All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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It was a night of big kills, big digs, and even bigger comebacks as #5 ranked Niwot took on #3 Thompson Valley in an edge-of-your-seat thriller that spanned five back-and-forth sets. Behind UNC-bound senior Zoey Gibbs, the Cougars overcame 5+-point deficits at least three times, including in the decisive fifth set to take the match. Afterwards, fifth-year head coach Daisha Agho was quick to credit an unsung part of the team for its role in the hard-fought win. "I can't even tell you how proud I...
Niwot's Sept. 11 matchup against Eagle Valley (2-0) got off to a thrilling start for the home fans, with a foiled onside kick attempt, a long run by quarterback Ben Classen, and finally, a 1-yard touchdown run by Thomas Carnagie, all within the first minute of play. But neither the thrill nor the lead would last, as Eagle Valley scored just three plays into their first possession to tie the game. The Demons then scored a touchdown on the possession after that, and the one after that, and then...
Niwot's 26-20 win over Thornton in the final football game of the 2020 season wasn't just the team's sole victory of the year, it was also a breakout game for running back Thomas Carnagie, who ended the night with an impressive 227 yards rushing and his first career touchdown. In 2021, as a senior, Carnegie has picked up where he left off, and is now one of the Cougars' most potent offensive weapons. In two games for Niwot, he has 201 yards on 35 carries, and was a key factor in the season-openi...
Many Niwotians know Keith Waters as the co-owner of Inkberry Books, along with longtime partner Gene Hayworth. But underneath that mild mannered exterior lies the syncopated heart of a jazz connoisseur, who brings more than his fandom to the form. Now Waters is bringing the versatile genre back to town with the Niwot Jazz Festival, an all-day showcase of local, regional, and national talent, slated for Sept. 4. "Gene and I have now been part of the community for about three years, and it just...
Inkberry Books was buzzing with excitement as Niwot's best spellers swarmed to the inaugural Harvest Festival spelling bee on Aug. 28. The competition was friendly, but fierce as local students in three age groups showed off their impressive vocabulary skills, while vying for an Inkberry gift certificate. By day's end, three new champions were crowned, and everyone learned a little bit more about pollinators along the way. First up was the six to eight-year- old group with the day's most...
Before the 2021 volleyball season began, fifth-year head coach Daisha Agho wasn't sure if she was more excited about the veterans returning to the varsity lineup, or the impressive newcomers, who do more than just fill holes left after graduation. As it turned out, players from both groups came up big for the Cougars in a stirring season-opening victory over Class 4A runner-up Mead, and Agho is now even more excited for what's to come for the rest of 2021. "We were excited to get to see some...
Playing NCAA Division I college volleyball has long been a dream for Niwot senior Zoe Gibbs and, after three impressive seasons as a varsity middle for the Cougars, one clearly within her reach. Unfortunately for the versatile Gibbs, her optimum recruiting period coincided with the Covid-19 pandemic, making an already fraught process even more of a headache. But Gibbs didn't let the hassle derail her plans, and after months of patiently making highlight videos and sending out emails to coaches,...
The persistent turkey at the center of Wendi Silvano's Turkey Trouble series is crushed when he learns that farm animals don't go to school. But with some help from his barnyard friends, Turkey uses his knack for coming up with clever disguises to get them all into a local classroom...almost. That's the story behind "Turkey Goes to School," the latest installment in Silvano's popular series and one of the featured titles at The Wandering Jellyfish Bookshop in Niwot. On Aug. 21, the Grand Junctio...
With the beginning of each school year comes the opportunity to reconnect with old friends and to celebrate making new ones. In that spirit, Niwot United Methodist Church (7405 Lookout Rd., Gunbarrel) is hosting a Back-to-School Extravaganza on Sunday, Aug. 29, from 12-3 p.m. Everyone in the community is invited to come enjoy an afternoon of free food, carnival games, crafts, and, most of all, fun, Pastor Emily Kintzel said. "We wanted to do something, especially in light of the last year and a...
With a clip of the scissors (and a little tugging), Carissa Mina and Jerilyn Patterson cut the ribbon on a dream that's been more than five years in the making. On Aug. 13, the co-owners celebrated the grand opening of The Wandering Jellyfish Bookshop, Niwot's newest destination for young readers. "Things are going wonderfully," Mina said as customers streamed into the cozy space at the corner of 2nd Avenue and Franklin Street. "There has been great excitement, and it's been a great turnout....
