Redstone December/January 2025-26

RESIDENT / OCCUPANT PRSRT STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID LYONS, CO PERMIT No 2053

Redstone Review stands behind the United States Constitution VOLUME 26, NUMBER 11

LYONS, COLOR ADO

$.50

DECEMBER 19, 2025 / JANUARY 15, 2026

B •R •I •E •F •S During Brief title this season of giving, don’t forget to support your LYONS – text local newspaper Brief title – At the end of JanLYONS

LYONS text uary the–Redstone Review will have completed 26 years in print. The Redstone’s first issue came out in February 2000. We were here all during the flood in Lyons, the twin towers disaster in New York, wild fires, snow storm distastes and many days of sunshine and fun.

Not many towns the size of Lyons have a monthly newspaper. Newspapers are dying at a rapid rate. Here are a few statistics: Newspaper Closure Statistics Since 2005, nearly 3,500 newspapers have ceased printing, a decline that has disproportionately affected small and rural communities.

•Rate of Closure: The rate of newspaper closures has remained steady in recent years, with approximately 130-136 newspapers shuttering annually in the last couple of years.

•Types of Papers: Most of the losses are among weekly or non-daily papers; of the shuttered weeklies, more than 1,000 had a circulation of less than 5,000.

•Impact: Over 200 counties across the US currently have no newspaper, and nearly half of all counties have only one, usually a small weekly.

Many communities that lost newspapers were economically vulnerable and isolated, contributing to the rise of the News Desert.

We are asking for our loyal readers to support us by buying a subscription for $25 dollars for one year, or a donation of any amount. Help us to keep Lyons from becoming a News Desert. Send your subscription or donation to Redstone Review, PO Box 68, Lyons, CO 80540.

Thanks for your help. Merry Christmas. Susan de Castro Gierach Poppy and Sage Studio Updates

LYONS – Winter is coming.

Updates on Poppy & Sage Studio schedule.With the holidays coming, Poppy & Sage Studio Continue Briefs on Page x

issuu.com/sdcmc Like us on Facebook I •N •D •E •X LYONS LYON’S CORNER OPTIONS CONTRAST LOOKING UP INSIGHT VIEWPOINT SHOWCASE WHAT’S COOKIN’ VOICES ARE HEARD COMMON CAUSE CHOICES

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

A sweet moment of holiday magic. A young visitor, Liam, shares a smile and a wish for Santa during SantaThon at the Artisan Market—fondly remembered by long-time Lyons residents as the Christmas Bazaar. CATHY RIVERS

Renewal Authority, which meets the third Thursday evening of the month.

Municipal elections to be held in April Urban In addition, the mayor assigns each trustee

By Hollie Rogin, Mayor of Lyons Redstone Review

LYONS – Happy holidays, Lyons. I think we can all agree that nothing beats our town during the month of Rogin December. From the tree lighting to the parade, to the incredible drone show, the holiday spirit is alive and thriving.

Let’s keep it up the entire month by remembering to spread cheer and generosity, and to shop local whenever we can.

It’s hard to believe, but it’s time to start thinking about our next municipal elections, which will be held in April 2026. As is true in any election year, every seat on the Board of Trustees, including Mayor, is up.

Local government is the true daily application of democracy in action. It’s so important that our governing body, the Lyons Board of Trustees, represents our entire community in its decision-making. That’s why it’s also so important that the board is composed of people who have a wide variety of lived experiences and subject matter knowledge, in addition to diversity of all kinds, including thought, economic, age, gender, education, and race.

As we’ve seen repeatedly in Lyons, great ideas come from everywhere.

Serving on the Lyons Board of Trustees is one of the most gratifying ways to be of service to our community. Trustees are responsible for making local laws, deciding where and

how our yearly budget is spent, and most of all making decisions that elevate the quality of life, resilience, and independence of our whole community. The board is made up of regular folks just like you who want our community to thrive.

When I talk to people about running for a seat on the board of trustees, I often hear that they’re reluctant because they believe they don’t have the necessary knowledge base.

The truth is, there is no necessary knowledge base to have. Between town staff, great organizations like the Colorado Municipal League and CIRSA, and experienced board members, there is a deep functional knowledge reservoir to draw from as a new board member. Is there a learning curve? Of course.

But there’s also incredible support and always someone who can expertly answer questions.

I also hear concerns about the time commitment. Here’s a realistic look at what’s required. There’s always more one can do, and some board members sign up for “extra duty” to participate in additional meetings and local, regional, or state-wide groups.

At a minimum, each trustee is expected to prepare for and attend two board meetings per month, on the first and third Monday evenings. Preparation includes reading our board packets. Meeting nights begin around 5:30 p.m. with less formal workshops. The official business meetings begin at 7 p.m. and typically end around 10 p.m., sometimes earlier and sometimes later, depending on the agenda.

Each trustee is also a member of the Lyons

as a liason to a board or commission. That’s one additional meeting per month. So, all told, serving as a trustee means committing to four meetings per month. In addition to a stipend, each trustee can be reimbursed for any necessary dependent care costs to attend meetings, up to a maximum amount.

To run for a seat on the board, you must be at least 18 years old and have lived within town limits for one year. You’ll also need to gather at least ten signatures of registered voters who also live within town limits. That’s it.

If you’ve had a glimmer of “maybe I should run” for the Board, please seriously consider it. If you’d like to explore more, I’m more than happy to set up a time to chat. If you’re ready to take the plunge, qualification packets will be ready to pick up at Lyons Town Hall on January 6.

Stay warm, stay involved, and stay kind, 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 – 2022. In 2015, Hollie 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.

PAGE 2

LYONS, COLOR ADO

DECEMBER 19, 2025 / JANUARY 15, 2026

LYONS one gift at a time to each of us, and The magic of Christmas in the nineteen-fifties out we all watched as each person opened their gift. There were not many; maybe

By Janaki Jane Redstone Review LYONS – Christmas in Upstate New York in the mid-1950s was snow and secrets; doors slamming and screams of “don’t Jane look!” Christmas was the comfort of rituals that meant the time of no school and gifts, a time of enchantment.

Christmas tasted like snow, and snowflakes tasted like magic.

The tree went up on December 23, at the end of Advent. During decorating the tree time, Christmas carols played on the record player. We decorated the tree with homemade spritz cookie wreaths, very small candy canes, big old-fashioned series wired lights (if one went out the whole string did, and Dad swore when he had to search for the bad bulb), a few ornaments we children had made, and tinsel. So much icicle tinsel that the tree shimmered and there was not a spot of green to be seen.

Christmas Eve brought “the singing of the carols.” Mother played the piano and we all sang, my sister and I trading melody and descant. I always wanted to sing all the verses of Good King Wenceslas, which made my family groan, but I loved that the king cared for the freezing peasant and that his footsteps kept his page warm. That was the spirit of Christmas to me.

“The hanging of the stockings” came before bed. We each used the largest of our

own socks and hung them on a bookcase.

In the morning, we awoke to the stockings lying across the foot of our beds, a tangerine in the toe, and some candy and dime store gifts inside.

We had “Christmas breakfast in the parents’ bedroom” so the children would not see the tree, and then we traipsed off to

church. When we returned, we children were made to wait in the hall while Dad plugged in the tree. Entering the living room and seeing the lighted, shimmering tree with the wrapped presents underneath

was a magic all its own for a family that did not have much.

Then “father played santa,” and handed

Support for health care people can afford The Boulder County Commissioners Redstone Review BOULDER COUNTY – Enhanced premium tax credits have been a lifeline for millions of people, including many Coloradans, by making health insurance more affordable and accessible. These credits have significantly reduced monthly premiums and helped lower-income and middle-class families maintain coverage during uncertain economic times since their expansion under the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021 and their continuation through the Inflation Reduction Act. These tax credits are set to expire in 2026 if no action is taken by the U.S. Congress. As a result, Boulder County’s Health Coverage Guides are hearing the following feedback: •People are seeing an increase in premiums of 50% to 100% or much more, adding hundreds of additional dollars a month to their household budgets.

•Some people may go without coverage next year because of the high costs­­—this includes people with health conditions that need consistent health care.

•Some people are choosing plans with higher copays and deductibles, increasing their out-of-pocket costs when they face health care needs next year.

Boulder County Commissioners, Claire Levy, Marta Loachamin, and Ashley Stolzmann.

Oakley is a one-year-old boy with a playful spirit and a heart full of warmth. He greets the world with a goofy grin, a wagging tail, and a joyful eagerness that makes it impossible not to love him. He loves being close to his people, checking in often as if to say he is happy to share every moment with you.

He is extremely smart for his age and even more motivated when food is involved. Training with him feels fun and rewarding because he learns quickly and tries hard to understand what you want from him. Oakley is also brave about exploring new places, moving forward with curiosity and confidence.

He is the kind of dog who turns simple outings into small adventures.

Oakley needs to be the only dog in the home, but he can live comfortably with cats. What he wants most is a family who will appreciate his bright personality, his affectionate nature, and his love for both play and companionship. If you are looking for a loyal friend who brings energy, joy, and endless charm into your life, Oakley is ready to meet you.

To see all our adoptable animals or get more details visit longmonthumane.org. Or stop in at the shelter at 9595 Nelson Road.

four or five each. An article of clothing, a toy, a book, a piece of jewelry or a game, mom-knitted mittens and hat.

We ate “turkey dinner with all the trimmings,” and then my dad and the three kids went for a walk in the snow, while my mom took a well-deserved nap, because she had done all the work making it Christmas.

It really was always snowing on those walks, and on Christmas eve and Christmas day. As it was getting dark all the neighbors left their curtains open, so the lit Christmas trees could shine through the windows into the dark—no houses had outside lights then where we lived.

Walking in the cold of Christmas night felt cozy, and safe, and like Christmas would never end.

But end it did, on January Sixth, Three Kings Day. The tree came down, the Christmas cards and candles were packed up, and the enchantment drifted away, leaving everything just a little bit different, as magic must.

Janaki Jane writes on issues of society and mental health. She is co-director of BolderMind Talks and Tabletops: removing the barriers that keep too many from getting help, with funding from Boulder County and The American Recovery Act. She lives with her husband off the grid in the foothills with the moose, foxes, and birds for company.

Without congressional action, the expiration of these credits will result in a sharp increase in health insurance costs at a time when the cost of other goods and services continues to rise. According to the Congressional Budget Office, loss of enhanced premium tax credits could lead to a substantial rise in the uninsured rate, reversing the progress we’ve made in expanding access to care.

Our congressional delegation—Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper and Representative Neguse—have been leaders in supporting the wellbeing of Coloradans by working to secure affordable health care.

We fully support the proposed extension of the enhanced premium tax credits when the U.S. Senate votes on Thursday.

Boulder County Health Coverage Guides are part of Boulder County’s Human Services department. To receive this information in another language, please email commissioners@bouldercounty. gov. Through the Boulder County Enrollment Center, our Health Coverage Guides help residents get health insurance through the Connect for Health Colorado marketplace. Visit the Boulder County Enrollment Center website to find out more.

M E M B E R C O L O R A D O P R E S S A S S O C I AT I O N EDITOR / PUBLISHER

Susan de Castro COPY EDITOR

Kathleen Massini BUSINESS MANAGER

Julie Hamilton

ADVERTISING MANAGER

Bonnie Chaim

ADVERTISING DESIGN

Kathleen Massini

PAGE DESIGN / PRODUCTION

Jen Deiley PRINTING

Adams Publishing Group A ONE-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION IS $20.

CALL JULIE - SCOPE ACCOUNTING 303-324-2869 OR MAIL CHECK OR MONEY ORDER TO:

REDSTONE REVIEW P.O. BOX 68, LYONS CO, 80540

PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY REDSTONE REVIEW LLC. CONTENTS ARE COPYRIGHTED. NO PART CAN BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM WITHOUT CONSENT FROM THE PUBLISHER.

