During December, the Great River Regional Library celebrates Short Story Writing Month (ShoStoWriMo). Teens and adults could enter their unique stories about this historical image from the Stearns History Museum. We asked writers to compose their stories in only 33 words (since we have 33 locations), making it a real short story challenge!
Thank you to all who participated and enjoyed the challenge.
Here are the story submissions for you to read and enjoy:
Bundled up against the cold these fun-loving musical clowns ushered in the Christmas season. Four-year old Clara couldn't help but dance when she heard their joyful tunes, much to the gathered crowd's delight. - Lisa, adult, Buffalo
And so their ranks assembled, determined to be both audibly and visually entertaining. The survival of the planet depended on it. - Benjamin, adult, Sauk Centre
Santa Claus’s Winter Circus seemed like a good idea on paper, but they had a difficult time all fitting into one sleigh, and were constantly waking all the sleeping children on Christmas Eve. - Laura, adult, Sartell
As the time travelers guild gathered around the camera, giggles and snickers could be heard as they smiled for the photo. Stephen, the leader snickered. "This will confuse the future. I know it." - Andrew, adult, St. Cloud
With the governments and churches gone and Eden restored and the internet safe," I proposed. "Here's to the first Christmas in Eden." "Let music become art instead of a commodity again," toasted Aquila. - Jacy, adult, Belgrade
The Rockville Drum and Bugle clown costumes were Harry's idea. "Let's try and do something different this Christmas," he said. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Now preserved for eternity. - Jim, adult, St. Cloud
Twelve year old Jimmy had convinced his best friend to go door to door Christmas Caroling in their band uniforms. Who would have thought the whole band would show up. Jimmy was thrilled. - Amy, adult, St. Cloud
The 1898 Clown Convention. We all gather and smile for the photo. But tensions are high. Janet won Clown of the Year. Like she does every year. We’re all so sick of her. - Samuel, teen, Albany
Bowlus's annual Christmas picture was ruined once again. The troublemaker decided he wanted to throw his hat away. And since he disrespected them, they took the picture, then kicked him out for good. - Rayvin, teen, Albany
Thinking back to this photo, I thought everyone was smiling, but my smile radiated the whole picture. I remember smelling like gross tacos in the costumes. It made me look good at least. - Raelyn, teen, Albany
In the concert hall, the clown band prepared for showtime. the trombone player, Rick, is nervous about his solo. They get on stage and Rick hits the stage. He perfectly pulls it off. - Alex, teen, St. Cloud
A band in St.Anna had just got done with their last performance. 2 sisters in the band are happy, but the rest are not. the rest can't wait for the next years performances. - Rachel, teen, Albany
I never belonged. People surround me. Hats on when mine is off. I sit in the middle, short and silent. My body here, my mind elsewhere. These aren't my people. No one is. - Elise, teen, Albany
Most families go on trips together or eat dinner. Not mine, oh no. We have our own way of gathering together. I’ll admit it’s quite strange. We wear silly outfits and play instruments. - Chloe, teen, Albany
The windbreaker-clown gowns didn’t age well. It was the Annual Christmas Parade, some obstinate bozo forced us to accessorize to resemble snowmen. Before the march, it was obvious the collars were a mistake. - Rachel, adult, Albany
Brabus’s Circus Commune, everyone is stuck here, some are just more willing to stay, Tobias was always different, always rebelling, never smiling. he decided to leave and began a commune of his own. - Caedan, teen, Albany
In Albany MN, an exhausted drummer just finished their final show. They were able to play her favorite songs. Shortly after her husband which she hadn't seen in years came to surprise her. - Brenna, teen, Albany
George couldn't stand the music. It reminded him of his wife. His dead wife. For a brief moment, the music stopped as the photographer lifted the camera aloft. Enveloped in silence, George smiled. - Brigit, teen, Albany
I haven't slept in days, yet, I still am required to perform in our annual Christmas pageant. If it's for my people, my town, I will stick it through one more time. - Anna, teen, Albany
There was an upcoming production of a clown musical for the holidays. However, the roles were limited and the auditions were fiercely competitive; we began with 100 clowns. May they rest in peace. - Brandon, adult, Monticello
The SCSU Marching Band bet that their football team would beat the UW-LaCrosse team at Homecoming. The winning Band got to choose the costumes for the others at their next game. LaCrosse won. - Amy, adult, Foley
THERE WAS A SCHOOL IN ST.CLOUD LONG AGO FOR CLASS CLOWNS. EXCLUSIVELY. CLASS CLOWNS DISRUPTED CLASSES ALL OVER THE WORLD FOR CENTURIES. NOT HERE. ONLY SERIOUS STUDIES. THEY EVEN HAD A SCHOOL BAND. - DORCELLA, adult, St. Cloud
THIS IS THE LAST GATHERING OF JESTERS IN BRITAIN BEFORE THEY MIGRATED TO AMERICA. FOR CENTURIES JESTERS ENTERTAINED ROYALTY. NOW IN THE UNITED STATES WITHOUT MONARCHY, THEY BECAME AMERICAN STAND UP COMEDIANS. RESPECTFULLY. - DORCELLA, adult, St. Cloud
