It's that time of year when you can shop local and win big money in Dolores Dollars for Christmas.
Participating merchants are: Dolores Furniture and Gifts, The Depot, the Moose, the Hollywood, Dolores Food Market, Ginger Jar Shops, Traditional Charm Antique Mall, The Flying Pig, The Fun Center, Dolores Liquor, Ponderosa Restaurant, Dolores General Store, The Giant, Second Chance Thrift Store, and hopefully Lizardhead Cyclery, Dolores Animal Hospital and the Brewery. Dolores Dollar drawing dates are Dec. 6, 13, and 20. This year, there will be more winners than ever before.
On Thursday, Dec. 5, Mesa Verde has its annual Free Night of Family fun. There will be live music, free chili, hot chocolate and cookies, and the trail to one of the main ruins will light up starting at 4 p.m. The event features special tours, musical entertainment and refreshments. Ranger-guided tours of Spruce Tree House, the third-largest cliff dwelling in the park, will be presented at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. Spruce Tree House is also available for self-guided tours from 4-9 p.m.
Opening up shop
The Flying Pig is celebrating the move to its new location at 501 Central Ave. with live music and an open house. The shop will celebrate on consecutive Fridays - Dec. 6 and 13 from 3-6 p.m. There will be music with the Mud Flaps, snacks and refreshments.
Events on Dec. 7
Ruby's Christmas Bazaar in the Community Center, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Do your Christmas shopping for unique gifts and stick around for the door prizes.
The Dolores General Store is having an open house and holiday sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Fourth Street Girls and the Ginger Jar are having an ugly sweater contest and open house from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Retirement party for Carole Arnold, the long-time director of the Dolores Public Library will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Presentations will be at 1 p.m.
The VFW is hosting an event for WWII Veterans on Pearl Harbor Day, Dec. 7 to honor and recognize all WWII Veterans in Montezuma County and the surrounding area. A luncheon will be held at the Cortez Senior Center from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. All veterans, their families and the communities are invited. There isn't any charge.
Cortez Cultural Center Presents Creative Kids Arts and Crafts. Dec. 7 and 14, 10 a.m. to noon, ages 7-12, Decorations, vignettes, greeting cards and edible art: $50 for a six-week session; $12 for drop-ins.
More to come
On Thursday, Dec. 12 at 6 p.m., there will be the annual storytelling with Santa for preschoolers at the Dolores Library.
On Friday, Dec. 13 at 5:30 p.m., in cooperation with the Town of Dolores, we will have our annual Dolores Yule Log Fire and Tree-Lighting Celebration. Santa will flip the switch to light up the trees around Town Hall. There will be free hot chocolate provided by the Ponderosa, free candy bought by the Dolores Rotary, free cookies supplied by the Chamber Board and much more. Santa will be there for the kids in the Goose Museum. Starting at 2:30 p.m., the Newcome High School jazz band will go around to the businesses and play for them.
The Seventh Annual Dolores Toy Drive for Kids continues till Dec. 14. If you would like to donate money or new toys or know a family in need, please contact Laurie at 759-3601 after 4 p.m. or Debbie after 5:30 p.m. at 882-2446.
The folks at Dunton Hot Springs invite you to celebrate your holiday party at Dunton Hot Springs and Cresto Ranch. The historic saloon and dance hall is perfect for lunch and dinner parties for up to 60 guests. The Farm House at Cresto Ranch is cozy for smaller gatherings and has access to the hot springs. Starting at $75 per person for lunch at Cresto Ranch. Dunton also is accepting Dinner and Soak reservations on Thanksgiving Day. Join us from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Our traditional Thanksgiving dinner is served at 4 p.m. for $225 per person. Please call 970-882-4800 or email to info@duntonhotsprings.com.
Taking care of business
Don't forget that your 2014 Chamber Membership dues are now due. Also, the Visitor's Center is now open for winter hours - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from noon to 4 p.m. We will be closed Wednesdays and weekends.
The Dolores Mountain Inn wants to let everybody know that it now has long-term rentals available.
The Rio Grande Southern announces its new fall hours: Friday through Sunday only, with breakfast at 8-11 a.m., lunch 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and all-you-can-eat fish Friday at 5-8 p.m. for $11.95 and schnitzel Saturday at 5 to 8 p.m. for $12.95.