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I hope did your civic duty and got out to vote.  For the life of me, I can not ever remember such a vicious, disgusting presidential race in my lifetime. Honestly, I have never had an election before where neither candidate had anything to offer, or if they did, the smear campaigning they both did certainly turned me off.  I pray that whomever wins this election will be nothing like what we have seen leading up to now.  

I’m sure I will receive letters saying that I am biased against this candidate or that candidate, but I’m honestly not. I am just so sickened by what we have seen and were force fed over the last seven months or so. I need a shower.

Speaking of this country, why not talk about something good - no great.  Friday is Veterans Day. Veterans Day is the one day (should be more like 100 days) we honor those among us who have and continue to serve our great country by way of the military.  If you have ever read my column in the past, you know that I hold our local Veterans near to one's heart.  My father served in the military as well as other family members.

It was local Veterans who were the first to come visit and introduce themselves to me after I began here at the paper.  Sadly two of my most favorites, Ken Harmon and John Broeker have passed, but many of the great Veterans still remain.

Remain as good friends of mine as well as great community people.  They are always volunteering, always serving the community, always supporting any cause and that is admirable.  What the local and national Veterans have done for this country is impossible to put into words. Without them, this world we live in would look a whole lot different. Without them, this community looks a whole lot different.

If you get a chance, no scratch that, make an effort this Friday to reach out to a Veteran. Tell them thank you. Thank you for the quality of life they have given you.  It is the very least we can do.

On Thursday November 17, the Chisago Lakes Chamber of Commerce would like to meet each and every business in Chisago Lakes.  They are holding their annual chamber membership open house.  It is your chance to come network with Chamber members (myself included) and see what we have to offer. The evening will be a night of networking, sharing information about the chamber and membership opportunity.  There will be food and refreshments available. It is a very informal gathering with some really great people (not including myself).  I have been a chamber board member for 14 years now, and I am being honest, we are stronger than ever. It is a great chance to meet your local business peers and hear how they have benefited from being part of the Chamber of Commerce.  The event will be held at the Lindstrom Office Center which is owned by fellow chamber members Cheryl and Randy Kempenich and runs from 5 to 7 p.m.  I hope to see you there!

I would like to remind businesses that we are putting together our 2016 Gift Guide. The guide will come out around Thanksgiving and will feature local businesses who have something great to offer shoppers this Christmas season.  If you would like to be included in the guide, please call us at 651-257-5115 or email us at [email protected].  We will help you get your business message out to the public.

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