Redstone April/May 2024

BoCo Agency on Aging

BOULDER COUNTY – If you are an adult 60+ or their caregiver and have questions about services and supports available in the community to support someone to age well, the Boulder County Area Agency on Aging responds to the needs of older adults (60+) and their family and informal caregivers in our community.

They work with public and private partners to respond to each client’s unique needs. Most of their services are at no charge. There are no income eligibility requirements.

Stop by the Walt Self Center during office hours, Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., to meet one-on-one with Resource Specialist, Amy Shoffner, and learn about available resources. You can contact Amy at 720-766-8844 or ashoffner@bouldercounty.gov. Amy is also available every Tuesday from March 5 to May 28, 1:30 to 3 p.m., at the Lyons Library, Effie Banta Meeting Room, on a drop-in basis. Meetings are confidential and tailored to your needs.

Seicento Baroque Ensemble brings music of 17th century Italy to the Front Range

LYONS – A revolution in music more than 400 years ago still shapes the music you hear today. Seicento Baroque Ensemble, the Boulderbased group that brings music of the 17th and 18th centuries to the Front Range, will mark that revolution April 26 to 28 with Prima Melodia: Birth of the Baroque, a concert focused on the musical stylings of the Italian city states of Venice, Rome and Florence.

In those cities in the early 1600s, composers created works that emphasized melody and the human voice, in contrast to the polyphonic musical style favored during the Renaissance. That stylistic development – a lead melody supported by harmony and a prominent bass line – is still the primary format of today’s music, from classical to jazz to rock and roll. You can hear masterpieces by Claudio Monteverdi, Girolamo Frescobaldi, and others, led by Artistic Director Evanne Browne.

E DS T NE

Redstone stands with President Zelensky and the people in Ukraine

Flippin’ some fishes, they’re so delicious. Boulder resident John Williams spied this American White Pelican at Golden Ponds in Longmont playing with its food. The American White Pelican is one of the largest birds in North America and can be easily identified in flight by their big white bodies and black primary flight feathers.According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, these birds have a wingspan of up to 114 inches, compared to the California Condor’s wingspan of only 109 inches. And many people are shocked to see them here in Colorado. John is a retired Boulder High School teacher and has been coming to Lyons for many years to visit his parents. He will be hosting a night for bird photographers to share their work at Longmont Public Media on May 10 at 7 p.m. Email john.williams@longmontpublicmedia.org for details. And, thanks, John, for sharing this great image with us.

New Lyons Town Board is sworn in and ponders budgeting for sidewalk improvements

By Susan de Castro Redstone Review

LYONS – Municipal Judge Kristin Brown swore in six Town of Lyons Trustees and Mayor Hollie Rogin, who was voted in for a second term. The new trustees include Tanya Mercer Daty (serving a second term), Glen Delman (serving a second term), Greg Lowell (a former trustee), Mark Browning (a former trustee), David Hamrick (serving his first term), and Paula Stone Williams (serving a second term). Williams was elected to be the new Mayor Pro Tem.

Mayor Rogin appointed former Trustee Ted Elson along with Yves Nath to the Planning and Community Development Commission (PCDC). Former Trustees Jocelyn Farrell and Gregg Oetting chose not to run this term.

The board began a discussion on various methods to work on the public engagement process. The former board found itself standing in hot water when members of the community expressed a range of complaints concerning the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Boulder County over the town acquiring some county land that bordered Lyons. Some developers were eyeing the land for development and residents were concerned that they would be overrun with growth and would have no say in the matter due to the fact that most of the board’s conversations were held in executive sessions.

The former board then decided to leave the issue to the new board to decide on how best to engage with the public on important issues such as annexations, which have always been a hot button for the Lyons community – so hot in fact that years ago they created a five-acre rule in the Comprehensive Plan stating that any parcel of land five acres or

more to be annexed into the Town of Lyons has to go to a vote of the people, unless the parcel is already owned by the town. Some former boards tried to get rid of the five-acre rule, but so far, it still stands.

The board talked about various ways to engage the public in decision making. Trustee Hamrick suggested trying a variety of different things to see what would be most effective. Trustee Lowell suggested doing surveys and then holding a quarterly meeting of a few board members to discuss the results. Trustee Browning suggested that the town staff send out an e-Blast (group notification) to Lyons and Lyons-area people before each town board meeting with a link to the agenda for the upcoming meeting to let everyone know

what will be discussed at that meeting. The board then switched gears and discussed funding for adding new and repairing old sidewalks throughout the town, especially along those streets, roads and highways where there are no sidewalks. Tracy Sanders, Flood Recovery Dept., presented the study to the board.

The board had budgeted $245,000 for sidewalk improvements in 2024. The town recently completed a sidewalk assessment. In March the staff at Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) reached out to Lyons staff regarding the town’s upcoming transportation and safety related projects. The total cost estimate for phase one of the sidewalk project was estimated to be $4.7 million. Once this project was completed, nearly all of the town would have access to a sidewalk on at least one side of the street, greatly improving the overall network of sidewalks and safety for pedestrians.

the monitor behind the group.

Suicide rate in Lyons

I was shocked to read this sentence in Lory Barton’s article: “You may have heard that the Lyons community is experiencing a crisis related to deaths by suicide.”

I had not heard that.

I wonder if Ms. Barton can do the community a great service and talk about that a little more. No names, of course. But students? Old folks? Out-of-towners coming up to the mountains to kill themselves? What are the real numbers?

A crisis frequently becomes worse if shrouded in secrecy. Rumors and misinformation run rampant. Transparency might help with understanding and solutions.

The suicide rate in the United States is about 14 per 100,000 people, the suicide rate in Colorado is about 21 per 100,000 people. The Lyons population is a little more than 2,000. Statistically, we would sadly expect less than one suicide per year. Some actual data would help the community understand the problem.

Respectfully,

Elisabeth Sherwin, Allenspark

Response to Letter to the Editor

Dear Elizabeth,

I appreciate your concern about the alarming levels of suicide in our local community in the past year or so. The facts are, indeed, alarming and painful. Fortunately, Lyons Emergency & Assistance Fund (LEAF), the Town of Lyons, and others have been speaking about this matter since the trend became apparent a few months ago.

In addition to the article to which you refer, I wrote about this tragic situation in my January and February Redstone columns. LEAF has also sent out several communications to our stakeholders, provided frequent updates on our website, shared numerous social media posts over the past few months, and more.

We supported the first community-wide meeting back in January, and hosted a community-wide film screening and discussion in early March. In late March, we released a community needs assessment soliciting input around suicide and its prevention, community connection, therapeutic services, education and training, and barriers to service. As we digest the survey data, we’re assembling a team of stakeholders who are interested in learning more, helping others, and creating peer support opportunities. We would love to take your thoughts and opinions into account. Please visit our website at leaflyons.org; you’ll find a link to the survey in the upper right corner of the home page.

In addition to LEAF’s efforts both to communicate about this tragic concern and to begin implementing com-

munity-based suicide education and prevention programming, the Town of Lyons, along with other local organizations and individuals, have communicated frequently about this devastating issue and the many efforts we are undertaking together to get ahead of it.

I realize you may not receive LEAF’s or other Lyonsspecific communications on a regular basis. The Allenspark area is certainly within LEAF’s service area, and we welcome your contributions and involvement. If you would like to receive current information about the status of the solutions we’re working in collaboration with the community to implement, please send me an email at lory@leaflyons.org and I will be sure that you are included in future communications. I hope you will join us.

Finally, our Mental Health Task Force is hard at work formulating a response plan, and LEAF will roll out a robust series of services and opportunities, called Wellness Workshops, in the coming weeks. We intend to provide helpful workshops and connecting opportunities for just about everyone. As plans are put in place, you and anyone who is interested can find updates in local print publications, on LEAF’s website, via our social media, or through the occasional emails that we send to our stakeholders.

All my best, Lory Barton, LEAF’s Executive Director

Vintage Motors of Lyons closes its doors

I want to express my gratitude to your publication, the Redstone Review, for your article on my business when I opened in 2009, and subsequent articles too.

I am writing to let you know that I will be closing my business, Vintage Motors, located at the west end of Main Street (602 5th Ave.) over the next several weeks.

I have very much enjoyed being part of the Lyons community for the past 15 years. It has been my pleasure to get to know and to be of service to many of you and am very appreciative of all the support and patronage I’ve received; thank you.

My shop allowed me to share my passion for vintage cars, trucks and motorcycles but the best part has been the people I’ve met, the friendships made, and being part of such a wonderful and welcoming community.

We are selling our car-related memorabilia, artwork, signs, books, manuals, tools, equipment, furnishings, fixtures, etc.(and a last couple cars too), so please come by to say hello and to see if there is anything that may be of interest to you. With many thanks,

George Raffensperger

Vintage Motors of Lyons Colorado, 602 5th Ave. Lyons www.vintagemotorslyons.com

Redstone Review is hiring graphic designers

Redstone Review, Lyons’ monthly news and opinion publication, is looking for one or two graphic designers to join our staff. We are one of the few remaining publications to still be proudly supplying our content on paper. Positions for Ad Designer and for Page Designer/Production Manager are both opening soon. A solid working knowledge of CMYK print production is a must.

The Ad Designer works closely with our ad sales department, but selling space is not required for this position. Contact with our advertisers, most of them local, is often part of the job. Good creative chops in a small space is a plus.

The Page Designer/Production Manager must have excellent typesetting, photo retouching, and layout skills. Creating a properly constructed file for press and interfacing with our printer to deliver the file is the production part of the job.

These two people work very closely together, and, if interested, a single artist could be considered for both positions. Contact redstarnews5@gmail.com for more information on either or both.

“We had a fantastic experience working with Ian. We were looking for a property in the Estes Park area for our family to enjoy. It was a challenging task given our lower price range and specific requirements. Ian was always quick to respond, which gave us the opportunity to tour and make an offer fast on a new listing to beat out the competition. Ian worked diligently, thoughtfully, and hard on our behalf in what became a difficult transaction due to new damage discovered on final walkthrough and an uncooperative seller. We felt well looked after and represented during the entire process. We feel thankful to have closed on the perfect little cabin for our family and we definitely recommend Ian Phillips as a trusted realtor to work with!”

— Lynsey M.

As the former board finishes its work, a new board of trustees is installed

By Hollie Rogin, Mayor of Lyons Redstone Review

LYONS – Happy Spring, Lyons, and thank you for electing me to another two-year term as Mayor. I am honored and promise to continue working hard for the benefit of our community.

Congratulations to Greg Lowell and Mark Browning, both of whom served previously during the beginning of the Covid pandemic from 2020 to 2022; to David Hamrick, former Chair of the Planning and Community Development Commission; and to returning incumbent Trustees Paula Williams, Glen Delman, and Tanya Daty. We have a great team, and I anticipate accomplishing great things during this term.

I also want to take a moment thank 2022 to 2024 Trustees Gregg Oetting, Ted Elson, and Mayor Pro Tem Jocelyn Farrell. Trustee Oetting served on the Planning and Community Development Commission (PCDC) for eight years before stepping up as a trustee. He brought deep institutional knowledge, insightful questions, and new ideas to the board. As a trustee, he also served as liaison to the Utilities and Engineering Board and the Student Advisory Commission, as well as serving as my alternate Board Director to the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG).

