THANK YOU for celebrating the spirit, sights, and sounds
of the holiday season at Cuyuna Christmas!

We had a tremendous turnout and AMAZING support from the entire Cuyuna Lakes area and beyond for our 2021 event. THANK YOU to everyone that attended, entertained, volunteered, sponsored, spread the word, decorated their storefronts, held specials, or otherwise supported the event.

We appreciate it and feel so blessed to be a small part of such a wonderful community!

PHOTO CREDIT: KELLY HUMPHREY

For additional photos and videos from the night, visit the Brainerd Dispatch page:
www.brainerddispatch.com/community/events/7310168-A-Cuyuna-Christmas

Medallion Contest Winner
Caleb Smith of Ironton located the Cuyuna Christmas Medallion Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 1, on the siren tower across the street from Ironton’s City Hall/Fire Department. He won $50 cash and a one-year subscription to the Crosby-Ironton Courier, both on-line and mailed copies.

Cash Raffle Results:

A total of $3,647 was raised for Smiles for Jake, a local suicide prevention movement, through Cuyuna Christmas raffle ticket sales. Winners drawn at the Ironton American Legion on Saturday, Dec. 4 include:

  • 1st prize – $1000: Missy DeSeth
  • 2nd – $750: Louie Moritz
  • 3rd – $500: Scott Kremer
  • 4th – $250: Tammy Butler
  • 5th – $100: John Berger
  • 6-9th – $50 Ironton Legion Gift Certificate: Joan Swartz, Stan Burgstaler, Lori LaBorde, and Sue Vieth.

Proceeds from the raffle will be used to support the suicide prevention movement’s mission to spread positivity through life-affirming actions, listening ears, and the message that everyone should have hope.

Family Photos by Sothers Studios

Cuyuna Christmas, CRMC, and Mike Aulie/Sothers Studio are pleased to offer you FREE downloads of the photo(s) of your family at the 2021 Cuyuna Christmas celebration Dec. 4th in the Crosby Park. The images will be posted online by Saturday, Dec. 11th and will go offline on Jan. 31, 2022.

To view and claim your photo(s), go to the Sothers website at www.sothersstudio.com and select “online proofing” from the menu. When prompted for a password, it is: Christmas (case sensitive).

Locate your photo(s) and click on it to view larger. To download, click on the “download” button at the bottom of the image.

If you have any questions or problems, email Mike at sothers@integra.net or call 218-829-6249.

Thank you and have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas!

Mike Aulie, Sothers Studio

Mrs. Claus Cookie Bake-off Winners
The first-ever Mrs. Claus Cookie Bake-off was a great success and judges Tracey Srock, Claire Rasmussen, Julie Rasmussen, and Johnna Johnson had quite the sugar rush upon finishing! The first and second place winners won prize baskets, while the People’s Choice winner received a $20 gift certificate to Super One.

YOUTH:

  • First place: Kenzie Picek – mint chocolate chip cookies
  • Second place: Katja Yliniemi – ugly sweater sugar cookies

ADULT:

  • First place: Robin McClure – brownie cookie with peppermint
  • Second place: Dana Olson – candy cane white chocolate chip

PEOPLE’S CHOICE:

  • Glynn Walker – 2-D Christmas cookies

Coloring Contest Winners:

  • Overall winner: Kensi Picek, 8
  • K-2 winner: LanerBeeier, 6
  • Grades 3-4: London Moritz, 7 1/2
  • Grades 5-6: Jana Anderson, 9

Winners may pick up their prizes at the C-I Courier office between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. All entries should be picked up by 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31.

SAVE THE DATE:
The 2022 event will be held on Saturday, December 3!

Join businesses and organizations throughout the Cuyuna Lakes area as we celebrate the spirit, sights, and sounds of the holiday season. Festivities start with the annual Girls Night Out on Thursday, December 2 and continue with activities throughout the next two days.

