By: Kathleen Spring

Redstone Review

LYONS – Springtime in the Rockies puts a spring in the step of Lyons seniors. Many seniors are once again going on strolls around town. The newly renovated Main Street creates new conversations about the many changes seniors have seen over the years.

With flowers poking their heads out, seniors’ green thumbs are itching. This year, the seniors have decided not to participate in the Lyons Community Garden due to the long distance they had

to walk to get to it. Many thanks go to Sapan Rinpoche who tended the garden for its first two years. The Golden Gang hopes to switch to a garden in the downtown yard of Vance French. They are seeking donations of garden equipment, and plants or cash for seeds, to get it started in May. For information call 303-823-5114.

Golden Gang executive director Lori Bellport resigned in March. The nominating committee will start a search for a replacement in April, and will seek out nominees for board officers to run in the June elections. To volunteer, call Janet Freeman at 303-823-5223. The Golden Gang is continuing its monthly breakfast fundraiser on the second Saturday of each month, from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Walt Self Senior Housing Center. Cost is $5 a plate for adults and $3 for children under 12 years. Three anonymous donors gave approximately $100 last month to help with the initial costs to set up the new program. Call Donna Cole at 303-678-0079.

Lyons Area Advisory Council on Aging, LAACA, is also seeking new officers to run in June (call 303-823-6148).  Both groups will have major turnovers this year due to term limits. This is a great opportunity for local adults to join and offer their expertise in creating fresh, vibrant senior organizations.

As part of the town-wide baby shower being conducted for Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, seniors in Lyons can drop off at the Walt Self Senior Center paper towels, kitten and puppy food, and birdseed. Call for drop-off times at 303-823-6386.

Programs

Golden Gang’s monthly activities continue with bingo on most Tuesdays, Casino Day the last Tuesday, musical entertainment every Friday, and a speaker on one Wednesday at the Walt Self Senior Housing Center. The free exercise program is offered on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Golden Gang membership is free. Call Mary Lou Wallace at303-823-6386 for information.

Some people think that depression is part of getting older. In reality, it is not a natural state. Teresa DeAnni, Healthy Aging Programs Manager, Boulder County Aging Services Division, will be coming to the Walt Self Senior Center on Wednesday, April 21 at noon to speak to all interested Lyons seniors about the signs of depression and to answer questions. She will show an excellent video entitled Late Life Depression, and she hopes to bring a therapist. Call 303-441-4995 for information. No reservation necessary.

Lyons seniors are offered several opportunities to mix with the younger generation. The Golden Gang welcomes visits from grandchildren during its lunches. The Generational Active People, GAP, group has twice-monthly mixers for seniors and teens to socialize or do crafts. The annual April field trip for GAP members is again to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. The annual party usually takes place in the high school cafetorium, but this year it will be a picnic in Meadow Park on May 16. The public is welcome to attend in order to find out more about what GAP does. Call Paula Randazzo for more details at 303-823-6622.

Kathleen Spring is an award-winning journalist, photojournalist and author. She conducts creative writing and journaling workshops at her mountainside retreat Spring Time Writers. She most recently was a freelance writer and is the director of Lyons History Video Project.

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