throughout our world
Santa reads in Walsenburg and Trinidad to Fight Cancer!
OUR WORLD — The good folks over at ROAR for Relay for Life have gotten in touch with Santa this year and have convinced him to come on out to Southern Colorado twice this December to read to and take photos with kids as part of a fundraiser to help fight cancer.
Santa will read Twas the Night Before Christmas and kids can get cookies and hot chocolate, a goodie bag, and a photo with Santa for only $10.
Santa will be in Walsenburg at Colorado Farm Bureau Insurance on Saturday, Dec. 4th from 3-5 p.m.
He will then visit Trinidad on Sunday, Dec. 18th at Corradino Auto Body at 124 N. Maple St. from 3-5 p.m.
If you have any questions, please contact Kendra Doherty at (719) 680-0693 or (719) 946-5510
HUERFANO
Ghostbusters: Afterlif at the Fox in Walsenburg
WALSENBURG – This weekend’s movie is “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” rated PG-13 with a runtime of 2 hours and 4 minutes.
Stars Carrie Coon, Paul Rudd, and Finn Wolfhard
When a single mother and her two children move to a new town, they soon discover they have a connection to the original Ghostbusters and the secret legacy their grandfather left behind.
Movie showtimes are Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m.
Movie ticket prices are $7 for adults, $6 for students and teachers, $5 for children (ages 5 to 12).
Baked Goods and Craft Sale to support Hospital Auxiliary
WALSENBURG – This Friday, Dec. 3rd, from around 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., there will be a baked goods and craft sale at the hospital gift shop. Proceeds will go to support the hospital, so come on out and do some good while you fill your belly!
Grinch Day at LVPL
LA VETA — Saturday, Dec. 4th is Grinch Day! Celebrate it this year with a collaboration between the La Veta Public Library and Two Peaks Fitness. Join us anytime between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the La Veta Community Center for Grinch-themed activities, Grinch bingo, and a special appearance from Santa Claus for photos at 10 a.m.
Tree Lighting in Charlie Park
LA VETA — Start the evening off right on Saturday Dec. 4th at 4:30 p.m. (before the Art Walk downtown) by showing your holiday spirit and joining us for our traditional tree lighting and Christmas caroling in “Charlie Park”. Hope to see you there!
Holiday Culinary Celebration
LA VETA — On Saturday, Dec. 4th, from 5-7:30 p.m., there will be a Holiday Culinary Celebration taking place across La Veta! Stroll among 8 galleries and shops in La Veta, enjoying delicious eats accompanied by live seasonal music while providing support for local arts programs!
The La Veta Creative District is taking over managing the annual Holiday Arts Fundraiser. There are several new shops included this year: H’s Place, Marta Moore at the Salon, Crafted in Colorado, and Silver Shoe with a “pop up” shop called Tradition Makers Market joining Shalawalla Batik Studio, SPACe Gallery, La Veta School of the Arts, and Artisans on Main. Each location will have food and liquid refreshments. If you can’t make it, please consider donating to the fundraiser. Money raised goes toward several arts programs in La Veta. It also pays for the signs on Hwy 160 for “Fine Art Galleries”.
Each venue will hold a drawing for a prize of the gallery’s choosing. Tickets are $25 per person and are now available at H’s Place on Main Street, Artisans on Main, SPACe Gallery on Ryus. Tickets can also be purchased on line through the SPACe Gallery web site. There are a limited number of tickets available so please plan to purchase your tickets early.
Traditions Makers’ Market
LA VETA — Huajatolla Heritage Foundation is partnering with the La Veta Creative District in creating an event showcasing several exceptional artists and craftspeople in our community. The event will be held from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4th at 225 S. Main in La Veta.
Arthur ShortBull, Kate Wootton, Lisa Dasenbrock, Frog Hollow Brooms, Raymond Tenorio (from Santo Domingo Pueblo), the Sandys Squared, Charity, Ava Clark and John Costea will all be sharing their quality handcrafted goods. The Falcon Cheesecake Food Truck will be serving from 10-4. Santa will be around. Michael Rael, talented musician from Questa will provide live music from 3-6. We will also participate in the private party Culinary Celebration from 5-7. Come get the finest in local gifts for everyone on your list.
