LYONS – From the Housing and Human Services Commission. Boulder County Public Health offers a free new service: Healthy Homes Program, offering free Home Assessments, focusing on households affected by respiratory illnesses and underserved communities. It provides comprehensive in-home assessments to identify and mitigate potential indoor health hazards and support for do-it-yourself (DIY) assessments, as well as offering written recommendations and directing individuals to resources to improve their indoor health and quality of life. Residents will also be offered CO/smoke detectors and fire extinguishers if needed. Community members can request a Healthy Home assessment by visiting boco.org/ HealthyHomeVisit.
WellMind Connection: Free mental health resource in Boulder County
LYONS – WellMind Connection is a team of professionals, highly trained in knowledge of local resources to connect you with the right service at the right time. A team of bilingual professionals will receive your help request and work directly with you to determine your service needs. Access this resource by calling 303-441-1300 (Monday through Friday from 12 to 4 p.m.) or emailing hubreferrals@bouldercounty.gov. Plus, some other local, mental health resources can be found here: Community Mental Health Resources | City of Boulder (bouldercolorado.gov)
Wildfire mitigation rebate program
BOULDER – Boulder County has a new rebate program encouraging residents to actively take steps to protect their homes and communities from wildfire. The rebate program is open to all residents who are actively improving home hardening and defensible space on their properties to reduce the potential for wildfire to spread.
This program provides a rebate of up to $500 to county residents, including those who live
Continue Briefs on Page 12
Town board votes on ballot issue and 5-Acre Rule
By Susan de Castro Redstone Review Editor
LYONS – Mayor Hollie Rogin took a few moments to thank everyone who pitched in to help the town’s people: the fire fighters, emergency workers in several counties, residents near and far, town officials and all others who helped.
She mentioned Victoria Simonsen, who she said never slept, and Trustee Paula Williams, who helped town’s people both evacuate and come back.
During audience business, Lyons Community Foundation chairman Gil Sparks spoke to the town board and staff, thanking them and all the fire fighters, emergency workers and everyone else who worked to help out.
Speaking for myself as the Redstone editor, it was a momentous effort on everyone’s part. One thing has become clear: the people in and around Lyons know how to handle just about any emergency. We have all, unfortunately, become experts at handling disasters. Whether it is a 500-year flood that wipes out the entire infrastructure of the town, evacuating to escape a raging fire bearing down on the town, 80-mile–per-hour winds, snow storms, or whatever, Lyons has become an expert at surviving natural disasters, helping people, delivering food, evacuating people, organizing whatever items that people need to survive.
We know what items we have to keep in boxes or crates ready to load in the car at a moment’s notice. We keep the animal carriers handy. We have our neighbors on speed dial to make sure they are okay. We know how to organize relief efforts and gather supplies for workers. We listen to all the updates and alerts from the Sheriff’s Department. I don’t think very many places across the country live on the edge like we do or know the ravages of as many disasters as this town has been through. But we have gotten good at it, and that’s not a small thing.
The town board discussed a number of issues, but the most important was a vote on
the second reading and public hearing on Ordinance 1166, to amend a section of the municipal code concerning the 5-Acre Rule. The board voted unanimously to approve the amendment to Ordinance 1166.
The 5-Acre Rule was originally ratified by the citizens of Lyons in September of 2000. The initiative was passed by a 254 to 157 (62 percent) vote. The sitting BOT then implemented this initiative via ordinance (LMC 15-1-340). It became a part of the Lyons Comprehensive Plan.
Lyons 5-Acre Rule states that all annexations to the Town of Lyons that are 5 acres or more, and not owned by the town, must go to a vote of the people. But some developers and others including some former mayors and board members disagreed with the 5-Acre Rule and felt that it was stopping all growth in Lyons.
During a recent discussion on the Inter Governmental Agreement, (IGA) with Boulder County, several members of the public expressed concern over the possibility of landowners subdividing property within Boulder County and then bringing in a parcel that was less than 5 acres. This could be achieved through the County’s “Subdivision Exemption” process. If the county were to approve such a subdivision exemption, the owner of a property under 5 acres in size could then apply to be annexed into the town, and such an application would not be voted on by electors within the town.
The proposed amendment seeks to prohibit this process and requires that all annexations of subdivided properties that were greater than 5 acres in size as of September 5, 2000, must be voted upon, regardless of the size of the subdivided parcel.
The board also passed a resolution to direct staff to draft a ballot question on Ordinance 1166, the amendment to the 5 Acre Rule, to be included on the November election ballot. So residents can now vote on the issue even though the board passed it.
The mayor made it clear at a meeting in August that regardless of the outcome of this
proposed text amendment, the prohibition against serial annexations remains in place.
A draft Resolution (Resolution 2024-62) has been submitted to propose a ballot question for this amendment. A second draft Resolution (Resolution 2024-63) has been provided to implement a temporary moratorium on any “Annexation Applications Carved Out Under 5 Acres” to place a hold on all applicable annexations until the ballot measure passes or fails.
The town board went on to pass Ordinance 1165 to update floodplain regulations and to change the language. The town engineer, Justin Doles, explained that new homes are going into the floodplain area and flood insurance is going to change. Doles said, anyone with government backed homeowners loan will have to have flood insurance.
The board went on to approve on first reading Ordinance 1167, the Tebo Annexation application for 4602 Highland Dr. and 4545 – 4559 Ute Hwy. Senior Planner Andrew Bowen did the presentation for the board. Next the board heard a request and update from Neil Sullivan, one of the owners of Spirit Hound Distillers, 4196 Ute Hwy., who updated the board on the status of remodeling a storage building. The storage building is located in the right-of-way of a proposed trail that the town plans to create behind the two buildings owned by Spirit Hound, the distillery, and the former Clark’s Hardware store. It was originally an old railroad track. The proposal is to cut the storage building in half to make room for the trail.
The town leases the land to the businesses along the proposed trail area and created an agreement with Spirit Hound to pay $20,000 towards the remodel of the storage building. Sullivan came to the board to ask for more money, saying that the bids came in higher than expected at $35,000, which is $15,000 higher than the money the town agreed to pay. The board discussed the matter and decided that they would stick to their original agreement of $20,000. Trustee Mark Browning said that the $20,000 was basically a grant anyway.
Brave hearts battling the blaze—our firefighters are the true guardians of Stone Canyon. PHOTO BY HUGH CAREY, COURTESY OF THE COLORADO SUN
Neguse: Grateful for brave firefighters and community collaboration
By Joe Neguse U.S. House of Representatives Redstone Review
LYONS – On July 30 the Stone Canyon Fire, a 1,557-acre wildfire, sparked near our town. The fire, which has since been fully contained, destroyed five homes and claimed the life of one of our Lyons community members.
My thoughts continue to be with the loved ones of the individual who tragically lost their life, and the many families who lost their homes.
If not for the heroic actions and sacrifices of local law enforcement and firefighters from Lyons and across the State of Colorado, this fire could have caused significantly worse damage to our community. And, it is with that being said, that I express my deepest appreciation to law enforcement officials, first responders, and our firefighters who fought to contain the flames as fast as possible and worked tirelessly to protect our friends and neighbors.
County’s Sheriff, Forest Service officials, and more. Rest assured, we remain in close contact with our local leaders on how to best work together to address the pervasive threat of Western wildfires.
As for our progress, I was proud to announce that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) swiftly authorized federal funding through an FMAG grant to help fight the Stone Canyon Fire. We appreciated the agency’s quick response to our requests for this coverage, and then urged them to consider expanding support for the ongoing fire response efforts across Colorado.
To those of you that were impacted, please know our team stands ready and available to support you in the aftermath of this disaster. If you lost your home and need replacement documents (passport, social security card, birth certificates and more), please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Over the course of the past few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to visit the Lyons Command Center, get briefed by local leaders on the Stone Canyon Fire, and collaborate on federal assistance with your Fire Chief, Mayor, Boulder
We also led an effort to implore the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) to send more aerial resources, logistical resources, and – importantly – additional hand crews. In the days that followed, the NIFC heeded our calls and helped supply more boots on the ground. I am incredibly thankful and proud of our state and community’s response to this fire. A true example of neighbors helping neighbors. Of course, this would not have been possible without the work of our local officials in Lyons and Boulder County. Together, we are committed to collaborating with each other to prevent and protect ourselves from future fires.
As always, please stay safe, stay happy, and stay hopeful.
Congressman Joe Neguse represents Colorado’s Second District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was elected to his first term in November 2018, becoming the first African-American member of Congress in Colorado history. He serves as a member of the House Judiciary Committee, the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis.
Richard James Snyder Born1928; Died July 2, 2024
Richard James Snyder, 95, long time resident of Longmont and Lyons, passed away July 2, 2024.
Dick was born in 1928 to Frances Graeven and William Snyder in Queens, New York. After graduating from Stroudsburg High School in 1946, Dick joined the United States Army and served with the Sixth Medical Battalion in Pusan, Korea after being transferred to the Perrin Air Force Base in Texas, where as an Aviation Cadet, he was introduced to his life long love of flying.
In 1952, Dick married Dotty, the love of his long and blessed life, a marriage that stood the test of time, almost 72 years. They went on to have three children: Richard J. Snyder Jr. (his former spouse Susan Snyder); Mary Snyder Munn (husband Robert P. Munn); and their youngest son Mark Steven Snyder (wife Laura Snyder) who preceded his father in death.
Dick was a force of nature, a Christ follower, determined to provide for his family and teach them to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. He retired from his first career as an Air Traffic Controller in 1981. Dick worked many years after this, having obtained degrees in electronics, digital technology, and robotics.
Family meant more to Dick than anything else in this world. He was unendingly proud of his seven grandchildren and his 17 great grandchildren. He was also a passionate outdoorsman and could often be found hunting, fishing and downhill skiing with his family and friends when he wasn’t at home with Dotty.
Dick made the most of the years God gave him on this earth. He will be deeply missed by his family. Because Dick trusted in Jesus as his Savior, we find peace knowing that his last breath on earth was followed by his first breath in Heaven.
Fundraiser for Stone Canyon Fire victims slated for August
24
LYONS – The Lyons Lions Club along with the Spirit Hound Distillers and Cemex are teaming up to have a fundraiser for the individuals and families who lost their homes in the Stone Canyon fire.
The fundraiser will be held on Saturday, August 24 at the Spirit Hound Distillery in Lyons. There will be a dinner that will start at 4 p.m. and will run until 6 p.m., the music will start at 5:30 p.m. The meal will be roasted pork with sides and will be $25 a plate.
