All Local, All The Time
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The Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee (LID) met March 5 at the Niwot Inn to consider funding requests from the Left Hand Grange No. 9 for improvements to the Grange Hall, now owned by Niwot Community Hall, a newly formed non-profit organization. The meeting began with an introduction of Carla Hunter, the newest member of the committee, who was appointed to fill the resident vacancy held by Lisa Rivard, who did not apply for reappointment. LEFT HAND GRANGE Left Hand Grange No....
Niwot became a hub for some early St. Patrick's Day celebrations on Saturday, March 9. Lucky Niwot Day brought crowds to Niwot to enjoy St. Patrick's Day-themed fun throughout town. In Cottonwood Square, Avoca Irish Dancers performed outside Blessings Day Spa, and later in the day, Ceili Irish social dancing lessons were in full swing at the Left Hand Grange. In Old Town, children, and some adults, had their faces painted at Cimmini's and then walked a couple doors down to Niwot Jewelry &...
The Left Hand Grange became a recording studio Feb. 17 when local musician-songwriter Kevin Dooley along with a group of fellow musicians performed Dooley's original song titled "Be More Like Bert." The result is a joyful earworm of a tune with a very specific and also completely universal message. The song was inspired by Bert Steele, owner of the Niwot Market, whose kind heart and great wisdom touched many lives in the community. Steele's passing in August of 2023 has left a big hole in the...
March's lineup of lectures, music, and dancing at the Left Hand Grange offers the public many ways to connect to others in the local community both in the past and present. Also, watch for more news soon, but for now here's a tease to let Home on the Grange readers know that more aesthetic upgrades to the Grange are in the making. Lucky Niwot Day...
The Niwot Historical Society will present the "Arapaho Culture" as part of its Now & Then Lecture Series Wednesday, March 13, at 1 p.m. (doors open at 12:30 p.m.) at the Left Hand Grange No. 9 with Fred Mosqueda. As an Arapaho speaker, Mosqueda supports his tribe in preserving its culture, language, and traditional practices and ceremonies. Mosqueda is the Arapaho Language and Culture Program Outreach Specialist Coordinator for the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma. Mosqueda also repre...
The Niwot Community Association (NCA) board held its monthly meeting at the Left Hand Grange hall on Feb. 14. Membership Director Johnny Barrett reported that a membership drive will begin soon. The manager of the NCA's annual Cleanup Day, John Barto, reported that planning is very nearly finished, with all contacts made, approvals in place and a date of May 18 set. These two activities are related because the cost for non-members of the NCA to drop off yard waste, scrap metal, some types of...
Rick Clark and Bob Stadtherr are the latest recipients of Left Hand Valley Courier's Left Hand Laurel for their contributions to local music - most notably, as members of the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band. The Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band, formed in 2005, is iconic in the Niwot community. The band plays at local events such as Rock & Rails, the July 4th Breakfast and Parade, Enchanted Evening, the Christmas Holiday Parade, and Niwot High School basketball...
February at the Left Hand Grange gives the public opportunities to be part of a number of social interactions that are unique to this community. Whether you're ready to get up and dance, or like to sit and listen to music, be amongst a vibrant group of your neighbors, or learn about the soil your food is grown in, this month's activities at the Grange will bring you happiness and gratification. Community Dance Sessions Wednesdays, Feb. 7, 21 and 28, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Teacher and choreographer...
As an unincorporated community, Niwot relies on Boulder County for day-to-day governance, and the two appointed advisory boards that directly affect Niwot are the Niwot Local Improvement District (LID) Advisory Committee (NLIDAC), and the Niwot Design Review Committee. The Niwot Design Review Committee is charged with reviewing development applications and proposed changes to properties in the Niwot Rural Community District I, which includes the Old Town business district. Some regulations apply to the entire district, while others apply only...
The working draft of the Niwot Master Plan 2023 was presented to the Niwot Community Association (NCA) on Jan. 23 at the Left Hand Grange No. 9. The master plan is the first step in imagining how Niwot might look in the near and distant future, and includes an update to the 2012 Transportation & Connectivity Plan that has guided Niwot projects for the past decade. This vision for Niwot has been developed by the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee (LID) in conjunction with...
