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Editor’s Mailbag

Kraig Windschitl

Windschitl to play organ dedication concert

NEW ULM — New Ulm native, Kraig Windschitl, (son of Curt and Joanne) will present a free organ concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 3, at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, New Ulm. This concert is in partial celebration of the Nordlie pipe organ.

Windschitl holds degrees in music from the Perpich Center for Arts, Saint John’s University, and Indiana University, resulting in the Master of Sacred Music. Windschitl most recently served as Organist in Residence at the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre/Tomb of the Risen Christ. Through permission of the Holy Land Franciscans, Windschitl was able to be the first American to produce a CD celebrating the three pipe organs of the Basilica, “SOUNDS from the SEPULCHRE” available for purchase after the concert.

Currently Windschitl serves as Director of Traditional Music/Organist at Wayzata Community Church. Windschitl will play solo organ repertoire of JS Bach, Mendelssohn, Lucker, Biery, and Vierne. A festive reception to follow in Leifeld Hall.

‘A Cup of Christmas Tea’ Open House

at Volunteers of America Adult Day Services

NEW ULM — Volunteers of America Adult Day Services is holding open house from 1 to 3 p.m. on Dec. 7 at 1314 8th North Street in New Ulm. Come enjoy Christmas cookies and hear the story of “A Cup of Christmas Tea.” Learn about the benefits Adult Day Services can make in your or your loved one’s life.

If you have questions regarding this Open House or about Adult Day Services, call Kathy at 507-359-3377

“A Cup of Christmas Tea,” by Tom Heggg, is less about Christmas than it is about facing the reality of a beloved aged relative and the reasons both to visit them and to avoid them. The great Aunt of the main character is old, it is Christmas and the narrator knows that he really should pay her a visit. However, he is reluctant as he remembers her as a vibrant dynamic person and now she is so frail she can barely get around. After a great deal of thought and destruction of false excuses, he finally decides to go. When he arrives she is very glad to see him and as they begin to talk his memories of past Christmases come back and those memories make her seem less frail. He sees what she has done to prepare for Christmas and wonders how she manages to do it all. As the story ends, they are settled in drinking a cup of Christmas tea.

This is a touching story that should be read by everyone a few weeks before Christmas. Few of us are so unlucky not to have an aged relative in our family. This tale reminds us that sometimes the best times are when we relive past times.

Morning with Santa in Courtland Dec. 2

COURTLAND — Dec. 2 marks the Courtland Lions annual “Morning with Santa” from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Courtland Community Center. Children can take a picture with Santa, have donuts and hot apple cider or hot chocolate, do a craft, ride in a horse drawn wagon, and register for prizes.

Prize winners will be drawn at 10:45 a.m.; the winners must be present. Each child will receive a bag of treats.

Share the “Spirit of Giving” by bringing canned food items for the New Ulm Food Shelf as well as used eye glasses and hearing aids.

Library to host Loretto Hospital Presentation

NEW ULM — Dan Groebner and Wade Olsen will present a program on the historic New Ulm Loretto Hospital on Thursday, Dec. 7 at 6:30 p.m. at New Ulm Public Library.

New Ulm’s Loretto Hospital was Groebner’s place of birth, health care resource, and employer. After retiring as a doctor from New Ulm Medical Center (Loretto Hospital’s successor), Groebner has explored how the legend of Loretto has inspired Catholics in many places, for many centuries.

Olsen has visited and photographed several Loretto shrines in Europe and learned their histories from local people. Olsen also leads European tours exploring family origins and ancestral homelands.

Open Door hosting ‘Santa’s Little Helpers’

MANKATO — Open Door Health Center will be hosting “Santa’s Little Helpers” this Saturday, December 2, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Santa’s Little Helpers is a store where youth, ages 15 and under, can pick out presents for the adults in their lives. This is a FREE event and open to all kids.

Open Door Health Center is located at 309 Holly Lane in Mankato. Registration to participate is required and can be done online at https://www.odhc.org/connect/events or by calling 507-344-5534. Volunteers are also needed for the event and can register at www.odhc.org/volunteer or by calling 507-344-5534.

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