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As I am writing this column, we are just learning of the horrific shootings at Virginia Tech College. The authorities are not sure if it was limited to one shooter or if there was another earlier in the morning.

I am at a loss for words. In our world today, it seems that there is virtually no one place that you are safe from some form of violence. You have farm families in rural Minnesota (thought to be one of the safest places in America) being shot and killed in their home, you have Amish children being shot while attending school, high school kids shooting at fellow students, to name a few. Maybe I am from the wrong generation. I grew up feeling safe no matter how old I was or where I lived. Apparently those days are gone -- long gone. Being the parent of two small children, my life has many, many more sleepless nights, worrying about their well-being, as well as hoping and praying that they never come in contact with one of these monsters.

Thank you to everyone who has responded to our subscription renewal during the month of March. The response has been great and we really do appreciate your continued support. To all who have not taken advantage of our renewal campaign, you will be receiving a postcard in the mail reminding you to renew. Our annual renewal date is May 5, so please be sure to include your payment along with the blue card and mail it back to us so we can enter you into the system. Again, we would like to thank you the readers, and hope to hear from you soon.

I have been approached by several people about a photo that ran in our paper a couple of weeks ago. The photo was in the school section and featured a group of third graders being honored for their creative writing skills. In the photo, there is a child in front that appears to be flashing some sort of symbols with his hands. I pride myself in not knowing what gang symbols look like, and to be honest, I really don't think this child is flashing gang symbols, but whatever the symbols stand for has got some people's ire up. I apologize for running the photo and I hope we did not offend anyone.

I was talking with Chisago County Administrator John Moosey the other day and I asked him how the search for a new veteran's van was going. I told him about the rumors I had heard that someone had donated a van or enough money to purchase a new van. John told me that that was not the case and they are still welcoming donations. So please disregard any rumor you hear about some anonymous donor, and donate if you can. It is a wonderful program helping those who have fought for our freedom. Checks can be mailed to: Chisago County Veterans' Services, 38794 Sixth Avenue, North Branch, MN 55056. Please note in the check memo veteran's van fund. Thank you.

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