www.brainerddispatch.com | Sunday, December 22, 2019 E1
Christmas Stories of
Several stories were submitted this year for the Brainerd Dispatch’s 31st 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 accent pictures to go along with the winning entries.
Thanks to all who took the time to submit their stories. Enjoy reading and Merry Christmas! ADult Division - 1st Place
Teen Division - 1st Place
Christmas of ’56
A Little Peace
Weather drawing by Logan Erickson of Mrs. Olson’s first grade class at Garfield Elementary School. It was Christmas Eve of 1956, and I was a 20-year-old man who was asked to play Santa for some of the neighbors of my small town. I put on my Santa clothes, beard, boots and hat and had my brother drive me around to the neighbors, with my then-girlfriend riding along. We had one neighbor with seven children and in the father’s words, “My youngest son is 4 years old and he’s the naughtiest kid you ever saw. I need you to put a real Santa scare in him.” So we got to the house and as soon as I walked in, the little boy took off running
around the kitchen table, scared of me. I pretended to be a mad Santa and took off after him, letting him stay just far ahead enough of me. After several laps around the table, the little boy stopped and with a defeated voice said, “Santa, I promise I’ll never fart in church again!” We all had a great laugh about that. The best part of the story is I proposed to my girlfriend that very night and we’ve now been married 62 years. Alphonse Jenniges Brainerd
Kids Division - 1st Place
Sam and Snowy Play in the Snow Once there was a little bear named Sam sleeping in his cave waiting for spring to come when suddenly he woke up and thought it was spring so he walked outside, but it was still winter. He was sad he had to go back to sleep, but as he started to walk back outside he heard a shy voice say, “Hello.” He turned around and saw a little snowman. Sam asked, “What’s your name? “My name is Snowy. What’s your name?” asked Snowy.
“My name is Sam. Do you want to play with me?” Yes, I do want to play,” said Snowy. “But what should we do?” asked Sam. “Let’s go ice skating on the pond,” said Snowy. So they both went down to the pond. After they were done ice skating, Sam said, “Let’s have a snowball fight,” so they both made walls of snow to hide behind. Sam launched his first attack, but it missed Snowy. Then Snowy threw his snowball.
“Let there be peace on Earth…” The air is filled with Christmas spirit. Everyone, from the stray cats roaming the streets to the shoppers overflowing with gifts, seems to have a skip in their step. But I’m not here to tell you about the joyful town. The feeling of peace in the air. I’m here to tell you of a different peace. A peace that is above all else. And so it begins with a small house perched on a country hill. Unlike the large homes in town, this one is not decorated with even a wreath upon the front door. But with a look inside you will find a tree, ornaments being hung by a large family. There’s something missing though, a mother. The fever took many that year. Later that evening the family settles in. In contrast, the youngest girl, no older than 9, tugs on her boots and opens the front door. She hurries down the steps. Her bare hands no match for the biting chill of the night. She keeps a quick pace, only slowing when she reaches a worn path. A church looms
It hit Sam in the face. Snowy said, “I need to get to the North Pole before I melt.” “But I might never see you again,” said Sam. “I will come back next year,” said Snowy. So Sam waved goodbye until he couldn’t see Snowy anymore and Sam trudged back to his cave and went to sleep. When he woke up and looked outside, “It’s spring!” he yelled. He went out to play. “Snowy!” he called. “It’s spring,” but then he remembered Snowy had left. He felt lonely the rest of the summer. When it was winter again and he was sleeping in his cave, he heard someone say, “Wake up!” Sam opened his eyes and saw Snowy! “You came back!” “Of course I did!” said Snowy. They played together again and they had SNOW much fun! Andrew Rioux Baxter, Age 9
Weather drawing by Audri Hollingsworth of Mrs. Johnson’s fourth grade class at St. Francis School. above her. Opening the door she steps into the warm, candlelit sanctuary. There’s a feeling you get in that church. Something I hope she feels, happier than happy, calmer than calm. Kneeling down in the front pew, she bows her head, closes her eyes. “God, fill me with peace,” she prays, “And Mum, I hope you’re up there. We’re all missing you this Christmas an — and I... I…” Her voice falters, tears streaming down her rosy cheeks.
I wish I could go down, tell her it’s OK. Instead I kneel, where I am, and I too pray to God that He fill her with peace this Christmas. Suddenly, her shaking shoulders cease, and wiping a tear from her cheek, she allows a smile to spread across her face. At that moment, I knew. Perhaps there isn’t peace on Earth this Christmas, but there certainly is in that young girl … in my daughter. Bridget Wells Baxter, Age 13
Weather drawing by Kara Hutchison of Mrs. Martin’s first grade class at Garfield Elementary School.
