Four of us girls came home from “The Nutcracker” with
Tchaikovsky’s wonderful score on a CD.

We range in age from 4-76, and all of us were enthralled with
the awesome Colorado Ballet’s familiar music and superb
dance.

The 4-year-old had eyes full of wonder and excitement. The
oldest in our group remembered seeing the ballet for the first time
when she was 12 and her older sister took her to see it in Boston.
The dancing made both of them want to be ballerinas.

It continues to have a universal appeal. The costuming is
incredible. The dancing is unbelievable. The nutcrackers marching
on stage, the growing of the Christmas tree, all the presents and
everything else delight even those who have seen it many
times.

The 4-year-old wanted to see the orchestra in the pit and wanted
to know what all the instruments were. After the show we went to a
little deli and saw other little girls dressed in their finery. A
special treat was to see some of the members of the cast in street
clothes at the deli. It was an experience to be long remembered by
all.

“A Christmas Carol,” by Charles Dickens, also continues its
traditional appearance by the Denver Center Theatre Company.
Written in 1843 in London for the holidays it is a timeless story
of Ebenezer Scrooge and his encounters with the ghosts of Christmas
Past, Present and Future.

The Christmas Future offers an opportunity for Scrooge to change
his ways and becomes s source of hope and renewal. It causes the
audience take a look at their own life.

As some have said there is nothing like it to get you in the
Christmas Spirit.

The Parade of Lights has come and gone. The lights on the Denver
City and County Building will remain on each evening through the
holidays. They are always an inspiration. The best way to get down
town is on light rail.

At 16th and California streets, switch to the free mall shuttle
and continue to Broadway. Walk to Civic Center park. Prepare to be
enthralled. The Colorado State Capitol has white lights.

During the holidays the City County Building is all aglow with
the colored lights. Dress warm and don’t forget the
camera.

Take a walk in your neighborhood to see more lights. I don’t
know when I have seen more holiday lights. This is a red, white and
blue Christmas.

Finish up the holiday the same way it began, by looking at the
white star on our own Castle Rock. Cherish each other.

Carolyn Boshnyak is a free-lance journalist who lives Douglas
County.