Riding a motorcycle on February 15 in Faribault, Minnesota, temps in the low fifties. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo February 2026)
THE JUXTAPOSITION OF A GUY in a red buffalo plaid stocking cap riding a motorcycle in Minnesota in mid-February struck me as photo-worthy. It’s not often bikers are out and about in winter. But it’s not often either that temps soar into the low fifties as they did here in southeastern Minnesota over the weekend and into Monday.
Randy and I were heading out of town when we happened upon the biker on the east side of Faribault on Sunday afternoon. I grabbed my camera, focused and shot through the passenger side of the windshield. One chance. One shot before the biker took off on Minnesota State Highway 60 toward the viaduct over the Straight River.
With the weather as warm as it was, people were outside in full force. Walking in groups. Riding scooters and bicycles. Walking the dog solo. Hanging laundry outside, me anyway. Washing their vehicles, although we never headed to the car wash.
When the sun shines and temps soar, we Minnesotans realize what a gift this is in the middle of winter. With dropping temps, rain and snow in the forecast for later this week, we understand that a day or three of extraordinary warmth and sunshine are to be savored, enjoyed, appreciated. We know that we still have a whole lot of winter ahead of us and that the weekend’s unseasonably warm temps are not real spring, only a tease.
People gather on February 15 for a Doughnut Hole Roasting Party at Valley Grove. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo February 2026)
UNDER A SUNNY February sky, they gathered in communion around fire pits outside two historic Norwegian immigrant churches high atop a hill in eastern Rice County. Food, fellowship and a fondness for this place drew people here, to the fourth annual Doughnut Hole Roasting Party.
Walking up the muddy gravel driveway to the hilltop Valley Grove churches. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo February 2026)
For the first time, I attended this event, although I’ve been to the Valley Grove churches and the adjacent cemetery many times. I love this secluded spot near Nerstrand, where historic wood-frame and limestone churches rise above the surrounding countryside in an especially picturesque setting. There are prairie trails to hike here and an oak savanna. It’s peaceful here.
A group of bikers wheel up the hill to Valley Grove for the Doughnut Hole Roasting Party. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo February 2026)
On this balmy Sunday afternoon of unseasonably warm temps in the mid-fifties, sweatshirt or light jacket weather, conversations broke the quiet. The mood felt engaging, connective, of communion in community.
At the doughnut station, people could spear doughnuts, dip them in chocolate or cinnamon and sugar and/or drop a donation inside a replica church. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo February 2026)
Hosted by the Valley Grove Preservation Society Board, the roasting of doughnut holes was also an event to raise monies for ongoing preservation and restoration projects at the 1862 stone and 1894 wooden churches. Both churches are on the National Register of Historic Places.
Inside the stone church, once used for worship and today for gathering. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo February 2026)
Looking through a window of the stone church, I photographed people gathering on the lawn for the Doughnut Hole Roasting Party. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo February 2026)
Even with no personal connection to these churches or the Norwegian heritage, I understand the historical importance of these immigrant churches. Step inside either church and you can almost feel the strength of those early Norwegians who crossed the ocean, started a new life in Minnesota, built first the now 164-year-old stone church and then the 132-year-old wood-frame church.
The beautiful wooden church, where the steeple was recently-restored and the bell was rung at the Doughnut Hole Roasting Party. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo February 2026)
The stone church serves today primarily as a social gathering spot. The wooden church still hosts the occasional service—a wedding, a funeral and the annual Christmas Eve worship. Other celebrations like Syttende Mai, a wedding anniversary reunion and a country social are also held annually at Valley Grove.
Roasting doughnut holes. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo February 2026)
A group roasts doughnut holes. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo February 2026)
People stuck the metal roasting sticks in a bucket of snow when they were done roasting their doughnut holes. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo February 2026)
But on this day, we focused on doughnut holes forked onto metal roasting sticks and held over an open flame. Some roasted their treats to coal black, to caramelize the doughnuts I was told. Not fond of charred anything, I preferred mine heated then dipped in chocolate. They were sweet and tasty and messy. I found a shadowed patch of remnant snow to “wash” my sticky fingers.
