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If you are looking to break the monotony of everyday winter life, North Branch has got your cure. It's the eighth annual Winter Fest, and it promises to break us out of our doldrums. "Winter Fest" runs February 6 through 10.

Much like the great summer events we all love so much, Winter Fest has much of that same charm. From a medallion hunt that has a grand prize of $500 with a registered Winter Fest button, to a vintage snowmobile expo and ride, you will definitely find something that piques everyone's interest.

Saturday, there is a chili showdown, a 5k run/walk, family skating, ice sculpting, snow olympics, and a spaghetti dinner.

Sunday, there will be a sliding party, a history discussion on North Branch and an omelet breakfast.

Having attended several Winter Fests in the past, there is definitely a good time to be had by all.

Please see this edition of the Press for a list of supporting advertisers who are proud to be associated with Winter Fest and schedule of events to help you plan your weekend.

One of the area's newest and sweetest businesses is having a meet and greet this weekend at the Chamber Office, Lindstrom, Saturday, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sonia Palmer, of the Sweet Swede, will be displaying all kinds of wonderful chocolates and sweets. Having sampled some of her delicacies, I can attest to her candy as some of the best I have ever tasted. Come visit Sonia this Saturday, you will be amazed at how great her merchandise tastes and you will hopefully leave with part or all of your Valentine's Day presents taken care of.

The City of Lindstrom would like to extend an invitation to attend an open house February 12. At the open house you will get to see first-hand all new information MnDOT has compiled regarding the Lindstrom Highway 8 project. You will see drawings of the planned highway, drawings of the proposed bridge and many other pertinent info. There will be people from the City of Lindstrom, people from MnDOT, people from the Lindstrom EDA, and others to take your questions and hopefully give you answers. People ask us here at the Press about how far along the project is, this is your chance to view it publicly. I am just as curious as you are.

I just spent the last six days fighting the upper-respiratory, high-fever, bad cough, sore throat, achy and tired bug that seems to be everywhere this winter. Last year, the family and I got flu shots as a preventative and subsequently never really got sick. This year, we just didn't make time to get the shots and you guessed it, two of us so far have gotten pretty ill. They say that "rarely" are people really sick with the flu, instead, it's usually a virus that is making everyone sick. Well, if this was just a virus, I would hate to see what the flu feels like, because it rendered me useless (yes, even more useless than normal) for five straight days.

We here at the Press are getting ready to put our 2008 Home, Garden and Business Show tab. If you have plans to showcase your business in the show, please give us a call. We still have time to help you put a clear business message out to over 19,000 local homes and businesses. Call Becky, Dave or Matt at 651-257-5115, we would love to talk with you. If you have wanted to be in the Home Show and just haven't got around to registering, you still can. Call Community Ed at 651-213-2600 and tell them you would like to be in the 2008 Home and Garden Show. This year's show is looking nice and full which means that the crowds should also be large.

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