Stories of Christmas
E2 Sunday, December 22, 2019 www.brainerddispatch.com
Honorable Mention - Kids
Adult Division - 2nd Place
Moo-wy Christmas!
“Mom! Dad! Wake up! It’s Christmas!” yelled 3-year-old Jenny at 2 a.m. “Go back to bed, Jenny. We still have two more hours until we have to get up to take care of the cows,” said Dad sleepily. “Okay,” said Jenny. Two hours later... “Oh my goodness! Look at all of those calves out there! It’s Christmas Day! We don’t have time for all of this!” said Mom. So, Mr. and Mrs. Caughey set to work. They hauled all of the calves to the barn which took them one hour. Then they milked the cows which took them three more hours. “No kidding! It’s 8 a.m. already!” said Dad. Then Mr. and Mrs. Caughey fed all of the calves. They put the calves into the hutches. When they finished that, it was noon. “Oh no! We had a Christmas party to go to today!” Then the Caugheys had to feed the older calves which took them another hour.
Weather drawing by Rachel Kramer of Mrs. Johnson’s fourth grade class at St. Francis School. “Oh no! The kids!” yelled Mom. “They have got to be starving! They didn’t get any breakfast or lunch! We need to feed them!” So Mom and Dad went inside looking terrible. The Caugheys ate lunch. They had hot dogs on the grill. Afterward they went to a Christmas party. They played and visited with their aunts and uncles, grandmas and grandpas and cousins. They got home at 4 p.m. The very minute that Mr.
and Mrs. Caughey walked in the barn, every single cow had a calf at the same time. “Not again! We already did this!” said Mrs. Caughey. They took care of the calves, milked the cows and went inside. “Present time!” said Mr. Caughey. That was when they heard it. “Mom, Dad, your Christmas present was a bunch of baby calves,” said Jenny’s twin, Emmy. Clare Caughey Fort Ripley, Age 8
Honorable Mention - Adult
My most meaningful Christmas I once had someone ask me, “What was your best Christmas ever?” I told them it was in 1947 and my parents and their four young sons, age 6 (myself) to a baby, were living in what amounted to be the rented attic of a home in the small town we lived in. The war was over, the troops had come home and jobs were hard to find. My father worked up town in a small confectionery for less than a dollar an hour. That year we had a Christmas tree decorated with homemade decorations, like strings of popcorn and some bubble lights my dad had acquired. Under the tree was a white sheet but no presents. Each day up until Christmas I would look but nothing ever appeared. On Christmas Eve we gathered around the tree and Dad read from the Bible the Christmas story. Then he went outside and came in with a used, steel runner sled he had fixed up. I remember Mom sitting on the floor holding our baby brother, the Christmas tree lights reflecting off her wet eyes, as tears ran down her cheeks. It took many years for
Weather drawing by Bryce Herberg of Mrs. Martin’s first grade class at Garfield Elementary School. me to realize the love that I will never forget that had been showed that Christmas Eve in 1947. night. They could have Mike Holst done nothing but someCrosslake how, they wanted their boys to have a Christmas. I have had many Christmases since that were nothing short of lavish. I don’t remember much about any of them but
Come let us Adore Him
ADVENT IV: DECEMBER 22 8:00 and 10:30 am Praise & Worship ••• CHRISTMAS EVE: DECEMBER 24 Services with Holy Communion at 1:00, 3:00, 5:00 and 10:00pm ••• CHRISTMAS 1: DECEMBER 29 8:00 & 10:30 Lessons & Carols
FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH
424 South 8th Street | Brainerd, MN 56401 218-829-9552
The Christmas Doll We lived in a quiet little town in western Minnesota. The year was 1946 and I was 8 years old. Our church always had the children put on a Christmas program for the parents. I had a piece to memorize. My sister was an angel. She was pretty much perfect so she fit the part. The treat at the end of the evening was a paper sack filled with peanuts in the shell, an orange and hard ripple Christmas candy. My sister and I had a competition on who could make the candy last the longest. She had the discipline to still have some left in January. I don’t think I ever won that contest. This was the year after World War II was over. During the war, you couldn’t buy anything rubber. Getting new tires for cars was nearly impossible. The reason I remember the 1946 Christmas is that I received my first and only doll. She had rubber arms and legs. Her porcelain head had blue eyes which opened and shut. I named her Carol after Christmas carols.
