Knight before Christmas in Kenyon 2021 by Kate Noet

Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Kenyon

Kenyon-Wanamingo Kindergarten students from Mrs. Short’s class and Mrs. Valek’s class were recently paired up with 4th graders to pen their “Letters to Santa.” The Kenyon Leader is pleased to present their letters in this special Christmas section.

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2021 SANTA LETTERS WRITTEN BY MS THESING’S AND MS SUBRA’S 4TH GRADE CLASSES

MRS SHORT’S CLASS

ear Santa, Hi, my name is Mark. I’m 5 years old. My teacher is Mrs. Short. I really want Pokemon cards for Christmas. My teacher would like a computer for Christmas. My favorite Christmas song is Jingle Bells. You can ﬁnd my house near Kenyon, MN. If you got a new reindeer it’s name should be Tote. Thank you Santa for all you do! Your Friend, Mark Written by John and Christian

ear Santa, Hi, my name is Riley and I’m ﬁve years old. I am in Mrs. Short’s Kindergarten Class. I live in Kenyon, MN. My favorite Christmas food is Vanilla ice cream. I’ve been really good this year! For Christmas, I want a magic mixer and Barbie dream house. I think my teacher would like ﬂowers. If you get a new reindeer you should name it Reindeer. Your friend, Riley P.S. Go in the front door. Written by Noah

ear Santa, My name is Gabriella and I am 5 years old. I live in Kenyon,MN. My kindergarten teacher is Mrs.Short. For Christmas I want a Barbie doll and an LOL doll. My teacher wants a reindeer. My favorite Christmas song is Christmas Tree and my favorite Christmas food is ear Santa, pie. If you got a new Hello, my reindeer you should name is name it Barbie. I Korra and I am 6 years old. I’m in Mrs. have been good this Shorts Kindergarten year! Your friend, class.I have been very good this year! Gabriella Written by Gwen and For Chrstmas I would like a unicorn Alleyah toy with everything ear Santa, it needs and a My name is Clifford puzzle. My Bexley and I teacher would like am 5 years old. I live a rainbow bouncy in Kenyon, MN. I am ball. If you get a a Kindergartner in new reindeer it Mrs. Short’s class. should be named I’ve been a good SnowBall. Santa, I girl this year. At am wondering, do you teleport through school I help kids and at home I help walls? my brother. For Your Friend, Christmas, I want Korra horse stuff and dolls. With the help of My teacher wants a Hunter vacuum. If you get a new reindeer you should name it Red

Gwen pens Jaxson’s Letter to Santa.

Christmas I want a ear Santa, tablet. I have been Hello my super nice because name is I help my teacher Isabella. I am ﬁve bring books to the years old and I live library and at home in Wanamingo, I help wash dishes. MN. I go to KW I think my teacher Elementary school. wants a dog-man ear Santa, I’m in Mrs. Short’s book for Christmas. Hello, my class. I have been My favorite name is nice this year! I Christmas song is Luka. I am six years help pick up toys Jingle Bells. My old and I am in Mrs. and I help feed the favorite thing about Short’s Kindergarten dogs at home. I want winter is snow. I also class. For Christmas, a toy computer, really like to make I would like two LOL dolls and gingerbread houses. Barbie dolls. I think clothing. My teacher If you had a new my teacher would wants clothing for reindeer its name like a plant. The Christmas, too. My should be Kenyon. best thing about favorite thing to eat I live in Trondheim Christmas is the is cookies and my and I think you are presents. If you got favorite thing about the best santa in the a new reindeer it’s winter is sledding! world! name should be If you get a new Your friend, Adaline Rudolph. My favorite reindeer you should With help from Abel Christmas song is name it Spencer. and Chayton Rudolph the RedThank you for giving nosed Reindeer and me gifts. I hope you my favorite food is get my letter! ear Santa, the sugary treats. Your friend, My name is Tell me this Santa, Isabella Isaac and I Why do you come am 5 years old. I am Written by Friends down the chimney? in Mrs. Short’s class. Morgan and Stella From your friend, I have been nice Luka ear Santa, this year. I really Fourth grade friends My name want a gray and Colton, Arianna and is Adaline. I red Spinosaurus, Bradley am 5 years old. For and a Rescue bot.

