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Good news boaters, kayakers and canoeists!  The channel in between North Center and North Lindstrom Lake is being cleared of bogs.  That means very soon you will be abe to maneuver through the channel much more easily.  Here is the caveat - we (me included) must absolutely respect the channel, its residents and the wildlife that we drive past that live in the channel. We still must keep our speed to no wake.

Boats with motors are NOT allowed in Bull Lake. That is the small lake on the south side of the channel as you near North Lindstrom,  heading west.

If we all make a concerted effort to be respectful this could be a wonderful thing.

There are a lot of people in our area that love to give.  Want proof? I have delivered over 60 truck loads (and I mean packed to the gills) to homeless shelters with clothes that you have donated.  The clothing is taken to homeless shelters that directly disperse the clothing to the needy and not to thrift stores.  Don’t get me wrong, there is a place for thrift stores, I love going to them, but your donations have directly impacted people on the streets.

The whole COVID-19 pandemic has halted donations for obvious reasons.  But I am happy to say the shelters are once again open for donations.  That means you can drop your gently used clothing, underwear, socks and shoes off here at the Press and I will make sure they get to the right people. I know alot of you had warm clothes you wanted to donate a while back but they have no need or space for them now. You can hold onto them until fall or give them to a different cause.

The Governor of Minnesota has graciously allowed us to open even more businesses.  Those restaurants that are still in business can now hold outdoor dining as well as 50 percent capacity indoor seating.  Yes part of that is sarcastic.  But I am truly excited to sit outside and enjoy a beer and a meal.  It seems like forever and a day since we could meet friends for dinner and not have to drive to Wisconsin.  Let’s hope the weather cooperates the entire summer for the restaurants - they deserve that much.

Speaking of hard hit by stay-at-home orders, our local retail stores have taken a hard hit from the executive orders.  They also have been “graciously” allowed to open at a reduced shopper capacity.  They did their part helping the state keep people at home and keep the numbers down - now it’s our time to help.  It’s our time to get out and support them with a vigor.  I’m not asking you to spend a million dollars, but ask you to spend anything.  Any dollars we as a community can keep local will help ensure these businesses that our family members, friends and neighbors run, to stay in business.  Let’s just hope there is time to save these businesses, because without them this place is nothing.  Thanks in advance.  

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