“A lot of Santa portrayers say they started out when they answered a spiritual calling,” said Santa Steve of the North. “But for me, putting on the red suit for the first time was a financial decision. I was a young father working as a printing press operator back in 1985, and needed a little extra part-time work that would help me pay for Christmas. I saw an ad hiring Santas to appear at various locations around the Twin Cities. I thought that would fit nicely with my community theater background, so I gave them a call and got hired.

Doodling Diggsy
“A dog is content to live in the moment, unconcerned about jobs and work and everything else that goes along with adulting. A dog is an ever-present reminder to stay in the present, that each day is a gift. A dog only spends a short amount of time in this world. While they may only be a small part of your life, you are all they get.” – Macy Francisco

Nothing Bundt Cakes
The Bundt cake is a recent innovation. While ring-shaped cakes probably go all the way back to the origin of cakeries, the Bundt itself was only introduced in 1950s when a bakeware company coined the term to market their new line of aluminum pans.

Vintage Point
Fargo’s very own Vintage Point started as a dare between two close friends. Sixteen years ago, Nancy Frid and Deb Wallis were both stressed out by their jobs. Over a bottle of wine, Nancy suggested to Deb that she open an antique store. “I will if you will,” she replied. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Piggy Haven
I understand the principles of natural selection just fine. Still, it is hard to accept that the guinea pig wasn’t designed for the sole purpose of eliciting adulation. The little creature’s high-pitched warbles, baked potato physique, inquisitive black marble eyes and big goofy nose make it look less like a rodent and more like a CGI addition to a kid’s movie developed around toy sales.

Sharab Shrubs
Vinegar. It’s not the first cocktail ingredient which comes to mind as you’re reaching for your glass bottle at 5pm sharp, like every civilized person does. It is the stuff of pickled things, after all, not to mention clean windows, Easter egg coloration, and, when mixed with baking soda, uninspired high school science fair projects.