T O C O N TAC T R E D S T O N E R E V I E W: TO SUBMIT ANNOUNCEMENTS, LETTERS, PRESS RELEASES & NOTICES:

redstarnews5@gmail.com TO PLACE AN AD OR FOR QUESTIONS REGARDING ADVERTISING:

Bonnie Chaim 303-442-4701 or redstonereviewads@gmail.com FOR QUESTIONS REGARDING BILLING:

Julie Hamilton 303-324-2869

VOLUME 26, NUMBER 11

LYONS, COLOR ADO

PAGE 3

LYON’S CORNER The town board voted on several ordinances and one resolution at the Dec. l5 meeting

By Staff Reports Redstone Review LYONS – The Lyons Town Board held discussions at their mid-month meeting and then voted on five ordinances, one resolution and postponed one ordinance on a rezoning issue to a later date.

One Ordinance, 1203, was postponed and it was not read at the town board meeting. Ordinance 1203 is an ordinance approving the Rezoning of 4651 & 4652 Ute Hwy from Commercial Eastern Corridor (CEC) to Planned Unit Development CEC. A new public notice will be provided when the item is ready for consideration. It was noticed, but postponed.

Ordinance 1205 – An ordinance to amend section 11-10-11 of the Lyons Municipal Code concerning regulations for unreasonable noise was passed unanimously.

Ordinance 1206 – An ordinance to amend article 4 of chapter 13 of the Lyons Municipal Code for the purpose of increasing the service rates for wastewater utility service

by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) passed unanimously.

BOT asked staff to communicate the upcoming changes.

This passed unanimously.

Ordinance 1207 – An ordinance amending article 7 of chapter 13 of the Lyons Municipal Code for the purpose of increasing the service rates for the stormwater utility service by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) was passed unanimously.

Ordinance 1208 – An ordinance amending articles 2,3,4, and 7 of chapter 13 of the Lyons Municipal Code for the purpose of setting the utility service rates and charges by resolution with a public hearing. This would allow for utility rates to be increased in the future by resolution and with a public hearing instead of via ordinance. This passed unanimously.

Ordinance 1209 – An ordinance amending chapter 16, article 11 of the Lyons Municipal Code concerning wireless communications facilities. This passed unanimously.

Public Hearing – Resolution 2025-83 – A resolution rescinding resolution 2025-82 and levying general property taxes for the 2026 budget year. This passed unanimously.

Patty has only ever known shelter life, but this twoyear-old beauty is ready to learn what it means to be loved. The world outside can feel big and overwhelming for her, but she’s slowly discovering that it’s full of good things, especially when she has a trusted person by her side. Once Patty is familiar with you (which doesn’t take long), her loyalty and affection shine through in the sweetest ways.

“I am America” SALLY KING

When she’s feeling confident, Patty is all energy and curiosity. She’s athletic, playful, and eager to explore, but just as happy to curl up in your lap for snuggles. She’s a total velcro dog who loves to lean against your leg while you walk, rest her head against your chest, and soak up every bit of affection she can get.

Patty is looking for a calm, patient home that will let her move at her own pace. A confident dog friend could help her learn the ropes, and she can live with respectful, older kids. She’s not a fan of cats, but she’s full of love for people and just needs someone to show her that the world isn’t so scary after all.”

Thank you for supporting our adoptables!

To see all our adoptable animals or get more details visit longmonthumane.org. Or stop in at the shelter at 9595 Nelson Road.

“Flowers” SALLY KING

Valley Townhomes for qualified applicants. Monthly rent is $1,903; rent concessions are available on these units.

Affordable housing units available in Lyons, Lyons Water, sewer and trash are included. To learn more: contact at Highland Property Management, 720-600-4278. including places for those with disabilities Melanie Housing and Human Services Commission opporBy Kay Sparks Redstone Review New housing resource for those with disabilities LYONS – Boulder County awarded a two-year grant to Imagine! to help people with disabilities find and keep affordable homes. The grant is funded by Boulder County’s Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Mill Levy, a property tax first approved by voters in 2002.

Imagine! is a local organization that supports people with disabilities. The money will be used to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, and brain injury find and maintain housing. Imagine! has two full-time staff members to provide housing help; one works with Boulder Housing Partners, the City of Boulder’s housing authority. The other focuses on collaborating with organizations outside Boulder Housing Partners, including Longmont Housing Authority and HOPE, a nonprofit serving the unhoused.

In addition to housing assistance, the program supports people as they move into their homes and assists them in building life skills. These services are designed to help peo-

ple live more independently and avoid homelessness. For more information, contact Dakota Turner, Housing Navigator, at 720-274-2244 or dturner@imaginecolorado.org.

Lyons Valley Townhomes vacancies There are three two-bedroom townhomes available at

tunity The single vacancy on the Housing and Human Services Commission provides an opportunity for a resident of the Lyons area to become part of the dynamic process involving housing and various human services. The Commission educates the community about appropriate resources in Lyons, the surrounding area, Boulder County, and facilitates accessing those resources. Activities during the last year included updating the Get Help Guide, partnering with Lyons Regional Library to host two presentations on Disaster Preparedness, hosting a health insurance enrollment event featuring Connect for Health Colorado and hosting Senator Janice Marchman for an update regarding the upcoming legislative session focusing on budget challenges. To apply, go to the Town of Lyons website, townoflyons.com, and click on Boards and Commissions. For more information, contact Kay Sparks, 509-881-7096.

Kay Sparks is the chair of the Housing and Human Services Commission, an advisory commission to the town board. She lives in the Lyons area.

PAGE 4

LYONS, COLOR ADO

DECEMBER 19, 2025 / JANUARY 15, 2026

OPTIONS I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas…and it snowed and it snowed and it snowed

By Annie Muldrew-Pancoast Redstone Review LYONS – My husband, Stacy, and I look back with amused fondness remembering our first foothills Christmas in 1982. Back then, we were two naïve kids, so excited about putting a contract on a mountain home next to the Middle St. Vrain in Riverside. The closing was planned for Thursday, December 23, right before the holiday weekend. The seller was kind enough to let us move in the weekend before. Little did we know, at that time, how fortunate that gracious gesture was.

That weekend was a flurry of unpacking boxes and organizing each room. During that week, we checked off our lists while balancing going to work, unpacking, and decorating, preparing for the long holiday weekend ahead. Even though the Denver area was experiencing unusually warm temperatures, each day up here brought chilly winds and a skiff of snow. Those teasing traces of snow gave me high hopes for a white Christmas. We found out quickly through the Riverside grapevine that there had been light snow every day since December 9 so maybe my wish would come true.

We checked the weather every day. Tuesday’s report: it was rare to have a Christmas snowfall on the Front Range, but predictions were now 30 percent chance of having snow on the ground. Wednesday’s Longmont prediction: sunny and mild with temps in the 50s, dropping to the 20s overnight with wind picking up. Thursday: the

day of our closing, we realized that conditions were changing.

The weather service was now predicting snow over most of the state with 4”–6” on the plains and 8”–18” in the mountains.

Longmont Times headlines warned that

ping done early!”

After we both ran last-minute errands, we met at the house-closing late morning which went off without a hitch. To celebrate, we drove our 2WD vehicles through snow flurries to O’Shay’s in Longmont for

a “Dangerous Storm Moves into Colorado” with heavy snow, powerful winds, and near blizzard conditions. A weather service specialist quipped, “It looks like it could get kind of hairy. Better get shop-

lunch. As we were enjoying our meal and talking about our exciting life change while peering out at Main Street, the snow started coming in sideways, whipped down Main Street by fierce winds. We grinned at each

other over dessert and decided it was time to head for the hills to home.

Unbeknownst to us as we went to bed that night, a perfect storm was forming over the Front Range and foothills of the Denver/ Boulder area. Christmas Eve morning, it was way too quiet when we woke up. Flinging back the bedroom curtains, we found out why. The snow-globe world outside our window was totally white. Muffling any sounds, snow was coming down harder with each passing moment, shrouding everything in drifts. My first thought was, “Oh, no. What have we done?” Then I remembered my wish—well, maybe not quite this much.

Since we still had power, the news showed the Front Range getting pounded by Mother Nature—even more than we were.

Denver became a closed, isolated city.

Stapleton Airport shut down that day for more than 33 hours since there were 4’–10’ drifts on the runways. Thousands of travelers and last-minute shoppers were stranded. High winds howled at 40–50 mph plummeting the wind chill factor down as low as -35. Snow was blowing in at 2”–3” hourly, dropping visibility to near-zero. It whipped into measurable drifts over cars, highways, streets, houses, and livestock.

Postal and newspaper delivery as well as trash removal were impossible with only some main roads open.

Up here, too, travel was done by foot, on snowshoes or cross-country skis, or even by horseback since very few people had 4WD Continue Dreamiing on Page 14

place where we tell stories. We use photographs, books, stuffed away in albums and in boxes in the closet. Tell famobjects to help us tell the stories of the town we live in ily stories around the dinner table. Embrace your family’s What is a museum? aand and the people who live here.” A smile and nod of the head history and you might be surprised by what you learn.

By Monique Sawyer-Lang Redstone Review

LYONS – Recently I was asked by an inquisitive four-year-old child “What is a museum?” I had to pause for a moment and thought, “that’s a good question, what is a museum and how do you explain it to Sawyer-Lang a young child in such a way that would make them interested in what a museum is and what happens at one?” For that matter shouldn’t the answer be just as compelling for an adult as it is for a child?

Webster’s dictionary defines a museum as: “an institution devoted to the procurement, care, study, and display of objects of lasting interest or value and as a place where objects are exhibited.” Not exactly an inspiring definition and certainly not relatable to a child. If you Google the question, Google AI provides a slightly better definition: “A museum is an institution that collects, preserves, and exhibits artifacts and specimens for inspiration, education, and enjoyment. They are public places where people can explore collections of artistic, historical, scientific, or cultural objects. Modern museums also serve as spaces for critical dialogue and community engagement.” Better, but still not necessarily relatable to many people, especially children.

Ultimately, I settled on the answer that “our museum is

indicated that I had answered her question satisfactorily and her mother’s “good answer” was welcomed.

So, if the simple answer is: “we tell stories”, that begs the question: “whose stories?” Not such a simple answer. For many museums, big and small, it is easier to tell the stories of the well-known and the movers and shakers, because they are the ones whose history has been preserved in their families, in newspapers, in books, in photograph albums, and in town records. However, a town’s history is made up of a collective of all those who have come and gone over time, including those who were here before it was a town.

At the Lyons Redstone Museum we’ve made an effort to tell not just the easy stories but the other stories as well. We’ve told these stories through exhibits, interactive experiences, newspaper articles, cemetery and walking tours, family files, and books. We tell the stories of authors and artists, policemen and firefighters, shopkeepers, and teachers. We tell the stories of children and adults. We tell the stories of those who have gone to war and returned, and those who didn’t.

Several years ago, we wrote on one of the slate chalkboards in the museum, which was the town’s first school: “What’s your family’s history? Make time to write/record the stories.” It’s our way of reminding visitors that everyone has a story. As you head into the new year, think about the question: “What is my family’s story?” Maybe make it a New Year’s resolution to collect the stories of your family. Talk to your relatives before they are gone. Label those photographs

Your Only Local Full Service Repair Shop TIRES • ALIGNMENTS • BRAKES • MAINTENANCE ALL MAKES AND MODELS, including DIESELS

4th & Broadway, Lyons

303-823-6760

www.lyonsautomotive.com

dan siddall broker/owner

Cell: 303-918-8400 Email: siddallteam@gmail.com Website: www.gateway-realty.com 324 Main Street, PO Box 217 Lyons, CO 80540

When the inquisitive child who started this conversation enters Kindergarten at Lyons Elementary next year, they will get the opportunity to explore and hear firsthand some of the stories that make up Lyons’ history.

