Despite winds and warm temps, folks still managed to have a little fun

Well the Celebration of the Lakes has come and gone.  Sadly, the ice just refused to cooperate with this year’s celebration.  You wouldn’t think that changing a locale of an event would have that much of an impact, but it did.  We still had decent numbers that came out to hopefully see the balloons fly at Ki Chi Saga Park.  As it turns out, none of the baloons ever took flight. The winds were just too strong to risk it.

People that did come out to the celebration did manage to have a little fun.  The smoosh race was a big hit and promises to be even bigger next year.  The kiddie parade had some great entries that were all decked out in their western gear.  I am not sure of the total, but there were quite a few racers that showed up to run the Celebration of the Lakes 5K.

As you have probably seen or heard, the helicopter rides were going fast and furious all day on Saturday.  So were the sled dog rides.  There was a constant line of about 25 people waiting their turn to ride the sled.

Congratulations to Tyson Koran, Allison Smothers, Alex Smith, Sophia Anderson, Tomas Lopez, Lindsey Clasen, Gabe Huston and Madeline Saueressig for winning the coloring contest.

If you purchased a Celebration of the Lakes button this year, you might want to check it.  If your button says 364, you are this year’s lucky winner.  Bring your button the the Chisago Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce in Lindstro to claim your prize.

You know I always like to mention the people behind the scenes of our great events.  And while this year’s celebration might not have been what we hoped for, it was still a fun event.  These folks, Greg Shaleen, Tangi Schaapveld, Craig Stockel, Renee Dabill, Josh Leonhardt, Steve Smith, Corey Lindgren, Randy Fulton, Erin Thorvaldson, Orris Erlandson and Mark Utech, have seriously been meeting since a week after last year’s event.  They meet all year long striving to make each year’s event better than the last.  I am telling you folks, these people absolutely work their tails off and I for one, would like to offer a huge heartfelt thank you to each and every one of them.

If you noticed there was a little less hot air around the area last week, you were right.  I had the privilege of attending Wolf Ridge with my son and the rest of the sixth grade.

Wolf Ridge is a 2,000 acre interactive learning center that teaches kids about the importance of nature, preserving it and recycling.  Kids are split into groups and those groups are assigned a schedule of classes and outdoor events.  I was a little leery at first, but when my son said there would be zip lining, I was in.  Who wouldnt want to hurl themslves off a tree top ledge dangling by a single wire?

I will be honest with you.  I did have visions of arriving at the learning center and that would be the last time I saw my son.  I was expecting the “don’t talk to me in front of my friends” speech.  In my mind I had made alternative plans like reading a book during free time.  But I was wrong.  I was completely floored how the kids included the parents in all activities.  Maybe we just had a great group, or maybe I just blow things out of proportion in my head (probably the later), but I had so much fun with all the twelve kids in our group.

The teachers that attended Wolf Ridge with us were spectacular.  They went out of their way to make sure each student received attention as well as the parents.  The teachers were always present and always positive and that is huge.

The trip lasted three days, which for a light sleeper was just right, and we arrived home Friday evening.  There is a small story on Wolf Ridge in this edition’s school page.

Thanks to the teachers and the school district for allowing this trip to take place.  I can’t speak for all parents, but this one had the time of his life.

On Friday, a truck went through the ice on South Center Lake just off Needle Point.  The truck ended up close to 40 feet under water.  Luckily the driver was not injured, but his truck couldn’t say the same.

I know we have had really cold temperatures lately, and yes that did aid in making the ice thicker, but please remember there is still thin ice out there.  The spot where this truck went through had to have about four inches of ice.  Please be careful.

Well the Celebration of the Lakes has come and gone.  Sadly, the ice just refused to cooperate with this year’s celebration.  You wouldn’t think that changing a locale of an event would have that much of an impact, but it did.  We still had decent numbers that came out to hopefully see the balloons fly at Ki Chi Saga Park.  As it turns out, none of the baloons ever took flight. The winds were just too strong to risk it.

People that did come out to the celebration did manage to have a little fun.  The smoosh race was a big hit and promises to be even bigger next year.  The kiddie parade had some great entries that were all decked out in their western gear.  I am not sure of the total, but there were quite a few racers that showed up to run the Celebration of the Lakes 5K.

As you have probably seen or heard, the helicopter rides were going fast and furious all day on Saturday.  So were the sled dog rides.  There was a constant line of about 25 people waiting their turn to ride the sled.

Congratulations to Tyson Koran, Allison Smothers, Alex Smith, Sophia Anderson, Tomas Lopez, Lindsey Clasen, Gabe Huston and Madeline Saueressig for winning the coloring contest.

If you purchased a Celebration of the Lakes button this year, you might want to check it.  If your button says 364, you are this year’s lucky winner.  Bring your button the the Chisago Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce in Lindstro to claim your prize.

You know I always like to mention the people behind the scenes of our great events.  And while this year’s celebration might not have been what we hoped for, it was still a fun event.  These folks, Greg Shaleen, Tangi Schaapveld, Craig Stockel, Renee Dabill, Josh Leonhardt, Steve Smith, Corey Lindgren, Randy Fulton, Erin Thorvaldson, Orris Erlandson and Mark Utech, have seriously been meeting since a week after last year’s event.  They meet all year long striving to make each year’s event better than the last.  I am telling you folks, these people absolutely work their tails off and I for one, would like to offer a huge heartfelt thank you to each and every one of them.

If you noticed there was a little less hot air around the area last week, you were right.  I had the privilege of attending Wolf Ridge with my son and the rest of the sixth grade.

Wolf Ridge is a 2,000 acre interactive learning center that teaches kids about the importance of nature, preserving it and recycling.  Kids are split into groups and those groups are assigned a schedule of classes and outdoor events.  I was a little leery at first, but when my son said there would be zip lining, I was in.  Who wouldnt want to hurl themslves off a tree top ledge dangling by a single wire?

I will be honest with you.  I did have visions of arriving at the learning center and that would be the last time I saw my son.  I was expecting the “don’t talk to me in front of my friends” speech.  In my mind I had made alternative plans like reading a book during free time.  But I was wrong.  I was completely floored how the kids included the parents in all activities.  Maybe we just had a great group, or maybe I just blow things out of proportion in my head (probably the later), but I had so much fun with all the twelve kids in our group.

The teachers that attended Wolf Ridge with us were spectacular.  They went out of their way to make sure each student received attention as well as the parents.  The teachers were always present and always positive and that is huge.

The trip lasted three days, which for a light sleeper was just right, and we arrived home Friday evening.  There is a small story on Wolf Ridge in this edition’s school page.

Thanks to the teachers and the school district for allowing this trip to take place.  I can’t speak for all parents, but this one had the time of his life.

On Friday, a truck went through the ice on South Center Lake just off Needle Point.  The truck ended up close to 40 feet under water.  Luckily the driver was not injured, but his truck couldn’t say the same.

I know we have had really cold temperatures lately, and yes that did aid in making the ice thicker, but please remember there is still thin ice out there.  The spot where this truck went through had to have about four inches of ice.  Please be careful.