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An advertising supplement to the Fort Carson Mountaineer and the Peterson & Schriever Space Orbital

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Santa makes a comeback By Stephen K. Hirst

oe Monaco sports a festive Christmas penguin-print shirt while he organizes Santa’s Workshop, the space he’s created outside of his home for families to come visit and take photographs, free of charge. A brightly painted bus acts as a backdrop, while his stuffed reindeer, Chet, stands sentinel beside him. Monaco doesn’t have the traditional belly for a Santa, and needs some padding to achieve something a bit closer to Santa’s waistline. “They say, ‘You’re not fat enough to be Santa!’ But St. Nick was a thin man. … Know who made him fat? Marketing and Coca-Cola,” Monaco said. Monaco — or Santa Joe — has been a Colorado Springs resident since 1962. He’s been in the Santa game in one way or another for over 30 years, which is longer than most — but to him, playing the role is a serious calling. “The most important thing is eye contact and listening. … Make it fun, make them feel important,” Monaco said. He’s also a big believer of getting the whole family involved in the visit and photo, inviting everyone up to be in the frame with the kid. “I’ve had some of the same families coming here 21 years now,” said Monaco. Across Colorado Springs, various businesses are gearing up with their

own versions of a ‘Santa’s workshop’ to spread Christmas spirit, bring smiles to the faces of children, and of course, to drum up those all-important holiday sales numbers. Curt Reulecke has been the general manager at The Citadel mall for about eight years, and has met his fair share of Kris Kringles in that time. This year, their Santa set up shop on Black Friday. Despite uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 Omicron variant, kids this year were able to sit on Santa’s lap, so things were “closer to normal,” Reulecke said. “During the high times of COVID-19 last year, it was a little different,” he said. “We had to do all the social distancing, and kids couldn’t sit on Santa’s lap.” Deidre Peak, the owner of Crafted Colorado, didn’t have Santa at their Downtown location this year, but they did bring in the Big Guy for one day only at their new Powers Bouleveard location. Crafted Colorado partnered with a nearby bakery so those in line to see St. Nick could decorate cookies while they waited. “In 2019, we had approximately 1,300 folks come through that we know decorated cookies,” Peak said. “A lot of folks are repeat customers, but with [people coming to see] Santa, many comment ‘I never knew this place was here,’” Peak said. With the exception of last Christmas, Crafted Colorado has featured an evening

with Santa every year. Rachel Wright is the public relations and social media manager for Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, which features a Santa as part of their ongoing ‘Electric Safari’ event, which also includes 50 acres of Christmas lights, light sculptures and giant inflatable illuminated animals. The event runs through Jan. 1, 2022, and the later admission time is a unique opportunity for zoo-goers. “People can walk through the zoo at night and see the animals in a different setting, and experience that magic of the season with all of the lights,” Wright said. Santa, of course, headlines the evenings. “Santa has his own little workshop, nearby the African lions, so people can come into that area and bring him their Christmas wishlist and take photos with him,” Wright said. At 25 nights, it’s the longest-running zoo event, so “it’s a major fundraising event for us,” she said. “But the real return that lets us know it’s worthwhile is the smiles on people’s faces, that beautiful exclamation when people first see Santa… it adds to the experience and the magic of the season.” Wright estimated attendance will be somewhere around 1,700 visitors per night this year. Chris Koeninger is the general manager at Bass Pro Shops, where there monthlong event also packs in the Christmas crowds. “We will average close to 45-50 people

an hour, and that’s eight to 10 hours a day sometimes,” Koeninger said, emphasizing the primary intent is to create a fun atmosphere for families and a memorable Santa experience for children. “We are seeing children who started coming here in 2013, when we opened, and they’re almost adults now,” he said. “Last year, we had Santa behind a Plexiglas screen,” Koeninger said. The screen was gone this year, but the event remained contactless. With so many visitors, Bass Pro Shops schedules reservations online — people can just show up within 10 minutes of their scheduled appointment. A mall Santa for over 20 years and a Santa trainer for five, Monaco keeps plenty busy this time of year (aside from managing elves his own workshop) volunteering at The Resource Exchange with special needs children and doing other service work. The penguins on Monaco’s Christmasthemed shirt match his billowy white hair and beard, and he has 52 different Christmas-themed shirts so he can wear a different one each day of December. “I even have a Harley-Davidson-themed [Christmas] shirt,” he said. “Because Santa still rides, a little bit. “The whole thing is to keep the magic alive. … God gave up his son, and St. Nicholas gave up his gold,” Monaco said. “This is the season of giving without expecting something else in return.”

