Jacqueline Hart, Gilpin County.   Gilpin County residents showed up in large numbers to support an ongoing effort by passionate volunteers to fund a local Senior Living Project on Saturday night, November 10, 2018, at Gilpin County School. The board of directors organized an evening filled with tasty lasagna, delicious desserts and a massive auction with goods and services from many local businesses. The night was capped off with entertainment highlighting Gilpin County’s uniquely charming talent. The fundraiser was a gift to all in attendance.

Saturday night’s talent show, emceed by Ron Engels, began with an instrumental medley. Patty Chavez, Debbie Smiley, Bill Ikler and Jimmy Stewart performed “Ashokan Farewell” and “Whiskey Before Breakfast” beautifully. Niya Nolting followed on her guitar with the heartfelt “Angel’s on her Dashboard.” Niya was inspired to write the song by her mother who was fulfilling a dream to retire and hit the road in her RV. Imy Rich and the Gilpin Academy of Martial Arts choreographed an exciting demonstration displaying the expertise of both youth and adult students. Faith Paschke performed a wildly entertaining imitation of Cher singing, “If I Could Turn Back Time.”

The first half of the talent show included young solo musicians Violinist Sasha Sonsino and Pianist Jordana Gagnon. Sasha played “Concerto #2 in G-Major,” and Jordana played “Let It Be,” by the Beatles. Ardetta Robertson, secretary for The Senior Living Project, reported she was delighted to have so many young people participate in the show this year. The second half of the talent portion of the evening also included Liz Westbrook and Adele Fischer singing the Sound of Music Classic, “My Favorite Things.” All these young ladies wowed the audience with their exceptional maturity and talent.

Intermission included an auction of the finest baked goods Gilpin County has to offer, evidenced by the intense bidding for Ardetta’s caramels and Zane’s bear claws. The conclusion of the night’s entertainment began with LA Dysart. Dysart dedicated her tap performance to Barbara Lawlor.

Speaking for many in attendance, she spoke of growing up in Gilpin County, her memories of Lawlor reporting and interviewing people at community events such as this one, and how much she missed seeing her on this night.

It was a moving dedication and spirited performance. Bruce Parman followed Dysart with a guitar solo of John Denver’s, “Catch Another Butterfly,” and a fun Irish song called, “Moonshiners.” Jimmy Stewart returned with his accordion and dedicated “Taps” to all military veterans for Veteran’s Day. Stewart’s accordion has been passed down in Gilpin for generations, totaling over 100 years. J.D. Paschke was the final act of the evening with the hilarious, “Middle Aged Man.” A parody of “Secret Agent Man,” “Middle Aged Man,” contained lyrical gems like; “Middle aged man, middle aged man, they’ve taken away your sports car and they’ve given you a mini-van!”

The night was a huge success, and the board members who organized the event are hopeful for similar success in their quest to appropriately house Gilpin seniors and allow them the choice to stay in their community as their golden years approach. It’s difficult to imagine living in Gilpin County for thirty, forty or fifty years, only to be forced to move away from this small-town community when community is most needed in our lives. Elders in Gilpin County are an asset to all who live here, with their stories of the days before gaming started in the 90s, how Gilpin School came to be, beginning their lives here in cabins without running water and starting families who have stayed through generations. Intergenerational relationships have a positive effect on individuals and entire communities. Gilpin’s most tenured residents are the foundation of the community’s colorful culture. Making it possible for our elders to stay here serves all of us, not just them.

Rob Sawyer, vice president of the Gilpin County Senior Living Board of Directors, said the board has been working toward the goals of the housing project for about five years and they still have a long way to go. The project will require a total of about 1.7 million dollars to get off the ground and running. The board estimates they will need to raise about 20 percent of the total money needed to apply for loans and grants. The board is looking at grants through the Department of Local Affairs, but they expect most of the funding will need to come through loans. So, raising the equity is an important hurdle to get through. The board is hoping for a land donation from the county which would serve as part of the equity for the loan. The parcel of land the board is hoping to come through is near the Community Recreation Center, allowing seniors access to both services and activities close to home.

The Senior Living Project holds fundraisers at Rockies games, the county fair, and the Winter Festival. Gilpin residents can support this project by visiting their booths and attending their fundraiser’s, like the one on November 10. For more information about this important project, visit gilpincountyseniorliving.org.

(Originally published in the November 15, 2018, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)