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This year’s annual Lighting Festival Royal Lady of the Village title goes to longtime rural Taylors Falls resident, Janet Dibble.

When she was a young girl, Janet and her family would make the long trek from the cities to visit her grandparents’ farm on the outskirts of Taylors Falls.

Janet and her siblings would enjoy days and weekends with extended family and community would eventually become lifelong friends–and family members. At 10 years old, the young Janet Boucher met Taylors Falls native Clarence “Pete” Dibble and a friendship began.  The couple married in 1957, settling in Taylors Falls. They began a family and living the farming life, raising son Tom and daughter Pat.

Throughout the decades, Janet and Pete strove to be assets to the community wherever they could. From volunteering as a Sunday School teacher at the Methodist church to cheering the Taylors Falls K-12 school sports teams on at games, you could always find Janet helping somewhere in the community.

Barb Young, Lighting Festival founder and long-time chair, calls Janet and Pete “the glue that held the small community of Taylors Falls together.”

She continued, “Janet is a sweet soul that always has a smile or a kind word to make others feel welcome, and Pete always knew how to make people laugh. Together they brought a bond to the community that made us all feel like family.” 

Janet has also contributed for decades to the beautification of Taylors Falls through her artwork. She started drawing at a very young age, and teachers quickly noticed her exceptional painting talent.

In 2004, Janet was honored to have one of her paintings (in picture) chosen for display at the Minnesota State Fair’s Fine Art Exhibit. She later sold prints of that painting, donating all proceeds to the Taylors Falls Together With Friends Summer Day Camp. .

Janet’s paintings continue to be sought out. In her younger years, Janet was often commissioned by Taylors Falls parents to paint portraits of their children. Between her 50 plus portrait paintings and her lifestyle artwork, you can find Janet Dibble paintings hanging in many Taylors Falls homes.

When she wasn’t bringing Taylors Falls families together or sharing her gift of amazing artwork, Janet spent many years supporting the people of Taylors Falls in other ways. She quietly cared for the elderly in the community and she worked at Schmidt Chiropractic in Taylors Falls for over 30 years. Today she continues caring for the elderly around her and spreading love and joy to those in her circle.

A fan of the written note, Janet writes words of love and encouragement to family members, friends and neighbors. Along with her handwritten notes, you might find a plate of homemade cookies or a knitted scarf or hat.

At nearly 92 years of age Janet shows no signs of slowing down. She continues to use her tremendous artistic gifts and her loving heart to enrich the Taylors Falls community.

Taylors Falls Lighting Fest

Taylors Falls rolls out the red carpet again for the annual Lighting Festival, November 24, 25 and 26.

The Lighting Festival collectible ornament is available now. The theme for this year is “175 years of commerce.” The ornament is $10.

The state park on the river is getting into the festivities this year with free park entry on Friday.  The mainstreet parade starts at 6 p.m. and the whole town lights up, parade participants and all.  

You can fill up on chili or booya (or both) at the Catholic church or Romayne’s.  Booya is from 5 to 8 p.m.  The Knights of Columbus chili fundraiser is from 5 p.m. til gone.

Sometime in your busy evening drop by and say hello to Mrs. Claus at the quaint downtown municipal library from 5 to 6 p.m.  The big guy himself is due to stop by the Community Center (old depot) from 6:30 to 8 p.m.  Get your Christmas card photo done or just come for the people watching.

On Saturday, November 25 the craft fair returns to the Community Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Evangelical First Lutheran Church hosts a lumberjack style pancake breakfast, starting at 9 a.m.  Free will donation accepted.

If you need a break during the day, pop into the Historic Methodist Church on Angel Hill for sloppy Joes.  

This is partnering with a bake sale. Action is in the church lower level from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Vespers meanwhile is performed upstairs in the sanctuary,  at 4:30 p.m.

Bingo gets underway at the Community Center at 6:30 p.m.

On Sunday the Irish dance troupe is at the Community Center from 1:30 to 3:30.  Sit back and enjoy or throw yourself in and learn a few steps. This is a free event.

St. Croix Valley Orchestra gives a concert at the Historic Methodist Church at 3 p.m. Sunday, entry is a freewill donation.

The state historic site, the Folsom House is also open and decorated for the holidays, during the festival weekend.

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