By Donna Currie
What’s a parade without a Grand Marshal? Just a bunch of folks wandering down the middle of the street with no leader.
The history of Grand Marshals for Niwot’s Nostalgia Day parade has been interesting, with
some marshals carefully chosen to tie in with the event’s theme, others singled
out to honor specific accomplishments, and at least one Grand Marshal who was
grabbed out of the crowd at the last minute to lead the parade.
But few of the past Marshals are more humble about their community involvement than this year’s Grand Marshal, Bert Steele.
In November of 2005, Steele was featured as the Left Hand Valley Courier’s Left Hand Laurel. This honor is reserved for individuals who give of themselves to benefit the community, and Courier staffers sometimes argue long and hard about candidates. The choice of Bert Steele that month got no arguments.
The reporter who wrote the Left Hand Laurel article about Steele found that while Steele was more than willing to heap praise on his family, employees and the community at large, he discounted his own good deeds.
Steele has always been one of the first to step up to the plate, often filling that plate with donated foodstuffs from Niwot Market for pancake breakfasts and other fundraisers.
Rather than taking credit for food donations and time spent at the events, Steele pointed out that it was the community members who paid for the food he donated, so they should be praised.
While being Grand Marshal forces Steele to the front of the parade, his attitude is a good fit with the theme, “Partnership in Community – Past, Present, and Future.”
Steele may not want to be in the limelight, preferring to be a cog in the community’s wheels of progress – a true partner. But what would Niwot be without Bert Steele as an essential cog? Just another little town with a broken wheel.
Courier file photo
Burt Steele is grand marshall for
the 2007 Niwot Nostalgia Day.
Left Hand Laurel Rockin’ Robin Abb
By Kathy Raczkowski
If you’ve lived in Niwot for even a week, you’ve felt the presence of our self-proclaimed “Official Town Cheerleader” Robin Abb. With her boundless energy and enthusiasm, Abb has taken the promotion and enhancement of Niwot to new heights.
From her cutting edge consignment
store to free concerts in the park and everything in between, Abb puts her personal style and panache into everything she
does.
“She has an amazing energy,” said Jane Jenkins, director of downtown Boulder, who has been inspired by Abb and all she’s been able to accomplish since they first met in 2000. “She always meets every challenge with a good attitude, a lot of energy, and excitement … and she does it with style and aplomb.”
Case in point: her unique consignment store, Rockin’ Robin’s: Retro and Resale in downtown Niwot. With the motto, “Bop while you shop!” the store boasts a light-up dance floor and a free jukebox loaded with rockin’ hits from the 50s through the 80s.
As people dance through her eclectic collection of fun and funky fashions, Rockin’ Robin’s becomes much more than just a shopping experience.
“Magic happens in Robin’s store. It’s not just about the clothes,” said NiwotCentral coordinator Rachel Snyder. She noted how often the store functions as a sort of portal where people are transformed when they enter and new connections are made.
Snyder said that Abb’s work is about empowerment and well-being, “Robin’s modality is clothing. She gets women to release their inner divas.”
Abb was moved to release her own inner diva in 2004. She became the lead singer for the classic rock cover band ROXOFF! shortly after opening her store. “Before that I just sang in the car,” she said. Her boyfriend at the time urged her to go for it, to live her lifelong dream of being a rock star.
Abb took to the stage like it was second nature and led the band to over three years of professional success before “retiring.” The band played its very last gig in August, but Abb has no intention of giving up the stage, saying bigger and better things await. “I love it up there. There’s nothing else like it.”
Realizing live music’s impact on performers and audience members alike, Abb brought the two together via an ongoing informational newsletter. She sends out weekly emails from her store, including pictures of some of her latest acquisitions there. The majority of information, though, has to do with which local musicians are playing where.
More than that, she gives personal reviews and recommendations. She makes it her business to experience each band and venue firsthand, and she loves to share the favorites she’s found along the way.
Again, looking to connect good people and their causes with one another, Abb was instrumental in bringing many local bands to Niwot for a free live concert series at the newly erected bandstand in Whistle Stop Park.
Originally dubbed Bands on the Tracks, Rhythm on the Rails was Abb’s brainchild to breathe new life into the Niwot community. Every Thursday evening for the past two summers we have been treated to a community celebration with free live music, thanks largely to Abb.