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Nonprofits work in tandem with Army agencies during families’ critical times Warehouse’s parent company, and Swanson took over as director of Warriors Warehouse at Fort Carson ost everyone experienc- in 2015. es financial distress at “I’m a retired Air Force NCO,” some point in their lives Swanson said. “While I was serv— unexpected emer- ing in Stuttgart, Germany as part gency repairs at home, or for the of European Command back in the car, for example, or maybe a sudden 1980s, I noticed that sometimes, a lot medical emergency or a last-minute of young service members weren’t travel demand has put a dent in the treated well. I vowed then that when family budget. I retired, I would work to assist them During the holiday season, fam- in any way I could.” ilies may even find themselves in a She moved to the Colorado Springs financial predicament because of area six years ago and found out about overspending, or they’ve discovered Warriors Warehouse soon after artheir paycheck hasn’t quite kept up riving. She started working there as with their latest bills and debts. a regular volunteer and eventually Fortunately for active-duty service moved up to director in three and a members, helping agencies at Fort half years. Carson can provide some critical “It’s rewarding for me because I get relief. tears and laughs and joy from all of Warriors Warehouse, a redistribu- these people,” she said. “Some days tion center, supplies are hard, but you service members get to know these (E-5 and below) people well and with free houseeventually it feels “This year, we hold items at times like you’re one of they may need them their relatives.” may even have most. Right now, she “Most anything enough toys to volunteers her someone could buy time and has four extend it to a at a bed and bath part-time volunstore, that’s what teers on staff, but third day.” we can provide to she says she is alservice members — Donna Swanson ways looking for (at no charge),” said more volunteers, Donna Swanson, as most can only director, Warriors work a few hours Warehouse. And, a week. these are new items — provided by And, there’s plenty of work. Younger retail and wholesale businesses. service members don’t earn as much as Active duty service members (all their more experienced counterparts branches) and their family members and often live paycheck to paycheck, who visit Warriors Warehouse have a so unexpected large expenses can wide variety of goods to choose from, quickly derail their spending power. to include: dishes, utensils, towels, Swanson said Warriors Warehouse bedding, electric kitchen tools and served 713 families last year, not only some baby items. Eligible Soldiers can providing pots and pans, dishes, silbe single or married, are allowed to verware, and comforters, but also a shop once a month and pick up five food bank and a baby bank (by reitems at a time. ferral only). Originally conceived and opened by “We don’t have furniture, but I have Ranya Kelly in 2013, the Fort Carson a connection through Mt. Carmel Warriors Warehouse was created to Veterans Service Center, who can assist Soldiers in need by providing help with that,” Swanson said. “We household items in an effort to make also can assist any service member (retheir family life better. gardless of rank) who has experienced Since then, Kelly moved to the an emergency like a fire or flood or Denver area and is now CEO of the something traumatic in their personal Redistribution Center, Warriors life. There is an obvious need here.” By Scott Prater

