---

The Dodgeville Area Chamber of  Commerce pretty much has things set for the annual "Home For The Holidays" events that begins on Small Business Saturday, November 30 (the weekend after Thanksgiving) until Christmas. On the 30th, it all begins with a FREE movie at the Dodge Theatre at 11:00 a.m. This year's show will be "The Star." Admission will be FREE but a non-perishable food item is asked for entry. That stash will be given to the Food Pantry! This will be followed by Noon to 3:30 Carriage Rides, Live Nativity Scene at Plymouth Congregational Church and Free Hot Chocolate and Cookies inside Plymouth Church. There will be "Photos With Santa" at Cobblestone Coffee House from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. Then there will be a Cookie Walk inside the Methodist Church from 2:00 until sold out (walk through pick up the cookies you like, they will be weighed and sold to you on a per pound basis). All proceeds of the Cookie Walk will go to the Dodger Food Locker. At 4:00 they (a committee) have brought back the Christmas Parade that will be downtown on Iowa Street, starting at Kwik Trip and ending at the Courthouse/Chapel Street. At 4:30 (or immediately after the parade) a Memorial Lighting Ceremony will be held outside on the Courthouse lawn with "Memory Lights" readings of those remembered. From 4:45 to 7:00 p.m. there will be a first-time Roasting Marshmallows and S'Mores event in the parking lot of the Methodist Church and MHTC
Make sure you check out the holiday events as they are released all over the area.
*****
There's still time to sign up for the "Christmas Parade" on the 30th at 4:00 p.m. through downtown Dodgeville and the Memorial Lights that will be on display that evening and throughout the holiday season!
*****
But, before the Christmas Holiday Events there will be plenty of Thanksgiving events going on. The Community Thanksgiving Meal will be held Thanksgiving Day (November 28) in Dodgeville. It takes on two locations this year. The "eat-in" meal will be served at the newly remodeled kitchen at Grace Lutheran Church located on the north end of the city before you reach Kwik Trip North. The home delivered meals will be handled by staff at St. Joseph Catholic Church.
*****
I had the chance to go to the Dodgeville High School musical "Into the Woods" Friday night and Saturday. With it being three hours long, I saw the first half Friday night then the second half Saturday afternoon. The kids did a great job. There was a lot of talent on the stage, in the music pit and behind the scenes! The above photo shows a "Cinderella" scene with (l-r) Corley Jewell as Florinda, McKenna Bucci as Lucinda, Matty Olson as Cinderella and Natalie Goetzke as Cinderella's Step Mother.
*****
Monday was Veterans Day. I hope you got a chance to attend a program in your area. The veterans should be remembered and recognized. It's sad that some of our U.S. citizens don't realize it is because of them we are a "Free Country" and we have the rights that we have!
*****
The Mineral Point football team couldn't make it through their Level 3 game Friday night at Mondovi. It was a tough 29-22 loss for them, but they should be congratulated on a fantastic season, just one game short of state!
*****
River Valley won at Level 3 and will be going to Waukesha Catholic Memorial Friday night with a state finals trip on the line. Good luck to the neighboring Blackhawks!