Those concerts also attract people from other communities, who come to realize what a gem Niwot is and often return to dine and shop. That element is key to local businesses.
“Robin has been more important than anyone in promoting the town,” said the president of the Niwot Business Association (NBA), Biff Warren. “The energy and enthusiasm she brings to the town is unmatched.”
Other NBA members also marveled at Abb’s energy and commitment to Niwot. Tim Wise said, “She’s got the spirit of 10,” noting her tireless work on many important NBA projects.
Abb has worked with the NBA for years to promote the local economy and enhance the community in any way she could. “She makes things happen,” Wise added. “We’re lucky to have her.”
Neal Anderson of the Niwot Community Association agreed that Abb has contributed a lot of energy to the community. He added that her store “…helps to anchor the business community downtown.”
Her store has won several “Best of Boulder” awards over the years, proving that not only Niwotians shop in Niwot. She invites the unfamiliar to come check out the “Best Place to Shop With Only $20 in Your Pocket,” among other things.
Abb also serves as an inspiration to young people, welcoming local youth into her store and creating an atmosphere where they can be themselves… or become anyone else they wish. She hosts dress up parties where people play in her store as if it were some eccentric aunt’s walk-in closet. A group of girls even made a sort of club out of the store a few years back, meeting there every Tuesday after school, and coming to be known as “The Posse.”
Posse member Nalani Clisset is now an accomplished bass player in her own right and has been featured as a guest artist with ROXOFF! several times. Another Posse alum, Olivia Snow. took a job at Rockin’ Robin’s and has since learned just about everything there is to know about running a consignment clothing store from Abb.
Snow said she really respects and admires Abb, and appreciates all she’s done. When asked if she’d like to take over the store someday herself, though, Snow replied, “No way. It’s too much work!”
It seems not everyone has as much
energy as Robin Abb.
Courier file photo
Hugh M. Woods Site Redevelopment Proposed
By Mary Wolbach Lopert
Bill McDermid of Boulder Hospitality LLC has filed concept plans with the City of Boulder Planning and Zoning Department to redevelop the old Hugh M. Woods site at 6333 Lookout Road.
According to Matt English of Planning and Zoning, these plans include a 61,000 square foot hotel, a 15,000 square foot pharmacy, a 1600 square foot coffee retailer and a 5000 square foot restaurant.
English said, “This is a concept plan review. It’s what they (Boulder Hospitality) want to see done. It has to be reviewed by us.”
Boulder Hospitality LLC purchased the property from Hercules Land Development on Feb. 22, 2007 for $2.5 million. It had been vacant since the hardware store’s parent company, Payless Cashways Inc., declared bankruptcy in 2001.
“We would like to break ground tomorrow,” McDermid said. “It’s entirely in the city’s control. Hopefully, we’ll break ground in spring ’08. We’re fully financed and ready to roll.” As for the hotel, McDermid said in this early stage of planning he is looking at 100 rooms with select service. That means there would be no restaurant in the hotel, but breakfast would be offered. “It will have a flag of either a Hilton or IHG [Intercontinental Hotel Group],” he said.
The architectural firm of Fletemeyer & Lee Associates Inc. has completed the site elevation plans.
McDermid feels that being a long time Niwot resident is helpful. He said that he and his wife Renee “have lived here for 17 years. [Architect] David Lee is also local. We’re the folks who are spearheading this project. We’re hoping to set the seeds for the long term development for the area.”
For more information email Info@MDChotels.com.
Niwot Loop Trailhead And Recycle Center Open
Photo by Mary Wolbach Lopert
With little fanfare but much relief the Niwot Loop Trailhead and the recycling center officially reopened on Aug. 16. While the project was originally schedule to take three months, according to Barry Shook of Boulder County Parks and Open Space crews found some ground conditions that needed to be addressed. “The soil had to be amended so that it could support vehicles. (Crews) had to go in and dig out the subgrade and bring in recycled concrete to firm up that base,” Shook said.
As reported previously, late spring storms and availability of crews also added to delays.
Besides stabilizing the soil, the trailhead boasts a redesigned parking lot with 14 spaces and one handicapped space, and a revamped recycle bin area with trees, berms and fencing to screen the bins and to keep trash contained. There are new walkways for the bins, which are handicapped accessible. As with the new subgrading much of the materials used in the project, like the asphalt and decking for the recycle bin ramps, are made from recycled material.
