Our travelers have just returned from  a very special two-day trip to Wisconsin.

Traveling through this area in the fall with the rest stops filled with fun Halloween decorations on Halloween, was special in itself.

The Fireside Christmas premier show celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Fireside. Once we walked through the doors of the theater, Christmas had already made a big entrance.

The Christmas buffet is like no other  and once again included their famous sweet potato  pecan dish.

After wandering through their Holiday gift shops we entered the theater. This year’s Fireside Christmas show was the 20th version, taking us backward through the years to the very first Christmas. These professional entertainers, who auditioned in New York, did it up right. The costuming, along with the music and dancing, gave us  real holiday entertainment.

Following the production we enjoyed meeting the cast in a special reception.

The second day brought us back to reality and we celebrated Halloween at a Scandinavian farm on the way back to Austin.  A delightful  Scandinavian lady and her helpers served up a true home-cooked meal, including home-made bread with the heals offered with extra rhubarb jam.

Dressed for the occasion, her speech, and presentation was definitely about her heritage. She charmed her way along with her two musicians with stories and sing-a-longs.  She was a former school teacher.  Looking like Tevye on the “Fiddler on the Roof,” one of the entertainers sang a beautiful exert from the original show, kind of like seeing another dinner show all over again

 Upcoming trips

•Wednesday through Saturday: Branson Christmas in Branson, Missouri. We depart at 8 a.m. from the Walmart Parking lot. We have five shows planned with special stops along the way.

•Dec. 4: Old Log Theater presents “Life Could be a Dream” including Christmas songs that will take you back to the 60s.  This story is about four young men — Denny and the Dreamers — who realize their big dream of making it big time and the story of a handsome heartthrob who comes along the way to send the whole situation spinning.  You will hear songs like “Earth Angel,” “Unchained Melody,” holiday music and “Life could be a Dream’’

The Old Log has taken on a new renovation and the sound and lighting are two of the big changes.

Our lunch this trip is planned at the Old Country Buffet, which is also making changes. Their menu  selections and new way of selecting makes this a good stop.

Sign up by Nov. 18.

Our new office hours are 9:30 a.m. to noon. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Call 507-438-3946 or 507-433-9391. The November newsletter is now available on the south entrance in the message box.