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I hope you had a chance to take in this year's Apple Fest in Almelund.

I had to miss this year's celebration, but our Editor told me the crowds were fantastic and everyone was having a great time. It's funny how Apple Fest always seems to coincide with a Minnesota Vikings football game, but yet the people still come out to see their neighbors and have a good time.

Thank you to the Apple Fest committee for once again putting on a great event for us to enjoy. Apple Fest may not be the biggest or have the most attractions, but it is one of the most genuine, down to earth events in Chisago County.

Thanks to all the fans who took a short drive to North Branch on Friday night. The Viking Wildcat game did not disappoint. Although the score was just 2-0 at halftime, the second half was an all out offensive explosion. It is so fun to see how the North Branch Chisago Lakes rivalry is as fierce as it has ever been.

Speaking of the Wildcat football team, this Friday is Homecoming. Coach Weiss and his Wildcats will try to remain unbeaten as they take on Columbia Heights. If you have never been to a homecoming at Chisago, you are missing a terrific event. The stadium is always packed and you will see alumni from all eras there. If you are planning on attending the big game, make sure you get there early to get a good seat and to enjoy all of the pre-game festivities. You will have a great time and if the Wildcats continue to play like they have been, we will all go home happy.

Keeping on the sports theme for a minute, a friend of mine who is with the Chisago Lakes Hoops Club asked me to pass along some information. If you have a basketball player in your family, you probably already know that tryouts are next week.

The Hoops Club is in need of a fifth grade girls basketball coach. If your daughter is a fifth grade basketball player, or you love to coach basketball, please go to the CL Hoops Club website at www.clhoopsclub.org. Click on the contacts and on the bottom of the contacts page click on the coaching application link.

As you know, our area has been blessed with an abundance of scenery. The beauty is only amplified by the changing of colors in the fall. If you get a chance, take a drive around the area and take in what Mother Nature has given us. Taylors Falls is spectacular this time of the year. While you are there, make sure to stop in and enjoy some of the great businesses Taylors Falls has to offer. Also, make sure to bring your camera. If you take a photo that you think is one of a kind, we would like to see it. Email it to us at [email protected] and include your name phone number and where you shot the picture. Who knows, you might have your picture on the cover of the Chisago Lakes Visitor Guide.

If you are planning on running for an elected office in November, I have some important information for you. Our cut-off for filing statements will be the middle of October. What that means to you is, if you want to get your message out to the public about what you stand for and what you plan to do in office, you need to get it to us soon. Time is running out, and I would hate to have you miss your chance to communicate with the public before the election.

We had a big weekend at our house last weekend. We had football on Saturday morning, a Twins game on Saturday afternoon, a basketball tournament on Sunday morning and a Gymnastics meet also on Sunday morning. I know what you are thinking, "Welcome to the world of being a parent". I have been getting warnings of weekends with no free time for years from friends, so it is not completely unexpected.

This weekend though, something different happened. My daughter had her very first gymnastics meet. Being that we have attended virtually every one of our son's games from baseball to basketball, we decided that our daughter deserved a little support and recognition from us. The meet was in St. Paul Park and featured six teams. Watching the teams warming up, I was sure our girls had a tough road in front of them.

Once the meet began, I found I had butterflies in my stomach. I have no idea what to look for in a gymnastics routine or even if they happen to make a mistake, but I do know how important this is to these girls.

When the time came to announce the winners, the judges started with sixth place and worked their way to the top. Every time they called the name of another team, you could see the excitement brewing in my daughter's team. Finally the judges announced the second place team and there sat our girls in first place. I can't begin to tell you the emotion that I felt to see those girls so happy. All of the years of watching her brother play all of his sports, and now she had her moment in the spotlight. I love being a parent.

We here at the Press have an exciting announcement. Xccent, who you might have heard of, has moved to our area recently. Xccent is the producer of playground equipment and many other outdoor products such as park benches, picnic tables and decking. The company has moved here from Wisconsin and now resides in Wyoming next to the Hospital. They have built a state-of-the-art manufacturing building that one can see from the freeway.

We have teamed up with Xccent and put together a great stand alone section welcoming them to the neighborhood. The publication features indepth stories about the company's history, its manufacturing and where it hopes to proceed into the future. The publication also features many of Xccent's associates who had help with their construction or everyday operations. We hope you enjoy the section and we would like to officially welcome Xccent to the neighborhood.

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