Chisago County Press

No microwave pancakes here

For some reason, an argument in our office broke out earlier this week on the right way to make pancakes in the morning (real deep conversations we are having, I know). We have a certain employee who likes to microwave Eggo pancakes, which is of course the wrong way to go about it.

Chisago Lakes alum conquers Canebrake 200

2012 graduate Kailee Carlson recently finished a 200 mile ultramarathon in Atlanta

Kailee Carlson was never the star athlete in her career at Chisago Lakes High School that spanned from 2008-2012. Sure, she participated in track and field and tennis, but she didn’t make it to the state tournament, or win any major awards.

Vikes shut down by Irondale ace

Patience is a virtue, and it certainly seemed to be the deciding virtue in North Branch’s season-opening 4-1 loss to Irondale on Friday, April 5.

It’s time to get out on the courses

It’s finally golf season! We’ve had some fun moonlighting this winter (spring I guess?) with some tee times in February, but this weekend seems to officially be the start of our nicer weather where courses will remain open throughout the year.

A little bit of this, a little bit of that

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter and enjoyed their time with family, friends and the Easter bunny!

CL School District eliminating 19 teachers and 10 support staff in cuts

There was an air of uncertainty around the well-attended regular school board meeting for Chisago Lakes on Thursday, March 21.

Quick whistles and poor shooting doom Wildcats in state quarterfinals

Playoff basketball at all levels typically means a bit more physical game with a few less whistles and a better flow.

Happy Easter to everyone!

I’ve got some extended space this week to really share some of my favorite Easter recipes! I’m hosting my in-laws this weekend for the holiday, and that always makes me nervous because my mother-in-law is a phenomenal cook. She always says she likes my cooking, but sometimes I feel like she thinks she has to say that!

Amador Twsp. wishes fire dept. chief well; budget up 2. 5 percent

Much of the Amador Township meeting centered on the Almelund Fire Department and the changes and upgrades happening within the department.

MISSION: MINNEAPOLIS

The Wildcats conquered Hermantown to advance to just their fourth state tournament in school history

Chisago Lakes is going to the state tournament for the first time since 2016, but it wasn’t without challenges as the Wildcats had to survive a 38 point effort from Hermantown senior Abe Suomis in the Wildcats 95-82 section championship win over the Hawks on Thursday, March 14.

Feelin’ hot, hot, hot

I was in Jamaica a couple of weeks ago, and I tried to immerse myself as much as I could in their local flavors. I had oxtails, plantains, jerk everything, rice, and a whole host of other things that I can’t remember or couldn’t pronounce!

EXCEPTIONAL ESGET

North Branch gymnast Dakota Esget defended her uneven bars title at state but also added the all around crown

Dakota Esget made history last year, becoming the first North Branch gymnast to ever win a state championship.

Boys make waves at section, finish second

CL is sending 10 swimmers and divers to the state meet

Chisago Lakes will be sending 10 swimmers and divers to the state meet this weekend after a wildly successful Section 4A meet at John Glen Middle School in Maplewood.

HOOPS ROUND UP

Kuhlman breaks NB’s scoring record

The Chisago Lakes Wildcats are back on track to earn their first ever uncontested Mississippi 8 Conference championship.

How sweet is spring?

Well, I kind of think we are officially in spring? But it’s still February.

ROWE ASCENDS TO THE TOP OF CL’S RECORD BOOKS

Chisago Lakes senior basketball star Patrick Rowe has hit a lot of milestones in this season.

Three gymnasts headed to state

North Branch and Chisago Lakes are in arguably the toughest gymnastics section in the state. Section 7A features five of the top 17 ranked teams in Class A, including three in the top 10, so the competition is fierce and the qualification standards are high.

DANCERS SHINE UNDER THE BRIGHT LIGHTS

For the third straight year, the Chisago Lakes Wildcat dance teams got to compete at the Target Center in Minneapolis as part of the state meet, and they all cherished their experience again, regardless of the results.

Dahl sisters compete at state meet in Biwabik

Maren Dahl had a heck of a state meet on Tuesday, February 13.

A fondness for potatoes

Aly and I were discussing what was going to be on our menu this week, and we got to talking about sides because I seem to always default to some kind of potato.

Dahl sisters ski their way to state meet

Anna and Maren Dahl have been foundational rocks for the Chisago Lakes girls’ alpine ski team all year, and the pair really came through in the Section 7 meet at Giants Ridge Tuesday, February 6.

Upsets highlight county clashes between North Branch and Chisago Lakes

Viking boys earn revenge while Wildcat girls win second game

The North Branch boys basketball team has had some great spurts of play this year.

Cozy dinner ideas

That ended up being a great Super Bowl after a snoozer of a first half! But the game exposed me as a little bit of a fraud.

DANCE TEAMS HEADING BACK TO STATE!

Both the Jazz and Kick dance teams are headed back to the state tournament for the third year in a row.

