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If you attended Karl Oskar Days and purchased a 2008 Karl Oskar Days button, you might have a little more cash in your wallet. The winning numbers are in, and if your's is one of three, please contact the Chisago Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce to claim your prize.

First place goes to button number 0799. This button owner has just won $250. Second place goes to button number 0137. This owner has just won $150. Third place goes to 0039 for $50. Not too bad for a $2 investment. Congratulations to you and thank you to all who purchased a 2008 Karl Oskar Days button.

We here at the Press are excited about a new product we are offering. As you know, there are hundreds of homes on the market right now, we would like to help you sell yours. Starting very soon, the Press will have a spot in both the Press and Search Shopper where you can list your open house. For $15, you will get a line listing of the times, dates, address and phone number of your open house. I know times are tough for everyone, and there are a lot of homeowners trying to sell their houses by themselves. Whether you are a realtor or selling your own home, we think this is a great deal for you. You will get a line ad in the Press which prints 4,000 papers each week, and you will get the same line ad in the Search Shopper which goes to 19,000 homes in lower Chisago and upper Washington counties. If you would like to list your open house give us a call here at the Press at 651-257-5115, and let us help you sell that home.

It must be the middle of summer. That means the annual Chisago Lakes Triathlon is here. As you may have noticed, there are an abundant number of people running and biking along roads all around our area. Odds are they are preparing for this weekend's triathlon. Last year there were quite a few people entered in the triathlon, and from what I have heard, this year has even more local entrants.

The folks that run the triathlon would like to invite you and your family to come out and cheer on the participants. The race begins at 7 a.m. at Paradise Park in Chisago City and also ends there. Come and cheer the racers on as they leave the water and board their bikes for the second stage of the race. Stick around and enjoy some of the entertainment as you wait for the racers to run accross the finish line.

This Sunday, after you have cheered the swimmers on and you have a break between their arrival to the finish line, take a short drive down Old Towne Road to Camp Ojiketa. Begining at 11 a.m., the public is invited to tour this beautiful piece of property that is being successfully rescued from developement. Lots of people know where Ojiketa is, but few have actually been on the grounds. I have been there a few times so trust me when I say, this is one of the most beautiful pieces of property in Chisago County.

Remember a few weeks back when I said that with the ever-increasing gas prices, that I should invest in scooter stock? Well I stood behind my words, kind of. I, like our resident television star slash outdoor columnist, decided enough was enough and purchased a scooter. I spent about a month looking and driving various scooters, and with help from you the readers, I settled on a gem. Well, given the price I paid for it, it probably isn't a gem. In fact, the price was so low, that I am starting to worry about the reliability and life span of my little scooter. Everyone that I have introduced my scooter to thinks it is pretty groovy, so I guess I did okay on looks alone.

I have had a motorcycle most of my adult life, and believe me, this is quite an adjustment. Instead of getting intriguing looks from females like I used to get (tongue in cheek), I now get looks from them that say "Get that little toy off my road!". At least I'm still getting them to look at me I guess.

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