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Hunting season opens this weekend.  What does this mean to me and you who are not hunters?  It means freedom. Freedom to finally do that shopping you wanted to do.  It means you can finally get together with your friends without feeling bad for leaving your spouse at home. It means finally trying that restaurant you have been meaning to try.  It means getting up early and spending a lazy morning at the coffee shop.

The weekend is yours. Take some time to get out and enjoy it.

Next week is possibly one of the most near and dear to my heart holidays we have in  America.  I am speaking of course about Veterans Day.  This is our chance to honor those men and women who have risked their lives for our freedom.

Our area has some absolutely incredible Veterans that we are lucky to call our friends.  These men and women play an intricate part in the fabric of our county. We have local leaders, local employees, local volunteers and more that you and I bump into each and every day. Most of the time, you wouldn’t have a clue they served our country, simply because they choose to be humble.  These men and women are.. I am running out of adjectives to describe just how special they are.  God has truly blessed us here in America, blessed us with so many wonderful things. These men and women have seen to it that we keep our country so beautiful.  From the bottom of my heart, and I think I can safely speak for everyone when I say “Thank you Veterans!”

Speaking of Veterans Day, I wanted to thank all of the local businesses who sponsored our Veterans Day page(s) this year.  It just goes to show how much respect local businesses have for our Vets.

If you are a Veteran,  you are invited on November 12 for a free dinner in your honor.  The dinner will be served at Zion Lutheran Church in Chisago City from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m..  All Veterans are invited to come, relax with fellow Veterans and enjoy a wonderful meal.

Don’t forget about the craft sales this weekend.

If you thought you saw the high school stadium lights on last week during a snowstorm, you were right.  That was a soccer section final being held at Chisago Lakes. I happened to stop up there just to see what was happening.  I couldn't believe my eyes, there were two soccer teams chasing a white ball on a completely snow covered field.  They actually had to shovel out around the goalies for them to get decent footing.  The teams had tents to sit under on the sidelines and believe it or not, they were all having a great time.  In fact, Chisago Lakes Athletic Director Neil Fletcher shared a letter he received the next day via email from one of the Eden Prairie parents.  It stated how much they enjoyed their time in Chisago Lakes and at the school.  The treatment they received was second to none.  They went on and on about how kind the volunteers were and thanked everyone for their hospitality.  Pretty neat when you hear it from an outsider isn't it?

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