December 2017 Sailor

Free December 2017

Your Holiday Guide to Southwest Minnesota

THE

Nutcracker

Holiday tradition continues See story page eight.

Published by Tracy Publishing Company, Inc. • 207 4th Street • Tracy, MN 56175 • (507) 629-4300 • www.swmnsailor.com

2 – Southwest Sailor, December 2017

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Towns roll out holiday cheer

Upcoming holiday events in the area include: Marshall—Fifth annual Indoor Christmas Tree Walk at Lyon County Historical Society Museum. Decorated trees by area businesses and non-profit organizations stay lit until Dec. 30. The museum is decked out for the holidays, too. Vote for your favorite tree or trees by placing money in the present next to the tree. The top three trees with the most money in their presents are awarded prizes of $150, $100 and $50 in Marshall Chamber Dollars, respectively.

The funds raised from the contest will support Lyon County Historical Society.

For more information, call 507-537-6580 or email director@lyoncountymuseum.org.

Sleepy Eye, Nov. 25 –Light the Night Holiday Kickoff Celebration from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Sportsman’s Park north of Sleepy Eye Lake. This walking tour features lights in motion throughout the park. Santa Claus arrives by fire truck and kids can visit him in a cabin. Free carriage rides, s’mores, hot dogs, cider, hot chocolate and popcorn served. Visitors are urged to bring an unwrapped toy.

Tracy, Nov. 25—Holiday Bazaar, Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Caboose; Pictures with Santa, Tracy Public Library, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Downtown Holiday Parade of Lights, 6 p.m.; Lion’s Club Soup Supper, 5 to 7 p.m., Multi-Purpose Center.

Luverne, Dec. 1-3—19th annual Winterfest Celebration features arts and crafts, over 100 vendors, and Santa’s Workshop where kids can do make-and-take projects and have photos taken with Santa. Elves assist children in shopping for inexpensive gifts for parents and grandparents. The historic Hinkly House will have an Open House Christmas performance at the historic Palace Theatre.

Tyler, Dec. 2—Traditional Danish Christmas at Danebod Campus in Tyler, one block north of Highway 14, begins at 3

It’s possible to do a traditional Danish dance around a Christmas tree in Tyler.

p.m. Shops include Sweet Shop, Meat Shop, Gift Shop and Bake Shop with traditional homemade Danish sweets such as aebelskivers and Danish coffee cake. Threemeat traditional Danish supper includes Danish meatloaf, pork roast and spiced sausage, along with other food items.

Enjoy peppernuts, coffee and cider while singing at the Holiday Songfest, followed by the Danish tradition of dancing around the Christmas tree.

Montevideo, Dec. 2—Christmas in the Village from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at historic Chippewa City in southwest Montevideo at the junctions of Highway 7 and 59. Themed annually, the old-fashioned and decorated village features something for all ages such as horse-drawn wagon rides, Santa Claus, candy and bake sales, entertainment, oldfashioned radio show, children’s crafts, and

lunch.

Pipestone, Dec. 2—Santa Comes to Pipestone annual free event for the entire family features Santa arriving via fire truck and stops at Santa’s Shed on Main Street.

Follow Santa into Ewert Community Recreation Center at 10 a.m. to noon for many holiday activities, photos, candy canes, and 4-H Make-it-and-Take-it craft stations.

Canby, Dec. 3—The Hometown Holiday Parade of Lights involves businesses decorating floats from 6:15-7 p.m. The parade travels through town and ends up at Lake Sylvan for the lighting of the Christmas tree. There is also a Kids’ Mall in which young children are assisted in gift purchasing for the holidays. The Canby Theatre also plays holiday-themed movies during the day.

Springfield, Dec. 8-9—The 32nd annual Live Nativity Outdoor Pageant at 7 p.m. at Riverside Park. Local actors portray Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, the three wise men, shepherds, angels and more as a narrator tells the story of the first Christmas with a live nativity pageant. Christmas music provided by the community choir.

Refreshments served after the pageant in the Community Center.

Granite Falls, Dec. 17—Santa Claus appears with two live reindeer at the historic Andrew J. Volstead House from 1-4 p.m. Free admission. The reindeer are in honor of the “Reindeer King”, Carl Lomen, who was the husband of the Volsteads’ lone child, Laura. Reindeer-themed items will be for sale. Photos can be taken with Santa and the reindeer. Family activities and refreshments.

Worthington, Jan. 19-20—Winterfest features an ice fishing tournament, crowning of Winterfest ambassadors, Deep Freeze Dip, pond hockey, chili cook-off and other winter activities.

Southwest Sailor, December 2017 – 3

Camels add extra realism to the annual nativity pageant in Springfield.

Springfield Nativity returns Dec. 8-9 The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago will come to life in Springfield this December.

The Springfield Nativity Pageant will again be produced at the community’s Riverside Park, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 8-9. The 40-minute pageant begins at 7 p.m.

The production has become an annual Christmas tradition in Springfield, as this will be the show’s 32nd year. There is no admission charge. Community leaders say the pageant is a gift from the community. Live camels are one of the show’s trademarks.

Bleacher seating is provided.

Spectators are reminded to dress for the weather conditions.

Christmas Show set at Lake Benton Opera House

Holiday cheer is returning to the Lake Benton Opera House.

The Opera House’s Christmas Show is scheduled Saturday, Dec. 2, with performances at 2 and 7:30 p.m.

The Christmas tradition has Opera House performers

returning to share both holiday musical classics and theatre sketches.

General admission tickets will be sold at the door. For more information, call 507-368-4620.

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Cover photos Emily Soehl, one of two dancers portraying “Clara” in the Prairie Dance Alliance production of “The Nutcracker,” soars through the air on the cover of the Holiday Sailor. Also on the cover are toy soldiers Elizabeth Fultz and Addison Kainz, and Arabian dancer Emma Kepler.

Published by Tracy Publishing Company 207 4th Street, Tracy, MN 56175 (507) 629-4300 • FAX (507) 629-4301 www.swmnsailor.com info@swmnsailor.com Seth Schmidt – Publisher Per Peterson – Editor April DeSchepper – Ad Composition Julie Johnston – Office Manager Kris Knott – Advertising Sales Lisa Sell – Advertising Manager Carol Strand – Accountant PUBLISHER’S LIABILITY FOR ERROR: The publisher shall not be liable for slight changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the value of an advertisement. The publisher’s liability for other errors or omissions in connection with an advertisement is strictly limited to publication in any subsequent issue or the refund of any monies paid for the advertisement.

