Our Christmas Gift to You… from the EAGLE GROVE
EAGLE Thursday, December 22, 2016
When Christmas comes to town
HMAGIC LIDAY
2B
Thursday, December 22, 2016
When Christmas comes to town
Eagle Grove Eagle
Owen Piper
Keanna Hamilton
Kylar Sisson
Ethan Shriver
As the magic of Christmas unfolds, it brings joy and wonder to young and old alike. May the extraordinary spirit of this very special holiday fill your hearts now and forever.
Christmas 1987 Haley Vandewater
Christmas Flashback - Haley Vandewater, daughter of Nancy and Denny Vandewater, told the Eagle Grove Eagle at age five that she wanted “A dancing Teddy Ruxpin, a Popple, and a new watch,” for Christmas. Eagle Grove Eagle Archive Photo
Emma Miller
Christmas 1987
Blake Sadler Christmas Flashback - Blake Sadler, son of Mitch and Lori Sadler told the Eagle Grove Eagle at age four that he wanted “A new calculator, two ST7 Captain Powers, and a little Care Bear,” for Christmas. Eagle Grove Eagle Archive Photo
Andrew Olson
Zachary and Mikaela Thomason
2016 - Favorite Christmas tradition
Kendra Schild
Natlalie Merriss
From all the employees at AGP Eagle Grove
Heather Darland said it would be going to the in-laws on Christmas Eve to open presents and then to track Santa all night as he makes his way all over the world. They would also be sure to put out reindeer food in the driveway. After going home for the night, they were up early on Christmas Day to see what Santa brought and then they would spend the day with family. Photo by Les Houser
Eagle Grove Eagle
When Christmas comes to town
Thursday, December 22, 2016
3B
Little Disciples bring the Manger to Rotary Senior Living
by Kim demory egeagle@goldfieldaccess.net It’s one thing to teach children about the word of God, but it’s another thing to teach them to be a Disciple, spreading his love by the things they do unto each other. The Little Disciples of Samuel Lutheran Church in Eagle Grove have been spreading joy and love to the residents of Rotary Senior Living for years. At least once a month they visit them - sometimes they read together, other times they play a game or do a puzzle, and sometimes they just talk. “They’re pretty entertaining,” said resident Charlotte Lynn. “We enjoy seeing them...and sometimes we even get hugs.” “The third Sunday of the month is always my favorite because (the Little Disciples) come to Rotary Senior Living to visit,” said Roger Bauman. Over the past couple of years, Bauman has formed an especially close bond with Little Disciples Ryland and Dracyn Morgan. “I’m 93 years old...and I like seeing the young people,” he added. Bauman and the other residents had an extra special treat on Wednesday, Dec. 7. They got to share an evening meal with their young friends. Together they enjoyed, courtesy of the Little Disciples group, a catered meal from The Farm. After eating their holiday meal, complete with kid conversation and lots of smiles, the Little Disciples excused themselves and went to prepare for part two of their surprise. Upon their return, they entered
one-by-one in costume, ready to portray “Memories of the Manager.” As narrators Kenedie Gabrielson and Barb Dooley told the story, the children came in. The cast included: Donkey - Ryland Morgan Colt -Hayden Pedersen Angel - Mya Morgan Lamb - Brooke Demuth Small goat - Dracyn Morgan Chick - Avyn Morgan Field Mouse Kayden McClelland Cow - Reece Demuth Shepherds - Blake Morgan, Bradan Gabrielson, and Jaxson Baack Kings - Mack Morgan, Austyn Baack, and James Hamilton Baby Jesus - Leslie McClelland Mary & Joseph - Jessia & Ryan McClelland Camel - Tim Dooley Missing from the performance due to illness were Laine Morgan and Quinn Gabrielson. The residents really seemed to enjoy the Little Disciples’ performance, smiling the whole time and taking in their extraordinary costumes. The group will be performing this play again at their church on Dec. 18, so they were grateful to the Rotary Senior Living residents for letting them have a dress rehearsal with a live audience. After the play, the kids and the adults sang some favorite Christmas songs, accompanied on the piano by Vicky Wagner. Before the evening was over, there were a few more smiles, lots of “Thank yous,” and a few hugs to last until their next visit.
Rotary Senior Living residents and guests got a kick out of watching the Little Disciples from Samuel Lutheran Church portray “Memories of the Manger” at the south building on Wednesday evening, Dec. 7. Photo by Kim Demory
Portraying the shepherds were Braden Gabrielson, Jaxson Baack, and Blake Morgan. Photo by Kim Demory
Kenedie Gabrielson and Barb Dooley served as the narrators for “Memories of the Manger.” Photo by Kim Demory
Rotary Senior Living south residents enjoyed caroling with Melanie Olson (standing) and other members of Samuel Lutheran Church who came with the Little Disciples for a Christmas program on Wednesday, Dec. 7. Photo by Kim Demory
Pictured at right: The chick (Avyn Morgan), the lamb (Brooke Demuth), the angel (Mya Morgan), and the Donkey (Ryland Morgan) gather around Joseph and Mary (Jessica and Ryan McClelland) and the Baby Jesus (Leslie McClelland). Photo by Kim Demory
Mack Morgan portrays one of the three Wise Men leading his camel (Tim Dooley) to the manger, which made all of the Rotary Senior Living residents smile. Photo by Kim Demory
After enjoying a special meal with his two favorite Little Disciples - Ryland and Dracyn Morgan, Rotary Senior Living South resident Roger Bauman, showed off the ornaments the group made for them. The note attached said, “The Christmas wreath is usually made of evergreen, and is a symbol of Eternity. The evergreen pine represents strength, as they last throughout the harsh winters. The circular shape of our Advent wreath is to represent God with no beginning and no end.” Photo by Kim Demory
4B
When Christmas comes to town
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Eagle Grove Eagle
Dear Santa… Kate Porter Pre-school
Dear Santa, My name is Dominic Comstock Heaton and I am 4 years old. This year, I have been very nice for Christmas please bring me: pop the pi game, legos, boomeran, a red chili hot pepper, a stick. Love, Dominic Dear Santa, My name is Jayden Marvets and I am 4 years old. This year, I have been very nice for Christmas please bring me: trains, gamepad, a video, a wheel Love, Jayden Dear Santa, My name is Isabel Alvarez and I am 4 years old. This year, I have been very nice for Christmas please bring me: a truck, a Barbie Dream House Love, Isabel Dear Santa, My name is Adalie Alt and I am 5 years old. This year, I have been a little of both for Christmas please bring me: a puppy dog that can talk and sleep with you, some stickers, some magnetic blocks, counting bears, magna tiles Love, Adalie Dear Santa, My name is Avery Lawson and I am 5 years old. This year, I have been very nice for Christmas please bring me: under wear doc Mc Stuffins, princess sofia, a computer. Love, Avery Dear Santa, My name is Tristan Frakes and I am 4 years old. This year, I have been very nice for Christmas please bring me: flash, superman, batman, iron man Love, Tristan Dear Santa, My name is Fernando Colorado and I am 4 years old. This year, I have been very nice for Christmas please bring me: spiderman watch, car, helicopter, scotter. Love, Fernando
Dear Santa, My name is Madison Stiltz and I am 4 years old. This year, I have been very nice for Christmas please bring me: a Barbie set, a Hello Kitty, a Hello Kitty house, baby clothes, a Barbie horse Love, Madison Dear Santa, My name is Stetson Kvale and I am 5 years old. This year, I have been very nice for Christmas please bring me: candy, legos, fake motorcycle, a mask, stickers. Love, Stetson
Dear Santa, My name is Noe Estrada-Kreitlow and I am 4 years old. This year, I have been very nice for Christmas please bring me: Ipad, B-bop and Raff Love, Noe
Dear Santa, My name is Kenlee Link and I am 5 years old. This year, I have been very nice for Christmas please bring me: a birdcage, a Baby Alive, a Princess Elena Doll, a shopping car, a baby that doesn’t talk Love, Kenlee Dear Santa, My name is Rylie Acherl and I am 5 years old. This year, I have been very nice for Christmas please bring me: a Christmas Cup, a bunk bed for my babies, Pinneaple Pizza Book, some bows for my mom, just a couple ties for my dad. clothes Love, Rylie Dear Santa, My name is Daemeon Pearson and I am 4 years old. This year, I have been very nice for Christmas please bring me: firetrucks, police cars Love, Daemeon
Kate Porter Transitional Kindergarten Dear Santa, My name is Gala Gilette and I am 5 years old. This year, I have been very nice for Christmas please bring me: Puppy surprise, Hatchima. Love, Gala
Dear Santa, My name is Trevor Lee Pedersen and I am 4 years old. This year, I have been very nice for Christmas please bring me: a new sweatshirt, a new coat, a new dresser, a new toy kitchen in my room Love, Trevor Dear Santa, My name is Jace Conaway and I am 5 years old. This year, I have been very nice for Christmas please bring me: a spiderman watch, a gummy bear, a reindeer, a video game, chocolate Love, Jace
Dear Santa, My name is Kiah Collins and I am 4 years old. This year, I have been very nice for Christmas please bring me: Paw Patrol Flying Toys, princess Sofia, Doc McSTuffins, Muff N Stuff a moving Santa. Love, Kiyah
Dear Santa, My name is Geoborhle and I am 5 years old. This year, I have been very nice for Christmas please bring me: a ball, a dinosaur a car Love, Geoborhle Dear Santa, My name is Alivia Padilla and I am 5 years old. This year, I have been very nice for Christmas please bring me: Barbie, scooter Love, Alivia Dear Santa, My name is Makaya Toillion and I am 5 years old. This year, I have been very nice for Christmas please bring me: Pool, Camper, table Love, Makaya Dear Santa, My name is Adilyn Navarro and I am 5 years old. This year, I have been very nice for Christmas please bring me: trolls, waffles, Apps. Love, Adilyn Dear Santa, My name is Owen Quintus and I am 5 years old. This year, I have been very nice for Christmas please bring me: robot, game, t-rex boat Love, Owen
The Spirit Is Growing!
The rainbow bell choir is ready to start learning a new song. Photo by Kim Demory
Goldfield youth enjoy ringing in the season by Kim demory egeagle@goldfieldaccess.net There’s a new sound of the season in Goldfield this Christmas - a youth rainbow hand bell choir. We’ve all heard that “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings,” but in this small town, every time a bell rings, you know the children are having fun. It all began when Reverend Sara Sutter came to serve the United Presbyterian Church in Goldfield back in July. While going through some of the storage areas, she discovered a set of rainbow bells. As the former Christian Education Director at Cherokee, Sutter had used such a set of bells and familiar with how they were used. The idea is that your music is color-coded, and when a note appears in that color on the music, that’s when you ring your bell. There’s no music reading ability needed. Sutter’s first thought was to form an adult community church bell choir, but quickly rationed that it was too hard to get something like that organized. Instead, she decided it would be more realistic to form a youth bell choir, encouraging the kids who came to the church on Wednesday reading days with Renee Evja from the Eagle Grove Memorial Library to give it a try. They eagerly agreed, and to Sutter’s pleasure, were able to recognizably play “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” Those who came for story time went home with a story of their own to tell about something new they had discovered. The kids quickly caught on to playing the rainbow bells and Sutter encouraged them to play for others to enjoy at the community Thanksgiving service held in Clarion. They agreed, and those who could make it performed “Jesus Loves Me.” “It doesn’t involve much musical talent, but it’s good for them to work together,” said Sutter. “The bell choir is such a good metaphor for the church - you need everyone, but there is also a need to rest and let someone else have a turn. The
Reverend Sara Sutter shows the kids the color chart for the new song they will be practicing for their Christmas performance “Joy to the World.” When a pink note appears, the child holding the pink bell rings it. When it’s a yellow note, the yellow bells ring...and so on. Photo by Kim Demory same can be said for volunteering in the church.” “I love to be in the bell choir because we all work together to make the song,” said Carly Jones. The rainbow bell choir (with kids currently second through fifth grade) usually practices during Story time Wednesdays at the United Presbyterian Church in Goldfield, including all those who show up after school around 4 p.m. The kids undeniably love it, as excitement fills the air when they walk in and see them lying out. “I love the bells. I love to make noise,” said Miranda Roosa, patiently waiting to pick her bell color to play. According to Sutter, Tom Stevenson’s mother’s memorial fund money was used to purchase the bells. “They were super excited the bells were found and are being used again,” Sutter said. “Our goal is to go ‘on the road’ after the holidays to perform in places like nursing and retirement homes...and we’re hoping to add boomwackers in January.” Right now, the group is only playing the main melody, but on Nov. 30 they did work on adding a couple chord notes.
