Growing up near the Stockyards

Born in 1918 in Elyria, Joe Sadar had fond memories of his childhood. “I can’t believe any youngsters, no matter where they grew up, had a better neighborhood than the stockyard area. We were always in the stockyards playing around. We used to go there, jump in, milk the cows and take it home. The ranchers would all bring their cattle in and we’d ask if they had any cows around. They’d let us go in and milk them and take it home. We’d carry a bucket with us.

Then we’d play “gate tag.” There was an alley and pens on both sides. We’d play tag, get on that gate and swing to the other side. You’d do that when there wasn’t any cattle. Yeah, they used to hire cowboys to move the cattle around. When they would run sheep up to the killing floor, they would have a goat lead them. Sheep are funny. If there was a puddle of water, they wouldn’t cross it. They had a goat lead the sheep up onto the floor. They’d follow that goat right up into the packinghouse. That old goat would eat cigarette butts and everything. That was a great place to have fun.”

Rudy Okoren was born in 1924 and was old enough to experience long Masses at Holy Rosary Church. “The Mass was in Latin, and there was a sermon in English and then one in Slovenian. We got in the habit of slipping out during the second sermon to play in the stockyards. Of course, our folks knew something was up because we’d come home all dirty. So later, we’d just duck out and sneak a smoke.”

Two generations later, another kid discovered the excitement in the stockyards. Born in 1954, Ken “Boogie” Mondragon grew up in public housing at Stapleton Homes. “We used to go to the stockyard area and once in awhile, they’d have pigs in there. We’d go in there and ride the pigs and get all dirty. We didn’t hurt the pigs and they knew we were doing it. Then we’d wash up in the Platte River and go home. We had to find our own fun.”

Today’s youngsters can take advantage of a symposium, gardening, cooking classes, or virtual learning experiences at the CSU Spur development in the Stock Show Complex. Perhaps some of the new activities could include riding pigs, “gate tag” or milking cows.

Sadar’s home at 4789 Williams is still standing 

Stories from Holy Rosary Homecoming

Any parish that's been around for more than a century has stories to tell and the folks who attended the Homecoming event at Holy Rosary on October told them in abundance.

We began with Mass, of course. Joann Birsa sang "Kraljica venca rožnega" in Slovenian and the congregation followed with the same hymn "O Queen of the Holy Rosary" in English. In his homily, Father Frank Garcia paid tribute to the faith and perseverance of the Slovenian and Croatian founders, the teachers and pastors and the current Spanish parishioners who sustain the parish. The Mass concluded with the singing of "Tantum Ergo" and "Holy God We Praise Thy Name." We then retired to the school cafeteria for coffee, Potica, sandwiches and sharing photos and memories.

Joann Birsa has documented Slovenian songs and hymns. 

Their Croatian heritage is important to the Kalcevic family,
who has been farming in Colorado since 1898. 

Jeff Kalcevic, Mac, Bronwyn and Bo
https://kalcevicfarmsinc.business.site

Jim Peketz' family were among those who established Holy Rosary,

 as well as the Western Slavonic Association.
The family sponsored two stained glass windows in the church.

Magali Martinez, Nicki Gonzales, PhD (Vice Provost for Diversity

and Inclusion, and Professor of History at Regis University)

and Martha Del Real share a laugh.

Frank Okoren and his 98-year-old father, Rudy. Rudy entertained his granddaughter Karina by reciting escapades from his childhood.

It wasn't all hymns and history. There were tales of church founders arrested for bootlegging. Rudy Okoren recalled the Mass being said in Latin, with a sermon in Slovenian and a sermon in English. He smiled when confessing to skipping the second homily to steal a smoke. There were memories of altar servers, choirs, the terror of receiving your report card and a Christmas pageant with the Baby Jesus going airborne. We had such a great time, we'll do it again Saturday, March 25th, 2023.

View those entertaining stories on our YouTube Channel

https://youtu.be/GAMeDnK2kZc

Elections in Globeville

The very first election in Globeville was held on a Thursday, July 2, 1891. The community needed to decide whether or not to incorporate their settlement.