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The warehouse, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, also conducts a toy drive and giveaway each holiday season and coat drive each November. “We gave away 450 coats last month during the coat drive,” Swanson said. “During last year’s toy drive we provided toys for more than 490 families and 1,200 children received two toys each. And this year, the Colorado Springs Kiwanis Club donated $1,500 to help us buy holiday toys and an anonymous donator gave us another $1000 for the toy drive/giveaway. We usually reserve the first day of the toy giveaway for E-5 service members and below and then open it up to other ranks on the second day. This year, we may even have enough toys to extend it to a third day.” The organization’s food bank provides a week’s worth of food (dry goods and sometimes meat) for a family, and can also supply up to a month’s worth depending on circumstances and referrals. It’s revenue is derived through grants and donations, though most of the household items are donated by retail and wholesale businesses out of the Denver area. Unlike a lending closet, all items provided at Warriors Warehouse are new and are the service members’ to keep, but not to sell. “Sometimes we receive things from estate sales,” Swanson said. “If there something that I personally would want and I think our Soldiers would want and if an estate sale wants to give it to us, then I will take it.” The warehouse also partners with many helping agencies on an off post, including Mt. Carmel, Fort Carson Chaplains, Army Community Service, on post Army unit family readiness groups, the Mountain Post Spouses Club and Santa’s Workshop, to name a few. Sometimes Swanson will receive referrals from Fort Carson Army Community Service (ACS Financial Readiness Program) advisers, who counsel military families and help them secure short-term zero interest loans or grants through the Army Emergency Relief program. “I just had a conversation with a service member who is dealing with a broken water heater,” said Scott Brown, ACS financial readiness specialist. “Well, new water heaters are about $1,600 at local hardware stores, so that’s a significant hit that comes all at once. That means there’s not much left over to cover your everyday expenses. Nearly everyone needs financial help occasionally, and this is exactly the type of situation where organizations like Warriors Warehouse and ACS can work in tandem to benefit families.” While ACS counselors can help service members in the short term, they also help families create an overall spending budget, and even a holiday-time family

Photo by Bryan Oller

Donna Swanson, director, Warriors Warehouse at Fort Carson, stocks toys Dec. 10 in preparation for the warehouse’s toy give away.

budget. They also help service members plan for the future. In the meantime, service members can use the Warriors Warehouse to help them make it through the lean months. “We see families who are new to Fort Carson and may be struggling financially,” Brown said. “The Warriors Warehouse is a great nonprofit resource for folks where they can go and not be judged for picking up a few free items.” Another goal for ACS financial readiness counselors is providing prevention measures for families. “Especially with these holiday times, we want to help people avoid taking on credit card debt,” Brown said. “The goal is to break even with your paycheck and live off of that, as opposed to racking up loans and payments. That puts people in a hard place for the following year.” Brown explained that the financial readiness program typically ramps up during the first few months of the year as people realize they’ve spent to much during the holidays.

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“We get a lot of class requests in January to kind of help service members get over their holiday hangover,” he said. “Maybe they spend too much during the holidays or on block leave. We let service members know that there are resources available and that they can come over and talk with us one-on-one.” Ultimately, Brown says it’s unfortunate that people often stigmatize those asking for help, finding cheap deals or being thrifty — saving money in smart ways, like shopping at thrift stores or finding appliances through online marketplaces. “People should be proud about saving money,” he said. “These resources are available and there should be no shame in using them.” More information about Warriors Warehouse can be found by visiting their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Warriors-Warehousea nd-T he -Re d i s t r ibut ion- C enter-I nc-For tCarson-512905145507687/. Army Community Service can be reached at 719529-4590 or at https://carson.armymwr.com/ACS.

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A Colorado Springs New Year's Eve By Kristian DePue

“Auld Lang Syne” is a popular song traditionally sung to bid farewell to the old year at the chime of midnight on New Year’s Eve. The poem’s indigenous title is often translated from Scots into standard English as “old long since” or, less literally: “long, long ago,” “days gone by” or simply “old times.” In turn, the lyric “For auld lang syne” can be understood as “for the sake of old times.” We are in the midst of the holiday season, having put Thanksgiving leftovers away — in the fridge or in our tummies — and approaching the leading edge of 2022. For the sake of “auld” 2021, here is a list of Colorado Springs New Year’s Eve events to bridge you into the upcoming year. “From Electric Safari at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo to a fancy gala, ringing in the new year in the Pikes Peak Region is truly special,” said Alexea Veneracion, communications manager with Visit COS. “Don’t forget to look up to Pikes Peak and watch the annual AdAmAn Club fireworks light up America’s Mountain.” Fireworks from Pikes Peak

AdAmAn Club’s annual fireworks display launches from the top of America’s Mountain. The AdAmAn Club has been a tradition since 1922. It is a unique group of mountaineers, who each year on December 30th and 31st, climb the icy slopes of the Barr Trail on the East face of Pikes Peak to reach the apex of America’s Mountain. At the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, the club ignites an impressive display from the summit. Pop a squat anywhere with a view of Pikes Peak to see the fireworks launched from 14,115 feet. The AdAmAn Club is dedicated to the memory of the original “Frozen Five”, Ed Morath, Fred Morath, Fred Barr, Willis Magee and Harry Standley, who founded the hiking club in 1922. Their idea was that each year, only one new member would be added, resulting in the name AdAmAn (add a man) being chosen.

