Summer
in Berthoud
BWS
BERTHOUD WEEKLY SURVEYOR “CoveringWeekly all the angles in the May Garden ©Berthoud Surveyor 26,Spot” 2022
2022
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We Call BerthoudHome
Berthoud is a growing community with a bright future that also celebrates the deep roots of its rich history. The town provides a wonderful quality of life with a wide variety of experiences enjoyed by past and present generations. Summertime in Berthoud is a special time filled with fun events and opportunities to enjoy Colorado’s stunning outdoors. This magazine is a gift to you, whether you’ve always been here, are new to the area, or just passing through, it offers a wealth of information about enjoying summer to the fullest in our hometown. Read on and enjoy the Garden Spot of Colorado ... where good things grow!
Summer in Berthoud
2022
Index
Mark your calendars ....................................... 3 Berthoud’s Moon Theatre .............................. 4 Summer learning at the library ..................... 6 Scouts plan Berthoud Day Breakfast............. 7 Summer fun for the whole family .................. 8 Summer Scorch Fest ..................................... 10 Summer events at Wildfire ........................... 11 That summer festival feeling ....................... 12 Staying safe & healthy in the usmmer sun . 13 Early summer cherries are a real treat! ...... 14 Wildfire prevention and safety ..................... 16 Summertime stargazing ............................... 18
BWS BERTHOUD WEEKLY SURVEYOR
Covering all the angles in the Garden Spot
Summer in Berthoud 2022© is published in Berthoud, Colo., by the Berthoud Weekly Surveyor. The publishers reserve the right to edit, classify or reject any advertising or news copy. Liability for any newspaper error in an advertisement shall not exceed the cost of space occupied by error. The publishers assume no liability for any advertising which is not published for any cause. The publishers assume absolutely no obligation or responsibility for subject matter in copy placed by its advertisers or their agents. It is also understood that the advertiser and the agency placing such advertising jointly and severally agree to indemnify Berthoud Weekly Surveyor, LLC against all expense, loss or damage sustained by reason of printing such copy. Subscription rates are $37 per year to residents of the 80513 zip code and $47 per year to zip codes other than 80513 and $37 for online.
Summer in Berthoud
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Mark your calendars!
Upcoming events: • June 4, Berthoud Day • July 3, The Chamber is hosting the Beer Garden at the Town of Berthoud fireworks event • Aug. 27, Lemonade Day • Oct. 1, Oktoberfest We would like to acknowledge and welcome our new members: 2nd Street Self Storage 8Z Real Estate- Victor Smith Allstate Insurance, Christie Osborn Anytime Fitness Berthoud Berthoud Schools Fund C3 Real Estate Solutions Caretakers of Tradition Colorado Women of Influence Excel Financial Group
Courtesy photo
Mongo Benefits ribbon cutting was held at the chamber office on May 16, 2022.
Front Range Landscape Greater Good Funds JM Exteriors Mayer Plumbing Next Peak Business Solutions Pro Clean Services Rise Artisan Bread The Group Inc. Loveland
The Berthoud Farmer’s Market will open on Saturday, June 18 from 9 a.m. to Noon. The market will be open every Saturday through Sept. 24, 2022.
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Summer in Berthoud
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Berthoud’s Moon Theatre is alive and well and coming to a stage near you By Sue Arnott The Surveyor
Through innovation, creative thinking and community support, Moon Theatre Co. has survived the pandemic and, after two years of virtual entertaining, is returning to live performances in Berthoud, its native home for the last thirteen years. Playgoers can look forward to three upcoming plays in three new Berthoud venues with the first production, a family-friendly event, scheduled for two nights in late June. “We are so excited for 2022,” said Kathleen Gruman, who, along with Pam Strahan — both founding and current board members of the theatre company — shared what they’ve been working on to keep the arts alive and well. “We’ve partnered with the Berthoud Historical Society (BHS) for the first time. So, in addition to using Berthoud Activity Hall, we now have two new BHS venues.” One is at the historic McCartyFickel Home, a turn of the (last) century gem at 645 Seventh St. Here, the group’s first summer performance, developed in collaboration with BHS, will feature local playwright Rick Padden (former Berthoud Weekly Surveyor editor) presenting a reading of his play, “Beets” set in Berthoud during World War II when German POWs imprisoned in Greeley were sent to work on a Berthoud beet farm. Board member Lesley Jones will direct this production scheduled Courtesy photo for Friday, June 24 Actors Ryan Potter as Dieter and Vicky and Saturday, June Seryduk as Anna in the last production 25 at 6 p.m. The of “Beets” four years ago. play, developed from an article written by Berthoud historian Mark French, incorporates Berthoud residents (now deceased) in its telling. “It’s romantic. It’s a love story,” said Gruman. The second summer production, “Tillie the Teller” will be performed at another BHS venue, the Sunnyside Stage (the courtyard) at The Little Thompson Valley Pioneer Museum at 244 Mountain Ave. Moon Theatre Co. chairperson and actor/ director Julie Marino will direct this play described as a fun melodrama about love and thievery. “Tillie the Teller” will also run for two nights from Friday, July 29 to Saturday, July 30 starting at 6 p.m. Actors are still needed for this production. Come fall, the popular Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre will unfold at a third venue, the Berthoud Activity Hall at 619 N. Fourth St. This adult-only show includes drinks, dinner and dessert. The play selection is currently in the discussion stage. Strahan, who is also Moon Theatre Co.’s secretary/treasurer, shares Gruman’s enthusiasm. “We are so excited to be back home. Berthoud is our home. Here we can be a true community theatre.” For while their roots are in Berthoud, she explained, they lacked a physical home. “Over the last ten years, we’ve
