Coming southwest

I’ve lived in Centennial for 11 years. I’m 73 years old, shortly turning 74 in May. Previously, I lived in Littleton for about 20 years, and before that, in Denver since 1968.

I came to Colorado as a student to the University of Denver — I graduated with a degree in education and went on to get my master’s degree in southwest studies from Colorado College in the 1980s.

Involved in Littleton

I am a member of the Friends of the Littleton Library and Museum, and of Historic Littleton (an organization that advocates for the protection of Littleton’s cultural heritage). I also taught at the immigration resource center when it was getting underway at Bemis Library about 15 years ago.

I always enjoyed living in Littleton, and I wanted to stay in the area when I decided to buy another house. So I chose the Southwood neighborhood in Centennial, as it’s very close to downtown Littleton and Bemis Library and all the beautiful parks and the Littleton historical museum.

From East Coast

Originally, I’m from Northern New Jersey and New York City. Growing up, we were lucky enough to go back and forth from the city to New Jersey all the time. But what I remember most about growing up in New Jersey was that we were from a very diversified background. We always went to all different types of restaurants, sections of New York and neighborhoods.

Visited Shangri La mansion

I had just returned to Denver from living in Aspen, and another friend and I stopped by to visit (a friend's) beautiful new house. Coming from the New York area, I knew of gorgeous historical homes, and of course (my friend’s) was one of those. It had a tremendous entryway with a large circular staircase and two artificial palm trees butting up to the sides of the staircase.  I think it had to be around 1972 or 1973.

Englewood teacher

I taught in Englewood — I was fortunate enough to be a Title 1 reading teacher and won a grant to teach with another colleague in a converted motorhome that became a classroom. And we taught language arts to the six elementary schools in Englewood at that time in the 1980s and late 70s  ... and we helped hundreds of children through the years. 

Still in the classroom

The teaching program I’m involved in now is the senior rebate program for older folks through Littleton Public Schools. (Through the program, residents earn a rebate toward their Arapahoe County property taxes by volunteering in the district.) 

At Field Elementary School, I help a kindergarten teacher there … I help just with small groups. You can call it a classroom assistant. 

In the stadium

I am now working for the Denver Broncos and helping at Field Elementary School. I’ve done both those programs about 10 years. 

I work on the guest relations of the Denver Broncos. We welcome and help all the people that come into the stadium to enjoy the Broncos games. Currently, my position is in the West Club area. I was lucky to meet a teaching colleague who offered me a job there as I started to retire from teaching. We both work together to this day at the stadium.

Childhood of travel

Fortunately, growing up, we traveled to Europe many times, and we visited Italy — and we went to Sicily and visited the town of Cammarata. 

If you think we should interview someone for My Name Is ..., or if you would like to be interviewed for the segment, contact reporter Ellis Arnold at earnold@coloradocommunitymedia.com or 303-566-4109.