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We are rapidly approaching my favorite time of the year. The Celebration of the Lakes is just around the corner. If you have never been to this event, you do not know what you are missing. Last year, like this year, it will be held on North Center Lake, in Center City, Jan. 28-30. Last year’s celebration was a huge hit and this year’s promises to be bigger and better than ever. There is virtually something to do every hour of the day, all weekend long.

The annual Chili Cook-off was a big crowd favorite and will be held again this year. As always, we will be having a photo contest here at the Press, so I strongly urge you to show off your photographic skills, and submit your photos to us. We had some really stunning photos submitted last year.

If you are interested in sponsoring a hot air balloon or an event, please call Greg Shaleen at 651-982-1237. There is still plenty of help needed to make this event one of the best events in the state. So if you would like to volunteer for anything at all, please give Greg a call or call the Chisago Lakes Area Chamber at 257-1177. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

From what the weather people are telling us, we are in for a deep freeze. The lows are expected to be in the minus 20s to 30s from Thursday through the weekend. If you know someone who is living by themselves, please take the time to check in on them. Make sure they are warm and safe.

If you read last week’s upcoming, you hopefully read about the methamphetamine seminar being held January 21, 11:30 a.m., at the Lowell Inn in Stillwater.

I would encourage people to take in this luncheon. This horrible epidemic has found its way to virtually every corner of our society. We, as a society, need to recognize this problem and deal with it accordingly. This seminar will help you identify meth use, production and the effects of this horrible drug.

The cost of the luncheon is $15, which also gets you a meal, and is scheduled to last about an hour and a half. If interested please call 651-430-3830.

On a totally different note, how about those Vikings? I could not believe my eyes. Was this the same team I have watched give game after game away? It was nice to finally see some resemblance of a defense that we have not seen all year. I could care less if they go on to lose by 100 against Philadelphia, because we sent the Packers packing. And, if Randy Moss thinks he can drop his drawers against Philly, he had better have security around him. What an idiot.

Matt Silver

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