At the former 1881 Schoolhouse, the students engage in activities that are aligned with grade-specific social studies, language arts, and science curricula and standards for the St. Vrain Valley School District. The following is a quick snapshot of some of the guiding questions for their museum-based experiences: Kindergarten: Why is it important to ask questions about the past? Why do we study historical characters?

(Edward Lyon) 1st Grade: How/why do we arrange events from the past in chronological order? (Lyons Schools Then & Now) 2nd Grade: How do communities change over time?

How/why do we study and know about the natural history of Lyons, especially birds and their habitats? (Jack Moomaw and D.W. King) 3rd Grade: What people, events, objects, and developments brought important changes to the St. Vrain Valley region? (Sandstone: history & economy of Lyons) 4th Grade: How have natural, technological, and human resources shaped the development of Lyons/Colorado?

4th graders are the “Museum Stewards.” They visit the museum multiple times to become familiar with the collections Continue Museum on Page 14

Beyond our stunning WEDDING & EVENT VENUE, The Farmette hosts a series of FARM DINNERS with local chefs during the growing season and homesteading and DIY WORKSHOPS in the Spring and Fall.

Ly o n s Fa r m e t t e . c o m

VOLUME 26, NUMBER 11

LYONS, COLOR ADO

PAGE 5

CONTRAST The best Christmas gift ever

By Greg Lowell Redstone Review LYONS – I was 13 years old and in that awkward Christmas gift zone, somewhere between electric train sets and Lowell sensible sweaters.

Christmas morning had lost the excitement of seeing what Santa had brought.

There was no early morning display of open gifts arrayed under the tree and it was with muted enthusiasm I opened wrapped gifts with my parents and older brother. Amid the finality of rumpled wrapping paper and cast-off bows my father, channeling his best Darren McGavin Christmas Story voice, said to me, “Hey, I think there might be one more present for you out on the porch.”

The porch? Why would there be a present out on the freezing cold porch? Excitement rose as I walked through the kitchen and opened the door.

Taking up the entire porch space was a boat, eight-feet long, smelling of new pine wood and with a big red bow.

I was confused. I hadn’t asked for a boat, but my parents had intuited it was just what their fishing-obsessed son needed. Although neither of them fished, they had always accommodated my angling passion with drop-offs and pick-ups at ponds and ocean docks. But this was different. I guess they figured it was time for a new adventure on the water.

My surprise over this unusual gift was

quickly replaced with imagining the places this little boat could take me, places I could only see from afar on my shoreline adventures at the big reservoir not far from my house.

The Bellamy Reservoir was a large impoundment flooded years earlier to pro-

that week. Even in the cold New Hampshire winter there was open water nearby in the saltwater estuary. But my father pointed out that there was a lot to do before floating the boat; there was priming and painting the raw wood, and the boat still needed oars, oarlocks, and an anchor and rope. So later that day, my dad and I wrestled the boat through the cellar bulkhead and laid it on sawhorses.

vide water for a nearby Air Force base. My friends and I had explored only a small part of it on foot and could only dream of the big fish that surely lurked in the unreachable distant coves and islands.

Running my hands over the boat’s gunwales, I asked my dad if I could try it out

That winter I sanded and caulked the seams of the screw and plywood boat, primed first and then painted the boat gray with a white interior. I used my odd jobs and birthday gift money to buy oars and an anchor. By April it was done, and I was anxious to take it on the water.

The first excursion almost ended in disaster. I don’t know whose knots were faulty, either mine or my dad’s, but a mile down the road I watched in horror as the boat flipped off the car roof and pinwheeled into a field. Luckily, the soft spring ground cushioned the impact, and the boat was fine, and we were more careful from then on with our ropework.

That spring, summer, and fall was an endless adventure for my best friend and me exploring, fishing and camping with the boat. We caught fish never before caught by man and spent sleepless, bug-bitten nights on previously forbidden islands. We never saw another boat or fisherman in all those long days and felt like this new world was ours alone to explore.

In time, the boat was replaced by a motorboat (another gift, this one from my grandfather). At age 15, I sold the rowboat to a man who used it as a tender for his moored sailboat on the ocean. I never saw it again.

The two years of adventures that boat brought me went far beyond the surprising gift of that long-ago Christmas morning. It made me an explorer, poking into hidden coves, or following inlet streams far up into the woods. Herons, otters, turtles, and big fish revealed themselves to me. While the gift was unusual, my parents knew that what they were giving me was more than just the boat itself. The days spent in that little boat nurtured in me a love for the outdoors and adventure that I carry with me today.

Lyons resident Greg Lowell is a Town Board Trustee and serves as a liaison to the Ecology Advisory Board.

can help children feel more secure and supported Caring for our mental health during the holiday season cation during this busy time.

Loneliness

By Megan Foreman Redstone Review

LYONS – The holiday season can be a time of tradition, celebration, and family connection. Yet every year, I see many patients, both adults and children, who find this time of year emotionally chalForeman lenging.

While the holidays can bring warmth and joy, they can also heighten stress, loneliness, financial pressure, and anxiety. Understanding these challenges can make the season healthier and more meaningful for the entire family.

Cultural expectations and social media portrayals of perfect holidays can leave many feeling inadequate when reality doesn’t match the idealized version. Picture-perfect family photos, elaborate meals, and abundant gifts often create pressure to recreate that same experience.

When real life feels messier or more complicated, people

may wonder why they can’t match the happiness they see online. It’s important to remember that these images are curated moments. Real life is far more complex, and emotions like sadness, frustration, or worry are normal responses to a busy and sometimes overwhelming season.

Children and teens feel holiday stress too, though it may show up differently than in adults. Changes in routines— with school breaks, travel, later bedtimes, or overstimulating environments, can lead to irritability, emotional outbursts, or difficulty sleeping. Some children feel anxious at family gatherings, during long trips, or when meeting relatives they don’t see often.

Adolescents may experience academic pressure heading into the holiday season, worrying about grades or upcoming exams. Social pressures can intensify as well, especially with constant comparison on social media. Teens who struggle with anxiety or depression may find the sudden shift in routine unsettling.

Children sense adult stress, even when it isn’t spoken aloud. They may respond with clinginess, behavioral changes, or increased worry. Maintaining consistent routines, offering quiet breaks, and encouraging open communi-

Lyons Area & Flood Books For Sale! from the Lyons Redstone Museum

Learn about Lyons Area History: Quarries/Quarry Town, Lyons Pioneers, Lyons 1900s, Isabella Bird, Welch Resort, E.S. Lyon, Billings Family, Blue Mountain, Old Stone Church, Meadow Park, Chopin Through the Window by Franciska Stein Flood Books and DVDs are also available.

To Order or For More Information: (303) 823-5271 redstonehistory@gmail.com

Despite the many social events associated with the holidays, loneliness is more common than many realize. Individuals who live far from family, are experiencing strained relationships, or are navigating major life changes may feel disconnected during a season centered on togetherness.

Older adults, especially those with limited mobility or

fewer social supports, often experience heightened isolation. Reaching out, even with a simple phone call or brief visit, can make a meaningful difference for someone feeling alone.

Financial and time pressures This time of year intensifies financial strain for many people. Gift expectations, travel expenses, and rising costs can create real anxiety. Many families feel pressure to overspend to create a “perfect” holiday experience.

Time can feel equally limited. Parents and caregivers often juggle work, school events, holiday gatherings, and family responsibilities with little room for rest. When schedules become overwhelming, sleep and healthy routines are often the first things to suffer. As a result, many people, children and adults alike, find themselves more fatigued, less patient, and more emotionally reactive.

Setting boundaries, simplifying plans, and prioritizing meaningful traditions over elaborate ones can significantly reduce holiday stress.

Grief The holidays often bring forward feelings of grief, especially after the loss of a loved one. Familiar songs, recipes, or holiday rituals can stir deep emotions. Grief doesn’t follow a timeline, and it is normal to feel sadness or longing, no matter how many years have passed.

Creating gentle rituals, such as lighting a candle or sharContinue Mental Health on Page 14

PAGE 6

LYONS, COLOR ADO

DECEMBER 19, 2025 / JANUARY 15, 2026

LOOKING UP been making a fortune running a LonLuff and I would set text using old-fashdon ad agency. One of his many skills was ioned lead type. There was an ancient chest An English schooling have his italic handwriting, italic is known these of drawers which must have weighed close

By Peter Butler Redstone Review LYONS – Not too long ago I heard a story on the radio that the Texas legislature had changed the school curriculum so that Butler teaching must be based on the Bible. It reminded me of my own education and how different it was not only through differences across the Atlantic but also comparisons across the decades.

In the 1960s, in Great Britain, the Labour Government imposed high taxes but offered good public services.

School teachers were paid well and would spend their entire careers teaching at one institution until they retired. But there was a social separating system that would definitely not pass today’s DEI. There was no Diversity Equity or Inclusion in the “The Eleven Plus” exam which was a way of separating 10-year-olds into those who would become future professionals from the likely future blue-collar workers. I must have passed, so off I went to Windsor Grammar School for boys.

In chemistry we were following a new curriculum from the Nuffield Foundation. They had devised a course that made Quantum Physics, which is insanely hard to understand, palatable for youngsters.

My favorite was the structure of benzene,

a toxic and carcinogenic solvent but with a wacky structure of six carbon atoms and six hydrogen atoms. There is a story that the German chemist Kekulé was stuck trying to determine its molecular structure but he had a dream in which a snake formed a circle by biting its own tail. Later this story became six monkeys who grabbed each other by the tail and formed a circle. If you have dreams like this maybe you should cut

down on the CBD oil. A hundred years later we bunch of snot-nosed kids were using Planck’s constant to determine the electron energy levels and shapes of atomic orbitals. It was a heady time.

Although we spent most of our time learning Latin and Physics somehow, I managed to get friendly with the Head of the Art department. Peter Wickham was an extraordinary person who probably could

days as a typeface form that leans forward but originally it was a style of cursive script that was designed to be fast. Right-handed writers pull the pen towards the right and make an up and down zigzag motion.

Sounds easy but it isn’t. When he scribbled quickly, his writing was the prettiest you had ever seen, but when he slowed down, and made it perfect, his output should have been in a museum. One of his responsibilities was the school printing press. I had shown some interest and one day he offered the chance for myself, and a classmate called Peter Luff (Yes, three Peters in one room) to run the printing press.

Occasionally the school would need a run of tickets, say, for the drama department’s upcoming production of Sweeney Todd the Barber.

What we did was not far removed from what Gutenberg was doing in 1455 when he famously invented printing with moveable type.

Most people think that he invented the letters, but that technology had already been stolen from the Chinese. It was a time when intellectual property theft went the other way. The real advance was in quick drying inks. If you have never spent any quality time with a can of printing ink maybe you should. It is the blackest, stickiest, gooiest slime ever invented. When you spread it out with a hand roller there is a sizzling sound as it loudly complains.

to a ton. Each shallow drawer contained a typeface with exotic names such as Perpetua, Plantin or Bembo. Each letter was a small lead casting slightly less than an inch high on a crisp rectangular stem with a notch to show the orientation. One by one we would add letters, upside down and backwards, into a device called a setting stick, while our left thumbs sensed the row of notches, to be certain that each letter was upright.

The finished block of type would be locked on a rigid frame called a chase which would fit in the press. The press was a machine designed to crush your fingers and our job was to defeat its evil purpose.

While it was running, we would place a blank card on a little shelf and whip our hand out just in time for the inked type to crunch down.

Then we would pull out the printed card and insert a new one before the next circulating threat thumped down. These days the PTA would accuse the school of child exploitation and torture but we loved it. It was a nerd’s heaven. After we left school Peter Luff went on to join Margaret Thatcher’s government as a member of Parliament for Worcester. I don’t know if the Iron Lady knew about his printing skills, but he was knighted, Sir Peter Luff, in 2015.

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 a 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.

what they cover, and how to deterWinter is the perfect time to settle in with a good book work, mine which option aligns with your needs.

