Florence,Colorado: What Is The True Story Club Blog?

What is the True Story Club blog? Actually it's a covert mission.

You think I jest, but that's partially true.

I'm a very private person, but I'll share a little backstory.

Ever since I was little, I was nosy--I mean curious. About people. What they were doing and why they were doing it.

I accidentally stumbled into the journalism game when I was young with little training on a small town newspaper in another state. The highlight of my career, at that newspaper, was either taking a picture of the county's biggest squash or being shocked when I called famed attorney Melvin Belli's house and he actually answered and talked to me.

Shyness and journalism don't work together that well. I find it hard to speak in public, but somehow I managed to muddle through.

I only had a year of formal journalism training in school. So, I didn't know what I was doing. And still don't. But I managed to score a few freelance newspaper and magazine gigs. Yes, one was writing for True Story magazine.

So, why not name a blog, True Story Club? Everyone has a story. And some people don't feel comfortable sharing their stories with people knowing who they are.

This is as close to revealing who I am, as I will get on this blog. That's me at a gathering in Florence, Colorado where someone painted my face to look like a cat. Meow!

Why am I so shy? You'd probably not know it if you met me. One reason is, even in minor writing, one does receive not-very-pleasant communications at times. And sometimes one receives very nice communications. It all depends on if people like what you are writing. If they don't--it can get ugly at times.

So, this blog is a semi-covert operation. I usually sneak up on people in Florence, Colorado (the antiques capital of Colorado) and write something about them on my blog. It's all with good intent. And it's all free. My main goal is to give people a glimpse of fun and quirky things in southern Colorado, especially Florence. And a taste of small town living.

There is never a charge for what I write, even if it's about a business or commercial operation. I do it for fun and to give this area a little boost.

I have a theory that Florence is harboring some of the most famous and talented people in Colorado. And I think if you browse this blog, you'll find that my speculation when I moved here a few years ago is true. And I have yet to even scratch the surface of all the interesting people living here and all the activities and pursuits in Fremont County.

Many people behind the businesses and activities I highlight on this blog aren't even aware they are being showcased until they come across it on the Internet or a friend tells them. And the people I do tell, they have no idea who I am and what my blog is about--and surprisingly enough NOT one person has refused to share a little of their story with me on the spot without knowing many details. That proves to me that most people are wonderful and that EVERYONE has a true story to share.

It also helps that I work in the heart of Florence's antiques district and most people might not know my name, but know I work in Florence and work hard to make sure that everyone who passes through Florence has a wonderful and welcoming experience.

Do you have a true story you'd like to share for possible inclusion on this blog? For businesses and commercial and artistic ventures, I prefer to stick to southern Colorado. But if you have a personal story of general interest about your family roots, political opinions or experiences, etc.--that is fine too. Anonymous is fine also, if the story is very personal or controversial.

Submit to: FlorenceColorado@yahoo.com

Because everyone has a true story to tell.

Florence, Colorado: K.D. Elise Photography

Working in an antiques mall is about the funnest place to work. It's not a stuffy place with objects that meanings have long passed.

Regular blog readers know that once in awhile I like to jump from behind the counter at The Loralie Antique Mall (formerly The Iron Gate Antique Mall) in Florence, Colorado and ask people why they are buying a certain object and what they plan to do with it.

I truly LIKE antiques and collectibles. But what I LOVE is the true stories people have to tell me when they venture into the antiques mall.

This lovely woman was happy to tell me her plans for the pink enamel baby washtub she purchased at The Loralie Antique Mall at 109 W. Main St. in Florence--which is the antiques capital of Colorado.

She will be using it as a prop in her photography business. She specializes in newborn baby photography, but also takes fantastic pictures of toddlers and people of any age.

Here's just a sample of her work.

It doesn't get much cuter than this.

K.D. Elise Photography is based in Pueblo, but serves clients all over Colorado.

I suggest one and all check out the website: www.kdelise.com for all the great details on this talented lady.

And now we know some of the secrets of K.D. Elise Photography's smashing success: Incredible talent and knowing that taking the short drive to Florence to purchase antique props for all those adorable pictures is the way to go.

K.D. Elise Photography my be reached at 719-371-3770.

All stories about businesses highlighted on this blog are done TOTALLY free of charge. One purpose of this blog is to showcase talent and fun things to do, see and buy in southern Colorado. If you have a story you'd like to submit for possible inclusion on this blog, you may do so at: FlorenceColorado@yahoo.com

Florence, Colorado: Steampunk Shotgun Weddings

Just the other day I was sitting in the fair burg of Florence (antiques capital of Colorado and a most quirky, zippy and fun place) and thinking: Wouldn't it be nice if I could attend a shotgun wedding?

Actually I was not thinking that. I never thought I'd even type those words. But now it is possible.

