Memorial Day weekend is here
This weekend is Memorial Day weekend and if you take a look at the middle of this edition of the County Press you will see two pages of Memorial Day events held by local Veterans around the county. They take time out of their busy schedules to hold Memorial Day services for you and me. Almost every cemetery has a service so you can attend, at a time that’s convenient for you. This is our chance to remember those family members, friends and community members that have given their lives for our great country and the very least we can do is come out and show our respect. The services are usually quite quick because they have so many to perform during the day. I will see you out there.
Stacy hears patrol activity report; town hall damaged with flooding
Stacy City Council met May 13 for a regular meeting. Mayor Mark Utecht was absent. Council member Dennis Thieling was acting Mayor.
Shafer citizens share nuisance concerns with council
Shafer City Council held a regular meeting May 6. All members were present.
These are not the Wolves I knew
I am so old that I can honestly say I attended the very first Minnesota Timberwolves game in the good old Metrodome. You know how over time our memories kind of embellish events and usually for the better? Like, how I used to be so handsome the girls were knocking down my door in the late 80’s....Well let me tell you my memory of the Timberwolves playing in the dome is awful. It was a dark dungeon and our seats were so far away that the players looked like ants (not Anthony Edwards). So I have seen a LOT of Wolves games in my life - a LOT of terrible basketball being played. And to watch this team (and last year’s) feels like a dream. Granted I watch from the confines of my couch now. The level of basketball we are seeing is something the Minnesota sports fan is not used to viewing. I couldn’t care less if they don’t make the finals, the fact we get to watch competitive basketball is worth it to me.
Wishing mothers a wonderful day
This is the weekend we celebrate our mothers. Mother’s Day. While many say it is a made up holiday, but still offers something special. It’s a chance to tell our mothers and our children’s mothers how much they mean to us. It’s a chance to say thank you for your undeniable love and constant support. My wife and I have both lost our mothers, as many of you have I am sure. But I still make a point of showing my gratitude for her raising two great kids despite having me as a father. I hope you get a chance to spend time with your mom this weekend and let her know how much she means.
Lots of things to do this weekend
This weekend Mark and the crew at AAA Recycling will hold their first recycling event. The event runs Saturday from 8am to 2pm in the lower parking lot of Chisago Lake Lutheran Church in Center City. This is your chance to get rid of clutter that has been bugging you all winter. There is a small charge for most stuff and we have an ad on page six listing what items are accepted. They do accept cash, checks and even Venmo. If I could make a suggestion, get there early. The lines tend to get longer as the day progresses.
Shafer City Council discusses second addition to Shafer Meadows
Shafer City Council held a regular meeting April 15. All members were present.
Thank you for reading today
Last week we mailed out our blue renewal cards. I know that many of you have taken advantage of our early renewal coupon we ran for a month. If you have renewed already, you do not have to call us, I am sure the card and your payment just crossed paths in the night at the USPS. If you have not renewed, we have made it easy for you to do so. Simply send in your payment along with the blue card and we will make sure you don’t miss a single week of the Chisago County Press.
Happy Easter to your families
Thanks so much to Doris and all of her awesome helpers who once again put on a great Easter egg hunt last Saturday. You never know what weather we will have for the hunt (we have had snow and even a driving rain) so Saturday’s good weather was awesome.
Center City council accepts Rotary kiosk, and bike trail donations
Center City Council held a regular meeting April 1. All members were present. The meeting began with Chris DuBose addressing the council as a Rotary representative. DuBose told the council Rotary has designated the future Swedish Immigrant Trailhead in Center City as a beneficiary of funds. DuBose suggested the Rotary might fund a kiosk like other trailheads such as Taylors Falls. The council thanked the Rotary for their generous donation.
Shafer City Council briefs....
Shafer City Council held a regular meeting April 1. Council member Nick Brehm and attorney James Monge were absent.
Goodbye Alice - you will be missed
If there is one thing I hate, it’s using this space to talk about friends and people in our community who have passed away. It’s not that I hate writing about them, rather it means I am writing about someone I have come to know and many times become close to. This week is no exception. Alice Nelson has sadly passed away. Many of our loyal readers will recognize the name as she was our food writer for what seemed like decades.
Easter seems so late this year
Every year since our kids were small we have saved to take a vacation. My wife and I grew up in households that never, and I mean never, took vacations. It just wasn’t feasible back then. We vowed to try our darndest to make sure our kids had a vacation even if it was someplace as simple as the north shore.
