About Town with LaVern – January 9, 2020

Happy New Year! Another week gone by, and a new year starting. We wish the Best for the Town and all residents in 2020!

On the last day of the year, we said Farewell! to Deb Anthony, Lyons Town Clerk for the past 22 years. Although she will be replaced by several knowledgeable people, we will miss her. She says she will be coming to town. Debbie, we invite you to the Senior Center for Monday suppers, for their exercises, and for the day trips, etc. etc. And to the Lyons Redstone Museum, to relay your history. Good luck to Delores Vasquez as Town Clerk, and Marissa Davis as Deputy Town Clerk!

The year 2020 is supposed to be the best. Let’s hope all goes well with you. For Me I hope to get over this Bursitis and back to square dancing!!! And, for others to get over their colds, flu, ailments, etc. It is no fun to be “down and out” Thanks to all for the Get Well and Christmas Cards. That truly cheered me up for Christmas.

It was a good two weeks off of school, but the ice still needs freezing for ice skating in the LaVern Johnson Park. Someone on Facebook suggested we try for an ice freezer for our rink; another said it would cost $25,000. We probably could raise that much if had a good ambitious committee, and get all the ice skaters and hockey players raising funds. Do you want to do it? The Ice rink started in the 1990s by Public Works Director, Herb McConnell, who placed it there due to the sun never reaching that spot. But, of course, it needs to be freezing for several days to freeze the 7 inches. Then, if they throw rocks in the ice or slush, and it is “zilch. Lots of fun, though.

Did you make your Resolutions for 2020? That’s something you try to stop; like, getting up late, going to bed too late, swearing, drinking too much, spending too much money, not keeping your bills up, driving too fast, etc. Did I give you a good idea? Try to keep them.

The school and sports news is in this Lyons Recorder newspaper under a separate section. The Middle/Senior School girls’ basketball “end of season tournament” is January 11 at 5:30 p.m. 

Jonathan Singer, Colorado State Representative, is now running for Boulder County Commission. He appeared before Lyons voters last week, answering questions and giving his views.

Congratulations to Tiffany Martindale who spent the most money in Lyons for the “Shop in Lyons” Days in December and won the big basket of gifts. Thanks for shopping!

Thanks to the Felt family, who dropped off a box of cherry chocolates in honor of his late father-in-law, Loyal Austin, who used to have his kids pass out cherry chocolates during Christmas. I had a mincemeat pie from him in my freezer several years. I finally did eat it. Our good thoughts to Lloyd Austin and his family.

Yea! for the brave Lyons Polar Bears. Around ten persons (men, women, and kids) jumped in and right back out that of that St. Vrain River cold water at the Black Bear Hole. It has become a tradition for New Year’s Day.

TOWN NEWS

In April we will have a new Town Board. Jocelyn Farrell says she is running for Mayor. Several will not run again. Contact the Town office for more details on how to run. The papers are due January 27. Good Luck to all who choose to run!

Flood Plain/FEMA meeting was held during a workshop at the Town Hall last Monday evening with another public session planned for Thursday, January 23, at the library, This is regarding the Colorado Hazard Mapping Program (CHAMP) which studies possible future flooding and erosion. FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) has issued Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMS). The changes may affect you and your property. Following publication of the Preliminary FIRMS, FEMA requires a formal public comment and appeal period. Further analysis and the release of final effective FIRMS. This is the time to get involved and learn what the new maps means to you. 

The Town Commission holiday party was held last week in appreciation of all those who have served on a Town Commission (seven board members, four in town and three out of town). They meet monthly, with a town liaison, to listen to complaints, ideas, and advice for the board members. Greetings was given by Mayor Connie. Steve Simms of the Ecology Board recognized Garima Fairfax for the years she has volunteered with the Ecology and Tree Board. First, she helped mark all the trees on Lyons main streets. It culminated into a brochure where the trees are identified with a tour available. Second, she worked hard on the Rocky Mountain Botanic Gardens. Her lifelong dream is coming true! A year ago in December she made her presentation to the Board to get permission to do the Garden. The Botanical Garden needs tree mulch. Contact Garima to meet her at the Garden.