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Go ice skating! Bundle up and glide around in downtown Colorado Springs’ Acacia Park before AdAmAn’s fireworks launch off the top of Pikes Peak. Beginning mid-November, an outdoor ice rink takes residence in Acacia Park. It’s one of the newest holiday activities but already making tradition lists. Open Dec. 31, until 3 p.m. Open New Year’s Day 2022 until 9 p.m. Downtowncs.com/event/skate/ skateinthepark@coloradosprings.gov

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Courtesy Rachel Wright of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

beaver named Ginger live on the eastern grade of the southern Front Range, looking over Colorado Springs. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Electric Safari is back this holiday season with its 31st edition, featuring 50 acres of twinkling lights and 60 light sculptures. New this year: giant, illuminated animal inflatables, adding to the month-long celebration that continues through New Year’s Day. Electric Safari is free for CMZoo members. General admission is from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Electric Safari ends at 8:30 p.m. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Rd. 719-633-9925 | info@cmzoo.org cmzoo.org Tickets: cmzoo.org/electric Facebook: @CMZoo Instagram: @cheyennemountainzoo

Electric Safari at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Colorado Springs Philharmonic New Year’s Eve Performance At the Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts This is Colorado Springs’ claim-tofame longest running New Year’s Eve celebration. Classics from Gershwin, Broadway and Andrew Lloyd Webber. “This year, the long tradition gets a local flair with two fantastic residents of Colorado Springs — backed by the full-strength of our incomparable orchestra,” said Lynn Holladay, Vice President of Operations, Colorado Springs Philharmonic. “Folk music singer-songwriter Joe Johnson’s original tunes and Broadway star Josh Franklin’s golden vocals will have you stomping your feet and dancing in the aisles.” The Philharmonic’s New Year’s Eve concert starts at 7:30 p.m. and runs for approximately two hours. “It’s the perfect way to celebrate earlier in the night: get off the roads and home safely before midnight — or head downtown for a toast with friends as the clock strikes the turn of the year,” said Holladay. The Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts is a concert auditorium that serves as an entertainment, cultural, educational and assembly center for the citizens of El Paso County, the Pikes

Peak region and the surrounding area since 1982. The Pikes Peak Center has, in forty years, achieved international approval for its design and acoustical attributes — artists and critics have spoken highly in their compliments of the performance venue. Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts 190 South Cascade Ave. csphilharmonic.org pikespeakcenter.com Electric Safari at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo A seasonal light sculpture display within a one-of-a-kind zoological park The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is a unique experience with its topographical elevation against the Front Range of the Rockies — recognized and renowned as America’s Mountain Zoo. Additionally, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was honored Gold in three categories by the Colorado Springs Business Journal’s 2021 Best in Business awards. At an elevation of 6,714 feet above sea level, it is the highest zoological park in the United States. Giraffes, elephants, a baby hippo named Omo and a diligent

AdAmAn Club’s Pikes Peak fireworks show As a Colorado Springs native, I’ve watched the fireworks on Pikes Peak for many years. As a kid, it was a family-favorite occasion to wait up for. As an adult, it’s a party-wide rush. Both scenarios are magical and exhilarating. It takes great dedication and focus for the [AdAmAn] volunteers to climb up there and set up the display — always a good reminder for my own goals in the coming new year. We are so blessed to have this majestic mountain in our backyard. – Stephanie Adams, UCCS Downtown Presence Site Director

