Pray for good weather for more than one reason, local couple is on TV

If you have driven through Lindstrom in the last week, you have seen major changes taking place. First Street is ripped up from beginning to end. Highway 8 is pushed over a lane on both ends of Lindstrom.

There are Xcel, Midcontinent, Landwehr, and a host of other company trucks everywhere in the city. That is the bad news. Here is the good news (I hope anyway). From all that I have heard, if Mother Nature is good to us this Spring and Summer, the project will be completed a lot earlier than expected. Welcome news for the businesses of Lindstrom who have been prepping for a two season construction inconvenience. First Street is ahead of schedule which would then push Highway 8 ahead of schedule. Keep your fingers crossed. Last week, I told you about the large number of businesses in Lindstrom. I have had quite a few comments lately questioning the 103 businesses I referenced.

It is true, there are a ton of businesses in Lindstrom. My goal throughout this construction is to hopefully ensure all 103 of those businesses are still standing at the end of construction, including this one. Once again, it boils down to you. You are the one that can help these businesses sustain during construction. You are the one that can make a concerted effort to shop locally. You can plead with your neighbors and friends to please visit Lindstrom. You are the one that can make a difference. Are you getting the point of how important you are? Please visit our website at www.chisagocountypress.com and click on the “Explore Lindstrom ad. You will be directed to a site that is dedicated to the construction of Highway 8 and all the goings on. If you click on “Our Businesses,” you will view a really neat map that shows you all of the businesses in Lindstrom as well as where they are located. Just because the road makes it look like nothing should be open, things are not as they appear. All businesses are open and eager to help you find what you are looking for.

Now that the weather has warmed up, fishermen and boats will begin to populate the lakes. Warm weather also means that it’s spawning time for Carp. If you love to fish, we need your help. The annual Carp Festival is entering its third year and they need you. Our lakes are becomming over run by Carp. What’s the big deal you ask? Carp are lake bullies. The Lions have created a fishing tournament to weed out the rough fish from our lakes. By weeding out the carp, our lakes become healthier and cleaner. Here are some fun facts about the tournament. Over the last two years, contestants have come from over 30 different cities and four states. Last year, a couple came from Gulfport Mississippi.

Last year over 300 Carp were taken from North and South Center Lakes. The winner last year caught 68 Carp. The weather was horrible last year with rain and driving winds. If the weather is nice this year, the totals could double. The contest is May 19 and is held on North and South Center Lakes. The fishing begins at 7:30 and runs until 2:30 p.m. The Carp Festival, which is held at Lions Park in Lindstrom, begins at 9:30 and runs all day. New this year will be a 5K run/walk held at 9:30. The kids can take part in a Carp egg hunt.

Winners will receive one of two fishing poles donated by Frankie’s Marine. Kids will love to enter their minnow in the minnow races (you do not have to provide your own minnow). There will be plenty of food and drink available at the park. This year there is a new Beer Garden which will be on the island in the middle of the park. At 4:15, the popular blues band “Ride” will take the stage. To enter the contest or for more information please call Steve at 651-462-7900 or 651-257-2966. You may also email him at [email protected]. I encourage you to come out and have some fun.

The only thing that can happen is we help clean up the lakes. Remember a few months ago when we did a feature on Antiques Roadshow inviting a local couple to a taping? Lindstrom Wheelhorse owner Vince Marrier and his wife Christy are the owners of a really cool hand carved dining room table. The antique table features intricate carvings including some panther heads at the foot of the table. If you would like to view the show, they have broken the Minneapolis Antiques Roadshow up into three episodes. The first episode will air May 7 at 7 p.m. on Channel 2 (PBS). The second show will air May 14 and the third on May 21, both at 7 p.m. Make sure to tune in.