played at the Rialto [a Loveland venue]. It’s a great venue. It’s beautiful, but it’s huge. It seats nearly 500. That’s too big for us. We need 150 seats.” “Plus we needed places to rehearse,” said Gruman. “We were always seeking spots. We used private homes, Tim Hardy’s [a Berthoud trustee] printing business and local churches.” A theatre company without a venue poses many challenges, but as Gruman added, “It also saved us during COVID. With no overhead, we didn’t go under.” Community theater requires community participation. “We are open to people who want to participate in any way they want,” said Gruman. “We need writers, directors and actors. We need sound people, set designers, costume and lighting designers.” “We always love new blood!” added Strahan. Their excitement is palpable. “We’ve taken people who’ve never been on stage. We had a 70-year-old man,” said Gruman, “who hadn’t acted since high school. He was a star!” One last note for the good-to-know category: the local plays have always sold out. For more information on events, how to participate and ticket information, go to https://moon-theatre.com/
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Summer in Berthoud
Summer learning at the Library By Amie Pilla CEO, Berthoud library Welcome to summer at the Berthoud Library, where creativity is welcome. Our annual Summer Learning Initiative begins at the end of May and runs through the beginning of August. We have activities and prizes for all ages so everyone can join in the fun. We’ll have activities for families every Wednesday in June and July at 2 p.m. We’ll play with science, we’ll play with music, we’ll play with dance — all the things you love and more. In order to have enough room for everyone indoors, we’ll be using the auditorium at New Freedom Outreach, 250 Mountain Ave. All family events are drop-in, no registration required. They have plenty of parking spaces behind their building for everyone and you can walk across the street before or after the events to pick out your books and movies for the week. Don’t forget that Storytime happens every Wednesday and Friday morning. e meet at 10:30 a.m. at the library for stories, songs and activities. Stay afterward to let your kids play together and socialize with other parents and caregivers. We’ll have activities for teens and tweens every Thursday in June and July. Escape rooms, crafts, science, games we’ll do it all. To be sure we have enough supplies for everyone, we ask that the teens and tweens register for these events. These weekly events will take place at the library every Thursday at 2 p.m. Everyone (yes, everyone) can earn prizes during the summer
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through reading or creating projects. Kids and teens can set a reading goal, or can choose to create a project (or many) instead. As the kids and teens reach their goals, they can choose prizes from the treasure chest or get a ticket to enter the endof-summer prize drawing. Adults can get punch-cards and get a punch for every book read. Four books fills a punch-card and adults get a drawing ticket for the weekly drawing and for the end-of-summer drawing every time they fill a punch card. See below for the full schedule. We’ll see you soon. June events: Recurring events: Sunshine Story Time every Wednesday and Friday at 10:30 a.m. in the Library’s Community Room. Adult events: June 24 — Knit & Crochet Drop-in from 1-4 p.m. (Not a class) June Summer Learning: Family events — All family events will be held on Wednesdays at 2 p.m. at the New Freedom Outreach Center, 250 Mountain Ave. Registration not required. June 1st - Performer Denise Gard and dogs June 8th - Performer Ann Lincoln June 15th - Dancing Jellyfish Workshop June 22nd - Kids House of Joy (Music) June 29th - CU Discovery Educator Teen events — All teen events will be held on Thursdays at 2 p.m. at the library in the Community Room. Please register by calling (970) 532-2757 or by coming in. June 2nd - Crafts June 9th - Oddballs in the Ocean June 16th - Outside Game Day (Dress to Get Wet)
Summer in Berthoud June 23rd - Treasure Island LARP June 30th - My Favorite Book Club July events Recurring events: Sunshine Story Time every Wednesday and Friday at 10:30 a.m. in the library’s Community Room. Adult events: July 29th - Knit & Crochet Drop-in from 1-4 p.m. (Not a class) July Summer Learning Family events — All family events will be held on Wednesdays at 2 p.m. at the New Freedom Outreach Center, 250 Mountain Ave. July 6th - Performer Steve Weeks (Music) July 13th - Educator from Science Matters in America July 20th - Talewise (Pirate Play) Teen events: All teen events will be held on Thursdays at 2 p.m. at the library in the Community Room. Please register by calling (970) 532-2757 or by coming in. July 7th - Art and Class Display with Bella July 14th - Mythic Monsters of the Deep July 21st - Escape the Island July 28th - Indoor Game Day (also take home any art) Our End of Summer Learning Party will be held in the Community Room at the library at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 27.
