---

As we near the dead of winter, that can only mean two things. The Celebration of the Lakes and the Home, Garden and Business Show are just around the corner.

The Celebration of the Lakes will take place at the end of this month on North Center Lake in Center City. If you have never attended the Celebration of the Lakes event, ask anyone who has. They will tell you that it is one of the most entertaining, laid back, and picturesque events our area has.

Judging by the hundreds and hundreds of people at the celebration last year, I think the word has gotten out. We had spectacular weather last year, and hopefully Mother Nature will cooperate again this year. Keep an eye on the Press in the next few weeks, we will have ads letting you know when events are taking place and how you can participate in them.

Grandstrand Funeral Home has begun a really neat tradition that they would like you to know about.

They are now an official collection and drop-off site for U.S. flags that are old and worn. If your flag has faded or ripped and you plan on replacing it, just bring it to Grandstrand Funeral Home. They will see that your flag is properly disposed of in accordance with the U.S. Flag Code. There is no cost to you for the flag disposal.

The 2011 Home, Garden and Business Show happens at the end of February and also saw huge numbers last year. This year, we are looking to build on an already great show, and we need your help. If you own a business or you know someone who owns a business that you think the public would really enjoy learning about, I encourage you to contact Chisago Lakes Community Ed at 651-213-2600 or call the Chisago Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce at 651-257-1177.

I need to mention again that we are looking for your photos from the Chisago Lakes area for our annual Visitors Guide. This is your chance to have your photos published thus creating a keepsake to show your family for decades to come. Either mail your photo to us at Chisago County Press PO box 748, Lindstrom MN 55045 or email to [email protected]. If you mail them, please include your phone number so we can get them digitally if needed.

The Vikings season mercifully ended on Sunday with a (you guessed it) loss to the Lions. As a life long Vikings fan, I couldn't be happier to end this oddity of a season. After coming just one play short of heading to the Super Bowl last year, this year has been nothing short of a sideshow circus.

Beginning with three star players flying to Mississippi to lure number four back for another season, this year has had one odd episode after another. The head coach was fired mid-season. Oh, and don't forget the text messaging scandal that consumed the entire middle of the season. Today, two more women have accused the quarterback from Mississippi of more lewd texting.

I can't speak for you, but this season has been like watching a train wreck, you know it is horrible, but you can't help but look anyway. What will the purple have in store for next year? Who knows, but you know it will be a disappointment compared to this season.

If you happen to drive through Lindstrom last Thursday during the rain storm, you probably saw me. I was the one on top of the Press building shoveling water and ice off as fast as I could.

On Monday, I decided to shovel the snow off because I heard we could get rain. Rain on top of a foot and a half of snow would have collapsed our roof for sure. So I spent about six hours plus cleaning it off. Once cleared, I noticed we had about four inches of ice everywhere on the roof.

Thursday comes and so does the rain. Pretty soon we have rain dripping in everywhere through the ceiling tile. Back up on the roof I go, this time to try and chip the ice off. I even carried 12 bags of softener salt up there to try and melt some of the ice. Thank goodness we had a cold spell that followed the rain or I would still be up there.

There are people who actually pay money for waterfalls inside their homes. We had eleven waterfalls in the building last Thursday.

---