Costly errors lead to blowout loss for North Branch, but rematch is on the horizon vs Hermantown
Martin Sleen ran wild for the Hawks, but there is hope to build on for NB offense
Martin Sleen isn’t even in the top 35 in the state in carries this year, but that hasn’t stopped the Hermantown speedster from finishing second in the state in rushing yards, with 1,570 and first in touchdowns with 26.
Trio of tennis stars state bound for Chisago Lakes
For the first time in program history, the Chisago Lakes girls tennis team will be represented at the MSHSL State Tournament by both a singles player and a doubles team — a milestone moment in what’s already been a memorable season for the Wildcats.
Vikings fall just short of state tourney with loss to Rock Ridge
The North Branch girls tennis team capped one of the best seasons in school history with a trip to the Section 7AA championship match, earning two impressive wins before falling to top-seeded Rock Ridge in the finals.
Vikes back on track after pulling away late vs Denfeld
North Branch took a half to continue licking their wounds from a 40-8 loss last week to Grand Rapids, but after they settled in at the break, they ran away with an easy win over Duluth Denfeld on Friday, October 10, moving their record to 6-1.
Whoops, I missed a spot last week!
Woopsies! I updated my column last week with recipes, but forgot to update the opening paragraph! I’m sure it was going to be some grand tale or some hilarious story, but as long as you got some new recipes at least, right? Not like you guys come to this column for my wit and humor, because I don’t have much of that!
Staying in the fall mood with great foods
In a medium saucepan, melt 1 stick of the butter over medium heat. Let it cook and bubble until the foam and butter underneath are golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Immediately transfer it to a stand mixer bowl and swirl a few times to help stop the browning. Let the brown butter cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
Vikings control East, top 10 showdown looms with GR
After an uneven first half that saw them leading by just four points over Duluth East, North Branch football went back to their bread and butter in the second half and controlled the clock, limiting possessions and they escaped with a 22-12 win over the 1-4 Greyhounds.
Bobbing for apples this week!
Maybe I jumped the gun on pumpkins this year and skipped apples?
Thorsen and Hammel lead throttling of Rock Ridge
North Branch kept their perfect record intact with a lightening-shortened 44-6 clobbering of Rock Ridge on Friday, September 19, the last of three straight home games for the Vikings football squad.
CL pair represents at national fishing tourney
When Chisago Lakes seniors Nick Kavanagh and Jacob Metz climbed into their boat at Clarks Hill Lake in Evans, Georgia, it wasn’t just another fishing trip. It was the culmination of years spent honing their craft on area lakes, a chance to represent their school and community on the biggest stage in high school bass fishing—the 2025 Strike King Bassmaster High School National Championship, held July 31 through August 2.
Vikes tame Bulldogs and sting back against Hornets
The North Branch volleyball team came back from the huge Midwest Volleyball Warehouse Showcase tournament to win two straight Mississippi 8 Conference match ups last week.
Vikings remain unbeaten with 30-16 win over Cloquet
North Branch made good on their second home game in a stretch of three straight when they beat the Cloquet Lumberjacks on Friday, September 12.
Second best thing to football: pumpkins
I have expressed my love for the fall in this column space before, and it’s no different this year as I share some of my favorite pumpkin recipes now that we seem to be turning the corner to fall. Once school, and then football, start, it’s inevitable that pumpkin season is right around the corner!
Vikings overpower Hibbing
Despite matching up two 1-0 teams in North Branch’s home opener against Hibbing on Friday, September 5 it was clear from the jump that the Vikings were the superior squad to Hibbing and they ended up running away with a 36-0 victory to move to 2-0.
It’s football season finally!
This is the type of weather that I enjoy. I love summer, but can be a sweaty mess, so these brisk fall days are the perfect remedy. I love getting out on Friday nights with the chill in the air, covering the local football teams. I think it’s perfect watching football on Sunday with the windows open and the cool breeze coming in, and find myself loving fall more and more every year. Except that it just means we’re closer to those bitter winter months. Oh well, we just have to enjoy what we get while we get it!
Chisago Lakes School Board briefs..
The Chisago Lakes School Board held a quick, final summer meeting before students return to school and the agendas get packed.
Enjoy back to school time!
It’s time to get back to school for all the kids! I hope everyone has a safe, happy and exciting return to the classroom!
Why is it so cold already??
We’re in late August and it feels like fall! Even though I love the crispness of fall, and everything that comes with it, it’s a little too early for this.
Z is for Zucchinis!
Gardening aficionados have noticed zucchinis really started to hit their perfect size in the last few weeks, and when they start to mature, they mature fast. I’ve had zucchinis get massive over just a few days, and all of a sudden, you’ve got an abundance and you don’t know what to do with them!
The biggest fruit we can find
I’m admittedly not a huge watermelon fan, but I do like artificial watermelon flavoring. But, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some really good recipes out there for watermelon, and I also understand I’m in the minority.
Keeping the kitchen spotless for dinner
I’m a huge fan of one-pan meals. Nothing worse than getting done cooking and eating and then having a mountain of dishes to do.
Adriaens and Eckhoff win Chisago Lakes Triathlon
Joe Adriaens has come close to winning the Chisago Lakes Triathlon in past years, but there always seemed to be some elite newcomer who was just passing through or using the Chisago Lakes Triathlon as a warm up that kept him from the top of the podium.
Straight to business for these recipes
Let’s dive right in this week!