CPAs and Niwot residents Don Perry and Dayna Roane joined forces in Niwot in 2010 to form the accounting firm, Perry & Roane, P.C. In addition to their professional accounting and tax services, the partners were active in the community, providing pro bono services to a wide range of Niwot area non-profits, including Niwot Youth Sports, the Niwot Business Association, the Niwot Cultural Arts Association, and Left Hand Grange No. 9. While Perry retired from the firm several years ago, he...
Niwot's community focus is one of the things that make it a unique and fun place to live. Events like Niwot's summer concert series, Rock & Rails, winter festivities such as Winterfest and Let's Wine About Winter, and its holiday markets and parades bind the community together. Even the art around Niwot is special with tree carvings and left-hand chairs decorated to the theme of their surroundings. One often overlooked feature also contributes to the quaint aesthetic of Niwot. Little boxes...
The Niwot Local Improvement District (LID) Advisory Committee approved funding for three upcoming events to be held in January, February and June, 2024, at its Jan. 9 meeting. Mary Coonce, who serves as treasurer of both the LID and the Niwot Business Association (NBA), spoke in support of the events, saying, “The goal is to have an event every month.” In her treasurer’s report, Coonce reported a $10,716 decrease in sales tax revenues collected by the LID through October 2023, compared...
When Steven Craig joined the Rotary Club of Niwot shortly after building a home on Portico Lane in the Ranch at Clover Basin subdivision two years ago, he didn’t waste any time in making a difference. Sadly, Craig, who was recently chosen as President-Elect for the club, will not have a chance to serve in that position. Craig was attacked in his home on Dec. 19 in the middle of the night, and died of his injuries Dec. 24. Michael Lucky, 32, turned himself in to the Boulder County Sheriff’s...
The inaugural New Year’s Eve party at the Left Hand Grange went off without a hitch. Close to 40 attendees started the night with cocktails while listening to the music of local musician John Shepherd. International appetizers and entrees were provided by Anam Soul Food, and the rousing tunes of Niwot’s own House Blend Band chimed in the rest of the evening as folks danced their way into 2024. The Grange’s new audio-visual system featuring a large television and new speakers allowed...
Steven Craig Steven Craig of Longmont died Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023, from injuries sustained during an attack in his home by an intruder on Dec. 19. Steven was active in the Niwot community and was helping to install a new audio-visual system at the Left Hand Grange. He was also well known in the hi-tech field in the area....
The Niwot Sanitation District Board of Directors hosted a public meeting at the Left Hand Grange in Niwot Dec. 14 to let customers know that fees will rise substantially in the new year to fund infrastructure improvements which have been in the planning stages for the past three years. For many years, Niwot Sanitation District customers have grown accustomed to paying only a $71.00 bimonthly cost of service, without a mill levy for property taxes, which most special districts impose for capital...
You don't have to leave Niwot or Gunbarrel to enjoy New Year's Eve. Whether you're looking for drinks and good company at midnight or a special celebratory dinner, you can find what you need without leaving the area. Here are a few suggestions for New Year's Eve. Niwot New Year's Eve Gala at the Left Hand Grange 195 2nd Avenue The Left Hand Grange is inviting the community to its inaugural New Year's Eve gala, with dinner and dancing from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The evening includes a welcome cocktail...
Approximately 75 people turned out for an open house at the Left Hand Grange No. 9 on Dec. 13 to review plans for Highway 119 (Diagonal Highway) improvements between Boulder and Longmont. Representatives from Muller Engineering Company, consultants on the project, were on hand with Boulder County Public Works and RTD staff members to listen to comments and answer questions. The primary topic of discussion was the design of a pedestrian-bikeway underpass leading from 2nd Avenue in downtown Niwot...
The Niwot Community Association (NCA) is a non-profit organization established in 1990 that advocates for the Niwot community with local governmental agencies. The NCA also provides a forum for Niwot citizens to have an opportunity to become informed and involved in proposed changes affecting their lives in the community. The NCA board of directors held its monthly meeting Dec. 13 at the Left Hand Grange No. 9. The focus of the December board meeting was to set goals for the new year. In...
