About town with LaVern Johnson

Another week gone by, and time goes by. May 7 was the 75th Anniversary of Germany surrendering toward the end of World War II. We remember that War where over 235,000 American troops died. Many boys left high school to go to the service. Jim Colt, Barry Thomas, and others were killed.

All had a wonderful Mother’s Day – good weather, family dinners, (we ate outside with the family, social distancing), and there were loads of wonderful messages on Facebook. It was heartening. We are glad everyone loves their mom.

There are more howls every night at 8 p.m., plus dogs, and horns. It gets our frustration out of our system. Come howl with us!  

They say COVID-19 will last for many months. Nine hundred and eighty seven people in the state have died; 55 in Boulder County, of which over 30 are from nursing homes. People are recovering and getting out of the hospital. It takes six to eight weeks to recuperate. We must keep our distance and not get it. However, they say a sneeze goes many feet. It is hard to stay away, so the best is to stay home.

Thanks to K.C. Groves who is going around town with her guitar in a wagon serenading folks. Very wonderful. We appreciate it. My song was “West Virginia.”  For a song, email: kcgroves@gmail.com.

Thanks to Chastidee Bolkovatz and children who decorated the Elementary School playground saying Thank You. It is nice. 

Thanks to Oskar Blues who opened last Friday and Saturday for takeouts and donated all sales to LEAF, raising over $4,000. After remodeling while closed, Oskar’s is now open for takeout orders at the north side of the building.  

A beauty shop is now open at 437 Broadway, next to Lyons Automotive.  Call Dani Macy at 970-744-2228 for an appointment.

Historic Commission: Applications are being solicited for folks interested in the history of Lyons. Seven commissioners are needed to serve to share the history of Lyons. Projects might include a historic district of older frame homes, a bus tour of the parks and trails, and a historic brochure. Contact  yjones@townoflyons.com. 

The museum is scheduled to open daily on June 1, but we are waiting to see if it is safe to be open and how much the budget cuts will be. Each of the staff have special projects they will be working on during the summer. 

The Parks and Recreation Commission held its monthly meeting by Zoom on Monday, with updates on flood recovery, park operations and projects, and community events. The Commission voted to ask the town to decline the Organic Weed Management Petition, which asks for no spray whatsoever. The Town asks that folks review the management plan now in place, with no spray in parks or playgrounds. The Commission determined the petition, if approved, would cost a lot more in staff time and spray. The vote will be held in November. Officers were re-elected: Ian Brighton-Chair; Chris Cope-Co-Chair; and Claudia Kean-Secretary.

For now, concerts in the park are still scheduled to start each Thursday from June 11 at 6:30 p.m. through August 13.

Lyons’ 43rd annual Good Old Day is scheduled for Saturday, June 27. The Town is determining what to have, and if it would be safe with masks. I suggest at least a concert in the park, with various Lyons bands playing, and a history program (as stated above) by the Lyons Historical Society. Stay tuned.

Nominations are being taken for Mr/Mrs Good Old Day to be honored during Lyons Good Old Day – folks who have given years of service to the Lyons Community.  So far nominees are:  Robert Jones of Lyons Cable; Kathy Slauson, secretary of the Lyons M\Sr High; and Dorothy & Jim Pellouchoud of Steamboat Mountain Foods, all retiring. If you have someone to nominate, send to lavern921@aol.com.
      
Schools: The Reading Challenge was an effort made for Pre-K through 12th grades to read 100,000 minutes, but they actually reached over 200,000 minutes. Overall winner was: Emma Bock, who read 27,151 minutes. The Elementary School top five readers are: Jones Quinn, Berit Larson, Tiernan Szalapski, Jasper Bolster, and Reagan Friedman. The top Middle School readers are: Emma Bock, Josie Gaines, Hannah Colson, Hadley Larson, and Simone Paterno. Top High School readers are: Aly Gantzer, Sophie Pike, Samantha Rickman, and Quin Gregg. The 147 students and staff who read 300+ minutes will be on the Wall of Fame. The 24 students and staff who read more than 2000 minutes will have their names on the Platinum Wall of Fame. The 7th grade was the leader in minutes with reading 50,896 minutes. Our Congratulations. 

The Senior Night video will be shown via livestream on Friday, May 22 at 7 p.m. Olivia Cope is the student speaker and Mr. Schafer is the staff speaker, chosen by the Senior class.

Graduation will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday July 25, with rehearsal on Wednesday, July 22 at 9:00 a.m. There will be social distancing and masks required.

You will enjoy the Class of 2020 yard signs with a banner for each graduate’s name and senior picture.

Eighth Grade Continuation will have a video to include student and staff speeches and a slideshow to be sent out May 20.

A high school awards recognition slideshow was emailed out May 13 in lieu of Lyons High School Awards Night. All awards will be included in a special senior booklet available at graduation.
            
The Lyons M/Sr High School is hosting a WebEx Prom this Saturday with virtual prom festivities this week. The High School Student Council members have been planning this prom event, including photo submissions, music voting, a trivia session, and selecting a Prom King and Queen.

Thanks to Nick Harkalis for sharing his tulips with several Lyons seniors on Mother’s Day. Beautiful.

Musicians Fund: Send donations to LEAF, Box 324, Lyons, CO to help our Lyons musicians who are shut out of venues due to the virus.

Tid bits: 
For a good history video on Longmont, go to Facebook-Longmont Museum . . .
Forest Bowlick (son of Sandy Burke; grandson of Marguerite Peoples) and his new bride, Katie Cowell, have purchased a home in Hadley, Massachusetts. Hi, Forest, from us all!
   
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: 
Morgan (Jueschke) Tangsley, Loretta (Hammans) Pederi, and Owen Mast (12 years old).

Marriage: Nikolas Gromicko and Helema Ploe on February 29th. Our Congratulations.

Congratulations to Emily Janik, who graduated this week from veterinary school.