“I’m sure we can add some new tricks soon,” Sutter said, enthused about the progress they are making. “The trick is to practice enough that they are comfortable, but not too much that it takes away from the novelty. I tell them they sound better when they smile.” They gave their Christmas performance in church during their Christmas program on Sunday, Dec. 18. “The look on their faces while they’re playing is priceless,” said Sutter. The rainbow bell choir is open to any interested youth. Performances are “as able.” Current members include: April Viruete, Hannah Lopez, Kersin Delatorre, Mackenzie Kiefer, Ava Lewis, James Lopez, McKayla Johnson, Taylor Johnson, Gizelle Perez, Karly Kerch, Carly Jones, Miranda Roosa, and Issac Stevenson. “I love to be in the bell choir because I love music,” said Karly Kerch. All of the kids agree that playing the bells has made them want to learn how to play another musical instrument. Who knows what type of group they might all form some day.
Best wishes for the holiday season and the new year!
It’s almost Christmas, and we’d like to plant our best wishes for a very merry season all over town. We certainly appreciate your coming ‘round.
Eagle Grove Greenhouses, Inc. 120 S. Iowa Ave., Eagle Grove 515-448-5181
www.iowacentral.edu
When Christmas comes to town
Eagle Grove Eagle
Dear Santa… Dear Santa, How are your reindeer? How old are your reindeer. I want cloths and toys. Chase Bedford
Kate Porter Transitional Kindergarten (Cont.) Dear Santa, My name is Patricia Gonzalez and I am 5 years old. This year, I have been very nice for Christmas please bring me: clothes, hatchimal, big gummy worm Love, Patricia Dear Santa, My name is Billy Quintus and I am 5 years old. This year, I have been a little bit naughty and a little bit nice! for Christmas please bring me: A little Luigi, A fire luigi, a big luigi, a fire luigi, a fire Mario, a freeze luigi, a fire toad Love, Bucky Dear Santa, My name is Dracyn Morgan and I am 5 years old. This year, I have been very nice for Christmas please bring me: a hunting knife, a fast bike, a robot Love, Dracyn Dear Santa, My name is Nick Willard and I am 5 years old. This year, I have been very nice for Christmas please bring me: Shopkins, SpongeBob Legos, Mario Characters Love, Nick Dear Santa, My name is Hayden DickePedersen and I am 5 years old. This year, I have been very nice for Christmas please bring me: U ac UUM Love, Hayden Dear Santa, My name is Jordan and I am 5 years old. This year, I have been very nice for Christmas please bring me: Dinosaur Love, Jordan Haugland
Mrs. Dahlhauser Kindergarten Dear Santa, My name is Alex, Merry Christmas! I have been very good this year. I hope you bring me: Cars, dinosaurs, fire truck, I am very excited. Love, Alex Gonzalez
Dear Santa, I want a Barbie house a tablet, IPhone. Lacie Jergenson Dear Santa, Eli Derscheid I want an IPhone and a tablet. How are your reindeer? Eli Derscheid Dear Santa, I love you, santa! Santa goes to my house. Santa can you get me a tablet? Yarely Guateman-Mendez Dear Santa, Luis Avila, I want a crazy car, just one. For my dad, I want a fake sword to fight. Luis Avila Dear Santa, I want a Barbie and Barbie house a tablet, Iphone. Alexa Nelson-Atunez Dear Santa, I want a phone and a tablet, and a surprise. Jaden Sadler Dear Santa, I like you! I want one or two boxes with toys. 3 books with cats Camila Castro-Aroche Dear Santa, I want Barbie with tablets and a phone. I want a candy coloring page. Mia Sophia Marcano Dear Santa, Is the reindeer sick? I want a dog, big or little. IPhone a surprise. Jazzlyn Thompson Dear Santa, I want a bb gun and IPhone, and science kits. Brandon Law Dear Santa, I want a presents a shark and a puppy you’re coo Tytan Kleppe. Dear Santa, I want a I-Pad for my whole family. 3-6 news books a dog to play with my dog Brownie. Samangelie Baez
Silent Night In a season so serene and still, We think of peace and of goodwill; And in spite of the cold and frost and snow, We’re warmed by thoughts of the folks we know!
Merry Christmas and heartfelt thanks to all of you.
WRIGHT COUNTY LAND TITLE COMPANY and North Iowa Real Estate Box 307 • 112 Central Ave. E, Clarion, IA 50525 • 515-532-2259
Dear Santa, HOHOHOHOHO Merry Chrismas can I have a big dinosaur? 1,000,000 nurf guns and a BB gun? Reese Boyd Dear Santa, HOHOHOHOO Merry Christmas, I want a lunchbox wrestlers a tour bike thank-you. Jusin Negless Dear Santa, I wan a BB gun and a nerf gun. Lucas Sanders Dear Santa, I want a puppy, bunny, and a kitty. Christopher Gomez Dear Santa, I want a present a dinosaur a snake, and a cat. Michael Pineda Dear Santa, I love you can I have jungle paw patroller and jungle pup. HI! Logan Snider Dear Santa, Do you have your reindeer and sleigh? I want a dinosaur a shark a boat a reindeer. Karson Peterson
Dear Santa, I want Lego friends. Love, Jessica Hovland Dear Santa, I want a hatchimals Love, Mikaela Thomason
Dear Santa, I want a new toy story game Santa. Love, Miracle Walrod Dear Santa, I want a DS and gamaz. Love, Cristian Santos Dear Santa, I want a motorstkl. Love, Nick Klein Dear Santa, I wot a PcemEN (Pokemon) Sarszr (Charizard)! Love, Hillario Santos Dear Santa, I want a T.V. Love, Abi Carbajal-Teran Dear Santa, I wot a Wii! Love, Kenny Kreitlow
Dear Santa, You’re the best! I want crayons a bb gun a cat. Chase Bedford
Dear Santa, I WoT a hacemml and I want a big stuft unicorn. Love, Lydia Kienzle
Dear Santa, Hi. I want a nerf modulist a bb gun hover board. Zander Brensel
Dear Santa, I wt sumi Poc-emon knbs. Love, Kylar Severson
Mrs. Osborn Kindergarten Dear Santa, Thank you for sending Jordon, the elf, to our classroom! He is helping us make good choices:) Love, Mrs. Osborn’s Class P.S. We each wrote a letter letting you know what we would like for Christmas. Dear Santa, I want a frozen scurtr. Love, Wendy
Dear Santa, I wot u now peckuchow. Love, Hailey Johnson Dear Santa, I want Side. Love, Makenna Surber Dear Santa, I want a Basch ay Ex pocemon coRDs. Love, Colson Schafer Dear Santa, I wnt a XBOX1S. Love, Jude Dorenkamp
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Dear Santa, I wt a xBoX 1 S and a te V. Love, Ryker Asche Dear Santa, I want a xBox one and football cordz. Love, Chase Harle Dear Santa, I Wnt a XBox and gimes. Love, Victor Manilla Dear Santa, I waT som LEGO Love, Anibal Lopez-Sologui Dear Santa, I StS (want) the bktk rwdr (black and yellow) CRthe (cars). Love, Joel Aguilar-Blas Dear Santa, I want a bike! Love, Richy Matul Dear Santa, I want a Kap Set. Love, Peyton Nicholson Mrs. Willard Kindergarten Dear Santa, How are you? I have been good this year. I want a hat and toLit (tablet). Marcus Hull, age 6 Dear Santa, How are you? I have been goob this year. I want BoBr (Barbie and) pony. Yanelith Rodas-Martinez, age 6 Dear Santa, How are you? I have been good this year. I want ALSU. Love, Keanna Hamilton, age 5 Dear Santa, How are you? I have been Super this year. I want CHeDu Havod (Cheetah Hoverboard), woch (watch). Love, Mya Gilbert, age 5 Dear Santa, How are you? I have been good this yeaer. I want woch (watch). Love, Nola Sanders, age 5 Dear Santa, How are you? I have been good this yeaer. I want tran tabl. Love, Tremain Smith-Barrett, age 5
5B
Dear Santa, How are you? I have been good this year. I want cat. dog. Love, Mia Maldondo, age 6 Dear Santa, How are you? I have been good this year. XBox 360 fartgun from Mason Horn, age 6 Dear Santa, How are you? I good this year. I want unikorn kpone, and kite. Love, Norma Clabaugh, age 6 Dear Santa, Haw are you? I have been good this year. I want popcorn. Haryen Reyes, age 6 Dear Santa, How are you? I have been good this year. I want tree. Rube Rodriguez, age 5 Dear Santa, How are you? I have been good this year I want tdPitL (tablet) Unikorn Pon (pony). Love, Christina Waldo-Corado, age 6 Dear Santa, I LeFt cookies. I Wet (want) Maht. I wet Big dron, ginormous dron widt a Kamra. I LeFt sum Karts (carrots) fro roodolf. Christian Schild, age 6 Dear Santa, How are you? I have been good this year. Iwant Dron Gan, HavBoB (hoverboard). Fum, Victor Gaytan, age 6 Dear Santa, How are you? I have been good this year. I want cumputr, mincraft on my cumputr, and frtgun. Love, Chloe Seaver, age 6 Dear Santa, How are you? I have been good this year. I want Fon Tablt, cat, Popcorn. Love, Maci Alesch, age 5 Dear Santa, Dear Santa I Left snickers under my tree. I went green Klest LeGOS, green Panst, frortgun, green helmit, green shrt, green gluvs. from Keegan Eisentrager, age 6 Dear Santa, How are you? I have been good this year. I want forgn, Hosy. Love, Devin Anderson, age 5
6B
When Christmas comes to town
Breakfast Thursday, December 22, 2016
Eagle Grove Eagle
A letter to Santa Jack Shriver was a little nervous about sitting by Santa, but he was willing to get close enough to hand him his Christmas list while his baby sister, Emma, waited patiently to enjoy her candy cane she got from Santa. Photo by Kim Demory
A big hug for Santa
Sharp dressed boys Ryder and Chase Bedford got all dressed up for their breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 10. Santa asked them if they ever fought? Brothers don’t fight, right?! Photo by Kim Demory
Mrs. Flatebo First Grade Dear Santa, What is your faverit Raindeer Santa? My faverit Raindeer is Cupid. What does Mrises Clos do win you are giving presents? I will giv you crckeses for Christmas. Merry Christmas! your friend, Ryland Morgan Dear Santa, I wint a noo tvey. I want a real gitar. What do you want Santa? Your friend, Eli Withers Dear Sata, I want a drt bice and a XBoX 360. I want un telavivisn. I want un Smartfone. I want un Santa hat. I want un four weylr I want un SKayBord. Your friend, Andrew Orozco Dear Santa, I want a gren tablit. I want a babe haws. I want a Babe alive. I want a letric JeP. Wat Doow You eat? Wat Doow Your rander eat? Wat Doow you drenc? Your frend, Love, Rebekah Gamache Dear Santa, I want a new book of the Elf on the shelf. I want a Elf in the book,
Family time Twin sisters Sophia and Alecia Hill were a little shy to talk with Santa, so their mom, Toshia, went with them. Photo by Kim Demory
Dear Santa… Dear Santa, I want a tablit for Crismus. I want a noo TV for Crismus. I want a bobey play haws. I want a lepstr treey. I want grll sleshot. Want athrs namse are your elf? Your frend, Adelie Pamperin
and Chocolate and a Move of the North Pole. Now why do you have RanDear? Your friend, Asarel Castro
Dear Santa, I want a nrfth gun snipr. How do you git to the North Pole? Your frend, Phoenix Rutledge
Dear Santa, I want glitr sharp pens for crismis. And a soweing mushing. And a ds. Wats your favrit snack? Wats your favrit dringck? Wats your favrit rander? How fun is it rideing in the slay? Frum your frend, Lola Kreitlow
Dear Santa, I want a noo tv. I want a XBox 13! I want a westeing game! wut do your Ufls do? I want som chocolate. Your fiend, Austin
Dear Santa, I want a new board game. I want it to be Twister, and Candy land. I want Books a rell elf. and nail polish, whet board with EXPO marcrs, and erasr. What is your fafre thing to do? Your frend, Amelia Gonzalez-Willard Dera Santa, I Want Amerkin grl dol stuf. And a fish tac with a fish, plaes. What is your faverit cined of cakes and mike? And I Want a book shelf with books. And a big jinesrrns titol - Stof anumol. Love, Myka Anderson Dear Santa, I want a zoomr chimp, an a zoomr cite, and a Amarican Grul Doul. Wich rander is your faveret? and I want a huvrbord. Your frend, Nora Olson
Dear Santa, I waot a Barbie house for Chisnus. Whot is your faverit Elf? I want a marbl trk and a polis car, and a zoomr kites. Love, Bailey Stuckey Dear Santa, I want a new PSI, and a elf on the shelf for Cristmas. I want remote gun role hotweels. Your friend, Aiden Merris Dear Santa, I Want a noo huvBod. And a Fone, and picshr af you a Mrs. clos. Do you mac it snow? I Want a orbe crush, and a orbe spol, and borbe has. Your love friend, Natalee Sisneros Dear Santa, I want a huvbod and I want a obeckust, and a odeck sbemsol and I am gunacku sum q e shins. Haw do You git her? Wut is Your favorite ranber thet you like? Your friend, Alecia DelaCruz-Hill Dear Santa, I Want new Legos for christmas. I want chocolate too. I want a drum
set. I want cookies. I want a toy bow and arow. What do you like to do at the north pole? Love, Daniel
Mrs. Conaway First Grade Dear Santa, I hoope you will have a Safe time Home. I want a alf on the Shalf, play KiChin thas have the food, X boks to, the little dog I sol. thank you Santa. Love, Rosie Thul Dear Santa, May I have A lago marble x-box zero. May I have A wholee whop. May I have A toy Bus. Love, David Olmstead Dear Santa, I hop your rander are o kay. I am gratfal for wut u giv me. Ples get me a hrplan. By your frend, Trevor Negless Dear Santa, May I Plees have a pupeey or sum Scool suplies plees, or a 2 hed Pi game. Santa, haw or your Elfs dooeing haw or your Randeor doeing to and haw is Miss closs haw or you doing? Love, Taytum Edwards Dear Santa, I hope Zack is doing OK for Chrismis. I ples want a Cind of 5 Nits at Freddy’s. I love santa and Zack. I rilley want a Mistrey Box 5 nits at fredey’s. Your friend, Lucas Willard
