![Former U.S. Sen. <B>Alan Simpson</B> spoke at the Denver World Affairs Council's Silver Anniversary Luncheon chaired by <B>Mary Cronin,</B> second from left, <B>Terry Biddinger</B> and <B>Sally Rippey.</B> Honoree <B>Lee Palmer Everding</B> is at right. <!--IPTC: [CUT1]Former U.S. Sen. Alan Simpson spoke at the Denver World Affairs Council’s Silver Anniversary Luncheon chaired by Mary Cronin, second from left, Terry Biddinger and Sally Rippey. Honoree Lee Palmer Everding is at right. [CREDIT]David Zalubowski, Special to The Denver Post-->](/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/20110112__20110114_D12_FE14DAVIDSONp1.jpg?w=505 "20110112__20110114_D12_FE14DAVIDSON~p1.JPG")
She’s soft-spoken and he’s plain-spoken, and on Tuesday Lee Palmer Everding and former U.S. Sen. Alan Simpson had key roles in turning a luncheon that marked the silver anniversary of the Denver World Affairs Council into a record-breaker.
Everding, a pillar in Denver philanthropic and social circles, was honored for her 40-year involvement with the International Education, and later its affiliate DWAC.
The founder and director of Denver Eclectics, a lecture series that began as a Junior League book club 30 years ago, Everding has worked as a clinical social worker, a second-grade teacher and adjunct professor at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work. Her involvement with DWAC began when her family volunteered to host some of the international visitors here under DWAC auspices. “That was back when my sons were young and I still cooked,” she recalled. “Those guests magically enlarged our small world, and for that I am grateful.”
Simpson, whose rich legacy of community service includes representing Wyoming in the U.S. Senate from 1978-1997, was the keynote speaker. His remarks — delivered in Simpson’s trademark no-holds-barred style — centered on his role as co-chair of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform.
Three of Everding’s closest friends — Terry Biddinger, Mary Cronin and Sally Rippey — chaired the event that brought 645 people to the Grand Hyatt Denver.
VIP guests included Nancy Petry, a past national leader in the IIE; John Low and Harry Lewis, the chair and vice chair, respectively, of the local IIE board; Dave Evans and Kim Savit, outgoing and incoming chairs of the regional advisory board; and executive director Karen de Bartolome.
The lunch’s winter menu — pumpkin soup, braised short ribs and chocolate creme brulee — was enjoyed by a crowd that also included former Colorado first lady Dottie Lamm; Colorado State University chancellor Joe Blake; former U.S. Sen. Hank Brown; 2011 Citizen of the West Pete Coors; and Pat Grant, who recently stepped down as president of the National Western Stock Show.
Also, History Colorado chief Ed Nichols; former Public Service Co. chief Del Hock; Lanny Martin; Rose Community Foundation’s Sheila Bugdanowitz; retired architect Jan Peck; attorney Don Bain; Enid Slack; Jean Hodges; Marty Segelke; Sheila Cleworth; Mimi Affeld; Jackie Norris; Erna Butler; Eileen Honnen; Dave and Carolyn Wollard; Jim Rumsey; Joan Manchester; David and Susan Trickett; Philippe and Cynthia Dunoyer; and Rhondda Grant.It’s nice to know.
That Families First (303-745-0327) will kick off its 25th anniversary year by having a reception Jan. 20 at the MacMillan Poolhouse in Cherry Hills Village … That Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan and his wife, Peggy, were here to help celebrate the one-year anniversary of the steakhouse that bears his name. Other high-profile types helping to mark the occasion: attorney Norm Brownstein, developer Jim Sullivan, Dr. Reginald Washington and Walt Imhoff.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com; also, and GetItWrite on Twitter
