Stacy sets hearing date for streetwork
Stacy City Council met October 13 for a regular meeting. All members were present.
Halloween dance, waffle breakfast
Thanks to the great ladies and gentlemen who worked so hard to make this year’s Kid’s Outerwear Fair again this year. These folks collect warm clothing all year long to be dispersed out to our friends and families here in Chisago Lakes at no cost. They really don’t know the impact they are having on these families who may be down on their luck currently. Between the outerwear fair and the free community meals just to name a few, this community never ever ceases to amaze me with its generosity.
Age Well Expo, Outerwear Fair
Tomorrow the good folks at Chisago Age Well Coalition will be holding another Expo at the Chisago Lakes High School. This year’s theme is “it’s never too late to learn something new” and will feature a ton of vendors with helpful information on health services, social activities, volunteer opportunities and much more. The expo is free and there is food and drink available for purchase. The doors open at 9am and the expo runs until 1pm. There are health screenings as well as some great, timely seminars to take in. The entrance is at the PAC Center doors.
Center City renews county sheriff patrol for 2027
Center City Council met October 6 for a regular meeting. All members were present.
Pumpkins, Fire Prevention Week
This Saturday at Shafer Township Hall from 8am to noon they will be hosting a recycling day. If you missed the event at Chisago Lake Lutheran last weekend, you have another chance. Shafer Township Hall is located at 18259 St. Croix Trail (Highway 95.)
Awards night for a great group
I had the opportunity to attend the Chisago Lakes Area Community Foundation’s annual grant ceremony at Wild Mountain last Thursday night. The group has been around for a while now, but is truly making a difference in our community. This year the non-profit was able to hand out just over $37,000 in grants to deserving local groups to be used to better our community. They are such a special group that only has the best interest for the community as their goal. Thanks to all the women and men who give their time, fundraising abilities and hard work to make the foundation so great.
Shafer discusses permit on lot with potential buyer
Shafer City council met September 15 for a regular meeting. Council member Nick Brehm was absent.
Lindstrom early levy up by 4.9 percent
Lindstrom City Council met September 16 for a regular meeting. Council member Greg Krueger and Brian Norelius attended virtually.
And that’s a wrap on festivals
I had the pleasure of attending Shafer Days and Almelund’s Apple Festival this weekend. They are two of the final summer celebrations and they didn’t disappoint.
Stacy looks to get new fire truck, new cannabis biz questioned
Stacy City Council met September 8 for a regular meeting. All members were present.
Shafer City Council briefs.....
Shafer City council met September 1 for a regular meeting. Mayor Paula Hanson attended remotely.
Was that thunder I just heard?
Tuesday early morning I was awakened by a noise I have not heard in ages. Thunder. Me being the eternal pessimist, assumed that some nearby town was getting much deserved rain and we were once again getting shorted. I could not believe my eyes when I looked at our rain guage and it read two inches. Maybe we are turning the corner and the drought is possibly going to end for us? Maybe we left the sprinkler too close to the rain guage and fooled ourselves. My scepticism was eased driving to work and seeing puddles in the ditch. I will take whatever we can get at this point.
St. Bridget’s block party is Saturday
Last week I told you the entire Swedish Immigrant Regional Trail was closed for resurfacing. Apparently I was wrong, because we recently walked the portion that spans from Tern Avenue to Taylors Falls City Hall. The remaining sections are closed for construction. Sorry for the misinformation.
Shafer looks at manganese issue again and well status
Shafer City council met August 18 for a regular meeting. All members were present.
Why is the trail closed now?
What an absolutely spectacular weekend Chisago City had for Ki Chi Saga Days. We got a reprieve from the blistering summer-long heat and you could see the effect in the sheer number of visitors to the celebration. Moberg Park was packed the entire time and there were people everywhere. The parade was great as always and the street dance had a good turnout I am told.
Stacy discusses cannabis regulations
In an open forum, County Commissioner Ben Montzka gave an update from the county level. Montzka said they were dealing with the ongoing strike. Montzka said the striking workers are valuable and appreciated. He added the county has tried to backfill with supplement employees as best as possible. Montzka was asked if the county spent an extra $250k for the supplement workers. “Actually the county has saved a significant amount of money due to the striking employees not getting paid while striking,” Montzka said. “A resolution to the strike is of the utmost importance,” Montzka added.