As most regular blog readers know, I've dubbed Florence, the unofficial steampunk capital of Colorado. Why? Because I can. It's my blog and I can write anything I want.

Truly though, this town has one of the most fantastic and varied steampunk festivals anywhere.

Carriage rides, costume contests, games for the kids, arts, crafts, steampunkalicious cuisine and more.

BUT this year, there are new additions. Shotgun weddings. And marriage vow renewals--steampunk style of course.

This year the Escape In Time To Steampunk And Wine Festival is April 22 and 23.

It's never too early to start planning for that shotgun wedding or marriage vow renewal.

I wonder if there will be any Elvis impersonators, steampunk style, officiating. I can only hope...

Florence, Colorado: Having Fun With Robert Redford

Can I be honest? Many of the townsfolk in Florence--the antiques capital of Colorado--are having way too much fun with the cast and crew of the movie, Our Souls At Night.

A few days ago, Robert Redford and Jane Fonda were filming most of the day (and into the night) on Main Street, by and in the Fremont Lanes bowling alley.

I got an insight into actually how hard the crew and cast work. The days and nights are long.

And that day I talked to so many Robert Redford fans, I lost track of them all.

Many of the fans used the antiques mall I work at to stage their "observations" of the stars.

And I got this weird feeling how it must feel to be a star. How it must feel to have literally millions of people around the world wondering how old you looked. How you walked. Talked. Acted. Moved. Felt.

Everyone wanting a little piece of you. And commenting to total strangers (like me) on the stars' movements.

Most of it was in good fun. But after a day of talking to and watching Robert Redford fans, I was chuckling. The next day at work, I was mentioning to a customer that my humble observations indicated that women were way more forthcoming in their admiration and "comments" about Redford.

Basically if a bunch of men came and asked me how old Fonda looked, or yelled across the street to her--men would be frowned upon.

Nobody asked me if Jane Fonda's years of fitness seemed to be paying off. Yes, it did to my eyes.

One male customer overheard me cheerfully observing that women were a bit naughty and over-the-top in their admiration and talk about Redford.

He came to counter and told me," If men were doing the same thing you said the Redford fans were doing, we'd be arrested," he noted cheerfully. I agreed with him, even though it was all in good fun.

I  saw firsthand the long hours these stars worked. And I began to wonder what it was like for them.

I didn't have to wonder long.

And I didn't have to wonder long how the stars would react if a Florence resident asked if they could have a picture.

I know the lady in the picture. She's a sweet lady who happens to live in a house in downtown Florence, but a bit aways from the filming. Her husband heard things going on in the alley and noticed Mr. Redford in the alley.

I've often wondered what it would be like to  find Robert Redford in your alley. Okay, I've never wondered that. But it amuses me.

The lady's husband attempted to get pictures, but Mr. Redford was out of camera range. So the husband asked if he could get a picture.

It turns out Mr. Redford was apparently using the alley to bypass the major thoroughfares in Florence, so as to not be noticed.

But it turns out Mr. Redford and a crew member were a class act and took time to take a picture. The lady's camera jammed and a crew member took the picture for them.

Just another day in Florence when Robert Redford shows up in your alley. What fun!

Florence's Main Street will be closed Monday, the 10th from about 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for more filming. So once again the town will get to see the stars and crew at work.

In just my chance observations of the crew and stars from afar, the filming of the movie has brought a sense of fun and excitement to Florence. Word on the street is,most Florence residents are loving this and hope Colorado is the site for many more movies.

Florence, like I am sure many other small Colorado towns, have built-in advantages for movie production crews. Florence, being the antiques capital of Colorado, has dozens of stores full of things at good prices for the movie sets and props. Some of the crew members, most of them from other states, were also doing browsing and shopping for their own homes.

Until I witnessed it up close, I never realized how Florence is the perfect town for a crew to come in and purchase so many things for the movie, all on foot and within a few block radius. And since Florence is a small town, most shop workers know what is in their own stores as well as neighboring stores and can help crew members find the item that will set the mood for a scene.

The day I saw Mr. Redford from afar many times, working hard, I texted a friend and said,"Another boring day at work, watching Robert Redford so many times that I've lost count."

My friend texted back telling me that I HAD to get his autograph and tell him that she's loved him from the 1970s.

I'm the type of person that would NEVER ask a star for their autograph. Or a picture. And I have no way of getting to the stars, unless I happened to find one of them in my alley. And if I did spot one of them in my alley, I'd probably chuckle and leave them alone.

But I will attempt to get an autograph (through another co-worker) for my friend. There are rumors flying all over town. One was the Redford and Fonda will be going into all Florence's places of business to meet and greet and sign autographs on Monday. Another rumor was the meet and greet will take place on Tuesday at a yet undisclosed location and time.

  I like to make people happy. And I have a feeling these stars, even though they are tired from filming, understand that and make time to make people happy. Heck, in my opinion they already have made many people happy, even if the rumors of formal meet and greets aren't true.

