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The Chisago County Press is sad to say goodbye to a close friend. Sue Fredrickson is leaving us to pursue a college degree in finance. Sue has worked for the Press for close to four years. She has been our face that you have seen at the front desk. We wish her all the best in whichever path she chooses. Thank you for all you have done for us.

Hopefully you have been paying attention to the Highway 8 debate that has consumed Lindstrom as of late. If you have, then you know what a hot button issue it really is. Last week there was an informative meeting presented to the governing bodies informing them of MnDOT’s opinions of the two plans, SRF’s opinions of the two plans and TKDA.

Next week, December 14, you the public will get your chance to have a similar meeting with MnDOT, TKDA and SRF. It will be your chance to ask questions, look at maps, and become more informed. After all, to be well informed is the most important asset of all. The meeting will start at 7 p.m. and will probably last quite a while. I would hope that people would approach this meeting as an informative meeting, not a chance to raise their voices. There will be a later meeting held for the residents to voice their opinions to the city leaders. This meeting is scheduled for the public to have direct access to MnDOT, TKDA and SRF. I hope to see you there.

This Saturday, you have a chance to experience Christmas like the Swedish people do. The Chisago Lake Lutheran Church, in Center City, and the Kichi Saga Swedish Club is presenting their annual Sankta Lucia Festival of Lights Ceremony. It is a wonderful tradition that kicks off the holiday season and really gives the viewers a sense of harmony and peace. The ceremony begins at 9 a.m., there is no fee, but a free-will donation will be much appreciated.

The County Press is still looking for a reporter to cover Taylors Falls City Council meetings. We also have an opening for a Lent Township reporter. These two beats could be combined if someone wanted to. It is a great opportunity to earn some money, and learn about your local government. You can call Denise or Matt at 651-257-5115 for more details.

What is that old saying? “It’s for the children.” This winter I thought I would try to make up for some of my fatherly inaccuracies and build my children something they would really like.

In the middle of the night late this fall, I had the ideas of all ideas. I will build them a skating rink. What kid wouldn’t like a rink in their own back yard? Well, after a long weekend of framing and measuring, my creation was done. All I needed was to flood the rink and I would be up for “Father of the Year” award for sure.That is where the trouble started. Apparently the spot that I built the rink was not as flat as I had thought and the water would either stay on one side or leak out that same side.

So on Monday, I had an idea of damming the middle which would force the water to stay on the other side of the rink. Well that didn’t work either so here I am in 10 below windchills trying to pound this dam out of my rink when I slip and fall perfectly flat on my back. Now I am laying in 3-inches of ice water and I am wondering if my kids will ever say “It’s for our old man.” Hopefully they will be constructing a hot tub instead of a ice rink.

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