stories of christmas 2015

ART BY SILVIA BOYER, 3RD GRADE

B R A I N E R D D I S P A T C H

T H U R S D A Y • D E C E M B E R 2 4 • 2 0 1 5 • W W W. B R A I N E R D D I S PA T C H . C O M

ART BY JAZLYN DAMBOWY, 3RD GRADE

I raced downstairs and looked around. All I saw were hundreds of elves. I went around and watched the elves create the Christmas presents. I bumped into this elf who was wearing a nametag that read Amy. She had long brown hair and skin like cinnamon. I looked at the presents she was wrapping. She was wrapping my presents! I went over to the presents and before I had a chance to touch them, Amy said, “Don’t touch!”

I quickly looked up at her. Her face was a light red color. I backed up and walked away. When I was walking, I looked back at Amy; she was still watching me. I turned around for about two seconds until I bumped into some-thing big in a red suit. It was Santa!

Before I could say anything, he said, “Ho, ho, ho, watch where you’re going.”

I said, “Sorry.” But he caught me just before I was about to leave.

He said, “Why don’t you go to the workshop and help around. Maybe you should make

yourself a name tag while you’re at it.” He turned around and started talking to an elf named Sam.

I asked an elf named Grace where the work-shop was.

“Turn the corner and take a left,” she said, with a snotty attitude.

When I took a left, I started to hear a clicking noise.

Click, click, click.As I got closer, I saw the workshop. I walked

through the old, wobbly door. An elf walked up to me and said, “Can I help you?”

I said, “No.”I walked around a little bit and saw lots of

elves. They were making hats.“The hat!” I yelled. I quickly tore it off my

head. I could feel my body changing. I raced to the bathroom and splashed water in my face. When I looked up, I was myself again!

I raced downstairs and saw the elves were gone. All that I saw was my tree with presents underneath.

More than 200 stories were submitted this year for the Brainerd Dispatch’s annual Stories of Christ-

mas contest. On the following pages, you’ll � nd the winners in the three categories: Kids, Teens and

Adults. Weather drawings submitted by local elementary school children are being used as accents

to go along with the winning stories. Thanks to all who took the time to submit their stories. Enjoy

reading and Merry Christmas!

BY ANA BJORKLUND, AGE 9, BAXTER

BY LILY HURLBERT, AGE 13, BRAINERD

lstK I D S

One snowy morning, I woke up from a peaceful sleep. When I got out of bed, I stepped

on something squishy and soft. When I looked down, I saw a furry, pointy hat. I put it on

and went to the bathroom. When I got there I looked in the mirror. I had sharp ears like

the tip of a knife. I looked somewhat shorter. I had pointy shoes. I was wearing a red and

green suit. I was an elf!

Jack Frost is busy making everything outside sparkle and shine. The air has

a chill to it and I can see my breath.

Looking across my yard, I can see all the Christmas decorations that my neighbors have put up. There are dec-orated trees, signs and houses that are outlined in multi-colored lights.

I glance at my house and see the work that my family has done. Lights on the deck and lights on the house drip down like icicles without the watery mess! I gaze about to see our holiday in� atables spread around our yard. Santa is waving to the cars as they drive by. Snoopy is driving his plane � lled with toys to help Santa deliver a few to the boys and girls and � nally, Winnie the Pooh and his friends are jumping out of wrapped up gift boxes to wish walkers, joggers and pets alike, a very Merry Christmas.

Oh, what a wonderful time of year! I love

that the houses are all lit up with pride and the yards are � lled with merriment. It brings a smile to my face.

Inside, we work together to adorn our tree. We trim it in tinsel, homemade

decorations and so many ornaments it looks like there isn’t much green to be seen! Finally, the moment we all wait for … the star. My dad stretches to reach the top of the tree, making sure not to disturb any of our embellishments. Placing it on the tree, the shiny star begs for attention, so sparkly and bright. It’s the � nal touch to our decorating day.

As we all sit together on the couch, drink-ing hot chocolate, we admire the fruits of our labor. We bask in the friendly glow of our Christmas tree.

Merry Christmas!

stT E E N

and help around. Maybe you should make

BY LILY HURLBERT, AGE 13, BRAINERD



Looking across my yard, I can see all the Christmas decorations that my neighbors have put up. There are dec-orated trees, signs and houses that are outlined in multi-colored lights.

I glance at my house and see the work that my family has done. Lights on the deck and lights on the house drip down like icicles without the watery mess! I gaze about to see our holiday in� atables spread around our yard. Santa is waving to the cars as they drive by. Snoopy is driving his plane � lled with toys to help Santa deliver a few to the boys and girls and � nally, Winnie the Pooh and his friends are jumping out of wrapped up gift boxes to wish walkers, joggers and pets alike, a very Merry Christmas.