Developers had laid out inexpensive, rural-sounding tracts so workers could build homes close to their industrial jobs. Greenwood Addition, Cranberry Place, Tacoma Heights, Argo Park, Platte Farm and Garden Place were growing in population and this vote was to determine whether their residents wanted to incorporate as a single town. Thomas J. Anders, a real estate developer from adjacent Retreat Park, opposed the idea and argued that taxes would likely increase. But many citizens were concerned that their village could be annexed by Denver (who coveted the tax revenue from the smelters and meat packing plants), by the straight-laced company town of Argo to the west, or the anything-goes town of Elyria to the east. 

Residents felt the need for some civic improvements like water treatment, fire and police protection, street lights, and control over the kind of behavior that would be tolerated in the town. Incorporation carried the day and the community chose the name of "Globeville" for their new city.

An organizational meeting was held in the Globeville schoolhouse at 51st and Washington with homesteader William Hanford Clark chosen as the town's first mayor. Attendees decided that the city government would be elected every two years and consist of the mayor, six trustees, a recorder, treasurer, magistrate and marshal. Officials wold meet every second Tuesday of the month at 7:30 pm, with additional meetings as necessary.

The minutes of that first meeting reflect the determination of the council to ensure that Globeville would be a desirable place to live. Prize fighting, which was legal and profitable in nearby Elyria, was forbidden. "Abusive, common, vulgar, indecent or improper language was illegal, as well as inciting others to commit violent crimes."

The neighborhood still had large areas of open land and town ordinances reflected that. "The running of large horses, cattle, sheep or goats, geese or burros within the limits of the town is illegal."

The first meeting dealt with the structure of governance in Globeville and it was decided to hold the first official election of officials and trustees in the spring. So a ballot for the vote was published on April 1, 1892, in the Rocky Mountain News, and the election held on April 5, 1892. 

 

Holy Rosary Homecoming - October 8, 2022

You don't have to be a current parishioner (although you are always welcome) - you just have to love Holy Rosary. Were your grandparents married here? Was anyone in your family baptized here? Did any of your family attend school or church at Holy Rosary? Sing in the choir? Act in a school play? Attend religious education classes? What teachers do you remember? Did you go to the church bazaar? Enjoy our monthly pancake breakfasts?

Join us on Saturday, October 8th for Homecoming!

We'll begin with Mass at 10:00 am, and then convene in the cafeteria to share coffee, pastry and memories. Bring your photos, scrapbooks, notebooks, recipes, posters, and stories. (You might even discover a distant relative).

There will be a video set up in the small classroom near the cafeteria where you can share a memory of your family, a favorite teacher or what Holy Rosary meant to you.

RSVP maryloudesign@comcast.net

So we can have enough food!

Row 1: Irene Horvat, Anna Mae Canjar, Mary Jane Grande, Monsignor Judnic, Fernand Cain,
Dorothy Gilmour, Dorothy Meyer, Margaret Kucler.
Row 2: Lucille Franks, Joseph Pavlakovich, Albert Angerer, Harold Nothaft,
Stephen Shinall, Joseph Yelenick, Steffie Okoren. 

Teacher Mrs. Nancy Jackson and husband Bob Jackson

Change the Date! Holy Rosary Bazaar

Holy Rosary Parish will hold its festival on Sunday, September 11 (a change from Saturday, September 10th) from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Stop by the main parking lot at 4688 Pearl Street for a great selection of food, games for the children and entertainment.

Tacos, Gorditas, Italian Sausage Sandwiches, Flautas, Enchiladas, Hamburgers, Chips, Hot Dogs, Nachos, Corn on the Cob, Turkey Legs, Flavored Water, Sodas, Snacks and more!  

Face Painting, Games, Prizes, Live Music, Matachines!

Globeville Community Conversation About a Library

On July 20th 2022, thirty residents attended a meeting at the Globeville Recreation Center to discuss a proposed library for Globeville. Facilitated by Annie Kemmerling, Director of Neighborhood Services for the Denver Public Library, this was the second such community gathering. 

