Please come to Future Walk; it is time for prom, no more snow!

This is my last reminder for next week's Future Walk presentation. I know you all lead busy lives, really I do. But this presentation warrants giving up some of your schedule to hear Bill Buell. Bill will detail how the small city of New Richmond was lost. No identity, no cohesiveness, no vision, in essence just plodding and barely getting by. Sound familiar? Look around you, did I just describe our area? Listen folks, I am not putting down our area. I love this place. I love it so much that I (and others) think that it is time for a change. Real change not just some fleeting idea that flames out in a couple of months. A change that would require hard work, maximum effort, and the ability to trudge on even when it looks bleak.

A change that could alter the area for decades to come. For the better. No one likes change (trust me, I am wearing a six year old pair of dress shoes with a hole in the heal), but even the greatest skeptics will tell you sometimes change is good. Sometimes it is even better than that. What New Richmond has done is amazing. Just take a drive through the town. It is bustling, inviting and just as close to the Twin Cities as we are. We can do it. I am positive. But, we need to begin. Let's begin on April 10 at 11:30 a.m. at the Chisago Lakes Library. Please RSVP at 651-257-1177.

This has been an unbelievable beginning to spring. As I write, I am looking out at snow blowing sideways and my thermometer says 16 degrees. That crackling noise you hear is my teeth slowly disintegrating. Come on already. Our great sports writer Jeff Norton was telling me about his girlfriend. She grew up in Warroad which is expecting 15 inches of snow this week. She told Jeff that her high school softball team sometimes would have seasons that were close to three weeks long. Three weeks for a school sport? And yet they continued to live there? You have to really love winter to endure 10 months of it. It looks like our spring teams here in Chisago County will also once again be playing on a shortened season. I believe the softball and the baseball team have games scheduled for next week. There is a five foot snow drift in right field that says otherwise. This has to be good for the lakes... right? There has to be a silver lining in this somewhere.

Our good friend Deann who runs Recycled Wardrobes in Lindstrom and North Branch is back at it. She has such a big heart and really likes to give to the community. She has brought back the very popular Prom Dress Event. Recycled Wardrobes has been collecting gently used, almost brand new prom dresses. They feel that every girl should have a chance to attend prom and that cost of a dress shouldn't keep any girl from attending. They have priced all of their prom dresses at $25. Incredible I know, but like the guy on TV says, but wait there's more. When a high school student purchases a dress, they also get discounts at Meredee's, Designers Salon, Forest Lake Dry Cleaning, The Threaded Needle, discounted jewelry from Rheas Reflections and Forest Lake and North Branch Floral. Wow, that is a lot of stuff for $25. Thank you to Deann and all of the companies listed. Hopefully no one will be unable to attend the big dance because of cost.

We are quickly approaching a few big events in our area. The Chisago Lakes Wrestling Extravaganza and the Lions Cadillac Dinner both take place in the next few weeks. The Wrestling Extravaganza takes place on Saturday, April 12 at the Lent Town Hall. The event is a wonderful night out with endless potential to win prizes of cash and merchandise. Prizes combined are valued at over $10,000. Why not enjoy a great night out, support local youth sports, and possibly come home with some money in your pocket? Call 651-230-6414 for tickets.

The other great event coming is the Lions Club Cadillac Dinner. This is one of my favorite events. Held at the Beautiful Winehaven Winery on Saturday, April 26, the event is the annual fundraiser for the Lions Club which does so much in our community. Seriously, these men and women give so much of their time and money to help multiple causes and charities. Your ticket will get you dinner for two, drinks and a chance to win money, a lot of money. We have a new concrete driveway because of the Cadillac Dinner. Clark Malcomson bought his wife a new dress and a huge new flag for the City of Lindstrom. what will your winning story be? Call 651-257-7407 to get your tickets. I hope to see you there.

Remember your chance to save a little money by renewing your subscription early. Use the coupon on page 2, and we will make sure you don’t miss a beat.