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Texans in Telluride: Video Highlights from the Kramers' Holiday Party
Kramer family on the front porch of their home in Telluride. (From left) fiance Michael Imiak with Rafaela, Nikki, Jackie, Isabel, Ilene and (in back) Don. It's easy to see why Don and Ilene are truly loved in both Telluride and Texas. Don is hilarious and Ilene loves people and life in Telluride.
Buzz-area families celebrated the holidays in Telluride with Don and Ilene Kramer, who have hosted a holiday party in their lovely Telluride home for the past five years. The guest list keeps growing as more and more Houstonians also have second homes there.
Michael and I were delighted to be included this year. Prepping for their party is a family affair and starts in Houston. Ilene buys brined kosher turkeys at Belden's. Don drives from Houston with their dog Chondi and all the supplies. Their kids Nikki, Isabel, Jackie, and Rafaela and fiance Michael Imiak helped Don fry the turkeys Cajun style Christmas Day.
(Video: Aurelie Slegers)
After dinner, guests gathered in the cozy living room to hear Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary perform. Don met Peter last year while skiing and they formed an instant bond. Peter is very passionate about passing the importance of folk songs on to the younger generation. Everyone loved singing along to "Blowin' in the Wind," "If I Had a Hammer," and, of course, "Puff the Magic Dragon."
Other Houston guests enjoying the special night were Susan and Mike Plank and kids Jared and Kendall, Jack and Shushana Castle, Laura and Vineet Bhatia and kids Nina and Neil, Robert and Beth Rivera and sons Baz and Zeke, Brittney and Max Tribble, Joseph and Melissa Navone and kids Abby, Gabriel, Ella, Riva Collins and her kids Jeffrey, Sophia and Sam, Ivette and Brad Mcneill and their kids Thomas, Brad and Claire, Abby and Mark Salter and their kids Erin, Carly and Kevin.
Michael and I were thrilled to celebrate the holidays in Telluride for the second year in a row; read about our experience meeting Buzz families there last year.
We wish everyone a happy and Buzzworthy new year; share your holiday photos and videos with us.
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Michael and Joni discussed The Buzz over a few brews at Tomboy Tavern with Brandy Johnson, marketing manager of Telluride Ski and Golf Resort. Why can't all our meetings be this much fun?
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Happy Hour with David and Julie Brown at Allred's, Telluride Ski Resort's flagship restaurant. Julie met Michael on the chair lift last year and ultimately helped connect us to other Houstonians in the area for our 2014 Texans in Telluride article.
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Michael and Joni reunite with Heather Cabell, residence manager, and meet Evie Donegan, marketing and revenue manager of The Fairmont Heritage Place, Franz Klammer Lodge. The Fairmont is in the heart of Mountain Village and offers the ultimate VIP skiing experience. We never wanted to leave.
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For two nights, the Hoffman's stayed at The Hotel Columbia, a charming, boutique hotel in the heart of town with expansive windows and beautiful views of Telluride.
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It really is a small town. Kids from Houston often go from house to house in Telluride, which isn't always so easy in Houston. Pictured at the Plank's home are (top row, from left) Michael Soyer, Thomas McNeill, Jared Plank, Colin Lawrence, Sawyer Hamm, (bottom row) Nikki Kramer, Jackie Kramer and Ceci Bruton.
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Matt Hoffman and Sam Harker have been friends since kindergarten. Matt and Sam now live in different states and don't talk or see each other often during the school year but they picked up like no time has passed.
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(From left) Brittney and Max Tribble with Susan, Mike and Kendall Plank at the Plank home in Telluride.
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Michael and Joni Hoffman with Peter Yarrow from Peter, Paul and Mary, who performed at the Kramer holiday party. Don Kramer met Peter last year while skiing and they formed an instant bond.
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Mike and Susan Plank invited Joni and Michael to their home for Susan's signature cranberry pomegranate martini. Their home is the perfect combination of gorgeous yet cozy and warm. Mike and Susan are passionate about sharing their love of Telluride with Houstonians. Mike is on the board of the Telluride Foundation.
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Joni and Matt Hoffman with bartender Dan Davenport at The Parlor Coffee & Wine Bar at New Sheridan hotel. Their popular Flatliner, a dessert cocktail that includes various liquors and a shot of espresso, is addictively delicious yet a little dangerous. Dan serves a perfect Flatliner. Bonus tip: Make sure to ask for the $21 steak and wine special.
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Fancy meeting you here. Joni and Michael ran into Ilene and Don Kramer at Lemongrass in Bellaire. After mentioning that we would be spending time in Telluride, Ilene invited us to their annual holiday party. (Photo: Aurelie Slegers)
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Joni, Matt and Michael Hoffman enjoyed the incredibly fresh sushi at Cosmopolitan's happy hour at Hotel Columbia, which features 1/2 price sushi, wine and cosmos, 4:30-7 p.m. every night.
Michael and Joni discussed The Buzz over a few brews at Tomboy Tavern with Brandy Johnson, marketing manager of Telluride Ski and Golf Resort. Why can't all our meetings be this much fun?
Happy Hour with David and Julie Brown at Allred's, Telluride Ski Resort's flagship restaurant. Julie met Michael on the chair lift last year and ultimately helped connect us to other Houstonians in the area for our 2014 Texans in Telluride article.
Michael and Joni reunite with Heather Cabell, residence manager, and meet Evie Donegan, marketing and revenue manager of The Fairmont Heritage Place, Franz Klammer Lodge. The Fairmont is in the heart of Mountain Village and offers the ultimate VIP skiing experience. We never wanted to leave.
For two nights, the Hoffman's stayed at The Hotel Columbia, a charming, boutique hotel in the heart of town with expansive windows and beautiful views of Telluride.
It really is a small town. Kids from Houston often go from house to house in Telluride, which isn't always so easy in Houston. Pictured at the Plank's home are (top row, from left) Michael Soyer, Thomas McNeill, Jared Plank, Colin Lawrence, Sawyer Hamm, (bottom row) Nikki Kramer, Jackie Kramer and Ceci Bruton.
Matt Hoffman and Sam Harker have been friends since kindergarten. Matt and Sam now live in different states and don't talk or see each other often during the school year but they picked up like no time has passed.
(From left) Brittney and Max Tribble with Susan, Mike and Kendall Plank at the Plank home in Telluride.
Michael and Joni Hoffman with Peter Yarrow from Peter, Paul and Mary, who performed at the Kramer holiday party. Don Kramer met Peter last year while skiing and they formed an instant bond.
Mike and Susan Plank invited Joni and Michael to their home for Susan's signature cranberry pomegranate martini. Their home is the perfect combination of gorgeous yet cozy and warm. Mike and Susan are passionate about sharing their love of Telluride with Houstonians. Mike is on the board of the Telluride Foundation.
Joni and Matt Hoffman with bartender Dan Davenport at The Parlor Coffee & Wine Bar at New Sheridan hotel. Their popular Flatliner, a dessert cocktail that includes various liquors and a shot of espresso, is addictively delicious yet a little dangerous. Dan serves a perfect Flatliner. Bonus tip: Make sure to ask for the $21 steak and wine special.
Fancy meeting you here. Joni and Michael ran into Ilene and Don Kramer at Lemongrass in Bellaire. After mentioning that we would be spending time in Telluride, Ilene invited us to their annual holiday party. (Photo: Aurelie Slegers)
Joni, Matt and Michael Hoffman enjoyed the incredibly fresh sushi at Cosmopolitan's happy hour at Hotel Columbia, which features 1/2 price sushi, wine and cosmos, 4:30-7 p.m. every night.
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