THIS IS THE GRADUATING CLASS OF EMERALD CITY IN 1940. FOR GRADUATION, THE ENTIRE MUNCHKIN POPULATION WAS GRANTED A FURLOUGH TO VISIT DOROTHY AND HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND TOTO IN LIBERAL, KANSAS. - DORCELLA, adult, St. Cloud
THE LILIPUTIANS OFFICIAL ORCHESTRA DEBUT EXTRAVAGANZA!!! COME ONE COME ALL!!! WE'RE HAVING A BALL !! GUEST OF HONOR GULLIVER AND HIS GIANT FAMILY AND FRIENDS. FREE FOOD AND RIDES. COME ONE COME ALL. - DORCELLA, adult, St. Cloud
The performing clowns were raising money for orphans in New York. Their performance went well. 52 people came. Even though Fran fell off the stage and Frank lost his saxophone, they raised $49.00. - Anne, teen, Upsala
The Clown Philharmonic, renowned for tickling ivories and funny bones alike, assembled for the grand "Toot 'n' Chuckle" concert, where the instruments honked and the audience's laughter was the sweetest melody. - Lisa, adult, Sauk Centre
The 25th Clown Band reunion was a huge success. Many of the band brought their old instruments and we partied until dawn. Tim got the Bozo award for forgetting his tossle cap again. - Lois, adult, Albany
George stared into the distance, refusing to smile for the camera. Not only did he forget his trombone at home, everyone wore the same outfit as him, despite it being his signature look. - Richard, adult, St. Cloud
Staring into the cepia faces, heartbreaking questions remain. How a day filled with joyfulness ended in deadly tragedy? What lit the woodstove blaze and why was the door locked after the photographer left? - Lori, adult, Big Lake
And here I am again in the costume made out of Aunt Frannie's old tarp to recite the esteemed nursery verse: "Quick was the little maid's reply; 'oh mother, we are 43!'" - Lydia, teen, Waite Park
Mary sat staring at the photo. Why was it under many boxes and not in a photo album? Then George came up. “Dad’s picture from his first Christmas play. He's third from left." - Maddy, teen, Buffalo
Okay, you yes you third row second in, your a little flat and straighten up that hat you look like you just got out of bed. - Chris, adult, St. Cloud
Instead of the usual festive music played by the band, this year would be a symphony of agony. Joyous laughter turns to blood curdling screams as the members shape innocents into grotesque instruments. - Isabelle, teen, Becker
We gathered at the years’ end or beginning to lament or celebrate our accomplishments or lack of. Dressed in our Sunday best or worst, we played til our fingers or lips gave out. - Denise, adult, St. Cloud
They look absently into the lense. Dreaming of a place more kind. Far away from ridiculous hats and ruffled collars! Fans who clap quietly. Children who whine during intermission. Strike up the band! - Becca, adult, Sartell
I had always heard the tales of the school who forced their kids to wear clown costumes to school every day, I never once believed it until I transferred to that very school. - Olivia, teen, Big Lake
We photographed the festive band in a spacious classroom! Then, you pointed out a strange light emanating from the right of the photograph. When we looked back, the band wasn't in the room. - Carol, teen, Becker
David Schmidt was anxious. His hat was lost, but he wasn’t going to miss the photo. Hiding in the middle of the clowns might work. Will they find it near the dead body? - Lorene, adult, Clearwater
My great-aunt Estelle smiled and gently stroked the 1920 "Santa Claus Clown Band" portrait. Wearing her oversized costume, yellowed Elizabethan collar and pom-pom hat, she silently slipped away to rejoin the band. - Susan, adult, Buffalo
We dressed up as clowns for the light festival. To be a light in this world. I played the trumpet to announce the coming of the King. As one as family are we. - Laura, adult, Cokato
Well, Back in the day
we all used to play,
it was great to get together!
Now we're old and oh, so grey,
we have to dress up
not to scare each other! - E. Traci, adult, St. Cloud
When someone suggested a winter bowling league, this isn't what I expected but here I am, top row, third from the right wearing a garbage bag with an Elizabethan collar and dingleberry pom-poms. - Sommer, adult, Delano
Part One: The Kimball Clown Orchestra waws so down, with news of Bizzo the Clown gone missing. Bizzo, being the town mascot statue, had been stolen, and only his large, red nose was left behind. - Tamra, adult, Delano
Part Two: Unbeknownst to the Kimball Clown Orchestra, the perpetrator of the missing statue was hidden in their midst. Off to the left side, stood Gregor the Elf, just waiting to snatch the red nose. - Tamra, adult, Delano
It's true! Sousa is in town! Commissioned by President Cleveland, the great man, himself, John Philip Sousa, is here to audition the River City Clown Band for the Washington 4th of July parade. - Noel, adult, Delano
The Delano Community Band of 1886
Regretted signing up for the
Coconut Cream Pie Eating Fundraiser.
It was not a pie eating contest at all.
It was the World Custard Pie THROWING contest. - anonymous
"Come, we have to take the picture,"said Meggie to Jimmy. "I do not want to, though!" he said. "Well, we have to. Make sure to put on your fluffy hat," she said. The End. - Maria, Rockford