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The city of Shafer couldn’t have asked for better weather to celebrate Shafer Days.  It was gorgeous all weekend long and the crowds were great.  I hope you had a chance to come out and have some fun.  Thank you so much to the Shafer Days committee and the city for all your hard work.  It doesn’t go unnoticed.  Ok bring on fall…just kidding.

A big shout out also goes to the city of Wyoming. They held their annual Stagecoach Day over the weekend too.  What a wonderful weekend to end our summer celebrations!

If you are a business owner in Chisago County, there is another round of help available.  The Minnesota Main Street COVID Relief Grants. Grants ranging from 10k-25k are being made available through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. Applications must be summited by September 29. Eligibility information, application, and further details can be found at mn.gov/deed/business/financing. Applicants will receive a grant based on the number of full-time equivalent  employees on staff.  These are grants and no repayment will be required.

If you are like me - old - like really old... then you know how challenging technology can be at times.  Lucky us, the Blandin Foundation along with the Chisago Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Chisago Lakes Community Education,  are here to help.  They are offering free computer classes along with tech labs for those of us who could use some device help.  Their classes start today, but you can join in at any time.   They have made it easy to get there by having the classes in three locations, Taylors Falls City Hall, Chisago Lakes Wildcat Center and MPower Wellness Center in Chisago City.  The labs are drop in and offer many times and dates.  Please see page 15 for details or go to the Chisago Lakes area Chamber of Commerce website for a breakdown of dates and times.  You can register by calling 651-213-2603 or online at isd2144.ce.eleyo.com.  See you there.

Remember if you are starting to clean up your yeards, the compost site is open on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday and Sunday (open at 1 p.m.)  

Speaking of Fall - this weekend is the city of North Branch’s Fall Harvest Festival.  Beginning Friday with Fruits of the Harvest wine tasting event held at Tailgater’s on  Elm Street.  You can purchase tickets online at www.norhbrachchamber.com

Saturday kicks off with a fall foliage car rally at Anderson Koch Ford.  The rally embarks at 9:30am and registration is one hour prior.

Also on Saturday there will be vendors in Central Park, a scarecrow contest, huge silent auction with kid’s games food trucks and more.  The events in the park run from 9am to 4pm.

Sunday the celebration includes a booya feed at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church that runs from 10:30am to 1:30pm.  

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