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Berthoud Weekly Surveyor Page 7
Scouts plan Berthoud Day breakfast
before Berthoud Day. Some will spend the night securing everything. The breakfast takes place from 7 a.m. If you plan to attend Berthoud Day on to 10 a.m. on June 4. This gives people Saturday, June 4, keep in mind you can time to eat before the parade starts at 11. start the day with a pancake breakfast. The location of the fundraiser is next to The Boy Scouts of Troop 6 in Berthoud the Berthoud Lions will be there to Club building at 600 help you with Third Street. that. The scouts Assistant proudly proclaim Scout Master Reid that they have Hollander says the served a breakfast scouts are hoping to for more than 40 serve 800 people this years during the year. The meal cost town celebration. is $8 for adults and They missed a $6 for children. The couple of years due menu includes not to COVID but are only pancakes but back to continue File photo from 2017 pancake breakfast. also sausage, eggs this tradition and coffee. and service to the Online registration is available and community. encouraged. The scouts hope people Virtually the entire troop will be pre-register and pay for the breakfast involved in this project. The troop’s in advance. The leaders stated that this website states that the number of scouts helps with planning how much food to enrolled is 33. buy. In some past years, food supplies It’s the big fundraiser of the year for have run low and scouts had to hustle to the local scouts. Some scouts will be out distributing information in neighborhoods the store to get more. The website to order food is https://my.cheddarup/c/berthoudin the days before the event. Other pack-six-annual-pancake-breakfast. intrepid scouts will set up the evening By Bob McDonnell The Surveyor
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Summer in Berthoud
Summer fun for the whole family Special to the Surveyor The Berthoud Historical Society preserves, interprets and presents the history of the town of Berthoud and the Little Thompson Valley. Its events and activities are community building, educational and entertaining. Be sure to invite your friends to enjoy one or many of the opportunities the society is offering this summer. Berthoud Day Open House — June 4: The Little Thompson Valley Pioneer Museum (224 Mountain Ave.) will be open to the general public from 12 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission is free for the day. Every Berthoud resident should know a little bit about the history of this busy little town. Complimentary refreshments will be available at the museum’s Pioneer Courtyard. Special Paver Dedication 1 p.m. — Celebrate with the Williams Family as we dedicate a paver that honors the iconic Wayside Inn, owned by Stan Williams for two decades. History Day Camp — June 20-21: A fun day camp experience for those just finishing kindergarten to students entering high school in the fall. Join teacher Teri Johnson to learn about the early days in the Little Thompson Valley through hands-on activities. The camp will take place at the Pioneer Museum in a historic cabin and a one-room schoolhouse and at the historic McCarty-Fickel Home Museum. Call the museum at 970-532-2147 for more information and to register. Camp is limited to 12 attendees. Rose Garden Tour and Rose Care Presentation — June 25: 10 a.m. - noon, McCarty-Fickel Home Rose Garden, 645 Seventh St., Berthoud. Free Summer Concert Series at the Pioneer Courtyard: The summer concerts held at the Little Thompson Valley Pioneer Museum’s Pioneer Courtyard bring together friends and neighbors for a relaxing Wednesday evening with musical enjoyment for everyone. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and music begins at 6:30 p.m. Food and drink are available for purchase. June 22 – Scott Buckley: Family-man guitarist whose velvety voice and clever lyrics entertain audiences of all ages. July 6 – Jon Chandler: Popular country-western singer of homespun, original narrative songs that remain in your heart long after the sun goes down. Aug 3 – Kathy Garrison: Equine vet by day, singer – songwr. iter by night. Let her music hit you in the heart! *Special fundraiser concert featuring Acoustic Eidolon – Wednesday, July 20 — Enjoy an evening of “brilliant instrumentality” at the Pioneer Courtyard (224 Mountain Ave.). This is a ticketed event, $20 per person and seating is limited. All proceeds go to support the mission, operations and program of the Berthoud Historical Society. Food and drink are available for purchase. Visit www.berthoudhistoricalsociety.org for more information, or call 970-532-2147. Museum in the Park: Back by popular demand, the Little Thompson Pioneer Museum comes to you at the Farmers’ Market in Fickel Park on several Saturdays this summer: June 25, July 30 and Sept. 24 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Look for our booth and discover some interesting facts about the past. Reader’s Theater at the McCarty-Fickel Home Event Lawn (645 Seventh St.): Friday & Saturday, June 24 and 25 at 6 p.m. Moon Theater Company and the Berthoud Historical Society present a reading of “Beets,” a love story that chronicles life in Berthoud when WWII German POWs worked the sugar beet fields of this area. Two free performances. Donations are gratefully accepted to support both organizations. Limited seating. Bring a lawn chair just in case. Light refreshments.
