Author: Chuck

Benard Maine

Family trip to Benard Maine completed this week. The whole Chuck Mahoney clan made it out including the newly minted, baby Westyn. He was definitely the rock star of the show.

The first few days were a little foggy and cloudy, but still nice enough to do thinks like visit Accadia National Park, Bass Harbor Lighthouse, the Rockefeller Gardens and Beals Lobster Pier for both lobster rolls and whole lobster, yum.

Visited the sandy beach inside Accadia and took a hike, or two, inside the park. I survived my gorge path hike to the top of Cadillac Mountain, just barely. Connor had to haul me up the last pitch after I pulled something in the lower abdomen scrambling over some big rocks. The views from the top were spectacular. Fortunately, we found a friendly tour bus driver that offered the injured party (me) and my support team a ride down the mountain.

Thanks to Carolyn for the area research and the points of interests and activities lists.

Attendees: Judy, Alan, Sandra, Arre, Andrew, Sutton, Carolyn, Carlton, Ailsa, Freya, Chuck, Jenna, Connor, Cameron, Lindsay, Madisyn, and Westyn.

Ruuuuuby, don’t take your love to town.

Since we didn’t have much of anything else going on…

We figured we would go out and get a puppy.

Meet Ruby, the 10-week-old, Ausslier puppy.

She is very sweet and very much a puppy – right down to the puppy breath and whining at night. You forget about that part.

We love her nonetheless and will be providing any updates of note as she acclimates to Colorado and our family.

Hailing from the state of Minnesota, she weighs in at about 5-6 pounds and about 8 inches high. Jen flew out to pick her up and fly back to Denver. The flight was a little stressful, but she came through with flying colors.

With blue eyes and a wiggly tail with a white tip, she already enjoys bouncing around the backyard and giving lots of puppy kisses.

Welcome Westyn

He has finally arrived. Welcome, Westyn Dennis Mahoney!

Born on 5/23/24, 6 lbs 15 oz. and cute as a button.

Mom and Dad both doing well and adjusting to new parenthood.

He has been visited several times by eager extended family members and so far, the reviews are unanimous – Wes is a rock star.

Main daily course of activity is sleep, eat, poop, repeat. He does it well.

Look for updates and pictures on the Cam and Mady page. FUN.

Baby Shower

Yesterday was the baby shower for little baby ‘Taco’.

The venue was the Breckenridge Brewery and the day was a historically windy one for Colorado.

Despite the wind, the gathering was very nice. In attendance were multiple generations of family from both sides of the little fella’s parents – Nanas, Mimis, Great Grandmothers, and regular old Grandparents. There were also aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and classmates.

It was fun catching up with some of the Vista and CU kids. Also fun attempting to predict baby names, as well as offering the best advice for the parents-to-be.

I’m sure they will be fine. I know I will enjoy watching them grow and experience the joys of parenthood.

I also expect a few “I had no idea how (hard, frustrating, awesome, tiring) this would be comments along the way.

This was my first visit to the Breckenridge “Beer Fort”, which is across from the main restaurant and bar area. It boasts a lovely patio with an outdoor fireplace that would have been perfect on a crisp spring day if the darn wind hadn’t been blowing so hard.

The indoor décor also provided an opportunity to educate the young ones about the status symbol of the console stereo system – a signature piece of furniture where LPs by Roberta Flack, Shirley Bassey, and John Denver were played in the Mahoney household back in the day.

Even ‘big sister’ Dixie got in on the action.

Even more pictures here.

Cam and Mady page added to Mahoneyplace

No one can accuse them of moving slowly. First an engagement then a pregnancy announcement, things are moving quickly and can be challenging to keep up with.

So… I plan to keep track of what is going on here, on the ‘Cam and Mady‘ page – I’ll probably have to rename it if they keep up this pace.

My plan is to follow all things Cam and Mady; including tales of Dixe the dog and ______ the newborn.

I’ve already had fun making up and guessing names for what he may be named. Let me know if you have guesses too.

Looking forward to being that good ‘bad’ influence on the little dude.

McKee-Green Visit

The Mahoneys had fun hosting the Mckee-Greens for a pre-Christmas visit. Other than some of the folks feeling under the weather, we all had a good time either skiing or eating, or both.

Jenna brought a few games and ignited the competitive sprit in all of us. Who knew there were so many creative writers in the group – some more brief than others. My favorite answer “poop control”.

In addition to games, there was skiing/snowboarding, some serious snow tubing in Frisco and one quality day of just exploring the town of Breckenridge.

Haunted Bars

Top Haunted Bars In Colorado

The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park

The leaves have turned to the colors of fall, the Colorado mountains are topped with snow and the summer air has departed with cool, crisp air in its place. Fall is here, which means the haunting season is upon us. There are many fun and spooky things to do across the metro area this time of year. Refer to this list for the best bars in the city and one beyond that will serve up a side of spirits with your spirits.

Unfortunately this one is now closed: Blake Street Vault
1526 Blake St.
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 825-9833
www.blakestreetvault.com

Blake Street Vault is in the LoDo area and is a classic historical saloon. The restaurant and bar is rumored to be haunted by a saloon girl called ‘brown ghost’ or ‘lady in red.’ According to legend, she was a saloon girl from the original establishment in the 1860s. People have heard her walking across the old wooden floors in her high heels and others have seen her while walking down the stairs into the basement. She isn’t the only ghost who haunts this bar, as there is also a story of a merchant marine that lives in the basement. Blake Street Vault gives tours regularly and you will need to call ahead to check on times. While visiting one of Denver’s most haunted bars, you can also enjoy a full menu of both food and drink.

