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In this edition of the County Press, you will find our annual Fall Sports Preview. For those of you who may be new subscribers, the preview is a 24 page full color tab that goes in depth with our local sports teams. Our sports editor, Jeff Norton and our assistant sports editor Chuck Fitzer have spent the last month collecting insight on the local high school teams.

In the preview you will find color photos of seniors and returning letter winners, a detailed article about the upcoming season and that team's schedule. You will also see some wonderful advertising from local businesses who have supported our local teams for years and years. In fact, when you attend these sporting events, chances are you will see many of these business owners in the bleachers rooting on the local teams.

Speaking of our local teams, I would like to invite you and your family to come out and watch a game or two of our high school teams. We have a few teams that are picked to finish high in the standings and a few that I guarantee will surprise a lot of teams in the North Suburban Conference.

The Wildcat football team plays their first home game Friday. They will play Spring Lake Park at 7 p.m. Before the game enjoy a brat feed that will help fund the Wildcat cheerleaders trip to the Gator Bowl. For $5, you will get a brat, soda, baked beans and chips. After the big game, hang around for the 5th quarter. In the cafeteria, you can enjoy music, comedy, prizes and local bands. The event is free but there is food available for purchase.

On Saturday, you can watch the soccer team play at the high school at 2 p.m.

Girls swimming will next have a home meet on September 16 at 6 p.m. at the CL pool.

Finally, the volleyball team will be playing their next home game on September 21. They will also be playing on September 13 at Forest Lake if you would like to watch.

If you have young children that are just getting a taste of playing organized sports, I would encourage you to bring them to a game or two. They will think they are watching professionals and hopefully you will spark even more interest in school sports. It is an evening of inexpensive entertainment for the whole family.

If you are looking for a little more entertainment this weekend look no farther than St. Bridget's of Sweden in Lindstrom. St. Bridget's will be holding its Block Party on Saturday and Sunday. All weekend long you will find live music, BBQ, bingo, kids games, silent auction, crafts and beer. You can see all the details on their website stbridgetofsweden.org.

I can't speak for everyone, but at our house, there was a hint of nervousness in the air Monday night. I tried and tried to get their feelings figured out, whether the kids were nervous about school or bummed about summer ending, but all I kept getting was grumblings.

Maybe the summer was finally catching up with them? Maybe they were nervous about what outfit they were going to wear Tuesday morning?  I doubt the second, at least for my son, you wouldn't believe some of the stuff he throws on and thinks is stylish. I always get the same rebuttal "Dad you are so old, how would you know what looks good". Ouch.

To make matters worse, we had quite the wind storm on Monday night. Not only were the kids anxious enough as it was, now they were kept up because they thought the roof was going to blow off. I had visions of them snapping at their teachers the first day thus relegating them to the dog house.

I went to Lakeside to take first day pictures of students getting off the busses. I expected to see faces with scowls and eyes barely open, but I was wrong. All the kids were chipper and seemed to be happy to be going back to school.  Yes, even my kids had a smile on their face. They even said hi to their old, unstylish dad in front of their friends.

I was asked to remind the readers about the local food shelf. For some reason (I am guilty as well) we tend to only think of the food shelf around the holidays. The truth is, our food shelves are used as much or more during the summer months.

The number of people that use the local food shelves is staggering. Not hard to believe, with the jobless rate so high in our state. The need for food is at an all time high. I know that everyone is feeling the economy pinch right now, but if you can find any way to donate even a little bit, it would be more than appreciated.

Remember, if your children are in the Chisago Lakes school system, there is no better place to keep up to date with what is happening than the Chisago County Press. For limited time, you can receive the Press for $30. That will take you up to May when everyone's subscription comes due. You can either send a check with your mailing address to Chisago County Press, PO Box 748, Lindstrom, MN 55045 or you can call 651-257-5115. We will be happy to help you get your subscription started.

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