Bring your questions and leave with greater

By Kara Bauman Redstone Review

LYONS – As the year draws to a close and Lyons glows with twinkle lights, decorated shop windows, and the bustle of winter Bauman traditions, the Library finds itself reflecting on the connection and community that have shaped 2025.

Whether you visit us to pick up a stack of books, watch your children discover a new favorite author, attend a program, or simply enjoy the quiet comfort of the stacks, we are grateful for every conversation, suggestion, and smile. This season reminds us how meaningful it is to have a warm, welcoming place where everyone belongs, a space to gather and learn, to imagine and create, to ask questions, and sometimes, simply to sit and breathe.

Winter is a perfect time to settle in with a blanket, a warm drink, and a good book.

Beginning Monday, December 15, you can pick up a “Winter Book Box” from the Library, available while supplies last. Each box includes a surprise book selected by age group and genre, whether youth, teen, or adult, along with cozy winter swag like cocoa mix and bookmarks. It’s a little bit of mystery, a little bit of self-care, and a perfect treat as the days turn colder and darker. We will not tell you what book you will get— part of the fun is the surprise.

We are also pleased to welcome back the Boulder County Area Agency on Aging

for weekly drop-in hours every Wednesday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. resuming in January.

Adults 60 and older and their caregivers are invited to meet one-on-one with Mountain Resource Specialist Amy Shoffner for confidential conversations about services, supports, and planning for aging well in our community.

Whether you are seeking resources, helping a family member, or simply beginning to plan ahead, you can stop in with no appointment necessary.

Writers, storytellers, journal keepers, and the creatively curious will be glad to know that Word Wednesdays with Dr. Kayann Short continue into 2026.

This virtual workshop meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. and offers a supportive space to share work, receive feedback, and build a regular writing practice. Open to all genres and experience levels, this long-running program is a great way to stay inspired through the winter. Please register to receive the Zoom link.

If hands-on creativity is more your style, mark your calendar for the return of our

all-ages Monday Makerspace on January 12 at 3 p.m. These open-studio sessions invite kids, teens, adults, and families to explore arts and crafts projects centered on a loose monthly theme.

January’s theme is tea-making, which means experimenting with simple blends,

scents, and packaging, an enjoyable winter activity whether you keep your creation or share it as a gift.

For those thinking ahead to important life planning, we are offering a Will Writing Workshop on January 13 at 6:30 p.m., led by local estate attorney Chelsea Victor.

This approachable session will introduce the basics of wills and trusts, how they

clarity and confidence around next steps.

And finally, we hope you’ll join us for Pints & Pages, our monthly book discussion at MainStage Brewing, on January 14 at 6 p.m., where we’ll be diving into House Made of Dawn, N. Scott Momaday’s Pulitzer Prize–winning novel that remains a touchstone of Native American literature and a compelling exploration of identity, tradition, and belonging.

As we move through the winter holidays, the Lyons Community Library will be closed to observe Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. We wish each of you a magical, memorable, and safe holiday season, one filled with light, warmth, and stories that stay with you into the new year.

Your Lyons Community Library opens at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday. Closing times are 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 p.m. on Friday, and 2 p.m. on Saturday. Our catalog is always available at lyons. colibraries.org, and digital downloads are open 24/7 through the Libby, CloudLibrary, and Kanopy apps. Call us at 303-8235165 or email info@lyonsregionallibrary. com with any questions. For more events, details, and registration information, please visit our website’s calendar.

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.

Caregiver Wanted

Expect to get Better!

A very pleasant, older gentleman in Lyons needs a person experienced with elder care to help him in the mornings, 2 to 3 days a week.

The job would involve assistance with showering, dressing, and morning activities.

Please reply to 303-453-9719

Lyons Physical Therapy - the Experts in Human Movement www.LyonsPT.com • 303.823.8813

VOLUME 26, NUMBER 11

LYONS, COLOR ADO

PAGE 7

INSIGHT Canada: Roadless backcountry that wonderfully concentrates the mind

By John Gierach Redstone Review LYONS – The usefulness of travel is that it shakes you out of your predictable and potentially deadly routine and lets you see Gierach things fresh. For instance, if you spend time in the backcountry of Canada as I do most years, you’ll begin to see clearly what you’ve long suspected: that we Americans have our lids screwed on too tight.

Granted, I go there to fly-fish, often in places that can only be reached by floatplane and canoe, so although I pass briefly through the usual bustle of airports and cities, it barely registers. And even then, if I don’t know where to go, I can ask someone and get polite and usually accurate directions. After his first trip to Canada, a fisherman from Texas once said, “You know, Canadians are just like Americans, except they’re nice.”

Of course, it doesn’t have to be Canada, and it doesn’t have to be wilderness. Just the not-so-simple act of traveling somewhere new requires a level of attentiveness that atrophies in familiar surroundings where you know what’s around every bend and behind every door. In this strange new place—wherever it happens to be—even the simplest nuance can elude you. If a Canadian asks if you want to go get a Timmy’s, he’s talking about Tim Horton’s Coffee, which our Texan friend would say is just like Starbucks, except it’s good. You say, “I got this” and pick up the tab, and although you paid good American dollars for them, the Canadian bills you hand over are brightly colored with unfamiliar faces on it and seem like play money.

Things like that pile up everywhere you go, so you automatically adopt a mild defense posture to avoid coming off as the village idiot. The effort that takes is enough to make you forget about all the niggling little chores and errands that dog your days at home. If they occur to you at all, you think,

I’ll worry about that when I get back—or Maybe I’ll come to see how pointless most of it is and won’t worry about it ever again.

But then there is something about roadless backcountry that wonderfully concentrates the mind. For one thing, there’s no

security check before boarding a floatplane, where I can sit up front next to a pilot I had breakfast with that morning. He’s a French-Canadian who speaks just enough English to get by, while I only have the mish-mash of French I’ve picked up from the bilingual signage in Montreal and Quebec City. (I can say “napkin” and “exit”

and “thank you,” which is not the stuff of memorable conversations.) It doesn’t matter anyway, since few of these planes have intercoms and the huge radial engine, just inches from my feet, is too loud to shout over. That’s why the pilot uses sign language when he hands me an old work glove and asks me to wipe the condensation off the windshield.

Once we land and tie off the plane, the pilot settles in with a book in the plane’s roomier back seat where he’s out of the rain and away from the mosquitoes and black flies. He understands fishing at a cultural level and may even fish himself, but while on duty it’s his job to wait the five or six hours until we get back. The bush pilots I’ve known all had in common a methodical nature as well as this kind of Zen-like patience. They seem to have learned the lesson my cat, Bob, has been trying to teach me for years, namely, that when there’s nothing to do, then do nothing as if it mattered.

And of course, the fishing itself is such an uncertain enterprise that the usual rules of commerce don’t apply. Every angler understands that however much a trip costs in money, time and effort, you’re not purchasing fish; you’re simply buying into the game. Just getting there and back can be half the adventure, and beyond that it all depends on how your particular skills dovetail with the vicissitudes of luck and timing. And if it all goes sideways, as sometimes happens, chances are it’s no one’s fault.

Wallace Stegner said that what makes Canadians unique is that they belong to a culture informed by the genuine wilderness right out its back door. Even if they’ve never gone into it, they know someone who has, and just the knowledge that it’s

out there has shaped the national character.

The Canadian quarter says it all, with the Queen of England on one side and a caribou on the other.

Okay, stereotypes are unfair and usually inaccurate, but at the same time some of them contain a grain of truth. For instance, a woman in Scotland once told me she could always spot Americans, even at a distance, by our “small heads and wide arses.”

Okay, fair enough.

A working definition of “wilderness” is a significant tract of countryside that’s undisturbed to the extent that it’s the way it’s always been and, in fact, how it’s supposed to be. (Sometimes it’s pretty inhospitable, but then that’s the main reason why it’s still wilderness.) It helps if it’s large enough to be thought of as “vast.” In Canada, we’re talking about roughly a third of the continent with political boundaries that are unmarked and operate largely on the honor system. Here in the U.S., a so-called “wilderness area” that a healthy adult can hike across in a day or two may not qualify. Someone once said the problem with America is that we’re a frontier culture that no longer has a frontier.

I won’t deliver the usual environmental homily. Those who have come back to civilization after being in real wilderness can draw their own conclusions. Those who have only seen wild country on TV and liked the looks of it should try to see it in the flesh at least once. It may or may not be a life-changing experience, but if nothing else they’ll experience the distinctly modern pleasure of being pretty certain they’re not under surveillance.

John Gierach died on Oct. 3, 2024. He was an outdoor and fly-fishing writer who wrote a column for Flyrod & Reel magazine and the Trout Unlimited magazine: Trout. His books include Trout Bum, Sex, Death and Fly Fishing, and Still Life with Brook Trout and All the Time in the World. He has won seven first place awards from the Colorado Press Association for his columns in the Redstone Review.

ING influenza and COVID vaccines, “Among children born during 1994–2023, routine childhood vaccinations Considering whether to vaccinate your will have prevented approximately 508 million cases of ill32 million hospitalizations, and 1,129,000 deaths, child or not, be sure you have all the facts ness, resulting in direct savings of $540 billion and societal savBy Dr. Eric Harker Redstone Review LYONS – This is my second Redstone Review column where I share my perspectives as a practicing physician and preventive medicine specialist. I will once again be discussing vaccinations, since it is a Harker hot button topic with implications for the public and individual health of our own community.

What generally makes this topic so controversial is that this otherwise personal decision affects other members of the community since the risk of contracting a vaccine preventable illness depends on the level of immunity in the community.

In order to make the best decisions about vaccination, I believe we need to consider both the risks to the individual (side effects and complications) and the benefits to both the individual and to the community. But the challenge we currently face is that we can’t agree on the facts about risks and benefits, with high levels of mistrust of industry influences, as well as influencers spreading disinformation and misinformation on a daily basis. Many Americans no longer trust public health agencies and medical experts, and are often concerned about financial and political bias.

From a public health perspective, let’s look at the best available information at the population level, with a focus on children’s vaccines. According to the Centers for Dis-

ease Control’s (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from August 8th, 2024, (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm. nih.gov/39116024/) in the US alone, and NOT INCLUD-

Continue Vaccinate on Page 14

Thank you readers, for your subscriptions and your donations. For those of you who can donate, but haven’t yet, please consider a donation.

If new tariffs are imposed on Canada, there will be a 25 percent increase in the prices of paper and gas, which will disrupt much of the newspaper industry, according to Adams Publishing Group, in Cheyenne, WY. You can donate to Redstone Review by check to PO Box 68, Lyons CO 80540 or by credit card by calling Julie Hamilton at Scope Accounting in Lyons at 303-324-2869.

In 2023, the rate of newspaper closures in the U.S. increased to an average of 2.5 per week, up from two per week in 2022. Thank you for your support.

ARCHITECTUR AL COLOR CONSULTATION . INTERIOR REDESIGN

harmonize@colorworks7.com 720.273.0177 www.colorworks7.com

Happy, Colorful Holidays and a Blessed New Year!

15% off first consultation with this ad

ings of $2.7 trillion.”

This includes the prevention of 753,000 childhood deaths from pertussis, 123,000 from pneumococcal disease, 90,000 deaths from hepatitis B, 85,000 deaths from measles, and 22,000 deaths from polio, and more.

The reason that Americans don’t seem to appreciate the value of these vaccinations is that we no longer see children dying by the hundreds of thousands from things like diphtheria, pneumococcus, hepatitis B, haemophilus, measles, and polio.

I’m grateful to say that I’ve never had to see a child suffocate from diphtheria, though it was once the leading cause of death in children, killing half of those that contracted it. Even today, at the height of the medical freedom movement, I think most people would agree that diphtheria vaccination is a no brainer.

