Meet Your Neighbors

Avtar Perreault

Age: 51
Lives in: Glenwood Springs (originally from Michigan)
Occupation: General manager of the Carbondale Community Co-op
What was the your favorite thing about the summer? “Being able to get out on my bike.”
What are you looking forward this fall? “Fall is my favorite time of year. I love the weather, the color, how the leaves change. I love all the produce — the apples, the winter squash — stuff like that.”
What’s something that makes you want to get out of bed every day? “I love seeing all my neighbors and friends who shop here at the Co-op. I love being part of this little community.”

Lori Hutchens

Age: 50
Lives in: Carbondale (originally from Tipp City, Ohio)
Occupation: Owner of the Novel Tea Bookstore in Carbondale
What was the your favorite thing about the summer? “You know, what I like is the market (the Carbondale Farmers Market). I really like the market. That would probably be my highlight of the summer.”
What are you looking forward this fall? “The leaves changing. That’s what fall means to me. I love the weather change where it gets a little cooler. It makes me feel like I can do anything. Why is that?”
What’s something that makes you want to get out of bed every day? “My business. I love this bookstore. I love it. I don’t have any problem coming in here. I love it.”

Dennis Collins

Lives in: Carbondale (originally from Kansas City, Mo.)
Occupation: Candle man at Sherpa/Moonbeam Candles in Carbondale
What was the your favorite thing about the summer? “Camping. Spending time in Marble.”
What are you looking forward this fall? “Cooler (laughing). When it gets cooler, I spring into action and make more candles. Honestly, making candles is my favorite thing to do. You see, a lot of people don’t do their passion. And I did.”
What’s something that makes you want to get out of bed every day? “Just being alive. It’s just life, the lust for life, see what the day’s going to bring.”

Federico Mercado

Age: 28
Lives in: El Jebel (originally from Guadalajara, Mexico)
Occupation: Sushi chef at Matsuhisa in Aspen
What was the your favorite thing about the summer? “Soccer. I go to church in the morning, and then I watch the soccer.”
What are you looking forward this fall? “I don’t know. I work better every day. It’s not really hot. It’s not really cold.”
What’s something that makes you want to get out of bed every day? “I’m Catholic. I watch this big picture of Jesus Christ (in his bedroom). This push me and help me, making me happy all day.”
compiled by Stina Sieg