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November 23, 2016

WCHS’s Festival of Trees celebrates 10 years Wright County Historical Society’s free indoor event creates winter wonderland BY ANDREA KRINKE MONTICELLO TIMES There are few sights more magical than an elaborately dressed Christmas tree, and the Wright County Historical Society is lighting up the Wright County Heritage Center for a season of festive fun. The 10th annual Festival of Trees opens on Tuesday, Nov. 29, with a lighting ceremony and all the gifts of the Christmas season. “It’s just like a fairy tale, an indoor, magical, winter wonderland,” Business Manager Sally Stevens said. “The Festival of Trees is free, because this is our gift back to the community.”

The display of dozens of decorated trees will highlight Wright County businesses, organizations and families; participation is open to any interested individual or group, and the historical society is expecting some favorites in this anniversary year. “Let me tell you—these trees are going to be fantastic!” Stevens said. While the staff comes up with new ideas for trees each year – Stevens said spectators can expect some fun mannequin trees this season -- it is the fun competition from outside groups that really makes this event shine. “We are continuing our law enforcement category competition, which means that the Buffalo Police Depart-

ment, who won the inaugural trophy last year, will have a tree again this year, and so will the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, and so will the Minnesota State Patrol,” Stevens said, adding that the Buffalo Police Department has already sent in investigators to measure the ceiling height and to examine the electrical capabilities of the site. There will also be a “battle of the sexes” of sorts, with students from the Phoenix Learning Center working in gender-divided groups on their trees. “What’s fun about that is the heritage center had partnered with the learning center for many years, and then it stopped for a while and has been renewed this year,” Stevens said. She is

excited for the partnership to continue, and for students and visitors of all ages to take in the spectacle. “This event can be enjoyed by the very young, those who are older, people with disabilities, everyone,” Stevens said. “What we found is that, in the last couple of years, attendance has grown exponentially, and so, this year, we have even had calls for organizations interested.” She expects 1,200 people or more to view the trees during this holiday season.“Last year, there were 50 trees, and now it’s really taking off,” Stevens said. Continues on Page 3

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monticellotimes.com

Home for the Holidays • Thursday, November 23, 2016

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‘Holiday Train’ will visit two area communities on Dec. 11 Festive engine, cars will stop in Buffalo and Annandale BY TIM HENNAGIR MONTICELLO TIMES

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Every year, Canadian Pacific’s Holiday Trains travel through dozens of communities, raising food and cash donations for North American food banks. This year, the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will stop in two Wright County communities on Sunday, Dec. 11. The train will stop first in Buffalo at 612 N,E. Third Avenue, arriving at 5:45 p.m. The show in Buffalo will run from from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.and feature Kelly Prescott and Colin James. The train’s next stop will be in Annandale, on the west side of downtown park, over the Oak Avenue crossing. The Holiday Train is scheduled to arrive at 7:15 p.m. in Annandale and the performance by Kelly Prescott and Colin James is scheduled from 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. From the prairies of Saskatchewan to the stages of the world, sharing his talent with some of the greatest and most influential musicians of all time, Colin James has quietly and steadily established himself as one of Canada’s greatest musicians. Kelly Prescott is no stranger to the Holiday Train. She has taken part in numerous tours and was featured on many of the past Holiday Train CD’s, including the gold record release in 2005. In, 2013 she shared the stage with Sheryl Crow and Take Six on the Holiday Train’s 15th anniversary show in Minnesota. A typical Holiday Train event goes something like this: The train arrives and pulls to a safe stop in front of the crowd.

The stage door lowers and the band opens with its first song. After that, a brief presentation takes place with local food bank officials and other dignitaries. Once complete, the band resumes performing a mix of traditional and modern holiday-themed songs. The whole event lasts about 30 minutes, and once the band plays its farewell show, the boxcar door closes, and the train slips off into the night on its way to the next stop. The Holiday Train is about 1,000 feet in length with 14 brightly decorated rail cars. They are each decorated with hundreds of thousands of technology-leading LED lights and holiday designs. Again this year, the Holiday Train program is encouraging people attending events to bring heart healthy donations. Heart health education and awareness is a tenet of CP’s community investment program, CP Has Heart, which focuses on improving the heart health of men, women and children in communities across North America. The “U,S. Train� visits communities across the U.S. Northeast and Midwest, and returns back to Canada for shows in Saskatchewan and Alberta. The concerts are always free, but spectators are encouraged to make a donation to the local food bank -- either a non-perishable food item or a cash donation. All contributions stay within the local community. Contact Tim Hennagir at tim.hennagir@ ecm-inc.com

monticellotimes.com

Home for the Holidays • Thursday, November 23, 2016

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The Festival of Trees event at the Wright County Historical Society includes free, digital photos with Santa Claus, hot chocolate, coffee, and cookies, along with the opportunity to view and vote on the decorated trees. The 10th annual Wright County Historical Society’s Festival of Trees opens Tuesday, Nov. 29, with a lighting ceremony and all the gifts of the Christmas season at the Wright County Heritage Center. (Submitted Photo)

