Here comes Trader’s special 2-week issue for Christmas! Your ads will receive two weeks exposure for the price of one! The issue runs from Friday, December 19 through Thursday, January 1. Our office will be closed Monday-Friday, December 22-26 and will reopen Monday, December 29 at 8:00am. All classified and display ads must be turned in by 4:00pm on Wednesday, December 17. There will be an early deadline 4:00pm on Tuesday, December 30 for the January 2 issue of Trader’s due to the New Year’s holiday. Our family at Trader’s Shopper’s Guide wishes You and Your Family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The Cheyenne Botanic Gardens is hosting the fourth annual Conservatory of Lights at 710 South Lions Park Drive featuring a brand-new theme and an all-new family scavenger hunt. Guests can also enjoy the growing Faces of Santa display, a crowd favorite that returns with additional pieces this year. This festive and family-friendly event “in the tropics” at the Gardens is available on select dates through December. The Conservatory of Lights is free but uses timed entry and attendees must reserve tickets in advance through the Gardens’ website. Hot cocoa, coffee and tea will be available for purchase. Due to space limitations inside the conservatory, strollers are not permitted. The Conservatory of Lights will be available on December 18, 19, 20, 23 and 26 from 5:00pm-7:30pm on each day. The Cheyenne Botanical Gardens will be closed Wednesday and Thursday, December 24 and 25 in observance of the Christmas holiday. Regular hours for the Botanic Gardens are Tuesdays through Saturdays 10:00am-5:00pm, closed Mondays and some holidays. Registration is required online at https://www.ticketleap.events/events/cheyenne-botanic-gardens. For more information visit www.botanic.org.

Have a gardening question? You are invited to visit with the Laramie County Master Gardeners on Saturday, December 13 from 10:30am-12:00pm at the Laramie County Library, Willow Room, 2200 Pioneer Avenue. This is an informal meeting with a Question and Answer session with the knowledgeable Ask-A-Master Gardener team. Contact ask@lcmg.org.

‘Father Stu’ will be showing at the Laramie County Library, 2200 Pioneer Avenue, Monday, December 15, 1:30pm-4:30pm. The movie is an uplifting story based on true events about Father Stuart Long as he moves from a life of self-destruction to redemption. Refreshments will be provided.

Tinsel Through Time Victorian Christmas will be open until December 20, Tuesdays-Saturdays from 9:00am-5:00pm. Exhibit is free and open to the public. For more information, please call the Wyoming Historic Governors’ Mansion at 307-777-7878, Facebook at Historic Governors’ Mansion or visit the Mansion at 300 East 21st Street.

No plans yet for Wednesday, December 31, New Year’s Eve? Dinner! Live Music! Murder! Tickets are still available for the Murder Mystery Dinner fundraiser to be held at the Cheyenne Elks Lodge, 100 East 17th Street. Hosted by the Golden Rule Fund, a 501(c)3 Entity, this event will include a Murder Mystery to be solved, a three-course plated dinner, music for your listening or dancing pleasure and a champagne toast to see in the New Year. Cocktails at 6:30pm with dinner at 7:15pm. A cash bar, raffles and a silent auction will also be available. The net proceeds from the event will be used to support the operations and activities of the Elks Lodge. Tables for eight guests may be reserved for $600 and individual tickets may be purchased for $65 each. For tickets or information, contact Denise at 307-286-1463 or email parrishzonta@gmail.com.

Laramie County Library, 2200 Pioneer Avenue, is hosting a holiday party for adults 16 years of age and up with disabilities Wednesday, December 17, 12:30pm-2:30pm. Please bring your staff to this annual Library for All holiday party with sweet treats, hot drinks and making fun festive crafts.

Saddle up for a holly jolly season as Old West Holiday returns to downtown Cheyenne, bringing festive charm and western flair to Wyoming’s capital city. Highlights include: Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Santa’s Horses at the Stables, Letter Writing to Santa, Pony Express Pick-up and Santa Send-off at the Airport. Dates included are Saturdays, December 13 and 20 and Sunday, December 21. For the full schedule, passport download and event updates, visit www.OldWestHoliday.com.

The Office of Youth Alternatives Foster Grand-parent Program is looking for tutor/mentors that are 55 years and older to work with children who need extra support in a supervised classroom setting for the 2025-2026 School Year. Foster Grandparents make a difference in the lives of children in our community and earn an average of $300 per month in a non-taxable stipend. Some qualifications apply. Individuals interested in serving may call 307-637-6480 for more information. Make a difference for yourself and a child today

Come and see the creativeness of the great vendors at the VFW 1881 craft show and flea market on Saturday, December 13 from 9:00am-3:00pm at 2816 East 7th Street. In addition to the craft show, Santa will be there from 11:00am-2:00pm and they are doing a raffle for two Bronco/Charger tickets with the drawing at 1:30pm. Tickets are $20 each. There will be jewelry, crochet items, leather and lots of unique items. Everyone is welcome to come, enjoy and support the local Veterans. Lunch will be available. Call Suzie at 307-632-4053 with any questions.

The food pantry provides weekly groceries to low-income families, seniors, veterans and retirees. The pantry is open Monday-Thursday, 10:00am-1:00pm at 206 Van Lennen. Just bring a photo ID and proof of address such as utility bill, rent receipt or medical bill. In addition to a grocery bag, individuals can select fresh produce, bread, eggs/milk when available. If you have questions or problems providing photo ID/proof of address, call 307-275-0567. Call 307-275-0567 for information, email stjosepantry@gmail.com or visit their Facebook at www.facebook.com/st-josephs-food-pantry

If you are a resource for veterans and active duty military, this is an opportunity to assist the military population. They are asking all businesses and agencies whether financial, legal, employment, medical, therapeutic, recreational, inspirational and/or just plain helpful to sign up for a day a month or just one time to be in Community Cubical offering your expertise. The Cubical is open Monday-Friday, 10:00am-4:00pm. For more information call 307-514-0035 or email veteransrockchey@gmail.com.

