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I am sure you have heard by now, long-time resident and long-time Lindstrom Firefighter Mike Gaustad has passed away.  Mike had a double lung transplant a few months back and never could heal.  He gave it his best, even made it so far as to be concious and communicating, but as I said his wounds just wouldn't heal and Mike sadly ran out of gas.

I have known Mike for close to 40 years now.  Mike was always the life of the party. Not in a bad way, but he was always in the spotlight.  If he wasn't cracking smart-alec jokes, he was scheming how to pull a prank on one of his friends.  You knew that when Mike was quiet there was something coming around the corner. But he wasn’t just a prankster, he was a father. A damm good one.  He loved his kids more than anything in the world.  
I am sorry that I am shorting Mike in my writing, but I am really struggling with this one.  So young, so much more to do in life. This one is going to hurt for a while.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mike’s family.  I can see his crooked smile still.

This Tuesday is the Presidential Primary ballot.  The public is encouraged to get out and vote at your normal polling places.  You can vote from 7am to 8 pm.

The Chisago Lakes Home Show is this weekend.  

Everybody and their friends are encouraged to come out to the brand-new Wildcat Community Center Saturday and Sunday for the popular home, garden and business expo.  

What’s new this year? Besides all being under one roof (in the past the show was in the cafeteria, hallways and gym at the high school), there are a ton more vendors and booths.  The vendors (over 105) would love for you to stop by so they can show you how they can be of service to you, your business or your home.

I think you will be pleasantly suprised at the sheer size of the show and the convenience of one-stop shopping.  ‘Frozen’ characters Anna and Elsa will be at the show on Sunday for a meet and greet at 1 pm so grab your camera!  There will be drawings, raffles and plenty of entertainment.  We will see you at the show!

Speaking of the show, there is one person who has been an instrumental part of the home show that needs to be recognized.  Bob Meyers has recently retired as Community Education Director for Chisago Lakes.  Bob has dutiful served our school district for eons and deserves a massive thank you.  He is taking a position with the Minnesota Community Education Association at their executive office.

Thanks Bob for all of your hard work both with Community Ed and also with our student athletes as a strength and conditioning coach.   


For those fish  lovers out there, good news, St. Bridget’s of Sweden in Lindstrom, begins their annual Lenten Fish Fry on Friday.  In this paper you will find an ad for $1.00 off per person.  The meal features mouth watering cod (yes you can even get it baked) with french fries, coleslaw, ice cream. There is even meatless spaghetti for the kids who don’t like fish.  The meal runs every Friday from 5 to 7 pm.

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