Huajatolla Heritage Foundation gift drive for Native American youth, elders
LA VETA — Huajatolla Heritage Foundation is once again partnering with the non-profit, One Nation Walking Together to share the bounties of the Holiday season with Native youth and elders. In addition to gifts, your financial help is needed to provide a range of programs, services, and crisis interventions for Native Americans- the most underserved and misrepresented group in the U.S. Indigenous people experience higher levels of poverty, hunger, homelessness, and unemployment than any other demographic.
At the Dec. 4 Traditions Makers’ Market at 225 S. Main in La Veta, we will be collecting new (unwrapped) toys or gifts for both the children and the elders. Although not normally thought of for the holiday season, any cleaning supplies or hygiene items are very much appreciated. (We will not be collecting food, clothing, or household items at this time.) And perhaps even more important, if you would want to make a cash donation, it will be matched the IndieGives program if donated prior to Dec. 31.
Contact Sandy Dolak (sandy@dolak.biz) or ONWT directly for more information.
4th Annual Holiday Giving Celebration
HUERFANO – Spanish Peaks Business Alliance would like to invite you to the 4th Annual Holiday Giving Celebration! Just like last year, we are hosting this event virtually and donations will be accepted through our website, spba.huerfano.org, starting Dec. 6th. We will host a virtual Mixer on Dec. 14th at 6p.m. with an ugly sweater contest, so gather your friends for a watch party if you fancy!
A full list of participating nonprofits and what they are working on will be available on our website from Dec. 6th through Dec. 14th. You will be able to contribute right from the website and receive a tax deductible receipt from SPBA. We hope you will participate however you are able to this year, even if you just pop in to the online mixer for holiday cheer!
Presentation of Entrepreneurship Action Plan
WALSENBURG –On Monday Dec. 6, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. the County will host a presentation and discussion of the Entrepreneurship Action Plan and Retail Business Incubator Feasibility Analysis. The Meeting will be held in the meeting room of the Huerfano County Community Center, 928 Russell Street.
You can also join virtually using the following information: https://meet.google.com/sjh-oszs-ppm
The county received grant funding from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment Lives Empowered program and hired RPI Consulting to assist with this important project. RPI Consulting will present the Entrepreneurship Action Plan and results from the Retail Business Incubator Feasibility Analysis followed by Q&A and group discussion.
Upcoming Pruning Work Sessions for La Veta’s Park & Tree Board
LA VETA — Do you want to learn how to properly prune trees? Do you want to help improve and maintain La Veta’s “urban” forest at the park and along the streets? Please join the PTB members for upcoming pruning work sessions on Dec 7, Dec 14 and Dec 21. We will meet at the Town’s Maintenance Building just west of the Post Office at 8 a.m.
If you plan to join us, please contact Keith Hauber at 816-277-4833. Wear long sleeves, gloves, safety eye wear and a hard hat if you can. Work sessions may be cancelled due to weather.
Meeting of American Legion Post 16
WALSENBURG – The American Legion Post 16 is meeting on Dec. 8th at the Huerfano Community Center at 6p.m. Our speaker that evening will be Elizabeth Kelly, an Ombudsman for Nursing Homes in Las Animas / Huerfano counties. The 7th is Pearl Harbor Day please remember and say a prayer. Please wear a mask to the meeting.
LVPL Holiday Cookie and Recipe Exchange
LA VETA — La Veta Public Library is hosting a “tasty” event on Dec. 9th at 2p.m. We are inviting the community to come and share their favorite holiday cookie recipe(s). Ideally, if you bring your favorite cookies, along with the recipe, we can have a cookie exchange! It is so fun to share our favorite recipes and usually there is a great story behind them. Mitzi (known for all her great recipes) will compile them into the beginnings of our Cuchara Valley Recipe Legacy Cookbook and make it available to share. Please come!