Fencing for the bus and trailer parking still needs to be installed.
Planning Commission Reviews Draft Building Size Regulations
By Mandy Walker
On Aug. 15, the Boulder County Planning Commission heard testimony from 22 county residents regarding the proposed regulations aimed at offsetting the impact of larger homes on the county.
At the end of the hearing, the commissioners concluded they needed to make the proposed Aug. 29 public hearing a work session so they could better understand the differences in geographic areas within the county to be able to address concerns raised at the hearing.
There was a wide range of opinions expressed by those in attendance:
“I find this process refreshing,” said David Levin, a developer from Eldorado Springs. “The true cost of a house is not what it costs to build, but what it costs to maintain over 100 to 200 years. The idea of limiting doesn’t take away the value of the property – quite the opposite.”
“It’s the taking of individual property rights and that’s wrong,” said James Hester of Nebo Road, north of Boulder.
There were a number of objections to having different size thresholds in the mountains as compared to the plains. Buck Olmsted of Flagstaff Road, Boulder, said that it was extremely difficult and expensive to build a basement in the mountains and therefore the threshold for above- grade square footage should be higher.
Others felt that including garage square footage in the overall threshold was restrictive although the proposed regulations do not include accessory buildings for agricultural uses.“There’s no consideration of the size of people’s lots,” said Scott Salzman.
Others, including Harry Ross of Boulder, echoed that sentiment. Ross owns 70 acres in Four-Mile Canyon and wants to build the same size house that he currently lives in.
“I have no neighbors,” said Ross, who would likely need to buy Development Rights or Credits to build his house. Ross also argued that his proposed new house would be much more energy efficient than his current home.
Some speakers felt the regulations would leave the wealthy clear to buy all the Development Rights they needed for a larger home while hurting the middle income people.
“What you’re really affecting are the lives of regular people in Boulder,” said Sarah Pepper of Hygiene. Pepper and her husband own a three-acre lot bordered on one side by a 12,000 square foot home and on the other side by a 20,000 square foot home. They fear the new regulations will prevent them from being able to afford to build the home of their dreams.
“It’s not ‘write a check and build as big as you want,’” said Michelle Krezek, staff planner with the Land Use Department. Krezek explained that the Site Plan Review (SPR) process will still apply and that process will determine what is in keeping with the characteristics of the neighborhood.
Land Use staff also presented proposed exemptions, the most contentious of which was for complete SPR applications submitted on or before Sept. 7. Salzman said he was rushing to get his application in before the deadline, but that it didn’t leave him much time to make decisions.
This deadline was set when Land Use staff anticipated final regulations being in place by this fall. There was some discussion by the commissioners about changing the date, given that the regulations are still a long way from being finalized.
The proposed regulations are intended to help address the Sustainability Element that was incorporated into the Boulder County Comprehensive Plan in May 2007.
The goals of the Sustainability Element include the preservation of the unique rural character of the county; the promotion of more sustainable development using regulations, incentives and education; offsetting the impacts of larger scale development through the preservation of both vacant lands and smaller scale development; and sustaining and promoting a diversity of housing stock.
The trend to larger homes in the county is evidenced through building permits. In 1996, the median size new home was 2,881 square feet. In 2000, that figure had increased to 4,470 square feet and by 2006 the 1996 figure had more than doubled in 10 years to 6,290 square feet.
While green building requirements originally were included in discussions about limiting building size, these are now being developed separately. An initial draft of the BuildSmart program is scheduled for public hearing at the Board of Review on Aug. 29.
Land Use staff hopes to have the results of an economic analysis by the end of October, which is required before any final decisions can be made.
More public hearings will be held and Land Use staff expects to have a full and final draft of the regulations for the Planning Commission in November. The regulations will then need final approval by the county commissioners, which would likely happen in early 2008.
Further details of the regulations can be found online at Boulder County Land Use department’s sustainability website at www.co.boulder.co.us/lu/comp_plan_update/bccp_where_are_we.htm.