After a long year of weekly Zoom meetings and modified events, the Rotary Club of Niwot is back on more familiar footing in 2021, and newly elected president Kerrin Reichen is looking forward to a busy year of giving back to the community. "Our motto is 'Service above Self,' and we want to get out and get our hands dirty, so to speak," she said. "There are so many things in the community we support, and the money we raise goes straight to them." Reichen assumed the presidency as of July 1, and...
Another championship sweep for Niwot at the 2021 Class 4A cross country meet isn't a foregone conclusion, but it's hard to dismiss the strong evidence in favor of it. Returning to the varsity are two of Colorado's fastest high school distance runners in Zane Bergen and Mia Prok, plus a battle-hardened pack of veterans that is still in shape from the Cougars' recent title run at the state track and field championships. Add to that a coach looking to list another two state titles on his resume,...
"Service above self" is the motto of the Rotary Club International, and for Niwot Rotarian Thom Lynch, no one has embodied that more over the past 18 months than Tara Shaheen and Stacy Szydlek, co-owners of Niwot Tavern. On Aug. 5 at Rock & Rails, he presented the two with the club's third annual Community Achievement Award, given to members of the community "who have displayed a heart of service, dedication, and love for Niwot." "When they bought the Tavern in January 2020, they had big plans...
Whether it's pumpkins and costumes or lederhosen and beer that come to mind when the words "October celebration" are mentioned, the Niwot Business Association has it covered. At its virtual monthly meeting on Aug. 3, the Niwot Local Improvement District advisory committee approved two funding requests from the group for events that will bring back autumn-themed fun to 2nd Avenue and Cottonwood Square. The LID board also discussed the projected 2022 budget, and bid goodbye to longtime member...
When local rockers Francis & the Wolf started recording their second album, the members had no idea that it would take four tumultuous years to finally come together. But, last week, the band finally released "Truth Be Told," a full-length album featuring 10 original songs that examine "the sweeping ups and downs of life." On August 13, the group is throwing a release party at Wibby Brewing that's a celebration both of the new album and of weathering the tragedy, heartbreak, and triumph that...
Mere weeks after coaching the Niwot girls golf team to a top-10 finish at the Class 4A state championships, seventh-year head coach Ed Weaver was back on the course with the Cougar boys, energized and looking forward to another successful season. "We're a young team, but we have potential going forward," he said during Niwot's season opener in Greeley on Aug. 9. "I think some of the younger guys are coachable. They're doing the right things to stay competitive, or get more competitive next...
Niwot isn't anywhere near the North Atlantic coast, but it was hard to tell the difference at the July 31 Lobster Fest at Whistle Stop Park. Between the freshly-caught seafood and the persistent drizzle, the reinvented Bash ended up with even more of an authentic New England vibe than the organizers could have hoped for. "This weather is fantastic, it's like Nantucket comes to Niwot," Mary Coonce of the Niwot Business Association said of the soggy conditions. Coonce led the charge to reboot the...
The grand opening is still a few days away, but the shelves are stocked and customers are welcome at The Wandering Jellyfish Bookshop, a new children's bookstore at the corner of 2nd Avenue & Franklin Street in Niwot. On July 31 owners Carissa Mina and Jerrilyn Patterson opened their doors for a "soft opening," and were thrilled with the initial response from the community. "We've had a lot of people come in today, and everybody was a customer," Patterson said. "They purchased something and...
Cooking fresh lobster and serving it to a crowd is a challenge in any circumstance, but doing it in a land-locked state like Colorado state adds another level of difficulty. Luckily for organizers of the inaugural Niwot Lobster Fest, a leading expert in bringing tasty crustaceans to local tables has lived right up the street for more than two decades. "I'm from the Boston area, and I came to the University of Colorado School of Business and never left," Paul Packer, Niwot resident and owner of...
After nearly five decades of buying and selling property in Niwot and surrounding communities, independent realtor Pat Murphy is bringing in a new partner to help her navigate today's increasingly complex housing market. Earlier this month, Niwot Real Estate and its four agents officially joined Compass, a nationwide real estate technology company. "With all the new tech and regulations, we were no longer doing what we love," Murphy said of the change. "I love helping people and finding people...
