Minnesota Prairie Roots

Writing and photography by Audrey Kletscher Helbling

A chance encounter with Santa at the grocery store December 17, 2025

Filed under: Uncategorized — Audrey Kletscher Helbling @ 6:00 AM
Tags: , , , , , ,
Audrey Kletscher Helbling with Santa at a Faribault grocery store. (Photo credit: Randy Helbling)

WHEN I SPOTTED SANTA at the grocery store yesterday, I decided to get my picture taken with him. You’re never too old for Santa, right? But the Jolly Old Man didn’t even notice me, so busy was he guzzling his Coca-Cola while marketing Coke products.

I hadn’t considered that Santa would need a side job, especially during the hectic holiday season. Isn’t managing the elves, feeding the reindeer, making public appearances, reviewing kids’ Christmas lists and packing the sleigh enough for one man to handle?

But I suppose Santa, like all of us, is feeling the effects of higher prices. He’s paying tariffs on parts the elves can’t make. Mrs. Claus needs baking ingredients that have skyrocketed in price. The North Pole toy workshop heating bill is likely high, even higher than in icebox Minnesota. So Santa probably welcomes the extra income from his grocery store side hustle.

Undeterred by Santa turning his back on me, I cozied up to him and asked my dear husband to snap a photo. Randy obliged, but not without a look of concern. I didn’t care. I needed a spark of fun in my day. Santa obviously paid me no mind.

Now, if the marketer of Coke products, the supervisor of elves, the giver of wonderful gifts had taken the time to chat with me, I would have handed him a Christmas wish list. What I’d really like Santa to bring to this world, especially this country, are compassion, kindness, respect, empathy, peace and love.

In all reality, Santa can’t deliver on that. Only we can.

THOUGHTS?

© Copyright 2025 Audrey Kletscher Helbling

 

Christmas on ice at Shattuck-St. Mary’s in Faribault December 16, 2025

Filed under: Uncategorized — Audrey Kletscher Helbling @ 6:00 AM
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Attired in Christmas sweaters and glittery skirts, these cute skaters draw smiles. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

AGAINST A FESTIVE BACKDROP of The Polar Express locomotive, a gingerbread house, Frosty the Snowman, a Christmas tree and more, figure skaters at Shattuck-St. Mary’s School performed their annual holiday show on ice, “Lights, Camera, Skates! Christmas at the Cinema,” before an appreciative audience on December 13. And I was there, as I have been for many past figure skating shows that are as much an opportunity for skaters to perform as an early Christmas gift to the community.

Impressive skating by this team of skaters as they end their routine. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

I always enjoy the Campus Christmas Walk at the long-time private college prep school on Faribault’s east side. Students from around the world come here to learn, to skate, to play hockey and soccer, to participate in the arts and more. The school’s core, with its aged limestone buildings, seems more elite East Coast college than a Midwest prep school. But at the sports complex on the far north end of the campus, multiple ice arenas, a soccer dome and gym bring the modern to the historic.

Crouching and twirling on skates…amazing. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

Inside the J.P. Parise Arena, yes, that Parise of National Hockey League fame and a one-time hockey coach at Shattuck, costumed skaters glided, twirled, danced and entertained those of us bundled in our winter gear on a bitterly cold December afternoon in southern Minnesota. After an hour of sitting in the ice arena, I felt the cold creeping into my bones.

At the end of the show, all of the skaters took to the ice. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

But my heart was warmed by talented skaters performing to favorite holiday tunes themed to favorite holiday movie classics. Cinematic clips played on a corner screen, introducing segments of the show, setting the mood.

A graceful bow ends a performance. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

If a sing-along had been encouraged, I expect many of us would have joined in belting out lyrics about a magical snowman, a red-nosed reindeer, a mean-spirited Grinch, wanting all of our loved ones home for Christmas…

Watching from the stands as the figure skating show nears its conclusion. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

Directly in front of me, a family of seven sat together watching the show. Five kids and their parents, the youngest a sweet 13-month-old who kept peeking around her mom to look and smile at me. I smiled back at Vivian, bundled in blue fleece with animal ears jutting out of her hood. She could have been Cindy Lou, a Who from Whoville, in disguise. So darling and precious, eyes bright with wonder and joy. What a beautiful family. In that moment, I wished my own three grandchildren could be there beside me watching the magic on ice, like the family I’d only just met.

