Parker Chronicle 0521

Page 1

May 21, 2021

FREE

DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO

A publication of

ParkerChronicle.net

INSIDE: CALENDAR: PAGE 11 | VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | SPORTS: PAGE 22

Veterans participate in art therapy program Works by local veterans is on display at the Rhyolite Gallery in Castle Rock BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Art therapy is emerging as a useful tool for all ages, including local veterans who are learning a new method of communication through expressing themselves in painting. In Castle Rock, a local veteran and art gallery owner wanted to develop an art program to help veterans. Nick Lucey, owner of the Rhyolite Gallery, is the founder and president of the Castle Rock Artist Cooperative and serves as a member of the Douglas County Veterans Monument Foundation. His work with the two organizations led them to team up to develop the Veteran Art Therapy program. Lucey, a Marine Corps veteran, said he wanted to do something to combine his passion for art and passion for helping veterans. “I married these two passions and worked to create this form of art therapy,” Lucey said. “This is particularly helpful for veterans with PTSD. Art helps to take the mind off pain and gives them focus and a mission. It taps into a side of the brain they did not really use before.” Through donations and grant funding, Lucey said they hired an artist to work with the first set of veterans every Saturday for 26 weeks over six months. They had hoped to have the first class full of veterans, but COVID-19 restrictions required them to scale back, accepting four for the inaugural venture. One of the veterans taking part in the program is Castle Rock resident SEE VETERANS, P20

VOLUME 19 | ISSUE 25

County challenges state mask rules Teal, Laydon vote for resolution that leaves implications unclear BY ELLIOTT WENZLER EWENZLER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Bill Beschman, a 20-year Marine veteran, said he learned self-expression through PHOTO BY THELMA GRIMES painting in the art therapy program.

MIX IT UP DJs, live entertainers ready for prom season

P14

In a 2-1 vote in a May 11 business meeting, the Douglas County commissioners approved a resolution attempting to reject a state mask mandate. Since that vote by commissioners, the state’s mandate has been lifted to match new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Masks are no longer required in the state except for unvaccinated people inside jails, childcare settings, assisted-living facilities and emergency health care facilities, said Gov. Jared Polis in a May 14 press conference. School districts will decide on if they allow vaccinated students to go unmasked. The state suggests that those who are unvaccinated continue wearing masks inside. The county’s now-obsolete resolution stated that the board would “not require masks or mandate proof of vaccination for the use of any board controlled indoor space,” according to the resolution. Gov. Jared Polis’ previous mask order, which was put in place May 2 and has now been removed, stated that masks could be removed indoors in select SEE MASKS, P2

GRADUATES EYE THEIR FUTURES Area high school graduates reflect, look to years ahead

P15-18


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Parker Chronicle 0521 by Colorado Community Media - Issuu