After months of renovations, upgrades, and minor bureaucratic hassles, the beer is finally flowing at Fritz Family Brewers in Niwot. On July 23, owners Kelly and Cory Buenning opened their doors at 6778 79th St. for a grand opening celebration, and settled in to meet their new neighbors. "We're excited to finally be open," Kelly Buenning said. "We thought it was a long time coming...but it was actually pretty fast considering the remodel that we did." Indeed, the Buennings didn't just update...
It's been just over a year since Alivia Bell of Niwot Barber Shop was seriously injured while riding her bike in Longmont, but thanks to the support of her clients, neighbors, and friends in Niwot, the experienced stylist is now back behind the chair and doing what she does best. "I love cutting hair, it's my passion," Bell said from her cozy two-chair shop in Cottonwood Square, where she has been working for close to 15 years. "And I just love to be able to help serve in some way, to...
Niwot resident Brian Foster was looking for a "project car" when he spotted something special in an out-of-the-way garage in eastern Colorado. "It was just wasting away in somebody's backyard," he said. Underneath a minor coat of rust was a 1973 Chevrolet Camaro, one of the earliest models of what would become the classic American muscle car of the 1980s. "I knew when I saw it that they're a rare vehicle," the longtime mechanic said. "A lot of them were turned into race cars, and they sent them...
The Niwot track and field program has produced its fair share of talented athletes, most notably Elise Cranny, who will be representing the U.S. in the 5000-meter Olympic race on Friday, July 30. But Taylor James stands out even in that elite group. During a storied track and cross country career at Niwot, the versatile performer earned seven individual state track titles, a handful of relay titles, a runner-up title in cross-country, and set at least two Class 4A records. For longtime Niwot tra...
The taps are shined, the kegs are chilled, and even the cuckoo clocks are synchronized as the staff at Fritz Family Brewers (6778 79th St., Niwot) prepares for its long-awaited grand opening on Friday, July 23. "We're excited to be opening up to the public and having people come in and enjoy the space and enjoy the beers," owner Cory Buenning said at a 'soft' opening for members of the Niwot Business Association on July 17. Buenning and his wife Kelly purchased the taproom and brew house in...
Bert Steele doesn't consider himself a "car guy," but he definitely appreciates the classics. So when the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled many of Niwot's traditional summer events, including his famed Friday night dinners at the Market, he partnered with Pat Murphy and the Niwot Tavern to bring a socially distanced alternative to town, and the new tradition of Friday night car shows was born. Fast-forward a year and the cars and crowds are still coming to Niwot Market's parking lot in Cottonwood...
Everyone knows about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which provides getaways to critically ill patients, but Broomfield mom Ann Townsend realized that caregivers of those patients face challenges of their own. So in 2018 she founded the Grant-A-Dream Foundation and started helping families across Colorado refresh and reconnect. "Even if caregivers get time to take a vacation, they're exhausted, they don't want to put the time into even putting it together, or they don't know how to do it. And,...
Changes mandated by Boulder County and rising material costs led to approximately $30,000 in unanticipated expenses during construction of the downtown parking lot, according to Chuck Klueber of the Niwot Business Association. Appearing on behalf of the group at the July 6 virtual meeting of the Niwot Local Improvement District advisory committee, he requested the additional funding for the project and explained how the original estimate missed the mark by so much. "We did as best we could to...
Summer in Niwot hasn't been quite the same since Lobster Bash left 2nd Avenue, but the late, lamented community feast is making a comeback. On July 31, the Niwot Business Association is hosting the inaugural Lobster Fest, which "takes it up a notch," according to NBA treasurer Mary Coonce, one of the event's organizers. "Lobster Bash was my first exposure to Niwot," she said. "I was living in Boulder, and used to ride my bike out here, and I would go every year. It's what made me want to live...
It's not an "extreme" makeover, but Niwot High is having a little work done before the 2021-22 school year begins. Last month, construction began on the final phase of the school's 2016 bond construction project, which will bring an updated look to the exterior and help newcomers find their way around. "People that come here that aren't familiar with our setup, a lot of times they'll ring the doorbell at the front and ask, 'Is this the gymnasium or where's the baseball field?', or there are gran...