If you’re not able to attend but would like to help you can send a donation to the Lyons Lions Club P.O. Box 1415, Lyons, CO 80540.
Please make sure to note on your donation that it goes to the Sone Canyon Fire victims. We are happy to be in partnership with the Spirit Hound Distillers and Cemex so that 100 percent of funds raised will go to the Lyons Stone Canyon Fire victims.
On behalf of the Lyons Lions Club, Spirit Hound Distillers and Cemex we hope to see you at this very special event. Lyons Strong.
Congressman Joe Neguse speaks with federal and local wildland firefighters at the Lyons Command Center (August 3rd, 2024).
MAYOR’S CORNER
Mayor speaks to Lyons area residents with pride and gratitude
By Hollie Rogin, Mayor of Lyons Redstone Review
LYONS – Let me begin this month’s column the way I used to start my Trustee reports during the 2020 to 2022 Board of Trustees term: with gratitude. As I sit here in my cozy home watching the drizzle gently cover the ground outside with most welcome (and not too much) moisture, I am grateful for:
1. The fact that our town proper stands unharmed, though I grieve for those who lost homes and for the tragic human loss in the Stone Canyon fire;
2. The brave firefighters, first responders, disaster management professionals and others who fought valiantly and brilliantly to keep us safe;
3. Town staff who literally dropped everything – professionally and I imagine personally as well – to support the Boulder County disaster management team and the 250 firefighters who temporarily made our town their home, all while keeping Town business running smoothly;
4. Fellow elected officials, including but not limited to Governor Polis, Senator Bennett, Senator Hickenlooper, Congressman Neguse, Representative Amabile, State Senator Marchman, Commissioner Loachamin, Commissioner Levy, Commissioner Stolzmann and Sherriff Johnson, who were immediately responsive to our needs and helped secure vital resources for us, both here and in Washington, D.C.;
5. And last but most certainly not least: you . Our community makes me proud every single day, and during the Stone Canyon fire crisis, you demonstrated that we
have not lost one iota of the grit we became famous for after the flood. You kept your cool while an extremely complex and highly volatile situation was unfolding. You helped your neighbors and your friends evacuate and get help. You contributed six pickup-truck loads full of sunscreen, sports drinks, batteries, and the like to the people fighting the fire. You offered financial support, hugs, and all manner of emotional and practical support to the firefighters and to each other. Planet Bluegrass even delivered a refrigerator to the fire station. I could not be more humbled or prouder to be your Mayor.
Stories will continue to be told in the coming days, weeks and likely months. I’d wager that not one person will forget this incident. And please know that there are many resources to support you. Boulder County has a comprehensive list here: https://bouldercounty.gov/disasters/wildfires/stone-canyon-lake-shore-fires/.
And there is one specific resource I would like to highlight in the event that you or someone you know is in a mental health crisis or in need of immediate mental health support. Boulder County Community Services recently launched the Crisis Assistance and Treatment (CAT) team. They are a bilingual team of highly-trained individuals who will talk to or physically come to anyone in need of immediate mental health support in the County. Their phone number is 303-441-1300. Moving forward, I know there are a lot of questions about the status of wildfire mitigation and preparation. This has been a Board of Trustees priority for two and a half years now, and we’ve been mitigating town-owned parcels (turns out the goats in Stone Canyon were great timing this year). We will likely be looking at additional ways to incentivize
property owners to mitigate their own properties. At the time of this writing, Town Staff will meet with the various agencies involved in the Stone Canyon fire incident to further refine processes and procedures.
In 2023, the State Legislature established the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code Board to help enhance community safety and resiliency from wildfires through the adoption of codes and standards. Boulder County Commissioner and former Louisville Mayor Ashley Stolzmann is an appointee to this board, and she provided an update to the BoT on August 1.
While the process is long, this team is doing the necessary work to identify and solve the myriad complex issues that arise when considering addressing fire safety in the wildland-urban interface (WUI). The BoT has in the past considered creating a local WUI code, but ultimately decided to
A letter of Thanks from Chief Rob Stumpf
By Rob Stumpf, Lyons Fire Protection District Chief Redstone Review
LYONS – Everyone that knows me, and a few who don’t, can tell you I’ve never suffered for a loss of words. But how do you appropriately thank someone who’s driven dozens, if not hundreds of miles to save our town/district? It’s been a harrowing couple of days, but things have improved enough in the last 24 hrs that I have time to reflect. On my way in this morning, after my first night’s sleep at home since Monday, and after a 39-hour shift, I watched a fire engine from Pueblo West turn in front of me, headed to the morning briefing. I realized, in the rapid spin up of this event and resources coming in that very quickly seeing all these rigs and firefighters coming and going started to feel routine. But this morning, after a good night’s rest, the magnitude hit me, and seeing that rig go by gave me chills. That Engine, and its crew, drove 162 miles, not in a sweet leather interior Lexus SUV but in a fire truck…3 hrs+…to help us. And they arent the furthest away by a stretch. Hoehne Fire is here from near Trinidad. Manitou Springs, Foothills, Cimarron, I could go on and on. We have a crew here from the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Now as I understand it, they were already working in Wyoming when the request to assist us came in, but to see resources from the eastern U.S. fighting fire in Lyons is nothing short of remarkable. I cannot ade-
quately explain the feeling of indebtedness and gratitude I have for all of these men and women who have worked what has now been 5 days straight of some of the toughest work you can imagine in the harshest of conditions. Fire Management Officers Dustin Blair, Dave Buchanan, Seth Mckinney and personnel from Boulder County
able to repay them for their work. The initial resources from our auto and mutual aid partners in the county, especially Lefthand Canyon’s David Lindquist and Hygiene Fire’s Alex Frank and units from Boulder Emergency Squad, City of Boulder, Allenspark, Pinewood, Longmont, Mountain View, Boulder Rural, Four Mile, Boulder
Sheriff’s Office were instrumental in the initial attack of this fire, and they, along with the engine crews on the ground and the air assets above are the reason that many homes were spared. I will never be
Mountain, Lafayette, Louisville, and Big Elk Fire allowed for the rapid deployment of engines and crews whose efforts cannot be overstated. To be able to build a command structure with this many assets in that short
wait for the statewide code. In the meantime, we have already adopted updated building codes as recommended by the Lyons Fire Protection District. I hope everyone is able to rest as needed and enjoy the cooler weather as the kids go back to school. Remember, we never lost the grit. And we added grace and gratitude. Thank you, Lyons.
Hollie Rogin was sworn in as Mayor of Lyons on April 18, 2022. Before that she was elected to serve on the Board of Trustees for the term of 2020 to 2022. She was re-elected mayor in the April 2024 election. 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.
period of time made all the difference. The resources deployed on Eagle Ridge stood between the fire and its spread down the mountain and into town. I have been the Fire Chief in Lyons for only a short period of time, and I can tell you that it was particularly unnerving during the first minutes to hours of the fire to not be able to see or even hear what the crew from Lyons 4031 was encountering up on top of the ridge. Only at dinner with the crew on Friday night did I start to understand what they were faced with when they deployed up Eagle Ridge as the first and for a time the ONLY resource at the fire’s point of origin. Their initial efforts limited the loss of homes on the ridge to only 2, one of which was where the fire started. Firefighters shy away from using the word heroic, because this is simply what we do, but I can think of no other way to describe their actions. I take the responsibility and care of the firefighters under my charge very seriously… and have been accused at times of taking an almost fatherly approach to my dealings with them. It was incredibly unsettling to be down on Stone Canyon, when I knew my crews were up on the ridge where I could neither see nor hear, much less provide for their safety. It was not that different than waiting for your own kids to come home late at night, with the exception that while as a dad I sometimes worry if my kids are in harms way, on Tuesday afternoon and evening I knew for CERTAIN that my crews were in danger. I don’t imagine I will ever forget that feeling, or the relief I felt once I heard them on the radio again.
We are a small department by all measures, but I am so proud to know that of the wildland qualified members of Lyons Fire
Continue Thanks on Page 10
Stumpf
LAURA LEVY
Rogin
The aftermath of the Stone Canyon Fire. PHOTO BY HUGH CAREY, COURTESY OF THE COLORADO SUN
OPTIONS
Lovely columbines represent our beautiful state
By Deborah Huth Price Redstone Review
LYONS – It’s always a pleasure to come upon columbines growing along a hiking trail. Their delicate, complicated beauty is a marvel of nature and a reminder of the love we have for Colorado.
“Tis the land where the columbines grow, overlooking the plains far below,” sings the chorus from Colorado’s state song, celebrating the columbine as the official state flower. As the lyrics suggest, columbines are not often found on the plains – they prefer higher elevations between 5,500 and 13,000 feet.
“Where the Columbines Grow” by A.J. Flynn was adopted as the state song in 1915. It is unlikely you have ever heard this rather dated song, but in 2007 “Rocky Mountain High” by John Denver was also adopted, and seems to capture the spirit of most Coloradans today. However, the dedication to and appreciate of this lovely wildflower continues.
Our state flower, the Colorado Blue Columbine, is truly a beautiful wildflower in the buttercup family, and can be found along the foothills to the mountains. Pam Smith, botanist with Colorado Natural Heritage Program, notes that there are six species of columbine in Colorado – all native. Smith says that two are found in Larimer and Boulder counties: Aguilegia caerulea and Aguilegia saximontana. The caeru-
lea species is most often recognized as the state flower and is called the Colorado Columbine or the Rocky Mountain Columbine, depending on which source you go to, while the saximontana species is also called the Rocky Mountain Columbine, but it found at higher elevations between 9000 to 13,000 feet. This all goes to emphasize the importance of using those Latin names.
The state flower was officially recognized April 4, 1899, only 23 years after Colorado became a state. The flower’s blue and white colors are said to represent the blue skies and snow-capped mountains. According to The Garden Magazine, several other wildflowers were considered, including the saximontana columbine species, the white and pink yucca flower, and Rocky Mountain bluebell, but the Rocky Mountain Columbine won out.
Genus and species names often give us clues as to the appearance of plants. The genus Aquilegia comes from the Latin word for eagle, and most likely refers to the flowers’ spurs that resemble talons. The species caerulea refers to its sea-like blue color. The word columbine originates from the Latin word for dove, recognizing how its flowers or buds resemble groups of doves. The actual petals of this species are white, while the blue spurs that reach behind the flower are the sepals.
