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I hope you and your property weathered the storms okay on Saturday night. The storm easily had the most lightning I have ever seen. Like many other not-so-smart Minnesotans, I was outside watching this giant wall cloud move towards our area. It was like it was day time. There was never a break in lightning strikes so it kept it bright as dusk outside. Our area needed some rain, but three inches in one hour is a little extreme.

The weather moved on and didn’t seem to hinder this year’s Apple Festival in Almelund on Sunday. There seemed to be a lot of people out enjoying a crisp pre-fall Sunday. There was definitely plenty to eat, and the organizers kept the public entertained with dancers, music and story telling.

Kudos to this year’s Apple Fest organizers–– you did an outstanding job and we the public appreciate all of your hard work.

The fall celebrations just keep coming. This upcoming weekend North Branch will host its 16th annual Fall Harvest Festival. The festival kicks off this Thursday with a block party on Main Street. Friday is your day to take in a wonderful spaghetti dinner at the Senior Center that starts at 8 p.m. Saturday is when things really get hopping. There will be an art, craft and commercial fair in Central Park starting at 10 a.m. There will be a classic car show, a “Change for Schools” walk and an omelet breakfast. Sunday the events keep rolling with a pancake breakfast, the art & craft fair and it all wraps up with a booya held at St. Gregory's Church. Look in this edition of the Press for times and locations.

Many of you have commented about how much you enjoyed Chris Sauro’s book “Twins Platoon” that we featured in March. Well, I am happy to say that “Twins Platoon” has gone into its second printing. Congratulations, Chris. If you would like more information on Chris or the book, please visit www.twin splatoon.com.

Did you hear about the Isanti man accused of throwing and killing his six-week-old child? Apparently he was frustrated with the child for an excessive amount of crying. He also said that he was unemployed and depressed. So what better way to take your frustrations out than on a six-week-old infant? The autopsy also revealed that the child had suffered previous broken ribs that had just healed.

It makes me sick to my stomach to think that an adult would get satisfaction out of harming an infant or even a child. There are millions and millions of couples, who for some reason or another, are unable to have children, and it is their greatest wish that someday they will have the opportunity to adopt a child. Yet, we still hear of these horrific stories of parents who clearly do not want children in their lives so they resort to harming the child.

If your child is frustrating you to the point where you think you could “go off” and do bodily harm, please call someone. There are other options. Any hospital in the state will take your child if you feel you are at the end of your rope and could possibly harm him or her. Violence is not an option.

MATT SILVER

Publisher

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