Mary and her dog in the Valley Grove Cemetery. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo February 2026)
Although I knew only one person here, I made a new friend, Mary, who sat with her dog on a stone memorial bench in the cemetery, sunshine beaming warmth upon them. Others meandered through the graveyard where early Norwegian immigrants, their descendants and others lie buried beneath the cold earth.
With the historic limestone church as a backdrop, people visit and roast doughnut holes. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo February 2026)
On the dormant lawn between the two churches, people clustered—standing, sitting in lawn chairs, bending, reaching over flames to roast doughnut holes on a Sunday afternoon in mid-February in southern Minnesota.
(Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo used for illustration only)
DOUGHNUTS OR DONUTS. Whatever the spelling, there’s one thing for certain. Most everyone loves this sweet treat. I’ll take a doughnut from a bakery. Make that one covered with chocolate icing and colorful sprinkles. I’ll take a bag of sugary mini donuts fried by a food vendor. Any doughnut will do.
Roasting doughnut holes at Valley Grove in 2025 next to the limestone church with the wood-frame church in the background. (Photo credit: Margit Johnson)
This coming Sunday, February 15, I can try a new type of doughnut, one warmed over a bonfire at the fourth annual Valley Grove Doughnut Hole Roasting Party. Now I’ve never eaten a doughnut hole heated over an open fire on a winter day. But a roasted doughnut hole sounds tastier to me than a roasted marshmallow.
(Promo credit: Valley Grove Preservation Society)
From 1-3 p.m., the Valley Grove Preservation Society will host this unique food event at the two historic Valley Grove churches located atop a hill in rural Rice County near Nerstrand. The Society, tasked with preserving these Norwegian immigrant churches and managing the surrounding prairie and 50-acre oak savanna, will provide the doughnut holes, roasting sticks, toppings and the firepits.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their own beverages and chairs (to sit and visit outdoors) and proper gear for walking on the prairie. Temps are predicted to be a balmy 50 degrees, unseasonably warm for February in Minnesota and perfect weather for roasting doughnuts outside two country churches.
FYI: Valley Grove is located northwest of Nerstrand or southeast of Northfield at 9999 155th Street East, Nerstrand.The two churches are on the National Register of Historic Places.
THIS IS A TOMATO SOUP and grilled cheese kind of day in Minnesota. Or maybe a Chicken Wild Rice Hotdish kind of day, depending on your preference. With that theme, I’ll start today’s post with the weather and move on from there to a potluck of topics.
We are currently in a statewide extreme weather warning with air temps in southern Minnesota well below zero. Factor in the wind and the air temp feels like minus 30 degrees below zero, give or take some degrees depending on location. Overnight, the wind chill plunged into the -40 to nearly -60 degrees in parts of Minnesota. Exposed skin can freeze in five minutes. It’s that kind of brutal, icy cold.
Schools across the state are closed with many transitioning to online learning. Businesses, too, are shuttered, especially in the Twin Cities metro, but not necessarily due to the deep freeze temps.
A sign I crafted for a recent protest in Faribault. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo)
DAY OF TRUTH & FREEDOM
Today marks a day of economic blackout and protest in Minnesota under the banner of “ICE Out of Minnesota: Day of Truth and Freedom.” Many metro businesses are closed in support of that protest, businesses that have already been negatively impacted by ICE presence in this state. Employees are afraid to come to work. Customers likewise. I’m no numbers person, but I wonder how long small businesses can survive.
ICE Out of Minnesota is a protest against federal government immigration enforcement here. The protest is a show of solidarity with the unified message of Get ICE out of Minnesota.
We are a hardy bunch. Vice President J.D. Vance, who was in Minnesota yesterday, unknowingly alluded to that when he stated, “We’re seeing only this level of chaos in Minneapolis.” Now I disagree with his word choice of “chaos.” I would use “resistance” instead. But his statement tells me that peaceful protesters, legal observers and anyone (including elected officials) who challenges the federal government spin and ICE actions are getting under his skin and that of other feds. I wonder if Vance considered for a moment that the presence of 3,000 federal agents in Minnesota is unnecessary, horrible, traumatizing, morally wrong and is raising our ire. Nah, probably not.
