All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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Special to the Courier with reporting by Eliana Reid and Gage Chavel, NES fifth grade students. "Alighted" was the winning word as Henry Himmerick, a fifth grader, spelled more words correctly than the rest of his competitors at the Niwot Elementary School (NES) Spelling Bee. The annual spelling bee was held on Wednesday, Dec. 4, in the NES gym. For the first time in the bee's fifteen-year history, all of the finalists were fifth graders. They were supported by students in second through fifth g...
Niwot High School will hold its third annual NHS Art Show hosted by NHS Boosters Music, Performance and Art, a division of the Niwot High School Boosters, a parent-run organization supporting Niwot High School. The art show is open to the public and will showcase students' artistic talent from Dec. 4 through Dec. 12 during each music-based performing arts' December showcase. Artwork by students at NHS, Sunset Middle School, Burlington Elementary School, and Niwot Elementary School will be on dis...
Grace Fisher developed an interest in mariachi music because both her mother and grandmother have a passion for it. "I thought it was a good opportunity to practice guitar more," Fisher said. Once she started, she thoroughly enjoyed playing the music and wanted to continue. Jason Watkins, who teaches technical theater, Career and Technical Education, jewelry, photography, and video making at Niwot High School, selected Fisher as Arts Student of the Week. "Grace is a quiet, unsung hero of the...
A water main break at Walker Drive and Marathon Road in Morton Heights on Wednesday, Nov. 13, cut off water to approximately 15 homes in the Morton Heights subdivision in Niwot. Left Hand Water District discovered the break around 6 p.m. Wednesday night, according to resident John Thornbury. Homes between Niwot Road and Comanche Road were affected, but Niwot Elementary School, which is connected to a Morton Road water main, did not suffer a loss of service. "Our water was restored about noon on...
Eloise Shehan, an alumna of the Dawson School and a former Niwot Elementary School student, recently secured an internship with The Mwebaza Foundation, a Niwot-based nonprofit organization started by retired Niwot Elementary School (NES) teacher Dale Peterson in 2008. The Mwebaza Foundation began as an avenue for penpal friendships between Niwot and Ugandan school children and became a larger cause. Uganda is beautiful, with fertile soils, high biodiversity, rich vegetation, and abundant water...
The Great Pumpkin Party began Oct. 26 with an impressive vocal performance by Niwot Elementary School students in the Left Hand Corner parking lot, a fitting prelude to the presentation of the Curtis Lizakowski Golden Hammer Award for outstanding volunteerism to longtime Niwot resident Neal Anderson. Niwot resident and realtor Pat Murphy, who helped create the award many years ago, made the presentation to Anderson, explaining that the award honors often unsung volunteers who make things happen...
The Great Pumpkin Party kicked off its 27th year in Niwot with an immense crowd on Saturday, Oct. 26, with hundreds of trick-or-treaters in costume roaming the Niwot business district from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Local businesses, with owners and staff dressed in costumes themselves, gave out candy to the trick-or-treaters. The Left Hand Grange provided children's movies for youngsters who needed a short break from trick-or-treating. The Niwot High School Key Club created another very popular...
Jazz saxophonist Sam Lindquist comes from a musical family. His father plays drums, and his mother plays piano and clarinet. Occasionally he plays duets with his mother. Lindquist's grandmother on his father's side, Jan Lindquist, was an exceptional organ player who served as the principal organist at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Lindquist took piano lessons from age four to ten, but his main interests are saxophone and guitar. He took up saxophone in elementary...
The Niwot Trot, a fundraising race for Niwot Elementary School, was a huge success on Sunday, Oct. 6, raising over $10,000 for the school. "We had a record number of over 700 participants, surpassing our numbers by 100 racers," organizer Aimee Morin said. "It was a perfectly cool, sunny morning and everyone brought happy smiles and great energy, making it a memorable and successful event for our community." The event sent runners of all ages through a new route through the streets of Niwot,...
