MediterraneanGrocery Wholesalers in Colorado Springs, CO

Inspiration can be found in the unlikeliest of places.

For actor Patrick Duffy, best known as Bobby Ewing from the TV show "Dallas," and actress Linda Purl, from "Happy Days" and "Matlock," the inspiration to start their own bread company was rooted in family memories.

Duffy's Dough, as Duffy and Purl call their business, was launched last week. The inklings for their selling dehydrated sourdough starter kits began in Purl’s Colorado Springs home when Duffy made sourdough pancakes for her; the couple have been dating for about two years.

Since that first day in the kitchen eating pancakes, their experience with sourdough has expanded to producing hundreds of sourdough starter kits in the commercial kitchen of Stellina Pizza Café in Colorado Springs' Mid-Shooks Run neighborhood.

The beginnings of their business date back over 70 years, Duffy and Purl say.

In 1952, Duffy’s parents drove him and his sister from Montana to Alaska in a GMC pickup, towing a trailer house behind them while traveling on a gravel road.

It was in Alaska that Duffy’s mother received a sourdough starter — a leavening agent that enables bread dough to rise, according to online recipe sites — as a gift from a neighbor.

The lore around the starter was that the spores used in the starter dated back to the days of the Alaska Gold Rush miners.

“I don't know if that's true, but I'm sticking with that story because they can't prove it wrong,” Duffy said. “But we've had it in our family since 1952 and it's been a pure sourdough starter with nothing added to it but flour, sugar and water for 70 plus years.”

Duffy said his mother kept the sourdough starter even when she had to scrape bits of the dough from the inside of a suitcase full of clothing after it exploded from the pressure of the airplane when they flew back from Alaska.

Duffy himself didn’t bake until he graduated from college and inherited some of his mother’s sourdough starters from his sister.

With his own starter, Duffy made everything from bread to tarts.

After making his sourdough pancakes for Purl during their pandemic-born romance, the two thought it would be worthwhile to sell the sourdough starter as their own business.

Without an entrepreneurial background, Purl, 67, and Duffy, 73, said they needed friends to help them give their business legs.

From creating a website to learning the ins and outs of business, the couple leaned on friends along the way, such as local bike and tire business owner Steve Kaczmarek.

“Everybody has jumped in,” Duffy said.

From January through July, Purl and Duffy worked on every aspect of their business while they were on tour together in the United Kingdom doing 152 theatre performances.

Purl would sit backstage with crayons scribbling out potential logos for the business — taping together mock-ups of their marketing plans with Band-Aids.

“Every bit of it has been hands on,” Duffy said.

And it has been.

From working together in the kitchen wearing hairnets, to learning how to make their starters into a dehydrated form, to packaging the first 1,000 kits, they’ve been involved in every detail.

Buyers can order the dehydrated sourdough starter kit (so it can travel by mail), a Duffy family recipe book and other cooking accouterments for $78.

Duffy and Purl’s goal for the business is to make enough money to give their net proceeds to charities that focus on food scarcity.

“That is absolutely our hope and desire if we succeed,” Purl said. “Right now, we're a long way from having any net proceeds.”

Either way, Duffy hopes that the business can be a tribute to honor the memory of his mother and his family as a whole.

“We have this company thanks to Linda and her perseverance and her knowledge and her friends and everything that has given birth to a way of giving back the memory that I have of my parents on our trip to Alaska,” Duffy said.

The new owners of Lakewood’s famed Casa Bonita restaurant are not only investing millions into the iconic building on West Colfax, they’re investing in their employees too.

Last week, 29 longtime Casa Bonita employees graduated from a free 26-week language class that taught Spanish speakers more English and the English speakers more Spanish. The employees have been kept on the payroll despite the landmark restaurant at 6715 W. Colfax Ave. being closed for a year for renovations.

Executive Chef Dana Rodriquez spearheaded the effort.

“These people have worked for Casa Bonita for so many years,” Rodriguez said Thursday at The Action Center in Lakewood, where the classes were held. “You know when you get comfortable in a place that you don’t want to move because of a fear you won’t like the new ownership, don’t like the changes or may be required to speak more English, or more Spanish. So with this team, I think the classes helped them to have more confidence.”

