the recipient.”

GET INVOLVED

Bryant has become an ambassador, bringing flyers to networking events, recruiting fellow senior care professionals and leveraging his 30,000-person LinkedIn following to bring awareness to A Little Help. As winter approaches, Bryant wants people to understand what’s at stake.

“There’s a real need out there,” Bryant says. “The needs are at their greatest now: transportation, snow shoveling, leaves on the ground. If people knew the good feeling you actually get in return, they would be actively volunteering today.”

Getting started is simple. Visit ww.alittlehelp.org, fill out an application and complete a background check

(paid by A Little Help). Once cleared, access the portal to browse and choose nearby requests. A Little Help accepts donations and relies on contributions from individuals including older adults receiving services, volunteers, and community members supporting grassroots care.

Some people both give and receive help, Dresden says. An older adult who can’t rake leaves might be happy to drive someone to a doctor’s appointment. Community members of all ages work together, each contributing what they can.

“We want people to join the community in whatever way, shape or form,” Dresden says. “Whether it’s as a volunteer, whether it’s as an older adult, whether it’s as both. It’s all needed.”

This winter, as temperatures drop and snow blankets the sidewalks, A Little Help is looking for people to show up like Bryant and Carol did for Schultz. Small acts make a big difference to seniors who want to age in place and, who knows, it could lead to a friendship for the ages.

Seth Davis is the local editor of MyDenver and lives in Denver with his wife and two children.

Waiting on a New Chapter

The Eugene Field Branch Library’s closure represents both a loss and an opportunity— a chance to emerge stronger and better equipped to serve the neighborhood.

BY SETH DAVIS

FFOR DECADES, the Eugene Field Branch Library has been the neighborhood hub of Bonnie Brae, Belcaro, and surrounding communities. Toddlers discovered their first love of stories here, teenagers and college students claimed quiet corners to study, and retirees finally settled in with books they’d been meaning to read for years.

In late November, the beloved institution closed its doors for at least 18 months as the building undergoes its most significant renovation since 1994. The closure will sting. But this moment also represents opportunity—a chance for this neighborhood staple to catch its breath and emerge stronger, better equipped to serve future library patrons of all ages.

Opposite page: Older adults gather during the Discover Walks program around Washington Park. The library’s reading room, serving the community since its 1994 renovation.

This page: Robin Filipczak, branch supervisor, in the library’s reading area. Tweens create crafts at the library.

A NEIGHBORHOOD ANCHOR

The Eugene Field Branch Library’s story is one of careful evolution. When the current building opened in March 1970, replacing a much smaller predecessor in Washington Park, it became an instant gathering place. Families basked in the sunlit windows, students found solace at study tables, and people searching for a welcoming refuge found it here. Denver architect Oluf N. Nielsen designed a space to serve this neighborhood, and for nearly two decades it did exactly that. By the late 1980s, times had changed. More families arrived. More students needed places to work. Demand for technology grew, and the library was bursting at the seams. When the

1990 Library Bond Issue came up for a vote, the community responded enthusiastically. Roth Sheppard Architects led a redesign that added 400 square feet of new meeting rooms and a separate children’s area to reduce noise. Two private study rooms were installed along with a computer work center, and new seating areas bathed in natural light. When the refreshed library reopened in April 1994, it felt like a place built by and for its neighbors.

For 30 years, it has lived up to that promise. But buildings, like neighborhoods, must adapt to growing populations, aging systems, and people’s changing needs. The moment has arrived.

COMMUNITY AT THE HEART

Robin Filipczak, the library’s branch supervisor, has long watched the library’s daily rhythms and knows its community intimately. When asked who uses it most, she gets specific.

“Families with young children and adults 50 plus. High school and university students. Remote workers. Folks needing technology access for computers, faxing, printing, and copying.”

