About Town with LaVern Johnson
Here it is, another week gone by, and a snowy one. February is the worst winter month, they say. However, don’t forget Valentine’s Day.
And, remember, buy that box of chocolates for your loved one, which will get you in good graces. Mr. LaVerne used to sneak a big box of chocolates in my room on my typewriter and would listen to my surprise! That was truly sweet. Thank you, Mr. LaVerne, long gone since December 1997.
This Friday is special music at Oskar’s at 8:30. Stop by.
I hope everyone is reading the lyonsrecorder.org weekly. It is good. Lots of great news and pictures. Thanks to all who are putting in the effort to tell us the news. We are making one copy for reference and record in the Lyons Redstone Museum (takes a lot of ink, but worth it). Thanks to all.
SENIORS: Thanks to the Lyons Catholic Community for the delicious dinner and fortune cookies Monday evening, and to the Lyons Lions 4-H Club, who delivered lovely Valentines to each senior. Each had a lovely message, such as, “When you can’t see the Sunshine, Be the Sunshine.” This 4-H Club has been active in Lyons for three years and is directed by Andy Torres, mom to Maya Rooney. History of Lyons’ 4-H – one of the oldest organizations I know of. All three of us McConnell girls (Berene, LaVern, and Violet) were in 4-H in the 1930s & 40s. We were named the Lucky Four 4-H Club with Minnie Hutchinson and Roberta Lane as our leaders. We took sewing and baking at the same time, and when we got ready to go to the Fair, what a scramble with a wood/coal stove! This one year we got it all ready, took our entries down to the fair in a box to be judged. The next day, we went down to see what ribbons we got, and our items were not out! The box had been crammed under a table! Needless to say they had to rejudge. Another 4-H Story – I made a blue coat for my little neighbor, Margaret Perdue, which won Grand Champion, and I won a trip to the State Fair in Pueblo. I went by train, by myself–a real adventure. Now, instead of just cooking and sewing, they have very technical projects. Thank you 4-Hers, and thank you, Andy Torres, director.
Bursitis: Well, I am finally some better with bursitis, very painful in the hip, and still have to use the walker. I have found several people who have suffered with it in the hip, shoulder, elbow, knee–a very painful thing…OWWWWW! (Not really just old age, either.)
Check out the Lyons Regional Library – They are having a lot of various activities:
Art-4-Art trading cards, Saturday, February 15, 12:30pm
Library closed February 17 for Presidents Day
Baby Story time, Tuesday, February 18, 10:30am
All ages story time plus craft, Wednesday, February 19, 10:30am
Fun chess with Aaron Caplan, ages 6 – 14, Monday, February 24
Next Thursday, February 21, the Third Thursdays, a community event at the Library, with free dinner and Line Dancing at 6pm. Call 303-823-5165 to reserve your meal. Be sure to bring a plate, utensils and cup.
SCHOOL NEWS:
The Lyons Elementary and M\Sr Robotics teams competed in the Soaring Heights K-8 robotics tournament last weekend and placed third!
Booster Bingo every Sunday, 1-3pm at Longmont Bingo Alley, 640 Nineteenth Avenue, Longmont.
For school news, please consult lmshs.svvsd.org for the Middle/Senior High School, and lyonses.svvsd.org for the Elementary School.
Thursday, February 13, Brown Bag Series #2, which helps students learn about different professions and pathways to success. Dr. Matt Rooney, veterinarian, will be telling the dramatic story of Kizzie, a dog who had a two-inch-wide stick in his chest, missing his heart by half an inch. Held in the school library from 12:45-1:30pm.
Friday, February 14 and Monday, February 17: NO SCHOOL
The next Old Time Square Dance is scheduled for Saturday, March 7, at Oskar’s, from 7pm to 10pm. Everyone is welcome. All dances are taught. No experience, partner, special clothes, or special shoes are required. $5 – Kids; $10 – Adults; $25 – Family. Call 303-823-6322 for more information.
THANKS to the Town Parks & Recreation for providing the three Winter Wonderland Concerts with ice skating on Saturdays, with the Lyons Booster Club, the Lyons Community Foundation, and the MS\HS Band furnishing cocoa and cookies. Very enjoyable. The ice skating is good. Go down any time; take or rent skates (rentals available on weekends). The hockey players are enjoying games at night. Wonderful. Thank you.