A red carpet photo op outside the arena. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)
One of many stars on the hallway floor outside the ice arena. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)
The signage on the right covered an office door outside an interior ice arena entrance. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

After the show, skaters, audience members, including families of the skaters, walked atop glitzy Hollywood style paper stars past a red carpet backdrop on the way to the gym. There a star awaited. Santa. Kids lined up to see him. They also gathered around tables to create crafts. Randy and I grabbed cookies. I drank a cup of coffee Randy mistakenly thought was hot chocolate.

Art on an ice arena window fits the red carpet movie theme of the figure skating show. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

As in past years, I left in a cheerful mood, thankful for Shattuck’s Christmas gift to the greater community. That also included a holiday concert in The Chapel of the Good Shepherd. I have yet to attend that, but should.

The skater in the center, in the green jacket, portrayed the Grinch as she skated to “The Grinch.” (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

The figure skating show, with narrated introductions, filled my spirit. I especially welcomed the encouragement to share compassion and kindness. For one hour I felt the closeness of community. I felt peace, too, as if all the mean Grinches of the world had vanished. Or perhaps their minds shifted and their hearts grew three sizes. If only everyone could sit shoulder-to-shoulder inside a Minnesota hockey arena on a bitterly cold afternoon 12 days before Christmas and feel the love, the warmth that is possible when we all come together.

© Copyright 2025 Audrey Kletscher Helbling

 

Cozy in for some holiday storytelling at Books on Central December 15, 2025

Filed under: Uncategorized — Audrey Kletscher Helbling @ 7:30 PM
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
A storefront window display at Books on Central promotes an upcoming holiday reading. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

THE CADENCE AND RHYTHM of a book read aloud or a story told appeals to me. It’s as if the words become living, breathing characters, the setting vivid real-life scenes. Such is the power of the voice in interpreting words.

Wednesday evening, December 17, at 6 pm, two skilled local storytellers, Sam Temple and Tami Resler, will share their talents during a literary event at Books on Central in the heart of downtown Faribault. Holiday stories will focus their storytelling in the cozy bookshop centered by a chandelier inside a former jewelry store.

But the gems for the evening will be the stories that are sure to sparkle with the skills of Temple and Resler. I know both storytellers. They are genuinely kind, caring, joyful individuals who add much to our community.

Sam Temple, as Alexander Faribault, shares local and Minnesota history during the Riverside Rendezvous and History Festival in Faribault earlier this year. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo May 2025)

Temple, who heads Steamboat Media Company and manages Northfield Public Broadcasting, is big into local history. He’s created documentaries about Faribault history with fellow creative Logan Ledman. He’s portrayed town founder, Alexander Faribault, numerous times. He’s also acted and directed and does improv comedy with Little Fish Improv. I’m sure I’ve missed something. But you get the idea. Temple brings tremendous talent and knowledge to anything he does.

Tami Resler is a multi-talented artist. Here’s some of her pottery showcased in a gallery. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo March 2021)

Likewise, Resler, a ceramics artist and educator at Shattuck-St. Mary’s School in Faribault, sparkles. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Tami without a smile. Her enthusiasm, I expect, will shine in expressive telling of holiday tales during the reading.

I encourage you, if you live in the area, to take a break from holiday preparations and settle into a chair at Books on Central this Wednesday evening. Relax. Delight in the comforts of a good story. Remember when you were read to as a child or when you read to a child. I hold fond memories of an elementary school teacher reading the “Little House” books by Laura Ingalls Wilder to our class each day after lunch. And I have read countless books to children, still do.

There is joy in books. And there is joy in listening to gifted storytellers who bring words to life with their voices.

FYI: Light refreshments will be served at this event, which is free and open to the public at 227 Central Avenue North, Faribault.