That essentially describes almost everyone who calls the neighborhood home. Certain programs stand out. Interactive storytime for babies, toddlers and families, with children returning year after year as they grow into confident readers. The

Discover Walks program, started in 2024, brings older adults together for walks and conversation around Wash Park. The Lego Club for kids ages 5 through 8 and the popular tween hangouts fill the meeting rooms with joy and energy. Every year, the library throws a Volunteer Party to honor the teens, retirees, and neighbors of all backgrounds who work behind the scenes, recognizing their essential contribution to the community.

This library is not just a silent study hall. It’s a vibrant family branch with something for everyone. Cori Jackamore, a retired librarian with 42 years in the field, sees that clearly.

“Many people miss the days of a quiet public library with mostly students and scholars,” Jackamore says. “I’ve always wanted libraries to be vibrant, busy, welcoming to everyone, and that’s what Eugene Field is.”

Jackamore began volunteering at Eugene Field in 2018 and works behind the scenes every Tuesday

and Thursday on the Families Create craft program, inventorying supplies, researching craft ideas and setting up the room. When she walks in at the end of each program and children eagerly show her what they’ve created, the moment reminds her why this work matters and “makes my heart smile every single time.” That kind of magic requires both staff who care deeply and a space designed to nurture it.

As neighbors settle into life without their library, Jackamore knows every regular will feel the loss in their own way. Some will miss coming in every day to read free newspapers and magazines. Others will miss the quick stop to pick up books on hold, using computers and free printing or enjoying storytimes and programs for kids. There will be those who simply miss having a space to be quietly surrounded by people—a rare gift in a busy, expensive city. That’s part of what makes a public library essential. It’s a place you can go just to belong.

DESIGNING FOR TOMORROW

In November 2017, Denver voters approved Measure 2E, committing $69.3 million to the renovation of Central Library and 10 branches, including Eugene Field. This isn’t about a quick coat of paint. The investment is thoughtful and comprehensive.

The renovations will address overdue system upgrades: new HVAC, safer restrooms, improved fire and life safety, upgraded security, and better IT and communication infrastructure. The visible transformations will be more exciting, including a revamped entrance, a community room designed for flexibility, an expanded children’s area and accessible new features throughout. Finishes, furniture, and signage will receive a modern update while keeping the neighborhood’s welcoming character at the heart of every decision.

The process has involved close collaboration, with community members, organizations, schools

and library staff all offering input and ideas. Once complete, Eugene Field will feature a larger reservable community room, additional study spaces, and upgraded technology prepared for future library services. The design aims to capture what worked in 1970 and 1994 while delivering what neighbors need today.

THE EMOTIONAL WEIGHT

Perhaps the hardest part about this closure is its emotional weight for longtime staff and volunteers.

According to Filipczak, one librarian at Eugene Field has been there 15 years and even brought her own baby to storytime before joining the team. That “baby” is 23 now. The walls have witnessed a lifetime of connections and change.

“It’s going to be hard to say goodbye. These walls hold a lot of memories and a lot of community. But change happens. With the new

renovation, Eugene Field will be updated for the next generation to feel at home, grow and find community in the Bonnie Brae neighborhood,” Filipczak says.

For Jackamore, now eight years into retirement, the closure represents important evolution rather than loss.

“Change is necessary,” she says. “The Field branch hasn’t been renovated in a long time and it really needs a refresh. It also needs to respond to how customers are using libraries today. Personally, I’m looking forward to what’s coming.”

STAYING CONNECTED

For the next year and a half, neighbors will need to adjust their routines. But the library system is working to ease the transition. The Virginia Village Branch Library has moved to seven-day-a-week service to meet increased demand, and Central Library will expand to seven-day-a-

week hours to maximize accessibility. The bookmobile continues its regular routes, and online resources and e-book collections remain available to all cardholders.

Schools in the area continue to receive direct support from the library’s team, and community groups are working with staff to find temporary homes for their meetings and gatherings. For parents worried about keeping kids engaged during the closure, Jackamore has practical advice.

“Make sure your children see you reading and enjoying it. That’s the number one factor for reading success,” she says. “Take them to other DPL branches or the newly renovated Children’s Library at Central. It’s worth the trip.”

