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Do you need a sign that our Indian Summer is closing its door? Look no farther than Taylors Falls. Last weekend Wild Mountain opened a hill for skiing. Yes skiing. Apparently it has been cold enough at night to make snow, and if you make snow, you know the people will come. If you think I am making this up, just head to their website for proof.

On Friday night, a group of us from the Press signed up to assist with Feed My Starving Children. The event was held at Lakes Free Church in Lindstrom. Pastor Ric Stanghelle had coordinated the event in the hopes of filing two shifts of food packing.

When we got there, there were probably 50 or 60 people already there, but more were filling in. After a brief explanation of where the food goes and instructions on how to run the work stations, the work began. In all, there were 160 workers in our shift.  Out of those 160, each person had a specific duty. I was relegated to hauling filled boxes back to the loading station (I think they didn't see much potential in me).

When the work began, it was like nothing I have ever seen before. People were working so fast with such determination. They told each work station to make a cheer when a box of 36 meals was completed. You would not believe how loud it got. Each team was trying to outdo the next, both with their packing and the loudness of the cheers. Every person there had a smile on their faces. Everyone worked so hard for about an hour and a half, which at the time seemed disappointing to have to stop working. There was another shift scheduled a half hour after we finished, so the place had to get cleaned up and prepped for that shift.

The night ended with a huge thank you from some organizers along with a quick prayer to bless the food for its journey. I later found out that instead of three more shifts that were originally scheduled, they filled so quickly that two more were added. At 160 people per shift (if my Chisago Lakes math is correct), that means around 800 local resident ssigned up to help. That is utterly and completely amazing. I can't even begin to express how proud I am to be part of this community.

By the way, if you were wondering how many kids these meals feed, our shift alone made enough food to feed 89 kids for a year. Wow.

Last week I made a mistake in my colum. I mistakenly told you about the Veteran's Dinner next week. I inadvertently told you the event will be held at the Lindstrom Community Center. In reality, the dinner will take place at the Chisago City Community Center. I apologize for any confusion I might have caused.

On November 11, you are invited to the 10th annual Veterans Day Dinner. All Veterans are welcome to come enjoy a fantastic meal with some local heroes. The dinner will be held at the Chisago City Community Center and the cost is $11 per person. Active duty service men and women are welcomed as guests to the dinner. The featured speaker this year will be Peter Vodenka. Vodenka is an escapee from communist Czechoslovakia in 1983, we featured him and his family in a story recently. They live near Scandia.

Thanks to the wonderful men and women who put on this year's Kids Outerwear Fair. Once again it was a smashing success. It is so touching to see how appreciative the people accepting donations are. It had to be a little more difficult this year for the organizers. They were missing one of the most important people in the operation. Hopefully next year they will be back at full staff and raring to go.

Lastly, I hope you will take a little time on Saturday to attend the Chisago Lakes PTO annual Craft Fair. Held at the Middle School, the fair will feature tons and tons of holiday treasures as well as food and entertainment. The fair begins at 9 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m.

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