The Week Before Christmas at Five Elementary Schools

This year Nancy and I were privileged to be invited to perform my Christmas story at five schools in four days, Monday through Thursday of the week before Christmas. With Christmas less than a week away and vacation from school only a few days in the future, the children's excitement is at a peak. It's a fun time for me to do shows that include my story A Farm Country Christmas Eve.

Pictures of the shows are on the second page of this post.

Otsego Elementary, Otsego, MN

Monday morning, December 19, 2011, we did two shows for third grade students at Otsego Elementary, where I did my first shows in the year 2000. This is my twelfth consecutive year performing there, and it brought back lots of memories. 

During the summer of 2000 Nancy and I published our first book at home, County Road Christmas Eve which was the predecessor to A Farm Country Christmas Eve. Teacher and friend Diana Sawdey liked the story and invited me to do a reading for her third grade class. After she and I discussed what would work best for the students, I came up with the format that I still use today. I had never performed for little kids before so I credit Diana for giving me the courage and inspiration to begin the performances and I think of her often when I do shows throughout the year. Diana passed away in September of 2010. We miss her always.

Nancy and I thank Mrs. Erickson for continuing to invite us to Otsego to keep up the tradition of doing my Christmas stories for third grade students.

Fieldstone Elementary, St. Michael, MN

We were scheduled to do two shows on Monday afternoon starting at 12:45 at Fieldstone Elementary, St. Michael, Minnesota. This is our second year at Fieldstone and I thank Ms. Kampa, the Media Specialist, and Ms. Aanuerud, the principal for inviting us back. I credit the students' high level of excitement to the enthusiasm shown by Ms. Kampa and Principal Aanuerud, who took time from their busy day to chat with us and help us get settled. They both made us feel especially welcome. 

Big Woods Elementary, St. Michael, MN

At noon on Tuesday, December 20, 2011, our first of two shows for third grade students started at noon.

The weather was great and we enjoyed our one-hour drive to the school. Here, too, we always feel especially welcome as former students who work in the office greet Nancy and me as we sign in.  Friend and retired teacher Nancy Terhark first invited us to do a show for her class in the year 2000, so this was our twelfth consecutive year at Big Woods, which was formerly St. Michael Elementary. Ms Terhark and Diana Sawdey were close friends, and I feel gratitude to both of them for getting me started.

Nancy and I thank third grade teacher Ms. Curran for continuing the tradition of having me perform my Christmas story at the school.

Cedar Creek Community School, Cedar, MN

Nice weather continued to make winter driving a joy, and lucky for us because Cedar Minnesota is about an hour and a half from our place. The first of two shows for first grade students was scheduled to begin at 1:50 PM on Wednesday, December 21. The first graders and their teachers were full of enthusiasm, and since the schedule allowed 45 minutes for each show, the students had lots of time to ask questions. I was especially impressed with the answers the students had for my "quiz" but I was even more impressed with the quality of questions from these students, who clearly had fun during the show but also had curiosity and a desire to learn.

Nancy and I thank Mrs. Baar, the first grade teacher who invited us to perform at Cedar Creek and arranged the visit.

Chatfield Elementary School, Belle Plaine, MN

In October of 2011, we were invited to do a six shows that included my story If I Were a Farmer: Nancy's Adventure. for grades one and two. The students and I enjoyed my visit, which led to Mr. Carlson inviting us back to do the Christmas show for the same groups of first and second graders on Thursday, December 22, 2011. Three shows for first graders were scheduled to start at 9:00 AM and three shows for second graders were scheduled to start at 12:30 PM. Believe me, with the high enthusiasm on this pre-vacation day, I needed the lunch break. A special surprise during the last morning show was a visit from my grand nephew Jacob Malz, who student-taught at the school last fall. He took time to visit with us over the lunch break and Nancy and I were delighted to see him.

Nancy and I thank Mr. Carlson, the first grade teacher who invited us to perform at the school again.

To see pictures of the events, click READ MORE

All Saints Catholic School, Lakeville, MN

Like many elementary schools I visit, All Saints in Lakeville overflows with enthusiasm. The teachers smile and greet us and the children do the same.
When we visited on Wednesday, December 14, Angela Barry, who was attending the front desk,  greeted Nancy and me with a big smile and took the time to walk us over to the media center to introduce us to Mrs. Johnson, who helped Mr. Steve Lloyd, a volunteer at the school, arrange our visit. Mrs. Johnson is the librarian at the school, and as she acquainted us with where we were to set up, she greeted each child who passed by name and offered a friendly smile.