When the doors reopen, something familiar will have become new again. For all who found comfort there, the spirit and welcome will be waiting.

Denver’s Storyteller

BY SETH DAVIS

BBENEATH CHEESMAN PARK lies a dark secret that many Denverites walk over without awareness. In 1893, the city converted an old cemetery into green space. The exhumation process was gruesome and ultimately abandoned. An estimated 2,000 bodies remain buried under that grass—a haunting of Denver’s past that became the foundation for Cynthia Swanson’s 2024 novel “Anyone But Her.” The mother-daughter narrative, set partly in 1979 and partly in 2004, has already earned multiple honors, including the Colorado Book Award in the thriller category. It’s proof that some of the most interesting stories exist right in your own backyard, waiting for someone patient enough to look closely.

A WINDING PATH TO WRITING

Swanson wanted to write from childhood, but life took a meandering route. At the University of WisconsinMilwaukee, she studied architecture for two years before realizing her true calling lay elsewhere. She switched schools and majors, earning an English degree instead. What followed was a practical decade and a half of technical writing and marketing work—solid,

work that paid bills and taught her the craft. Then came marriage, then children arriving later life than she’d anticipated. Rather than resent the pause, Swanson made peace with it.

“When they’re little, they just kind of suck all that creativity out of you,” she says.

But she made herself a quiet promise: when something felt like it had genuine potential, she would be ready to write. That moment arrived when her twins were 6 and her youngest was 3. The concept for “The Bookseller” appeared fully formed in her imagination: a novel set in 1960s Denver, built around

“Anyone But Her,” Cynthia Swanson’s 2024 novel, won the Colorado Book Award in the thriller category.

a small bookstore on Old South Pearl Street.

During research, she discovered the story of Denver’s streetcar system. For decades, the streetcar ran down Broadway but veered onto Pearl Street to serve businesses there. In the late 1950s, when Denver switched to buses, they eliminated that veer. The businesses along Pearl suffered. That economic stress became exactly what her protagonist needed. The book was sold to HarperCollins on a preempt deal and hit shelves in 2015 to significant acclaim. She’d accomplished a childhood dream at 50 years old.

FINDING STORIES IN THE STREETS

Swanson’s work is distinctive not just because she writes about Denver, but because of how she writes about Denver. Like a loving detective, she pays attention to details that reveal character, history, and consequence. She wasn’t born here—she moved to Boulder in 1993, then to Denver in 2000, eventually settling in South Denver. Most people are surprised to learn she’s not a native, but Swanson sees that as an advantage.

“It’s really about sort of the research and making sure that anything I’m

writing has that strong sense of place,” she explains.

Non-natives have to earn their way into understanding a city. They can’t rely on assumption. They have to ask questions, walk neighborhoods with intention, talk to longtime residents, dig into archives. All that effort creates authenticity. This methodology shaped all four of her published books, three of which are set in Denver. After “The Bookseller” and “The Glass Forest” came her most Denver-centric work: “Denver Noir.” When Brooklyn-based publisher Akashic Books came calling during the pandemic, they needed someone to fill a gap—they’d published more than 120 noir anthologies set in cities worldwide, but Denver remained absent.

She said yes immediately. Working remotely during lockdown, she curated a collection of 14 Colorado authors for the anthology that launched in May 2022. Her own contribution? A Cheesman Park ghost story rooted in those 2,000 buried bodies.

HOLLYWOOD AND HARD

CHOICES

As literary acclaim spread, Hollywood came calling. Julia Roberts’ production

company, Red Om Films, optioned the film rights to “The Bookseller”—the sort of accomplishment many writers fantasize about. But Swanson learned something that separates working writers from dreamers: She learned not to hold her breath. The book business moves really slow, she likes to say, but the movie business moves even slower.

Her agent offered wisdom that stuck with her: “Your book has been made into a movie when you’re sitting in the movie theater eating your popcorn. Until then, anything can happen.” The option continues to renew, and she remains grateful, having moved on to other passion projects.

