By Jan Pease
A parent at the ECFE (Early Childhood Family Education)
advisory council meeting December 1 made a statement about giving your children
the gift of experience. Her words stuck
with me. I admire the intentionality of
this family as they teach their children lessons about what really
matters.
Of course, the first experience that came to my mind was
our wonderful library. A library card is
one of the most empowering gifts our children can receive. I love to watch parents show their children
how to use books. Imagine the delight of a very young child opening and closing
a book for the first time. It’s
incredible.
Last summer some
of the Pioneerland Library System libraries had a small folder they called a
library passport. As patrons visited
various libraries in PLS, the librarian would stamp or sign the passport. I think visiting libraries in the many towns
served by PLS would be a family road trip worth doing. The member libraries addresses, phone numbers
and hours can be found on the Pioneerland website, http://www.pioneerland.lib.mn.us/members.htm
The Meeker County Historical Society and GAR Hall in the
block next to the library is a small gem of a museum. They are open Tuesday-Sunday noon to 4 p.m. Many
towns, both large and small have unique little museums.
Litchfield on Lake Ripley has a lake!
People drive here from places near and far to
come to Lake Ripley, which I take completely for granted. You can bike or walk or run around the lake
or shoot arrows in the archery park. There
is a gorgeous playground there, and lovely Anderson Gardens.
Lake Ripley Cemetery is a beautiful place for a
respectful visit. We taught our daughter
respect for property, how to read numbers and how to subtract to find age at
death. Yes, it’s kind of a quirky place
to visit with a child, but the cemetery is full of history and not a scary place at all. 
Turck’s Trees out by Forest City has become a winter
experience complete with reindeer and hot chocolate. Fun! There are other memorable things to do – keep
in mind the Forest City Stockade which celebrated their Pioneer Christmas event
December 3rd.
The Litchfield Community Education Brochure is full of
interesting things to do as a family with the emphasis on do. People seldom say that they regret spending
so much time together. Most of the time
I hear something like, “I was so busy when the kids were young; I wish I could
______________. “ Give the gift of time together
this winter.
