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As Christmas Begins in Victoria

It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Victoria on Saturday, December 1st.  Santa was expected to arrive in a Victoria Fire Truck at 3:00 p.m. in front of the Victoria Library.  But at 2:45 it started to snow, and snow, and it got heavier and wetter and deeper as the minutes to countdown continued.

Would Santa be able to make it?  Would any families get downtown to see him?

See the bandstand?  Can it be In The Bleak Midwinter when winter doesn’t officially start until December 21st?

And then out in the street there arose such a clatter, we sprang up to see who made the pitter patter.

When Santa Claus stepped off the red fire truck, everyone shouted their very good luck.

And then in a twinkle he went up the stairs, dressed in all furs and those long curly hairs.  Moms and dads with their girls and boys, had also arrived with anticipated joys.

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry.  His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, and the beard on his chin was as white as the snow.

And then sweet angelic voices filled all of the spaces in the halls of the City so full of young faces.  The choir gave everyone pause and delight on this wet and snowy cold winter’s night.

         Christmas carolers from the Chanhassen High School greeted everyone who came through the door at Victoria City Hall to visit Santa upstairs and participate in Christmas crafts at the Victoria Library.  L-r:  Stella Buselmeier (Chaska), Abbey Leirdahl (Chanhassen), Faith Wickenhauser (Carver), Kali Jarrard (Victoria), Alex Perry (Chanhassen), Maddie Hawley (Chanhassen), Gabby Krull (Carver), Abby Walsh (Chanhassen).

During Christmas in Victoria, the Victoria Library (located in the same building as City Hall) and Friends of the Library welcomed families with open arms, open books, indoor activities, and a glowing fireplace!  L-r: Joni and Hudson Starr, Debbie Johnson, Librarian Jodi Edstrom, and Phyllis Porubcan.

Much of the metro area and southern Minnesota were subsequently placed under a Winter Weather Advisory that evening into the next day.  It's a good thing Santa has a sleigh for backup travel this time of year.

The next day, on Sunday, December 2nd, we found Santa at the Victoria House restaurant.  This Victorian Santa happens to bear the officially recorded name, Nicholas of the North, and he is a friend of Barbarajo, manager of the Victoria House.

Keeping the buffet brunch table fully loaded, owner Bobbi Goral appeared to be the Picasso of the North with his French beret and French toast. Bobbi and his wife Sherrie and their children Marley and Ian live in Hopkins.

Owner John Lee, his wife Molly, and their children Savory and Savannah live in Chanhassen.  Owner Dan Lee (and John’s brother) are cousins of Bobbi Goral; it’s the reason the place is called Cuzzy’s!

And the very next day (Monday, December 3rd) we went to the annual Advent Dinner at St. Victoria prepared and served by Kim and Kevin Heenie of Victoria, the couple who will be managing the new restaurant facilities when the Victoria Creamery project is completed in downtown Victoria.  Several guests commented, and I agreed, that we’ve never tasted better roast beef, so tender, moist, and perfectly seasoned!

Seated at our table that evening were (l-r) Allan, Gary and Bonnie Mohr, Rosie and Dave Williams, and Tom and Patti Stumpf.  Tom led the crowd with St. Victoria's grace before meals, sung to the tune of "Edelweiss" . . . Bless our food, Bless our friends, Come Oh Lord and be with us . . .

Some people don’t know how to frame a picture very well but, yes, I was there too, minus my right ear.