Trustee Ted Elson served on the BoT with his trademark attention to detail, innovative and well timed ideas, and dedication to the wellbeing and sustainability of our community. As trustee, he served as liaison to many

boards and commissions, Ecology Advisory Board, the Sustainable Futures Commission, and the Economic Vitality Commission. Trustee Elson was always willing to step up and take on more responsibility for the benefit of our town. He will be missed on the board.

Mayor Pro Tem Jocelyn Farrell served as a trustee from 2018 to 2020, and then as a Commissioner on the PCDC, where she worked tirelessly to help spearhead the Lyons Thrive! Comprehensive Plan. After joining the Board of Trustees in 2022, she continued that work as PCDC liaison and Mayor Pro Tem. She brought an eagle eye for detail, incisive questions, and deep knowledge to the BoT. Both Trustee Oetting and Mayor Pro Tem Farrell have my deep gratitude for serving our community so selflessly and so well. If you see them around, please wish them the all the best. They deserve it.

As we did last term, the new board will spend some time early in our term identifying our goals and priorities for the next two years so that we can measure our performance. We’ll do this in a handful of workshops that are open to the public, and we welcome you to attend. They will be announced as soon as they are scheduled. The new board will also be identifying new opportunities for expanded public engagement. We welcome your ideas and thoughts. At the time of this writing, some options include: Quarterly town halls; Expanded social media presence and content; A text-based system for important announcements... and more.

In the meantime, there are many ways to get involved in local issues – joining a board or commission is a great way to make a difference in your community. There are several open-

ings, including on the Historic Preservation Commission, Ecology Advisory Board, the Utilities Engineering Board, and more. To view the openings and fill out a short application, go to https://www.townoflyons.com/180/Boards-Commissions. In addition, at the time of this writing, we have received a total of four applications for the IGA Task Force. If you are interested in joining this effort, please apply at: https://www.townoflyons.com/formcenter/boards-and-commissions-13/iga-taskforce-community-member-applicati-92.

Finally, I would be remiss to not congratulate our Congressman Joe Neguse on his election to the role of Assistant Democratic Leader to the U.S. House of Representatives. Congressman Neguse has consistently demonstrated his commitment to his entire district, including Lyons, since he’s been in office. In fact, the day after the windstorm this month, his office reached out to me personally to make sure Lyons was okay, and to see if we needed anything. It’s reassuring to know that he’s always ready and willing to advocate for Lyons at the Federal level, and that we have a true, dedicated public servant representing us in the House. Congratulations, Congressman Neguse.

Hollie Rogin was sworn in for a second term as Mayor of Lyons on April 15, 2024. Prior to that she was sworn on April 18, 2022 for her first term as mayor. Before that she was elected to serve on the Board of Trustees for the term of 2020 to 2022. In 2015, she created the foundation for what is now the City of Boulder’s Commercial Affordability program on a pro bono basis. While serving as a trustee, she was the board liaison to the Economic Vitality Commission and the Historic Preservation Commission.

Rep. Joe Neguse elected Assistant Democratic Leader of U.S. House of Reps

By Staff Reports Redstone Review

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On March 20, Congressman Joe Neguse (D) Colo. was elected to serve as the Assistant Democratic Leader in the United States House of Representatives.

The 39-year-old Colorado lawmaker was elected to succeed Rep. Jim Clyburn in the role, which was previously held in the 117th Congress by now Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (2021-2023) and in the 116th Congress by then-Rep. (and current U.S. Senator) Ben Ray Lujan (2019-2021).

Rep. Neguse, who represents Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District, is only the second Coloradan in state history to serve as a senior member of House leadership, and is the highest ranking Colorado lawmaker in Congress since the 1930s. Congressman Neguse will continue to bring geographical diversity to the senior leadership table as the sole non-coastal lawmaker.

“I’m thrilled to congratulate Congressman Neguse on this well-deserved promotion. Congressman Neguse has committed his life to public service and helped move Colorado and our country forward, whether it’s helping create new jobs in the region, expanding broadband access or fighting to protect our public lands and more. Joe’s leadership has already made a positive impact on our state and nation and in this new leadership position in Con-

gress he will be able to deliver even more for Colorado,” said Governor Jared Polis.

“Congressman Joe Neguse has been a dedicated member of House Leadership, most recently as the Chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, where he successfully led the messaging team for House Democrats. As Assistant Democratic Leader, he will be a critical partner in our efforts to move America forward, as he works to enhance House services and resources, amplify our work putting people over politics and provide valuable strategic assistance to our Caucus,” said Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

In a statement following the election, Neguse said: “Each and every day I’m

deeply honored and humbled to serve the people of the great state of Colorado, and I look forward to continuing to advocate on their behalf as Assistant Democratic Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives. As a proud Westerner, I’m committed to ensuring that the people of Colorado and throughout the Rocky Mountain West have a seat at the table, and will work in my new role to ensure the voices of folks across our country and from every corner of the Democratic Caucus are elevated, included, and heard.”

Neguse added, “I am deeply grateful to my colleagues for electing me to serve in this position, and as Assistant Democratic Leader, I look forward to assisting Leader

Hakeem Jeffries, Whip Katherine Clark, and Chairman Pete Aguilar as we continue to put people over politics and deliver real results for the American people. Together, we will work shoulder to shoulder to cut through the chaos created by House Republicans and make good on our promises to the American people. Now, more than ever, we must build a future our communities can believe in.”

The Colorado Congressman received national plaudits in 2021 for his work as an impeachment manager in the second impeachment trial of former President Trump. Since then, he’s used his platform to tackle issues of importance to families across Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West; most notably, leading the charge to confront the western wildfire crisis.

As the Chairman (and now Ranking Member) of the House Subcommittee on Federal Lands, Rep. Neguse prioritizes work to preserve public lands and restore America’s forests. He was ranked as the most effective lawmaker for public lands policy in the country, and one of the nation’s top three overall most effective lawmakers in the House.

And last year, the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation and the Institute of Politics at Harvard University honored Rep. Neguse with the “New Frontier Award” for his work to restore hope in democratic institutions.

Rogin

OPTIONS

Bighorn sheep represent Colorado’s strength and beauty

By Deborah Huth Price Redstone Review

LYONS – Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep were designated as Colorado’s state mammal by the General Assembly in 1961. These native animals are the largest wild sheep in North America. They help represent Colorado Parks and Wildlife on their logo, Colorado State University as the mascot, and serve as mascots for several other schools across the state. As mascots, they are usually referred to as rams, but it’s a good thing to remember that female bighorns – or ewes – also have spikelike horns.

In Rocky Mountain National Park, visitors are familiar with bighorns that visit the Sheep Lakes area. This herd comes down from the Mummy Range in late spring and early summer to take advantage of minerals found in the mud near the water. These mineral licks help restore important nutrient levels lost with winter diets.

To get to these lakes (ponds really), sheep have to cross busy Highway 34, which loops around through Horseshoe Park near the northern entrance to the park. Sheep tend to be a bit skittish – the presence of Bighorn Brigade volunteers helps to direct traffic as needed to help the sheep feel more comfortable in getting to this nutrient source. “The volunteers who educate visitors and help sheep cross the road are vital to the success of the bighorn population in Rocky Mountain National Park,” shared park ranger Jason Wolvington.

Bighorn sheep are powerful. Rams can

weigh 200 to 250 pounds, while ewes are a bit smaller. Horns remain with them their entire lives, but rams’ horns are much larger and grow into thick curls on each side of their head. Ram horns are not just beautiful – they are used to ram other males to gain mating rights to ewes. The bighorns’ skulls are thick and bony, designed to withstand impact.

Climbing straight up rock faces seems like an incredible feat, but bighorns are able to do this largely due to suction-cup type hooves that allow them a natural grip on slick surfaces. They also have excellent

hearing, a great sense of smell, and eye placement on the side of their heads to keep alert for predators.

According to the Rocky Mountain National Park website, bighorn sheep populations tabulated in 2004 estimated about 360 sheep in the park on both sides of the continental divide. Of this number, only about 60 are east of the divide, located in the Mummy Range, coming to Sheep Lakes in warmer months. The park estimates that about 1,000 sheep existed in the park at the time it was established in 1915. The numbers have gone up and

Lyons Redstone Museum opens for the 2024 season

By Monique Sawyer-Lang Redstone Review

LYONS – Spring is officially here, which means it’s time for the Lyons Redstone Museum to begin our 2024 season. We will open to the public on weekends in May and daily starting June 1; our hours are Sunday 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. and Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Housed in the town historic schoolhouse, the museum has exhibits on the town’s early history and its founder E.S. Lyon, the history of the railroad, town newspapers, Lyons schools, and more.

While visiting, be sure to browse our gift shop and used bookstore. Lots of unique treasures await you there. As always, admission is free and donations are sincerely appreciated. Visitor donations help fund exhibit development, maintenance of our collections and archives, and a variety of programming.

Spring is also a great time to get out and about in Lyons with two virtual walking tours that you can access on your phone. Learn the history behind the 15 sandstone buildings listed on the National Register for Historic Places on the Lyons Historic District walking tour (https://theclio.com/tour/910). Interested in learning the history of the Lyons Cemetery and the stories of some of those buried there? Go to https://virmuze.com/m/lyonsredstone-museum/.

One of two new exhibits making its debut this summer at the museum is the Mickey L. Hawkins display. Mickey Hawkins, a member of the Lyons High School Class of 1969, was killed in action in Vietnam on January 6, 1970. Included in the exhibit are the medals Hawkins was awarded for his service in the Marines, the letter of condolence from President Richard M. Nixon, a charcoal rubbing of his name from the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C., and color photographs of him in Vietnam that he sent to his family. A memorial bench was

dedicated to Mickey by the Class of 1969 last year and sits in front of the museum.

The second exhibit, slated to open later this summer, is an overview of the history of the Lyons sandstone industry. The exhibit focuses on the geology of the Lyons area, how the sandstone was quarried, and the many uses of sandstone around Lyons. The displays include tools, photographs, and documents from our collection illustrating the early days of the quarry industry. Two interactive activities will engage younger visitors. One asks visitors to locate and identify quarry tools in a historic photograph and the second, a hands-on geology activity, will challenge visitors to identify different types of rocks from the Lyons area.

May is when Lyons High School seniors will be graduating and heading out into the world. Did you know that Lyons did not have an official high school until 1924? Prior to that those wishing to go to school beyond the eighth grade had to travel to Longmont or Boulder.

Efforts had been made off and on over the early years to have high school classes. But, since there was not a dedicated building and students had to share classroom space with all the other grades in the four-room school building, it was not sustainable.

The first official Lyons High School graduating class in 1925 had four students: Robert Scanlon, Anna Jean Gordon, Dorothea Scanlon and Ruth Cunningham. In 1927 a separate high school building of local sandstone was erected to the east of the original school. The earliest high school yearbook the museum has in our collection dates to 1927. The ‘27 class consisted of John McFadden, Ordelle Breffle, William Kincaid, Francis Gibbons, and Beverly Spencer.

In January of 1975 the middle and high school students moved to a new building across town onto what was the original Reese/McConnell homestead. Then the 1927 high school building was torn down to make way for a new Lyons Elementary School.

May is also Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month. This presents a wonderful opportunity to seek out

down several times since then, most recently plummeting due to an outbreak of pneumonia.

Outside of the national park, many people are familiar with seeing bighorn sheep in the Big Thompson Canyon along Highway 34 between Estes Park and Loveland. The herd there is approximately 60 to 80 individuals and in good shape, according to Joe Halseth, wildlife biologist with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). While past years showed some signs of sheep in this herd with respiratory disease symptoms, Halseth said there is no current outbreak since lambs are present every winter, with no reported mortalities and no decrease in sub-herd numbers.

