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This Friday is a big one at Chisago Lakes Schools. This week you might have noticed students in all schools dressed up in fun, bright, and sometimes very loud clothing. They are partaking in all of the district-wide homecoming fun at every school.  You will see painted faces, crazy hair, pajamas, Hawaiian shirts, farmer attire to name a few.  All of the fun and games lead up to  the big game Friday night.  The Wildcat football team will take on conference foe, Monticello Magic.  The Magic (yes Magic) are undefeated this year and will pose quite a challenge to our boys.  If we can pack the stadium and really elevate the atmosphere, maybe the Wildcats will finish being in first place in the division.  The game starts at 7 p.m. sharp.  I hope to see you there.

Congratulations to Thomas Braski and Maggie Ellerbusch on being crowned Homecoming King and Queen for 2015.  Thomas and Maggie are very active in the school and will represent the senior class well.

I had the pleasure of attending a meeting held at the Chisago Lakes Library on Solar Energy.  The presenter was Jeremy Kalin who many of you was our Representative at the state capitol a few years ago.  Jeremy is the CEO of Eutectics, a company whose mission is to make clean energy mainstream.

Kalin gave a lengthy explanation of where we as a country, state and community have come over the last few decades.  Kalin explained how we as a community need to be more diversified with clean energy, not completely fortified by it, but at larger level than what we currently are at.  He did praise the Chisago Lakes are on just how far they have come, and how Chisago Lakes is a leader in all sizes of solar projects.  

There are so many wonderful opportunities as well as incentives and rebates, it really makes clean energy affordable for you and me.  Jill Behnke (former Center City Mayor) told the audience how she installed a small unit at her home that just went online.  She will have her utilities paid for as well as sell power back to Xcel Energy.  After all the rebates and incentives, Jill was responsible for only ten percent of the cost, which will be paid for by selling power back in just a short time.

Is this something everyone of of us will have in our back yards in three years? No, but I am currently measuring mine.

My wife and I took a drive last week to an apple orchard.  If you haven’t been to one of the many apple orchards in our area, this is the time.  The leaves are turning and they are absolutely delicious.  We have so many great orchards that all have something different to offer you.  all have great apples, but some will offer baked goods, some will offer ciders, some will offer apple products such as apple butter and some will offer everything. This is my favorite part of fall.  A slight coolness in the air with a honey crisp apple.  My mouth is watering as I write this.

Speaking of fall rituals - another rite of Fall is the ever popular booya.  What is booya?  The recipe for booya will change from family to family but for the most part it is a soup (broth) loaded with everything but the kitchen sink, cook it for hours and then enjoy. Sounds odd, sounds iffy, but let me tell you, it tastes incredible. Don’t believe me? Come to Lord of the Lakes Church on Saturday and taste for yourself.  They are holding their annual booya and chili feed.  It begins at 10 a.m. und goes until gone.

North Branch would like to invite you to the annual Fall Harvest Festival this weekend.  On Saturday, there’s an art, craft and commercial fair held in Central Park that will feature food, crafts, games and a silent auction.  There will be a classic car show as well as a 5k fun run.  Please see page 10 in this edition of the Press.

If you are thinking about subscribing to the Press, I may have a deal that might sweeten the pot.  For a limited time, if you subscribe (new and existing) we will give you the choice of two tickets to the Rennaisance Festival or two tickets to the Trail of Terror in Shakopee.  Please call 651 257 5115 to subscribe.

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