Meet Your Neighbor: Sam Sotiros
Interviewed by Christy Cerrone.
Continuing our series of interviews with our Southern Gables neighbors, to help us get to know and appreciate each other. If you know a neighbor you’d like to have featured, contact Christy, information below.
How long have you lived in Southern Gables? Off and on for roughly 50 years. My parents had our home built in 1966 and I bought it from them 27 years ago.
What are a few things that you like the most about the Southern Gables community? After graduating from college, I lived in various towns and cities in Colorado and California. I realized that it was hard to beat Southern Gables as a place to raise a family. Safe, great neighbors, well maintained, lots of residents who care about the community, a centralized elementary school, and plenty of nearby shopping and entertainment. Also, downtown and the mountains are both only 15 minutes away.
Do you have a favorite memory with your Southern Gables neighbors? Because I grew up in this neighborhood, I have an endless supply of great memories, so choosing only one is very difficult. Therefore, here are my top two: First, Halloween nights when the entire neighborhood is filled with excitement and joy and you get a chance to see friends and neighbors that you haven’t seen for a year. Next, just recently this past summer while on a walk throughout the neighborhood with my wife, Janet, feeling proud to see all of our neighbors waiting outside their homes to watch the jets fly over Colorado that would salute our heroes.
What is the most neighborly experience you’ve had or seen in our neighborhood? The neighborhood picnics, dumpster days, leaf collection days and Neighborhood Night Out appreciation celebrations are all wonderful neighborly experiences. As for one event that stands out in particular, roughly 10 or 15 years ago we had a huge snowstorm that dumped a few feet of snow on us over a couple of days. It was truly amazing to see how many of my neighbors pitched in helping each other shovel snow, and most notably, helping those residents who were unable to shovel their own driveways or walks. It was back-breaking work, but everyone pitched in and turned the disaster into a good time.
Please let us know about the work you’ve done in the neighborhood.
Literally, I worked in the neighborhood for five years as a youth — one year delivering the weekly Lakewood Sentinel and four years delivering the Denver Post. Routes that I covered spanned from Wadsworth all the way up to Estes. I got to know a lot of residents during that time, and not surprisingly, quite a few are still here.
More recently, I served on the Neighborhood Association’s board as Treasurer for eight years, and President for two. It was a pleasure to work for our community and help ensure that Southern Gables remained a great place to live. It gives me great satisfaction to know that I was involved in making certain that the new development across Wadsworth addressed our residents concerns — traffic flow, additional safety set-backs and landscaping along Wadsworth, and restriction of overly tall lighting that would not meet the City of Lakewood’s code, but was acceptable to Jefferson County. Also, I am happy to have helped complete the landscaping & entry sign project at the corner of Jewell and Estes.
Will you let us know a little bit about your business, which we know is located here in Southern Gables? For the past 19 years, I have operated a local accounting firm, Sotiros & Sotiros, LLC, Certified Public Accountants, along with my brother Richard. Currently, we are located on the corner of Wadsworth & Morrison Road. The business has allowed me to service small businesses and area residents with their tax and accounting needs.
What are your hobbies? I work hard and I like to play hard, so, I have a number of hobbies. Most notably fishing, hunting, golfing, skiing, camping, hiking and reading.
What is your favorite quote or saying? Carpe Diem.
Is there anything else you want us to know about you? I have a passion for wildlife and the outdoors. For several years, I was a board member and president of the non-profit, Wild Bird Rescue and Rehab, which can always use volunteers and donations. I particularly enjoy bird watching, and as such, we have several bird feeders in our backyard. Over the years, I have logged approximately 40 different bird species feeding or passing through our yard. My favorite: Western Tanagers that only show up for a few days in May.
Contact [email protected] to nominate a candidate for the “Meet Your Neighbor” series.