“This is one of the most heavily watched sheep herds in the state,” Halseth shares. “CPW does a coordinated count each winter to look at herd composition and the biologist and field staff are constantly keeping eyes on them.”

Halseth says the herd in the St. Vrain Canyon, along Highway 7, numbers about 40 to 50 individuals, and a subgroup along Highway 36, sometimes seen near Pinewood Springs, are from a transplant that occurred in 2008 or 2009. “In 2022, there was a disease-related mortality event that occurred in this herd,” says Halseth, adding that there are “currently fewer than the 20-plus sheep observed before this event.”

It’s always a good day when you have the opportunity to see bighorn sheep. As a majestic symbol of Colorado, they keep an eye on us as well, often from high above.

Deborah Huth Price is an environmental educator, living in Pinewood Springs. You can visit her blog at www.walk-the-wild-side.blog or email her at dhprice@comcast.net.

what other museums and history organizations in Boulder County are doing with tours, special events, and speakers. Most if not all events are free. Toward the end of April, more information on these additional activities can be found posted, on our website lyonsredstonemuseum.com, the Historic Boulder website, and the websites of the other local museums in Boulder County.

Take the opportunity to explore your Lyons history in 2024. We look forward to having you visit the Lyons Redstone Museum during our 45th season.

Monique Sawyer Lang is the Collections Manager of the Lyons Redstone Museum. She is also a volunteer with the Lyons Food Pantry and a former member/chair of the Lyons Community Foundation Board. She lives in Spring Gulch.

Sawyer-Lang

The Mickey L. Hawkins display is one of two new exhibits at the Lyons Redstone Museum. Mickey Hawkins, a member of the Lyons High School Class of 1969, was killed in action in Vietnam on January 6, 1970. A memorial bench sits in front of the museum.

CONTRAST

Boulder County terminates Cemex’s right to run major cement plant near Lyons

By Michael Booth, The Colorado Sun Redstone Review

LYONS – Boulder County regulators have terminated the controversial Cemex cement plant’s right to continue operating near Lyons, officials said in a letter to the company and a public announcement.

County planning officials said a major increase in truck traffic at the plant is a hazard to county residents and violates terms of the Cemex nonconforming use permit, which allows the industrial plant to operate in an agricultural zone. Cemex had warned they would have to truck in far more material after the Boulder County Commissioners declined to renew a permit for an onsite cement materials mine called the Dowe Flats Quarry.

Neighbors and county activists had complained to state and local officials about the increased truck traffic and sought an investigation, and the Boulder County Community Planning and Permitting Director Dale Case apparently agreed.

“The Director has determined that the right to continue the nonconforming cement plant use has terminated as a result of an increase in truck traffic since the closing of the Dowe Flats Quarry,” the letter to Cemex said. “Specifically … the Director has determined that this increase in truck traffic constitutes an enlargement or alteration of the nonconforming use which has the effect of creating a hazard or nuisance off the property, adversely affects the character of the neighborhood,” and has other impacts.

Boulder County officials said Cemex “has 30 days to provide evidence that the director’s determination was incorrect or reduce the enlargement of the cement plant use, or appeal the determination to the Boulder County Board of County Commissioners. Cemex will be able to operate its cement plant under current operating conditions until a final determination is made.”

Cemex on Thursday offered an e-mail response to the Boulder County move.

“Cemex is reviewing the notice issued by Boulder County’s Director of Community Planning and Permitting regarding the land use status of our Lyons Cement Plant and will respond within the next 30 days,” according to spokesperson Maryssa Silva. “Cemex will continue to operate the plant under current operating conditions, producing high-quality cement without disruption to our hard-working employees or our valued customers.

“The cement produced at the Lyons Plant by our more than 100 employees, including employees represented by the International Union of Operating Engineers, is a vital

construction material for building homes, roads, hospitals, businesses, schools and other infrastructure projects that improve safety, mobility and quality of life in Boulder County and throughout Colorado,” the statement said, echoing comments from employees and some community supporters made during public hearings over Cemex permitting.

County activists were ecstatic at news of the termination letter.

“This is huge,” said Sarah Lorang, who lives near the decades-old plant and helped organize one of the groups seeking to shut it down.

“This decision is a result of the complaint and investigation initiated by Good Neighbors of Lyons in January 2023, and supported by a petition signed by so many of you, as well as a letter signed by the mayors and many other elected officials in nearly every Boulder County municipality,” Sarah Lorang said. “While this is not exactly the end, this is the decision that we have been waiting on the edge of our seats for, and are relieved, to put it lightly.”

They have argued the plant is an anachronism in Boulder County right next to Lyons and popular open space, creating dust from cement making and traffic, and pumping large amounts of greenhouse gases into the air from its energy-intensive kiln.

“It’s time for them to move on,” Lorang said. “I hope

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they don’t drag this out in the courts unnecessarily.”

The plant and county officials unwittingly raised new rounds of opposition to the industrial site when Cemex proposed donating hundreds of acres to county open space in exchange for extending the mining permit.

Boulder County’s letter to Cemex said the company, a major international cement-maker, has three options: to provide evidence that the county’s traffic and other nonconforming use conclusions are wrong; to stop the enlarged uses of the property; or, file an appeal with the county commissioners.

This story was updated at 9 a.m. on April 12, 2024, with comments from Cemex.

Michael Booth is The Sun’s environment writer, and co-author of The Sun’s weekly climate and health newsletter The Temperature. He and John Ingold host the weekly SunUp podcast on The Temperature topics every Thursday. He is co-author with Jennifer Brown of the Colorado Book Award-winning food safety investigation “Eating Dangerously.” Booth was part of teams that won two Pulitzer Prizes for breaking news. He also writes frequently about inexplicable obsessions that include tamarisk, black-footed ferrets and tire fires. Booth also serves as the underpaid driver for four children, and plans to eventually hike every inch of Colorado.

Rocky Mountain Botanic Garden in Lyons.

Prima Melodia concerts are scheduled for:

• April 26, 7:30 p.m. in Denver at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1600 Grant Ave., with a live simulcast available online.

• April 27, 7:30 p.m. in Boulder at Mountain View United Methodist Church, 355 Ponca Place.

• April 28, 3 p.m. in Longmont at United Church of Christ Longmont, 1500 9th Ave.

Tickets range in price from $10 for students, $30 for general admission, and $50 for VIP seating. For info on tickets, go to seicentobaroque. org / current-season. Tickets also are available at the door. For more information, contact Seicento Artistic Director Evanne Browne at info@seicentobaroque.org or 720-772-1610.

Lyons celebrates Earth Days

LYONS – The Town of Lyons will be hosting an Earth Day event at Bohn Park on Sunday, April 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day will begin with a community river clean up, at Bohn Park from 9 to11 a.m.

There will be a concert by Jeff & Paige from 11 am to noon about all things earth related. We plan to have art activities for the kids as well as local booths and representatives providing fun and educational activities on how to live more sustainably, and a tour of the

On Monday, April 22, at 7 p.m., the Sustainable Future Commission will be presenting the movie Honeyland at the Lyons Regional Library as part of their sustainable earth educational series. Local resident Ben Rodman will be hosting a Q & A about beekeeping after the film. Ben has kept bees since 2011 and has provided colony rescue and removal services for several years. He has introduced several of our local beekeepers to the hobby via classes at the Lyons Farmette, contributed to citizen science projects such as NASA’s hive scale project, and has been active in local affairs and sustainability since moving to Lyons in 2000.

On Monday, April 29, at 7 p.m., the Ecology Advisory Board will present the PBS documentary, Western Water and Power. Sean Cronin, Executive Director of the St Vrain & Left Hand Water Conservancy District will host a Q & A after the film.

Drylands Agroecology Research to host a tree planting in Hygiene

LONGMONT– Earth Week Community Tree Planting will take place on Saturday April 20 and 27, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Metacarbon Farm Organic Farm, 4640 Hygiene Rd, Longmont. Join us in a pivotal moment of action and connection for our annual Community Tree Plantings.

Booth

Cemex’s cement plant on June 13, 2022, near Lyons. HUGH CAREY, THE COLORADO SUN

New or old? Replica or relic?

By Peter Butler Redstone Review

LYONS – There was a time, decades ago, that you would be in a waiting room somewhere in England: maybe the dentist or hairdresser. You were bored, but there was a desultory collection of low-brow reading matter strewn on the coffee table.

Foremost amongst this dross was the best-selling magazine called Punch. Not the boxing glove impact but the cackling character with the hooked nose from the Punch and Judy puppet show. Maybe indicative of disrespect and sarcasm. The editorial copy of Punch triggers not a single neuron of memory in this old head but the cartoons do. A funny on every page and enough to tickle a smirk until the sadist started drilling your teeth.

One of these images was a double panel of a car old and new. Imagine a classic open top automobile from about 1930, brand new and gleaming. But the driver had made slight contact with something, marring the paint. The occupants of the car are looking at the imperfection with furrowed brows and sucking their teeth in a collective heave of angst and bewilderment. The adjacent panel was of the same car later in its life as they blast through some thicket while the occupants throw back their heads and hoot with laughter.

What’s the difference? Same car, different sense of preciousness and value.

People love things when they are gleaming new but they also treasure things that developed a patina of age. The stuff in between? It’s just gnarly and ugly and not really sparking joy. In our house we have a piece of furniture that we inherited from family, a Welsh dresser made in about 1740. When it was crafted it would have been a pale creamy yellow color, but now it is the color of 80 percent dark chocolate. It has chunks missing, hundred-year-old botched repairs, warps and cracks. But it looks fabulous. Oozing with centuries of authenticity and real experience.

My parents gave me my first guitar when I was nine and a big Beatles fan. It was the onset of an impediment called G.A.S. –Guitar Acquisition Syndrome – an incurable affliction that affects many denizens of our small town. You know who you are. There are two sorts of guitar: the polished and shiny brand new issues and conversely the ancient, road-worn relics.

The dictionary defines relic as an ancient survivor. It’s a strange looking word that used to be a noun. But it has become a verb and also the inspiration for a whole industry of relicers relicing fake relics. Collectors really relish relic replicas and they created a thriving market. A half decent Les Paul guitar made in 1958, as played by your favorite rock star, will set you back enough to buy a nice house in Lyons. But

L. L. Boots find a fitting retirement

By Greg Lowell Redstone Review

LYONS – The water was cold as only November swamp water can be. And it was leaking into my boots at the start of a long day in the woods.

The water was seeping through pin holes where the rubber sole joined the leather uppers. The boots were on their third set of repairs, each replaced free under L.L. Bean’s ironclad warranty.

But it was now clear that after 44 years my L.L Bean Classic Hunting Shoes had made their last trip.

I got them one Christmas when I was 14 years old. (Yes, that’s right; I was in junior high with size 12 feet.) They were just the footwear for a kid who daydreamed of deep woods and Jack London adventures.

The original boots softened quickly and darkened to mahogany over the first years through hours of woods walking and snowshoeing across miles of winter. They had no insulation but were roomy enough for a pair or two of wool socks.

They held fast to frozen lake surfaces as I raced to haul in the fish running under the tipups. I wore them along trout streams and in canoes on cold spring days. They were seasoned with chain bar oil and sawdust from wood cutting. And they served as goal posts for many games of pond hockey.