I’ve participated in multiple protests in Minnesota. I am not a far left agitator, a paid protester or rioter nor are any of the people with whom I’ve protested. We are concerned Americans raising our voices. We are standing up for our neighbors, calling out the federal government and showing that we care about freedom. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo October 2025)
LAUGHABLE STATEMENTS
While here, the vice president called for local and state government officials to “meet these guys (federal immigration agents) half way” per the directive of the president. That’s laughable since Vance didn’t even meet with Governor Tim Walz or Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey while in Minnesota. You’d think he would have and could at least correctly pronounce Frey’s name. Nah, why bother?
During his talk, Vance showed anything but a cooperative spirit. Rather, he blamed—the media for lying, “far left agitators” and “rioters” for causing chaos, elected Minnesota officials and law enforcement for not cooperating, and even the family of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos for his detainment. And on and on.
Vance repeatedly stated that ICE action is being taken out of context. Really? He also stated, in answer to a reporter’s question, that the federal government is not trying to send a political message via 3,000 agents sent to Minnesota, but rather trying to enforce the law. Really?
(From the Minnesota Prairie Roots files)
ONWARD WITH GRATITUDE
So onward we go here in Minnesota. I want to take a moment to thank everyone who is staying aware of what is occurring in my beloved state. This could be your city or state next, depending on political leaning. Thank you for standing in solidarity with Minnesotans. Thank you for protesting, for calling your elected officials, for helping your neighbors, for recognizing the threats to our freedom, for showing your humanity in loving words and actions. Your support matters to us in Minnesota. We are grateful.
FYI: I direct you to Minnesota Public Radio as a trusted source for ICE-related and other stories in our state.
Walking along the Straight River Trail near Fleckenstein Bluffs Park on a recent winter day. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)
WITH WINTER OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED, it’s easy enough to stay home, settle in, curl up with a good book and avoid the ice, cold and snow that define Minnesota weather in January. When winter burrows in, I’m more inclined to hibernate. But I push myself to get out. It’s good for my physical, mental and emotional health.
An extensive city trail system runs throughout Faribault. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)
Faribault offers plenty of options for aging Baby Boomers like me and others who simply want to take a walk. On the worst of winter days, I can loop around the soccer field at Shattuck-St. Mary’s School, which opens its dome to the public most weekday mornings (except holidays) from November into early spring. Hours vary, but generally run from around six-ish to 9:30 am.
The Straight River Trail stretches before me in the area known as Frog Town. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)
And when I want to be outdoors, the city’s paved recreational trails are usually cleared, allowing me to safely immerse myself in nature. There’s something about walking outdoors at a brisk pace on a cold winter day that invigorates.
Even in the drab winterscape, color can be found, such as in these dried berries. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)
Sometimes, though, I opt to carry my camera and focus on the environment rather than upping my heart rate. Photography improves my well-being, too, because I begin to notice nature’s details in a mostly monochrome landscape. Winter’s beauty emerges. And that is good for my spirit, my soul, my creativity.
The Straight River is anything but straight as it winds between woods and bluffs in Faribault. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)
I especially delight in following the Straight River Trail because water, whether frozen or flowing free, mesmerizes me. I think humans have always been drawn to water. Near Fleckenstein Bluffs Park, the Straight River curves, winding through the woods, under the railroad bridge, along the bluffs.
Barely discernible, a temporary riverside shelter in the woods near Fleckenstein Bluffs Park. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)
On a recent afternoon along the trail, with Canon camera in hand, I spotted a flash of red across the river in the woods. From a distance and through the trees, I couldn’t clearly distinguish details. But I knew this was a temporary shelter for someone without a permanent home. I saw a person shoveling snow.
Tangled twigs along the Straight River Trail. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)
And I thought of my poem, “Misunderstood,” inspired by a previous walk along the Straight River Trail. That poem published in 2024 in Talking Stick 33, Earth Signs, a Minnesota literary anthology:
Misunderstood
Tents cluster along the Straight River,
home to the homeless on land
once held by the Wahpekute.
History and hardship merge here
in long-ago and present-day stories.
Bison skin tipis and nylon tents.
Different times. Different peoples.
Drawn to the water, the sheltering woods.
Misunderstood then. Misunderstood now.
This homemade trail sign, screwed to a tree along the Straight River Trail in Frog Town, leads to a path beaten through the snow. I did not follow the unofficial trail, not this time. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)
Getting outdoors feeds my creativity. If not for that walk and my knowledge of Faribault history, I would not have crafted that poem about the Dakota and those experiencing homelessness today in my community. I observe, photograph, write, creating photos and stories that need to be shared.