Dear Santa, May i have the game called grand thaft odoo. I hoop it is a Xbox. May
Jack Davidson couldn’t wait to give Santa Claus a great big hug at the annual Breakfast with Santa event held Saturday, Dec. 10 in Eagle Grove. Santa likes to give, but he will always take a hug from anyone who wishes to share one. Photo by Kim Demory
I have a toy bot for Cramtmis. Love, Kameron Peterson Dear Santa, I Wont to be your Bes frend. may I ples have a nrf guns. wut do you ate for Krismis? Love, Mauricio Azacariaz Dear Santa, May I plese have a pie-in-the-face game showdown. I like you and your elfs. I am huge fan. I would like jema stone shope. Cristl empire castle my little pony. Love, Lilly Ann Pohl Dear Santa, Can I hve two amarcin girl dolls and a piy in the fass game. I want a Elsa jress. Santa have a good ride back can you give me a Toy like mabe a baby doll and a baby crib and a rambo DvD payre pless and could you sind me a Letr so I no if rodoff is good. Your frind, Liliana Waldo-Martinez Dear Santa, I want a Micrfon stand. I want a pink dvd plar. I like you Santa. I want a Elsa dres. Love, Laina Christensen Dear Santa, I Want a toy thats Green car. I Want a elf ples. Merry Christmas Love, Javier Martinez Dear Santa, May I plaese have a skilanders trap team for nitendo three ds xl. May I please have an Amibos. How are yoiu doing Santa? May I please have Mindcraft Cloter pak please? be safe Santa. love you Santa love Jack Davidson I hope your doing well? Dear Santa, I hope you have a safe ride back. I hope your rander are redee. I hope
Igit a ipad. And video gam’s and a xbox 3. How are your Elf’s are they redee? our you redee for Chrismis? Can you giv me a football. thank you Love, Ethan Schreiber Dear Santa, Im so soree if I was notee this yere I want a nou Borbee doll Ken and a Borbee if not a nuthr elf on the shelf. Your frend, Ellie Lenning Dear Santa, May I have a Elf on a shelf. and May I have a X box3. Santa May I have a ipad. Santa I howp you have a good trip back. I think you are Cool. I love you Santa. Love Cash Kvale Dear Santa, What are you daoing and what are your efs daing and your rader duing? can I plees see them? I rilee wat TrolS. Love Addison Eittreim Dear Santa, How are you guy’s up at the North Pol. I bet you are relly bisy at the North Pol. What do your riandeer like to eat. May I have a Flipazoo for Chrismas. Your frind, Azlyn Amonson Dear Santa, I want a Ben bag of pikhow. I hop yau hav a saf rid Santa. Your friend, Chris Johnson Dear Santa, Win are you gowen to cum hyr to giv Us Sum prsints? we are weten for you. Is it going to tak for A Cupl days and can I have A presint ples? can I have A litl Baby Crib ples? Love, Harmony Starbuck Dear Santa, Can I please have a Comeputer and a Zoomer Chimp. thank you! how are the raindeer? :) how is Mrs claus? You’re firend Gracelyn Dobbs
Eagle Grove Eagle
When Christmas comes to town
Thursday, December 22, 2016
7B
with Santa Cousins These cousins had a blast posing for a family photo with Santa. Pictured from left: Brevyn Loux, Taytum Edwards, Myah Edwards, and Breckley Sadler. Photo by Kim Demory
Not too close Breakfast with Santa is an event that many Eagle Grove children look forward to each December, but Mila Schild wasn’t too sure it was that exciting...not if she had to get any closer to Santa than this. Santa at least convinced her to tell him a few things she would like for Christmas Photo by Kim Demory
Who are you? Maxton Hill was only a week old last year when Santa came to Eagle Grove, so this year was his first time meeting the legendary St. Nicholas. He wasn’t too sure about the bearded guy in red, but he never cried. Photo by Kim Demory
All smiles Jonah Kramersmeier was all smiles for Santa after enjoying a donut and juice at the Eagle Grove Memorial Library Breakfast with Santa event on Saturday, Dec. 10. Photo by Kim Demory
This is as close as it gets
Christmas wish
Ayden Merriss would have nothing to do with sitting on Santa’s lap, but he would take a candy cane...quickly. Photo by Kim Demory
Axton Dolan told Santa he would like a remote control airplane for Christmas. Photo by Kim Demory
Dear Santa… Dard Santa. I wont to have a lit bug that gos in your err and in yonr fon! My mommy and Daddy wont a camar ples Santa. Question hawaw do you mack towes? Love Salem Willard
Mrs. Axtell First Grade
Der Santu I wnt a nat My Str Iuk and a car My Str wan a brbe he R you cumg to my hos? Luv Anthony Padilla
Dear Santa Claus: The thing I want for Chrismas is a Zoome r Puppy. And I want new barbies. What do you look like, Santa? My dog Blaze wants a new bone. Love Jorja Morris Dear santa. Can you git me a puppy dog that is a toy with a lish, and a Brid in a cag with Brid food? I wish I cood be on the nice list. I wish you can git me a rilliy Tr doty that is a baby egg? Love Anna Withers Dier Santa I wont a tadlit. I wont a dram. For my Sistr, I wont a toy tran. Ar you reil Santa? Lav Andres Reyes-Crisanto Dear Stantclos I wot a molch motrsicle. I wot a mteym stuft animal pegwin and a Ktin. Can my sistr have stuft animin Kitin like me cus she luv Kitins. I wundr how mene presis you have. love Tyler Alesch
Darr Sata Dare Ssata clos I wat babbey Kittin I wat a babby puppey. My little bratr wat a thomis the tran. How meney sogr coces do, you have? Keeley Peterson
Deyr Satoklos. I wish too have a Scoodr. I wish too have a baby pape. I Wat too have a baby cidin. I Wish you too grig a toy too my SiStr a Stuf anml. Wat is the rander are madw? Love Candelaria Agustin-Mendez
Dear Santaclos. I Theke that my mom want a pridey ring that fits her. I want a nrf gun and a itonscrd. Do your rinderse eat apples? Love Damian Stiltz
Dear Sanue I wish your elss are doig good. I hoop that thay can come back this cris mis. I wot odescrash and I wot a havod and a sckoodob. My sistr wont a havrdr. Haw od you mack tooy? Mare ckrism. Sophia Delacruz-Hill
Der Satnae I hop you breg me a brand ganeg bod. I wish you breg me a brand dols. I hop yor elfss are doen gud. Miy mom wos a brand flawrs. Love Joselin Ramirez
DerSanta. I hop I Grffa u bool Kap and a Chas bool Srt that has Rize wonit. My dad wats a Bick. Haw do you mack toeys? Grayson Chamberlin
Der Seta Clos Pless Giv my Sep Buthr a toy? Pless giv me a kitin and a pape. I wazz Wudea HAv MiNe Redess you hAve? love OlymPia ASChe
Dear sataclos How od ar you? I am geting dogy doodoo and pop the pig. My stistr is geting logoss! Love Bella Quintus
Dear santa I want a modped for Chrismiss and a mroster thrak that is not weaool that moster that can pull 101 ponds. My sistor wants black stuf and my other sistr wants pink stuf. How od are you? Love David Hernandez Joonr.
Dere Sata closr, I wut a tablit and a futbdol hemlit. My sistrr wuss a bubey. Wut do the reder et? Luv DYlan Roberts Det Set I weh you cergmy boc. Mar wos a cor nada MoF. Mas rc ehems of Hom famey. Homen lfhme Slefloo? Love Anthony Padilla
Der santu. I want Doge Doo for crismis. In my stocing i wut u ind isne in finude lago blind bug. Wut is yr soot mad uv? Aiden Kestel Dery Santue clos I wont some Rolu sckats and the Padds that go with the rolu sckats and I wont a now Prinsess bick that has flawrs and the flawrss corsare blue Pink red Purple. and I wont Doge dowa. Are you the real Santa? Love Angelica Gonzalez
Dere Santa Two things I want for Crimiss I want a big Lego Set but it hast to be nijogoe Set one more thing X-box S-60 what is the cotin made of on your hat My SiSter wants a little bol Love Jaime Barcenas-Steffenson Mrs. Watson Second Grade Dear Santa, For Christmas I really, really want a Spiderman, a Lego Batman, Buzz Lightyear, a stuffed reindeer with a book, a toy eagle, a toy lion, and an XBOX 1. My brother wants a Spiderman with a motorcycle, a minion, and a toy robot. My sister would like a sled, a crown, and a toy dog. For the whole family, a watch, an iPhone 7, a Christmas tree, a special car, an alarm clock, books, and hats. For my dog, I would like a dog toy for him to play with and some dog food. Thank you. Your friend, Juan Trevino Dear Santa, I would like an iPad and clothes. For my family, they would like a car. I have a question for you. How old are you? From, Caroline Rodriguez
Dear Santa, I would like a make up set, a Barbie set, and the Cat Zoomer. My sister wants a make up set. Dad wants tools and Mom wants a necklace. Grandma wants a cap with candy and Grandpa wants a dragon. From, Kiara May Tincher Dear Santa, What I want for Christmas is an Xbox One S and a green Elf on the Shelf to keep until next Christmas. Can you get a new car for my mom like a GTR? Is Rudolph real? Your friend, Tyson Frakes Dear Santa Claus, For Christmas I want a little dog toy. My little baby sister wants a baby Alive. For my family, we wish that we could have a new car. My big sister wishes she can drive a car. I wish that I can have a tablet. Your friend, Nataly Mendoza
cat toys. Sincerely, Emily Schaeffer Dear Santa, Could you get me an Xbox One? I also want a pet dog. My family wants a TV. Trevor wants a toy play station. Natalie wants a doll. From, Gavin Pedersen Dear Santa, For Christmas, I would like a Furby Connect, an iPod for the fitbit and a clever keet. I would like the game Pie Face Showdown for my family. My brother Jordan wants a police station and some legos. My baby sister, Grace wants some baby toys like stuffed animals. My other brother Zach wants a new phone case and headphones. My sister, Zoey, wants Monster High dolls. I also want some scarves. How are the reindeer doing? And how is Mrs. Claus doing? From your 2nd grade friend Holly Anderson
Dear Santa, I would like a toy gun so I can play with it outside, toy cars for my baby brother, and make up sets for my two sisters. For my family, I would like tickets to Chuckie Cheese. Your friend, Daniel Covington Dear Santa, You are so nice to all the kids. You work so hard, you deserve something big! I want one drone and one heart necklace for my sister. For my family, I want one happy Christmas! Love, Simon Oscar Sandnes Dear Santa, Can I have a DS, a tablet, and a giant Clifford the big red dog? I know my sister would like a giant stuffed cheeta animal. For Mommy, a cyclone blanket. Daddy would like a Hawkeye blanket. For Rascal, a blanket. I need 3 dog beds and 2
Christmas 1987
Matt Umthun
Christmas Flashback - Matt Umthun, son of Gregg and Pam Umthun, told the Eagle Grove Eagle at age six what he wanted for Christmas was “Ghost Busters. I really want them,” he said. Eagle Grove Eagle Archive Photo
8B
Thursday, December 22, 2016
When Christmas comes to town
Eagle Grove Eagle
Eagle Grove Chorale performs “City of Lights” The Eagle Grove Chorale performed their annual Christmas concert, “City of Lights” on Sunday, Dec. 11. A crowd gathered at the United Methodist Church in Eagle Grove to listen to the angelic voices of community members ranging from music teachers, to retirees, to pastors, to a high school student. While the much-admired North Central Iowa Hand Bell Choir did not join them this year as their director, Cathy Moklebust has moved to South Dakota, the Chorale brought that extra-special touch all the same by adding some guest appearances. Pictured at right: Alec Amonson made one of the guest appearances as the Chorale sang in the background. Bottom left: Elizabeth Schwake’s flute playing added so much to the Chorale’s performance. Pictured at very bottom: Directed by Roi Ann Gearhart, the Eagle Grove Chorale gets the crowd into the Christmas spirit with their songs of love, peace, and good will towards men. Photos by Kim Demory
Dear Santa… Mr. Ettinger Second Grade Dear Santa, I want an IPhone 7 and. Whant I realy want is my family. and a trampoline and an I Phone 6 and I Phone 5. and clothes from Justius and I want it to snow. Love Denis Rodriguez-Mendez
and a ntendo ds whith the gam mada gasckor and a snowdord. Kale Christiansen
Dear Santa, I would relly like it if you got me orbeez and tablet for me and my sister and a Iphone for me and my sister. Love, Jaz Gonzalez-Willard
Dear Santa all I want for christmas is a hover board electrick scoter iPhone 6 l.e.d. Shoes, ryno bike digitel camra apple1 wach 2 and stuf animel of lilo stich. Love Hector Martinez
Dear santa, For Christmas i want a tablit and a tablit case and jewlery and a iphone, a huge emoge pelo, fake nails, nail polish, make up, barbis, hair ties, prfum, clothos form Justis, a flat skren tv. Love Shelby Dear Sant, What I want for Christmas is One magic wond One giant stuft monkey. One zoomer monkey, One zoomer cat. Little live pets. Snow. Books. Gloves. Stikey notes. Sincrely Nicole Menke Dear Santa, I Love Chritmas a lot I like when we open the presents. All day I wich all the sing I wont and we can Play in the show. Love Brenda Alejo Der Santa, can I have a PuPey for crismis and can I have a ix box and can my bruth be nice and can I have a retmote cenchrool car and a gumbol machene thit costis oun peney and a Pix air the fuse game. Love Hunter Waldo-Martinez
Did you know?
