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Thank you to all who have signed up for the Feed My Starving Children food packing event at the Lakes Free Church in Lindstrom. As of today, the website says all vacancies have been filled with great volunteers such as yourself. If you had been planning on signing up, but had just not got around to it, you can still help.

On the Lakes Free Church website, there is a link for Feed My Starving Children. That link will allow you to donate to the mobile pack event if you choose to do so. Under step 1, you will see a blue link that says more information. Just click on that link and you will be directed to a window that allows you to make a monetary donation to FMSC. It just takes 24 cents per meal, so as you can see, a minimal donation will go an awful long way. For example a $36 donation will feed five children for a month. Again thank you for donating your time or money, it is very appreciated.

Thank you to the organizers of Apple Fest and Stagecoach Days. The weather was not ideal, but that didn't stop the masses from enjoying the weekend. In fact, this was the first rainy Apple Fest I can remember. Usually it is sunny and warm during the event.

The folks that plan these festivals do an absolutely wonderful job and I would like to thank them all.

With the temps dropping and the Vikings dropping (the ball), weekends are the perfect time to pick apples. I am told that the apple harvest is in full swing and the cool temps at night with warm daytime sun, have this year's crop tastier than ever.

One of my favorite places to visit in the fall is Pleasant Valley Orchard just south of Center City. Pleasant Valley has a great country setting with apple trees as far as the eye can see. They offer pick your own apples, as well as hayrides around the orchard, pre-picked apples and a great gift shop that is filled with snacks and crafts. Stop in and say hi to Jim and Judy, you will be glad you did.

If you are like me, you will have half the apples you just purchased in your stomach before you leave the parking lot.

We have a local resident who is involved in a wonderful charity. Judy Chartrand, who resides in Lindstrom, recently co-authored a best selling book entitled "Now you're thinking!". The book is about Marines who used extraordinary thinking to save the life of a young girl.

Chartrand has partnered with the Pearson Foundation on a nation-wide campaign that supports critical thinking, children's literacy and military families.

The concept is fantastic. For every person who goes to www.wegive books.org ad reads a free online book, a children's paperback or hardcover book will be donated to one of three non-profit groups that support military families.

The goal of the campaign is to donate 30,000 books by September 30. That is where you and I come in. If we take a few minutes and visit the website, we can help Judy reach her goal and hopefully exceed it. The books are easy to read and do not take long to complete.

I would like to wish one of our favorite subscribers a very happy birthday. Pearl Nelson, who has subscribed to the Chisago County Press for decades, has hit a milestone. She has turned 100 years young. If you are lucky enough to know Pearl, you know that she certainly doesn't look 100 years old, and she looks like she is maybe 80. Happy Birthday Pearl!

Shafer Days is looking for a few more vendors to take part in Shafer Days next week. If you have a business that you would like to display or sell product, please call Lynn at Shafer City Hall at 651-257-4726 for more information.

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