Nose. Hey, Santa, why don’t you ever use the front door? You should start! Love, Bexley Written By Braxton and Jasper

I think my teacher wants a Barbie house. My favorite Christmas song is Feliz Navidad. I love Christmas cookies and the snow! If you got a new reindeer you should name it Comet. Here’s a special message, Santa, Thank you for what you do! From your friend, Isaac and 4th grade helper Cora

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Hugh offers a big smile after telling Hayden what he would like for Christmas.

ear Santa, Hello, my name is Hugh and I am 6 years old. I am in Mrs. Short’s Kindergarten class at KW Elementary School. I have been nice all year long! For Christmas I would like a Hoverboard and a skateboard. I think my teacher would like a bracelet for Christmas. If you get a new reindeer I think it’s name should be Sam. I really like your sled! From your Friend, Hugh Written with help by Hayden

that my teacher would like ﬁreworks! During this time of year, I love to make snowmen, eat Christmas cookies and sing the song Jingle Bells. Santa, I would like to give you a hug someday! Your Friend, Julian Written with help by Shauna

i Santa! My name is Roman and I am 6 years old. I live in Kenyon, Minnesota. I like to help my friends at school if they get hurt. I will tell my teacher, Mrs. Short, too. I would really like to get a ear Santa, Hi, my name drone and an electric bike this year. My is Julian teacher would like and I am 5 years pretty ﬂowers. I like old. This year I cookies and milk am in Mrs.Short’s Kindergarten Class. during the holidays. I have been a really I will leave some out good friend this year. for you on Christmas Eve. At home I help my Your friend, Roman mom fold clothes. Written by Parker For Christmas I would like an excavator and a controller. I think

ear Santa, Hi, My name is Haneen. I am six years old. My teacher’s name is Ms. Short and one gift that she would like is clothes. Two things that I would want for Christmas are 1) a baby doll and 2) video games. My favorite Christmas song is Jingle Bells. If you got a new reindeer, I would name it Kaia. Santa, I really like the presents you give me. Your friend, Haneen Written by Emily and Gracelyn

Briar and Nova work on Nova’s Letter to Santa.

ear Santa, Hello my name is Warner and I am 5 years old. I live in Wanamingo,MN. My teacher’s name is Mrs.Short. I go to Kenyon Wanamingo Elementary school. For Christmas, I want a Bumblebee Transformer and a PS5. I think my teacher wants a new crayon box. This year I have been very good. At school I help clean up after snack. At home I help clean my room. My favorite Christmas food is chocolate chip cookies. The best

Christmas

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thing about winter is the presents. Hey Santa, if you had a new reindeer, I would name it Winter. Santa, can you bring me presents on Christmas eve? Your pal, Warner Written by Landon

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ear Santa. Hi, my name is Jaxson. I’m six years old and am in Mrs. Short’s kindergarten class. Two things that I would like for Christmas this year are a dirtbike and art supplies. Mrs. Short would like new markers. I really like to make snowmen in the winter. Merry Christmas, Santa! Your friend, Jaxson Written with the help of Gwen

ear Santa, Hi my name is Declan. I’m six years old. I live in Kenyon, Minnesota. I’m in Mrs Short’s kindergarten class in K-W Elementary school. I want a Remote Control car, please, and a night light, please. My teacher wants money. I’ve been very nice this year so far. I help clean up. I also help at home. My favorite Christmas song is Jingle Bells. My favorite Christmas dinner is turkey. My favorite thing about snow is eating it! If I could name one of your reindeer, it would be Roudolph. I hope you get this letter. From Declan Written by Cohen