The program involved efforts from the Hispanic Restaurant Association and the Community College of Aurora. The Action Center donated the classroom space.

In 2021, The creators of the animated television series “South Park” Matt Stone and Trey Parker bought the iconic Lakewood restaurant for $3.1 million. Summit Family Restaurants had owned the pink-hued and expansive 52,000-square-foot Casa Bonita for 25 years.

The 48-year-old landmark was known for its roaming mariachis, cliff divers, Black Bart’s Haunted Cave and tabletop flags customers raised to get more sopapillas. But it also had notoriously mediocre food. It gained national and international attention after being featured in a 2003 episode of “South Park.”

Employees Alex Perez, 69, and Beau Gentry, 28 excitedly displayed their certificates of completion to the horde of television and documentary film cameras.

“The opportunity to learn more English was perfect,” said Perez, who has worked at Casa Bonita since 1993.

He’s done about every job imaginable from server to host to sopapilla-maker. He was grateful for the opportunity to stay employed with the restaurant.

Gentry, a cliff diver, character actor and occasionally suited gorilla, jumped at the opportunity to learn to speak Spanish better.

“I’ve been there since 2016, so I’ve seen the best of both worlds,” Gentry said. “For these new owners to pay us and keep us employed when they could have just kicked us to the curb is amazing. This shows they believe in us and want to keep us together.”

Rodriquez, who also owns and operates Cantina Loca, Super Mega Bien, Work & Class, is a 5-time James Beard Award nominee and this year a finalist.

“A lot of these people, they don’t drive on their own. So they really bonded together and carpooled so they could go take the classes,” she said. “The teachers here really like to work with them and make it easy for them, so it’s not like traditional school.”

One of the female employees asked Rodriquez if she could pick up extra shifts at one of her other restaurants “so she could keep practicing.”

“They get more confidence so they can start doing different things,” Rodriquez said. “So they don’t have to go back and be the dishwasher like they’ve done for 10 years. Now they want to do something more, which is great.”

She didn’t have any update on anticipated opening date. The renovations have been expensive and difficult with supply chain issues and rising inflation. Hundreds of employees must be hired in the midst of a labor shortage for service jobs.

“We don’t have a date,” she said. “There’s so many different feelings every day. Like when you go in and see the walls are already up and you’re like ‘Oh my God we’re getting very close.’ And then there are disappointing days. It’s like a different emotion every day.”

The menu will include Casa Bonita staples like enchiladas and, of course, the famous sopapillas – but all will be made in-house.

“The difference will be were making the tortillas in house. And we make the sauces in house and bringing in the real Mexican cheese to make it good,” she said. “That’s the important thing, we’re going to make everything way better than it used to be.”

Gentry and Perez can’t wait to get back to work. In the meantime, they’re working at Rodriguez’s other restaurants, or working at area non-profit organizations, and getting paid 35 hours a week.

“This class has helped me immensely,” Gentry said. “Not just for Casa Bonita, but for life.”

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- At Long Neck Pumpkin Farm, the owners strive to create a family-friendly experience for all ages to enjoy this fall.

The farm has animals, hay rides, games, and a 'Grain Bin Grill' or 'Farmers Market' to have a bite to eat.

"We have families that come in at 10 when we open and sometimes we see them leaving at 5 when we close," owner Candy Longnecker said. "They'll buy food at the grain bin grill and just spend the day here with their kids and take pictures."

Kevin and Candy Longnecker opened their pumpkin farm eight years ago. Each year they expand, and so do their customers.

"We were at retirement age and looked at our land and thought, how could we utilize this and incorporate some of the things we already knew," Candy said.

Candy taught Kindergarten for 16 years and wanted to incorporate an educational aspect to the patch.

"A lot of the things we do out here are sensory oriented," Candy said. "Like the corn bin, the kids get in there and a lot of kids who have autism get in there and love that feel, that tactile thing."

She holds a story time three times a day and incorporates a book she wrote called 'The Lopsided Pumpkin.'