Besides the blue varieties, you can find columbines in shades of yellow and red. According to the U.S. Forest Service, these differences stem from adaptations due to pollinators. Hawk moths are major pollinators of yellow columbines, while hummingbirds and bees prefer red columbines. The different blue varieties depend on whether hummingbirds, bees, or hawk moths are present in a region to serve as pollinators. It’s all an evolving process, with nature constantly working to keep both plants and animals living together in harmony.
Growing columbines in your own yard is not too difficult in this region and can be a rewarding experience. You’ll also make those pollinators happy with a native food source. And when the flowers burst open in the spring, you can remember another reason to love Colorado.
Deborah Huth Price is an environmental educator, living in Pinewood Springs. Her blog is at www.walk-the-wild-side.blog. You can email her at debhprice@gmail.com.
Museum honors Mary Eatwell, first principal at Lyons High School
By Monique Sawyer-Lang Redstone Review
LYONS – Mary Eatwell was born November 11, 1891 in Story County, Iowa to James and Rose Eatwell. She graduated high school in Scottsbluff, Nebraska in 1911 and began a career as a teacher in rural schools and at the Scottsbluff Grade School where she taught for five years. She then attended Nebraska Wesleyan University at Lincoln, Nebraska. In 1921 she graduated with Phi Kappa Phi honors and became the Superintendent of the Big Springs, Nebraska High School, a position she held for three years. Mary’s parents had moved to Lyons in 1920 and lived on the corner of 2nd Avenue and Park Street. When Mary’s father, James, passed away in June of 1923, Mary moved to Lyons to be closer to her mother. In September of 1924 Mary became the principal and served as one of two teachers at the newly formed Lyons High School. Prior to 1924, high school classes were taught off and on over the years but there was not an official four-year high school. Students often traveled to high school in Longmont or Boulder. Since the new high school building was not yet built classes were held in the Lyons grade school which consisted of four rooms and is now the Lyons Redstone Museum. In a June 26, 1980 Lyons Recorder newspaper article, Mary Eatwell stated that the elementary grades were in the two downstairs rooms, the 7th and 8th grades were in the upstairs west room, and the high school grades with 25 students were in the east room. A portion of the upstairs west room was also partitioned off for special classes. In addition to her principal duties, Mary taught chemistry, math, English, and sewing. Along with Mary, the second teacher and superintendent of the new high school was F.R. Bland. In the aforementioned newspaper article Mary also recounted that school board member Dr. Kincaid insisted that the class have a chemistry lab. Thus the school was fitted out with a nice table, alcohol lamps, and good equipment. One anecdote of those years describes when two boys in the class, Herbert Osthoff and Robert Kirk, were conducting an experiment using hydrogen. The experiment
wasn’t going well so they lit a match to see if the hydrogen was flowing. This resulted in an explosion that ruined all the chemistry equipment.
In 1925 the very first graduating class from the official Lyons High School included Robert Scanlon, Ruth Cunningham, Anna Jean Gordon and Dorothea Scanlon. The new high school building, located just to the east of the grade school, was completed in 1927. That graduating class included five students: one girl, Ordelle Breffle; and four boys, Francis Gibbons, William Kincaid, John McFadden, and Beverly Spencer.
Mary taught at Lyons High School from 1924 to 1928. Then a serious illness forced her to quit teaching for several years. Her mother died in 1935 and Mary resumed teaching in 1936. She taught across other western states including Branson and Gill, Colorado; Ulysses, Kansas; Laton, California; Echo, Oregon; and Aberdeen, Idaho. She retired to Lyons in 1953 and lived in a house at 208 High St. that her brother, Ora, built for her. After her retirement she served as the town clerk for two and one-half years and was an active member of the Lyons Methodist Church.
At the 1975 Lyons High School Baccalaureate service, Mary was recognized for her part in contributing to the beginning of Lyons High School 50 years earlier. This 2024-2025 school year marks the 100th anniversary of Lyons High School.
Mary passed away January 10, 1986 at the age of 94. She is buried next to her parents in the Mountain View Cemetery in Longmont.
The Lyons Redstone Museum is open to the public through September 29, Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sundays 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. We rely entirely on grants and donations to fund our operations and your support is greatly appreciated. We can accept cash, check, or credit card donations at the museum. You can also donate online at https://coloradogives. org/organization/Lyons-Historical-Society. Come explore your Lyons history.
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.
Meet Mescal, a young wiz of a dog with insatiable curiosity that will make you smile. Mescal is an active pup, who loves to play and is always up for a game of tug-of-war. He is also a quick learner, always eager to please and is responsive to training.
Mescal would make a wonderful addition to any home that can provide him with the love, attention, and exercise he needs!
To see all our adoptable animals or get more details visit longmonthumane.org
Sawyer-Lang
Balls of mud, a box of sticks, and nightjars
Lowell
By Greg Lowell Redstone Review
LYONS – I expected to see Tippi Hedren running screaming down the street, the swarm of wheeling and chattering birds was that Hitchcockian.
They were cliff swallows – at least a hundred of them – and they were intent on colonizing the eaves of my neighbor’s garage. The neighbors were away when the horde descended and I, being the good neighbor, spent that day hosing off the crescents of mud that were the beginnings of the swallows’ softball-sized nests. But the birds were undeterred. I’d no sooner wash off the mud than three hours later they were back. This rinse-andrepeat cycle went on for two days before another neighbor suggested something called bird tape. The strands of dangling mylar were kryptonite to the birds and they’ve not returned since I hung it.
the wing above grassy pastures, ponds, rivers and wetlands, often taking advantage of thermal air currents that bring together dense swarms of insects.
Cliff swallows are the most gregarious of all swallows; they form colonies of 200 to 1,000 nests. One Nebraska colony numbered 3,700 nests. The flocks stick together on their winter migrations to southern South America.
Wren hangs out “No Vacancy” sign
Not nearly so gregarious as cliff swallows is the house wren that hangs around my house. This pint-sized dyna-
and aggressive. Within their territory, they will discourage other cavity-nesting birds from nesting nearby. They will even enter other birds’ nests and puncture or even remove eggs. As cruel as it may seem, we humans shouldn’t be too judgmental. After all, it’s what the wrens do to ensure their own success in the sometimes-intense competition for cavities to nest in. The strategy is obviously working; they are the most widespread of the nine species of wrens in the U.S.
A visitor in the gloaming
But fear not: cliff swallows are among Colorado’s most numerous birds and those surely found another site to colonize. Locally, they have colonized the McConnell bridge.
The birds use mud and small stones to construct their nests. They fill their beaks with building material and bring mud and pellets back to mold them into place. The finished nest is gourd-shaped and contains about a thousand mud pellets. A pair of swallows lines their nest with dried grass and continues patching it up with mud throughout the breeding season. The birds typically raise one to six young, which fledge in 21 to 26 days.
Swallows eat flying insects all year round. They feed on
mo has twice filled a bluebird house chock full of twigs. I cleaned out the birdhouse and within a few days it was once more packed with sticks.
This avian “No Vacancy” sign is meant to discourage other birds from using the house, but at times it can be deadly as well. Once when I went to clean out the twigs, I found two struggling nestlings at the bottom of the house that had been choked with twigs. Had I not cleared the twigs the two chickadees would have starved as their parents couldn’t reach them. Once cleared, the two parents resumed feeding and the two little ones successfully fledged.
Despite their diminutive size, house wrens are territorial
A few years ago, I sat on my back deck on a summer evening watching swallows pick off insects in the skies above my yard when I was startled to see the distinctive chevron-shaped wings of a much larger bird buzz through the swallows like a B-52 among fighter jets. I instinctively knew what it was, although in the scheme of birdwatching it wasn’t a common sight, largely because it appeared in that far edge of gloaming just before total darkness. The common nighthawk, a member of the oddly named nightjar family that includes whippoorwills and goatsuckers, is an insectivore that scoops up flying insects in its wide, gaping mouth. (The term “nightjar” comes from the “jarring” sounds made by the male when the female is brooding, which have been described as a churring trill that seems to change direction as it rises and falls.)
Nighthawks are most active at night and sometimes can be seen flitting around insect-attracting lights. It has a bounding, erratic flight and the angular wings with white bands make it a distinctive sight in the twilight sky. It’s a beautiful, rarely seen bird that’s declining in numbers. According to the Audubon Society, the decline is due to changes in land use and overuse of pesticides. The birds lay their eggs on bare, sandy ground or sometimes rooftops; they don’t build nests.
Lyons resident Greg Lowell, is a Lyons Town Board Trustee and serves as the liaison of the Ecology Advisory Board.
What’s New at LEAF, Lyons Elevating All Fund
By Pam Browning and Kim Hinzy Redstone Review
LYONS – This month, a previous Lyons Emergency & Assistance Fund (LEAF) Board Chair and LEAF’s current Board Chair share their perspectives and insights about LEAF, Lyons Elevating All Fund, and its role in our community.
Honoring our history
From Pam Browning, a previous LEAF Board Chair
“Don’t you just love this town?” We hear this often in Lyons, and for good reason. For more than 140 years, neighbors in this beautiful town have been taking care of each other. It is just something that organically happens here. I have always loved not only the assistance that LEAF provides for people in our community, but even more, the way it serves as a hub or connection point for everyone: people wanting to help others, people with ideas for the community, and people who could just use a little help or direction. LEAF is a place where needing support and giving support are equally valued and where the same people might be found in both camps at some point.
LEAF’s formation came out of a legacy of so many things: Lyon’s “help your neighbor spirit,” the Community Food Pantry that started in 2009, the Golden Gang meals on wheels program originally organized in 1997, the Lyons Community Founda-
tion (LCF) that was formed in 2007, and a small fund started in 2009 at the Lyons Community Methodist Church called the Basic Needs and Emergency Fund (BNEF). So many different people and groups came together over the years to strengthen our community. All of these resources and organizations were in place and doing their part in town when we were hit by the disastrous September 2013 flood.
Immediately after the flood so much money poured in from individuals and groups all over the world. The BNEF was asked to assist LCF in a granting process to administer small assistance grants for emergency needs. In the summer of 2014, a group of people, led by the LCF’s director and the Lyons Community Church pastor, began to meet and discuss potentially forming a human services non-profit to continue to help with flood recovery and support other needs in our community.
Out of those meetings, and with a group of committed volunteers, LEAF was born and its first board was selected.
Over the next three years LEAF partnered with the OUR Center in Longmont, matched clients needs with available resources, and brought the Food Pantry and Meals on Wheels under the LEAF umbrella, helping them grow to support more people. LEAF supported a caring group of volunteers who started a holiday Giving Tree project, and LEAF became its own 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2016. In general, LEAF began big work in becoming not just an emergency help organization, but a flexible, responsive small town nonprofit.