But what about hepatitis B? Recently, the CDC’s committee on vaccine policy (ACIP) changed its recommendation on the hepatitis B vaccine, which is number three on the list of lives saved by childhood vaccination, to no longer recommend universal vaccination at birth. 90 percent of infants that contract hepatitis B will go on to have lifelong chronic infection

years

CATHY RIVERS, CACC

REDSTONE R •E •V •I •E •W

PAGE 8

LYONS, COLOR ADO

DECEMBER 19, 2025 / JANUARY 15, 2026

VIEWPOINT How correct is the information produced by AI? It’s complicated Don Hurst Redstone Review LYONS – The question “Does AI return correct results?” sounds simple until you ask it at 3 a.m. while staring at a chatbot that has just confidently explained that Napoleon won the Battle of Waterloo because of superior air support from hot-air balloons.

The answer is not yes or no; it is a fractured spectrum that depends on what we mean by “AI,” by “return,” and, most treacherously, by “correct.”

Start with the easy case: arithmetic.

Feed 8,192 × 8,192 to a modern large language model and it will, most of the time, spit out 67,108,864. The same model can integrate a Gaussian or diagonalize a 3×3 matrix with near-perfect fidelity. Here “correct” is unambiguous; there exists a platonic truth, and the transformer’s weights have been hammered against its billions of times until the error rate collapses toward floating-point epsilon.

In narrow domains where ground truth is dense—chess positions, protein folding scores, translation of bureaucratic EU regulations into other bureaucratic EU regulations— AI not only returns correct results; it often returns them faster and more consistently than the median human expert.

Move one step outward and the ice thins.

Ask the same model to summarize a 400page biology textbook it has never seen. It will produce a fluent, citation-decorated condensation that feels authoritative. Yet when researchers actually check the claims (see the 2024 “Hallucination Benchmark”

papers), roughly one substantive assertion in eight is materially wrong or invented.

The model is not lying; it is pattern-matching its way through a fog of probabilities

and occasionally stepping off the cliff with perfect grammar. Correctness here becomes probabilistic, and the user is quietly transferred from the role of questioner to the role of fact-checker. Most users never notice the handoff.

Move further still—into history, law, medicine, anything with genuine disagreement—

and “correct” ceases to be a property of the answer and becomes a property of the asker’s priors. In 2025 a major model will tell you with calm assurance that the pri-

mary cause of the 2008 financial crisis was deregulation, or predatory lending, or fractional-reserve banking, or the alignment of Jupiter with Mars, depending on which training corpora dominated the gradient updates that week. All responses will be internally consistent, extensively footnoted, and wrong in different directions. The AI

is no longer even trying to retrieve a single truth; it is simulating a convincing expert selected from the distribution of experts it was trained on.

So, the real answer is layered: 1. For closed, verifiable domains: AI is superhumanly correct most of the time.

2. For open-ended synthesis of factual material: AI is correct often enough to be dangerous—dangerously useful and dangerously misleading in roughly equal measure.

3. For any question touching values, politics, or unresolved scholarship: AI does not return correct results; it returns culturally weighted plausibility fields dressed up as answers.

The machine itself has no notion of ground truth beyond token prediction loss. We are the ones who insist on mapping its outputs onto a world that contains facts, lies, and everything in between. Until we build something that actually models reality instead of language about reality, correct will remain a question we ask of the AI and an attribute we must still supply ourselves.

Don Hurst earned a Master of Science from the University of Missouri, he was a consultant at NCAR, and taught computer science at multiple universities while working as a computer systems librarian. He freelanced as a programmer in Los Angeles and San Francisco, also appeared as a movie extra in various films.

He is now retired and lives with his wife near Seattle, learning Python and exploring AI.

LCF welcomes a new partnership and invites you to make a difference

By Jenniffer Barahona and Grace Simonsen Redstone Review LYONS – The Lyons Community Foundation (LCF) and the Longmont Community Foundation (Longmont CF) are pleased to announce a new partnership beginning January 1, 2026, designed to enhance philanthropic impact while preserving the unique identity, voice, and community-driven spirit of Lyons.

Under this collaboration, the LCF will remain an independent, community-focused, philanthropic organization, guided by local leaders who understand the needs, values, and priorities of the people of Lyons. What will evolve is the way the foundation’s administrative and operational support is handled.

Moving forward, the Longmont Community Foundation will provide administrative, financial, and operational infrastructure, including fund accounting, grantmaking systems, compliance, and back-office support. This shared-services model allows the Lyons Community Foundation to spend less time on administrative tasks and more time focusing on what matters most: supporting local nonprofits, strengthening community connections, and driving positive change throughout Lyons.

This partnership brings several key benefits: stronger operational capacity through Longmont CF’s established systems, experienced staff, and increased efficiency. This allows more resources to flow directly to

Lyons-based programs and projects. This partnership also provides enhanced stewardship for donors who care deeply about the future of the Lyons community. Most importantly, it ensures continued local

Design crearet by Kate Schnepel. identity and autonomy, with LCF maintaining its own advisory leadership, fundraising vision, and grantmaking priorities.

Both organizations share a commitment to strengthening community philanthropy— and this partnership reflects that shared purpose. By combining Lyons’ deep community roots with Longmont’s administrative expertise, we are building a stronger, more effective model that ensures charitable dollars go further and continue to make a meaningful difference in Lyons.

As 2025 winds to a close, we invite you to make a difference by donating during our annual appeal matching campaign.

Thanks to the remarkable generosity of local donors your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $25,600.

As of early December, the LCF has received $7,800 in donations towards our annual matching campaign, and we have a long way to go to meet our $25,600 goal.

Local nonprofit organizations, students, and community members rely on the Lyons Community Foundation for support throughout the year and it is our goal to answer as many of these calls as possible while making a meaningful impact within the community.

The 2025 grant cycle saw a record number of applicants asking for our help to support local nonprofits. Your donation this holi-

day season will help us achieve our goal of providing more support than ever in the year to come, all while strengthening our community and helping to build a more resilient Lyons.

To see updates on this fundraiser’s progress be sure to follow the Lyons Community Foundation’s Facebook page. With your help we can reach our matching goal for the chance to unlock a total of $51,200 in support for nonprofits, students, and neighbors in Lyons.

For more information on Lyons Community Foundation and ways to give, visit lyonscf.org.

Jennifer Barahona serves as the Digital Media and Community Marketing Specialist for the Longmont Community Foundation. She manages the foundation’s social media as well as maintains conversations with the community Barahona through newsletters, email blasts, and other digital media.

Simonsen

Grace Simonsen is a longtime Lyons local. She served as a member on the board of Lyons Community Foundation before stepping into the role of administrative assistant and community outreach coordinator in late 2025.

We offer hassle-free, direct insurance billing.

LYONS OWNED AND OPERATED

303-485-1730

247restoration.com

Water and Sewage Damage Mitigation Fire and Smoke Cleanup Mold Remediation Asbestos Abatement Reconstruction Services Available Eco-friendly Biodegradable Cleaning Products and Techniques Rapid Response in 20 minutes or less!

24 hours/day — 7 days/week

$200 Off Restoration Services for Water, Mold, Sewage, Fire and Smoke Damage Offer expires 01/31/25. Restrictions Apply.

VOLUME 26, NUMBER 11

LYONS, COLOR ADO

PAGE 9

SHOWCASE Winter support, year-round strength

By Kim Mitchell Redstone Review LYONS – As the days shorten and the nights grow longer, Lyons leans directly into the season with plenty happening. Our holiday lights brighten Main Street and Sandstone Park. The season kicked off recently with a fun and full weekend of celebrations: the town’s third Annual Tree Lighting, our traditional Parade of Lights, the annual Lyons Artisan Market, along with two drone shows, new for Lyons, that lit up the evening sky.

These shared moments remind us how much positive energy and local creativity enhance our community.

Small Business Saturday might be a date on the calendar, but here in Lyons, supporting our local shops is a great way to make a direct impact and an everyday habit. Every time you grab a coffee, pick up a gift from a local maker, or stop in at your favorite shop, you’re doing more than checking a box

on your to-do list—you’re helping neighbors thrive and keeping Lyons’ character strong. Our local businesses give back in big ways too, contributing to school fundraisers, nonprofit events, and community needs throughout the year.

As we head into the depths of winter—the true “off season” in Lyons—your support matters even more. These colder months can be challenging for small businesses,

with fewer visitors and quiet streets. Choosing to keep your spending local during this window helps our shops bridge this slower season, retain employees, and stay resilient. Winter is when your dollars have the biggest impact, helping ensure the places you love are here and thriving when spring rolls back around.

And the impact is real: for every dollar spent locally, nearly seventy cents stays in our town. A dollar spent at a Lyons business sends three times more money back into our local economy than one spent at a chain, and far more than what goes to online retailers. When we choose to shop and spend locally, we’re committing our shared investment in the people and places that make this town our home.

So, bundle up, take a winter stroll, and see what you discover. Stop into a shop you haven’t visited before. Say hello to the owners who greet you by name. Pick up a unique gift, a treat, or something handmade that you won’t find anywhere else. Our restaurants, retailers, service providers, and artists all have something worth exploring—and they’re excited to see you walk through the door.

Our small-but-mighty community thrives because we show up for each other. Local businesses are where stories are shared, ideas spark, and that unmistakable Lyons vibe comes alive. Many have winter events and gatherings planned, offering more chances to connect through the colder, winter months. Discover something new, keep your dollars close to home, and help carry the spirit of Lyons forward—one visit, one connection at a time.

Kim Mitchell is the Director of Communications and Community Relations for the town. She writes on town events, staff news and the arts. She has called Lyons home for 16 years and is a dedicated small-town enthusiast. Emails: kmitchell@townoflyons. com and kimicolorado@gmail.com

Book Review: The Jaguar’s Roar

By Micheliny Verunschk, Translated from the Portuguese

by Juliana Barbassa Redstone Review LYONS – Brazilian writer Verunschk reckons with her country’s colonial history in her vital English-language debut, which was inspired by the true story of two indigenous children who were taken to Germany in 1820.

The story unfolds from the perspective of Iñe-e, a 12-year-old girl brought to Munich

by German naturalists, Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius, and Johann Baptist von Spix along with an unnamed Jurí boy.

Far from home, Iñe-e feels like she is dying because she can no longer hear the natural world speaking to her, and she and the Jurí boy are greeted with dehumanizing curiosity and revulsion by the Bavarian royal court. Then Munich’s Isar River begins speaking to her “incessantly, as all water will,” interspersing stories about German history with spiritual pronouncements (“I know heaven and earth and share the language that flows through all water”).

Iñe-e also has visions of a jaguar who beckons her to a new kind of life. It’s often not clear what’s happening, but Verunschk

capably renders an animistic experience of the world. Patient readers will appreciate this polyphonic attempt to give voice to the voiceless. (Dec.) Published by Liveright Publishing in New York City. The book has 176 pages and costs $27.99.

Held

By Sally White King Redstone Review

My mother wasn’t a hugger But when she read bedside poetry Her voice was a passionate embrace As I snuggled under the covers.

“The Lollypop Tree - The Owl and Pussy Cat” Robert Louis Stevenson “How do you like to go up in the air Up in the air so blue”.

Part-time worker needed Help with order fulfillment and other miscellaneous tasks at our organic edibles company in Lyons.

• Flexible schedule • Part-time at ~5 hrs/week

Our ideal candidate • Loves and respects the plant • Attention to detail • Dependable • Willing to get MED badge • Willing to learn computer compliance software

Contact hello@consciousmedz.com to learn more or apply!

Words were always her comfort And as she grew old In each conversation she would say...

“Oh, let me read you something” A scrap of inspiration or a quote she favored.

And I would lean back- softly held By the familiar pattern of my mother’s voice Reading her most current selection Sharing it with me.

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

PAGE 10

LYONS, COLOR ADO

DECEMBER 19, 2025 / JANUARY 15, 2026

WHAT’S COOKIN’ little sweet surprise for your guests.