"It talks about, is it okay for us to have different things about us that maybe somebody may make fun of? And we talk about how it's okay to be different," Candy said.

Kevin has a landscaping background and enjoys creating and building things to re-purpose them for other uses.

Part of the character of the farm's physical structure consists of old cow trailers, tractors, hay wagons, corn bins, and a combine. Which have all been re-purposed into playgrounds.

"It's like this activity where kids can see something that's part of the past generation and incorporate it into their lives today and make fun out of it," Kevin said.

Even the vintage trucks on display have become backgrounds for photo-ops.

"There's something about pumpkin patches that bring us back to somewhere in our past," Kevin said. "We have grandparents that come through here and show their grandkids hey I had one of these when I was a little boy. That character is here."

"Just to see the smiles on the faces of the kids and parents, I think it's been one of the most rewarding things we've done," Candy said.

Long Neck Pumpkin Farm is open to the public Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reservations are recommended. Schools are welcome to email the farm to schedule a time to come visit the patch during the week.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

Party time at Colorado Springs Oktoberfest, the 10th annual at Western Museum of Mining & Industry, 225 North Gate Blvd. Bands and dancing, wiener dog races, stein hoisting contest, costumes, beer school, wine tastings, food vendors and more. Free admission, $10 parking. csoktoberfest.com

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

A time of the year with heavenly smells as Pueblo chiles are roasted, sometimes with garlic, during the Chile & Frijoles Festival downtown on the city's Union Avenue. Stock up for the year and try green chile dishes here, too. Music everywhere, street vendors, a Chihuahua Parade, fresh produce, hot air balloon fest, and chili and salsa competitions. pueblochilefestival.com

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

It's all things Colorado outdoors, the 14er Fest in Buena Vista. Fishing, cycling, running, 4-wheeling and more. Motorized and non-motorized trail action. See 14erfest.org

SATURDAY

Artists in Colorado Springs are opening their studios for visitors to watch them at work in the Art All Around project. Its focus is to "connect art enthusiasts directly to the artists themselves." Open to all artists, free to visitors. The first studio tours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. See the map and inaugural artists: sites.google.com/view/csartallaround/home

SATURDAY

A new Green Box Farm and Art Market, 2-6 p.m. at the Farm Stand, 6990 Lake St., in Green Mountain Falls. Here's the list of goodies: fresh produce, eggs, cheese, flowers, grains, bread, jam and stoneware and pottery. greenboxarts.org

SATURDAY

A free day at all 417 National Parks and Colorado has four: Rocky Mountain, Mesa Verde, Great Sand Dunes and Black Canyon of the Gunnison. It will be a busy day and timed entry should be set up at nps.gov.

SATURDAY

Two Harvest Fests this weekend. One is a visit to one of the city's first homes, the 1873 McAllister House Museum, 423 N. Cascade Ave., and includes jazz, arts and crafts, food, antique cars and horticulture, as well as tours of the museum. Free admission. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. mcallisterhouse.org. Another is Saturday and Sunday at The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey in Cañon City, with wines, music, fresh produce, chile roasting and arts and crafts. Free. abbeywinery.com

SATURDAY

The seventh annual Manitou Springs Heritage Brew Festival benefits Manitou Springs Heritage Center, 1-5 p.m. in Soda Springs Park. Bands, 24 brewers and food. VIP entry at noon. Tickets $5-49 at manitouspringsheritagecenter.org/heritagebrewfest/

SATURDAY-SUNDAY

They're characters in wood, some whimsical, some realistic, and can be seen at the All Caricature Wood Carving show, Colorado Springs Shrine Club, 6 S. 33rd St. Classes will be taught both days by Caricature Carving Association members. The winners of annual national carving competitions will be on display. Weekend admission $5, kids free. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. cca-carvers.org/CarvinTheRockies/ctr-home.htm

SATURDAY-SUNDAY

Warbirds take to the sky for the Pikes Peak Regional Air Show at Colorado Springs Airport and there are more to see up close on the ground at the National Museum of WWII Aviation. A benefit for the museum and two others: Fort Carson 4th Infantry Museum and Peterson Air and Space Museum. F-35A and EA-18G Growler Demonstration Teams. Show information and tickets: pprairshow.org

