When it came to picking a name for what would become a yearly fundraiser, the folks at Third Way Center had to look no further than founder/medical director Hildegard Messenbaugh. They called it True Grit, in honor of the strength and determination she used to survive a concentration camp in her native Austria and as a psychiatrist specializing in adolescents whose profound troubles stemmed from mental health issues to parental abuse and neglect.
This year, as Third Way celebrated its 35th anniversary, True Grit was dedicated to Messenbaugh in appreciation for not only starting the center but overseeing its growth from an overnight shelter for runaways located in a dilapidated house near East 17th Avenue and Emerson Street to its present-day network of five facilities and six programs serving 15- to 19-year-olds considered untreatable, thanks to previous failed placements, drug abuse, suicide attempts and other dysfunctional behaviors. The programs include a licensed treatment center for teen mothers, an accredited high school (the Joan Farley Academy) and Next Steps, a supervised follow-up program for 10 emancipated teenagers.
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper was among those gathering at Mile High Station for the celebration, an evening that included a Southwestern-themed buffet catered by Epicurean; music by Mood Express and Mariachi San Juan de Colorado; the breaking of a piñata that contained, in addition to candy, a diamond and ruby necklace donated by Trice Jewelers; and an auction called by Gary Corbett.
Messenbaugh was joined by her husband, retired orthopedic surgeon Bert Messenbaugh; their children, Mark Messenbaugh and his wife, Courtney, and Kristin Messenbaugh with her husband, former Denver Bronco Billy VanHeusen; and her mother, Anne Warner.
Artist William Matthews, president of the Third Way board, donated an original watercolor, “Driving the Stragglers,” for the live auction, and it was purchased by Bob and Suzanne Fanch. An African safari was so popular it sold twice – to April Snook and John and Lynn Grigsby – while Extreme Makeover, Third Way Edition (a $1,500 procedure from the Dermacare Laser and Skin Care Clinic) went to board member Marilyn Dana. Laura Barton was high bidder on a bowling excursion with Mayor Hickenlooper at Lucky Strike Lanes. The 430 guests who helped raise $100,000 also included Dick and Mary Pat McCormick; Dick and Dorothy Campbell; Sally and Dr. Tom Lowe; Moni and Robert Wilson; state Rep. Nancy Todd; Gary Gray; Sally and Paul Johnston; and John and Susie Coombe.
On tap this week
On Wednesday night, patron-level supporters of the Central City Opera’s L’Esprit de Noel holiday home tour are treated to a first look at the five exquisitely decorated residences in The Preserve that will be open for public viewing the remainder of the week; LeeLee Lichty is chairing the tour, and sponsors include Coldwell Banker, Atlantic Trust, Koelbel and Co., and Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Harding … A potpourri of styles from Lawrence Covell will be shown Thursday at the Brass Ring Luncheon and Fashion Show. Sharon Kamen chairs this benefit for the Barbara Davis Center; 7News anchor Anne Trujillo is the emcee.
Society editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jmdpost@aol.com.
