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I hope you and your family had a wonderful New Year's Eve and Day. When I was younger, I would live for a New Year's Eve party. Get together with friends, enjoy some libations and act stupid. Well, I guess old age has caught up with me because this New Year's Eve I spent with my family eating a nice meal and playing board games with my children. And, the funny thing about it? This was one of the best New Year's I have ever had. Maybe it's not that I am getting old, maybe just maybe I am growing up? Probably not.

The Chisago Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for its annual Celebration of the Lakes Hot Air Balloon Festival. The festival will take place January 26-28 on North Center Lake just off Highway 8.

The celebration will feature all kinds of events for everyone of all ages. There will be money-saving bargains from area merchants when you are wearing your 2007 Celebration of the Lakes button.

How is this for a list -- ice skating, sleigh rides, a broomball tournament, a hockey tournament, helicopter rides, a 5K race/walk, sled dog rides, snowmobile radar runs, gran prix ice racing, a medallion hunt, a spaghetti feed, a fireman's ball -- and many, many more things for you and your family to partake in.

Watch for all of the promotions and a list of events to be posted in this year's Celebration of the Lakes circular and in upcoming Chisago County Press issues. With the purchase of a button, it allows you to be entered in several drawings for prizes, along with being collectable. The buttons are beautiful and they help promote the event and the Chamber.

Soon the Minnesota Legislature will begin yet another year of law making. We need to challenge our representatives and senators to live up to their promises made during their campaigns. Even more important than that, please do the business that you were elected to do in a manner that is right for the majority of your constituents.

The Chisago County Press is now looking for someone to report on Chisago City Council meetings. This is a great opportunity to earn some money and learn about your local government. Chisago City is a growing city that has a great government intact. You will be expected to attend the meetings and write an article in a timely manner. You can call Denise or Matt at 651-257-5115 for more details.

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