Testimonials

Glen Eyrie’s New Year’s Eve Gala A distinguished, alcohol-free holiday occasion Close out 2021 with an exceptional evening of elegance at Glen Eyrie Castle. This event is packed with fun and festive activities, including live music by the George Sisneros Band, dancing and a crafted, coursed feast inside the grandeur of The Great Hall (accessible by elevator). The event goes from 6:00p.m. to 10p.m. on New Year’s Eve, with tickets starting at $125, plus tax. Glen Eyrie is an alcohol-free and marijuana-free property. Sparkling cider will be served for toasts. George Sisneros is one of Colorado’s premiere entertainers, who can seamlessly maneuver a range of musical genres that include Jazz, Blues, Swing, Spanish, Irish, Country, Classic Rock and Ballads. There are few places as rich in both history and spirit as Colorado Springs’ Glen Eyrie Castle. Constructed in the late 1800s by founder of Colorado Springs General William Jackson Palmer, Glen Eyrie was a modern marvel for its day featuring electrical power supplied by its own power plant and some of the first telephones in the West.

Skate in the Park I grew up in Illinois with three lakes surrounding my house. Every winter, my siblings and I would go ice skating every day after school. It was my favorite activity as a child. When I moved to Colorado Springs, I lost the lakes, but was grateful to find an outdoor rink at Acacia Park. This rink may be small, but it holds a large place in our hearts and memories as a family. I have continued the tradition with my husband and children. There is no greater joy than seeing their smiling faces as they glide around the rink. – Katie Miller, certified nutritionist

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Glen Eyrie Castle 3820 N. 30th St. 719-265-7050 gleneyrie.org New Year’s Eve Gala webpage: gleneyrie.org/our-event/ new-years-eve-gala/ Facebook: @gleneyrie Instagram: @gleneyriecastle 2021 Holiday Pop-Up Shops – through Dec. 31st The Holiday Pop-Up Shop program is an opportunity for new or growing retailers to test downtown as a viable option for a brick-and-mortar location. Recent additions to downtown — such as The Local Honey Collective, Eclectic CO, and Crafted Colorado — got their start downtown through this program. “Th ree outstanding Holiday PopUp shops are participating this season through December 31,” said Katie Frank, Economic Development Manager with the Downtown Partnership of Colorado Springs. “Downtown is fortunate to have Mountain Standard Goods, Good Eye, and Maggie M Boutique as quality shops with a variety of goods including specialty men’s retail, vintage clothing and accessories, home items, and specialty baby items. We are hoping all three will have a permanent storefront starting in January, which speaks to the overall enthusiasm and success for this program.” Downtowncs.com/popup 2021 Pop-Ups: Mountain Standard Goods Sustainably minded men’s apparel, gifts and curated vintage home goods and furniture Instagram: @mst_goods Maggie M Boutique Comfortable, stylish and functional clothing for baby and mom, bath and body products, home décor and accessories, bath and body products Instagram: @shopmaggiem Good Eye Sustainably and ethically produced goods, vintage women’s clothing, jewelry and accessories goodeyeshop.com

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Electric Safari The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of our favorite places to spend a day with our kids and The Electric Safari did not disappoint! In addition to the perfect weather — a surprisingly warm December evening — the animals were out to say hello! We got to see Santa who was so sweet and attentive with the littles. We were enchanted with the singing and dancing penguins and all the huge inflatable animals between the exhibits. Grab a warm cup of hot chocolate, ride the carousel, and visit with the sleepy, nocturnal animals in a unique holiday experience! Thank you to all of the wonderful people who helped run the show and made our zoo lights experience one to remember forever! – Emma Thompson, manager with Vanguard Homes

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December 24, 2021 — January 1, 2022