4 – Southwest Sailor, December 2017

Memorial Auditorium continues to evolve ‘Carpenters Christmas’ is Dec. 2

By Shari Dalin Nelson

Worthington’s Memorial Auditorium Performing Arts Center building once was part of a larger structure which at various times of its history housed classrooms for students in kindergarten through their second year of college.

Today the auditorium is all that remains of Worthington’s first separate high school building, which was built in 1909.

Initially grades 9-12 students in Worthington attended classes in the new high school; however, following a rapid increase in Worthington’s population, it was time to add two more wings and to move grades 7-8 into the structure. The east wing then became the junior high section for grades 7-9.

When the increased student population overcrowded the Castle School, which housed kindergarten through eighth grade, kindergarten moved to the high school building followed later by grades 1-6. The Castle School was torn down, and construction began on a new elementary school, which would later be named Central Elementary.

On July 17, 1935, the Worthington school board brought a bond issue to voters for the creation of a junior college.

Citizens of the school district voted 56467 to allow the construction of a twostory addition to the existing high school building. The college shared science labs, locker rooms, the gymnasium, the

A 1940s photo shows the Auditorium side of the complex.

Memorial

football field, and coaches with the high school. Classes began in September of 1936 and continued in that building as part of the Worthington school district and later as a part of the state junior college system until the spring of 1966 after which the college moved to its present campus. In 1959, classes began in the new senior high school building while grades seven through nine and the junior college expanded their facilities into the then vacated former high school classrooms.

After construction of the Worthington Middle School building on the west side of the city, the classroom sections of the building were vacated and then removed from the auditorium which now hosts a wide variety of events. Former students once attended physical education classes and competed in extra-curricular

A 1907 view shows the then new separate high school building which housed grades nine through twelve.

A 1934 photo shows the high school building with the two additions which were added because of rapid increases in student enrollment.

Dec. 31, “Lizzy the Dream Girl” will present a New Year’s Eve comedy show.

January offerings include “Rogue Valley: Americana” on Jan. 13, followed by “The New Standards: Old Standards with a New Twist” on Jan. 26.

Worthington High School’s musical will be staged March 1-4. On March 15, Children’s Theatre Company: Seedfolks will perform. Deuces Wild Dueling Pianos will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 17, followed by “Gone Country: Tribute to Country’s Best” on March 24.

“Rumors and Dreams: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac” comes to the auditorium April 14, William Florian of the New Christy Minstrels on May 5.

activities on that stage and sat in the seats in the auditorium for assemblies, games, and daily after lunch as they waited for their next classes to begin.

Today Memorial Auditorium is the performing arts center of the city and continues to provide a wide range of entertainment for residents of the tristate area. Offerings range from local talent to professional performances to movies and to Worthington High School drama performances.

On November 21, the Worthington Area Symphony Orchestra will present their Christmas concert.

On Dec. 2, “Close to You: A Carpenter’s Christmas” comes to the auditorium. On

Memorial Auditorium today after a complete renovation of the 735 seat classic art deco performance center. The addition to the right of the picture was added during the renovation.

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Southwest Sailor, December 2017 – 5

‘Light-upthe-Night’ planned at SMSU

Don’t miss out on Winter’s outdoor thrills The sound of a rubber truck tube traveling 45 miles-per-hour down a glazed slope of ice at Garvin Park, the look of surprise on a cottontail’s face as you step into his grove filled with snow, and the explosion of a pheasant from cattails beneath your feet. Now, those are some real thrills and all of them can be experienced in winter out here on the plains of Minnesota They called it “Timber Tow.” It was the dream of a bunch of guys associated with Lost Timber Camp at Chandler.

And for thrills, it exceeded anything an amusement park had to offer. A 200 lb. person could reach speeds of close to 60-miles-an hour as he rocketed down the hill and off the edge of a giant mogul on the way to the bottom. I only attempted it once, and Larry Rachuy drug me off to the side of the hill when I lost my truck inner tube on the first jump and was in danger of being run over by crowds of screaming tubes coming down the hill behind me. Insurance issues caused Timber Tow to close, but you can still experience the winter thrill of uncontrolled downhill sliding at Garvin Park, just off Hwy. 59 north of Garvin.

• • • Cattails are the safe haven for pheasants and we have acres and acres of public cattails all around Southwest Minnesota. Cattails are a huge challenge to hunt in before winter comes and the water in the slough becomes ice.

Following pheasants tracks on the ice of a slough with a light coating of snow can be filled with anticipation and a rush of

Hook, Line & Sinker Joe LeTendre tells his fishing tales to audiences statewide.

excitement when one of the birds rockets out of the rushes. Wow! That’s a thrill.

• • • Sipping coffee, enjoying fresh baked molasses cookies, eating peanuts from the shell, and sneaking a snooze every now and then, is a big part of sitting in a fish house with a warm stove.

Having a friend or two along adds much to the experience. The wind can be howling outside and the snow can be drifting in front of the fish house door, but it doesn’t bother you in the least.

Then your friend says to you: “Where is your bobber?” Your eyes follow your fishing line from your rod down to the water in the hole in the ice. The line is tight and points to the side of the fish house, but there is no bobber in sight.

You know that the fish doesn’t know that it swallowed a hook. You know the fish is going to be surprised when he finds out. Your adrenalin is flowing and you are no longer a laid-back guy eating molasses cookies. You are a guy ready for a fight!

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happen: You set the hook and you get a chewed up minnow back. You set the hook, and the line that has frozen to the ice, breaks! You get him up to the ice hole and you can’t get his head into the hole. You get him in the fish house and he becomes unhooked. You throw him out the door in to a snowdrift! Wow! Now that is a thrill.

••• What about skiing, hunting with a bow, or high-powered rifle predator hunting? You may ask: “Can’t they be thrilling winter sports?” Well, you are right, they can be thrilling. I tried crosscountry skiing and I fell down in some deep snow. I was thrilled when I got out of the snow. I gave archery a try. I shot an arrow through a friend’s garage wall while attempting to hit a target on hay bales that were just 25-yards away. I was thrilled when he told me he planned to tear the garage down anyway. I attempted to sneak up on a fox who was sunning himself on a small stack of hay bales. The fox watched me stalk him for about 10 minutes, and then he ran away The fox was thrilled that he out-foxed me!

Weeds, mosquitoes, gnats, ticks, ants, sunburn, heat stroke, and lake itch are all gone for another year. So are lawn mowing, house painting, cement laying, roof shingling, and hedge trimming.

Summer’s delights are gone, now is the time for the thrills of winter.

The first annual “Light up the Night” celebration hosted by Prairie Home Hospice will be held from Nov. 30-Dec. 31 at the Southwest Minnesota State University campus in Marshall.

