2021 Lumper Bench Celebration
May 7, 2021
It seemed like hundreds of Lumpers gathered in Washington Park on a sunny morning, Friday May 7 to officially dedicate the beautiful commemorative park bench the Lumpers had erected there last year behind the VOC building honoring Sigrid Freese and Pat McClearn. Though postponed (see May 6, 2020 invitation below) because of the Pandemic, the celebration was nonetheless joyful and enthusiastic. There were refreshments provided by the Denver Park Trust, the non-profit who manages the Commemorative Bench program. This organization works in partnership with Parks and Rec to raise funds to jump start projects that improve and add new parks and spaces in the neighborhoods that are underserved and need them most. Our own Pat Wynne spearheaded this great Lumper project and said a few brief remarks before introducing the Denver Park Trust Executive Director, Frank Rowe, who officiated over the ribbon-cutting ceremony. He was so complimentary about the Lumpers and our dedication to the Denver and Colorado outdoors, and he acknowledged the impactful and long-term contributions of Pat and Sigrid.. After much applause, everyone went back to the many conversations going on, as Lumpers reconnected with old friends and reminisced about more than a decade of special hikes and friendships. The whole event took place in a nicely shaded area in the park, but that is terrible “light” for photos, so sorry these aren’t the best. Besides, I couldn’t get anyone to look at me! Lumpers were so engrossed in their conversations.
-- Barbara Berryman
-- Barbara Berryman
May 6, 2020 . . . 8:00 p.m.
Tonight, wherever you are,
as you watch the beautiful big moon
___and in days and years to come, enjoy___
AN EVENT TO REMEMBER AND TREASURE
The Virtual
but
OFFICIAL DEDICATION
of the
LUMPER BENCH in WASHINGTON PARK
honoring
Sigrid Freese and Pat McClearn
We cannot be together to celebrate this wonderful occasion but,
putting it off until we can be together, might lead us to forget the
significance of the date in other ways. We stay apart in the shadow of an
international pandemic in order to honor and protect each other’s lives
and the lives of strangers.
For twenty years, as we have hiked together and traveled the wider
world together, we have been concerned to leave only caring footprints in
our wake. We have demonstrated intent by leaving our pathways better
than we found them, not stepping on fragile plants, supporting important
environmental causes, and loving and lifting each other in joy and in
sorrow. The list goes on, and we will go on.
Tonight, lift a glass – virtual or metaphorical – to toast our large
and small adventures together. Take time in your mind to travel through
Lumper memories -- maybe even writing them down and forwarding them
to Sigrid and Pat to savor. Most of of all, record them in your heart.
The pandemic will wither away. We will not forget its effect on us.
We will remember that it may help us love each other more.
May we always celebrate May 6th
. . next to the gaggle of geese in that park is a bench of lumpers . .
See you at The Bench
Thanks to Ann Weaver for her thoughts about the Lumpers. We will gather in person again, soon I hope.
I've been going thru years of snapshots and find many from our hikes. Will be putting together a real hard copy album. And then at some point maybe someone can help me digitize it. So many memories of beautiful friends and places.
Love and thanks to all. Sigrid & Pat
I've been going thru years of snapshots and find many from our hikes. Will be putting together a real hard copy album. And then at some point maybe someone can help me digitize it. So many memories of beautiful friends and places.
Love and thanks to all. Sigrid & Pat
The site for 'good places to dispose of stuff' is
'Downsize' under 'Services' category:
http://lumpers.weebly.com/downsize.html
topics include -
places to recycle, re-use
moving companies
document shredders
places to discard yard tools, old paint
recycle flourescent lights
There is a second website that contains photos of our hikes in 2012, 2013 and 2014. See
http://lumpershikes.weebly.com