The Boulder County Public Works Department is hosting an open house at the Left Hand Grange No. 9 in Niwot, on Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The focus of the meeting is to present information on a proposed underpass from the planned Highway 119 (Diagonal HIghway) median-bikeway into Niwot on 2nd Avenue. County officials hope to gather feedback from the community on the location of the underpass and how it would connect bicyclists and pedestrians using the median bikeway to Niwot. The...
Left Hand Grange's December agenda is loaded with community forums and community festivities. Holiday-themed windows painted by Niwot's own Denise Chamberlain are making the Grange extra merry and bright. Also, the Grange has announced some exciting news...new A/V technology is being installed, which will significantly enhance the Grange experience auditorily and visually. The new A/V system will make its first public appearance during the Grange's New Year's Eve party, and more information...
This year's Holiday Market at the Left Hand Grange had a record 1,003 people attending, marking a huge jump from the previous record of 635 people in one day, according to Deborah Fowler, one of the event organizers. This year, the Niwot Nickel, a specially made wooden coin worth $5 off one item in December at participating merchants, highlighted the event. Those visiting the Grange also received a tote bag with the Niwot Business Association logo on it. The Festive Food Hall at the Grange...
Professional Holiday Portraits Sunday, Dec. 10, 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. Professional photographer Noah Katz of NJK Photography will be providing holiday portrait sessions in a beautifully decorated setting at the Left Hand Grange. Each session is $135 and includes 15 minutes with the photographer and one fully edited image of your choice from the session delivered digitally. NJK Photography is generously donating 15% of all fees to the Grange. To schedule your session, visit https:/...
Voting is open for the 2023 Window Decorating Competition sponsored by the Niwot Business Association. Many participating Niwot businesses have decorated their windows for the holidays, adding to a festive holiday shopping experience. You can vote for your favorite festive window online through this form, or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1zib9XbYN5L1gWzCQaPrLUbUGNHzYWPe1vNUFzB-rulA/viewform?edit_requested=true. Turn in your ballot online for a chance to win a prize. Participating businesses include: •2nd Nature Hair Lounge •Belle...
The annual Niwot Gingerbread House Competition is up and running. The competition raises funds for Cake4Kids, an organization dedicated to providing birthday cakes to children in need. Participants in the contest decorate pre-made gingerbread houses, showcasing their creativity and decorating skills. This year, the event is sponsored by Deborah Fowler, Realtor with Niwot's DRF Real Estate at Slifer Smith & Frampton. Local baker Joan's Petite Sweets donated her time and ingredients to make...
Temperatures in the low 20s and light snow did not keep the crowds away from Niwot's Enchanted Evening Nov. 24, nor the Holiday Parade the next morning on Nov. 25. ENCHANTED EVENING The annual tree-lighting ceremony in Niwot began with an abbreviated concert by what one band member referred to as the Niwot Community "Semi-Freezing" Free Grange Band. Niwot Inn & Spa proprietor Cornelia Sawle opened up her conference room to allow band members to "warm-up," a term that took on a dual meaning...
It's that holiday shopping time of year again, and the Niwot Holiday Market will be open beginning Saturday, Dec. 2. The Market will be set up in the Left Hand Grange and throughout downtown Niwot and Cottonwood Square from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with lots of opportunity for holiday fun and magic. The Market will return on Saturday, Dec. 9, again from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vendor stands offering various seasonal goodies, local art, crafts and trinkets will line the sidewalks, and several local...
A crew of workers, led by Bryan Buikema of C8 Design + Fabrication out of Berthoud, and David Schaldach of Niwot's We Love Trees, arrived early on Wednesday morning, Nov. 15, at the intersection of Second Avenue and Niwot Road to remove the two iconic tree carvings by Native American artist Eddie Running Wolf for restoration. The willow tree trunks carved by the late artist once lined a lateral of the Hinman Ditch that ran along Niwot Road to irrigate farmland around Niwot before housing...