New legislation leads to facilities levy for Chisago Lakes School district
With a light summer agenda, the Chisago Lakes School Board spent a majority of its time during the regular meeting on Thursday, July 17 focusing on the Long Term Facilities Maintenance Fund and its approval for 2027 due to a recent legislative change.
Bringing some unique tastes to you
I made an exciting discovery last week, although I didn’t have enough time to share it with you guys quite yet in this space.
Happy Karl Oskar Days!!!
It’s the grand ol’ Karl Oskar Days in Lindstrom this week, and I’m excited!! The weather looks great (maybe not Friday, but other than that, PERFECT) and the downtown area looks great with the new parking lot and murals.
Squeezing in some pepper recipes
With the humidity, heat and rain the past few weeks, our pepper plants have absolutely exploded. We are on the cusp of picking the first few green peppers, and our habaneros and jalapenos look to be our healthiest yet.
Sweets and meats on 4th of July
The Fourth of July is always a time to celebrate. It’s America’s Independence Day, and it’s always a fun time!
Girls highlight excellent finishes at state golf meet
North Branch senior Ashley Bistodeau ended her career at North Branch on a high mark, shooting a personal best 78 after an opening round 90 at The Ridges at Sand Creek in Jordan at the Class AA state meet last week.
Lax team has great experience at state
Despite their sterling record on the year, the Chisago Lakes girls lacrosse team drew the eighth seed in the state tournament, and that meant they had to play unbeaten eventual state champions Prior Lake in the first round on Tuesday, June 17.
Who doesn’t love strawberries?
Hot temperatures in June can only mean one thing: it’s strawberry season!
Wildcats one win away from state
Just one game remains between the Chisago Lakes girl lacrosse team and their first ever berth into the state tournament.
Congratulations to all graduates!
And we are officially into graduation party season! We’ll kick it off with our exchange kid this weekend and then we have a bunch of his friends’ celebrations to go to throughout the summer!
“We have to come back out. That’s our only option.”
CL superintendent Brian Dietz gave a postmortem on the district’s failed referendum at the monthly meeting
In a short school board meeting before the last holiday break of the school year, the Chisago Lakes School District addressed their failed referendum from earlier this month.
Helberg cruising through sections
Wyatt Helberg was a near lock to win the top singles spot each match this year for the North Branch boys tennis team, and now that play has moved into the postseason, the sophomore has continued to roll.
‘Cats make deep run, but fall to Elks
The fourth seeded Chisago Lakes boys tennis team got all the way to the final four of the Section 7AA bracket, but fell short against the top seeded Elk River Elks with a chance to go to the section championship game on the line.
One more round for rhubarb season
Rhubarb is always a column topic that’s deserving of two weeks. There are a lot of recipes out there, and they are in season in a unique time when most everything else is just starting to take hold.
Both doubles team for CL upset at different stages of section tourney
Seeding the doubles tournament in section tennis play is always an exercise in futility. There’s always plenty of mixing and matching between regular singles players and doubles players and finding the best combo to go the deepest.
Rhubarb is back and better than ever
It’s rhubarb season! The colorful vegetable (yes, it is a vegetable, not a fruit) is aplenty this year, and it goes into some phenomenal recipes.
Girls wrap up M8C crown with lopsided win over Magic
Monticello has been a thorn in Chisago Lakes’ side for the last years. Even though the ‘Cats have traditionally beaten Monticello, they’ve always gave them a tough test and made them work to earn a conference title.
Hanson helps corral 1st place for Wildcats
Senior Brett Hanson came away as meet medalist last week on Thursday, May 8 during the Mississippi 8 Conference meet at Chisago Lakes Golf Course.
North Branch upsets St. Francis 3-2
The North Branch baseball team got three runs in the third inning, and it held up against the 10-5 St. Francis Saints on Friday, May 9.
NB girls fall short in true team
The Section 7AA True Team meet turned into a duel between North Branch and Chisago Lakes on the girls side, and although the Wildcats came out on top by about 30 points, the Vikings had some great performances.
Let’s put together a pic-a-nic basket
I know I missed some Mother’s Day themed recipes last week with the tough column I had to write, but it doesn’t mean I can’t mix a few things that are good for more than just Mother’s Day into this week’s column.
Boys lacrosse team downed by two top squads; bests Big Lake
Despite a valiant comeback attempt in the fourth quarter, the Wildcats dropped their first game of the week, a 10-8 decision to Rogers on Tuesday, April 29.
Rest in peace to my friend
I’ve lost many people close to me the last few years but I always felt like I had the chance to say goodbye. To prepare for the moment. To be at peace. This past weekend was so, so different.
CL girls lax team finally runs into a loss
After four straight blowouts to start the season, the Chisago Lakes girls lacrosse team was handed their first loss of the year in a 12-11 thriller against St. Croix Prep.
Wildcats split two razor tight games
The Chisago Lakes boys lacrosse team played in two games last week that were decided by one goal and that came out on both ends of the spectrum in the contests.
Vikes conquer Thunder on suicide squeeze attempt
North Branch’s baseball team kicked off last week with an extra innings win over the Zimmerman Thunder on Monday, April 21, but a tough matchup against Princeton followed, and a rain out against Monticello kept them at 1-1 for the week.
NB rebounds from slow start with three straight wins
The North Branch softball team started the year in a tough stretch, going 1-7 with their only win against an out-of-state team from Wisconsin.
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