I just downloaded Microsoft Edge and see it still supports frames. The "experts" have been threatening to discontinue support for frames for various reasons and if they do I hope you keep your older browsers because I probably won't change to the more complicated and bloated scripts being used today.
I see that Edge actually has added several right click options to the menu pertaining to the frames, so they actually added some new features over Internet Explorer.
Frames are simple but "keep it simple stupid" no longer exists today.

The one thing I object to with Edge is they are using some underlying technology from Google's Chrome and I'm doing my best to keep GOOGLE and FACEBOOK out of my computer. So far I don't see any adverse problems with the Google underpinnings.

I also have Firefox & Opera...the reason being is I want to make sure my old style HTML web pages still work in those programs.

Holy Cow!!! I just noticed a right click option called "Read aloud" and it literally reads the text.
I suppose many of you are/were already aware of this feature but it is amazing and can really be a great asset to those people who are visually impaired and blind.
My blind niece has a screen reader program but it is somewhat cumbersome and sure doesn't seem to speak as clearly as this feature in Microsoft Edge.
This is where new technology is being used for the good of mankind.

After spending days editing and creating web page files I finally have the Santa pictures finished.
It was an especially difficult challenge taking pictures inside cars with varying light sources, and multiple passengers at different distances & angles and still get some decent and in-focus images to work with.
Definitely a lot easier for me to just sit in front of Santa while groups and individuals pose around him like has been done in the past.
BUT, I think there was actually a silver lining in the cloud of this pandemic, in that it appeared to me that people had a lot of fun with the "drive-through" Santa this year, in spite of long lines and wait times.

I guess after being in semi-lockdowns and a lot less events and activities to attend this year, this drive-through was the desperately needed event to get rid of "cabin fever."

A HUGE success!!!
Cars backed up on Main Street to the new Casey's store east on 141 (the old Rix Amoco)
Weihnachtsfest November 27, 2020

After making several phone calls and sending a bunch of e-mails, I finally tracked down the original minute book for Weihnachtsfest.
There is a lot to scan but I thought I would post this very interesting article about the beginnings of Weihnachtsfest.

Please take some time to read the whole article.

Note that the idea of Weihnachtsfest was a lot more than having a Christmas festival and it ended up helping Manning through the farm crisis of the late 1970s and into the early 1980s...an idea that inspired a lot of individuals, groups, organizations, and local governmental entities to realize that if we want to keep our great life style and heritage that they can't just sit around and complain and do nothing...BOY did that inspiration ever take off - just look at what is going on in Manning today - even during another crisis of ever-growing businesses that are eating up the small ones, and compounded by a world-wide pandemic.

Manning has survived a lot of crises over its 139 years of existence and we'll get through the current challenges and come out stronger than ever - AS LONG AS there are enough volunteers and individuals with visions for the future of the community.

1987 quotes from the history of Weihnachtsfest link below...
It's too bad that there isn't a market for '"quality of life"' because that's one area where Manning would top the list. The more we hear of people living with earthquakes, smog, crime and violence, the more we want to tell them '"come raise your family in Manning, Iowa.'"
...The hub of Manning business revolves around the town's Main Street which in itself is unique. The wide, five-block area is covered with small red brick, laid together in 1915 like a giant jig-saw puzzle."
Gary Knueven, Manning mayor

"We've checked with the Iowa Department of Economic Development, Tourism Division, and they have no knowledge of any other Weihnachtsfest observance in Iowa. That makes it distinctive for Manning and we're thrilled."
Freda Dammann, Weihnachtsfest chairwoman

Did you know that the US farm crisis of 1979 - 1987 is what brought about Weihnachtsfest in Manning?
By the mid-1980s a lot of buildings on Main Street were empty so a number of business and community leaders got together to brain-storm ideas on what the people of Manning were going to do to stop the loss of businesses and start a recovery and that is when the idea of Weihnachtsfest came about.
While Weihnachtsfest is not the sole reason for the recovery in Manning, it renewed the "Spirit" of our Pioneer Ancestors (who struggled much more to build this community) causing many more citizens and groups to get involved in helping turn Manning into the wonderful and exceptional community we have today.

Collection of Randy Spieker

1994 plate design by Donna Brotherson
Does anyone know what Donna's connection to Manning, if any, is?

By this time Manning's annual Children's Day noted its 100th celebration in 1983, and moved into it's second century of celebration.

It was in 1987 that Weihnachtsfest, Manning's second heritage festival began. With the Christmas season approaching, citizens were concerned by the number of empty business buildings along Manning's Main Street. Ideas began to surface as citizens sought ways to make Main Street more attractive for the coming holidays. Enthusiasm ran high as more and more ideas were shared and planning was quickly underway to present an event similar to the traditional Christmas festival held in Germany.

The festival, which began the Saturday following Thanksgiving, was nine days in length in 1987. Festivities were found along Main Street all day Saturday and Sunday, and on Wednesday evenings for three weeks.

