The sights and sounds were groovy on Saturday evening at the Activity Center. The Annual Parachute/Battlement Mesa Chamber of Commerce Banquet was under way in all its psychedelic glory.The theme this year, of course, was Groovin in the 60s and most of the attendees were in full 60s dress. A few notables were Michael Richards with a full head of Afro hair, Cyndie Penland as a California girl, and Jim Lawrence as a true-blue hippie.The food was just outstanding, with 117 dinners served. The White Buffalo, Hongs Garden, El Rio, Sunrise Scramble, and Easy Cuisine prepared hors doeuvres. Sunrise Scramble prepared the dinner entre and Easy Cuisine prepared the salads and dinner rolls.Desserts, coffee and tea were prepared by the Outlaws Restaurant. Tolkien Tavern was on hand for hard liquid refreshments also. Music was provided by JD the DJ and the floral arrangements by A Vintage Rose. The yearly awards were presented: Volunteer of the Year: Debbie Conrad Service Organization of the Year: Kiwanis Club Person of the Year: Jim Warren Business of the Year: Bonnie & Dianas Outlaws Restaurant Both the silent auction and live auction were very successful. The generosity of businesses from Grand Junction, Parachute, Battlement Mesa, Rifle and Glenwood Springs was overwhelming.The people who made this evening possible were: Banquet Committee Sandy Yeager, Juanita Satterfield, Carla Kent, Margaret Cooke, Rose Cose, Lynn Shore, Anne Huber, Kris Daler and Cyndie Penland.Auction Committee Jack and Danice Hazelhurst, Mary Anderson, Judie Chapin and Debbie Conrad. Village Artist Art Show If you have not stopped by the Activity Center and taken a look at the artwork on display in the lobby, do so now. There is so much talent in our communities, it is just mind-boggling. The show will continue through the month of May and it is definitely worth the trip up to the Center. Be sure to cast your vote for the Peoples Choice award!Swim lessonsSwim lessons will be offered this summer at the Activity Center. There will be three sessions: June 7-17, June 21 July 1, and July 26 Aug. 5. The lessons for all sessions will be from 8 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. The cost per child per session is $36. Sign-up begins May 17 and ends May 31 for all sessions. Payment is due at the time of sign-up and a parent/guardian must stay in the building during the lesson. Call 285-9480 for more information.Fishing Derby & Huck Finn,Becky Thatcher ContestGrand Valley VFW Post 5485 and the Colorado Division of Wildlife are sponsoring a Fishing Derby along with a Huck Finn & Becky Thatcher Look-a-like Contest on Monday, May 31. Fishing classes and the derby starts at 9 a.m. and the Look-a-like Contest judging will be at 10:30 a.m. All children between the ages of 5 through 13 are invited. All of this is free to kids, with lunch provided for them. Many, many prizes and lots and lots of fun for the kids will be featured. All of this will be held at Parachute Pond and Cottonwood Park in Parachute. For more information, contact one of these guys: Don Bell at 285-7582, Jack Blankenship at 285-9773 or Rusty Caldwell at 285-6151.Mary Moores column, Grand Valley News, appears every other Thursday. To contact Mary with a news tip, call her at 945-8525, ext. 108, or e-mail Moore at MOMOF7@aol.com.