Chisago Lake Township levy upped seven percent
Chisago Lake Township met for the annual meeting March 11. The meeting began shortly after the polls closed. Fifteen people attended the meeting.
Say goodbye to a good friend
The community has had a few losses of pillars recently.
Center City Council gets updates on burnt building, auto-pay, ironworks relocation
Center City Council met March 4 for a regular meeting. All members were present with council member Lloyd Vetter joining virtually.
Shafer charitable gaming permits in flux; Saloon pulltabs put on hold
Shafer City Council held a regular meeting March 4. All members were present. The meeting began by hearing from Matt McKenzie of the Shafer Fire and Rescue Relief Association. McKenzie is the gambling manager for the association and he was there to discuss Shafer Saloon.
Stacy sets street improvement hearing
Stacy City Council met February 11 for a regular meeting. All members were present.
What is that noise? My teeth
I for one am utterly and completely sick of this cold weather. Don’t get me wrong, I love snow, in fact I say bring it on, the more the better. But this take your breath away cold air is bordering on ridiculous. Even with a new battery in my truck, it’s a craps throw if it starts. I like to gamble, but not this way.
Shafer City Council discusses code violations with deputy, lift station issues with public works, ok’s new GPS tracker
Shafer City Council held a regular meeting January 21. All members were present. The council swore in new member Marilyn Anderson before the meeting began.
This community is so amazing
Don’t ever let it be said this community isn’t compassionate. For years you have been donating to help clothe the homeless in our state. We have groups that spend their free time making quilts for those in need, we have some truly great food shelves in our county that are fortified by your giving. Well, this past Christmas you outdid yourselves. There has always been a Salvation Army red kettle at Brink’s Market during the holidays, which people are great, at throwing in money on their way in or out. But this year, this year the kettle collected an amazing $18,856! Are you kidding me? I am at a loss for words.
Stacy Council talks well, compost site
Stacy City Council met January 14 for a regular meeting. The council swore in new council member Mike Hoppe along with Dennis Thieling and Mayor Mark Utecht.
Shafer OK’s 3.5% COLA; ice rink plan
Shafer City Council held its first meeting of the year January 7. Newly elected Rebecca Henderson (pictured right) was sworn in. Marilyn Anderson who was also elected in November was unable to attend the meeting and will be sworn in at the next meeting.
At least Sundays are free now
Well I would love to be sitting here writing about the Vikings’ win over the Los Angeles Rams Monday night. Once again, the week is Groundhog Day as it has been the last what seems like every year of my life. I had no expectations heading into the game but to go out like that was enough for the consumption of four Rolaids for yours truly. I do believe this team is on the right trajectory and our quarterback for this was hopefully standing on the sidelines. With what little they went with into the season, compared to the 14 wins they had, I would say watching the games were very entertaining at least.
Skating at my age? Good grief
If you get the Press delivered to you, you may be reading this a day late. The USPS closed in honor of the day of mourning for the late President Jimmy Carter. I will admit I am on the fringe of being too young to remember and appreciate the former President. But as the tributes roll in from around the country, it is obvious he made an impact in this country and the world as well.
Register for business show now
Our community lost a good one over the holidays. Local attorney Tim Peterson sadly passed away. I have known Tim for quite a long time and he will be greatly missed. It took me years to figure Tim out. I would bump into him here and there and try to liven the conversation up with a joke and the best I could get was just a crack of a smile. But then when I really took in his conversations, I realized he was absolutely hilarious - but his wry humor was hidden away.
Stacy City Council moves street improvements forward; discusss possibilites with well house number one
Stacy City Council met December 10 for a regular meeting. Council member Dennis Thieling was absent.
Drone for Christmas? Maybe not
Thanks so much to the folks at Lindstrom’s First United Methodist Church for putting on the annual Living Nativity last Saturday evening. We took in the early show and crowd numbers seemed a little low. We did have freezing rain for a good chunk of Saturday so maybe people were playing it safe. Anyway, the show was amazing and there is nothing better to get you in the Christmas spirit that is the story of Jesus.
Shafer Council passes cannabis ordinances; adjusts contested fees
Shafer City Council met December 3 for a regular meeting. All members were present.
Lighting events this week
If you were one of the brave who toughed it out taking in the Taylors Falls Lighting Festival, you enjoyed one of the best parades I can remember. It was considerably longer than ever and the crowd size was immense. Despite having some very cold fingers, we had a great time at the event. Taylors Falls does an absolutely wonderful job with the Lighting Festival and all involved deserve a huge thank you.
