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Over the years, people have commented to me about how it must get easier writing every week.  First off, let me begin by saying I am not a writer, nor do I pretend to be one.  Secondly, has it gotten easier over the years?  I would say not really, but the longer I work here the easier it is to spot the important things in the community that need addressing whether good or bad.   This week is a bad one.  We (as a community) have lost another gem. Dayle DeClercq has passed on to a better place. Maybe it is my age, maybe I just long for my youth, but when a former teacher passes away, it really shakes me.  

Maybe it is because these folks, including Dayle, made a lasting impression on me.  I will admit that Dayle and I sometimes did not see eye to eye (heck, for that matter nobody really saw eye to eye with me back then), but one thing I always had for him was respect.  Like most of these former teachers, it is when we get out of school and mature ourselves when we see how truly interesting these folks were.  I grew to appreciate Dayle so much more in the last 10 years.  He was such a kind man and such a giving man.  A major volunteer in our area and a big Lions supporter and member.  Just an all-around great guy.  Dayle will be missed.  Very much so.

There is still time for you to register for one of the three Future Walk listening sessions.  The next session is Tuesday, January 13 at 1 and 7 p.m. at the Chisago Lakes Library.  I have written many times about the Future Walk and how you can shape the area we live in.  Your opinion does matter.  But at the same time, your opinion doesn’t help if you don't share it.  When we have listened to 1,000 residents of Chisago Lakes, that is when we will have a grip on how people perceive our area and more importantly, how we can change it to a more desirable area for residents, business and tourism.  So I can't stress enough how important it is that you come out and share your ideas with us.    You will never be judged and there is not one correct answer.  Everyone's ideas are as good as the next.  Come on out - we need you.

We have begun to interview here at the Press.  If you have read our ads looking for a community sales rep and thought about applying, I would suggest you contact us here very soon.  We hope to wrap up our interviews in the next two weeks, so send your resume in, we would love to talk to you.  Send them to PO Box 748, Lindstrom, MN 55045.

Many people have been asking about this year’s Celebration of the Lakes.  People are wondering if it is taking place, if the balloons are back etc.  Rest assured, the celebration is on.  There will not be balloons this year.  There will be another great ice fishing tournament, and the biggie?  Snowmobile radar runs are back (see story in this edition.)  Easily the biggest and best-attended event in the past, the radar run makes its triumphant return.   Look for our Celebration of the Lakes tab very soon.

Over the weekend, the entire Silver family ventured to Iowa.  It had been years since we had a complete family Christmas and this year it just worked out. So all three families packed up, and headed south.  

You may have read my past writings about my love for my grandma (both of them).  I could write 20 pages on how much she has meant to me in my life.  As I was sitting watching the chaos of Christmas, it was evident that everyone in the family has the same feelings about Gram as I do.  I can not, nor do I want to, envision my life without her.  

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