The stockings are hung, the shopping (for the most part) is done, and Mother Nature seems to be off her medication as of late. This creates a bit of a kerfuffle when considering how to put together this little “guide to things to do” section of the Journal Newspapers. Most of the holiday fun things have been shared, various music events and charity type opportunities have been printed, where to find gifts for that hard-to-find person on your list, and we even shared with our readers great places to get furniture and cheese while out and about. Consideration was given to doing a little review but that has been put on the shelf, next to the elf, for next week. Maybe a reminder of what this section is all about is in store.

This is a reader input section. We want to share stories about different things going on out and about in our communities. It is a fun, light-hearted, feel-good type feature that highlights various organizations and businesses that others may want to check out when they are… Out and About. For example, the Regina Foundation’s Tree of Lights spectacular that runs through January 1st. This is a really cool drive through display at Regin… I mean, United Hospital, Regina Campus in Hastings. For old-school folks, it will always be Regina. It’s a fundraiser, so if you are in the giving spirit, and well, it is Christmas time, so most people are… you can spread some Christmas cheer. Yes, this has been shared before, and it is a great example of what we are looking for AND it is a great cause. While you are out and about, there are 100’s of other homes around our communities that are decorated for the season. Grab a thermos of hot cocoa and make it a road trip.

As for businesses, we are looking for the longtime, family-owned type businesses that have fun or unique stories. For that matter, they do not have to be long-time or family-owned if their story is unique. Share their story with us and we will share it with our readers. These businesses and organizations should be local, (Hastings, Cottage Grove, Pierce County area) and again, should have a uniqueness to them that will make for a fun read. For example, if you are driving on Highway 61 South of Hastings and happen to drive through a little town called Miesville, there is a ton of fun and unique that goes on there.

If you are trying to find a good burger, look no further than King’s Place in Miesville but be sure to give yourself PLENTY of time as there are about 1,000 different burgers on the menu. Okay, maybe not a 1,000 but there are a lot of options that go from your standard hamburger or cheeseburger to various creations and combinations of toppings that include hot dogs (yes, hot dogs), sour cream, sauerkraut, peanut butter, bacon, onions, mushrooms… and the list goes on and on. For an appetizer, it is highly recommended that you check out the Gouda Macaroni Bites. There is just a fun, small-town bar and grill atmosphere at the legendary eatery with something for everyone. If burgers are not your thing and you are looking for a supper club of yesteryear atmosphere, just drive a few blocks and check out Wiederholt’s. The prime rib is delicious, the food is fresh and again, the supper club vibe that once graced the culinary world and seems to have disappeared a bit is alive and well at Wiederholt’s.

You see, it is organizations like the Regina Auxiliary or businesses like Kings and Wiederholt’s that we are looking to feature but we need YOUR input. Please be our eyes and ears by sending scoops to [email protected] com. A person or organization doing a great thing for the community moves to the front row, but we want to know about it all. In advance, thank you so much for your assistance. Your help will eliminate the need to rehash from week to week, making this feature area a much more fun read.