To continue to support our community’s needs and overall health, we knew we needed to grow and add new people with fresh eyes and experience. We saw ourselves as a safety net for our community, but we knew even then that LEAF could be so much more.
Building a future
From Kim Hinzy, LEAF’s current Board Chair
While Pam and I came to LEAF in different ways, the draw was the same: building a community of unity and resilience by fostering the “help your neighbor” spirit that is so mighty in our little town. I write this article on the heels of the Stone Canyon fire and remain in awe of the way the community came together in this time of crisis.
Despite being evacuated themselves, volunteers showed up to deliver food for Meals on Wheels and to make sure the Food Pantry was stocked and staffed for its regular day, including having a mental health team on hand for extra support. That day, I witnessed neighbors walking side by side picking out vegetables, talking about recipes, and sharing their stories, a nibble of normalcy to help us all reconnect with what matters in times of crisis: our humanness. (If you remain impacted by the Stone Canyon fire, please visit LEAF’s website, leaflyons.org, for crisis resources available from our regional partners.)
Throughout the last decade LEAF has established its roots as a partner in supporting the basic needs of the Lyons commu-
nity including addressing mental wellness and addiction recovery and suicide prevention efforts. In the last six years, we’ve been under the leadership of our current Executive Director, Lory Barton. With her strong sense of compassion and keen eye on human services, LEAF has found its permanent home in Lyons that honors where we’ve been and where we’re going. This fall, LEAF will have a new home and the possibilities of what’s to come are both endless and exciting. As board members, a primary role is to ensure LEAF is working within its mission and has the capacity and resources to sustain that mission. This includes reviewing programs and services, understanding needs in the community, and financial oversight. On the cusp of moving into a new home and permanently planting ourselves in Lyons, LEAF has given our brand a little update. The decision to update our name and mission comes after months of deliberation, community input, and strategic planning.
New Name: Lyons Elevating All Fund
As we cherish the past and look to the future, LEAF recognizes the power and strength of our community relies not just on our programs, but on collaboration, neighbors helping neighbors, and fostering resilience. Working together, we help our community grow, recover, and rise up to meet our collective challenges, from natural disasters to putting a healthy meal on the table.
New Mission: LEAF offers resources to grow health and well-being in the Greater Lyons community. No one organization can do it all. LEAF strives to be a knowledgeable and adaptable hub of connection that can equip our
Browning
Hinzy
Young swallows, eager and hungry, await their next meal. PHOTO BY MICHAEL CUMMINS
In the midst of snakes use caution
Butler
by Peter Butler Redstone Review
LYONS – Here in Lyons we live, not merely surrounded by nature, but intimately planted into it. And sometimes it’s not only red in tooth and claw but also gray in smoke and ash. Or snake skin. Recently it seems as if our biology lessons have been dominated by herpetology.
Ever since hearing that local sculptor John King had been bitten on the ankle, my eyes have been glued to the ground whenever I am out hiking or running with the dog. We were enjoying an evening stroll a few days ago when there was a sudden, load roaring sound as a very large bull snake leapt sideways in some grass and Tal the border collie leapt in the opposite direction. Over the past few weeks the pattern of wiggly rendezvous has intensified. The extra hot weather through July got all that cold-blooded blood boiling and made them more dynamic.
Because we keep chickens, we store grain and other feedstuffs in our garage. And while we try to keep it sealed in tight metal containers, the mouse population knows how to exploit every dropped crumb and pretty soon the place is running with them. But eventually their presence is smelled or infra-red detected by crotalus viridis, who moves in for a few days. We became attuned to them after a few surprises, so we are very cautious not to put a hand or foot any -
where a venomous fang might be poised. Deep down we actually like and respect our linear friends, because they really are a better mousetrap, and you don’t need to put a blob of peanut butter on them before cocking. Maybe you don’t like snakes, but let them live and keep the rodents down.
But the truth is that it is too risky with people and animals in close proximity.
daily limit. Four in the last few days. Three in the garage and one very large specimen right outside the front door at 11 p.m.
We have established a successful method over the years. The finder yells to their spouse to come watch Mr. Bendy while getting tooled up. First we don heavy rubber boots and long thick welding gloves and then grab an empty Home Depot bucket with some sort of stiff, flat board to act as a lid. I use a square sheet of thick plexiglass, but a piece of Masonite would suffice. If
Snakes are one of those lifeforms capable of eliciting a visceral reactions in folks. Not just Indiana Jones: I have friends who get the cold sweats at the very mention of them. Deirdre and I are free of that affliction, and we are comfortable handling snakes manually, but not the ones that can kill you. But we don’t kill them – we catch them. Catch and release actually, and there’s no
Protecting the residents in and around Lyons
By Victoria Simonsen Redstone Review
LYONS – The Lyons area is susceptible to many natural and man-made hazards, including wildfires, floods, severe winter storms, and highway incidents. Knowing
what to expect when an emergency arises and how to find information is important. As we all learned in the recent fire, communication is critical but can also be overwhelming and confusing.
Emergencies are a part of our daily lives and cause minor inconvenience to those who encounter them. They are handled by the 911 system. Disasters are wide-reaching incidents with long-term impacts. The 911 system may handle the initial calls, but an Incident Command Center (ICC) and Emergency Operations Center (EOC) are set up to deal with the myriad needs, resources, and agencies needed to respond and recover.
Emergencies and crises are chaotic and highly dynamic, creating physical, emotion-
al, and social disorder. However, the Incident Command System (ICS) is the tool government agencies use to effectively manage such incidents and restore a modicum of order in a chaotic environment. ICS organizes a team’s functions so that every aspect of an incident response is addressed. This leadership model enables a team to communicate, cooperate, and get the job done, providing reassurance and confidence in the face of chaos.
The Incident Command Center (ICC) is designed for the prompt mobilization and coordination of personnel, equipment, and supplies during a disaster. The ICC locally is usually the Lyons Fire Protection District Station #1. However, depending on the location of an incident, the ICC can change, adapting to the situation. The basic structure of the ICC consists of an incident commander who is ultimately responsible for all decisions. The incident commander is directly supported by a team that has all been trained in their roles and responsibilities under the ICS. An Incident Commander can change with each incident.
An EOC, emergency operations center, is a physical or virtual location where leaders of a jurisdiction coordinate information and resources to support an incident. The primary reason to activate an EOC is to respond to a major incident that endangers public safety, such as a natural disas -
the snake is on a smooth floor with space around it’s easy, but if she’s bunched up against a wall, Medusa might need persuading with a broom handle. Carefully, but firmly, put the bucket over the candidate and wiggle until they are fully inside. They seem to quite like it in there –it’s cozy like Motel Snakes. Then you can slide the board under the bucket, without
ter, health crisis, or significant security threat. The EOC supports and coordinates comprehensive emergency response and recovery operations, providing a secure and supported environment for effective coordination. The Town of Lyons’ EOC is the Boulder County EOC in Boulder. Mike Chard has been the Director of Disaster Management for the City of Boulder and Boulder County since 2009.
The mission of the Office of Disaster Management (ODM) is to limit a disaster’s impacts on humans, property, the environment, and infrastructure through community preparedness, mitigation of hazards, and effective disaster response and recovery.
The Town of Lyons does not have the human or financial resources to have its own incident command or emergency operations center. We utilize the Lyons Fire Protection District and the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office for disaster response and management.
When a situation exceeds the available local resources, the Town of Lyons can declare a local disaster. At that point, Boulder County becomes the emergency manager. When resources exceed Boulder County’s capacity, they can request resources from the State of Colorado. When
lifting it, so the intruder ends up on top of the slide but still inside the bucket. Then, holding the two parts closely together, you can invert the whole assembly, with the lid firmly on top to protect your hand, and get ready for a pleasant walk to some alternative habitat where your new bestie can slip away into oblivion. However warm your friendship has become during these happy minutes of acquaintance you will never see that particular insinuated chum ever again. Try and be strong.
There have been times out on the trail when a hiker will say, “I just saw a snake but I don’t know if it’s a rattlesnake.” Usually a quick glance reveals it to be a bull snake and I will urge it away from the trail for its own safety. If there is a little time before their disappearance you can observe and learn some characteristics. A bull snake is bigger and straighter than a rattlesnake, moves differently and is often brighter yellow. They show a wide range of personalities: some are scaredy-cats and scuttle away as soon as possible, but others will get all ornery and do their best coiled up rattler impersonation. Snakes have an unfair status in general popular opinion. But they deserve our respect because they are part of the balance of the local ecology and were here long before we were. In fact before we were even human.
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.
resources exceed the State’s capacity, they can request federal assistance, thus declaring a federal disaster.
This acceleration of disaster response and declaration can occur in a very short amount of time. With each step, the responsibility for communication, direction, and resources goes to the next level. This is where communication with the residents can get confusing. The county is the primary communicator if the situation has risen above a local capacity. The town will not send messages that the county has not vetted.
During an emergency, the speed and convenience of social media can be tempting. However, it’s crucial to remember that it’s not always accurate and often reflects personal opinions. In a true emergency, getting information from reliable sources is vital. While it may take a bit longer, this delay is usually due to organizations gathering data, assessing options, and recommending the best course of action for the public. Relying on these sources helps residents feel secure and well informed, enabling them to make the best decisions during emergencies. It is important to know accurate resources to turn to during this time of height-
Continue Protecting on Page 14
Fleeing the fire
By John Gierach Redstone Review
LYONS – I was fishing on the upper St. Vrain Creek when I saw the smoke, and I tried to locate its source as I drove back down the canyon. It was not an easy task as the smoke seemed to move with every turn in the road and would sometimes vanish entirely behind a canyon wall.
From Heil Ranch it looked like it was in Lyons, from Lyons it looked like it was at our house a few miles north into the next county, and from our house it looked like it was just on the other side of Blue Mountain where our friends Chris and Betzy live. But when I called them, they said no, it was a few miles on north of them and burning east with a prevailing westerly tailwind. We exchanged the usual offers of help and promised to keep in touch.
