I like to get outside and walk when I can. However, in Minnesota it can be challenging. The winter weather is not always conducive to walking outdoors.
Since I was a previous employee at St. Olaf College I have access to their indoor track. It’s a retirement benefit and I’m thankful for it…but walking outside is my preference. Even in the cold. It’s the ice that is the problem. And this year the ice seems to be especially bad…early on we had an ice storm and many public sidewalks were never cleared properly, leaving icy spots in several places and making it unsafe to walk, probably for the whole winter.
Behind my favorite tree on campus is the 1887 Goodwill Observatory (listed on the National Register of Historic Places).
Fortunately there are two colleges in town and both keep their sidewalks cleared of snow and ice for the many students walking across campus all day long. Carleton College is a little over a mile from our house so I tend to go there often to walk outdoors.
I thanked these two custodians for their hard work, as they walked by carrying shovels.
I can count on Carleton’s sidewalks to be cleared down to the cement with not many traces of ice anywhere…and pretty much within a few hours of a snowstorm…or at least it’s always cleared when I’m ready to get out for a walk.
Carleton College is a beautiful and interesting place to walk: the academic and administration buildings are impressive,
I believe this is the newest building on campus…still being worked on, Anderson Hall which houses Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Astronomy.
The curved elevated seating is an outdoor classroom space.
Another view of the outdoor classroom…in winter. I can only image how lovely it is in fall and spring.
the chapel is stunning,
Marvelous Skinner Chapel. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
and there are a variety of trees and ponds and bridges.
Beautiful winter-laden trees.
Interesting branches.
The sidewalks meander all over campus…some tucked away and fun to follow.
An inviting but obscure passageway.
And if one gets too cold you can always duck into a building to warm up for a few minutes.
It’s great to see the occasional bicycle…not a fat tire. It can ride on the sidewalks because they are clear.
Carleton College campus offers me, and the community, a safe place to walk outdoors and I am grateful.
As I entered the Northfield Retirement Center I read a notice on the chapel door inviting people to watch an Artist-in-Residence paint a nativity scene.
The notice depicting the different stages of the nativity painting.
Apparently there were two opportunities to see the artist, Mark Daehlin, at work. The session for final touches to his painting was on Saturday. I was visiting a resident, not going to the program, but as I left the center I snapped a photo of the artist in action. I liked his painting style.
The artist, Mark Daehlin, at work.
I thought this was a great opportunity for the residents at the retirement center.
This was how far along this painting was before the artist started his final session.
The final product was going to used during the upcoming Christmas Eve service in the chapel.
We had family visiting from Pennsylvania during Northfield’s annual Winter Walk last week. It was a fun way to showcase our beautiful downtown.
A favorite winter scene of mine: the lit tree on top of the Ames Mill building in Northfield.
Even though the air was cold, Gary’s brother and his wife were willing to participate in the festivities. The streets were full – with shoppers, carolers and folks just out enjoying the ambiance of this holiday tradition. Fresh snow had fallen earlier in the day.
Warming up at one of the many fire pits along closed-off Division street.
For the Winter Walk I always don a Santa hat – one I bought at Jacobsen’s Department Store at Northfield’s first Winter Walk, years ago. The beloved department store is no longer in business. I had an extra Santa hat and encouraged my sister-in-law to join me in the venture.
Santa’s elves?
It is always fun to look in the shops and taste a delicious treat or two. Many store windows are decked out for Christmas and offer wonderful viewing: Quality Bakery and The Rare Pair to name two.
One of the window displays at Quality Bakery.
The Rare Pair in Northfield has interesting and creative window displays all year long.
In the yarn shop window a young woman was sitting in a chair, showing off her knitting skills as she knit a sweater using huge needles. Apparently her goal (or challenge) was to knit a sweater in four hours or less. The clock was ticking down beside her. She was well along on the project and probably reached her goal by the end of the evening.