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By Kathy Raczkowski
The Big Checks are starting to roll in for the Left Hand Grange’s restoration fund, but there’s still a long way to go. With the estimated cost for restoration topping $200,000, Dorinda Dembroski said they have to raise at least $100,000 to apply for matching funds from various historical grant programs. So far they have raised $28,847.
With the generous support of local organizations such as those pictured here, the Grange fund is slowly growing. Won’t you help?
If every Niwotian gave just $20 to the cause, the funds could be raised in no time. Larger contributions make up the difference and add up the quickest. Any person or organization contributing $500 or more will get their picture in the paper with the Big Check. Your smiling face in the paper can help save the Grange!
Fill out the coupon on page 27 to contribute. Make your tax-deductible contribution check out to “P.I.C.K.” and note “Left Hand Grange” in the memo space.
Photo by Kathy Raczkowski
Centennial Bank of the West, Twin Peaks Branch, Helps Save the Grange
Pictured with the President of the Twin Peaks Branch of Centennial Bank of the West (center) are Grangers Red and Donna Southern, Joe Dembroski, Rosemary Bruce and Dorinda Dembroski.
Photo by Kathy Raczkowski
Niwot Senior Advisory Council Helps Save the Grange
Pictured left to right are Dorinda
Dembroski, Red and Donna Southern, Rosemary Bruce,
Ruth Gunzenhauser, Alice Munford, Betty Brooks,
Virginia Black, Verna Newman, Joe Dembroski and Joan
Fitzgerald.
Photo by Kathy Raczkowski
Niwot Historical Society Helps Save the Grange
The Niwot Historical Society surprised Dorinda Dembroski with a $1000 check to help save the Grange this August. Pictured left to right are Anna Midyette, Tim Wise, Jim Martinsen, Janice Stutts, Dorinda Dembroski, Anne Dyni and Mike Holubec.
Niwot Resident Honored for Dedication to Teaching
By Liz Emmett-Mattox
Bernadette Tharp’s passion for teaching
and for her students is obvious, and one of her students thought others should
know about it. 
When Samantha Palestro was in third grade (now a junior at Fredrick High School), she wrote a letter in praise of her favorite teacher, Mrs. Tharp. That letter was the start of a process that would end in Tharp being named a National Honor Roll Outstanding American Teacher. Tharp said she is “truly humbled” by the award.
Those who know Tharp might find it hard to believe that she could be anything but a teacher. But teaching was not her first choice.
After watching her father, stepmother and uncle, who were all teachers or administrators, she thought perhaps teaching was not what she wanted to do. She considered becoming a nurse, but said teaching must be “in the blood,” and so she began a teaching career that spanned 26 years.
Tharp taught in Thornton until her children were born. After a brief stint in Kentucky, the Tharp family longed to return to Colorado and moved to Niwot. Her first step back into teaching was as a substitute with the St. Vrain Valley School District. Later, she took a job as a classroom teacher in Fredrick where she taught third grade and was also the media specialist.
As a media specialist, one of her best memories came when she was working with a group of fifth graders that included a Hmong girl from Southeast Asia who was still struggling with English, especially the idioms of the language.
Tharp said she made it very clear from the beginning that any time anyone did not understand something, they could ask. Because the students felt so comfortable, they all progressed quickly, and by the end of the year, the girl who had been reading at a third grade level was now reading at the sixth grade level with her peers.
Before her retirement, Tharp was able to see a second generation of third graders enter her classroom. On hearing that her son was to have Mrs. Tharp as his third grade teacher, Tharp heard one mother exclaim, “I had Mrs. Tharp for third grade!”
Though she is no longer teaching, it is clear that Tharp still has a soft spot for her students, and they for her. She’ll be at Samantha Palestro’s graduation, and the invitations will no doubt keep coming until all her former students graduate.
Bernadette Tharp
Niwot High Fall Sports Preview
By Bruce Warren
Softball
Coach April Martinez returns for her fifth season with a solid roster and two quality pitchers, a luxury not often found in high school softball. “We have some really talented, athletic kids,” she said. “Right now we have nine or 10 girls who are not yet used to playing with each other, but they’re working on it. We’re swinging the bats really well.”