Related: Top Anti-Football Bars in Denver

Ship Tavern (inside the Brown Palace Hotel)
321 17th St.
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 297-3111
www.brownpalace.com

Ship Tavern is located inside the Brown Palace Hotel. The vintage, pub-like atmosphere features several micro-brewed beer and wine selections. It also provides a full menu around the clock with live entertainment each Wednesday through Saturday from 8:30 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. The building was built in 1892 and is a big part of Colorado history. In 1911, it was the site of one of Denver’s most high-profile murders. Frank Henwood shot and killed Tony von Phul and George Copeland, who was an innocent bystander. Both Henwood and von Phul were in love with Isabel Springer, wife of political candidate John Springer. Underneath the hotel there are tunnels that go in every direction. Around this time of year, the hotel offers a ghost tour. Call for more information.

The Cruise Room (inside The Oxford Hotel)
1600 17th St.
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 628-5400
www.theoxfordhotel.com

The Cruise Room Bar is located inside The Oxford Hotel, built in 1891. It was the first bar to open in downtown Denver and it opened the day after Prohibition was repealed in 1933. The trendy bar is famous for its handmade martinis, but maybe even more so for its haunted past. There is a legend of a man in a post office uniform who haunts the bar from time to time. He stopped in at the bar while traveling through on his way to Central City at Christmas time and never delivered the packages. The legend is that his body was found on the way to Central City with all of the packages with him.The Stanley Hotel Bar
333 Wonderview Ave.
Estes Park, CO 80517
(970) 577-4000

The Stanley Hotel Bar
333 Wonderview Ave.
Estes Park, CO 80517
(970) 577-4000
www.stanleyhotel.com

The Stanley Hotel Bar is located in one of the most famous eerie hotels in the US. The hotel is famous because this is where Stephen King was staying when he came up with the idea to write “The Shining.” This movie was released in 1980 and has become one of the most beloved horror films of all time and the television series was filmed on location. You can even order the ‘Redrum Ale’ which is made by the Estes Park Brewery.

Randolph’s Restaurant and Bar (inside the Warwick Hotel)
1776 Grant St.
Denver, CO 80203
(303) 861-2000
www.warwickdenver.com

Randolph’s Restaurant and Bar is located inside the Warwick Hotel in Denver’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. This neighborhood is rumored to be one of the most haunted areas in Denver and there are regular ghost tours available. In the late 1960s, the local Playboy Club occupied the penthouse floor. The legend is that one of the bunnies died in a drug deal and she can sometimes be seen haunting the building.

Related: Top Pool Halls In Denver

The outside of the Stanley January 2021
Jen enjoying a drink at the Stanley
I was looking for Jack Torrence

The sequel to The Shining was pretty good too – Dr. Sleep.

In Loving Memory

Dennis M. Mahoney

January 18, 1935 – August 24, 2021

Dennis M. Mahoney, age 86, passed away on August 24, 2021 at home, in the comfort of his wife of 58 years, LaVonne B. Mahoney. Denny was born on January 18, 1935 in York, Pennsylvania, the son of Charles D. Mahoney and Marjorie D. Mahoney.

After attending Duke University and Temple medical school, Denny moved to Colorado to complete his medical training in obstetrics and gynecology. While working at Presbyterian Hospital in Denver, Denny met and fell in love with LaVonne Bridges, a laboratory technician from Meade, Kansas. They were married on December 15, 1962.

Shortly thereafter, Denny served for two years, 1963-65, as a Captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corps, delivering hundreds of babies. During that time, Denny was called upon to testify as an expert witness in military judicial proceedings. He found the experience fascinating and compelling, and two weeks after his discharge from the army, Denny entered law school at Penn State Dickinson.

Denny continued to practice medicine while he completed law school. After graduating from law school in 1968, he and LaVonne moved back to Colorado, which Denny referred to as “God’s country.” They have lived here ever since.

Denny practiced law for 53 years, specializing in medical litigation. He was passionate about bringing his expertise to the cause of his clients. Denny was particularly intense in his advocacy for the rights of babies and children. He founded The Mahoney Law Firm, P.C., which continues his mission today.

Denny and LaVonne raised four sons. Denny was a devoted husband and loving father, always placing his family as his top priority. In wintertime, he could be found on the ski slopes of Breckenridge, chastising Texans to stay off the expert runs. In springtime, he could be found prowling the sidelines of his sons’ lacrosse games, “working” the refs.

Never shy with his analysis or opinion, Denny was well known for both his joy in the successes of his family, and his disdain for an opposing team or unsavory politician. He was known for telling good stories. He would sometimes embellish what may have actually happened for dramatic effect or to emphasize a point, oftentimes with a wink and a smile.

Denny is survived by his wife, LaVonne B. Mahoney; his four sons, Chuck (Jenna), Paul (Rita), Kevin (Andrea), and Bo (Amanda); and his sister, Marjann Bower. He is also survived by thirteen grandchildren: Connor,

Cameron, Lindsay, Luke, Caroline, Mariah, Sean, Phelan, Bricin, Caitlin, Jack, Emma, and Paige.

Denny is preceded into eternal life by his parents, Charles D. Mahoney and Marjorie D. Mahoney, and his brother, James C. Mahoney.

A funeral mass will be held on September 9, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 2375 E. Arizona Ave., Denver, CO 80210. A reception will follow at the home of Bo and Amanda Mahoney, located at 3136 S. Steele St., Denver, CO 80210.

Denny will be laid to rest at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider a donation in Denny’s name to one of his favorite causes:

Wounded Warrior Project

P.O. Box 75816

Topeka, KS 66675

www.woundedwarriorproject.org

https://link.shutterfly.com/hKXEB3hNTjb

Final resting place: Ft Logan Cemetary, Denver Colorado