Saturday’s family-friendly “Snow Many Smiles” at Crosby Memorial park will include live outdoor performances, spectacular fireworks, games and activities, creative crafts, festive food, holiday shopping, the Tree of Love ceremony, and of course Santa and Mrs. Claus. This is a free community event that’s sure to bring joy and merriment to the whole family.

View the PDF/newspaper insert for more information or check below as details and activities are updated…

2021 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Thursday, December 2

Girls Night Out!

Shop on the Cuyuna Range from November 30 – December 2 and receive stamps at various businesses. Entry forms available in the Nov. 24 C-I Courier or at participating businesses. Stamped entry forms delivered to the Ironton Legion by 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, will be eligible to win $500 and several door prizes. Come for the designer handbag raffle and stay for the delicious burger specials! A Business Bonanza, featuring unique gifts and crafts, will also be held at the Deerwood Auditorium from 1 to 7 p.m.

  • 1-7 p.m. – Home-Based Business Bonanza @ Deerwood Auditorium
  • 4-8:30 p.m. – Burger specials @ Ironton American Legion
    • Hamburger, $3.25
    • Cheeseburger, $3.75
    • Bacon Cheeseburger, $4.75
    • Mushroom Swiss Burger, $4.75
    • California Burger, $4.50
    • Add Beer Batter Fries, $2.50
    • Buttermilk Shrimp with Fries, $8
    • Chicken Strips with Fries, $8
  • 8:20 p.m. – Raffle drawing for four designer handbags @ Ironton American Legion
  • 8:30 p.m. – Winners announced @ Ironton American Legion

Click on the flyer for more details >>

Friday, December 3

  •  4-6 p.m. – Candlelight hiking @ Cuyuna Country State Recreation Trails
    • Join CRMC’s Walk with a Doc leader, Dr. Wendi Johnson, at a candlelight hiking event along the beautiful Cuyuna State Recreation Area State Trails. Everyone is welcome to bring luminaries in honor of lost loved ones to suicide. Weather permitting. Gather at the Hallett Center of Crosby parking lot and hit the trails as a group.
  •  6:30 p.m. – Reindeer Rump Mega Meat Raffle @ Deerwood American Legion
  •  7-11 p.m. – Jingle Bell Jam @ Deerwood American Legion
    • Includes live music by Yesterdaze Gone, holiday attire contest, no cover charge, drink specials

Saturday, December 4

Snow Many Smiles @ Crosby Memorial Park!

  • 11 a.m.-2 p.m. – Lunch with Santa @ Deerwood Auditorium, hosted by Garrison Bay Lake Area Lions & The Deerstand
  • 2 -6 p.m. – Snow Many Smiles @ Crosby Memorial Park
    • Crosby-Ironton High School Chamber singers
    • Face painting, crafts & games
    • Hot cocoa, soup, and popcorn
    • “Santa’s Stable” Petting Zoo
    • Live entertainment
    • Letters to Santa
    • Cookie decorating
    • Photo booth with Buddy the Elf
    • Readings of the Christmas Story by local ministers
    • Bonfires, maintained by the Crosby Fire Department
  • 2 p.m. – Just For Kix performance
  • 2:30 p.m. – Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive via firetruck
  • 2:30-4 p.m. – Complimentary family photos by Sothers Photography
  • 3-5 p.m. – Various roaming entertainers
  • 3:45 p.m. – Tree of Love Ceremony
    • The 37th annual Tree of Love lighting ceremony will take place during Saturday’s events. As a special fundraiser for CRMC Hospice, the Tree will be illuminated with lights in memory or honor of loved ones and continue to shine throughout the holiday season. For details or to purchase a bulb visit www.treeoflove2021.givesmart.com by Nov. 30. For more information visit www.cuyunamed.org or call 218-546-2311.
  • 4 p.m. – Tigirlily performance, band shell
  • 4:45 p.m. – Fire dancers
  • 5:15 p.m. – Tigirlily performance, band shell
  • 6 p.m. – Fireworks over Serpent Lake
  • 7 p.m. – Cash raffle drawing @ Ironton American Legion

CASH RAFFLE & COMMEMORATIVE CUP

All proceeds will benefit Smiles for Jake, a suicide prevention movement.