Oh, what a wonderful time of year! I love

that the houses are all lit up with pride and the yards are � lled with merriment. It brings a smile to my face.

Inside, we work together to adorn our tree. We trim it in tinsel, homemade

decorations and so many ornaments it looks like there isn’t much green to be seen! Finally, the moment we all wait for … the star. My dad stretches to reach the top of the tree, making sure not to disturb any of our embellishments. Placing it on the tree, the shiny star begs for attention, so sparkly and bright. It’s the � nal touch to our decorating day.

As we all sit together on the couch, drink-ing hot chocolate, we admire the fruits of our labor. We bask in the friendly glow of our Christmas tree.

Merry Christmas!

lstT E E NlT E E Nl



Looking across my yard, I can see

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It was Christmas Eve Day as Julia busied herself with last minute gift wrapping and tidying up around her

home. She questioned where had another year gone — reminiscing to herself about all that had happened

in their lives this past year. Christmas is a season to be joyous and cheerful, however for some, it can be

a time that brings about sadness as they remember those that are no longer with them. For Julia this was

her Grandma Mary.

Grandma Mary loved Christmas and Julia loved going to her home. The entire family gathered at Grandma Mary’s house to cel-ebrate Christmas. There were a great many aunts and uncles, cousins and even a neighbor or two. Grandma Mary would be so happy with all of the festivities. She gave a small gift to everyone. Sometimes an embroidered dishtowel or a pair of knitted slippers. Grandma Mary always had spiritual holiday music play-ing and now when Julia listened to these songs during the holiday season, her mind went back to all of the Christmases enjoyed at her Grandma’s home.

There was going to be a change this year. Grandma Mary was gone. There would be no more fun-� lled joyous Christmas nights at her home. Julia paused as she gazed at a picture of her own granddaughter being held by Grandma Mary. This was one of her favorite pictures. Christmas seemed somber this year. Julia was moving on to other items when her husband Dave came in and said they should be getting ready for church.

When they arrived at the small Bethel church, the pews were full and it was wonderful to see the community come together. The service was composed entirely of Christmas hymns with the

pastor articulating the story of Jesus’ birth. When the last song of the worship service was about to begin, the lights were turned low and everyone lit a candle. The church glowed in the brightness of all of the candlelight coming together as one. The pianist began to play, “Silent Night.”

This was one of Grandma Mary’s favorite Christmas songs. As everyone around Julia sang the lovely words to this beautiful melody, Julia could feel a small stream of tears run down her cheek. Oh, how she missed Grandma. It was at times like this, when Grandma Mary seemed so near, and yet Julia’s heart still ached so much. Julia felt a small movement and her husband took her hand in his and squeezed it softly. He understood her tears; he knew how much the words from this song meant …

“...sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.”

lstA D U LT

ART BY KAYA ANDERSON, 3RD GRADE

2nd2ndKIDSHave you ever eaten the weirdest

Christmas food ever?

Well, my family has it every year. It’s called fondue. It’s basically shrimp and steak except for you cook it right on the dinner table!

You have a weird forky thing that looks like a Y and it only has two little pointy sticks on it. And in the middle of the table is a big skin-colored pot and underneath it is blue � re (really hot � re).

At the end of the special fork is a thick handle. You choose either shrimp or steak and put it on the end of the fork and put it in the pot that is as hot as the sun.

Finally, you take it out. There you will see a boiled piece of food. You take it off and eat it. With the shrimp, you have to take off the tails.

It is my favorite meal of the year!

Have you ever eaten the weirdest


Have you ever eaten the weirdest


Well, my family has it every year. It’s Well, my family has it every year. It’s called fondue. It’s basically shrimp and steak except for you cook it right on the

BY KAYA ANDERSON, AGE 8, BAXTER

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2ndT E E N2nd2ndT E E N2T E E N2BY MOLLY WELLS, AGE 14, BAXTER

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The world lays in darkness. Terrorism and sadness

seem to linger at every corner, every day. It’s an

anomaly to go one day without hearing about a

shooting or killing on the nightly news, or to

see a deadly car accident or abuse case plas-

tered on the front page of the morning paper.

