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The Chisago Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce is in a contest with North Branch and Forest Lake Chambers of Commerce.  We are part of a blood drive challenge.  The contest is to see which chamber can donate the most blood on July 13.  It just so happens that the Chisago Lakes drive will take place during Harmony in the Park. This is a great chance for the community to make a difference in the world by giving blood.  We ask that you please go to mbc.org/searchdrives to register.  We can do this.

Next week kicks off Lindstrom’s biggest week of the year.  Karl Oskar Days makes its triumphant return on July 6.  The celebration will run from wednesday thru Sunday and is jam packed with fun stuff for you and your family and friends.

Beginning on Wednesday, the St Croix Camera Club will host a wonderful photo show at the library at 10 a.m.  At noon the annual Hunt for Daniel’s Snuff Box begins.  Clues will be posted at Deutschland Meats, the Antique Mall, Wally Carlsons BP and of course here at the Press.  Clues will be posted at noon each day.  The lucky winner will win a cash prize.  The snuff box can only be hidden on public grounds, so please be careful to not disturb any private property. If you are the lucky finder of the snuff box, please bring it into the Press to claim your prize.

Also on Wednesday, Bob and the Beachcombers will be the featured band at Harmony in the Park, I would advise getting there early, this is a fan favorite. You will also get a chance to meet the 2016 Karl Oskar Days ambassador candidates.  The ambassadors will be crowned on Sunday this year instead of the beginning of Karl Oskar Days.  See the huge ad on the back page.

There is a ton of stuff taking place this year at Karl Oskar Days.  There is a 3 on 3 basketball tournament, a volleyball tournament, fitness classes at beach park, a car show, wine tasting, a wonderful downtown walking tour of historic Lindstrom, a cribbage tournament, bingo, a golf tournament, a golf tournament, the ever-popular Loppet run, helicopter rides, a street dance with Hitchville playing, and of course the Grande Day Parade.  I will have more next week, but I encourage you to look at page 10 in this paper. It has every single event taking place.

Karl Oskar Days is one of the best celebrations in the state and it wouldn’t be possible without all of the hard work of the committee.  Thanks so much for your work throughout the year and to all of the sponsors who help make it happen thank you.

I would like you to please mark your calendars for July 20.  On that Wednesday, A Brush With Kindness will be holding a community meal at Zion Lutheran Church.  It is our chance to show the community what we do, thank our volunteers and get the word out on this amazing organization.  I will have more details next week, but please plan on attending the meal. It takes place before Harmony in the Park, so you can have a wonderful meal and then take a stroll to the park for some great music. I hope to see you there.

I have had many calls about the community meal ending on Monday nights at Zion Lutheran Church.  If you turn to page 4, you will see a story about the meal.  I was saddened to hear about the meal suspension, I hope it is only temporary and someone will pick it up.

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