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Melodrama Tillie the Teller: Friday and Saturday, July 29 and 30, 6 p.m. at the Pioneer Courtyard (224 Mountain Ave.) Moon Theater will perform Tillie the Teller – an old-timey melodrama complete with villains, heroes and a damsel in distress. Free family fun! Donations gratefully accepted. Light refreshments. Pioneer Heritage Gala – Aug. 20, 2022: Berthoud Rides the Rails Join the Berthoud Historical Society members and friends to celebrate Berthoud’s railroad heritage. Dine al fresco on the McCarty-Fickel Home event lawn (645 Seventh St.). Individuals who have made outstanding contributions to keeping our history alive will be recognized during an evening of fine food and music. Visit www. berthoudhistoricalsociety.org to purchase your ticket and for more information. Flapjack Day Returns! Labor Day Monday – Sept. 5: City Star Brewing hosts a day of flapjacks, beer flights and music from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. to support the Berthoud Historical Society’s mission and programs. Once an event in the 50s to drum up business in town now Flapjack Day brings the community together for a meal of pancakes and sausage (Donations gratefully accepted). Over 1,750 pancakes were served in 2019.Come enjoy the fun!
Expires June 30, 2022
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Summer in Berthoud
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Berthoud to host youth-centered ‘Summer Scorch Fest’ By Dan Karpiel The Surveyor At the Dec. 14, 2021 meeting of the Berthoud Board of Trustees, the board heard a presentation by Berthoud High School senior Maggie Langer, who at the time served as the chairwoman of the Berthoud Youth Advisory Committee (BYAC). Lager and her group pitched to the board a concept for a youth — primarily middle — and high-school-aged Berthoud residents — focused summer event. At the meeting, Langer shared with the board the results of a survey conducted among the middle and high school-aged population in town that was primarily focused on youth engagement in the community. “We worked hard through our meetings to get (the survey) completed,” Langer explained when presenting the results alongside her colleagues from the committee. The goal of the survey, which garnered 94 responses, was three-fold; “provide insight to the town regarding youth feelings, give a voice to all students who would like to share their opinions and help us with ideas of events and activities for the future, according to the presentation.” A notable result of the survey was that youth, particularly those of high school age, said they would like to see more events and activities geared towards teens, rather than just adults and younger children. Some proposals included a hamster ball track, a mobile ropes course, a mobile zip line, carnival swings, a rockclimbing wall and other such attractions. The proposed cost would be $25,000 to $30,000 for the event, which would last one or two days, and the trustees were receptive the YAC’s
proposals and said the funds are available given the health of the town’s finances. “I’m glad you guys are pushing this and I fully support it,” said Trustee Mike Grace. The board was very receptive to the plan and, after ironing out the details over the next few months, the board approved the authorization of $30,000 for the event. Town Administrator Chris Kirk said the $30,000 price tag for the event is within the budget, some of which will be funded through the town’s recreational marijuana tax revenue, and added, “I think you can put on a nice event for this price … I think you can do a lot for this price.” The board members were equally complimentary of the BYAC and their proposal with Trustee Lonnie Stevens stating, “I think this is fantastic, I think you guys are phenomenal.” The event, which will feature a carnival-like atmosphere will take place at Waggener Farm Park on Friday and Saturday, July 29 and 30, lasting for three hours on Friday and five on Saturday so as to assure that everyone who wants to attend the event can do so. The town will work with Airbound Colorado to provide the majority of the rides and attractions at the event. Some attractions are planned include a hamster ball track, mobile ropes course, mobile zip line, rock wall and pedal cars on a track. There will also be lawn games and food trucks as well as music. While the BYAC said the event is focused on the town’s teenage population which was the reason the group selected the rides and attractions they did, rather than small children type of entertainment like bouncy castles and the like. The group did say that all members of the community regardless of age are welcome to come and enjoy the event.
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Summer events at Wildfire
Join us for classes, activities, events, volunteering, membership! Members receive 10% discount on classes. Contact us: wildfirearts.org or 970.532.5497 Register online: www.berthoud.org/departments/parksrecreation/ Office Hours: Tues. - Fri. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Classes and Event Calendar 2022 ————————— ART——————————— All classes include materials. U Create Open Studio (all ages) Saturdays 10 - 12 through June 4 - $10 includes materials For Kids: Art in the Park at Berthoud Farmers Market Saturdays 9 - 12:00, June 18 - Sept. 24 Free Art Camps June 13 - 16, 10:00 - 11:30, Ages 5-9, $85 June 20 - 23, 10 - 12:00, Ages 10 - 14, $100 Art through the Ages Tuesdays, June 14 - July 5, 1:00 - 2:00, Ages 5-9, $75 Wednesdays June 15 - July 6, 1:00 - 2:30, Ages 10-14, $100 Preschool Art Explorers Thursdays June 16 - July 7, 1:00 - 2:00, Ages 3 - 5, $75 For Adults: Garden-Inspired Poetry Workshop Saturday April 30, 1 - 3:30, Adults, ages 12+, $25 Basics of Drawing Mondays May 2 - May 23, 5 - 6:30, Adults, ages 14+, $100
Dance Classes for Kids with Rehannon Crumb Ballet, tap, hip-hop, and movement. For more info: berthoud_co@justforkix.com ——————————EVENTS—————————— WEEKEND WARRIORS FILM FESTIVAL VIEWING PARTY Saturday, June 25, 2022 7:00 - 9:00pm, $10 Watch local films produced during the 48-hour Weekend Warriors Film Competition. Come with friends and family and vote for the film that wins the coveted Audience Choice Award! Free popcorn. WILDFIRE STREET FESTIVAL Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 4:00 - 9:00pm FREE Live music, dance performances, food trucks, kids crafts, face painting, talent show, and our biggest annual fundraiser, ART SILENT AUCTION! HOLIDAY ARTISAN MARKET Reception - Friday, Dec. 2 FREE Members: 6 - 7:00pm Public: 7 - 9:00pm Sale - Sat. Dec. 3, 10am - 4pm
