Hallmark A Christmas
Lanesboro Legion Lights display brings holiday magic
BY AMY KYLLO | STAFF WRITER movie,”
LANESBORO — As a small host of volunteers prepared for the inaugural Lanesboro Legion Lights display which began illuminating Lanesboro’s Sylvan Park Nov. 27, their expectation for the display was that it would bring holiday enchantment.
Lanesboro Legion Lights is a community-based light display powered by collaboration from inside and outside city limits with donations of time, talent and money.
“It’s going to be magical, like you’re in a Hallmark Christmas
said Anne Happel, the fundraising coordinator for the event.
Volunteers are important to the event for fundraising, creating displays and heading events. Kathryn Wade, a Lanesboro resident, headed up planning this event.
“I cannot tell you how cool it is to have such amazing volunteers,” Wade said. “I don’t know how to fully thank them.”
Whether it is volunteers wrapping greenery in the gazebo, the Lanesboro boys’ basketball team moving picnic tables, volunteers meticulously wrapping light displays for hours or a local welder crafting displays in metal, each aspect of the luminescent event has been touched by community.
Visitors experience the historic cabin transformed into Santa’s house, an ice fishing themed area, a bedecked gazebo, trees decorated by each of the grades at Lanesboro Public Schools, a love themed shelter and more.
Jo Anne Agrimson is on the food committee for the two special events at Lanesboro Legion Lights. Agrimson, a rural resident who lives about 10 miles
from Lanesboro, said volunteers are on the same page and working hard.
“No one person has all the talents and skills to complete what needs to be completed,” Agrimson said.
The first event Agrimson worked on occurred Nov. 30. It featured s’mores at the fire pits and candy canes for the children.
Legion Lights page 2
Lights twinkle in the darkness Nov. 30 at the Lanesboro Legion Lights in Sylvan Park in Lanesboro. The light display will be lit from now until New Year’s Day.
PHOTOS BY AMY KYLLO
Beth Vitse (left) and Kathryn Wade decorate the gazebo Nov. 13 at Sylvan Park in Lanesboro. This is the inaugural year of the Lanesboro Legion Lights display.
The magic of Christmas
What is it about Christmas that makes it magical?
Obviously, Christmas can also be expensive, stressful and fraught with extra work, social engagements and little social frictions. Yet, in spite of all of that, there is something just enchanting about the season.
There’s a reason people start decorating for Christmas and listening to Christmas music as soon as the Halloween decorations are torn down Nov. 1. The holiday season speaks to what people are looking for: a sense of beauty, peace, community and an escape from the everyday dust of worries and adulting.
One of my favorite things to do in the Christmas season is to turn off the overhead light, plug in the Christmas tree lights, and sit in the living room in a sense of meditative peace and wonder as I gaze at the Christmas tree.
Last year was my first time putting up my own Christmas tree. I did it all by myself, transporting it home from Menards in the back seat of a Ford Fusion sedan. At home, with all the trimmings, I had a beautiful little tree.
Last year, I also took it on myself to buy the family a tree. Since the Kyllo family tree was going to be significantly larger than a tree for my one-bedroom, 500-square-foot apartment, I departed to go to a cutyour-own tree farm, which is usually the cheaper and more fun way to get a larger tree. I departed with a sense of purpose, driving Dad and Mom’s old diesel pickup.
Just a note — if you have ever had the bright idea to go to a cutyour-own tree place by yourself and also never have a reason to pick up a saw at any other time of the year, you might want to think again.
I got to the farm and was directed toward the acres of trees. I am a perfectionist when it comes to choosing a good tree, so it took me a long time to find a beautiful, full, fluffy tree. It had an extra super-thick trunk — a few inches up, it actually split into two trunks, which was why it was particularly full. In spite of the two trunks, it was still remarkably straight: a perfect tree.
Once I started sawing, I knew pretty quickly I was in trouble.
First, the trunk was probably 6-8 inches in diameter.
Second, since I was by myself, no one was there to pull the trunk up and away from me as I cut, meaning
the blade was getting stuck under the weight of the tree.
Adding to that was the fact that I am weak when it comes to sawing, and the saw was not particularly sharp. Cutting down a tree requires lying down completely and sawing from a prone position — not exactly the best angle for someone who has the arm strength of someone who conveniently forgets to work out.
