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z___Christmas story

Gabby arrives in Merrywood Falls

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second chapter in a 12-chapter fictional tale that will run through Christmas Day. Parents are encouraged to read aloud to their children. Gabby blinked, staring at the billboard as they drove past. The cartoon woman stayed a cartoon, unmoving. She must have been imagining things. Her eyes widened as the town came into view. The blanket of snow covering the ground glittered like diamonds, illuminated by the Christmas lights strung up on every building that managed to shine brightly even though it was daytime. Colorful wreaths decorated the doors, and ...

A HOLIDAY TALE: Family’s Christmas road trip off to a slow, combative start

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first chapter in a 12-chapter fictional tale that will run through Christmas Day. Parents are encouraged to read aloud to their children. Gabby stared out the window at the falling snow, trying desperately to muster up some excitement for this trip. But between her parents singing along to Christmas songs, her brother Noah’s loud, annoying video games, and the fact that she was missing a skiing trip with her best friends, excitement was hard to find. Noah shrieked, smashing the buttons on his console as the game spat out noises and music. Gabby ...

An experience to last

Editor’s note: This is the final chapter of a 12-part fictional holiday tale that has been running daily. Parents are encouraged to read aloud with their children. If you missed any of the installments, find them at www.vindy.com/news/christmas-story/. “Are you here to take me home?” Juniper sniffled as she looked up at Santa, still clinging to Katie. “I don’t want to say good-bye!” “No, Jasper will be here soon. I just had a little something to discuss with Katie here.” Katie stared at him, still shocked by what he had said. She thought about what she’d written in ...

Santa visits with Katie and says he will grant her wish

Editor’s note: This is the 11th chapter of a 12-part fictional holiday tale that is running daily until Christmas. Parents are encouraged to read aloud with their children. Katie sat on a bench under the candy cane arch, watching all the children playing outside in the Village courtyard. In the short time that she and Kellan had Juniper in their lives, Katie had started to feel a sense of excitement and joy about Christmas that she hadn’t even realized was missing. Now she worried it would leave her again when she woke up tomorrow with no memory of Juniper or the magic of ...

Juniper gets a pep talk from Santa, sees joy firsthand

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the 10th chapter of a 12-part fictional holiday tale that is running daily until Christmas. Parents are encouraged to read aloud with their children. Juniper unloaded 11 years’ worth of feelings onto Santa, who listened intently. Before long, he was agreeing with Juniper on some improvements that could be made at the North Pole. He agreed that incorporating more proteins and vegetables would be beneficial, and Mrs. Claus would certainly be on board. They even came up with a long list of new activities and recreation ideas: Driving classes for sleighs and ...

Santa, Juniper have a talk

Editor’s note: This is the ninth chapter of a 12-part fictional holiday tale that is running daily until Christmas. Parents are encouraged to read aloud with their children. Molly, the supervisor, came bustling through the door behind Santa. “Oh good! You found the workshop. Come in and meet the crew! Everyone over here for a moment!” she called out. Katie inched forward slowly with Juniper sticking close to her side. Kellan and a few other guys that were building the set also joined them. “OK team. Our usual Santa had to cancel at the last minute, so the agency sent this ...