by Liz Schmidt

Verna and Ray Newman have lived in Niwot for over 30 years and have given an uncountable number of volunteer hours to many worthy causes. They each belong to the Niwot Senior Advisory Board (NSAB), where Verna has been a long-time President. They were also charter members of the Hix & Chix square-dancing club. As members for 31 years, they have traveled and performed all over the country. 

They have also been very active in volunteering for the Divine Savior Lutheran Church in Niwot.After retiring in 1977 from Boulder Steel, Ray found many ways to keep busy. He really loves his tractors, and his fire-engine-red striped tractor, as he pulls floats in local parades for Niwot High School Homecoming and Nostalgia Days. He also volunteers by bringing his big flat-bed truck to help move the hundreds of plants donated for the NSAB’s annual Perennial Plant Sale. 

Verna retired about the same time as Ray after working many years at the phone company. She is still very active and participates in several telephone clubs, most notably, the Telephone Pioneeers of America. She often contributes to her community and organizes volunteer events such as Health Fairs and the Niwot Seniors’ annual plant sale.

In Niwot’s Old Town, neighbors have noticed that in winter months any serious snowfall was magically removed from their driveways and walks by Ray and his tractor. In summer he has cut down the weeds along local roads where necessary. He has also regularly snow-plowed the bike path along Niwot Rd. and the walk and the driveway at their church at 83rd St. and Niwot Rd. Most of the time he just does these things for his neighbors as a good member of the community. After six years of Ray’s good deeds, the school district decided to pay him for keeping the sidewalks to our local schools clear of snow. 

Let’s be sure and step-up and say hello to, Verna and Ray, our Niwot Nostalgia Days Grand Marshals.