The event begins with a Tree of Lights Remembrance Ceremony on Nov. 30 and concludes with a New Year’s Eve party and fireworks show on Dec. 31.

In between will be numerous holiday activities for all ages.

“We are very excited to provide this event for the region,” said Pat Mellenthin, Prairie Home Hospice CEO. “The ‘Light to Remember’ ceremonies are not changing. However, Marshall’s site will change to the SMSU campus and will be part of the kickoff for the new annual event, ‘Light up the Night’, a holiday light show.”

SMSU, the Marshall Chamber of Commerce, City of Marshall, Marshall Convention & Visitors’ Bureau, & Holy Redeemer Parish are all helping sponsor “Light Up the Night.”

Following the kickoff night, activities will be held Thursday through Sunday evenings from 5-9:30 p.m. throughout December with the exception of Christmas Eve. Lights will continue to shine on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Activities will include a winter wonderland of lights, horsedrawn carriage rides, hay rides, holiday carolers, musical entertainment, gather around the holiday campfire, and holiday concessions.

A “Rockin’ New Year’s Eve” party at the SMSU Regional Event Center will conclude Light Up the Night. For more information, call 507-337-0080.

Festive holiday trees will “Light Up the Night” for the Prairie Home Hospice.

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6 – Southwest Sailor, December 2017

Festive family favorites for holidays

By Carolyn Van Loh

¼ tsp. allspice ½ tsp cinnamon ½ tsp. cloves ¼ tsp. salt 1 tsp. soda in a little hot water

Family Christmas festivities usually feature food traditions prepared by one of the cooks. The tasty custom may be the main course, a side dish or a favorite dessert. Every family member looks forward to grazing decorative serving trays for their favorite sweets.

Here are some holiday favorites from several area kitchens:

Let dough set in refrigerator overnight to mix flavors. Roll out in pencil shape, cut into 1” pieces and bake 12 – 15 minutes at 350 degrees.

Cathedral Window Cookies

In later years, my mom found this recipe for its simplicity and delectable chocolate flavor.

12 oz. chocolate chips ¼ c. butter or margarine 2 eggs, well beaten ½ c. chopped pecans 10 ½ oz. colored miniature marshmallows powdered sugar

Cream Caramels Mary Ann Gross, Westbrook, has been cooking this recipe for several decades. She found the recipe in a Mennonite church cookbook in the Huron area. Last year she gave away 25 bank check boxes of caramels to friends and family. She always doubles the recipe.

2 c. sugar ½ c. butter

Melt chips and butter. Remove from heat and add eggs. Mix well. Add pecans. Cool. Add marshmallows. Stir well.

Sprinkle powdered sugar on a sheet of wax paper. Divide mixture into 3 portions and place on wax paper. Form into 3 logs and sprinkle with more powdered sugar. Wrap in wax paper and refrigerate until firm. Slice into desired size.

¾ c. white syrup 1 c. 20% cream

(Mary Ann uses ½ c. whipping cream & ½ c. half & half. Another cup of cream needed when the mixture boils.)

Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. When it comes to a boil, gradually stir in 1 more cup of cream. Continue to stir as mixture thickens. Cook to 235 degrees or until it forms a hard ball in water. Takes about an hour to cook the caramels. Remove from heat. Stir in nuts, if desired. Cool 10 – 15 minutes, stirring a couple times. Pour into a buttered 8-inch square pan. When cool, cut into pieces and wrap.

If making a double batch, put mixture in a 9x13 Tupperware container because the caramels are easier to get from the container. Mary Ann cuts the caramels to a desired size on a cutting board before wrapping them.

In October, Mary Ann Gross started making and freezing double batches of caramels for Christmas gifts.

Norwegian Krumkaka

Marge Paschke, Windom, said, “I have three daughters who love to bring their families home to make lefse. I think we need to branch out with a Krumkaka, rosettes and Fattiman days also.” ½ c. butter 2 eggs, slightly beaten ½ c. milk vanilla

Soft Ginger Molasses Cookies

Young charmers can get in on the fun of holiday baking too.

Cream butter and sugar. Mix in eggs and vanilla. Combine cream and milk. Add alternately with flour and salt. Bake on hot Krumkaka iron.

Roll into a cone shape while hot.

Anise

Donna Dunlap, Marshall, got this recipe from her sister-in-law about 55 years ago, and it became a family tradition. “One grand daughter said it wouldn’t be Christmas without it,, wrote Donna. “ Now arthritis, etc. prevent me from making it.”

Mix 2 cups white sugar and 2 cups white syrup in a large, heavy sauce pan. Boil to 300 degrees (hard crack). Remove from heat and add red food coloring and 1/2 tsp. anise oil (Must be oil and not extract.) Stir well.

Carefully pour mixture into lightly buttered 9x13 cake pan. When it begins to cool and harden at the edges, take a smooth tipped table knife and begin to crease it into little squares.

Keep dipping the knife into butter to make it cut smoother. This is where patience comes in! You must keep creasing it back and forth, turning the pan, until it is too hard to cut anymore. After completely cool, turn out onto wax paper. Break the candy by lightly tapping on the bottom side of the candy. Makes one quart.

1 c. sugar ½ c. whipping cream 1 ½ c. flour Dash of salt

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A Norgaard Christmas favorite meant that Mom had rolled out and baked this popular cookie. A smooth layer of colored icing appropriate for the shape of the cookie topped with colored sugars and seasonal sprinkles, added to the spicy treat.

Unbaked Wreath Cookies

My mother-in-love, Betty Van Loh, included this tasty unbaked marshmallow and cereal cookie in her Christmas goodies.

This recipe is special to me because I have Betty’s handwritten recipe card.

Melt 30 large marshmallows and ½ c. butter in a double boiler. Add ¼ tsp., green food coloring and ½ tsp. vanilla.

Pour this mixture over 3 ½ c. cornflakes. Stir.

Drop the mixture from a teaspoon onto ungreased cookie sheet. Dip fingers in warm water and form into wreaths. Decorate with red cinnamon candy and silver balls. When removing from the pan, dip bottom of cookies into powdered sugar before refrigerating.

Peppernuts

Her last batch, made in 1999, was truly a labor of love because her health was failing. Mom adeptly used her rolling pin; I supervised the baking; she and I decorated the cookies when they were cool. Then we wrapped each cookie in red or green plastic wrap so they could travel well to Japan for an American Christmas party held by Mom’s grandson/my son and his wife in the city of Izumo, Shimane, where they lived and worked.

1 c. shortening 1 c. molasses 5 c. flour 2 tsp. soda 1 tsp. cinnamon

1 c. brown sugar 1 c. sour milk 1 egg 1 tsp ginger pinch of salt

This Christmas goody holds special memories for Betty Van Loh’s daughter Mary. She remembers “lots of special tea times” for dipping the delicacy in a cup of tea to soften the treat so it would melt in her mouth. Now Mary has special tea times with her grandchild.