Kemmerling began by introducing Nola Miguel, Director of the GES Coalition and Tierra Collective Community Land Trust, library staff members, city agency staff and members of the Globeville Redevelopment Partners, LLC (GRP). She then gave an update on what was discussed at the previous meeting.

The facts are:

• The budget for the library is $12,000,000 

• The money comes from the voter-approved 2021 Rise Denver Bond. 

• The funds need to cover land acquisition, building costs,
   renovations, collections and equipment. 

• An estimated 8,000 - 10,000 sq. ft. is needed for the branch.

During the initial gathering, the neighborhood expressed a desire for a location close to schools and housing, accessible by walking and transit. (I wondered if anyone from the Development team had noticed the damaged sidewalks in front of the Recreation Center). Locations suggested at the previous meeting included: Argo Park, the former First German Congregational Church at 44th and Lincoln, several vacant lots, the former Salvation Army site at 47th and Broadway, and the lot at 4995 Washington Street.

At the July 20th meeting, Kemmerling gave an update on the status of the suggested sites. Most sites were ruled out for various reasons: 

• The city charter forbids building any structures on park land 

• The former church needs too many repairs, including asbestos removal 

• The vacant lots cost too much and need development from the ground up. 

• Two locations, the Salvation Army site at 47th and Broadway

   and the lot at 4995 Washington are still viable options. 

• The 4995 Washington location became the focus of the presentation.

David Block, from the Evergreen Real Estate Group (part of the Globeville Redevelopment Partners) shared his vision of combining low-income housing, a food market and the library at the 4995 Washington location. John Ronan of John Ronan Architects from Chicago showed slides of similar projects his firm had created in Chicago. Ronan emphasized that the projects he showed were to stimulate discussion and were not suggestions for the library in Globeville.

The meeting was then opened up for comments. Resident Jenny Santos said that it was remarkable that Globeville citizens are asked for their input and thanked the committee for the dialogue. Carla Padilla, longtime Globeville resident and Associate Director of the arts nonprofit Birdseed Collective, raised concerns about security and the homeless population that gathers around libraries. Padilla also hoped the architecture could reflect the blue-collar, ethnically diverse personality of the neighborhood and commented out that a lot of newer buildings seem very sterile. Anna Elizabeth hoped the library could provide a home to documents, photos and artifacts from Globeville.

Kemmerling thanked everyone for their participation and assured residents that their ideas would be taken into account. Although a date for the next discussion has not been decided, residents can share their wishes and concerns at:

community@denverlibrary.org

The building that houses the Globeville Recreation Center was originally known
as the Globeville Community Center and was built in 1921.
The Center had an auditorium for meetings, dances, and social functions.

It was also the location of Globeville's first library. 
Photos courtesy of the Denver Public Library

Annie Kemmerling, Director of Neighborhood Services
 of the Denver Public Library
Photo by Mary Lou Egan

 

Prodigy Coffeehouse Coming to Globeville

The word "Prodigy" is defined as "a person, especially a young one, with exceptional qualities and abilities." The founder and CEO of Prodigy Coffeehouse, Steph Frances, is the remarkable person who recognizes the possibilities in each individual - their talents, passions and gifts. Young adults disconnected from school or traditional careers are invited to a year-long apprenticeship where they will learn business, communication and networking skills. Along the way, they gain self knowledge, confidence, direction and motivation - all through the craft of coffee.

The first Prodigy Coffeehouse was established in 2016 at 3801 East 40th Avenue in Elyria-Swansea. Its graduates have transferred what they've learned to success in other fields. And in life. Of the 185 young adults who have completed the program so far, 86% increased their earning power, received raises and promotions. 

Prodigy in Globeville is another example of metamorphosis. A former service station at the corner of 45th and Broadway will transition from restoring cars and trucks to improving the futures of young people. The coffeehouse will be a most welcome addition to Globeville, a respite from busyness, and a place for connection and conversation. 

Prodigy hopes to be open by August 2022, serving craft-brewed coffee from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm everyday. For more about the program see
www.prodigyventures.org

www.prodigyventures.org