Christmas and winter are at our front door!

Christmas events in the Northwoods continue this weekend in St. Germain. Santa invites children to see him at the St. Germain Chamber of Commerce Friday evening, Dec. 13, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

He will be ready to hear the children’s last-minute Christmas wishes on Saturday, Dec. 21 from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

Don’t forget about Mistletoe Magic in downtown Eagle River Saturday, Dec. 14. Look for the large mistletoe signs displayed in participating businesses windows and find great deals and a chance to win prizes!

Head to Conover and join the Sno-Buddies at their Snowmobile Trail Benefit Breakfast Saturday and Sunday, Dec.14 — 15. Feast on waffles, pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, and many other scrumptious breakfast foods.

Breakfast will be served from 7:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on both days at Sunrise Lodge, 5894 West Shore Rd., Land O’Lakes.

Proceeds from the meal go to the snowmobile’s club’s grooming and maintenance fund.

Also on the snowmobile side of things to do, the St. Germain Bo Boen Snowmobile Club is conducting its annual DNR-sanctioned snowmobile safety course Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14 and 15. The classes are at the St. Germain Community Center on Highway 155 in St. Germain. The cost is $10.

Preregistration is required. Please call Peggy Ausloos at (715) 542-3548 or register online. The class is open to all children (and adults!) 11 years old and older. The 11 year-olds will get their certificates when they turn 12. 

Everyone born January 1, 1985, and after, having reached the age of 12, must possess a safety certificate to drive a snowmobile legally. 

Please visit the Bo Boen webpage for other pertinent details related to course completion. 

Lunch will be provided and students are urged to bring warm clothes as they will be outside as part of the course’s agenda. Registration begins Saturday at 8:15 a.m. and the class ends at 3:00 p.m. Sunday’s class starts at 9:00 a.m. and the test finishes at noon.

The Northwoods has been blessed with a good amount of early white gold! Douglas, Superior, Iron, Sawyer and Marinette counties’ snowmobile trails are now open. Watch for imminent news about Vilas and Oneida counties opening soon.

The heavy snow also brought down a plethora of tree branches. The clubs are working hard to clean up the debris off the impassable trails. Many swamps have not frozen over yet and the lakes are not safe. Please do not ride in these areas unless they are marked for your safety and preservation of the trail system.

Remember to shop locally for the rest of your Christmas list — it makes a huge impact on town economies!

Bo Boen Snowmobile Safety Class