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I had the chance to take "Photos with Santa" last Saturday at Cobblestone Coffee House in downtown Dodgeville after the Free movie. There was a good bunch of youngsters (and a few oldsters) there, all having a good time with the jolly old fellow and then enjoying some hot drinks plus food from Cobblestone. I'm shooting to take another round of photos on Saturday, December 21 for those who missed getting one taken anywhere else. Stay tuned for a confirmation!
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We received a nice note and subscription renewal from a Dodgeville graduate, Mary (Boldt) Tygum who lives in Monona. She said, "It's always a pleasure to get your paper and read about the happenings in the Iowa County area. It's good to get the views of local residents regarding the transmission line (CHC) and other views of farmers in the area. As well as 4-H news, the Spotlight page and the various community columns. Thank you!
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It wasn't the greatest day on Saturday for all the events the Chamber of Commerce had planned, but a lot of it happened and went over well! The parade that was brought back after about a seven year layoff, went in between raindrops and looked really nice and fun! The carriage rides happened at times in a shortened route. We missed the live nativity throughout the afternoon. The Memorial Tree lighting took place after the parade with a few rain drops, but the list of names was laminated!
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When the movie "Frozen" was in Dodgeville I took a photo of the marquee at the Dodge Theatre because the weather was cold. Just as the parade was starting Saturday, I took one of "Frozen II" as it was raining, windy and pretty darn chilly. Some people felt that way after all was said and done that day!
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Saturday was also my birthday. I won't tell you how many years, but if I had dyslexia I'd say 37! I was overwhelmed by the social media "Happy Birthdays" I received, but it neared 300 as far as I could tell. Thank you everyone. I couldn't reply to everyone personally even though I would've liked to!
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With the food pantry closed last Friday and nobody at the police Station downtown a driver saw some vehicles parked outside of the Chronicle office so he came over and asked where he could take a lot of stuff for the food pantry. I told him he could drop it here. It came from a Thanksgiving Eve Ecumenical Church Service at First Presbyterian Church in Highland (Trinity Parish). Churches that participated were: St. Anthony and Philip in Highland, St. Thomas Catholic of Montfort, Bethlehem Lutheran Edmund, Castle Rock Lutheran, Peace Lutheran Cobb, United Methodist Montfort, Livingston Methodist, Fairview lutheran Avoca, Otter Creek Lutheran Highland and First Presbyterian Highland. I'm sure the Food Pantry needed every ounce of it!
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A big event at the Red Room Bar & Restaurant in downtown Dodgeville is the "Every Kid Deserves a Christmas" annual event that is a fundraiser to help local families during the holidays. It's this Saturday, December 7 from noon to midnight. There's live music at 3 p.m. and at 6 p.m., silent auction, meat paddles, live auction (6:15), raffles and more. Toys will be collected that day to with the help of The Loners MC and SWCAP.
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Saturday, December 7 is also the day of the "Breakfast with Santa" from 8-11 a.m. This year it will be held at St. Joseph Church with the Dodgeville Area Federated Woman's Club as hosts again. There will be "guest chefs/servers". I think I will be one of them. You'll have to stop and see who else!
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Another big event for the youngsters in Dodgeville is at the Red Room the following Saturday and Sunday (December 14 and 15). That's the "Little Givers Magic Market" where youngsters come and purchase gifts for their whole family with prices ranging from $1 to $10. It opens at 9 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday and ends at 2 p.m. both days. Santa will be there to have his photo taken with the youngsters and there will be a Vendor Fair upstairs for the adults.
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Thanks to the Dodge Theatre in Dodgeville for showing the FREE Christmas movie "The Star" last Saturday. It was done once in Spanish followed by another in English!