TOPS #WY 002 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) will be meeting Tuesday, December 16 at 4:00pm in the basement of Faith United Methodist Church, 522 East 6th Street. Join them for fellowship and weight loss motivation. For more information, please contact Corinecb307@outlook.com or check out the national website online at www.tops.org.

This year’s gift-wrapping proceeds will benefit CRMC Volunteer Grant Projects. They will be centrally located in the Frontier Mall at 1400 Dell Range Boulevard, December 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 23 from 12:00pm-6:00pm and December 24, 10:00am-4:00pm.

The Cheyenne Historic Preservation Board is proud to announce the release of its 2025 Christmas ornament. All proceeds from the sale go to fund various Historic Preservation Board projects. Each of the annual ornaments are individually numbered and are available at the Wyoming State Museum at 2301 Central Avenue and at the Cheyenne Depot Museum at 121 West 15th Street. Ornaments are $25 each and supplies are limited.

Laramie County Events is announcing Free Christmas events at the Archer Complex, 3801 Archer Parkway, during the December holiday season with family-friendly events. The schedule includes Coat and Winter Wear Drive benefitting the youth in the Laramie County School District, December 1-20, Breakfast with Santa, Saturday December 20, Indoor drive-in movie featuring ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ on Saturday, December 20. Families MUST register online for Breakfast with Santa at www.laramiecountyevents.com/spirit for either the 8:30am or the 10:00am session, seats are limited to 250 per session. Indoor drive-in movie is limited to 60 vehicles, please register yours. No registration required for walk-ins in the blanket/lawn-chair seating area. Doors open at 6:00pm, movie starts at 7:00pm. Complimentary popcorn and Pepsi drinks available.

The Wyoming Historical Society has 2026 Calenders for sale, $15 each, a non-profit donation. Calendars display historic photos that support the annual theme. Please call Scott at 307-217-2810 for information.

A Community Volunteer Fair will be held January 10 from 11:00am-3:00pm at Laramie County Senior Services, 4100 East Pershing Boulevard. This event will feature 30+ volunteer opportunities. Local organizations will be on-site to help attendees get involved and make an impact in the community. Don’t miss this chance to find the perfect volunteer role that fits your passion and schedule. For more information, please contact ashlie@cheyennehabitat.org.

A Celtic Christmas Celebration by Joseph M. Martin will be presented by the First United Methodist Church Orchestra and Chancel Choir on Sunday, December 14 at 8:30am and 10:00am at 108 East 18th Street. Come and experience a beautiful retelling of the Christmas Story through music and word! For information, please call 307-632-1410.

Cheyenne Audubon invites the public with any level of birdwatching experience to join them in any of several ways for the Christmas Bird Count Saturday, December 20. Count with chapter members by meeting at 8:00am at the Downtown Cheyenne Post Office, 2120 Capitol Avenue, to be assigned to a group birding a local hotspot for a couple of hours. Count on your own within the count circle and report birds counted via eBird checklist, see the latest newsletter at https://cheyenneaudubon.org/. Count birds at your feeder located within the count circle, see newsletter. Then come to the Tally Party Potluck at 6:00pm. Contact Barb Gorges, bgorges4@msn.com for details. Please register with Grant Frost, count compiler, 307-343-2024, if you plan to join the morning bird counting so that he can contact you if plans change. Also, call in your bird list to him if you don’t use eBird and won’t make the tally party. For more information about the Cheyenne-High Plains Audubon Society, please visit https://cheyenneaudubon.org/ or their mailing address is Cheyenne-High Plains Audubon Society, PO Box 2502, Cheyenne, WY 82003 USA.

The Office of Youth Alternatives Foster Grand-parent Program is looking for tutor/mentors that are 55 years and older to work with children who need extra support in a supervised classroom setting for the 2025-2026 School Year. Foster Grandparents make a difference in the lives of children in our community and earn an average of $300 per month in a non-taxable stipend. Some qualifications apply. Individuals interested in serving may call 307-637-6480 for more information. Make a difference for yourself and a child today

The Wyoming Coalition for the Homeless is in need of blankets, comforters, sheets and neck ties. These items are used to make sleeping bags for the homeless population of Cheyenne. Deliver clean items to the Wyoming Coalition for the Homeless, 907 Campbell Avenue, 307-634-8499.

Black Dog Animal Rescue needs fosters! Remind them what home feels like! Please sign up on bdar.org/fosters or email amira@bdar.org with any questions.

K9s 4 Mobility is looking for volunteers to raise and train puppies from 8 weeks to one year of age that have the potential to become Assistance Dogs. K9s 4 Mobility will provide all the food, healthcare and a majority of the supplies needed. Training classes, one on one training and support are also provided. Volunteers may choose to co-raise with another individual or family. Choose to make a difference in the life of someone else! Visit www.k9s4mobility.org or email info@k9s4mobility.org Contact Michelle at 307-222-9597 for information.

The Childhood Language Clinic has many openings for Speech and Language Therapy. They can help with speaking, spelling, reading, writing, dyslexia and many other language difficulties. Morning and after school times are still available. The staff includes a certified SLP and two certified SLP assistants. Please call 307-638-2610 or email cindyanderson51120@gmail.com. They’d love to help your child.

Does your not-for-profit club or organization have an event coming up that you would like publicized? Submit a paragraph with who, what, when, where and contact information and we’ll put it in Trader’s “Our Community” section at no charge on a space available basis. The deadline is Tuesday at noon. For more information, call 307-634-8895.