A tasty stuffed date dessert a There’s a delicious recipe in my ancient Betty Crocker Barbara Shark Redstone Review LYONS – The holiday season at our house means fresh dates from Arizona.

A friend originally introduced us to them with a gift of jumbo Medjools. Soft and sweet, they were nothing like store-bought Shark dried dates. Since that first gift, she has sent many more date boxes and I have begun to order them too. Go to Sphinx Date Farm on the web and check out the varieties grown in their groves near Yuma.

I make a tasty dessert by simply stuffing the pitted dates with a couple chocolate chunks and a toasted almond or a salted cashew or two. Squeeze the date closed and you have

cookbook for date bars. These are a favorite and are simple to make, requiring no butter.

Pit and chop about 20 dates into ½-inch pieces, enough to make two cups.

Then make a batter with two large eggs, ½ cup brown sugar, packed, ½ cup unbleached flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt. Stir in the dates and one cup of broken walnuts. The dough will be stiff and thick. Spread in a buttered 8-inch square pan and bake at 325° for 25-30 minutes until firm and brown. Cool on a rack. Makes 16-25 depending on the size you desire.

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

Christmas Pudding – prepare now, enjoy later

By Catherine Metzger Redstone Review SAN MIGUEL COUNTY – Inspired by Mrs. Cratchit’s flaming pudding in Dickens’ A Christmas Carol? Don’t worry if you missed Stir-Up Sunday. You can still prepare your Christmas pudding even a week in advance.

This allows it to steam, cool, and soak up brandy, making it perfect for Christmas Day. Regularly adding brandy keeps it moist and flavorful. Ready to make your own?

The recipe below combines the essence of the Charles Dickens Museum’s original with Julia Child’s Glorious Plum Pudding for Christmas.

The Dickens-Child Glorious Christmas Pudding Serves 12 Preparation time: 45 minutes; Initial cooking/steaming time: 3 to 6 hours Equipment suggested: You’ll need a food processor, an 8-cup pudding basin or mixing bowl, parchment, aluminum foil, butcher’s twine, a steamer basket or trivet, and a large soup kettle with a tight lid.

Ingredients: ¾ cup (113g) raisins, ¾ cup (113g) dates, ¾ cup (113g) yellow raisins (I used dried

apricots), ½ cup (55g) candied mixed peel (I used homemade candied orange peel), 1 medium cooking apple, peeled, cored, and finely grated, 8 oz (225g) fresh white breadcrumbs (I used stale croissants and a stale piece of sourdough baguette, crust on), ½ cup (85g) plain flour, 1 1/3 cups (170g) beef suet, shredded (You can use melted butter or vegetarian suet as an alternative; I used Atora beef suet.), ½ cup (128g) bitter orange marmalade (I used homemade cranberry orange marm), 1 ¾ cups (140g) brown sugar, 3 large eggs, lightly beaten, ½ cup (140ml) brandy, plus extra for feeding and flaming, 1 tsp ground mixed spice: made up of largely cinnamon and nutmeg—more if needed, pinch of salt, drops of almond extract, butter for greasing the pudding basin.

sides. Spoon the mixture into the basin, pressing it down firmly. Place a greased round of parchment paper over the top and press down securely. Cover this with a pleated rectangle of aluminum foil, allowing for expansion, and secure it with kitchen string. Create a handle for easy lifting.

For initial steaming, place the pudding basin on an upturned plate in a large pot.

Pour in enough boiling water to come halfway up the sides. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and bring to a simmer on the stove or in a 300ºF/150ºC oven. Steam gently from 3 to 6 hours, checking the water level fre-

quently. The longer you steam, the darker your pudding. I steamed for 3 hours.

Once cooled, remove the foil and parchment, turn the pudding onto a plate, and re-wrap tightly in fresh cling film and foil. Store in a cool, dark place for up to 2 months. Optionally, feed the pudding with brandy every few days leading up to Christmas.

On Christmas Day, remove all storage wrap, re-cover with fresh parchment and foil, and steam again for 2 hours on the stove top in the same manner as the original steaming. Turn the pudding onto a serving plate while hot, decorate with holly, and flame with warmed brandy for a show-stopping effect. Serve with brandy butter, rum sauce, or custard.

Since cooking for room and board at a Scottish estate in 1978, then as a French cuisine journeyman at the celebrated Henri d’Afrique restaurant in Alexandria, Virginia, Catherine Ripley Metzger has been honing her culinary skills. Today, as proprietor of the blog, www.FoodForTheAges.com, she sources locally, gardens intentionally and cooks with curiosity from the ground up in her log cabin home on Colorado’s Western Slope. For more practical, howto recipes, go to www.foodfortheages. com.

Method: Blend the dried fruits in the food processor, then soak in the brandy. In a large bowl combine the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly, then add the grated apple, dried fruit soaked in brandy, melted butter (if used as substitute for suet), the eggs and a few drops of almond extract.

Begin by cutting and buttering a parchment round for the bottom of your 1.5-liter pudding basin and generously greasing the

CELEBRATE THE SEASON WITH LYONS COMMUNITY CHURCH

Advent Worship 10am Sundays Nov. 30th - Dec. 21st

209 Ewald Ave, Lyons CO

Dec. 6th Pre-Parade Chili Supper

3 bed, 3 bath, 1704 sqft. In town and Close to everything. Off street parking with wonderful deck views.

Sunday Dec. 21st 10am All Ages Christmas Pageant

Listed at $855,000

Christmas Eve Dec. 24th , 6pm Service of candles & carols

575 Bulwark Ridge Dr, Glen Haven, CO 3 bed, 3 bath, office, loft and 2 car garage. Epic views on 2.72 acres.

Listed at $840,500

Lyons Health & Wellness FAMILY PRACTICE WITH WELLNESS/MED SPA SERVICES

Our providers, Megan Foreman FNP-C and Joshua Tueting ANP-C, have over 15 years of experience and provide personalized care for the whole family.

147 Cedar St, Lyons, CO 2 bed, 2 bath, rustic mountain cabin with great views. Would make a great primary residence or vacation home.

22 minutes up Highway 7.

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE

Price adjustment $417,000

• Bioidentical Hormones for Peri

Telehealth and In-Person Appointments Insurance Accepted Reasonable self-pay rates

Megan Foreman FNP-C Josh Tueting ANP-C

and Post Menopause • Weight Loss w/Compounded Semaglutide and Tirzepatide • Jeuveau/Botox for Wrinkle Reduction • Primary Care for Children and Adults SCHEDULE ONLINE OR CALL US lyonshealthandwellness.com | 303.498.5941 Located at 435 High St. Lyons, CO 80540

Ian A. Phillips Associate Broker (315) 292-3114

ian.phillips@cbrealty.com Coldwell Banker Realty 2700 Canyon Blvd #200 Boulder, CO 80302

VOLUME 26, NUMBER 11

LYONS, COLOR ADO

PAGE 11

VOICES ARE HEARD the State of Colorado’s SEP program.

LEAF builds a greener future: ofDaryl McCool joined LEAF in 2024 and as Creative Communications and MarketFive sustainability projects serves ing Manager. She supports programming, events, media communications, website, and outset to transform their center social reach activities in our community.

By Daryl McCool Redstone Review

replacing a 12-year-old fossil fuel vehicle that has faithfully served LEAF by picking up and delivering food and essential items.

LYONS – LEAF (Lyons The new electric van, paired with an on-site Elevating All Fund) is charging station, will provide a cleaner, taking major steps toward quieter, and more reliable way to serve our creating a more sustain- community. able, energy-efficient, and In 2026, solar panels and back-up batMcCool environmentally resilient teries are set to be installed on the facility, center. These improvements are designed providing renewable energy to help offset not only to reduce pollution and operating the electricity needed to keep LEAF’s pancosts, but also to strengthen LEAF’s ability try refrigerators and freezers running effito deliver essential human and behavioral ciently. This clean energy investment will health services. lower utility costs while reducing the orgaAfter completing major renovations to its nization’s carbon footprint, ensuring that aging 1970s facility through a successful critical food and services remain available capital campaign, LEAF is now moving for- to families who depend on them. ward with five new sustainability projects LEAF is additionally transforming its outthat are funded 100 percent by the State of door space with a food pantry and pollinaColorado through its Supplemental Envi- tor garden and has already begun planting new garden beds that supplied the pantry this season with fresh herbs, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers and more.

These efforts provide nutritious produce to clients while supporting local ecosystems.

The property will also gain new outdoor gathering areas, enhancing accessibility and community use.

Finally, LEAF is committing to zero-waste practices at the center, including composting, recycling, and sustainable purchasing policies, LEAF volunteers recently gathered for a hands-on custom to reduce landfill waste and t-shirt–making session, creating their very own custom model environmental stewLEAF volunteer shirts ardship.

Once upgrades are completronmental Project (SEP) program. These ed, the LEAF center will stand as a local initiatives are designed to reduce pollution, model of sustainability and communilower operating costs, and strengthen the ty-centered design. What was once an ineflong-term delivery of essential human and ficient, deteriorating structure will become behavioral health services. a safe, efficient, environmentally responsiA major highlight is LEAF’s plan to take ble home for essential services, reflecting ownership of an electric ID Buzz van, both the community’s needs and the values

B •R •I •E •F •S Continued from Page 1

will be closed on December 25 and January 1. Most of our adult fitness classes are continuing in December. You’ll find Nia, Bootcamp and Yoga throughout the month, but keep an eye on the calendar for the most up-to-date offerings.

For the foreseeable future, we are no longer offering yoga on Sundays. Please come see us on Wednesdays at 8:15 a.m. if you would like to participate in our yoga class with Maya.

New schedule is coming soon. Keep an eye out for our new, expanded adult fitness schedule launching in January 2026. Thank you and we will see you in class. All the best, happy holidays.

Susan, owner, Poppy and Sage Studio Lyons plan to handle snow

LYONS – With winter settling in, here’s a quick, fun rundown of how Lyons handles snow—and what we need from you to keep things safe and moving.

Our crews maintain about nine miles of town-managed streets. During a storm, Public Works staff plows in this order: •Critical routes: cleared and treated first.

•Primary streets: plowed at two inches plus of snow.

•Secondary streets: plowed at four inches plus.

•Tertiary streets/alleys: plowed at six inches plus.

Sidewalks near public buildings, transit areas, and trails are also prioritized.

Reminder to all residential and property owners to clear adjacent sidewalks within 24 hours after snowfall. It keeps routes safe for neighbors, students, and anyone out walking. Every storm is different, so response times depend on temperature, wind, and snowfall amounts.

Learn more and view the map with the routes: https://www.townoflyons. com/393/Snow-Response-Plan

The LEAF Building at suntet.

Continue Briefs on Page 14

Convert your lawn into a drought tolerant, lowmaintenance garden with spring sheet mulching!

Primary Care, Lifestyle and Weight Medicine, Patient Focused Practice

LYONS CLINIC NOW OPEN 435 High Street, Lyons, CO

I’ve been practicing internal medicine in Boulder County for 20 years. My mission is to support people in their health journey and to promote a healthy mind, body and spirit.

Spring sheet mulching is a simple, low cost method that uses compostable materials to cover lawns and prep the soil for planting perennials.

No weed fabric or costly irrigation set-ups.

DR. ERIC HARKER, MD We also provide xeriscape design installations, watershed management, natural stone work, wildfire mitigation practices, yard clean-up, and much more!

plainstopeakslandscaping.com (720) 759-8005 Sinjin@plainstopeakslandscaping.com

Visit Us:

453 Hight St, Lyons, CO*

Contact Us:

720-945-9745

See our Site:

humantouchhealth.org

*Shared with Lyons Physical Therapy and Lyons Health and Wellness

PAGE 12

LYONS, COLOR ADO

DECEMBER 19, 2025 / JANUARY 15, 2026

COMMON CAUSE and transport for treatment. If an animal seems to Mange in wildlife and when to help capture be trapped, seek guidance from professionals. Local animal control officers can be helpful, especially with large aniBy Cindy Leikam Redstone Review LYONS – The term “mangy” is often loosely used to describe animals that are missing hair, sickly, emaciated, scabby, and in overall poor health. This time of year, reports of “mangy” animals increase, due to the concern that these hairless critters won’t survive the cold winter temperatures.

