---

Just because school has started and the leaves are turning red and yellow, doesn't mean our town celebrations have ended. Shafer would like to cordially invite you and your family for a weekend of fun.

Shafer Days kicks off Thursday night with the 2011 Shafer Days Royalty Coronation held at the creamery building.

Friday has family Bingo also in the creamery building beginning at 6 p.m.

Saturday the festivities really pick up the pace. Bring your family down for pancakes at the fire hall in the morning. When your belly is full, work off some calories searching for the hidden clog. It is worth $100 if you have a Shafer Days button. There will be craft and food vendors, as well as a motorcycle/bike show right in downtown Shafer. You can take some aggression out by smashing a car with a sledge hammer at the car smash.

Beginning at 10 a.m., you can take in a classic car show and a tractor show. There will also be a jump park set up by the trail head as well.

The ever-popular tractor pull is back this year. It begins at noon at Regal Avenue and Red Wing Avenue.

At 2 p.m., come watch what has made Shafer Days famous. The bank robbery re-enactment at the old bank building in downtown.

Stick around, because the Shafer Days Parade begins at 4 p.m. and travels through town.

Finally, there is the annual street dance Saturday night. The weatherman said it is supposed to be perfect this weekend, so grab the family and head to Shafer.

I had a reader call me last week. She wanted me to pass a little information on to you. She owns property that (as most do) butts up to another property in town. On her property sits some beautiful mature trees that overhang above the neighbor's property.

The neighbor decided to prune the trees. This is perfectly legal to do and many people do the same thing. The caller wanted you to know that your neighbor can trim the tree as high as they choose. In her case, the neighbor trimmed the tree all the way to the top, and she now worries the tree will not make it.

If you are thinking of planting new trees on your property, just make sure their mature span is within your property line.

I wanted to take a second to recognize Ron Morgan. Ron, who many of you know, lives in Lindstrom and has for the last 16 years. If the name doesn't ring a bell, a camera around his neck will.

Ron has immersed himself in the history of Chisago Lakes and loves everything about our small town atmosphere. Ron has taken thousands and thousands of photos that range from Harmony in the Park to military celebrations. He always is offering cd's at no charge to people involved in the events. Ron has given us photos that we have used in the he past, and hopefully will continue to do so. Thanks Ron for all your hard work.

If you had a chance to attend any of the Ladies Night Out events, you surely would have noticed a spike in attendance. Maybe it has something to do with the economy, or maybe women are figuring out that it is just a great night of fun. Either way, if you have enjoyed it in the past, you can partake in another one next week.

This Ladies Night Out has a really neat twist. They have added an art crawl to the already fun Ladies Night Out. What is an art crawl? Simply put, there will be beautiful local artwork available for viewing and purchasing at all of the participating Ladies Night Out businesses.

Folks I have seen some of the pieces that will be at LNO, and they are wonderful. We have some amazing artists in our area and you will be astounded at the quality of the art.

Along with artwork, you will be treated to prizes, entertainment, a bonfire with hot cocoa as well as some terrific specials at local businesses around town. Ladies Night Out is Thursday October 6 and begins at 4 p.m.

Remember folks, there is still time to give a book. 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.

---