This Friday, January 10, is the pickup of Christmas trees, scrap metal and big block styrofoam. Have the items out on the curb with no trimmings by 8 a.m. The Lyons Volunteers prefer you fill out the form online so they know where to stop. http://www.123formbuilder.com/form-747799/Request-Help Thanks to the Lyons Volunteers. The Town suggests that since this is a free one-time service, that you consider making a donation to the Lyons Volunteers or the Lyons Redstone Museum.

The Parks and Recreation Commission will hold their monthly meeting this Monday, January 13, at 6 p.m., at the Old Depot building.

ACTIVITIES IN TOWN

Winter Wonderland Concert Series is in LaVern Johnson Park starting this Saturday, January 11, from 2 to 4 p.m. Bring your own mug for the hot cocoa, and there will be free ice skate rental and parking, and live music.

The Town has a monthly Herbal Healing Arts Class taught by a local certified clinical herbalist. The next one is January 18, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. There is a $15 fee and requires registration through the Town. Contact Lisa Ramsey for more information lramsey@townoflyons.com. 

The Lyons Regional Library is co-hosting with Wide Spaces Community Initiative free monthly Community Dinners and Storytelling on the third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m.  Bring your own plate, cup and utensils. Reserve your spot so they will have enough food to serve; call (303) 823-5165 or go to Facebook.

DEFINED MOTION (FORMERLY MAYAMA) Classes start dancing again this Monday.

WYLD STYLE is leaving the Boulder Junction corner with lots of “stuff” outside that they are giving away!

SUMMER CAMP: The Path Finders will host a kids summer camp. Stay tuned. And, don’t forget the summer history camp put on by the Redstone Museum.

FAMILY NEWS

We heard from Betsy Hubner and husband who has moved back to her home in Vermont. She says she misses us and sends Happy Holidays to all!

Visiting Steve and Monique Sawyer Lang was their daughter Maia of Phoenix, and grandson Bowie from North Carolina.

Emily and Nathan Schneider, children of Nick Schneider and Erica, visited them for Christmas.  Emily has graduated from Dartmouth and is working in Boston, MA. Nathan is a junior at Dartmouth. Their folks hosted a Christmas party in their honor.

The wedding of Amber England and Matt has been featured in the Rocky Mountain Reader.

Jim Bradshaw said he had some medical tests done recently; but he is glad to say that everything is better now.

Mallory, the granddaughter of Jerry and Debbie Tabor, had a bronchial condition requiring oxygen. She is better now.

Gary McCrumb is walking with just an adjustable ski pole now. Also, the infection seems to have cleared. He broke his leg in a motorcycle accident. 

Thanks to Robyn Sloan, who lives north of Lyons, for the entertainment. She has a camera posted to take pictures of mountain lions, deer, bear, or whatever is passing by.

GOOD OLD DAYS is scheduled for Saturday, June 27. The Lyons Historical Society announces the History Program at 1 p.m, honoring the Lyons pioneers, the 2020 High School graduates of pioneer families who have been in the Lyons area 40 years and more, the Class of 1970, who are celebrating their 50th Class Reunion, the Lyons High School Classes of the 00s, (1930, 1940, 1950, 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000). All alumni invited. 

WORTH NOTING. Keep your cats in the house. Over all, cats kill over an estimated 2.4 billion birds over the country in a year.

OBITUARY – ROBERT GENE MACK

This is a follow up of the full obituary that I wrote last week.

A Celebration of Life Service was held on Monday in Greeley for my last Classmate of our graduating Class of 1945, at the St. John’s Church of Christ, Greeley. He graduated with five girls (myself, Joan Kelly, Helen Archie, Marjorie Van Pelt and Betty Bay) from Lyons High School, and went to the service, then to Grinnell College, and then Yale Divinity School and became a United Church of Christ minister. He preached at Eaton, Evans, Collbran, and Longmont. He was married to Joanne (Mauch) for 60 years and had four children: Lisa, Sheila, Kevin and Scott and several grandchildren. He was uncle to Vince of Eaton, and Adam now of Huntington Beach, CA; who were all at his service. Farewell, Gene, almost the end of the Class of 1945! You will be sadly missed. The history of the Mack Family is on the Lyons Recorder Facebook page, and the Lyons History Facebook page, and the Pioneer Book.