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I usually begin my column describing what beautiful weather we had for another local celebration. Not this time.  As everybody knows by now, Scandia and the surrounding areas were rocked by severe winds (possibly a tornado) on Sunday afternoon.  Trees were downed as well as damage reported to many homes.  It was an odd storm because it came during an absolute deluge of rain, in fact we couldn't even hear the sirens at our house because the rain was so loud.

Center City Days were a success up until Sunday. They had beautiful weather for the parade and the picnic and even the street dance weather was nice.  Thank you to all who put together Center City Days this year. The crowds were abundant especially the Bingo and the church pig roast.  Next year weather will be perfect...right??

The Chisago Lakes Triathlon went off despite the looming prediction for bad weather. The cloudy skies actually benefitted the racers and their spirits were at an all time high.  I rode motorcycle with the bikers again this year and they were so much more chatty than ever before.  Then...the bottom fell out on the weather. They decided to close the course around 11:45 am or so.  They stopped the bikes to transition racers from entering the run course and the runners were notified the race was being called--still 135 racers were able to finish before the entire production was shut down.  Nobody seemed upset, how can you be? It's weather... This is a great time to thank all of those people who gave up a good chunk of their Sunday to volunteer for the triathlon.  These poor folks got absolutely soaked by a cold rain. The race was going great for a while anyway.

This Saturday you and your family and friends are cordially invited to North Branch for the Chisago County Relay for Life gathering.  I would ask you if you have been touched by cancer, but this day and age just about everybody has been,  in some shape or form.  Saturday is your chance to support the survivors, remember loved ones who have been lost to cancer and to help fight cancer in the future.  Beginning at 4 pm, the event includes a silent auction, food and games.  The opening ceremony begins at 6 pm with a salute to honorary survivors Vickie Duchaine and Betty Fogel.  

This will be followed by a survivor/caregivers lap on a track in the North Branch Mall lot, lined with luminary bags, accompanied by bagpipes. The cloggers will entertain at 7 and at 8:30 pm the luminaries will be lit,  with the silent lap at 9 pm.  Please, please consider coming if you can.  You will never forget it.

I hit a milestone last week if you will. I turned 50. I know alot of you are saying I thought he was 50 years old 10 years ago.  Funny - but no.. I am a small business owner with teenagers - hence the head of gray hair.  The only thing that keeps me young is my bride of 24 years Cheryl.  She is everything to me and by the way she just turned 50 as well.  As it turns out today is our anniversary.  Happy anniversary to the most beautiful woman in the world.

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