We say goodbye to another local icon; see you at wrestling extravaganza

Boy it seems like every week I am writing about a local icon that has passed away. It has been a tough year for losing great community people and this week is no exception. It makes me sad to announce that we have lost another great one. Irene Carlson has gone to a better place. For those of you who do not know Irene, she is the wife of Wally Carlson and the mother of Jim, Tim and Wade Carlson all of BP Station in Lindstrom. The Carlsons have been a fixture in this area as long as I can remember. Irene was small in stature (really small) but huge in her faith and community. Talk about a person who truly lived her life the right way. She was always there at all of the community events by Wally's side with her thick glasses. I joke about Irene out of love and sheer respect for a person who we could all learn a little bit from. Wally is still around and doing okay considering the circumstances. If you see him out and about, please wish him the best. Losing a loved one is never easy, and losing a community figure is never easy either. Our thought and prayers go out to the Carlsons.

This is your final chance to purchase tickets to the Chisago Lakes Wrestling Extravaganza this weekend. I know that we are inundated with various banquets and galas that benefit various programs, and while this one does benefit the wrestling program, it also has a lot to offer you. A lot. Like $10,000. If that isn't enough reason, there are terrific door prizes and raffles to win. If that still isn't enough, what about rolling dice for a chance to win a new boat package from Frankies Marine, or a complete lawn package from Lindstrom Wheelhorse, or how about a side by side or two ATV's from Stacy Do It Best Hardware in Stacy? Sprinkle in a great dinner along with drinks and a dance. How could you go wrong? If you would like to purchase tickets, please call 651-257-1000 or 651-230-6414.

The local Veterans would like you to know your orders for bricks to be installed in the Veterans Memorial in Lindstrom are due on May 1. To insure placement for your loved one, please have the form filled out in its entirety and turned in by the end on April. Forms can be picked up at the Press and the Chamber of Commerce.

The Chisago County Press has partnered with a software company to form a new and innovative way to advertise. Find It! is our new mobile phone app that will help advertisers reach even more consumers in addition to a great newspaper source in the Chisago County Press. Right now we have a bunch of businesses on board and you can take advantage of some really great deals. Just scan the QR code on page 17 to download the app. If you are an advertiser, this is your chance to take advantage of our special introductory offer. Just call us here at 651-257-5115 and let us show you how easy it is to reach yet another huge wave of consumers. This model we have created is still in its early stages, but we are confident in the very near future it will be in virtually every market in Minnesota and Wisconsin and even Northern Iowa. How is that for advertising reach? If you do not have a QR scanner on your smart phone simply go to: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/find-it! mn/id586606036?mt=8.

Remember that Recycled Wardrobes is currently holding their Prom Dress Fundraiser. Girls can purchase a dress for only $25. There is s huge selection of beautiful dresses for a fraction of what they sold for on the rack. One hundred percent of the proceeds earned from the event go to support The Baby Blanket and the Chisago Lakes Life Care Center.

I can not believe as I write this there is a winter storm warning out for Chisago County. The meteorologists are predicting 6 to 12 inches of snow. Is this ever going to stop? I coach a traveling baseball team and last year at this time we had been out on the ballfield for weeks. This year our first tournament is on May 5, we could be playing in winter boots. Bring on Spring, please.

The Chisago Lakes Lions Club would like to invite you to their annual Cadillac Dinner on April 27. The dinner is usually held at the Chisago City Community Center, but this year they are holding it at the beautiful Strom Hall in Camp Ojiketa. The dinner begins at 7 with a social hour at 6. There are 15 drawings for cash prizes with the top prize of $2,000. They have tons of great silent auctions to bid on as well. Call 651-257-6878 or 651-257-7407 for tickets. I hope to see you there!