With school starting early and CHSAA relaxing rules about early starts, the Cougars began play before school started, and were 1-1 after two games. Shannon Traxinger and Lindsey Jacobs share the pitching duties. The two seniors will alternate unless someone gets really hot, according to Martinez. “Shannon has a little more velocity, while Lindsey has great control and movement on her pitches,” Martinez said. They play different positions when not pitching, with Jacobs playing first base and Traxinger playing outfield.
Senior Ashley Primm returns to catching duties after missing last fall with a back injury. “She had a great summer and she’s ready,” Martinez said.
When Jacobs is pitching, sophomore Kali Haas will play first. She is also a pitcher and saw some varsity action last season as a freshman. Junior Logan Rouse, who was a swing player between JV and varsity last year, will play second base. At third base, junior Jessica Hamlin has been a pleasant surprise. Hamlin, who plays competitive soccer, is taking the fall soccer season off to concentrate on softball. At shortstop, sophomore Emily Fahringer has blossomed after transferring from Silver Creek due to her family’s move to Niwot.
Junior Katie Hildreth is playing leftfield for the Cougars in her first year of varsity competition. “She has tremendous speed, and can pitch too,” Martinez said. Senior Jennifer Hess plays centerfield and leads off after spending last year as a utility player for the varsity. She can also play second base. Senior Whitney Rucker had to take over the catching duties last year when Primm was injured, but returns to rightfield this season. “She did a phenomenal job for us last year, stepping up when we needed her,” Martinez said. “She can play middle infield too if we need her there.”
Junior Paige Admore will serve as an extra outfielder and pinch runner for the Cougars. Senior Wonder Haas was a late addition to the team and will likely play outfield. She pitched as a freshman before moving to volleyball. Junior Hanna Artzer will swing between varsity and JV as a utility player.
Denise Gavaldon returns for her fifth year as a varsity assistant coach. Stephanie Arguello is back for her fourth year coaching the JV squad. With 33 players out for softball, Niwot is one of only four teams in the area to field a C team. Bobby Matthews returns to coach the squad, which will play a series of five-inning doubleheaders with Frederick, Berthoud and Erie.
Martinez is excited about the improvements made to the field. The outfield fence on the varsity field is being moved in to 200 feet, which is the standard college size field. Previously, the 240-foot fence prevented outside the park homeruns. With newly constructed batting cages, and volunteer groundskeeper Jay Primm’s continued efforts to keep the field in top shape, Niwot softball is looking good. On Sat. Sept. 15, the Cougars are inviting all youth softball players in their team shirts to attend the 10 a.m. game against Mountain View free of charge, with an ice cream social after the game to give the youngsters a chance to meet the high school players.
Several former Cougars are continuing to play competitively, including Libby White, Jennessa Tesone, Shannon DePuy, Tori Bauer and Kelly Strong.
Gymnastics
Coach Beth
Healy returns for another season as NHS gymnastics coach, but plans on taking
some time off in October when she is due to deliver her second child. Assistant coach Erin Phillips, a former
science teacher at Silver Creek, has helped out on and off since 2000. She will
take over for Healy when Healy takes time off.
Healy has also arranged for Amanda Roberts to help Phillips as
well. Roberts is a level 10 gymnast, and
currently coaches at Cats in Boulder, where Phillips also coaches. “We have a
pretty young,
new team,” Healy said. “This is a building year for us.”
The squad of 15 girls is composed of athletes from throughout the school district. Elizabeth Stover, a 3-year letterwinner from Longmont High, is the team leader. Stover, who competed at state last year, is also an accomplished pole vaulter and is being recruited by Big 10 schools. “She’s a good solid all-around gymnast,” Healy said. “The beam is her favorite, but the vault is probably her best event.”
“I’m excited,” Stover said. “We have two strong juniors, and even our sophomores are stepping up. We have a lot of talent.” Stover went from gymnastics to the pole vault and noted the similarities. “You have to be aware of your body, and be comfortable being upside down.” She thinks the balance beam is her best event. “I’ve got some hard tricks. I do a front flip on to the beam.” Her goal is to be in the top 15 in state and make it to the finals.
Two juniors from Longmont High are in their third year of competition. “Missy Davis and Brittany Wade are both good all around gymnasts,” Healy said. “We will count on them more and look to them for leadership.”
Danielle Metzner, a Niwot High sophomore, returns for her second season. “She worked really hard over the summer,” Healy said. “She might be a surprise for us.” Metzner lettered last year for the Cougars after competing at the club level for Cats of Boulder. “The vault is my best event, and my favorite,” Metzner said.
