T H U R S DAY
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DECEMBER 24
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2015
• W W W. B R A I N E R D D I S PA T C H . C O M
B R A I N E R D D I S PATC H
More than 200 stories were submitted this year for the Brainerd Dispatch’s annual Stories of Christmas contest. On the following pages, you’ll find the winners in the three categories: Kids, Teens and Adults. Weather drawings submitted by local elementary school children are being used as accents to go along with the winning stories. Thanks to all who took the time to submit their stories. Enjoy reading and Merry Christmas!
BY ANA BJORKLUND, AGE 9, BAXTER
ART BY SILVIA BOYER, 3RD GRADE
One snowy morning, I woke up from a peaceful sleep. When I got out of bed, I stepped on something squishy and soft. When I looked down, I saw a furry, pointy hat. I put it on and went to the bathroom. When I got there I looked in the mirror. I had sharp ears like the tip of a knife. I looked somewhat shorter. I had pointy shoes. I was wearing a red and green suit. I was an elf!
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I raced downstairs and looked yourself a name tag while you’re at it.” He around. All I saw were hundreds of turned around and started talking to an elf KIDS elves. I went around and watched named Sam. the elves create the Christmas presents. I I asked an elf named Grace where the workbumped into this elf who was wearing a shop was. nametag that read Amy. She had long brown “Turn the corner and take a left,” she said, hair and skin like cinnamon. I looked at the with a snotty attitude. presents she was wrapping. She was wrapping When I took a left, I started to hear a clicking my presents! I went over to the presents and noise. before I had a chance to touch them, Amy said, Click, click, click. “Don’t touch!” As I got closer, I saw the workshop. I walked I quickly looked up at her. Her face was a through the old, wobbly door. An elf walked up light red color. I backed up and walked away. to me and said, “Can I help you?” When I was walking, I looked back at Amy; I said, “No.” she was still watching me. I turned around for I walked around a little bit and saw lots of about two seconds until I bumped into someelves. They were making hats. thing big in a red suit. It was Santa! “The hat!” I yelled. I quickly tore it off my Before I could say anything, he said, “Ho, head. I could feel my body changing. I raced to ho, ho, watch where you’re going.” the bathroom and splashed water in my face. I said, “Sorry.” But he caught me just before I When I looked up, I was myself again! was about to leave. I raced downstairs and saw the elves were He said, “Why don’t you go to the workshop gone. All that I saw was my tree with presents and help around. Maybe you should make underneath.
BY LILY HURLBERT, AGE 13, BRAINERD
Jack Frost is busy making everything outside sparkle and shine. The air has a chill to it and I can see my breath.
Looking across my yard, I can see that the houses are all lit up with pride and the yards are filled with merriment. all the Christmas decorations that my TEEN It brings a smile to my face. neighbors have put up. There are decInside, we work together to adorn orated trees, signs and houses that are our tree. We trim it in tinsel, homemade outlined in multi-colored lights. I glance at my house and see the work that decorations and so many ornaments it looks like there isn’t much green to be seen! Finally, my family has done. Lights on the deck and the moment we all wait for … the star. My dad lights on the house drip down like icicles stretches to reach the top of the tree, making without the watery mess! I gaze about to see our holiday inflatables spread around our yard. sure not to disturb any of our embellishments. Placing it on the tree, the shiny star begs for Santa is waving to the cars as they drive by. attention, so sparkly and bright. It’s the final Snoopy is driving his plane filled with toys to touch to our decorating day. help Santa deliver a few to the boys and girls As we all sit together on the couch, drinkand finally, Winnie the Pooh and his friends ing hot chocolate, we admire the fruits of our are jumping out of wrapped up gift boxes to labor. We bask in the friendly glow of our wish walkers, joggers and pets alike, a very Christmas tree. Merry Christmas. Oh, what a wonderful time of year! I love Merry Christmas!
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ART BY JAZLYN DAMBOWY, 3RD GRADE