After a frantic Christmas Eve, when roads were full of shoppers trying to finish their holiday shopping, Durango was serene on Christmas Day.
St. Columba Catholic and St. Mark’s Episcopal churches started the day with a worship service. Even though St. Columba had celebrated Mass at four Christmas Eve services, the church had a full house Wednesday morning, as well.
For the Rev. Kevin Novack, celebrating his first Christmas at St. Columba, that meant getting to bed after 1 a.m. and being back in church early the next morning.
“Christmas may be magical, but it’s not magic,” he said in his homily. “Someone has to do the work, just as it will take an effort on our part to bring peace to the world.”
Up at Manna Soup Kitchen, Clark Kinser helped kitchen manager Darcy Cole prepare a memorable spread. A donated 80-pound piece of beef went into the oven Tuesday night, and he fried six turkeys then, too.
“This year was easier than last,” he said, “when I had to be here at 4 a.m. to start roasting turkeys.”
When did he start this year?
“Five a.m.,” he said with a grin, adding that he had roasted another six turkeys Wednesday morning.
The soup kitchen estimated it served about 300 meals Christmas Day, turning over the tables three or four times during the two-hour period it was open.
“This year, we didn’t advertise it as much,” Executive Director Kathy Tonnessen said. “We decided it wasn’t our place to feed the whole community, as we had done in previous years, but to make sure those who needed it got a good meal.”
Manna’s Christmas tree was surrounded by piles of gifts, jackets and blankets. One woman was picking out toys for her 14-month-old granddaughter; another group got a stack of board games for family fun.
“We have a lot of Christmas angels,” board Chairwoman Lynne Sholler said. “We’ve had our shares of ‘nos,’ but most people say ‘yes.’”
People visiting Durango for the holidays who weren’t on the slopes at Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort found slim pickings in town. From North Main Avenue to Bodo Industrial Park, the community was awash with empty parking lots.
Only a few restaurants were open, including the Mahogany Grille at the Strater Hotel, Edgewater Grill at the DoubleTree Hotel and The Ore House, and they were slammed. Those looking for more exotic fare could dine at the Himalayan Kitchen or Mongolian Grill.
Almost all retail establishments were closed except Treasures from Tibet.
And chocoholics were in luck, as the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Store in Rio Grande Land was busily dishing up truffles, fudge and caramel apples until 6 p.m.
Law enforcement, firefighters, hospital personnel, hoteliers and journalists, such as yours truly, were on duty, because those jobs never take a day off.
But for most locals, it was a day with family and friends, unwrapping gifts, skiing, playing games, watching basketball and feasting according to their family traditions.
That was Christmas in Durango for 2013.
abutler@durangoherald.com