But as Leon Leonwood Bean advertised,

it was hunting for which they were made. The flex of the leather uppers made for easy walking, and the naked inner soles let me feel the deceiving twig before it broke as I snuck up on that big buck that was surely over the next ridge.

But my wet feet demanded new boots, so when I returned home that day, I knew I would have to say goodbye to these boots that now looked like Otzi the Iceman might’ve worn them.

To the nearest L.L. Bean I went and headed for the shoe department.

I opted this time for insulation, but the basic boot was the same. I was startled by their newness. Could my original boots once have looked like this, with orangey leather, glistening rubber bottoms and gleaming eyelets?

The new boots fit perfectly and felt moccasin soft when I walked in them.

Back home, my new boots sat upright on the shelf, waiting for decades (I hope) of adventure and utility. Next to them, collapsed by wear and listing to one side were my old boots. In their lean they appeared to be whispering stories about hemlock swamps, cold winter days and blackflies to their successors.

When we made the decision to head for Colorado, I had to sort out a lifetime of accumulation, and I knew the old Bean boots wouldn’t be making the trip.

But no garbage can for them. They deserved better. These were just old boots –just worn leather and bald rubber no longer stitched tightly together. But so

the relic industry will sell you a convincing facsimile for only the price of a small car.

There’s a famous story about Jimi Hendrix. He was supposedly sitting in a bar when some wit approached him and asked “So what’s it like to be the best guitarist in the world” and he replied “I don’t know –you better ask Rory Gallagher.” The Irish rock guitarist was famous for raucous blues that he squeezed from his battered 1961 Fender Stratocaster guitar. He had bought it in 1963 for the equivalent of $300 and played it relentlessly until it looked as if it

had been used for shoveling rocks. The once shiny sunburst varnish on the body eventually only occupied about 10 percent of the wooden surface. But now you lucky Rory fans, the Fender Custom Shop has come to your pitiful rescue and offers a copy.

I just checked on eBay and there is one available for only $4,500. Gibson guitars have a similar facility fueled by their specialist department called Murphy Labs. You can buy a Randy Rhoads relic where every tiny striation of finish checking, a crazing similar to that on Old Master oil paintings, has been meticulously inscribed into the finish with a razor blade and then darkened with dye.

I have to confess to this sort of activity myself. I made a perfectly fine and pretty Telecaster body and then kicked it around the garage concrete pad until it looked bruised. Somehow it never had that Rory magic. It’s not just the appearance of damage, it more like damage that has been repaired and loved back to something beautiful. Decades of sweat and abrasion are hard to fake.

Many of us who contribute to this publication are relics of our glory years. Maybe that is why the Redstone Review is so precious.

Peter Butler was born in India and lived in a house facing a giant kapok tree. Growing up in England there were trees but never quite enough. After qualifying as biochemist there was a gradual evolution into being a graphic designer. He and his wife Deirdre moved to the States in 1997 and to Lyons in 2000. Finally there are enough trees.

much of my outdoor life was spent wearing them and the thought of them buried in a landfill didn’t seem right. So, I took the old boots in hand and walked out into the woods. I found the big beech tree I was looking for. There’s no prettier or dramatic tree in New England woods than one of these ghostly gray giants.

I stood beneath it and knotted the boot lacings together. I walked back a few yards, picked out a likely branch, took a few practice swings, then heaved them like a bolo high and far.

They hit several small branches, dropped, then finally caught on a lateral about 30 feet up. They swung briefly and then were still.

The lacings are stout, and the boots are caught solid on the branch; they’re not falling down anytime soon. By the time they do, I’m hoping a porcupine will have chewed the salty leather or a blue jay screeched at their unlikely intrusion.

I’m two thousand miles away, but I like to think of them swinging in the autumn yellow of the beech or dusted with winter snow and that big buck, who never was over the next ridge, passing by under them.

Greg Lowell was elected to a two-year term on the Lyons Board of Trustees on April 2, this year. Two years ago, he served as a trustee and he served as the chair of the Ecology Advisory Board.

Lowell Butler

Rory Gallagher and his famously beat up 1961 Fender Stratocaster guitar.

Keeping up with technology

By John Gierach Redstone Review

LYONS – Our power went out, along with that of thousands of others in the region, during that big windstorm a couple of weeks ago. When the lights gave a warning blink at about six in the evening, I got out the lantern and headlamps so that when it went out and stayed out around ten o’clock, we could light our way to bed.

When the power was still down the next morning, I made stovetop coffee in my old campfire-blackened, stainless-steel percolator, started a fire in the wood stove to warm up the house and fired up the generator so my wife Susan and I could keep working on our computers.

We’re both writers who work from home, an arrangement that could be fraught with conflicts and annoyances, but that we’ve somehow made work for 30-some years and counting. I need relative silence when I work and I get it in my downstairs office, where I also have my own wood stove for heat. After years of working in loud and crowded newspaper newsrooms, Susan craves the distraction of background noise and when the power is out we have a radio that works on batteries so she can still have NPR muttering in the background.

Of course, it’s inconvenient. There are orange extension cords snaking around the house that you can trip over if you’re not careful, to run one appliance you have to unplug another, the generator itself can run out of gas and needs periodic attention, headlamps gradually go dim and need fresh batteries and so on,

So, it’s not an elegant system, but it is a system and it’s necessary because our power here goes out multiple times a year and never at a convenient time. I’ve joked that when you join this rural electric association they should supply you with a 3600-watt generator, two 60-foot exten-

sion cords and two five-gallon gas cans. They could buy the stuff in bulk and give customers a screaming deal.

The power came back on some 20 hours later, which was sooner than I’d expected given how many tree branches I saw lying against power lines. One good thing about the electricity failing so regularly here is that the crews that go out to put things right get a lot of practice, so they’re pretty damned efficient. So now the clocks are reset, the extension cords are stowed and

when things go wrong – and it’s in the nature of things in general to go wrong on a weekly if not a daily basis – you find yourself at the mercy of either bureaucrats or technicians. Admittedly, there are some good ones, but most have perfected the skill of fulfilling the basic requirements of their jobs to the extent that they can continue to collect a paycheck without ever quite addressing the problem at hand.

Case in point: Susan’s cell phone abruptly stopped working while she was traveling in Vietnam recently. The short version of the story is that she’s now spent something like six weeks, gone through

all that’s left to do is siphon the gas from the generator so I can store it with an empty tank. Oh yeah, and I’ll check and refill the oil before I put it away. That’s a chore I might not remember to do in the heat of the moment the next time the house goes dark. Was it all a fun little adventure? No, I wouldn’t put it that way, but it was satisfying for once to have something go wrong that we could deal with ourselves, getting the job done after a fashion while enjoying a sense of basic self-reliance.

That’s not usually the case. Usually

multiple customer service people (each with a different solution that didn’t work) one new phone that also didn’t work with another new phone that arrived today and continues to give the same error message. And of course, she’s still expected to pay her monthly bill for a service she’s not getting. It would be one thing if things like this were unique and only happened occasionally, but they’re ubiquitous. I won’t bore you with the details, but I currently have two things in the works that were supposed to make life more convenient, but that in fact don’t work, thereby making life

Kids learn diversity through art, Pajama Party, Earth Day films at the Lyons Library

By Kara Bauman Redstone Review

LYONS – As the seasons change, so too do the offerings of the Lyons Community Library, your local hub for connecting and engaging. Whether you’re a parent planning for your child’s future, a teen looking for some Friday evening fun, or a family eager to explore the wonders of the natural world, we have something for everyone.

Drawing Differences

We invite children ages 8 to 11 to an inspiring threepart series aimed at celebrating human diversity. Through exercises in drawing different skin colors, hair textures, and facial features, we’ll expand the common notion of which skin colors and features are considered “normal,” “beautiful,” and “worthy.” Each week will focus on a different affirmation while participants use materials to create portraits and learn to notice the differences that make us all unique. Drawing Differences was created by art educators Paula Liz, Libya Doman, and Khadesia Latimer in collaboration with EmbraceRace. This workshop will be held on Wednesday, April 17, 24, and May 1 from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. Registration is required and space is limited.

Teen Pajama Party and Game Night

Calling all tweens and teens in grades 6 to 12 for an evening unwinding with friends. Hosted by the Teen Advisory Board, this laid-back evening promises fun-filled

rotations of board games, delicious pizza and refreshing drinks. Don your jammies and join us on Friday, April 19 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Financial Literacy Series: Saving for College

Parents, are you concerned about paying for your child’s future education? Join us on Tuesday, April 23 at 6 p.m. for an informative session on saving for college presented by the Association of Financial Educators. In this workshop, we will delve into essential topics including whether it’s too early or late to start saving for college, maximizing savings, types of college savings accounts, estimating tu-

less convenient and more time-consuming. And everyone I talk to has the same problem: some glitch in some system that takes precious time and attention away from their lives, livelihoods and the things that make them happy, thereby contributing to a low-grade, but universal cynicism that penetrates everything from our politics to our personal lives.

They say it’s a convenient fantasy to believe that once, not that long ago, there was a golden age when everything worked, but in fact, in the late 1950s and early 1960s when I became fully cognizant of the workings of the world I lived in, fewer things malfunctioned simply because we had fewer things. A comfortable family of four like mine had one telephone attached to the kitchen wall, one car that Dad drove to work every morning, one radio –also in the kitchen – and, in the late 1950s when they got cheap enough, one black and white TV that got three channels and went off the air at midnight.

I now have a hundred times more electronic capacity in my pocket than we had in the whole house back then, although how useful it is remains an unanswered question. I do rely on Google Maps from time to time, but when the cell phone goes all sideways, as cell phones do from time to time, I can still read a road map and even retain the antique skill of properly refolding one.

But it doesn’t matter because we’re in it now and there’s no going back and no manual override. Trust me, because I’ve tried. I once naively thought I could pick and choose from technology; adopting what was useful and ignoring the rest, but no dice. I mothballed the typewriter and got a computer when the editors I worked for would only accept manuscripts electronically. I got a cell phone shortly after that one creepy night when all the pay phones vanished without explanation, and so on. Keeping up is now a requirement if you want to function in the real world, which I still do, even if it’s against my better judgement. The trick is to not lose sight of your actual life amid all the electronic clutter.

ition, and exploring financial aid options.

Our speaker from AFE, a nationwide 501(c)(3) educational bureau, will provide expert guidance to empower you to make informed decisions about your child’s higher education. Whether your child is just starting school or approaching college age, it’s never too soon to start planning for their bright future.

Earth Day film series

Join us as we team up with the town’s Sustainable Futures Commission and Ecology Advisory Board for a film series related to Earth Day. On April 22 at 7 p.m. we will show Honeyland, a 2019 documentary that follows the last female bee-hunter in Europe who must save her bees when a family of nomadic beekeepers invades her land and threatens her livelihood. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with local beekeeper Ben Rodman.

On April 29 at 7 p.m. we will show Western Water – and Power, a PBS production detailing the urgent struggle every generation of Coloradan faces to control the fleeting resource that is water in the West. Sean Cronin, Executive Director for the St. Vrain and Lefthand Water Conservancy District, will be on hand for lively discussion.

Baby Chicks

Baby chicks are coming to the library and we invite you to join us this spring as we incubate, candle, and hatch chicken eggs over three short weeks. This is a great way for preschool and elementary-age children to observe the development of life while experiencing hands-on learning.

On April 30, we will watch as

Gierach

Bauman

Drawing Differences series for kids 8 to 11 explores human diversity through art.

