Colorado Matters' interview last week about the hidden life of Dr. Azad Katchian got several responses. Katchian became an orphan nearly a century ago in what many call the Armenian genocide, but eventually settled in Colorado. He's now deceased and we spoke to his daughter Anahid, who shared a recording of her father talking about the forced march of his childhood.
Another of Dr. Katchian's daughters, Sonia, heard the segment and wrote: "I learned things about my father I never knew. Thank you."
Stella Woodley of Denver added: "Oh my goodness! Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. It amazes me how events in our lives shape who we are. It pays to be kind to people....you don't know their story! What a great interview! Thank you, for changing my life!"
Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-Colo., spoke with us last week about his bill to allow marijuana businesses to bank in states where it's legal. Robert Chase, of Denver, think the congressman's priorities are out of whack. Congress should "repeal the felonies for cannabis and worry about the banking woes of those temporarily being allowed to profit hugely from the commission of federal felonies later!" Chase says.
Recently we shared the story of a Colorado Springs woman who inspired the Peanuts character Lucy Van Pelt -- and her last name. Louanne Van Pelt died earlier this month and she knew Peanuts creator Charles Schulz when he lived in Colorado. Her son, David, told us his mom was bittersweet about the character she inspired. She was also much kinder than cartoon Lucy, according to listener Dan Roque of Denver. He taught another one of her kids and was invited over for dinner: "I know that we had lasanga, I still remember that, it was really good. And I can remember the evening because how gracious they were to me. I mean, and her personality was so lively, and your broadcast just brought back so many memories because that was my first year teaching!"
Roque adds the family showed him a mural in their house with the Charlie Brown characters, painted by Schulz.
And a few weeks back, we paid a visit to the Denver Turnverein. The cultural center turned 150 this month and people have gone there to learn how to dance for decades. We discovered that the Turnverein wasn't always a social dance hub. It used to be a German gymnastics club. Uta and Hans Potts became members in the 1950s. They attended the 150th celebration earlier this month, which brought back some fond memories.
Uta: "And at that time we still had the double bars and the horse, pieces to do the old-fashion gymnastics. And then we had some talent shows were we had little acting. And at your graduation, I had that one with the one oh baking a cake."
Hans: "Yep."
Uta: "Remember? Oh that was sort of funny."
Hans: "Well. A lot of well known names were members. The Coors Brothers and uh Tabor."
Uta: "It was a prestige place to be."
Colorado Matters is always glad to hear from you on Twitter @ColoradoMatters and CPR News on Facebook. This week, we especially want to hear your questions for Gov. John Hickenlooper as our next interview with him is coming up. E-mail us: [email protected]. [email protected].