Leaving cookies and milk for Santa Claus is a Christmas Eve tradition. Children regularly place a dish of cookies and a glass of milk by the tree on Christmas Eve so that Santa has enough energy to complete all of his gift-giving before kids wake up on Christmas morning. This tradition traces its origins to Saint Nicholas. On the feast of St. Nicholas on December 6, children would leave food and drink for the saint and any attendants. The treats would be exchanged for gifts. While that’s one theory behind the tradition, others think it is linked to the history of the Christmas tree and the edible decorations that adorn it. Santa would snack on the ornaments. Even after edible decorations gave way to inedible ornaments, the tradition of leaving a snack for Santa remained. Whatever the origins behind the tradition, millions of children dutifully leave milk and cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve.
At This Season Of Giving…
Dear Santa, I want a sky vipere streaming video drone and a light saber that glows. I want to play all my old video Sonic games and I want a tablet and a cumputer and a remote controll race car. Joel Nelson
Make the most of your holiday with family, friends & festivities!
Dear santa,What I want for Christmas is legos lots and lots of legos. Minecraft legos lots and lots and lots and lots of minecraft legos. Poop omoji pillows. Money omoji pillows. Hotwheel race tracks. Nerf guns. Money. Fake mouchestyashes. Infinit warefare. Money omoji piggy bank. Iphone seven. Kaleb Smith
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In Step With The Holidays We’d like to give you our well wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season. We feel deeply honored to have your friendship and trust. Thanks!
Eagle Pharmacy 311 W. BROADWAY - EAGLE GROVE, IA Across From The Sr. Center
Dear Santa, I have a list I want like a little live pet mose and a hatchimal and a puppy a real puppy and no school!. Rachel Muzzey Dear Santa, can I have a trapoline for christmas and a picture of your family. And a Iphone 7.Can I all so have a flip a zoo. And a snow global. Love, Catherine Orozco Dear Santa, I wunl a remot cintrold dron and some dino chorgrs and a tv
Dear Santa, Under my three me and my mom and Dad Lego Hinja go toys. Sant Breing a favoritt cookie. Love Benji Mora-Aviles
Dear santa, I whant a snow dres. And I whan to see my dad on chriacmis. And I whant my baby sistr when she is borind to be a hellthy baby. And I whant a zoomr dog. And I whant my family to be Happy. Love Carmen Vasquez
Dear Santa What I Whant for Christmas a New bike and a Sleigh and a I Phone and more presents and a trampoline and new toys and new Pajaems and new fake toys and new books and new cars and trouks. Love Jose Jose-Antonio
Dear Santa, Christmas is my favorite month. Nine Lego dinosorers. And a lego enden dragon set. From Kriztian Rosalez
Dear Santa claus, I want a Mesa Swan Pert box! and Pokemon Leses. Please and a ash-gren ninja bok! Please and a Shiny Rayguaza Please hope you have a good rest of your day. by Austin Thompson
Dear Santa, I want for Christmas is a picture of you Santa plese and some baby alive stuff for Christmas and a crtin for my bed plese and a Judy Hops costeem and a picture of Fisdee my Elf on the Shelf and a Doc toy fours plese and hatchimal Plese and I LOve my Elf soooooooo much thak you for my elf Love, Hannah Snider
Dear Santa, I want a hachimal, a bakeing kit. a num nom lip Gloss truck, a project MC sqare Science bag a pack of Shopkins. love, Kendra Kruckenberg
Dear Santa, May I please have a doll house, a doll car, a small trampoline, Iphone 7, cake, cupcake, ipad, Computer, Iphone 6, I phone 5. Love, Nikita
DEAR SANTA FOR CHRISHMAS I WANT A BLUE WII REMOTE A FIRE MARIO, inch plush A ZOOMER Chimp AND FINILY the LAST thing GOOD Chrismas. Love, Jessie Morris
Star of Wonder, Star of Night
Wishing you all a jolly good season. We couldn’t ask for better partners than you!
Oldson’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. Eagle Grove
MALLOY LAW FIRM Robert Malloy, Nathan Malloy, Joshua Borchert, Lynn Seaba
Eagle Grove Eagle
When Christmas comes to town
Thursday, December 22, 2016
9B
Deployed for the holidays
First Deployment: Steve Krueger finally gets to meet his newborn daughter, Quinn, in 2008 on a two-day pass from the Army. Wife, Amy and son, Caleb, are also excited to see him. Photo provided
home again: This family photo of the Steve Krueger family (taken a couple years ago) is one of Amy’s favorite. Photo provided
by Kim demory egeagle@goldfieldaccess.net Above the mantel of the Steve and Amy Krueger family’s fireplace hangs a wooden American flag and two clocks - one that says “Our Time” and one that says “Dad’s Time.” Although Amy and her two children, 15-year-old Caleb and 8-year-old Quinn, are staying “Army Strong” during the holidays, the mantel is an emotional reminder that their husband and father won’t be home for Christmas this year. Instead, he’ll be spending it in Romania with the U.S. Army as the Crew Chief for the 294th Engineers Fire Fighting Detachment. “They are eight hours ahead of us, so we’re finding it hard to make time to communicate...that is rough,” said Amy. But somehow, they are making it work, just like they have always done. Steve and Amy were married in 2003. In 2006, Steve joined the Clarion Fire Department. In January of 2008, he left for basic training in the Army to become part of the fire fighting unit. One week after he signed his contract, Amy found out they were expecting their second child. Steve missed the birth of their daughter, but was able to eventually get a two-day pass to come home and meet her. He sacrificed a lot to be part of that unit - in addition to Quinn’s birth, he missed her first birthday and all the firsts that go along with having a baby. He missed Caleb losing his first tooth, and seeing Caleb learn to ride his bike. When Steve’s contract was up, he decided to go inactive for a year. “I could tell he really missed it,” said Amy. “They created quite a bond as a unit.” So Steve re-enlisted...right before their deployment to Romania was announced. “I honestly thought it would fall through because we have been told other times they would be deploying and then they didn’t,” said Amy. “It really sunk in I guess when our
family had to go to Kansas City for a mandatory Yellow Ribbon Ceremony.” Steve and Amy spent the time in classes discussing things like insurance, finances, legal documents like wills, and etc. The kids got to spend their time bonding with each other while participating in planned activities. The Yellow Ribbon Ceremony is meant not only as an educational time before deployment, but also a bonding time. On October 2, 2016, Steve left for two weeks of training. He returned home for a few days, and then the family headed to Des Moines for the send-off ceremony. The very first thing they did in Des Moines was take care of a little “family” business. Before even going to get a hotel, they went to get a stuffed rabbit dressed in army attire that Quinn’s dad recorded a message on reminding the kids that he loves them and misses them. “We are Army strong and we can make it is what I tell the kids when they get sad (now that he’s deployed),” said Amy. The last time they have seen Steve is on October 20. That meant Amy and the kids had to return home to their “new” house (they just moved into her grandparents’ former house) and try to settle in to a new routine. In addition, they would have to try and figure out how they would celebrate the holidays without him there. Amy is grateful that both her and Steve’s families live nearby, so she invited them all over to the house for Thanksgiving to be surrounded by those who love them. Now comes Christmas. Undoubtedly, it will be hard, but Amy is thinking and planning to make the best of a tough situation. A “normal” Christmas with Steve at home usually goes like this - Amy gets up super early and makes sure everything is ready to go. After the kids open their presents, she goes back to bed for a nap, and Steve puts together all the toys Santa has brought. This year, she joked with Caleb
Clocks help the Krueger family keep track of what time it is in Romania, where their dad is stationed. Photo provided and Quinn, “Santa better not bring you anything that needs putting together.” This year, Amy’s thinking that since her kids sleep upstairs, and Romania is eight hours ahead of their time, that she will connect with Steve through Facetime (it will be afternoon for him) before the kids come down the stairs. That way, Steve will get to see their faces when they find their presents from Santa under the Christmas tree, and he can be a part of all the excitement. “It’s hard (not having him home) but technology is really helping to make things a lot easier,” Amy said, always looking on the bright side of the situation. One minor, yet very important detail that took a while to work out was wether or not they should hang up all their stockings by the fireplace in their new home (the first Christmas they’ve had a fireplace to do so), or if Steve should hang up his in Romania for Santa to fill there? “It’s still fairly new and there will be a lot more challenges we will be facing,” said Amy, but for now, they are taking it one day at a time. They Facetime as often as possible (that’s how Steve got to see Caleb play his first high school basketball game), Amy and Steve
imessage (no calling because it costs them $1.20 per minute), and they move one marble a day from the “How many days til dad comes home” jar. “It seems like we’ve been moving marbles forever, but the marbles just aren’t adding up in the other jar,” Amy said. What’s helped Amy and the kids tremendously these first few weeks has not only been the support of their family, but also the support of the community. “I would never trade moving to a big city...we’ve really seen that hometown support,” said Amy. Pizza Ranch contacted them and said they would like to adopt Steve’s unit in Romania for the holidays. Likewise, a former classmate of Amy’s got in contact with her through Facebook and said she is with the Air Force and their unit would be sending filled Christmas stockings to Steve’s unit. Amy is not sure when her husband will return home, but his contract says he can be gone no more than 400 days. That means he should be home before Thanksgiving next year, and she, and Caleb and Quinn, already know what will be at the very top of their gratitude list.
Did you know?
Christmas songs provide the soundtrack for holiday magic. Such songs evoke strong feelings in people, and various songs have become staples at holiday celebrations. Some interesting facts and history surround many popular Christmas songs. “White Christmas,” for example, is the best-selling Christmas song of all time. However, “Silent Night” is the most recorded Christmas song in history, says TIME. “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” is considered a jolly song, but songwriter James Gillespie was unemployed and had just lost his brother prior to writing the song. Still, he was able to look past his grief to pen the classic. Many are unaware that “Jingle Bells” originally was supposed to be a Thanksgiving song. While many beloved Christmas songs have been around for decades, one artist managed to tap into the success of classic Christmas music. Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” is a popular modern-day Christmas song.