With these troubles at hand, I decided to make the trek back to the yard and get a better saw. I returned and sawed some more before giving up. By this time, it was dark, and the tree place was supposed to be closed.
As I walked back, I met the worried owner and a staff member coming out to look for me. Adding to the embarrassment of the moment was the fact that I had foolishly chosen to introduce myself as a reporter when I arrived to explore the farm as a possible story lead for Country Acres South. This meant I no longer had the emotional safety of anonymity on my side. Not only that, but the owner also knew my mom, so I was internally worrying my ineptitude would reflect back on her.
With them in tow, I had trouble finding my tree back in the darkness, but we found it. Luckily, I was closer to having the tree cut through than I thought, and they quickly finished it off and helped me get it to the truck. They were sweet and generous and did not act at all put out, even though I was causing them to work late. Feeling embarrassed to be what I knew had to be an inconvenience, I tipped them for their trouble and drove off as quickly as possible.
This year, I went with my boyfriend to get a tree. It was his first time ever experiencing putting up a Christmas tree since that has not been part of his family’s traditions. It was so special to share the magic of one of my favorite parts of Christmas with him.
Whether it is your first time getting a tree or a decades-long tradition, I hope you get to enjoy the magic of Christmas through a tree.
Also, if you do not want to embarrass yourself, do not go to a Christmas tree farm by yourself, introduce yourself as a reporter, fail to cut down your tree, lose your tree and make the owners work late. I have tried that scenario out for size, and I do not recommend.
Sunshine & Flowers by Amy Kyllo
Howes
from page 7
Before that, Howes worked on a tree farm.
Throughout the years, not much has changed on the farm aside from becoming a cut-your-own tree farm. Howes has not expanded the acreage of the farm but does plan on opening another cut-your-own tree farm within the next year.
“We aren’t large,” Howes said. “We are open seven days of the year. It is just a happy time of year. There are smiles everywhere. I think the future is bright.”
They also wholesale trees. These trees come from a small farm near Winona. To ensure the trees’ freshness, Howes waits as long as he can to cut the trees. He has to keep a close eye on the weather to know when he will have a good window to cut.
He said there is not much money to be made from being a tree farmer, but there is joy in it.
“The biggest part of everything is I enjoy do-
(Above) A customer pulls their tree in winter 2023 at Howes Evergreens near St. Charles. Howes Evergreens spans a 5-acre field.
That’s kind of the best feedback to hear. That is the reward.”
ing it,” Howes said. “I think the best thing is (hearing) ‘Oh, my tree is so fresh, we just love it.’
Howe said he thinks most small tree farmers feel similar because it is not a money-making business.
“It truly just gets in everyone’s blood; they just love the holiday, and they just hope it’s not really cold,” Howes said.
When it comes to the work on the farm, everyone knows their roles and how to help out.
“I take care of (the trees); I plant them, mow and trim them,” Howes said. “I (might have) another person help me trim them, or I hire it (out). My wife, Karen,
is always there helping and has always been involved. My daughter, Kathy, and her husband, Jason, sell the trees. I don’t sit out there on the weekends.”
The family also make wreaths in a range of sizes and assemble porch pots. About mid-November the family starts the collection of supplies and the assembly.
HowesKarenandBob standwith Charles.awreathnearSt.Aftersupplies aregathered,theHowes canassemble6-7basic wreathsanhour.
“It just takes so much time, and you have to get going; you can’t do it in one day, and weather is so sensitive,” Howes said. “If it rains, you can’t get outside to get boughs, and we don’t want to do it too early or they will get dried out.”
Howes page 9
PHOTOS SUBMITTED
Family,
Haugens celebrate holidays by celebrate making traditional Scandinavian treat traditional Scandinavian treat
BY AMY KYLLO | STAFF WRITER
DENNISON — A warm, cozy holiday atmosphere pervades the room at the Haugen family Christmas lefse making. The air is scented with the frying delicacy, and a dusting of flour lies about from the preparations — and an occasional flour fight.
The Haugen family, originally from the Dennison area, has made a tradition of making lefse each year as their extended family Christmas celebration. Bryan Haugen and his wife, Laura, are part of this Haugen clan, which consists of Bryan, his three siblings, and their children and grandchildren.
“The most important thing to us is our family and being together and passing down these traditions,” Laura said. “Some of these traditions are lost through generations, and it’s so important that we keep them going.”
Each year, a different family member hosts the treat making day that has been going on for decades. The whole family turns out for a gathering of about 30 people.
