Wrapping presents.
Shoveling snow.
Meals on wheels-
Delivered "to go."

Knitting mittens.
Babysitting.
Fighting fires.
Mentoring.

Gracing us with many gifts,
Asking no return.
Quietly with fortitude,
You teach. . .we learn.

For reaching out and touching lives
We offer Christmas cheer.
The world needs more like you -
Volunteer.


Brenda Fromm, New Hope, MN

This Christmas let us praise snow -
crystalline confetti strewn from Heaven
to remind us that earth's coldest cold
inspires unworldly warmth: candle flames stretching
like fingertips through dark;
voices mingling as Silent Night takes wing;
and the handshake of peace lasting
long after hands come unclasped.


Jill Hinners, Mankato, MN

Merry New Millineum!
May all your music be moody,
Your moonlight be misty,
And your men have money!

Sheila Oliver, Minneapolis, MN

To my son Duncan Thomas McGonagle,

Happy First Birthday to my Christmas baby.

My life began the day you were born.

Jean Adler, St. Cloud, MN

Wishing you many
Y ears ahead
2 experience and share much
K indness, laughter, and love.

Becky Glomstad, La Crescent, MN

Embrace the Cold

The days are short and bitter cold
and winter's work seems double-fold.
The season's charms are sometimes masked
by obligations, hurried tasks.

Let's go outside, embrace the cold
before the reign of winter's old.
The shortest day is in the past
and spring's sure thaw approaches fast.
---------------------------
A Toast to the Season

Gather friends and family near
Light this darkest time of year.
Days are short but nights are long
to feast and toast with wine and song.

Raise your glass, share this toast
to friends, family, guests and host,
before the subtle signs of spring,
to this year's feast, an ending bring.

Carrie J. Patterson, Northfield , MN

May this season bring you the joys and lessons of Hanukkah, Solstice, Kwaanza and Christmas,
And may all you have to do to be Y2K compliant
Is to turn to the next page on your calendar.

Firth Whitehouse, Minneapolis, MN

Throughout the year 2000, that good old Y2K
Bountiful life, abundant love, God's presence every day.

Nancy Rainbolt, Elk River, MN

1999, a very special Holiday season.
Its music fills our hearts with messages of
love and sharing.
Let us toast to good fortune -
and make this New Year's resolution a promise to
share our blessings and ourselves with those in need of a helping hand and a caring heart.


Terri Elofson, Minneapolis, MN

May the memories that you make grow sweeter with time
Wrapped up in golden bows, by the ties that bind.

Michael Hyde, Ham Lake, MN