Sara Sandstrom, Nederland. If you have been part of the Nederland community for a number of years you have certainly heard the names Julian and Janette Taylor. There is a Taylor involved in the Nederland Board of Trustees and one on almost every committee that has formed to improve the greater Nederland community. They were looking for an interesting place to live in the late 1990s. In 1998 they decided Nederland was interesting enough for them and fortunate for us, they believe in improving the community they live in.

Janette grew up moving around the country because of her dad’s work as a math professor and early software engineer. He even helped develop software for the Apollo space missions. 

Julian grew up in Oklahoma and their paths crossed when Janette’s family moved to Oklahoma. They attended the same junior and senior high schools. With a beautiful laugh remembering those years Janette said, “We would walk to school together and debate religion.” 

They stayed in touch and remained friends as their lives took them to college and careers. In Colorado, their relationship deepened and in 1983 they were married at the Denver Basilica. They honeymooned in Estes Park and saw the first showing of Gandhi at the local theater. 

In their almost 38 years together they have lived in Aurora, Colorado Springs and Nederland. They have two children who are now on their own pursuing their careers. 

Julian worked for Sun MicroSystems as a Senior Staff Engineer for many years and now is a computer coder for Rosetta Stone. He has 13 patents to his name. They range from a pressure gauge for the oil industry to computer software patents. Julian has also written two books and is working on a third one. 

Janette owned the bookstore Once Again Books in Nederland for a number of years (it is now Blue Owl Books). She loves the beauty of a book and having information on the pages of a book. She is an avid fan of Douglas Adams, the author of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. She travels to England each year to be with other fans touring, celebrating, talking and attending writer’s workshops. 

This couple is so passionate about the written word that they own a publishing company. Sockwood Press brings interesting and unusual books to the market. Books that make you think and are by local authors. They also have an audio version to the United States Constitution. They have studied the Constitution in depth and enjoy bringing that knowledge to more people. Julian says, “It was a fun project to work together on.”

Janette is deeply involved in the Nederland community. She has been or is currently involved with the Nederland Food Pantry, Nederland Library Foundation, Peak to Peak Housing Alliance, the Carousel of Happiness, Mountain Family Health Center and that is not naming all of the organizations that she has been a part of. She says that she likes to get things going and then move aside for the younger people to take it. Janette currently works at the Nederland Community Library. She says, “I love it! I don’t why I didn’t do it before.” 

During our interview I noticed how Julian and Janette completely support each other’s ambitions and activities. They said that they see each other as peers. Then, Julian said something that I think is key for a lasting relationship. He said, “I never tire of being with Janette.” He said it with such honesty and affection that it left no doubt how he feels about his wife of almost four decades.

Janette added that she really wants Julian to retire soon. “He contributes so much to the world. He should have time to do what he really wants to do.” A statement that shows how much admiration she has for her husband. 

Together Janette and Julian love to travel, especially road trips. They enjoy stopping to eat at diners and checking out a local distillery. Lately, they have been travelling in their Tesla and hope to drive to Seattle to visit their daughter soon. 

This is a friendship that started on those walks to and from junior high school. A friendship that from the very beginning was built on respect for each other. Decades later the respect and partnership continue as they inspire and never tire of being together. 

(Originally published in the February 11, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)