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Wow what an unbelieveable weekend we had for tree lighting festivals.  The temps were unseasonably warm and the crowds were massive.  Yes massive.  I was looking around the Chisago City festival trying to get a decent guess on numbers and I think there had to be over 500 people in the park. I have been to plenty of these events and this was easily the most people ever to attend the lighting festival. Thanks so much to the cities of Lindstrom, Center City and Chisago City for putting together a great weekend to celebrate small-town Christmas.

On Friday, you are invited to come celebrate Christmas with Security State Bank and Security State Agency. They are holding their super-popular Christmas open houses where your children will have a chance to meet Santa and give him their Christmas lists.  Security State Agency is asking that you bring a food donation for the local food shelf and Security State Bank is asking for Anonymous Santa donations as they invite you to come enjoy cookies, cider, coffee. They have gifts and calendars for you as well.  The cookies are amazing folks.  Come in and say hi to Santa.  The open houses run all day long and Santa will be at both locations at 4pm - yes he can do that - he is Santa after all.

The folks at Maranatha Church in Chisago City are hosting a pancake breakfast that everyone is invited to.  You and your family are invited to the first annual Holiday Pancake Breakfast. All proceeds will benefit the Chisago City Fire Department, Listen to this, for only $2, you can get two pancakes along with two sausages - pretty good deal. The meal is Saturday and runs from 8:30am to 10:30 - oh and did I mention Santa will be there?

If you are looking for a nice warm family outing this weekend, look no farther than the Chisago Lakes High School. This is where Unexpected Company will be holding their annual Christmas concert.  The concert is called Come In! Come In! which will feature all of your favorite Christmas songs in a warm inviting setting.  The concert is Sunday afternoon at 3 pm (the Vikings will be done by then) and tickets can be purchased at the door. If you would like to see the concert in a beautifully decorated church, the group will be performing at Elim Lutheran Church in Scandia Friday evening.  The church concert is free with a free will offering.


We had a few calls from concerned Lindstrom citizens about crosswalks. The temporary vertical signs telling drivers to stop for pedestrians have been removed again for the winter plowing season.  They have to be removed so the snow plows don't destroy them.  Without the signs, it is easy to forget to look for and stop for pedestrians crossing the highway. Let's make a concerted effort to respect the people trying to cross our incredibly busy downtown road(s).  The last thing we need to report on is a fatality that could have easily been avoided.

During this time of giving, it's easy for us to overlook those among us who are in need.  Whether it's children, adults, or families, there are a million ways to help out.  Just about every business in our area is collecting presents to be donated to a wonderful cause. If you can help, please do so.  

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