NNov 27 From Melodrama to Seven Falls

Hello Everyone,

It doesn’t matter how well you think you have traveled to a city and explored it. New hidden gems and places you might have missed can spring up on your radar. Such was the case with our trip to Colorado Springs this past June.

MANITOU IRON SPRINGS CHATEAU THEATER

For those seeking a quality dinner theater with excellent entertainment, a visit to the Manitou Iron Springs Chateau Dinner Theater is definitely worth it. This establishment offers, at a very reasonable price, family style dinners combined with a two-hour show that leave you with a smile on your face. Patrons have the option of enjoying the dinner or show or both.

You will find ample free parking at the theater housed in a building dating to the 1880's. It was originally a candy and cigar store. Constructed at the site of Ute Iron Springs, after several different ownerships, Iron Springs Company purchased it and started selling the “iron springs” mineral water commercially. After building a wood pavilion over the spring, they sold it in 1887 to J. G. Hiestand, who constructed the original structure now housing the dinner theater. In 1964, the Chateau Players formed and the melodrama/vaudeville entertainment was born.

Dinner is served in one of two dining rooms: The Chateau Room or the Goldmine Room, fashioned from the remains of the original Iron Springs structure. The Ute Iron Spring has been capped and lies beneath the Goldmine Room’s floor.

Dining, located downstairs, consists of a choice of roasted chicken breast or pot roast. A gluten free meal can be accommodated if ordered when a reservation is made. Starting in mid November 2017 and continuing into 2018, the show has added a salmon entree. A vegetarian option is available by special request which is often a pasta dish of vegetarian lasagna.

Accompaniments, served family style, in addition to a mixed greens salad, are rice pilaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, and a fruit cobbler. Ice tea and coffee are complimentary. Service staff is well trained, friendly, and eager to please. Dinner times are at 6:00, 6:15, and 6:30.

For those seeking alcoholic beverages, the theater provides two full service bars. One is in the dining room. The upstairs bar, adjacent to the theater, has a concession stand selling candy, soft drinks, and popcorn.

After dinner, you climb a flight of stairs to wait in the lounge until the doors open at 7:30 p.m. The show starts at 8:00 p.m. Since the building is historic, it doesn’t have an elevator. However, an alternative route, other than stairs, is provided for those who are disabled. Staff needs to be advised if customers require this option since it also affects seating.

THE SHOW

The theater offers a choice of two productions on rotating nights. We saw “Jenny Jones - Spy Catcher” which ran through October 14. The action took place in a 1940's newspaper office where evil foreign spies, H. D. Lamar and Drat Gopherbreath tried to steal government secrets and achieve world domination. Their nemeses were Jenny Jones, reporter and editor of the “Dear Mary”column, and newspaper office manager Debby Deadline. The women helped government agent Morse Code capture the spies and foil the spies’ evil plot.

The cast was superb with absolutely no weaknesses. The audience joined in regularly with the appropriate comments for a melodrama. Bruce Littrell, who played the villain, kept the audience amused with wonderful facial expressions. He is a former owner who has served in every role from working spotlights to directing productions. Sallie Walker, who portrayed H.D, a Russian spy, had the perfect accent throughout. She has performed and directed at most Colorado Springs’ theaters.

It was easy to recognize that Rebecca Haile, the heroine, had a trained voice. I learned after the show that she had opera training and has performed professionally since she was ten. Hunter Buck, the government agent and hero, portrayed his part well. He is a senior at the University of Colorado where he minors in theater.

Lori Adams-Miller, the office manager, was superb at adding comic touches. She is actually one of the theater’s owners. The show’s M.C., Kevin Morgan, had a small role where he occasionally punched his head through the curtain. He first performed at the Iron Springs Chateau in the 1990s.

After the melodrama, the cast provides another hour of non stop entertainment. It combines a sing along with a 1970s Olio. The Olio has songs and dances from that era and, of course, the proverbial corny jokes. The cast has constant costume changes. The ten acts included everything from the men doing “King Tut,” Hunter channeling “Tom Jones” to a jam session. The highlight was the condensation of “Star Wars” into five minutes. The Olio reminded me of a modern day vaudeville routine. To see some excellent photos of the show, go to their web site.

Taped music accompanies the sing along. However, Bonnie Hausknecht plays the piano throughout the melodrama and the Olio. A highlight is her masterful presentation of ten television theme songs from that era. She has had classical musical training since she was four years old and it shows.

For 2018, the theater is offering two new shows. “A Precious Little Bit of the West” opens February 9. “Disturbance at the Delta,” written by Lori, is scheduled to open June 15.

The theater is great for families and several children attended. It’s also easy to detect that those who work for this theater feel like the crew is their family. The fondness for each other and the love of what they are doing shines through. It’s a well-run attraction of which Manitou Springs should be extremely proud.

