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The good folks over at St. Bridget of Sweden Church in Lindstrom would like to invite you to join them Saturday.  Beginning at 6 p.m., they will be holding their annual block party.  “So if I am not a member of the church, why would I want to attend”?  Well, how about the fact that it is a great fundraiser that includes amazing food such as a mouth watering turkey dinner, burgers, hot dogs, brats and yes even a beer tent.  There will be a silent auction along with kids’ games, a $5,000 cash raffle and many other fun things to do.  Want another great reason to head to the block party? How about “Boogie Wonderland” playing on stage?  They have a huge following and put on a great show.   The band goes on at 7 p.m. and it’s free.

What a great way to say goodbye to summer.  Hopefully we will see you there.

A couple of events to plan in the near future for you and your friends are worth mentioning.  

First off, there is a fundraiser golf tournament for the Chisago Lakes Hockey Association.  

The Mike Lizotte Memorial Golf Tournament takes place September 12 at the Chisago Lakes Golf Course. It is a 3 person scramble with a shotgun start that begins at 1 p.m.  It is a great chance to play some golf with buddies and help fund a great hockey program.  For more info or to sign up, please see our sports page in this edition.

On September 18, in North Branch, there is a fundraiser for Diane Rollins.  Diane is the wife of local officer Ron Rollins who many of you remember running for Sheriff in Chisago County.  Diane has stage 4 Glioblastoma brain cancer.  Diane and her family could use your support in thsi time of need.  

The benefit will take place at the North Branch American Legion on Elm Street.  The benefit will run from 5-10 p.m. and the cost is $11.  There will be pulled pork served with all the fixings.  A silent auction along with a gun raffle will highlight the night.  Ron and Diane are such great people, if you are free and would like to help, come out and support them.

There are some big changes in the Silver house.  I can not believe I am saying this, but we no longer have children in the Middle School.  That means my son and daughter are both in (gulp) high school.  Where in the heck did the time go?  I can vividly remember all of the firsts.  I remember them stepping onto the bus when they were so little they barely could step up into the bus.

I am not ready for this. I am sure if you asked them, they can’t get to college fast enough.  I must be getting old, suddenly the things that were just a blip in time and I thought nothing of at the time, seem to hold special meaning now.

Please remember to actively shop locally.  No I am not pushing some special weekend, rather, I am pushing us. By us, I mean local businesses.  Our local businesses are the fabric of our community.  Think about it, if the local businesses we love so dearly were not here, what would we have? I envision a ghost town.  There is only one thing that will keep our commnity as special as it is, you.  You are the one that can make a concerted effort to shop locally as much as possible.  You are the one that can keep the small-town feel alive and well.  You (we) can do it.  Let’s shop local today!

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