Gazette, The (Colorado Springs): Military celebrates Canada Day

The Colorado Springs community has "opened its arms to Canadians" Lt. Gen. Ken Pennie told more than 200 guests who gathered July 1 for the Canada Day celebration at Penrose House.

"I've never seen a place with such support for the military," he said.

Pennie, who 11 months ago assumed command of the Canadian delegation at NORAD, said that U.S. citizens and Canadians have a shared sense of democracy, freedom and open markets.

The "shared understanding" proved its worth on Sept. 11 as the combined U.S.-Canadian troops worked to protect North America's land, sea and air, he said.

Air Force Gen. Ed Eberhart, commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Space Command, welcomed the Canadians as true friends.

Eberhart was recently confirmed by the Senate to be the head of Northern Command at Peterson Air Force Base beginning Oct. 1. Prompted by the Sept. 11 attacks, the Pentagon decided to create the Northern Command as a single homeland defense command.

"Assist you did on 9/11, and again last week at the summit in Canada," Eberhart told the guests assembled on the lawn and under the party tent behind the mansion owned by El Pomar Foundation.

"Our two countries share common pastimes, geography and language," Eberhart said. "We share a long frontier guarded only by neighborly respect. For friendship, we set the standard."

After the U.S. Air Force Band of the Rockies' Galaxy Brass Band played "O Canada" and "The Star-Spangled Banner," Eberhart and Pennie cut the cake celebrating the July 1 Canadian holiday.

On June 20, 1868, a proclamation signed by Gov. Gen. Lord Monck called on all Her Majesty's subjects throughout Canada to celebrate the anniversary of the union of the British North America provinces in a federation under the name of Canada on July 1. The July 1 holiday was established by statute in 1879 under the name Dominion Day. On Oct. 27, 1982, Dominion Day became Canada Day.

Among the guests being greeted in the receiving line by Pennie and his wife, Lise, were Maj. Gen. Eric and Carla Findley; Brig. Gen. J.D. Hunter; Karen Eberhart; Lt. Gen. Edward Anderson III and his wife, Ann; Brig. Gen. Mark Beesley; Lt. Gen. John Dallager and his wife, Jane; Dr. David and Edi Finkleman; Brig. Gen. Richard and Kathy Geraci; Jake and Marylyn Henry; Lt. Gen. Robert and Karen Hinson; El Pomar Foundation CEO Bill Hybl; Gen. Lance and Beccy Lord; Maj. Gen. Andy and Virginia Love; Rear Adm. James and Elaine McArthur; Dr. Gene and Leslie McCall; Maj. Gen. Dale and Linda Meyerrose; Ellie and Jeff Padgett; James and Kim Swihart; Rachel Allison; and Col. Mike Perini, who recently retired as Director of Public Affairs for NORAD, Air Force Space Command and U.S. Space Command (then was hired for the same job in a civilian position).

Evening in Monte Carlo

The grounds of the Colorado Springs School were transformed into Le Grand Casino de Monte Carlo on June 29 for a benefit for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Rocky Mountain Chapter.

The evening of dining and gaming under the stars netted more than $90,000, said executive director Jacque Walsh.

"The net number was exciting for all the families who were there and are hoping for a cure for those living with juvenile diabetes," she said.

The evening began with a cocktail reception and silent auction at the Petite Trianon before the starlight dinner catered by Michelle Talarico's Cravings.

Auctioneer Jim Junger started the live auction of a mint- condition 1975 Lincoln Continental (donated by Tim Hoiles) bought by Neil Elsey of Phoenix (guest of co-chairwoman Jan McCauley and her husband, Gary).

Barry and Betsy Sobral bought the romantic weekend at the Cliff House and then gave it back to be purchased again by co-chairwoman Lynne Fitzhugh and her husband, Bullitt.

The Enchanted Italian Evening for eight sparked a bidding war between Cathy and Barry Nolan and Mike and Ginny Barber, so the chefs decided to offer it to both.

Bullitt Fitzhugh, who donated an evening of "Brew-skis with Bullitt," also allowed his evening to be bought twice, by Ray and Linda Renneberger, and Bob and Leslie Penkhus.

