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I hope you took the time to get out and vote Tuesday. While we may not be voting on a presidential race, we are voting on local races that affect our everyday lives here in Chisago County. Being in this business, I am privy to many, many rants from residents about certain politicians from time to time. I have said this before and I will continue to keep saying it, if you do not get out and cast your vote, you really shouldn't be complaining. It is our duty to vote.

Ladies, please remember that this weekend is the first ever Ladies Hunting Season Cruise. What is a Hunting Season Cruise? The local businesses realize that there are a lot of weekend hunting widows out there and they would like to do something for you. So they have joined forces to offer you some great shopping and dining specials especially for you. Check out the hunting cruise page in this paper for some great specials being offered.

I need to take some time to thank some angels that are walking among us as we speak. I am referring to Chris, Bonnie and the whole crew that put together this year's Outerwear Fair last weekend.

These great people have been collecting winter wear all year long and last weekend they distributed them to some very needy and very grateful families.

Over 465 winter coats will help local youngsters in our area stay warm this winter. To go along with that, hundreds of hats and mittens were also handed out to those families. This year these folks have collected toys and blankets as well. The men of the Spit and Shine Crew of Trinity somehow donated 20 brand new bikes that will be raffled off to families that attended the Outerwear Fair.

I can not tell you how very proud I am to have these folks in our community. These are some of the most caring, hard working people you would ever hope to find, and the best part is they are ours. Thank you to each and every one of the volunteers who made this year's Outerwear Fair such a success. You are all angels in my book.

Remember back to Ki Chi Saga Days when I told you about the great play/musical/comedy called "Chisago City - The Town That Moved"? If you remember, I went on and on about how much fun everyone had, and how great of a job the cast did.

I am pleased to tell you that there is now a DVD of the show that you can purchase. That's right, all of you who didn't get a chance to see the production, and those of you who would like to see it again, now you can. For a limited time, you can purchase your copy of "Chisago City - The City That Moved" at Chisago Drug in downtown Chisago City. I have a copy and have already watched it once on my computer at work. The DVD would make a great Christmas present or a stocking stuffer.

This weekend is the annual Chisago Lakes PTO Craft Fair. The Craft Fair has been growing in popularity in the last five years or so, and is expected to be bigger than ever. Held at the middle school, the Craft Fair runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hope to see you there.

Congratulations to the Chisago Lakes Wildcat Girls Soccer Team. Our girls knocked off the number one seed Benilde St. Margaret's to advance to the state tournament. Sadly, the girls lost their first game to Rogers who is another powerhouse team from out west. No matter what they did at state, our girls deserve a huge congratulations for their unbelieveable year and making it farther than anyone had imagined.

The Chisago Lakes Senior High is putting on another great musical this year. Rodger and Hammerstein's Oklahoma is the featured production. The students have been rehearsing like crazy and promise to put on a great show. The show is not until November 18, but I am telling you now so you pick up your tickets early before they run out. You can purchase your tickets online at www.chisagolakes.k12.mn.us or you can buy them at the PAC ticket office.

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