Fun!

Florence, Colorado: All The Single (And Married) Ladies Love Robert Redford

In a previous blog post, I mentioned that interest in Jane Fonda seemed a bit higher in Florence--the antiques capital of Colorado--than for Robert Redford.

Well, that changed today.

Filming for the Jane Fonda and Robert Redford movie, Our Souls At Night, was happening at Fremont Lanes today. I've never been inside the bowling alley, but I hear it's one of only a few six-lane historic venues left.

I happened to have a bird's eye view of the bowling alley most of the day. And then I spotted Robert Redford once. Then twice. I lost count at about six times.

Last week folks came in the antiques mall, where I work, and asked if I had seen Jane. No.

Ah, but today I was asked if I had seen Robert. Yes. From afar.

And the "lady" asking the question was nine years old. She was very wistful in asking, hinting and almost begging if she could see Robert. I told her I had no status, but perhaps if she asked one of the crew they might tell her when and how she could see him.

Then the truth came out. I asked,"Who is it who REALLY wants to see Robert?"

It was the girl's mother. Darn little charmer. She almost had me convinced.

The mother and her winsome daughter came back later and said the crew said there would be no contact or autographs until Oct. 11 when there would be a meet and greet. I wasn't able to find out what time or where, but I will update if and when I find out.

Another local antiques dealer and store worker was trolling the streets and got a picture of Robert, right before a car went by and almost ruined our pictures.

One time when Robert walked out of Fremont Lanes, a small group of middle-aged ladies screamed across the street,"Oh, Robert! Come over here!"

But mostly all the ladies, young and older, were quite dignified.

A few came in the antiques mall and wondered if Robert Redford was still handsome.

I can report that he is. I got just one distant picture, where you cannot tell. But a neighboring shop owner got a close-up picture of him that proves it. But that photo is stuck on my phone. I am not very adept with technical things, but will attempt to post it.

But here's my distant picture of the actor and storyteller whose popularity is at quite the fever pitch in Florence.

He's wearing a red plaid shirt and entering the bowling alley.

Another fan came by and said she wanted Robert to sign a horse book that she had of his.

And yes, I finally caught two glimpses of Jane Fonda around the bowling alley. She seemed very animated and engaged and it was a pleasure to even see these two professionals from afar working hard all day long while I attempted to keep their enthused fans happy.

Jane Fonda Robert Redford Movie Takes The Cake In Florence Colorado

As most know, the cast and crew of the Netflix film, Our Souls At Night, starring Jane Fonda and Robert Redford has been in Florence--the antiques capital of Colorado--filming.

And the town has transformed in more ways than one.

One of our burg's favorite shops, Antique Warehouse, at 110 E. Main St., which specializes in Western items and vintage lighting, was temporarily transformed into a bakery for the movie.

For days, I strolled by to admire a nice selection of "homemade" jams and jellies in the shop's window and the luscious fake cakes.

As far as I know, Antique Warehouse was open for business as usual, except during filming.

But today a woman came into the antiques mall I work at and asked where the store was that specialized in horse tack. I told her it was now a "bakery."

She thought she was going "crazy" and was laughing and relieved when I told her the store was still what it used to be, but looked a bit different due to movie magic.

Right on cue almost, I snapped this pictures of some crew members taking the cake. Well, taking the cakes down the street. Seems like the Antique Warehouse is back to normal. But my mouth was watering every time I skipped by, thinking of sugar highs and movie magic.

That sign you see in the cake picture? That's pointing to The Loralie Antique Mall at 109 W. Main St.
There's quite a bit of magic going on there, but that's for another blog post...

Local Florence,Colorado Celebrities To Be In Jane Fonda, Robert Redford Movie

I just got word that two of our local "celebrities" Barry and Barb Brierley will be in the Jane Fonda and Robert Redford movie, Our Souls At Night, currently being filmed in Florence--the antiques capital of Colorado.

                                                      BARB and BARRY BRIERLEY

Barb just received confirmation, she and her husband will be extras in a funeral scene, being filmed next week at the Bell Tower Cultural Center.

Barb is the founder of Florence's annual Steampunk & Wine fundraiser festival, as well as co-owner of Spirit Riders Western Emporium at 111 W. Main St.

Barry is a well-known author and artist. His specialty is Native American and Western novels, backed by meticulous research. He also does the cover art for his books.

And yes, Barry is a Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid fan.

He's the author of Yesterday's Bandit, about Butch.

It's no coincidence that Barb and Barry are Robert Redford fans, since Redford starred in Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid. Barry has even painted a mural of Butch and Sundance at a historical church (now an inn) they own--and they are hoping they can get Redford's autograph on the mural.

Whether they get that autograph, we won't know for awhile. But the Brierleys are excited to be in the movie.