Ear to the ground

“We realized that we’re both old and fat, and we don’t care.”

-A Durangoan and his wife on their decision to sell their Soloflex

Prohibition’s return

Bootleggers and teetotalers rejoice! Prohibition is still long dead.

The Durango Bootleggers will celebrate the “Dry Law’s” long burial at the 5th annual Brew Years’ Eve Party this Saturday at the Carver Brewing Co. The public is encouraged to knock back a pint or six in honor of the 74th anniversary of Prohibition’s repeal.

The show starts at 9 p.m. at Carvers with a historical depiction of Prohibition-era Durango by local Historian Duane Smith. Those in attendance will also enjoy live bluegrass by Deep Blue Creek and get a taste of the Prohibition experience along with the commemorative suds of the evening, Spring Tonic Elixir. Mock-1930s era Prohibitionists will be on hand to entertain, and entrance to the event will happen via a speak-easy door, appropriately guarded by mafia thugs (The secret password is “Roosevelt.”) Attendees can also admire vintage Model Ts parked along the 1000 block of Main Avenue in front of Carvers.

The Durango Bootleggers is a collaborative effort among Durango’s craft breweries: Steamworks Brewing Co., Ska Brewing, Durango Brewing and Carver Brewing Co. The four breweries worked together to brew a batch of “Spring Tonic Elixir” – a robust dark lager based on a historical pre-Prohibition recipe. Proceeds from the $5 cover as well as $1 from every pint of Spring Tonic Elixir sold at Carvers that night will go to benefit the Animas Museum.

Tracks to Adventure

Forget the word “scrotum,” Durango is making a new foray into children’s literature. Local author Kim Morton and former resident Anne Markward have released the book,Tracks to Adventure.

In the young-adult book, Kathryn Buckley and her rich father are on a journey to reach remote silver mines in the San Juan Mountains when somewhere south of Silverton, robbers board the train and, in the process of “lifting” everyone’s valuables, kidnap Kathryn as well. She is taken to their remote mountain camp. There, Kathryn meets Molly, a young woman her own age, who is as different from the city girl as night is from day. When confronted with the idea of returning with her father and losing her newfound freedom, Kathryn runs away. Molly goes after her, afraid that Kathryn will get herself in trouble. Molly and Kathryn find plenty of adventure in the following days, and their friendship grows as a result.