GaryOsberg.com

Good morning from Collegeville,

Christmas Eve is two weeks from tomorrow. Yes, two weeks. I have three “Holiday” cards taped on the door in the loft and two cards on the reception counter here in Wimmer Hall. I suspect that “email cards” are going to be big this year. On my side of the family we draw names for gifts and for the second time in a row I drew my daughter-in-laws name. I have that one in Santa’s bag and I think that I have found the children’s book that I like to give to each family. “I Want My Hat Back” should work. It is another bear book along the same vein as “The Bear That Wasn’t”, one of my favorites. You can go to The Campus Bookstore here at St. Johns, Cherry Street Books in Alexandria or The Book Shop in downtown Sioux Falls. Tell them that Gary sent you.

Someone should do a children’s book about “McLaughlin”, the little black Scottish terrier that leads Brother Eugene through the halls of St. John’s Abbey. Most dogs will follow their masters, but “McLaughlin” prefers to lead. He knows the routine and I am quite sure that he even attends morning mass with the Brothers.

Classical Minnesota Public Radio is presenting the 2nd annual “Minnesota Varsity”, an opportunity for Minnesota high school music students to participate in a statewide classical music showcase. For complete details go to www.classicalmpr.org/varsity If you want a poster for your school, let me know. We can meet for coffee.

The show this week is another live show from The Town Hall in New York City. Special guests include Bensonhurst harmonizers, The DiGiallonardo Sisters, a poet who knows how to blend the sentimental and the sarcastic, George Bilgere, actress-singer Kristin Chenoweth and pianist, conductor, and musical scholar Rob Fisher. Enjoy the show.

Linda and Robin Williams, frequent APHC guests, will be at Bo Diddley’s on Thursday the 15th at 7:30. Information at www.granitecityfolk.org

Next weekend the Saint John’s Boys Choir will present “A Ceremony of Carols” at the Cathedral of Saint Mary on Friday night, www.sjbchoir.org and George Maurer will offer an event featuring Mary Jane Alm at The Paramount Theater in downtown St. Cloud on Saturday night and another show on Sunday afternoon at 2 PM with Ann Michels and the St. John’s Boys Choir. For tickets call 259-LINE or go to www.paramountarts.org

“Never esteem anything as of advantage to thee that shall make thee break thy word or lose thy self-respect.” Marcus Aurelius

PS. If you would like to talk about branding for your organization, call me at 320-293-6771