Cream shortening and sugar. Add molasses, eggs, and sour milk. Mix and sift soda, salt, spices, and 1 c. flour. Then add the rest of the flour. Chill several hours or overnight. Roll out and cut with seasonal cookie cutters. Place on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes.

Frost when cooled.

2 c. brown sugar 1 c. Crisco 1 ½ c. dark molasses 1 tsp anise oil or extract ¼ tsp. ginger 5 – 6 c. flour

Christmas favorites: See page 11

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Southwest Sailor, December 2017 – 7

A simple set adds to the poignancy of “All is Calm.”

Lake Benton ‘All is Calm’ Minnesota

Shared humanity triumphs over war’s horror…for a day

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By Seth Schmidt

Imagine two armies of dirty, tired, and shivering soldiers, facing off in muddy trenches only a few hundred yards apart.

The soldiers are mostly young men in their teens and twenties. Hundreds of thousands of people—French, English, Belgians and Germans—have already perished after four months of war.

Machine gun bullets, artillery barrages, and sickness claim hundreds of additional lives each passing day.

Generals, Field Marshals, and Colonels urge soldiers on each side to be steadfast in their courage, kill and defeat the enemy. Righteousness, after all, is on their side.

It’s Christmas Eve, 1914, on the Western Front of the Great War. Amidst the horror and ugliness of war, a Christmas tree appears over German trenches. German soldiers sing “Stille Nacht.” (Silent Night). A British chorus responds with “The First Noel.”

Up and down the front, combatants pause. Cautiously at first, soldiers put down guns and agree to an informal truce. Spontaneous cease fires involving hundreds of British and German soldiers break out along the front. Photos, candy, and cigars are exchanged. Holiday greetings are exchanged. Each side is allowed to bury the dead trapped in noman’s land. A soccer game is played in no-man’s land.

Despite the disapproval of supervising officers, the war is forgotten on Christmas Day. For one day, peace prevails.

A fanciful, tear-jerking episode from the Hallmark Channel? A hopelessly cheesy Disney movie from the Fifties starring Jimmy Stewart?

No. The astonishing 1914 Christmas Truce that occurred in France of 1914 is fact, not fiction. The cataclysmic Great War, which lasted for four years and claimed at least 20 million lives, was the worst tragedy in the history of mankind up until that time.

But for one day in the Great War, Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men triumphed over the hell of war, thanks to the trust and courage of ordinary men.

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Amidst the horrors of trench warfare, packages from home were treasured by World War I soldiers.

The poignant story of the Great War’s Christmas Day truce will come to life on a Pipestone stage this December.

A professional theatre group, Theater Latte Da, will present “All is Calm-The Christmas Truce of 1914,” Saturday, Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m., at the Pipestone Performing Arts Center.

A 10-member cast portrays the 1914 Christmas truce, as seen through the eyes of German and British combatants.

More than two-dozen period songs are featured, including “Keep the Homefires Burning,” Aulde Lang Syne, “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary,” and “Silent Night.”

“All is Calm,” which premiered in a live radio broadcast in 2007, has received many accolades. The St. Paul Pioneer Press heralded “All is Calm” as “a brilliantly executed production.” The New Yorker wrote, “A heartbreaking tribute to the men who had the courage to affirm their common humanity.”

Writer/director Peter Rothstein has directed 61 main stage productions for the Theater Latte Da, and has collaborated on productions at the Guthrie Theater, the Children’s Theater, Minnesota Opera, the Illusion Theater, and Seattle Fifth Avenue Theater. He was named 2015 Artist of the Year by the Star Tribune, and Best Director by City Pages. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music and theater from St. John’s University, and a Master of Fine Arts in Directing from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $7 students, or $47 for a family. For more information, call 507-825-2020.

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‘Nutcracker’ 8 – Southwest Sailor, December 2017

Classic has cast of 86

By Seth Schmidt

The magic of “The Nutcracker” is returning to Marshall.

Four performances of the holiday, ballet classic will be presented at the Schwan Performing Arts Center, Friday through Sunday, Dec. 1-3.

Eighty-six performers will take to the stage in the Prairie Dance Alliance production, which will be presented at 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 1; 1 & 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 2; and 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3.

After months of rehearsals, excitement is mounting about the upcoming production.

“They are really getting excited,” says Alyssa Coudron, Prairie Dance Alliance board member, of the dancers in the productions.

Two professional dancers from Minneapolis headline the show. Brittany and Matthew Keefe will be featured as the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Cavalier in the “Grand Pas de Deus.” The duo

comes to Marshall with a wide range of dance performance, choreography, and teaching experience.

The Nutcracker, performed to the music of Tchaikovsky, tells the story of Clara, who falls asleep at a Christmas party and dreams of amazing characters in the Land of Sweets.

Local dancers have the other principal roles.

Emily Soehl and Ella Cole are doublecast in the role of Clara.

Lindsey Hart and Henry Herrick are the Snow Princess and Prince.

Isabelle Tomoson is the Harlequin, with Alexis Baynard cast as the Rat Queen and Abbey Goldtrap as the Mouse King.

Michaela Bosveld is the Nutcracker, and Ava Holmgren is the Doll. Halle Roos is the Spanish dancer, with Emma Keppler fluttering into the Butterfly Queen role.

Elaborate staging and costuming are certain crowd-pleasers. Some 160 costumes will be worn on stage, with some dancers making as many as four costume changes.

Choreographers are Annie (Christianson) Deutz and Breanna (Ahmann) Thompson • • • Coudron credits community support, in the form of countless volunteer hours and generous financial contributions, for making ambitious production possible.

“The generosity and commitment from

An enchanted flower (Tara Roberts) is among the characters met by Clara (Emily Soehl) in the Land of Sweets.”

our corporate and individual sponsors is tremendous,” Coudron said. “We are grateful for everyone’s dedication in making this community event a huge success.”

Major grant funding has come from the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council and the U.S. Bank Foundation.

All financial support is welcome, Coudron adds, from those who purchase tickets to sponsors. All told, this year’s Nutcracker has a budget of $35,000.

Many volunteers are also needed, Coudron points out. The Marshall area Stage Company, Marshall Area Fine Arts Council, SMSU students and faculty, dance parents, and Prairie Dance Alliance board members are among those helping with this year’s production.

And then there is the commitment required by dancers.

Auditions for this year’s show were held July 27, with choreography worked out in late August. Rehearsals have been held Sunday afternoons since Sept. 10.