A half-century of Taylors Falls service
As we approach Thanksgiving and Christmas, in Taylors Falls the season has long been linked with the Lions Club. Whether it be community bingo, the Lighting Festival, or Wannigan Days, the Lions presence is a certainty.
Lindstrom tackles cannabis, exterior building material
Lindstrom City Council met November 20 for a regular meeting.
Stacy City Council briefs......
Stacy City Council met November 12 for a regular meeting. All members were present.
Bingo, bingo everywhere
Thanksgiving is just around the corner. If you are going to be alone this Thanksgiving, you don’t have to be. The good folks at Chisago Lake Lutheran Church in Center City invite any and all to come enjoy Thanksgiving with them and others. The meal is free and features all of the wonderful traditional turkey meal fixings. I have assisted with the meal in the past, and I have to be honest, that meal looked more appealing then some we have traveled to with family. You are asked to please make reservations by November 25 so they know how much to prepare. You can contact them at 651-257-6300 or email them at office@chisagolakelutheran.org.
Center City Council discusses dog licensees, fire damaged property
Center City Council met November 6 for a regular meeting. All members were present.
Give to Max Day, thanks Vets
November 21 is Give to the Max Day. This is a day when thousands of donors across Minnesota rally around their favorite charities by making gifts through GiveMN to increase the wellbeing of our communities. The event began in 2009 and raised $14 million in 24 hours. Since then the event has raised over $300 million for charities- nonprofits and schools.
Cast your vote this Saturday
If you had planned on voting early like me and just can’t seem to make it work with your busy schedule, you are in luck. This Saturday, the Government center in Center City will be open for early voting. You can cast your ballot from 9am to 3pm. There are plenty of signs directing you to the correct area.
Lindstrom Council briefs...
Lindstrom City Council met October 16 for a regular meeting. Council member Dave Waldoch was absent.
Stacy City Council has full agenda last week
Stacy City Council met October 8 for a regular meeting. All members were present. The council opened the meeting with public comment. Resident Paul Wagner who resides along Hemingway Avenue asked the council what their policy is on replacing damaged mailboxes due to snow plowing. Wagner claims he has had three boxes ruined in the last three years when in Lent Township. Wagner said he was promised the township would take care of the matter but never did. The council assured Wagner the city public works will not avoid him and if he is ignored, Mayor Mark Utecht told Wagner to contact him directly.
Shafer City Council briefs
Shafer City Council met October 1 for a regular meeting. Council member Nick Brehm was absent.
Waffles and pizza - the best
In last week's edition of the Press we had a page dedicated to the Chisago Lakes Area Foundation grants given out at their annual Oktoberfest celebration.
Stacy City Council briefs...
Stacy City Council met September 10 for a regular meeting, all members were present with 11 residents also attending.
Thanks for the celebrations!
Well I think that is about it for town celebrations. Shafer held the annual Shafer Days celebration last Friday and Saturday, Wyoming held its Stagecoach Days over the weekend and Almelund hosted the very popular Apple Festival on Sunday. The weather was spectacular with the exception of a very brief shower on Saturday.
Shafer City Council briefs....
Shafer City Council met September 3 for a regular meeting. Council member Nick Brehm was absent.
Center City Council adopts levy
Center City Council met September 3 for a regular meeting. All members were present with two visitors in the audience.
So much to do this weekend!
This weekend is Shafer Days and Apple Fest. Oh and did I mention Stagecoach Days in Wyoming?
Summer is (gulp) over? Still fun events to take in locally
Schools are officially back in session....where on earth did the summer go? It was just yesterday I was writing about the dire lake levels and wondering if we would be walking across the dried lake beds... Thankfully Mother Nature took care of us and the lakes came up to good levels.
Lindstrom Council hears residents’ concerns, no action yet on building height standard
Lindstrom City Council met August 21 for a regular meeting. Council member Brian Norelius was absent.
St. Bridget’s block party is this weekend, food advice for Fair
Thanks so much to all who attended the Relay for Life at Chisago Lake Lutheran Church Friday evening. The group of people who put all of the hours in year round, to make this such a great event are one of a kind. This was the first year in as long as I can remember that I couldn’t make the relay, so I was pretty bummed-out. But the event from what I am told was fantastic, as usual.
Stacy Council sets September 18 for clean up day, property line dispute required to get survey
Stacy City Council met August 14 for a regular meeting, all members were present. City engineer Dan Boyum was absent.
Prev Next