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What an odd, odd winter we have had to date.  So little snow, such high temperatures.  Kind of feels like a Missouri winter so far. Well, if the talking heads on television know their stuff, they say we are headed for a deep freeze.  That will help our community out in getting ready for the 2019 Winter Blast.  Many of you remember the Winter Blast as the Celebration of the Lakes. The name has changed but the fun hasn’t.  

Next week the celebration finally makes its way to our local lakes and parks.  The fun begins on Thursday with a book sale at the library and a downtown diva event which features great local specials, a bingo card and finishes at Winehaven with a fun gathering in the evening.

Friday night, the folks at First United Methodist invite all of you to their popular puzzles, pie and potato soup event.  They ask that you please call 257-4306 to register.

Saturday, the Center City Fire Department will host their annual Winter Blast 5K Run/Walk. The run begins at the all-new Center City Fire Hall and meanders through town along the lakes.  There will be two races, one for kids and one for serious racers, they ask that you register at midwestevents.com.

The Chisago Lakes Rotary Club is (as we speak) constructing the first-ever Chisago Lakes Ice Carousel.  The carousel will be cut on North Center Lake and will run from 11 am until 7 pm. It will be out by the Lion’s Ice Fishing Contest which will run from 1-3pm on North Center Lake. The fishing contest is super-popular and features some great prizes.  They ask that you pre-register by calling 651-442-1589.

The folks at Chisago Lake Lutheran Church will also serve up the annual spaghetti dinner Saturday night from 6-9pm.  

In Lindstrom on Saturday evening, they will host the super-popular (that’s right super) polka dance at the Lindstrom Community Center. The Chiemelewski Funtime Band will play, beer is sold and Deutschland Meats will have great German food for purchase.

Saturday to the west, in Chisago City at Ojiketa Regional Park, there’s a ton of activity. How does cross country skiing sound? Dog sled rides? Fat tire biking on the lake? Too cold? How about a kids’ cozy cabin time?  How about kids canvas painting?  Marshmallow engineering? 

I know that something or all of these have to appeal to you.  There will be food trucks, and a medallion hunt on the premises and the day finishes with snowshoeing by candlelight.  I will talk more about the event next paper, but make sure you set aside some time next week to attend.

I have been asked by a bunch of people if the radar run is happening with Winter Blast. Sadly it is not.  But good news! The radar run is taking place just a little later this year, on February 16 on North Center Lake.  It will be a one day event that will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m..  

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