A sunny July Saturday drew 600 people of all ages for a day of joviality, food and fun on the grounds of the serene Benet Hill Monastery and Benedictine Spirituality Center in the Pines.

This was the third year for the “celebrate summer” benefit supporting the community services and programs offered by the Benet Hill ministries and the Benedictine sisterhood.

There was jazz by the New Horizons Combo Band, a barbecue, an autograph session with retired Denver Bronco great Randy Gradishar who was on crutches after knee replacement, shooting hoops with retired Denver Nugget Bill Hanzlik, a petting zoo, raptors and owls, kids games and just plain relaxing.

It was the ideal opportunity to introduce the Sisters’ Thrift & Boutique, which has a planned opening next week at 8674 Research Parkway in Union Town Center. Check benethillmonastery.org.

Celebrating the crowd at the picnic in Black Forest were committee chairs Bliss Krucas and Sister Rose Ann Barmann. Their committee included Julie Armstrong, Jerry Bagg, Ron Bruyneel, Robin Cross, Joan Klein, Jennifer Miller, Ernie Romero, Jeff Rugis, Maryann Stadjuhar, Katie Stuart, Michel Tomsic, Gene Tourville and Donna Wagner.

The honorary committee member was emcee Jon Karrol, who had to answer to the sisters and all the women on the event committee about why he hadn’t slathered on sunscreen.

The sisterhood has a 100-year history in Colorado and in 1963 founded Benet Hill Academy north of Maizeland Road on Chelton Road. More than 2,000 girls graduated graduated from the private school which focused on academic excellence and Catholic moral values.