Holly, CO - One year later (Denver: homes, live, to move)

[mcolo]

It has been one year today, since much of the town of Holly was hit by a tornado. The news hasn't said much about it, so if anyone is interested, I'll give a little update.

Most of the homes that will be replaced have been or are in the process of doing so. About 1/3 of the homes destroyed are not going to be replaced, they were either empty, or the owners decided to move somewhere else; some left town altogether. There is a noticeable number of vacant lots now.

As for the city park which took much of the damage rather than more homes, thankfully, it is to receive all new trees and also an outdoor stage for the annual Bluegrass Festival held in Holly every June. Other outdoor projects include a walking nature trail to wrap around the town, and a plan to revitalize the Main Street business district making it more attractive and hopefully bring in more businesses, as more than half of the buildings are currently unoccupied.

Holly is still a great place to be, however, and hopefully when these projects are underway the town will only get better.

[livecontent]

I think this is a wonderful post that makes me feel good. I would suggest that Holly change the title of the "Bluegrass Festival" to the "Buffalo Grass Festival" to highlight that Holly sits on the Great Plains. Also, we can make an effort to discourage the growing of bluegrass which is not native to the high dry plains. We in the front range, including Denver, live on the great grasslands of the United States and we should showcase our resources.

Holly then can be the start of something new with "Buffalo Grass Music", Prairie Grass Foods and culture.

Livecontent

[Noahma]

except it is "bluegrass" music, an early form of country music, closely associated with the ozark mountains and the hill billys.

BTW my IPOD is LOADED with bluegrass music hehe.

;p

[sterlinggirl]

Originally Posted by livecontent

I would suggest that Holly change the title of the "Bluegrass Festival" to the "Buffalo Grass Festival" to highlight that Holly sits on the Great Plains. Also, we can make an effort to discourage the growing of bluegrass which is not native to the high dry plains.

<------- Shaking head and muttering something about greenies

[livecontent]

I know how bluegrass music is defined. I was just trying to get a fun festival going that would have some unique name--obviously it would play bluegrass music.

I know that name does not refer to bluegrass--as in grass--but a style of music. I just though it would be different to play on the name and use a name for one of the great plain's native grasses.

However, it could foster the idea that bluegrass is an invasive weed that sucks the water out of the west. It comes here attached to the minds of the ignorant settlers, like a barnacles on a ship, who believe that every area of the country has to adhere to lush green, when it is not sustainable.

No, I am not a liberal environmentalist, if that is what a "greenie" is--I am of many minds, who decries the damage done by selfish settlers, who cannot appreciate the west for what it is, and is not.

Livecontent

[Noahma]

Originally Posted by livecontent

I know how bluegrass music is defined. I was just trying to get a fun festival going that would have some unique name--obviously it would play bluegrass music.

I know that name does not refer to bluegrass--as in grass--but a style of music. I just though it would be different to play on the name and use a name for one of the great plain's native grasses.

However, it could foster the idea that bluegrass is an invasive weed that sucks the water out of the west. It comes here attached to the minds of the ignorant settlers, like a barnacles on a ship, who believe that every area of the country has to adhere to lush green, when it is not sustainable.

No, I am not a liberal environmentalist, if that is what a "greenie" is--I am of many minds, who decries the damage done by selfish settlers, who cannot appreciate the west for what it is, and is not.

Livecontent

I know wha t you meant, I was just being a butthead (being sarcastic) I dont really llike bluegrass (the plant) I like green lawns, but there are some low water requiring grass that you can sucsessfully grow here. Bluegrass is just tooo expensive to keep watering.

[suzco]

Originally Posted by Noahma

I know wha t you meant, I was just being a butthead (being sarcastic) I dont really llike bluegrass (the plant) I like green lawns, but there are some low water requiring grass that you can sucsessfully grow here. Bluegrass is just tooo expensive to keep watering.

If I agree to plant a holly bush in my buffalograss lawn, will that be enough to convince you all to get back to the topic of Holly, CO one year later?

[sterlinggirl]

sorry.....

[suzco]

Denver Post article about the anniversary.

[Noahma]

Originally Posted by suzco

If I agree to plant a holly bush in my buffalograss lawn, will that be enough to convince you all to get back to the topic of Holly, CO one year later?

sorry, I got a bit off track.

I saw some before and after pictures of holly the other night on the news. What devistation they had. Glad they are getting back on their feet.