Lindy Bartruff is a face that is familiar to many in the Niwot Community. She has been teaching dance lessons at the Left Hand Grange for four years. Her classes are popular as she teaches all levels of dance including line dancing, social dancing, tap and jazz. Bartruff 's journey to Niwot is a tale of passion, perseverance, and the pursuit of artistic expression. Born and raised in Montana to artistically inclined parents - her father a renowned UCC minister and counselor, her mother a...
Niwot's new ice cream shop, Love Ice Cream, held its Grand Opening on Sept. 21. The first 100 lucky customers received a complimentary scoop of ice cream of their choice from the new family-owned venture. The Grand Opening extended out into the parking lot in front of Love Ice Cream, located at 240 Second Avenue in the space formerly occupied by Seven Wealth. Cute flower-bedecked tables outside of the ice cream shop and a festoon of colorful, bubble-like balloons climbing the building like ivy...
This is Part 2 in a two-part series regarding public school enrollment in Boulder Valley. Part 1 focused on the Boulder Valley School District. Part 2 focuses on the St. Vrain Valley School District. In its Sept.18, 2024 issue, the Left Hand Valley Courier covered declining enrollment throughout the Boulder Valley School District (BVSD), and how BVSD is helping manage the decline. Nearby, the St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) seems to be facing less decline than BVSD though, with an estimated 0.41% decrease having occurred in the past ye...
On Aug. 7 at a special meeting, the St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) Board of Education unanimously approved placement of a Bond Referendum Question on the Nov. 5, 2024 Ballot in the amount of $739.8 million “to improve safety and security, preserve capital assets, enhance educational space, and address the increase in enrollment” in the district. The district worked hard to ensure that property taxes will not go up if the bond issue passes. How does this happen? The district’s website anticipates the question, and the answer provi...
The annual Jared Music Foundation's RISE (Remember in September) Benefit Concert at Whistle Stop Park on Sept. 5 opened under an amazingly clear summer sky that faded into a beautiful pink-orange sunset, highlighting the mountains as the night darkened. Zivanai Masango and Helen Masango opened the concert with several songs from Zimbabwe and Southern Africa, including a sing-along they taught to the crowd which roughly translated to "When we're together, everything is okay." Funkiphino, the...
Sara Taylor's explanation when people ask her about her work in technical theater is that she is "one of the backstage people, who does sets and lights and that sort of stuff." She is surprised how often she is asked to explain why she chooses to spend more than 200 additional hours at school a year, and although she is involved in theater, why she is not an actor. "The better, and more accurate answer, is that I work different jobs with a crew of people that create a space for actors to act...
Teresa Ewing's circuitous path to becoming a Niwot High School computer science teacher is unique and inspiring. She initially had a career in engineering, earning a degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of Colorado. Ewing started working as a software intern at NORAD in Colorado Springs but then took a position with a Finnish company, Vaisala, where she worked in wind-profiling radars, allowing her the exciting opportunity to install radars around the world....
Joe Chrisman's journey from a three-sport athlete at Longmont High School to a successful business owner in Boulder County is a testament to the lasting influence of sports on his life. Growing up in Longmont, Colorado, during the 1980s and 1990s, Chrisman was shaped by a close-knit community that instilled strong values and a passion for athletics. Chrisman spent his early years in northwest Longmont and went to elementary school in Hygiene, an area that reminds him of the small-town feel of...
Students in the St. Vrain Valley School District are provided with countless opportunities for success and engagement through innovative programing. Being a part of that community is enriching and SVVSD wants you to know why. On Saturday Sept. 7 at 10 a.m., SVVSD will hold its first ever Public Education Parade starting at Roosevelt Park and continuing down Main Street in Longmont. The parade will celebrate the elementary, middle and high school programs and achievements in the district. "This...
Niwot High School's annual homecoming festivities begin Monday, Sept. 9 with a highly anticipated pep rally, where freshmen wear white, sophomores wear black, juniors wear green, and seniors wear the iconic Niwot camo pattern. This year's theme is "Bright Lights, Neon Nights." Niwot's student council team, sponsored by counselor Leah Messinger, has been working hard to plan events, choose spirit week activities and make it a fun, welcoming event for everyone. Spirit week extends through the day...
