Hawaii and Havana

Back from my two weeks in Hawaii, I’ll share a few photos with you.When in Waikiki, you always run into so many Aspenites on vacation. Some of the ones I saw included real estate mogul Chet Winchester, who was having breakfast on the terrace at the Sheraton Hotel; Pat O’Bryan, who works at the Aspen post office and with whom I sunned many days on the beach in front of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel; brothers Jim, Scott and Pat Newkham, who have the Attic Fantasies Shop; Marge Babcock, who used to own the Little Red Ski Haus in Aspen and now lives in a condo in the Waikiki Shores Apartments; and two gals who work in marketing with the Food & Wine Magazine Classic at Aspen. Ate lots of California rolls, miso soup, shrimp fixed all kinds of ways, papaya and pineapple. Sunned every day on the beach and swam every day in the ocean. Some shopping … especially for bathing suits. My hotel was on Beachwalk, which is undergoing major reconstruction. Many of the hotels built in the 1950s are being demolished, and a huge resort will be built by Outrigger Hotels. Of course, had several visits and picnics with our son, Clayton Hayes, his wife, Donna, and their boys, Paul, Reid and David. They are off this week for a three-week tour of Europe with a stop on the way back on the East Coast for Paul to look at colleges since he’ll graduate from high school next spring. The twins will be freshmen in high school this fall.Because there were so many photos from the May Madness benefit party for special projects at the Aspen Public Schools, I am including some more of them this week.The Anderson Ranch Arts Center will present its ninth annual recognition dinner on Thursday, June 30, starting at 6 p.m. at the Sundeck on Aspen Mountain. The 2005 National Artist Award will go to Vik Muniz, a photographer who is originally from Sao Paulo, Brazil, and has exhibited his work all around the world. The Service to the Arts Award goes to Aspen locals Nancy and Robert Magoon, who are supporters of many organizations, both locally and nationwide. The dinner will feature the awards presentation, a cocktail reception and gourmet dinner, silent auction and live music by Bobby Yang. For reservations, call the Ranch at (970) 923-3181.The Wyly Community Arts Center will celebrate its move to downtown Basalt with a party on Saturday, June 18, in Sally Cole’s garden. There will be book signings by local authors this month at Explore Booksellers. Thursday, June 23, from 5 until 7 p.m. James Salter will be signing copies of his latest book, “Last Night.” Salter was Explore’s first author/book signer almost 30 years ago. Saturday, June 25, from 4 to 6 p.m. Janet Guthrie, prominent race car driver, will sign copies of her new autobiography, “A Life at Full Throttle.”

Some former Aspenites have published books recently, including Robert Parker, who wrote “What’d You Do in the War, Dad?” which recounts his experiences in the 10th Mountain Division during World War II. Bob now lives in Santa Fe, where he is an archaeologist. Barbara Jocobsen, who lived here as Barbara Kane, has written several children’s books. She now lives in Littleton. When I was flying to Los Angeles en route to Hawaii, my seatmate was a young woman who said she had lived in Aspen as a child. I asked what her name was back then, and she said Kane. I couldn’t believe it, but it was Sugar Kane, who had been a friend of my daughter, Pauli, when the Kane family lived here. Small world.Last week I wrote about the Greg Mace award for community service that will be presented in the hospitality tent at the Aspen Music Festival during a community picnic on Sunday, June 26, after the morning rehearsal. I wrote that it would be given by Toklat Lodge, but it is being given by Community Banks, Aspen. Sorry about that.Victoria Work, a first-year student at Colby College in Waterville, Maine, has been named to the Dean’s List for her outstanding academic achievement during spring semester. Victoria, the daughter of Stephanie and Horace Work of Snowmass Village, is majoring in biology with a concentration in cell and molecular biology/biochemistry. She attended Aspen High School.Undercurrent … The summer season started this weekend with the annual Food & Wine Magazine Classic at Aspen. Photos next week.