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Thank you so much for coming out to the Wildcat boys hockey game Friday.  The place was packed and the first ever Zac Strong awards were very moving.  We have a photo of the winners and nominees in this edition’s sports page.

Speaking of Zac, there is something really neat taking place in April.  I know, we usually don't promote this far in advance, but this event needs a little planning.  When Zac was fighting his courageous battle with cancer, his family quickly learned that laughter was indeed the best medicine for Zac.  It just made him forget about everything happening in his world.  As it turns out, the Bartz family had an acquaintance that had connections in Hollywood.  When this person found out that Zac adored comedian Kevin James he began working tirelessly to arrange a meeting.  They finally agreed on a date, but before that day came, Zac took a turn for the worse.  Zac did receive a phone call from James a week prior to his passing.  A bond was formed instantly and James has kept in constant contact with the Bartz family ever since.  James even flew the family to Las Vegas where he was filming Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2.  While there, the director and producer told the family that James insisted on wearing his Zac Pack t-shirt in a few movie scenes.

So how does this have anything to do with you?  In an attempt to help fight neurofibromatosis, the kind folks at White Bear Township Theaters have allowed a "special showing" of Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2.  They have promised $1 for every ticket sold and have also said they will reserve as many theaters as needed.  Soon I will tell you about an online store that will sell Zac Pack t-shirts which people are encouraged to wear to the film.  All proceeds and the money raised from the tickets will go to the "Zachary Fund for NF and Cancer Research at the University of Minnesota.  Shirts ordered online will be available for pick up at the movie.  The goal is to fill all of the theaters, watch a hilarious movie, and support a great cause.  Oh, and when you see Kevin James wearing the t-shirt on screen, you are asked to scream your head off.

I hope to see you at the Home and Business Show this weekend.  The show runs Saturday and Sunday and is packed with wonderful businesses that can help your home and business.  There is some great entertainment as well as good food. Come out and see what’s new for 2015.  It is going to be a great year!

Congratulations to the North Branch girls gymnastics team.  They won their sectional as a team and are sending Katy Trunk, Keeley Ertl, Mikayla Johnson, and Alexys Olson as individuals.  I had the pleasure of watching them compete and they are a great team.

This week Gregory Contracting and its employees will be helping a cause near and dear to my heart.  They will be making 500 meals for the homeless and then distributing them.  Wow, what an awesome gesture!  They are hoping to make this a yearly event.  I personally would like to thank them for doing this.  We have such an amazing group of "givers" here in our area.  You can see God at work and it seems to be more prevalent these days.  Thank you to DJ and his crew.  Thanks for making a difference in this world.

So we all have heard it before, "Nobody reads newspapers anymore".  That saying has been around since Al Gore invented the internet.  I understand why people would think that what with every kid glued to his or her Iphone these days.  But I am here to tell you that the saying is not only incorrect, it is far from the truth.  In fact, if no one is reading the paper these days, then why are our subscription numbers as high as they have ever been?

 If no one is reading the paper, then take a minute to ask one of our many great advertisers if their ads are working.  If people are only going to Craigslist to buy items from others, then why do we have such loyal advertisers that swear our classifides work better than any website around?  Example?  There is a Lindstrom businessman that will only list his rentals (he has a lot of properties) in the County Press and Search Shopper.  He has said repeatedly that he gets unbelievable response from his classifides usually within a week.  

Congratulations to the Chisago Lakes Dance team!  They placed 10th in the Jazz competition at the state tournament.  Chisago Lakes dance has been improving every year.  Head coach Shannon Hejny has taken the them to state twice in the last three years.  Way to go Wildcats!

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