On Wednesday, December 11, 2024, Mike Pedersen gazes out the front door of the Nora Store, located near Alcester, South Dakota. USA TODAY
In the remote town of Nora, South Dakota, located on a quiet corner of 307th Street and 475th Avenue, sits the Nora Store, a place that draws visitors from across the Midwest during the holiday season. This little corner of the world becomes a holiday gathering spot, thanks to the charm and warmth of 73-year-old Mike Pedersen, a man who brings the spirit of Christmas to life with his pipe organ and generous heart.
Mike, who has lived in the area for years, is known for his warm personality, infectious laugh, and love of music. For 35 years, he has opened his doors at the Nora Store, inviting people to join him for a Christmas sing-along that has become a beloved tradition. What started as a hobby has turned into a gathering that leaves visitors feeling blessed and refreshed. “I just want people to leave feeling blessed and refreshed,” Pedersen says, reflecting on the incredible journey the holiday event has taken.
On Wednesday, December 11, 2024, Mike Pedersen stands in front of the pipe organ at the Nora Store, located near Alcester, South Dakota. USA TODAY
Nora itself is an unincorporated town with just two residents—Pedersen and his neighbor Luke Lyle. The Nora Store has a rich history, starting as the Ronning General Store in the late 1800s. It was a place where local farmers gathered to trade goods, and the community thrived. After closing in 1962, the store sat abandoned until Pedersen moved in and began to restore it. Over the next 13 years, he cleaned, fixed, and transformed the building into a home and community center.
On Wednesday, December 11, 2024, Mike Pedersen plays the pipe organ at the Nora Store near Alcester, South Dakota, where he has been hosting a Christmas sing-along for 35 years. USA TODAY
The idea of hosting holiday sing-alongs wasn’t something Pedersen originally planned. His love of music began as a hobby, playing the piano and singing at church, before he became fascinated by a pipe organ he found at the University of South Dakota’s National Music Museum. With the help of a few friends, he began restoring the organ in 1989. That restoration would change his life and the lives of those who came to hear it.
On Wednesday, December 11, 2024, Mike Pedersen plays the pipe organ at the Nora Store, located near Alcester, South Dakota. For the past 35 years, he has been hosting a Christmas sing-along for visitors. USA TODAY
Pedersen’s sing-along events began in 1989, when he placed an ad in a local newspaper inviting people to join him for a Christmas carol session. Over the years, the event grew in popularity, and today, it draws groups from across the region. Visitors come from nearby towns like Tea, South Dakota, where the Trinity Lutheran Church group attends as part of their December tradition. “Mike is a joy, and he makes it a good day,” says Linda Dannen, a regular attendee from Tea.
On Wednesday, December 11, 2024, Mike Pedersen talks to a class from Missouri Valley Christian Academy while sitting at the pipe organ at the Nora Store near Alcester, South Dakota. For 35 years, he has been organizing a Christmas sing-along. USA TODAY
As the holiday season unfolds, Pedersen encourages everyone to join in the music, whether by singing, playing instruments, or even ringing the bells he places in each row. The festive atmosphere is filled with joy, love, and a sense of community. The feeling of hope and warmth that fills the room is palpable, and visitors often bring cookies to share, further enhancing the sense of togetherness.
On Wednesday, December 11, 2024, Mike Pedersen plays the pipe organ at the Nora Store near Alcester, South Dakota. He has been organizing a Christmas sing-along for 35 years. USA TODAY
Pedersen, despite struggling with health issues, continues to give his all to the event, even wondering if this might be his final year. But the growing attention from media outlets has encouraged him to continue for at least one more season. “Nora has been my life ministry, but is this my last hurrah?” he muses, as he reflects on his legacy of bringing joy to others.
As the event concludes each year, Pedersen waves goodbye to his guests, wishing them a Merry Christmas. It’s in those moments, as snow begins to fall, that the magic of Nora, South Dakota, comes to life, leaving a lasting impression on all who visit.
