Breyer receives 2021 Golden Hammer honor

Niwot realtor Pat Murphy presented the 2021 Golden Hammer Award to long-time Niwot volunteer Julie Breyer at the Great Pumpkin Party Oct. 30. In presenting the award, Murphy noted that Breyer was first employed as a waitress at Rev Taylor's Restaurant shortly after moving to Niwot in 1986. She later became a third-grade teacher at Niwot Elementary School, where she currently teaches.

Breyer has also been a volunteer for many organizations in Niwot, including the Niwot Community Association, where she serves on the Board of Directors. She was also one of the founders of Niwot Softball, Inc., volunteered as a Girl Scout leader and is a frequent volunteer at community events. Last summer she became one of the coordinators of the Niwot Gargoyles, a group of students who help out at zero-waste events in Niwot.

Breyer was on hand only because the NCA was helping with the Great Pumpkin Party parade, and had no idea in advance that she was about to receive the award. "I was listening to Pat and some of the things she was saying sounded familiar," Breyer said afterwards. "When she mentioned working as a waitress at Rev Taylor's was when I realized there was probably no one else there who matched that description."

The Golden Hammer Award was originated by Murphy in 2009 to recognize behind-the-scenes volunteers in Niwot in honor of the late Curtis Lizakowski, who built the bandstand in Whistle Stop Park before his untimely death. Past recipients of the award include Tim Wise, Biff Warren, Ray & Verna Newman, Selene Hall, Cliff Tharp, Bert Steele, Riki Frea, Pat Murphy, Kathy Koehler, Rosemary Bruce, Chuck Klueber, and Bill & Jill Whitener. A plaque listing the recipients is displayed in Niwot Market.