Weather drawing by Jadin Linehan of Mrs. Meyer’s third grade class at Harrison Elementary School. In those years children didn’t receive many gifts. We were given maybe one or two things. Taking care of what you got was a high priority because you know there would not be a replacement. Thus I took very good care of my doll. In fact, she is now 73 years old and sits in a corner of my living room. And I am now 81 years old. Luann Rice Baxter
Kids’ Division - 2nd Place
Elf in Training
One December day, Santa was getting ready for Christmas. He was taking another flying sleigh test because his license was expired. Suddenly, Rudolph turned the wrong way and Santa fell out of the sleigh. “Oh no!” Tim the elf shouted. Santa was injured badly and was in a coma. Christmas is in three days! “Santa, wake up!” yelled Larry the elf. “It’s Christmas Eve! We either wake Santa up or we have to find someone else to deliver the presents,” said Tim. “SANTA WAKE UP, PLEASE!” yelled the elves, but Santa didn’t. The elves decided they better find someone to deliver presents. They thought they found the perfect person, Johnny the elf, to make Santa’s deliveries but it turns out, Johnny was the clumsiest elf they’d ever seen. “Johnny? You home, buddy?” asked Larry. CRASH! “You sure he’s the perfect guy?” Larry asked. “I’m sure,” said Tim. “OK?” said Larry. “Oh, hey Johnny. We need you to deliver the presents,” said Tim. “ Me?!” said Johnny. “Thank you!” “Let’s start training!” said Tim. Five hours later… “I’m ready!” said Johnny. “Presents, check; all the reindeer, check,” said Larry, while he was making sure everything was ready to go. “Ready!” said Johnny. “I can’t believe I’m doing this.” “Oh no!” cried Johnny. “The sack isn’t tied! Stop reindeer! OK, let’s tie it. There. Check, check and check.” Johnny and the reindeer took off into the night sky and delivered more presents. “Yay! Only about 3 billion more,” Johnny happily said. “How does Santa do this?” Many hours later
Weather drawing by Danica Frazier of Mrs. Meyer’s third grade class at Harrison Elementary School. Johnny came to the last house. “Ruff!” “Great...I woke the dog. Shh, go to bed!” “Rrrruffff!” “Be quiet,” Johnny whispered, as he placed the presents under the tree. “Present for you, a present for you... done and done!” It was a long night for Johnny but he got the job done so he and the reindeer headed back to the North Pole. “Well, well, well, look who’s back. Santa! You’re better!” Johnny said with excitement. “Yep!” said Santa. “So, how was it?” “Pretty good,” said Johnny. “I got something for you; it’s outside.” Santa told Johnny. “Open it!” Johnny tore off the wrapping paper. “Wow! My very own sleigh! Thank you so much!” cried Johnny. All the elves cheered for Johnny and then they had a wonderful Christmas dinner made by Mrs. Claus. Jake Erickson Baxter, Age 9 1/2
Christmas Eve 6:00pm
Christmas Day 9:00am
New Year’s Eve 6:00pm
Christ Lutheran Church 13815 Cherrywood Dr. Baxter 829-4105
THANK YOU FOR
SEEING US! May happy holidays be in your sight. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you. We appreciate your trust and the confidence you have placed in us.
A special thank you to all our customers and wishing you the happiest of holidays! Baxter ~ 218-825-1976 • Crosby ~ 218-546-5108 800-952-3766 GREATRIVEREYECLINIC.COM
001810402r1
Baxter • Brainerd — OPEN 24 HOURS — Baxter - 14133 Edgewood Dr. N. • Brainerd - 417 8th Ave. NE
Stories of Christmas
www.brainerddispatch.com
Sunday, December 22, 2019 E3
Kid’s Division - 3rd Place
Adult Division - 3rd Place
A lovely Christmas tradition
Snow Day
Every year my lovely Elf on the Shelf comes to town. The morning after we put up our Christmas tree, my elf arrives. Me and my sister love to talk to our elf. Our elf is a boy and his name is Rudolph. He is very friendly. He has great hiding spots, too. A few days ago, Rudolph was hanging onto a hook on the ceiling of my family’s playroom. Another day he was hiding in my backpack. That made me laugh. The next day he hid in my sister’s backpack. Weather drawing by Kadence Donoso of Mrs. Meyer’s third class at Harrison He must love school. Rudolph is always a pleasure to have Elementary School. in my house. He is pretty silly, too. And Lily Borders that is one reason why I love the holiday season. Baxter, Age 9
Honorable Mention - Adults Weather drawing by Ava Franzen of Mrs. Meyer’s third grade class at Harrison Elementary School. “Wake up! Wake up!” the impatient little clock demands, as a clumsy hand searches for the snooze button. The howl of a frigid wind concedes rare permission to rest a moment longer. In-step, the hypnotic aroma of freshly brewed pot beckons the senses. The auto-start timer on the brewer serves to remind that technology is a mixed blessing. Indeed, the clocks are working together towards your quickening on this snowy morning. Taunting the wind behind a pane of frosty glass you attempt to coax the sun out, offering a toast with a hand-painted ceramic mug. “Best Parent Ever” it reads in squiggly gold fingerpaint.
