Early childhood learning advocate Anna Jo Haynes, left, and Charlotte Brantley, Clayton Early Learning’s president/CEO, with Andy Meyers, Elizabeth McCann, Denver City Council president Chris Herndon and Michael Niyompong, Clayton Early Learning’s chief operating officer. (Steve Peterson, Special to The Denver Post)
Had scheduled its signature fundraiser, Moonlight Harvest, on Sept. 10 it would have gone head-to-head with a similar event benefiting .
But if the historically al fresco event had been held on Sept. 10th — or even the 12th — it would have avoided Mother Nature’s 24-hour hissy fit: a sudden change in weather that included freezing temperatures and a persistent drizzle.
So instead of treating supporters to a walkabout supper served on a balmy evening under a harvest moon, organizers shifted gears and moved everything indoors, to the administration building on the Clayton Early Learning campus at 3801 Martin Luther King Blvd.
“It got a little crowded,” one guest admitted, “but the food was so good that no one seemed to mind.”
From Steve Christensen of The Lift restaurant: Lime-marinated shrimp ceviche topped with guacamole and bull’s blood micro-grain. (Steve Peterson, Special to The Denver Post)
In fact, the mood seemed to reflect the upbeat tone of a Tweet sent out once it became apparent the weather wasn’t going to cooperate said: “Good news! It’s 74 and sunny inside the historic Clayton Administration Building.”
Gov. John Hickenlooper and Denver Mayor Michael Hancock were honorary chairmen for Moonbeam Harvest; another special guest was Denver City Council President Chris Herndon.
Clayton Early Learning is dedicated to starting kids off right, especially when it comes to education and the role that a healthy diet plays in a child’s development.
See some of those who were at Moonbeam Harvest, and what they enjoyed eating, by clicking to view a photo slideshow.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314, jdavidson@denverpost.com and @joannedavidson on Twitter