Center City Council moves old jail site housing plat forward
Center City Council met August 4 for a regular meeting. All members were present. There were 38 people in attendance.
Small break; was that a goat?
We finally have a weekend break from town celebrations. Next week will be Chisago City’s chance to shine. This weekend you can recharge your batteries because they rev up again with Ki Chi Saga Days, Almelund Threshing Show, Shafer Days, and Amador Applefest just around the corner.
Stacy Daze is in the spotlight
Center City Days have come and gone. The heat (stop me if you have heard this before) didn’t seem to deter the crowds attending the celebration. The street dance had a huge turnout on Saturday night. Thanks so much to all the volunteers who did such a great job of making our local festivities so fun for all of us to enjoy!
Stacy council hears concern about cannabis plan; new truck purchase on the horizon
Stacy City Council met July 15 for a regular meeting. Mayor Mark Utecht was absent.
Lindstrom Council gets update on old Dinnerbel site from developer
Lindstrom City Council met June 16 for a regular meeting. The meeting was moved to Thursday due to Harmony in the Park on Wednesdays. All members were present.
Center City Council seeks clarity on catch basins
Center City Council met July 7 for a regular meeting. Council member Sally Swanson was absent.
From KOD to Wannigan Days
What a fantastic weekend Lindstrom had for the Karl Oskar Days celebration. It finished right before this current inferno week began. The entire event was very well attended with the parade being as full and as crowded as I can remember. It was full of great floats and tons of candy and it moved along better than it ever has.
Karl Oskar Days are upon us
I cannot believe the summer celebrations are here. Yes it has been beyond uncomfortable with high temps and high humidity, but it seems like it was just freezing outside, and summer would never arrive.
Roasting or freezing - no between
A few years back our house had bad damage from a storm that ripped through Center City. If you remember it was the one that landed the giant wood adirondack chair in the middle of North Center Lake. We ended up getting new siding and a new roof after the storm, so it was our chance to change the look to whatever we wished. We chose a dark grey with a black roof and it looks amazing. We have had many compliments on the new look of our house. So why am I writing about it? I am giving a warning if you are thinking about those color combinations. The dark grey looks great but I would skip the black roof next time. Our upstairs is so hot now whenever it is warm out. Not sure if they make white shingles, but I will be looking into it.
Hail hail go away - GOAT Rusty
Good grief - I wrote about needing rain and boy did Mother Nature answer. Maybe I am getting absent minded but I don’t remember every storm in years past containing hail. It seems lately if we don’t get a semblance of hail it’s an oddity. What happened to the good old gully-washer rains? You know the ones that don’t pock mark the hoods of our vehicles?
Lindstrom Council gets presentation on vacant site
Lindstrom City Council met June 18 for a regular meeting. The meeting was moved to Thursday due to Harmony in the Park on Wednesdays. All members were present.
Stacy council talks benefits for staff; public works tasks to be done
Stacy City Council met June 9 for a regular meeting. Council member Mike Hoppe was absent.
Visit Midsommar in Lindstrom
This week and weekend is the annual Midsommar event in Lindstrom. The event which had a wonderful turnout its first year is back again and filled with fun for the whole family. The event kicked off with Elvis headlining the Harmony in the Park.
Confused about Highway 8?
Many people have inquired where the Highway 8 reconstruction project sits right now. It just so happens there is a community informational meeting on Tuesday June 9 at the Lindstrom Community Center. The meeting will run from 5-7pm and will feature the recommendations made by MnDOT for improving Highway 8 from Chisago City to Taylors Falls. These meetings are the best way to stay informed of what this massive project will look like. See page 4 for the advertisement. Right now, on the west end of the route the Wyoming to Chisago City #8 projects are approaching design completion and they’re buying right-of-way.
New saloon owners and firefighters reconnect
Shafer City council met May 19 for a regular meeting. Mayor Paula Hanson was absent.
Lindstrom council gets audit; Fairview fence being reinstalled
Lindstrom City Council met May 20 for a regular meeting. All members were present.
Beautiful Memorial Day services
Thank you so much to the local Veterans for doing such a great job with all the Memorial Day events at our local cemeteries. I attended some and the crowd numbers were good. It helps when Mother Nature cooperates. It was a beautiful weekend and the services were fantastic.
