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Finally we are having some semblance of a Minnesota winter. If you were wondering, there was a hockey tournament going on in St. Paul and usually spells snowstorms. As much as some people detest this latest blast of winter, I myself welcome it with open arms. We are so depleted of snow and overall moisture, that this last round probably means more to us than we know. Yes, our backs will hurt for days after all that shoveling, but our yards, plants, farm fields and lakes will be thankful.

It is Home Show time again! I hope you are planning to visit the Chisago Lakes annual Home, Garden and Business Show this weekend. The show will be held at the Chisago Lakes High School with doors opening Saturday at 10 a.m. The show will be packed with vendors (over 120) that are eager to show you how their company can be of assistance to you and your home. As always, there will be vendors giving seminars which are free to the public and usually very interesting.

This year there is an added bonus, you will have a chance to be entertained from the likes of "Miles from Mars," Lake Country Cloggers, a magic show by Dinnerbel owner Karl Archilles, and a drum corps.

The good people at the Chisago Lakes Community Ed and the Chisago Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce have really busted their tails trying to make this year's show the best yet. If you are planning on attending, be prepared to walk a little bit. With there being so many vendors, it will probably take you awhile to see everything. There will be plenty of refreshments available if you get hungry or thirsty.

The show runs Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hope to see you there!

Being the father of a seven-year-old, my life is quickly being turned into a chauffeur service. Every time he brings a sign-up sheet home from school it is followed by four days of -- Can I sign-up? Can I sign-up? From what I am told here at the paper, this is just the beginning.

Last year, after hearing "I want to play basketball" for the six-hundredth time, I caved in and agreed to let him play. He had so much fun that with the exception of flag football, that is all he talked about.

This year, being the seasoned veteran, he had more fun than ever. It was amazing to see the transformation of these young kids from their first practice to playing in real games weeks later. Thank you to Jim Gillach, all the dads and student athletes who donated their time to make basketball such a fun experience for our kids. You have no idea how positive of an impact you have made on these kids.

As we begin the month of March, a couple of things will be taking place here at the Press. As we do every year, we will be starting our annual subscription renewal campaign. On page 2 of each edition of the Press during March there will be a special offer and a clip-out coupon that will allow you to renew your subscription and save $1.50. All of our subscriptions are due May 1 of each year and the March promotion is our effort to get some of those done early, to help smooth out the volume we receive, and for helping us out you get the savings.

We truly appreciate the support of our loyal subscribers and hope you will take advantage of the March offer.

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