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Thank all of you who have responded so promptly with your renewal cards.  Remember folks that you have until the first week of May, so you do have a little time to get your renewals to us.  If you are a loyal reader of the Press but not a subscriber, we would love to have you as a subscriber.  You save $5 by subscribing and you get the paper delivered right to your mailbox. It is really as simple as that.  If you have a friend or neighbor that you think would love the paper, it also makes a wonderful gift. We have nice gift cards we can send them if you call us and set up their subscription. Or there is my favorite way, when someone comes in and pays for a year subscription for a friend or a neighbor and does it anonymously.  If that sounds like something you would like to give your friend or neighbor, just give us a call at 651-257-5115 and we will love to help you.

If you or your daughter has been asked to prom, you definitely know the pain of purchasing a prom dress. Not only does it involve lots and lots of shopping, it usually involves lots and lots of money.  Usually.  The great people that run Recycled Wardrobes in Lindstrom and Chisago City have an event that they have been putting on for years. It is their annual Prom Dress Event. They have tons of beautiful (very gently used) prom dresses at both locations for a tiny price of just $25.  Proceeds from the event benefits "Treats for Troops."  Stop by and save big on your big night attire.

This past week, we at the Press had something happen that we have never had happen in my time here. Our editor Denise Martin had a serious illness that kept her from the office for a whole week.  Yes, I know what you are thinking, so what people take off a week all the time at every business.  True, but this was unexpected and in this business if we have an absence that is planned it is much easier to plan for than the unexpected.  Somehow, some way we were able to muddle through the week and one paper without her. It was not easy. In fact, it was miserable. When she came back the sense of calmness and being saved came over us.  We (I) am so glad to have her back, you really don't know what you got until it's gone.

It has been a while since I have written about losing someone in our community. It just so happens that we have four obituaries in this paper and I know all four of them.  Not a good week.  Ron Hawkinson, whom many f you know from his clogging days, Del Longnecker, who has been a fixture in the community forever and Dorothy Tolberg who has children in our community have all passed away.

Mary Johnson also passed away last week.  I have known Mary since 1979. She is quite possibly the kindest, most caring woman I have ever met.  I grew up with her children and she treated me and all of the other kids as if they were one of her own.  I will always remember that huge smile and that twinkle in her eyes.  Goodbye Mary, you are in a better place now.

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