LOCAL
2017 new faces, old friends, the year in review
The North Branch Area public schools community is sending positive wishes to Superintendent Dr. Deb Henton who is in the running to be selected as superintendent of the year nationally.
Christmas was about giving this year, approach New Year's Eve with caution
Thanks so much to all of wonderful volunteers who helped serve the Christmas Meal held at First United Methodist Church on Monday. The meal served a whopping 130 people and filled their bellies with great food and comaraderie. The folks that put the meal on take time away from their …
Appetizers are a must for a party
Well, the plan is that you won’t be reading the next column of “Food and Reflections” until next year. Did you know the Winter Solstice was on December 20th when we have a bit more of daylight? Yea!! Who knows what 2018 will bring! I hope you had a joyful …
Children bring out the holiday spirits
The Chisago County Press holiday coloring contest winners were really hard to choose this year-- we had many artistic entries, even one with cotton fluff glued on and glitter on some drawings this year. Pictured is one of the winners, Arianna Husfeldt, 7, won with her neon interpretation of Rudolph.
Living Nativity at First United Methodist
First United Methodist Church in Lindstrom held its fifth annual Living Nativity pageant. The program was filled with actors portraying that lonely night in Bethlehem. This year featured live animals including sheep and a donkey. Crowds packed the grounds for four shows and were treated to cookies, hot cocoa and …
Christmas is wonderful, please don't spend it alone; retiring already?
I hope you had a chance to take in the Living Nativity at First United Methodist on Saturday. I made it to the first show (there were four shows in all) at 6pm. I have seen the program the last four years, and this was the best one yet. Maybe …
Holiday party drinks
One of the most important days in the Christian church is Christmas, December 25th…the birthday of our Lord. However, we don’t know the exact date of His birth when this miracle happened. I did talk to our pastor about how this date was settled upon, but all in all, the …
Citizens call for solar array permitting changes
Chisago County has worn its reputation for being known as ‘solar capital of Minnesota’ proudly, but the glow has worn-off for a group of landowners in the south end of the county. Approximately 25 to 30 citizens attended what ended up being a two-hour sit down with zoning officials and …
Chisago Lakes Rotary getting in the holiday spirit
Saturday, Dec. 2 the Chisago Lakes Rotary in cooperation with the Chisago City Fire Dept., and Chisago Lakes National Honor Society spent four hours traveling the streets of Chisago City collecting toys for Anonymous Santa and food for Family Pathways food shelf. The effort collected over 250 toys, 779 pounds …
Christmas celebrations were great, lots more chances to meet Santa
Wow what an unbelieveable weekend we had for tree lighting festivals. The temps were unseasonably warm and the crowds were massive. Yes massive. I was looking around the Chisago City festival trying to get a decent guess on numbers and I think there had to be over 500 people in the park. …
Meals ready in no time with canned soup
December? With the warmer weather we’ve been having lately and no snow on the ground, as of yet, it feels like early November. However it did get colder last week and actually, according to the calendar, winter doesn’t arrive until Dec. 21st. As my neighbor would say, “It is what …
Decades of tradition in final season
The Christmas display at 8785 Green Lake Trail, rural Chisago City will be lit up for a final season in memory of Raymond and Betty Pliscott. Christmas was always the most favorite time of the year for them. Even when times got tough they always made sure Christmas was a …
City Council workshop on Lakes Area P.D. contract well attended
Lindstrom City Council and in fact, many local councils, hold “workshops” periodically which is an informal meeting format, allowing staff and elected officials to devote time on one or two issues to be picked apart and discussed more so than a regular 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. meeting agenda allows. …
Lighting Festival figurehead truly a noble lady
Mary Anne Mattson may have officially “retired” 11 years ago, but life’s pace hasn’t slowed much. She cares for a one-year-old great grandchild two days a week, works for Shafer Township as treasurer, paying the government bills and fielding phone calls about rough roads...and her extensive gardenbeds on the Mattson …