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DARK DAYS OF WINTER:

on seasonal affective disorder

By Fiona Truant

any carry memories of childhood wonder and joy from winter holiday seasons past, whether those memories are of lights and gifts, feasting and family, or the simple beauty of snow blanketing the Earth. But, lately, the glow just isn’t as bright. Gathering with friends and family — as much as is possible — might bring anxiety instead of joy. It may be harder to remember details or to make plans. The cold brings a craving for heavy meals and carbohydrates, and holiday weight gain happens so fast. As expectations and obligations pile up, as they always do around the holidays, it gets harder to work through them. Hobbies lose their appeal. Then comes the guilt; these things were easier just a few weeks ago. Or maybe these things were easy a few months ago. It’s pretty common for people to have less energy and perhaps some degree of emotional funk in winter, but the above statements are not common winter blues. These are all examples of symptoms of a type of depression called seasonal affective disorder. It starts coming on in autumn and intensifies in winter, before fading in spring. Known colloquially under other names like seasonal depression or winter depression, SAD occurs in around 5 percent of American adults, according to the American Psychiatric Association. And like other forms of depression, it can be diagnosed by a mental health professional and treated. SAD has been linked to changes in the brain caused by less sun and shorter days, so it’s more common in places further from the equator, where winter days are even shorter. Aside from that factor, it acts like other kinds of depression, occurring more in women than men, first appearing in a person’s late teens to mid-20s, and more common in people with mental illness, as well as their parents, children or siblings. As for how it works, scientists have not figured out the exact changes that take place in people with SAD when winter comes. They do know, however, that it has to do with how the body tracks time passing, also called circadian rhythm. The National Institute of Mental Health explains circadian rhythm as physical, mental and behavioral changes that follow a 24-hour cycle. Circadian rhythm is controlled by a part of the brain that talks directly to the eyes, so it’s strongly affected by light and dark — by days getting shorter and nights getting longer, for example. The body releases more melatonin — a hormone that the body uses to regulate its sleep cycle, according to the NIMH — and gets sleepier earlier. But if the body naturally slows down and wants more sleep during the darker half of the year, why doesn’t everyone experience SAD? “The difference with SAD, however, is that what is experienced is an exaggerated version of these mild seasonal blues, and, in particular, that, while most people cope with these feelings, those with SAD find their ability to cope is seriously affected — sometimes disabled — by the condition,” said journalist Fiona Marshall and Dr. Peter Cheevers in their 2002 book, Coping with SAD. Looping back for an example, winter holidays tend to come with social and financial obligations, like parties, dinners, gift-giving, charitable giving, travel and many other things. When they all crop up around the same time, it’s not unusual to get overwhelmed or worn out trying to fit these obligations into the time available. But

when a person’s response to winter holiday obligations starts having a negative effect on the rest of their life, it’s a problem. When the response comes with sleeplessness or oversleeping, loss of interest in hobbies, and increased craving for sugars and other simple carbohydrates, it’s a problem. Still, there’s a gray area between SAD and seasonal blues, according to Dr. Norman Rosenthal, who named and defined SAD. As such, it’s helpful to consult a mental health professional to help figure out if things would be helped by medical intervention.

As expectations and obligations pile up, as they always do around the holidays, it gets harder to work through them When it comes to addressing SAD, treatment options largely overlap with treatment for other types of depression, with one added option. Light therapy is daily exposure to bright light that resembles outdoor light, typically done by exposing the person with SAD to a “light box” or phototherapy box. NIMH says that light therapy has been used to treat SAD since the 1980s, and the typical treatment time of 30 to 45 minutes lines up with known minimum requirements for daylight. Light boxes give off day-like light but filter out ultraviolet rays, so they don’t contribute to skin cancer. There’s more to the relationship between sunlight and SAD, too. Sunlight causes the skin to produce vitamin D, a necessary nutrient that’s also found in some foods. The body needs vitamin D to produce serotonin, a neurotransmitter that has a wide range of effects on mood, sleep, digestion and more — but especially mood. Low serotonin levels in winter corresponds to SAD, according to NIMH. NIMH notes mixed success at treating SAD with vitamin D supplements, as studies have produced mixed results. Marshall and Cheevers advise against treating SAD with vitamin D supplements, as the body can’t get rid of excess vitamin D the way it can with some nutrients, and too much vitamin D can cause health problems that take months to manifest, according to the Mayo Clinic. It’s worth noting also that light therapy may have a diminished effect or no effect on other forms of depression. As for treatments that do work on other forms of depression, medication and cognitive behavioral therapy tend to be the most common, and they may be used in conjunction with light therapy. The antidepressants most often prescribed for SAD are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which keeps serotonin in the brain longer before it’s reabsorbed into the body, according to the Mayo Clinic. SSRIs tend to have fewer and milder side effects than other antidepressants, so medical professionals usually recommend them first. Just like with other kinds of depression, finding an effective SSRI that