From there, things happened quickly enough that it was possible to lose track of the exact sequence of events. About the time Chris and Betzy got the order to evacuate, the Stone Canyon fire started just south and east of us, immediately threatening the town, and we got our own evacuation order. We gave it some thought. Most of us cling to home beyond reason anyway, and there’s a catch-22 whereby they can’t force you to leave, but they can forcibly keep you from going back. And it doesn’t help that I come from that generation of men who see themselves as the last line of defense for their homes and families. That’s fine if it comes to that, but in the case of a wildfire, all you can do is squirt water on your roof until the power goes off and the pump dies. Then, for all your heroics, you’ll be standing there holding a limp garden hose and needing to be rescued. All in all, it’s probably best to bug out and leave it to the pros. We did defy the mandatory evacuation order after the 2013 flood – along with most of our neighbors – but that was a different situation. By the time the order came down the flood had crested, the danger had passed and we were left on high ground with, between all of us up here, everything we needed to wait it out. Susan even managed to put out an issue of this newspaper without benefit of phones or electricity that went on to win several awards from the Colorado Press Association for its flood coverage. In the Redstone Review’s quarter-century history, that was the only issue that ever came out late, but it hardly mattered since there was no way to deliver it and no one in the deserted town to read it anyway.
But fires are different and evacuation is always the better part of valor, so we packed up following the basic rule of natural disasters, which is to take care of everything with a pulse first – which included the two of us and our elderly cat – figuring the rest is expendable. This is the second time we’ve actually evacuated because of a wildfire and the third time we’ve packed up in preparation, so we have the drill down. In the end, we had everything we needed for an extended stay and in case the worst happened and we had to start over, but left the rest of our lifetime’s worth of pos-
sessions behind, as you must. I also brought fishing tackle as well as a few other seemingly necessary items. I don’t know what all Susan brought (these decisions are personal and can’t be questioned) but I noticed that she grabbed our wedding picture, which I hadn’t even thought of. Oops. We had several offers of places to stay (thank God for friends) and picked a friend’s house in north Boulder. She had a spare room and she likes cats in general and our cat in particular. We understood that we’d be imposing, but thought we’d be less of an imposition there than some other places. Our friend graciously gave us a spare key and went about her life, understanding that if she hovered trying to be the perfect host it would just make us uncomfortable. And then we waited. Things were too uncertain to do much in the way of actual work, so we checked in on various fire-related websites and stayed in touch with friends
and neighbors via text and email. Everyone had landed somewhere and they and their animals were doing okay under the circumstances except for our next-door neighbors Dana and Debbie whose cat Max was so freaked out that he’d burrowed into a box spring where they were staying and refused to come out.
Good information was scarce, with TV and radio accurate as far as they went, but so nonspecific as to be nearly useless. Websites were more granular, but not updated very often. Rumors and social media couldn’t be trusted to hold water. The most reliable reports came from our friends Vince and Susan who were on site on the old St. Vrain Road. At one point, Vince was able to say, “Yeah, I’m lookin’ at it right now.”
It was Betzy who called on day three to say they’d issued an all clear for our corner of Larimer County. I checked the website which said no they didn’t and then called the Disaster Call Center which said yes, they did. It was the heat of another hot day – 98 degrees – and rather than pack all our stuff and the beleaguered cat only to be turned away, I drove up by myself on a scouting mission. I went right to the house without so much as passing a checkpoint, so I turned the AC on high and called to tell Susan to start packing. So that’s that until the next time. In the 27 years we’ve lived in this valley we’ve had three wildfires and a flood and the climate has now changed to the point where thousand-year events happen once a decade. We’ll never get used to it, but at least we know what to do and have places to go while we wait to see what happens next.
The offers of help that are exchanged are heartfelt and come from people who’d rather give help than ask for it, so if we did get a call we’d respond in a heartbeat no questions asked. That said, I’m glad I didn’t have to help dig Max the cat out of that box spring.
The fire fighters did an unbelievable job fighting the fires under the most adverse circumstances. It is almost painful to think about how hard they worked to save other people’s homes and animals. It’s hard to think about what this area would look like now if the fire had been allowed to burn through the area. Thank God for the fearless fire fighters.
John Gierach is an outdoor and fly fishing writer who writes books and columns for magazines including a regular column for Trout Magazine. His books include Trout Bum, Sex Death and Fly fishing, and Still Life with Brook Trout. He has won seven first place awards from the Colorado Press Association for his columns in the Redstone Review. His latest book, All the Time in the World, was released in March 2023 and is available at Boulder Book Store in Boulder on the Pearl St. Mall or at Barbed Wire Books in Longmont.
Library looks to the sky with Lights Out and stargazing events, and more
By Kara Bauman Redstone Review
LYONS – As we transition from summer into the early days of autumn, your Lyons Community Library is buzzing with a variety of events and programs planned to engage and inspire all ages. From book clubs to stargazing, there’s something for everyone.
Join us on August 18 at 5 p.m. for a lively discussion at the Pints and Pages book club, where we’ll be diving into A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza. This novel explores the bonds and tensions within an Indian-American Muslim family as they navigate cultural expectations and personal aspirations. Enjoy a refreshing drink while engaging in meaningful conversation with fellow book lovers at this collaboration between the Rock Garden and the library. If you prefer your reading in a peaceful setting, the Silent Book Club is perfect for you. Bring your book of choice – or let us help you choose a new one – to the library at 3:30 p.m. on August 19 and relish some uninterrupted reading time in our well air-conditioned space.
The first Teen Advisory Group (TAG) meeting of the new school year is happening August 22 at 6 p.m. TAG members contrib-
ute to the development and planning for library events for their age group, make suggestions for book purchases, and offer ideas for creating a comfortable, safe, and fun atmosphere for teens at the Library. TAG is for students in grades 6six through 12. While the school year just began, it’s never too early to get started on college applications. Our College Essay Boot Camp will provide high school seniors with tools and guidance needed to craft a compelling personal statement. Don’t miss this opportunity to receive expert advice on making your essay standout. This 90-minute workshop begins at 1 p.m. on August 24.
That evening, experience the wonders of the night sky at the fourth annual Lights Out Lyons, a community gathering to encourage residents and businesses to go low- or no-lights. The evening starts at the library at 5:30 p.m. with a mini planetarium experience brought to us by the Fiske Planetarium. Their mini dome show will teach attendees about astronomical events. At 7:30 p.m. head out to Explore Bohn Park in the Dark with astronomy educators and local telescope enthusiasts. If you were bitten by the stargazing bug, join us for an evening under the stars at Hall Ranch at 7:30 p.m. on August 30. As the
Lyons Redstone Museum
summer skies shine bright, our knowledgeable guides will help you identify constellations and share fascinating stories about the night sky. This family-friendly event is a great way to wrap up the summer season. Discover the art of tea blending in a hands-on workshop at the library on August 31 at 12:30 p.m. Learn about different types of teas, their health benefits, and how to create your own special blends. Whether you’re a tea enthusiast or a curi-
ous beginner, this workshop will leave you feeling relaxed and inspired. Join us and the Boulder County Area Agency on Aging for a three-week series of Mindfulness for Well-Being workshops for adults 60-plus. The series will include an introduction to mindfulness, guided meditation and gentle movement practices, practical applications of mindfulness, along
with group discussion. The first session, rescheduled from August, is September 4 at 1:30 p.m.
Finally, we invite you to mark your calendars for a special “State of the Library” celebration on September 17. Our beloved library building just turned five years old and we’re commemorating this milestone with a festive event. Join us to hear about the library’s achievements, future plans, and enjoy celebratory refreshments. Perhaps you’ll be moved to join the Library District Board of Trustees, helping shape policy and budgets, and generally advocating for library services in our community. 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 303-823-5165 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. She’s an avid fly angler, enjoys craft beer, and travels extensively to see her favorite band, Widespread Panic.
Gierach
Bauman
Downtown Lyons, CO.
PHOTO BY CATHY RIVERS
The Stone Canyon fire. PHOTO BY HUGH CAREY, THE COLORADO SUN
Lyons small businesses bolstered with local loans and improved streets
Kim Mitchell Redstone Review
LYONS – It’s been a busy and hot summer in Lyons. Mother nature has tested our resilience and our resolve with hot temperatures and very little moisture. Yet the calendar notes that summer is slowly ebbing back into the school year, and we will transition to fall and cooler temperatures in no time.
Meanwhile, just four short months ago the roadway improvements were finalized along U.S. Hwy. 36 eastbound/Broadway. This project was funded by Federal Highway Funds that were passed through to CDOT from a competitive application process back in 2018. The design improvements included sidewalks on the northern edge, a multi-modal path (along the south side), narrower travel lanes that create vehicle friction, which slows speeds, as well as additional parking along both the north and south sides of Broadway.
Each week we see more pedestrians use the sidewalks, and the additional public parking allows visitors to stop more readily in town. The improved streetscape provides walkable streets and a more pedestrian friendly environment, encouraging residents and visitors to linger longer in Lyons.
with very low interest rates so our small businesses can access funds for working capital or inventory needs. The two different funding mechanisms are Federal USDA grant monies and a local business recovery fund.
The amazing structure of a revolving loan fund means that as one loan is being paid back, other loans can continue to happen
businesses. Town staff manages the paperwork and documentation.
Paul Dreyer, Chair of the Lyons Economic Vitality Commission, noted, “The revolving loan funds are an important component in our work to provide affordable loans for the business community. It is a self-replenishing pool of money, utilizing interest and principal payments on old loans to issue new ones.”
Interested businesses in Lyons may learn more online at https://www.townoflyons. com/627/Revolving-Loan-Fund.
While many of our small local businesses thrive in the summer months, the effects of seasonal fluctuations arise during the rest of the year. One resource for local businesses in Lyons is access to the super-local Revolving Loan Fund. This makes available short-term loans
LCF
concurrently with the ongoing payments. The application procedure and loan process are managed by a local group of committed volunteers who understand balance sheets and income statements, and interview the
has expanded grants, a digital silent auction, and new board member
By Rachel Pickarski Redstone Review
LYONS – The Lyons Community Foundation (LCF) is excited to share several important updates with our local community.
First, the 2024 grant cycle is open, offering a significant increase in funding for local non-profits. This year, LCF is providing $75,000 in grants, up from last year’s $50,000, with a maximum grant size of $7,000, an increase from the previous $5,000 limit. Applications will be accepted online until September 6. These grants are designed to support projects that enhance community life, foster local culture, and drive positive change. Eligible applicants include non-profits with 501(c) (3) status, government agencies, and schools in the greater Lyons area.
In addition to the grant cycle, we are
eagerly anticipating the Fourth Annual Hootenanny at River Bend on August 25. This year’s event introduces a digital twist to our traditional silent auction through the app GiveButter. Attendees will be able to browse and bid on auction items directly from their smartphones, enhancing the ease and accessibility of participation. The digital auction will open before the event, allowing for early bidding. QR codes corresponding to each auction item will be displayed on silent auction tables during the Hootenanny, streamlining the bidding process. To participate, follow LCF’s upcoming how-to posts on social media for user-friendly instructions.
