NEWS
December 2021
HRCA HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS “There’s no place like home for the holidays!” This is especially true in Highlands Ranch. HRCA has events, classes, and activities to keep your family entertained throughout the season. Santa is busy making his list of good girls and boys! If your child can't meet with the Jolly Old Elf in person this year, be sure to drop off his or her Christmas wish list from now until December 17 at Eastridge Recreation Center. Include your address, and all letters received by that date will get a response from the North Pole!
HR HISTORIC HIGHLIGHTS: HIGHLANDS RANCH- “HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS”
Kick off the season with the annual Hometown Holiday on December 3 at Town Center South. This fun-filled evening includes caroling, crafts, a Winter Market, a visit with Santa's reindeer, and even pictures with Santa–all free of charge! Experience Chamber Music for the Holidays on December 11 and 12 with the Chamber Music Society of Greater Denver at the Wildcat Auditorium at Southridge Recreation Center. Tickets are on sale now at www.HRCAonline.org/Tickets.
Highlands Ranch has bragging rights for numerous awards. Long-time residents Debbie and Ken Rudolph and Diane and Dennis Pahler attest to its quality of life.
For many, a favorite holiday tradition is viewing homes decorated in festive lights. Submit your house to our Holiday House Decorating map. Entries should include a photo and can be submitted online at www.HRCAonline.org/HolidayHouse. The addresses and photos will be posted at www.HRCAonline.org/Happenings with a map showing the locations on December 10, then you can take a drive and look at the lights.
Activities and Classes - Stay inside and create memories by making holiday-themed art, crafts, and treats. Adults will enjoy art and pottery projects. Little ones will learn to make Christmas and winter crafts, snacks, and more with Holiday Art, Crafts, and Cooking Classes.
Holiday Break Camps - Help your kids stay active over the Winter Break at our Backcountry, Art, STEM, Sports, and even a Special Needs Winter Break Sports Camp. Find a complete list of camps at www.HRCAonline.org/Camps. Visit www.HRCAonline.org/Happenings for details on these activities and more!
SUPPORT THE ARTS IN YOUR COMMUNITY Colorado's largest day of giving, Colorado Gives Day, is on Tuesday, December 7. When you make your donations this year, please support the Highlands Ranch Cultural Affairs Association (CAA). The CAA produces and presents nearly 40 cultural, historic, and educational programs and events annually, including Highlands Ranch Pioneer Days, Oktoberfest, the Summer Concert Series, Culture on the Green, and many others. The CAA also funds the annual Art Encounters outdoor sculpture program in Highlands Ranch. To donate to the CAA, go to www.ColoradoGives.org/CAA. You can also go online to schedule your donation in advance.
In January 1980, Ken started his job as director of engineering for Mission Viejo, developers of the New Town of Highlands Ranch, 20 months before the company sold its first house in September 1981. At the time, the Rudolphs were in a new house in Morrison. “However, we decided to move to Highlands Ranch because I was working on the project all the time,” Ken said. They moved to Northridge in April 1983 when son Andrew was 3. Besides the shorter commute, Ken liked that “Mission Viejo wanted development done right.” The company’s dedication to doing “everything right” began with special treatment of its fledgling community. “We received turkeys for Thanksgiving and tree ornaments at Christmas,” recalled Debbie Rudolph. That personal touch enhanced the feeling of “home.” Highlands Ranch has garnered one award after another, such as Money Magazine and Travel & Leisure’s recognition as the “Top 10 Best Places to Live” in the U.S. In 2020, U.S. News (story continued on page 3)