Silver Creek’s Marie Bennett-Hawkes is another sophomore Healy counts on. “She’s really gutsy, she’s always trying new skills, especially on the bars.”
Samantha Ross of Niwot High is in her second year. She missed half of the season last year due to a case of mono. “She’s a good leader, and it’s nice to have her on the team,” Healy said. “The vault is my best event,” Ross said.
Hannah Yost from Silver Creek is trying to balance Dance Team and Gymnastics in her senior year.
Becky Allen, a sophomore from Longmont High, is new to the squad, but has experience at the club level. “She should do really well for us, especially on the bars,” Healy said.
Other gymnasts from Niwot High include freshmen Lauren Carpenter and Ashley Sanchez.
The high school squad doesn’t always include all of the club gymnasts, though Healy and Phillips do their best to avoid conflicts with the clubs. “We try to support each other,” Healy said.
Boys Tennis
Coach Miikka Keronen, a fine tennis player in his own right, has a varsity squad full of underclassmen this year. “I like how young we are,” he said. “It’s pretty exciting knowing that I have all of these kids back next year. We’ll have some ups and downs, but we’ll have fun.”
Keronen, the tennis pro at Boulder Country Club, is ranked as one of the top tennis players in the state. He is again assisted by Beth Cerrone and Nora Harrison, who work primarily with the Varsity 2 and JV squads. Seniors Kyle Axner, Nick Berry, Kelly Lindau, Ernest Villanueva and Zach Armistead will play Varsity 2 this season, an indication of the Cougars’ depth.
Sophomore Andrew Hefter returns at No. 1 singles, the same spot he occupied a year ago as a freshman. “He’s improved over the summer,” Keronen said. Junior Stephen Lammers moves up to No. 2 singles after making it to state at No. 2 doubles last year. “He played a lot this summer, and works really hard,” Keronen noted. “He’s the biggest mover we have this year,” he said, commenting on his rise from the doubles ranks.
Junior Ryan Philipp will play No. 3 singles this year, where he is currently undefeated. Phillip made it to state in doubles as a freshman, then played No. 2 singles last year.
Juniors Eric Babuska and Chris Edwards hold down the No. 1 doubles spot. Both competed at state last year at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles, respectively. A pair of sophomores, Nick Jones and T.J. Ross, will play No. 2 doubles. Jones moves up from No. 4 doubles, and Ross was a swing player between JV and varsity last year.
Sophomore Kevin Josey and freshman Alec Jones will play No. 3 doubles. Josey played Varsity 2 last year. Twin brothers Chris Gang and Adam Gang, freshmen, will play No. 4 doubles. “They were a surprise,” Keronen said. “I never saw them before we started practice. They are a very good team.”
Sophomore Anthony Quatch is also on the varsity squad as the 12th man, and will see action from time to time.
Cross Country
Coach Doug Duffy’s boys squad will have a tough time improving on their second place finish at state last season, but Duffy is cautiously optimistic. “They worked hard this summer,” he said. “We’re three weeks ahead of where we were last year.” The Cougars were also regional champions last year.
Duffy will again be assisted by Jessie Johnson, now in his eighth season, and Laurel Cadwallader, who also assisted last year. Both are paid assistants this year for the first time, which was dictated by Niwot’s consistently large squad, numbering 62 runners this year between boys and girls.
Junior Kevin Harris is the top returning runner from last year. Juniors Luke Schuler and Sam Yulsman also return from the state squad along with senior Taylor Britt.
Sophomore David Perry lettered as a freshman, and hopes to move up. Senior Bryon Malang and junior Jake Everett will also run varsity. Senior Jon Crenshaw, a four-year runner, was named team captain for his leadership skills.
On the girls side, Duffy looks for senior Megan Horsch, a three-year letter winner, to be among the top runners. Horsch is the school record holder in the 1600M. Junior Megan Lang and senior Jana West-Heiss will push her. West-Heiss was the top finisher at state last season for the Cougars.
Senior Emily Landblom hopes to return to the form she showed as a sophomore. Landblom was voted captain by her teammates. Claire Runge, a senior, and Sara Echsner, a junior also figure to be in the mix.