Students in Ms Subra’s class interview students in Mrs Short’s kindergarten class, foreground Gabriella helped by Mason and Alleyah (2) Bring me Among us toys and Minecraft toys. I always help clean up at school and am nice to my friends. I think that my teacher would like a picture of the class. I love you santa! From, Fabian Written by 4th grade friend Morgan

Merry Christmas. From Elijah Written by 4th grade helper, Mason

ear Santa, Hello, my name is Kiley. I go to KW Elementary and I am in Mrs. Valek’s kindergarten class. I am six years old. Don’t worry, I have been nice this year. ear Santa, I wash the dishes at My name home. My favorite is Kain. Christmas song is, I live in Kenyon, “Jingle Bells.” I Minnesota. I go to KW Elementary and helped my brothers my teacher’s name is clean their room. For Christmas I would Mrs. Valek. I want really like barbies, Power Ranger toys and a hoverboard. for a gift this year. MRS VALEK’S Lastly, if you get I think I was nice CLASS a new reindeer, I this year. I think would like you to my teacher likes unicorns, please give name it Makey. Merry Christmas, her a unicorn for ear Santa, Santa! Christmas. I try to Hello, my Your friend, Kiley help clean up toys name is Written by 4th at school and help Parker. I am 6 years old and I live in West with the laundry at grader -Isabella Concord, Minnesota. home. My favorite ear Santa, I am in Mrs. Valek’s Christmas song is Hello, my Rudolph the Red kindergarten class name is Mira, Nosed Reindeer. at KW Elementary. I am 5 years old and Santa, thank you This year, I would I live in Kenyon, so much for the like to get a derby Minnesota. I go to presents! car and a green KW Elementary, Your Friend, Kain dump truck. My and my teacher is Written by 4th teacher wants a Mrs. Valek. The two grader Jace ring. I have been things I want for very good this year. Christmas are a new ear Santa, I help my teachers kitten and a new Hello, my at school. If I had kitchen set. I think name is a reindeer I would name it June. Merry Elijah, I am 5 years my teacher might like some ﬂowers. old and live in Christmas! Kenyon, Minnesota. I have been a nice Love, Parker girl and I help at Written by 4th graders I go to KW school by always Elementary school Makaydee and Khloe being nice to my and am in Mrs friends. I make sure Valek’s kindergarten ear Santa, to help at home by Hi, my name class. Two things I want for Christmas putting away my is Fabian. clothes and folding are race cars and I am ﬁve years old them. My favorite a robot. I’ve been and live in Kenyon, Christmas song is nice this year. My Minnesota. I go to “Jingle Bell Rock” Kindergarten at KW favorite Christmas Elementary and my song is Jingle Bells. and my favorite Christmas drink is If you get a new teacher’s name is reindeer you should hot chocolate. If you Mrs. Valek. I have get a new reindeer, name it Harper. been nice this year.

Mason interviews Elijah and helps write his letter to Santa name it Rainy. Love, Mira Written by 4th grader, Gracie

ear Santa, Hi, this is Harper. I am in Mrs Valek’s Kindergarten class. I´m 6 years old and I live in Kenyon, Minnesota. For Christmas I would like a Frozen book and some baby dolls. My favorite food is tacos. I have been really nice. I help my class by listening to my teacher. I help at home by unloading the dishwasher and watch my little brother when mom is doing stuff. I

think I´m going to leave you some cookies and carrots for your reindeer. My favorite snow activities are building a snowman, making snow forts, skating on my ice rink, and going sledding. If I could name a new reindeer I would name it snow ﬂake. I love Christmas because I love getting together with my family and opening presents with them. Thank you, Harper With the help of her brother Eli in 4th grade

ear Santa, Hello, My name is

Jaxson. I am six years old and live in Kenyon ,Minnesota. I am in kindergarten at KW Elementary school. My teacher’s name is Mrs.Valek. I have been very good this year. I am also very helpful at school and at home. This year I would like a paper Mario. My teacher would like a candy bar. I like to go sledding and bake Christmas cookies. If I get a new reindeer, a good name would be Jaxson. One more thing, how are the Elves doing? Have a great Christmas. From, Jaxson Written by 4th grader, Colin

