Laurie Lester              David Lester

ABOUT WILLOW POND

Willow Pond is on record as having been built in

1916. That was the year all the homes in Grand

Junction went on record. A previous owner told us,

that during remodeling, he had found newspapers in

the walls dating 1898. We think this is probably a

more accurate date, as other homes in the area are

on record for that year.

The house was originally a 3 bedroom foursquare

house. The front foor used to be on the front of the

house facing the street.

The house is located on 26 Rd, which used to be 3rd

Fruit Ridge, so named because of the three hills

leading up to our location. The property used to

encompass a much larger area which was an actual

farm and orchard, lush with a vineyard, peaches,

apple trees, apricot and more. There was a packing

shed located across the road on Galley Lane and a

railroad stop on the corner.

We are still researching the history of the house and

the families who have lived here. We hope to add

more information on the website as we make our

discoveries! Check back soon!

 

Laurie Lester

Laurie is an accomplished soprano, her vocal repertoire

includes music from the middle ages and Renaissance,folk

music from many lands, classical, opera, Broadway and New

Age. Laurie has won many awards and honors for her singing

including first place in the California State VOCE competition,

placing in Long Beach Mozart Festival and named Southern

California Rotary International "Singer of the Year."


Laurie Lester is a self-taught dulcimer player and plays English

& French Renaissance music, Classical & Celtic (Traditional

Irish & Scottish aires and jigs) music, in the fingerpicking style,

on the Mountain Dulcimer.


Laurie is a former music director, directing children's, youth and

English Handbell choirs for 11 years. Laurie Lester is a

Southern California native.

Laurie currently writes a monthly recipe column for the

Fruita Times and is a member of the Western Colorado

Chorale and the High Desert Opera.

Read the New Sounds Magazine interview featuring Laurie.

When not working the inn, Laurie enjoys music, art, gardening,

reading and spending time with her family & friends.

Visit www.myspace.com/laurielester

to hear and purchase music by Laurie & Dave

 

David Lester

David playing a houseconcert with

The Modern Troubadour...John Winn

David Lester has been a professional photographer for over 25

years. As a photographer, David has enjoyed many aspects of

the job from film, digital and aerial photography to weddings,

hospital photography and corporate freelance work. His clients

have incuded: Macerich Corporation, Caruso Affiliated, JPIA,

Long Beach Mason's Lodge, Scottish Rite, McDonnell Douglas

Aircraft, Bay Shore Community Church, Long Beach Memorial

Medical Center, California Contract Cities Association, Los

Angeles Sherriff's Dept., Virginia Country Club Golf Course

and the late great jazz saxophonist, Tommy Thomas.


Before becoming an innkeeper, David was head photographer

for the City of Lakewood, CA.


David Lester is a multi-talented musician, playing piano, guitar,

bass, drums and is also a recording engineer.

While doing a stint in a Los Angeles based Alternative Rock

band, he played The Whiskey A- Go-Go.  With his surf band,

The Sliders, he played clubs and concerts supporting

environmental causes. In his classic rock band, Dave played

the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California. David's musical

inspiration is rooted in old-time Peter Green era Fleetwood

Mac, Lindsey Buckingham's fingerpicking style, he also notes

Dick Dale, Bob Dylan, Lyle Lovett and Chris Isaak as

musical influences.

Visit David's photography website:

www.willowpondphoto.com

Visit David's MySpace page to hear music by David Lester