Raffle tickets for cash prizes are now being sold as part of A Cuyuna Christmas! Tickets are only $2 and are now available at Cuyuna Lakes Pharmacy, Deerwood American Legion, Deerwood Bank, Fireshack, Ironton American Legion, and Town Tavern. First prize is $1,000; second $750; third $500; fourth $250; fifth $100; and sixth through ninth prizes are $50 Ironton Legion gift certificates.

Winners will be drawn Saturday, Dec. 4, 7 p.m. at the Ironton American Legion. Must be 18 or older to purchase ticket or win prizes. Need not be present to win. (Ironton Legion Charitable Gambling Premises #00148-002.)

Starting on November 30, event commemorative cups will be sold for $10 each at the Ironton and Deerwood Legions and include one free beverage (while supplies last, restrictions apply).

MEDALLION HUNT DETAILS

Try to find the official Cuyuna Christmas Medallion!

Clues will be posted twice a day (8 a.m. and 4 p.m.) on the Crosby-Ironton Courier’s website: www.c-icourier.com and in its front office window located at 12 East Main Street in Crosby until the official medallion is located. The first clue will be posted Tuesday, Nov. 30, at 8 a.m. No age limit and no fee to participate.

Notify the C-I Courier you have located the medallion by taking a photo holding the medallion and texting it to 218-839-5211 or stop by the C-I Courier office Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Photo of the winner(s) will be posted at www.c-icourier.com, on the C-I Courier’s Facebook page and published in the C-I Courier. No immediate C-I Courier staff or those living in their homes will be eligible to participate. The winner will receive $50 and a one-year subscription to the C-I Courier hard copy and e-edition (valued at $100). Have fun and good luck!

HOLIDAY SPIRIT ART CONTEST

‘Tis the season to get creative and WIN with the Cuyuna Christmas Holiday Spirit Art Contest

Youth in grades kindergarten through sixth can build their confidence by coloring or decorating the art below by using everyday objects – like macaroni, twigs, or fabric. All entries must be received at the Crosby-Ironton Courier by noon Friday, Dec. 4. Artwork will be displayed at Lunch with Santa Saturday, Dec. 4, at the Deerwood Legion for a people’s choice award. Prizes awarded in categories for students in grades K-2, grades 3-6, and people’s choice. Winners announced at the event and in local media. Artwork will not be returned and may be used in future marketing for A Cuyuna Christmas.

The art contest will be printed and distributed in the Crosby-Ironton Courier on November 24 and in the Brainerd Dispatch on November 28.

OR click here to download and print it now! 

MRS. CLAUS COOKIE BAKE-OFF

It’s time to get out your best cookie recipes!

Bake and decorate your favorite Christmas cookie and submit your entry to Mixed Company – A Kava House in Crosby for a chance to win prizes. Categories include:

  • youth (ages 4-14 years),
  • young adults (ages 15 years or older),
  • families/multi-generational (those who bake together), and
  • professionals (those who are paid to bake).

Bake five samples to be judged. Submit sealed entries to Mixed Company on Tuesday, Nov. 30, with recipe and entry form (available at Mixed Company). Submissions will be judged by taste, presentation and originality on December 1 and will be on display for people’s choice voting during Girls Night Out on December 2. Winners will also be displayed at Cuyuna Christmas on Saturday, Dec. 4.

>> download the Bake-Off flyer

PARKING & DIRECTIONS

Crosby Memorial Park is located on Serpent Lake, off of Hwy 210 and one block from Main Street, Crosby.

Ample parking will be available in Cuyuna Regional Medical Center’s employee parking lot in Crosby across Highway 210 from the hospital’s main entrance. A free shuttle service will be provided to the park event.

