Boom-bay-yay: It’s time to wrap-up those holiday gifts and get ready to welcome in the New Year. Fresh beginnings, clean starts, reaffirmation of love and promises of a bright future come to mind as the Valley gets set to ring in a New Year. We’re also reminded of the words to Auld Lang Syne written in 1788 by Scottish Poet Robert Burns.
“Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and days o’lang syne!” It is a New Year’s Eve ritual in song.
Here are our should not be forgot choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to fill you with fun, food and good fortune to carry you into a bright New Year:
3 Brighten the holidays and your home by shopping at Paulino Gardens Christmas Open House Dec. 2-4. It’s a winter wonderland of décor and gift ideas plus hot apple cider and cookies. Information: 303-429-8062.
3 Donate toys to kids in need on Old South Gaylord Dec. 3, 12-4 p.m., or Dec. 6 at Denver Mattress (1243 S. Colorado Blvd.) Information: 303-988-2465.
3 Travel through the 12 days of Christmas with the Denver Pops Orchestra at Historic Grant Ave. Dec. 10, 4 and 7 p.m. Information: 303-733-8940.
3 Make and decorate gingerbread to take home at Denver Botanic Gardens workshop on Dec. 10-11, 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. Information: 720-865-3501.
3 The Monaco Inn Restaurant has become a Valley holiday tradition and families can enjoy those familiar smells and tastes again this Christmas Eve 4-8 p.m. and New Year’s Eve, 4-9 p.m. Information: 303-320-1104.
3 Thrilling and beautiful, St. Martin’s Chamber Choir will again sing the Christmas carols of England at St. John’s Cathedral Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m. Organist Ralph Valentine adds accompaniment. Information: 303-298-1970.
3 Enjoy fireworks of laughter New Year’s Eve at the Bovine Metropolis Theater shows on Champa 4, 7 and 10 p.m. Information: 303-758-4722.
3 Look up in the sky over the 16th St. Mall New Year’s Eve as fireworks sparkle down at 8 p.m. and again at midnight. Information: 303-892-1112.
3 Take your family on a trip back in time this season. Four Mile Historic Park brings back the true spirit of Christmas, when the holiday wasn’t about shopping but the fun of connecting with family and friends. This year the event is Dec. 3, 12-4 p.m. Ring in the season Victorian style decorating the Four Mile tree, singing carols, creating crafts, music and storytelling. Father Christmas attends. Information: 720-865-0800.
Valley streets, restaurants and pubs ring with the lilting tune Auld Lang Syne each New Year’s Eve. It is sweet, nostalgic and hopeful so thus we sing. Or, at least we hum the first couple of lines then mumble into champagne glasses. Guy Lombardo is credited with popularizing the song when his band played it between radio shows in 1929.
By coincidence, as he did the show from New York’s Roosevelt Hotel he played Auld Lang Syne as the clock hit midnight. Thus the New Year’s tradition was born.
Year’s end — as it is often noted — is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us. Be at peace with your neighbors and at war with your vices as you recall those days gone by. As we wrap up the holidays and ring in the New Year, “we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet for auld lang syne.”
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.