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This weekend is a big one. Yes it’s the beginning of Summer, and yes we have an extra day (most of us) to relax, get some things done around the house. Yes many people use this as a chance to officially kick off their “cabin” season.

All of this is true, but this weekend, I would urge you to honestly stop and take some time to honor those men and women who have served our wonderful country.  This SHOULD be the weekend we fly our flags with unwaivering pride. This should be the weekend we visit cemeteries to pay homage to those wonderful men and women who shaped our country by serving in the military.   This weekend was created by General John Logan as a day to decorate the graves of civil war soldiers.

  We have had, and continue to have some of the most amazing, wonderful Veterans in the entire United States.  Please take time out of your busy schedule this long weekend to take in one or more of the local Memorial Day services.  If you see a Veteran this weekend, please tell him or her “Thank you”.  

There was a good turnout for the Chisago Lakes Water Trail summit a couple weeks ago.  All you have to do is take a boat ride on our local lakes to see just how popular kayaking and paddleboarding have become.  On Monday, there is a big group that’s heading out to enjoy the lakes with a Memorial Day Fun Paddle.  They will launch at he South end of south Center Lake at the landing.  The group will continue under the bridge to North Center. They will  head to Bull Lake and eventually into North Lindstrom.  They will stop for a bite to eat (you can bring your own or they will stop by Meredee’s).  

The group will continue to Chisago Lake and portage to Little Green Lake (there will be dollies available.) The group will end at Big Green exiting at Ojiketa Regional Park.

Sounds like fun right?  Well, by all means join them!  That’s right everyone is invited and encouraged to join in this fun trek.  If you have any questions or concerns feel free to call Bill at 651-402-5429.

There is still time to register for the Frankies/Lions Carp tournament.  I have seen a bunch of carp hunters on the lakes lately.  Most everyone knows the damage that carp present to Minnesota lakes.  So while some might think that hunting carp is a gruesome sport, in the end it really is helping our lakes.  I actually participated in the tournament in its second year, I did not help the carp population that year because three of us in a boat got exactly zero fish.  Had a blast, laughed a lot, but got no fish.  Now when I go to cover the weigh-in, there are teams with 30, 40 or more fish.  with those kind of numbers, and the great prizes Frankies is giving away, the tournament is a no-brainer.  There is still time to register your team and do your part in cleaning our lakes.

If you happen to be cleaning out your closets - seeing what fits and what doesn’t, please keep the homeless in your thoughts.  We are collecting spring/summer clothing to be donated to the homeless shelter.  Thank you so much for all of your donations!

If you are a fisherman, and you have caught an impressive fish on our local lakes, we would love to share your photo with the rest of the community.  Send in your prize fish photo to [email protected].

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