Flashback 1987
Monday/Wednesday Daycare Christmas Program The Monday/Wednesday morning group of children from the Eagle Grove Day Care Center participating in the 1987 Day Care Center Christmas Program included Jamie Rowen, Randi Christensen, Jana Grandgeorge, Deleacia Morgan, Ryan Terwilliger, Emily Wilde, Joshua Voigt, Brad Asche, Joey Moen, Bryan Bergquist, Jessie Olson, Sarah Traeger, Courtney Jacobson, Allison Russell, Zackery Murfin, Jeremy Kastner, Kyla Swisher, Amanda Abels, Cole Nelson, Jennifer Hocum, Lindsay Davis, Jordan Hansen, Jeff Culmer, and Cole Henderson. Eagle Grove Eagle Archive Photo
Christmas 1987
Andy Umthun
Christmas Flashback - Andy Umthun, son of Gregg and Pam Umthun, told the Eagle Grove Eagle at age four that he wanted “Ghost Busters, Peter Fake Man, Rapper Ghost, and Bags of Bones,” for Christmas. Eagle Grove Eagle Archive Photo
Favorite Christmas tradition
Scott Jeske said that for the past 30 years they have went to the in-laws on Christmas Eve for church service then to their house for oyster stew or vegetable beef soup. They open presents after. He likes the fact that the whole family is together, and that the kids think it’s important to be there. Photo by Les Houser
Thank you for your business in 2016, and we look forward to working with you in 2017.
Gold-Eagle
10B
Thursday, December 22, 2016
When Christmas comes to town Their first Christmas in Dear Santa… America Eagle Grove Eagle
merry christmas From Breyton High
Mrs. Alt Second Grade Dear Santa, I would like a Sagway for Christmas. Have I been naughty or nice? My big brother wants a Taser. He is a marine Boy. Dad wants a another four wheeler. Mom wants some New Shoes and som New DvD’s. By Cooper Kist
trapleen, real giny pig, and a Hover board. I Love my famle and my dog. I like Elfs on the shelf. I ben good. Frum Araceli Avila Dear Santa, I wut sum Nrf Guns, fortrtls, own rat, own Dog. I hope I can get ol of them. Wut is it like in the north Pole? I hope you ort sick. Loev, Dylan Terwilliger
Dear Santa Claus, can I com and wrok at wrok shop and help you with presins. And I want a D.S./Blackit and frends stuff and flip a zoo. Sarah Schaefer
Dear St. Nick, How are you? Can I go to your work shop? My family for Christmas we want a fack fiar place!! I want lots of gum for Christmas. yay Love, Kataryn Hayligh Thul
Dear Santa, I want a noou game, xdox1, and Lagos. Haw do you git ol the toys fast to kids? and I want a Hokiy blakint. Love, Camden Sisson
Dear Santa, I hope that me and my brather get a segway not the Woo With the handolls. I wonder if you haft to say the raindeers names? I hope I get a wig thits a pig. form, Trenton Robinson
Hola Santa Clos, Yo qui ero una escutel. Yo Janlis Nunez
Dear santa I would like a set of slime. Do you diliver out of Iowa. I would like a three buck bed, lady bug kite, big banket. I would also like a big trapleen. Love, Hailey Olson
Dear St. Nick, haw is it going at the North pool? Can I have a pet baby cat for Cristmas? Can you bring my sistir art suff, pichure for Mom and a pichure for Dad. Love, Rynn Ettinger Dear Santa Claus, I have a quweshton For you. Are you firends With the poler bears? I want a MyLife doll, and a My Life Fowl. Would you bring my sister’s ither Chrismas present’s? have a meery Meery meery Chrimas. Love, Keylee Kepler Dear Santa, I Want a tablit, a real toy house, a
Deaer Santa, Kood I get some footea PJs. Olso some Games like fishing for ten, And an Jar of Black olivs, and some dvds like roadrag. form, Gryffan Stevens Dear Santa Clause, I wut a big prest for my femle. I wut to no ha du mak touys? Santa Claus dyu like to et Kues? du like to drek melk? du have Dogs. furu Dayana Venegas Santa, how do you deliver somthing ech to the world in one night? Also, can I get hover board. Have a great
As another year hits the road, we'd like to acknowledge all the people who have been key to our success and wish you all a very, very merry season and a truly memorable year.
Dear Santa, My family wants some that we all can play with all together. This year I have ben being nice so people will play with me. Where is the North Pole? From, Adrian Whipple Dear Santa Claus, I want enother elf a girl elf, some blind bags, and candy, rudeof bell. How do you get elfs? I wunder how you make toys? Love, Mya Morgan Dear Santa, can I have a baby Alive heuold, a doll houec whith a made to move barbie and baby Alive close. from, Naomi Agtun Dere Santa. Can I pleas have a costume of Spider-man? and how many elves are Thar? I hope you exsiste. how is it at the North Pole! I hope you have Great Christmas. Lov, Isaac Sadler Dear Santa, I have bin a littler good. How old are you? Do you have meny elvs. I whant Flash costoom. Love, German Silva Mrs. Egemo Third Grade Dear Santa, How are you? How is Rudolph? I hope I get 1. paper Mario coler smash for wiiu 2. An elf on the shelf 3. 3DS with four games that are Mario cart 7, The Legend of Zelda, Sooper Smash Browes and Mario Browes 4. A Zoomer kitty 5. Nerf gun 6. Lego Minecraft and a blue computer. Merry Christmas Santa! Love, Jose Ramirez Dear Santa, How is your day? Is Mrs. Clause doing ok? What I would like this year is 1. Polaroid camera 2. Fuzzy socks 3. Wii 4. Ordeez 5. Chaper books 6. Cooking supplies. Thank you for my elf Chippy. Love, Tucker Woodbeck
Dear Santa, How are you? All the stuff I want is Elf on a Shelf, marbles, Panther football, Camo Panther hat, remote truck, airhog, the Kicha dragons, Crayola spray marker, xbox games, a phone an I pad computer. How do you deliver all the presents to all the children? How is Mrs. Claus? How do you fit presents in your sleigh? How do you deliver treats with your presents? How are the reindeer? Love, Jordan Chodur Dear Santa, How are you? How do you deliver all those presents all in one night? You must be a busy man! We named one of your elves and his name is scippy. Did he tell you that I want an American girl doll, Zoomer kitty, remote car, football, foot cpg, Ari hog, monster high makeup set, a doll house, iphone, xbox 2, just dance 4, and a tablet. Love, Veronika Tincher Dear Santa, How do you put all those presents in one sack? How do you make all the toys? Does Mrs. Claus help make the toys? This year for Christmas I woud like another elf on the shelf. Also, I would like snow for Christmas. Love, Cooper Thacker Dear Santa, How are you? This is what I want for Christmas; Splattoon, paper Mario color splash, 3OS, 3OS games, computer, Nerf gun, Lego dimstions, Super Mario smash bros, Rroblox, Mario kart 8. Love, Alanna Eittreim Dear Santa, How are you? How do you delivever all the presents? My name is Marlen. My gift list includes presents for Christmas, I want an American Girl Doll, Orbeez, a toy Rudolph, a pet rabbit, rabbit food, and water. Love, Marlen Lizama
by Kim demory egeagle@goldfieldaccess.net It’s only a few days before Christmas, and for exchange students Chitsanupon “Phillip” Chaithong and Gabriele Donini, it can’t come soon enough. Back home in Thailand, Chaithong said Christmas isn’t really celebrated - other than a little bit in school. That’s where they have a gift exchange, a teacher dresses like Santa, and there is a stage performance. But that’s where the holiday fun begins and ends. “I’m excited to see the first real Christmas of my life,” Chaithong said with a smile as wide as it could reach. Part of that excitement comes from the anticipation of tasting all the glorious holiday food he’s heard about that’s prepared in America. “I’m excited about the turkey...I’ve never tried that before,” he said. Along with the food, Chaithong is looking forward to the holiday traditions Americans partake in like decorating the tree, and of course, seeing the snow. It will all be brand new to him. The American way of celebrating Christmas, however, isn’t that much different than what Donini of Italy is used to. Back home, they have many of the same holiday customs as we do like decorating the tree, giving and receiving presents, gathering with family and friends, and going to church. “In Italy (Christmas) is a very important holiday, along with Easter, and Italy National Day,” Donini said. On Christmas Eve night, it is custom for his family to go to church together. Unlike his fellow exchange student Chaithong who gets no extra days off from school, Donini gets three days off before Christmas and returns after the Epiphany. While their experiences with Christmas are as different as the gifts wrapped under a Christmas tree, the one thing they have in common is that this is both of their first Christmas’ away from home. Donini said he will most likely Skype with his family during the holiday. He also knows that it might be hard for his four-year-old little brother to understand why he is not there in person to celebrate together. The thing Donini said he will miss most about not being
there is how his family always plays together before church. Chaithong admitted that it’s going to be very hard for him to be away from home, not so much because of the holiday, but because he misses his family and friends in general. Seeing what’s happening on social media while he’s gone makes it all the harder, but he knows the anticipation of experiencing Christmas like never before will help him through it. While waiting to celebrate their first Christmas in America, Chaithong and Donini have kept themselves busy making friends, participating in sports, and adjusting to small-town life. Chaithong played football and is also on the basketball team. Donini ran cross country, but since he is only studying in America for one semester and returning home in January, he did not try out for basketball or wrestling. Both boys admitted that they had originally hoped to be placed in larger cities, but have come to know and love the life a small town has to offer. “Eagle Grove is quiet and peaceful...and I like that there’s not so much traffic like there is in Thailand,” said Chaithong. Donini spent three days in New York before coming to Eagle Grove, and while he loved it, he also likes what this community has to offer. Before going home to Italy in January, he hopes to be able to take a trip to the Mall of America. Chaithong will be here through the end of the school year. Before he goes home, he would like to take a car trip around Iowa “to see the views.” Chaithong and Donini arrived in America on Aug. 3. They have enjoyed staying with their host family, Josh and Malissa Kudron. Both hope to return to America again some day when they are older. Chaithong has ambitions to see the Golden Gate Bridge, the Grand Canyon, and go to San Francisco. “I want to see the big cities and see things I’ve never seen in my life,” he said. Donini said he hopes to one day return and spend time sightseeing in the biggest cities in America. But that’s in the long distance future. For now, both boys are just happy to be in America learning to perfect the language and looking forward to Christmas in a foreign country to experience their traditions.
Chitsanupon “Phillip” Chaithong (left) and Gabriele Donini are both exchange students looking forward to celebrating their first Christmas in the United States. Photo by Kim Demory
We wish you and your family a season full of fun, celebration and great times!
Thanks for your valued business, and we look forward to seeing you again in the new year.
Thank you for all the joy and happiness you’ve brought to us this year.
Enjoy Lots of Holiday Fun!
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When Christmas comes to town
Eagle Grove Eagle
Thursday, December 22, 2016
11B
Dear Santa… Remote car 5. Air hogs 6. Marbles 7. Zoomer cat 8. Stuffed animal 9. Zoomer dog 10. Chapter book. Thank you for all you do. Love, Mariah Barron
Photos by Kim Demory
Members of the Wright Warriors 4-H Club delivered a little Christmas spirit to residents of Rotary Senior Living North and South on Sunday, Dec. 11. After singing some holiday favorites with the residents like “Rudolph,” “Jingle Bells,” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” the kids handed out homemade Christmas cards they made for each resident. A good time was had by all.
Rotary Senior Living North residents tapped their toes and sang along with the Wright Warriors.
First-year Wright Warrior member, Natalie Pedersen, helps hand out Christmas cards to Rotary Senior Living North residents.
