Thanks
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to my readers. Thanks for our many enjoyable email conversations over the year, and thanks, in particular, to my sponsors and supporters.
I know this pandemic has made life strange and unpredictable for many of us. Is it safe to go to the grocery store, go to the office, visit a friend? Can I plan a trip?
We all have our coping mechanisms. This email has been mine. I knew that my audience enjoyed my occasional pieces on Golden history. When the shut-downs began in March of 2020 I decided to step up the entertainment value of the emails by including a history article every day. Of course, when I started this, I was expecting to do it for a month or two–I hadn’t really planned on finding a history topic to write about 650 (and counting) days in a row. Still, my stubborn determination to stick with it has given me a sense of purpose during a time when I might otherwise have felt adrift.
I’ve always felt that the world needs more Golden history books. I’m hoping that when this pandemic is over, some of these hundreds of articles will find their way into print. (On paper. Between covers.) My hope is that by next Christmas the pandemic will be under control and my first “Tales from the Plague Years” book will be in print.
It’s good to have a goal!
Have a wonderful Christmas.
Barb
Real World Events
9AM Holiday Presence Yoga @ PranaTonic
Special guest instructor, Susan Larson Register
5-9PM Taproom Open @ Barrels & Bottles (both locations)
The kitchen will be closed, but they’ll have free homemade chili.
Christmas Day Dining
7AM-1:30PM Christmas Brunch @ Table Mountain Inn
3-7PM Christmas dinner @ Table Mountain Inn
TABLE MOUNTAIN INN GRILL & CANTINA
1310 Washington Avenue
303-216-8040
Menu
1PM Christmas Dinner @ Dirty Dogs Roadhouse
Ham, potatoes, and dinner roll provided. Bring a side.
DIRTY DOGS ROADHOUSE
17999 W. Colfax Avenue
303-384-3644
Golden History Moment
97 Years Ago
Golden got its first community Christmas tree in 1916. By 1924, it was a fixed tradition. The preparations were described in the December 25, 1924 Colorado Transcript.
Members of the Fire Department visited the City’s Beaver Brook property about a week before Christmas. They selected a large white pine and set it up at the intersection of 12th and Washington. The School of Mines provided electrical cords and strings of colored lights. The Jefferson County Power and Light Co., which had its offices on Washington Avenue, strung the lights on the tree and provided free power. Alpine Drug Store served free coffee to those setting up the tree. Meanwhile, Golden High School girls were preparing bags of candy for distribution to the town’s children.
On Christmas night, the community gathered at the tree at 7PM. They sang Christmas songs and several local ministers spoke.
As the program closed, sleigh bells were heard, and a gayly decorated and illuminated sleigh was seen coming up Twelfth street. Amid a whirl of snow and jingling bells, Santa Claus dashed up to the tree, greatly to the delight of all, especially the scores of children who had been anxiously awaiting his arrival. To prove that he was really Santa Claus, he immediately started to handing out goodies to the children, and not one was missed. He had plenty of candy and oranges for all, with a generous supply kept over to send to the boys of the industrial school. All in all, Golden’s community tree was very successful.
Colorado Transcript – January 1, 1925
Thanks to the Golden History Museum for providing the online cache of historic Transcripts, and to the Golden Transcript for documenting our history since 1866!