In an uncertain world, Niwot's annual Holiday Magic events provide traditions, nostalgia and hope for the future. Holiday Magic in Niwot is comprised of four main events: Enchanted Evening on Nov. 24, the Friday after Thanksgiving; the Holiday Parade on the following day, Nov. 25; and then two Holiday Market days at the Left Hand Grange on the first two Saturdays in December, Dec. 2 and 9. During this magical time, there are several opportunities for children to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus at the...
Santa visits the Left Hand Grange Friday, Nov. 24, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 25, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. The end of November brings two opportunities for the little ones to meet Santa in person at the Grange to tell him all about their holiday wish lists. Following Niwot's Enchanted Evening tree lighting event on Nov. 24 at 6 p.m., Santa and Mrs. Claus will be meeting with children in the exquisitely decorated downstairs hall of the Grange. The next day, Saturday, Nov. 25, Santa will...
The tree carvings by the late artist Eddie Running Wolf, which lined the south side of Niwot Road near the intersection with 79th Street in Niwot, have come to symbolize the community of Niwot and its connection to the Arapaho people who historically occupied the Left Hand Valley. The first of those tree carvings, Spear Lodge Man, was removed for restoration two years ago, and is almost complete, thanks to the work of Running Wolf's son, Dustin Wolf, and Niwot resident Jeff Wolcott. Wolf has...
Historically in the United States, a wooden nickel was not typically legal tender, but instead more of a novelty coin often issued by merchants as part of a promotion. Wooden nickels became popular in the 1930s, though they may date back to the 1880s. Niwot has had its own share of wooden nickels through the years, issued by local businesses. Thanks to local Niwotians such as Adam Robinson and Tim and Carrie Wise, the idea of re-introducing a new wooden Niwot Nickel was born. The Niwot Business...
Niwot's Local Improvement District Advisory Committee (LID), made up of nine community members appointed by the Boulder County Commissioners, unveiled a Master Plan for Niwot, focusing primarily on the business district, at a meeting of Niwot's primary community non-profit organizations Nov. 6. The first meeting of Niwot organizations took place in the fall of 2021, when each organization had an opportunity to describe its mission and planned projects. The Nov. 6 meeting was a followup to the...
On Saturday, Nov. 11, Niwot residents will have the opportunity to honor United States military veterans, and especially those with a community connection. The fifth annual veterans banner ceremony will be held in front of the Left Hand Grange at 11:00 a.m. on the 11th day of the 11th month, marking what was originally known as Armistice Day at the end of World War I in 1918. The Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band will be on hand beginning at 10:30 a.m. to perform music as the commun...
Jan Bova was a go-getter - and a "go-giver." Innately adventurous, she loved to inspire others to join in the fun and turned her many passions into a lifetime of volunteer service. Jan didn't just take up skiing - she got her whole family involved, started a ski club at her daughter's school in Poland, Ohio, and moved to Colorado. She didn't merely help at a local children's theater - she designed and sewed countless costumes and pitched in on set building and painting. And she didn't just save...
Snow came early on Saturday, Oct. 28, but it did not deter the hundreds of costumed children (and adults) who gathered in Niwot for the annual Great Pumpkin Party. Pat Murphy, who has been the champion and chief sponsor of the event for over 25 years, was on hand to welcome the children and their parents. "Such a great turnout," she said, in spite of the weather. Murphy's The Niwot Group at Compass Realtors offered treats and hosted a petting zoo for the children. The Niwot Business Association...
A full house listened to Ethan Knightchilde tell ghost stories of the old west at the Left Hand Grange Oct. 25. The presentation, titled "Tales of the Haunted West," was part of the 5-part Now & Then Lecture Series, sponsored by the Niwot Historical Society, and was the last presentation of the 2023 series. Knightchilde recounted his exploration of various ghost towns in Colorado, Oregon, Arizona and beyond, reading excerpts from his book, "Ghosts of the West: Tales and Legends from the...