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From your friend, Nova Written by 4th grader, Briar

ear Santa, My name is Will and I am 5 years old. I go to Wanamingo Elementary. I’m in Ms. Valek’s kindergarten class. The things I want for Christmas this year are Hot Wheels and a four- wheeler. I think my teacher wants us to be quiet. I think I’ve been nice this year. I help at home by cleaning the ﬂoors. My favorite christmas song is jingle bells. My favorite Christmas food is cookies. I Morgan and Stella help Isabella with her Letter to Santa think the best thing is that you get presents. If you get a new reindeer been a very nice I go to K-W If Santa had a new ear Santa, boy all year. I love elementary and I am I would name it reindeer I would Hello, my to eat Christmas in Mrs. Valek’s class. Hooper. name it Nathan, I name is cupcakes. I also like I would like to get a From Will Nathan, I am 5 years have a message for Written by 4th to play in the snow. bike and dolls this Santa, we wish you old, and I live in I am going to leave year. I would like to grader Egan Kenyon, Minnesota. well. Your friend, Nathan you cookies and milk get my teacher some I go to KW ear Santa, and the reindeer sparkling water. With help from 4th elementary School, This is carrots! Guess what? I have grader, Parker and I am in Mrs. Kendall Your friend, Hudson been nice this year. Valek’s kindergarten from Mrs. Valek’s ear Santa, Written by 4th I help out at home class. For Christmas kindergarten class My name is graders, Josh and by cleaning up the I want a car, a robot, Hudson and Randy house. What do you at KW Elementary. and my teacher Happy Christmas! think is the best I am 5 years old, my wants clothes for thing about winter? This year I would teacher’s name is ear Santa, Christmas. I have really like a diamond Ms.Valek. I want an Hello, my I think sledding! been nice. I help at sparkle iphone and a ice cream lego set, name is If you got a new school, and I help reindeer you should pink pop-it. I think cook with mom. The and a Mario lego set. Nova. I am 5 years My parents want a name it snow. What that my teacher old and I live in best thing about needs a new desk, new laptop. I have Kenyon, Minnesota. do you think? Christmas is snow.

and my parents would like new cell phones too. I am always nice and helpful at school and at home. I will leave you Skittles and chocolate candy on Christmas Eve. I am so excited! Your friend, Kendall Written by 4th grade friend, Ms. Thesing

i Santa, This is Aftyn from Wanamingo, Minnesota. I am a kindergarten student from Ms. Valek’s class. I would like to get an American Girl doll, a doll house, and barbies this year. My teacher would like pencils and candles. I like to go sledding in the snow and eat cookies in the winter. Say hi to Mrs. Claus and the elves. Merry Christmas! Love, Aftyn Written by 4th grader, Scarlett

Help the bunny find its friend.

Connect the dots.

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ear Santa, My name is Brooklynn. I am 5 years old. I am in Kindergarten in Mrs. Valek’s class. Two things I want for Christmas are a new toy pig and nail salon. I think my teacher wants to go out to eat. Santa if you get a new reindeer I think you should name it Pretty. The best thing about winter is playing in the snow. My favorite christmas song is I wish you a merry christmas. I’m happy you bring presents! You’re friend, Brooklynn Written by Piper

ear Santa, Hi, my name is Eleanor and I am ﬁve years old. I live in Kenyon, Minnesota and go to KW Elementary. My Kindergarten teacher is Mrs. Valek. I would like to get a ﬁsh and a new barbie doll this year. My teacher would like sparkling water. I have been very good of course. I help my teacher and kids with work at school. At home I clean my room. I like to listen to Jingle Bells and eat cookies at Christmas time. Your new reindeer should be named, Sprinkles! Love, Eleanor Written by 4th grader, Lilly

ear Santa, My name is Lola, and I’m 6 years old. I live in Kenyon, Minnesota and go to KW Elementary School. My teacher’s name in Mrs. Valek. For Christmas I would like a new tree and a few toys. I think my teacher would like makeup! Do you like the carrot and juice I left for you? Your friend, Lola With help from a friend.