Be sure to dress warm!

TIGIRLILY TO PERFORM!

Saturday, Dec. 4
@ 4PM & 5:15PM!

- Tigirlily to Perform -

Tigirlily, an up-and-coming country band from Nashville, will perform two outdoor concerts at 4pm & 5:15pm on Saturday, December 4 at the Crosby Memorial Park Band Shell.

Tigirlily is comprised of sisters Krista and Kendra Slaubaugh whose single “Somebody Does” recently rocketed to number one on both the iTunes Country Songs Chart and the iTunes All Genres Songs Chart. Their other newly released songs are “Everybody’s on Something,” “My Thang,” and “Dig Yourself.”

Since they were young teens, the duo has been touring across their home state of North Dakota as well as South Dakota, Montana, and Minnesota. After relocating to Nashville, they quickly became an in-demand act playing over 130 shows in 2019 alone, including opening slots for Leann Rimes, Big and Rich, Justin Moore, and Chris Janson. They perform weekly at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row in Nashville.

www.tigirlily.com

MEET PRO RODEO STAR BRIDGER ANDERSON

Saturday, Dec. 4
from 2-4PM!

- Rope with Bridger Anderson -

Bring your buckaroos to rope alongside College Rodeo National Champion Steer Wrestler Bridger Anderson!

The cowboy – who placed 9th in the world in 2020 Pro Rodeo standings – will be signing autographs and sharing his skills with youth who’ll have the opportunity to wrangle elves. Originally from Carrington, North Dakota and hailing from a rodeo family, Anderson has been competing since his senior year of high school.

He’ll be at Crosby Memorial Park on Saturday, December 4 from 2-4PM.

www.prorodeo.com

SPONSORS

Thank you to several anonymous donors, tons of volunteers, and the following generous partners for making A Cuyuna Christmas possible! 

  • American Peat
  • Autosmith
  • Brainerd Hydraulics
  • Crosby Fire Department
  • CTC
  • Cuyuna Fire Department
  • Cuyuna Lakes Chamber
  • Dairy Queen
  • Deerwood Bank
  • Deerwood Civic & Commerce
  • Deerwood Fire Department
  • Deerwood American Legion Post #557
  • Elite Underground
  • Garrison Bay Lake Lions
  • Holmvig Excavating
  • Jim Christensen, Kurilla Real Estate
  • Koop Funeral Home
  • Mid-Minnesota Federal Credit Union
  • Mixed Company – A Kava House
  • Nelson Inc.
  • Oberg Fence
  • Outing Area Chamber
  • Range Disposal
  • The Deerstand
  • The Spalding House

In-Kind Donors Include:

  • Anderson Brothers Construction
  • Comfort Suites
  • K&M Signs
  • Red Rider Resort
  • Rice Lake Construction
  • Sothers Photography
  • Super One Foods of Crosby

VOLUNTEERS

Thank you to our event committee for their work to organize, fundraise, and otherwise support all of the Cuyuna Christmas activities!

  • Mike Aulie, Mayor of Deerwood
  • Courtney Condon, Cuyuna Lakes Chamber
  • Missy Cutter, Deerwood American Legion
  • Eryk Haapajoki, CTC & Smiles for Jake
  • Anita Hollenhorst, CTC & Smiles for Jake
  • Johnna Johnson, Mixed Company
  • Lori LaBorde, Crosby-Ironton Courier
  • Cathe Picek, Garrison Bay Lake Area Lions
  • Jennifer Podsiadly, CRMC & Smiles for Jake
  • Liz Sanvig, Ironton American Legion
  • Peggy Stebbins, Cuyuna Regional Medical Center
  • Kristi Westbrock, CTC & Smiles for Jake
  • Shellie Wynn, Range Disposal

Cuyuna Christmas wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of numerous volunteers. 

If you can lend a helping hand, please contact Jennifer Podsiadly at Jennifer.Podsiadly@cuyunamed.org.