DETAILS

Adult prices for the show or dinner only are $17. A combination can be purchased for $33. For children ages 12 and under, dinner only is $9.50, the show only is $10, or a combination can be purchased for $16.50. Seniors (ages 62+) and the military are provided discounts. Their rates are for dinner or show only $16 or $31 for the combination. Tax and gratuity are not included. The theater requires a minimum of 40 people to perform the show.

Iron Spring Chateau Theater is located at 444 S. Ruxton Avenue in Manitou Springs, a town adjacent to Colorado Springs. For reservations, it’s necessary to call (719) 685-5104 or (719) 685-5572 as ticket availability and reservations are not on line. Summer box hours, May 1 to August 31, are Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 5:00 p.m. During the winter, between September 1 and April 30, days and hours can vary. For more information, go to their web site.

PATSY’S CANDIES

When Patsy Mahoney immigrated from Ireland to Terra Haute Indiana, in 1895, he started making delicious caramel and chocolate popcorn. After perfecting his recipes, before moving to Manitou Springs, he sold his recipe to Cracker Jack.

In 1901, he started his Patsy’s Candies store in Manitou at 930 Manitou Avenue. It's now regarded as a historic site. As the business grew, a second store and the candy factory opened near downtown Colorado Springs at 1540 21st Street.

Between 1917 and October of this year, the business had five ownership changes. It is again run by the Niswonger family who operated Patsy’s Candies from 1956 to 2015 and then regained control this past October.

Many historical recipes have been kept and some of the turn of the century industrial confection equipment is still used. Everything is made by hand with real cream, butter, and pure chocolate. The Niswongers use ten pound bars of chocolate. These bars are put in chocolate melters. Pumps from those machines take the candies to an enrober line. Other equipment places the chocolate into foil wrappers.

The company is best known for their salt water taffy, varieties of flavored popcorn, and gourmet dark and milk chocolates including truffles and fudge. Patsy’s also offers candies that are sugar free. The Niswongers tout their butterscotch popcorn, peanut brittle, and almond toffee as all-natural products. No preservatives or additives are added.

Visitors may want to take a tour at their 21st Street address starting during the spring of 2018. No reservations are necessary. Patsy’s telephone number is (719) 633-7215. They plan to take orders online soon.

STARR KEMPF

Visitors to Colorado Springs might want to grab their cameras and head for the Starr Kempf home located at 2057 Pine Grove Street in Colorado Springs. On the front lawn of that private residence, they will find Starr Kempf’s kinetic sculptures. These are oversized steel and polyester resin abstractions, primarily of birds and weather vanes. Many are more than 40 feet in height. They were made for their artistic beauty and to harness wind power. While they move with the slightest breeze, their construction allows gales to blow through without any damage.

Kempf was born in 1917 northwest of Columbus. Ohio. At the Cleveland, Ohio Institute of Art, he gained recognition for his drawings and paintings. In 1948, he and his wife, Hedwig, purchased property in Colorado Springs’ Cheyenne Canyon where he designed and built a home and art studio. That is the location of the work today.

Kempt began to work in bronze sculpture in 1955. He created 52 of these artworks which he sold to collectors around the United States. He performed every aspect of his art from making the molds, casting the figures, and creating the forms. His home and art gallery were filled with his life’s work in bronze.

In 1977, he changed to a new art form - elaborate steel wind sculptures. They were designed to show graceful movements that shift and move with the wind. Each of these took up to three years to construct. He added spotlights to showcase some of the pieces that were on the lawn and one that triggered music as it rotated. He called these his monumentals.

Since Kempf’s death in 1995, the sculptures became the center of a major controversy over zoning laws. His daughter, Lottie, started giving commercial tours of the property in violation of city ordinances. The neighbors complained incessantly about the noise and increased traffic caused by these unregulated tours. In 2001, a judge ordered the sculptures closest to the property line to be removed by June 15, 2002. Three sculptures have been removed, but in 2017, it’s possible to see Kempf’s remaining work from the street.

Directions to 2057 Pine Grove Street: Go south to Cheyenne Road, then turn right. As you approach Cheyenne Canyon, look for Evans Avenue and take a left turn. The house is about one block down on the left-hand side of the street. Trespassing on the property is not allowed.

BROADMOOR SEVEN FALLS

Located less than a mile from the Broadmoor Hotel, Seven Falls has been called Colorado’s most majestic waterfall. It’s the only one in the state to have earned a spot on National Geographic’s list of international waterfalls.

The series of seven falls cascade 181 feet down the head of the granite box canyon. Near the park entrance, flanking the canyon, are the Pillars of Hercules rising to more than 900 feet above the canyon floor while narrowing to only 41 feet apart. Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, Juniper, and Blue Spruce are all found in this impressive park.