doesn’t cause major side effects may be a matter of trial and error, as it can take multiple weeks of regular doses to figure out if an SSRI will do the job or not. Therapy, namely CBT, can be used to help people reframe the way they think about a difficult situation, according to NIMH, which can result in change in feelings and behavior related to the situation. CBT for SAD, or CBT-SAD, usually includes negative thought replacement and behavioral activation. In layman’s terms, CBT-SAD helps people think about winter as something neutral, rather than something inherently negative, and it helps them find ways to back that change in thinking up by finding enjoyable things to do during winter, mak ing them more resilient. That might mean

spending time with friends, making time for a book or getting into winter sports — a thing for which Colorado is renowned. Beyond that, the APA notes that general physical and psychological health can help treat many types of depression, including SAD. Maintaining an active lifestyle and a balanced diet helps, as does a regular sleep cycle and maintaining connections with friends, family and community. Of course, SAD makes it harder to do those exact things, but some beats none. Finally, keep in mind that SAD can’t last forever. When the days get longer, it fades away, usually around March or April. So while it can be hard to cope with, it ends, just like most kinds of clinical depression, no matter how much SAD makes it seem otherwise. After all, in the words of Roy Khan, “What does the winter bring, if not yet another spring?” shutterstock.com

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December 24, 2021 — January 1, 2022

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December 24, 2021 — January 1, 2022

#1 MILLENNIAL MELTDOWN by ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE ALINA HECHT

Ingredients:

Sugar cookie from allrecipes.com (below), or use pre-made sugar cookie dough from Pillsbury or Betty Crocker and follow baking instructions on the package. 2¾ c. all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking soda ½ tsp. baking powder 1 c. butter, softened 1½ c. white sugar 1 egg 1 tsp. vanilla extract White cookie icing (Betty Crocker) M&Ms, red and green Cherry licorice (Pull ‘n‘ Peel Twizzlers) Large marshmallows Black decorating gel or chocolate icing

Process:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda and baking powder. Set aside. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Roll teaspoons of dough into ball shapes, and place on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden. Let stand on cookie sheet about 2 minutes before removing to cool on wire racks. Decoration: On cooled cookies, draw a “snow puddle” with white icing. Outline the puddle first, then go back and fill in the shape. While the icing is still wet... Make the face on the marshmallow, using black decorating gel or chocolate icing, before placing it on one side of the cookie. Using a medium-size rope off the cherry licorice, wrap around the marshmallow with the ends overlapping one another for the scarf. Place 2 M&Ms as buttons in front of the marshmallow. When the icing has firmed, use black decorating gel or chocolate icing to draw arms alongside the buttons. Makes 24 cookies.

#2 GINGERBREAD COOKIES by CIRCULATION MANAGER TRACIE WOODS

Ingredients:

5 c. all-purpose flour ½ tsp. baking soda 1 tbsp. ground ginger 4 tsp. ground cinnamon ¾ tsp. ground cloves 1 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg 1 tsp. allspice 1½ tsp. salt 16 tbsp. (2 sticks) unsalted butter ½ c. firmly packed light brown sugar ½ c. granulated sugar 1 c. unsulfured molasses 1 egg Colored sugar, decorating pens and royal icing for decorating

Process:

Have all the ingredients at room temperature. Over a sheet of parchment paper, sift together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, allspice and salt. Set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the flat beater, beat the butter on medium-high speed until fluffy and pale yellow, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the brown and granulated sugars and beat for 1 minute. Reduce the speed to low and add the molasses, beating until well combined, about 1 minute. Add the egg and beat until combined, about 30 seconds. Add the flour mixture in 4 additions, beating in each addition before adding more. Beat just until combined, stopping the mixer occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Using floured hands, form the dough into a smooth mound and divide into 4 equal portions. Shape each into a disk and wrap separately with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to two days. Place racks in the top third and bottom third of an oven and preheat to 400 degrees. Line several baking sheets with parchment paper. Remove 1 dough disk at a time from the refrigerator and let stand for 10 minutes. On a floured surface, roll out dough to a thickness of ¼ to 3/8 inch. Dip a cookie cutter into flour and cut out cookies and transfer to the prepared baking sheets. Repeat with the remaining dough, rerolling scraps to cut out additional cookies. Bake the cookies until edges are set and lightly browned on the bottom, rotating pans 180 degrees and from top to bottom halfway through baking, 8 to 10 minutes total. Transfer the baking sheets to wire racks and let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheets. Decorate the cookies as desired with colored sugars, decorating pens and royal icing. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