Spanish Peaks Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting
HUERFANO – The Spanish Peaks Chamber of Commerce annual meeting will be held Dec. 9th at 6 p.m. at Fatt Weller’s located at 124 N Main St. in La Veta.
Please RSVP to info@spanishpeakschamber.com. Thank you to all who supported small businesses throughout Huerfano County on Shop Small Saturday. Expect a visit from Santa on his golf cart in La Veta Dec. 4th, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wishing all a safe and festive holiday season!
Rocky Mountain Eye Center presents SEE with Santa
WALSENBURG – Have you been looking for a kid-friendly way to have your child’s vision screened? Join us on Friday, Dec. 10th from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. for this festive holiday event. Santa and his elves are busy working to provide a safe, fun environment to give your child a vision experience that spreads happiness and joy. These walk-in exams are for children under the age of 20 and there are special kids’ frames available.
Join us for cookies, hot chocolate, and a visit from Jolly Ol’ St. Nick himself!
La Veta Village Bake Sale
LA VETA — “COME ONE, COME ALL! The La Veta Village Auxiliary is hosting a bake sale fundraiser on Dec. 11, 2021 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the La Veta Public Library. LOTS of goodies including cookies, cakes, and pies and much more!! See you on the 11th!!!
Praise Church Open House
WALSENBURG – On Saturday, Dec. 11th from 4-6:30 p.m., there will be an open house at the Praise Church at 311 W 4th St. in Walsenburg. Join us for a FREE evening of family fun and gifts. Meet Santa! There will be a FREE toy for every child, a FREE BBQ dinner, face painting, karaoke, a photo booth and drawings for a drone and a kids’ bike.
Holiday Traditions of the Southwest
HUERFANO – We live in an area alive with traditions of the many ethnic groups that call our beautiful area home. Huajatolla Heritage Foundation is pleased to partner with the libraries in Walsenburg and La Veta to present a program sharing some of the holiday traditions of the region. Join us at 2 p.m. on tuesday, Dec. 14 in Walsenburg and Thursday Dec. 16 in La Veta to share some stories of our rich heritage. Please come and share your traditions and learn about the ones that Albert Galvan and Sandy Dolak will share. Home bizcochitos and Mexican hot chocolate will be served. Join us for a special program of holiday sharing. This program is brought to you with support by Colorado Humanities.
Book sale at SP Library
WALSENBURG –Please join the SPLD Friends of the Library for a Book sale Dec. 16th and 17th from 10a.m. until 4p.m.. We have a great selection of excellent books at reasonable prices. All Proceeds go to support the Library by funding programs and other needs. The Library is located at 415 Walsen Ave, Walsenburg CO, 81089
Tom Munch Christmas Concert
LA VETA — On Saturday, Dec. 18th at 7p.m., Tom Munch will be performing a Christmas Concert at the La Veta Mercantile.
Tom has been deeply steeped in Christmas and Winter songs since he wasa born, and has made a lifelong passion of learning and expressing these songs yearly at venues all over the place. They are unique in that we all share them and know them by heart – regardless of background and generation.
Tickets are $16 in advance or $18 at the door, and they can be purchased at:
https://www.simpletix.com/e/tom-munch-christmas-concert-tickets-90943
LAS ANIMAS
Trinidad Trolley Tours begin Dec 3
TRINIDAD — Trinidad Trolley tours begin for the holidays on Dec. 3 and go through Dec. 22. Tours run twice a day Wednesday through Sunday with the first tour starts at 5P30 p.m. and the second beings at 7 p.m.
Senior Days at Books & More
TRINIDAD — Senior Days at Books & More Bookstore at 132 N. Commercial St. are on Friday, Dec. 3 from 11-4 p.m. and Saturday Dec. 4 from 10-4 p.m. Most items are 50% off!