This woman seemed to be enjoying herself, sitting in the window of the yarn shop in Northfield. The knitting needles were very large creating large stitches.
It was a delight to once again enjoy Northfield’s Winter Walk, and it was especially nice to share it with our out-of-town guests who experienced it for the first time, and liked it!
The other day as we drove by Memorial Park in Northfield we noticed the city snowploughs sitting in the swimming pool’s parking lot. And then we noticed the blades were painted with vibrant colors and wonderful pictures.
We stopped to look at the interesting paint jobs. Later, I returned to take photos and to read the signs posted next to each machine, but they did not tell me what I wanted to know.
But what I assume is this was an art project done by the students at St. Dominic’s School…in different grade levels. It seems a student created their own work of art by re-creating another artist’s painting. Then the student, or group of students, painted their rendition on the snowplough blades.
The ploughs were on display for a short while at Memorial Park. The signs next to each plough showed a photo of the original painting and told about the original artist. The student’s grade level were on the blades, but no recognition for the student artist(s).
It must have been a fun, new and creative way to paint.
I’m glad I was able to take pictures to show off the beautiful machines that will be clearing our streets in Northfield this winter.
We were happy to show off, to our friends from New Hampshire, our charming town in Minnesota, with the motto: Cows, Colleges and Contentment.
A flyer for the Tribute to the Eagles concert.
Prior to knowing of their plans to visit we had bought four tickets to a Tribute to the Eagles concert. To our delight, the concert happened to be the day after their arrival to Northfield and they were eager to attend the concert with us.
The Armadillos and Collective Unconscious; the two bands performed together for the Tribute to the Eagles concert.
So off we went to the Paradise Theater in Faribault. Two groups, the Armadillos and Collective Unconscious, formed the tribute band. Together they recreated songs by the Eagles, a “California Rock Band from the 70’s.” With eyes closed one could imagine being in a concert hall with the original Eagles band members playing and singing their energetic tunes. They put on a lively show.
Dancing up front.
We were moving in our seats, but in the end we were up and out of them, dancing to the music in front of the stage. It was a great concert.
And that was the evening of the first day.
The next day we were showing our friends St. Olaf College. We took a stroll on campus and stopped to look in beautiful Boe Chapel.
Boe Chapel on the campus of St. Olaf College.
There were musicians practicing up front. A gentleman came and explained the group practicing was called Together in Hope and the choir’s mission (per their program) is to be “a catalyst for healing and reconciliation through the transformative power of music.”
He told us they were going to perform a concert that evening. We had just made dinner reservations at the Ole Store right down the street from St. Olaf and the timing worked out just right for the four of us to attend this beautiful chorale music concert.
The Together in Hope choir at Boe Chapel.
The choir was accompanied by a few current students and some alumni of the St. Olaf Orchestra. They performed two works by Norwegian composer Kim André Arnesen: So That the World May Believe: A Motet for Unity and Service and The Holy Spirit Mass. The program stated these songs were originally performed by the choir in front of the Pope, in Rome, in 2018.
And that was evening of the second day.
On the third day we all decided to go to a Germanfest at a country church nearby. It is an annual event and known for it’s good German food with music.
German flag image.
When we arrived a polka band was playing. Although the weather was frightful…rainy and windy…we stood under the tent outside and listened to a couple of polka tunes and watched one couple dancing to the music.
And that was the evening of the third day.
It was great fun to happen upon these three vastly different types of quality music available during these three specific days, in a row, all in rural Minnesota. What a gift.
I learned from a friend who was working the registration table that no one was turned away from the event. People who were on the waiting list were notified that they could come down and eat, and others who “just showed up” could also get a purple wristband and look for empty seats (no-shows) and sit down to eat. Many people commented on how welcoming that felt…not to be turned away.
All in all, Northfield Shares a Dinner shared dinner with about 1,200 people, and there were a few leftovers. It’s likened to the Bible story of the loaves and fishes in Matthew 14: 13-21.
