Notes from your editor, September 17th

Here we are in Week three of the New Lyons Recorder! To think that in my WELCOME statement I thought the best we could do was two to three articles a week until we got “settled in”… well, thanks to our Wonderful World of Lyons Writers! we are back to the old Recorder’s “seven articles a week” already! What a warm feeling that gives me, to be embraced by 28 writers… on the sidelines, writing articles this month and future issues! I have often told people over the years that we have about 50 “art” artists living in Lyons, but I had no idea that we had at least 25 “artist” writers living in Lyons! I am so in awe and grateful.
So, let’s get started…

On the technical side, my Tech Wizard Clark Hodge and I have spent many hours working on the new layout to the Lyons Recorder, and we hope to reveal it in a week or two!  It will offer easy access to so many more options.

This past week, much of the buzz around town was about the Great 500 Year Flood of 2013, including photos and stories on Facebook.  Due to the restrictions on crowds gathering, there was not the annual Flood remembrance ceremony in town. Installing a sculpture symbolizing resurrection was the only physical event.  The sculptor who designed the piece has worked with PTS people, as detailed in the article, which includes photos.

I interviewed Town Administrator Victoria Simonsen about what has been done to restore the town from its devastation, and what is left on the list.  She gave a positive and hopeful report.  I think it will give you great pride in your town when you read it.  She calls it a silver lining to the terrible storm cloud.

We are all aware of the struggle that is taking place with our restaurants and stores, but the struggle experienced by local artists and musicians is mostly behind closed doors. Actually, it literally has been galleries with closed doors for them.  We are preparing two articles about their struggles in October; but in the meantime, this week, we have an article that brainstorms ideas on how the town and arts commission can help them; and, includes links to grants and art show submissions coming up shortly.

On a more fun side, our favorite astronomer Keith Gleason is back and writing a tongue-in-cheek article asking whether the old thought of comets predicting disasters might be true, considering we’ve had a rash of them this year! You won’t need a science degree to enjoy this journey across time.

I’m sure people will be surprised to hear that there will a live opening night for the Lyons Film Festival on September 25! They have worked with Lyons Den to offer the free event (limited to 50 people). The rest of the films will be streamed online for a fee.

Did you see the first cluster of yellow Aspens along highway 36 this week? The Autumn Equinox is next Monday, September 21, which signifies a time to pause and reflect on what you’ve done this year, and prepare for the winter months.  Our local holistic and natural health expert, Sara Hart, has written up some suggestions on topics for you to ponder. Did you know that she puts together little bags of herbs, etc. specifically for each season! You can also walk the Lyons Labyrinth at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 22.

I have posted Election debate dates in Flash News, and will post other significant election-related dates there till November.

By the way, we currently have 40,000 new cases of COVID-19 a day and 1,000 new deaths in the US. Our Colorado governor has extended the Mask wearing mandate to October 12. The National Institute of Health says that 97 percent of test results are now back within three days!

We had almost a two week break from the smoke and haze thanks to the snow storm and a shift in the Gulf Stream winds, but both the California and Colorado smoke is coming back today to Lyons. The Cameron fire is now at approximately 102,000 acres, and the temporary help from the snow is now done.

I’d like to close by asking my fellow Lyons Strong people to consider donating to the Red Cross or Salvation Army to help the West Coast and southern Gulf area. These great organizations helped us, and we can donate in memory of our Flood of 2013. Oregon has lost one million acres in one week, and thousands of homes destroyed. People are having terrible respiratory problems. Some California residents talk about having minutes to escape the fire. There have been five active named hurricanes already this season. And, prayers do help.
 
See you next week! Kathleen Spring, Your Editor

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