Meet Brenda and Wayne St. John
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Live for today because you never know what tomorrow will bring.” These words have guided Brenda St. John since her grandmother spoke them to her many years ago. Brenda and her husband, Wayne, have continued to focus on living a full and healthy life; and they find plenty of ways to do that here in Evergreen.
The St. Johns relocated to our mountain community almost three years ago after having retired from running their family business, Fireside True Value Hardware store in Brattleboro, VT. Working with Wayne’s two brothers and sister-in-law, they spent 40 years providing value and good, old-fashioned customer service in their community.
Brenda was raised in West Chesterfield, NH. Wayne’s family relocated from Hartford, CT in the early 1950’s to Guilford, VT, where they started a 100-head dairy farm, providing him with a wealth of skills, as growing up on a farm can.
Becoming high school sweethearts at Brattleboro Union High School, they married after graduation and began a life together in the Air Force. Wayne was promptly stationed in Alaska in the Helicopter Rescue Division. This period of time is what set the foundation for a marriage that is on its 48th year. Being away from a family support system and living modestly in base housing, they built a relationship founded on honesty, no secrets, and learning to “put up with each other.”
As grandparents to three young boys, the St. Johns found themselves wanting to be close to their family. They would frequently travel to the Denver area where their son has three locations for his business, Pearl Street Fitness. Their son helped them to zero in on the Evergreen community; and even though it took two years to locate the perfect home, they were both convinced this was the place to be. “When we drove past Elk Meadow for the first time, we knew this was it,” shared Wayne.
Weather permitting, Brenda and Wayne can be spotted walking or biking two miles a day on the many trail systems throughout the area. Their favorite spot to keep fit is at Evergreen Lake, hands down. If you’re lucky, you might spot them taking yoga with their son in one of his classes on the lawn at Civic Center Park in Downtown Denver.
Nominated earlier this year for Volunteers of the Year, Brenda and Wayne are avid supporters of the local community. They enjoy meeting new people and making a difference by helping others. Very active with the local Chamber of Commerce, the St. Johns can be counted on to run check-in and tend bar at monthly mixers and events, help out with preparing materials in the office, and support events such as the Triple Bypass, the Downtown Duck Derby, Taste of Evergreen, and Sparkle & Shine. Wayne is the go-to handyman for the Chamber office, helping to hang display racks, fixing anything that breaks, and taking in the recycling. The St. Johns have been involved with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks for 30+ years, applying the principles of charity, justice, brotherly love and fidelity.
Most notable about the St. Johns is their genuine kindness, laughter, and smiles. Those who have benefited from their service and friendship will tell you that they are the kind of people you want to be around because they make you feel valued and they spread happiness wherever they go. These attributes make them perfect fits for their jobs. Brenda works part-time as a PARA at Evergreen Middle School and is the official Front Desk Greeter. Wayne is a Course Ranger at Fossil Trace Golf Course in Golden.
Brenda and Wayne choose to live day-by-day, appreciating the beauty, amenities, and people of Evergreen, focusing on keeping healthy and enjoying a full life.
