Orthodox Food Festival 2024

In 2003, the historic Holy Transfiguration of Christ Orthodox Cathedral combined its annual church celebration with the neighborhood civic organization to put on the "Orthodox Food Festival and Old Globeville Days." It was a two-day extravaganza of ethnic food, entertainment, live bands, crafts, and games. The festival was featured in guide books as one of the best celebrations of Globeville's ethnic diversity.

In recent years, changes in Denver's city administration has resulted in the loss of Argo Park for the festival, with the celebration limited to Logan Street and the church property. COVID severely impacted the event.

In 2024, Transfiguration received a new dean Reverend Seraphim Robertson and the parish will again be hosting its festival celebration. 

Scan the QR code on the poster to receive updates on the activities. You'll want to take a tour of this historic church, built in 1898. The parishioners did much of the work themselves - this after putting in a ten or twelve hour day in a smelter or foundry. The incense, beeswax and stunning icons are a tribute to the faith of the founders and the dedication of the current congregation.

http://orthodoxfoodfestival.org/

 

See the stunning interior of Holy Transfiguration 

 

Lest We Forget

Memorial Day in 2021 will be commemorated with wreath, flower and flag ceremonies at cemeteries in Denver and across Colorado. Car parades, picnics, concerts, fireworks and activities for veterans are also planned. 

The Globeville Veteran's Club, which was organized in 1947, didn't want a parade or even recognition for their recent service, but to honor and commemorate those from Globeville who had died serving their country. In their meetings, it was suggested that a memorial honoring veterans be erected in Argo Park and the idea grew from there. The club's 200 members, former servicemen of both World War I and II, spoke to neighbors, businesses, fraternal organizations and churches to raise funds for the project. The 12-foot-high granite monument was dedicated in Argo Park on August 25, 1948, with Denver Mayor Quigg Newton, Governor Henry Knous, Councilman Ernest Marranzino and Congressman John Carroll in attendance. The Denver Post reported, "It is believed to be the first monument dedicated to the dead of the last war." 1.

The memorial was inscribed with the names of two men killed in World War I, twelve men lost in World War II and one Korean War casualty. The monument is located in a quiet spot in the shade, a perfect place for visitors to pause and honor the men from Globeville who sacrificed their lives for their country.

Veteran's Memorial Dedicated August 25, 1948

Orthodox Food Festival and Old Globeville Days

It's almost here - the 14th Annual Orthodox Food Festival and Old Globeville Days at Holy Transfiguration of Christ Orthodox Cathedral, 349 E 47th Avenue (at Logan Street) in Denver. This grand event will be held one day only, Saturday, July 15, 2017, from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm. Taste ethnic food favorites from Romania, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine, Eritrea, Italy, Greece and Mexico, as well as grilled lamb, hot dogs, craft beer and Slivovitz (Slovenian plum brandy). 
Enjoy live entertainment, games for the children, crafts, an iconography exhibit, and tours of the historic Orthodox Cathedral. Admission is FREE. Presented by Holy Transfiguration of Christ Orthodox Cathedral.
Orthodox Food Festival

 

Planina Ukrainian Singers

 

Denver's First Labor Day Celebration Held at Argo Park

During the 1880s, Denver was booming. The arrival of the railroads attracted manufacturing, meat packing, food processing and small businesses. That growth spurt would include the Boston and Colorado, the Omaha and Grant and the Holdenville Smelters, brickyards, Denver Rock Drill and several meat packers offering jobs to both immigrants and American-born workers. Clusters of workers settled near their jobs in rural-sounding tracts like Garden Place, Greenwood Addition, Tacoma heights, and Cranberry Place. (Globeville would not be incorporated until 1891).
Industries focused on productivity, with workers toiling 12 hours a day, six, sometimes seven days a week, in gritty factories with few safety regulations, little fresh air, sanitary facilities or breaks. Women found employment in sugar factories, cigar making, commercial laundries or as domestic servants, while children could be found in factories, mines and agriculture. Injuries and deaths were common and left families very much alone and often destitute. The only holidays were Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving and Sundays, and employees were not paid if they took the time off.

Workers responded by banding together, campaigning for shorter hours, more pay, better working conditions and recognition of their right to organize. New York City was home to the first Labor Day celebration on September 5, 1882, a peaceful event organized by the Central Labor Union (CLU) promoting the notion of a 10 hour work day. By 1885, “Labor Parades” were being staged in a number of industrial cities across the U.S., and municipal ordinances recognizing the holiday emboldened workers to take part. The first statewide Labor Day law was passed by the Oregon legislature on February 21, 1887. Colorado followed suit, with the measure being put before the voters, passed by the Colorado Legislature and signed into law by pro-labor Governor Alva Adams on March 15, 1887.

The city's first Labor Day celebration was held Monday, September 5th, 1887 with Denver's labor unions deciding to hold picnics and concerts, rather than a parade, in Argo Park.

