About town with LaVern Johnson
Well, another week gone by. Here it is the middle of June, been hot. Summer is here. This Sunday is Father’s Day, a day to thank and think of our fathers. All hard-working guys who have raised us, taught us, and hope we do well. If your father is still living, send him an email or call him.
My dad: I am named LaVern after my father, Bernie LaVern (who did not have the “e” at the end; however, as the years have passed, I find that the girl’s name LaVern has the “e”). He farmed from 1928 – 1962 where the Lyons High School now stands. He sold the land to the Town, and it later became the subdivisions of Lyons Valley Park and Lyons Estates. Lyons Park Estates and Stone Canyon were all homesteaded by my great-grandfather. John Reese, whose daughter, Bertha, married James A. McConnell, and then the land was passed down to my father. Lots of history. (I will be telling my history on Thursday, July 9, at 5:30 p.m. outside at the museum. Plan to attend and ask questions. Send questions for research to lavern921@aol.com.)
COVID-19 is an ongoing threat. It was dying out, but has spiked again in Boulder and in some states that have reopened too soon. Therefore, many of our stores and restaurants are still closed, or offering take-out and curbside services and requiring masks in all face-to-face interactions. Wear a mask and sit outside or go on Zoom to see friends and family. Senior citizens are especially vulnerable, so stay home and do not get the virus.
Howl: Join us howlers every night at 8, protesting the virus and thanking all essential workers. Come howl with us!
School news: Practice of school sports is now allowed. Games will be played this fall. Spectators possible.
Thanks to Anna Marie Strzyz and school staff for the super Lyons Pride annuals. Call 303-823-6631 if you did not get one.
High water: There is warning about the high water in the rivers. Stay away. It just takes a minute to be grabbed by the water and drowned.
Bears and lions: Several folks have seen a bear prowling around their yard, and mountain lions are close.
Watch out for rattlesnakes: One hiker and one dog have been bitten by a rattler recently. Beware.
Town Board: The BOT is determining if there is enough room to social distance for concerts in the park this summer, and will know more July 1 after new state guidelines come out.
Sad News: We are sad to announce that Ellen Hine and Gabry Cornell are closing Re-runs after eight years due to COVID-19 and health reasons. All the store’s proceeds benefitted the Lyons Community Foundation. They will be open Saturdays and Sundays through June 28. Thank you, ladies, for all your hard work over the years. We will miss you.
The Lyons Redstone Museum is closed until given permission by Boulder County and state guidelines. History research is available by calling 303-823-5271. The annual history program will be presented eventually to honor the 2020 graduates from pioneer families, as well as Mr./Mrs. Good Old Day (Rob Jones of Lyons Communications and Kathy Slauson, the longtime Lyons M/HS clerk; and Dorothy and Jim Pellouchoud of Stone Mountain Foods) and alumni of the classes of the “0”s. (All alumni events have been postponed until 2021; however, recognition will be this year.)
Historic preservation: You are invited to join the Historic Preservation Commission to enhance the history of Lyons and the surrounding area, to form a Historic District of Lyons, to save our older homes, to sponsor a bus tour of the area, and so on. If interested go to townoflyons.com for an application. (Seven members are needed and two have applied.)
Lyons historic district: Take a walking tour at https://theclio.com/tour/910 or pick up a brochure at the Town Hall or museum. The district was formed in 1979 and includes the older sandstone buildings that have not been altered. Good Lyons history.
Senior news: Thanks to the River Church for serving a take-out dinner each Monday during the pandemic. Starting in July they will serve once a month at the River Church. Meals provided by the County are available to seniors on Wednesdays and Fridays for pick-up at Walt Self at 11:30 a.m. Call to order the day before 303-441-1415. Cost is $3.
Senior walks are taking place on Wednesday mornings. Meet at Walt Self at 9 a.m.
Volunteers are needed at the Rocky Mountain Botanic Garden (on the river at Fourth and Prospect) on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday mornings from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Stop by and lend a hand.
Our thanks: to all the town musicians who are spreading cheer throughout the town (including for Gabry Cornell who has been ill). Much appreciated.
Tidbits:
The annual Apple Valley Art Fair and Crapfest is scheduled for August 1 at Todd and Becky Jacobson’s on Apple Valley Road.
Amy Reinholds and Caleb Roberts have arrived at their new home and new job in Santa Barbara, California. Good luck!
Tim Coombs, former mayor and antique dealer in Lyons, now has an antique shop at the Plaza in Las Vegas, New Mexico.
Daphne Goodwin, Lyons’ Postmaster, has returned from her vacation in Texas.
Farewell: to old-timer Vernon McNeill who is moving to Brookings, Oregon with his granddaughter, Jaimie, and family. Vernon and Betty McNeill moved to Lyons where he first worked in the quarries with his brother Harold, then at Beech Aircraft, and at Beech Aerospace. We thank them for the years they gave to Lyons and to school activities. Betty and Ruth Maurer baked pies for the Lions Club for thirty years. Vernon has been a member of the Lyons Lions Club for 60 years. Betty passed away last September. Their sons, Doug and Rob, have also passed. Their son Mike retired this year at age 70 in Hot Springs, South Dakota. Good luck to Vernon and family. We will truly miss them, and hope they stay in touch.
Happy birthday to: Zoe Rivera; Kirk Udovich, Kim HarrIson, Chick Glidewell, Vicki Dusel’s mom, Anya Epperly, Mark Rickman, Janet Freeman, Connie Burkhart, K. Maves, Rachel Brook Conroy, Faith Meyers, Tanya Epperly, Sarah Ryn Hart, Rebecca Salazar, Emma Simonsen, Craig Borie, Jennifer Hickman, and O.J. Pierce.
Twenty-seven years ago, Brayden Jueschke, son of Laura (Leiding) and Joseph Jueschke, received a heart transplant from a small lad who had drowned in the tub. Brayden is alive and well, able to work, drive, etc. A miracle for him, indeed. Happy Birthday, Brayden.
Happy anniversary to: Lyle and Kathy Morton (she attended Lyons schools) on their 50th wedding anniversary. They live west of Berthoud. Also to Kenny and Sandy Kerwin on their 30th anniversary.
Remembering: Frank Namesnik (dec’d) on his 80th birthday, by his family and friends.
With sympathy: to Kathy Caroll, whose father passed away.
Get well: to Jesse Fisher, now of New Mexico; and Taylor Maguire, who had leg surgery.
Congratulations to Taylor Hall, who has received her Teaching Certificate, to Jeff Levy for receiving a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, and to Jenny Fox Tabor who is now a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Birth: a baby girl, Zoe Cynthia, born to Ashley Ziegler.