A little boy drags himself to your side, blanky in tow. “Can we stay home today?” he pleads, rubbing one sleepy eye with the sleeve of a red flannel pajama. “But what about work and school?” you question, searching deep for the answer. With sudden epiphany the disheveled little boy exclaims, “Your work could be to teach me today!” Surely such an astute child can afford a day away from school. Between spoonfuls of cinnamon spiced oatmeal from a shared kettle you learn how to make snickerdoodles, perfecting the art of burnt bottoms. The sun arrives
late over the treetops, chasing the nippy wind away in an apologetic gesture. A freshly rolled snowman is quickly partitioned into ammunition for an impromptu snowball fight. Merriment triumphs, as last year’s Christmas puppy bounds after snowballs dissolving into a sea of white. The large, medium and small snow angels remind you of how much your little family has grown and how much more it could grow. “Wake up!” the persistent little clock demands, with all the haste of a passing dream. “Wake up and live!” Joseph Coalwell Baxter
Honorable Mention - Kids
The Nativity Mary and Joseph were waiting to boy came on his horse. The mouse have their baby, Jesus. The angels were came too. Mary and Joseph were happy. telling the shepherds about Jesus at this Have a Merry Christmas and to all a time. Mary had her baby and later the good New Year’s Eve! shepherds came. The wise men came Gianna Caughey shortly after. The shepherds and wise men adored Jesus. Then the drummer Fort Ripley, Age 6
One soldier’s Christmas in Vietnam
Weather drawing by Sam Bertschi of Mrs. Hall’s first grade class at Garfield Elementary School. Time: Dec. 25, 1969 Place: Central Highlands Pleiku, Vietnam I woke Christmas morning (or was it afternoon? Too much “Samoan lemonade” but that’s another story). After a cold shower I sat down in front of my makeshift desk. On top of the desk, standing upright, were two palm fronds, between them, taped to the wall, was a 2-foot Christmas tree cut from cardboard. The desk was covered with presents and cards from my wife, son, mother, sisters and friends. Some of the cards were from school chil-
dren from across the U.S. addressed to: “Dear GI.” Above the desk, taped to the wall, were over 50 pictures of my wife, son, relatives and friends. I turned on the tape recorder and began to narrate the opening of my cards, presents, cookies, pictures, homemade candy, underwear, fruitcake and copies of the St. Paul Dispatch. The Dispatch was sent so I could follow the news of the Vikings as they fought their way to the Super Bowl. Although there were many wonderful gifts, the best gifts of all were the audio tapes, the voices from home.
The rest of my day was spent listening to Christmas music on Armed Forces Radio, Vietnam, reading the cards and letters, looking at new pictures and listening to new audio tapes over and over again. An early bedtime was in order. A week after Christmas, I received a tape from wife thanking me for all of the presents I sent from Vietnam. However, my wife questioned my choice. Never give an 18-month-old child a drum for Christmas. Jim Vollegraaf Staples
Merry Christmas
Best wishes to our patrons, friends & neighbors
Looking Forward to Seeing You in 2018!
001666106r1
Thank you for your continued confidence in our care.
Weather drawing by Jonas Klicker of Mrs. Meyer’s third grade class at Harrison Elementary School.
Brainerd/Baxter
828-9545•toll free 877-338-3937• 7870 Excelsior Rd. (across from Super One) Baxter, MN
schroedersappliance.com
218-829-3624
001527556r1
16603 State Hwy 371 North
(Just North of the Pine Beach Rd)
Merry Christmas!
May the miracle of Christmas bring you peace, love and joy this holiday season.
Home Care and Hospice by KNUTE NELSON
knutenelson.org
Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CCBoatWorks www.ccboatworks.com
2020 S. 6th St., Brainerd • 218-829-1335 • 829-2020
001666784r1
001809390r1
Wishing everyone safe and happy holidays from Northern Eye Center and Great Northern Opticians.