Memorial Day is more than fun
This weekend is Memorial Day weekend. That means the bulk of us get to enjoy an extra day off on Monday. While most of us use it for catching up on yard work or enjoying a picnic with family, sometimes we miss the real reason for the day off.
New saloon owner gets Shafer OK on charitable gaming
Shafer City council met May 5 for a regular meeting all members were present.
Renewal time is here once again
May 13 the Chisago Age Well group will host another Dine & Discover. This event will focus on Safe Use of Medications. They will once again be holding the event three times, beginning with Chisago County Senior Center in North Branch at 9am. At noon the event will move to Zion Lutheran Church in Chisago City and the last event of the day will be at 3:30pm at the Rush City Community Center.
Lots to do (eat) this weekend
There are a few events for us to partake in this weekend. Saturday afternoon/evening the Taylors Falls Fire Department invites everybody to come enjoy their super popular Smelt Fry. Held at the Taylors Falls Fire Hall (637 First Street), the event runs from 4 - 7:30pm. The meal includes smelt (if you haven’t tried it you have to!), beans, french fries, coleslaw, rolls and a beverage.
Lindstrom council tackles unfinished projects
Lindstrom City Council met April 15 for a regular meeting. All members were present.
Trail issues, apartment pond and new owners at Fiesta Cancun on agenda
Center City Council met April 7 for a regular meeting. All members were present.
Egg hunt, better late than never
Shafer Parks Committee held their first annual Easter Egg Hunt Saturday. I was a bit skeptical about the turnout because of the fact that Easter had already passed. In fact, I was there fifteen minutes early and was still thinking the same thing. But the residents of Shafer poured into Shafer Meadows Park and soon it was filled with kids filling their bags with Easter eggs. The city put out so many eggs (3,000 in all) that most kids left with multiple bags of easter eggs filled with goodies. Thanks to the Parks Committee for making a dreary Saturday morning fun for so many kids of all ages.
One more egg hunt, new play at CL
I trust you had a wonderful Easter with your family on Sunday. Ours was good - we had our extended family Easter on Saturday which was cold and snowy. But it’s spring in Minnesota - what do we expect?
Easter is here, hunt next week
Thanks so much to the folks at Chisago City for hosting the very popular Easter Egg hunt last Saturday. Hundreds showed up for all of the fun and games.
Egg hunt, waffles, and bingo
Remember if you have yet to take in a local fish fry at one of the churches in our area, many of them will be hosting their final fish fry of the season tomorrow (Friday). This is your chance to enjoy some terrific fish with friends and neighbors.
Center City Council briefs......
Center City Council met March 3 for a regular meeting. Council member Lloyd Vetter was absent.
Miss the expo conversations
As we progress through this late winter early spring, it is getting a bit odd, not having the annual home and business expo. The home show began way back in 1979 and has been a staple of our area since that year.
Some places you never forget
My wife and I and two of our good friends took a couple of days off last week and headed south. We went to a town about an hour and half from Cancun that we have been to before. The weather was incredible, mid 80’s and barely a cloud every day. It was so nice to get away from the deep freeze we have experienced this winter. We came home on Saturday afternoon and as soon as we touched down, our phones buzzed like crazy from friends and family texting us. Apparently we got out of Mexico just in time. The road we took back to the airport had fire ravaged cars littering the highway. The closest gas station to our place was set ablaze because the Mexican government had taken out the head of one of the largest cartels in all of Mexico. The bulk of chaos seemed to be in the PuertoVallarta area which is on the other side of Mexico from where we were. Nonetheless we were so grateful to make it home and sleep in our own bed safe and sound.
Stacy roadwork set for spring start
Stacy City Council met February 10 for a regular meeting. All members were present.
It felt like Florida for the COL
What amazing weekend weather we had for the Celebration of the Lakes. We don’t get many of these warm temps for the celebration so we need to enjoy them when they come.
This long winter is taking a toll
What a relief it was to finally see the sun and have above zero temperatures this week. This “deep freeze” is starting to mess with all of our attitudes and dressing in six layers is getting old. Even our dog would just look at us when we asked him to go for a walk. Only 43 more days until spring. It can’t come fast enough.
Celebration of Lakes is upon us
As I wrote here last week, the Celebration of the Lakes version 2026 is still on. While the Chamber is not spearheading the event, the good folks at Chisago City and a bunch of great volunteers have stepped up so our community can continue to enjoy the event we have come to love over the years.
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