The Defeat of Jesse James Days in Northfield brings a lot of folks to town. The event begins Thursday night, affectionately called “townie night”, when Northfielders go downtown to get their fill of “fair-style” food. Then out-of-towners come in Friday through Sunday.
In the Quality Bakery window downtown Northfield are these yummy donuts. The bakery makes “De-Feet of Jesse James” glazed donuts for DJJD.
Every year my husband rides in the organized bike tour. He did the 60 mile ride on Saturday. And me….with my new electric bike…rode zero miles! HA
The First National Bank, as it was in 1876. The robbers entering the bank. (DJJD reenactment 9/7/19)
Instead I went downtown with the crowds and watched the reenactment – it’s been a few years since I’ve seen it. My friend and I arrived downtown early to get front row seats in the bleachers. We sat and visited (and ate mini donuts) while we waited for the show to begin. The weather was pleasant…cloudy skies, no wind and a great temperature.
Up close of the actors in this DJJD reenactment. (9/7/19)
The reenactment includes gunfire and horses and lots of action, and it happens quickly, but it is an interesting story and portrayed accurately. The DJJD is a celebration for the defeat of the Jesse James gang, so as to not glorify bad guys. The gang’s demise started here in Northfield…actually two were killed during the bank raid.
Two robbers were shot that fateful day. (DJJD reenactment 9/7/19)
After the reenactment we walked down the closed-off main street of Northfield, and came back along the river walk and looked at the fine arts displayed along the way.
Looking towards Bridge Square. (9/8/19)
This led us back to the food stations where lots of people were buying their favorite foods. We decided to continue to the craft fair in Central Park and looked at all the wares offered for sale, then went to buy our lunch at the food stands.
Antiques of Northfield is the backdrop of this photo. (9/7/19)
We went into the Antique’s of Northfield store downtown, which was full of people browsing and buying antiques. Antiques of Northfield is also considered a TV Lamp museum. It has the largest collections of 1950’s of TV lamps on public display.
By mid-afternoon we were ready to leave the crowds behind and headed for the quietness of home.
About six years ago, I was at Kew Gardens in London and there was an outdoor art installment that I have thought about many times over the years. As I remember it…it was a long rectangle table, with sturdy, straight back chairs around it. The table was set with china, bolted down, and edible plants were growing from the teapots and cups and serving bowls. As I stood on one end of the table and looked out beyond it, there was a grassy area lined with tall, leafy trees on each side. Later, as I walked up that grassy area towards the table and between the tree canopy, I was enthralled with the whole scene and it felt very inviting.
That scene came to mind when I first heard of Northfield Shares A Dinner. A dinner: outside, along our town’s main street, with continuous tables set for 1,000 neighbors and friends… wow! The idea was fascinating to me, and I was excited.
The tables were full all along Division Street.
And it happened last weekend…with the help of hundreds of volunteers through Northfield Shares, a non-profit organization in Northfield that promotes volunteerism.
Registration area to pick up your wristband.
I reserved tickets right away. Reserving a spot early was crucial because the 1,000 tickets were quickly dispersed. A wait list began…people wanted to participate. At the registration table a wristband was your ticket and indicated your seat assignment.
Volunteers setting the tables.
The weather during the week prior to the event was almost perfect…cool temperatures, dry air, still days. The day of the event turned cloudy and threatened rain, but only a few drops fell, until after the meal was finished. We were all grateful.
When I arrived downtown the tables and chairs were set up and the tablecloths were on.
I went downtown to Bridge Square on Division Street a few hours before the 5:30 p.m. serve time to help get things ready.
I helped set the tables. Photo by DG.
The tables were covered in colored plastic table clothes with a white runner down the middle. Two tables were pushed together and eight chairs were set on each side.
The brown paper bag containing the eating utensils.
A brown paper bag was placed at one end, which contained paper plates, cups, flatware, napkins and name tags, enough for sixteen.
