"Lectures Focus on the 70's"
   by Marilyn Poon
   Special to the "Aspen Times"
   February 2002

    The wild and crazy times in Aspen during the 1970's have
become the stuff of legends. And with that in mind, Heritage
Aspen, Aspen's Historical Society, is planning a series of
five lectures that will focus on "Aspen, America in the
1970's."  The series will run from February 19 to March 19
this winter.
    "It's a departure from what we used to be," said Diana
Mercer, education program coordinator of Heritage Aspen.
Mercer worked with Executive Director Grace Gary to formulate
this winter's lecture series.
    Past winter and summer lecture series focused on the
mining and Victorian aspect of Aspen's heritage. But this year
Heritage Aspen is aiming to generate interest in contemporary
and modern history.  This series will engage a number of guest
speakers in an exploration of the historical, cultural, social
and political contexts of the memorable decade.
    In one of the five lectures, John Denver's business
manager and best friend, Hal Thau, will give a slide-show
presentation about John Denver in the 1970's in Aspen. The
world famous singer, television and film star, and leader of
peace movements, was quoted in The Aspen Times in 1989,
saying, "So much of my luck and success have been inspired and
sustained by my home, which is the world...and my community,
which is Aspen."
    The lectures will be held every Tuesday night, from 4 to
6pm at the Aspen Physics Institute. For more information, call
925-3721

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The other lectures are
* Senator Dianne Feinstein speaking about her experience as
  Mayor of San Francisco
* Janet Guthrie speaking about her diverse background.
* Landscape artist, Christo
* "The Impact of the EST training on Aspen in the 1970's"
  Joe Edwards and June Kirkwood.
* Ambassador Bruce Laingen speaking about his experience as a
  hostage in Tehran during the Iranian Hostage Crisis.