ART BY LIBBY NELSON, 3RD GRADE

But then, oh boy, the fourth Thursday of Novem-ber comes, and…. mmmmm….the smell of turkey wafts up my nose. The cranberry sauce tingles my

taste buds. Steaming hot chocolate warms my hands. The spicy scent of potpourri screams

Christmas. The creamy Cool Whip on my delectable pumpkin pie tops it all off. It’s

that time, my favorite time of the year.The lights twinkle on the evergreen in our

living room, surrounded by holiday dec-orations. 103.5 plays its constant � ow

of wonderful Christmas music out of the radio in the kitchen. “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and

“A Christmas Story” play out on every TV in the house. Now,

Thanksgiving has passed, and ev-eryone’s internal Christmas switch

has been � ipped on. Forgiveness hangs in the snowy air. Kind-

ness sparks in everyone’s soul, happiness makes

the heart feel lighter and the whole world

feels like a better place.Why? Well, the light of

the world is coming to pull you up from the darkness.

He’s the reason for the indescribable, Christ-

mastime feeling of for-giveness and renewal. Be thankful, for Jesus

is born, and he comes to save the world.

The world lays in darkness. Terrorism and sadness

seem to linger at every corner, every day. It’s an seem to linger at every corner, every day. It’s an

anomaly to go one day without hearing about a

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I was raised in the Christian tradition. We celebrated with family at

Grandma and Grandpa’s farm house, with aunts, uncles, cousins

and/or our own home complete with decorated trees and gifts from

Santa Claus. Jesus was born!

In high school, the war in Vietnam was raging. It felt surreal as I was tucked in safely in Brainerd think-ing about what to do with my life. Jesus was my guy as he taught me about love, peace, hope, healing, compassion and forgiveness. After visiting the Brainerd State Hospital, I knew I would serve Jesus by serving others.

I worked as a nursing assistant at the hospital, then a psychiatric technician at BSH. I loved the staff who worked there and the people who lived there. One child who was profoundly disabled physically and mentally, would smile and giggle as the staff interacted with her. I was surrounded by angels.

Later, I worked the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift at BSH as a registered nurse. One year I slept through

Christmas. My husband took the children to his mother’s house to cele-brate Christmas. I celebrat-

ed mostly with the people at BSH. I was surrounded by angels.

A few years later and my � rst Christmas divorced, I put my daugh-ter on a plane to be with her father and brother. I spent Christmas bro-ken and weeping. I was with people I barely knew and yet they were so kind and compassionate toward me. I was surrounded by angels.

This year, we will celebrate at our house with a tree, decorations, pres-ents, food and a variety of Christmas baked goods. Two children, their spouses and seven grandchildren including a newborn grandson, will stay to celebrate the season. I con-tinue to be surrounded by angels.

Jesus is born!

2ndA D U LT

BY LAUREL BAXTER, MOTLEY

www.brainerddispatch.comwww.brainerddispatch.comS4S4 Thursday, December 24, 2015 Thursday, December 24, 2015

Christmas comes in different packagesdifferent packagesdifferent packagesdifferent packagesdifferent packagesdifferent packages

I was raised in the Christian tradition. We celebrated with family at I was raised in the Christian tradition. We celebrated with family at I was raised in the Christian tradition. We celebrated with family at I was raised in the Christian tradition. We celebrated with family at

Grandma and Grandpa’s farm house, with aunts, uncles, cousins Grandma and Grandpa’s farm house, with aunts, uncles, cousins Grandma and Grandpa’s farm house, with aunts, uncles, cousins Grandma and Grandpa’s farm house, with aunts, uncles, cousins

and/or our own home complete with decorated trees and gifts from and/or our own home complete with decorated trees and gifts from and/or our own home complete with decorated trees and gifts from

Santa Claus. Jesus was born!Santa Claus. Jesus was born!Santa Claus. Jesus was born!

In high school, the war In high school, the war In high school, the war In high school, the war in Vietnam was raging. It in Vietnam was raging. It felt surreal as I was tucked felt surreal as I was tucked in safely in Brainerd think-in safely in Brainerd think-ing about what to do with my life. ing about what to do with my life. Jesus was my guy as he taught me Jesus was my guy as he taught me about love, peace, hope, healing, about love, peace, hope, healing,

Christmas. My husband took the children to his mother’s house to cele-brate Christmas. I celebrat-

ed mostly with the people at BSH. I was surrounded by angels.

A few years later and my � rst

2nd2ndA D U LT2A D U LT2

BY LAUREL BAXTER, MOTLEY

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I was so excited about opening Christmas pres-

ents the next morning, I couldn’t sleep. In the

middle of the night I sat up in bed pondering

presents: What would I get? Would I like

it? Would it be the new cowgirl out� t I

wanted? I climbed out of bed tiptoeing

quietly through the house. It was � lled

with darkness and silence. I wandered into the

living room, turning on the tree lights. I sat on

the � oor staring at the glows and beams of re-

� ective color for a long time.

