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On Monday I had the pleasure of taking photos at the Girls State Diving Meet at the U of M. Chisago Lakes had the dubious honor of bringing three divers to the meet. Let me just tell you, these girls did a fantastic job diving. Erica Greene, Lauren Trudeau and Ana Peltier all had spectacular dives throughout the first five rounds. Erica was blowing away the competition when I had to leave. The parents of these girls should be proud of their daughters, they really are a talented bunch. Look for our story in the upcoming sports section.

I hope you had the chance to read the Search last weekend. In it, along with great local advertising, we had our Holiday Gift Guide. In the guide you will find a whole assortment of local advertisers offering their terrific goods and or services. I know I have said this a million times, but we really do have some great stores right here in our backyard. You can literally find just about anything right here in the confines of Chisago County. I hope that you will make a conscious effort to try to shop locally. These people (store owners) put everything they have into making their stores such wonderful places.

Keeping on the subject of the economy, have you seen the latest profits postings by the oil refineries? Oh my *#!*^! How can these companies sit and charge us, the consumer, such unbelievable prices for a gallon of gas while at the same time post record-breaking profits. While we are forced to second or even third mortgage ourselves into oblivion, these fat cats are swimming in a pool of money and wiping the cake off their faces with 100 dollar bills. If the government does not step in and regulate in some sort of fashion, there will be two, yes two companies, running the United States––the oil companies and Wal-Mart. God help us.

Sorry about that, I would be remiss if I forgot to mention the birthday of one of my most favorite people. Happy birthday to my Grandmother in Cedar Falls, Iowa. You have given us some of our greatest memories and I hope to have many many more with you. We love you very much.

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