Voices of Pueblo: Bree on a Budget – Thrifting and Savings

The Voices of Pueblo podcast welcomes a brand-new voice to the conversation — Bree Pappan, the thrifty maverick behind the Bree on a Budget column in the September issue of the Pueblo Star Journal.

In this inaugural companion episode, Bree joins Gregory Howell and Cynthia Nicola to go beyond the page and dive into the art and practice of saving smart. Together, they explore how thrifting, resale, and secondhand shopping have become essential tools for Pueblo families facing rising costs — and how these choices also support local businesses and reduce waste.

From practical tips and personal stories to a few laughs about bargain hunting, this episode shows that living well on a budget is not only possible, it’s empowering.

Whether you’re a seasoned bargain hunter or just beginning to look for new ways to stretch your dollars, this conversation offers insight, encouragement, and a fresh sense of community spirit.

Here is the link to the article online: https://pueblostarjournal.org/community/2025/09/16/welcome-to-pueblo-weve-got-your-back/

Tune in to discover why we say: Pueblo … we’ve got your back.

In this episode of State of Art, host Bree Pappan dives into Pueblo’s evolving music scene with three dynamic voices who are shaping its future: Marc Sabatella, Aaron Zimola, and Brock Kilgore. Each brings extraordinary experience in music, education, and cultural innovation, and together they paint a compelling picture of what it means to build a thriving creative community from the ground up. From jazz and classical to local showcases and educational outreach, these musicians are on a mission to amplify Pueblo’s soundscape and create new opportunities for collaboration.

Marc Sabatella, a renowned musician and educator, shares how his journey led him to found the Pueblo Musicians Hangout, a growing collective that meets at Analogue Records and Books to exchange ideas, spark projects, and foster a spirit of mentorship. Aaron Zimola, an accomplished violinist and entertainment industry marketing executive, reflects on his move from Los Angeles to Pueblo and why smaller cities like Pueblo offer fertile ground for creatives to truly thrive. Their conversation reveals the power of connection, vision, and resilience in building a vibrant arts ecosystem.

Together with multi-talented musician and educator Brock Kilgore, the trio explores their hopes for Pueblo’s musical future. They share ideas about jam sessions, local festivals, cross-genre collaborations, college preparation for emerging talent, and the dream of a community music center where creativity can flourish every day. This is more than a meetup. It is a movement. Tune in and be inspired by the passion, purpose, and possibilities resonating through Pueblo’s musical heartbeat.

CONTACT: Pueblo Musicians Hangout | Marc Sabatella | TEL 303.241.1106 | marc@outsideshore.com

In this episode of Voices of Pueblo, Gregory Howell sits down with Abbie Krause, Executive Director of the Pueblo Zoo, to explore how this historic institution is redefining education and conservation in Southern Colorado. With a legacy rooted in New Deal-era civic pride and a mission focused on environmental stewardship, the Pueblo Zoo is more than a place to see animals — it’s a place to learn, grow, and lead.

Abbie shares how programs like Zoo School, ZooALIVE, and the zoo’s summer camps are empowering Pueblo’s youth to become future scientists, educators, and conservation leaders. From hands-on learning experiences to teen volunteer leadership, the Pueblo Zoo is building pathways for curiosity, compassion, and community connection.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, animal lover, or simply curious about the future of conservation in Pueblo, this episode will inspire you to see the zoo in a whole new light. Tune in and discover why the Pueblo Zoo remains one of the region’s most cherished and essential educational assets.

To learn more visit the Pueblo Zoo website: https://www.pueblozoo.org/

State of Art: Chosen Canvas at Liminal Space Gallery in Pueblo, Colorado In this episode of State of Art, host Bree Pappan introduces the upcoming Chosen Canvas exhibition opening September 5 at Liminal Space Gallery in Pueblo, Colorado. This collaborative installation brings together poet Kathleen Willard, mixed media artist Cheryl Scott, and fiber artist Bethany Economos to challenge traditional notions of domesticity, feminism, and the undervalued labor of women.

We explore how repurposed textiles, upcycled materials, and powerful poetry are woven into an immersive experience that reclaims “women’s work” as revolutionary art. From Willard’s roots in the feminist movement to Economos’ defiant embroidery and Scott’s joyful recycled creations, this podcast offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Chosen Canvas came to life — and what it asks of each of us.

Tune in and be inspired by art that speaks, stitches, and stirs the soul.

