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Thanks to everyone who came out to the Taylors Falls Lighting Festival.  It was a beautiful night for a parade, and judging by the number of people that lined the streets, everyone was thinking the same.  The city was filled with people, every piece of sidewalk was taken by parade watchers.  Taylors Falls does such a great job of keeping everyone entertained, wether they are watching a parade, playing bingo, or taking in a Christmas concert.  If you have never been to TF for the festival, put it on your calendar for next year.

Speaking of lighting ceremonies, this weekend Center City, Lindstrom and Chisago City are all hosting their lighting festivals respectively.  Friday night is Center City's chance to show the public how a small town welcomes in the Christmas season.  Beginning at 5 p.m., you are invited to come sit by the bonfire and roast marshmallows. The fire hall will be showing "Elf" on a big screen and there will be photos with Santa.  Saturday, the City of Lindstrom invites you to the Chisago Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Memorial Park for the lighting of the park.  Beginning at 4:30 p.m., you will be treated to snacks, including brats, hot dogs coffee and hot chocolate as you wait for Santa and Mrs Claus to arrive.  A brass band ensemble will entertain us while we wait.  Sunday, Chisago City is hosting their tree lighting festival.  You are invited to come and enjoy sleigh rides, refreshments, music, and of course Santa will be there with his elves.  You are asked to please bring a non-perishable food item for the local food shelf. Kids make sure to bring your letter to Santa along with a self addressed stamped envelope so he can write back to you.

Another thank you goes out to all of you who made the concerted effort to shop locally last Saturday.  There were shoppers everywhere!  I have spoke to store owners who all said it was s hugely successful day.  Thanks to all of you who made the day so successful. Let’s try to keep shopping locally during the holiday season.

Speaking of the holiday season, if you have children, I hope you had a chance to check out our 2016 Holiday Gift Guide. Along with tons of advertising from local businesses, the guide had a full page dedicated to a children’s coloring contest.  Your child (please let them color it) can color the page to his or her liking and then just mail it or drop it off to the Press. Lucky winners will win some great prizes and be in the Chisago County Press. If you are going to mail it, please send it to County Press, PO Box 748, Lindstrom, MN 55045.  Good luck!

Here is a great idea for a Chrsitmas present, how about a book?  Wow Matt that is a real original idea you had there... What about if the book or books were from local authors?  There are two great books out right now, that are written by two people who spent their entire lives in our area.  
Ward Moberg has written a really neat book entitled Prohibition Times.  He details what the time of prohibition was like in the St. Croix Valley.
 
Sue Leaf, who resides in Center City, has a great book out called Portage: A Family, A Canoe and the Search for the Good Life.  It is a wonderful read.  

Both of these would make great presents under your tree this year.

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