More recent success came with “Anyone But Her” in 2024, but it required Swanson to chart an unfamiliar path. When her publisher’s imprint folded less than a year after its release, she found herself without publisher support or agent interest. Rather than wait indefinitely, she made a bold decision: she self-published “Anyone But Her.”

“I really believe in this book,” she thought at the time. “I just want to selfpublish it and see what happens.”

Self-publishing required navigating production, cover design, editing, and marketing—all the infrastructure a traditional publisher normally handles. But Swanson had advantages most early-career writers don’t possess: contacts in the literary world, relationships with booksellers and librarians, and understanding of how the industry works. She handled the print and e-book editions herself while landing a traditional deal for audio rights through her agent. When “Anyone But Her” won the Colorado Book Award in 2025, it validated what she already knew: She’d made the right choice betting on the book herself.

THE WRITER’S PROCESS

When asked what’s hardest about writing novels, Swanson doesn’t hesitate: first drafts. She struggles through blank pages and the nagging sense that nothing is working yet. But she’s developed a methodology that keeps her moving forward. She deliberately delays deep research until the second draft, which is a psychological trick to outsmart her perfectionism.

“It’s like dangling a carrot on a stick,” she explains. “I love research. It’s my favorite part.”

This methodology has led to discoveries that fundamentally altered her stories, such as the streetcar revelation and the Cheesman Park exhumation. During research for “Anyone But Her,” she visited East High School to understand the setting. Someone mentioned that the locked clock tower had once been an open storage space and a favorite teenage make out spot. That detail made it into the book. These are the stories that bring authenticity to fiction—not what you can research online, but what you learn in conversation with locals who know the place deeply.

Swanson also manages her creative energy with intention. She jealously protects her mornings because that’s when her mind is sharpest for writing. Afternoons are for walking, thinking, and connecting with others. She meets with a couple of writers every other Thursday at a coffee shop. Better still is a trip to the mountains, where she and her husband own a quiet condo.

“Being able to go up there by

myself and not have anybody around is really, really helpful,” she says. “A couple of days alone, writing without interruption. That’s the reset button.”

BUILDING COMMUNITY

A hallmark of Swanson’s career is that she built it entirely in Denver. Rather than chase New York or California, she’s used her success to strengthen the local community. She’s been involved with Lighthouse Writers Workshop since the late 1990s, a thriving nonprofit offering workshops, classes, an annual Lit Fest and specialized programs for underrepresented writers. She teaches occasionally—always one-off classes, a deliberate choice born from protecting her writing time.

“I know a lot of writers who can combine teaching with writing,” she explains, “but I find that if I was trying to spend too much time teaching, it would be hard to also write.”

She’s also involved in Sisters in Crime and Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. Beyond workshops, she does significant editing and ghostwriting work with other authors. This is work she views not as distraction but as part

of the same ecosystem. It’s this spirit of mutual growth that animates all her community work.

“Denver has such a good literary scene now,” she observes. “We have so many recognized Denver writers nationally, which is very cool.”

She’s part of that shift. Not just through her own published work, but through the writers she mentors, the anthologies she edits, and the communities she supports.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Swanson is juggling multiple projects: a short-story collection and another novel. She’ll stick to the principles that have guided her: keep writing, keep researching, and stay curious. And don’t give up if life gets in the way.

“I was 50 when ‘The Bookseller’ was published,” she reminds people. “I did not expect it would be that late in life. It’s one of those don’t-give-up stories. It was the right time.”

That message is aimed at everyone who’s ever dreamed of writing but felt it was too late. Swanson’s career is proof that the timing of success matters far less than the persistence of passion.

Tried and True Travel

Jean Maschinot’s relationship-first approach to travel planning never goes out of style.

WHEN JEAN MASCHINOT tells you that the travel advisor era isn’t over, it’s just evolving—you believe her. As Head Coach and proprietor of Bonnie Brae Travel, a 60-year-old business she runs from her home office, she’s carved out a space where technology and personal touch coexist.

