Dear Curiosity Journal,
We bundled up on Saturday to table at the Kickapoo Valley Reserve Winter Fest. We love this community event and were especially excited to have such a beautiful snowfall for all of the wintery activities, sledding, snow sculpting, skiing, snowshoeing, kick sledding, fat tire biking, and more! Driftless Curiosity was on the back deck leading kids’ crafts. To go along with this year’s event theme, “Celebrating the Night Sky”, we decorated our area with a paper mâché moon, twinkly lights, dogwood branches, and an aerial display of the northern lights made from some leftover tule I discovered in our craft bin. We created constellation models from marshmallows and toothpicks, pipe cleaners and beads, and lace cards. We also had a zodiac constellation quiz for adults. I was happily surprised by the number of brave kiddos (and parents) who dared to de-glove and craft in the cold. I think the fact that they got to eat the marshmallows after they completed their design, might have had something to do with it, a perfect addition to their hot chocolate. We love the warmth of connecting with our community, striking up conversations with neighbors, running into old friends, and meeting newcomers to the Driftless. It was almost enough to keep our mind off the dropping temperature. We’re super thankful to the KVR staff, volunteers, and especially Jackie for all of your hard work (and setting us up with a couple of heaters to regain feeling in our fingers). I love the quote the KVR shared earlier this week. YOU CAN’T HAVE TOO MUCH WINTER IN WINTER! – Robert Frost
Also, you can’t have too much WINTER in WINTER FESTIVAL! Although we did take the rest of the day to regain actual warmth, it was worth it. Thank you, Winter Fest!
~Joy
