Come out and welcome Santa Saturday; Thanksgiving meal was spectacular

The Chisago Lakes Taylors Falls Small Town Christmas continues this weekend. Lindstrom will be hosting its annual Tree Lighting Festival on Saturday. Grab the family, bundle up for a great small town experience. There will be carnival games, free hot dogs, music, a bonfire, carolers and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Remember along with the lighting festivals taking place, local businesses are offering some amazing specials right here in your back yard. Please, please make a concerted effort to do some shopping locally this year. Your town depends on you, your neighbors depend on you. I want to take this time to personally thank all of the wonderful people who took time away from their Holiday and their families to help with the Community Thanksgiving Meal.

I had the privilege of working for a couple of hours in the morning setting up. Every person (there were about 20 there) was in a great mood, and everyone worked very hard. I believe they had 178 pre-registered dinner guests with the potential for another 25 or so just showing up. It was like a factory line, there was turkey after turkey coming through the doors from people who had donated and cooked the birds for the meal. What an amazing event. Thank you so much for going above and beyond what you had to do. We have such an amazing community. Everyday someone or something amazes me in our community. Speaking of community meals, there is another wonderful meal that you can help with if you like. The good folks at First United Methodist Church in Lindstrom will be hosting a free Community Christmas Dinner.

The dinner will be at noon on Christmas Day. Anyone and everyone who would like to share a meal and fellowship are invited. They are also looking for volunteers to assist with the meal. If you would like to reserve your spot for the meal, please call 651 257 4306. If you would like to volunteer your time or donate food items, please call 651 213 1035. Thank you. On Sunday my daughter and I took a long stroll out on Chisago Lake. We stayed within 15 feet of the shore, so if the ice broke we would be in about six inches of water. There were plenty of spots where the ice was sketchy at best.

We even encountered two or three areas of open water. We commented how we should have brought the ice skates, but that thought went down the tubes when the snow and rain came. Speaking of ice, I had an email from one of our loyal readers yesterday. He said that as he was taking a stroll on the edge of the ice on Green Lake, he noticed a car. Not just parked on the edge but driving across the ice. The reader said he couldn't quite make out the plate number but he thought it said "idiot". Come on people, let's not risk our lives for a sunfish. The Celebration of the Lakes is looking for a dog sled team. If you or someone you know has a dog sled team and would like to be hired to give rides at the celebration, please call the Chamber at 651 257 1177. We are beginning to interview for the sales position here at the Press. If you or someone you know would be a great candidate, please contact us via email ([email protected]) or phone 651 257 5115. But please do it soon, we hope to fill the position very soon.