The Rocky Mountain News from September 6, 1887 described the festive celebration, reporting that around 2000 people attended, listening to a band play at the pavilion and speeches by Governor Adams and various labor leaders. 

The inaugural holiday was a celebration of a day off, as well as the contributions of workers. It would be many years, and hard-fought battles before labor won the many rights we take for granted today.

Workers pose in front of the Boston and Colorado Smelter at Argo

Photo Colorado Historical Society

Map of the area in 1887, before the appearance of the Globe Smelter 

and before Globeville is incorporated

Joseph Anton Zalar

When the Globeville Veteran's Monument was dedicated in 1948, there were 16 names inscribed on the memorial. The name of Joseph Zalar would be added four years later, the only listing from the Korean War.
Joseph Yelenick remembered, "He didn't have to go - that's the thing - but he didn't have any plans after high school, so he enlisted. He had this great car, a pretty little coupe, and he asked his mother to take care of his car while he was in the service. He was killed and his mom was driving around in this really fancy car."
Joseph was the son of Anton and Mollie Zalar and, with his older sister, Betty Ann, attended Holy Rosary School. Friends remember his as friendly, optimistic and having some artistic talents, which were evident in his drawings and sketches.
A member 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, Joseph was killed in action November 22, 1951. In addition to the Globeville memorial, Joseph is remembered on the Colorado Freedom Memorial,  Panel: 20, Column: 3, Row: 64.

Colorado Freedom Memorial

Joseph Zalar is the second from left in the back row, 

eighth grade graduating class from Holy Rosary School, 1943

Joseph Anton Zalar

Harold Henry Dahmer

Harold Henry Dahmer enlisted in the Army Air Corps July 30, 1943 at the age of 26. Dahmer received basic training at Camp Aberdeen, Maryland, was assigned to 623rd Ordinance Ammunition Company and participated in operations in New Guinea. Killed in action September 19, 1944 during an assault on Moratei, Dahmer received the Purple Heart, Asiatic Pacific, American Theater and World War II Victory Medals. Dahmer was survived by a daughter, Lynn Arlene Dahmer, parents Mr. and Mrs. H. Dahmer, brothers Alvin and Albert Dahmer, and sisters Eleanor McCulloch and Helen Lammers.
Dahmer is also remembered on Panel 8, Column 4, Row 55 of the Colorado Freedom Memorial.

Colorado Freedom Memorial

John Robert Gracey, Edward Milton, Harold A. Schafer

The last three names listed in the Globeville Veteran's memorial book were John Robert Gracey, Edward Jay Milton, Jr. and Harold A. Schafer with the notation "no photo or information available." Although these veterans' names were engraved on the memorial itself, the circumstances of their deaths were not available at the time the monument was dedicated in 1948. But they have not been forgotten. Each of these servicemen from Globeville is honored for their sacrifice on the Colorado Freedom Memorial, Springhill Community Park, 756 Telluride Street, Aurora, Colorado, 80011.
Colorado Freedom Memorial

John Robert Gracey was a Fireman 1st Class, a member of the Naval Reserve and killed in action. He memorialized on Panel 12, Column 1, Row 26.
Colorado Freedom Memorial

Edward Jay Milton, Jr. was a Gunner's Mate 3rd Class in the Navy who was killed in action. He is honored on Panel 3, Column 4, Row 34.
Colorado Freedom Memorial

Harold A. Schafer was 28 years old when he was killed in action December 10, 1944. A Sargeant with the Army Air Corps, Harold is buried at Fort Logan and listed on Panel 8, Column 2, Row 32 of the
Colorado Freedom Memorial

Photo ® Bruce Quakenbush for the Colorado Freedom Memorial

Lester Samuel Riedel, Frank E. Tezak, Henry Weber

Lester Samuel Riedel was born on June 10, 1921 and enlisted in the Army in August, 1942. Riedel received training at Fort Bliss, Texas, Indio Desert, California, and Richmond, Virginia before departing from Fort Devins, New York, for England to participate in an assault on the European mainland. With 531st Anti-Aircraft Battalion, Battery C., Riedel invaded France on "D Day plus ten" and was killed in action July 11, 1944, near Cavagney, France. Riedel was awarded the Purple Heart, European Theater and American Theater Medals, the Good Conduct and World War II Victory Medals. Riedel was survived by his parents, Mr and Mrs. John Riedel, brothers Lee, Alvin,  John Jr., and Ralph Riedel, and sister Caroline Haubert.