To say that Niwot's track and field teams turned in a historically dominating performance at the 2021 Colorado Class 4A championships is technically true, yet also understates the magnitude of the accomplishment. From Lucca Fulkerson's unbeatable kick in the 3200 meter race on opening morning, to the boys' stirring second-place finish in the 4x400m relay to close out the three-day meet, the Cougars won state titles in 14 events, the runner-up title in six events, and set two new Class 4A state...
After being delayed during much of March, April, and May due to permitting issues at Boulder County, construction of a public parking lot west of downtown Niwot is moving forward, and could be completed by the end of June, according to representatives from the Niwot Business Association. "By the end of the month, it all should be pretty well wrapped up," Chuck Klueber, head of NBA's streetscapes committee said. "We just have a few more things to get done, and it shouldn't take very long."...
While touring Blessings Day Spa (7960 Niwot Road, B9) during its grand opening celebration on June 19, more than once I found myself fantasizing about undergoing a treatment in one of its sumptuous rooms, my anxieties abandoned for a few hours at least. That's how welcoming the surroundings are at Niwot's newest oasis of relaxation, tucked into a cozy corner of Cottonwood Square. A big part of that is owner Julie Stenz, a 14-year Niwot resident and registered aesthetician, who played a very...
It wasn't easy for Niwot girls soccer coach Jenna Machado to find the positives after the Cougars' 7-0 loss to Windsor in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs on June 16, but she did see opportunities for growth and predicts a bright future for a team that is highly talented, but still learning the ropes of high school soccer. "We're not there yet, competition-wise," the second-year coach said after addressing her emotional team. "This young group is really strong, but they definitely need...
The Niwot girls golf team didn't win any titles at the 2021 Class 4A state championships, but after a resilient performance during the grueling tournament at Common Ground golf course in Aurora, head coach Ed Weaver sees a bright future ahead for the youthful squad. "It's a tough two days," he said after his team's 10th-place finish in the two-day event, held June 21-22. "It's long, emotional, and there are highs and lows. But we had a lot of fun, and the learning that happened, especially for...
Decorated Niwot athlete Emily Creek called it a career at the Class 4A state tennis tournament on June 12, but not before adding one more trophy to her impressive collection. With a 7-5, 6-3 win over freshman Taylor Stadjuhar of Cheyenne Mountain, the senior claimed the championship at No. 3 singles, and led the Cougars to third place overall in the team standings, an ending that seemed out of reach a few short weeks ago. "Everyone's really motivated," Creek said of the upstart Cougars, who...
The Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee held its latest monthly meeting virtually on June 1. The meeting was chaired by newly elected vice-chair Eric Bergeson in the absence of new chair Scott Firle. Treasurer's Report LID treasurer Bruce Rabeler was also not present, but submitted a written report of the district's current finances to board members in advance. In March, the Niwot LID earned $19,348, down from February ($20,935), but up 22% from March 2020 (12,639), and 18% from...
Ed Nuhfer has become a familiar face over his cumulative 17 years in Niwot thanks to everyday walks with Zion, his dog, and the time he regularly spends at local establishments such as Winot Coffee and Garden Gate Café doing work on his laptop. We wanted to hear a bit of Nuhfer's life story, so we asked him a few questions. Left Hand Valley Courier (LHVC) - Where are you from, and besides Niwot, where have you lived? Ed Nuhfer (EN) - I'm originally from a small town on the Ohio River,...
The Niwot girls tennis team is heading back to the Class 4A state championships after a dominating performance at the Region 5 tournament, held on the home courts, June 1-2. Led by sophomore Alys Pop at No. 1 Singles, Niwot finished first or second in six of seven lines to capture the Region 5 title as well as six spots at the upcoming state tournament in Pueblo's City Park, June 11-12. For head coach Aimee Keronen, seeing her once "unsure" team develop into a regional champion and a top...
Battling high temperatures and pesky tree-lined fairways, the Niwot girls golf team held on for second place at the 2021 Region 3 tournament, and qualified as a team for the upcoming Class 4A state championships in the process. For Cougar head coach Ed Weaver, the hardest part of challenging for the 2021 state title is now behind them, at least from one perspective. "It's harder to get to state because the regional is a one-day event, and if you don't play well, you go home," he said after the J...
