The 2025 holiday season was an active one for our SLAGA community. The first weekend in December kicked off the season with the spirit of giving at the 2025 Community Christmas Celebration Event (GCATM25) hosted by nan-d1955/Nan. This memorable and very fun event included, not only great food and conversation, but also the generosity of the 42 members in attendance, through food, toiletry and toy donations. These were collected for the local food pantry and Birthday Club of ‘Circle of Concern’ in Valley Park. Over 250 pounds of food and nearly 70 toys were donated. This yearly event is always a great way to start the season. 

CO Nan said that spending time with her fellow geocachers at this family time of year warms her heart. “I get so much joy out of being with my friends at this event that I stop and wonder how many others there feel the same joy. If even one, that makes me happy."

Next came Santa Cachemas (GeoKid12) and his many elves hiding caches all around SLAGAland for 12 straight days, while geocachers practically dropped everything in their personal lives to try for a coveted First-to-Find honor and ornament. This past season the caches were all letterbox hybrid type with cute stamps that ended up being the clues for the bonus day. Having participated every day of 2025 Cachemas, this writer can attest to the great quality and variety of caches in this whole series!  While the excitement of the hunt has always been a Cachemas high, the gathering of geofriends throughout and the tailgate festivities sure add to the joy of the Cachemas season!  

GeoKid12/Robert/Santa always does an amazing job organizing the series and hiding some caches himself.  The other hider elves definitely put effort into their choice of locations and caches too this year.  Then there's toy-maker elf, LFrank, who provided all the FTF ornaments. Over the years, this 2-week long Cachemas experience has turned into a holiday social favorite for many who not only get outdoors and earn a smiley, but really enjoy holiday time with friends too.

There were other fun events held in the month of December, including happy hours and game nights and Christmas Day lunch. But the Holiday season and 2025 came to an end and the new year began with the official SLAGA New Year's Day Hike on January 1st!

The 2026 hike, hosted by Treasure Isle/Susan, took place at 1 pm in the beautiful Laumeier Sculpture Park, which happens to be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. "Laumeier is a place where art and nature come together to spark curiosity, creativity, and connection." More than 50 SLAGA members gathered on the back patio of the office building to enjoy a warm beverage and  holiday chats during the 30-minute meet-n-greet portion of the event. Then all cachers were invited to hike with the larger group or break off themselves to enjoy the many areas of the park. There were several old and new geocaches that could be found, so many hikers departed not only with smiles but smilies too. CO Susan hosted a terrific event and thanked all who attended as stated in her Attended Log. "Thanks to everyone who made this a successful start to the new year. Special thanks to cootie_man who provided drinks, cookies, and cups, etc. Also special thanks to Geokid12 for the huge variety of cookies and to Strider for placing a cache in the last available spot in Laumeier. Here's to another amazing year of geocaching!" 

SLAGA's 2025 was magnificent with new members joining, new geocaches hidden, numerous events and CITOS conducted, as well as activities like Cachemas and the year-long Adventure Awaits Challenges!  On that topic, the December challenge winner will be announced and honored in their own article soon.

But this is a great opportunity to announce the 2025 GRAND PRIZE WINNER, drawn from all participants from each month.  Drum Roll please......The Adventure Awaits Grand Prize Winner for 2025 is SWASEEKER/BILL! Congratulations and enjoy your $25 gift card prize!  
  

As 2026 begins, you can already see new changes, like our SLAGA board's new Adventure Awaits Challenge plans that are in play for this year.  As for geocacher 'resolutions' ideas, consider planning new caching adventures, setting some caching goals, exploring interesting new places, or committing to attending more SLAGA events or volunteering at one.  And there's no better time or place to start that last idea, than at the upcoming SLAGA Winter Potluck and Cabin Fever-2026 Event (GCBEWXB), hosted by L Frank and Denmother on January 31, 2026. 

Cheers to a great 2025 and

to an adventurous, happy

and healthy 2026!