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Did you happen to read the sports section in the Minneapolis Star Tribune last Sunday? They had a big article about the second annual Carp Festival this weekend. The columnist explained the negatives of having carp in our lakes and went into detail about the festival and how great it was. Basically, he was telling you what I have been telling you for weeks, that this is a great event and you really should take part. Not only are you having a great time with friends, but you are really doing our lakes a favor.

Remember, if you are not a fisherman, but would like to take some carp home with you, please come to the Lions Park for the weigh-in and celebration. You can take as many carp home as you like.  They make great fertilizer for gardens, heck some people even like to eat them.

If you would just like to come for the festival, please do so. There will be food and beverages available along with some live music. This year there will be a band called " Ride", which is supposed to be a really great band.

You can enter the contest online at www.chisagolakeschamber.com or email Steve at [email protected]. You can pick up entry forms at Gander Mountain in their archery and fishing departments. If you need additional info call Steve at 651-462-7900 or 651-257-2966, remember folks, he's from Iowa so have some patience.

Speaking of cleaning the lakes, it's spring cleaning time again in Chisago City and Lindstrom. On Saturday, both cities are holding their annual clean up day, where you can get rid of junk that has been bugging you all winter. The two cities have combined to collect trash such as electronics, major appliances, furniture, tires, lawn mowers, and much more. These items will be collected along Liberty Lane in Chisago City. For those of you who have never heard of Liberty Lane, it is three blocks north of the lights in Chisago City.

The rubbish will be collected for very little cost by E Cycling, Recycled Wardrobes, Bridging, and SRC. Bridging and the Rotary will be accepting slightly used furniture and housewares that will help those in need.

The clean-up event runs from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. and they ask you to show proof of residency. Also, there will be no recycling of hazardous waste.

Many thanks to Vince Bennet and his STS crew. Vince is in charge of the Sentenced to Serve group from Lino Lakes Prison. I know there isn't much interest in hearing about criminals doing community service, but what these men did in such lousy weather deserves mentioning.

These men cleaned Ojikita, burned knocked down cabins, brush cut the park, cleaned out dead trees and wood chipped all day long in wet cold weather. They did in hours what would have taken days and it looks fantastic. Thank you Vince and your men for making an already beautiful park even better.

If you have children in the Chisago Lakes School District, chances are they have had Mr. Retzlaff as a principal. Last week we ran an article about his retirement. A lot of parents have formed friendships with Warren and a lot of kids have some great memories of their old principal.

On June 7 at 6 p.m., you are invited to come and wish Warren the best in his next endeavor. He will have an open house for the public at the Lakeside cafeteria. The PTO is putting the event on, and you are encouraged to come and say one final thank you to one of the best principals around.

Remember this winter when we talked about the great folks at Trinity Lutheran Church giving away winter clothing to children? Well we now have another great church group doing the same thing. The good folks from the Sharing Shop at the Lakes Free Church are having a spring clothing giveaway. This Friday and Saturday, they will be handing out one free bag of clothing to men, women and children. You can purchase an additional bag of clothes for $1. The event runs Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and again from 5 to 7 p.m. On Saturday it will run from 9 a.m. until noon.

Last weekend, my son's baseball team played in a tournament in Woodbury. As I stood in 40 degrees with the rain pelting my face like needles, I had to remind myself that April showers....what the heck? I understand that we need the moisture, but why can't we have a few rainy weekdays where we get four or five inches of rain? Then bring out the sun on the weekends. This drizzly cold spring has really got people edgy. Especially twelve fifth graders, come on sun, come on.

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