Pedestrians cross Central Avenue in downtown Faribault during a blizzard Sunday afternoon. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)
IT’S LATE SUNDAYAFTERNOON and we should be on the interstate right now driving from Faribault to Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport. But instead, wicked winter weather changed everything. We are hunkered down at home, in the midst of a good old-fashioned Minnesota blizzard predicted to drop as much as 10 inches of snow on our area.
Another view of Central Avenue looking north. You can barely see the stoplight a block away. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)
Fifteen minutes to the south, Interstate 35 southbound is closed from Owatonna into Iowa. Travel is not advised in many areas, including north of Faribault, the direction we would be going. There are crashes, spin-outs, jack-knifed semis. Snowplows have been pulled in some counties due to deteriorating conditions with wind whipping snow, creating white-out conditions.
And at the airport, where we should be headed to drop off our son for his 7 pm flight back to Boston, cancellations and delays are stacking up. Saturday afternoon he rebooked to an early Tuesday morning flight per our suggestion. We did not want to be driving on Interstate 35 to the airport in a blizzard.
The scene as we left Gather on Central around 3:15 pm Sunday. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)
But Randy and I did head downtown Faribault, a short drive from our house, to celebrate a friend’s 80th birthday earlier this afternoon. In the 90 minutes we were there, weather conditions worsened substantially. The wind picked up, swirling snow along Central Avenue. If things look this bad in town, I can only imagine how conditions are in the open countryside.
Willow Street in Faribault Sunday afternoon a block from our home. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)
Yup, I’m thankful to be home and not attempting a trip to the airport. The son can work remotely on Monday. We’re all safe, sheltered inside waiting out this blizzard.
Winds and blowing snow produce near white-out conditions during a past winter storm in southern Minnesota. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo)
“I DIDN’T THINK it would be that bad,” Randy said. Neither did I.
But our drive to and from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Thursday afternoon to get our son, arriving from Boston, proved difficult and stressful. Let me set the scene.
As we headed out of Faribault toward Interstate 35 shortly after lunch, freezing pellets pinged our windshield and the wind blew fierce, limiting visibility. And we weren’t even out of town.
A WICKED WIND
Once on the interstate, though, the precipitation soon stopped. But the wind gusted with such ferocity that I could feel it tugging at the van and observed semi truck drivers struggling to keep their rigs in their lanes.
Yet, the wicked 40 mph winds—or whatever ridiculous speed they reached—dried the pavement of the rain that fell earlier in the morning. That rain later transitioned to intermittent snow as temps continued to drop throughout the day. The morning temp started at nearly 40 degrees.
We detoured from our airport route to stop at our nephew’s house in Apple Valley to pick up a Christmas gift and stained glass supplies. Within that 45-minute visit, the weather worsened. But, surprisingly, our son’s flight arrived 15 minutes early. Here I’d been concerned about a possible late arrival due to weather conditions.
As we got onto Cedar Avenue aiming for the airport, traffic volume increased. We blended into the traffic flow, proceeding with caution like almost everyone else. Except the usual few motorists who do not drive for conditions. Snowplows were out sanding and salting and spreading whatever to de-ice road surfaces.
WAITING & MORE WAITING
I thought we would be late and Caleb would be waiting for us inside the terminal. But no. He was waiting for his luggage. We waited in the cellphone lot for a good half hour as he waited for his bags. Yes, a lot of waiting.
Eventually we were back in bumper-to-bumper traffic as vehicles crept toward passenger pick-up. This always feels like a game of chicken to me, trying to wedge into the gridlock so your loved one can see you and get safely to your vehicle. Eventually we reached door four, spotted Caleb, hefted his mammoth suitcase into the back of the van, placed the backpack behind the driver’s seat, grabbed a quick hug and started home.
AT LEAST WE’RE MOVING
Traffic congestion continued, although we were moving. And moving is always better than not. I just wanted to get home before the weather got worse, before rush hour traffic peaked and because, well, I really had to pee. It’s not the first time I’ve wished for a porta potty in the cellphone lot.