© Copyright 2025 Audrey Kletscher Helbling

 

Encouraging & embracing creativity this holiday season December 10, 2025

Filed under: Uncategorized — Audrey Kletscher Helbling @ 6:02 AM
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Gifts for the creative grandson. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

WHEN MY ELDEST DAUGHTER sent her children’s Christmas gift wish lists to me, I wasn’t surprised to find several art-related items on first grader Isaac’s list. He loves creating. And to create, he needs supplies. So Isaac asked for giant construction paper, a Paint by Sticker book, a pixel art set and Sharpie markers, specifically a grey marker. Why grey? I have no idea. He’s getting all of those from Randy and me.

One year Isaac wanted a ream of paper for Christmas. He blew through the 500 sheets we gave him in several months. Not only does my grandson create art, but he also solves math problems far beyond what a six-year-old should be capable of doing and recently proclaimed, “I love to read!”

I’m not sharing this to be a boastful grandma. Rather, I want to emphasize the importance of encouraging children in their interests. That builds confidence and shows that we support and care about them and their passions.

A Little Golden Book Journal, among several crafted by recycler artist Rhonda Norgaard and for sale at the Paradise Center for the Arts, Faribault. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

My 9-year-old granddaughter, who really really loves to read, and write, declared on her first day of fourth grade that she wants to become an author. That could change. But for now, Izzy embraces creativity through writing, singing and playing piano. And I enthusiastically encourage her.

Among the many gifts for sale at the Paradise Center for the Arts is a Paradise membership. Members get discounted ticket prices among other benefits. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

In Faribault, I am an enthusiastic supporter of the arts, centered at the Paradise Center for the Arts. This downtown hub of creativity brings the visual and performing arts to my community via concerts, theatre, comedy, gallery shows, art classes and more.

Acrylic paintings by Adele Beals. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

And now, during the holiday season, 32 artists are showcasing and selling their art at the annual Holly Days Sale. I recently popped into the Paradise to peruse the artsy offerings ranging from pottery to paintings, stained glass, fiber art, mittens, jewelry, metalwork, woodwork, journals, photography, handbags and more. This is one-of-a-kind merchandise crafted with creative minds and hands by Minnesota artists.

Gail Kielmeyer crafted this doll, aprons and more, tagged as Minnesota Made. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)
Handmade goods fill the main gallery and two smaller galleries for the Holly Days Sale. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)
Paula Person crafts cellphone-sized and other bags and clutches for her business, notebagz. Her products are made from recycled publications. She also does custom work. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

I can’t help but wonder how many of these artists, as young children like my grandchildren, loved to create. Perhaps a grandmother taught them to sew. Perhaps they were fascinated by their grandfather’s abilities to build anything with wood. Perhaps an aunt painted. Perhaps their parents knitted or welded or journaled. Perhaps a teacher encouraged them in their creativity.

Laura O’Connor of Cuddled Again rescues and restores gently-used stuffies for resale. A portion of the proceeds go to HOPE Center in Faribault. To the right is Sandra Sargent’s stained glass art created at Bending Sunlight Glassworks. She teaches at the Paradise and also has a studio across the street in the Bachrach building. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

Whatever the reasons individuals choose to make art really doesn’t matter, although it is interesting to hear backstories. If they’re like me, they create because they have to and can’t imagine their lives without art. No one expects to get rich in the arts, thus the term “starving artists.” Writing and photography are, for me, passions that earn me minimal income. Yet, I press on with my creative endeavors.

Oil on canvas nature scenes painted by Joannie Johnson. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

Likewise all those artists selling their goods at the Holly Days Sale clearly love creating and sharing their artwork with others. I am grateful to them and to all creatives, and to arts centers like the Paradise, for enriching our communities through the arts. Perhaps some day I will see my grandson’s art in a gallery and my granddaughter’s book on a bookstore shelf. Whatever happens, I hope they will always appreciate and embrace creativity.

Gail Kielmeyer’s handcrafted Minnesota Made mittens. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

FYI: The Holly Days Sale continues at the Paradise from noon-5 pm Wednesday-Friday, from 10 am-2 pm Saturdays and extended hours from 10 am-5 pm December 20.