Underclassmen Miranda Lahman and Sara Malang are already pushing the upperclassmen. “We were tenth at state last year,” Duffy noted. “We want to be a legitimate contender for a top five spot in state.”
In a late schedule change, the RE1-J meet will be held Tuesday, Sept. 11 at Sunset Golf Course, rather than Sept. 18 as printed on the sports schedules. Niwot’s home course is at Lyons High School.
Football
Coach Ron Tesone has a strong nucleus of returning players as the
Cougars begin their second season in Class 4A.
After spirited competition in fall camp, junior Cody Lahman
has earned the starting nod. He will be
backed up by junior Zach LaBorde, with two talented
sophomores, Kelton Manzanares
and Brady Oliszczuk waiting in the wings. Senior Clay Burns will be the featured
running back, with senior Robert Ogez and junior Jeff
Roueche in reserve.
Senior Robby Frutchey will start at fullback,
with senior Zane Sigafoos and sophomore Tyler Strong
also likely to see playing time. 
The Cougars will use a 4-man rotation at wide receiver, including seniors Luke Lahman and Nick Visger, and juniors Lukas Diesing and Sean Morrison. Junior Jimmy Reed will also see action at receiver, along with seniors Andrew Reed and Tyler Payne.
On the offensive line, senior Josh Tudor will handle the center duties, with juniors Ben Keschl (guard) and Blake Bock (tackle) on the left side, and seniors Kevin Paterra (guard) and Jon Cooper (tackle) on the right side. Senior Ben Packard will play tight end, with junior Howie Rubsam and sophomore Veric Nichols seeing plenty of action in the 2-tight end sets. Offensive line depth will be provided by junior Dan Rudolph, sophomore Paco Retana, junior Austin Taggart and senior Tom Dingwall.
Placekicking duties will be handled by sophomore Chris Johnson and Payne, while Cody Lahman will handle the punting. Reed, Morrison and Zack Meske will handle kick returns, while Burns will return punts.
On the defensive side, Packard moves to end from defensive tackle. Paterra, Taggart, and Bock will occupy the other spots on the line, with sophomore Joeal Vuki, Cooper, Dingwall and Tudor in reserve.
Sigafoos will start at middle linebacker, with Roueche moving to linebacker from end and Strong occupying the other spot. Retana and Nichols will be the backups.
In the secondary, Luke Lahman and Reed will start at the corners, with Diesing at free safety and Ogez at strong safety. Visger, Burns, Meske and LaBorde will back up the starters.
“We’re really close-knit”, Packard said in describing the squad. “There are no cliques. We feel a lot more confident coming into our second year in 4A. The juniors have really stepped up.”
Tesone’s coaching staff includes NHS alum Pat Longseth, who will coach the offensive line and serve as co-offensive coordinator with Tesone, Gary Gansar, who will coach running backs and help with the JV, and NHS alum La’Mar West, who will coach receivers. On defense, Tom Kajiwara returns as coordinator and defensive line coach, Allen Stabe will again coach linebackers, Aaron Martinson returns to coach defensive backs, and John Heller will assist with the defensive line and linebackers while serving as head JV coach.
Bill Ruffing and David Ross return to coach the freshmen, with new social studies teacher Clark Burton also expected to help.
Seniors Kristi Grubb and Sara Bengston will serve as student managers. “They worked really hard,” Tesone said. “They came out all summer, including team camp.”
“The conference should be a lot like last year,” Tesone said. “We should be one of the top five or six teams. There are a lot of good teams in the conference.”
Boys Golf
Coach Eric Ottem’s squad began play in early August as the first fall sport to get underway. The team has several golfers fighting for a varsity spot, with consistency the most elusive quality so far. “We have a ton of guys, but we lost our seniors, who were three of the top five in conference last year,” Ottem said.
Senior Kenny Haisfield is the only varsity returner from last season’s league championship team. “He could shoot in the low 70’s,” according to Ottem. “No one on the squad has broken 80 yet, but the regionals are at Ute Creek this season, so anything could happen.”