CORNERSTONE

Mountain Blooms Garden Tour is back

By Sandy Spellman Redstone Review

LYONS – Mark your calendar for the Lyons Garden Club’s fourth annual Mountain Blooms Garden Tour on Saturday, June 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Spring is here and for gardeners, it’s the time of year to consider what annuals and veggies we want to plant.

It’s also the time to start tending to our perennials. The glorious colors of crocuses, daffodils, tulips and hyacinths are showing up in our otherwise winter-brown landscape. Bleeding hearts, irises and peonies are poking up. Maybe the garden needs a fresh application of compost and mulch. Have you planted your peas yet? And before you know it, the weeds will be demanding your attention, too. Remember to allow your dandelions to flourish. They are one of spring’s earliest sources of nourishment for pollinators.

Maybe you aren’t sure what’s needed in your garden and when. Maybe you question what to plant for our local conditions (which can be very different depending on whether you are gardening in-town or at higher elevations). Sharing gardening

knowledge is one of the many reasons to attend the garden tour. You can see what other gardeners are growing and get answers to your gardening questions from people who are more than happy to share what they have learned and are continuing to learn.

A perennial favorite, this year’s garden tour has been planned to allow for plenty of time to soak up each garden’s features, to ask questions, get inspiration and share tips. The tour will also include a visit to one of Lyon’s treasures – the Clarifier – an opportunity to linger and appreciate the efforts of over one hundred local folks of all ages who created ceramic pieces and/or installed the thousands of mosaic elements over the course of several years.

The Lyons Garden Club Garden Tour is always well attended. So, be sure to request your spot soon. To order tickets or for more information about the garden club, go to LyonsGardenClub.com. Tickets will also be available at Sandstone Park on the day of the tour starting at 8 a.m. You’ll also see on our website the projects we plant and maintain around Lyons. And we welcome new members.

There is no cost to attend the tour. However donations to the Lyons Garden

Club are greatly appreciated. The garden club is seeking sponsors for the tour from individuals and businesses in Lyons. Sponsors will be featured on our garden club website, as well as on flyers, advertisements, publicity and articles. Check out our website for additional information about sponsoring the tour.

And be sure to join in Lyons’ Earth Day celebration in Bohn Park on Sunday, April

LCF is springing into the warm weather events season

By Kate Schnepel Redstone Review

LYONS – Although unreliable when it comes to weather along the Front Range (where any given day might bring sunshine, snow, or 80 m.p.h. winds), spring is reliably a time when the Lyons Community Foundation team starts moving into special events mode. Whether it’s planning the Hootenanny, strategizing around the Sandstone Summer Concert Series, or serving Bloody Marys at the Planet Bluegrass Easter Celebration, our volunteers are currently dedicating significant time and energy to events.

Whether we’re participating in someone else’s event, or hosting our own, there are several reasons why special events are so, well, special to us at LCF. First, they are a great way to connect with our community and spread the word about the things we do to help make Lyons a vibrant place to live. Second, events allow us to raise funds to support our grants to nonprofits and the college scholarships we give out to local students. Finally, despite the work involved, events are often just plain fun. If you attended the Planet Bluegrass

Maddy Dunn, Margot

Easter Celebration last month, you may have interacted with our hardworking volunteers. We had a full team behind the bar inside the Wildflower Pavilion, serving up tasty cocktails, as well as several hearty souls staffing our baked goods tent outside in the chilly weather. Thank you to everyone who volunteered your time, and thanks as well to those of you who enjoyed our offerings.

We are especially grateful to Planet Bluegrass, which generously gave us the opportunity to bring in donations during the event. Between bar proceeds, and donations at our baked goods tent, we raised nearly $1,500 in just a few hours!

Next on our special events docket is the Sandstone Summer Concert Series, which offers a free weekly concert in Sandstone Park June through August. Every week, you’ll find our team staffing the blue tent in the back of the park, serving up popcorn, drinks, and tasty snacks. We also “pass the boot” during intermission, seeking donations. Thanks in advance for your support, which makes the concert series possible via a grant LCF gives to the Town of Lyons.

On Sunday, August 25, 2024, LEAF and LCF will be joining forces to bring you the

So much to share while coming together

By Lory Barton Redstone Review

LYONS – I’m writing with an update of the many good endeavors we’re undertaking these days at LEAF, Lyons Emergency & Assistance Fund. Last month, I shared that 50 people had attended our screening of The Paradise Paradox. If you recall, we used that event to launch a community discussion and plan around suicide prevention and education. Since then, we deployed a Community Needs Assessment, hoping that the feedback received could guide and inform next steps as we consider together how to best support people in the greater Lyons area. I’m happy to report that our community did not disappoint. Survey engagement has been high and feedback robust, with well over 50 responses received to date. We are still collecting data and eager to hear from as many people as possible. If you would like to participate, you’ll find the

anonymous survey at the upper right corner of our homepage at LEAFlyons.org. It takes less than ten minutes to complete. In addition to the anonymous survey responses, we have heard from many of you more personally. Please trust me when I say we are taking all of the feedback and data and using it to create some innovative opportunities in Lyons over the coming months.

Briefly, here is what we have learned:

We all continue to be greatly concerned by the recent suicides and all of the pain that people are experiencing in our community. Our team is finalizing plans for trainings around suicide education and prevention. We expect to offer these in the next few weeks, so stay tuned.

While there is need for many kinds of services, the top three requests are for substance use recovery, depression / anxiety management, and family strengthening / parenting support.

There have also been many requests for ways to connect and build relationships, in community, through healthy

21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Lyons Garden Club will be there with vegetable and flower seedlings to share, as well as seeds, soil and biodegradable starter containers for kiddos and adults to plant and take home. We hope to see you there.

Happy spring. Happy gardening.

Sandy Spellman is a member of the Lyons Garden Club.

Fourth Annual Hootenanny. This community fundraiser is now a summer tradition, with live music, a silent auction, a rubber ducky race, a kids’ zone, and more. The event will once again be held on the beautiful grounds of River Bend, thanks to the generosity of new owners Sarah and Chris Legh.

Although the Hootenanny doesn’t happen until late August, our volunteers started working on the event in March, and will be working on it through midSeptember. That’s six-plus months of work, for one seriously fun five-hour event. Thank you, volunteers.

To make this year’s Hootenanny successful, we will need community support in the form of corporate sponsors as well as donations of items/services for our silent auction. Corporate sponsorships range from $250 to $2500+ and include logo/name exposure for your business, and silent auction items can be physical items, services like gift cards for haircuts, massages, etc., or even stays in a vacation rental.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, or donating something for our silent auction, please get in touch with us at info@lyonscf.org. To volunteer at any of our upcoming events, please visit https://www.lyonscf.org/volunteer.html and fill out the volunteer interest form.

channels. Some are hesitant to seek mental health care due to concerns around confidentiality. Others are not sure if they qualify for Mental Wellness and Addiction Recovery service at LEAF. We will be unpacking all of this, and communicating the response plan, in the coming weeks and months.

Briefly, here is what we are doing:

LEAF is planning a “summer sampler” of Wellness Workshops that we’re calling The Front Porch. There will be something for everyone, everyone is welcome, and it’s all free. Think workshops like nature wellness, Strengthening Families, Enneagram, Gardening as Self Care, jewelry making, art for kids and art for adults, sober art experiences, ephemeral art, drawing, dog walking, sober sing-along, aging support workshops, managing chronic pain, mindfulness meditation, journaling, yoga (with goats?), equine opportunities, nutrition for mental health, Mocktail Mondays, and more. We’ve assembled a team of local folks who are eager and qualified to build fun and healthy community with you, through LEAF, this summer. Many folks are working hard to bring The Front Porch to each of you, and I hope you will plan to engage and enjoy

PHOTO BY GAUTAM BHAN

Anacker, and Vivien Adams enjoy the Easter egg hunt at Planet Bluegrass

Barton

Soaring Bird

By Sally King Redstone Review

They say that two artists shouldn’t be married And maybe it’s not the easiest combo

Both stretched into something new A collaborative venture.

Making Kinetic Sculpture is a second career for John

That he began in his fifties

But which really took off when he was sixty-four. It’s been ten big years with at least fifty pieces

In public municipalities, mostly in the Front Range

But there is one in China, too.

He recently installed “The Soaring Bird” Commemorating volunteer Crystal White

And her trail, The Crystal Way, From the Elementary School across the new 4th Ave. bridge

South to the Confluence near the bridge to Bohn Park, Which is where the sculpture is installed. Crystal who always has her eye

On the nesting eagles in Lavern Johnson Park

Selected this sculpture of a bird overhead

In different light and weather.

Many thanks to our volunteers

And how you keep an eye on nature for us.

Sally King is a local artist who believes it's imperative that each of us pop our head up out of the collective trace, to bring through our creative gifts. You can find her on her blog and website, hersoupot.net and sallywhiteking.com or email sallywhiteking@live.com. SOARING BIRD

BY JOHN KING

Giving back: A Peacemaker’s Gift

By Kristen Bruckner Redstone Review

LYONS – Some of the best parts of living in a small town are the feeling of connection and the myriad opportunities that exist to get involved, participate, and make a difference. As a small, close-knit community, Lyons is fortunate to experience these benefits.

In a town of nearly 2,200 residents, there are more than 150 people who serve on boards or commissions, volunteer for our local nonprofits, and participate in groups such as the Lyons Garden Club or the Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission, whose missions involve making our town more beautiful and culturally strong. In addition to a high rate of volunteerism and activism here in Lyons, we have a very involved school community.

beautiful photography of nature and wildlife in and around Lyons. Not only does her artistic vision showcase the incredible backdrop we are lucky enough to experience here, but her show has a philanthropic mission. Pieces will be sold in a silent auction on the night of the opening to benefit three local causes: the Lyons Fire Protection District Peer Support Group, the Lyons Regional Library and the Pricilla Cohan Artistic Pursuits Fund. All proceeds for this auction will be donated to these groups near and dear to her heart. As Gaia said, “I just love my town. I want to share its beauty and celebrate all we have.”

The quarterly art show is sponsored by the Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission (LAHC), under the Town of Lyons. The LAHC is focused on nurturing and celebrating communitybased art that includes public murals and sculptures, performing art, and much more.

If there is something one is passionate about such as environmental causes or historic preservation, there is a town commission or a group of citizens unified in their efforts to make things happen. Signing up to participate in one of these groups isn’t just a way to serve and share civic responsibility, but it’s also rewarding and a lot of fun. Studies prove that community and connection are key to our overall happiness and wellbeing.

One local artist, Veronika Gaia, is a great example; her vision for giving back to the town she loves so much has come to life. Gaia’s one-woman photography exhibit opens at the Lyons Regional Library on Wednesday, April 17 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. as part of Lyons’ tandem quarterly art programming. Gaia’s art will be the sole collection of work gracing the walls of the Lyons Regional Library for the next three months. At the same time, the “tandem” show at Lyons Town Hall will display work by any artist who wants to bring in their ready-to-hang work. The theme this quarter is called Walkabout

Gaia’s show is called A Peacemaker’s Gift, and features

A lesser-known commission is the Historic Preservation Commission. This group is actively involved in encouraging and cultivating good stewardship and pride in historic properties as well as preserving local historic landmarks.

As part of this work, in concert with Historic Preservation Month during May, the group is kicking off a local historic designation program. Through this process, local residents will be eligible for significant tax benefits as well as preserving the continuity and authentic look and feel of the town’s historic homes. The Lyons Depot Building is set to be the first building to go through the designation process, with the opportunity for homeowner participation to follow.