The Tezak family lived on 47th Avenue, right across from Holy Rosary Church. Frank was born on May 6, 1923 and enlisted in the Army Air Corps on March 18, 1943. Tezak received specialized training at Stephenville, Texas and was assigned to the 99th Division of the 395th Infantry- the Checkerboard Division. Tezak departed the US for the European Theater Setptember 23, 1944, was assigned to the First Army under General Hodges and participated in major European battles. Tezak was killed in action  March 1, 1945, near Cologne, Germany. Tezak received the Purple Heart, European Theater and American Theater, and World War II Victory Medals. Tezak was survived by his parents Mr. and Mrs. J. Tezak, and brothers Joseph, Anthony and Louis Tezak. Tezak is one of the men who is honored on the Colorado Freedom Memorial - Panel 9, Column, Row 19.

Colorado Freedom Memorial

When France fell to the Nazis in June 1940 many in the United States felt the conflict edging closer and may have motivated eighteen-year-old Henry Weber to enlist in the Navy in October. After receiving his basic training at San Diego, California, Weber was assigned to the USS California, one of the battleships sunk at her moorings during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Initially reported Missing in Action, Weber was later confirmed as wounded and assisted in the defense of Pearl Harbor. Weber was then assigned to the destroyer, USS Barton, which was sunk in the battle of Savo Islands, November 13, 1942. This time, Weber was confirmed Missing in Action. Weber was awarded the Purple Heart (2), American Defense, Asiatic-Pacific, American Theater, and World War II Victory Medals. He was survived by Mr. and Mrs. John Weber, sisters Molly Seegar, Pauline Wolf, Natalie Brantner, Amelia Campbell, and Matilda Weber and brothers Samuel, Reuben and Albert Weber.

Samuel Graff, Charles Arthur McClellan, Albert R. Metzger

Samuel Graff was 24 years old when he enlisted in the Army and traveled to Camp Roberts, California for basic training in November, 1943. Assigned to the 41st Division, 163rd Infantry, Company I, Graff participated in operations in New Guinea, Netherlands, East India and the Philippines. Graff was killed in action during an invasion of Mindinoa, Sambo Ango on March 19, 1945 and received the Purple Heart, Asiatic Pacific, American Theater and World War II Victory Medals. His family were members of the First German Congregational Church in Globeville and he was survived by his sisters Natalie Befus, Ruth Mitchell, Irene and Rosalie Graff, and brothers Carl and Alex Graff.

Charles Arthur McClellan was 25 years old and married when he enlisted in the Navy March 6, 1942. He did his basic training in San Diego, California and was assigned to LST-455, a repair ship, as an electrician's second mate. McClellan was reported "missing in action" September 12, 1943 as a result of a direct hit by enemy bombers during a bombing attack in the South Pacific. McClellan received Purple Heart, Asiatic Pacific, American Theater and World War II Victory Medals. He was survived by his widow, Mrs. Helen Kornafel McClellan, and his mother, Mrs. H. W. McClellan.

29-year-old Albert R. Metzger enlisted in the US Army Air Force January 6, 1941, before the United States entered the conflict and received his basic training with the 120th Observation Squadron of the National Guard.  Metzger was later assigned to 153rd Observation Squadron and departed the US in August 1942. As a Liaison Pilot in Bath, England, Metzger received orders to server as an observation pilot for the 190th Field Artillery and was killed in a crash near Market Livingston, England, June 27, 1943. Metzger was awarded the Purple Heart, American and European Theater Medals and was survived by his parents, Mr and Mrs. John Metzger, and sisters Gertrude Metzger and Mrs. Alma Hartfiel.

Frederick F. Dometrovich, Theodore Dorak, Lawrence Goreski

There is a stained glass window above the altar in Holy Rosary Church that was donated in 1920 by the Dometrovich family, immigrants from Croatia. How proud they were to have son Frederick complete school at North High, then graduate from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. At age 34, married, and the father of two children, Dometrovich would have been exempt from the draft, but enlisted in the Army Medical Corps in August, 1942. Dometrovich served as a physician in the South Pacific, including Oro Bay, New Guinea and Gilbert Islands and died as the result of typhus contracted in the line of duty. Survived by his wife, children Margo and Fred, Jr., mother Mrs. Anna Dometrovich, brothers Frank and John, and sister Mrs. Mary Hamilton, Dometrovich received the American Theater Medal, and the Asiatic Pacific Medal and Citation.

Theodore Kenneth Dorak was one of many young men who enlisted in the Navy December 8, 1941, the day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. After training at San Diego, California, Dorak was assigned to the Naval Air Force aboard the USS Yorktown. A later assignment took Dorak to the aircraft carrier USS Franklin, where he participated in air raids over Marcus, Wake, Kwajalein, Truk, Saipan, Palau, Hollandia, and the Japanese mainland. Killed in action March, 1945, during a battle off the Japanese coast, Dorak was remembered with a plaque on the east side of St. Michael's Chapel at Riverside Cemetery. Dorak was survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Dorak, brothers Edward J. Jr. and Daniel Dorak, and sister Mary Ellen Dorak. Dorak was awarded the Purple Heart, Asiatic Pacific Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, and the American Theater, Good Conduct and World War II Victory Medals.