After a few drops of rain fell early at the Rock & Rails concert Aug. 22, the evening cooled off and the crowd came out to hear hometown girl Nalani Clisset and her band, The Nalani Effect, entertain the crowd with a mix of blues, funk and soul standards. Joined by Regi Wooten on guitar and Adam Wooten on drums, from the renowned Wooten Brothers, Nalani, her stage name, poured out her heart and soul on vocals while playing bass. Tunes included Chaka Khan's "Tell Me Something Good" as well as a...
The Niwot community and many of its events are made possible only through the efforts of community volunteers, people who dedicate their personal, unpaid time to make this town fun, eventful, and engaging. One such volunteer is Terry Larsen, treasurer and board member of the Niwot Community Association (NCA), an organization whose board is made up entirely of volunteers. For her volunteer efforts, Larsen is this month's Left Hand Laurel. Larsen has been a Niwot resident since December of 1999....
While Rock & Rails may be coming to a close soon, the free music will continue for one more week with the annual Remember in September (RISE) Benefit Concert for the Jared Music Foundation. The concert will take place on Thursday, Sept. 5, at Whistle Stop Park from 5 to 9 p.m. This concert is not affiliated with or sponsored by the Niwot Cultural Arts Association (NCAA) or the Niwot Business Association (NBA), but has sometimes been referred to as the "unofficial Rock & Rails victory lap"...
Rock & Rail's penultimate summer concert welcomes back Niwot native Nalani DeMarco Clisset and her band, The Nalani Effect. Nalani, a bassist and vocalist, is a Niwot High School graduate and has deep roots in the Niwot community. "Rock & Rails is my home," Nalani said. "I remember when they built the gazebo and feeling that it was an anchor point for a community space. I just stood up on it, with my arms wide open, and wondered what the space would be like with the crowd, vendors, and...
Karlien Dang-Lee has had an active musical life since the age of four, when she first started playing the violin. According to her mother, the young girl really wanted to learn violin, but all Dang-Lee remembers is crying because her fingers hurt. When she was seven, she switched to piano, which she played until she was fourteen. Playing piano provided her with a solid foundation for understanding notes and music theory. In fifth grade, she picked up the flute. "Because," she said, "my elementar...
12 Niwot High School graduate Hanna Sandoff has made it full-circle, and is now a first grade teacher at Niwot Elementary School. Not only was Sandoff a NHS graduate, she also spent her fifth grade year at NES. "I naturally care very deeply for the people around me and teaching is a profession where you get to build long lasting relationships and make a small amount of positive change in the world," Sandoff said. "I like teaching because it is my little drop of goodness." Sandoff has known...
Former Niwot resident Matthew Thomas Pullam, age 58, died July 29, 2024, in Westminster, Colorado. Matt attended Niwot Elementary School, Longmont Junior High School (now Sunset Middle School) and Niwot High School. A memorial mass for Matthew will be held Thursday, August 8, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 6739 S. Boulder Road, Boulder, Colorado 80303....
There are so many familiar faces around Niwot, especially for weekly regulars who attend Rock & Rails. Some faces are most familiar when they belong to those who have spent a majority of their life in Niwot and are continuously involved in the community. Colleen Beebe is one such familiar face. Beebe moved to Colorado in 1975 after her father, who annually visited this beautiful state to ski, fulfilled a dream of living here. Unfortunately, he passed away only 16 months after the family moved...
Elementary school teachers play a vital role in nurturing young minds, fostering a love for learning, and laying the foundation of academic and personal growth. Among these is Niwot resident Ava Dumler, who was named Teacher of the Year at Mead Elementary School in just her second year of teaching. Dumler is a 2019 graduate of Niwot High School where she earned her IB Diploma while also making her mark on the soccer field as a varsity player and team captain. Her drive and determination...