We are also delighted to introduce Gerard Gloisten as the newest member of the LCF board. A founding partner of Core Wealth
As Lyons continues to adapt and grow, we need to work cooperatively to sustain and strengthen our local economy. The Revolving Loan Fund is one tool in the local toolbox. To be truly sustainable and successful, our local small businesses depend on support from all of us, residents, friends and visitors. Our local service and business owners are all entrepreneurs and part of the tapestry of Lyons. Their success is a success for Lyons as a whole, ensuring that our residents have access to amenities and services, strengthening their business success and helping to keep our town both vibrant and vital.
Taken in tandem, the roadway improvements and the revolving loan fund help strengthen local business. These shops, services and restaurants are gathering places which bring the community together to share ideas, histories and a positive vibe. Economic sustainability can be strengthened with local events in the off-season to encourage more visitation in the slower months, but most important is your local support year-round.
Kim Mitchell is the Director of Communications and Community Relations for the Town of Lyons. She has called Lyons home for 15 years.
Partners, LLC, he brings over 30 years of experience in financial planning and money management. Having recently relocated to Lyons with his wife Susan from California, Gerard is enthusiastic about integrating into our community and contributing his expertise.
The Gloistens, who enjoy cycling, hiking, and camping, are eager to support and engage with local initiatives. If you would like to connect with Gerard Gloisten or welcome him to our community, you can email him at ggloisten@gmail.com.
As we embark on these new ventures, we extend our gratitude to the Lyons community for its continued support and involvement. We look forward to working together to enhance the vibrancy and well-being of Lyons.
For more information on the 2024 grant cycle or the Fourth Annual Hootenanny, please visit our website: www.lyonscf.org and follow us on social media: Facebook @LyonsCommunityFoundation and Instagram @lyonscommunityfoundation.
Rachel Pickarski is the Marketing and Communications Consultant at the Lyons Community Foundation.
Mysterious portraits of people you know
By Sally King Redstone Review
Kahlie Sue Pinello and Amanda Anderson
Have created a magical collage show for us
At the library Its smoke and mirrors
Revealing the wonder of our Collective accomplishments.
The wise women of our town
Ghostly reflecting and asking Us to see them as if from beyond. Chrystal DeCoster with her magic ball. Theatrical Mindy Tallent in a tipped hat.
Crystal White wears the necklaced keys to the town.
Priscilla Cohan in cosmic kaleidoscope glasses And many others
How delightful that these two artists spent last winter
Finding ornate frames and fabrics and images
To make a collage of each woman Tuning into their unique qualities, And in honoring each, They have honored us all.
The art is a very potent and a gift
“Living Dolls” is currently on display at the Lyons Library
For the next three months.
We are so lucky to have Kahlie and Amanda Makers – making art – just 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 e mail sallywhiteking@live.com.
Gerard Gloisten
Pickarski
Downtown Lyons, CO. PHOTO BY CATHY RIVERS
ART & ENTERTAINMENT
Happy Kitchen
By Sally King Redstone Review
No turmoil in retreat . . .
Tenderness in tight places . . .
We’ve been running a refugee encampment.
Neighbors displaced from the fire
And their cats
And a few travelers too.
Food dishes piled high.
The dishwasher is a constant.
Long ago I made a painting
Called The Happy Kitchen where
Every surface has a tipped bowl
Or a broken egg, a delightful tribute to chaos
Babies and dogs under foot.
And there I sit,
Over in the corner by myself
At my own, neatly organized table.
““““““““““““““““
In the coming times
It might not hurt for each of us to increase our awareness
Of how we grapple with chaos because . . .
More is coming.
Lyons to host the Fourth Annual Summer Artisan Market
Kristen Bruckner Redstone Review
LYONS – On Saturday, September 7, the Fourth Annual Summer Artisan Market will be held in Bohn Park, along the beautiful banks of the St. Vrain, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The day will feature more than 40 area artisans offering their creations which include textiles and wearable art, jewelry, pottery, visual arts and more.
Many of the artists hail from Lyons but we also have some creators from our neighboring communities. Because of Lyons’ reputation as a town that appreciates hand-made and unique shopping experiences, vendors anticipate a warm welcome. Make plans to invite a friend or two and discover new artists, as well as old favorites along the shade trees and the banks of the St. Vrain.
We thought we’d share a glimpse of two local artists who are participating in the art show and market. Local painter Suzanne Davis will have her watercolors on display. Hailing from Pinewood Springs, Davis has recently become more involved in the local art scene in Lyons. She has exhibited in the Quarterly Town Hall Art Shows, displays her work at Western Stars Gallery, and teaches an art class for Lyons seniors.
A first-time exhibitor is children’s book author Catherine (Cat) Ann Russell, whose books have received multiple awards. She says, “I am both humbled and thrilled at how Lyons cultivates an exemplary atmosphere that promotes, encourages, and supports the arts and the many talented artists who call Lyons home.”
In addition to supporting local artisans, the Artisan Market is also an opportunity to support the Lyons Community Foundation (LCF). Volunteers will be offering barbecue samples, craft beer from Lyons’ own Oskar Blues Brewery, as well as delicious root beer floats, with all proceeds benefiting the foundation.
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LCF is ever-present at town-wide events, raising money to fund grants supporting many of the artistic and cultural pursuits that residents and visitors have come to know and enjoy. Community Support Grant funding includes the Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission’s (LAHC) highly regarded “heARTS of Lyons” public sculpture collection and the newly painted Creative Outlets Utility box “Trout” at the entrance to Bohn Park.
Of course, no Lyons event would be complete without live music. Local musicians the D’Lovelies have been tapped to delight market shoppers from noon until 2 p.m. If you haven’t had the opportunity to enjoy this band, it will be worth stopping by.
For more Information on the Artisan Market, visit lyonscolorado.com/artisanmarket.
Kristen Bruckner is the Arts and Cultural Services Coordinator for the Town of Lyons. She has lived in Lyons for 20 years, raising three kids and participating in town activities. She may be reached at Kbruckner@townoflyons.com.
Meet Chowder, a 2-year-old, energetic dog full of life and love. Chowder has a heart that’s as big as his spirit. He is a little shy—slow and steady wins for him. Once you’re in, he loves people and is always ready to show his affection! He’s full of energy, always ready to embark on a new adventure. Chowder’s also the perfect companion for quieter moments, content to sit by your side as you read a book or watch TV.
Now, Chowder is waiting for his new family to discover him. His past makes him unique; his love for adventure and his loyal heart make him the perfect companion! Give Chowder a chance to show you the true meaning of unconditional love! To see all our adoptable animals or get more details visit longmonthumane.org
Thanks Continued from Page 3
we had 80% of our entire roster here within hours of the fires start. Chief Pischke, Captains O’neil, Boccolucci, Herman & Hart, Lt. Vasel, Acting Officer Hickey, Firefighters Cullen, Carvajal, Chilton, Davis, Herrara, Legan, Murphy, Preskenis, Palestro, Stack, Strabala, Brunson, Vogel, Cope, Williams, Nagy, Gilchrist, Medina-Rivera, Serrano-Tellez, Vadeboncoeur, Paramedics Malone, Doig, Zettlemoyer, Winkler, Huff, Bielecki- THANK YOU…thank you for your hard work, the risks you exposed yourself to, and for keeping yourselves and each other safe and uninjured (mostly).
By week’s end, every single member of this department that was in town/state had been in to assist in the firefight and protection of this community. I’ve never been so proud, or so motivated to do right by this group as I am today.
I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the Boulder County Sheriff and his staff. BCSO, and law enforcement in general receive few accolades during a wildfire event, as they are the ones tasked with enforcement of evacuation zones and road closures and other duties that put them on the receiving end of some people’s frustrations. But I can tell you they also are the ones driving up the smoke-filled canyons with fire advancing, without any water or firefighting equipment or protection to see that we get as many homes cleared of residents as possible. These men and women save(d) lives. Their sometimes-thankless role is no less significant than a crew on a hoseline or a tanker in the sky.
The staff of the Town of Lyons has been in the firehouse from the fire’s inception, asking and assisting the District and the Incident Management Team in every way that they can. Victoria, Hollie, Aaron, and Dave have helped organize donations and resources, accommodations for sleepy firefighters, and providing consistent messaging and information to all affected. How great it is to have the kind of relationship where we can lean on them for assistance.
We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love from the community of Lyons, and Longmont, Boulder, and the Front Range. Countless calls and emails and visits from so many bringing food, money, drinks, and supplies.
Residents have been offering space in their homes to rest our crews. I’ve never seen such an effort in 27 years on the job. Zach Tucker from Planet Bluegrass, Neil Sullivan from St. Vrain Market, any and all of you who’ve bought sunscreen or brought sandwiches or refrigerators or coffee or cookies or Gatorade…..thank you for keeping us healthy, fed, hydrated and maybe a little spoiled. Up to now, I’ve been left to marvel over stories on the NBC nightly news about communities that rally around firefighters saving towns in California or elsewhere…now I and the firefighters in Lyons know that it is not the stuff of legend, but a real truth; this community has our backs….and knows no limit to the support they will offer. It is simply heartwarming.
The Incident Command Post has been in the training room (and part of the living room and apparatus bays) of the firehouse in town since day one, and we’ve played host to dozens of staff from Boulder and Larimer counties, the Front Range, and the State. The Incident Management Team that stood up here to defend the Town of Lyons and the District is an impressive bunch of selfless souls who have been on the shorter end of adequate rest/sleep for 5 days. Nate, our IC, as far as I can tell, simply doesn’t sleep. Kip and the crew in logistics kept the station in order and the crews resupplied and Jamie in Public Information has been juggling messaging from forty different agencies and dignitaries and media like a pro. It has been a privilege to host this team, and fascinating to watch. Comms, Finance, Plans…all of them working to support the fire…keeping it staffed day and night, keeping us talking to each other and getting things paid for. They’ve been running a city inside of a town inside of a fire like it was nothin.