Dancers are from the Marshall Academy of Dance, Tracy Dance Studio, Ann’s School of Dance, Southwest School of Dance, Just for Kix, and Marshall Community education dance classes.

“They are doing an amazing job,” Coudron says of the dancers.

• • • This year’s Nutcracker continues a long Marshall area dance tradition.

The Prairie Dance Alliance first put on Nutcracker in 1995, with subsequent performances in ’97, ’99, 2001, ’07, ’11, ’13, and ’15. Babes in Toyland was staged in 2003 and ’05, with Alice in Wonderland presented in ’09. This year’s production will be the dance alliance’s ninth Nutcracker.

This year’s Nutcracker will be the first to be performed in early December. The

The Nutcracker: See page 13

Visit Luverne, Minnesota Home to the Midwest’s Largest Collection of Nutcrackers 2,800 on display at the History Center

Visit the Gift Store for one-of-a-kind pieces.

Play the NutcrackerFillScavenger Hunt in the name of each nutcracker at locations marked on the

November 10 – January 1 Follow the trail of over 100 nutcrackers throughout Luverne… any time–day or night!

contest map-entry form for a chance to win!

Eight winners will receive a $50 Luverne Chamber Gift Card!

Entry forms available at Luverne Chamber, the History Center or online at www.luvernechamber.com

Open Tuesday – saTurday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

312 East Main Street, Luverne, MN | 507-283-2122 www.rockcountyhistorical.com

Southwest Sailor, December 2017 – 9

‘Nutcracker’ cast list

Dancers and players in the Prairie Dance Alliance’s upcoming “Nutcracker production include:

Drosselmeyer—Jim Radloff Clara’s Grandparents—Muriel Coulter and Kanoa Baynard Clara’s Parents—Meg and Brad Louwagie Clara--Emily Soehl (1:00), Ella Cole (7:00) Clara’s Friends—Peyton Boeck, Reagan Boerboom, Ella Cole, Lindsey Hart, Ava Holmgren, Nevaeha Keeble, Brielle Riess, Halle Roos, Emily Soehl, Sophia Stemwedel, Taya Weber Fritz—Henry Herrick Fritz’s Friends—Austin Coudron, Aiden Duraiappa, Lucca Duraiappa, Beau Meier Children at the Party—Tenley Boushek, Annabel Coudron, Taylor Freeburg, Keelin Louwagie, Anna Vogel Adult Party Guests—Alyssia Coudron, Paul Freeburg, Tanya Freeburg, LaRae Koenen, Anna Lenz, Bruce Louwagie, Dayna Medina, Shannon Moberg, John Verly Maids—Abbey Goldtrap, Natalie Johnson, Maya Roos Jack in the Box—Emma McKeever Tapping Toy Soldiers—Michaela Bosveld, Kylee Loyson, Ella Van Drunen Doll—Ava Holmgren Harlequin—Isabelle Tomoson Mice—Greta Bailey, Kyra Bailey, Taylor Frana, Ava Grannes, Isabelle Lenz, Mariah Loyson, Imogen Moriarty, Lucy Odegaard, Kailyn Roberts, Lexie Roberts, Brennan Russ, Estella Sauter Mouse King—Abbey Goldtrap Rats—Brynlee Dieken, Aiden

Cast:

Henry Herrick and Lindsey Hart portray the Snow Prince and Princess.

See page 13

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All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 relives an astounding moment in WW1 history when Allied and German soldiers laid down their arms to celebrate Christmas together.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

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10 – Southwest Sailor, December 2017

Nutcrackers march on in Luverne

By Shari Dalin Nelson

As nights lengthen, the last leaves fall from trees, and farmers wrap up their harvests, thoughts turn to Christmas.

Many will unpack their nutcrackers and other holiday decorations for display throughout homes and workplaces. Still others look forward to obtaining tickets to a performance of Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet, The Nutcracker Suite.

Woodcarvers may attend craft fairs where they offer nutcrackers created during the off-season. Nutcracker collectors proudly display their pieces. The stories behind some of these collections are special in themselves.

Betty Mann of Luverne began her nutcracker collection in 2001. During 2000, Betty lost both her husband and a daughter and had a tough Christmas.

She had always wanted a wooden nutcracker, so she told her daughterin-law that she would like to buy one, which she found on sale for half price.

She paid $6 for the first one, and thus the collection began. When traveling, she looked for more nutcrackers; and soon friends and relatives were adding to her collection. The collection grew to a hundred, then several hundred, a thousand, two thousand, and now to more than 2,800. One Christmas, she received more than 50 nutcrackers as gifts.

Nutcrackers including this one stand by the door to the Christmas Haus.

Betty Mann takes visitors on a tour of her collection.

When the Rock County Historical Society opened its History Center in the old Herman Motors building, Betty donated her collection to the historical society. During the holiday season, the nutcracker collection has an entire room to itself in the history center.

The Mann nutcrackers range in size from one-inch high Hallmark figures that work, to a human-sized Luverne Cardinal Nutcracker, which Luverne High School art students made. Some of the nutcrackers are original Steinbach nutcrackers. A friend gave Betty a shoemaker nutcracker because Betty also has a collection of more than 9,000 shoes which she has collected since she was ten years old.

The nutcrackers are displayed in categories including military, occupations, foreign countries, sports, chefs, firemen, policemen, and antiques.

Nearly every shelf in the display houses one category, and items also include lamps, a tie, a puzzle, and a beaded picture.

For Christmas shoppers, the History Center offers an array of Christmas items for sale in the Christmas Haus, which is considered to be the only location between Rapid City, South Dakota, and the Twin Cities which sells Ginger Shop indoors out of the wind and cold at both our Tracy and Marshall locations for your fresh cut Fir Christmas tree.

Cottages. Glenn Crider from Virginia designs these cottages which have a little surprise inside such as a candy cane in a train or mice in a clock. Other items include food items, ornaments, nutcrackers, books, snow globes, pillows,

and much more.

The City of Luverne hosts fun nutcracker events in conjunction with Betty’s collection. A scavenger hunt

Luverne Nutcrackers: See page 15

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Southwest Sailor, December 2017 – 11

Wow! A new tie for Christmas!

If you are over the age of 55 and you are a dad, you probably enjoyed opening a Christmas present that was in a box 4 inches wide and 10 inches long. The box was long and thin. “What could it possibly be?”

You removed the wrapping paper. You opened the box. The gift was wrapped in fine colored, silky paper. You folded the paper back and there was your Christmas gift. A neck-tie! But wait, there was a second part to the big tie surprise and it was in a bigger box.

You hastened to open it and find your new fishing reel, but to your surprise, it wasn’t a fishing reel.

