Last night Northfield’s main street was closed to traffic and luminaries were placed along the curbs and downtown business stayed open late for holiday shoppers. There were carolers, and horse-drawn wagon rides and store-front windows decorated for the festive, annual Winter Walk. I remember the first Winter Walk 18 years ago. I bought a Santa hat at Jacobsen’s Department Store and have worn it to every Winter Walk since. Jacobsen’s closed in 1998. It was a “store with a heart” – so they advertised – a wonderful, old fashioned department store where you could find anything.
Many stores offer treats during the Winter Walk. My friend makes cookies for a corner store on main street with windows are always decorated creatively, no matter what time of year. My friend is a great cook and baker. If she asks me for a recipe I feel special. One year she asked for my mom’s ginger cookie recipe and somehow it was decided she would make 1,000 ginger cookies using my moms recipe to hand out at the corner store during Winter Walk this year! My mother would been surprised and I was delighted to stop by and taste a delicious ginger cookie.
I have always said of Ruby’s ginger cookies…there cannot possibly be anything unhealthy eating a fresh baked, (especially warm from the oven) ginger cookie!
Another successful Christmas Festival happened at St. Olaf College over the weekend – complete with live streaming – it’s the 105th year. A sprinkling of white snow made the campus look “Christmasy” on Sunday. This year’s theme, Light Dawns, Hope Blooms, was reflected in the music and set design. Five choirs and an amazing orchestra, all current students, sing and play their hearts out and it’s beautiful service to begin the Advent season, with hope.
