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Christmas parade benefits Habitat, Dylan and A.J. Wiedman
Pat Hill
Showing off his new home on a hill above Cripple Creek, A.J. Wiedman throws out “Isn’t this amazing!” at least every 10 seconds. The closets, laundry room, three bedrooms, the hideaway cubby hole downstairs, the kitchen, hot-water heater, just about everything is rated “amazing” by the first-time homeowner and recipient of the Teller County Habitat for Humanity.
Wiedman is proud of the home’s exterior, colors he picked out himself. A dedicated Denver Broncos fan, Wiedman opted for a house with blue and orange trim. He loves the way it turned out.
After a dedication ceremony with Habitat volunteers and board members on Sunday, Wiedman and his 7-year-old son, Dylan, moved into their first home, mortgage and all.
As a Habitat recipient, Wiedman has a 30-year interest-free mortgage, with monthly payments of around $450. He also contributed 300 hours of “sweat equity,” his part of the construction. “I’ve been working all my days off since March,” he said. “I know the basics of construction but those guys knew the little tricks. I learned a lot under Joe Monaco, the volunteer general contractor.”
A lifelong Cripple Creek resident, Wiedman has worked construction jobs and as a cook for the past 15 years. Last week he was promoted to sous chef under chef Steve Vaars at Lombard’s restaurant in the Double Eagle Hotel and Casino. “Steve is teaching me about soups and sauces,” he said. “I think I’ve finally found a home.”
Reflecting on why he was selected to be this year’s Habitat recipient, Wiedman figures being a single parent helped. “That kind of got my foot in the door,” he said. “Of course, you had to pass a credit check. I don’t have any debts at all because I don’t buy anything on credit.”
As for Dylan, who attends school at Cresson Elementary, his dad says he’s real excited about the new home. “He can’t wait. Right now we’re sharing a room here at my brother’s house,” Wiedman said. Dylan’s next-door neighbor is one of his classmates, Wiedman said.
The home was built with volunteer labor by citizens of the Teller County community. A few days before move-in time, Chas Elam, one of the many volunteers, was on hand working on another Habitat house on the same block. He considered his role a minor one and wished he could do more. When he isn’t volunteering, Elam runs his own business in Divide, “A Handy Detail Man.”
The Habitat nonprofit organization is the beneficiary of this year’s Christmas parade in Woodland Park with a theme of “I’ll be Home for Christmas.” The parade earns money for Habitat with fees for floats and with business sponsors of the “Bum Fire,” symbolized by the 50-gallon drums along the parade route.
Holiday events include the shopping-card promotion with various businesses participating and donating $25 each to Habitat.
The big day, however, is Dec. 6, which begins with the Kiwanis breakfast with Santa from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.; the U.S. Forest Service tree-cutting special from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the middle school; the holiday home tour; the Gingerbread House Exhibition from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Prudential Colorado Real Estate; the Yule Log Hunt at 11:30 a.m. at the Aspen Valley Ranch; and the Lighter Side of Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. in downtown Woodland Park, followed by the tree-lighting ceremony at 7 p.m. at the Ute Pass Cultural Center.
For information, call Gayle Gross at 719-686-5250.
Showing off his new home on a hill above Cripple Creek, A.J. Wiedman throws out “Isn’t this amazing!” at least every 10 seconds. The closets, laundry room, three bedrooms, the hideaway cubby hole downstairs, the kitchen, hot-water heater, just about everything is rated “amazing” by the first-time homeowner and recipient of the Teller County Habitat for Humanity.
Wiedman is proud of the home’s exterior, colors he picked out himself. A dedicated Denver Broncos fan, Wiedman opted for a house with blue and orange trim. He loves the way it turned out.
After a dedication ceremony with Habitat volunteers and board members on Sunday, Wiedman and his 7-year-old son, Dylan, moved into their first home, mortgage and all.
As a Habitat recipient, Wiedman has a 30-year interest-free mortgage, with monthly payments of around $450. He also contributed 300 hours of “sweat equity,” his part of the construction. “I’ve been working all my days off since March,” he said. “I know the basics of construction but those guys knew the little tricks. I learned a lot under Joe Monaco, the volunteer general contractor.”
A lifelong Cripple Creek resident, Wiedman has worked construction jobs and as a cook for the past 15 years. Last week he was promoted to sous chef under chef Steve Vaars at Lombard’s restaurant in the Double Eagle Hotel and Casino. “Steve is teaching me about soups and sauces,” he said. “I think I’ve finally found a home.”
Reflecting on why he was selected to be this year’s Habitat recipient, Wiedman figures being a single parent helped. “That kind of got my foot in the door,” he said. “Of course, you had to pass a credit check. I don’t have any debts at all because I don’t buy anything on credit.”
As for Dylan, who attends school at Cresson Elementary, his dad says he’s real excited about the new home. “He can’t wait. Right now we’re sharing a room here at my brother’s house,” Wiedman said. Dylan’s next-door neighbor is one of his classmates, Wiedman said.
The home was built with volunteer labor by citizens of the Teller County community. A few days before move-in time, Chas Elam, one of the many volunteers, was on hand working on another Habitat house on the same block. He considered his role a minor one and wished he could do more. When he isn’t volunteering, Elam runs his own business in Divide, “A Handy Detail Man.”
The Habitat nonprofit organization is the beneficiary of this year’s Christmas parade in Woodland Park with a theme of “I’ll be Home for Christmas.” The parade earns money for Habitat with fees for floats and with business sponsors of the “Bum Fire,” symbolized by the 50-gallon drums along the parade route.
Holiday events include the shopping-card promotion with various businesses participating and donating $25 each to Habitat.
The big day, however, is Dec. 6, which begins with the Kiwanis breakfast with Santa from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.; the U.S. Forest Service tree-cutting special from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the middle school; the holiday home tour; the Gingerbread House Exhibition from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Prudential Colorado Real Estate; the Yule Log Hunt at 11:30 a.m. at the Aspen Valley Ranch; and the Lighter Side of Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. in downtown Woodland Park, followed by the tree-lighting ceremony at 7 p.m. at the Ute Pass Cultural Center.
For information, call Gayle Gross at 719-686-5250.
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