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Experts pitch in for video

Singer, videographer lend talents to Hayden documentary

Nick Foster

All cylinders are firing to have the Hayden Community Video ready for its premier at 7 p.m. March 5 at the Hayden High School auditorium.

Thanks to recent contributions from a fleet of talented Hayden residents, it seems the half-hour documentary will be better than anyone expected. For example, musician Greg Scott, who wrote the video’s theme song, “Hayden’s Where My Heart Is,” L.D. Shoffner, who offered free studio services, and Hayden High School’s Future Business Leaders of America, which will advertise the video’s premier.

“People are finally starting to talk about it,” video steering committee member Tammie Delaney said. “We’re really excited.”



On Tuesday, producer Darrin Fryer and Delaney sat in Delaney’s home, editing the 15 to 16 hours of footage — a tedious process, the two said.

“We’re trying to reflect the common issues and love affairs with the town by capturing the people who spoke articulately,” Fryer said. “That’s a hard thing when you have so many good things. Ultimately, we just want to reflect the feeling of what the community wants in a fair way.”



After some of the editing was complete, Fryer went to Scott’s house to record the theme song, on which Scott will sing and play acoustic guitar and harmonica. Scott said he came up with the song after Delaney contacted him for an interview in the video.

“It was originally called ‘Highway to Hayden,'” Scott said. “I got the idea driving home one day.”

The first verse goes: “The highway to Hayden is the road I like best/Takes me to my doorstep, traveling east or west/Flows along the Yampa where deer and antelope play/Hayden’s where my heart is, and where I want to stay.”

Scott said he liked the concept of the video, which is being made in response to major growth issues facing the town. The Orton Family Foundation, a private nonprofit, is overseeing production of the video. The video was a stipulation of a $138,000 grant given to the town for its planning efforts in light of proposed development that could easily triple the size of town over the next 20 years.

“It’s fun to be a part of it, and I’m proud to be a part of it,” Scott said.

Shoffner, who recently moved to Hayden from Steamboat Springs, also said he is proud to help with the Hayden Community Video.

Fryer said it was “perfect” that Shoffner, a seven-year producer with Channel 10 in Steamboat, offered his studio and professional experience.

“I’ve seen lots of studios, and he’s got everything,” Fryer said.

Work in Shoffner’s studio begins next week and will continue until the premier, Fryer said.

“Most studios charge $100 an hour,” Shoffner said, “and they didn’t have anywhere to edit. I just got this new system in, so what better way to help out than just donate to them.”

The Hayden High School FBLA will launch a promotional campaign soon under the guidance of club sponsor Kipp Rillos. The campaign will involve posting fliers and banners across town and at sporting events, as well as mailing fliers to residents, Rillos said.

The video’s premier will be accompanied by a live performance of Scott’s song.

The screening will be followed by a feedback session and a discussion with the planning firm in charge of creating a computer model of the town, including many planned subdivisions.

— To reach Nick Foster call 871-4204

or e-mail nfoster@steamboatpilot.com


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