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I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas. Even though it is a pretty stressful time for a lot of people, if you just take time to look around and see how lucky you are to have a family who cares, a home to live in, and your health, well all the rest seems trivial. You don't need presents to make Christmas a success.

This week is New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. I know you hear it a million times, but if you are going to go out and party with friends, please have a plan in place. It is just too easy to get in your car and drive when you should be calling a friend or a cab. Make a plan to get home safely and keep on living.

We have chosen our coloring contest winners. Only one winner has come to claim their prize. Ethan Pavelka and Abby Sonnek still have not claimed their prizes. If you know these kids, give them a call and tell them to come into the Press so they can pick up their winnings and get their photo taken.

If you see George McMahon or Lora Walker out and about, take the time to wish them good luck. They will be taking Bob Gustafson and Lynn Schultz places on the 2009 Chisago County Board. We are certain they will make a positive impact on our great county. I have spoken with George and Lora many times, and I can tell you they are both terrific people who demand accountability and fairness. Unfortunately, they come in at a very tumultous time with the budget and new jail needing addressing immediately. But I am certain they will both do the right thing for the county. Knowing the two of them, they already have researched and studied the budget and the new jail to no end.

We are putting the finishing touches on the 2009 Celebration of the Lakes circular. We are hoping to print this week and distribute to homes and stores in the very near future. I hope you get a chance to take a look at it, because it is filled with a schedule of events, stories about balooning, and some really great photos from last year. I will talk more about the Celebration of the lakes event in upcomming issues of the Press.

I owe a huge thank you to Lindstrom resident Mike Metzler. I went down to Iowa last Monday and brought my 90 year old Grandmother up for Christmas. We had a wonderful time and she loved playing with all her great-grandchildren. When it came time to take her home, one of my family members was going to drive her back to Iowa. That is when Mike Metzler called and offered to give her a ride. Mike works in Des Moines and travels back and forth every weekend. Mike drove probably 120 miles out of his way to take Gram home. If you know Mike, you know this offer is not a surprise. Thanks Mike, you are the best.

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