The Holden Version of a Sleigh Ride

Those of you who have been to Holden might recognize this particular bench we are sitting on. It normally sits outside the door on the porch of the west end of the dining hall. On Saturday night, however, it served its time on the Holden Village Multi-Use for All Practical and Impractical Purposes by serving as a sit-down sled...you heard me!

You take the bench, attach it to a platform /frame, attach the platform to skis, add a patchwork quilt for cuteness and a lantern for nostalgic effect, add ropes to the front and VOILA!! you have a sled for transporting villagers to the Utilities Department AAA (Above Average Ambiance) Coffee House, held on this evening in the "Koinonia Center for the Performing Arts."

Those who wished to be transported to this special event in style met the sled at the foot of Chalet Hill and "draft horses" (young men "drafted" into serving as such) whisked you (literally) down the road to Koinonia...two in front pulling and two behind pushing. The pace was actually quite fast. On this night, the road was hard-packed with snow and ice, and additional snow was falling.

Here, Liz Langeland, Carole Young and I are seated in the sled and ready to go. Left over from Christmas, the reindeer antlers provide adornment for one of the draft horses, John Chiles.

And away we go!!

Note: I forgot my camera. Photos of this amazing means of transportation were provided by Joan Neslund and Liz Langeland.