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Well I finally got my wish. We got close to 6 inches of the white stuff on Friday. Isn’t it great to see snow rather than dirty brown ground? I know the snowmobilers and the ski hills are happy. If you don’t mind a little shoveling, the snow is worth it. If you read a couple weeks back, we had an article about septic tanks freezing with the lack of snow. Well guess who’s septic tank froze? Yep. I now feel all those weeks where I was begging for snow had some sort of reasoning.

If your septic has not succumb to freezing, here is a little tip. Go out and purchase about 4 or 5 bales of straw. Make sure it is straw and not hay, because hay holds moisture and tends to not insulate as well. Take the straw and shake loose on top of your septic tank and you should be good to go. A little clean up in the spring is a lot better than some alarm that sounds like aliens are invading going off in the middle of the night.

This weekend marks the annual Celebration of the Lakes. The main part of the celebration will take place in Center City on North Center Lake. The weather forecast looks promising so keep your fingers crossed. There are so many events you will probably want to go more than once. The balloons first launch is at 7:45 a.m. and then again at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Make sure you bring your camera! Every year the Chisago County Press holds a photo contest and gives out three prizes. If you win the contest, your photo will be used for next year’s celebration.

At noon on Saturday the Medallion Hunt begins and this year’s prize is $100. There are all kinds of games for the kids, along with hayrides and Kitty Cat Snowmobile races. This year you can take a sled dog ride and then have some chili at the annual cook-off.

Also on Saturday, there will be a Grand Prix held on South Lindstrom Lake starting at 8 a.m. It’s quite a scene to see cars racing on the ice.

Sunday holds as much excitement with another balloon launch at 7:45 a.m. again on North Center Lake. There is a pancake breakfast at Trinity Lutheran Church, in Lindstrom, starting at 8 a.m. Then at 9 a.m. back on North Center Lake, it is my children’s favorite. I’m talking about the Snowmobile Radar Run. Watching these people drive their snowmobiles sometimes in excess of 100 mph is incredible.

I forgot to mention that on Saturday and Sunday you can take a helicopter ride around the area. I am told that it is a ride you will remember for a long time.

If fishing is your bag, then be sure to enter the fishing contest on North Center Lake starting at 1 p.m.

I’m sure I have left out a lot of other events, but believe me when I tell you that you will have a great time whatever event you take in.

I would like to take this time to say “Happy Belated Birthday” to my mother-in-law. You are a very special person and I thank you for always being there. Most people cringe when they talk about their in-laws, not in my case.

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