It's not hard to spot a school environment where kids can blossom.

I was scheduled to do four consecutive performances of my Christmas show, which includes  my book A Farm Country Christmas Eve. Since the story is very close to what actually happened to me as a farm boy awaiting a visit from Santa at chore time on Christmas Eve, I love doing the show for all ages of kids and adults. The story still touches my heart with sweet memories of my parents and siblings.

The first group of kindergartners await  the start of the show (above) and hold up two fingers to help me demonstrate how to teach a newborn calf to drink from a pail (below).

As the children exit, Mrs. Johnson helps them line up to take their turns

 at sticking their hands in a coffee can of oats.

The first group of first graders listen as I recite the prologue (above) and raise their hands

to answer questions (below).

Then they take turns feeling the oats as they exit.

The second group of kindergartners view of picture of the farm I grew up on during my introduction (above) and listen as I explain they will get a chance to feel the oats in the can after the show(below).

Mrs. Johnson helps organize the exit as I hold the can of oats.

First graders make up the fourth and final group and they eagerly listen as I begin my introduction (above) and they enthusiastically raise their hands to answer questions (below).

Children check out the oats as they exit.

Nancy and I enjoyed our visit to All Saints immensely. Because teachers and students were enthusiastic,  I had even more fun than I usually do performing my stories.

Nancy and I want to thank all the teachers and the students for showing us such hospitality, and we especially thank Mr. Lloyd and Mrs. Johnson for arranging the event. Also, a special thanks to the principal, Mrs. Meskill, for taking time to watch one of the programs.

After sharing some fun and learning experiences with children, I am  always reluctant to say goodbye, but this time I know I am returning in a couple days to do the Christmas show for students in second and third grades. I'm looking forward to it.

Photographs by Nancy A. Fredrickson

Minnesota Valley Learning Center

Minnesota Valley Learning Center provides alternative education for high school students in the Montevideo and surrounding area. When staff member Emily Dirksen contacted me to arrange a visit I was eager to work something out for a couple reasons: 1) I always jump at the chance to speak to high school students and 2) Montevideo was a new area for me to perform.

Instead of doing a show that contained a more sophisticated story, A Farm Country Thanksgiving, I decided to do a show containing my story A Farm Country Christmas Eve, which is a heart-warming story about young children awaiting Santa's visit on Christmas Eve. To the credit of the students, they seemed to understand the story's adult appeal and feel the family's bond.
The first show was a mix of 9-12.

And the second group had  a similar mix of 9-12 students.

Although students asked few questions, a few stayed to comment after the show, and to them, I want to say"Thanks."

Thanks to Emily Dirksen for inviting me to the school and arranging the visit. Thanks to all staff members and Director Raymond for offering assistance and showing interest in my books, to Mr. Smith for giving me the book of poetry by Leo Dangel, and again to Emily for allowing me to visit her Graphic Communications class, a group of truly inspirational young people. Enjoy those moments with that group, Emily.

Best to all.

On the three-hour drive home, we were treated to images of harvest as we met trucks full of sugar beets,

  snapped pictures of combines in corn,

 and viewed bales of cornstalks, giving pleasure to our journey home.

Photographs by Nancy A. Fredrickson

Preston Public Library and country side

Nancy and I left early for our show at Preston Library on Thursday for the sole purpose of arriving early. We looked forward to driving around the hills and lowlands and taking pictures. The drive to Preston took nearly three hours. Once we arrived, we quickly found the library and then drove out of town to witness the scenic country side.

Preston Library with sidewalk sign announcing our 7:00 PM show.

The city of Preston is located in a scenic valley with a river running through it. Whichever direction you take out if town, you are treated to an uphill climb and then a panoramic view of the valley below.

The slightly over cast day gave magical haze to the countryside.

The windmill above and the farmhouse below stand as proud reminders of past successes.

Current farms and cattle provide pleasant viewing.

Nancy spots a fox trotting through a field.

We slow down. He stops to check us out. Looks like something is in his jaws.

After the fox moves on, we drive another 200 yards to spot young foxes playing along the road bank.

They quickly scurry to the safety of the tall grass. We know our pictures will be blurry. 

We content ourselves with taking a few photos of wildflowers, which patiently wait for us to point and shoot.

 Photographs by Nancy A. Fredrickson

To see photos of the program at Preston Library, please click below on Read More.