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I can absolutely not believe that I am writing about the passing of not one but two of our community members. Bobby Sontag and Bob Hanson have gone to a better place.  Bobby tragically was taken way too young.  Bobby was a staple in the community and was loved by his classmates.  To see someone so young leave this place just plain hurts.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Sontags in this tough time.

Bob Hanson's passing is very hard for me to write about.  You see, one of my best friends in this world was Bob's youngest son Joel.  We lived just a couple of doors away from each other.  That meant that I stayed at the Hanson house at least once a weekend and Bob and Katsy became my surrogate parents.  They took me everywhere. They took me to Viking games, camping, on vacation, fishing, you name it I tagged along.  Bob and Katsy were the nicest people to me.  It might have helped that I would do chores around the house, or maybe the fact that I helped them dig a swimming pool, but they genuinely seemed to enjoy having me around.  That was a rarity back then.  

Many of you know Bob from his coaching days at Chisago Lakes.  He coached wrestling for 25 years and football for many more.  He was our Phy Ed teacher and our health teacher as well.  

Bob loved his children very much, but he held a special love for Katsy.  The two of them went everywhere together. I can honestly say I can't remember them ever fighting.  To see a relationship like that is inspiring.  I hope to look back on my life and say that I lived much like Bob did.  
I am sorry if I have gone on too long, but to say how much Bob and Katsy mean to me, I would need the entire newspaper.  Good bye Bob "step-dad", you are missed dearly already.

The St. Croix Pottery Tour takes place this weekend.  I would highly urge you to take in at least some of the local potters’ open houses.  There are 47 total open houses and eight of those are just a short drive from here.  A map of the tour can be found at minnesotapotters.com.  You will be amazed at the beautiful creations our local artists have to offer.  The tour runs Friday through Sunday.

Congratulations to the Chisago Lakes area!  We are one of the 50 finalists in the America’s Best Communities prize.  By advancing to the top 50, Chisago Lakes receives a $50,000 grant to be used towards the next application.  Frontier is the company that presented the prize, and will mentor the area on the application process.  The goal is a $3 million prize to be used in a community revitalization program.  

These are not small potatoes folks. We have a group of folks that have worked so diligently over the last year to get us to this point.  I am positive they will make a wonderful presentaion.  Just to be a semi-final qualifier says a great deal about this group and our community.  Thank you to Frontier for your prize money and mentorship, it is very much appreciated.

Mothers, if there was one wish I could make come true, it would be that each and every one of you has a wonderful day with your families.  For those of you who are unable to see your mothers, please call them.  Mothers are the single most important, influential and wonderful people in the world!

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