The empty buildings had been suddenly filled with holiday attractions that lured people inside. The festival provided variety; crafts, entertainment, contests, foods, and displays, as residents shared Christmas traditions common to our area.

When the 1987 celebration was over, the experimental event was deemed an overwhelming success and planning for the second annual Christmas festival was immediately underway.

With the Wednesday activities dropped from the schedule, the festival continued to span three weekends through its second, third, fourth, and fifth celebration in 1991. With each celebration came new ideas and changes. Entertainment programs changed from year to year including such programs as German/American dancers, Ballet Iowa, cloggers, polka dancers, German singers, and instrumentalists. Additional attractions and activities for the festival included a volkswalk, craft demonstrators, sleigh rides, walking-talking Christmas tree, and numerous others.

Decoration of the community was a major project, especially the Main Street area. The Chamber of Commerce was active in a project in which they purchased white lights to outline all buildings along Main Street, as well as all churches and other community buildings in Manning. Six-foot nutcrackers appeared along Main Street. Christmas trees were placed in flower planters along the street, and business owners cooperated with the decorating by hanging greenery and lights on the outside of their stores.

Decoration of Main Street for Weihnachtsfest is extensive. In addition to lights outlining each building, greenery is hung along the store fronts, nutcrackers hang from each light pole, and Christmas trees are placed in each planter.

Through the support of many community organizations, and numerous volunteers, the festival continues to bring a joyous holiday atmosphere to Manning each year. The celebration enjoys continual growth, drawing people from throughout Iowa and surrounding states.

From the 2006 Manning Quasquicentennial history book.
In October 1987, there were several empty buildings on Manning's Main Street. The farm crisis was affecting the rural area, and most people were going out of town to do their shopping. Community meetings were held to talk about Manning's assets, one of which was our German heritage. A small group of women pulled off the very first Weihnachtsfest in about six weeks. The festival was patterned rather loosely on the Christkindlmarkt in Germany. The empty buildings on Main Street were filled with crafts, food, entertainment, wonderful decorations, and a room was provided for Santa Claus. In the very beginning there was only $50 in seed money, so decorations were mostly borrowed from people who very willingly dug into their attics and basements.

All the buildings on Main Street sported fresh or artificial garland with lights in it. On Opening Night, all the lights were turned off and at a prearranged time the Christmas lights came on, not only in the garland but also outlining all the buildings, thanks to the city workers. One individual (Lila Schroeder) paid for the very first souvenirs that were sold to make money for the event - a candy jar and a stein with the logo created by Tom MacDonald-Williams showing a family being encircled by a Christmas tree. She kept track of the sales and when the expenses were covered, the Weihnachtsfest committee had quite a bit of money to continue into the next year. Christmas trees that had been decorated by various organizations and individuals were also sold. The biggest success was Hugo "Shorty" Dammann's Christmas tree. It was a tumbleweed that Kerkhoff Auction had brought in and sold over and over to help raise money for the festival. There was a very real feeling of togetherness and cooperation as volunteers decorated, hung garland, and worked in the various buildings. We had hundreds of visitors from everywhere.

The tradition has continued since 1987. Some of the activities that were added at various times were a performance by the Des Moines Ballet of the Nutcracker, dancing by the German-American Society from Omaha, and a sanctioned Volkswalk which brought a bus load of walkers from Des Moines. The churches were all decorated and had music and refreshments for the walkers. Though there have been various Santa Clauses, Joe and Edna Sonksen will be remembered by a lot of Manning youngsters as their first Santa and Mrs. Claus. The latest addition to the festival is the lighted park. It is also a testimony to the volunteers in Manning. It grows and becomes more beautiful each year, and since it's along the highway, many people driving through get to see it as well as the local people. Weihnachtsfest is a great idea and will survive as long as Manning people continue to believe in it.

Note: Lila Schroeder took $500 out of her personal savings to pay for the souvenirs.
In different conversations with Dave Kusel over the years, Lila noted that if the souvenirs didn't sell she would be out $500 but it was very successful and they made quite a bit of money to help get ready for a 2nd Weihnachtsfest in 1988.

After some calls and e-mails, we found the Weihnachtsfest Minute book.
I'm busy scanning it so it will be preserved long after it eventually gets lost.
Here are the names of the original committee members and first few years who were volunteers - if you know of someone else - please let me know ASAP.
Freda Dammann, Pam Kusel, Diane Genzen, Kay Otto, Amanda Lamp, Elaine Struve, Wava Lorenzen, Ging Hudson, Claus Bunz, Carol Hagedorn

A fun memory by Diane Genzen: Freda Dammann talked to me one day after driving by the cemetery in 1987 when it hit her that there were no Christmas events in Manning. So she asked if I wanted to serve on a committee to brainstorm ideas."