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I am so sorry for those kids who have had their senior year utterly destroyed by the pandemic.  Before you start sending letters, reminding me that thousands have perished because of the virus, I am specifically speaking about the kids. It is possible to focus on other things once in a while.  These kids have had their most memorable school experiences taken from them including graduating, playing one last sports season and just being a kid for the last time in their lives.  Such a crazy time right now.

We here at the Press are planning on honoring them with some sort of spread. Stay tuned.

I got a neat photo emailed to me this week from Taylors Falls Principal Jason Riebe. It was a letter sent anonymously from a former student.  It read: Please use the enclosed $10 for petty cash. Many years ago in the old TF school some of my classmates took paper from the supply room so we could play school.  Of course, I was involved too and this has always bothered me. It was stealing! So to ease my conscience I’m sending $10 for the paper.  

Pretty neat gesture I think.

Thanks so much for everyone who came out to donate homemade masks to the local fire departments on Saturday.  Over 2,500 masks were collected to be used by first reponders, health care worker and congregate care workers.  Amazing.  What an awesome community we live in.

As we all stay home as much as possible, there is one place locally that needs our attention.  The local food shelf is in dire need of food and money.  

I get that many of us are scaping just to get by, but for those of us who are lucky enough to continue working, I encourage you to give.  There is nothing more gratifying than helping those in a time of need.  If you want to donate but would like to remain home you can donate by phone or online.(651) 257-1308 is the number and online please go to FamilyPathways.com.

As coronavirus  testing ramps up (someday) so will the number of cases locally.  Chisago County had an increase in cases for the first time this week in a long time. We are now up to nine positive cases in Chisago County.

Some good news is there are no care facilities reporting residents or staff members that have tested positive.  Let’s hope that continues.  

The state reported recently something like 226 out of the 300 plus deaths in our state have occurred in or connected to long term care homes.  Awful - I don’t have any words just pain in my heart.

If you get a chance-- now that the weather is improving get out on the lakes and enjoy our beautiful area.  The channel that connects North Center and North Lindstrom Lakes is again open for navigation.  What a treat to be able to boat on four lakes in one trip.  A little caveat? Remember there are no bathrooms anywhere on the lakes, facilities are all closed or do not have portables installed.

Remember if you are boating the channel, off to the south side is Bull Lake.  That lake is part of a city park and is for non-motorized boats only. Please respect that. Saturday we saw a group fishing in there with a large fishing boat.

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