Monica LaSalle, Gilpin County. It started weeks ago. Slowly, toys began to appear. Accumulating in the lounge area, they were slowly materializing on the mantel, the couch, a table set up in the corner as if out of nowhere. It was as if Santa’s elves had been making quick little jaunts down from the North Pole to one of their favorite, between season haunts, Roy’s Last Shot. Stuffed animals, cell phone accessories, Hot Wheels cars, bikes, doll, you name it. A tantalizing array of childhood delights, causing parents to spend the last two weeks repeatedly reminding their children to look and not touch.
Well the day is finally here. The next best thing to Christmas Day itself, it’s the annual Roy’s Last Shot Customer Appreciation Party! As the local clientele arrive dressed in their very best at 11 a.m. sharp, staff scrambled to hold them at bay until all was set up. As soon as the doors opened, it was like a mad rush to get in the door and it soon became obvious that word of Roy and Barb Stewart’s legendary generosity had spread beyond the locals and regulars to the surrounding communities. People from Bailey, Conifer, Evergreen and Lakewood showed up to experience a true community Christmas Party in the mountains. With typical aplomb, Roy welcomed them all personally while Barb and staff hustled around to accommodate them.
“There were so many people, we were almost out of food by 2:30 p.m. despite making more than past years,” Jenny Gould said as the crowds finally thinned later that evening. Jenny has been a waitress at Roy’s for a number of years and is no stranger to working the many benefits that owners Roy and Barb hold each year to help with the many needs in the surrounding community. “There were more toys donated than last year as well and every kid went home with more than one present,” she said.
Coinciding with the event was a benefit for 12-year-old “Zinnie” Zinevra Creapeau-Julbeth and her Uncle Kevin Swarick. Having been struck late last year with a family tragedy, the two had been since struggling to make ends meet, and need help upgrading the heating system in their home. Zinnie is an amazing little girl with Cerebral Palsy and is confined to a wheel chair; Kevin is her loving and highly-committed uncle who is raising her and striving to provide the best care possible for his niece. Their situation is an example of the many ways Roy and Barb Stewart, along with their hard working, dedicated staff, give back to the community.
With delicious home cooking from Roy and his right-hand man in the kitchen, Brian Petrie, they threw down delicious turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, pork chops, shrimp, corn and garlic bread. There were multiple pies, macaroons provided by New Moon Bakery, cookies and puddings…so much savoriness to tantalize any taste bud. “Isn’t this awesome?” Roy says to me as he makes his way around the dining room visiting with people. He shows me a shot glass that someone brought him from the recent Fleetwood Mac concert in Denver. “This is awesome too,” he says with a smile and a twinkle in his eye.
(Originally published in the December 20, 2018, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)