Mrs. Egemo Third Grade (Cont.) Dear Santa, How are you? I’m so happy Christmas is almost here. Do you know what I like of Christmas is the presents and getting together with our families and friends. Well anyway Santa what I always wanted is a baby alive that poops, pees, eats, cries, drinks and sleeps. The second thing I want is a lot of orbeez and an ipad. Well Santa, anyway I want to tell you I play with barbies so I want a Barbie house, car, clothes and other stuff. Well anyway Santa if you can’t give me all those stuff I really want the baby alive. MERRY CHRISTMAS. Love, Maria C. Calles Dear Santa, How are you? I heard that you are working so hard. What are your elves doing? I’m being good this year and I think I want a monster high doll, I want makeup a monster high blanket, and a monster high scaer reef the two headed twins and a Rudolph and Dancer and Prancer stuffed animals. Have a Merry Merry Christmas and I hope this year I can give you some cookies and milk. Love, Kyleigh Bjorklund
Dear Santa, For one I can not believe how you get all that wrapping paper and all the gifts. Well I am doing something. I am selling potholders and with all the money I get I am giving it to the animal shelter. I want you to put some things related to dogs under my little Christmas tree in my room so on Christmas Day I will go to a shelter and give them a Christmas gift. Then I want art suplies and paint. Thank you so much. Love, Kendra Schild Dear Santa, How do you deliver all the presents to all the childen? How does Mrs. Claus deliver all those treats? How do you fit all those presents in your sleigh? How do you go into people’s houses without getting caught? I hope I get a Crayola spray marker, a new Xbox game, an Ipod or just a new phone, a new tablet and a new bike. Love, Jayden Kreitlow Dear Santa, How are you? What I want for Christmas this year is….1. Orbeez 2. American girl 3. Elf on shelf 4.
Dear Santa, How are you? Are your elf’s bisie for crismis? I woud like an American girl doll, bunchums, all of the arin silly putty, can you give other boys and girls who don’t have toy’s presents for Christmas? Love, Isabella Delatorre
parents get the kids presents. This year for Christmas can I get a real kitty, a bag of marbles, a zoomer kitty, and what ever you want to give me. Love, Mackenzie Cowan Dear Santa, How are you? For Christmas I want an orbeez, foot spa, and a big big doll. Merry Christmas! See you later. Love, Crystal Flores
Dear Santa, How are you? Are the elves doing good? Christmas is my favorite holiday! This year can I hgave orbes? Are you going to get together with your family? Can I have another American Girl Doll please? Love, Mollie Demory
Mrs. Lenane Third Grade Dear Santa, I want a pokemon, and it’s Pikachu and a remote control car that is big and a toy motorcycle and a skateboard, a green bike and a track. Love, Alfredo Izaguille
Dear Santa, How do you get all those presents to ever one in one night? This year can have a puppy and a xbox 360 called Lego batman 3 beyond gothom? Have a merry chrstmas! Love, Reece Demuth
Dear Santa, I wish you can get me just Dans. Why because I have a wii. I also wish for a baby alive doll because they are fun. I also wish for LPS. Tay are little pets they are cute. Love, Chloe Pugh
Dear Santa, How are you Santa? My name is cash. How is Rulodolph? I really want a remote drone and a big mega bullet nerf gun. Love, Cash Oothoudt
Dear Santa, How are you doing? I hope you have a wonderful Christmas! I love you because you give presents to us and this is what I want for Christmas. New PS games and a Christmas tree for myself, and that is what I want for Christmas. Love, Allyson Capsel
Dear Santa, I like you because you Help our
Happy Holidays FROM ALL OF US!
Maia Cooper loved chatting with the residents of Rotary Senior Living South as she handed out the one-of-a-kind Christmas cards the Wright Warriors’ 4-H Club created just for them.
To all of our valued customers, we wish the happiest of holidays! We look forward to serving you in 2017
Favorite Christmas toy as a child
Jennifer Lesher
Tanion Pohlman said it would have to be Tonka trucks because he likes anything that had an engine (or even if it didn’t!) Photo by Les Houser
Produce Manager
Chris Livengood Grocery Manager
Here’s To You!
At Christmastime we’re filled with cheer, When we recall the folks who’ve stopped by here– So as we lift our glass today, We wish you a happy holiday!
220 Railroad Ave
Owners John & Sandy McGrath
EAGLE GROVE
IOWA’S MOST ECONOMICAL FOOD STORES
Austin Balik
Asst. Manager Grocery Dept.
John Coffelt
Tracy Crail Meat Manager
Meat Assistant Manager
And the Rest of the Fareway Crew Ron Mohr Ramona Kraft Alec Huffaker Jenna Kraft Jeremy Hinz Jane Thompson Bryan Camden Benjamin Olsen Logan Hansen Ben Wesselink Justin Day Greg Schipull Gage Stephans
Grocery & Meat Department
Sarah Alvarez Sadie Stuhr Adelie Moffitt Zachary Jones Preston Carr Alan Adams Drew Lowenburg Dylan Huse Tracy Gill Kelven Reeves Ronda Hinman Teresa Myers Elaine Jorgensen
Carlos Figueroa Brandon Marsh Thomas Adams Megan Feske Dina Figueroa Zach Mosher Andy Wolf Victor Frias Mariana Gonzalez Angela Camden Jeanette White Zach Jones
Andrew Powell Doug Maxson Mikaela Livengood Jacob Wesselink David Morrison Shanice Lloyd Brooke Baessler Alex Jensen Dalton Schaffer Monica Matthes Hunter Baack
12B
When Christmas comes to town
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Eagle Grove Eagle
Dear Santa… Love, Adriana Manzanilla
Mrs. Lenane Third Grade (Cont.) Dear Santa, What do elf look like. I wonder can you send a picher to me and a picher of you. And hop you have a safe ride to my house. Can I have a stuft dinosor and hores and I hop avrey. Batey has a good Christmas. I want my holl family and hope Ms. Lenane has a good Christmas. Merry Cristmas. Love, Matt Hewithal Dear Santa, Where is your house at? I would like a ride with you on your sleigh. Love, Tia Klein Dear Santa, I would want a computer for Christmas and I want a Peahow. Can you wake me up. When you come can you tack me for a sleigh ride. Instead of milk can you have hot chocolate and cookies. Love, Evelyn Jergenson Dear Santa, Merry Cristmas Santa. Are you doing fine today? I like to go visit you to the North pole. How are your eles and reindeers doing? Do you like snow? Is Mrs. Claus doing to? For Cristmas I want some pokemon card, pokemon poster and a pokemon toys! Love, Blaz Ramirez
Dear Santa, I want a trane for my dad’s trane set. Anuther thing I wont is a trane set that I can drive. I love you. I wish you a Merry Christmas. Love, Parker Poppen money, tablet and a lot of snow. Love, Felix Gonzalez Dear Santa, Do a great job the toys. What is your favorite music? How are the elves? I hope everybody on the good list. Do you like candy canes or cookies? What do you want for Christmas? Love, Emilio Figueroa Dear Santa, How are you? My favorite reindeer is Rudolph. Now I will tell you what I want. I want a new bike. The bike I want is a size 24”. The color has to be purple. I also want a hover board, a purple one. Love, Samantha Kist Dear Santa, I will try to make this short. I really want people to feel happy. And I want to be happy, so this is what I want for Chrismas. I want a hoverboard and a PS4. I hope other people get what they want. I hope you have a good Chrismas. Love, Drake Sisneros Dear Santa, Keep up the good works. Do a good job on the toys this year. Thanks for sending Justin agin. This is what I whant. Candy canes, drones, hoverboard, iphone plus mortal combat x. Love, Syrus Willard
Dear Santa, Marry Christmas. How have you and every bodys ben? I only want three things like a computer, camera and monster high dolls. I hope you have a marry Christmas. I hope a good time delivering prasents. Love, Estela Capetiello
Dear Santa, Can you make people fell beter. Can you get me a xbox IS and a DS. I hope you can make it to everybody hous. Can I have a hoverboard ples. Can you help my baby cousin Avrrey and give her a present? Love, Trinten Eley
Dear Santa, Hello Santa. I’m sorry if I’m wasting your time, but I would want you to write back. I hope you win when you fight the Grinch. This is whay I would want for Chrisman: money, The World, candy, more
Dear Santa, Here’s a list of the things that I hope for. I don’t have to get these cause I want other children to get presents too. I hope other children have a smile on there fayces to hope you have a great Chismas to.
Dear Santa, How are you Santa? Is your house warm? OK Santa, all I want for Christmas I want children that don’t have that much money can you get them some money? But I want to ride in my uncles cemie for Christmas. I also want an iphone 7s. Love you Santa. Now I have a question. What do your elves look like? But I want the Grinch Who Stole Christmas movie also. Love, Kearsyn Tobert Dear Santa, I hope you have a grate Christmas. Santa I hope you get me a iphone or a plane phone. Can you get me a sleigh and a Elsa doll. Can you get me a computer and a camera. I also want a huge monster hight doll. I hope you and mrs. Clas have a nice Christmas. Love, Hailey Meinke Dear Santa, Do you like to dlivr presits on Christmas eve? Dos your house smell cookies all year long? How many elfs do you have? How do you haul all the presits all ovre the world? Santa do you have a Christmas tree all year long? Mary Christmas Santa and Miss Clos. Love, Kameya Hoop Dear Santa, I know you are busy but can you fit in time to tell Mrs. Claus and your reindeer hi for me. Your elfs are really cute. All I want for Christmas is some candy, a tablet or a phone and that is all I want. And I hope you have a good Christmas. Love, Zoey Pamperin Dear Santa, I hope I was good this year? What is your faverit mowsic? I want a siki. I want a modl trackter. I want a book. Adowt trackter mower parts/ trackters. Love, Kayson Manson
Dear Santa, How are you? Do you have a house? For Christmas I want a semi and a dump truck. I would also like an iphone. Do you like candy canes? I like candy canes. Are you and the reindeer bringing presents to my house? Do you have a dog? I hope you have a safe trip. Love, Kaden Johnson Dear Santa, Can you tell Olivia to be good. I would like a big tedy bare. I meny big bat. I won’t it small. I want the barby popup camper. Can you get me a ornament for Mrs. Lenane. Love, Caitlin Christopher
Mr. Fonken Third Grade Dear Santa, How are you and Mrs. Clause doing. What I want for Christmas is a Xbox360 and some new Barbie dolls, American girl dolls and a girl elf on the shelf, new clothes a iphone, new shoes & emoji pj, shopkins, emoji, phone case for a iphone, makeup, nail polish. Love, Rebecca
When she was little Christmas Flashback - When Emily Umthun, daughter of Ken and Rhonda Umthun, was just a little girl, she sat upon Santa’s lap at Breakfast with Santa and told him she would like toy horses for Christmas. Eagle Grove Eagle Archive Photo
Dear Santa, How are the reindeer doing. I’ve been good this year. I want some, new clothes, PJS, blanket, socks, hover ball, giant jenga, big chapter books, movies. How do you want you milk at. I made it on the nice list in my class. Do you know Buddy elf. Hes are elf in our class. Please don’t be late with my presents. Remember you Mrs. Clause and the reindeer are awesome! Thank-you! Love, Alejanelra Dear Santa, How are the reindeer? What is your favoret color? I want for Christmas as a phone elf zoom zooms blanket, stuff tanmjal and a zoomer head chog. Love, Natalie May Merris Dear Santa, I wont a spitre man action furgure. Roodof is my favorite rander. I like his red nose. My elf is in my cookies do you like my elf ginger bread. I cant wate intil Christmas. Can’t you wate. I’ve been good. Love, Leelan
A present for Santa Christmas Flashback - Susan Farrar tried her best to stay awake to do something a little different on Christmas Eve - instead of waiting to get a gift from the jolly ol’ elf, she fell asleep waiting to GIVE a gift to Santa. Eagle Grove Eagle Archive Photo
Favorite Christmas meal Karla Tweeten said that they are a Norwegian family and so it would be her grandma’s lefse because it’s the best. Photo by Les Houser
Eagle Grove Eagle
Christmas cookies made simple Baking cookies is a holiday tradition for many families. Come the holiday season, many homes are filled with the inviting scents of vanilla, cinnamon and melting chocolate. Baking cookies can be a social occasion in which family members and friends gather to create recipes passed down through generations. Or baking can be a solitary venture in which cookies are prepared and packaged as holiday gifts. Either way, people who bake during the holiday season understand that making Christmas cookies can be a time-consuming, yet rewarding, process. This year, holiday bakers can embrace a number of time-saving tips and tricks to reduce the amount of time they spend in the kitchen and possibly even improve on existing recipes. • Use a cookie mix. Who says you have to toil and make cookies from scratch? It’s the thought that counts, and any number of creative recipes can begin by utilizing a premade baking mix. These mixes already have most of the dry cookie ingredients sifted together, including flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and sugar. All you have to do is add the wet ingredients and any extra embellishments to make the mix your own. If mixes are too much work, purchase refrigerated or frozen cookie dough. Include your own add-ins, such as nuts, white chocolate chips, bits of dried fruit, or crumbled candy canes, to give the
premade dough a unique flavor. • Prepare ahead. Many cookie dough recipes can be made and stored for later use. In fact, refrigerating a log of cookie dough can make it easier to cut or handle later on. Spread out the bulk of your baking over two days and you might feel less taxed. • Try a no-bake recipe. Creative culinary experts continually reveal their clever tricks, and many of these include no-bake versions of favorite desserts. No bake cookies come together in a matter of minutes, but still employ a host of delicious ingredients. Recipes frequently feature similar ingredients to traditional cookies, but rely on chocolate, honey or peanut butter as the setting agent to keep them together. Bakers may also like not having to turn on their ovens. • Recycle leftover cookies. If you have a fair amount of cookies remaining or several that broke apart or do not look good enough to serve, never fear. Such cookies can be used as part of another delicious dessert. Grind cookies into crumbs that can serve as a pie crust for pudding pies or no-bake cheesecakes, or mix cookie crumbs with cake frosting or a nut butter and roll into balls. Dunk the balls into melted chocolate, add a lollipop stick and make delicious cookie pops. Cookies may be holiday traditions, but there are ways to reduce the amount of work and time required of holiday baking.
