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If you are getting sick and tired of staring out the window watching the rain come down, you might want to take in a summer festival. Beginning this week, the summer festivals officially kick off. North Branch is hosting its annual MidSummer Days this week. Beginning today, you and your family are invited to take part in a bowling contest at JJ's and the Family Fun Show officially begins at 6 p.m. in Central Park. Thursday there is all day bingo in the American Legion tent. Friday head to North Branch for some great shopping deals at the sidewalk sales. Also on Friday, they will be selecting the 2010 Ambassadors in the Legion tent.

Saturday you are invited to take part in a golf tournament at the North Branch Golf Course. After golfing, head to the High School to watch the annual Kiddie Olympics. Your child can register on site at 9 a.m. There is also a kiddie parade and a street dance on Saturday. If there is one day only that you can make it to North Branch, Sunday would be your best bet. That is the day the MidSummer Days Parade takes place. The parade begins at 2 p.m. and you might want to get there early because it is always well attended.

Next up on the summer circuit of festivals is Center City Days. We will be having a special section dedicated to the 2010 Center City Days next week.

Have you had a chance to take in "Harmony in the Park" yet? We are now on the fourth week of a summer long concert series in Lindstrom. Elvis was just in town this week and the crowds were great as usual. If you have yet to attend a Harmony in the Park concert, you are doing yourself a disservice. A wonderful time is had by all. See the Harmony in the Park ad in this edition of the Press to see upcoming acts and times.

Good luck to Joe Virga who is running in this year's Gramdma's Marathon. Many of you know Joe as the local chiropractor in Lindstrom. But you might not know that Joe has been training for years for marathons and triathlons. If you have ever driven south on Olinda Trail, chances are you have seen Joe pounding the pavement. This is Joe's fourth Grandma's Marathon, Good luck Joe!

If you are like me, the flowers are planted and we're ready to add the finishing touches to our garden. Check out Grama's Barn. Sheri has an unbelievable selection of garden art; and, by popular demand, she has extended Grama's hours to include all day Thursdays. Grama's is located 3 miles east of Center City on Highway 8 next to Eichten's. While you are there, Eichten's has hired a new chef specializing in Italian food. Every Thursday is Italian menu night. I've seen the Italian menu and it sounds great.

As I was pasting up this edition of the Press, I noticed a list of retiring teachers. It is quite normal to have a group each year that is heading off to greener pastures, but some this year caught my eye. John Menard, who is currently the Principal of the Middle School was one of my sixth grade teachers. Bev Sandgren was my Home Ec teacher in the Middle School. As much grief as I gave her as a student, she was a terrific teacher, putting young teenage boys around eggs and flour can only lead to trouble anyway right? Wanda Grams is one of the nicest people you would hope to meet. Roxy Carlson has been the cornerstone of Lakeside for years and years. And finally Barb Wikelius has been the activities director secretary for years and years. If we ever have a question with an event or a student's name or need a favor, Barb has always helped us. She will be missed, especially by our sports department.

If you are a subscriber and your County Press has recently stopped being delivered, please don't fret. It means that your subscription has run out. We can easily get your subscription started again. Simply call us here with a credit card or mail a check to PO Box 748, Lindstrom MN 55045. The cost is $47 for Chisago County residents and $49.50 for out-of-county readers. Once we receive your payment, we will promptly start mailing your Chisago County Press. The most important thing here is, Thank you. Thank you for reading what we feel is one of the best newspapers in the state. Without you, we would not be here.

Speaking of subscriptions, if you have ever thought about subscribing to the County Press, but haven't gotten around to doing so, this is a great time. We are offering new subscribers one of two packages for a limited time. A new subscriber can now receive two tickets to the historic train ride in Osceola Wisconsin or two tickets to a Saint Paul Saints game this summer. I have done both of these events and I can honestly say they are both a wonderful time.

If you would like to take advantage of our limited subscriber special, either cut out the coupon for the Saints game and mail it in with your payment, or mention the "Train Tickets special" and we will mail you tickets.

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