It was a tie rack on which to hang your new tie!

Remember those good old days…days when you ran out of ideas for Christmas gifts so you bought all the guys in your family a new tie and every lady was given a really nice, lacy handkerchief, and every boy and girl received their favorite brand of underwear?

Times have changed, and now we are offered a plethora of stop-gap gifts for everyone. And the gifts come in packages with lots of choices. Now you can give someone who fishes a whole flip-top plastic box full of everything from bobbers to hooks to flashing spoons, diving plugs, spinners, and leaders. Oh, there are these packages for the ladies, too: gift boxes of perfumes, selected body creams, eye shade colors, nail polishes, and hair binders.

Remember when you bought Uncle Harry a new pipe and a can of Prince Albert pipe tobacco? Well now, instead of pipe tobacco, you can get Uncle Harry a box filled with drinking glasses and all

Shopping

Fishing …with Joe

by Joe LeTendre

the makings for Margaritas! In the past, people would give a bottle of wine for a gift. Now you can give a person a whole wine making kit and even include the berries or dandelions.

• • • Many women remember those long days of preparing a holiday meal for a cast of millions.

Now you ladies can put those days behind you when you give the favorite man in your life a turkey boiler, a smoker, or best of all, a complete cooking kitchen on wheels called a grill. Remember that saying “busy hands are happy hands” and nothing will keep the man in your life busier than cooking!

It is easy to give someone a fishing rod. But to give someone who fishes a real fishing rod gift, give him a fishing rod building kit. These kits come with a fishing rod blank, wrapping thread, rod eyes, cork handles, and even varnishes, and paint finishes. It might be best to also give the person who receives this gift one of those Margarita gift sets, too.

A vacation trip, an evening out, a shopping spree, NASCAR racing tickets, a State Park sticker, a bunch of massages, a catered dinner, a perfect prime rib roast, there are a lots of very good replacement gifts for the tie and tie rack idea.

The stained recipe card demonstrates Betty Van Loh’s use of the card for peppernuts. The recipe came from Betty’s good friend Gladys, whose name is in the upper right corner.

Christmas favorites Continued from page six

Last December, my husband and I were enjoying a flight layover in Seattle visiting relatives.

While shopping, a devastating thought crossed my mind: the special cookies were still in our Minnesota freezer! I immediately called my mom-in-love with instructions to mail the box, the cost no object (cost was $50). Many prayers carried those cookies to Izumo in record time.

They arrived at noon, December 25, in time for the party that evening. Japanese may not eat many sweets, but the bell, tree, star, and ornament-shaped cookies entered in a decorating contest were heavy laden with thick colored frostings.

What special memories do you have of Christmases and the foods you’ve enjoyed?

Concert sure to jazz up holidays The Southwest Minnesota State University jazz ensemble will present a concert Monday, Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m.

The Dakota Jazz Collection will also perform.

Senior Living at its finest!

TubaChristmas coming to SMSU A “TubaChristmas” promises some brassy volume for holiday music on the campus of Southwest Minnesota State University, Saturday, Dec. 2. A 2 p.m. performance in the upper level of SMSU’s student center is planned, with

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12 – Southwest Sailor, December 2017

Hot Christmas gifts?

Don’t forget laser light to entertain your cat!

By Scott Thoma

Train sets, bicycles, gloves and slippers are among the traditional holiday gift items that might be tucked under the Christmas tree.

But there are some new gift ideas that local stores and shops say are among the “hot” items rung up at the cash register this holiday season.

“We have plush Paw Patrol in three sizes that are already selling well,” said Emily Rosenbrook, co-owner of The Hut in Slayton. “They are like Beanie Babies and come in all the characters.”

Paw Patrol items were popularized by the children’s television show of the same name. The plush items feature characters Rocky, Marshall, Skye, Rubble, Chase, Zuma and Everest, when available.

New children’s items are always among the most sought-after gifts, but Rosenbrook said they will be carrying some gifts for adults that are expected to sell well, too.

“Gnomes are already selling well for us,” she said. “We have gnome ornaments and figurines and things like that. It’s hard to keep them in the store because they sell so fast.”

And crochet knit stocking caps with fluffy fur pom-pons came out recently and became trendy.

“Those have become very popular here and other places,” Rosenbrook said. “We have them in all colors. And the Infinity plaid scarves are another clothing item that is really selling well.”

Infinity scarves aren’t like the conventional scarf grandma used to knit for you to wrap around your face as many times as possible. Infinity scarves are a closed loop which is dropped over the head to rest on the shoulders as a single twist or a second loop for longer versions.

Tech items are popular items for Christmas lists, often with bigger price tags.

Among the hot items is the Google Home, a speaker for the home or office in which you can check the weather, set reminders, and do research on the fly by voice command.

“Wifi home controls are very popular and there are some new ones out,” said Diane McCormick, operations manager at Ace Hardware in Marshall. “There are apps that can be downloaded for wifi things like LED lights, thermostats, doorbells, smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, security cameras, light switches and things like that. And then you can check them all from your phone.”

Another tech item to make life easier in the office is a Wacom Bamboo Slate.

This allows you to write your notes and ideas naturally with a pen on any paper. Bamboo Slate then coverts your handwriting into “living” digital files with the push of a button. The Wacom Inkspace app allows you to organize, edit and share your notes and sketches on your enabled devices.

Also popular this year is the Otterbox universe case for your iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. This multipurpose case includes a carbon-monoxide detector, a multi-tool with knife and saw, a laser tool for measurements, and a snap-in place on the back for an extra lens, a flash

What’s going to be underneath the Christmas tree for your family?

drive, and a battery pack.

The 2017 Panasonic OLED Ultra HD flat-screen televisions are expected to be a top seller beginning with Black Friday sales. Many local store workers mentioned customers have been inquiring about their availability and price for Christmas.

With healthful home cooking in vogue, an assortment of new cooking and kitchen devices are making Christmas shopping lists. The nuwave Brio digital air fryer that reduces fat and calories in cooking up to 70% is among them.

“You don’t use any oil with these,” said Ken Schiller, the owner of Midwest Supply in Tracy and Slayton. “We have them in 3-quart and 6-quart sizes. You can cook French fries or chicken or other fried foods with no oil. They say it’s much healthier and consumer friendly.”

Beer and wine making are also popular.

“There are new flavorings and supplies out this year for those that are into experimenting with new beers and wines,” said McCormick. “Like cooking, you can create your own recipes.”

Perhaps the hottest-selling toy that came out last year was Hatchimals, an interactive stuffed animal that hatches and kids watch grow up. The K & M International Company that manufactures the unique toy, is taking it a step further with Hatchimals Surprise, in which twins can be hatched and cared for.