WCHS’s Festival of Trees kicks off Nov. 29 Members of the public will have the chance to vote on awards for trees that are the most traditional, the funniest, the most childlike, and more. Of course, there is also a place for the nostalgia of the holiday season. This is the Wright County Historical Society, after all. Local train enthusiast Leander Wetter, a longtime member and former president of the Wright County Historical Society, lends his electric trains to the Festival of Trees display. “At one time, that was a big deal for a child to get a toy train set for Christmas, back in the 1940s and 1950s, so I was asked to help them out in that regard,” Wetter said. “I basically just set up several scale models of trains; I try to depict the trains that were back in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s.” Wetter, who is retired from running a

dairy and crop farm west of Hanover, has been interested in trains since he got a gift from his uncle at the age of eight. In the decades since, his collection has outgrown a basement room designed to house the trains. The family is also on board. Mary, his wife of 40 years, has her own train collection, and Leander and Mary, along with their three grown children, are licensed to operate high-pressure steam engines. The family owns four antique steam engines, and Leander also collects antique tractors. “I consider trains my winter hobby, because you can’t fire up steam engines in the winter,” Wetter chuckled. Wetter takes pride in setting up his trains for the Festival of Trees and encourages everyone to visit the Wright County Heritage Center to see the scene. He is still tinkering with what will ap-

pear this year around the trees. “We can make a city or a rural site or a combination of both, and just try to make it look a little nicer,” he explained. “I’m always open to new ideas. You have to make changes. In this case, with the historical society, you want it to look different each year, so it is not same old, same old.” Stevens agreed that from law enforcement to girls versus boys to model trains circling the trees, this anniversary year is sure to bring some fun, new displays, and there is plenty of time to enjoy. “Anybody can come, so you don’t need to plan ahead, but, if you are going to bring a larger group, we’d love to know so we can be ready for you,” Stevens said. “This stays open for almost six weeks, so there’s plenty of time to arrange a visit.” The lighting ceremony to kick off the

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Festival of Trees is on Tuesday, Nov. 29, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at the Wright County Heritage Center, 2001 Highway 25 N., Buffalo. This free, public event will include free, digital photos with Santa Claus, hot chocolate, coffee, and cookies, along with the opportunity to view and vote on the decorated trees. Following the lighting ceremony, the center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Tuesdays until 8 p.m. Additional tree viewings are scheduled for Sundays in December, from 4 to 7 p.m. The Festival of Trees runs Wednesday, Nov. 30, to Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2017. For more information, visit the Wright County Historical Society on Facebook or call (763) 682-7323. Andrea Krinke is a freelance feature writer for the Monticello Times.

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monticellotimes.com

Home for the Holidays • Thursday, November 23, 2016

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 23 Evangelical Lutheran Church of Silver Creek, 11390 Elliott Ave. N.W., Maple Lake for Thanksgiving Eve worship service at 7 p.m. followed by a pie social. Alive! Lutheran Church, 121 W. Broadway, Monticello, Thanksgiving Eve, 7 p.m. Worship Service, followed by pie social. Church of St. Henry, 1001 E. Seventh St., Monticello, Community Ecumenical Thanksgiving Prayer Service at 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, NOV. 24 St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 413 E. Third St., Monticello, Thanksgiving Day worship service, 9 a.m.

themed and lit Christmas trees. The Festival of Trees will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30 to Jan. 5, 2017, and be open Tuesday nights until 8 p.m. For more details please call 763-682-7323 or visit the society’s Facebook page.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 30 Trinity Lutheran Church, 440 W. Broadway, Monticello. The advent meal will begin at 5:45 pm and will be served until 6:15 pm. Following the meal there will be a Service of the Word beginning at 6:30 pm in the church sanctuary. Alive! Lutheran Church, 121 W. Broadway, Monticello, 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. worship service, 6 p.m. soup & sandwich meal