Governor Polis and his staff were here early, and he and Congressman Joe Neguse lent the full strength of the State of Colorado to our little town/fire district. Joe’s been back, without fanfare, feeding the troops and socializing with the staff. I know there are people I’ve left out and I can only ask for forgiveness if I overlooked someone’s contribution. There’s been so many moving parts, and I haven’t been able to keep a handle on all of it. As of this writing, and as best as I can recollect, I want to publicly acknowledge the debt owed to, and thank as earnestly as I am able:
Hollie, Victoria, Aaron, Dave and Town of Lyons staff
I will close with someone else’s words that I have cited time and again to new fire recruits, that I think is relevant here. Thoreau said “the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation”….and in 1986 President Ronald Reagan while addressing the anniversary of the United States Marine Corp said, “some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world.” I can tell you that the men and women who’ve lent their time, their hearts and minds to Lyons and the Stone Canyon Fire don’t have that problem. This has been a career defining event for me, not because of anything I did, but because of the people listed here, and the herculean effort put forth to assist and protect all of us.
………… Rob Stumpf, Fire Chief, LFPD
Chief Rob Stumpf came to LFPD in February of 2023 as the Deputy Chief of Operations. Late in 2023 he became the fire chief at LFPD. He has 26 years of experience in the fire service, the last 12 of which he spent in Colorado. He served as a firefighter, engineer, Battalion Chief, and Operations Chief in small jurisdictions such as Lyons and Berthoud, and larger ones in Bloomington and Indianapolis, Indiana.
Red fire retardant divides the burn zone from the Stone Canyon fire, in Lyons. PHOTO BY HUGH CAREY, THE COLORADO SUN
Cat covered in red slurry rescued by firefighter working Quarry Fire
Help is available for owners of brownfield properties
been reunited with its owners.
few days ago. It was
There is a cat in Jefferson County with eight lives left. And don’t be surprised if you see it show up on T-shirts as the symbol of resilience for those displaced by the Quarry Fire. Fire crews found a cat covered in red slurry inside the burn scar. Other than needing a bath, the cat is fine, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Mark Techmeyer said Saturday afternoon.
“You have a cat that’s been out there for four or five days and was close enough to the fire to get hit by retardant,” he said. “I can’t imagine how scared it was trying to find its way.
But that cat to me is the symbol of what we’ve been through here. That is survival, tenacity, and hanging in there and fighting.”
After being checked out at a local animal clinic the feline was reunited with its owners. Techmeyer didn’t know the cat’s name.
“If it doesn’t have a name, I hope they go with Slurry,” he said.
David Krause is a Team Editor at the Colorado Sun. Krause has been in journalism since high school and his first published story was in the Bethany (Okla.) Tribune-Review in September 1982. He joined the Sun in June 2022. He was the editor at the Aspen Times from 2017 to 2022.
Dementia summit helps those navigating the dementia journey
By Ralph Patrick Redstone Review
LYONS – The Allenspark Community Church invites the public to the first annual Dementia Summit entitled “Navigating the Dementia Journey: Nurturing the Spirit.” This seminar will provide information, education, and inspiration to those people living with dementia, caregivers, and anyone who has been affected by or is interested in this grave and timely topic. It will be held at the Allenspark Community Church, 16 Washington St. in Allenspark, on Saturday, September 7 from 9 a.m. to
noon. There is no cost to attend.
Ralph Patrick, pastor of Allenspark Community Church and former Regional Director of the Colorado Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, will be joined by renowned author Rebecca Chopp for a presentation entitled, Living with Wonder and Awe. They will cover a broad range of topics, from the diagnosis process, to stages of the disease, to helpful hints for living with joy on the journey. They will also allow ample time to address questions you have.
Rebecca Chopp is the author of Still Me: Accepting Alzheimer’s without Losing Yourself,
3 bedroom, 2 bath, Office space, attached garage and additional, workshop/studio space. 2,236 SqFt, 12.78 Acres with amazing views, hiking and camping spots.
Listed at $1,149,999
By Cassidy Davenport Redstone Review
LYONS – In 2022, the Town of Lyons was awarded a Brownfields Assessment Grant to help with the revitalization of existing and underutilized publicly and privately owned brownfield properties.
But what is a brownfield? While a common word for developers or environmentalists, brownfields are rarely discussed in everyday conversation and are frequently misunderstood.
The EPA defines a brownfield as a property where expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Brownfields are often underutilized, contain an older or historic building, or are vacant or abandoned.
This grant helps qualifying property owners access free services which may include site assessments, materials surveys, and cleanup planning. In the long run, the public should benefit as these sites are cleaned up and redeveloped into properties that benefit the economy and public health, aid in job production, create parks and housing, or meet other local goals.
The town is looking for property owners with sites that fit the typical/historic uses associated with brownfield sites including but not limited to old factories, former gas stations, old rail yards, or vacant commercial facilities. If this sounds like a property you own, you may be eligible for multiple funding opportunities within the grant including phase one and two environmental site assessments, regulated building
3 bedroom, 3 bath, 3 vehicle garage with additional workshop. 2,985 SqFt, 1 acre. Impressive 20 ft Great room, Easily accessible driveway, Mountain living and sunrise views.
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material surveys including lead paint and asbestos sampling, as well as plans for cleanup and reuse on the property.
These surveys can be costly to those trying to sell their property. However, participation in this grant allows this work to be free. These assessments will help answer questions related to the state of a property but may also help with sales, financing agreements, and redevelopment. This grant does not cover the cost of cleanup, but owners who have an assessment are under no obligation to perform any additional work and a separate program can provide low-interest loans for those who wish to apply.
The Brownfields Assessment Grant aims to revitalize areas of the community that are not currently seen as assets. Neighbors may enjoy the benefits of a cleaned-up or redeveloped space next door and new developments can provide more jobs for locals, new public spaces, or other creative uses.
A similar assessment grant in Lake County supported the redevelopment of a brownfield site into an outdoor classroom to help increase access to locally grown foods and teach students about the environment.
The town hopes that creative and publicly supported projects like this can connect with properties needing reinvestment. Funds through the grant program are limited, so the town encourages any interested parties to reach out to the Community Development Department or visit the Brownfields Assessment Grant page on the Town of Lyons website for more information on how to get involved.
Cassidy Davenport is the Planner 1, for the Town of Lyons.
4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, 3 car garage. 3743 finished sqft. with a 1,400 unfinished basement. Amazing upgrades and mountain views in town.
Listed at $1,250,000
By David Krause
The Colorado Sun, Redstone Review
DENVER – A feline that was found in burn area might be the next big star in Jefferson County. It’s
Firefighters working the Quarry Fire in Jefferson County found a cat covered in red fire retardant a
checked out by a local veterinarian, given a bath and reunited with its family.
CHOICES
How fires impact wildlife and how we can help
By Cindy Leikam Redstone Review
LYONS – Wildfire is a common occurrence in the dry and arid West. Most Coloradoans have adapted to the reality of longer and more frequent fire seasons. Some experts claim that fires are now burning longer, hotter, and more acreage than ever before in recorded history. With numerous
on the edge of the fire as the rodents and reptiles flee.
Once the immediate threat has passed, wildfire can bring positive benefits to ecosystems and the animals that live there. In some cases, the old vegetation is burned, breaking down into nutrients that replenish depleted soil to grow more diverse, nutritious, and abundant plants for herbivores. Various plants rely on fire to regener-
fires in northern Colorado burning the past few weeks, one might wonder about the Centennial State’s iconic wildlife and how they respond to fire events.
Species native to the area have evolved with wildfire over many millennia. Most wild animals have a heightened sense of danger, which acts as an early warning system. They have two options in response to a natural disaster: move or adapt.
Large animals like deer, elk, and bears can run away from fire. Small ground critters, like marmots, rabbits, and chipmunks have adapted to the threat and burrow underground or hide in rocks to escape the heat and flames. Moose stand among the wet willows in streams, ponds, and other waterways. Beaver take refuge in their waterlogged dens, barely noticing the destructive forces of nature outside their abode. And there are some species that take advantage of the chaotic situation. Birds of prey, like hawks and owls, have been seen hunting
ate. Eventually, plant diversity increases in burned areas, providing more forage for a wider range of species.
When a fire burns in a mosaic pattern of severe, moderate, and unburned areas, new “edge” habitat is created. “Edges” occur where open areas of grasses, forbs, and shrubs meet the forest line. Many prey species, such as deer, rabbits, and squirrels prefer this type of habitat because it simultaneously provides both good forage and cover to more easily escape from predators. Unfortunately, not all animals are able to escape wildfire. The old, young, injured, or sick may be too weak to outrun the flames. Those that are able to move or adapt may be affected by smoke inhalation, or may even suffer from burns.
Perhaps the biggest threat to animals displaced by fire is being hit by cars while fleeing. Many wander into urban areas to seek refuge from the danger, and are not familiar with the risks of a human-centric
environment. They can become entangled in sports netting and playground equipment, be attacked by domestic pets, or even poisoned by chemicals left unattended. Although native animals are well adapted to fire, there are ways to make life easier for them during this time. Drive with extra caution when near fire zones, natural areas, and waterways. Be alert and aware that there may be critters crossing in areas they wouldn’t normally. Leave shallow dishes of clean, fresh water out for displaced animals and give them space to move through neighborhoods. Allow them to pass without disturbance.
For many species, human presence can cause undue stress in an already stressful situation. Displaced animals are searching for food, water, and shelter. Do not leave pet food outside so as not to encourage wild animals to linger. And finally, keep a rescue kit in your home and car. A small to medium-sized box, thick gloves, towel or light-weight blanket, face mask, and hand sanitizer are useful to have on hand in case you encounter an injured animal fleeing the fire. Never force an animal to eat or drink. Animals have specific diets and feeding them foreign material could be detrimental to their recovery.
Download the app, Animal Help Now, or visit their website, ahnow.org, to find a rehabilitator near you. Save local rehabilitation center’s numbers in your phone in case you stumble across an animal in need.
Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Lyons can be reached at 303-823-8455.
The recent fires on the Front Range remind us that the mountains, foothills, and plains are dynamic systems that evolved with and rely on fire as a natural part of maintaining a healthy ecosystem. Although the more frequent human-caused events may seem disastrous for wildlife, we can do our part by watching the road, leaving out a shallow dish of water, and most importantly, preventing new fires from sparking.
Cindy Leikam is the intern at Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center working in communications. Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is on Colorado Hwy. 66 east of Lyons.
B R I E F S
Briefs Continued from Page 1
in the Town of Lyons, who apply and complete wildfire mitigation actions. Learn more at www.wildfirepartners.org/rebate/
Lyons Flyer bus service
LYONS – The Boulder County Commissioners approved adding mid-day bus service from Boulder to Lyons beginning Monday, August 12. The mid-day bus is scheduled to leave Boulder at noon on weekdays to Lyons. We expect the return trip to leave Lyons around 12:40 p.m. The final schedule will be updated and posted to the Town website this week.