But what exactly is mange? Can wild animals cope with the infection without intervention? And should humans intervene to treat mange afflicted animals?

Mange is a highly contagious skin infection caused by burrowing mites. There are three types of mange: Demodectic, Sarcoptic, and Notoedric. All are caused by a different species of mites. The Demodex mite is a species specific to

domestic dogs, and does not infect wildlife, cats, humans, or other mammals. Sarcoptic mange (also called canine scabies) is most common. The mites are not species-specific and affect a wide range of domestic and wild animals. The mite that causes Notoedric mange (also referred to as feline scabies) is not species specific and infects a smaller range of hosts. Canines are much less affected by this type. Sarcoptic mange is the most common, and infects a wide range of species all around the world, and so is the main focus of this column.

The mites that cause mange spend their entire life cycle on their host. They are spread from skin-to-skin contact, and in bedding and nesting materials in burrows and dens.

Once an animal comes in contact with mites, they burrow under the skin, or in the hair follicles, where they lay eggs, dig tunnels, and excrete waste, which is the main cause of

the infection. Infection usually begins on the underbelly, armpits, and legs. Over time, the infection spreads across the body, hair or fur begins to fall out, skin becomes scab-like, crusty or leathery, and secondary skin infections can occur from excessive scratching or environmental factors.

Most wild mammals around the globe are susceptible to contracting mange, but members of the canine family like foxes and coyotes, are most at risk from this type. Bears, squirrels, porcupines, rabbits, deer, raccoons all can carry the Sarcoptic mite, Sarcoptes scabiei, and suffer from the effects of it. Domestic animals can also contract it, including cats, dogs, horses, and even humans. Always wear gloves when handling wildlife or unfamiliar domestics.

Is mange fatal if left untreated? The answer is complicated.

Environmental factors like weather and seasons, individual stressors like nursing pups or a weakened immune system all can factor into whether an animal will survive or not. Can wild animals overcome the infection without treatment? Healthy animals are more likely to overcome an infection than unhealthy, underweight, immunocompromised, or stressed animals. Seasonality of infection can make a big impact as well. When temperatures drop, animals with less hair are more likely to suffer from frostbite and hypothermia.

Those that do survive on their own develop natural immunity and are more likely to successfully fight off future infections. That immunity may pass to their offspring, creating a more resistant population. Mange is not the direct cause of death, but it can contribute to it. When the infection spreads to the face, the scabs can inhibit the ability to see and smell, often leading to starvation and dehydration when they cannot find resources.

mals like foxes, coyotes, and raccoons. Always wear gloves if required to handle the animal. Keep pets away. Never leave

out baited piles of food laced with medication. It can reach unintended critters with incorrect dosages, which can be toxic and lead to sickness or death.

Resist the urge to treat on your own. Not all hair loss and itchiness are caused by mange. There are several other skin conditions with similar presenting symptoms. Testing via a skin scraping is required to determine if it is mange, and if so, which type. Then, a treatment regimen can be prescribed under the medical supervision of a veterinarian.

A combination of medications, regular baths with special shampoo, proper care, and a clean environment will usually clear up the infection within a few weeks.

Cindy Leikam is the Communications & Fundraising Assistant for Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.

If there is an animal that seems to be suffering from this condition, there are some helpful tips. First, call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for advice. Send pictures and videos of the animal in need. They can assess the situation and determine if the case is severe enough to warrant the stress of

Wishing you a safe and happy Christmas from our family to yours!

VOLUME 26, NUMBER 11

LYONS, COLOR ADO

PAGE 13

CHOICES Colorado kayakers paddle to rescue a dog that tumbled over 60-foot waterfall in Mexico

By Jason Blevins Reporter with The Colorado Sun, Redstone Review VERACRUZ – Paul Palmer was at the lip of the 60-foot Tomata 1 waterfall on his first day kayaking in Veracruz, Mexico in December.

Blevins His crew of expert kayakers was planning to paddle some less daunting, but still demanding, drops downstream when one of them spotted something moving in the pool below.

“We were at the lip and someone says ‘There’s a dog down there,’” said Palmer, a professional kayaker from Colorado Springs who won a national freestyle kayaking title in 2017.

The black pup was perched on a mossy rock shelf on the side of a pool that spilled into Tomata 2, a narrow, rocky cascade that plummets 90 feet and is renowned by top paddlers as one of the gnarliest waterfalls on the planet.

If the dog was swept into Tomata 2, “it was gonna die, for sure,” Palmer said.

So the group—including paddlers Beckham Bayreuther, Gav Barker, David Mitchell and Sofia Reinoso — changed their plans. They would run Tomata 1, rescue the hound, navigate a consequential small waterfall to the very lip of Tomata 2 and climb out with the dog. (The group had ropes to rappel over the falls to reach a series of cascades in the inner gorge of the Rio Alseseca below Tomata 2.)

“I said we have all the gear. Let’s go get this dog out and we can do a different mission. A dog rescue mission,” said Palmer, who grew up with dogs. “There was no way that dog was going to survive a night in that cold gorge. And no way it would survive those downstream drops.”

Palmer rappelled into the pool and watched as his partners paddled over the 60-foot Tomata 1.

And then the real work began.

The only way the dog entered the gorge was over that 60-foot Tomata 1 drop. So she was rattled. Palmer spent about 30 minutes talking sweetly to the trembling, waterlogged pup. She eventually approached him. He held her for another 30 minutes.

“And she realized, ‘Yeah, you are my lifeline here,’” he said. “That was a big concern. Once we got down there we were just hoping that it wasn’t a feral, pissed, bite-y, mean dog.”

Portaging Tomata 2 is a sketchy endeavor. First paddlers need to drop a 7-foot waterfall and take out in the tiny swirling eddy above the lip of the rarely run, 90-foot Tomata 2

Paul Palmer perched a pup on his kayak as part of a dog-rescuing mission by waterfall-running kayakers in Mexico. PAUL PALMER, SPECIAL TO THE COLORADO SUN

Colorado Springs pro kayaker Paul Palmer joined other kayakers in rescuing a puppy that has tumbled over a 60-foot waterfall and was stuck above another daunting cascade in Veracruz, Mexico. PAUL PALMER, SPECIAL TO THE

drop. Then they have to use ropes to scale wet rock to get to a safer place to rappel with their boats into the lower gorge.

Doing that with a dog amplified the sketch factor.

Palmer loaded the dog on his sprayskirt — essentially on his lap—and wrapped his quick-release safety cord around her neck, like a leash. And he paddled over the seven-footer.

The dog stayed aboard over the drop. Palmer paddled to the shore and they set up safety ropes and began scaling the drenched cliff.

“We would climb six feet and hand the dog up to the next person and they would climb six feet and hand the dog up,” Palmer said. “If we fell, we were running Tomata 2 without a boat. It was a pretty stout little extract.”

Up top, the landowner and his workers watched the whole process. They had never seen the dog before. So the rescuers brought the pup to the Adventurerec hostel, a headquarters for kayakers exploring the rivers of Veracruz.

“She walked in there like ‘This is my hostel. These are my people,’” Palmer said. “Everyone there loves her. She loves it. Now she’s the dog that ran Tomata 1.”

Palmer says the pup already is motivating kayakers who ponder the classic Tomata 1 waterfall.

“Everyone can say ‘Come on, don’t worry about it. A dog ran it!’” he said.

Oh yeah … the name of the adopted waterfall-running pup: Tomata.

Jason Blevins lives in Crested Butte with his wife and a dog named Gravy.

COLORADO SUN

The kayakers used ropes to scale a wet cliff above a waterfall to rescue a trapped puppy. PAUL PALMER, SPECIAL TO THE COLORADO SUN

Paul Palmer said he had to spend close to an hour with the waterlogged pup before she would climb onto his kayak.

After rescuing the trapped dog, a group of kayakers named her Tomata. PAUL PALMER, SPECIAL TO THE COLORADO SUN

Happy H pp py H Holidays y Lyons! y

May your holidays sparkle with joy, warmth and happiness.

Thank you to the many volunteers who work to make Lyons a better p place for all everyday. y y y

PAGE 14

LYONS, COLOR ADO

Dreaming Continued from Page 4

Museum Continued from Page 4

vehicles or snowmobiles. Communication via four-party-line home phones was nearly impossible. Lines were jammed with folks trying to make contact with family and friends.

On Christmas morning, we woke up to a clear blue sky, sun dazzling on the fresh snow. By the time our at-home festivities wound down that evening, TV news informed us that Denver had suffered the worst Christmas blizzard on record with a total of 23.8 inches, all coming down within a 24-hour period—and that holiday record still stands today. With the greatest snow depth on record for Christmas Day since 1872, the city stayed closed for days.

Neither Denver newspaper published that day, the first closedown of the presses ever in their 125 years. At Stapleton, over 1,000 travelers were stranded for over two days: tempers flared, trash bins overflowed, and food supplies ran short.

Boulder was also at a standstill with totals that came in at 19” and Longmont received 27” on Christmas Eve day alone.

At the Allenspark Climatological Observation station, observer Cathie Bird wrote in the daily totals for our area (not counting the effect of high winds making deep drifts everywhere): 13” Christmas Eve afternoon.

Certainly, the most memorable holiday snowstorm for the entire Front Range and foothills and for these two “newbies” excited about our first Christmas in our new home. Bonus: I did get my White Christmas wish after all—and then some. “…May your days be merry and bright—and may all your Christmases be white.”

and content. In the spring they design and create a relevant curiosity driven product related to or enhancing the Museum’s collection. Finally, they also take a walking tour of town to explore their Lyons History.

5th Grade: How is our local community influenced by physical and historical events related to water/resources?

Students use the Museum’s primary resources to explore these themes. The experiences foster an understanding of Lyons history, build observation, research, and critical thinking skills, spark imagination, as well as bring the stories of Lyons and its people to life.

If you would like to support the Lyons Redstone Museum’s efforts to preserve and tell the stories of the people of Lyons you can donate through Colorado Gives using the donate button on our website lyonsredstonemuseum.com. If you prefer you can send a check to Lyons Historical Society, PO Box 9, Lyons, Colorado 80540. If you would like to purchase any of our local history books for the holidays you may contact us via email at redstonehistory@gmail.com.

If you are interested in learning more about some of the stories we have to tell visit our website listed above for links to our virtual exhibits, historic district walking tour, and cemetery tour. We look forward to having you visit in 2026 when we open on weekends in May and daily June through September. Have a safe and Happy New Year.

Annie Muldrew-Pancoast is a longtime resident of Riverside, CO.

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.

DECEMBER 19, 2025 / JANUARY 15, 2026

B •R •I •E •F •S Continued from Page 11

Cemex in Lyons receives Outreach award from American Cement Association

LYONS – The Cemex Lyons Cement Plant was recently awarded the Outreach Award by the American Cement Association (ACA). The recognition is part of the 2025 Energy and Environment Awards, which recognized seven U.S. cement plants for demonstrating outstanding environmental and community relations efforts that go above and beyond what is required.

Cemex was one of two winners in the Outreach category, recognized for its efforts supporting and collaborating with 23 local organizations last year alone and giving over 300 hours of volunteer time.

The Lyons Cement Plant partnered with local organizations including Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Drylands Agroecology Research and The Watershed Center for activities focused on environmental restoration and local engagement, including tree donations and planting, cleanups, local events, fundraisers, and hosting groups at its facility for environmental education activities. In 2024, Cemex donated more than 20,000 trees – with nearly three-quarters of those harvested from its own property. Cemex also provided materials, funding and volunteer support to further the missions of local organizations.

