A visually enhanced republication and printing of the Aspen literary classic, Dreams & Dilemmas by Peggy Clifford and John Smith needs help from like-minded Aspenites to become a reality..

It has taken 10 years of hard work to bring Peggy and John’s important book back to life: securing rights from Peggy and John; research at the Aspen Historical Society to find Aspen’s greatest photographs; collaborating with Catherine Lutze to conduct interviews and photographer Daniel Bayer to add images richly complementing the updated version.  Andrew Travers is writing the recent history in the book given his important place in Aspen’s journalistic scene.

We are working to finalize and publish this enhanced classic in two volumes. Community partners can make it happen. A pair of illustrated books in custom clamshell box will bring the original story up to date in a 2025 publication.

There are extensive printing expenses for two large books - 147 pages with 92 images and 188 pages with 117 images in the updated version together with a clamshell box to hold both books.  

As a longtime supporter of the arts and local history, your participation and sponsorship of this project will allow Peggy’s unique chronicle of Aspen to be reborn and the updated story of Aspen to be told. Supporters will be acknowledged in the book’s introductory pages on a  handsome book plate to recognize the critical role supporters play in bringing this book to life.  Sponsors will be entitled to a number of copies of the book signed by Andrew Travers, Catherine Lutz and D.J. Watkins.  Dreams and Dilemmas is the  best book ever written about our town.  I trust you agree and will help reproduce the original version as well as the Aspen story from Peggy and John’s time to now by Andrew Travers, Catherine Lutz and DJ Watkins.