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Here at the Press we try and even out who covers which of the local celebrations. This year it was my turn to cover Shafer Days. It had been a few years since I attended a Shafer Days celebration, so my curiosity was piqued.

When we got to Shafer Saturday morning, I figured there would be a few classic cars and a few stragglers eyeing them up. I couldn't have been more wrong. There were classic cars as far as the eye could see along both sides of Red Wing Avenue. There were not a few people looking at the beautiful old cars, but hundreds of people. It reminded me of when we would go to the State Fair with my dad.

We spent a few hours at Shafer and then came back for the parade in the afternoon. The town was still pretty full from the days festivities. The parade was delayed a little but was entertaining nonetheless. When we drove by later that evening, both the bars in town were jam packed which was nice to see.

Other than some brisk temps, this year's Shafer Days was a huge hit. Thanks to the good folks that make up the Shafer Days committee for really pouring themselves into this year's celebration.

Our good friends over at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lindstrom are doing something very special once again this year. They are holding a Kids Outerwear Fair at the end of October.

What is an outerwear fair? These great volunteers have been taking in very gently used winter clothing for children of all ages all year. They will then distribute them to families who might need help putting warm clothes on their children this winter. The distribution is free to people in need with no questions asked.

I have been there three or four years in a row, and I am here to tell you it is moving, to say the least. To see families crying and hugging these volunteers and being so grateful for the great clothes it's hard to keep your eyes dry.

There is still time for you to donate to this unbelievable event. They will accept donations until October 15. If you have any gently used or new coats, hats, mittens, scarves, snow pants or blankets that you would like to donate, please bring them to Trinity. If you would like to help volunteer, please call Chris at 257-5681 or Bonnie at 257-6822. Believe me folks, I promise you that your donations will be appreciated.

Speaking of clothes that should be donated. I can't speak for anyone but myself, but have you seen all of the shoes hanging from the power lines in Lindstrom? It seems like every street you drive down has a pair of tennis shoes dangling over the middle of the road.

Believe me, I was as big of a trouble maker as there was when I was young, so I understand that kids will be kids. But there is something about these shoes that really bugs me. Maybe I am getting old, or maybe I see how hard our city and towns work to make our area so beautiful and desireable. Maybe I have been through Gary, Indiana and this just reeks of Gary, Indiana. Who knows, but one thing that keeps running through my head every time I see a pair of shoes hanging is, are there not parents out there that are asking their kids where are your sneakers? Think of the people who would enjoy wearing those shoes if they were purchased from a thrift store. Instead, people think they are driving through the projects in Chicago.

I don't know if you participated in the Chisago Lakes Wrestling fundraiser last year, but if you did not, you missed a ton of fun. It was held at the Chisago City Community Center and there was not an empty seat in the house. This year it will be held at Lent Town Hall to accommodate a larger crowd. The event which funds all things wrestling such as new mats, uniforms and other wresting equipment, consists of a dinner, a drawing and a dance.

It will be held on October 23 and the dinner will be served at 5 p.m. The ticket price is $100 per couple which gets you dinner for two, four drink tickets and an entry to win one of 50 cash prizes. The top prize is $5,000. Additional raffles will be held that night for firearms, firearm safe, jewelry, designer purses and more. For more information or to purchase your tickets go to: clwrestling.org and click on Raffle Fundraiser. You will find an order form link on the bottom of the page. After last year's successful fundraiser, I would suggest ordering your tickets soon.

Next Saturday, Ojiketa Regional Park will be host to a really neat event. The 2010 Art Dash will be held at Strom Hall. What in the world is an art dash? Art items that have been donated with a value of $50 to $500 will be given away after dinner. If they call your ticket number, you dash to the art item that you choose. If that item has already been claimed, you can claim another piece that appeals to you. Every entrant will go home with a piece of art.

You get a fun evening out, with great food. You will also have a chance to meet the artists who have donated their artwork. All the proceeds will then be invested back into our community through grants and other worthy causes.

If you would like to attend the dash, you are asked to call Loretta at 257-2324 or Brenda at 651-208-6793. It promises to be a great night with some great people.

Politicians, a quick reminder that your filing statements will not be run after October 14. So if you have yet to send us your filing statement, please do so soon.

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