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Great

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Photos by Bryan Oller

COOKIE bake oﬀ 2021

By Greta Anderson

he staff at Colorado Publishing House was delighted to be back together in the office this year for its third annual holiday cookie contest that pits colleague against colleague for year-long bragging rights and a shot at having recipes shared with our readers. The staff, it turns out, is an incredibly competitive bunch. From trash-talking to resurfaced hurt feelings from previous bake-offs. The judges were brutal and demanded more than just a tasty treat. The 2021 bake-off champ went beyond flavor and was able to capture something philosophical, leaving us to wonder how a baked goodie can be so deep. In a rush to get her entry ready, Advertising Account Executive Alina Hecht created snowmen masterpieces — “Millennial Meltdown” cookies — which personified her own holiday stress. “I was talking about how I’m essentially drowning in all the stuff I have to do,” Hecht said. With her limited kitchen supplies and near-empty fridge (such a Millennial) Hecht used a very simple sugar cookie base and store-bought white cookie icing, building melting marshmallow snowmen on top. The 2021 bake-off judges, Editor-in-Chief Bryan Grossman, Advertising Account Executive Cate Elgin and guest judge Chantal Lucas, founding chef of Luchals in the COATI food hall, were tickled by the snowmen’s miserable facial expressions and teeny Red Rope candy scarves. They were so detailed and cute, that the judges didn’t pay much attention to the fact that the snowmen were melting in agony. Elgin was more focused on how the cookie melted in her mouth. “Oh, that’s it,” she said while taking a bite. The judges were particular about cookie texture and rejected overly complex recipes. They also shared that they are not fans of conventional flavors of the holiday season, namely peppermint. Needless to say, the one cookie entry with crushed candy canes on top did not make it into the winner’s circle and barely into the judges’ tummies. Lucas said she excludes mint from Luchals’ dessert offerings this time of year. The cajun soul food kitchen will soon be selling another twist on holiday flavors -- eggnog cheesecake with a kick of Fireball whiskey. It may not be a cookie and Lucas isn’t on staff, but for next year’s bake-off could she submit some of that deliciousness? The second-place cookie was decidedly an exception to the judges’ dislike for traditional Christmas flavors. They agreed that Circulation Manager Tracie Woods’s gingerbread deserved recognition for its nostalgia-provoking shape and taste. Finally, graphic designer Elena Trapp’s almond cookies placed third and led her to a second appearance on the bake-off podium. In 2019, the first year of the contest, Trapp’s Candy Crunch Chip Cookies stole first place. Looks like she’s got a knack for this. Take note of the winning recipes and happy holidays from Colorado Publishing House!

#3 ALMOND COOKIES

by GRAPHIC DESIGNER ELENA TRAPP

Ingredients:

3 c. almond flour ¾ c. white sugar Pinch of salt 3 tsp. almond extract 3 large egg whites Powdered sugar for dusting Sliced or whole raw almonds

Process:

Preheat oven to 335 degrees. In a large bowl, mix together the almond flour, sugar and salt until well combined. Mix in almond extract and egg whites. If the dough seems too gooey, you can add more almond flour until it is firm and not sticky. Place some powdered sugar on a plate. Roll the dough into tablespoon-sized balls, and roll them in the sugar. Place the cookies on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and top each with two to three almond slices or one whole almond. Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until cookies are golden brown on the bottom and around the edges. Let cookies cool on the cookie sheet, then transfer to a plate and enjoy! Makes about 14 cookies.

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December 24, 2021 — January 1, 2022

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