Teenagers trick-or-treating? Yes, but it is for a great cause; FMSC news

Halloween is just around the corner. If the weather holds up, we could be in for some record number of Trick-or-Treaters. If you happen to answer your door and there are some teenagers there, odds are it is a group from the National Honor Society. They will be knocking on doors hoping to get donations for the local food shelf. It is a wonderful gesture and I hope you participate. Its an easy way to fill the food shelf without leaving the house. We plan on setting our donations aside prior to Halloween so we won't have to leave kids standing at the door when we are scrounging through out pantry. Hey, if they are not from the National Honor Society and just kids that are too old to be trick-or-treating, they will be quickly disappointed when they get a can of tuna.

On October 24 at 7 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center, you are invited to come listen to guest speaker Bill Buell of New Richmond. Buell began the New Richmond Community Foundation and has done some amazing things. He saw the model New Richmond was using for its businesses, determined it was failing, and created an initiative that was New Richmond's path to tomorrow. Simply put, New Richmond is thriving today because both the businesses and the citizens of New Richmond have bought into the vision. We would love (love) to implement such a vision in the Chisago Lakes area. To do so, the cooperation of both businesses and citizens needs to be all in. I invite you to please come hear Bill speak, I promise he will have some great ideas that can jump start our community. Great news!

They have added 100 shift positions to the Feed My Starving Children event next week. So if you wanted to help pack, contact the Lakes Free Church to sign up. Their phone number is 651 257 2677. The event is still a tad bit short on funding. By adding the 100 spots, the operation is short by $3200. If you would like to help but are unable to help pack, you can send a monetary donation to: Feed My Starving Children, 29620 Olinda Trail, Lindstrom, MN 55045. Any assistance you give will be very much appreciated. I apologize or making this a begging for help column, but sometimes events and happenings that need our help all just sort of fall together.

With that said, there is still time to donate your gently used winter wear to the awesome folks that run the Kids Outerwear Fair that takes place next week. They are looking for coats, mittens, scarves, snow pants, and blankets that are in good condition. The clothing will be distributed to those in need with absolutely no questions asked. I have been covering this group for years and these folks are angels.

There is a group of local FFA students that would like to attend the national convention in a few weeks. The convention is in Kentucky and over 55,000 students will attend. They know times are challenging and money is tight, but they are asking kindly for any support to help fund their trip. If you would like to help these great kids, please call Jeff Lindeman or Julie Mellum at 651 213 2572.

If you are looking for some real fun this weekend, try the Haunt at Ojiketa. Held througout the park, you will be scared and surprised by what might jump out at you. The haunt runs this Saturday and Sunday and October 26 & 27 from 7 p.m. until 10 pm. Cost is $5 OR $3 with a food donation. If you have young ones that love Halloween, I urge you to come to Ojiketa on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. How do hayrides, child friendly haunted house, crafts, pumpkin hunt, trick-or-treating, face painting and a costume contest sound? You can find all that and more at Chisago City’s Falloween Festival. The event is free as always, but you are asked to bring a non-perishable food donation.