As they manned the Pikes Peak Council Cub Scouts Pack 70 booth at the 2017 Black Forest Festival on Saturday, August 12, Tory Hoefar and Kristin Havens caught up with The New Falcon Herald. In between greeting visitors to their booth and handing out informational literature on Pack 70, Hoefar and Havens talked with the NFH about living in Black Forest. A Colorado native and Black Forest resident of 11 years, Hoefar, age 49, is also a Realtor with Remax properties, and spends her free time volunteering with several nonprofits, like Cub Scouts Pack 70. Havens, age 41, is a Michigan native and a recent transplant to the Black Forest. When she is not volunteering with Cub Scouts Pack 70, she works as a systems engineer for GPS.NFH: So what brought you to Black Forest?Hoefar: Iím a Colorado native, from Pagosa Springs. Being there, I wanted to live some place with a wonderful country-based lifestyle. In my spare time, I ride horses.Havens: Iím retired (U.S. Air Force), and loved it here. We wanted to come back to the Black Forest area because it reminded us so much of Michigan, where Iím from, and it had that smaller community feel.NFH: Where is your favorite place to visit in Black Forest?Hoefar: I really like Section 16 (a loop trail in Black Forest).Havens: I like Black Forest Regional Park because I can walk.NFH: What do you enjoy most about Black Forest?Hoefar: I love the fact that I live in a small community on the edge of a larger city.Havens: I like the small-town feel! Itís nice to have a community after having moved around so much. This sounds weird, but I love the trees, I really do. They make me smile. Reminds me of back home.NFH: What do you enjoy most about autumn?Hoefar: Oh, I love the crispness in the air and the colors.Havens: Definitely I love the fall colors and anything that has to do with pumpkins and Halloween!NFH: If you had to describe yourself in five words, what would they be?Hoefar: I would say loyal; committed to my family life; a mom; a wife; and I like to think of myself as trustworthy.Havens: I would also say loyal; passionate; a mom as well ñ- that really defines me in a lot of ways, and also as a wife.NFH: What accomplishment are you most proud of?Hoefar: My son and the life weíve built. Iím proud of our family.Havens: Iím also going to say my family!NFH: What is an item on your bucket list?Hoefar: Machu Picchu: I want to see it and climb it.Havens: Really, I just want to go to Europe! Iím retired from the Air Force, and Iíve never been to Europe.NFH: If you won the lottery, what would you do with your winnings?Hoefar: I would buy more horses Ö travel more, and ride my horses more.Havens: My husband and I would really just like to travel with our kids.NFH: What is your favorite thing to talk about/learn about and why?Hoefar: I love the natural lifestyle, like homeopathic medicine. Iím originally from Pagosa Springs, so Iím a little bit hippie and a little bit country! I also love real estate.Havens: Iím really passionate about my job. I love teaching kids about it and about space in general.
