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What a beautiful weekend the good folks of Taylors Falls had to host Wannigan Days. I hope you had a chance to take in some of the exciting events put on by Taylors Falls and St. Croix Falls. I took the family to the first ever Tug-O-War across the St. Croix River. Not knowing what to expect, I was very surprised at the number of spectators and participants on both sides of the river. For the record, the T.F. Fire Department won the battle with ease.

The only blemish in the event was when Lion Wayne Breeden, of Taylors Falls, was knocked down, then run over by the spool which held the tow rope used in the tug-o-war. Being the trooper that he is, (trust me I know, I have seen him hit his thumb with a hammer countless times) Wayne righted himself, wiped the dirt and blood away and continued with the event.

Congratulations to both cities Lions Clubs for creating an event that is sure to be around for a long time.

My family also decided to take in the Wannigan Days Parade Saturday night. The weather was wonderful (Usually it is hot as a blast furnace!) which made the mood of the crowd terrific. The parade was filled with tons of floats and some really good bands. The Wannigan Days Parade was one of the best we have seen this summer, just look at the garbage bags full of candy that the kids raked in.

Congratulations to the Wannigan Days Committee for really outdoing themselves this year. Talking with some "out-of-towners" they said this was one of the best town celebrations they have ever attended, and that they will definitely be back.

The other day I was talking with Roxy, the owner of Lindstrom Snyder Drug. She was very excited about a new addition to her store. Thinking she added a new employee or better yet a slurpee machine, I asked Roxy to show me the new addition. Sadly, it was not a slurpee machine, but it was something pretty exciting. It is a new digital print machine that makes prints while you wait.

What does this mean to me and you? Well, for one thing, it means one less trip to Forest Lake to get pictures made. It will be nice to drive a mile or two to get quality photos.

Roxy demonstrated the machine to me and I was very impressed with how quick and easy the machine is to use. To top it off, it makes terrific 4x6, 5x7, 8x10 and also CDs.

Gas prices alone should make us excited about one less trip to Forest Lake, but these prints really are good quality. Stop by and let Roxy and her staff show you just how easy it is to make prints.

I have a problem. I know what you are saying, he's got plenty more than just one problem. Well, the problem of the day is the fact that I have cable TV. How could having 200 channels to choose from possible be a problem? As exciting as it sounds it seems every time we watch TV we spend 11 minutes channel surfing and undeniably seem to always end up on the home and garden channel.

Here in lies the problem. Every time we watch some home fix-up show it gives the head of our household some new ideas. Translation, better get some sleep and rest my back, there's work to be done. Do not get me wrong, I love my wife more than anything in the world and would probably do whatever job she asks of me.

The latest show convinced us that we needed to add a concrete patio and oh yeah, we should throw in a terraced retaining wall to really make our yard pop. So here I am a month later with a concrete patio and a terraced retaining wall and one whale of a sore back. I am one of those people who loves to do manual labor, but I am also one of those people who like to start something when I am good and ready. If you want it started earlier, be prepared for a ton of moaning and groaning and yes maybe even some crabbiness (Hard to believe I know). My wife wanted the project started early, so she was the benefactor of all of my moans and groans.

After all of the belly aching, sore backs, and trips to the quarry, you know what? It looks beautiful. When am I ever going to learn that she does know what she is talking about and I have to get my cable removed.

Matt Silver

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