FRIDAY, DEC. 2

SUNDAY, NOV. 27 Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 5460 63rd St. N.W. Maple Lake Advent Services “O Come, O Come� 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

TUESDAY, NOV. 29 Wright County Historical Society Festival of Trees opens with a lighting ceremony from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Wright County Heritage Center, 2001 Highway 25 N., Buffalo. Free and open to the public, the Festival of Trees highlights Wright County businesses, families, and organizations through a variety of traditional and uniquely

Monticello Chamber of Industry & Commerce 2016 Annual Banquet, “Boot Scootin’ Hoedown� from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Monticello Community Center. Announcement of Business of the Year and change of leadership on the Chamber’s Board of Directors. Cost is $65 a person, with beverages included. Call the chamber office to reserve a table of eight for the price of seven at (763) 295-2700.

SATURDAY, DEC. 3 Holidays Around the World Celebration from 9:30 a.m.

to 11:30 a.m. Crafts featuring December celebrations from around the world, pictures with Santa, and Dean-O-Mite will entertain from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Eastview Family Center 9375 Fenning Ave. N.E. Alive! Lutheran Church, 121 W. Broadway, Monticello, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus; accepting donations for the Monticello Food Shelf. Community United Methodist’s 16th Annual Christmas Tea starting at 9:15 a.m. will include Jon Salmon’s program “On True Friends� followed by tea served in the Fellowship Hall at 10 a.m. For information, call (763) 2952652 or visit www.commumc. org.

SUNDAY, DEC. 4 Monticello Lions Pancake Breakfast 2016, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Proceeds used for Holiday Baskets and Food Shelf. Food shelf donation are welcome. Santa Claus will be attending. Wellness Van will be in attendance and provide free diabetes check, cholesterol checks, blood pressure check. Meal includes pancakes, eggs, ham, sausage, fruit, pastry, coffee, juice, and milk. Cost is adults, $8, Students (12 & under), $4, Preschoolers are free. Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 5460 63rd St. N.W. Maple Lake Advent Services “O Come, O Come� 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Home for Calendar MONDAY, DEC. 5 School band concert including the Monticello Middle School eighth grade band and Monticello High School Wind Ensemble at 7 p.m. in the MHS Auditorium.

TUESDAY, DEC. 6 Season of Light Remembrance Tree Lighting Ceremony. CentraCare Health – Monticello has partnered with CentraCare Hospice and St. Benedict’s Senior Community to host the Season of Light Remembrance Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. at St. Benedict’s Senior Community in Monticello. Light refreshments will be served following the ceremony. For more information on the Season of Light Remembrance Tree Lighting or to RSVP, please call (763) 2712485.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 7 Monticello Early Childhood Family Education Program will be hosting a “Friendsgiving� pot luck dinner from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Everyone is asked to bring a store-bought dish to share. Monticello Early Childhood Family Education is located at Eastview Family Center 9375 Fenning Ave. N.E. Alive! Lutheran Church, 121 W. Broadway, Monticello, 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. worship service, 6 p.m. soup and sandwich meal. Trinity Lutheran Church, 449 W. Broadway, Monticello. Advent meal will begin at 5:45 p.m. and will be served until 6:15 p.m. Following the meal will be a Service of the Word beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the church sanctuary.

FRIDAY, DEC. 9 Riverside Church, Highway 25 and County Road 14, Big Lake, “A Christmas Carol,� at 7 p.m. Free tickets are required and can be requested on the church website, www.myriversidechurch. com

SATURDAY, DEC. 10 Riverside Church, Highway 25 and County Road 14, Big Lake, “A Christmas Carol,� at 4 p.m.

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monticellotimes.com

Home for the Holidays • Thursday, November 23, 2016

TUESDAY, DEC. 13

the Holidays

Pinewood Elementary Concerts at 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. with third graders performing “The Big Chill� and the fifth-grade choir at 7:30 p.m.

