About Town with LaVern Johnson
Another week gone by. Spring is just around the corner. Some have jonquils blooming. Should be nice spring weather.
The Candidates’ Forum was well attended. Lots of questions about the town’s workings–afforable housing, businesses, transparency, sewer plant, utilities, and so on. On Tuesday April 7 we will elect for Mayor Jocelyn Farrell or Nick Angelo. And for Town Board: Robert Brakenridge, Gregory Lowell, Mark Browning, Wendy Miller, Kenyon Waugh, Hollie Rogin, and Mike Karavas.
Thanks to those who wish to serve on the Town Board helping the town operate for its citizens. We all love Lyons and want it to continue to be the best. Be sure to vote.
Summit Housing: A public hearing was held on Tuesday evening on the Summit housing development plan. There was a big crowd for the presentation by the developer. The development plan passed with 13 conditions. Most thought it will be a good project. This is a chance to bring housing to those who were flooded out in 2013.
A Safe Routes to School grant of $500,000 was accepted by the Town of Lyons with an anonymous donation of $100,0000 that will go a long way toward replacing the footbridge at Fourth and Evans.
Town commissions: Now is the time you can apply to serve on a Town commission or board. There are vacancies on the boards and commissions of Adjustments, Ecology, Economic Vitality, Housing and Human Services, Planning and Community Development, and Sustainable Futures. Each commission has seven members, with four in-town residents and three out-of-town residents. Get an online application to apply.
Coronavirus is spreading, more sick and dying. Stay out of crowds, wash your hands, don’t get close to those coughing. A real outbreak!
CDOT construction on US 36 will last through April 7, with the road entirely closed at mile marker 8.
This weekend:
Presentation by Dorje Dolma author of “Yak Girl: Growing up in the Remote Dolpo Region of Nepal.” Dorje lived at 13,000 feet in Nepal. She will speak about the centuries-old way of life in her isolated homeland. All invited. Lyons Regional Library, Friday, March 13 at 6 p.m.
Saturday, March 14: Lucky Lyons 5k & 10k races.
Saturday, March 14: High Street Concert at Rogers Hall featuring “Take Down the Door.” Order tickets at www.highstreetconcerts.com,
Garden in a box: Visit resource central.org/Gardens. $25 discount for Town of Lyons water utility customers.
Lyons seniors: The Lyons Community Church will serve this Monday, March 16th, at 5:30 p.m. at the Senior Center followed by Celtic music (wear your green).
RockyGrass tickets are available at The Stone Cup with locals’ price reduction; 3-day pass $171, one-day pass $76, and a $1 handling fee.
Old Time square dance: The next and last dance of the season is on Saturday, April 4 from 7-10 p.m. at Oskar Blues in Lyons. Pat Danscen calls with live old-time string band the Dry Ditch Riders (Dave Brown, Tim Newberger, Pat Carbone, Ellen Rosenberg, Dan Mitchell). Beginners welcome, all dances are taught, and no experience, partner, special clothing or shoes required. Add to your calendars, bring your friends and family and spread the word.
Fourth Thursday, March 26: Community Conversations – Mindfulness Program, 6:30 – 8 p.m. at Lyons Library. Combatting Loneliness.
Upcoming: Candace Shepherd’s Art Show at Edge Gallery, Denver, April 17 – May 3.
May 3: Colorado Fun Run/Walk/Roll – a fundraiser by the Lyons Community Foundation. There will be 2K and 5K courses with four stops along the way where willing participants will be showered with bright, vibrant powders. From 9 a.m. – noon. Chair is Lori Stott Lori.stott@gmail.com.
Saturday, June 27: Lyons’ Good Old Days honoring the class of 1970–their 50th year–and classes of 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973. Classes that graduated on the year of the 00’s are urged to gather your class and attend. Fun for all. Send your class members an e-mail. The day will consist of a 1 p.m. history program at Redstone Museum, tour of the museum, picnic at Meadow (LaVern M. Johnson Park) from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Music at Oskar Blues. (More events to be announced.)
Lyons M/S High School: Compliments to all the students from Principal Andrea Smith who says: “This week we are featuring Lyons by the numbers with 65 HS track athletes starting practice with Coach Roberts; 24 baseball players with Coach Rosales; 74 high school band students participating in a regional competition in Ft. Collins, 28 Science and Leadership students helping lead and mentor students at Lyons Elementary, 130 middle school students registering for track, 119 middle school students performing at the middle school band concert with Dr. Gregg and Ms. P., and 140 middle school students competing in a fun “Show your Strength” competition for Mindsets day.”
Lyons is featured in a statewide sports publication based on our team state qualifiers and all state athletes. Our Congratulations!
Birthdays: Debbie Simms, Brianna Hoyt, Conway Jacobs, Amy Moffitt, Mitch Simms, Arielle Hodgson (with surprise birthday party), Stacy Ward, James Medina, Tracy Garcia Roller, Ben Veltien, Shawn Flores, Monica Sowders (has moved to Lebanon, Tennessee and was in the tornado), Sara Boland, Shirley DeVeny, Bonnie Kohl (former English teacher).
Goodbye and farewell to: Dan and Jo Greenberg and their two daughters, who have moved out of Lyons. We will miss you.
Miriam Roberts has graduated from massage school.
Obituary:
Terry Wayne Parrish passed away February 25. He was born September 13, 1947 to Vaughn and Jean Parrish, whose parents owned the Parrish Ranch located just over the hill northeast of Lyons. He graduated from Fairview High School and helped operate the ranch which was a famous tourist area with RV camping, square dancing, and the like. Terry is survived by his wife, children, step children, and sister Kay of Arizona, and is predeceased by his brother Kim. Memorial Services were held Saturday at Howe Mortuary.
Glenna Jean Mathes, a longtime resident of the Lyons/Estes Park area, died Sunday, February 15 in Sun City West, Arizona. She was born to Leslie and Annie Long, and graduated with a degree in music education, teaching in Denver, Englewood, Loveland, and Allenspark. She married George A. (Lon) Havens and moved to Estes Park. Lon died in 1990, and she married George E. Mathes of Estes Park and Arizona. Glenna was predeceased by her parents, sister, both her husbands, stepson George R. Havens, and a step granddaughter. She is survived by her stepdaughter-in-law Sharon Havens of Sun City, AZ, stepson, George E. Mathes Jr and wife, Helen of Buffalo, Wyoming, niece and nephew, three step granddaughters and step grandsons. Private Graveside services will be held at Foothills Gardens of Memory Cemetery. Visit www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com to share condolences.
MARCH 12th — please note many of these concert and events are being cancelled due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), including activities at the Library. Call the venue before you come out.===That goes for all activities and group gatherings at the Walt Self SENIOR CENTER have been cancelled or altered. I will be writing a Special SENIOR NEWS column today with all the details. Stay safe. Keep your Distance. Wash your Hands. …………………..Kathleen Spring