Glass recycling pilot program
LYONS – Boulder County and the Town of Lyons are piloting a glass collection ONLY bin beginning in August at the recycling center. The bin is specific for glass bottles and jars only and will go directly to Glass to Glass, a recycling facility in Broomfield to be recycled and create new bottles for use. The program is new for Lyons and is a pilot program, one of just two within the State of Colorado. Look for the big blue box in early August. We expect the bin to be at the dropoff center for one year to determine whether or not to keep the program.
Venus de Miles and Lights Out Lyons
LYONS – Both the Venus de Miles women’s cycling event and Lights Out Lyons return to Bohn Park for the fourth year. Venus de Miles will be on Saturday, August 24 with the event from 7 a.m. till 4 p.m.
Later that evening, residents are encouraged to turn off the lights and Explore Bohn Park in the dark, for stargazing and exploring the planets with local scientists, telescopes and the community. Fun for the whole family. Learn more about Lights Out Lyons go to the Lyons Regional Library website. The evening starts at the Lyons Regional Library with a mini planetarium experience brought to us by the Fiske Planetarium. Fiske is one of the largest planetariums in the United States, educating the public on astronomy and astrophysics since 1975.
Smoke rises in the distance from the Stone Canyon Fire.
WHAT’S COOKIN’
Smashed potatoes, an all-time favorite
LYONS – As we recover from the anxiety of evacuation, I look to comforting foods to soothe us. Potatoes fit the bill. I like this simple dish to accompany grilled salmon, chicken or roasted vegetables. I’ve riffed on the potatoes served with a roasted fish at Basta restaurant in Boulder for this recipe and it’s become a favorite. Cut a pound of yellow finn or red potatoes into one-inch chunks and steam until tender, 12 to 18 minutes. In a bowl large enough to hold the potatoes, make a vinaigrette with one tablespoon of coarse mustard, two tablespoons red wine vinegar and four tablespoons of olive oil, salt and pepper to taste.
When the potatoes are just tender, tumble them into the bowl with the vinaigrette and smash. Leave various size pieces, don’t get carried away and mash them. Add a dozen green olives cut in half I like Castelvetranos – and a small handful of chopped parsley. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Barbara Shark is an artist and author of She lives near Lyons, Colorado. For more recipes, read her blog at www.howilearnedtocookanartistslife.blog.
Travels with Redstone
Peter Butler evidently gibbering that he is in front of the object of his desire, the Ferrari 499P at Le Mans at La Sarthe in France, while holding the Redstone Review, June 2024. (Photo Credit: David Norris) Take the Redstone on your next trip and send us your photos showing where the Redstone has traveled. Send your photos to redstarnews5@gmail.com.
Chicken salad with cilantro and eggplant – an exotic take on summer salad
By Catherine Metzger Redstone Review
LYONS – This delicious and complex chicken salad is derived from my favorite vlog, Aziza’s Country Life. It’s a real tastebud-blower when compared to my standard chicken salad, which is always more predictable using the simple ingredients of leftover roasted chicken, real mayo and celery.
The additions of sauteed eggplant, onions and mushrooms, walnuts and cilantro elevate Aziza’s chicken salad to an exotic “Wow.” This recipe can be prepared the night before, and it makes a large and lovely ring display for a family luncheon or picnic with friends.
As a finishing touch, I filled the center with a yogurt-based fruit salad. You can fill the center with your own favorite fruity salad accompaniment, or just leave it empty.
Chicken Salad with Eggplant
Serves eight; preparation time is one hour; chilling time is two hours.
Well-built and well-located retail/office building in a high-visibility location on corner of Main St. & Hwy 36, 5th Ave & High St! Potential for mixed use residential/commercial space. Main level currently leased to Redstone Cyclery, 2nd floor is currently laid out with four individual office rental units + bathroom, with a separate entrance. Office spaces on month-to-month leases. Building has a Main St. address but actually fronts onto High St. Ample parking both in front and
Ingredients
Two large eggplants, sliced into long strips with skin on
About a ½ cup ghee or extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
3 chicken breasts, boiled in salted water until tender
8 ounces chopped mushrooms
1 cup chopped sweet onions
1 teaspoon paprika
1 cup chopped walnuts
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1+ cup real mayonnaise
Directions
Cook three chicken breasts until tender and set aside to cool. In a large frying pan, melt ¼ cup of ghee or EVOO and begin sautéing the eggplant. Cook until browned on both sides. Remove each strip from the pan and set aside.
In a separate, large frying pan, begin sautéing the onion in a few tablespoons of ghee or EVOO. Once the onion is transparent,
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about 10 minutes, add the mushrooms and paprika and continue to cook until the juices from the mushrooms are released and cooked off. Shred the cooled chicken and add it to the pan. Add cilantro and walnuts and cook until heated through. Remove from the heat. Once slightly cooled, stir in real mayonnaise to taste.
To assemble the chicken salad: on a large circular tray or plate, set an 8-ounce glass upside down in the center of the plate. Starting from the edge of the glass, lay out each eggplant strip, radiating from the center to the edge of the plate, overlapping each slightly as you go. Once complete, arrange cooled chicken salad in a center ring, butting up against the glass. Carefully lift each eggplant strip over the chicken salad and tuck
the end into the center. Remove the glass. Place your favorite fruit salad in the center and garnish with a sprig of mint, if desired. Serve with crusty bread and enjoy.
Catherine Ripley Metzger has been cooking professionally and privately since 1979. She was a French cuisine journeyman at the celebrated Henri d’Afrique restaurant in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. 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.
Welcome to this charming 3-bedroom, 4 bath townhouse that is in pristine condition. Located within walking distance to everything there is to enjoy about Lyons. This home is beautifully updated and maintained with granite countertops, newer stainless steel appliances, and a private back patio. Open floor plan and high ceilings throughout. Very low maintenance which leaves lots of time to enjoy outdoor adventures nearby. These units are highly sought after and rarely available.
potential unknown. Contact: Larimer County Building Division at 970 498-7700 for more information about this property. This is a Gem!
Dan Siddall owner / broker
Dot Fears associate broker
Colleen Dickes associate broker
community with resources, programs, and services that make Lyons a vibrant healthy place to live, work, and play.
LEAF looks forward to what’s ahead with a renewed sense of purpose to build a stronger, more united, and sustainable future for the Greater Lyons community.
Our vision? LEAF envisions a resilient and healthy community where everyone can grow and thrive.
The new building, renaming, and mission expansion signify more than just a change in wording; they represent a renewed commitment to honoring the town’s history and spirit while promoting self-sufficiency and well-being. With your support, LEAF is poised to usher in an era of growth, learning, and sustainability, embodying the spirit of unity that is, and always will be, at the heart of Lyons.
If you’d like to learn how to get involved with LEAF or contribute to our efforts, please visit our website www.leaflyons.org.
Pam Browning served on the LEAF board from its inception in the summer of 2014 until January 2019. Starting in 2015, she also served as Chair of the Board of Directors for three years.
Kim Hinzy moved to Lyons in 2022 and is the current Chair of LEAF’s Board of Directors.
ened wildfires, severe weather, and climate change. We recommend that all Lyons area residents have the following resources at their fingertips:
The Town of Lyons will send bi-weekly eblasts with community information and notifications. Sign up at: https://www. townoflyons.com/list.aspx.
BOCO Alert at Everbridge: https://member.everbridge.net/453003085612231/login.
NOCO Alert for Larimer County: https://www.nocoalert.org/citizen-opt-in.
National Weather Service Alerts: https:// alerts.weather.gov/.
ReachWell: https://www.reachwellapp. com/ is an application that provides all alerts in one place and numerous languages.
Watch Duty: https://www.watchduty.org/ join; this site has up-to-date fire information.
Having the same information in a coordinated format assists all responders, residents, and visitors with critical, accurate information during an incident or disaster. Know your plan for different scenarios and be prepared for ever-changing conditions. Be assured that the responders and leadership have been trained in coordinating and communicating during these situations and always have public safety at the forefront of their actions.
Victoria Simonsen is the Lyons Town Administrator.
Travels with Redstone
Lyons resident Phil Aumiller enjoys a moment with his friend Oliver Wood in Nashville, TN. You might remember Oliver as he headlined Folksfest on August 9th with The Wood Brothers!”
Take the Redstone on your next trip and send us your photos showing where the Redstone has traveled. Send your photos to redstarnews5@gmail.com.
Travels with Redstone
The Vasel and Holley families, both from Lyons, March 27, 2024 at Tokeiji Temple in Kamakura, Japan. Starting bottom left, going clockwise: Tommy Holley, Rebecca Holley, Brian Vasel, Sarah Vasel, Jackson Holley, Alder Vasel, Spencer Holley, Allya Vasel. The Vasel family lived in Tokyo for a whole year! They just returned to Lyons recently.
Take the Redstone on your next trip and send us your photos showing where the Redstone has traveled. Send your photos to redstarnews5@gmail.com.
Dimentia Continued from Page 11 which chronicles her diagnosis and journey with dementia. She is an Alzheimer’s advocate and educator. Formerly the Chancellor of DU, she is a theologian and UMC minister. Now retired, she hikes, paints, knits and reads. Most of all, she abides in awe. Rounding out the program will be Teresa McGuinness who has a wide variety of expertise in the world of dementia. She has served as a caregiver professionally and also personally for her mother. Through her presentation entitled Soul Collaging, she will guide participants to use images, intuition, creativity and reflection to produce a unique reflection of the soul that reveals your true inner beauty.
In addition to working with those living with dementia and their care partners,
McGuinness is a florist and a Spiritual Director. Her hobbies include hiking, thrift store shopping, movies, and reading.
Pastor Ralph Patrick has recently launched Cardinal Crossroads, in honor of his mother, which provides dementia coaching, consulting and companioning for those living with dementia and their care partners.
Ralph Patrick grew up on a small farm in Wisconsin. His parents taught him to love God, nature, and family. In 2001 his mom, Jean, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s which ultimately claimed her life in 2012. This experience caused Ralph to get involved first as a volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association, and then as full-time staff member. He currently serves as Pastor of the Allenspark Community Church while continuing to mentor to Alzheimer patients and their caregivers and conduct seminars.
SATURDAY 10 am - 4 pm SEPT 7
Riverside Paradise
Magical 2.49 riverside retreat with historic cabin and bunkhouse. Exceptional river frontage, private bridge, rock outcroppings, pond, detached garage + workshop. Rare property that hasn’t been for sale in 70 years!
