Main Street News: December 26

As we hustle from the Christmas rush into the rush of a New Year, we should pause a moment to reflect on 2016 and look ahead to 2017. It has indeed been a busy year of accomplishments for the Main Street Program.

The Promotions Committee has coordinated and offered many events for the entire community. Some brought people to town and others were for the residents to just have fun. They included the annual spring and fall rummage sales, community picnic, fall farmer’s market and the recent Miracle on Front Street activities of, tree decorating project and lighting ceremony, Breakfast with Santa, and Holiday Happenings

The Design Committee has been focused on the upkeep of Friendship Park, with added flowers and greenery. Bricks, benches, flower planters & baskets, and Christmas light decorations have also been items the Design Committee has worked on. We have to thank Ruth and Darrell Thomas from Thompson Greenery for their hard work and dedication to the hanging baskets year after year! Our fundraiser to support all of these activities to beautify Barnesville is the annual Toast of the Town. Be on the lookout for more information coming soon! The Design Committee also runs the Show ‘n Shine car shows every month. This is a great way to get people in town and take in everything that Barnesville has to offer.

The Showcase Committee and Miss Barnesville Pageant Committee have both worked extremely hard to once again bring these two special events to our community. The Showcase event brings many to Barnesville and “Showcases” a great number of our fine businesses. The Miss Barnesville tradition continues to feature young ladies in our community with their positive attitudes, skills and achievements by providing scholarships to a number of those participating. The Miss Barnesville Court and Princess Blue Eagle represent the city of Barnesville in many area parades all summer. Theirs is often the only ‘face’ of Barnesville at those parades and each year is a bright example of our special community.

The Board of Directors meets on a monthly basis to oversee the direction of the program but also coordinates a few special things themselves. The program’s annual meeting, membership drive and golf tournament are just a few. 

All of these folks are volunteers and work extremely hard for the benefit of the program and Barnesville as a whole. They put in countless hours, give financially and are a caring, dedicated group. Without them and the volunteers that have come before them, the Main Street Program would not be here. I would like to thank each and every one of them for all of the fun events, successes and accomplishments of 2016. I look forward to working with them all in 2017.

I wish you all a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

Main Street News: December 19th

My to-do list at home is somewhat shorter. At least my holiday to-do list that is. I’ve made a few goodies, wrapped a few gifts and only have one wreath left to hang.  But I still have several Christmas

tasks ahead of me. I’m sure most of you do too.

If you are like me, I’m thinking a little more last-minute shopping needs to be accomplished this week. Consider what can be purchased here in town. Remember you can stop by the Main Street office and purchase a brick, paver or bench to honor that special person.  We will even put together a personalized gift card for under the tree! We also still have Barnesville t-shirts for sale.

Locally, we have several options to help you on your quest for a special gift. Be sure to look in past editions of the Record Review or the Main Street newsletter for the Gift Giving Guide. Plenty of ideas are listed to help you in finding just the right item and helping support Barnesville businesses too. If you can’t where to get that item you have in mind, give us a call and we will try to connect you with that business.

And remember that Barnesville Bucks are just right for anyone. They can be bought at Midwest Bank and used anywhere in town.  They are available in $5.00 increments and are valid for a year. With a ‘One Size Fits All’ advantage you can’t go wrong!

On behalf of the Main Street Board of Directors and I, we would like send you this

Christmas Wish…

           

May Christmas Day bring a bright smile to your face,

            and may life hold you close in its loving embrace.

            May your spirit delight in each moment you spend

            just enjoying the warmth of your family and friends.

            May your new year be blessed with these gifts from above –

            all wrapped up in ribbons of friendship and love.

Merry Christmas from the Main Street Program!!!!

Main Street News: December 12th

It’s not too late…this Thursday you can turn your lights on outside and participate in the Holiday Lights Contest.  A team of volunteers will be out cruising the streets looking at all the wonderfully decorated homes out there. They are giving of their busy schedules, especially this time of year, to judge the annual Lights Contest sponsored by Main Street. I’m sure it will not be an easy task.