The Paradise is hosting the monthly Faribault City Council Chat at 6 pm Wednesday, December 10, as part of the city’s community engagement efforts.

The Paradise Community Theatre is currently performing “The Sound of Music” at the Paradise. Remaining performances are set for 7:30 pm December 11 and 12 and 2 pm December 13 and 14. Tickets are selling quickly, so reserve yours now.

© Copyright 2025 Audrey Kletscher Helbling

Artwork photographed with permission of the Paradise Center for the Arts

 

The holiday scene in downtown Faribault from my perspective December 9, 2025

Filed under: Uncategorized — Audrey Kletscher Helbling @ 6:00 AM
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
A holiday mannequin in the window of Fleur de Lis Gallery, which sells handcrafted, original art. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

DOWNTOWN FARIBAULT IS BEGINNING to look at lot like Christmas. That’s my observation after a quick walk along several blocks of Central Avenue on the Saturday afternoon of Winterfest.

A holiday scene along Central Avenue in downtown Faribault on Saturday afternoon, December 6. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

Our core business district buzzed with shoppers checking out the many homegrown specialty and other shops housed in our historic downtown buildings.

A couple pauses to look at merchandise displayed in the front windows of Keepers Antique Shop. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

I loved seeing all the foot traffic. This shows me our business community is drawing people to shop for one-of-a-kind goods not found at mass retailers. This also shows me people care about supporting local. This shows me, too, that customer service and connections still matter in a world obsessed with online shopping.

I came face to face with The Grinch outside Runamuck Workshop. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)
The Grinch tries to draw attention to himself and the toy store. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

I was delighted to encounter The Grinch outside Faribault’s newest downtown shop, Runamuck Workshop. It’s a toy store already getting an enthusiastic response from the community. The Grinch was there for photo ops, but stepped out briefly to spread a little holiday fun and to draw shoppers inside.

A Candy Cane Lane themed window at Rice County Mutual Insurance Co. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)
A mannequin wears a holiday hat at Ristrom Amplifiers. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)
Holiday pots add a festive touch outside the Bachrach building housing Good Day Coffee and Fleur de Lis Gallery in the front of the building plus Bending Sunlight Glassworks and Glass Garden Beads Collective. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

On this afternoon, I wasn’t shopping for gifts. Rather, I was window shopping, looking for creative holiday storefront window displays to photograph. I found plenty and certainly missed some as the frigid weather allowed me to linger only so long before my fingers felt the bite of cold and I called it quits.

The Buddy the Elf display at The Oasis Cafe with historic buildings reflected in the window. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

But I found my favorite display, featuring Buddy the Elf, at The Oasis Cafe. A personal story drew me to stand in front of the window with a Buddy cut-out hovering over a plate of spaghetti and assorted candy, candy canes, candy corn and syrup. This, if you’ve seen the movie “Elf,” denotes Buddy’s definition of the four basic food groups. My son loved the “Elf” film so much that I gifted him with syrup and candy corn one Christmas because, why not have a little fun with a nine-year-old? Now, all these years later, I photographed The Oasis “Elf” scene and texted it to my son, who is all grown up and living in Boston.

Santa in the window of Keepers Antique Shop. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

To see local business owners create visually-pleasing holiday window displays warms my heart. It’s fun to see their creations. They add to the festiveness of the downtown business district. And sometimes they spark memories, like mine of “Elf” and my son, who will be back in Minnesota soon for the holidays.

Sprigs of red berries add a holiday touch to a window display at Keepers Antique Shop. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

At Keepers Antique Shop, shopkeeper Nona Boyes creates artsy window displays year-round, a nod to her art degree and marketing skills. I always admire her displays, including inside her shop full of antiques, collectibles and vintage goods.

Elvis is in the house, or at least in the lower level of Corks & Pints, which co-hosted a Craft Spirits Holiday Bazaar with 10,000 Drops Distillers on December 6 and hosts another from 11 am to 4 pm on Saturday, December 13. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

When the weather warms and no snow is falling, perhaps I’ll head downtown again with my camera. Mine is a downtown with stunning historic buildings, locally-grown businesses and friendly shopkeepers invested in this community. And that matters to me, as it should to anyone who calls Faribault home.