Juniors Alex Negrelli and Tom Mitchell have also played well early on, with juniors Drew Janzen and Jake Spencer also seeing varsity action. Declan Blackman, a junior transfer from Fairview and Kyle Jones, a sphomore transfer from Tennessee, are also in the mix. “We have eight or nine guys who will play varsity for us this season,” Ottem said. Sophomore Zach Heard, whose father John Heard is an assistant coach, and freshman Tyler Winslow have also played varsity meets in the early going.
“You might say we’re rebuilding, but at the same time we have as good of prospects for qualifying for state as ever,” Ottem said.
Volleyball
Coach Keri Graham, now in her seventh season, lost several players to graduation from last year’s squad, but three players with varsity experience return. Senior Colleen Griep returns and will play middle hitter. Junior Leah Loseke is a 2-year letter winner at outside hitter, and junior Liz Vitale returns as setter.
Senior Joanna Vuki moves up from JV to play right side hitter, while juniors Allison Horsch and Cory Gansar will both play defensive specialist and libero. Sophomore Nina Wingert made the varsity as a middle hitter, and freshman Katie Judge made the squad as an outside hitter.
“We have a strong, young team,” Graham said. “When they come together, they’ll be good.”
Tiffany Sewell returns for her fifth season as JV coach this fall. Kim Scheddle will handle the C team and NHS alum Jamie Dwyer, who played college volleyball at Graceland University, will coach the freshmen.
Boys Soccer
Coach Jeremy Drake lost most of his team, including 10 starters, to graduation, but the program remains strong. “We’ll surprise a lot of people,” Drake said. “They won’t see us coming because they know we lost 13 seniors to graduation.”
Five seniors return from last year’s varsity squad, including two with starting experience. Senior defender Luke Habermehl and senior midfielder Peter Freeman started on last year’s squad and should provide leadership this fall. Senior Kevin Fischer saw varsity time at striker last year while senior John Pharris has varsity experience as a midfielder. Senior Drew Wittenberg also lettered last season as a defender.
Other seniors who have moved up from JV include Cody Mallory (midfielder), Ross Muffly (defender), Paul Maddox (defender) and Sam Posnic (midfield/ defender).
Five juniors provide solid depth for the squad. Cameron Toolooee will start at goalie, and will also play midfield at times. Dan Foye is a defender, Jake Cooper will play defender and midfield, and Shawn Casmey will play forward and midfield. Sithone Xiong has come in from Erie High School and will play midfield.
Niwot has a strong sophomore class, including five who will play varsity. Connor Wood will serve as goalie when Toolooee is on the field. Nick Terry (forward), Eddison Bailey (forward/midfield), Michele Corbet (midfield/defender) and Curtis Stecyk (midfield) will also see varsity action. Freshman Santiago Velez has also made the squad as a midfielder/forward. “He’s small but very fast,” Drake said. “He’s always around the ball.”
NHS girls soccer players Machol Gradoz and Angelica Schira will serve as student managers for the boys. Brian Kobylinski will coach the JV team, and Drake is still looking for a C team coach. Anyone interested should contact Drake at 303-652-2550.
Photo by Mandy Walker
Pictured left to right, Rachel Johns (Faith Baptist High School), Elizabeth Stover (Longmont High School) and Marie Bennett Hawkes (Silver Creek High School) chalk up for the uneven bars at a recent practice for the Niwot High School gymnastics team.
Photo by Ed Navarro
Quarterback Cody Lahman looks for
a receiver in Niwot’s scrimmage against Silver Creek.
Hot Air Balloon Lands in Heatherwood
By Tina Eden
Heatherwood residents were treated to a hot air balloon landing on Cambridge Street, just west of East Boulder Gunbarrel Trailhead.
Toby Brown, the 2007 president of
the Colorado Balloon Club, had a passenger his AX8, 90,000 cubic foot
propane-powered balloon when it landed at about 8:15 a.m. on Aug. 4 in front of
a 20-plus crowd of onlookers the waiting ground crew.
Balloons frequently fly over the Gunbarrel area because the industrial park at Lookout and Spine Roads is a designated take-off site. Depending on weather conditions, a typical ride in this area is 10 to 12 miles. Due to slow winds, Brown’s balloon didn’t travel that far.
The club’s home base is Chatfield State Park in Littleton. For information, see www.coloradoballoonclub.net or contact Brown at 303-860-1857.
Photo by Tina Eden
Toby Brown of Denver lands his hot air balloon in Heatherwood.