Memorial Day is a special day for us; your donations are helping people

This weekend is the thrre-day Memorial Weekend. While Memorial Day is actually Thursday, May 30 our society likes to celebrate on weekends. So this Monday, I would very strongly encourage you to come to one of the many Memorial Day Celebrations. It is our chance to show our respect for the men and women who have served our wonderful country.

These folks have laid down their lives for our freedom. They have given their lives to make sure our lives are safe. There is a famous quote by G.K. Chesterton that goes "Courage is a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die." That is why these soldiers are being honored...courage. God bless all the men and women who have and continue to serve our country. On page 11, you will find a listing of all the Memorial Day observances taking place. The all-county ceremony will take place at the Veterans’ Memorial in Lindstrom, at 2 p.m. I really hope you can come out and say "Thank you". Speaking of honoring, this week is EMS Week in Minnesota. What is EMS? EMS stands for Emergency Medical Service which is comprised of ambulance personnel, dispatchers, paramedics and IV techs. The group that we have here in Chisago County, that we are most familiar with, is Lakes Region EMS. These are the ambulances we mostly see on the roads. These folks are at every accident, fire, rescue, medical call, and virtually every event whether it be a sporting event or a celebration. Not only do they save lives every day, but they are wonderful ambassadors. If you happen to see an EMS provider out and about, please extend your hand and say thanks. Now that spring has officially decided to stay, that means the farmer’s markets are up and going.

Chisago City hosts their Farmer’s Market in Moberg Park on Friday afternoons from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. It is a wonderful place to pick up plants for your garden, fresh food and many other great local items. Speaking of plants, if you can squeegee-off your garden, it is time to start planting. It just so happens we have some of the most amazing nurseries in our area. There’s Meehan Brothers, Applewood, Olympic Trail, Wayne’s, Greenworld, Peterson’s, Abrahamson’s, Branch Landscaping... just to name a few. All offer something different and new. I have purchased plants, trees, flowers and mulch from all of these places and I can tell you they are all great. They are so helpful. If you need an emotional lift, just take a stroll through one of these businesses; there is something about being surrounded by plants and trees that soothes your soul.

Thank you, thank you. thank you! Thank you for all of your donations to the homeless shelter. I have now taken two car loads (trust me, my car was packed as full as you could get it) to Pine City for the homeless. Both times I have told the managers I have some donations, and both times they have been close to tears when they see the volume you have donated. I got a letter this week from someone at the shelter. The letter thanked us (you) for the great donations and because of the clothes and shoes donated, they were able to interview and land a job. Wow. Someone asked me a few weeks back if I was tired of taking donations to the shelters, I told them I would take donations until I am old and the government takes away my drivers license. Until then please keep the donations coming. And most importantly, thank you!

Now that the road restrictions are lifted, you will see many more construction vehicles on Highway 8. They have already resumed the Highway 8 split pairs project. There are two ways to look at this. One, this is going to be horrible..more back-ups, more hassles. Two, this is great, we already have a base layer done, so all they need to do is resurface and they will be out of here before you know it. I choose the second of the two.