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March is Minnesota Food Share Month. While the need for food donations is constantly casting a shadow over the local pantries, this month is in the spotlight because it is statewide. The good folks at the food shelf, along with the Lions Club, have set up drop bins around the area for your convenience. They are asking for non-perishable food donations of any sort. If you are like me, you have plenty of cans just sitting in your pantry that you will probably never eat. Why not take a minute to clean out your clutter and help someone at the same time?

Here are some of the places where you can make a donation: RiverBank, US Bank, Security State Bank, Lake Area Bank, Mainstreet Bank, Chisago Lakes Library, Chisago Lakes Chamber of Commerce and the Chisago County Press. In fact, if you are thinking about placing a classified ad in the Press or Search, we have a deal for you. Just bring in a non-perishable food item and receive $2 off a classified ad. You can cleanup your pantry and cleanup your clutter all at the same time.

I hope you had a chance to take in Chisago City's Easter celebration last Saturday. With snow still on the ground and temps hovering around freezing, the turnout was terrific. I guess you can't keep children and candy away from each other no matter what the weather.

If you missed the celebration, don't fret, there are a few more this weekend. Zion Lutheran Church, in Chisago City, invites you to bring your little ones for their Easter celebration. There will be clowns, egg coloring, an egg hunt and more. It runs from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m.

United Methodist, in Lindstrom, will also be entertaining kids with their annual Easter Carnival. There will be an illusionist/magic show that is geared towards children. The carnival starts at 10 a.m. and runs until noon.

And finally, the good people at the St. Croix Falls Chamber of Commerce invite you to come enjoy their community Easter Egg Hunt. Also on Saturday, you will find an egg hunt, mountains of candy and a prize table. The hunt starts at 10 a.m. in Gaylord Nelson Park which is near the Scenic Riverway Center.

Congratulations to the U12 girls hockey team. They finished third in state last weekend. Not too shabby for a bunch of girls from the country. The girls lost to Mahtomedi by a score of 2-1 in a game they dominated from the puck drop. Finishing third out of 135 teams in the state of Minnesota is something to be very proud of. The future of Wildcat hockey is sure looking bright.

As we near Spring, we also near the beginning of local celebrations. If you are planning a celebration or on a celebration committee, we have a few guidelines for helping you make your celebration a success.

As you know, the Press loves to promote any and all local celebrations. We need your help to make your celebration all it can be. The Press needs as much lead time as possible to get the word out and to find potential advertisers that would like to associated with your celebration. The Press also needs as much information regarding your celebration as possible, that includes contact names, list of vendors, phone numbers and dates.

We here at the Press pride ourselves on local celebration coverage and advertising. We are here for you and would like nothing more than to help you make your celebration the best ever. I know that celebration committees are meeting now, so please feel free to contact us at 651-257-5115.

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