© Copyright 2025 Audrey Kletscher Helbling

 

My caring community gives Christmas trees to those in need December 8, 2025

Filed under: Uncategorized — Audrey Kletscher Helbling @ 1:07 PM
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Adopt-a-Tree Christmas trees curve along the sidewalk past the ice rink at Faribault’s Viaduct Park. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

THE GENEROSITY OF MY COMMUNITY is never more publicly visible than each December, when artificial Christmas trees are decorated, displayed and then donated to those in need.

Looking through the Christmas trees to the ice rink and the Viaduct Park community gathering space in the background. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

This past weekend I toured the trees rimming the ice skating rink at Faribault’s new community gathering spot, Viaduct Park. That park centered recent Winterfest activities.

A local 4-H club is among those decorating and donating a tree. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

As I slowly walked along the sidewalk looking at the festive trees, I thought of those who gave and those who will receive. Businesses, organizations, nonprofits, churches and more participate in the Adopt-a-Tree project with 77 trees gifted this year.

These women take their time looking at the 77 trees. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

The program was started by the Faribault Parks & Recreation Department in 2020 to bring a little holiday cheer to the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each December since, those numbers have steadily grown from 20 trees that first year to nearly 80 today. That’s a whole lot of families receiving Christmas trees. Families that might otherwise go without a tree because of the cost of buying one.

A skater skates on the other side of the trees edging the rink. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

Now, more than ever, with the price of groceries and other necessities rising, the need seems especially great. We’re all feeling the pinch in our pocketbooks. But, if you’re living on an especially tight budget, the reality is that maybe you can’t afford a tree or gifts. And that’s where my community, like so many others across Minnesota and the country, steps up and gives from the heart.

So many fun Christmas tree toppers, including this snowman. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

When I think back to my own childhood, I realize my parents likely scrimped and saved to buy Christmas presents for me and my five siblings. We maybe got two gifts each. And we were ecstatic to receive those.

Skaters skate next to the trees and the Viaduct Park gathering space, which is open for warming up and to buy concessions from 3-5 pm weekdays and from 1-6 pm weekends. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

Our Christmas tree was so small that it sat on the end of our Formica kitchen table. To this day, I look for a Charlie Brown tree because of the fond childhood memories associated with a less-than-perfect tiny tree.

A festive holiday ribbon circles a tree. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

I hope the children in my community whose families receive Adopt-a-Tree trees will feel the same Christmas joy. I hope they feel the love of those who care about them, who want them to have a Christmas tree in their homes. Likewise, if they receive gifts through many of the giving programs in Faribault, I hope they feel loved.

Operation: 23 to 0, which works toward suicide prevention, participated in Adopt-a-Tree. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

Perhaps some day, they, too, will give back, reflecting on those hard times when others uplifted them during the holidays. My husband and his sibling were on the receiving end of such giving during their childhood. Today Randy and I are part of a bible study group at Trinity Lutheran Church that facilitates a Christmas Angel Program. We’ll gather soon to wrap all those donated gifts.

Generosity shines like the star topping one of the Christmas trees. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

Kindness. Compassion. Care. All shine bright in Faribault from those donated Christmas trees to every single gift purchased for someone in need. Both reflect the spirit of the season. And that is a spirit of love and of generosity.

I viewed the trees during daylight, under overcast skies. I’d encourage night viewing also to see the lights. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

FYI: If you want to see the Adopt-a-Tree trees, look soon. They are coming down early this week. Thank you to all who participated in this project.

© Copyright 2025 Audrey Kletscher Helbling

 

Celebrating winter & the holidays at Winterfest in Faribault December 4, 2025

Filed under: Uncategorized — Audrey Kletscher Helbling @ 6:00 AM
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
The Winterfest logo banners a vintage pickup truck during the 2017 Winterfest Parade of Lights. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo 2017)

WITH SOME SEVEN INCHES of snow on the ground and freezing temps, Winterfest in Faribault this week will actually look and feel like winter. So I’ll dig out the long johns, wool socks, winter boots, stocking cap, scarf, new Thinsulate fingerless mittens/gloves and warm parka to take in the festivities.

