Neighborly Northfield

Last winter Northfield embraced the LA film cast and crew of Love Always, Santa, a Christmas tale of romance and drama that premiered on the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries channel on November 6. Northfield's small town charm won over former New Prague resident Lori Leahy who, with her husband, runs the production company that produced the film. They had previously visited during Winterwalk and were impressed then with the location as they were with the enthusiasm of the townspeople when they filmed here. So many responded to the call for unpaid extras and were genuinely warm and friendly. "That kind of response is what Mike Leahy said defined the Northfield experience."

Last month, Northfield had another opportunity to extend its Midwest hospitality to an LA film cast and crew. This time it was Epic Pictures basing its latest dark sci-fi story, The Nanny, in Northfield and nearby Nerstrand. Excited students at Nerstrand Elementary School, Carleton College Arboretum, select spots like The Contented Cow, and the Nerstrand State Park are all featured in this much darker take on Mary Poppins. Tara Tucker, line producer for the film, described well their experience with these Minnesota communities when she said, "Just how welcoming each one has been is awesome." Neighborliness - to the people around the block or around the world - is just being plain nice to everyone we meet. Our differences are what make us interesting. Won't you be my neighbor?

To read the articles "Northfield Set for Early Premiere of 'Love Always, Santa' " and "New Movie Filming in Northfield, Nerstrand" both by Philip Weyhe in the Northfield News go to: http://www.southernminn.com/northfield_news/news/article_30a75c05-5f9c- 5049-a4a6- fc8195cfd597.html

Photo Credit: Philip Weyhe