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I would like to thank all of you who came out to the first ever Chisago Lakes Area Small Town Christmas last weekend. Everywhere I went, there seemed to be nice crowds either attending lighting ceremonies or taking advantage of some really great Christmas specials offered by many local businesses. I have spoken with some businesses, and they told me that last weekend's celebration was a definite increase in sales.

Now that Small Town Christmas has passed, let's make a concerted effort to keep shopping local. I have said it a million times, no you can't buy every single thing you need here in Chisago Lakes. But you can get 95 percent, and by shopping local you help preserve our wonderful "small town" atmosphere, you help feed your neighbors who own those businesses, and you keep the money local, which means odds are that those monies will also be spent here. It just makes good sense.

Mark your calendar for this Saturday. Chisago Lake Lutheran Church in Center City will be hosting its annual Sankta Lucia program. Sankta Lucia will feature area youth singing Swedish songs while in Swedish dress. It is literally a step back in time as you watch this wonderful Christmas celebration just like our forefathers celebrated. The program begins at 9 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall with coffee and treats served at 8:30 a.m. Come and enjoy a moment of beauty, peace and goodwill in the midwinter darkness.

In this edition of the Press, you will find our annual Winter Sports Preview. Our Sports Editor Jeff Norton and our Assistant Sports Editor Chuck Fitzer have been compiling stats and statements from coaches about the highschool winter sports season. They have put together a really great preview for your enjoyment. Our area has some extremely gifted athletes and we hope you will come out and cheer them on. If you need an extra copy of the preview, we will have some here at the Press. Thanks to all of the great businesses who support our athletes both in the sports preview and in everyday life.

We have just one week left in our Gift Guide coloring contest. We have received about 20 or so entries, but we would like to have more. Please have your child submit their coloring to us. We have a candy cane just for entering, and they could win a prize in their age category.

We are still looking for area photos to be used in this year's 2010 Chisago Lakes Community Guide. We have had some amazing photos already submitted, but we would like a few more. This is your chance to be published. You will receive full credit for the photos and your photos will be seen by people all year long. Please send your photos to The Chisago County Press, PO Box 748, Lindstrom, MN 55045. If you wish to email your photos, please send them to [email protected].

If you are looking for a great Christmas present for your family or friends, I think I can help you out. What about a year's subscription to the Chisago County Press? Think about it, your gift will arrive 52 times a year. On top of that, they will get all of the news, school events, sports information every week of the year. Right now we have a special for new subscribers, The special includes two free months when you purchase a year's subscription. How can you go wrong? If you would like to subscribe, or if you would like to give the County Press as a present this Christmas, please give us a call at 651-257-5115.

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