H.T.A. Christmas Bazaar
TRINIDAD — Come to Holy Trinity Academy’s Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, Dec.4 at Sebastiani Gym, 206 N Animas St, Trinidad, Colorado, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be 34 vendor booths, a full concession stand and bake sale to support Holy Trinity Academy. Shop and help support the local businesses with holiday crafts and gifts, cakes, wooden art & crafts, pictures, Christmas decorations, aprons, tea towels, and other sewn crafts, lamps, jewelry and minerals, baby gifts, metal art, wall hangings, diamond printings, wreaths, cottonwood corner items, embroidery items, blankets, color street nails, ornaments, sports memoribilia, fudge, Christmas bulbs, boutique items, clothing, handcrafted accessories, gently pre-used clothing, face painting.
Santa’s Gift Tree
TRINIDAD — This year, give a local senior citizen a holiday memory they’ll treasure. The First National bank in Trinidad is sponsoring this event, in which you can head to the Main Bank, Motor Bank, or Wal-Mart Branch of the First National Bank of Trinidad and choose a letter to fulfill the request of a local senior citizen. Letters are now available and gifts are due back by Wednesday, Dec. 15th.
Trinidad State High School Basketball Tournament is back!
TRINIDAD — The 85th annual Trinidad State Invitational will be held at Scott Gym on Dec. 1, 2, 3 and 4. We have teams coming to play from Trinidad, La Junta, Hoehne, Primero, Kim, Raton, Springer and Des Moines.
The tourney will have a major change this year: No fans will be allowed in the facility. The games – all sixteen of them – will be live streamed on our website. To watch a game go to: https://www.tsctrojans.com/information/TrojanTV
Corazón de Trinidad presents the Author Market Place!
TRINIDAD — Following the successful three-month exhibit of Better Angels, The Firefighters of 9/11, the Creative District now brings the AUTHOR MARKET PLACE to Trinidad. On Sat. Dec. 4th from 12-6p.m., local poets and writers will be featured in the Creative District’s Gallery at the Commons, 210 West Main. The event will allow visitors to meet authors and poets, hear them read from current work, have the authors sign books purchased, and quiz them about how and why they do what they do.
Among those featured will be poets Kate Klingston, Michele McDannold, and Hilary Depolo. All authors will be available for a Q&A dialogue regarding the art of writing.
Stay tuned for information about the next program!
Local authors book signing at Carnegie Public Library
TRINIDAD — The Trinidad Carnegie Public Library is excited to host a book signing for three local authors on Saturday afternoon, Dec. 4th, from 3 – 5 p.m., upstairs in the library’s main room. The authors include Richard Trice from Raton, and Trinidad residents, MaryJo Dawson and Adam Gaffen.
Richard Trice and his wife of 43 years live in Raton where he now spends his time writing music and historical novels. His Trent Carter series follow an aging, disillusioned, and damaged rural detective who often finds his investigations rooted firmly in history. And he talks with ghosts. Adam Gaffen and his family: wife, five kids, five dogs and five cats, recently moved to Trinidad for a change from the long Northeast winters. He is an avid reader and prolific author. His current project is The Cassidy Chronicles, a series of science fiction novels centering on the intriguing adventures of two strong heroines, Aiyana Cassidy and Kendra Foster-Briggs, set in post-modern America.
MaryJo Dawson grew up in the Midwest and practiced as a registered nurse in nine states before moving to Trinidad with her husband. MaryJo’s experiences as a nurse provide the blueprint for female sleuth, Sally Nimitz, the protagonist in her novels. To date, MaryJo has released eight books in the Sally Nimitz Mystery series. Readers of cozy amateur sleuth whodunits will love these stories.
Monoclonoal Antibody Treatment Bus
TRINIDAD — The health department has worked with CDPHE on securing a Monoclonal Antibody Treatment Bus.
The CDPHE monoclonal antibody bus will be located at 412 Benedicta Ave, Trinidad, CO 81082 during the following dates and times:
Wednesday, Dec. 1 – Saturday, Dec. 4 from 8 a.m.. to 4 p.m. and
Monday, Dec. 6 – Saturday, Dec. 11 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Depending on local case rates and other factors, this period may be extended, but we are currently scheduling two weeks at a time.