For more information on any of the town boards and commissions, you can peruse the Town of Lyons website, reach out to town staff, or speak to one of your neighbors who participates. All town commission meetings as well as the Lyons Board of Trustees meetings are always open to the public and agendas and meeting minutes are posted.

Learn more https://townoflyons.com/getinvolved. There are also many neighborhood and interest-based clubs. Ask around, and chances are you can find something that lights you up. As Gandhi said “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

Book it on down to the Lyons Library for two free concerts

By Donna Guest, Rudy Pucel and Pam Browning Redstone Review

LYONS – Calling all Lyons music lovers and other music enthusiasts who also love Lyons. Are you ready for some live music to liven up a spring evening? Mark your calendars now and “Book It On Down” to the Lyons Community Library on May 1 and June 5 for our first Spring Concert Series, sponsored and hosted by the Friends of the Lyons Regional Library.

Reid Poole and the Night Owls borrow from the all-time greatest jazz musicians. This band is an extremely swinging band playing deep cuts from artists like Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and New Orleans rhythm and blues and jazz, focusing on the music of Ray Charles, Fats Domino, Bo Diddley, Professor Longhair, and other New Orleans R&B icons. This concept band features some of Colorado’s most swinging musicians.

“I’m originally from Colorado Springs, but I spent the last 15 years touring and living in New Orleans as a bandleader and sideman,” says Reid Poole.

From the many amazingly talented musicians from all over Colorado, the Friends of the Library Board has chosen two culturally rich and fun bands for this series.

On May 1 Reid Poole and the Night Owls (New Orleans Traditional Jazz, New Orleans Brass Band, Blues, and more) will be playing. On June 5 Los Bohemios (Son Cubano, Salsa, Bossa Nova, Latin Rock, and more) will perform the second concert.

music scene. Jaime Parker is our trombonist. He spent a year on the road with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and his path has led him to join the Colorado Springs Premier Air Force Band, the Falconaires, where he plays lead trombone, amongst an array of various other styles of performances.”

on upright bass, and Dean Kielian on congas and bongos. They offer beautiful threepart harmony, Spanish guitars, acoustic bass and Latin percussion to create danceable salsa rhythms in the style of Buena Vista Social Club or Gloria Estefan, and

“In New Orleans, I led a band called Dinosaurchestra that went on to play the NOLA Jazz Fest for multiple years in a row as well as the French Quarter Fest, amongst many other festivals. As a sideman, I’ve played in the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Delfeayo Marsalis’ Uptown Jazz Orchestra, the New Orleans Cottonmouth Kings, and many more. I recently moved back to Colorado, and it’s been great.”

Speaking about the other members of the band, Reid says, “Steven Denny, our pianist, is from Denver and has earned his badge of ‘True and Swingin’ NYC Musician’ from his seven years spent performing and enriching his corner of the New York

Reid adds, “Ricky Sweum, our saxophonist, has had an amazing career as a top-notch musician in the Air Force Band system. Our connection was made because he was among the incredible musicians who play with the Falconaires. Tim Stombaugh is the drummer for the Falconaires (and the Night Owls) and has also spent years touring and playing music in Europe with the Air Force. Finally, last, but certainly not least, is my friend and also early mentor, Marc Neihof. He has held a chair as a bassist for the Colorado Springs Philharmonic for many years, and also has been active in the jazz scene for 20 years.”

Los Bohemios is an acoustic ensemble performing Cuban Son, Salsa, and Boleros; Bossa Nova; Latin Rock; Latin Jazz; and a Mexican Mariachi repertoire. The group features Ricardo Peña on vocals and guitar or requinto, Amy Biondo on vocals and hand percussion, Ed Edwards on guitar and vocals, Mark Diamond

romantic ballads in the style of Los Panchos. Look for more details about Los Bohemios in the May issue of the Redstone Review, ahead of the June 5 performance.

Both concerts will be held at the Lyons Community Library, 451 4th Ave., Lyons, in the Community Room, and hopefully with the garage doors open to let in the spring breezes. Doors open at 6 p.m. Concert is from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Donations to the Friends of the Lyons Library for music, dancing and snacks are appreciated.

We hope to see you along with your family and friends at the Lyons Community Library for two spring evenings of fun, memorable and culturally rich musical experiences with Book It On Down.

Donna Guest, Rudy Pucel and Pam Browning are members of the Friends of the Lyons Regional Library.

Left to right: Melinda Wunder, Marianne Oursler, Claudia Paterno, Veronika Gaia, Grace Simonsen and Kristen Bruckner.

LOS BOHEMIOS

REID POOLE AND THE NIGHT OWLS

INTEREST

Lyons goes 100 percent renewable

By Kim Mitchell Redstone Review

LYONS – The Town of Lyons has achieved an important goal. As of April 1, Lyons has been getting 100 percent of its electricity from renewable energy.

Along with 69 other communities in Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, and Wyoming, Lyons purchases electricity from a nonprofit utility. The utility is called the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (MEAN). Originally the majority of MEAN’s power was provided by coal.

However, there has been steady demand from federal, state, and local governments to utilize fewer carbon-intensive sources for electricity. To that end, MEAN has been increasing its hydro and wind power portfolio and offered this to its constituent communities, in a priority order as more renewable energy became available.

Both the Town’s Utilities and Engineering Board (UEB) and the Sustainable Futures Commission (SFC) have long advocated for more renewable energy for the community. The goal has been included in several town planning documents and feasibility studies. The Lyons Environmental Sustainability Action Plan (LESAP published in

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2014, updated in 2019 and 2023) identified providing the town’s electricity to be sourced by renewable energy as a key goal.

Then in 2019, the Colorado legislature passed HB 19-1261, which states that “... Colorado shall have statewide goals to reduce 2025 greenhouse gas emissions by at least 26 percent, 2030 greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50 percent, and 2050 greenhouse gas emissions by at least 90 percent of the levels of statewide greenhouse gas emissions that existed in 2005.”

This law set the stage for both the SFC and UEB to urge the Board of Trustees to affirm the climate crisis and establish Lyons’ commitment to take actions to meet State of Colorado carbon emission reduction goals. The BOT approved a “climate crisis” resolution in September 2020.

MEAN previously had no additional renewable energy to allocate despite multiple requests over the years. However, with the recent completion of multiple hydroelectric and solar projects, MEAN now has enough renewable energy to satisfy all of Lyons’ electricity requirements.

In December 2022, the UEB unanimously approved purchasing 100-percent green energy from MEAN when it became

Fifty different tree species will be planted at these events. Cemex Lyons will be donating 100 ponderosa pine trees and will have employees volunteering at the event. Michael Clausen, Cemex Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at Lyons: “At Cemex, we enjoy working with local organizations near our Lyons cement plant with shared commitments, like Drylands Agroecology Research and its commitment to biodiversity. Our employees are looking forward to expanding our efforts by supporting this local agriculture project.”

Please sign up via these links: April 20 : https: // buytickets.at/drylandsagroecologyresearch/1185911; April 27: https://buytickets.at/drylandsagroecologyresearch/1186604

Our collective ambition is to plant over 5,000 trees, each one a step towards rebuilding the vibrant tapestry of life that once was our land. This is more than an event; it’s a statement of our commitment to regeneration.

available; noting at that time Lyons was purchasing 4 percent of MEANs “wind pool” and had plans to significantly increase its green power pool in the 20232024 time frame.

Lyons now joins other MEAN Colorado customers including Glenwood Springs, Aspen and Gunnison in providing 100 percent renewable electricity to its cus-

time-of-use electric rates to decrease peak demand, electrification, energy conservation, and increased participation in public transit and multi-modal options.

tomers. Each town locally manages the power distribution, billing, etc. Other actions in place to reduce Lyons carbon emissions include plans for a solar farm and storage project, community solar coop bulk buying, upgrades to EV class 3 fast chargers in Sandstone Park, conversion to

Spring and summer recreation programs

LYONS – Recreation is ramping up for spring and summer with new offerings and old favorites. We have softball, baseball, mountain biking, and skateboarding classes and teams lined up. We have science, nature, and soccer camps, and arts and crafts classes coming for summer. Check out details and register today. Go to the town of Lyons website to sign up or call 303-823-6622.

Lyons tree limb drop off event

LYONS – The Lyons Fire Protection District, in coordination with Boulder County Wildfire Partners, will host a Tree Limb

Drop off Event on Saturday, April 27 at the Town of Lyons Public Works facility, 4687 Ute Highway. Details and hours will be posted on the LFPD social media sites in the near future. This event is open to all properties within the Lyons Fire Protection District, including unincorporated Boulder County, Larimer and Town of Lyons residents. More details on the time will be out soon.

In addition, the town’s Climate Crisis Resolution prompted the Lyons Community Library to leverage a Boulder County Worthy Cause grant to install a 100 percent off-setting solar array in late 2021 and then secured Charge Ahead Colorado grant funds to install a Level II electric vehicle charger in the parking lot in late 2022.

Kim Mitchell is Director of Communications and Community Relations for the Town of Lyons, and has called Lyons home since 2009.

Boulder County Wildfire Chipping Program

LYONS – The free county chipping program is now open to all residents in the Town of Lyons and unincorporated Boulder County. Applications for Boulder County’s Wildfire Partners Wildfire Mitigation Tax Funded Community Chipping Events are now open. This service is free to residents , using the wildfire mitigation tax approved by voters in 2022. Boulder County Wildfire Partners encourages residents to learn more and sign up today. The program supports residents in managing the highrisk vegetation on their properties. Learn more and apply to the chipping program at boco.org/chipping

The program requires one person or household to assume the role of Chipping Event Host for their community chipping event. The Host must comple an application for their residence and at for least four articipating neighbors, coordinating a chipping date with a County approved contractor and educating others on slash pile requirements.

Boulder County Wildfire Partners is a resource for what you can do to minimize wildfire risk at your home.

SEASONS

Lyons Lions Tree Planting at Lyons Cemetery-

On Saturday, April 13, the Lyons Lions Club sponsored a tree planting event at the Lyons Cemetery. Eighty-five eight-to-ten-inch tall seedlings of Bristlecone pine, Colorado Blue spruce, and Ponderosa pine were successfully planted; dug surfaces were mulched, protection from animals was installed, and all were watered. A generous turnout of volunteers armed with implements of tree planting worked the morning to get all the baby trees in the ground. Sincere thanks goesout to all those who helped.

Lion Ron Gosnell, kneeling in the baseball cap and orange vest in the above photo, demonstrated the steps for planting the seedlings. PHOTOS BY

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This month DRCOG asked Lyons’ staff if they would be interested in including their $4.7 million sidewalk assessment phase one as part of a larger DRCOG grant, and would the Town of Lyons be able to commit to a 20-percent match, which would amount to $940,000.

The staff asked the board for direction as how to proceed. Tracy Sanders said that they have also reached out to the State of Colorado Dept. of Local Affairs (DOLA) to determine if they could apply for State Local Match Funds which are specifically earmarked by the Colorado Legislature for communities like Lyons who would need state support for a match to federal projects.

Some of the sidewalk projects include: 3rd Ave.; Stickney St.; Evans and Park Streets; 5th Ave. and Park; 4th Ave. north of Stickney; 2nd Ave. and High St.; several streets downtown; and others to include U.S. Hwy. 36 both east and west of town, which would be the two most expensive projects. The match for those last

two projects would be close to $400,000.