Those who frequent 2nd Avenue's coffee shop, The Old Oak Coffeehouse, as well as those who regularly attend any community events, have probably noticed some friendly and regular faces behind the counter. This week's Familiar Face is one such barista, Noah Smith, who has been a friendly face at The Old Oak since March of 2022. Smith started the job when he was on a walk downtown and saw a "help wanted" sign in the window. He went in, inquired about the position, submitted his resume, interviewed,...
As Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Joe Brown closed out Niwot High School's inaugural Hall of Fame ceremony, the echoes of applause reverberated through the auditorium, leaving a lasting impression on attendees. The five inductees – Tiny Koehler, Sue Prahl, Art and Debbi Stapp, Terri Ward, and Biff Warren– accepted the honor with grace, each telling stories the audience will not soon forget. On June 2, students, teachers, family, and friends gathered to recognize excellence. Dir...
Cooper Edwards, a Niwot Elementary School fifth-grader, represented his community on the national stage at the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee on May 28 and May 30. Edwards has earned his place among the nation's 250 top young spellers, showcasing a dedication to the spelling competition while balancing other hobbies as well. Edwards' journey to the National Spelling Bee began earlier this year when he won first place at the Boulder Valley Regional Spelling Bee. He approached the national...
NCA Clean-Up Day is sponsored by the Niwot Community Association and is one of Niwot's biggest events every year. One of the NCA's board members has always spearheaded the event since its conception over twenty years ago. One NCA board member has been involved with the program for over 10 years, and has served as the lead program manager for the past four years. For his volunteer efforts in managing and coordinating Niwot's Clean-Up Day, this month's Left Hand Laurel is awarded to John Barto. Ba...
Niwot High School announced its inaugural Hall of Fame class, "honoring a group of five remarkable individuals who have woven themselves into the very fabric of our school and community: Tiny Koehler, Sue Prahl, Debbi and Art Stapp, Terri Ward, and Biff Warren," in a press release. The Night of Champions Celebration will be held in the Niwot High School auditorium on Sunday, June 2, at 6:30 p.m. to not only celebrate the school's inaugural Hall of Fame inductees, but also the achievements of...
Saturday May 25 marked the official completion of high school for the Niwot High School class of 2024. Niwot's commencement was held at the high school on the football field where 338 graduates received their diplomas and recognition from faculty alongside friends, family, and peers. Commencement opened with the singing of the National Anthem performed by graduates Jasper Allison, Merrick Blondeau, Jackson Carano, and Fred Zorgdrager. Everyone was then welcomed by Principal Eric Raushkolb as he...
Homegrown talent is harder to come by for Niwot High School athletics these days. NHS pulls from over fifty middle schools for its student body and open enrollment at all St. Vrain Valley high schools allows students to choose where they study and compete during their high school years. But one of the most exciting young athletes at NHS is a Niwot area native, who just completed her sophomore year, and is already a girls lacrosse state champion. Payton Johnson, a rising junior at Niwot High...
Ok. It is graduation time of year again. Niwot High School, CU Boulder, various preschools and elementary schools are all celebrating the launch of a flock of graduates who have completed the requisite tasks to "level up." Let's talk about that for a moment. "Graduate" means to complete. Commencement means to begin or start anew. So, a graduation commencement ceremony marks both an ending and a beginning You "graduate" to the next level while at the same time "commence" something new. While you...
The Niwot Community Association held its monthly meeting on Wednesday May 8 at the Left Hand Grange No. 9 to discuss upcoming events, area reports, and provide a recap of what has happened in the past month. Coordinator John Barto reported that preparations are underway for the upcoming NCA Niwot Clean-Up Day, and should lead to a smooth running event on Saturday, May 18. Cooperation with affiliates from Boulder County, Western Disposal, Wildfire Partners, and Community Cycles has proven...
Niwot Elementary School presented Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing on Friday, May 10, at Collyer Park in Longmont. The St. Vrain Valley School District celebrated the return of its Shakespeare in the Park Festival, with fifth-grade students from the gifted and talented programs at eight elementary schools participating. Niwot students first learned about Shakespeare's life and read shortened versions of sixteen plays. Much Ado About Nothing won a class poll, and during their reading class...
