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Congratulations to Erica Greene on her fourth place finish at the state diving meet. I have seen Erica and her teammates a couple times this year and they are terrific. Chisago Lakes has built a real powerhouse when it comes to swimming and diving.

If you read last week’s paper, you would have seen the article and photo about this year’s Taylors Falls Lighting Festival Christmas ornament. It is a beautiful rendition of the Folsom House in Taylors Falls inside of a wreath. They cost $10 and can be bought at most retailers in Taylors Falls. They would make a great present for someone or a nice keepsake for yourself.

In this issue of the Press, you will find our 2005 Winter Sports Preview. In the preview you will find an article about each of the local teams from Chisago and North Branch. It is a great way to learn more about your local teams and prep you for the upcoming season. This is our sports editor’s first full Sports Preview and I think he did a great job. We hope you will enjoy it as much as we enjoyed working on it.

Christmas must be coming soon. If you could just see the way my kids are acting lately, you would understand. It is like watching popcorn pop, there is always movement and you never know what’s going to happen. They are so excited that just watching them makes you tired.

Last week, if you are like me, you got a depressing letter in the mail. I’m talking about your proposed property taxes for the upcoming year. We have been getting warnings for some time now telling us to brace for a sizable hike in taxes. Boy were they right. Our taxes jumped over 11 percent in one year. This increase appears to be nationwide or so the national newscasts tell us. I just don’t see an end to the property tax escalator any time soon.

I was always told to avoid renting at all costs for it built you no equity whatsoever. Well, if our taxes keep rising and rising, add that with the ridiculous pricing on natural gas, suddenly renting doesn’t seem all that crazy after all.

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