---

We had a pretty successful "Small Business Saturday" event over the
weekend. The FREE movie, Polar Express, that Dodge Theatre (above)
sponsored had the theatre pretty filled up and a good bunch of non-perishable
food items were brought in that found their way to the Iowa County
Food Pantry. The Chronicle elves - Kayla, Brooke and Pat - handed out
Culver's tokens to all who attended and Santa Claus was there to greet the
youngsters. They made the rounds in and out of the downtown stores. We
had Dave and Matty Olson singing Christmas Carols throughout the stores
and Christmas music playing through the speakers that worked (about half)
thanks to Judy Page of Bob's BBQ. The system was hooked up at the future
home of Bob's BBQ at the former True Value building. Then I took photos
with Santa at the Dodgeville Senior Citizen Center that was decorated for
the holidays. The center provided cookies and punch for those who came. It
was steady for the 1 1/2 hours that we were there. Also, a good amount of
non-perishable food items were brought in exchange for the photos that are
ready for pick up at the Chronicle office anytime. Judy let the music play
until after the Wisconsin Badgers football game with Minnesota was over -
a Wisconsin win - as she didn't want to leave the television set and miss the
end of the game!
*****
Sunday was my birthday. I won't tell you how many years, but it will be
two more years and I'll hit 70! My former neighbors Jack and Dorothy
Weirich treated me to breakfast at Country Kitchen after we attended church
services. Then that evening brother Pat and 13 of his kids and grandkids
took me to Bob's BBQ for a birthday meal! We were there for the second
half of the Green Bay Packers win over the New England Patriots - a huge
win for the Packers! Boy, I get more and more amazed at Aaron Rodgers
and his talents every time I watch him play. Also he has a pretty good cast
of receivers, running backs and linemen to go along with him too. The
defense played pretty good against a very good New England team too!
*****
Oh, and after Sunday I probably won't eat for a week!
*****
I won't be at the Senior Center for photos with Santa this Sunday, but for
those who missed last Saturday, we will be there on Sunday, December
14th! Photos are $1 each and this time I will keep track of who has their
photo taken and how many photos they would like! Proceeds will go to the
food pantry.
*****
This Saturday marks the annual Dodgeville Federated Woman's Club
sponsored "Breakfast with Santa & Mrs. Claus" at the Plymouth
Congregational Church in Dodgeville from 8-11 a.m. There's great food
and an activity area for the youngsters, plus they get to meet Santa and his
wife!
*****
Also this Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Hill's Pub (former
Thym's on Highway 23 north just outside of Dodgeville) Santa's Secret
Shop will be open for youngsters (only) to shop at with help from a lot of
elves! They will also help you pick out that special gift for your mom, dad,
grandpa, grandma, sibling or friend. It will be wrapped and then you can
join your folks upstairs with a big smile on our face because they won't
know what's in the package!