Planner 2016 and 6:30 p.m. Free tickets are required and can be requested on the church website, www.myriversidechurch.com Church of St. Henry, 1001 E. Seventh St., Monticello, music concert at 7:30 p.m.(Register Online)

SUNDAY, DEC. 11 Monticello High School Holiday Concert at 2 p.m. in the MHS Auditorium. The concert will feature the MHS Wind Ensemble, MHS Concert Choir, and MHS Philharmonic Orchestra. Alive! Lutheran Church, 121 W. Broadway, Monticello, 9 a.m. Worship Service & Children’s Christmas Pageant. Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 5460 63rd St. N.W. Maple Lake Advent Services “O Come, O Come� 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Trinity Lutheran Church, 449 W. Broadway, Monticello, Sunday School Christmas Pageant during worship at 9 a.m. Riverside Church, Highway 25 and County Road 14, Big Lake, “A Christmas Carol,� at 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Free tickets are re-

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 14 Trinity Lutheran Church, 449 W. Broadway, Monticello. The advent meal will begin at 5:45 pm and will be served until 6:15 pm. Following the meal will be a Service of the Word beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Alive! Lutheran Church, 121 W. Broadway, Monticello, 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. worship service, 6 p.m. soup and sandwich meal

quired and can be requested on the church website, www.myriversidechurch.com

MONDAY, DEC. 12 Orchestra concert at 7 p.m. in the Monticello High School auditorium. This event will feature eighth-grade orchestra and the two high school orchestras, Symphonia and Philharmonic. Blue Christmas Service - A community service, focused on healing and hope for those who are grieving during the holidays, will be held at 7 p.m. at Community United Methodist Church, 9225 Jason Ave. N.E. in Monticello. All are welcome and encouraged to invite others to attend. People who have suffered the loss of a loved one often feel sad and unable to enjoy the festivities of Christmas. Join others who understand and find yourself surrounded by love. Call 763-295-2652 for information. Church of St. Henry, 1001 E. Seventh St., Monticello, Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration, 6 p.m.

THURSDAY, DEC. 15 Monticello High School Auditorium, sixth and seventh grade Orchestra Concert at 7 p.m. free and open to public.

FRIDAY, DEC. 16 Church of St. Henry, 1001 E. Seventh St., Monticello, Land of Lakes Choirboys Concert, 7 p.m.

SUNDAY, DEC. 18 Sunday School Kid’s Christmas Program 9 a.m. at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church of Silver Creek, 11390 Elliott Ave. N.W., Maple Lake and an Advent Ham Dinner from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. followed by a Christmas

Carol Sing Along at 6:30 p.m. Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 5460 63rd St. N.W. Maple Lake Advent Services “O Come, O Come� 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. and a festival featuring Service of the Word and music at 10:30 a.m. Faith Lutheran Church, 12449 Clementa Ave. N.W. Monticello, Sunday School Children’s Program, 9:30 a.m. Trinity Lutheran Church, 449 W. Broadway, Monticello, Trinity Choir presents “Prepare Ye the Way,� an Advent Cantata written and directed by Harry Walsh at 2 p.m. Free concert. Donations accepted.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 21 Trinity Lutheran Church, 449 W. Broadway, Monticello. The advent meal will begin at 5:45 pm and will be served until 6:15 pm. Following the meal will be a Service of the Word beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Alive! Lutheran Church, 121 W. Broadway, Monticello, 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. worship service, 6 p.m. soup and sandwich meal.

THURSDAY, DEC. 22 Riverside Church, Highway 25 and County Road 14, Big Lake, worship at 7:05 p.m.

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County Road 11, Big Lake, will have a family Christmas service at 7 p.m. Riverside Church, Highway 25 and County Road 14, Big Lake, worship 5:05 p.m. and 7:05 p.m.

SATURDAY, DEC. 24 Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church of Silver Creek, 11390 Elliott Ave. N.W., Maple Lake Christmas Eve Service at 4 p.m. Alive! Lutheran Church, 121 W. Broadway, Monticello, 6 p.m. Candlelight Service St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 413 E. Third St., Monticello, Christmas Eve service at 5 p.m. (traditional children’s service) Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 5460 63rd St. N.W. Maple Lake Christmas Eve, Family Services 5 p.m., Candelight Services 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. Saron Lutheran Church, 311 Lake Street S. Big Lake, Christmas Eve Worship Services 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. with candlelight, carols, communion. Faith Lutheran Church, 12449 Clementa Ave. N.W. Monticello, Christmas Eve Worship, 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. All three services include candelight. Trinity Lutheran Church, 449 W. Broadway, Monticello, Christmas Eve services at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.

