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This Saturday Center City Fire and Lindstrom Fire departments are holding their annual Fire Prevention Open Houses.  This is our chance to stop in and say thanks to the men and women who voluntarily give their time risking their lives to save our homes and businesses. I am friends with a lot of these people and I can say with certainty that they truly do care about our community.

Center City’s open house begins at 10 a.m. and runs until noon.  Lindstrom’s runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  You will find some amazing chili to enjoy at both open houses.  Lindstrom is actually holding a chili cook-off with members cooking their own unique recipes that the public will vote for.

This is a great chance to bring the little ones for some memorable photos with firefighters, Smokey the Bear, Safety Pup, and of course the giant fire trucks.  

If you are wondering why I haven’t mentioned Chisago City Fire Department there is a reason.  Instead of hosting an open house the great firefighters of Chisago City use Fire Prevention Week to visit the Primary School and Lakeside Elementary School.  So thank you to the Chisago City Fire Department for allowing those children who may not be able to make it out to one of the open houses a chance to see equipment and learn about our local firefighters.  Chisago City’s Fire Prevention Week meet the firefighters ad is on page 8 of this paper. 

Last weekend we went with some friends to see a band that we all loved when we were in our late teens and early 20’s.  It’s a rock band whose name doesn’t matter, but we have enjoyed their concerts immensely even as late as two years ago.  This time...not so much.  Father Time is quickly winning the battle with us and really winning with this band.  The group moved around the stage at a snail's pace and hung on to mic stands and stools for balance.  I understand that I am getting...no,  I am old.. So I am not in any way making light of their age, but when you see the singer stumble even for a brief second, and see people pulling out their phones to call 911..it may be time to hang up the guitar.

I would like to take this time to formally wish a very happy birthday to my dear friend Susan Wilson.  Sue has been a mother figure in my life since literally the first day we moved here in 1978.  Some of you may remember her from her serving for many years as the Librarian at the Library in Lindstrom.  

When my parents passed away, Sue took me under her wing.  She visited and called me often and always asked about my family.  Mark, Tom, Anne, Steve and Susanna all know how lucky they are to have such a beautiful person in their life.

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