January 16, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

5 questions with Michelle Wagner

1. What is your favorite childhood holiday memory?
My favorite childhood memory is Christmas Eve. Our family would go out to dinner for Christmas Eve and then come home and open our presents from each other. We could play with our toys or do a family game night and then get everything ready for Santa. We would set out cookies and milk and then head to bed. I remember it all being nice and calm—just the 4 of us enjoying time together.

2. What is your favorite part of the holidays now?
My favorite part of the holidays now is having our daughter home from college! We will spend some time buying last minute gifts, baking cookies and having Tetris battles.

3. What is your favorite Christmas song?
This is a hard one for me because I LOVE music. Traditional songs are so beautiful–I love O Holy Night and O Little Town of Bethlehem. And more current– all of Kelly Clarkson’s Christmas songs 🙂

4. What is your favorite Christmas movie?
Hands down my favorite Christmas Movie is National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. It is our family favorite–we quote it all the time.

5. What is your favorite holiday snack? My favorite holiday snack is the home made caramel corn that my grandma made every year. We have her recipe and are keeping the tradition going!

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