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As we approach the "Big Dig", we feel like we need to add a little excitement locally. When I say Big Dig, I am referring to construction on the Highway 8 split pairs.

I have solicited reader's input for a few weeks now, and we feel like we have found a way. Keep in mind that this is only one idea, so we are still looking for ways to help the public and more importantly, the businesses of Lindstrom stay busy and prosperous during construction.

Beginning today, we are encouraging you to guess the exact date of groundbreaking for the split pairs in Lindstrom. We will ask that you include your name, address, phone number along with the date you believe construction will officially start.

The winner of the contest will win a $200 gift certificate for one of the many great downtown businesses, to be used during construction. In the event that more than one reader guesses the same date, the winner will then be drawn from a hat. You may only enter once per person.

Keep in mind that this contest is just the beginning. We (along with the City of Lindstrom, Chisago Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and the Chisago County EDA) are continuing to look for other ways to keep the public interested and the doors of Lindstrom businesses open during construction.

Again, if you have any ideas you think would benefit the businesses and the people of Lindstrom during construction, please drop us a line or email us at [email protected].

We have just finished this year's Celebration of the Lakes tabloid. We are very excited about this year's tab. Inside, you will find wonderful ads from local businesses that support this one of a kind celebration. Lots of these ads have coupons that offer you wonderful savings on goods and services. Also in the tab, you will find a story about the 2009 Community Ambassador Don Bungum along with some really neat ballooning facts. And most importantly, page two of the tab has the schedule of events. You will find everything that is happening all on one page.

Make sure to keep the tab for info when you head out to North Center Lake. Look for the tab around town this week and in your mailboxes next week.

One event at the Celebration of the Lakes that is a huge hit is the Vintage Sled Display. People from all around bring their vintage snowmobiles for the public to view. There are some of the neatest and rarest snowmobiles in the world. If you think your snowmobile would be a great addition to the show, you are encouraged to call Kevin at 651-257-5369.

There is a new study just released by the Pew Research Center for Excellence in Journalism. The numbers are going to surprise you.

The most significant findings of the study were that most new information comes from traditional sources. Niche media (internet, blogs), seem to play a very small role in dispersing information. Of the four major media sources being newspapers, television, radio, and internet, newspapers played the most prominent role by capturing 48 percent of news consumers. Followed by television which captured 28 percent, and internet with 13 percent. Radio came in at 7 percent.

In the study, it also notes that media, other than newspapers, cite the majority of their sources as local newspapers.

What does this mean? It means that newspapers are the cornerstone of local news. It also means that we will be here for a long time to come.

Speaking of local news, we are always looking for tips about local stories. If you think you have a story that people would like to hear about, you are encouraged to call us here at the Press. We welcome any and all ideas.

Call us at 651-257-5115 with your ideas. Or email us at [email protected]. Again, thanks for reading!

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