---

So the year is coming to an end at the end of this week.  I would like to be on the record as saying “Thank goodness and good riddance.”  Not that the outlook of the latest virus variant is sunny, but last year was THE longest year I have ever lived.  Not in my wildest dreams would I have thought I would have completed a jigsaw puzzle - when infact I (we) completed five puzzles.  

To have made it through the year still married is a prize in itself and a testament to my wonderful wife.  Sometimes I feel like Bill Murray (without all the millions) in Groundhog Day.  Same year different variant… rinse and repeat…. I don’t think I can even look at another jigsaw puzzle.  Here is hoping that 2022 will be better than 20, or 21… the bar has been set pretty low.

Speaking of dismal aspects of the year - the Minnesota Vikings have changed my year…for the better.  Thanks to their ineptitude and incredibly headscratching coaching decisions, they have now freed-up my Sunday afternoons.  This leaves more time for jigsaw…uhhh perfecting my skating abilities… ok maybe taking more walks with the dog.

New Years is the time of reflection and a time of aiming for new goals.  As I have already reflected (some of it was in jest - some I say), it is time to set goals.  

1. Lose 100 pounds.  2.  Build our relationship with readers.  3.  Work hard to become a better person, father, husband.  4. Build the paper up stronger than before.  There it’s in print.  I will now be forced to keep my resolutions..that first one is going to be a doozy.

Last week I wrote about and called the winners of the coloring contest.  We have yet to hear from the winners!  Once again those winners are:  Mickey Kampa Battifarano, Cora Lange and Jackson Wilhelmy. We have some fabulous prizes waiting for you here at the Press. If you want to come in, our address is 12631 Lake Blvd. in Lindstrom. We are here the usual business hours. We have the statues of Karl and Kristina in our front yard.

Now that the ice is safe to be out there and fishing, we are looking for you.  Send us your best catch of the day photos with a brief description and we will let the community know just how good  a fishermen you are.  You can emil your photos to [email protected].  

Last week we ran photos of the Living Nativity.  Blame me - I mistakenly wrote it was at Zion Lutheran when it was at First United Methodist Church in Lindstrom.  I apologize.

---