Thanks to Mother Nature, Sunday’s dedication of the Memory Grove & Gardens was the hottest event in AWARE history.
With temperatures approaching the triple digits and not a single cloud in the sky, the members of AWARE (Alzheimer’s Women’s Auxiliary for Research and Education) demonstrated their strength by standing tall as the special corner of Stapleton’s Central Park was unveiled in a 1 p.m. ceremony. The site includes a spiraling pathway of flowers bordered by 167 flowering plum and crab apple trees, many of which were planted in honor of someone who is living with, or who has died from, Alzheimer’s disease.
“Families living with Alzheimer’s watch as little by little memory, language skills and the ability to enjoy live slowly erode for the person they love,” said Linda Mitchell, chief executive officer for Colorado chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. “For the family and friends, this is known as the long goodbye.”
The drive to establish the Memory Grove & Gardens was spearheaded by Helen Ginsburg, who also founded AWARE. Both efforts are Ginsburg’s way of paying tribute to her mother, the late Lil Tucker, who had Alzheimer’s.
Mitchell also noted that the grove will eventually become a Denver city park and be maintained in perpetuity.
We’ve just heard
That after six successful years, Brandis Becky-Pelletier is closing her Cherry Creek North boutique, brandis b., to open a personal shopping and closet organization business, brandis b. style. All merchandise at the store, 218 Steele St., is 70 percent off until the Aug. 31 closing.
The second Rainbow of Art benefit put on by PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) begins at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Hotel Monaco. Shadow boxes containing memorabilia ranging from Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler to the estate of John F. Kennedy will be sold; awards will be presented to state Sen. Jennifer Veiga, Jessie Shafer and the Rev. James Chandler. Tickets are $20 at the door.
Hiwan Golf Club in Evergreen is the setting Monday for the 14th annual Golf Classic put on by Lutheran Family Services. To register for the 7:30 a.m. event, call Doyle Lott, 303-217-5860.
Young professionals Kerry Kinnard, Katie Abrams, Amber Waits, Laura Flechner, Molly Greenblatt and Sarah Peay are the hosts for the second Summer Fling at another Cherry Creek North hotspot, Campo de Fiori restaurant. It starts at 9:30 p.m. Aug. 22 .
CultureHaus, the Denver Art Museum support group for those between the ages of 25 and 40, celebrates its 10th anniversary on Aug. 23 in the DAM’s Ponti Hall. Kasia Iwaiczko, co-chair of the CultureHaus board, says that founding members Vicki Sterling and Mayor John Hickenlooper will be honored, along with others who’ve helped the organization grow. Admission to the 6 p.m. event is free for members and $10 for guests. The price includes cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and music. Sign up at .
Colorado Bright Beginnings will be honoring Harry T. Lewis Jr. at its annual gala Nov. 1. Learn more by calling 303-433-6200.
Society editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com. She also contributes at . Seen.
More online: Additional pictures from the Memory Grove dedication .