Ultra competitive county gymnastics meet ends in deadlock

North Branch and Chisago Lakes earn rare tie at 137.375 apiece

Ties are common in some high school sports. You see them all the time in soccer and hockey and even swimming.

Girls ready for sections

Senior Brooke Klemz almost waited a little too long to get her first career hat trick. She scored three goals to lead the Wildcat girls’ hockey team to a 6-1 win over the River Lakes Stars Tuesday, January 30 at Chisago Lakes Arena in the final regular season varsity home game for Klemz and her senior teammates Breanna Ritter and Aly Vogelsang.

North Branch avenges two earlier M8C losses

Big Lake and Becker were the opening salvos in North Branch’s seven game losing streak earlier this year, so the Vikings are hoping wins over the two starts a similar streak, just in winning fashion.

Losing skid reaches 13 for CL

Things just haven’t been going the Wildcats’ way this year on the basketball court. The girls’ hoops squad dropped two more contests, a lopsided Mississippi 8 Conference affair against Monticello, and an in-section matchup against Hermantown.

Vikes improving play, nearly knock off Becker

The North Branch girls basketball team may be just coming off a six game losing streak, but you’d never guess it with their inspired play last week.

The Great Conundrum was solved for me

I wrote on this last year for the first time, but it’s tough to focus on which recipes I want to share this time of the year. It’s the last, biggest, best football game of the year this weekend, but then just a few days later, Valentine’s Day is on the calendar too.

Wildcats shine bright under the Target Center lights

Playing at the Target Center is usually reserved for the state championship games in Minnesota.

Ski teams wrap up regular season; sections on the horizon

While most people have enjoyed the unseasonably warm temperatures this winter, cold weather lovers and in particular alpine skiers, have been on the outs.

North Branch trades wins with Saints and T’Hawks

North Branch avoided the long losing streaks they’ve had this year when they rebounded from a loss against Spectrum to beat St. Francis on Tuesday, January 23.

AREA GIRLS HOOPS HIGHLIGHTS

The Vikings couldn’t shake their losing streak last week, and it stretched six games after they went 0-3, beginning with a Mississippi 8 Conference loss to St. Francis.

GymCats look sharp heading into tough gymnastics section

It’s a rare, but great accomplishment when everything goes according to plan, especially in a high school gymnastics season.

Spring time food? Really?

Well normally, we’d be tackling crockpot meals or comfort food this time of the year, but since we have spring weather without the spring crops, we might as well have some outside-of-the-box recipes.

AREA HOOPS HIGHLIGHTS

Streaking season continued for the North Branch boys basketball program last week. They have won and lost in long streaks, and after the roller coaster of a ride, they now stand at 8-8 on the year. The Vikings began the season 4-0 before losing seven straight games. They proceeded to rattle off four straight wins after that, with two of them coming last week.

Heating things up with jalapeños

It’s been a while since I’ve put the spotlight on spicy food, so if you have a soft palette or can’t handle the heartburn, you may not want to read any further!

NB breaks losing skid

North Branch finally busted out of their long losing streak last week, claiming victories over Zimmerman and Rock Ridge. Their skid had reached seven after an early week loss to Cambridge.

CL crushes Princeton but misses Schmidt in loss to C-I

Chisago Lakes crushed Princeton in the second half to take a big win over a Tigers team that has been a top Mississippi 8 stalwart for years.

‘Cats claim first crown at River Falls Invite

After 15 years of second places and third places, the Chisago Lakes gymnastics team finally claimed the first place crown at the River Falls Invite on Saturday, January 13. The Wildcats scored 134.925, edging out host River Falls, who scored 133.175.

Activity fees to rise at Chisago Lakes next year

Starting next year, the price tag for participating in activities throughout the Chisago Lakes Middle School and High School will be rising.

Wildcats extend Vikings’ misery in county clash

No matter the records the past few years, the North Branch and Chisago Lakes boys basketball teams have had competitive games, and their match up on Friday, January 5 at North Branch was no different.

NB crushes ‘Cats to break out of skid

The North Branch girls basketball team took the anger of their three game losing streak out on Chisago Lakes when the two teams squared off fresh out of the holiday break on Friday, January 5 at North Branch High School.

Let’s BEE real, it’s honey recipes

I was trying to think of an inspiration for this week’s column, and it came in an unusual form. Our publisher, Matt Silver, and I were judges in the Chisago Lakes Spelling Bee earlier this week. Matt has been doing it for quite some time and this was my third year doing it. As I was writing this column on Tuesday and brainstorming for it, I was also counting down the hours to the bee and for some reason it came to me to just do honey recipes!

And into the doldrums we go

The holidays are over now, and that’s always a bit depressing. Even though the weather hasn’t been disgustingly cold yet, it’s just brown, gray, black and a very ‘blah’ feeling outside. And now we have a few months of the cold, snow and chill coming up before we emerge for spring.