12 Books of Christmas Scavenger Hunt
TRINIDAD — From Dec. 6 – 22, Carnegie Public Library will be holding a Christmas Scavenger Hunt! Here’s how it works.
1. Pick up a scavenger hunt bookmark from the Carnegie Public Library or a participating business.
2. Using the clues on the bookmark, locate a hidden Christmas book in each participating business. (The book remains at each location) (Don’t tell your friends where they are hidden.)
3. Once you have located all of the books, bring the completed bookmark back to the library for a prize.
Participating businesses are the Trinidad Gift Shop, Chronicle News, Fishers Peak Outfitters, Curly’s Beads, Noah’s Ark, Shirley’s Thrift Store, Perkatory Coffee House, Colie’s Cakes and Pastries, Books and More, Mutiny Café, the Art Cottage, and of course the Carnegie Public Library.
Annual Firemen’s Toy Drive takes off in Trinidad
TRINIDAD — The annual Trinidad Firemen’s toy Drive is a go again! Applications for the toy drive can be picked up at the utilities department at Trinidad City Hall, 135 N. Animas St; at the Trinidad Department of Human Services, 219 S. Chestnut St; and at the Trinidad Housing Authority, 422 E. First St.
Applications are due back by Dec. 10, and can be mailed to PO Box 900, Trinidad, CO 81082, or dropped off at either fire station, at 1102 Nevada Ave or at 1605 Santa Fe Trail.
Applicants must live inside the city limits of Trinidad to qualify. Pick up of toys will be Dec. 18 from 9am-6pm at 149 E. Main St in Trinidad.
For any questions, contact Captain Gatlin at 719-989-4863.
Carnegie’s STEAM Day
TRINIDAD — Let’s celebrate STEAM!
The Carnegie Public Library is celebrating by hosting an event on Dec. 10th at the Trinidad Community Center at 1309 Beshoar Avenue. Come play with our STEAM kits and learn about Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics.
There are two time blocks to come participate, depending on your student’s age. K-2nd Grade will meet from 10a.m. – 12p.m., and 3rd-5th Grade will meet from 1p.m. – 3p.m.
Colfax
Vaccine event in Springer
SPRINGER —Vaccines for ages 5 and up will be available on Friday, Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Springer School gymnasium. Bring your vaccine card and a completed consent form.
Raton Elks Lodge Craft Fair
RATON —There will be a craft fair at the Raton Elks Lodge, 300 S. 2nd St on Dec. 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Silver Spur Cowbelles’ Annual Christmas Bazaar
SPRINGER — The Silver Spur Cowbelles’ annual Christmas Bazaar will be held Dec. 7, 2021 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Springer Methodist Church. There will be Christmas crafts, a rummage sale, food (including Frito pies, hot dogs and chili dogs and much more)
Holiday Events at Sugarite Canyon State Park
SPRINGER —There are several fun events taking place up at Sugarite this holiday season, so come on out and visit for a breath of fresh air and a bit of winter cheer!
— Saturday Dec. 18. from 1-4 p.m. there will be a Holiday Open House at Sugarite Canyon State Park,
(Friends of Sugarite and park staff sadly decided against Christmas on the Chicorica because of staff shortage and other considerations.)
–Raton Christmas Bird Count, also Dec. 18. Volunteers from the Raton area are needed to watch/count birds at feeders and other locations (including Sugarite.)
–First Day Hike, Jan. 1, 2022. 10:30 a.m.-noon, Lake Maloya Trail, Sugarite Canyon State Park.
Toys for Tots
RATON — Raton Fire & emergency Services is teaming up with Raton Team Builders to gather names of children ages Newborn to 17 to have toys delivered to them.
To add a name to the list, call Raton Team Builders at 575-383-2065. The Cutoff for names to be placed on the list is Dec. 8th, and delivery will begin the week of Dec. 20th.
