Jeanne Pearson misses the Christmas concert

(Perhaps missing the annual Alexandria Christmas Concerts that she was an important part of years ago, California girl Jeanne Pearson wrote the blog recently to ask if anyone had seen our Choral Director Murrae Freng around town recently. Cub reporter Obert drew the assignment and attended the concert Sunday, looking for the man. While Tom enjoyed the concert, he didn't see Mr. Freng, who, indeed, is hail and hearty and still very photogenic. We'll enjoy Tom's supplementary photo when he eventually gets it.)

Dear Jeanne,
Sorry, I missed him. I assume he was there, but the Christmas concert draws huge throngs of Alexandrians - and though I am able to peer over the top of most of them, I was not able to spot Mr. Freng. He has always told me that he was going to call for lunch some time - I guess I should pick up on that. (But first, Dave Dziuk - he's upset that I haven't been over to see him for a while.)
Anyway, the kids put on quite a show again - the choir director has a real flair for the Big Event. There are three separate choirs, plus a 15-member chorale in period clothing, that somehow manage to file on and off the stage without incident and without the aid of semaphores or crossing guards. Of course, Ruthie rightfully accuses me of going to see Heidi, who is in the chorale, plays viola in the orchestra, and is a cheerleader for the girls' hockey team.

Noonan Park
Oh, and on the way to the concert we drove by Noonan Park. It was an absolutely gorgeous winter day, bright sunshine and the best snow cover we've had in the five winters we've been back. Anyway, the pond was covered with skaters, and I really wanted to stop for a photo for the blogsite - but we were running a tad late so decided we would try for a photo after the concert, but by then it was too late. Hoping to get one before everything turns to slush this weekend (yup, it's s'pose to get above freezing for Christmas - yuckkk!).
I am somewhat refreshed after hauling out the garbage at 6:00 this morning. And though it was only zero, it is 13 below in St. Cloud - go figure. This weird weather pattern has been going on for at least a couple of weeks where the whole state has been turned upside down. When it's 20 above in International Falls, it's 15 below in Owatonna - this morning it's 9 above in Winnipeg (Winnipeg, for pete's sake) and 17 below in Little Falls. It doesn't make sense - something really strange is going to happen soon . . .
Time for mall walking - will keep the Freng watch going.

Tom