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I have recently joined a group called "A Brsuh With Kindness."  I have written about it a couple of times.  Basically, it is a group of individuals that are committed to improving homes in Chisago County for those who are unable to fix their homes because of trying times.  This group is a faith based group (made up of people from all denominations) that has only the best intentions.  I apologize, but I am having a hard time putting into words how absolutely wonderful these people are and how they give so much of their fee time to helping our brothers and sisters in need.  The company is a non-profit (trust me it’s very non-profit) that functions by donations and the grace of God.  Each year they schedule two separate weeks of work that in those mission weeks, manage to fix up anywhere from 18 to 26 homes in Chisago County.  The work is done by the group and many wonderful volunteers.

A Brush With Kindness is preparing for the fall mission week.  We need you.  We are in need of volunteers to help in jobs around the county.  If you would like to help us, we would love to have you.  The feeling of helping a neighbor is much like the feeling I referred to when you donate to the homeless.  You will love it.  These folks are great, you will have a great time, and you can work as much or as little as you like.  We have jobs all over the county this mission week.  It begins on September 20 and runs all week.  Please, if you can, come out and work with us.  Help our neighbors.  Call 651-361-0229 to volunteer.  Thank you!

Can you believe it has been 13 years since the World Trade Center was struck?  It is true, that time heals all, but this event(s) still are vivid in my mind as well as many of yours I am sure.  I can replay the day it happened almost minute by minute - heck, I can't even do that for my wedding day or the birth of my children.  It has been burned into memory, there is really no other way to put it.  Yes, I will admit, that my feelings have lost intensity over the years.  Not to say that what happened isn't upsetting, but it used to raise my blood pressure, put a pit in my stomach and really make me surly.  I like to think that I have grown, now I look at it more along the lines of respect for the dead than getting back at someone or some group.  All of the lives lost were people that had families.  People that were serving their community, their country.  They are the ones that we should stop and take a moment to reflect on.  I never thought I would be part of such a historical event in my lifetime.  Let me re-phrase that, I hoped I would never be part of such a historical tragedy in my lifetime.  God bless those who perished on that day and the rescuers trying to save them.

In this edition of the Press, you will find our Fall Sports Preview.  Sports Editor Jeff Norton and Chuck Fitzer have put together some great pieces with insight on Chisago Lakes and North Branch fall sports.  You can get the latest on football, volleyball, girls swimming, soccer, cross country and girls tennis. We hope you enjoy the preview ad more importantly, we hope you come out and support these teams.

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