Local Color
Photography and Concept: Dan Campbell
CATHY MILLER AND “CHACO”
Cathy Miller has been director of sales and marketing at the Park City Chamber/Bureau for 12 years. A fourth-generation Jackson Hole native, she was weaned on open space. Her dad worked for the Park Service, so she spent much of her youth living in Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon. Now a Kamas resident, Cathy lives with her horse, Chaco, her dog and cat. She hikes, horseback rides, skis and runs rivers.
On river trips: “It’s total wilderness. You’re totally disconnected. I love the pace of it. You have an adventurous day in the whitewater, and then you set up camp and have a cocktail and giggles with your friends.”
Why she lives here: “I’m a Western girl. I like small towns and beautiful places. But I like to sell recreation, too. I was brought up in tourism. My grandparents owned a lodge in Jackson in the ’50s. I remember my grandmother ironing the bed sheets herself. I love living in the mountains but being close to the city, and the airport, because I like to travel. Park City has everything.”
Best and most challenging part of the job: “Working with nearly 900 members to promote Park City is both challenging and what keeps us strong. I’ve been happy in this job for so long because the people and ideas and input change every year. It amazes me how well so many people from different facets of our community sit down at a table every week and talk about how to work together to benefit all.”
Quintessential Park City day: “Hiking in the mountains when it’s spring green. You get away from it all. It’s quiet. You smell the season. You can see the sky and hear tree leaves rustling. I love the natural beauty, the animals that you see, and just laughing with my friends.”
Guiding Principles: “Fairness, honesty and integrity.”
TANNER AND ANDREW PUTT
Brothers Tanner and Andrew Putt are crazy for cycling. Last summer, they competed in the National Cycling Championships held in Park City and came out with stunningly impressive results. Tanner (age 13) placed fifth and eighth in various events and Andrew (age 15) placed about halfway through the pack in each event he competed in. Andrew: “We had never competed in anything that size before. We were surprised at our results—we didn’t think we’d do that well.” Tanner: “We were surprised at how tough the competitors are from all around the country. We were used to racing against just the small group here. So it was really good for us.”
The brothers train together, often with their parents, Pat and Andrea, four days a week, 20-30 miles per ride.
They like racing because: “It’s fast and exhilarating,” says Andrew. “And I like seeing my name flash up on the scoreboard and seeing that I’m on top—and that all my hard work paid off.” Tanner: “Pretty much what Andrew said.”
Worst racing moment: “We both crashed at a criterium in Salt Lake City,” says Tanner. “A guy clipped Andrew’s wheel and he went over his handlebars and then I went over him. Then the rest of the pack rode over us.”
Their goals for this summer? “Just do better.” (joint answer)
Are there days when they get up and don’t want to work out? “NO.” (joint answer)
Hobbies: Nordic and alpine skiing, soccer and … “When we ski, we listen to our coach,” says Andrew. “When we’re not skiing, we listen to good music like Led Zeppelin and Bad Company.”
Guiding Principles:
Andrew: “I just try to give it my all.”
Tanner: “I try to do my best and get through the day.”
BRIAN RICHARDS
Brian Richards opened Orion’s Music, (named after a Metallica song) in 1997. “The store has an old-school feel to it,” says Brian. “I want people to feel like they’re going back in time a little, like when they used to go to record stores. It has to be a cool place for the kids, though, too. The music industry is in a transition period because of downloading and CD burning, so we’re trying to figure out what the next trend will be in the evolution. It’s all about not being afraid of change, but embracing it and being ahead of the curve.”
Best thing about the store: “It has a really local feel, like a coffee shop where people come in and shoot the shit—a local hangout. I’m in here most days. When a person you know comes in and visits—it’s awesome.”
Hobbies: Brian coaches the Park City High School girls’ softball team, skis, mountain bikes and loves playing fantasy sports online (“That’s kind of my nerdy thing to do.”) He served on the Park City Film Series board for five years and is currently a board member of Mountain Town Stages. “When people come in looking for help to put on a show, I do whatever I can. I have to, and want to be, community-oriented. That’s how small businesses survive. Small businesses make a community thrive—they’re what give a town character. This town is full of people who tend to support community endeavors. It’s still a small town that way even though it’s growing so much.”
Guiding Principle: “Family comes first (wife Joanna, sons Jack, 1, and Michael, 3). And I like doing things for others. That’s why I like helping to put on free concerts. And I love my business. If someone’s listening to A CD I turned them onto and they’re smiling—that makes me happy.”
CORKY AUSTIN
Corky Austin moved to Utah from New Jersey in 1973 to “ski and get out of the East Coast.” He has worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 32 years, 10 of those in Park City, at all three of our post offices. “I like working in the community where I live,” Corky says. “It’s nice being visible in a service-oriented job.” He works the express mail delivery every Christmas Day because, “Nine times out of 10, the delivery is not a bill or eviction notice. It’s a gift. It makes people happy. It works out pretty cool.”
Quirks of the job? “In Park City, there are areas where we don’t deliver mail because of snow removal or road issues. It’s funny when I have to explain to someone with a $5-million home that they can’t get mail delivered. They have to get a post office box.”
Hobbies: A music aficionado, Corky is an avid CD collector, loves attending summer concerts in Park City and has been to see the Grateful Dead 314 times in his day.
He also enjoys fly-fishing, hiking, and his children, Casey and Whitney, who are “the focus of my life.”
What’s next: Corky plans to retire from his lifetime career on his birthday in 2007, and go on “World Tour” in a truck and camper.
Guiding Principle: “Not getting so far ahead of myself that I lose track of what’s right in front of me.”
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