To move this story along, once we got farther out of the metro, past Elko New Market, traffic lessened. The wind still blew fierce and snow fell. We were in wide open country, rural Minnesota. The wind swept the snow away like a broom, leaving traffic lanes clean.
SNOW GATES
All was going fine until we got about 10 miles from Faribault. Visibility wasn’t reduced to white-out conditions, but wind-driven snow diminished visibility considerably in some spots. “I bet they closed the snow gates in Owatonna,” I said in the midst of all this. Snow gates, if you’re unfamiliar with the term, are actual gates pulled across the top of entrance ramps to keep motorists off the interstate during a winter storm.
I haven’t read any media reports that Interstate 35 snow gates were closed yesterday. But I did read of a multi-vehicle crash that happened on I-35 between Owatonna and Ellendale at 3:15 pm in blizzard-like conditions. That closed the southbound lane for three hours. Owatonna is a 15-minute drive south of Faribault.
We arrived home at 3:30 pm, safe and sound with an hour to spare before dark. Soon thereafter, our eldest daughter texted that no travel was advised in Rice County. We’d gotten home just in time as our county was now among many Minnesota counties in a blizzard warning. We cozied in for the night while the wind howled, me thankful that we made it to the airport and back without incident.
This morning we awoke to sub-zero temps. And a fresh layer of snow to shovel.
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.
Skating at Viaduct Park in the heart of downtown Faribault with Heritage Bluff Apartments and Christmas trees from the Adopt-a-Tree program in the background. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)
IF I WASN’T AFRAID of breaking a bone, I’d be out on one of our local rinks gliding across the ice on skates. But first I would need skates to replace the vintage ones I tossed years ago. Never mind. No possibility exists that I will lace up skates and take to the ice. Nope. I’d like to keep my life-time broken bone tally at two.
An ice sculpture, crafted for the recent Winterfest, stands outside the entrance to the Viaduct Park community space. The Park also features a splash pad, fire pit and eventually will have a refrigerated skating loop. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)
The beautiful gathering room at Viaduct Park is available for rent and will also be the site of community activities and events. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)
Shattuck-St. Mary’s School students sculpted this snowflake, with the city’s signature Fleur de Lis symbol, for the recent Winterfest. It’s next to the ice rink and has proven a popular photo op backdrop. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)
But for those who can skate, Faribault now offers another public outdoor rink at the city’s newest centerpiece park, Viaduct Park. Located below and next to the viaduct crossing the Straight River and train tracks, the park features a community space with a gathering room and a smaller warming room.
In the warming room, which opens to the rink, skaters can sit down to don or remove skates. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)
Skaters looking for a place to lace up and later warm up can use the building, which is open from 3-5 pm weekdays and from 1-6 pm weekends. Plus, they can buy concessions like hot chocolate, coffee, popcorn and other snacks at the concession stand. The rink remains open until 9 pm as does the one near Jefferson Elementary School.
Gliding across the ice at Viaduct Park. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)
Oh, how I would have appreciated a warming house like the one at Viaduct Park while skating on the pond next to the grain elevators in my small southwestern Minnesota hometown in the 1960s and 70s. We were left to the elements of cold and wind without even so much as a crude shelter. At least I don’t remember one.
My skates were passed down to me from my Aunt Dorothy and looked nothing like these modern day skates. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)
If I’m sounding like an old-timer, well, it’s because I kinda am. These days ice causes angst rather than anticipation of fun. Again, it’s the falling on icy surfaces that concerns me.
A momentary pause in skating at Viaduct Park. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)
That aside, when I watched a family glide across the ice at Viaduct Park recently, I felt a tad envious. I wished that was me because I loved ice skating and rollerskating back in the day. There’s a certain freedom in flying across the ice, cold wind kissing your face, skates seemingly floating on air, speed and movement propelling you forward. It feels simultaneously exhilarating, terrifying and powerful.
An entrance arch frames Shattuck-St. Mary’s School on Faribault’s east side. Go through this arch to find the chapel. The sports complex is on the other side of campus off Shumway Avenue. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo)
These days I settle for observing skaters. That includes this Saturday, December 13, when Shattuck-St. Mary’s School, a private college prep school in Faribault, hosts its annual Campus Christmas Walk. The highlight for me has always been watching figure skaters perform a holiday show. This year’s show, “Lights, Camera, Skates! Christmas at the Cinema,” is set for 1:30 pm in the Putrah Sports Complex.