I wondered about the “Spirit” of Christmas and what that was? Was it Jesus? Was it Santa and all the presents I was looking at? Or was it something else that gave

people a happy feeling inside toward others? I was even being nice to people that I didn’t like. I realized I was nice to everyone in December. It was Christmas after all.

I walked over to the couch and looked out the picture window. The snow was coming down soft and gentle but yet in very big � akes. I watched the snow build with no tracks or movement anywhere. It was quietly covering the street out front. I hummed a few Christmas carols,

smiling at the quiet peace and beauty I saw. The whole town was sleeping.

I decided that the “Spirit” of Christmas is what’s inside each of us. It’s the love for friends and family. It’s people who argue and � ght with each other that can be nice one day a year. The true “Spirit” of Christmas is for the month of December, a magic love of sharing happens all around the world. Christmas Eve at age 7 was my best remembrance of peace and silent night.

“Jingle bells, jingle bells …” The entire

McHilton family was jamming along to

the Christmas song just two days before

Father Christmas would stuff their stock-

ings when all of a sudden, the music

ceased and the newscaster reported.

“Santa Claus was reported missing earlier this afternoon. More informa-tion is expected to come later.”

“Oh dear, what could’ve happened to him?” 7-year-old Josh wondered.

“Santa is probably just stuck in a snow-storm. The search crew will � nd him shortly. In the meantime, let’s play a board game,” said Josh’s dad, Pete.

“But we want to look for Santa!” Josh and his sisters Beth and Eva whined. Pete glanced at his wife Sarah and she nodded.

“Come on, hurry up and grab your parkas. We are going to the North Pole!”

They piled into the car and headed toward the North Pole. Soon they saw a sign that read North Pole: Population 22. The car turned off onto a side road and pulled over.

“Meet back in two hours,” Sarah instructed.They had been searching for 45 minutes

when all of a sudden, Eva spotted something. She had found some Christmas decorations along with some tracks. She cried out in excitement.

“I found something!” Sarah, Pete, Beth and Josh hur-

ried over and stared at what Eva had found.

“It must be from Santa’s sleigh!” Josh exclaimed.

“Come on, let’s go look for him,” he shout-ed. The girls followed him and they soon came upon the sleigh and nine reindeer. It was turned over with presents pouring out.

“Maybe Santa is trapped underneath the sleigh,” Beth said.

“Possibly,” Pete replied.“Let’s check.”The family tipped over the sleigh, and

to their relief, they found Santa huddled in a corner drinking coffee. With a dusting of magic he rode the sleigh home.

“Ho, ho, ho!”

3rd3rdK I D S

3rd3rdA D U LT

“Jingle bells, jingle bells …” The entire

McHilton family was jamming along to

the Christmas song just two days before

Father Christmas would stuff their stock-

I was so excited about opening Christmas pres-

ents the next morning, I couldn’t sleep. In the

middle of the night I sat up in bed pondering middle of the night I sat up in bed pondering

presents: What would I get? Would I like

BY JULIA RADEMACHER, AGE 11, FORT RIPLEY

BY ANDY HOTAL, BRAINERD

people a happy feeling inside toward others? I was even

nice to everyone in December. It was Christmas after all.I walked over to the couch and looked out the picture

and gentle but yet in very big � akes. I watched

out front. I hummed a few Christmas carols, smiling at the quiet peace and beauty I saw. The whole

I decided that the “Spirit” of Christmas is what’s inside each of us. It’s the love for friends and family. It’s people

one day a year. The true “Spirit” of Christmas is for the month of December, a magic love of sharing happens

ART BY CAMERON HARTMAN,

3RD GRADE


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7895 Excelsior Rd., Baxter 218-828-2160

WITH OUR GRATITUDEAT THE HOLIDAYS

We’re fi lled with joy this holiday season,And your kind patronage is the reason—For one thing that we know is true,Is we owe our success to each one of you!

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May the coming season bring,peace & joy and all good things!

We hope yourChristmas shines!

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3rd3rdT E E N

BY RICHARD LEE, AGE 15,

BRAINERD

ART BY KAIRA BACON, 3RD GRADE

Our Christmas adventure started when my mom and I decided to go to the Holidazzle parade

in Minneapolis. We started out on a train from Becker to the Twin Cities. We enjoyed the parade

while I drank my favorite Starbucks gingerbread latte. Afterward, we ate at Hell’s Kitchen and went

to a Christmas event at Macy’s. We were having so much fun that my mom and I missed our train

ride home. So we were stuck in the Twin Cities in the middle of the night. Luckily, my mom’s aunt

and uncle live in the Twin Cities area and were available to pick us up and take us back to Becker

to save our Christmas memories from being ruined.

stories of christmas 2015

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