Betty L. Schlagel, age 98, died April 18, 2024, in Longmont. Betty began her teaching career at Niwot Consolidate School in 1949, where she coached baseball and track in addition to teaching, and later transferred to Columbine Elementary School. A memorial service was held April 29. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the TLC Learning Center of Longmont (https://www.learning withtlc.org/) or “The Imagine Project” (https://theimagine project.org/)....
Hallie Pasko has more than earned this month's Left Hand Laurel. Pasko, a 47 year resident of Niwot with her husband Don Pasko, raised their children here. They all went through the Niwot feeder system from elementary through graduation at Niwot High School. Dedication is a word that barely scratches the surface when describing Pasko. In addition to a 47 year residency in Niwot, Pasko has been deeply involved in every aspect of local Alzheimer's support groups for the past 24 years. Pasko's...
Jennifer VonLintel, formerly Jennifer Ludlam, is a Niwot High School and Niwot Elementary School graduate who now works as a counselor utilizing therapy dogs at B. F. Kitchen Elementary School in Loveland. VonLintel also teaches other educators to train therapy dogs for their schools as well. She was recently featured in the book "Dogs in Schools," by Helen Lewis and Russell Grigg, which describes principles of healthy, safe relationships between therapy dogs and students. VonLintel's roots are...
The annual meeting of the Niwot Community Association (NCA) was held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23 at the Niwot Community Hall. Guest speakers were Jim Webster, Boulder County Wildfire Partners, Paul Ostroy, Fire Management Officer for Mountain View Fire Protection District (MVFPD) and Dr. Don Haddad, Superintendent of the St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD). Annual elections were held for the NCA board. David Limbach was re-elected to the office of President, Emily Limbach was re-elected...
Sadie Warren has two complementary ideas about her future. She has wanted to own a bookstore since she was a little girl. Warren remembers playing a game she called "bookstore" where she would use her mother's bookshelves, had a small cash register, and her mother would buy books from her. She would also like to own a publishing company. Warren admits that books are her favorite things in the world. She loves to organize them in unusual ways. "I have a wall of books in my room that are in a...
Saturday April 13 was prom night for juniors and seniors at Niwot High School, held this year at the Boulder Theater. And with prom, comes after prom, which was organized, set-up, and moderated by the parent volunteers of the Niwot High School Boosters, Inc., at Niwot High School. After prom is an event held to ensure students have a fun and safe environment after the festivities of the dance itself. This event is one of the big Boosters' expenditures of the year, other than grants to various...
Becky Gaccetta was awarded the Niwot Elementary School 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year by the St. Vrain School District Education Foundation on April 20. Two finalists and one Teacher of the Year are awarded for each school. In addition, there are four finalists for the district and one overall SVVSD Teacher of the Year. Gaccetta sees herself as just one of many deserving colleagues. "Being nominated [for Teacher of the Year] is always an honor...," said Becky Gaccetta, Intermediate Special...
When Niwot High Cheerleading Coach Christina Ayers announced she was moving to Castle Rock and could no longer continue coaching the cheer squad, Athletic Director Joe Brown did not have to look far to find her successor. Wendy Coppersmith, who has a wealth of experience as a cheer coach, had already been assisting Ayers this past season, and stepped into the role with plans to make the Niwot cheer program a centerpiece of Cougar spirit. Coppersmith, a resident of Platteville, had been a cheer c...
The Left Hand Valley Courier is spotlighting various local neighborhoods, their history, issues and general nature. This week, the Courier is spotlighting The Cove residential neighborhood. Most Niwot residents are familiar with Somerset and Legend Ridge, but any mention of The Cove is usually met with raised eyebrows and puzzled looks. Small, lovely and secluded, the neighborhood was established in the early 1990s. You won't find The Cove unless you happen upon it while walking or are in the...
