Christmas Week Events 2020
I am separating from my weekly column “NOTES from Your Editor,” all the news and the things happening in Lyons this Christmas week, for easy reference. ENJOY!
Remember to read “NOTES” each week for “TOWN NEWS”! And for deadlines, closures, and event dates, go to FLASH NEWS.
Did you know that there are more than a dozen world-wide holidays celebrated in December? Go to FLASH News for a list of them, and their dates. (Find out more about Kwanzaa, mark down the Winter Solstice and visit our Labyrinth, read about St. Christopher, who was the first Father Christmas, and more)
CHRISTMAS LIGHT CONTEST: The Chamber has a contest going on for who has the best Christmas lights decorations on their home or business. This is sponsored by Cemex, Gateway Realtor, and Town of Lyons. The deadline to register has passed. Now is the time to VOTE online until January 4. Go to the Chamber web page for more details. https://www.lyonschamber.org/let-it-glow = They even have a Griswold prize for the one with the most lights! The prizes of $50 to $500 depend on how many participate.
SUPER DUPER FOOD PANTY: This took place Wednesday, December 16. We will have a report on it in the “NOTES” column next week. Special thanks to Higher Grounds Ministries, Calvary Foothills Church, Laura Levy Coldwell Banker, Lyons Elementary, Lyons Middle/Senior High School, and more!” Super Duper Holiday Food Pantry is Wednesday! If extra-special holiday food (hams from Higher Ground Ministries, with even more from. We’ve heard Santa and his (real!) reindeer were there. Thanks to Morgane Daty for coordinating the whole day!
If you missed the Holiday Food Box, contact LEAF to see if you can pick one up next Wednesday, December 23, from 3 to 5 p.m. www.leafLyons.org See Photos of the event.
A COLORADO HEART(H) WARMING 2020 -VIRTUAL Program. If you loved the RAVE to the GRAVE performances, you will love this new fundraiser for the LEAF program. = Tune in on YouTube on Sunday, December 20 at 7 p.m.
Songs and Conversations About Navigating the Darkness and Light In These Times. Featuring Special Musical Guests: Daniel Rodriguez (Elephant Revival) and Emma Rose with Arthur Lee Land & Friends. LEAF’s Mental Health Therapist Cherie Maureaux (LPCC, NCC Registered Psychotherapist) will facilitate an intimate conversation with artists gathered by the Hearth fire, fueled by their songs and life experiences of 2020, to raise funds and awareness of LEAF’s Mental Wellness & Addiction Recovery program, along with tools to support the overall health of our creative community.
For more information please visit bit.ly/hearthwarming Scroll down on the page for the images.
HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING TREE: We will have a report on this in next week “NOTES” column. LEAF gave locals a chance to give a hoped-for holiday gift to someone who is struggling this year. In addition to three locations in town to pick up “names,” there were 69 names on a virtual web page that were picked up. The gifts will be delivered to people’s door on Saturday, December 19.
VICTORIAN CAROLERS: Ready for some Christmas Cheer: Bundle up and stop by the Stone Cup on FRIDAY, December 18 from 5:30 – 7 p.m, to hear an outdoor performance of the Victorian Carolers. This quartet will be singing traditional carols you know & love in four-part harmony. Masks and social distancing required. Order dinner online from www.JacarandaBoulder.com.
MAILING BOXES
POST OFFICE: Friday December 18th is the deadline for 1st class mail to arrive by Christmas. If you want to avoid the long lines, you can use the online postage program, which also prints your label, and you can just drop it off on a special counter inside the post office == The following alternative mailing companies were recommended by some people in Estes Park; but warning, if you’re using a non-USPS service, it may take an extra day or two, as some post office do those boxes last, if they are busy:
(1) www.USPS. Com
(2) www.pirateship.com
(3) PayPal – creating shipping labels. Does not have to be for paypal purchased. You are not limited to Priority like the USPS website is.
(4) UPS store, Estes Park, in Upper Stanley next to the pet Supply store. Fast moving line and friendly service. New owners. Also locations in Longmont and Boulder.
DON’T FORGET TO TIP YOUR MAIL CARRIER! Also your UPS or Fed-Ex driver; and your garage man. If you live in rural areas of Lyons, and you have a difficult driveway, or get a lot of boxes, it is a kind thank you for the year. There are guidelines as to how much you can legally give, and what is recommended. Basically for USPS mail carriers it is legally limited to gifts of $20 or less, and no cash. But you can use your discretion.
CHRISTMAS TREES for your home: I don’t know if they still have any, but this is what people are saying: Blue Ribbon Farms in Longmont “support local,” Home Depot, Whole Food in Boulder, Bee Farm on Hwy 36 “local,” a pop-up spot in Hygiene.