Morgan and Stella help Isabella with her Letter to Santa

Classic holiday ﬁlms families can enjoy together

The holiday season is steeped in tradition. Few traditions may elicit more collective belly laughs than holiday movie night, a tradition in millions of households across the globe. Families can consider these classic holiday films as they plan family movie night this holiday season. • “Miracle on 34th Street”(1947): This classic is centered around a man named “Kris Kringle”(Edmund Gwenn) who claims to be the real Santa Claus after a successful stint as a department store Santa in midtown Manhattan. A trial to determine if Mr. Kringle is telling the truth soon follows. This version of the tale has earned a 96 percent rating on

the popular film review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. • “A Christmas Story”(1983): Though it airs all day long on Christmas on the cable television network TBS, families can get a head-start on that marathon and watch the film uninterrupted whenever they choose. Families can laugh together as 9-year-old Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) hopes to unwrap his official Red Ryder BB gun on Christmas morning. The film, which boasts an 89 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, includes a memorable performance by Darren McGavin, who plays Ralphie’s father. • “Babes In Toyland”(1934): Also known as “March of the Wooden Soldiers,”this nearly cen-

tury-old classic stars the legendary comedy duo Laurel and Hardy as two helpful tenants living in Mother Peep’s shoe in Toyland. • “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”(1967): An animated version of the Dr. Seuss classic, this film has entertained scores of children since it was first released more than 50 years ago. • “Holiday Inn”(1942): Hollywood legends Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire star in this classic that is perhaps most remembered for introducing the Irving Berlin class “White Christmas”to the masses. The film boasts a 100 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has something for fans of song, dance and romance.

• “Arthur Christmas”(2011): Not all Christmas films date back to the 20th century. This animated tale tells the story of Arthur (voiced by James McAvoy), Santa’s youngest son who is thrust into the Christmas Eve business of delivering presents when his father fails to

deliver a present to one child out of the hundreds of millions of kids on his list. • “A Christmas Carol”(1951): Many holiday season celebrants cannot imagine letting a season go by without watching at least one adaptation of Charles Dickens’ clas-

sic tale. The 1951 version is widely considered the most faithful to Dickens’ 1843 novella that recounts the story of Ebenezer Scrooge. Alastair Sim stars as Scrooge, and many consider his performance the best of any actor to take a turn as the notorious 19th century miser.

Happy Holidays!

The most popular gift 25 years ago It’s easy for adults to experience a little nostalgia when holiday shopping for their children. The holiday season has long been considered a special time of year, and much of that magic can be traced to the joy kids feel when unwrapping gifts from mom, dad and, of course, Santa Claus. Many parents who now have youngsters at home grew up in the 1990s. When such moms and dads are shopping for holiday gifts this season, they might wonder what was the musthave item for them back when they anxiously awaited the arrival

of Christmas morning? According to Insider.com, who worked in conjunction with the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, 1996 was the year of “Tickle Me Elmo.” This ticklish toy was the most sought-after item of the 1996 holiday season, and it was so popular that retailers experienced shortages. Those shortages led to some surprising sales on the secondary market, with figures that will undoubtedly drop some jaws even now, a quarter century after the Tickle Me Elmo craze erupted. Though the Tickle Me

Elmo doll retailed for around $30 in 1996, some parents intent on getting their youngsters the most in-demand gift that year reportedly spent more than $1,000 on a single doll. To put that latter figure into perspective, data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis indicates that the average price of a new car in 1996 was $18,525. And according to Yahoo! Finance, drivers in the market for a used car in 1996 could have purchased a 1986 four-door Oldsmobile for just over $2,600.

Merry Christmas To All & To All Many Thanks! Just in the nick of time, we'd like to deliver our message of warmth and gratitude to our many good customers and friends. We really appreciate you driving in to see us this past year!

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