Kevin Cederstrom
Memories of Christmas programs of days gone by drew an estimated crowd of over 300 people to the New York Mills City Hall Ballroom last Thursday during the annual Christmas festival.
With the idea to put Christ back in Christmas, festival organizers Rachel Eklund and Helen Salo put together a holiday variety show of sorts, featuring a live Nativity and Christmas carols. The old-fashioned Christmas had a little bit of everything, from Joseph and Mary, Baby Jesus, and the somewhat bazaar, yet entertaining Santa Frank singing "Doggie in the Window", and "Santa Got Run Over by a Reindeer."
Carolers, Wise Men and Shepherds, poinsettias, candy canes, and even Elves passing out pickles were included in this eclectic mix of tradition, religion, patriotism and contemporary Christmas customs.
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The program opened with the V.F.W. Color Guard presenting the colors and National Anthem, sung by Todd Tumberg dressed as Uncle Sam.
Among the traditional songs sung by carolers, made up of representatives from nearly every church in town, were "Hark the Herald Angels Sing", and "O Come, All Ye Faithful".
And yes, Santa Claus did make a visit to Mills that night, as the crowd joined in to sing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town". Following the program kids in attendance got to sit on Santa's lap and were treated to a bag of candy as they left for home.
For the adults, elves handed out 195 bags of peanuts and old-fashioned hard candy.
Rachel Eklund was very pleased with how the program went and even more pleased with how the community came out to support this old-fashioned Christmas program. On Tuesday Rachel was still talking about how well the program went, how the community came together to celebrate, and the positive feedback she and Helen Salo continue to hear. They even received a couple thank you cards in the mail from people showing their appreciation for all the work that went into organizing the event. Rachel was most pleased at how everyone she asked to help or participate in the program didn't hesitate. From the elves - LeRoy Smith, Kyle Gylsen and Buzzer Koehler - to Jon Krueger and Geraldine Dresser as Joseph and Mary, to little Elijah Geiser as Baby Jesus. The three Wise Men were Jon Haakana, Greg Esala, and Andy Tumberg. Playing the part of Shepherds were Paul Schik, Matt Niemela, and Adam Hultberg.
When Rachel and Helen asked, not a person said no to dressing up and participating in the program.
Tree festival winners
As voted on by the public the winning trees and displays were: 1st - Gingerbread House (Randi Pajari Day Care); 2nd - Royal Tree (Miss NY Mills Royalty); 3rd - NY Mills Boy Scouts; Honorable Mention - NY Mills Regional Cultural Center, Vaughn Chevrolet, Designs by Tes, 4-H.