THANKS to Cemex, an ongoing partner, for the check to LEAF of $5,000 to help them with their many causes. The only other donor at that level is Laura Levy. Much appreciated.
A large crowd enjoyed the art last Saturday – “The 20’s” Art Show at the Town Hall – as well as Larry Cohan’s paintings at the Lyons Regional Library. The shows are up for three months. Stop by.
A benefit for employee Cody Sciro was held at The Lyons Den last Sunday evening. Sciro was in a serious car accident and had no insurance. Stop by The Lyons Den and donate to this good and helpful cause.
Others: Gary McCrumb has been in the hospital with a broken/infected leg due to being hit while on his motorcycle, and Sonny Smith is recovering from another knee operation at Veteran’s Hospital. Get well soon.
Business: Welcome to Asa Firestone, new owner of the Aspen Leaf Motel.
Census Jobs are available ($18.50 – $20.50 an hour). Apply at: 2020census.gov/jobs
Needed – Someone to deliver Meals on Wheels on Wednesdays for two-three hours. Contact Eric Andresen at: andresen_eric@hotmail.com
We also need two individuals who will each volunteer once per month on Tuesday mornings. These volunteers will drive, with another volunteer, to Community Food Share and shop for our food pantry. Volunteers must be able to lift up to 50 pounds. Contact Debbie Tabor to learn more at foodpantry@leaflyons.org.
LEAF: Life Skills Classes will start Thursday, February 27, 10am-12:30pm weekly in the lower level at the Lyons Community Church. These group meetings are educational in nature with topics to include: enhancing relationship skills; asserting personal needs in positive ways; strengthening emotional intelligence and emotion regulation; learning mindfulness practices; and developing distress tolerance/conflict resolution skills.
Jedi School 2pm on Saturdays at Labyrinth. All Welcome – Fun for all! Membership $11/month, contact http://aminoapps.com/c/Jediball
Art Attack Roundtable at the 440 Gallery (formerly the Art Pharm) at 5pm on February 19, 26, and March 4. With John King, Daniel Strawn, and Cormick Lee Bowen.
Barn Wood: If you have barn wood laying around or a dilapidated building, call Chester White at 303-998-1151. He will come get it and make tables out of it. He will be located in the garage at 207 Evans Street (the property formerly owned by Dena and Gus Roe, who moved to Eden, Idaho).
The High Street Concert by the Blue Canyon Boys was fantastic and was sold out. A very popular band. Jason and family live here in Lyons. The next High Street Concert is March 14 with Take Down the Door. Tickets will be on sale next week at: www.highstreetconcerts.com.
The Parks & Recreation Commission held their monthly meeting on Monday, with Ian Brighton, President and Dave Cosgrove, Administrator. Topics were: Flood Recovery of St. Vrain River & Bohn Park – plans are to be open this summer; paving most of the Confluence area; and looking into the High Street and Red Gulch Road drainage. They will be making an effort to raise matching funds for the Fourth Street pedestrian bridge by applying for grants such as Safe Routes to School. The design is due this year, to start in 2021, and be done by March of 2022. The estimated cost of the bridge is $855,000, and with a $500,000 grant from Safe Routes, a $100,000 donation from a Parks friend in North Carolina, and other grants, the group anticipates they will need to raise $70,000. There is Hope!
Parks & Rec Projects: Martin Park and Apple Valley buyout land; trails in conjunction with Boulder County under consideration are: underpass at 36 and 66th under the tracks and bridge; a trail up Steamboat Mountain; a trail to Rabbit Mountain; South St. Vrain Road, Boulder Canal, Boulder/Lyons Highway.
The Parks & Rec Commission meets the second Monday of each month at 6pm at the Depot.
COMING EVENTS
March 14 – St. Patrick’s Day Run
May 3 – “Color Run” Fundraiser for the Lyons Community Foundation
May – Clean Up Day (date to be announced) – take your appliances, junk, old lumber, trash, to the town recycling center at water treatment plant. Stay tuned for more details.
May 25 – Outdoor Games
Vandalism is costing the town (every resident) large funds for tearing up the LaVern Park restrooms!!! What is the matter with some people?! Look in the mirror and look for someone with some sense – not vandals who do not care for their town. Please Shape Up!