“It’s always a celebration of life having new … people join or new
babies,” Laura said.
This celebration results in 20 pounds of boiled potatoes being transformed into 10-12 dozen lefse.
Bryan said his favorite part of the day is getting the family together.
“To be able to have everybody close enough to do this, it is very special,” he said.
Plenty of teasing happens at the lefse making, the Haugens said.
“(There is) a lot of trash talking going on,” Bryan said. “A little competition for the biggest lefse without a hole in it or a tear.”
Bryan also said new members of the family receive friendly harassing.
“They get put to the test,” he said. “Welcome to the Haugen family. We like to tease and give out grief.”
Recalling family memories is another big part of the day, the Haugens said.
“We talk about parents and grandparents and stories about them when we’re together,” Laura said. “We miss them, and it’s keeping their memories alive by getting together and sharing this.”
Haugens page 11
PHOTO BY AMY KYLLO
Dennison Lefs
DennisonLefs
Haugens
from page 10
Besides making lefse, they play games, and Santa Claus makes an appearance with presents for the children and gag gifts for the adults.
To make the lefse, the Haugens set up four tables. Each table is a complete assembly line equipped with a dough area, a rolling station and a griddle for frying.
In the middle of the room, a table is set up for cooling before the lefse is placed between sheets of wax paper to keep from drying out.
The lefse recipe comes from Bryan’s grandma, Tilda. Though the recipe is not exactly a family secret, it also is not public knowledge. Bryan and Laura said it definitely would not be in a church cookbook.
“We kind of covet it,” Laura said. “Only certain people are privy to it. … We’ve shared it with a few other family members that connected to us, but it’s pretty much a Haugen family recipe.”
Bryan’s mom, Marilyn, was Scottish and German, so when she married his dad, Donny, she had to learn how to make lefse. Growing up, Bryan remembers Marilyn making the dough and rolling them out while Donny prepared the potatoes, fried and flipped the lefse, and was the official taste tester.
As Bryan and his siblings grew older, they learned how to make the lefse as well. Not much has changed over the years with either making or enjoying the lefse.
It’s pretty much stayed the way it was,” Bryan said. “It’s hard to change old Norwegians.”
Being part of
Bryan Haugen holds a lefse rolling pin Nov. 11 at the Haugen home near Dennison. Haugen, his three siblings and their spouses, children and grandchildren all participate in lefse-making day.
lefse-making day is important to the Haugens. Before Donny passed, while he was in a care facility, they held lefse making in
the nursing home so he could still be part of it.
“He was delighted by that,” Laura said. When Bryan and
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Tanya Sauer helps Terra Sauer roll lefse in December 2022 at the Haugen lefse-making day held in Dennison. Adults coach the younger children as they make lefse.
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Laura’s son, Greg, was deployed to the Middle East with the U.S. Air Force, he video called during lefse making day one year to be part of it.
The Haugens have tips and tricks they follow to make the best lefse possible. The boiled potatoes must be chilled overnight and mashed and whipped so there are no lumps. Lumps make the lefse fry poorly. They use evaporated milk to provide proper consistency.
Haugens page 12
PHOTO BY AMY KYLLO
Food
shelf from 14
Another aspect of the food shelf that helps provide quality food for clients is a garden put in by the volunteers.
“You name it, we have it,” Burns said. “We pick it, and our clientele can help themselves. There hasn’t been a time that I haven’t been glad to go (help in the garden).”
While this time of year does not
allow for garden-fresh food, there are plenty of items to be found on the shelf due to volunteers and community.
Along with donations, the pair said new volunteers at the food shelf are always welcome and needed, no matter their reason for giving their time to the food shelf.
For Tollefson, she volunteers to
keep herself busy while providing help for others.
“Pretty much every day, I have something on my schedule,” Tollefson said. “It just breaks up the day; it is good for me to get out by people, and it’s fun.”
Burns said volunteering at the food shelf is a good way to give back to the community and support those who need help.
Tollefson agreed.
“We have some really good vol-
unteers, but we can always have a list of more that can come in when they get a call,” Tollefson said. “There are times when more people are needed than others.”
The pair said volunteers can help the hours they want and do not need to be there all the time.
“(Volunteering) gives us purpose,” Burns said. “It’s a joy to give back.”
Bonnie Tollefson stocks a freezer with meat Nov. 26 at Semcac Houston County Food Shelf in Caledonia. Tollefson has volunteered at the food shelf for three years.