“People will say to me, ‘The era of the travel agent is over.’ I just smile back and reiterate if consumers think it means someone to pass on information available online, they’re right,” she says. “But if consumers look at travel advisors the way they do their financial advisor, the era of travel advisors is actually on the rise. It’s all about advocacy. When the unexpected happens, you have somebody who has real relationships at the airlines, hotels, cruise lines, and car rental companies—someone with actual clout.”

The distinction matters because it changes how people think about what travel advisors actually provide. A financial advisor doesn’t just hand you data—they guide you, anticipate needs, and represent your interests.

Maschinot sees travel advisors through that same lens. Rather than competing with free online tools, she’s positioned herself as an advocate who brings relationships, expertise, and problem-solving power to every trip.

THE TRAVEL ADVISOR’S HUMAN ADVANTAGE

Bonnie Brae Travel handles every stage of a trip: creation, booking, planning, management, and crisis intervention. The work spans from initial consultation through the moment travelers return home, and it requires the personal attention

that no algorithm can replicate.

“I make travel less stressful,” Maschinot says. “I save clients time and money. I represent them because online reservation companies do not. I provide personalized attention and recommendations tailored to what the customer actually wants to do.”

The range of what clients ask for and trust her with is revealing. Some of the most bizarre travel questions fielded by the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) are absurd; some deeply personal.

“Someone once asked: ‘Which elevator takes you to the front of the ship?’ Or: ‘Can you set it up so the whales jump in the background when I’m proposing to my girlfriend?’” The requests show that people trust their travel advisor as a confidant, not just a booking service.

FROM THE AIRLINE TO THE BEACH

Maschinot didn’t start out as a travel expert. She spent 32 years working for United Airlines before joining Bonnie Brae Travel after its founder, Jim Maschinot, passed away. She’s been here ever since, through office relocations, industry disruptions, and the seismic shift toward DIY travel planning online. Rather than fight those changes, she leaned into them.

When the agency’s office building sold, Maschinot reimagined what a travel agency could be: She moved the whole operation home. The decision wasn’t about cutting corners—it was strategic positioning for a digital-first world.

“I can work from my house, or while I’m on vacation,” she says. “Then the most difficult decision becomes: Do I stay by the beach or by the pool? Do I order a margarita with salt or without?”

With just internet and a cell phone signal, she can serve clients from anywhere in the world. Her portable office fits in a beach bag, gets carried on cruise ships, and flies to Europe in a handbag.

BUSINESS BUILT ON RELATIONSHIPS

For Maschinot, the work has always been about relationships. She serves everyone from executives and multigenerational families to honeymooners and retirees. She knows about their weddings, honeymoons, celebrations, and losses. She remembers details. And when travel goes sideways, which is always a possibility, she’s there with solutions rather than apologies. Her tagline reads: “Without A Travel Advisor You’re On Your Own.”

That commitment to relationships extends far beyond individual clients. She’s been a member of ASTA for decades and served as Chapter President of SKAL International Colorado, a professional organization uniting 22,000 tourism leaders globally.

She’s also served as President of the Mile High Professional Auxiliary of the Assistance League of Denver, spent 10 years on the Cherry Creek Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and has been involved with the Bonnie Brae Merchants Association Board.

She’s deeply rooted in her Bonnie Brae area where she was born and raised. She fondly remembers ice cream cones for 5 cents, the 40-cent movie nights at the Park Theater, and paying 35 cents a gallon to fill up her Corvair at Bonnie Brae Conoco. She’s watched the area evolve over decades, and that deep sense of place shapes not just where she’s from, but how she thinks about travel itself.

AN ENRICHING INVESTMENT

Her philosophy about travel is simple: “Travel is the only thing I can spend money on that actually makes me richer. It’s the experience of going places you’ve never been, doing things you’ve never done, and will remember forever.”

That philosophy extends to how she serves clients. She’s not just booking hotels and flights. She’s curating experiences, managing expectations and ensuring that when travelers return home, they’re richer for it—not just in memories, but in perspective.

