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Arvada [Change Location]

Thomas Jefferson's spirit found in Arvada resident

Article Contributed on: 2/18/2009 12:07:48 PM

Thomas Jefferson - one to never sleep in always "eagerly seized the day," according to Arvada resident Jack Van Ens, which is exactly what Van Ens tries to do himself.

"Jefferson woke up every morning and said, 'What should I do today?'" said Van Ens, who wakes up at 5 a.m. every morning.

It is with the same inspiration that Van Ens says Jefferson has instilled in him a curiosity, love and hope for life.

Van Ens, who portrays the third president of the United States, can be spotted at various events around town dressed from head to toe in period dress. With a background as a Presbyterian minister, Van Ens said his ministry now comes through dramatizing Jefferson.

"When I announce I'm a Presbyterian minister, people outside of the church get suspicious," said Van Ens. "When I put on a wig, people become more receptive. I could just give speeches, but there is something magical about dramatizing Jefferson."

Van Ens got the idea to portray Jefferson after watching the stage play 1776 in Philadelphia for the bicentennial in 1976.

"I saw Jefferson on stage that night ... he's 6 foot 2 inches tall, and guess how tall I am?"

Van Ens said his portrayal of Jefferson is a product of 30 years of devoted research. A study in his home, that has several Jeffersonian-type relics (including three chairs and a desk), contains a shelf filled with hard-cover books -- most of which are on the topic of Thomas Jefferson.

"Curiosity is the spark plug and spirit of life," said Van Ens. "Unless you have curiosity, you don't have a very rich and good life."

Besides portraying Jefferson -- and sometimes Puritan preacher Jonathan Edwards -- at various clubs, schools and events around the Denver-metro area through his nonprofit Creative Growth Inc., Van Ens fills his life with writing, exercise and staying involved in the community. Van Ens contributes writings to several publications, including YourHub.com and the Vail Daily newspaper. He's even written his own book titled How Jefferson Made the Best of Bad Messes. He said coming up with topics is never hard.

"It comes as easy as ever to write," Van Ens said. "Not because I'm a genius ... the topics just shine. They are just there."

In the community, Van Ens has served as the program committee chair for the Good News Breakfast for the past 18 years -- an annual breakfast in April celebrating leaders in Jefferson County. He also is working with students at Mountain View High School in Westminster. The students are putting together projects where they pick a historical character and have to perform a five-minute skit dressed as their character.

Van Ens and his wife of 40 years, Sandy, love to travel. He says he also enjoys making travel plans. In May, they plan to travel to Monticello for a special tour.

"No day is a repeat of any other day," said Van Ens. "It enormously fills my creativity."

To learn more about Jack Van Ens, his nonprofit Creative Growth Inc. or to schedule a Thomas Jefferson visit, call 303-420-7416, e-mail vanensfam@juno.com or go to www.thelivinghistory.com.

A day in the life of Jack Van Ens (a.k.a. Thomas Jefferson) - Feb. 11

5 a.m. Awake and read newspapers and review correspondence

6:30 a.m. Exercise

8 a.m. Contact Vail Daily newspaper about commentaries for Feb. 12 and Feb. 14

8:30 a.m. Good News Breakfast planning committee meeting

10:30 a.m. Contact Washington DC and Monticello Foundation for May travel plans to these destinations

12:30 p.m. Lunch

1 p.m. Request from Denver Public Schools for President Jefferson to appear on Presidents Day at a low-income elementary school

2 p.m. Meet with book restorer Bill Knott, who refurbished a heirloom book about Jefferson and colonial leaders on 19th century U.S. stamps

3 p.m. Edit future commentaries

4 p.m. Prepare Jefferson presentation: The Perilous Journey on Political Potholed Road to Inauguration Day, 1801

5 p.m. Meet at the Mt. Vernon County Club with Tories and Federalist sympathizers, plus head of history department at nationally ranked Dennison high School

6 p.m. Interview with Mountain Foothills Rotary Chair at Mt. Vernon Country Club

7:30 p.m. Jefferson's presentation to the Mountain Hills Rotary Club at the Mt. Vernon Country Club

8 p.m. Dinner

10 p.m. Retire

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