A performance of “The Nutcracker” at a previous Shattuck holiday figure skating show. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo)
But before the figure skaters take to the ice, musicians will perform a noon Christmas concert in Shattuck’s historic Chapel of the Good Shepherd. Post ice skating show, attendees can gather from 2:30-4 pm in the sports complex for crafts, cookies and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. (Note, this is a change in location from previous years.) All events are free and open to the public.
Between now and Saturday, I’ll cautiously navigate icy surfaces, perhaps with my Snow Trax grippers clamped on my boots. I want to remain firmly grounded rather than flying across the ice, cold wind kissing my face.
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 Lightsto 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.
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Icy cold in Minnesota, a commentary January 23, 2026
Tags: businesses, commentary, economic blackout, extreme cold, ICE Out of Minnesota: Day of Truth and Freedom, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Minnesota, news, opinion, protest, weather, wind chill, winter
THIS IS A TOMATO SOUP and grilled cheese kind of day in Minnesota. Or maybe a Chicken Wild Rice Hotdish kind of day, depending on your preference. With that theme, I’ll start today’s post with the weather and move on from there to a potluck of topics.
We are currently in a statewide extreme weather warning with air temps in southern Minnesota well below zero. Factor in the wind and the air temp feels like minus 30 degrees below zero, give or take some degrees depending on location. Overnight, the wind chill plunged into the -40 to nearly -60 degrees in parts of Minnesota. Exposed skin can freeze in five minutes. It’s that kind of brutal, icy cold.
Schools across the state are closed with many transitioning to online learning. Businesses, too, are shuttered, especially in the Twin Cities metro, but not necessarily due to the deep freeze temps.
DAY OF TRUTH & FREEDOM
Today marks a day of economic blackout and protest in Minnesota under the banner of “ICE Out of Minnesota: Day of Truth and Freedom.” Many metro businesses are closed in support of that protest, businesses that have already been negatively impacted by ICE presence in this state. Employees are afraid to come to work. Customers likewise. I’m no numbers person, but I wonder how long small businesses can survive.
ICE Out of Minnesota is a protest against federal government immigration enforcement here. The protest is a show of solidarity with the unified message of Get ICE out of Minnesota.
We are a hardy bunch. Vice President J.D. Vance, who was in Minnesota yesterday, unknowingly alluded to that when he stated, “We’re seeing only this level of chaos in Minneapolis.” Now I disagree with his word choice of “chaos.” I would use “resistance” instead. But his statement tells me that peaceful protesters, legal observers and anyone (including elected officials) who challenges the federal government spin and ICE actions are getting under his skin and that of other feds. I wonder if Vance considered for a moment that the presence of 3,000 federal agents in Minnesota is unnecessary, horrible, traumatizing, morally wrong and is raising our ire. Nah, probably not.
LAUGHABLE STATEMENTS
While here, the vice president called for local and state government officials to “meet these guys (federal immigration agents) half way” per the directive of the president. That’s laughable since Vance didn’t even meet with Governor Tim Walz or Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey while in Minnesota. You’d think he would have and could at least correctly pronounce Frey’s name. Nah, why bother?
During his talk, Vance showed anything but a cooperative spirit. Rather, he blamed—the media for lying, “far left agitators” and “rioters” for causing chaos, elected Minnesota officials and law enforcement for not cooperating, and even the family of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos for his detainment. And on and on.
Vance repeatedly stated that ICE action is being taken out of context. Really? He also stated, in answer to a reporter’s question, that the federal government is not trying to send a political message via 3,000 agents sent to Minnesota, but rather trying to enforce the law. Really?
ONWARD WITH GRATITUDE
So onward we go here in Minnesota. I want to take a moment to thank everyone who is staying aware of what is occurring in my beloved state. This could be your city or state next, depending on political leaning. Thank you for standing in solidarity with Minnesotans. Thank you for protesting, for calling your elected officials, for helping your neighbors, for recognizing the threats to our freedom, for showing your humanity in loving words and actions. Your support matters to us in Minnesota. We are grateful.
FYI: I direct you to Minnesota Public Radio as a trusted source for ICE-related and other stories in our state.
© Copyright 2026 Audrey Kletscher Helbling