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Can you believe it is already Christmas?  I for one, am not ready for Christmas. I am a typical guy, you know, the one that waits until the last second and then rushes to the stores and buys something that will either get put in the closet forever or be returned without my knowing. This year I have really pushed the envelope. As I write this, I have purchased exactly zero presents (the wife will enjoy reading that). Not only have I not purchased any presents, I don't even have a list made.

Procrastinating is one thing, but I have taken it to a whole new level. This is where I need your help. If you see me at a store with a terrified look on my face and I am holding a porcelain unicorn that says Merry Christmas, please, calmly ask me to set the figurine down, and slowly point me towards anything a mother of two might like for Christmas. My wife is counting on you.

Remember folks, if you are going to be alone this Christmas, you don't have to be. Please, I encourage you to attend the 22nd annual Community Christmas Dinner. The dinner will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Lindstrom which is located by the Middle School. The meal is served from noon until 1:15 and is put on by some absolutely wonderful people who have given up part of their Christmas day to make this special event happen. Please call 257-4306 if you would like to attend.

The shooting incident in Grand Marais really got me thinking. Thinking about how it could happen anywhere in any courthouse. Pretty scary stuff.

I do know that the County Attorney Association is pulling together to help the Cook County prosecutor's office. Our County Attorney, Janet Reiter, said there is a mechanism in place to see to it that horrific events like that don't result in shutting down the prosecution function. Every day local law enforcement and legal courts professionals do their jobs out in the open for the sole purpose of protecting our community. For that the Press can't begin to express our gratitude. Thank you.

We here at the Press are constantly striving to improve and keep up with the times. We have added something to our website that I think you will really enjoy.

We are in the process of getting a brand new website that will have so many features, you will have to spend hours on it just to see all the new stuff.

We do however have something shiny and new on our existing website. If you are a fan of the Search Shopper, we have your fix. The Search Shopper can now be viewed on our website. Not only can it be viewed, but you can now click on each individual advertisement and that ad will appear on your screen with the option to print. What does that mean to you? That means if an ad has a special, say a coupon, you will now be able to print out that coupon without cutting the whole page apart.

There is even an index on the side if you want to look for your favorite business. Only a small step in some giant plans, but pretty neat just the same.

Please take a look and let us know what you think. Once the new site is up and running, I will give you some insight on all the bells and whistles.

Merry Christmas to you and your family. From the bottom of my heart, I wish nothing but the best for you this season.

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