The educational toy flew off the shelves last year, with some customers having trouble locating one in time for Christmas. Early sales indicate Hatchimals Surprise will be just as popular this season.

“One lady just bought four of them,” said a cashier at Walmart in Marshall.

“She bought them early because she couldn’t find any for her grandkids last year.”

Hatchimals Surprise isn’t the only new toy expected to be on many kids’ Christmas list this year.

Fingerling Monkeys are already out of stock at some major retailers. These are responsive monkeys (also comes in a

unicorn version) that feature sensors so children of all ages can enjoy interacting with the toy.

The Fisher Price Zoom ‘n Crawl Monster is a new favorite toy of infants,

who place balls in the monster’s mouth and they spin. When the baby gets to the crawling stage, the toy can be set to spit the ball out, encouraging the child to chase them around.

As children crawl on Santa’s lap this holiday season to express their “Wish List”, he will likely hear “L.O.L. Surprise” over and over. This surprise gift is expected to rival arguably the “hottest” Christmas toy of all time, the 1990s Tickle Me Elmo.

L.O.L. stands for “Little Outrageous Little” and the Surprise is what your children will get when they open this glittery golden dome filled with as many as 50 small toys that include dolls, clothes, cups, glasses and trinkets, all of which have to be unwrapped individually.

And don’t forget your pets who are arguably the most spoiled member of the family. For dog lovers, the Pooch Selfie Stick allows you to take photos of yourself with your dog. Your dog will look directly into the camera due to the squeaker ball that can be attached to the top of your camera. And for your cat, the Ultimate Laser will shine a laser beam erratically on the floor. In automatic mode, the laser will entertain your cat for up to 15 minutes.

And if you can keep your cat entertained, that’s less time you have to spend cleaning up all the scraps of Christmas wrapping they shredded.

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Southwest Sailor, December 2017 – 13

‘The Nutcracker’ Continued from page eight

others were presented in early January.

The pre-Christmas date is being tried, Coudron says, to increase its emphasis as a holiday show, and see how audiences respond.

• • • Reduced-price tickets are available at Hy-Vee in Marshall, the Marshall Area Fine Arts Council, and at Marshall Radio. Tickets will also be sold at the door. More information is available at www.prairiedancealliance.org.

Prairie Dance Alliance board members include Justin Holmgren, president; Coudron, vice president; Holly Jo Boerboom, treasurer; Sarah Kepler, secretary; Mark Bosveld, past president; Rachel Holmgren, Lynne Johnson, Jennifer Kainz, and Bruce Louwagie.

Henry Herrick and Lindsey Hart, who portray the Snow Prince and Princess, are among the scores of dancers who will appear in the Prairie Dance Alliance’s production of “The Nutcracker.”

‘Nutcracker’ cast Continued from page nine

Duraiappa, Brianna Foley, Nora Holmgren, Cora Medina, Katelyn Moberg, Ava Panka, Kylee Powell, Emmalise Starz, Isabella Woodbeck Rat Queen—Alexis Baynard Soldiers—Alana Condezo, Annabel Coudron, Delaney Dieken, Lucca Duraiappa, Taylor Freeburg, Elizabeth Fultz, Addison Kainz, Madilyn Panka, Julianna Purrington, Gwen Roberts, Tara Roberts, Willow Russ, Berlin Sauter, Ava Winn Nutcracker—Michaela Bosveld Snow—Alexis Baynard, Reagan Boerboom, Ava Holmgren, Natalie Johnson, Emma Kepler, Keelin Louwagie, Kylee Loyson, Lonnah Maasch, Brielle Riess, Halle Roos, Maya Roos, Sophia Stemwedel, Isabelle Tomoson, Ella Van Drunen, Anna Vogel, Taya Weber Snow Princess—Lindsey Hart Snow Prince—Henry Herrick Snow Bunnies—Isabel Christiansen, Ainsley Holt, Emerson Holt, Kimberly Lenz, Addie Odegaard, Adalynn Starz Angels—Brynlee Dieken, Brianna Foley, Ava Grannes, Isabelle Lenz, Cora Medina, Imogen Moriarty, Ava Panka, Lexie Roberts, Berlin Sauter, Emmalise Starz, Isabella Woodbeck Peppermint Tumblers—Delaney Dieken, Lucca Duraiappa, Elizabeth Fultz, Nora Holmgren, Addison Kainz, Madilyn Panka, Kylee Powell, Ava Winn Spanish—Halle Roos Mother Ginger—Muriel Coulter Gumdrops—Reagan Boerboom, Taya Weber Bakers— Beau Meier, Padraic Moriarty, Noah Woodbeck Gingersnaps—Kyra Bailey, Amelia Lane, Estella Sauter Chinese—Michaela Bosveld, Abbey Goldtrap, Maya Roos

Holiday events set in Balaton

The Balaton Chamber of Commerce is making plans for its annual Christmas kickoff.

Holiday open houses for local businesses are planned Friday, Dec. 1, along with a dinner and raffle. Saturday, Dec. 2, will have the second-annual Snow Ball at the Ralco Technology Campus gym.

The Friday schedule calls for business open houses from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Most establishments will serve holiday treats, and offer drawings. Santa and kids’ crafts are scheduled from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Balaton Community Center, with the TrinitySillerud Luther League hosting a bake sale and meat raffle.

The Chamber’s annual corn chowder and beef burger supper will be served from 5 to 7 p.m.

A Christmas sing-a-long begins at 6 p.m. followed by drawings at 6:30 p.m.

The Snow Ball is a fund-raiser Phase 2 of the Eastbay Park Project.

Radio deejay Jeff Erickson will provide the music. Appetizers will be served, with attendees invited to check out silent auction items. The event will run from 7 to 11 p.m., with $20 tickets sold at the door.

Lollipops—Alexis Baynard, Natalie Johnson, Isabelle Tomoson Arabians—Reagan Boerboom, Ella Cole, Ava Holmgren, Emma Kepler, Halle Roos, Emily Soehl, Taya Weber Russian—Peyton Boeck, Lindsey Hart, Henry Herrick, Emma McKeever, Sophia Stemwedel Butterfly Queen—Emma Kepler Butterflies—Nevaeha Keeble, Lonnah Maasch, Brielle Riess, Anna Vogel Flowers—Peyton Boeck, Alana Condezo, Annabel Coudron, Delaney Dieken, Addison Kainz, Keelin Louwagie, Kylee Loyson, Emma McKeever, Madilyn Panka, Julianna Purrington, Gwen Roberts, Tara Roberts, Willow Russ, Berlin Sauter, Ella Van Drunen, Ava Winn Sugar Plum Fairy—Brittany Keefe Grand Pas de Deux—Brittany & Matthew Keefe

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14 – Southwest Sailor, December 2017

Tracy holiday parade of lights Nov. 25

A host of activities are planned for the Tracy Area Chamber of Commerce’s holiday kick-off Saturday, Nov. 25.

