This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
by Carol Pranschke
Neighbors Cultivating Community. That’s what the first Loomiller Park Positivity Fest was supposed to be all about. And Saturday, August 12 dawned bright, but by 2 p.m., the clouds were rolling in. The organizers of the Fest nervously watched the sky. Positive outlooks were in plenty supply though; this was, after all, the day of a Positivity Fest inspired by the first ever Positivi-Tree art installation that had been located in the park for six months earlier in the year. Sure enough, the clouds blew out of town, tables and canopies got set up easily. By 4:00 p.m., the Positivity Fest was off to a good start with neighbors arriving and nary a cloud in sight.
It was a happy number of adults and kids who showed up at the park over the next 2 1⁄2 hours. 39 adults signed up for the Wing Shack gift card raffle. Perhaps they came for the free food, courtesy of Francis St. restaurant sponsors, or perhaps they came to hear councilwoman Bonnie Finley speak. Maybe they stayed to try out the bean bag toss game (some of you might know it as cornhole) or to play percussion with the Community Drummers. Kids came, tugging on their parents’ hands, and delighted themselves making giant bubbles (in some cases larger than themselves), trying out hula hoops (first time for one young boy!), and drawing with chalk on the shelter’s cement floor. To top it all off, some folks brought desserts and everyone who wished to enjoyed a sweet treat.
Co-organizer Rachel Zelaya, of Rose St., explained the purpose of the gathering in her opening remarks. “Knowing your neighbors is a great way to feel safer, healthier and to have more resources in a crisis.” Co-organizer Carol Pranschke, also of Rose St., said “We’re going to have fun getting to know each other.” Neighborhood Resource Specialist for the City of Longmont Wayne Tomac declared it a successful event, saying. “This turn out was one of the best I’ve seen for a first time gathering.”
Rachel and Carol wish to thank the many people who attended, helping make this event the success it was - first up, fantastic support from City of Longmont Neighborhood Resource Specialist Wayne Tomac, Community Resource Specialist Adriana Perea, and Manager of Community and Neighborhood Resources Carmen Ramirez; artist and neighbor Amy Heneghan, initiator of the Positivi-Tree; Community Drums, led by neighbor Mary Rose; City Manager Harold Dominguez and Karen Roney, Director of Community Services, for expressing their support; City Councilwoman Bonnie Finley and Councilman Jeff Moore for their words of encouragement; Councilwoman Joan Peck; School Resource and Safety Officer Jason Kierstein; Neighborhood Group Leaders Association (NGLA) Chairwoman Rita Gee and Vice-Chairman Andrew Kramer for speaking to the benefits of NGLA; the fire station crew for bringing a fire truck out for kids, big and small, to climb on; and of course, the gods and goddesses who helped blow those clouds out of town that day!
Thanks also to those kind neighbors who helped on the day of, such as the gentleman who came to play disc golf and took time to help set up a canopy; the neighbor who helped get the kids started making bubbles, and the neighbors who brought desserts.
Special thanks go to Francis St. restaurant sponsors Wing Shack, The Smoothie Shop, LUU’s Asian Cuisine and Subworks. Hey, everyone, please support these businesses if you can! Their food is delicious and the owners kindly helped with our event!
Now, are you ready to come meet some more neighbors? Loomiller residents are requested to attend the next gathering to improve our quality of life, create a greater sense of community, strengthen the neighborhood, and form a community group, on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 6:30 p.m., at Longmont High School, Room 126. Come in the South entrance; signs will be posted. For more information, you can contact Rachel and Carol by email at [email protected]. Rachel & Carol say “See you there!”
This has been an opinion piece that was submitted to the Longmont Observer. It does not, necessarily, represent the views of the Longmont Observer. Have an opinion piece you’d like us to publish? Send it to [email protected]