Pueblo Arts Alliance Studios

The Roots and Reach of 4-H in Pueblo County: A Legacy of Learning by Doing, Then and Now Join host Gregory Howell for a special episode of the Voices of Pueblo podcast as we celebrate the power of youth and community at the 2025 Pueblo County Fair! In this lively and heartfelt conversation, six remarkable 4-H students share their stories, passions, and what 4-H means to them—from livestock and leadership to science and service.

Meet our future changemakers:

• Jessica Hall – Pueblo County High School

• Lacie Laca – Rye High School

• Kelly Sloan – Pueblo County High School

• Lillian Tate – Vineland Middle School

• Shania McKissick – Liberty Point International

• Dyland Bowens – Homeschool

Discover how Pueblo 4-H, through CSU Extension, continues to inspire confidence, compassion, and resilience—one hands-on project at a time. Whether you're a proud parent, former 4-h student, longtime volunteer, or just 4-H curious, this episode is for you.

Tune in now and catch the spirit of 4-H, right from the heart of Pueblo County. Streaming everywhere just in time for the 2025 Fair! For more information on the Fair visit: https://www.pueblocountyfair.com/

Special thanks to the entire team at CSU Extension Pueblo County and our sponsor Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) for making this episode possible.

In this inspiring episode of 45 Degrees, internationally acclaimed muralist Tim Nijenhuis joins us fresh from his latest creation on the Pueblo levee. Born in the Netherlands and now based in Hamilton, Ontario, Tim brings a rich legacy of creativity that spans generations—from fine art to music, filmmaking, set design, and more.

We trace his journey from Europe to North America and explore how his diverse experiences as a music teacher, filmmaker, and set designer inform his large-scale murals. Many of his works are shaped by deep community research and cultural listening. Tim also shares insights into the power of 3D illusions and how public art can spark thought and connection across neighborhoods.

His newest mural, located near the G.H. Nuckolls suspension bridge, features a striking 3D image of a boy fishing—a visual moment best experienced from the center of the bridge itself.

Tune in for a conversation that celebrates imagination, craftsmanship, and the transformative power of art—especially when painted at a 45-degree angle.

To learn more about Tim and where you can find him painting murals and making music, visit his website at www.ninehouseproductions.com.

In this episode of State of Art, host Bree Pappan sits down with artist and gallerist Jeff Madeen of Blo Back Gallery and event producer Steve Poikonen to explore the creative engine behind the Truth Show and the 3rd Annual Third Eye Carnival, happening July 4–6, 2025, at the Blo Back Gallery in Pueblo’s historic Grove neighborhood.

From the radical TRUTH art show opening on First Friday to three days of live music, panels, and carnival antics, this weekend-long event promises unfiltered expression and community celebration. Bree digs deep into the origins of the Carnival, the intention behind the TRUTH exhibit, and where this underground cultural force is heading next.

Art. Music. Truth. Rebellion. This isn’t just an event—it’s a movement.

Learn more: blobackgallery.com | thirdeyecarnival.com Location: Blo Back Gallery, Pueblo, CO

State of Art Podcast | Pueblo Heritage Museum: A New Chapter Begins Hosted by Bree Pappan | Presented by the Pueblo Star Journal

In this deeply insightful episode of State of Art, host Bree Pappan sits down with the new leadership team at the Pueblo Heritage Museum — an institution at the heart of Pueblo’s historical storytelling. As conversations swirl around the possible sale of the building that houses the museum and the Pueblo County Historical Society, this episode offers a timely and essential look into the future of one of Southern Colorado’s most important cultural assets.

Bree speaks with Dr. John Wendt, the museum’s new Executive Director, whose impressive background as an archivist and unwavering passion for history and preservation bring renewed energy to the institution. Also joining the conversation is Alexis “Lexi” Topping, Outreach Coordinator and Collections Assistant, whose journey from CSU Pueblo student to staff member illustrates the vital role young professionals are playing in shaping Pueblo’s cultural future.

Together, John and Lexi share their vision for the museum, current programming, and their commitment to community engagement through education, exhibitions, and the preservation of Pueblo’s stories — told through objects, photographs, and personal histories.

This episode is more than an introduction — it’s a call to action. At a moment when the museum's future is uncertain, this conversation invites listeners to engage, get involved, and consider how we as a community can protect and support the institutions that safeguard our shared heritage.

Listen now on your favorite podcast platform. Then join the conversation. Share your voice, support the museum, and help shape the future of history in Pueblo.

Contact the Pueblo Heritage Museum:

Dr. John Wendt, Executive Director (630) 247-1769 | director@pueblohistory.org

Alexis “Lexi” Topping, Outreach & Collections (719) 251-2047 | alexistopping22@gmail.com

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