The board in general seemed to be in favor of the sidewalk projects but had concerns about the $940,000 match. They decided to wait until they heard back from DOLA to see if the state would help with the match and also look for other possibilities for funding to use for the match.

The board also wanted to look at the possibility of prioritizing the projects and perhaps not doing all the projects listed in phase one, holding some back for a later date.

Sanders said that staff would also have more information from DRCOG early next week about the timeline of the matching funds, i.e.: does the project and grant go through FY 2026? Or beyond?

Trustee Daty pointed out the safety issues involved in doing these projects and said it is dangerous for people to walk along the roads without sidewalks, especially along the highways.

Trustee Browning said that the priority should be the sidewalks around the schools, because that is where the safety concerns are the highest.

Travels with Redstone

Joey Dean holding up his Redstone in Chaing Mai Thailand. Photo sent by Edna Dean.

Take the Redstone with you on your next trip and send us your photos showing where the Redstone has traveled. Send your photos to redstarnews5@gmail.com

Lebron is a charming six-and-ahalf-year-old with a heart full of love. He starts out shy, but warms up quickly with patience and kindness. He’s the kind of dog who would rather cuddle on a couch than chase after a ball. Lebron will do best in a home with kids 10 and older, and he would prefer to be the only pet. To see all our adoptable animals or get more details visit longmonthumane.org. Or stop in at the shelter at 9595 Nelson Road.

CATHY RIVERS

CHOICES

Wildlife conservation education should begin at home and continue in school

By Cindy Leikam Redstone Review

LONGMONT – The phrase “Wildlife Conservation” often invokes images of grand, pristine landscapes, set aside by some group of innovative thinkers to protect them from human degradation. And that’s not incorrect because land conservation is a very important part of preserving vulnerable wildlife and their habitat.

However, without the support, concern, and care of people now and into the future, merely setting aside land is not enough to ensure the survival of threatened and endangered wildlife. A successful conservation strategy takes a multipronged approach and includes (but is not limited to) preserving critical habitat, protecting vulnerable species, collaborating with partners and stakeholders, engaging the community, and educating the public.

Each piece of this puzzle is important to creating a big conservation picture, but education is arguably the keystone of building successful programs, movements, and organizations. Conservation education should begin at home and at an early age, cultivating a love of nature by exploring a local park, digging in the garden, or just playing outside. One does not need an intrinsic understanding of the natural world to plant the seed of conservation in young children. Youthful exposure to the wonders of nature often leads to curiosity, care, and a desire to conserve what they love later in life.

Incorporating conservation learning in everyday lessons at the elementary level is

imperative to instill conservation values in the next generation. Hands-on activities and field trips to zoos, wildlife sanctuaries, and natural areas can cultivate a life-long love and understanding of animals and nature, and even inspire the next generation of wildlife rehabilitators, zoologists, and conservationists. Even for those who choose another career, early childhood experiences in nature and wildlife teach value and appreciation of biodiversity, and they are more likely to advocate for and contribute to conservation causes as adults.

Education should not end in elementary school. In addition to including conservation in science curriculums, high school, and college-aged youth can explore a career in wildlife and animal care through internship opportunities. In an average year, nearly 400 interns and volunteers help keep Greenwood Wildlife’s patients fed and cared for through the busy season, earn credit for school, and learn important job skills like time management and teamwork. Offering programs that provide education to adults is also very important because many may not have received conservation education in their youth. Many older Americans are unaware of the scale of environmental issues today, or more importantly, how they can help. Community outreach programs are vital to reach these people and to attract new contributors, supporters, and volunteers. Most organizations working to protect species biodiversity are not-for-profit and rely on a supportive and engaged community.

Community engagement often leads to

local activism, which often results in local government actions to protect critical habitats and implement wildlife-friendly policies. The phrase, “Think Global, Act Local” emphasizes the huge impact a small group of concerned citizens can have at the local level. Small acts like planting native flowers and trees and feeding migratory birds may seem insignificant, but to species struggling to find food, water, and shelter in an increasingly urbanized environment, can mean the difference between life and death.

Advances in technology have allowed for the rapid transfer of information, and the ability to reach a wider audience with

little to no extra cost. Websites, social media, and nature apps are all valuable tools in teaching wildlife conservation values. Greenwood has dedicated several pages online for elementary-level online learning, through fun crafts, activities, and educational videos.

Additional pages provide advice on how to help orphaned, sick, or injured animals by species and situation. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Nextdoor are no longer just for mindless scrolling. Organizations like Greenwood utilize social media apps to educate the public, reach new supporters, and dispel wildlife facts from fiction. Making accurate information readily available to anyone is imperative to counter misinformation and disinformation in the digital age. A carefully curated online presence is essential to messaging, building credibility, and reaching more people.

In 2023, Greenwood’s Education and Outreach Program reached 7,585 adults and children on the Colorado Front Range in 86 programs and events. The Education and Outreach team brings the classroom to the people and has conducted programs, presentations, and lessons at schools, senior centers, festivals, events, fairs, workplaces, and more. For more information, on the Education and Outreach program at Greenwood Wildlife, or opportunities to get involved, visit https://www.greenwoodwildlife.org/learn-about-wildlife/.

Cindy Leikam is communications and fundraising intern at Greenwood Wildlife Rehab. Center east of Lyons on Highway 66.

Lyons Colorado receives 2023 Main Street America Accreditation

By Staff Reports Redstone Review

LYONS – The Lyons Colorado Main Street Program has been designated as an Accredited Main Street America™ program for meeting the national program’s rigorous performance standards. Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce a list of Accredited programs to recognize their exceptional commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach .

“We are very proud to acknowledge this year’s 862 Accredited Main Street America programs, and their steadfast dedication to nurture economically and culturally vibrant downtown districts,” said Hannah White, Interim President and CEO of Main Street America.

In 2022, Main Street America programs generated $6.2 billion in local reinvestment, helped open 7,657 net new businesses, facilitated the creation of 29,174 net new jobs, catalyzed the rehabilitation of 10,688 historic buildings, and leveraged 1,528,535 volunteer hours. On average, every dollar that a Main Street program spent to support its operations generated $24.07 of new investment back into its downtown communities.

Collectively, 2 million people live or work within the boundaries of designated Main Street America districts. An estimated workforce of 1.1 million people contributes their skills and expertise to advancing the missions of these historic downtowns and commercial corridors.

Lyons’ performance is evaluated annually by the Colorado Main Street Program, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify the local programs that meet thorough national performance standards. To quality for accreditation status, communities must meet a set of standards that includes commitments to building grassroots revitalization programs, fostering strong public-private part-

any of the workshops that appeal to you. Be on the lookout for more details soon.

In addition to the critical work of suicide prevention and healthy community-building, Mental Wellness and Addiction Recovery’s core individual therapy and substance abuse recovery services continue, too. I have two exciting updates to share. Different people connect with different kinds of counselors. For this reason, we are bringing male therapists to LEAF’s team, and very soon. We want to remove barriers that might keep people from getting life-changing help, and we believe this can be one of them.

Second, we know that confidentiality and discretion play a role in a person’s decision to seek support for substance abuse concerns. In the past, our substance recov-

nerships, nurturing economic opportunity for small businesses and entrepreneurs, and actively working to preserve historic places and enhance the community’s cultural assets.

In the past year, the Lyons Colorado Main Street Program, under the direction of the municipal government, has completed a Revitalizing Main Street grant which added ambient lighting along two blocks of the historic Lyons Main Street district. The Main Street lighting proj-

ect helps support the independently owned businesses on Main Street in Lyons, allowing for extended outdoor operating hours and attracting the attention of tourists and visitors that Lyons has a vibrant restaurant, service and retail corridor which is worth stopping for.

Additionally, the program supported recent public improvements along Broadway, the main thoroughfare running parallel to Main Street, including additional public parking, bicycle and pedestrian access to downtown along with sidewalks and other important safety and economic improvements.

ery groups have met in LEAF’s current location on Main Street. Thanks to the generous and amazing hearts of Chris and Sara Legh, the new owners of River Bend, LEAF’s addiction support groups have moved to the newly-renovated cottage at Riverbend. It’s a beautiful and private location, complete with a koi pond, fire pit, and access to the river. These groups are led by James Hart on Monday afternoons. They are a safe and confidential place to explore or support sobriety. You can learn more on our website (leaflyons.org) or send email to cherie@leaflyons.org.

This update has largely focused on mental health and wellness, but I want to remind you that LEAF provides a whole stable of human services in Lyons, too. They include our weekly Food Pantry and daily Meals on Wheels, Basic Needs and

Small town Main Streets like that found in Lyons are unique. The Lyons community has strong values, where people know each other and help each other. In Lyons, “new restaurants such as Marigold Lyons and Farra are putting down roots and breathing new life into the commercial corridor,” noted Paul Dreyer, Lyons Main Street Board and Economic Vitality Chair. “Local retailers are fostering creativity and collaboration. We know we must all work together to strengthen and ensure our local success. We continue to encourage investment in our historic downtown as a space for bold economic opportunity.”

About Main Street America: Main Street America leads a movement committed to strengthening communities through preservation-based economic development in older and historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts. For more than 40 years, Main Street America has provided a practical, adaptable, and impactful framework for community-driven, comprehensive revitalization through the Main Street Approach™. Its network of more than 1,600 neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, shares both a commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservationbased economic development. Since 1980, communities participating in the program have generated more than $101.58 billion in new public and private investment, generated 168,693 net new businesses and 746,897 net new jobs, rehabilitated more than 325,119 buildings, and levered over 33.7 million volunteer hours. Main Street America is a nonprofit subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more information, visit mainstreet.org.

Resource Matching and Lyons Volunteers.

Oh, and as you have probably noticed when you come and go in town, we’re working hard on construction of our new location at 304 2nd Avenue. The exterior is nearly complete, and we have submitted interior plans to the town for approval and permitting. We will be coming to the community to help support the final phase of funding, and we hope to complete the project and move in early this fall.

LEAF’s new hub (complete with a front porch and a back patio) will be a healthful and helpful community space for everyone. You can learn more about all we do on our website at leaflyons.org or on Facebook or Instagram. If you’d like to be included in our occasional email updates, send me an email at lory@leaflyons.org and I’ll be sure to sign you up

Amanda Willow, on the left, and Gladys Camacho, center, answer questions at Greenwood’s booth at a Lyons festival.

PHOTO BY CATHY RIVERS

CONTACT

The Lyons Area Chamber of Commerce resurfaces and comes back to life

By Kristin Frances Redstone Review

LYONS – If we haven’t met, I’m the new Executive Director of the Lyons Area Chamber of Commerce. I’d like to introduce our volunteer Chamber Board, and myself, and share what we’ve been up to and some of the plans that we have for the future.

First, I have the privilege of collaborating with the following volunteer members of the chamber board: Andrea Montoya (owner, Lotus Bodywork) Asa Firestone (owner, A-Lodge) Bronwyn Muldoon (owner, Lyons Physical Therapy), Erin Foudy (Gateway Realty, former Chamber Executive Director), Kathleen Baer (owner, Baer Mountain & Urban Forestry), Neil Sullivan (owner, St. Vrain Market, Spirit Hound Distillers) and Sandra Haber (owner, SH Concierge.)