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monticellotimes.com

Home for the Holidays • Thursday, November 23, 2016

Toys for Tots drive now underway in area cities This year help make Christmas a little brighter for a child in need by helping out the Community Toys for Tots program. You have probably started to see boxes for collection out in the community waiting to be filled. Organizers need your help in purchasing new and unwrapped toys for the children in need this year. Last year the program served more than 800 children in the area and help is needed to do the same this year. To help

the children in the area, you can fill any one of the distribution boxes in the following communities: Monticello, Becker, Big Lake, Clearwater and Clear Lake. You can find boxes in the following locations: American Legion Post No. 260, Belde Chiropractic and Body Shop, Burger King, CentraCare Hospital Monticello, Cub Foods, Culvers, DoJo Karate, First Bank of Minnesota, Liberty Savings Bank, Karlsburger Foods, Mon-

ticello City Hall, Monticello Community Center, Monticello Library, PDR, Pizza Ranch, Premier Bank, Riverwood Bank, Runnings, St. Benedicts Senior Community, Studer Chiropractic, Walgreens, Walmart Super Store, or Wells Fargo. For a list of other locations you can drop your toys off to help children in your community please visit our website at www.toysfortots.org. Click on search local contacts and toy drop locations in

your area. Choose Monticello, MN. You can also check out how to donate online. Boxes, will only be out until Dec. 16. Also please keep in mind any toys going down to television station KARE 11 or put in boxes outside of the cities listed do not help the children in your community. For any questions please contact Stacy Boone-Vikingson at (763) 482-4447 or by email at communitytoysfortots@gmail. com.

Monticello Times ‘Letters to Santa’ deadline is Thursday, Dec. 8 Calling all parents, grandparents, daycare providers and pet owners: It’s time for kids in the Monticello Times newspaper readership area to participate in a time-honored holiday tradition and write letters to that jolly holiday elf, Santa Claus. Thanks to a very special seasonal partnership between the North Pole and the Monticello Times and Great River Life, Santa has agreed to let the newspaper publish letters from local children,

but the deadline for doing so is fast approaching. Letters will be published in the Monticello Times, Thursday, Dec. 15, edition and the Great River Life, Friday, Dec. 16, edition for Santa Claus and his special group of elves to read. Only the first names of letter writers will be printed in the paper. Two lucky names will be drawn from letter writers for all-day ride passes to Nickelodeon Universe, the seven-acre

indoor amusement park located in the center of the Mall of America in Bloomington. The deadline for all letters is Thursday, Dec. 8. Please email letters to tim.hennagir@ ecm-inc.com (preferred) or if unable to send via email, send via regular mail to: Monticello Times, 540 Walnut St. P.O. Box 420, Monticello, MN 55362. Also, the Monticello Times has a special, festive holiday letter dropbox set

up directly outside of our office door at 540 Walnut Street. Kids and parents can drop their letters off inside the box during regular office hours, which are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Fridays 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please include a phone number with your Santa letter for verification purposes. Only first names will be printed with letters. Any questions call the Monticello Times at (763) 271-6468.

Home for the Holidays Calendar 2016 ..from Page 5

Church of St. Henry, 1001 E. Seventh St., Monticello, Mass at 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. Quarry Community Church, 3939 Chelsea Road W., Monticello, services at 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Mary of the Visitation Catholic Church, Becker/Big Lake, 12100 Sherburne Ave., Becker, 440 Lake St. N., Big Lake, Christmas Eve 4 p.m. Mass at Becker, 7:30 p.m. Mass at Big Lake, Midnight Mass at Big Lake. Riverside Church, Highway 25 and County Road 14, Big Lake, worship at 8:45 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

SUNDAY, DEC. 25 Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church of Silver Creek, 11390 Elliott Ave. NW, Maple Lake Sunday, December 25th a Christmas Day worship service at 9 a.m. St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 413 E. Third St., Monticello,

Christmas Day worship service at 9 a.m. Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 5460 63rd St. N.W. Maple Lake Christmas Day communion service 10:30 a.m. Alive! Lutheran Church, 121 W. Broadway, Monticello, 9 a.m. worship service. Saron Lutheran Church, 311 Lake Street S. Big Lake, Christmas Day worship at 9 a.m. Faith Lutheran Church, 12449 Clementa Ave. N.W. Monticello, Christmas Day worship at 10 a.m. Trinity Lutheran Church, 449 W. Broadway, Monticello, Christmas Day service at 9 a.m. Church of St. Henry, 1001 E. Seventh St., Monticello, Mass at 9 a.m. Quarry Community Church, 3939 Chelsea Road W, Monticello, worship service at 10 a.m. Mary of the Visitation Catholic Church, Becker/Big Lake, 12100 Sherburne Ave., Becker, 440 Lake St. N., Big Lake, Christmas Day 9 a.m. Mass at Becker.

