Thank you Diane Briggle, for decades of service

LYONS – Diane Briggle knows how to focus. She calls herself a “conservative person who doesn’t take big risks” and one “who never says no.” The Lyons community is fortunate to have been the object of her focus and her caring since 1990, as she winds down her working years and looks ahead to a well deserved retirement. Briggle is the February recipient of the Lyons appreciation basket.

In 1952, when Briggle was 12, her father landed a job at Rocky Flats. The family moved from Chicago to Boulder. The biggest change for her was moving from an urban apartment to a family house. She later moved to Boulder with her husband John and their daughter Leann. In 1990, Lyons beckoned.

Briggle and her husband John now live in a cabin that once belonged to his parents. After her own parenting years in Boulder, Briggle was eager for the move to remote Elk Meadows. “It was a refuge,” she said. It did not take her long to become an essential part of the service community in Lyons: she is a first responder with her local fire department, and treasurer of its board; she has also volunteered with local women’s groups and with the Methodist Church, and helped with area bazaars.

One theme that runs through most of Briggle’s work, volunteer and paid, is senior nutrition. That theme began in 1969, delivering food to seniors for Meals on Wheels in Boulder, with her toddler daughter riding shotgun. She stayed for 13 years, moving up to the Board in 1974, and finally becoming part of staff in 1976, cofounding the Boulder County Senior Nutrition Program. Still, of her Boulder years, Briggle speaks most warmly about leading the Brownies and the Girl Scouts as, “the most fun; also the most challenging. The reward was watching these little gals grow up and mature – keeping them active and interested.”

The senior nutrition program in Lyons first operated out of the fire station. Now the program rents the kitchen, dining area and offices at Walter Self from the Boulder County Housing Authority, which oversees the surrounding affordable housing units. The negotiations for this space were a struggle and Briggle credits former Town Administrator, Gary Cinnamon, as “an absolute hero” in securing it. The other struggle that she finally won was to secure grants to operate without federal money, opening greater flexibility in serving seniors.

Briggle has been working at the Walter Self location for senior nutrition since 1997. That’s where the Golden Gang makes its hideout. The walls of the dining area sport the artwork and photographs of locals, a treat that no one should miss. The gang welcomes newcomers to sit down and share a meal at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Fridays. It only costs $2.50 or $4.50 for lunch, depending on your age. Some days feature speakers on health and aging. Don’t be shy, and please remember that you must call one day ahead at 303-823-6386.

Only in 2004 did her work here become a paid position. She keeps the books, finds grant money and administers all three programs; the Senior Lunch Program, the Lyons Golden Gang, and Meals on Wheels. She has managed to vastly increase the grant money over the years. When technical problems occur at the job, guess who opens her own wallet to pay for computer geeks?

Before leaving Walter Self, Briggle surveyed the present needs. “It’s time for new tables and chairs.” At present, Meals on Wheels delivers to homes Tuesdays through Fridays. She would love to see another people-person step up to deliver meals midday on Mondays. For some people, that volunteer is the only company they have all day.

“I’m ready to retire, “Briggle said, simply and matter-of-factly. She is clear about remaining in Colorado, citing her daughter and two grand-dogs in Boulder, her love of the mountains and of the climate as reasons to stay put. Briggle also has dreams of traveling to the Canadian Rockies, Alaska, New Zealand and Australia. Though selfdescribed as “a people person who likes to stay busy,” she is gearing down to “sit on the porch and watch the world go by.” Let’s wish her well for this big change.

Cheri Hoffer lives and works at home in Xbar 7 with her great northern puglet named Pugsley. She runs Canine Campovers, LLC, a network of private homes boarding dogs as family members with each of her caregivers. For information on Canine Campovers contact Hoffer at info@caninecampovers.com or 303-998-1111.

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