More information can be found on the award by visiting www.cement.org/ the-association/pca-industry-awards/ energy-and-environment-awards.

structure for electricity later in 2026, meaning electricity costs will vary based on the time of day that you use it. This change encourages energy use during offpeak hours, helping to balance demand.

We will be messaging about the upcoming changes each month and in the town e-blast.

Meanwhile, save money and go paperless with your utility bill. Save $2 each month and reduce paper waste. Set up convenient and secure auto-pay. Visit www.townoflyons.com/onlinebilling and sign up today.

2026 Budget

Mental Health Continued from Page 5

Vaccinate Continued from Page 7

ing a favorite memory, can honor loved ones while allowing space for new traditions.

Stress and health Signs that holiday stress may be impacting health include persistent sadness, withdrawal from usual activities, changes in sleep or appetite, difficulty concentrating, or increased reliance on alcohol or substances. In children, signs may include irritability, behavioral changes, frequent stomachaches or headaches, or declining school performance.

If you notice concerning symptoms in yourself or your child, please reach out.

Early support can make a meaningful difference.

Reach out Connection, no matter how small, reduces isolation. Stay connected with others, especially those at risk of feeling isolated.

The holidays do not have to be perfect to be meaningful. When we approach the season with realistic expectations, healthy boundaries, and compassion for ourselves and others, we create space for genuine connection and peace.

If you or your child is struggling this holiday season, please talk with your healthcare provider and/or therapist. At Lyons Health and Wellness, we are here to support you through both the joyful and challenging moments of this time of year.

with risk of cirrhosis, cancer, and death, since early infancy is when risk of infection is highest. Delaying vaccination until later in life risks vaccinating when it is too late to prevent infection. Since hepatitis B is an incurable disease, preventative strategies, including vaccines, are vital.

Disinformation influencers joke that babies can only get hepatitis B from IV drug abuse and sexual exposure, which is not the case. Infection can occur while administering routine care when an infant comes into contact with their caretaker’s blood or body fluids including saliva. Over one million Americans are chronically infected with hepatitis B and nearly half contracted it during childhood. At-risk mothers often go without adequate prenatal care and 15 percent of these mothers don’t know they’re infected. At birth vaccination protects not only against maternal-fetal transmission but against household transmission as well.

It is worth noting that while expert physician groups, pediatricians, and public health experts do not see the current ACIP panel as a valid source of information on vaccines, and will continue to recommend hepatitis B vaccine at birth, insurance companies will no longer be required to cover the vaccine at birth, so many families will not be able to afford it. In this way, the policy change made by a medical freedom heavy panel, will continue to reduce access to immunizations for families that would otherwise choose to receive them.

Whatever you choose, please approach the issue with curiosity and an open mind.

And remember to love and respect your neighbors.

Megan Foreman, FNP-C, CHWS, is a family nurse practitioner and certified women’s health specialist. She is the owner of Lyons Health and Wellness Family Practice Clinic located at 435 High St., in Lyons, call 303-498-5941.

Dr. Eric Harker, MD, MPH, Internal Medicine, recently opened his medical practice, called Human Touch Health. He is a doctor of Internal Medicine. His office is located upstairs at 435 High St. Lyons CO. He is accepting new patients, 720-945-9745.

LYONS – Thank you for your input on the 2026 Budget. The Town Board (BOT) greatly appreciates everyone who participated in the recent budget survey this fall. Your feedback helps guide the Town’s priorities. The survey highlighted two top priorities for our community: infrastructure improvements (including streets, water/sewer, and stormwater systems) and wildfire mitigation. The 2026 budget reflects these priorities with several key initiatives: Infrastructure improvements •Stormwater projects: Improvements along 2nd and 3rd Avenues and sections of the historic flagstone culvert between 4th and 5th Avenues are planned pending grant and loan funding with applications that are in process.

•Street rehabilitation: Coordinated with the stormwater projects on 2nd and 3rd Avenues.

•Carryover projects from 2025: Sidewalk improvements along 3rd Avenue (Main Street to Seward and along Stickney, as part of a new Safe Routes to School Grant) and the design work for upgrades to the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Wildfire mitigation •Continued funding for wildfire mitigation on Town-owned property, especially abutting open space.

•Projects to underground electric lines to reduce wildfire risk.

•Matching grants are being pursued with the County to fund additional wildfire mitigation projects.

The BOT is committed to investing in the areas that matter most to you and appreciates your ongoing engagement in shaping the town’s future.

Learn More: The full 2026 budget is available on the town’s website.

Lyons holiday events

LYONS – Thanks to everyone who came out for last week’s events. The weather couldn’t have been better, and both the drone shows and parade entries were truly outstanding.

In case you missed it, our parade winners were: Lyons Portable Welding, 5370 Excavating, Starry Night (by Jacob and Ann), and Zaya’s Kaleidoscope. We appreciate every one of you who helps to keep the magic glowing in Lyons and who joined us for the holiday fun.

Time of use electric rate structure

LYONS – The Board of Trustees approved moving to a time-of-use rate

Give the Gift of Massage Therapy!

Shop Local • Shop Lyons

Hot Stone Massages All Gift Certificates

Save $10 each

Save $10 each

JJ Booksh- Asnicar, LMT

303.709.9090

454 Main Street, Ly ons

VOLUME 26, NUMBER 11

LYONS, COLOR ADO

PAGE 15

Breathwork for the holidays

By Lori Stott Redstone Review LYONS – By now, you’ve heard of the term “breathwork.”

Perhaps you’ve wondered why we need to Stott work at something so natural as breath. Has anyone ever suggested that you “take a few deep breaths?”

Breathwork is not all woo-woo. Science has proven that intentional deep breathing lowers blood pressure, decreases stress hormones, and activates the lungs. Breathwork greatly enhances physical and mental energy. From the yogic perspective, pranayama— breathwork—is ancient and life-affirming, the practice of which ultimately leads to a

three. Hold the breath at the top for a count of nine. Exhale through nose or mouth for six counts. Repeat, go slow. 3-9-6. Watch the breath. Keep the count. You may focus on your third eye, a place in between the eyebrows. If you can, practice for several minutes.

Here’s the cool part. You don’t have to be sitting on a yoga mat to get the fantastic benefits of 3-9-6. You can practice anywhere. Any time. Eyes open. In traffic, in line, on the bus, during a work meeting, a date, the dental chair, you name it. 3-9-6 is a great technique to bring stabilization, a greater sense of well-being and a refreshed outlook. You can practice breathwork and no one needs to know.

place of quiet no-thought meditation.

At high-stress times (such as holidays and weddings) we can go on auto-pilot. We forget to take deep breaths. It might be beneficial to have a quick and easy breathwork technique to do for a few minutes. A tool for your tool box.

The practice of 3-9-6 is a straight-forward breathing practice that is instantly beneficial to the person who practices it. I love 3-9-6 because, well, it’s a game-changer. A few rounds of this ancient breathing technique and you will feel calm. Calm, I’m hoping, in a new way. With this technique, we are stabilizing the “nervous” nervous system and bringing in balance, a sense of groundedness.

Try it for yourself. Be seated. Close your eyes. Inhale through the nose for a count of

Fundraiser for Priscilla Cohan’s scholarship was a great success LYONS – The fundraiser for Cohan, organized by Cathy Rivers and Mystie Brackett, with wonderful support from Claudia Paterno and the LAHC was held on Nov. 14 at the Wildflower Pavilion. It was called Priscilla’s Party-Her ArtBeat Goes On! A grant (not a scholarship) for artists of any age or medium was established initially by the Lyons Community Foundation to honor her memory. The grant needed to be endowed/seeded with $25,000 in order to begin annual grants to an artist.

The “Priscilla’s Party” event did not charge an entry fee, but encouraged donations per the QR code, directly into the PCAP (Priscilla Cohan Artistic Pursuits) fund.

It was a huge success. They exceeded the $25,000 goal, which means larger annual amounts can be granted to artists. The endowment will stay with the Lyons Community Foundation, which is working closely with the Longmont Community Foundation in administering the fund.

PHOTO CREDIT MIKE THURK

Lori Stott’s Scottish gram taught her yoga postures at age 6, in NYC. Here in Lyons, she teaches Breathwork and Gentle Yoga Fridays 10-11 am. LCC, lower level, 350 West Main. All are welcome. www.BreatheWriteConnect.com.

Kal is a four-year-old boy with loads of charm and a heart that makes him impossible not to love. He’s goofy in the most endearing way and carries himself like a dog who truly wants to do well for his people. He already knows several tricks, including high five, and loves showing them off for anyone willing to watch.

Kal is smart and eager to learn, making training rewarding and fun. Give him a job and he approaches it with focus and enthusiasm, always trying his best. He loves playing with other dogs and has a warm, social nature—perfect for a home that enjoys activity, engagement, and time together.

When things slow down, Kal is just as happy to curl up and enjoy quiet moments with his favorite people. He’s approved for dogs, cats, and older children, and would thrive with someone who appreciates both his playful spirit and cuddly side. With his intelligence, sweetness, and joyful personality, Kal is ready to become a beloved family member.

To see all our adoptable animals visit longmonthumane.org. Or stop in at the shelter at 9595 Nelson Road.

TUCKER GROUP REAL ESTATE — POWERED BY LOKATION Jonelle Tucker 303-902-6250 jonelle.tucker@gmail.com

Levi Nagy 720-666-2137 levi@live.com

Kari Basey 303-827-5608 karibasey@gmail.com

Matt Ferren 303-817-8416 contactmattferren@gmail.com

Happy Holidays

We are grateful for our many wonderful clients and their gift of continued support of our Tucker Group team.

Highly recommend Tucker Group Real Estate. I’ve used this team for selling twice and buying once. They are super attentive, extremely experienced and know the market better than anyone. They were able to sell my house quickly in a down market for full price—quite a feat!

Missed them terribly when I had to buy a house in a different market— the experience level they offer is VERY hard to find!

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

818 Mountain View Ave $2,650,000

385 Vasquez Ct $1,300,000

816 Mountain View Dr $1,275,000

SOLD

SOLD

UNDER CONTRACT

6363 Lake Dr $1,175,000

102 Longs Peak Dr $1,148,000

105 Eagle Canyon Circle $975,000

-Jenn B & Larry H Working with Tucker Group Real Estate was a pleasure. The highly competent team of Jonelle, Kari and Matt sold our house in Longmont very quickly and for more than the asking price. Their advice concerning what needed to be done to move the property was invaluable. Plus they had access to a host of professional and well priced resources ranging from roofers to plumbers, landscapers, stagers and cleaning services.

And they got them on the jobs needed amazingly fast. We would highly recommend Tucker Group Real Estate.

-Ken J & Steve G

For more information and reviews, visit tuckergroupinc.com

SOLD

SOLD

FOR SALE

179 2nd Ave B $654,500

193 2nd Ave 9A $485,000

101 Lewis Lane $290,000

G G I I H H H S S A Y W A D AIT! I L O H ‘TIS THE SSEEAASSOONN TO SAVE..

DECEMBER DEALS • 30% OFF WYLD EDIBLES • 25% OFF SANO GARDENS • 15% OFF SHIFT JOINTS

NEW WEEKLY SPECIAL! 25% OFF ALL CONSCIOUS MEDZ PRODUCTS EVERY MONDAY! • MADE LOCALLY IN LYONS • STRAIN-SPECIFIC TINCTURES • ORGANICALLY DERIVED INGREDIENTS MUST BE 21+ TO PURCHASE. DO NOT CONSUME CANNABIS WHILE DRIVING.

OPEN 9AM - 8PM, EVERY DAY!

BUDDEPOTDISPENSARY.COM • IG : @BUDDEPOTLYONS

Lyons’ LONGEST - RUNNING LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED DISPENSARY