December 2025 Newsletter
Sunday hikes start at 2:30 pm, go approx. 5 miles, last 1 1⁄2 – 2 hrs.
Tuesday hikes start at 11:30 am, go approx. 3 miles, last about 1 hour.
The SPHC walks at a moderate speed of 2.5 -3.5 mph. (17-24 min. mile)
Hikers are expected to maintain that pace. Hikes start on time.
OUR NEXT BOARD MEETING...
will be Monday, December 8th, 6:30 pm at the White Bear Lake Library, 2150 2nd St., White Bear Lake. Members welcome to attend.
OUR ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY WILL BE...
Tuesday, December 2nd at Jimmy’s, 3565 LaBore Rd., Vadnais Heights. (Limit of 50 people, first come, first serve) Social hour begins at 5:30 pm, followed by dinner at 6:30. Entrees: MN Harvest Chicken stuffed with a Wild Rice Blend, Sausage and Cranberries, topped with a Creamy White Wine Sauce $32. OR Pistachio Crusted Walleye Topped with a Lemon Butter Sauce. $38. Dinner choices include tossed salad, baby reds, vegetable medley, coffee, rolls & butter. Make checks payable to: St Paul Hiking Club and mail to: Viv Fickling, 2254 Jennifer Ln., North St Paul, MN 55109. Reservation deadline is Monday, November 17th, include dinner choice in response. Guests welcome. Contact: Vicky: 651.335.8079.
HAPPY December BIRTHDAYS TO...
12/6 Melinda Metts, 12/10 Celeste Riley, 12/13 Richard Nicholson, 12/14 Judy Nelson,
12/23 Karen Westphall, 12/31 Douglas Carlson, 12/31, Dave Van Wyk.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERs...Nancy Ensley, Maureen McDonnell.
Christmas time Blessings
Christmas music plays softly
Laughter is everywhere.
I can smell Christmas
Floating in the air.
The lovely Christmas tree is lit.
An Angel tops the tree
Vicky’s ornaments, a part of it.
Fun and friends a guarantee.
The Christmas village is on display
Finding it’s new addition proves rare.
Christmas cookies and a food buffet
Is prepared with loving care.
So, thank you Club members for taking time
to demonstrate your love.
It’s yet another blessing that,
we’re undeserving of.
Top 20 hikers with mileage.
Patty Peterson 301, Sharon Heaton 297, Brock Herlick 268, Don Crawford 261, Sue Crawford 256,
Sandy Herlick 245, Rick Nelson 245, Bernie Wildes 239, Doug Carlson 233, Viv Fickling 218,
Vicky Beutel 217, Rose Nelson 208, Judy Nelson 207, Shirley Lee 203, Vic Fickling 202,
Bryana Garcia 202, Jane Boyer 201, Wendy Chen 182, Scott Lee 170, Bob Tholkes 154.
Total mileage hiked with the club 6284. Members 6149, Guests 135
That is about the distance from St Paul MN, to Cairo, Egypt.
A look back at this point in previous years.
In 2021 we had 6188 miles, In 2022 - 5653 miles, in 2023 - 5131 miles, in 2024 - 5886 miles.
Of the 80 hikes to date, 43 of them started in Ramsey County, 23 in Washington County, 4 in
Anoka County, 4 in Dakota County, 4 in Hennepin County, 1 in Pierce County, 1 in St Croix County
Of the 80 hikes to date 48 hikes had 20 or more hikers. 2 hikes had 28 hikers which is the most.