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Don't look now but the Celebration of the Lakes is here. Great news, we just spoke with the sheriff's office and they gave the approval to hold it on North Center Lake. Grab the family, come on out and have some fun. The first lift off takes place Saturday at 7:45 a.m., and the second at 3:30 p.m. There will be plenty for everyone of all ages to do and see.

During the celebration, the Olde Theatre in Center City will be showing old time comedy movies at 7 p.m., Friday and again at 1 p.m., Saturday (this one will be a children's cartoon matinee). After the shows be sure to catch the Ironhorse Central Railroad Museum's slideshow. Take it from me, it is very interesting and worth seeing.

I asked John Schmidt, who heads up the celebration, to give me some tidbits about ballooning. He did, and I thought they were quite interesting, so I decided to share them with you.

Balloons usually fly within several hours of sunrise and sunset, when the winds are calmest and conditions most stable. During the middle of the day, the development of thermals can be highly dangerous for the balloonist. Balloonists try to be on the ground no later than four hours after sunrise. Time of year makes much less difference than time of day.

From an eagle's point of view, the Chisago Lakes area are spectacular, abounding with multiple lakes. Deer, wild turkeys and farm livestock roam the well manicured landowner properties.

The pilot 'steers' the balloon by firing the burner for ascent and letting the air cool for descent. Different layers of the air can be moving in different directions -- you will go up and down a couple of times, the pilot determining the direction the balloon will drift depending on the air currents at different altitudes. Since balloons don't have any means of controlling lateral movement they go wherever the wind takes them.

During the flight, the pilot will select a landing site which is free of obstacles, large enough for a safe landing and deflation of the balloon and not too far from a road. "May the winds welcome you with softness,

May the sun bless you with his warm hands,

May you fly so high and so well, That God joins you in laughter,

And sets you gently back into the loving arms of Mother Earth."

Part of the adventure of ballooning is not knowing your final touch down/landing zone prior to departure.

Well, you the readers spoke and apparently the County Board listened. I am pleased to announce that the Board had a change of heart and decided to take the low bid for the legal newspaper. To us here at the Press it was never about the dollars and cents, it was about doing the right thing for the county. I am sure it wasn't easy for the Board to vote for the County Press, but I commend them on making the correct choice. When it comes down to choosing the legal newspaper, the Board should be looking out for you the taxpayers. If they have a beef against the paper for personal reasons, it should not come at the expense of the public's pocketbooks. Do what is right for the county, is that asking too much?

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