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This weekend has got everything if you are looking for some local fun.  Shafer Days kicks off Friday. You and your family are invited to the Shafer Fire Hall for some Bingo fun. Some great prizes along with refreshments make this a great time.

Saturday things really get moving. Beginning with the super-popular pancake breakfast held at the fire hall.  At 9:30, there is a great bike show that features some really cool motorcycles. Search for the missing Clog and you will take home $100 cash. Clues will be posted each hour at the fire hall and city hall.  

Also at 9, you are invited to take some frustration out at the car smash. There will be inflatables for the kids to jump on at the trail head.  There is a classic car show on the streets of downtown Shafer as well as al day historic tours detailing Shafer’s yesteryears.  

At noon you are invited to come enjoy some great tasting chili and hot dogs at the fire hall.  Just after that, there will be chain saw races right at the fire hall.  Find a place along mainstreet for the Shafer Days parade which begins at 4 p.m.  The city is sponsoring a yard pong and corn hole tournament between the city hall and the fire hall, it begins at 5 p.m.

  Shafer Days comes to a close with the street dance held at the fire hall that begins at 8 p.m.
 
This weekend also has my favorite celebration, or at least my stomach's favorite celebration. I am referring to Apple Fest which takes place this Sunday in Almelund. If you have never attended Apple Fest, close your eyes and imagine everything you love about apples in the fall.  The smell, the taste of fresh apples, apple desserts, apple sausages and jellies and jams as far as the eye can see. Throw in some great historical buildings and artifacts about Almelund and its history and you have Apple Fest. There is a petting zoo for the kids, arts and crafts for the kids, entertainment such as bands and cloggers and even an old fashioned car that will take you for a ride around Almelund.  It's super easy to get to Apple Fest, only a few minute drive from anywhere and the atmosphere is so relaxed.  I hope to see you there.

  This week we had a milestone in Lindstrom.  The Dinnerbell has officially closed its doors and ended a long tenured chapter in Lindstrom history.  I don't have the exact years that it has been a restaurant, but I can say that since I moved here in 1978, it has always been the Dinnerbell.

  For those of us who lived her in the 80's and 90's, there were always the staples you could count on for great food. In Center City we had the Country Squire and Porterhouse, in Chisago City we had the New Spot and the Wagon Wheel, Taylors Falls of course had the Drive In and the Chisago House and in Lindstrom you could always get a great meal at the Swedish Inn or the Rainbow Cafe and of course the Dinnerbell. My goodness their pizza was some of the best I can remember. It was the first place we went to the day we moved here and it has always been special.  

  Not exactly sure what will replace that old building on the hill, but I am sure they won't serve as good of pizza as Louie made.

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