——————————DANCE—————————— Dance Class Punch Cards Tap - 8 classes for $80 Ballet - 8 classes for $80 Drop-in - $12 Vintage Ballet Classes for Adults with Susan Burton Classic movements - Thursdays 9:15-10:30pm Increase your strength, coordination, and balance. For more info: losburtones@gmail.com Tap Dance Classes for Adults with Sally Fortenberry Beginner Basics Tap - Thursdays 11-12pm Intermediate Tap - Thursdays 12:15 - 1:15pm For more info: sal48tap@gmail.com
Wildfire Community Arts Center 425 Massachusetts Ave. • Berthoud, CO 80513 (970) 532-5497 • admin@wildfirearts.org
That summer festival feeling T
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Summer in Berthoud
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Surveyor Columnist
Remains bringing their harmonies he last couple of summers have been quieter than to Loveland on June 9. Three more normal, but thankfully, after two years of a worldwide Trailhead Sessions are planned. To pandemic, music will once again reverberate off of sidewalks and things will, for the most part, be back to normal. find information on this and other shows at Rialto Theater, visit www. Berthoud Day is back this year and will be held on June rialtotheatercenter.org. 4 at Waggener Farm Park at noon. The parade on Mountain While the August Avenue starts at 11 a.m. festival Bohemian Nights at There is a lot in store NewWestFest, is no more, this year including a there are still Thursday baseball game by the Heidi night concerts in Fort Collins Berthoud Blues, a big band Kerr-Schlaefer starting on June 2 from 7 to 9 performance, dance troupes, p.m. in Old Town Square. The a talent search, kids zone, free Lagoon Summer Concert a pie-eating contest and Series is also a go this year with the first event taking more. This is a chance for place June 15 at 6:30 p.m. The concerts are held Berthoudites to enjoy the on Colorado State University’s main campus. More company of their neighbors information can be found at www.lagoonseries.com. in a sunny setting. A free Children’s Summer Series is on tap for The Close by Loveland will Lincoln Center lawn in Fort Collins. It is Wednesdays be alive with the sounds of from June 22 to July 13 at 10 a.m. These playful festivals. Downtown will Photo by David Luck performances are for the young and the young at be the scene of One Sweet Parade float in the 2019 Berthoud Day heart. Summer, an annual free parade. Other festivals: event series held in The Colorado Medieval Festival (Loveland), June 3-5 Foundry Plaza. It kicks off Taste of Fort Collins, June 11-12 on June 11 with the Bluegrass & Brews Festival. There will be Greeley Stampede, June 23-July 24 four bands taking the stage from 2 to 9 p.m. Local breweries Larimer County Fair, Aug. 5-9 will feature summer session beers and a fiddle contest is Front Range Wine Festival (Windsor), Aug. 20 planned. One Sweet Summer also has a variety of family-oriented events including Kids on the Plaza, every Wednesday from 12 to 2 p.m., starting June 8 and running through Aug. 19. Activities featuring local artists, City of Loveland Parks & Recreation and the Loveland Public Library. Children’s movies at MetroLux Dine-In Theater start at 2 p.m. and are just $2 or purchase a kid’s lunch and movie for $10. Blues Nights will take place on Fridays, June 24, July 29 and Aug. 26 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Talent includes Mr. Smyth, a “mind-melting blues rock funk and soul” band. One Sweet Summer is presenting a brand-new event this year, an Ice Cream Festival on July 22 with the movie “Frozen” shown at dusk on a large, outdoor screen. Numerous ice cream vendors from across northern Colorado will be in attendance. Other events associated with One Sweet Summer are weekly yoga, Wednesday concerts and the Fall into Blues Fest on Sept. 10. In addition, The Loveland Orchestra will perform at The Foundry on Aug. 12 at 6 p.m featuring music from various films like “The Sound of Music” and “Star Wars.” See the entire One Sweet Summer lineup at www. downtownloveland.org/onesweetsummer. The Sounds of Centerra runs Saturday evenings, July 8 through 29 at Chapungu Sculpture Park. From 7 to 9 p.m. the Great Lawn comes alive with music and dancing, starting with a performance by Soul School, a charismatic Denver band much-loved in northern Colorado. For more information go to www.centerra.com/event/soundsof-centerra. On Thursdays, starting July 7, the free Loveland Summer Concerts by Rialto kick-off at the Foote Lagoon. The concerts run through July 28. The Blue Canyon Boys kick things off with bluegrass. The theater is also presenting the Trailhead Sessions on stage this summer with The Sweet
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Staying safe and healthy in the summer sun By Amber McIver-Traywick The Surveyor A relaxing day outdoors soaking up some of the sun’s rays is how many people prefer to spend their free time when the weather allows. While the very vision of a warm summer afternoon spent outdoors can be incredibly enjoyable, it’s important that people take protective measures before going outside and continue to do so while they’re out there. According to the American Cancer Society, most skin cancers are the result of exposure to ultraviolet rays in sunlight. UV rays are a type of radiation that do not have enough energy to penetrate deeply into the body. As a result, they primarily affect the skin. Overexposure to these rays can lead to skin cancer. The ACS notes that there are no safe UV rays, so it’s imperative that people take UV protection seriously. The following are some of the many ways to protect yourself while still enjoying sunny days outdoors. • Go out at the right times of day. The ACS notes that UV rays are at their strongest in the middle of the day between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so staying inside during these hours can protect your skin. This is especially important in the spring and summer, as the ACS says UV rays are stronger during these seasons than other times of year. • Employ the shadow test when going outside. It may not seem especially scientific, but the shadow test is a simple way for anyone to gauge how strong UV rays from the sun are at any given moment. According to the ACS, if your shadow is shorter than you, that means the sun’s rays are at their strongest. This simple test can help people immediately determine how strong the sun’s rays are, compelling them to be extra cautious if necessary.