Rob Rush and Jeanne Sal-cetti won the llama hike, then the auctioneer offered guests the chance to kiss the llama for additional donations. Tim Hoiles kissed the llama, and then paid another $500 to see Bill Campbell kiss the llama.

A helicopter ride donated by the Penkhuses was sold three times at the highest bid to Gary and Jan McCauley, Jacque Walsh, and Mark and Ann Hazuka.

Barry and Betsy Sobral purchased the Pepsi Center night with the Colorado Avalanche for 12 with all food included. A golf outing with Dr. Mike Barber, board president, went to bidders Gary and Sheila Kudray, Lynn Page and Tim Buxton, Rick and Cindy Haterius, Mark and Dee Vonarx, Jim and Laura Johnson and Tim and Meda Bower.

After-dinner cognac and cigars were offered as blackjack, craps and roulette were enjoyed by guests including emcee Christy Brown and her husband, Dr. Buzz Walsh, Hank and Judy Norman, Curtis and Kristin Olson, Lynn Page and Tim Buxton, Fritz and Leah Pfalmer, Darya Robertson, Connie and Bill Poleson, Ray and Linda Renneberger, Lea Roads, Janet Conover, Linda Silver, Patrick and Kris Barrett, Agneta and Larry Breslin, Greg and Lori Burden, Janice and Jim Kercheville, Bill and Peggy Campbell, Jerry and Liz Cobb, Marilyn and Bob Doig, Tana Hughes and Nick Dailey, Sally and Kyle Hybl, Jenny Knellinger, Dr. John and Carol Kleiner, Ken and Susan Krassy, Betsy and Geoff Lind, Mary Ellen and Mike McNally, Judy and Bob Mollo, Kristin Donovan, Brian Wells and Jennifer Alonzo, Kris and Randy Frank, Kim and Earl Grant, Bobby and Renee Hartslief, Claire and Chip Hicks, Diana and Ross Hubbard, Grady and Kristine Vaughn, Renee and John Waymire, and Nancy Weller.

Touching hearts

Pianist and composer Joe Spaniola played a rousing version of his original composition, "Midnight Ramblings," during the "Touching Hearts with Love" Bobby Cheatham Memorial Benefit Concert on June 28 at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center.

About $20,000 was raised, 90 percent of which will go to clients with HIV/AIDS, said Bob Rebello, the Southern Colorado AIDS Project's community relations and events director.

Event organizer Teresa Bohn, whose nephew died of AIDS during the 2001 holiday season, surprised the audience by singing a few songs with the NiteCrawlers.

The Colorado Skye Pipes and Drums band opened the concert, which also featured Mountain Road Ceili Band and the Step Dancers from St. Brendan's School of Irish Dance.

Presenting Bohn with a dozen roses were Rebello and S-CAP board member Lisa Johnson, who enjoyed the music and Food Designers fare with board members Ron Eby, Shean Belle, Maryann Stadjuhar and Joe Maio.

Famous for fine arts

More than 65 guests dined on a four-course meal at the June 28 opening of The Famous, A Steak House at 31 N. Tejon St. to raise more than $3,500 for the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center.

Blue Sky entertained at the piano bar at the new restaurant owned by Anna and Tony Leahy, Chris Martell and Cindy Gough. The Leahys built Phantom Canyon Restaurant and Brewpub in 1993 and in 1999 opened the popular Tony's on North Tejon Street.

"Our commitment to community has always been a strong aspect of all of our projects," Anna Leahy said. "The opening of The Famous and contribution to the Fine Arts Center is just a continuation of our philosophy to give back to a community that has been so good to our businesses."

Guests at the opening included James Cameron, Les Gruen, Tim and Mary Cobb, Ray Deeny, David and Peggy Taylor, Russ and Kelly Wiley, Steve and Susan Suggs, Bob and Nikki Athey, Bill and Lori Kurtz, Keith Williams, Mike and Miriam Collins, Chuck Murphy and Steve Hunsinger.

- Diane Wengler is The Gazette's society columnist.