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monticellotimes.com

Home for the Holidays • Thursday, November 23, 2016

Page 7

Local author has story published in new ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul’ Monticello’s Rita Kaye Vetsch shares emotions behind holiday tale BY ANDREA KRINKE MONTICELLO TIMES Peace on Earth and goodwill toward all are the sentiments that frame the holiday season. Local author Rita Kaye Vetsch took the mission to heart in what she did and how she wrote about it; her story appears in the new book “Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Joy of Christmas.” “I’ve always loved to write since I was a small child,” Vetsch said. “I had a teacher in high school that really challenged me creatively and lit a fire in my soul. If someone gives me a challenge, there is no way I ever back down.” It is the real-life background behind this printed tale that presents the biggest challenge. By her own admission, the story is not really Vetsch’s and so she was somewhat reluctant to share, but, fueled by the emotional release and the desire to help others, she did. “The background is a very sad and real story of my friend, Nicole [Talley.] We grew up in St. Michael together. Nicole and I have been friends since we were three years old, so, 41 years later and we are still close friends — [that] is amazing. “I couldn’t get her husband out of my head. [Michael] was suffering from Stage 4 Squamous Cell Cancer in the neck and throat. His prognosis wasn’t good and nobody knew if he’d actually live to see Christmas. I had to figure out how to bring him an early Christmas. I decided to contact Nicole, her neighbors, Facebook friends, media, church and community, through social

Local author Rita Kaye Vetsch has a story published in the new book, “Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Joy of Christmas.” (Submitted Photo)

media, mostly,” she said. Before Vetsch knew it, all kinds of resources were coming together to put on a very special Christmas celebration for Michael Talley in his front yard, so he could enjoy a real miracle of sorts. “Santa Claus was there passing out presents to the couple’s four children, people with cookies and warm cider, even Santa’s reindeer!” she said. Everyone brought items to decorate the home and lawn and before we knew it, we had a full-on Christmas celebration for Michael. “He came out of the house in tears and shook hands. That day, there were over 200 people gathered for Michael Talley and his family. It was a spectacular day that I know his children and wife will never forget,”

she said. Michael did pass away shortly after the event, in January of 2010. This story of one special day lives on in the new “Chicken Soup” collection. The author said sharing such love in written form is good for her soul. “I find that writing gives me a great amount of creative outlet and makes everything in life just seem better,” Vetsch said. The Monticello wife and mother of one lives out in the country where it is calm and peaceful and full of wildlife with swans flying over, and spends her days as a daycare provider. At night, she acts upon that writing passion: “By night, I am a Readers’ Favorite book reviewer, freelance writer, writer of other stories and a children’s book,” she said.

Vetsch also loves photography and entering greeting-card contests. Vetsch has a children’s book titled “The Many Colors of Friendship.” It has earned four book awards since being published in 2009. She has also written articles for Dog Fancy Magazine, along with stories for various Hallmark books. The writer has had previous work published in the “Chicken Soup” series. This story may be Vetsch’s most meaningful, however. “I knew I just had to write about this story for ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul,’” she said. “It was heartwarming and raw and they have a huge fan base for those kinds of stories, but basically I just wanted to share something real and touching with other people.

Vetsch said it took her over four months to properly write and edit a story that would finally do the family justice. “Not only did I get to write this amazing story, I got to witness this miracle first-hand and that is something that will remain in my heart forever,” Vetsch said. She and the publisher stressed the honor of having the tale chosen. The selection process is rigorous, and only about 100 stories make it into each volume. “I enjoy writing for ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul’ books,” Rita said. “I have many stories submitted right now, mainly for the cat and dog books, so, paws crossed that I pick up another win soon!” If not, that’s all right, too, because Vetsch said she has already realized her dreams, and she has advice for others who aspire to see their words in print: “Never give up and always accept the challenge!” she said. “If you do not try, you do not get anything out of it. Rejections only make you work harder.” This newly issued book is a collection of tales of family traditions and the joy of giving and sharing, according to publisher Amy Newmark. As is stated in the book’s forward, “The elves at Chicken Soup for the Soul have done it again!” “Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Joy of Christmas” is available through major booksellers for $14.95. Andrea Krinke is a freelance feature writer for the Monticello Times.

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monticellotimes.com

Home for the Holidays • Thursday, November 23, 2016

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