The first event is not actually part of the official Winterfest schedule, but is still a local kick off to the holidays. The Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour hosts the Faribault High School Choir at a free concert of holiday classics and traditional carols at 1:30 pm on Thursday, December 4.

Ice carvers wrap up their work carving a teddy bear during the 2022 Winterfest. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo December 2022)

Things really get moving later Thursday with Hometown Holidays activities centered at Buckham Center. From 5-7 pm, there will be horse-drawn carriage rides through the historic downtown, ice sculpture carving, a Buckham West Pop-Up Shoppe, music and lots for the kids to do, including crafts, a bounce house, and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Voting also happens for the best Christmas window display in the downtown window decorating contest.

A Grinch tops a Christmas tree in the 2024 Winterfest Adopt-a-Tree Christmas tree give-away to those in need. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo 2024)

Friday, December 5, brings another fun evening of events from 5:30-7:30 pm, this time at the new Viaduct Park along the Straight River. Activities include tree and park lighting, visits and photos with The Grinch, student dance and musical performances, and more carriage rides. Complimentary popcorn and hot chocolate will also be available.

Chris Delesha of Delesha’s Woods sells his handcrafted art at the 2024 Legion market. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo December 2024)

Saturday, December 6, promises a day jam-packed with things to do. That starts with a 10 am-3 pm Christmas Market at the Faribault American Legion. Also at 10 am, the Paradise Center for the Arts offers art created by more than 30 area artists during its Holly Days Sale. The sale will be open until 7:30 pm Saturday and continues during December. At 11 am and within walking distance of the Legion and arts center, 10,000 Drops Distillers hosts its annual Craft Spirits Holiday Bazaar until 4 pm (and again on Saturday, December 13).

In between all of the Christmas markets, Faribault Harley Davidson is hosting a Little Biker Santa Party from 11 am-2 pm geared toward the little people. There’s a coloring contest, photos with Santa and other activities, plus mac n cheese, while supplies last. The Harley shop is collecting non-perishable food items at the event for the St. Vincent de Paul food shelf.

The Alexander Faribault House dining room set for the holidays during the 2017 Christmas open house. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo December 2017)

Just as the Craft Spirits Holiday Bazaar ends, the nearby Alexander Faribault house opens to the public from 4-6 pm for an 1850s French-Canadian style Christmas. Town founder Alexander Faribault and his wife, Mary Elizabeth, lived in this house now owned by the Rice County Historical Society. The RCHS hosts the free Christmas open house annually during Winterfest.

As Saturday progresses, so do Winterfest activities with an Ugly Sweater Run/Walk beginning at 4:30 pm at Viaduct Park. Participants will follow city recreational trails in this first ever run/walk during Winterfest.

A crowd waits along Central Avenue for the Parade of Lights to start in 2024. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo December 2024)

Then, at 5:30 pm, the highlight of Winterfest for most, the Parade of Lights, begins, heading south along Central Avenue from Sixth Street Northwest to Division Street. Fireworks at Viaduct Park follow the parade. The direction of the parade route and the timing of the fireworks have both changed from previous years. Parking is also banned along Central Avenue, which pleases me greatly.

Capping off Winterfest is a street dance with music by Saint Suburbia at Crooked Pint (by Viaduct Park) from 6-10 pm. Amenities include a heated tent, an outdoor bar and burn barrels.

There you go. Join Faribault in welcoming winter in a big way this week via Winterfest.

© Copyright 2025 Audrey Kletscher Helbling

 

Reflecting on letters from first graders: All they wanted for Christmas December 31, 2024

Filed under: Uncategorized — Audrey Kletscher Helbling @ 5:00 AM
Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Santa at Souba Greenhouse, Owatonna, during their “Christmas on the Farm.” (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo December 2024)

MAVERICK WANTED ONLY THREE THINGS for Christmas, so he wrote in a letter to Santa published recently in a Minnesota weekly newspaper. The first grader wanted a sled, a “lizard that climbs up the wall” and 100 packs of Cotton Candy Bubblegum. Did he get all three? I doubt it. But what Maverick did get from me was laughter, especially for that bubblegum ask. But, hey, I understand. I loved Bazooka bubblegum as a kid. Maverick and I would get along splendidly, if he agreed to share his bubblegum.