Not even the hottest temperatures of the year could keep the Niwot track and field team from yet another record-breaking* performance, this time at the 44th annual Boulder County Championships, held June 5 at Everly-Montgomery Field in Longmont. Under an unrelenting sun, the Cougars set a total of six new meet records*, set several new top times in Class 4A, and claimed both the boys and girls 2021 team titles with room to spare. Afterwards, Niwot senior Taylor James, sophomore Kimora Northrup...
Like Goldilocks, it took recent Niwot graduate Halie Ostrom a few tries before she found the sport that checked all the right boxes. "I did gymnastics until fifth grade, and then I did swimming until fifth grade too, and I think I played a little soccer," she recalled of her early athletic endeavors. "With swimming, the water was too cold, so I didn't really enjoy getting in and out of the pool all of the time. Gymnastics was just really expensive, and it took up a lot of time. It took like...
Niwot's popular summer concert series Rock & Rails kicks off its 15th season on Thursday, June 3, with local duo Pacheco & Bower at 5 p.m. followed by headliner Mojomama at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free, and gates open at 4 p.m., but before you fold up your camping chair and head to Whistle Stop Park, organizers from the Niwot Cultural Arts Association are asking guests to be courteous and exercise reasonable COVID safety precautions. "We're strongly encouraging people to be safe," NCAA officer...
After a school year filled with upended routines, unprecedented challenges, and, above all, uncertainty, 270 students from Niwot High came together on May 29 to mark the end of their high school journeys. For IB programme valedictorian Carter Kruse, graduation was also a chance to reflect on the positives that emerged during the pandemic year, and the importance of connectivity beyond Webex and Zoom. "Without question, our senior year was a memorable one," the future Dartmouth student said...
Carter Kruse didn't set out to get the top grade point average in Niwot High's International Baccalaureate programme this year, but his penchant for hard work and precocious talent for advanced math made that outcome literally inevitable. Nonetheless, he was humbled by the honor, even though it seemed more a function of statistics than anything else. "I am fortunate to be up there simply just because of some of the classes that I took," he said of being named IB valedictorian for 2021. "I took a...
Not many high school students relish the idea of delivering an important speech in front of a large crowd of strangers, but Victoria Isuani isn't like many high school students. When the Niwot senior learned she would have an extra responsibility at the 2021 graduation ceremony, she quickly went to work crafting a message that was "inspirational, but still lighthearted." "The day that my principal told me that I was going to be valedictorian, right away, I started coming up with ideas and I was...
When Niwot High School principal Eric Rauschkolb told senior Isobel Tuck she was salutatorian, it was a surprise. "I didn't expect it at all," she said. "It was a really big shock, but I was really excited." Tuck has had a fruitful high school career. She laughed saying her freshman year that she was intense about her grades, adding that she wished she had chilled out a little. "Relax...trust the process," she advises current and future students. "One of the things that made me successful was...
Eighth grade graduation is already a celebratory occasion, but for the 93 members of Flagstaff Academy's class of 2021, the May 26 ceremony was also one last chance to celebrate together, after being kept apart for so much of the past year. For co-valedictorian Olivia DeRose, it was also a chance to reflect on some of the unexpected lessons she learned in and out of the classroom. "This year has taught us many things," the future Niwot Cougar said in a speech to her classmates. "Some of these...
Technical-minded Siddartha Bushan never gave much thought to his grades during his four years as a student in Niwot's competitive International Baccalaureate program, so he was mostly surprised but also a little relieved when he learned that he was named the 2021 IB salutatorian. The Courier caught up with him shortly before graduation to hear his thoughts on his four years at Niwot High and what the next four-years has in-store. LHVC: Did you know your class ranking before the announcement?...
By his own admission, Niwot class of 2021 salutatorian James Magee doesn't have the best sense of time management, but he managed to overcome that shortcoming in high school with a good mindset toward his work, his classes, and his school experience in general. The Courier caught up with him on graduation eve to talk about his time as a Cougar and what the next four years have in store as he heads to the University of British Columbia to study math or computer science. LHVC: Obviously, you've...