PHOTOS BY AMY KYLLO
Marla Burns grabs soup Nov. 26 at Semcac Houston County Food Shelf in Caledonia. Burns has volunteered at the food shelf for six years.
Art dra wn rt drawn
from the land
Finnegan takes rural inspiration for oil paintings
BY AMY KYLLO | STAFF WRITER
LANESBORO — The land speaks to painter Joan Finnegan. From the “roller coaster roads” to the contoured landscape, the artist bases many of her pieces off the scenery of the Driftless Area.
“I just want the rhythm of the land,” Finnegan said. “It calls you, and there is a beauty that breathes. … We live in Minnesota with clean air and bird song.”
Finnegan is an oil painter living and painting from her home studio in Lanesboro. Her outdoor-themed paintings fall into two categories: her classic landscape pieces and her Fabric of the Landscape Collection, which features vibrant, pushed colors and a playful feel.
Her Fabric of the Landscape Collection draws out and delineates the patterns of rural Minnesota.
“It looks like the land is draped in a quilt,” Finnegan said. “As a farmer, I’m sure (the topography) is a curse, but it really is the beauty.”
Finnegan grew up near Mankato in a family of
10. She remembers her mom always pointing out beauty.
“I still have her voice in my head saying, ‘Pay attention to that,’” Finnegan said. “There is something so embracing and calming at the same time about nature. Nature has magic.”
Finnegan has always been an artist. As a child, her mom dedicated a cupboard in the dining room for her drawing supplies. Her brothers had paper routes, and the blank paper on the top and bottom of the paper bundles was hers each day for art.
“It’s a part of the way that I breathe,” Finnegan said. “It’s a nice expression of who I am inside and how I feel.”
In 2001, Finnegan and her husband, Wayne, settled on an acreage in the rural Lanesboro area after Wayne retired.
“We were drawn to this area because of the artistry and the amazing scenery,” Finnegan said. “We’ve traveled a lot internationally, and no matter
where we travel in the world, we’re always going, ‘It’s just like southeast Minnesota.’”
Before moving to the Driftless Area, Finnegan spent her career working at and later owning an arts and craft store where she taught art classes.
Finnegan page 18
PHOTOS BY AMY KYLLO
Joan Finnegan paints a landscape Oct. 10 at her studio in Lanesboro. Finnegan works in her studio five days a week.
Paint heaps on the edge of a palette Oct. 10 at Joan Finnegan’s studio in Lanesboro. Finnegan is a colorist who uses vibrant hues in her paintings.
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Finnegan from 17
She also wrote three books on craft art instruction and traveled to shows teaching workshops and promoting her books. Throughout her life, art has remained a constant.
“It’s a big leap,” Finnegan said. “It’s a real unlearning process.”
The exercise gave her the openness Finnegan said she was looking for in her art.
Finnegan’s pieces employ vibrant colors.
“As an artist, when you’re taken away from your art, there’s a hunger that doesn’t go away,” Finnegan said.
When Finnegan moved to rural Lanesboro, she decided to reinvent herself as an artist.
“The colors used send a message,” Finnegan said. “My colors are joyful, because my painting, the art of painting, for me, is a joy.”
Finnegan finds tranquility with a brush in her hand.
Previously, her art had a tighter focus with detailed, photograph-like pieces. She hosted workshops at her home studio and began a series of plein air paintings inspired by a book called “One Painting a Day” by Timothy Callaghan. Every day, she would do one or more paintings, each which took an hour or less. She doubled the book’s prescribed 50 days on the advice of a mentor, and 100 paintings later, she had made the adjustment to a looser style.
Equipment
“When I’m doing my classic paintings, I go into a bit of a meditative trance,” Finnegan said. “I can be working (and) freezing cold, and I have no idea, because I’m on a roll, and I’m just there. … Painting is very calming for me.”
Finnegan works in her studio five days a week. She moved from the acreage in rural Lanesboro to Lanesboro proper this summer.
For inspiration, Finnegan carries her cell phone with her to take reference photos. She does mini sketches of the pictures when she has a dull moment.
PHOTOS BY AMY KYLLO
Brightly-colored contours create lines on a painting Oct. 10 at Joan Finnegan’s studio in Lanesboro. The painting is part of Finnegan’s Fabric of the Landscape Collection.
Finnegan
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