Start your adventure by parking for free at the Broadmoor’s East Lot at 6 Lake Avenue. There you can hike the mile to Seven Falls. An option is to climb aboard a free shuttle taking you to the Seven Falls entrance.

After paying admission, you have a choice of either taking a tram for $2 a person or hiking the mile along South Cheyenne Canyon Creek to the falls. The road is titled “The Grandest Mile of Scenery.” Along the way, you’ll spot such formations as Washington’s Profile, Three Amigos, Eagle’s Cliff, the Mexican Saddle, Devil’s Needle, and the Alligator’s Head.

Upon arrival, visitors can choose to browse the shops, dine at Restaurant 1858, stroll the 2,500-foot long, natural surface walking trail, or enjoy one or both zip line courses.

A LITTLE HISTORY

Nathaniel Colby homesteaded South Cheyenne Canyon, including Seven Falls, in December 1872. He sold the land rights nine months later to the Colorado Springs Land Company. In 1882, naturalist James Hull purchased the property after fearing logging operations would ruin the scenic area. He built the trail to Inspiration Point in 1882, constructed a wooden stairway to the falls’ top, and built a road through the canyon. It became a tourist attraction with customers paying a toll to enter the property.

Hull’s sons owned the property after his death until 1905 when Callidore Dwight Weimer purchased it. He was a successful mine owner and developer from Ohio. In 1946, he sold the property to Al Hill, a Texas oil man. Hill added lights in the canyon in 1947, built the Eagle’s Nest observation platform, and cut a tunnel 170 feet into the mountain side for an elevator that was updated in 1992. The Hill family owned it for 68 years.

In 1965, a flood severely damaged Seven Falls Park. A lighting system was installed in December 2002 to bathe the cascades in color at night. The park is still known as the world’s only fully lit canyon. In 1994, the wooden stairs were replaced with steel frame construction.

In September 2013, flooding caused similar damage to that of 1965 resulting in five rather than seven falls. The park was closed. In 2014, the Broadmoor purchased the property. They reopened it in 2015. The Broadmoor opened Restaurant 1858 where a former gift shop was, added zip line courses, replaced the damaged elevator, and repaired and rebuilt the 224-step staircase. The company also replaced the viewing area on top, that had washed away, with an expanded one. Next to it is a new rock shop.

RESTAURANT 1858

Open seasonally, Restaurant 1858, with a name honoring the 1858/59 Gold Rush era, lies at the fall’s base. Its themed Colorado cuisine fits in beautifully with the restaurant’s interior of hand-hewn stone and reclaimed wood barn siding. Miners’ lanterns are part of the chandeliers.“Gold Rush” art from the Broadmoor’s Western Art collection, historic photographs, and mining certificates from that era hang from the walls. A patio is available for al fresco dining.

Chef Mario Viguie’s menu showcases traditional Rocky Mountain flavors. His combination of German, French, and Creole dishes are inspired by the immigrants who traveled west to seek their fortunes during the gold rush.

I tried their highly recommended Colorado Rocky Mountain Trout. It’s a cast iron classic sauteed with hickory smoked bacon, brown butter, lemon and parsley accompanied by garden vegetables and roasted potatoes. You can also order the fish barbecued with 1858 sauce, jalapenos and red onion or grilled with zucchini, smoked paprika, olive oil, and lemon. Earl selected the Smokestack 8 ounce Angus beef burger topped with hickory smoked bacon and pimento cheese accompanied by french fries.

Other plated entrees are green chili smothered pork shoulder and avocado burrito, a pulled BBQ chicken hoagie, 1858 Chopped Salad, and the Longmont 8 ounce bison burger. Portions are substantial.

For those with room for dessert, Restaurant 1858 offers five different sweets ranging from a lemon meringue pie to Grandmas chocolate cake, and a Gold Brick sundae. Each is seven dollars. They also have two dessert libations for $13.

The restaurant has a supper menu where Colorado Mountain Trout is prepared seven different ways. Other entrees include roasted chicken, steak, shrimp, and porkchops. A children’s menu is provided.

Restaurant 1858 has the look, feel, and prices of a five star gourmet restaurant. It’s $15 to $26 for lunch and $20 to $36 for dinner. Service is first class - fast, friendly, and efficient. To access the restaurant, it is necessary to purchase a Seven Falls ticket. No outside food or beverages are permitted into the park.

In 2017, it opened from March 3 through Thanksgiving. Hours and days vary except for between mid April and the end of October. Then it is open daily between 11:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Reservations are suggested. The telephone number is (844) 843-1858.

THE FALLS

Step outside the restaurant and you’ll find a lovely creek loaded with Colorado trout. The larger, more colorful rainbow trout are from Rainbow Falls Park and Hatchery, north of Woodland Park, Colorado where fishing is excellent. The smaller white finned trout are the speckled brook.