I live here in town with my three sons, all of whom attend our incredible Lyons schools. After we first moved here and I began an almost daily ritual of working remotely from Moxie, I remember asking if local businesses met regularly. I thought that given how tightly knit our commu-

nity is, people would be collaborating on marketing strategies, community engagement and tourism. Instead, it appeared that most business owners were usually making decisions on their own. Understandably, they have been concerned with their own ability to survive and thrive. I know too that the energy of the chamber has ebbed and flowed over the years, challenged by Covid and two short-lived Executive Directors.

I want to see the businesses and community of Lyons thrive in ways that honor our unique town. My vision for the chamber can be highlighted with my three Cs –Connection, Collaboration and Communication. By utilizing these to drive the chamber forward, I know that the slump of the slow season will improve and be very different in the coming years. When I hear business owners say, “This was the worst winter in several years,” I am very motivated to change that.

What does chamber membership look like at this point? It offers an increased ability to gather and collaborate. We will advocate and ensure that the voices of Lyons-area businesses are heard by our community, our governing bodies and the commissions that support them. I will collaborate with nearby chambers, having al-

ready spent time with Estes Park peers in early March. With your help, we will be more proactive in finding ways to connect town-related events to our local businesses.

Book your calendar for the May 4 and 5 Beyond Word weekend of authentic local experiences, and Saturday June 8 for the library’s first Lit Fest. And one of our largest priorities is to create a regular, ap proximately monthly, Lyons event that we intend to become known for – both within and outside of town bound aries. This event will bring more visibility and rev enue to our businesses and be come a unique and fun Lyons experience.

Going forward, we will host monthly one-hour morning meetings for chamber members and all community partners who share a desire to connect and collaborate. We had an amazing first gathering of 20plus members of the community on Friday, April 5. Please email me if you would like to be on the invitation list.

The Lyons Chamber Board and I will

Cemex donates to LEAF and Haven Ridge to support women for Women’s Day

By Kelly Hoskinson Redstone Review

LYONS – In honor of International Women’s Day earlier this month, the Cemex Lyons Cement Plant made donations to two local organizations dedicated to supporting women in need: Boulder-based Haven Ridge and the Lyons Emergency Assistance Fund (LEAF).

To support Haven Ridge’s mission of providing housing, goods and services to mothers and children, Cemex donated $2,000 worth of personal and household items such as blankets, sleeping bags, paper towels, shampoo, lotion,

soap, toothpaste and more.

As part of its longstanding partnership with LEAF, Cemex donated 325 pounds of food to the organization’s food pantry, providing 270 meals for Lyons families. LEAF serves about 45 to 50 households a week through its food pantry and estimates up to 40 of them include women.

Michael Clausen, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at the Cemex Lyons Cement Plant said, “Cemex is proud to support mission-driven organizations that help strengthen the greater Lyons community. International Women’s Day brings a wonderful opportunity to give back and acknowledge the contributions made by women

meet in person for two hours every month and spend time collaborating and volunteering outside of that, too. In addition, the chamber will continue to host “socials” four times per year. Our first social of 2024 will start at 5:30 p.m. at the Rock Garden on Friday, May 3. We will be recognizing and celebrating Lyons Physical Therapy’s 25 years of service to Lyons. If you are on Facebook, the event is on the Lyons Area Chamber of Commerce page as well. If you’d like additional details, please send me an email.

I look forward to working together with all of you to continue to cultivate and support our tightly knit community. Lyons can be both a unique and thriving town for its residents, and a yearlong destination for others who wish to experience the beauty and magic of our small town.

If you would like to receive our newsletter, have comments or feedback, you can reach me by email at: admin@lyonschamber.org or phone 720-310-8724.

within our community and at our company.”

Lory Barton, LEAF Executive Director said, “We’re serving 45 to 50 households each week these days; I would estimate up to 40 women, either in women-led households, women-with-partner households or multi-generational households. The supply that Cemex gave us will help our purchase budget go that much farther, and we’re going to need every bit we can get.”

Shanan Collins, Haven Ridge Director of Operations and Programming said, “We’re thankful for community partners like Cemex who help provide for our at-risk women, transgender individuals and their children. Personal and household items are expensive, and contributions like this help us ensure we can provide quality goods and services for those we support.”

Kelly Hoskinson is a spokesperson for Cemex.

Kristin Frances is the new Executive Director of the Lyons Area Chamber of Commerce.

Frances

WHAT’S COOKIN’

Old-fashioned chocolate chip cookies, what could be better?

By Barbara Shark Redstone Review

LYONS – Many years ago I left my Midwest home to attend the University of New Mexico.

To help outfit my new kitchen, my mom sent me fat little books filled with Green Stamps that I redeemed for a big yellow mixing bowl and a Betty Crocker Cookbook

This now tattered book in a ring binder is a compendium I frequently consult for old-fashioned recipes such as date bars, Black Midnight chocolate cake, penuche frosting and these classic chocolate chip

cookies. The book bears the evidence of my use in stains and tattered edges.

As you can see, I’ve adapted the recipe using part whole wheat flour and reducing the baking powder for high altitude baking. I find that adding some whole wheat flour provides a richness that makes these cookies especially delicious. So give it a try. I make the dough in my Cuisinart then add the chips and nuts by hand. Or use a stand mixer. I sometimes get a workout and make them with a bowl and wooden spoon. Bring the butter to room

temperature if you do this. Preheat oven to 375°. Cream together 2/3 cup butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup white sugar. Add a large egg and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Stir in one cup unbleached flour, 1/2 cup wholewheat flour, one teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir in one cup chocolate chips and 1/2 cup roughly chopped walnuts. Drop by tablespoons onto a parchment-lined or greased baking sheet two inches apart. (A pinch of Maldon sea salt on each cookie is a nice addition.) Bake at 375° for 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool on a rack. Makes 40 cookies.

Taste the simple pleasures of Finnish salmon soup – Lohikeitto

By Catherine Metzger Redstone Review

SAN MIGUEL COUNTY – Paired with year-round outdoor swimming followed by a requisite wood-fired sauna, this traditional Finnish salmon soup recipe for Lohikeitto is fundamental to the full Finnish experience. If you can’t get to Finland, then close your eyes and imagine a simpler time – perhaps sitting on the deck of an old wooden schooner, gently rocking in Helsinki Harbor. Your head is bowed over the hot, dillscented broth as you wipe up every last bit of soup with a slice of rye bread, washing it down with a glass of red wine.

This recipe doesn’t have the more modern spicy bells and whistles of today’s recipes, but it remains soul refreshing and a wonder in its simplicity. Just like Fin-

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land. The fresh dill is a must, and if you can’t find fish stock, you can make your own by simmering the salmon skin in the water for ten minutes. Or, barring that, try using chicken or fish stock.

Finnish Salmon Soup – Lohikeitto

A one lb. salmon filet, skin on 1/4 cup butter

The white of one large leek, sliced into rings and well rinsed

Five cups water (or fish stock, or light chicken broth) 3/4 lb russet potatoes, peeled and diced

One large carrot, scraped and sliced

One cup fresh dill for garnish, finely chopped

One cup heavy cream 1/4 tsp. Allspice, salt and pepper to taste

the fertilized eggs are delivered from a local farm and learn how an incubator works, the parts of an egg, and how the fertilized embryos will develop into baby chicks. On May 7, we will observe the growth and development of embryos still inside the eggs by shining a light source behind the egg to show details through the shell. On May 14 we will learn all about raising backyard chickens, from the type of space they need to what to feed them and how to best care for them. And then for the babies will hatch.

Each scheduled chick event runs from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Don’t miss out on these fantastic opportunities to learn,

Leash ‘em up!

By Janeé Boswell Redstone Review

BOULDER COUNTY – Leash laws are important for maintaining a safe and respectful environment for dogs and people. It’s not just about the individual dogs on leash. It’s about the impact to the residents, community, and the town in broader terms.

There are many issues that can arise from dogs being unrestrained. Here are a few to consider:

• Dogs that are off leash can engage in physical confronta-

• Remove any bones from the salmon using needle-nose pliers. Remove the skin from the fish and cut the salmon into oneinch chunks. Set the skin aside to add to your water if you don’t have fish stock.

• Melt the butter in a medium-sized stockpot and sauté the leeks for ten minutes, or until translucent.

• Place five cups of water in a saucepan and add the salmon skin. Let simmer for ten minutes. (You may omit this step if you are using fish or chicken stock.) Remove the fish skin from the pot and pour the stock over the softened leeks. Add potatoes, carrots and half of the fresh dill. Cook another 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork tender.

• Add the salmon chunks, cream and allspice to the pot and gently simmer until just cooked through, about four minutes.

create, and connect at the Lyons Community Library.

Your Lyons Community Library opens at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday. We close at 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 p.m. on Fridays, and 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Our online catalog is available 24/7 at lyons.colibraries.org and we’re always open for digital downloads on the Libby, CloudLibrary, and Kanopy apps. Give us a call at 303-8235165 or email info@lyonslibrary.com with any questions. Please see the calendar of events on our website for additional programs, program information, and registration instructions.

Kara Bauman is the Director of the Lyons Community Library and holds an MLIS from the University of Kentucky. .

tions with other dogs, with cats, or wildlife, any of these can become injured.

• Unleashed dogs have a greater risk of chasing, attacking, or killing wildlife.

• Unrestrained dogs can approach people who may not want to be approached or are afraid of dogs. These people have very valid reasons to be fearful of dogs, as such they should be afforded space.

• Roaming dogs are at a higher risk of contracting illnesses and disease from wildlife or other animals.

• Dogs can run into roads and get struck by a vehicle or cause an accident.

• Unrestrained dogs may be approached by someone that puts them in an uncomfortable situation, causing them to bite.

• Dogs can engage in unsafe behaviors such as eating random items off of the ground.

A few alternatives to having your dog off leash are to use a long line such as tether that allows your dog to play fetch while still adhering to the leash law. Or reach out to local landowners. They might allow you to use some of their property at designated times.

Don’t forget the designated off-leash area such as the local ten-acre dog park in Lyons.

As tempting as it is to allow your dog to gallivant, I can say firsthand how much other users of the public spaces appreciate you being a responsible owner and positive ambassador for dogs.

• Correct the seasonings with salt and pepper and serve with a generous garnish of fresh dill, red wine and a crusty piece of rye bread.

Catherine Ripley Metzger has been cooking professionally and privately since 1979. Today she is the proprietor of the food blog www.foodfortheages.com and cooks with curiosity from the ground up in her log cabin home on the Western Slope of Colorado.

Congressman Neguse announced his candidacy for Assistant Democratic Leader in February. He becomes the highest ranking Coloradan in Congress since Rep. Edward T. Taylor (Glenwood Springs) who served as Democratic Caucus Chair in the 74th Congress (1935-1937). Congressman Neguse has been a member of the House Democratic leadership team since first being elected to Congress – as Freshman Leadership Representative in the 116th Congress, Co-Chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC) in the 117th Congress, and Chairman of the DPCC from 2022 to 2024.

ASSEMBLE YOUR INGREDIENTS SAUTÉ SLICED LEEKS IN BUTTER ADD STOCK AND VEGETABLES AND COOK ADD THE SALMON PIECES

Barbara Shark is an artist and author of How I Learned to Cook, an Artist’s Life. She lives near Lyons, Colorado. For more recipes, read her blog at www.howilearnedtocookanartistslife.blog.

Shark

Joe Continued from Page 3 BEAUTIFUL

Janeé Boswell is the Boulder County Animal Protection Supervisor.