Stories of Christmas
E4 Sunday, December 22, 2019 www.brainerddispatch.com
Photo courtesy Metro Newspaper Service
Teaching our kids the holiday spirit by having them take a turn as Santa
By Amy Paturel Special To The Washington Post My family’s first stakeout of the season always happens in early December. My husband, Brandon, and I bundle up our three children in flannel pajamas and holiday-themed beanies. The boys pull on their snow boots (yes, even though we’re in California) and we set off for our heist-in-reverse. As we approach our first target, Brandon turns off the headlights. I silence the Christmas music. And the boys shush each other before they get out and tiptoe up the driveway, leaving us in charge of the getaway car. It’s almost like a scene from “Home Alone,” only instead of stealing things, our holiday-clad prowlers bear gifts. The boys fear they’ll get caught in the act. Brandon and I fear they’ll trip over each other on their way back to the van. Instead of creating an elaborate Santa Claus myth for our kids, Brandon and I decided to flip the fable and make “playing Santa” our Christmas tradition. So each year, just after Thanksgiving, all five of us sit down to plot our course, deciding who will get presents and when
we’ll deliver them. Then, on the nights leading up to Christmas, we dash through the streets dropping colorfully wrapped packages at an unsuspecting family’s house, then disappear before anyone spots us. The list of “drop-anddash” recipients varies each year, but it always includes people who have touched our lives. Our former neighbor, Barbie, is usually our first stop. She once gave our youngest son, Jack, lifesaving CPR. We leave cookies and treats as a small token of appreciation. Our next stop: An elderly man, named Hollis, who lives around the block. He reminds me of my late father with his bright eyes, fair skin and mischievous grin. He even shares my paternal grandmother’s maiden name. I first noticed him just four months after my dad passed away, while I was on a neighborhood walk and he was trimming a tree. I forged a friendship with him and his wife, Letitia (or Auntie Tish, as my kids call her). The boys repeat this “drop-and-dash” act for their teachers, scout leaders, babysitters and a whole lot of random strangers. Sometimes we travel by car, sometimes by foot.
And sometimes we send gifts to the other side of the world in a shoe box. We take the boys to the dollar store and purchase basic essentials such as shower curtains, washcloths, flip-flops, soap and water bottles, along with some toys, books and crayons, and ship them to far-off places through Samaritan’s Purse. My children love the excitement, the adventure and the anonymity of giving presents to strangers. But mostly, they love the thrill of tiptoeing up driveways, ringing doorbells and running back to the car. “Go, Daddy! Go!,” they yell as soon as they strap themselves back inside. Lest you think I’m depicting our three sons as angels, I should be clear: There’s almost always some bickering about who carries the gift, who holds the card and who gets to ring the bell. Still, when I watch our sons’ faces light up with each gift drop, I can feel the spirit of Christmas. And these nighttime excursions are our way of paying homage to a Christmas legend. We have explained that “Santa Claus” is slang for Saint Nicholas - a real guy who loved children and shared his riches with the less
Merry Christmas
fortunate. They understand he lived in another place and time, and that he protected the sick and suffering. Over time, we hope the boys will remain eager to follow the his lead, putting together Christmas packages for friends, family members and those in need. The day after our dropand-dash at Hollis’s house this year, Jack saw Hollis putting up Christmas lights during our neighborhood stroll. “We should help him,” Jack said. Hollis insisted he didn’t need help with the lights - this 86-year-old man isn’t letting age hijack his passion and drive. Instead, he invited us inside. Jack gave Letitia a big hug, then
immediately noticed the poinsettia we delivered the night before displayed on the coffee table. “I got your gift,” Hollis said, with a wink and a smile. Like Hollis, I suspect many folks on our list know who we are, despite the “secret admirer” cards. Those new digital doorbells with cameras frequently out us - and our boys aren’t exactly quiet. Plus, at least a few of the families get deliveries each year, so they’re well aware of our tradition. Back at home, Santa hardly receives mention. The boys hear plenty of stories about him at school. They read about him in books and see him on TV
shows. One of our 8-yearold twins suspects Santa Claus is an elaborate tale. The other is convinced he is real. My 5-year-old? He’s on the fence. But none of them have asked me directly whether Santa Claus exists, and I haven’t weighed in. As my boys grow older, I imagine they’ll figure out that only a fictional character could traverse the globe by way of flying reindeer. But they’ll know Santa Claus is based on the real-world story of Saint Nicholas, whose spirit of love and kindness lives inside of all of us. And for now, when they step into that role, I hope they feel that’s the real magic of Christmas.
How Sweet it is to have friends like you! We cannot thank you enough for making 2019 a successful year for us. Good folks like you remind us how lucky we are to be a part of this community.
May your holidays be blessed & happy!
218-828-2160 May God’s sweet angels watch over you and yours this holiday season with their glorious light, just as they watched over baby Jesus on that long ago night.
Member FDIC www.fnbnorth.com
218-828-0256 7895 Excelsior Rd., Baxter