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Well, after what seemed like months of preparation has come down to one crazy day. I hope that you take time this Christmas to stop, look around and appreciate all that you have. In this era of technology, we tend to lose our concentration easily. I think to some degree, incorporating technology as great as it may be has caused us reduced attention spans. I am as guilty as anyone, especially when it comes to watching television.

My family years ago never “flipped” channels during commercials or watched two or more shows at the same time. I guess what I am trying to get at is this, try to just sit back, soak up as much around you as you possibly can this Christmas. I think you will be surprised how much we miss from all the constant commotion in our lives. I hope you and your families have a wonderful, safe Christmas!

Just because Christmas is right around the corner doesn’t mean that the need for food donations has diminished. There are many successful food drives going on all over our area. Peter Wilson, at Makers Healthy Market, is currently hosting one of these drives. For donations of $10, you will be purchasing 10 lbs. of certified organic rice. For $25 you will be donating 50 lbs. of certified oatmeal. These foods will be donated to Family Pathways at the end of the food drive. Whether you donate to that drive or another one, anything you donate will be very much appreciated.

Here is a little where are they now tidbit . . . Chisago Lakes graduate and Shafer native Jack Danielson has been working for U.S. Senator Mark Dayton. He is in Washington helping close down Senator Dayton’s offices. The staff has to review all of the senator’s papers that go to the state’s Historical Society, for their archives. Danielson said he’s spending this Christmas in Shafer and is looking forward to some skiing out west. He says he will figure out his next career move soon after the holidays. Welcome home Jack.

Included in this edition of the Chisago County Press, you will find many holiday greeting ads from area businesses wishing you a happy holidays. We, here at the Press, join in thanking you for your support of our newspaper and hope that we continue to grow and provide you with one of the best local newspapers around.

We had a reader last week that called with an address of a house with Christmas lights that are worth taking a drive to see. The address is 30620 Akerson St. in Lindstrom. It is on the other side of Highway 8 from Lindstrom Video.

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