Christmas Popcorn
8 C. popped popcorn 1/2 stick butter 3 Tbsp. corn syrup
1/2 C. white or brown sugar 1 small envelope red gelatin
Preheat oven to 300. In a saucepan, melt butter. Add in corn syrup and sugar. Add gelatin and remove from heat. Pour over popcorn, tossing to cover all of popcorn. Spread on a cookie sheet and bake 10 minutes. Eat and enjoy once cool. Package in a holiday tin for a great gift idea.
When Christmas comes to town
Snow Cream
Thursday, December 22, 2016
13B
Dear Santa… Dear Santa, I hope you know my sister mia? She bit my leg I want a bunny pool and bunny splis. Love,Amy
Mr. Fonken Third Grade (Cont.) Dear Santa, For x-mas I wan an X-boxone, MineCraft Game, phone and the best Christmas ever!! Love, MineCraft Rconbin
Dear Santa, How are your reindeer doing? I have been good this year. I help brothers and change the bathroom light May I pleas have a present of your choice. Love, Zachary
Dear Santa, I want a IPod 7 because I want my friends to play like at my house, Parkview and other friends house! So that’s why I want an I Pod 7. I wish you a happy jolly and exiding Christ was Santa clause. Love, Your Jolly Friend Landon
Dear Santa, Hi santa I hope you know that I’ve ban good at home this is my Christmas list I rilly want a ipod and a scooter and a bmx bike and a 4 tic is to nichrow live ticis to nichrow sercis. And a 1999 grse uv travis pst I love you santa. Love,Lily
Dear Santa, I am willy good in school and at home. For Chrismis I wade want please is same monser high dolls, I want some an ever after HighBook, some of the Never girl books, Santa, I love you Santa. P.S can you buy me a mindcraft game please. Love, Skylar Kay Premo Skilly
Dear Santa, How are you doing and I please want a big black and orange lego x wing fighter also I wish you a merry Christmas and I know this chrismas is going to be the best Christmas ever I will try to be really good also I love your candycans a lot. Love, Landyn
Dear Santa, How are you and the reindeer doing? I think want a gizmo a tablet a Pet Pig. Art supplies and a an art desk and a DS. My dog Ringo wants a big dog bone. I almost forgot. Do you want white milk or chocolate? What kind of cookies? What do the reindeer want? HoHoHo! Love, Payton
Dear Santa, Christmas is my favorite Holiday because snow and presents. You are the nices person evr ever for Holiday. I been good in class and at home and I got an elf at my house names Simon you might know him it’s a boy and I really like Simon he is a good elf we also got one in class he’s good but we have a penny drop game and we drop a penny in and try to get in the cup with water in the tank but buddy colored the tank inside. This is my Christmas list! Jings, legings, toy , ifhone, movies that’s all. Love, Chloe Ann Schultz
Dear Santa, I want a Lagoe set and a x box is with a star wars game 5 of them pieas a no thank you. Love, James Mathew Cahill
Dear Santa, Christmas is almost here I want any kind of baby alive they have a look like tat walmart or at target or at Hy-Vee because they have a lot of baby alive there I think I don’t know and my favorite color is blue and can you get me blue clothers than-you Dear Santa, Chrstmas is my favorite holidays. I whole like a hover board. Lectris skooter and paster bord. Love, Christian Dear Santa, How are you doing. I’ve ben good. This year for Christmas I want a xbox and a faring toys. I wish I can ride in your slay I also I will see you at the five stashen in Renwick. Go Santa! Love,James Dear Santa, I only whant a 1 car for my mom and for my litter brocher he want a control cor and for me I would like a xbox. Love, WEEEE Christmas Dear Santa, Can you send two Elfs to my house? How many Raindeer do you have. How are your and Mrs. Clause. I’ve been very nice and loving. I-Pad, I-Pod, America dolls Graces real life baby dolls that look like real babys, computers, baby dolls, dolls , havikey room, a sister a sesk a forweeler my own, a kitten, a puppy. And have a very Merry Christmas! Love, Lexi
Dear Santa, How is it going what your favorite Baseball team. My Farvorite team is the card nails. What I want for Christmas is a razor hover bourd a add squad baby and a god to come to earth. Peace Santa. Love, Kael. Dear Santa, I really want a lot of stoff. And I also wont be a bab. And I want a silacome baby. And I have one cweshton haw are your rain dears? Are they god? And on crismas I will leave some milk and cookies. So when I go to sleep I will see my presents. And before I go to sleep I will call you. Love, Jaymiz Dear Santa, I want a cnowboard for Christmas please and I want wireless head phones and how are you doing in the north pole and how are your raindeer. Thanks for my elf santa and I want a ps pro and fell rohdof I said hello and tell the rest of the raindeers hey and I want you to tell the elfts hello to. Love, Hayden Dear Santa, Will you please for crismas get me a fovr things a phone case, trolls wall stickers, books, that are farits and cupcate diaries. That is all please thanks santa clase. Love, Baylee Steig Dear Santa, I want a Elf book with a elf in it. I want it in my house. Go sant. Love, Perra.
One gallon of clean snow One can of Carnation Evaporated Milk 1/2 to 1 cup of sugar (depending on your sweet tooth) 1 teaspoon of vanilla
Mix all ingredients together and freeze. Top with our favorite topping and Christmas sprinkles.
Two legendary heroes
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Santa was excited to pose for a picture with Batman...AKA Logan Miller, who came to see him at the Breakfast with Santa event held in Eagle Grove on Saturday, Dec. 10. Photo by Kim Demory
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Chase Bedford was a little shy to tell Santa what he wants for Christmas, but rest assured, Santa knows. Photo by Kim Demory
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We’d like to wish everyone a blessed Christmas full of love and joy. As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, we’re reminded of how grateful we are for the gifts of your friendship and goodwill. Thank you for letting us serve you this past year. We look forward to seeing you again very soon!
Dr. Jordan and Nicole Moffitt Dr. Mike and Reba Moffitt Kay Chamberlin Ann Shriver Mariela Baez Kerri Tweeten Heather Boyd
14B
Thursday, December 22, 2016
When Christmas comes to town
Eagle Grove Eagle
Oh Christmas Tree
by Kim demory egeagle@goldfieldaccess.net If you been to Robert Blue Middle School for any of the holiday concerts that have been going on the last couple of weeks, you might have noticed how festive the hallways are. Once again this year, the students got a little creative in their ET homerooms and came up with some untraditional ways to decorate a Christmas tree to liven up their hallways and help them get into the Christmas
spirit. Pictured on this page is just a sampling of the creativity that was on display. Some trees featured class pictures, while others delivered a specific message, and still others showed respect - like the tree decorated in blue honoring our everyday heroes who go to work to protect and serve their country in a variety of professions. If you haven’t seen the trees, get there before they’re gone. You just have to see them close up and for yourself to truly appreciate them.
Luke Snyder’s ET tree Damon Richter and Fatima Galvan said that their sixth grade ET class voted on how they wanted to decorate their hallway Christmas tree at Robert Blue Middle School. They love how their masterpiece turned out. Photo by Kim Demory
“Fin-tastic Sunken treasure Jake Darland is proud of the pirate-themed Christmas tree he made with his eighth grade classmates in Mr. Haugland’s ET class. Photo by Kim Demory
It’s fishy
This octopus tree at Robert Blue Middle School is an eyecatcher. Photo by Kim Demory
Carrie Christopher’s seventh grade ET kept with the school-year aquatic theme when they decorated their Christmas tree for the hallway of Robert Blue Middle School. Showing it off is Litzabeth Alejo. Photo by Kim Demory
Tidings of comfort and joy!
Photo bomb Fifth grader Olivia Conaway was posing for a photo by the Christmas tree her ET (Frommelt’s) class decorated at Robert Blue Middle School, when she was photo bombed by seventh grade teacher, Carrie Christopher. Photo by Kim Demory
Favorite Christmas memory Jim McLaughlin said it was running downstairs when he was little at 5 a.m. to open presents before his dad had to go to work. Photo by Les Houser
May you enjoy the season with family and friends. I thank you for the past year and look forward to working with you in the new year. —Karen Kienzle - Hairs to You
With warm wishes and gratitude from our house to yours. We appreciate your calling on us this past year.
Lalor Construction Eagle Grove • 515-293-1579
When Christmas comes to town
Eagle Grove Eagle
Thursday, December 22, 2016
15B
Gaytan family shares their Christmas traditions Hispanic celebration focuses on family, friends, and the journey to Bethlehem
Dalia Gaytan (right) and her daughter, Dalia Michelle. sit in front of the nativity that their family works together every Christmas to display.
by Kim demory egeagle@goldfieldaccess.net Christmas traditions are as vast as the families who celebrate them. Some make it a point to watch a favorite Christmas movie each year like “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Others read “Twas the Night Before Christmas” on Christmas Eve. Still others prepare traditional foods like turkey or oyster stew. Whatever your tradition might be, it’s these constants - handed down from generation to generation, that make the holidays special. Ricardo and Dalia Gaytan’s Christmas traditions stem back from their homeland of Mexico. Although they have been in Eagle Grove since 2002, they and their children - Dalia Michelle, Ricardo, and Victor, along with Dalia’s mother and father - Lucy and Victor, are proud to hold strong to their rituals commemorating the birth of Jesus. The celebration, known as Posadas, begins nine days before Christmas - the same number of days Joseph and Mary spent traveling to Bethlehem in preparation for the Savior’s birth. The Gaytans and other Hispanic families follow the lead of Mary and Joseph, traveling for nine consecutive days in search of someplace different to stay (visit) each night. When they reach the house, they sing outside. The residents of the home open their doors, and with some inside, and some outside, they continue singing. When they finish, the hostess of the house invites everyone inside for a celebration. There are bunuelos (fried tortillas sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon), a warm fruit cocktail
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drink called Ponche (brewed fruit with hot water, cinnamon and sugar), and piñatas to be shared. While most people think of piñatas as a candy-filled fun activity, the Hispanic tradition sees the piniata as representative of evil, and you hit it with a stick to kill the evil. When you kill it, the candy inside is your reward for defeating the evil. The Gaytans noted that the traditional shape of a piniata in their culture is not a cute little cartoon character like most Americans think of, but rather a seven-pointed star to represent the seven deadly sins. On the last (ninth) day, December 24, a near life-sized baby Jesus statue is taken from the nativity and put in a hammock that they swing. Sometimes it is laid on a mattress made of candy instead. For many, the statue has been in the family for generations. Next comes the food, and lots of it, but not until midnight. This meal is shared with close family and friends, and of course, there are presents for the kids. The fiesta goes on until 5 or 6 a.m. “It’s a good time,” said Victor Sr. But the celebration doesn’t end there. On January 6, the next phase begins. At 6 a.m., the baby Jesus is taken out of the hammock and another all-day fiesta is enjoyed. Since there were three kings, there are three gifts given to each of the children. At nightfall, the family sits down to enjoy another very special tradition. A large circular loaf of bread is baked (looking similar to a donut). Fruit surrounds the outside of the bread, while special toys and prizes are hidden on the inside. As
each person enjoys the fruit and bread, they carefully search for their treasures, the greatest being a small statue of the Baby Jesus (there are usually three or four to find). Whoever finds them will work together to host the next gathering, serving tamalies and Atole (a hot, thick drink made from corn flour, milk, and fruit) on February 2 to show their gratitude to Jesus Christ. As a show of respect, they will also dress a life-size Baby Jesus in new, fancy clothes purchased especially for the occasion. “We will spend a lot of money on these clothes because it is special,” said Victor Sr. It’s an amazing season of celebration, with families gathering together to celebrate not just one day, but for months, the birth of Jesus Christ. Dalia especially enjoys the beauty of the nativity and the time people put into creating it each season. Back in Mexico, the families create huge scenes, complete with mountains, cascades, and thousands of ceramic figurines. Although perhaps not quite as elaborate here in the United States, many Hispanics still try to hold onto that tradition, including the Gaytan family. Victor Sr. has spent countless hours building a manger scene that is enjoyed by many. As they celebrate the birth of Jesus, the most important part of their tradition is being with family and friends and giving thanks to the newborn Savior, keeping the true reason for the season close to their hearts.
