---

That giant breeze that you felt on Monday was a cumulative exhale from an exhausting weekend.  We had an amazing weekend of fun, but it was almost too much to take in. First off, a super huge thank you to the great folks who put together this year's Center City Days. They promised big changes and boy did they deliver. The street dance was awesome, the town triathlon was great and everyone had a great time. Hopefully they keep the parade next year, because it was a lot bigger than anyone expected for a first time parade in 20 plus years.  Thank you to the Center City Days committee for all of your hard work!

If you ventured outside and up town on Sunday, you most likely saw some part of the Chisago Lakes ToughMan Triathlon. Once again we had over 1,000 participants in the races.  We saw some firsts this year as well. We saw an incredible 14 year old do the half triathlon.  He did amazing and collapsed after crossing the finish line. Don't worry he was tended to and soon was walking around enjoying the festivities.  The other first we had was so moving it brought me to tears. A father, Jordan Bergeman did the sprint relay with his disabled son.  When I say the sprint-- I mean he pulled his son Jeffrey in a raft behind him in the swim, he had a trailer behind his bike and he ran with a jogging stroller in the run.  I had a chance to meet and speak with Jordan. He said that it was obvious how much his son enjoyed it, that how could he deny him that joy.  Such an inspiration, such love, and such dedication to his son.  

Speaking of volunteers, thank you to each and every person who gave a good chunk of their Sunday to make this year's triathlon a success. Without you, this race would never take place.  Thank you.

The good folks at Edward Jones, among other sites, are in need of your assistance. They are holding a school supplies campaign to benefit kids in the Chisago Lakes School District. They are asking for school supplies that will directly go to those students who are in need. It is a great program and the supplies you donate all get used.  If you would like, please drop your donations off at one of the three Edward Jones branches we have in our area.  Thanks for helping.

  This Sunday, you are invited to come out and watch something really neat. The annual Threshing Show Tractor Caravan will begin at Anderson Koch in North Branch at 10 am. It will head to Fish Lake, then to Sunrise, from there to Almelund and east to the Threshing Grounds. The route is new so please go to www.almelundthreshingco.org/2017-show for the exact route or check last week’s edition of the Press.

It is a fun parade to see some of the great tractors that will be at the show in a week.  Bring your cameras!

---