Opinion: Where do people gather for friendships in Lyons (w/no alcohol)
EDITOR’S NOTES: Dionisia Hatz wrote a post in “Lyons Happenings” Facebook page, looking for ways to connect with people socially in Lyons — mainly without alcohol being a key factor of the location. –172 people–!! Yes that many! Clicked “LIKE” – and —190 people—had comments about how this is or might happen. Dionisia has now formed a group page on Facebook where people can “gather” and sort out ideas and suggestions and meet: CONSCIOUS LYONS, Gathering of Heart, Mind and Substance..
BELOW you will see (1) Dionisia’s initial posting, and (2) Holly Beck’s posting which lists THINGS TO DO in Lyons that alchohol is not a ‘main factor.’
I thought it would be beneficial for people to see the list, and discover new places to go and meet more potential friends in Lyons, so we are posting it here. ENJOY!
Posting on “Lyons Happenings” from Dionisia Hatz
Super vulnerable share here so please be nice…
I moved out West from NYC two years ago. As an extremely outgoing and friendly human since I was a wee one, I am accustomed to making and keeping a lot of friendships throughout my life. I left NY because I was craving the wide expanse of space and nature and epic mountains – and was eager to meet other people who didn’t want to party their lives away (yes, it’s true – NYers party hard, and they don’t ever stop.) So when I arrived in CO and had a brief stint in the Boulder area, I realized that the Boulder suburbia was not for me – I needed small town vibes steeped in nature. So I moved to Lyons – 10 minutes outside of town.
I’ve got quite a few friends here in Colorado – most live in Boulder and Denver – but I don’t want to spend all my time in my car driving to see them. I want to build a sense of community HERE, where I LIVE. As someone who does not frequent the bar scene, I’ve found it difficult to truly build connections with other like-minded folks in Lyons. It seems most people are married and with kids, so it makes it a challenge to create new friendships. Families and marriages require time and presence – I get it. But, surely, I can’t be the only 40-year old woman without kids who enjoys living in a small town… right? RIGHT?! (Maybe I am??!!)
I love living here. I love seeing elk right outside my door. I love going on walks and not seeing another soul on pristine snowy days. I love the quiet and the rushing wind and the velvet black diamond-studded skies. I love the sweet town festivities…
But I’m lonely as hell.
This is not ‘normal’ for me. I’ve attempted to get involved as much as I can, but nothing seems to ‘stick’. I chat people up at Moxie, I go to a weekly song circle, I went to all the shows at Planet Bluegrass last summer….
…and yet, everyone is just an acquaintance. I’m wondering if I need to pack my bags and move elsewhere, less isolated…I’m very much in the mindset of not blaming others for my situations and digging deep inside to figure out what I’m doing – but I keep coming up blank… I don’t know what I’m doing other than being friendly, warm and engaging. Maybe that’s the problem?
Living in suburbia or in Denver is not in my wheelhouse. And it pains me to think about moving again….
Any suggestions? Where do people gather in Lyons if they’re not into drinking? Where are the creators, the makers, the dancers, the singers, the drummers, the strummers?
Ideally, I’d have a crew of awesome men and women in their 30s-60s who enjoy going hiking together, having dinner parties, dancing, camping trips, making music, making art…etc. It doesn’t seem like it should be so hard…yet it is.
What am I missing??? (And if you’re still here reading, bless your heart and thank you).
IDEA: If anyone else is feeling this (it could also be winter SAD rearing it’s ugly head) – perhaps we have a biweekly coffee shop group hang? I’d be happy to coordinate.
Picture for traction (and to give you an idea of my vibe in a nutshell – happy, sparkly, inclusive and smiles galore…)
Thanks for taking the time…
Reply on “Lyons Happenings” from Holly Beck
NOTE: the response is broken down into categories for easy reading, vs. the “solid paragraph” that it was originally posted in. Holly follows each suggestion with the name of the person who runs it — you can check for them on Facebook, or search for their business name.
First of all I love that there are more comments than reactions to your post…Go LYONS. I haven’t read any of them so there might be some repeat suggestions here.
==Mayama for dancing, Nia, Yoga… Ali Kishiyama Jasmine Lok
==This time of year the live music scene slows down a bit but usually from late spring through late fall there are typically 5 nights of live music at at least 5 venues in town – MainStage, A-lodge, Pizza Bar 66, Sandstone Park, Oscar Blues and Diner Bar. That’s 6, oh, and quite often Spirit Hound Distillers. That’s 7 And dancing at all of them!
==Redstone Cyclery has a mountain bike riding group that goes out every Tuesday rain or shine, snow or mud. Dave Chase Jimi Alida
==The Pilates studio does a great Pilates program and other classes as well. Martina Mason
==As far as the art scene goes LYONS Arts and Humanities Commission LAHC has their finger on the pulse of that. I am an artist who lost my leather studio in the fire at 402 Main St and I would sometimes have workshops there. There might be other opportunities that I don’t know about. But reach out to LAHC. Cathleen Chrystal Decoster
==There are a lot of runners, walkers and hikers in town. Even bird watchers. I’m sure they would love to have you join. My knees are not allowing me to do much of that anymore after decades of running.
==LYONS even has Pickle Ball that meets 2-3 times per week when the weather permits. Mystie Brackett
==The Lyons Farmette offers classes in the summer, one I remember is cheese making. But there are so many others. Betsy Burton
==I found when I had my shop on Main it filled my bucket for socializing and meeting new people. It was fulfilling and it gave me my creative outlet.
==Oh I forgot to mention that on Tuesday evenings (I think) there is a bluegrass strumming/picking group that gets together to jam. It used to gather at Oscar Blues but not sure if that’s still accurate.
==There are also plenty of committees in town to volunteer on. All for great causes from the arts to the food pantry and everything in between. Dawn Weller
You are lucky to be in Lyons. It truly has a great group of people and a wide variety of activities and talents. Hang in there, stick around and weather the cold. Welcome to Lyons And feel free to reach out to me. You seem lovely and happy at heart. I would love to go on a walk with you.
GROUP FORMED on FACEBOOK: CONSCIOUS LYONS
This group is for those of us who want to find more ways to gather meaningfully, consciously and authentically. These events will either be substance-free or light on substances. Essentially, this is a way for Lyons to build community outside of the bar and party scene. You might be sober, sober curious, or not sober at all (but seeking more ways to connect with others that don’t involve drinking and other substances). Welcome!
FIRST MEET UP: Thursday, February 16, 2022, 10 a.m. at Moxie’s Coffee Shop in Lyons, 355 Main Street: == Hope to see some of you there! Would be great to have these biweekly. Come open and ready to connect, mingle and toss around ideas! EVERYONE is invited to host their own events and gatherings on here – I’d love for this to be a collaborative and co-created group.
See Lyons Recorder’s WEEKLY “THINGS TO DO” calendar which lists activities that are almost all “no alcohol” related… including arts, speakers, classes, workshops, and more. It has them listed by date, and includes some “deadlines,” like when art work is due for a show. Most include links. The majority are events in Lyons. (We do not list the many bands that perform each week; but have links to the venues).
