Happy Easter from the Norton’s!
Aly is taking the reins on Easter this year, as we’ll be hosting my family for the Sunday holiday. I asked her if she wanted to be featured in this week’s column, and she reluctantly agreed, so here’s two of the Easter recipes we’ll have this year, courtesy of my wonderful wife, Aly!
Goodbye Alice, I’m sure going to miss you
Last week, the longtime author of this column Alice Nelson passed away, and although I didn’t see her as much as I used to, I am going to miss her beaming smile, friendly personality and her witty wisecracks.
Elite meet in Mankato features nice performances
The first track and field meet of the year, the Minnesota State University-Mankato Varsity Showcase, was held on Saturday, March 29 on the Mankato campus, and there were some nice performances from area athletes, even though some of the events are non-traditional distances.
Prepping for the warm season veggies
It’s time to start thinking about planting your warm season veggies if you start them from seeds inside before bringing them outside in May.
Bravo to the FACS class at Chisago Lakes
I just want to give a shout out to all of the kids in Ms. Koeppel’s Family and Consumer Science class.
Faces changing in leadership at Amador Township
Despite potential for fireworks at the annual Amador Township meeting due to the fact that no one had filed for the open supervisor seat, Clay Larson was overwhelmingly voted as a new supervisor with 55 of the 65 votes cast.
Going mad for hoops!
It’s hard to believe that it’s already been five years of me doing this column.
Swimmers and divers enjoy valuable experience at state
Although the Chisago Lakes’ swimmers and divers that participated at the state meet last week couldn’t escape the preliminaries, it was still a fruitful experience for all seven of them.
Area boys hoops teams bow out meekly
Both the Chisago Lakes and North Branch boys basketball teams ended their season in the first round of the section tournament on Wednesday, March 5.
Vikings clip ‘Cats to end their season, but fall to Hermantown in semifinals
North Branch toppled Chisago Lakes for the third time this year to win their opener in the Section 7AAA postseason bracket, but unfortunately ran into second seeded Hermantown in the semifinals and were eliminated, ending their season.
Fishing for recipes during Lent
This will be a hard column for me to write. There’s very rarely a dinner I make that doesn’t have a meat featured, as most of you are probably similar.
Dahl finishes in top 20; Cyr top 40 at state meet
Chisago Lakes’ two representatives at the state alpine ski meet both performed well on Tuesday, February 11 at Giants Ridge in Biwabik.
Dick and Esget headed to state gymnastics meet
In one of the toughest gymnastics sections in the state, North Branch’s Dakota Esget and Ella Dick flew above the rest.
AREA HOOPS ROUND UP
Another week, another record broken by Kuhlman
Ella Kuhlman’s assault on the North Branch girls basketball scoring record continued last week as the senior netted a school record 43 points in a 77-65 win over Zimmerman on Tuesday, February 11.
Back to the deep freeze
I’m writing this column in a sour mood. I spent last week in the breezy, balmy 85 degree temps of the Dominican Republic on vacation with my family. We had a wonderful time on the beach, snorkeling, at the restaurants and just being general travel bums. I read a book in the sand, took a nap by the pool. Just did everything you’re supposed to do on a tropical vacation.
AREA HOOPS ROUND UP
NB girls back to winning ways
The North Branch girls basketball team was again the only local hoops squad to pick up a win last week, as they went 2-1 with a conference and section win and a loss to one of the tougher Mississippi 8 Conference teams.
‘We are at a point where this is critical’
CL Superintendent outlines the district’s infrastructure needs after the school board calls for a special election seeking $63 million in bonding
With the vote at last month’s Chisago Lakes School Board meeting that the district would be asking taxpayers for permission to sell over $63 million in bond funds through a special election this spring, there have been questions on what that money would be used for and how the district landed on that number.
Super recipes for the big game
Hard to believe that it’s already time for the big game this weekend. My wife sure will be happy that there’s no more football in the house! Nando, our Brazilian exchange student this year, took quite a liking to the Vikings and football in general, so she had double the headaches this year, especially a couple of weeks ago when the Vikings torpedoed out of the top spot and the playoffs.
AREA HOOPS ROUND UP
Winless week tough on Chisago County teams
North Branch’s girls team had been the lone bright spot for the county basketball scene this year, but they took on the second place St. Francis squad on Tuesday, January 21 in their lone action of the week and fell 54-49.
Some of my modern favorites
Here’s some of my favorite recipes that I’ve been making lately. There may not be a ton of rhyme or reason to them, but it’s just things that I’ve made recently that I either came right back to, or thought to myself ‘I really need to make this again’.
Chisago Lakes bond vote set for May 13
April showers will bring a May special election this year for the Chisago Lakes School District.
Vikings bite back at Bulldogs
The North Branch gymnastics team rose to the occasion on Thursday, January 18 when they took on defending state champions Becker and edged out a win, 140.85-140.075.
AREA HOOPS ROUND UP
Points at a premium as teams combine to go 1-7 last week
The Lady Vikings were the only area team to pick up a win last week, and that was a 61-55 victory over Princeton on Tuesday, January 14. The win stretched NB’s streak to five in a row, but that was brought to a screeching halt against unbeaten Monticello. The Magic dominated NB 74-39 on Thursday, January 16.
Spice up these cold days
OK, I am officially over winter. Once the holidays pass, I am usually down to get a little ice fishing in, a little snow tubing, and some general fun. But this last week? Once the negative 30 hits, get me out of Dodge. I want nothing to do with winter anymore and am just counting down the days until golf season now. Although it was bizarre last year, I’m missing the 50s and 60s we had in January and February. I golfed a round at Chisago Lakes in February last year even! Let’s get back to that and away from temps that make ice cubes shiver.