November 23 — January 6: Get Your Own Christmas Tree: Arapaho National Forest to offer Christmas tree cutting permits. Starting Nov. 23 through Jan. 6. This is a long “Sunday drive” opportunity for the whole family. (see link for info on October forest fires effects, and license.)
COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS TREE: The Town of Lyons has set up a couple of trees in LaVern M Johnson park to be “our community tree.” Bring a decoration and some string or twisters to attach it to the tree, and take a photo! (no need to pay for parking)
LYONS SCHOOL CHOIR WINTER CONERT: December 21, Monday, 7 p.m. = Thanks to everyone who contributed photos for the Virtual Choir Concert VIDEO! You won’t want to miss the little tribute to all the ways Lyons has come together this year. Watch out for the photos of health care support signs, thank you’s to firefighters, and more. “It shows how much this town has pulled together this year,” said Allison Zema, M.M., voice music and drama teacher. Here is a link to the Lyons Middle/Senior You-Tube page, as the video and link are not set up yet. https://www.youtube.com/user/LyonsmsSVVSD
ICE SKATING: The Town hopes to have the ice rink in LMJohnson Park ready for skating this coming weekend, December 19. Check their Recreation Dept. web page for updates. They are also working on the fire pit and lighting. Dress warm! https://www.townoflyons.com/591/Ice-Skating-at-LaVern-M-Johnson-Park (currently it still says “closed for the season; see you next year” — when that wording changes, you will know that it is current.) You can also check the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OfficialLyonsColorado/
DONATE PERSONAL HYGIENE ITEMS: The Town of Lyons has a Cookie Monster outside the Town Hall doorway. Drop off toiletries, and personal hygiene and beauty items, which will be donated to the needy. This will be available, at least, till the end of the year.
STROLL DOWN LYONS STREETS: Take a leisurely walk down Lyons downtown streets to soak in the beauty and joy of the Season. Several blocks are lit up, and some stores are cheerfully decorated, and trees dressed up in their Holiday finest. Sandstone Park has tall evergreens skirted with lights, and trees along the paths wrapped with bright colors. Wave hello to others enjoying the quiet evening in our delightful town.
======BUSINESSES++++++++
CHRISTMAS CARD: If you haven’t done so already, check out the nostalgic Victoria post cards that the Town’s Businesses are “sending” to all residents. Our “annual Lyons Recorder Christmas Greeting!”
SHOP YOUR LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES! You can also check out the article in last week’s edition that lists special Holiday gift items and discounts that storefronts in Lyons are offering. It’s a very fun list. Some have special December discounts, and others list unique gift items being offered.
ART & GIFT SHOPS: Who’s Open? == THIS week we have an ARTICLE about the struggling artists in town (including art/sculpture, musicians and performances). == In addition, we have information on all the art/gift stores IN LYONS, and if they are open, their hours, or those who are temporarily closed!
Town of Lyons Office will be closed December 24 and 25.
=======CHURCHES++++++++ Special Events
The River Church is excited to be able to present a Drive-Thru LIVE NATIVITY this Christmas! “We have live animals and all of the characters from the Christmas story! A FREE Hot Cocoa Drive-Thru to serve ‘all who really need a hot cup of cocoa!’ Everyone is welcome! Saturday December 19th & Sunday December 20th from 6 to 8:pm.
The Lyons Community Church will have their annual “Blue Christmas” service on Saturday, December 20. It will be online. It is specifically done to help those who are suffering with grief..and more.. during the holidays to have a safe place to worship. They anticipate having an outdoor brief candlelight service Christmas Eve; more details to follow.
—–CHURCH SERVICES—–
I have made a separate page for all Church Services. This includes all the December Christmas services. PLUS the normal weekly services happening around town. Did you know that the Foothills Calvary Baptist Church is now a non-denominational Christian church, and everyone is welcome? They have in-person services in their building on Foothills Highway (hwy 36) every Sunday.
======MINI-VACATION IN DENVER++++++++
What shall we call this? A “mini vacation”? A Colorado “stay-ca-tion”? A “break from COVID?” Since Lyons will not have a parade this year, the Christmas Bazaar is cancelled, and the fireworks is still being discussed by the Town Board, we wanted to feature a TRIP TO DENVER, where the entire downtown area will be lit up with beautiful lights… including a new “metal and lights” sparkling tree! — The list below also includes facts about the special Holiday outdoor displays at the ZOO, the BOTANIC GARDENS, and the PARADE OF LIGHTS changes. Since there will be no Stock Show this year, the lights downtown will stay on until January 24, which is the normal ending day for the Stock Show. For more activities taking place downtown (like the carriage rides and the German Christmas Market), go to: Downtowndenver‘s Winter in the City page.
