Tom Gray BELIEVES in creating magic

ust ask Virginia & Truckee Railroad owner

Tom Gray about the Candy Cane Express he
inaugurated in Virginia City in 2008 and
youll see a twinkle come into his eye and his face
light up like a Christmas bulb.
As a child growing up around trains and riding many
tourist trains, Tom is proud of his role in creating
magical memories for visitors and area children
and their families, especially during the Christmas
holiday.
He tells us running special trains in the winter can
be somewhat challenging and requires a different
skill set than operating trains during the traditional
summer season, but asserts his staff is up to any
challenges that might come along, including serving
hot chocolate and cider on a moving train.
Tom has the creative eye of an interior designer and
has created the magic today seen on the Candy Cane
Express and the Polar Express.
While some holiday trains may be a bit more modern
in dcor, Tom has chosen to keep a Victorian theme
to decorate his 100-year-old coaches. He hunts high
and low for just the right items and grins, We have to
make the experience magical for all. And, having the
right kind of dcor adds to the magic.
To create that old-time feel, youll find the luggage

rack filled with vintage stuffed animals. Theres

vintage Christmas dcor and in the parlor car,
themed musical instruments and tin soldiers
complete the decor. Each car comes equipped
with a pot-bellied stove for warmth and the smell
of the real hot apple cider is tantalizing. Or,
choose hot chocolate with your fresh home-made
cookies.
The Victorian holiday experience begins the
moment you step into the restored 1870 Depot &
Museum in Virginia City, transporting you from
today to yesteryear. Filled with memorabilia,
those who love an old-fashioned experience will
delight in the depot, so full of history.

The historic V&T 1870 Depot & Museum in Virginia City is

decked out for the holidays

To further create the holiday mood, theres a mailbox

outside for posting letters to Santa. Tom states, Weve
added a stool for the kids to reach the letter box and
what a wonderful photo op this is!
Sometimes Santa has the time to magically appear
on the train, but it cant be guaranteed. But, one of
Santas Elves is ever present and strolls through the
train recording Christmas wishes. The Candy Cane
Sisters entertain and encourage all to sing. Theres
even a stop along the way to allow the conductor to
read Twas the Night Before Christmas.
The Candy Cane Express does not compete with the
Polar Express and operates only two trains during

Christmas comes to the Artisan Shop

Most items are lovingly crafted by area artists. Choose

wood pieces from local woodturners who love the
touch and feel of wood creating pieces sure to become
heirlooms. While beautiful to look at, most are
functional pieces of art and priced well.

The ancient sandstone found at the now closed

Nevada State Prison is used to carve unique art
crafted by some very talented prisoners now
incarcerated at the Northern Nevada Correctional
Center. Well-priced, this would make a great gift to be
displayed inside or out.

If you like pottery, weve got that too. The Pinyon

Pottery hand-poured soy holiday candles nestled
inside collectible pottery will create a warm ambiance
in your home and when the soy is fully evaporated,
the pottery can be repurposed for another use. These
would make great hostess gifts.
Custom Metal Graphics has created some metal art
perfect for your table dcor or front door. Put a bow
on any of the interesting art especially the metal

Come see us
for the

NOW
OPEN!

If jewelry is on your gift list, come see the one-of-akind pieces crafted by the talented hands of Tobin
Rupert who mines the stones and cuts them into
beautiful shapes.
Stop by the Chamber Artisan Store at 1900 S. Carson
St. (near Nevada State Railroad Museum) and
browse the interesting local art. Make this an artistic
Christmas!

MAKING A DIFFERENCE...ONE MEAL AT A TIME

health of it
The
Change Place
is not a gym.

Personal Training
Massage Therapy
Yoga Classes
Motivational Conversations

Join Today!

Only 250 memberships will be sold!

2814 N. Carson St.
Carson City, NV 89703

775.283.0699
thechangeplace.net

Since Tom owns and repairs the rolling stock for the
Virginia & Truckee Railroad, the coaches used by the
Polar Express are the same ones used during the day.
He refers to the day train as, The matinee version of
the Polar Express. Families can rent a whole coach
and bring their own snacks, if they prefer.
The Polar Express was brought to Carson City in 2011
and has been a success thanks to the book and movie
of the same name. Traveling from the Eastgate Depot
in Carson City, the magical Polar Express travels to
the North Pole to be greeted by Santa Claus.
Whether you travel on the Candy Cane Express
or the Polar Express, be sure to note the dcor
all Toms doing!

horses and youve got an

unusual display.

Unusual glass work is

always a welcome gift. Each
art piece is hand crafted
and fused out of beautiful glass. We have dichromatic
earrings no two are the same and we have some
wonderful Nevada pieces in blue just created
for us.

f you want to make a lasting impression

when it comes to gift-giving this year,
be sure to come by the Chamber Artisan
Store to find that truly one-of-a-kind item not found
anywhere.

the six-day run noon and 2 p.m. The Polar Express

operates at night, stopping at the North Pole.

Food For Thought provides food for chronically hungry children in

our community. Each week, we discreetly provide a nutritious bag
of food to children for the weekend in thirteen local schools.

Art, such as the beautiful American Eagle crafted by

talented prisoners, can be found at the Chamber Artisan
Shop.

Gifts for

Golfers

Golf gift cards,

golf lessons from
the pro,
and memberships
make great
Stocking Stuffers!

Suggested donations:
All individual serving shelf stable
FOOD ITEMS MUST NOT BE EXPIRED
2.05 oz. Easy Mac and Cheese Cups
7.5 oz. Microwaveable Cups
Beef Raviolis, Spaghetti Os, Spaghetti & Meatballs, Beefaroni
4 oz. Fruit / Veggie Cups
Individually Wrapped Crackers / Snacks
Trail Mix, Beef Jerky, Granola Bars

Stop by our pro shop today!

Open 8:30am-4:30pm

Individual Cereal Boxes or Cups, Oatmeal Packets

Juice Boxes

Golf Course & Executive Conference Center

Thank you for thinking of the children in our community!

1251 Country Club Drive, Carson City

...providing a nutritious bag of food each weekend for chrinically hungry children in our community.

775.841.7000 silveroakgolf.com
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nvfoodforthought.org 775.885.7770

2016 Silver & Snowflakes