Ah, Halloween in the Left Hand Valley! Trick-or-treaters, haunted houses, maybe a surprise blizzard… it’s a spookily festive time. But as you prepare to revel beneath your Barbie wig or Cousin It’s hair, be forewarned: this is the Season of the Witch. And the Left Hand Valley Courier has learned that sorcery may lurk in the local DNA. Go ahead; laugh it up. The proof lies in prominent family trees. “I’m a researcher. People who know me know about my research.” Donlyn Arbuthnot is a passionate historian, especially in the area of...
The Great Pumpkin Party is one of Niwot's most beloved traditions, with costumed children of all ages, often accompanied by pets dressed up as well, going trick-or-treating at Niwot businesses in Old Town and Cottonwood Square. This year, the event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. And as is customary, 2nd Avenue will be closed briefly at 11:30 a.m. for a children's parade. The 2-block affair kicks off with a choral performance by students from Niwot Elementary School in...
All nine members of the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee were present Oct. 17 in the downstairs conference room of the Niwot Inn & Spa for a preview of a master plan commissioned by the LID. David Lee and Chad Fletemeyer of the Niwot architectural firm Fletemeyer, Lee & Associates were on hand to give a preview of a master plan for Niwot being developed to assist the LID and the Niwot community in planning for the future. The LID’s first effort at creating a master plan was completed in 2012 when several community members...
The weather may be cooling off, but community events at the Left Hand Grange are heating up. There's so much for the entire family to enjoy throughout the month. Music is front and center, dancing is highly encouraged, and nostalgic heartwarming feelings that only small town holiday festivities can evoke will be happening inside the historic building that is The Grange. Andy Mann - album release concert Sunday, Nov. 5, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. The Grange is proud to present an epic night of music with...
The Niwot Historical Society's Then & Now Lecture Series will feature award-winning cinematographer, director, writer, and lecturer Ethan "E.S." Knightchilde who will tell stories of the haunted Old West, both real and folklore, on Wednesday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m. at the Left Hand Grange. Knightchilde is an author, film maker and lecturer on old western towns and mining settlements. His award-winning film, "Ghosts of the West: The End of the Bonanza Trail," was praised as the highest rated, wes...
Building a culture of respect among his employees, to say nothing of rehabilitating an historic building in Niwot and turning it into a terrific restaurant – 1914 House – are just a few of the many accomplishments of Nick Mastronardi. A former Wall Street trader for Goldman Sachs in Manhattan, Mastronardi moved west to Colorado, and seven years ago, created a fascinating new life in Niwot. "I snowboard now," he said. "I love spending time with my wife and four children and five...
In his professional life as an award-winning National Geographic photographer/film director and co-founder of the non-profit SeaLegacy, Niwotian Andy Mann is on the road and in the water 200 days a year. His time away is a mix of adventurous photography expeditions, public speaking, and marine conservation efforts. The things he has seen and done are big - life-altering and world-changing - like being at this year's United Nations General Assembly where he was part of a team that compelled 68...
In years past, when the Boulder County Commissioners came to Niwot for a town hall meeting, a wide range of local issues were addressed. This year, the commissioners specifically asked for input on their decision to raise the minimum wage for workers in Boulder County above the statewide current minimum wage of $13.65 per hour. The commissioners have already voted to establish a $15.69 per hour minimum wage effective Jan. 1, 2024, for all workers in the unincorporated areas of Boulder County,...
Whether you love them or fear them, insects make up approximately 80% of animals found on earth, and make up the majority of pollinators. This weekend, Niwot celebrated one of the most well-known and well-loved species of pollinators – bees. The over 900 species of bees found in Colorado play an integral part to the farming culture Niwot was built upon. From 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept.16, 2nd Avenue and Cottonwood Square were taken over by various small businesses, artisans, and...
The third annual Niwot Honey Bee Harvest Festival on Saturday, Sept. 16, has something for everyone. Just a sampling of festival features are listed here....be sure to visit www.Niwot.com to view the complete festival schedule. The festival includes over 50 vendors both downtown on 2nd Avenue and in Cottonwood Square Shopping Center. In addition to honey and apiary products, festival visitors can purchase artisan jewelry, pottery made by a couple from Ukraine, Colorado-made skin care products,...