---

If you are looking for a scapegoat to blame the Vikings’ loss on, (yes that’s exactly what we do around here), look no further.  When I wrote last week that I would not be watching the game on Sunday afternoon, I had every intention of following through.  But, me being an athlete at the apex of shape, I sprained my ankle bowling in Osceola the night before.  Yes bowling folks.  To my credit I did bowl a 199 before my age caught up to my skills... So here I sat with ice on my ankle watching the beloved purple (not my ankle— the team).  Just like every meaningful game I have watched, it ended in the same Hindenburg fashion.  I apologize to you, the state of Minnesota, the team and to my wife, because listening to me had to be worse than nails on a chalkboard.  

Insert the “Minnesota mantra”: “There’s always next season”.  I will bubble wrap myself next year - if we make it that far.

Speaking of ice - we will be playing the waiting game with some of the on ice events for the Celebration of the Lakes which takes place in three weeks or so.  If you have been on the ice lately, you surely have sunk into the five inches of slush currently atop what little good ice we have.  Don’t get me wrong, there is a chance we go into the deep freeze and everything will go on as planned.  But the Chamber is monitoring and if you remember in years past, they have modified or morphed it into something really special.  Either way, it promises to be a great time outside, just the way we like it around here.

The Celebration of the Lakes may be the next big event on the calendar, but shortly after will be the 2023 Home and Business Expo.  The expo will run February 25 and 26 and is held at the Wildcat Center at the Chisago Lakes high school.  There has been a pretty good pre-registration influx of vendors, but there’s still room for your business.  We have an ad on page 9 that gives more details about the show and offers assistance to vendors.  You can register on the Chisago Lakes Area Chamber’s website or by calling 651-213-2603.

I can’t wait, because the show to me always signifies that Spring is just around the corner.

Thank you to all of you who have donated your warm clothing to the homeless.  

As I write this, I am staring at easily a pick-up truck full of clothing that will be on the backs of some needy Minnesotans as soon as next week.  Keep them coming!

---