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I had the absolute pleasure to help serve at the annual Veterans Day Dinner Monday evening at Zion Lutheran Church. I have helped quite a few times but I certainly wasn’t prepared for what I saw.  We (a massive group of wonderful volunteers) served over 430 service men and women and their families.  

The dinner was completely packed the entire time with spare seats hard to come by.  Even with the absurdly cold temps outside the crowds just kept filing in.  Everyone was having a great time and the food was great as well.  

Thanks to LeRoy Mitchell, Matt Mitchell and the regular crew that works at the community free meals for all of their hard work.  They have this dinner event down to a fine art.

The Lions recently held a food drive at Brinks Market in Chisago City.  The event took in a bunch of food and money.  They wanted the paper to let you know that during November and December the need for food intensifies.  Their most needed food items at the food shelf are fresh, frozen or canned fruit, fresh, frozen or canned vegetables, bags of potatoes, carrots or onions, canned meats, hearty soups and stuffing.
The other important item they want the public to know is that for every $1 you donate these two months it will turn into $7 worth of food thanks to a buying grant made available.  You can reach the local food shelf by calling (651) 257-1308.

The Chisago Lakes Band Boosters wanted to thank everyone (see Letter) who came out to support the gigantic garage sale last Saturday at the community center in Lindstrom.  They were able to raise over $3,000 in funds to be used in the purchase of new band uniforms.  The total cost of new uniforms is $25,000 and this was a great start.  There will be many more opportunities to help the band out in the future but they wanted to pass along their gratitude.

They also wanted you to know that whatever items that didn’t happen to sell were donated to Family Pathways and whatever clothing didn’t sell were donated to a homeless shelter.  So the entire sale was a complete success in one way or another.  

As we near Thanksgiving, there are multiple places to try and win a turkey and have a little fun doing so.  This Friday (tomorrow) Center City Fire Department would like to invite you to their brand new digs to play cash bingo.  Beginning at 7pm the bingo will consist of 25 games with the final giving away a turkey.  

The Taylors Falls Lions will hold their Turkey and Ham Bingo on Friday, November 22 at 6:30pm at the TF Community Center.  

The American Legion Post 272 will then host a Turkey Bingo Saturday, November 23 at the Uncommon Loon in Chisago City.  On top of winning turkeys, you can also try to win one of many meat raffles.  The bingo runs from 7-9pm.

Now, if you are going to be alone or are not planning on traveling this Thanksgiving, please don’t spend it alone.  The Chisago Lakes Annual Thanksgiving is a wonderful Thanksgiving meal with all of the trimmings that is put on by a huge group of volunteers just so folks and families don’t have to be alone on Thanksgiving.  You are encouraged to call 651-257-6300 to reserve a spot.  The dinner is free but they need reservations to plan for food by or before November 20.

The ice is sort of on the lakes - don’t be stupid and go out.  It’s not safe. Not for you and not for the firemen who will have to rescue you.

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