Every year I look forward to the letters to Santa Claus published in The Gaylord Hub, a small town weekly newspaper where I worked as a reporter and photographer fresh out of college with a journalism degree in 1978. Today that paper still arrives in my mailbox weekly, much to my delight. The community where I was affectionately called “The Cub from The Hub” will always hold a special place in my heart.

And those Santa letters, oh, those letters, what joy they bring me each December They are the stuff of a small town newspaper. I imagine parents clipping the published letters and years later pulling out the yellowed newsprint to share with their grown children.

“I’VE BEEN GOOD, SANTA. BUT MOM?”

“I have been good for 3 days,” writes Sibley East first grader Sophia before asking for a toy remote control plane. Three days? I wonder if Santa had to think about that statement. If anything, Sophia was apparently being honest.

But then there’s Adelyn, who wasn’t as much concerned about her behavior as her mom’s, although she claims to have been “good.” Adelyn asks Santa, “Is my mom on the naughty list?” Cue the laughter from me…and maybe Mom.

Cats and canines were a popular gift request to Santa. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo)

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS…

First graders are, if anything, unfiltered and honest. And they don’t hesitate to ask for whatever they want. It seems a lot of these kids wanted pets—specifically ten asked for cats or kittens, six for dogs and one, a guiny (sic) pig. That last request came from May. My guess is that most kids did not get the animals they wanted, except those asking for a robot dog or a toy dog.

Then there were the unusual gift requests. Erik wanted a chainsaw. I expect Santa nixed that pretty quickly considering age appropriateness. Dalton asked for a diamond, a rather odd request from an elementary school student. Violett wanted a camera that looks like a unicorn. Is there such a thing? Oliver asked to “get in the Titanic for Christmas,” which I wouldn’t recommend even if the Titanic was still afloat.

Plated Christmas cookies at a holiday event in Faribault. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo 2014)

Kaelyn asked Santa for an iPhone, a Barbie toy and 5 cookies. No problem there, except with the phone, which I wouldn’t give to any of the five first graders who asked for one. I think Santa may have felt the same. But the Barbie toy and cookies? No problem. Santa has plenty of cookies to share. He probably gave Kaelyn more than five. And he likely had enough Barbie goods to give away.

Alia and May’s requests for make-up, though, gave me pause and I bet it did for Santa also. No first grader needs make-up for her sweet little face.

Kids are always interested in Santa’s reindeer and the elves. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo 2023)

SWEET WORDS FOR SANTA

I love how several kids proclaimed their love for Santa. “I love you, Santa!” exclaimed Holden. Such sweet words likely proved reaffirming for the overworked, underpaid Santa Claus. Kieren stepped up the compliments. “Santa, you are awesome!” he wrote. “Thank you for giving us presents.” Awww, gratitude goes a long ways with Santa as does praise for his reindeer. Gauge bravely asked if he could come to Santa’s house because he really wants to meet the elves.

Candy canes and Christmas go hand-in-hand, here theming a Christmas tree in Faribault’s Central Park. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo December 2024)

AND THEN THIS REQUEST

And then there’s the letter from Allison, who said she’s been helping her mom with the baby. She asked for only one thing—a candy cane. That broke my heart. One. Thing. I hope Santa gave her a hundred candy canes, several dozen cookies and a surprise gift that brought Allison, a good, kind (her words) and selfless soul, unfathomable Christmas joy. She, among all those letter-writing first graders, deserved a special gift.

© Copyright 2024 Audrey Kletscher Helbling

 

The Christmas that wasn’t December 30, 2024

Filed under: Uncategorized — Audrey Kletscher Helbling @ 1:08 PM
Tags: , , , , , ,
This shows a snippet of a Christmas card I received in 2023. To me it represents the gathering of family, all back home for the holidays. (Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo 2023)

I WANT A CHRISTMAS DO-OVER. Yup, 2024 marked the Christmas that did not happen. I’m not referencing the real reason for Christmas of celebrating Christ’s birth, but rather family time together. Due to illness, my core family could not gather.