Kuhlman breaks school record and eclipses 2,000
For the second time in a week, the senior set the individual game scoring mark, netting 39 points against Zimmerman, and she also sailed past 2,000 career points in the win
Ella Kuhlman is on an absolute heater on the basketball court.
Heat up with homemade casserole
I did soups last week, and the next best thing to soup for crappy weather like this is casserole! Which is arguably more popular in the Midwest than soups anyway, so here’s some of my favorite casseroles to warm the soul in this deep freeze we’re in!
Wildcats wade through tough tourney in Big Lake
The old Big Lake Tropical Twist Tournament was rebranded into the Hornet Classic, and it was Chisago Lakes’ first gymnastics meet out of the long holiday break.
Vikings split two
North Branch rode their big time players in their second win of the season, beating the Hutchinson Tigers 59-50 in the opening game of the Granite City Class in Sauk Rapids on Friday, December 27.
Let’s keep warm now that the holidays are done
We are past Christmas now and past New Years. Which means it’s time for hibernation and comfort foods for the winter! Weekend crockpots, sweets for breakfast, everything you need to stay warm in the cold months of Minnesota!
Vikes riding Kuhlman’s wave to three straight victories
Three wins in a row have propelled the North Branch girls basketball team to a 5-3 record and dreams of a big season.
Battle of big cats goes in favor of CL
In nature, a tiger would have the upper hand over a wildcat, but on the gymnastics floor last week, the Wildcats of Chisago Lakes clashed with the Tigers of Princeton, and CL’s favorite felines came out on top 130.60-121.375.
AREA HOOPS ROUND UP
Outside of the North Branch girls basketball team the area hoops teams are still looking for their first wins of the year, combining for an 0-16 record.
Merry Christmas to all!
Shockingly, this is our last issue before Christmas. I know I’ve already said it, but Christmas came out of nowhere this year and with our next issue coming out the day after Christmas, it’s an early time for even the paper to be recognizing the holiday.
NB starts 0-2 vs section teams
The Vikings boys’ basketball team suffered two lopsided losses at the hands of Cloquet and Duluth Denfeld to open their season last week.
More Christmas recipes this season
Of course we’re going to continue the Christmas recipes this week! There’s too many good ones not to share. I hope everyone is having a good holiday season so far and is done with their Christmas shopping.
AREA GIRLS HOOPS ROUND UP
The Vikings won their only match up of the week in a close affair over Two Rivers on Tuesday, November 26.
Christmas cookie season has begun
After such a late Thanksgiving, it feels like Christmas is right on top of us already! We are less than three weeks out from the holiday, and I feel like I’ve gotten NOTHING done. No shopping, no prep work, nothing. We put our decorations up the week before Thanksgiving, but other than that, I am so far behind.
Vikes bombarded by Braham, but bounce back vs Denfeld
North Branch girls basketball got their season underway last week with two games in three days, and they split the pair of non-conference games.
Make use of those leftovers!
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
The ultimate Thanksgiving sides
There are so many sides you can serve with Thanksgiving meals. I have my favorites, but I also know there are plenty others that many people like!
Eighth grader headed to state swim meet for Chisago Lakes
Kaia Casey qualified in both the 200 and 500 freestyle races
Kaia Casey is one the most accomplished first year varsity swimmers that one could find.
Start planning for Thanksgiving
I’m not sure who needs to hear this, but I need all the reminders I can get, so this is my first one. If you’re OK with serving a frozen turkey, get it NOW at the grocery store!
Hall finishes fourth in Class AA XC meet
Chisago Lakes’ Annika Hall saved her best race of the year for the most important one.
KICKED IN THE GUT
Two onside kicks by Hawks spur NB meltdown in second half of section championship game
With eight minutes left in the third quarter of last week’s Section 7AAAA championship game, North Branch was comfortably ahead of Hermantown 28-7 and looked to be punching their third straight ticket to the state tournament.
Hawks pierce Vikes, claim state bid
In a scheduling quirk, North Branch and Hermantown volleyball teams didn’t face each other in the regular season this year, but with their gaudy records and strong play throughout, it was only fitting that the two squads matched up in the Section 7AAA championship game on Thursday, October 31.
Reader recipe perfect for fall
I had a reader stop by last week and give me a recipe to try, and although I haven’t had the chance to make it yet, I’m legitimately excited to try it soon. It’s the perfect time for (a pumpkin chili) and it sounds delightful. And it just so happened to be a fairly nutritious meal too, so it checks all the boxes.
Wildcats girls punch ticket to state meet
The Wildcat girls cross country team had quite the duel with the Hibbing Bluejackets in the Section 7AA meet at the Hibbing Municipal Golf Course on Thursday, October 24.
STAND AND DELIVER
A blocked short field goal and goal line stand help North Branch hold off Rapids despite Robillard injury
It took a last second blocked field goal from inside the five yard line and an overtime goal line stand, but the North Branch football team overcame the loss of starting quarterback Jacob Robillard and hung on to beat Grand Rapids in the section semifinals 20-14 and punch their ticket to the section championship game against Hermantown.
Wildcats bow out against top seeded Mahtomedi
Chisago Lakes saw their season end in the section semifinals last week when they ran into the buzzsaw that is Mahtomedi volleyball.
Last second Halloween ideas
This edition comes out Halloween day/night, so while many Halloween recipes may be untimely, I’ll share a few more with you this spooky season, including some that can be carried over into the Thanksgiving season!
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