---

If you are stuck thinking of a Christmas gift for your loved ones and really aren't crazy about driving to one of those "big box" stores, I think I might have a solution. If your loved one, family member, or friend has served in the armed forces, how about giving them their own personalized brick in the Chisago County Veterans Memorial. It is your chance to honor those who have served our great country honorably and have preserved the freedom we have always enjoyed. The cost of a brick is $100.00 which is pretty cheap considering how long it will last. You can pick up a form at the Chisago Lakes Area Chamber building (next to the memorial) or at the County Press. If you have any questions regarding the bricks, you are encouraged to call John Broecker at 651-257-5510.

There is still time to get your child's entry in this year's coloring contest. We have received quite a few entries already, so make sure to send yours in soon. You can either bring them into the Press or mail them to: Chisago County Press Coloring Contest, PO Box 748, Lindstrom, MN 55045.

There are two more cities that would like to invite you to their Christmas lighting festivals. Lindstrom and Shafer will both be having lighting celebrations this Saturday. In Shafer, your child will be able to meet Santa from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Shafer Creamery. You and your children can enjoy cookies, crafts, and pictures with the head of the North Pole. There will also be a flea market and craft show that runs from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. You are asked to please bring a non perishable food item to donate.

In Lindstrom, Santa will make his way from Shafer at 6 p.m. Held at Memorial Park, you and your children will meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.

This is your chance for your child to hand deliver their Christmas letter to the man himself. There will also be horse and carriage rides around Lindstrom. As with Shafer, you are also asked to bring a non perishable food item to be donated to the local food shelf.

The Chisago County Press would like to welcome the new food pantry coordinator to Lindstrom. Curt Ratcliff took over at Family Pathways food shelf recently. I have met Curt and he seems like a very nice man. I believe he will do a fine job running the food shelf. I just hope he has patience with all of those children running around (like Gary Gerke and Joe Wishy.)

We here at the Press are getting started on our 2009 Community and Visitors Guide. If you have been seen our past guides, we have been consistently putting out a really great guide for people in the community and visitors for years. The guides are filled with great information about the area along with wonderful pieces about local history. You can find advertising from tons of local businesses who make our community so great. I would like to remind you the readers and the advertisers that our Community Guide is the official guide and is fully backed by the Chisago Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. In fact, we give a percentage of our total sales directly back to the Chamber. We feel that our guide is simply the best and are very proud of its local origin.

Unlike other guides out there, the Chisago County Press's guide is fully produced right here in the Chisago Lakes area, by people that live here.

If you are a business in the Chisago Lakes area, the guide is a wonderful vehicle to advertise in. Your ad will be seen by thousands and thousands of people that live here and visit the area.

Speaking of the guide, we have received some really great photos in our Community Guide photo contest. If you have a photo of our area that you really feel is special, I urge you to send a copy in to the Press. You have a chance to win some money and more importantly, be published on the cover of the upcoming Community Guide.

---