I was over my COVID by Christmas, testing negative the day prior. But by that time, my son, a son-in-law and the grandkids were ill with influenza, which they presumably picked up at an extended family holiday gathering. Many others became ill, too, following that event. I didn’t attend due to my COVID. Our daughter is sick now and the granddaughter is still recovering.

Tis the season to spread viruses. And this Christmas seems worse than any I can recall in recent memory.

A plane arrives at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo)

The hardest thing through all of this, besides missing celebrating Christmas, was not seeing my son until a week after he arrived in Minnesota from Boston. But I didn’t want him here while I had COVID. And then he got sick. Finally, by the end of Christmas week, my mama’s heart could hold no more sadness. Except for occasional coughing, Caleb was through the worst of his illness. I had to see him.

I bought flowers (not this particular bouquet) for my eldest daughter, who had been caring for a houseful of sick family all of Christmas week. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo May 2016)

So off Randy and I headed to our eldest daughter’s house late Friday morning, Christmas gifts stuffed into a cardboard box, banana bread packed and a bouquet of flowers in hand for Amber. Upon our arrival 35 minutes later, we unloaded the goods into the entry, the daughter, son-in-law and grandkids keeping their distance in the living room. Caleb watched the kids open their gifts from him while Randy loaded his suitcase and backpack into our van. I stepped indoors briefly, then waited outside.

Once we were all out of the house, Izzy and Isaac came to the front window and waved goodbye. There would be no hugs, only those sweet waves, which was better than nothing.

At this point, I was just happy to see my son and have some time with him before he flew out two days later. He worried that he might make Randy and me ill. I told Caleb that we were willing to take the risk because I needed to see him. I think most mothers would understand that. I cherish my time with my son given we see each other only once or twice a year. I am not one of those moms fortunate enough to have her kids all living in their hometown or nearby. That said, I am aware that some moms are grieving children who have passed or are estranged or cannot, for whatever reason, return home for the holidays. I’m sorry for the sadness and pain they feel at a time like Christmas.

The Boston skyline photographed from Tufts University. Randy and I traveled there in 2016 to attend Caleb’s graduation. He now lives and works in greater Boston. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo May 2016)

The time I had with Caleb was brief. But it was enough. There were meals together. Conversations. Tears. Laughter. Love, lots of love. An unexpected gift from him of a massive mandala he laser cut, stained and glued together brought me to tears. Hearts theme the art. To me it represents family love. And the love of a son. The son I had to see. The son I hugged good morning and goodnight and then goodbye early Sunday evening as we dropped him off at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport for his flight home. Home to Boston. Not Minnesota.

© Copyright 2024 Audrey Kletscher Helbling

 

My Christmas message for you December 25, 2024

Filed under: Uncategorized — Audrey Kletscher Helbling @ 5:00 AM
Tags: , , , , ,
A HOPE Christmas ornament, which is too heavy to hang on the tree. So I hang it on a drawer knob. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2024)

HOPE. It’s a word that holds expectations, the promise of something better. And it’s one of my favorite words.

Today, Christmas Day, my hope is that you are celebrating in a way that is joyful and meaningful to you. Perhaps you are with friends or family. Maybe you are alone, far from loved ones. Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, I hope you understand how much you are cherished. Every. Single. One. Of you.

The older I grow, the more I realize how much we need each other, how connections make life so much richer, better.

Through my writing and photography, I’ve connected with people I would not have otherwise “met.” I have forged friendships across the country that have widened my world to new places, new perspectives, new experiences. What a blessing.

Hope and blessings fill my life. Today, Christmas Day, as I celebrate Christ’s birth as a woman of faith, I also celebrate you and what you mean to me. You are a gift.

Merry Christmas to each of you! May hope and joy fill your day.

Audrey

© Copyright 2024 Audrey Kletscher Helbling