NORA, S.D. (KELO) — Mike Pedersen has received plenty of phone calls and some impromptu visits to the Nora Store since a story about his Christmas carol tradition aired on CBS Mornings.
Pedersen was surprised to hear his story gained the attention of CBS’s David Begnaud.
“Well, I didn’t know how to respond. I thought he was kidding me. I didn’t know what to think,” Pedersen said.
“This was my favorite Christmas story I’ve done in 25 years of journalism. It was like a warm hug. It was comfort food for the soul,” Begnaud said Monday.
Ever since Pedersen was featured nationally on CBS Mornings playing his organ, his phone has been ringing off the hook.
“I’ve gotten quite a few calls already today, and a lot of them are wondering where is this is located at, or when is it going to happen. And well-wishers just said, ‘Hey, we can’t be there. We’re a distance away. But it was such a joy to to to see the video,'” Pedersen said.
The story meant a lot to him.
“I wiped a few tears away. They were tears of thanksgiving and praise to God that he’s allowed me for 35 years to host this event,” Pedersen said.
Because he takes pride in treating his guests like family.
“You can’t hardly go home without feeling a little bit of a warm, fuzzy feeling because you didn’t become a nobody here. You were somebody,” Pedersen said.
Pedersen even got some unexpected visitors to the Nora store Tuesday, so what did he do?
He sang Jingle Bells of course.
And every time Pedersen’s fingers run across the keys, he is just thankful that he is able to spread a little more Christmas joy.
“It’s touched a lot more people’s lives than I ever dreamed it would,” Pedersen said.
Jordan: How’s that make you feel?
“Humble. Thankful. Say, ‘Jesus, why me? There’s better men out there for this than me,'” Pedersen said.
Pedersen will host open houses on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 6:30 p.m., and he will also be open on Saturday and Sunday at 1:30.