• Apply sunscreen early and reapply often. The ACS recommends using sunscreens with broad spectrum protection that protect the skin from both UVA and UVB rays, and applying them before leaving the house and reapplying often while outdoors. When choosing a sunscreen, choose one with a minimum sun protection factor, or SPF, of 30. Understanding SPF can help people recognize the importance of reapplication. When an SPF 30 product is applied correctly, a person gets the equivalent of one minute of UVB ray exposure for each 30 minutes he or she spends in the sun. So one hour in the sun wearing SPF 30 sunscreen is the same as spending two minutes totally unprotected. Reapplying SPF 30 sunscreen often can ensure you are protected at all times. • If you are traveling to a beach this summer you might also want to be aware of reef-safe sunscreens. These are generally sunscreens that contain only mineral UV-blocking ingredients like oxide and titanium dioxide. These naturally occurring minerals don’t leave an oil slick on the surface of water and don’t cause damage to extremely sensitive ecosystems like coral reefs. Although some sunscreens will claim to be reef safe it’s important to make sure the ingredient list doesn’t include oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor, PABA or Parabens. • Wear a hat. Hats with a brim that is at least two to three inches all around protects vulnerable areas such as the eyes, forehead, nose, ears, and scalp. Choose a hat with a dark, nonreflective underside, as such a hat can lower the amount of UV rays that reach the face from reflective surfaces such as water. Another layer of protection like rashguards are also a great way to keep your skin safe this summer. Sun protection is important year-round, and especially so during spring and summer.
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Early summer cherries are a real treat!
T
he beginning of summer means cherry season. Those little round, sweet, and tart bundles of joy bring back memories of my childhood, sitting around big bowls of cherries and eating them until I was covered in juice and sick to my stomach. But cherries are not just for eating fresh from the tree. Cherries can be made into baked goodies or even ice creams and cocktails. Cherries and Berthoud have a long history going back to the late 1800s. At the turn of the last century, cherries were one of the main crops here in Berthoud and Loveland. In fact, The Loveland Cherry Company started canning cherries from all the available cherries grown in the area. Hundreds of cherry trees were planted in and around Berthoud and Loveland starting around 1867. The trees sometimes even had to be watered using tanker trucks, as irrigation wasn’t always available. Cherries were still a valuable cash crop up until the 1960s. After that, cherries became cheaper in other parts of the country. By the late 60s, the cherry orchards began to be sold off to build housing and other industries. Look around. There are references to cherries in street names and places throughout the Thompson Valleys. And the Loveland
Museum has a cherry pie festival in Surveyor early July. Columnist But that doesn’t mean we still don’t have access to delicious cherries here in Berthoud. Especially during early summer, the stores are full of them, and if you are lucky, you may even have a tree or two in your backyard. Here are a few recipes for enjoying these delicious fruits. Cherries are easy to prepare for cooking. They only require a cherry pitter David found in cooking stores or on Tisue Amazon. Of course, you can also just use a paring knife, but a pitter makes the job a breeze. I hope you try to cook with cherries. They are a great early summer fruit worthy of eating in all their glory. Cherry Bomb Cocktail Fresh cherries crushed into a delicious bourbon cocktail. 1/2 of a lemon, cut into wedges. 5 cherries, pitted and cut in half or quarters (I like mine cut into smaller pieces) 2 1/2 ounces of bourbon 1 tablespoon of maple syrup In a cocktail shaker, add the lemon wedges and cherries. Muddle together until you’ve released nearly all of the juice
Summer in Berthoud
2022
