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It looks like Mother Nature has had a change of heart. The temps have finally fallen and I hear that the ice on the lakes is thickening every day. I know what you are thinking, why would he want colder temps, especially when our gas prices are so stinking high? Okay, I will agree with you. But, I really would like to hold the Celebration of the Lakes on the ice this year. Give me cold temps until the celebration, then bring on the sunny 40's. Last year, the celebration was on the lake, but if you remember, it was bitterly cold and very windy. This is such a tremendous event that I am really hoping for great weather.

There are a couple of new events taking place at this year's Celebration of the Lakes. Besides all of the usual fun activities there will be a Polar Island Kiddie Parade. The parade will take place at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, with line-up at 11:15 a.m. Kids -- decorate your sleds into floats with a beach theme. Make them as wild looking and crazy as you possibly can, whether it involves hula skirts or swim goggles. The age groups for judging are: 0-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12. Every good float needs a horse pulling it, so grab your parents and have them pull you and your float.

The other new event this year is one that sounds really fun to me. It is the first annual Ice Bike Relay Challenge. The Rotary Club is looking for some adventurous high-schoolers to form teams of four to compete for cash prizes. The teams will maneuver a challenging course while riding on bicycles with studded wheels. Helmets are required but not provided. Students are asked to dress as crazy as possible because there will be a prize for the most outlandish team. If you think this doesn't really float your boat, how about taking home a winning prize of $250? Starting to sound like a lot of fun isn't it?

Local business -- we will be calling on you this week to hopefully get your businesses into the upcoming Chisago Lakes Community Guide. I know some of you have already been approached by someone stating that they are the official Community Guide, but don't be fooled. The Chisago County Press is the only official Community Guide and is backed by the Chisago Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and the Taylors Falls Chamber of Commerce. In fact, the Chisago County Press is proud to say that we give over one percent of all proceeds right back to the Chamber of Commerce. If we have yet to contact you, we apologize, but we intend to very soon. The Community Guide is a terrific vehicle to advertise your business or services. The guides are sent to all area homes in the Search Shopper and are dispersed throughout the area all year long.

Thank you to all the great parents of the Chisago Lakes Hockey Association. These people take time out of their busy lives to shovel, broom, and flood the local ice rinks. I started skating about three years ago, as a means to do more with my children. We quickly outgrew my makeshift backyard rinks (my grass is thanking me for that) and have graduated to full size hockey rinks. With the exception of last week's heat wave, the local rinks have been in wonderful shape. I know a lot of people utilize the rinks, and speaking for all of us, I would like to say thank you.

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