While in Evergreen yesterday we stopped at Creekside Cellars for a late lunch. We weren’t the only ones, they were slammed. Obviously not a routine Monday, everyone seems to still be on holiday except the hard working Creekside staff. The tasting room/cafe isn’t large and the popularity of both the wine and food attracts loyal followers. The favorite summer seating, on the deck overhanging Bear Creek, was even filled on this sunny and warm December day.
"Hay There" by Sarah Phippen
Four Castle Rock local artists have their work displayed on banners hanging from downtown light poles. The public voted to select the artworks from among 20 finalists participating in the “Art on the Street” program sponsored by the Town of Castle Rock. During the 2008-09 fall and winter: “Is that you, Deer?” a wood burning by Fritz Anders, Dix Morris’ pastel “Morning has Broken”, an oil painting “Hay There” by Sarah Phippen and Mark C. Williams’ photograph “Crystal River” have been digitally rendered onto the banners.
On this bright sunny Saturday between Christmas and New Years we decided on a drive and leisurely lunch. Castle Rock became the destination. Hearing Warren Byrne comment on his restaurant show about the Christmas decorations at Augustine Grill we decided to make a return visit. 
The Augustine Grill is located in a 1902 Victorian home near Castle Rock’s courthouse square. We were immediately seated in the Main Dining Room, a bright open space with lots of windows, a gas fireplace and Christmas tree reaching to the ceiling. The room was nearly filled at a little after 1:00 pm.
Sweet Treat
Hammonds Candies promises a sweet addition to your holiday shopping or stockings. A Denver tradition since 1920 Hammonds is best known for their handmade candy canes. There’s a flavor for every taste – holiday favorites like cinnamon, cherry, peppermint, cranberry and sugar plum. Fruit flavors range from apple to very berry and for the unusual try bubble gum, cotton candy or key lime. And, for a real treat select one of the filled candy canes – chocolate filled cherry, raspberry or peppermint and vanilla filled cinnamon. YUM!
Hammond’s retail store brims with buckets of candy canes, baskets of old-fashioned ribbon candy, bags of peppermint pillows and rows and rows of lollipops. Swirls of the hand-twisted confections come in 1-ounce, 4-ounce and giant 1-pound sizes.
Note: Come Valentine’s Day some of the lollipops take on a heart shaped twist.
The friendly staff leads tours of the candy kitchen. Visitors watch through large windows as sugary syrups cook in huge copper pots, poured onto large cooling tables, coloring and flavoring added before being kneaded, stretched and formed. The mixture must be just the right temperature to cut into individual lengths. When each batch is ready candymakers deftly and quickly crook each candy cane or swirl lollipops.
Not surprisingly tours end in the candy store.
Tours are available every half hour year round, Monday-Friday 9am-3 pm, Saturday 10am-3pm. The store and factory are closed on Sunday. Tours are FREE.
Families and individuals are welcome to tour without reservations. Groups should call ahead to schedule a time. Behind the scenes tours can be scheduled.
Hammond’s is located at 5735 N. Washington Street, Denver, Colorado. Candy store open Monday-Friday 9am-4:30pm and Saturday 10am4pm. Directions and online shopping available on their website.
Each December Hammond’s hosts the Candy Cane Festival – Dec. 12, 2009, 9am-5pm. Take a tour, finish off your Christmas shopping, whisper your list to Santa, feed his reindeer or enjoy the variety of activities. Caroling, storytelling, gingerbread cookie decorating, carnival games, face painting and trolley rides keep everyone entertained. 
The delight of a child- toddler to teen – Santa’s lap is sure to boost your holiday spirits.
After your visit to Hammond’s I bet you won’t be able to wait till Christmas for your first sweet treat.
Hammond’s is located at 5735 N. Washington Street, Denver, Colorado. Candy store open Monday-Friday 9am-4:30pm and Saturday 10am4pm. Directions and online shopping available on their website.
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