December 18, 2025 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!

Banner
Related Posts

Trimble, relays lead way as SJO boys’ track and field heads to Charleston

May 26, 2022

May 26, 2022

Relying on teammates is key to a successful track and field relay. The St. Joseph-Ogden High School boys’ track and...

Saturday’s SJO sports roundup: Franzen fares well in Peoria

September 16, 2024

September 16, 2024

Detweiller Park in Peoria is where every high school cross-country runner in Illinois wants to endits season at. It’s the...

SJO football aims to get back on track in Seneca

October 17, 2025

October 17, 2025

Two common denominators have happened during all three losses this season for the St. Joseph-Ogden football team. The Spartans are...

‘PVO is an outstanding district’

May 13, 2025

May 13, 2025

Todd Wilson is thankful. Thankful for his time at Rantoul Township High School. And thankful for the opportunity to serve...

Kern, Cafarelli, Carter and Atwood help SJO golf team have continued success

September 20, 2022

September 20, 2022

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School golf team has established a pretty common routine this season. Jacob Kern or Ashten Cafarelli...

A letter to the residents of St. Joseph from Jim Page

April 9, 2025

April 9, 2025

There has been a lot of discussion over kitchen tables and online about the Tax Increment Financing District (TIF). A...

Get to know our little princess candidates: Keeley Mackenzie

August 9, 2024

August 9, 2024

1. What is your favorite part of summer? Swimming! 2. What do you want to be when you grow up?...

Hackler to be honored with street sign

January 25, 2022

January 25, 2022

Former Mayor B.J. Hackler used to spend a lot of time on Lincoln and Main Streets in St. Joseph. If...

St. Joseph Community Garage Sales Spring 2025

May 7, 2025

May 7, 2025

5 505 N 4th St.Friday 9am-5pm Saturday 8am-2pmClothing, toddler to adult (all sizes) household items, toys, craft items, lots of...

Ogden Festival to take place Saturday

August 22, 2024

August 22, 2024

Kelly Cooper wants residents of Ogden to know that their town’s festival is bigger and better than ever. “I would...

Village moves forward with TIF process

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

The Village of St. Joseph is moving forward with the process to form a TIF District. Tonight at 7 p.m.,...

Parade to raise money for food pantry

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Boy Scout Troop 40 wants to celebrate America while helping the community. During the annual Fourth of July parade, Troop...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

We are discussing the community festival and fee structures tonight. There are no public comments. Asking for some details on...

Q and A with SJO Hall of Fame inductee Morgan Gooding 

October 3, 2025

October 3, 2025

1. How does it feel to be inducted into the hall of fame? Honestly, it was a surprise. So many...

Comments
Leave a Reply