It’s always fun to feast our eyes on the colorful lights and efforts of many residents that work on the outside of their homes to spread some holiday cheer to their fellow residents.  It is so enjoyable to see not only the creativity but also the spirit in which the homeowners send their Christmas greeting out to all who travel our streets.

There are always MANY more homes that have done an excellent job in decorating than we can award prizes too. I’m sure the privilege of bragging rights and a yard sign are not the motivation behind their efforts. Honestly, these folks just enjoy the season and find this a nice way to share with others.

This year we will be giving awards to 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place, as well as Most Holiday Spirit Award and People’s Choice.  If you would like to nominate a home for that – just give my office a call with the address and homeowners name, if known. It is just another way to involve our residents in the process and acknowledge the efforts of those light enthusiasts. 

And another big thank you to all of those who decorated with lights this year. You’ve contributed to another part of the beauty of Barnesville and the holiday season. You’ve reminded us of the bright and cheeriness of Christmas. And many of you have had some fun with it as well. Thanks for brightening our holiday season!!

Main Street News: December 5th

2016 Miracle on Front Street saw plenty of Christmas Spirit! The fun of having the children in grades K-2 and their teachers decorate the tree started the festivities off in a special way. Be sure to take a few minutes to look at all the animal friendly decorations and the pretty tree when you can. The Tree Lighting, Breakfast with Santa, and Holiday Happenings rounded out the events last week.

We had a lot of people who helped us make last week’s events a success, so please bear with me! The Promotions Committee is a dedicated group that has been planning all the holiday events for the last few months.  I would like to thank the committee of Lindsay Bontjes, Michelle Field, Brooke Fradet, Janet Rasmussen, Katie Van Den Einde, Kallie Frost, Carol Van Brocklin and Cindy Zander for their dedication to all the special Main Street events that they arrange each year. A BIG thank you to the K-2 teachers, Barnesville Bus Company, and Darin Allmaras and Elliot Goheen for all their effort in getting the tree decorating done again this year. Another HUGE thank you goes out to the Barnesville Public Works team for hanging the greens from Designs by Becky once again this year. I also want to thank Becky Eggiman for her help hanging the greens on the gazebo!

We were able to light the tree at Friendship Park on a beautiful night with caroling, wagon rides and treats shared by all who attended. The 6^th grade choir performed a few carols to put us in the Christmas spirit. A big thank you goes to Stoneridge Software for providing cider and hot chocolate and the Barnesville Grocery for providing the cookies. We also can’t forget to thank Polly Thorsness who provided wagon rides and Mrs. Gylland and her kids for the wonderful singing! We appreciate their generosity in sharing their holiday cheer! I also can’t forget to thank Guy Swenson for all of his hard work making such an awesome switch to light the tree. It was so nice to have our Miss Barnesville Alexis Peterson, 1^st Runner-Up Anna Smith and Princess Blue Eagle there to light the tree as well!

We also need to thank Santa for taking time out of his very busy schedule to visit with the children at St. John’s Lutheran Church last Saturday. His long-awaited arrival was a hit for young and old alike. The children certainly gave him a long list to take back to his workshop. Seeing the looks on the children’s faces was indeed priceless and reminds us of the joys of being a child. The children colored pictures and some even wrote him letters that day. Several others helped to make the Saturday morning events happen. The Thursday Nite Lions provided and served the breakfast, everyone at the St. John’s Lutheran Church were such considerate hosts and Wanda Lokhorst Photography took the photos with Santa. There was a lot going on in just a few hours. But a great deal of fun too!

An opportunity to shop for a few gifts was made possible at the Holiday Happenings. We had a few home-based businesses help us kick off the local holiday shopping. Remember to think of all our local businesses – store front and home based when shopping this holiday season. If you have need to find a business remember, to check the Business Directory on the city’s website at www.barnesvillemn.com.  Also, take a look at the local Gift Buying Guide in today’s paper for more shopping ideas!  And don’t forget to register for a turkey at many Main Street member businesses. Maybe you’ll be one of the lucky winners!