Q&A
As the cultural/leisure programs coordinator for the town of Parker, Bill Meyer oversees such town programs as guitar lessons, ballroom dancing, sign language for babies and art classes, as well as manages numerous monthly and annual events that include theater productions, a summer concert series, Kidz Kulture events and art shows. He’s held the title since July 2004.
Q. What led you to this job?
A. Prior to taking the position … I was the recreation supervisor for the United States Antarctic Program. After getting engaged in 2004, I began looking for a job in my field that would keep me closer to my future wife, Sunne.
Q. How does “getting involved” benefit kids?
A. By being exposed to a variety of events and activities, kids become more rounded as individuals. They realize that there’s a lot more out there to explore.
Q. With all the things vying for kids’ attention these days – iPods, cellphones, the Internet, video games – how do you make group activities and cultural programs compete?
A. While it’s true that there are a lot more distractions these days, I think it really falls to the parents to make sure that their children aren’t just sitting in front of a screen – be it video or computer – all day. You can’t make kids take part in your programs; they need to have a desire for cultural diversity instilled in them from an early age.
Q. Why should small towns invest their limited budgets in youth programs?
A. Where there is an active youth scene, kids are more likely to stick around. We’ve all heard about people who “couldn’t wait to get out” as soon as they had a chance. When you have a strong base of sports, culture, the arts, etc., you feel more connected to where you came from.
Q. As a group, is this generation of children any different than it was when, say, you were a kid? How so?
A. I think the answer to that question is both yes and no. Instead of your mom asking if you had a dime for an emergency phone call, now she might ask if your cellphone was charged. Progress happens, but being a kid is still about scraped knees and getting 10 out of 10 on the spelling test.
– Staff writer Joey Bunch
REGIONAL NOTES
PARKER
Parade kicks off town’s holidays
The Parker Christmas Carriage Parade will be set to the theme of “Winter Wonderland” as the town kicks off the season at 2 p.m. Saturday on Mainstreet. The event features dozens of horse- drawn carriages, wagons and stagecoaches from across Colorado.
The Parker Mainstreet Center, 19650 E. Mainstreet, will host post-parade activities, including music by the Runaway Express, a petting zoo, pony rides, baby reindeer and pictures with Santa.
A holiday winter market will sell food, specialty gifts and more from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Performances of “The Enchanted Toyshop” holiday ballet will take place at 4 and 6:30 p.m.
GOLDEN
State park has annual open house
Golden Gate Canyon State Park, northwest of Golden off Colorado 93, will host its annual holiday open house from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Refreshments will be available, and the gift shop will be open.
For more information, contact the park office, 303-582-3707.
