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In this edition of the County Press, you will find more election results that we did not have time to compile and print prior to our deadline last week. Most people who called were understanding of our deadline, and some just wanted to rant and rave a little bit. While on the subject, I would like to thank everyone who got involved in this year’s election. Whether you ran for office, campaigned for someone, or turned out to vote, you did a terrific job this year, and it is your involvement that makes our system work so well. Also, thank you to all the wonderful volunteers who helped with the voting process. These people have quite a task keeping the chaos to a minimum, yet they seem to always do it with smiles on their faces.

As impossible as it may seem, Thanksgiving is just one week away. The Chisago Lakes Lions Club is preparing for their 18th annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner. The dinner is open to anyone who needs or wants to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner in the company of others. The meal will be served from noon until 1 p.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church, in Lindstrom. The dinner is free, but reservations are requested.

Everything involved with the meal is done for free with the hard work and love of the Lions and other volunteers. Thank you to the Lions and everybody involved with the dinner. And please, instead of being alone this Thanksgiving, make a call to 651-257-2654 or 651-257-5679, you will be glad you did.

With the onset of Thanksgiving and ultimately Christmas, you can see it in people’s eyes –– it’s shopping fever. Locally, our merchants, the people you know from church, your neighborhood, the same people that pay taxes and really support local causes, are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to serve your holiday shopping needs.

I have written it many times before and I will continue to harp on the subject. Not only are these people our neighbors etc., but their stores, shops, service centers are what make the Chisago Lakes Area what it is today, and that is a wonderful area with lots of charm and feel, that differs from other towns with “big box” and corporate driven superstores.

We need to preserve and relish our “small town” atmosphere while we still have one. One very important way is by doing as much business locally as possible. I know that there are some things that a trip to the big city is unavoidable, but for the most part, you can find just about any product or service here with very comparable pricing.

In next week’s Search Shopper you will find our annual pre-holiday Gift Guide. The area merchants I spoke of earlier have purchased ads to invite you to check out their businesses and services for your holiday shopping needs this year. Area businesses want your business and the Gift Guide is filled with great buys and ideas to get your holiday shopping started on the right foot.

I would like to use this space to tell a certain person how important she is in my life. I am speaking of my grandmother. Not to wallow in my sorrows, but after losing both of my parents and being left with just two brothers and no other family around, it was a little unnerving to say the least. But luckily, I have one of the most supportive, loving, and always “there for you” grandmother in the world. She has helped me, my family, and my brothers cope, heal, and readjust our outlook on life. I would like to say Happy 89th Birthday to my hero, my mentor and my friend.

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