In a world that moved online, Maschinot stayed human. And that, it turns out, is exactly what travel still needs.

A lifelong Bonnie Brae resident, Maschinot brings decades of community roots to her travel advisory practice.

Mocktails

Refreshing sips for all ages

BY JENNA GALLETTI

1 Signature

GONE ARE THE DAYS when your only alcohol-free option at a party was sparkling water with a lemon wedge. With health, wellness and mindful living on the rise, more people are skipping the booze, and mocktails are having their moment. They’re stylish, flavorful and hangover-free. Whether you’re hosting a game night with friends or just want something that feels festive without the alcohol, mocktails are here to raise the bar (pun intended).

Today’s mocktails are more than just sugar-loaded drinks. Think fresh herbs, coldpressed juices, fancy garnishes and even gutfriendly ingredients like kombucha or apple cider vinegar. These drinks don’t just look good in your hand; they can actually make you feel good too.

Here are three signature mocktails you can easily make at home for everyone to enjoy.

The Citrus Spritz: A sunny, sparkling refresher

INGREDIENTS

• Juice of 1 orange

• Juice of ½ lemon

• ½ tsp honey (optional)

• Sparkling water

• Orange slice and rosemary sprig (for garnish)

INSTRUCTIONS

Shake the juices and honey with ice. Strain into a glass filled with ice and top with sparkling water. Garnish like you mean it.

2Berry Bramble Fizz:

Perfect for porch sitting and gossiping with friends

INGREDIENTS

• ½ cup fresh or frozen berries (raspberries or blackberries work best)

• 1 tsp maple syrup

• Juice of ½ lime

• ½ cup club soda

• Mint leaves (for garnish)

INSTRUCTIONS

Muddle the berries and maple syrup in a shaker. Add lime juice and shake with ice. Strain into a glass over ice, top with club soda and toss in some mint for flair.

3

Cucumber Cooler:

Like a spa day in a glass

INGREDIENTS

• 4 slices cucumber

• Juice of ½ lime

• 4 oz coconut water

• Splash of tonic or soda water

• Cucumber ribbon and lime wheel (for garnish)

INSTRUCTIONS

Muddle cucumber and lime juice in a shaker. Add coconut water and shake well. Strain into a chilled glass and top with tonic. Garnish like you own a wellness brand.

The best part? You don’t need to be a bartender or own a cocktail shaker to enjoy these. A mason jar and a wooden spoon will do just fine. These easy, feel-good sips prove that skipping the booze doesn’t mean skipping the fun. So, pour something pretty, take a sip, savor the moment and drink to your health—no hangover in sight. Cheers!

Jenna Galletti is a photographer, marketer and creative producer who splits her time between New York and Boston. She finds endless inspiration through the energy of urban life. Visit her online at www.jennagalletti.com and follow her on Instagram @jennagalletti.

Ashley Arigoni

A Wash Park local shares her family’s favorite laid-back Sunday traditions.

BY ASHLEY ARIGONI

SUNDAYS IN THE Arigoni house are intentionally designed to be as easy and relaxed as we can keep them ahead of our whirlwind weeks. The kids are usually the first ones up, turning the basement into a maze of blankets and pillows for their latest fort or building elaborate Lego structures, each with its own intricate backstory. While they invent new worlds downstairs, I get the coffee brewing and map out the day with my husband Johnny. Most weekends, we order from Call Your Mother, our go-to for everything bagels and schmear—stocking up enough to last the week, though the bagels never seem to make it that far.

GEARING UP

After breakfast, I lace up for a few laps around Wash Park—my favorite way to dive into the week and a sure way to run into some friendly faces. While I’m running, Johnny is usually knee-deep in some kind of house project. With a home that’s more than 100 years old, there’s always something to fix—sometimes by choice (he’s happiest tinkering with old cars), and sometimes because an ancient pipe or creaky door demands it.