Unfortunately, the park does not supply fish feed for their visitors to purchase. However, it is fun to watch the trout splashing through the water. Photographers will want to cross the creek’s bridge to shoot photographs from the fall’s base.

You can climb the 224 steps to the top of the falls or take the free elevator to the Eagles Nest observation platform. Those who take the elevator will find historical information and photos lining both sides of the tunnel they walk through to reach it.

The first case was on the animals found in the park. These are the red fox, Albert squirrel, Western Tanager, Steller’s Jay, ring-tailed cat, and American Dipper (also a bird.) The next case was full of historic photos and information about William Henry Jackson, an American painter, and James Hull, the first owner.

“While in Colorado Don’t Miss” gives details about the Garden of the Gods. Look for the postcards of this attraction dating from 1897. Two more cases concentrate on the Native Americans with displays of Zuni and Navajo jewelry from the 1930's and 1940's and the pottery of such tribes as Santa Clara, Hopi, Zuni, and Jemez.

The last cases relate the history of Seven Falls including information on the many famous visitors attracted by the “Grandest Mile Scenery.” These included Dizzy Dean, Jack Dempsey, Babe Ruth, and Walt Disney.

At Eagles Nest, visitors see a sign regarding information on how the seven distinct falls received their names.

1. Ramona Falls - Named for Helen Hunt Jackson’s poem “Ramona.” It’s a “fan” waterfall that stays in contact with the underlying rocks and flows smoothly.

2. Feather Falls - Named for its appearance. It’s a “cascade” waterfall flowing at an angle over the granite,

3. Bridal Veil Falls - Named for its appearance. It’s a “horsetail” waterfall that sprays outward as it descends to the rock face then drops into a deep pool called a punch bowl.

4. Short Falls - Named for its short drop. It’s a “plunge” waterfall. Its water free falls without coming into contact with the underlying rock.

5. Hull Falls - Named after James Hull, first owner. It’s a “horsetail” waterfall.

6. Weimer Falls - Named after Callidore Dwight Weimer, second owner. It’s a horsetail falls.

7. Hill Falls - Named after Al Hill, third owner. It’s another “fan” waterfall.

Visitors also find Rockhounds at Eagles Nest. Created and owned by a gemologist and his wife, the shop features minerals and fossils from around the world. It also carries jewelry, mineral art, and original board games.

Located adjacent to the elevator’s bottom is the Seven Falls Shop. It sells apparel and a variety of gifts. Bottled water, snacks, and other sundries can be obtained here.

OTHER RECREATION

Two hiking trails, at the top of the falls, are open from May through October until 7:00 p.m. Inspiration Point trail winds one mile in length to Inspiration Point for a view of Colorado Springs and the Great Plains. It takes about an hour round trip. Another trail to the small Midnight Falls is completed in about a half hour.

Operated by Broadmoor Outfitters, the Broadmoor Soaring Adventure consists of 10 zip lines, five on each course which get progressively longer. They range in distance from 300 to 1,800 feet. The Woods Course allows you to fly over pines, creeks, a valley, a natural granite arch, Midnight Falls, and trails leading to Seven Falls.

On the Fins Course, adventurers soar over steep drops, unique rock formations and jagged cliffs, and across Seven Falls Canyon. It includes custom-built suspension bridges and a controlled 180-foot rappel to the canyon floor at the end.

With the Woods-Fins Combination Course, the full tour takes four hours to cover both courses.

Before zip lining, a 15-minute “ground school” allows expert guides to fit each guest with harnesses, helmets, and gloves. They also provide instructions on how to safely navigate the course. Adventurers are accompanied by two guides at all times.

Tickets include park entry for Seven Falls. They can be purchased online or at the Broadmoor Christmas House parking lot kiosk. Prices are $140 for the Woods Course, $174 for the Fins Course, and $242 for the combination course. Tax and gratuity are added to each charge.

Zip line tours are on the hour and half hour from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with the ticket booth open at 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Each adventure is limited to eight people per hour, per tour. Weight restrictions are between 90 and 250 pounds, and participants must wear closed toe shoes.

Zip line adventures to do not use the Seven Falls shuttle. The tours start behind the park and end inside requiring a different shuttle. Patrons must park at the Broadmoor East lot.

DETAILS

Your Seven Falls Park ticket is good for entry and re-entry any time during the purchased day. Season passes are available. Entry fees for adults are $14 for adults and $8 for children ages two through 12. Seniors and Military (with ID) are $12.50. Children under age two are free.

Park hours vary by season. If necessary, Seven Falls will close due to inclement weather.

Dogs are not allowed on the patio at Restaurant 1858 unless they are a service dog. The shuttle from the Broadmoor to the Falls and the tram inside the park are handicapped accessible.

The number to reach Seven Falls is through the Broadmoor Hotel. It is (520) 388-8300.