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It came without ribbons. It came without bows. It came without packages, boxes, or bows. Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas means a little bit more. —From How the Grinch Stole Christmas
And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2: 10-11 Wishing you tidings of great joy this holiday season and beyond.
SADLER CONSTRUCTION EAGLE GROVE
Photos by Kim Demory
The Gaytan nativity features hundreds of pieces, including a beautiful, sparkling manger scene.
Victor Gaytan Sr. built this rock mountain waterfall by hand to be displayed as part of their large family nativity they display during Christmas. The rocks are made out of foam and then painted. It took him countless hours to create the scene, but he did so out of love for his faith, his family, and the Christ Child.
16B
Thursday, December 22, 2016
When Christmas comes to town
December 31, 1953 Christmas Flashback - Bruce Van Houten, son of junior college basketball coach Robert Van Houten and his wife, is ready for New Years. Eagle Grove Eagle Archive Photo
Meet my sister
Owen Piper introduced his little sister, Madisyn, to Santa. They’ve both been very good and Santa assured them he would be stopping at their house on Christmas Eve. Photo by Kim Demory
Eagle Grove Eagle
Christmas past When Brian Yackle came to the annual Fareway Holiday Open House a few years ago, he visited with Santa (Andy Yackle) and his elf (Brittany Livengood). Photo submitted
— The Story of Christmas — From time to time as Christmas approaches, I love to pull out one of my sons’ board books and read it to them. The book, written by Joseph Slate entitled “Who is Coming To Our House,” gives a glimpse of what happened in the barn over 2,000 years ago. “Who is coming to our house?” “Someone, someone,” says Mouse. Who is that someone? As Christmas approaches just a few short days ahead I’ll recite Matthew 1:18-2:12 of the New International Version. This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”-which means, “God with us.” When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked,
“Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “’But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’” Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he
was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.” So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: “He will be called a Nazarene.” Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you, our loyal readers. My family and I would like to wish you nothing but the best of health and good will in 2017. Ryan L. Harvey, of Hampton, is the president and CEO for MidAmerica Publishing Corporation. He can be reached at ryanharvey. map@gmail.com
Flashback 1987
Tuesday/Thursday Daycare Christmas Program The Tuesday/Thursday morning group of four-year-olds and kindergarteners participating in the 1987 Day Care Center Christmas Program included (children not pictured as listed): Michael Spangler, Ryan Chamberlin, Ryan Nielson, Andrew Yackle, Tyler Pedersen, Jill Williamson, Jamie Stepp, Jestin Willwerth, Erik Sadler, Tyler Smith, Joey Willard, Cole Henderson, Jenny Hocum, Jordan Hansen, Lindsay Davis, and Laura Jorgensen. Eagle Grove Eagle Archive Photo
Wishing you & yours a very happy holiday! From all of us at the ...
Frankie, Kim, Les, Lynn, and Sarah
When Christmas comes to town
Eagle Grove Eagle
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Vicki Parrott remembers her family’s kitchen being a busy place for holiday She is becoming well known for her great Christmas cookies By les houser wrightcosports@gmail.com
Robert Blue Middle School teacher associate Vicki Parrott fondly remembers the sights and smells of her family’s kitchen as preparations took place for the Christmas holiday, and now she is getting help from her family and grandchildren as she makes her delicious decorated cookies that are enjoyed by so many people each year. “Dad always made homemade candy when I was younger,” said Parrott. “I was always in the kitchen helping out. Then when my kids were little, they always wanted the fancy decorated cookies at the store. I thought to myself ‘I can do that.’ Then it took off, but especially so in the last three to four years.” She went on to explain that she didn’t set out to bake cookies for people, it just happened. “I didn’t plan this, but people would start telling me that I need to take orders,” said Parrott. “I went on my Facebook page last Sunday and posted that I was now taking orders. In the first hour, I had almost 30 dozen cookies ordered. Last year, I had 45 dozen ordered for Christmas week and 28 dozen for the week before that.” She bakes the cookies, in a regular assembly line fashion, as early as possible then freezes them. She prefers to then frost them later when she actually fills the orders, but also could freeze the cookies already decorated. The shapes run the gamut, from stars to stockings, Santa faces or Christmas bells just to name a few. “I’ve tried all kinds of shapes,” said Parrott. “I especially like taking a basic cutter and then coming up with a different design. ”The colorful works of art also feature a tasty frosting which is a ‘family secret’ recipe. “A friend gave me the recipe, and I told her I would never give it away and it would always stay in the family,” said Vicki. “I always figure that it’s not so much how they look, but that I want them to taste good.” Baking days find all hands on deck in the Parrott kitchen, including her husband Lanny who is in charge of loading and unloading the oven in keeping the pans of cookies rolling through. Cooling cookies can be found on tables scattered all over the house. Their two daughters, Megan Mason and Molly Morris, along with daughter-in-law Janelle all show up to lend a hand. “I also have six grandkids that love to help,” said Parrott (two of whom are pictured at top right telling
Vicki Parrott loves baking cookies for others, whether she’s filling orders or delivering them to a friend as a special treat. Photo by Les Houser Santa they are good helpers). The process of preparing for the baking sessions actually starts well before Thanksgiving, as Parrott picks up supplies in bulk. “The goal is to have all the cookies baked and in the freezer before Christmas week, with most of the baking that third weekend,” said Parrott. “Then we decorate them to fill the orders and box them for pickup during Christmas week. Everyone then gets a message that December 23 is pickup day. “We don’t get much sleep around here the day before, and we’re up early on that day,” said Parrott. “It gets crazy
Ready to be Santa’s little helpers
Sloan and London Parrott aren’t just grandma’s little helpers in the kitchen when it comes to Vicki Parrott baking her Christmas cookies, they also show Santa that they have the outfits and are ready to be his little helpers should he need some assistance. The girls, daughters of Aaron and Janelle Parrott, talked with Santa at the Eagle Grove Memorial Library on Saturday, Dec. 10. Photo by Kim Demory
around here.” The day starts early on the weekend of baking time, in getting preparation work done and everyone has their job to do in getting it organized to run smoothly. “People are also willing to help wherever they can,” said Parrott. “We have a great time.” She also does a few dozen as gifts. “It’s very rewarding for me to do that for people,” said Parrott. “It’s nice to surprise someone with a plate of cookies.” Parrott readily admits that friends have asked her why she does this. “I enjoy it, and I have a lot of
repeat customers,” said Parrott, who has been referred to as ‘ the cookie lady.’ In case you’re wondering if this is just a Christmas-time deal, rest assured that Parrott will take orders anytime. “I’ve already got orders for graduation cookies, and Easter is also a busy time,” said Parrott. “I will do birthday cookies, and I’ve donated to fundraisers or meals at the ball park. I like to help out with things like that.” Parrott said that as long as people keep asking for the tasty creations, she’ll keep buying supplies to make sure the popular treats are always rolling out of her door.
Favorite Christmas tradition Jenna Whipple said it would be going to mom’s from lunch time until 10 p.m. They would have soup and snacks throughout the day and then open presents in the evening. She said it was an all-day event for the family to be together. Photo by Les Houser
17B
18B
Thursday, December 22, 2016
When Christmas comes to town
Eagle Grove Eagle
Goldfield United Presbyterian’s stained glass windows travelled 500 years and 4,000 miles to find home Kacey Ginn
Wright County Monitor, editor
wrightcomonitor@gmail.com
At this time of year, local churches are filled with light and decorations to welcome visitors and celebrate one of the most special days in the Christian faith. One church, Goldfield United Presbyterian, is especially blessed with beauty in its lovely stained glass windows— which have their own unique story. Sonna Johnson, who has puzzled out and written down the history of her church’s stained glass windows, has come to enjoy the art of stained glass. “It’s fun to sit and figure out the story they’re trying to tell you,” she said. Johnson said discovering the story of the church’s windows started with her great-uncle, Craig Nelson, who liked to learn about the symbolism in stained glass windows. “But he never wrote it down,” she said. “It was kind of a challenge to start figuring out the windows.” Johnson was able to learn that the windows had come from a church in Cedar Falls, Iowa, which had gotten them from a church in Ohio, which had gotten them from a church in New York, which had gotten them from a church in England. Johnson doesn’t know the date of the windows’ trip across the Atlantic, but to her, the effort of such a trip seems practical. “If they knew they were going to be building a church, why not carry them?” she said. The windows are built in such a way that the wood casing can be replaced without damaging the panels, so casings can be repaired throughout the years while the glass itself suffers little deterioration. Goldfield United Presbyterian was built in 1884. The room that is now the fellowship hall used to be the sanctuary. In 1909, the church added on the new sanctuary, and that’s when they had the opportunity to put in the stained glass. “It was at that time that Cedar Falls was either enlarging the church, or building a new one,” Johnson said. Through a Cedar Falls-based relative of one of the Goldfield congregants, the windows were passed on to Goldfield United Presbyterian, where they were installed both in
the old fellowship hall and the new sanctuary. “Originally, we thought all of the windows came from England,” Johnson said. But in 2014, when the church called in an expert to evaluate the windows’ condition, he was able to confirm that yes, the windows with gold and purple diamond panes had come from Canterbury, England, from as early as the 1500s, but that the other windows had come from the workshops of Louis Comfort Tiffany, an American artisan who became famous especially for his beautiful stained glass. “We had no idea we had Tiffany windows, and this guy went, ‘Oh my gosh, do you know what you have here?’” she said. Though the Tiffany windows would have been manufactured in the late 1800s, they’re much more valuable than the Canterbury windows. “His comment on the old, old glass was actually, this was not an unusual happening,” Johnson said, referring to old windows being passed along through the years to other churches. Johnson said they’ve been unable to determine if the Tiffany windows and Canterbury windows were put together in New York or Ohio. Either is possible, since those are the two locations of Tiffany factories. Both sets of windows have something in common, however. Unlike modern stained glass, which is usually made by painting clear glass with different colors, all of the church’s windows are made with glass that is colored all the way through. Tiffany is specifically known for developing different types of art glass with colors and sparkling effects mixed in. That makes pieces much more expensive to replace. Since around 1970, the church’s windows have been protected by an outside layer of plastic, which two years ago was replaced with clear glass, which allows the windows to be appreciated from both inside and out. And now that Johnson has recorded their known history and symbolism, visitors to Goldfield United Presbyterian will be able to appreciate the stained glass windows all the more.
Johnson said it’s common for a Bible to be portrayed inside a heart, meaning that believers are supposed to treasure God’s word in their heart. “The heart becomes brilliant as the light fades,” she commented. Other symbolism in this top arch of the church’s largest Tiffany window includes water, representing baptism, which also echoes the “sea of glass” of Revelation 15:2; and lilies, representing Christ. Photo by Kacey Ginn
The church has several of these windows, which originated in Canterbury, England as early as the 1500s. The 40 red border squares around the lower portions of the window represent the 40 days and nights of the flood, or the 40 days and nights Christ spent in the desert. The flower shapes represent Christ, and the use of purple evokes royalty. Elsewhere in the church, there are similar windows with gold diamond panes instead of purple. Photo by Kacey Ginn
The three fleur-de-lis in this small window are reminiscent of the three crosses at the time of Christ’s death. Johnson said the pale gold colored glass becomes very bright in fading light. Photo by Kacey Ginn
A black dove with olive leaves in its beak refers to the story of Noah’s ark, when Noah sent out a dove to find if there was any dry land after the flood. The dove sits at the center of a cross formed by fleur-de-lis. The Church has another circular “medallion” window with a lamp at the center, which is rife with Christian symbolism. Photo by Kacey Ginn
The two outer vertical panels have the design of a harp in gold-colored glass, representing praise and worship, and four small blue circles which mean to spread the word to the four corners of the earth. The inner two panels have different colored dots ascending into blue, representing the apostles destined for heaven, and blue peacocks or pelicans, which would symbolize either resurrection or sacrifice. Johnson said that in fading light, the wings become prominent, symbolizing protection. Flowers are also used throughout the window, which represent Christ. Photo by Kacey Ginn