from the lemon, and the cherries are crushed up into smaller pieces. Add in the bourbon and maple syrup. Add ice to the shaker and shake for 10-20 seconds until very cold. Strain into a glass filled with ice or one large ice cube. Garnish with a couple of fresh cherries or a maraschino cherry. Cherry Cheesecake Ice Cream Cheesecake Ice cream rippled with cherry ripple and gram crackers, makes 1 ½ quarts For the ice cream base ¾ cups sugar 5 large egg yolks 1 cup heavy cream 2 cups whole milk ¼ teaspoon salt 1 Tbls. lemon juice 2 teaspoons vanilla For the cherry ripple 1 cup of pitted cherries, coarsely chopped 1/4 cup sugar 1 tablespoon lemon juice ½ cup crumbled gram crackers To make the ice cream base: In a medium heatproof bowl or a 4-cup measuring cup, whisk together 6 tablespoons of the sugar (1/2 of the amount) and the egg yolks, and set aside. Place the cream cheese in a second medium-sized heatproof bowl and set aside. Combine the cream, milk, remaining 6 tablespoons of sugar, and the salt in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat until the mixture begins to simmer. Then, reduce the heat to medium-low. Take about ½ cup of the hot liquid and whisk it into the beaten egg yolks. Return the tempered egg yolks to the hot milk mixture. Stirring constantly, cook until the custard coats the
Berthoud Weekly Surveyor Page 15 back of a spoon and has thickened, about 3-5 minutes. Be careful not to cook too fast, or the custard will curdle. When the mixture has thickened and coats the back of a spoon and leaves a clear path when you draw a finger across the back of the spoon, immediately strain through a fine-mesh strainer into the bowl with the cream cheese. Whisk until the ice cream base is completely smooth. Let the mixture cool to room temperature and then chill for at least 2 hours or even better overnight. To make the cherry ripple: Combine the cherries, sugar, and lemon juice in a small saucepan. Stirring frequently, let the mixture come to a boil and cook until the cherries have broken down and the mixture has thickened and jammy. About 10-15 minutes. Strain into a container set aside, and chill until ready to use. When ready to make the ice cream, have everything ready to go, including a container for freezing the finished rippled ice cream in the freezer to get it cold. To make the ice cream: Follow your manufacturer’s instructions and process the ice cream base until you have soft ice cream. Place about 1/3 of the soft ice cream into the cold container, then add ½ of the graham crackers and ½ of the cherry ripple mixture in large separate dollops. Add 1/3 more of the ice cream, repeat with the remaining crackers and ripple, and then top with the final 1/3 of the ice cream. Run a spatula swirling through the entire container once or twice to give a ripple effect. Be careful not to over mix. Immediately cover the ice cream with plastic wrap, pressing down to make a seal. Freeze the ice cream for 2-3 hours until firm. Cherry Almond Cobbler Fresh Cherry Cobbler with a brown sugar and almond topping 1 12-inch cobbler For the filling: 2 1/2 pounds fresh cherries, pitted (about 3-4 cups) ½ cup sugar 2 tablespoons cornstarch 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1/8 teaspoon salt For the topping 1 1/2 cups flour 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder (2 teaspoons for low altitude) 1/2 teaspoon salt 6 Tablespoons cold unsalted butter cubed 3/4 cup heavy cream 1/4 cup unsalted butter 1 tablespoon powdered sugar ½ cup sliced almonds Preheat the oven to 375° For the filling: In a medium saucepan combine the cherries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice and the salt. Bring the mixture to a boil and let cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. The cherries will not be all the way cooked. To make the topping: In a bowl stir together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut in the butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the cream just until blended. Melt the butter in a 12-inch cast iron pan. Pour in the filling and spread evenly. Be careful because the skillet will be hot. Dollop the cobbler topping over the filling, the topping will be more like biscuit dough. Combine the powdered sugar and the sliced almonds. Sprinkle over the topping. Bake for 35-45 minutes until the almonds are toasted and the topping is golden brown. Serve warm with ice cream if desired Photos by David Tisue.
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Summer in Berthoud
2022
Wildfire prevention and safety in Larimer County this summer
Firefighters use multiple resources to extinguish wildland fires in Colorado.