SATURDAY-SUNDAY

A perfect time to enjoy Mueller State Park, the Friends of Mueller State Park Fall Art Show. Artists donate a portion of the sales to the Friends organization and its work. See art in the Visitors Center, 21045 Colorado 67, Divide, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and at friendsofmuellersp.com/fall-art-show

SUNDAY

Head to Falcon High School for a big Meridian Harvest Festival with something for everyone. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. What's happening: 130 vendors and businesses, 19 food trucks, live music, family pictures, henna tattoos, arts and crafts, a men's lounge with podcasting. m.facebook.com/events/

SUNDAY

Six Feet Under Horror Fest will try its scary best to make you hide your eyes. Watch selected flicks, vote on the scariest and try for prizes. The horror fest is a project of El Paso County Coroner Leon Kelly at RoadHouse Cinemas, 3030 N. Nevada Ave. For times: roadhousecinemas.com/movie-theater/coloradosprings

The Pikes Peak Regional Airshow returns to the Colorado Springs Airport this weekend for its first exhibition since 2019. First-time visitors who aren’t quite sure what to expect Saturday and Sunday, or how to prepare, can follow these tips provided by airshow organizers.

Airshows are composed of two parts: performances and displays. There will be 10 performances in all, following the same schedule for both Saturday and Sunday. The first performance begins at noon with the national anthem and parachute jump and the last begins at 2:40 p.m.

Displays offer on-the-ground looks at aircraft old and new. Visitors can peruse the displays until the event closes at 4 p.m.

“The performances are thrilling, but do take time to visit the displays, which include the latest in aviation technology and rare vintage aircraft and warbirds, along with demonstrations,” the airshow’s advice sheet reads.

The show takes place at the Colorado Springs Airport's A/DACG facility at 7250 Getting Heights, located on the southwest section of the property.

Visitors are invited to take photos of both performing and display aircrafts. But photos for performing aircraft are limited to before and after the show. The hot ramp, where performing aircraft are parked, is open for photos from the time gates open at 8 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. The ramp reopens after the show from 3:15 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Concessions feature a “huge variety of international food and beverage.” ATMs will also be on site, although most vendors take both cash and credit cards.

- The air show also will feature the U.S. Navy’s EA-18G Growler demonstration team and, for those who thought slapstick only worked on the ground, barnstorming exhibition pilot Kyle Franklin and his “Ben Whabnoski” comedy flight. A “KidZone” brings experiential activities focused on flight and aimed at inspiring interest in STEM education.

- The Commemorative Air Force’s Flying Fortress, Texas Raiders, was one of the last B-17s having been built in July of 1945, it remained in service into the Korean War.

- The F-35A Lightning II is a stealthy, multirole, all-weather air-to-air and surface attack fighter. It will replace the U.S. Air Force’s aging fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcons and A-10 Thunderbolt II’s, which have been the primary fighter aircraft for more than 40 years, according to information provided by the airshow.

Those new to Colorado might not be acquainted with the sun’s extra-potent rays. Higher elevation leads to higher solar intensity. Put simply, sunscreen, hats and other sun-protective measures are essential since there are no indoor facilities. Leave the umbrellas at home, though, as a courtesy to others.

Ear protection is also encouraged for children and those sensitive to loud noises. Aircraft engines are loud and will continue to be so for the duration of the show.

Given the show’s location in an airfield, seating will not be provided. Visitors should bring their own chairs unless they prefer to stand.

Coolers, glass bottles and pets are not allowed at the event, nor are airborne drones, skateboards, bicycles or rollerblades. Weapons are also prohibited.

There is an uphill trek from the parking area to the aircraft. Visitors should plan ahead with wheelchairs or strollers for those who need them. Handicap transportation is not provided, but the ticketing and entry facility is built for handicap access.

“Above all,” the sheet reads, “relax, have fun, and be prepared to see rare aircraft flown by highly skilled pilots!”