A Holiday Bazaar will fill The Caboose from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Pictures with Santa are planned at the Tracy Public Library, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m, with Greg Devereaux Photography taking the pictures.

A soup supper, served up by the Tracy Lion’s Club, is planned from 5 to 7 p.m.

A lit holiday parade is planned through the downtown at 6 p.m.

It’s almost ice fishing time!

Anticipation is building for the ice fishing season. When this Sailor went to print, ice had not yet formed on area lakes. But these photos from last winter show what is to come. Top, an ice house is set up on Lake Yankton near Balaton. Right, Hunter Olson (left) and Jordan Martius, Lamberton, show off their catch from Lake Shetek.

Hot chocolate was served as last year’s Tracy Parade of Lights.

Santa to greet kids in Garvin

Santa is coming to Garvin Sunday, Dec. 3, from 2 to 4 p.m., at Bitton’s Road House.

The Jolly Gent will be handing out holiday treats and posing for pictures with the kids at Bitton’s Road House.

Santa’s coming to town in Currie

Santa is coming to Currie on Saturday, Dec. 9. His visit is part of the “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” event starting at 1 p.m. at the American Legion.

There will be sleigh rides, bingo, gifts and, of course, pictures with Jolly Ol’ Saint Nick himself at 2 p.m.

The event is sponsored by the Currie Town & Country Boosters.

Jason Gray

Jason Gray headlines Christmas coming tour Contemporary Christian music artist Jason Gray will be putting on a Christmas show at the Lake Sarah Baptist Church, Saturday, Dec. 16, at 2 and 7 p.m.

The “Christmas is Coming Tour” is billed as “an evening of Christmas stories, carols, and songs.” Chris August and Hanna Kerr will also perform.

A native of southwest Minnesota, Gray spent six years in youth ministry before becoming a full-time musician.

Christianity Today calls Gray one of

“Christian music’s best-kept secrets.”

His first No. 1 single, “Nothing is Wasted,” was on the Soft AC Chart for nine weeks in 2013. “Good to be Alive” was cited as “Most Performed Song” in the 2013 Christian Music Awards.

His latest album is “Where the Light Gets in.”

Lake Sarah Baptist Church is located nine miles north of Slayton on Hwy. 59.

Ticket information is available on-line at lakesarahbaptistchurch.org.

Kat Perkins

Kat Perkins performing in Slayton on Dec. 9

Kat Perkins will perform in Slayton in December as part of her Home for the Holidays A Kat Perkins Christmas Tour.

Perkins will be at the Murray County Central High School auditorium at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9.

Doors open at 7 p.m.

Advanced tickets ($25 for cults, $15 for students/seniors 65+) are available at the Community Education Office (8368360).

OHDA Junk & More 22 Morgan Street • Tracy, MN

Stop in for Vintage Holiday Gift Ideas!

OpeN Weekly ThurS. & Fri. 1-4 p.M.; SaTurday 9 a.M.-3 p.M. Closing for the Holidays & Inventory Dec. 23 – March 1!

Southwest Sailor, December 2017 – 15

Luverne Nutcrackers Continued from page 10

in early November featured 100 eight-foot and four-foot nutcracker figures scattered throughout the city. Searchers strive to visit each nutcracker and collect the name of each, for a chance to win $50 in a drawing.

During Winterfest, slated for Saturday, Dec. 2, approximately 23 eight-foot nutcrackers will appear under a pole in the city park, which is on the same street as and to the east of the History Center. People may drive around the pole and view the nutcrackers.

Where’s Philo?, which is planned for Nov. 24, is another fun activity involving one four-foot nutcracker which is named in honor of Philo Hawes, who founded Luverne and in 1868 established a post office there. He named the city in honor of his daughter Eva Luverne and built the first house in the city in 1867. People find Philo, and then post a photo of themselves with the figure on Facebook. Every second or third day Philo moves to another location, and people again ask, “Where’s Philo?”

Information about other activities in Luverne is available at http:// luvernechamber.com/.

The display is divided into categories like this section of patriotic nutcrackers.

V IP Floral & Garden Center

Shop small this season for all your Holiday Shopping!

Slayton Left Bank Roasterie & Café

2600 Broadway Ave. • Slayton, MN (507) 836-6008 www.leftbankcoffee.com

Fresh-Roasted Coffee by the cup or by the Pound!

• Boughs, Swags & Wreaths • Outdoor Evergreen Planters • Holiday Gifts & Decor

2539 Highway 30, Slayton, MN • (507) 836-8260 Open M-F 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sat. 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. www.vipfloral.net

Shop Small on Friday, Saturday & Sunday

November 24, 25 & 26

• Home Décor • Gifts/Cards • Women’s Apparel • Bridal Gifts • Baby Gifts • Kitchen Décor & Gadgets

Unbelievable In-Store Specials!

Check our website & facebook for a full list of the weekend’s specials.

2620 Broadway Avenue, Slayton, MN, (507) 836-6800 Holiday Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9-5; Thurs. til 7; Sat. 9-3; Sun. 1-4 p.m. www.thehutgiftshoppe.com

Health Conscious Breakfast & Lunch Monday thru Friday 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Saturday 8 – 11 a.m.

CArpet • ViNyl • Wood • lAMiNAte Professional Measuring & Installation

(507) 836-8629 • (507) 360-7266 Cell

Ca appoill for an ntmen t!

2121 Maple Avenue • Slayton, MN

16 – Southwest Sailor, December 2017

Friday, Dec. 1, 9 to 3 pm

at Currie State Bank in Currie Holiday goodies, sandwiches, coffee and hot cider served throughout the day.

Trinity Pre-School Children from Slayton to perform at 10 a.m.

Register To Win A

FREE TURKEY Ten turkeys will be given away on

December 15. Stop by Currie State Bank and register any time.

Tracy Area High School Chamber Choir to perform at 1:30 p.m.

Member FDIC

You Know Us...We Know You”

141 Mill Street – Currie, MN 56123 (507) 763-3262 117 S. Minnesota Avenue – Okabena, MN 56161 (507) 853-4421 curriestatebank.com Full Service Bank May all your hopes and dreams come true this holiday season. For your faith in us, we are forever grateful. www.murraylandagencyinc.com Tracy 212-6688–Currie 763-3599–Slayton 836-6996–Okabena 853-4421

We wish all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!