This time of year throughout the world families begin an annual event — Christmas traditions. Some families go caroling through their neighborhoods, singing the songs of the season. Some bake cookies by the dozens to share with family and friends. Some throw 10 million lights on their house so the astronauts in the space shuttle have something to look at while they circle the earth. But whatever it is that the  family does; the important thing is that they do it as a family.

Photo by Cliff Buchan

For many years, it has been a tradition at Mansmith’s Christmas Tree Farm in Forest Lake to take pictures of families when they select a tree at the farm. When those folks return a year later, the photo is waiting for them as a special gift. That tradition is ending, however, as the Mansmiths are closing their tree farm after 41 years of being in business. On their last day of business on Monday, Russell and Gloria Mansmith posed with one of the few remaining trees that were for sale.

This November, 100 Minnesota school districts — one-third of the state’s total number — asked voters to provide more money for basic education programs through local levies. About 67 percent of all ballot questions passed.

The Senate’s E-12 Education Finance Division recently met and heard from superintendents, volunteers and parents about their experiences, both successful and unsuccessful, in passing levies.