Lawrence Goreski was 27 years old, married to Margaret and had a young daughter, Laura Jean when he enlisted in the Army Air Force January 11, 1942, a month after Pearl Harbor. Goreski entered flight training at Ellington Field, Houston, Texas, and received his commission as 2nd Lieutenant at Victorville, California. Assigned to combat flight duties in England October 28, 1942, Goreski was reported Missing in Action December 30, 1942, while participating in a bombing mission of a submarine base in Lorient, France. Besides his wife and children, Goreski was survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Pete Goreski, and a brother, Paul Goreski. Goreski received the Purple Heart, European Theater, American Theater and World War II Victory Medals. 

Globeville Veterans

The city of Denver will celebrate Veteran's Day in 2013 with a 5K run, a parade, a remembrance ceremony at Civic Center Park, activities for veterans and their families and an evening of fireworks. The Globeville Veteran's Club, which was organized in 1947, didn't want a parade or even recognition for their recent service, but to honor and commemorate those from Globeville who had died serving their country. In their meetings, it was suggested that a memorial honoring veterans be erected in Argo Park and the idea grew from there. The club's 200 members, former servicemen of both World War I and II, spoke to neighbors, businesses, fraternal organizations and churches to raise funds for the project. The 12-foot-high granite monument was dedicated in Argo Park on August 25, 1948, with Denver Mayor Quigg Newton, Governor Henry Knous, Councilman Ernest Marranzino and Congressman John Carroll in attendance. The Denver Post reported, "It is believed to be the first monument dedicated to the dead of the last war." 1.
The memorial stands in a quiet space in Argo Park, inscribed with the names of two men killed in World War I, 12 men lost in World War II and one Korean War casualty. Information will be given about the men whose names are inscribed on the monument in future posts. It is hoped that people who visit Argo Park will pause to remember the men from Globeville who sacrificed their lives for their country.

"The tumult and the shouting dies;  

The captains and the Kings depart;  

Still stand Thine ancient sacrifice,  

A humble and contrite heart.  

Lord God of Hosts. Be with us yet

Lest we forget! Lest we forget!"2

 1. Denver Post, Globeville to Dedicate War Heroes Memorial, August 25, 1948, pg. 28

2, From the dedication booklet, August 25, 1948

Argo Park

The Rocky Mountain News described Argo Park as “…a delightful retreat on the banks of the Platte…whose grounds have been prettily laid out… a charming suburban retreat.” The occasion was the dedication of the park on July 25, 1880, a decade before Globeville existed as a town. The park, which extended from Logan Street on the West to Washington Street on its eastern edge, was intended to serve the residents of Argo, the company town built by the Boston and Colorado Smelter, as well as the citizens of Denver. Philip Zang purchased the “resort” in January, 1885 and made improvements that included a theater, dance pavilion, bowling alley, ball fields and a small zoo. The park was home to the Strawberry Festival, picnics, band concerts, athletic activities, community gatherings and “pleasure parties of all kinds.”1. Welsh workers from the Boston and Colorado Smelter held annual eisteddfods, or singing contests, in remembrance of customs in their native land.
Martha Kulik Birch remembered, “It was one block square and they had a dance pavilion with an orchestra. People used to work hard all week and then come on the streetcar and dance under the stars. 
In the summer, there were swings, sandboxes, and a little cement wading pool for us kids. When I was about nine or ten [1917], we had this wonderful, husky teacher named Mrs. Roosevelt who wore a middy blouse, a big skirt, and carried a big whistle. We kids never ran wild because everyone obeyed her. She showed us how to make baskets by soaking rattans, and at the end of the summer, we each had a little basket.”2.
The park diminished in size as various owners sold parcels for development, and became part of the Denver parks system when Globeville was annexed in 1902. As part of the New Deal, a swimming pool and changing rooms were added in 1940, and a memorial honoring Globeville veterans killed in World Wars I and II was dedicated on August 25, 1948. More recent improvements have included a lighted baseball and softball field, basketball court, playground, and picnic tables. The pool underwent $1 million in renovations in 2005, a “sprayground” was added in 2007 and walking path in 2014.

1. Rocky Mountain News, July 25, 1880
2. An interview with Martha Kulik Birch with her niece Debbie Strein.
3. Fell, James E., Jr. Ores to Metal: The Rocky Mountain Smelting Industry. Lincoln: 
University of Nebraska Press, 1979
4. www.recreationparks.net/CO/denver/argo-park-denver

Top photo, Miss McCammon taught the third and fourth grades - 

photo of her class taken in 1914 with the dance pavilion in the background. 

Photo used with written permission from Minnie Boge Herbert.

Middle and bottom photos, Argo Park today, Mary Lou Egan