Late morning, we hop on our bikes and head to Steele Elementary. Between the three playgrounds and the big open field, it’s the perfect place for the kids to burn off energy and for us to catch up with neighbors. A quick pop into Starbucks across the street nets the kids a highly anticipated hot

chocolate before we head home. We’re lucky that both sets of grandparents live nearby, so Sundays often include a visit to one of their houses—sometimes for lunch, sometimes just to play in the yard or sneak a few cookies before dinner. The kids love the routine, and the grandparents don’t seem to mind the weekly chaos one bit. If the Broncos are playing, we might wander over to Campus Lounge to catch the game and give the kids some time on old arcade machines (though Johnny confidently continues to outscore them!). Other weekends, it’s Tap & Dough for pizza and lemonade, or something simple at home with friends.

Before dinner, we’ll stop at Bonnie Brae Liquor, our neighborhood standby, for a bottle of wine or a Colorado craft beer. Evenings are spent cooking together and squeezing in just a little more weekend before bedtime.

By the time the dishes are done and the house is quiet, it’s lights out for everyone. Sundays are our exhale—a reminder that life here in Wash Park is built on simple routines, good neighbors and family close enough to pedal to.

Ashley and Johnny Arigoni are longtime Denver residents. The Arigonis spend plenty of time at Ashley’s family’s home in Northern Michigan and in family-favorite Steamboat Springs.

BOOK NOOK

Cozy Winter Reads

Curl up by the fireplace with this curated book selection.

AS THE WINTER weather descends on Denver neighborhoods, there’s nothing quite like settling in with a book that wraps around you like a blanket. Whether you’re seeking escape, inspiration, comfort, or a good page-turner, our book selections will make your indoor hours feel less like a reprieve from winter and more like an embrace of it.

NO EXIT

By Taylor Adams

For readers who want page-turning drama alongside their coziness, this isolation thriller delivers. When a woman takes shelter in a roadside diner during a blizzard, she discovers dangerous secrets and a connection to a missing child. “No Exit” is the kind of book that pulls you in until the final page.

THE BEAR AND THE NIGHTINGALE

By Katherine Arden

This spellbinding Russian fairy tale retelling follows a young woman navigating magic,

BY MYDENVER STAFF

faith, and tradition in medieval Russia. The novel captures brutal winters and flickering fireside moments while weaving a tale that captivates from the first pages. If the ending leaves you wanting more, know that this is the first book in The Winternight Trilogy.

MAKING WINTER: A HYGGEINSPIRED GUIDE TO SURVIVING THE WINTER MONTHS

By Emma Mitchell

This beautifully illustrated guide celebrates the Danish philosophy of hygge (a cozy quality that makes a person feel content and comfortable) through crafts, recipes, and reflections on winter. Mitchell pairs practical projects with essays on embracing rather than enduring the season.

WINTERING: THE POWER OF REST AND RETREAT IN DIFFICULT TIMES

By Katherine May

A beautifully contemplative meditation on winter itself—not just the season, but the metaphorical seasons of

life. May explores how other cultures celebrate and survive winter, weaving together personal essays, observations and wisdom about slowing down and self-care. Perfect for mornings with coffee or quiet evenings with tea.

A WEEK IN WINTER

By Maeve Binchy Binchy’s

novel unfolds during the opening week of a small Irish hotel, with each arriving character bringing their own story. The setting is intimate, the pace unhurried, and there’s a profound sense of community throughout. It reads like being welcomed into a gathering of people you’ll come to care about deeply.

Which books would you recommend to our readers? Reach out to seth.davis@wainscotmedia. com if you’d like to write a Book Nook column!

WASH PARK IN THE DARK

JUSTINE MCKINZIE, a Bonnie Brae neighbor of 27 years, took this breathtaking photo at Washington Park as dusk turned to night. McKinzie captures landscapes to feed her soul, but her fun business is built around families, high school seniors, headshots, couples, and more. Check out her website at www.justinemckinziephotography.com or Instagram @justinemckinziephotography.

Have a great image for Photo Op?

Submit your high-resolution shot to seth.davis@ wainscotmedia.com.