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Well congratulations, we have finally made it. No, we didn't become a star city. No, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has not recognized Chisago County for our progressiveness. Congratulations on reaching the $4.00 mark for a gallon of gasoline. That's right $4.00.

We have been hearing the rumors for the last 10 months or so, but unfortunately this is one rumor that has come to fruition. So brace yourself, because along with the shock of filling your automobile tank comes the rising cost of virtually everything else.

You can bet your old Ford pick-up (now that it will be parked) that every purchase you make will now be inflated because of our good friends at OPEC. What is the answer? Who knows, maybe we should think about drilling on our own soil.

Or maybe we should move faster when it comes to developing more economical vehicles that are affordable. Maybe this is just a wake up call, an uncomfortable wake up call mind you, to find a way to separate our country from the oil tycoons in the middle east. Or maybe it is a sign to purchase stock in a scooter company.

• Now that Harmony in the Park is up and running, I have a recommendation for you. Come out next Wednesday and take in the Elvis Experience. I have seen the Elvis Experience before, and if you are an Elvis fan, or if you are a fan of good old rock and roll, you have to check this out. Elvis takes the stage at 7 p.m. in Lions Park.

• I have a request for you, the readers. We here at the Chisago County Press are looking for some unique local stories. In this day and age of foreclosures and lawsuits, we think that some local, special interest stories might be just what the County Press needs.

Maybe you know someone who has a unique talent, maybe you know the history of a building that other people do not, it doesn't matter, if you think that people would love to hear about it, then so would we. I invite you to give us a call and let us know what makes your story special.

• Remember that Lindstrom's Farmer's Market runs on both Wednesdays and Saturdays. It is a great place to pick up some home grown produce and plants. The market is held in the St. Bridget of Sweden Catholic Church parking lot.

• A big thank-you to all the school bus drivers for an incident-free school year. These good folks are at the top of their game five days a week while carrying the most precious cargo in the world. We have some of the best bus drivers in the state and they deserve our thanks.

• The area has lost one of the few remaining true Swedish immigrants. Lars Augustsson, who has lived in Taylors Falls, Scandia, and Marine on the St. Croix, recently won the 65th Annual Immigrant of the Year award.

Years and years ago, Lars left four brothers and three sisters in Sweden to "go west for the big land." Augustsson was well known for his wonderful home building and unique carpentry, and was known as a stoic Swede who would talk your ear off if given the chance. Augustsson was also known for forming the Minnesota Orienteering Club.

• This past weekend, we had six first-grade girls spend the night for our daughter's birthday. Without getting into details, I - for the life of me - cannot figure how people make it with four, five or six children.

It seemed like my wife and I were trying to control a small army (at times I think an army would be more receptive) rather than a small group of girls.

When it was all said and done (after one calling her parents to go home, and driving another home in the middle of the night), it wasn't so bad. In fact we told our daughter she could have another six girl sleep over ... in eight years!

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