By Amber McIver-Traywick The Surveyor
There is an increased chance of wildfires this year in Colorado and, along the lines of Smokey Bear’s iconic phrase, everyone can play a part in preventing these potentially devastating fires. According to the National Interagency Fire Center’s predictive services, overall, drought continues across nearly 90% of the West and much of the Plains meaning things are very dry — perfect fire conditions. The good news is there are several things we can do to help mitigate the risk of starting a fire and if one does happen be prepared to stay safe. The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services Unit and local fire departments/districts monitor potential wildfire conditions throughout the year. The Larimer County Board of County Commissioners will impose fire restrictions when necessary based on the recommendations of the Sheriff’s Office and/or any fire chief or fire agency within Larimer County. Those restrictions are made public through social media and on the Larimer County website. Although many fires are ignited by lightning and other natural causes, fires started by people are also increasingly common. Regardless of the current conditions, residents and visitors to Larimer County are encouraged to exercise caution with any potential source of ignition. Here are some of the most common sources: Campfires — only build campfires when and where authorized, do not leave them unattended and put them out completely. Not halfway, not almost, but completely. Use ample water and stir until the coals are cool to the touch. It takes a little extra time but could be costly to skip. Cigarette and cigar butts — dispose of lit smoking materials properly. Heat transfer from exhaust systems — do not park a vehicle in areas with tall grass that could catch fire. Grinding and welding — keep a shovel and fire extinguisher close and ready to use as these activities can start fires. Lawnmowers — metal blades striking rocks can create sparks and start fires. A large fire in Loveland started from a woman mowing her lawn. Be careful and having a water hose on the ready is a good idea. Fireworks — Any fireworks that leave the ground or
Photo from foothillsfire.colorado.gov
explode are illegal in Colorado. Legal fireworks include the following: fountains, toy caps, snake or glow worms, ground spinners, illuminating torches, dipped sticks and sparklers, toy propellants and noise-makers that crackle or whistle but don’t explode. If you see smoke. If you see smoke report it immediately by calling the LCSO non-emergency number 970-416-1985. Provide emergency dispatchers with the best location of the source of the smoke, where you are, the color of the smoke, and any characteristics of the smoke you can describe. Wildfire evacuations In the event of an active wildfire, the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office may issue evacuation notices for your safety. They do that through a service called NOCOAlert. If you have a landline, you will receive emergency alerts on that phone. If you do not have a landline or wish to receive emergency alerts on your cell phone, visit www. nocoalert.org to register for free. LCSO issues two types of evacuation notices: Voluntary evacuation Evacuations are advised for residents and businesses if they are concerned for their safety, feel they need
Summer in Berthoud
2022
additional time to exit the area or have health conditions that may be aggravated by smoke. You are encouraged to move livestock and pets out of the area and prepare for mandatory evacuations. You may also be asked to report to a specific location to notify officials of your choice to evacuate. Mandatory evacuation Mandatory evacuations have been ordered to residents and businesses due to immediate and imminent danger. Evacuate the area immediately and as quickly as possible. Do not delay leaving to gather belongings or make efforts to protect your home or business. Evacuating immediately not only supports your safety but also allows emergency crews better access to the area. You may also be asked to report to a specific location to notify officials that you have evacuated the area. If the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office has command of an active fire, the LCSO Public Information Office is the most accurate source of information. Most updates will be posted to Twitter as the information becomes available. LCSO also utilizes Facebook and Nextdoor to post less frequent, but more comprehensive reports about active fires.
Berthoud Weekly Surveyor Page 17 Another site with information on wildfires can be found through the federal government at inciweb.nwcg.gov. Here you can access the most recent information about the containment, size, and the outlook for a fire. Fire restrictions across Colorado To view active fire restrictions in other counties in Colorado visit dfpc.colorado.gov/firerestriction. Air quality index A byproduct of living in a region prone to wildfires is that although there might not be an active fire near you, smoke from other fires can travel hundreds of miles and cause air quality to decline. This can particularly be an issue for those with lung disease or other sensitivities. Keeping an eye on the AQI is a good idea to make sure outdoor activities are safe for all ages. Additionally, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Regional Air Quality Council’s Summer 2022 Ozone Action Day Alert Program begins June 1. Air Quality Action Days or advisories for ozone for other pollutants help guide residents on actions to take to help improve air quality. The alerts are posted at https://www. colorado.gov/airquality/advisory.aspx.
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Summer in Berthoud
2022
Mark your calendars for summertime stargazing By Amber McIver-Traywick The Surveyor
There are many opportunities to stargaze this summer. Whether you’re enjoying the night sky right here in Berthoud (we do have a dark sky ordinance after all) or travel a little way to enjoy the beauty above us it’s a worthwhile adventure. Berthoud has two observatories, The Little Thompson Observatory by Berthoud High School and The Bunyan Observatory in the courtyard of the Little Thompson Valley Pioneer Museum on Mountain Avenue. Both have free public viewing nights with topical programs. Check out the organization’s websites for updated information. berthoudhistoricalsociety.org/ stargazing/ and starkids.org. You can also take in the beauty of the night sky over the Rockies with members of the Northern Colorado Astronomical Society (NCAS). Telescopes are available for viewing stars, galaxies, planets and more. This open house-style program is located at Horsetooth Mountain Open Space in Fort Collins (on County Road 38E, around the reservoir on the west side. (Address is 6550 W. County Road 38 E, Fort
Collins, CO, 80526). Dress warmly for evening temperatures and bring binoculars if you have them. For up-to-date weather information, visit the NCAS website at nocoastro.org. The next viewing nights are Saturday, May 28 and Saturday, June 18. Stargazing in Rocky Mountain National Park is an incredible experience. If you’ve never seen a sky almost completely void of light pollution it is well worth making a trip. To see even the dimmest stars splashed across the velvety black sky and the full splendor of the Milky Way is breathtaking. Almost anywhere in RMNP will provide stellar views of the sky. However, driving Trail Ridge Road at night, which isn’t for the faint of heart or first-timers does provide phenomenal views. Prior to the pandemic, RMNP offered night sky and astronomy programs. These were ranger-led programs that were a great way to learn about the stars and see the night sky in a whole new way. As of now, there are no programs scheduled but keep an eye on the park’s website for possible updates. If you happen to be out for a drive the following link is a map that includes great places to stop along the way to take in the night sky colorado.com/coloradostargazing.