On each table were two tri-fold cards that were menus…one in English and one in Spanish. These had to be taped down due to the slight wind that afternoon.
Beautiful flower bouquets.
Beautiful flowers, grown and donated by the local garden club, adorned each table…and not just a few flowers in a vase but a beautiful bouquet in mason jars.
Water pitchers were filled and placed on each table too. The organizers thought of every detail.
Flowers, menus, BBQ sauce, salt, water and tongs on each table.
The food was donated. A cook was hired to smoke turkeys from Ferndale Market and pork from Holden farms. Corn on the cob, donated by Grisms, was grilled and salad greens from local CSA farms in the area were tossed together by Bon Appetit, the food service used by both colleges. There were dinner rolls from the Brick Oven, BBQ sauce from Kahlo restaurant and Johnny Pops was our sweet treat after the meal. It was all served family style by youth in our community. Everything was delicious.
Musician groups at each end of the street.
As I write about this I’m in awe of what a wonderful event this turned out to be.
Colorful dancers.
It was intended to bring community together and it did. Every table was full and everyone seemed to be having a jolly good time. There were music groups playing before dinner and costumed Hispanic dancers on the main stage on Bridge Square. Piped-in dinner music played in the background as we ate.
Another view of the full tables. Photo by TA.
What a great idea. What a great community event. What a great get-together.
There were six gardens to visit on Northfield’s garden tour so I donned a flower dress and took off to enjoy the beauty.
Two gardens were in public places but it was fun to get into the yards of four residents in Northfield. There were artists stationed at each place, which adds to the fun.
The garden is a simple rain water garden. Some of the artist’s works were displayed as he was painting another picture, and visiting with the guests.
The theme this year was water so there were a few water gardens. I learned you can apply for a grant from the city of Northfield to cover up to $250 if you plant a water garden in your yard.
Lillies.
I so enjoy flowers and am amazed at the beauty and uniqueness of each one. I like learning of new plants too.
It was hard to capture the enormity of this flower pot. When I asked for the name the gardener said the official name at the store was, “Big Pink Begonia”. I guess sometimes you just call it what it is! This size begonia was new to me.
Someone asked me if I got inspired while looking at the gardens and I said yes… but then I know it’s too hot this time of year to change my garden so I don’t do anything now.
Another new to me flower: a hanging begonia. The white blooming flowers draped over the pot.
But, I do tuck away ideas for next year…
The blue glass tulip shades from an old lamp was used as garden art mixed in with white hydrangea.
It was fun to see the sculptures people use as gardens art, as well as the visiting artist’s creative works.
White hydrangea with garden art.
The last home I visited on the tour was at the top of a high hill.
It’s hard to see the swing hanging from the tree near the gardens in this yard, but it’s easy to see the expansive view.
A watercolor artist was stationed in the screen porch of the house at this garden, so we could peak into the house to see a bit of it’s loveliness. I noticed dinner plates and crystal goblets on the dining table, gathered for what looked like an upcoming party.
I thought this was clever…two arborvitae woven together at the top to form an arch.
While meandering in the gardens the owner said they were having a garden party that evening since they already had spent a lot of time grooming and weeding and getting their gardens ready for the tour.
Beautiful gardens at this beautiful house on the hill where they were planning a lovely garden party.
They had lights wired in the garden and on the lovely patio with a water fountain. I’m sure it would look awesome at night. I wanted to stick around for the party!
Look, the winter is past, and the rains are over and gone. 12 The flowers are springing up, the season of singing birds has come, and the cooing of turtledoves fills the air. Song of Songs 2:11-12
One day this week, on my walk, I saw a fox. A friend saw it first and emailed me a photo of it. Apparently the fox has two pups and they are living in a holding pond near our house. I intentionally walked by the area and looked for the fox and was delighted to see it. She appears to be healthy. It’s always fun to see the unusual.
