Are you glad the dog days of summer are finally past? Hold on, there’s actually one more “dog day” as fall approaches, and it’s the funniest of all the Historical Society’s Second Saturday Socials: September’s Dogs on Paw-rade, scheduled for the 14th from 10:00 to 2:00 at the Baugh House (11361 W. 44th Ave).
This year’s event will again feature a doggie costume parade. Last year’s winner was a friendly mixed-breed named Lindy who came as a Kissing Booth, then proceeded to thank everyone for the rest of the day with wet kisses.
Some of the contests are right out of the “Miss America” playbook: Most Congenial, Most Unusual Trick and Best Bark are always crowd pleasers. However, some dogs like to be challenged and head straight for the Musical Sit competition, a canine version of the elementary school game Musical Chairs. Even more challenging is the Leave-it Race where handlers walk their pooches down a lane by a plate of aromatic wieners without stopping for a quick snack. Also, vendors planning to be there include veterinarians, trainers, groomers and shop owners.
This event is free for WRHS members; non-members pay $15 per dog. Dogs must be on a leash at all times and owners must show a current rabies vaccination record and sign a waiver absolving the WRHS and the City of Wheat Ridge of responsibility. Registration information at website wheatridgehistoricalsociety.org, or email us at wrhistorical@gmail.com.
Lutheran’s Blue House and Chapel Update
Every trip past the now-empty Lutheran Hospital reminds us we still don’t know about the disposition of the much-loved historical buildings on the old campus on 38th Ave. For years, former owners SCL would say only that the new owners needed to decide the fate of those buildings.
Hopes were high for a change in the approach to community relations once the transition to new owners, Intermountain Health, was completed. So far, Intermountain rates high marks; its reps have been present at all the town hall meetings, leading to more accessibility.
City Council’s 2021 resolution declared the city’s support for preservation of the buildings. Then the Master Plan for the Lutheran Campus that Council passed, containing this sentence: “Both the Chapel and Blue House should be targeted for 1) Preservation, 2) Rehabilitation, or Restoration, assuming that other, adjacent development can offset the reduced return on the investment” — a strong statement of intent but with an escape hatch.
However, thanks to the diligence and chutzpah of Historical Society member Sandy Nance who heads the Lutheran historical building committee, communication lines have opened. According to Nance, City Manager Patrick Goff is nearly done interviewing the three (out of nine original) finalists. While the selection could be made in the next few weeks, closing the deal could take another year. Goff stated that the community will have plenty of opportunities for feedback.
“The City will do everything possible to ensure these assets are preserved. It may take some creativity to finance their restoration, but we will be telling any future owner they must preserve these items,” he said.
